 Hawaiian Grief Wellness Cruise
Aloha!
Are you grieving the loss of someone you love? Are you looking for a nurturing vacation to get away from it all, to gain perspective in your life and to find a way to come to terms with what has happened? Do you find yourself searching for additional help and you aren’t finding the support you need? If so, consider our Hawaiian Grief Wellness Cruise!
We invite you to join us for a unique opportunity to explore your grief process and enjoy the tropical warmth and tranquil beauty of the Hawaiian Islands  aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s “The Pride of Aloha”. We will visit four amazing islands – Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and “The Big Island” of Hawaii – on a 7-day cruise from Sunday, August 31 to Sunday, September 7, 2008.
Grief Wellness Program
The Grief Wellness Program is a unique opportunity for you to explore your grief process and to learn to navigate the course of your new life with a grief wellness cruise. Onboard, we will host a variety of special group gatherings and workshops to bring people together who have a common basis in loss. We recognize that sometimes it helps to connect with others who are in similar situations, and although it is not required, we encourage our participants to get to know each other through our private gatherings and workshops. A more detailed agenda and itinerary will be available on June 1, 2008.
Workshops will be scheduled outside of shore excursions at a time of day that makes it possible for most participants to join in. Our 1½-hour workshops will be available at different times throughout the day and evening to work with excursions and other activities. A schedule of workshop topics will be available on June 1, 2008. Topics will be taken from the list of “ Top 10 Grief Wellness Tips” . The program also includes two individual one-hour coaching sessions that will need to be scheduled in advance. We will provide a sign-up sheet at the welcome reception to schedule these appointments. We will be available for additional sessions at an extra charge.
Your Hosts & Facilitators
 Susan Balkman, M.A., LPC, LADAC, LMT Licensed Therapist and Personal / Professional Coach Susan has been working in the field of mental health for over 27 years. She has worked with individuals, groups, couples, children, adolescents, families and agencies to discover what it takes for people to live fully in their lives while holding their brilliance with honor and grace, in learning to heal the whole person. Susan has extensive training and experience working with trauma, grief, and loss. She believes it is an honor to walk on this journey of the heart and soul.
Travel Companion Program
 We encourage you to bring someone with you who is a part of your support system.
We will include a special program for these participants who are supportive travel companions to their family or friends going through the grief process. Anyone traveling with you will be considered a participant in our Grief Wellness Group and therefore, no special “cruise-only” rates will be extended by us. They are invited and encouraged to participate in all of the program activities, including special group events, workshops, and the individual coaching and counseling sessions that are included in the package.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age. If your travel companion is 18-20 years of age, special arrangements will need to be made at the time of registration with our Cruise Specialist. The cruise line has requirements with regard to guests under 21 years of age. They must be accompanied in the same or connecting stateroom by a guest 21 years of age or older who expressly agrees to be responsible for the under-21 guest throughout the cruise. This includes, but is not limited to, preventing the purchase or consumption of alcohol contrary to the NCL alcohol policy, and preventing the violation of any ship rules. Special requirements apply if the accompanying adult is not the minor’s parent or legal guardian. Please advise us if this is your situation.
We are honored to welcome you to this Hawaiian Grief Wellness experience. We look forward to working with you!
Top 10 Tips for Grief Wellness
 Respect and feel the pain of your loss. You must go through the pain to heal it.
- Mourn and express your grief without trying to minimize it or pretend it doesn’t exist. Sharing it with others can be very healing if you’re open to this.
- Remember and honor the person who died.
- Be patient and gentle with yourself; you will have good and bad days.
- Find ways to nurture yourself.
- Find understanding companions, support groups, and grief specialists and/or programs to help you through your grief process. Let others help you!
- Realize your grief is natural, normal, and unique. Try not to compare it to others’ grief. Take it one day at a time and go at your own pace.
- Discourage yourself from making hasty, critical decisions within the first year (for example, selling your house and moving to another city). Trust that you will plan for what needs to be done by using sound judgment with deliberation and in good time.
- Develop a new self-identity by exploring your assumptions, values, beliefs, relationships, and goals. Explore grief wellness coaching programs and retreats to help you create a new you.
- Integrate the loss into your new life as you find the meaning and purpose of your life. Celebrate your transformation and the new person you’ve become as a result of this experience!
Grief Wellness Group Package
Your Grief Wellness Group Package includes single occupancy accommodation (per person) in your cabin of choice* (see below), meals, transfers/taxes, on-board ship activities and Broadway-style shows, and the Grief Wellness Program (special group gatherings, workshops, and 2 individual counseling/coaching sessions). It does not include airfare, gratuities (equivalent to approximately $10/day per person), some beverages (soft drinks, bottled water, or alcohol), shore excursions, or spa services.
On-Board Cruise Activities
Pools / Sundecks
Restaurants / Nightclubs / Bars / Theaters
Body Waves Spa / Beauty Salon
Fitness Center / Sports Courts –Basketball / Volleyball / Golf Driving Nets
Internet Café / Video Arcade / Library / Cinema
Cultural Center / Art Gallery
Gift Shops
Shore Excursions
Brochures and forms will be provided to sign-up for activities in advance. There are more than 100 different Shore Excursions and Island Adventures for you to choose from. Take that helicopter tour to see an active volcano on the Big Island. Learn to surf. Golf at fine, luxurious resorts. Explore small towns and glorious beaches, such as Lumahai Beach from the movie “South Pacific”. It’s up to you!
Island / Ship Itinerary* – Sample Time Schedule
Departing Honolulu on 31 Aug 08 at 8 p.m.
Arrive at Kauai on 01 Sept 08 at 8 a.m.
Departing Kauai on 02 Sept 08 at 1 p.m.
Arrive at Hilo on 03 Sept 08 at 9 a.m. and departing at 6 p.m.
Arrive at Kona on 04 Sept 08 at 7 a.m. and departing at 6 p.m.
Arrive at Maui on 05 Sept 08 at 8 a.m.
Departing Maui on 06 Sept 08 at 9:30 p.m.
Arriving back to Honolulu on 07 Sept 08 at 7 a.m.
*NCL reserves the right to change the itinerary at any time. ALL guests MUST be on board at least 30 minutes prior to departure time.
 Grief Wellness Group Rates
Special Early Bird Discount! We invite you to take advantage of our special Early Bird Discount. Pay in full by May 1, 2008 for big savings!!!
Balcony
$2,495 per person (payment before May 1st)
$2,995 per person (payment after May 1st)
Outside Cabin (window)
$2,095 per person (payment before May 1st)
$2,595 per person (payment after May 1st)
Inside Cabin (no window)
$1,995 per person (payment before May 1st)
$2,495 per person (payment after May 1st)
Double Occupancy Notice
There are 2 beds per cabin in each cabin category (Balcony, Outside, and Inside Cabins).
The above prices are per person for the Grief Wellness Group Rate. This includes the use of 1 bed and 1 shared bathroom and common living areas per cabin. Double occupancy is required for each cabin. This means you will be paired with another person (woman/woman – man/man) who is a Grief Wellness Group participant unless
1) You bring a travel companion who is booked for the Grief Wellness Group Rate, or
2) You choose to have a private cabin at the double occupancy rate. If you select the second option, the additional purchase price will be given to you separately (depending upon the type of cabin selected) in addition to the above group rates.
Registration Information
We require 50 percent payment at time of registration, with the balance due by June 1, 2008. If you are interested in the “Early Bird Discount” rate, your payment must be received in full by May 1, 2008. Please confirm this at registration.
Registration is required. Please e-mail or call 720-220-7574 to set up a registration appointment. Payments are to be made to Healing Palms of Kauai, Inc., in U.S. dollars by personal check, cashier’s check or with a credit card payment through PayPal. Payment will be discussed at the time of registration.
Cancellations
 We know better than anyone that life is what happens when you’re making other plans! We will make every effort to work with you as much as possible if you need to cancel your trip.
You have until the final payment is due to cancel your trip for any reason. Your registration deposit will be returned, however there will be a $500 cancellation fee.
We have included travel insurance in our Grief Wellness Group Rate that covers you thereafter. This travel insurance reimburses you only if you need to cancel your trip due to illness or death after the final payment is received. Appropriate documentation is required. You will receive your payments made to date minus a $500 cancellation fee that still applies due to administration costs and non-refundable deposits required by the cruise line.
If you’re interested in purchasing additional coverage, please let us know during registration. Liability and travel protection will be reviewed and discussed during registration.
We will connect you with our cruise specialist, Kris, if you have additional needs or questions, or require assistance with flight reservations or additional island accommodations, etc. We want to make your trip everything you want it to be!
 What about Passports?
We strongly recommend that you carry a valid and current passport as a way of ensuring your protection. Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens who are cruising in Hawaii aboard NCL America, they will need to bring a driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID for identity verification and a copy of your birth certificate with a raised seal. If you are a citizen of any other country, please confirm that you have the proper passports/visas in compliance with United States customs requirements well in advance of your travel dates.
In rare circumstances, travelers whose names have appeared on “No Fly” lists have been prevented from boarding airplanes and ships. The only way to legitimately confirm your identity with officials is to show a valid and current passport and the appropriate visas, as necessary. Healing Palms of Kauai, Inc. and SailAway Cruises will not be responsible for anyone denied boarding for any reason. If you have any questions, we will do what we can to assist you.
 Here's what our participants have to say....
“I leave today with a feeling of peace and joy. I am rested. My goals and your goals of rest, nurturing and growth were met 10 fold. I also feel a strength I had previously wavered on with my new career. This group confirmed my path. I have such respect for your professionalism yet genuine care for us. You also supported each other creatively and in a rhythm of fun. I know behind the scene, it was busy and intense, your energy never waivered. Amazing!” - B. F., Michigan
“I truly cannot put into words how this adventure you took me through has changed my life! Simply put…I want to live my life again! Your vision has changed so many lives!
Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!!! - C.D., Massachusetts
“The overall feeling I came home with – happy and relaxed. (An “aha” moment) – “that I was getting better - feeling happier. I was just excited to be there with all the great people.” – A.F., Colorado
“I miss Hawaii so much. We had an incredible time. The beauty you showed us was unbelievable. So I truly thank you!” - B.R., Canada
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Recovery Specialist