Dear Brothers, Sisters and Friends, Holiday Greetings to all. It is with great enthusiasm and zeal that we continue our planning process for the 41st PAA National Convention in Crete in July of 2009. Without exception, all members of the 2009 PAA Convention Committee are working diligently, so that you will enjoy a most memorable Convention. In Crete, every one is looking forward to our home-coming and all local authorities are equally working hard to assure that our experience will be most pleasant.
Our Cultural Committee is working diligently to present programs that will mesmerize all of you. Imagine the sounds of the lyra, laouto, violin, and that of many other instruments as we sail the Aegean, under the star-lighted Grecian sky and the sounds of the deep blue Aegean waves. We hope that you, your family and friends will take what will be an unforgettable opportunity and attend the convention. In the following pages, you will find the Convention Program, as well as detailed diagrams of the ship and cabin layout with the respective prices. The prices quoted represent costs per person. Those of you with children are encouraged to book cabins with a 3 or a 4 person capacity. By doing so, the overall cost per person is by far lower, as the 3rd and 4th bed are priced well below the average bed. We would also like to emphasize that the Cruise package is ALL INCLUSIVE, (short of onboard gratuities and personal expenses, etc.). All land events, excursions, tours, on board events, activities, seminars, concerts, etc., are INCLUDED in the Cruise price! We are well aware of the economic difficulties that we all are currently going through, and realize that such difficulties make our job much more challenging!, I assure you that, to make the Cruise more affordable we are doing everything possible to minimize costs and to pass any savings directly to our Cruise participants and especially to our Youth. Earlier this month, we were able to lock-in a Euro- Dollar exchange rate much lower than originally anticipated, with very considerable savings over the entire Cruise contract, which savings we want to pass along to all cruise participants. Effective immediately thus, the Convention Executive Committee has decided to apply these savings in paying the Port Taxes for all participants. Thus, you will no longer need to pay the $190 port-tax per passenger, because the Pancretan will! If you have already made reservations and paid Homeric, we will refund you this money. This Cruise Convention will not be an ordinary affair, but rather an extraordinary one! From its Cultural and Educational components, to its authentic Entertainment venues, to its ability to link you and your family to our Cretan Values and Heritage. From the magical evening at Heraklion, during which the PAA will honor with its highest Venizelion Award the President of the Hellenic Republic, to our brief stop at Agios Nikolaos and trips to Lasithi, to the enchanting trip to Alexandria, Egypt, during which we will enjoy two Cretan Concerts under the summer moon and stars, and where we will be welcomed by the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa Theodore II, to the most fascinating evening at the old Limani of Chania where the Prefecture of Chania will welcome us with a most original Cultural and Historical Theatrical production and Reception at Firka, to our last evening at Rethymno, where the PAA in conjunction with the Prefecture and City of Rethymno will organize the most spectacular Cultural event on the Fortezza dedicated to the Cretan Woman and her contributions to development of the very fabric of the Cretan/Hellenic Society.
Intertwined with these major events, there will be plenty of opportunities for excursions and side trips, tours and simple relaxation, and a little Pancretan Business as well. All in all, by the 7th day, We predict that all of us will no doubt become “reborn” Cretans, “re-baptized” in the refreshing waters of the Cretan and Libyan Seas, and “re-charged” with the Culture and Heritage of our magic Island, and with enough “Cretan Energy” to last us a lifetime! We urge you to seriously consider joining us on this voyage to visit the land of our ancestors, the magical island of Crete. Furthermore we urge you to promote the Cruise at your social gatherings, dances, chapter meetings, family events! Promote it to friends, family members and to relatives! You will be surprised to know that many people simply don’t know the full details and program of the Convention, so that they too can consider it seriously and decide to join us. For any questions please call: Georgia Kokkinidou at (917) 661-8072, or Erasmia Novotny at 248-698-1452. Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy Christmas Holiday Season to you, and your families. With Fraternal Regards, Manolis Velivasakis, PAA President Kostas Travayiakis, Chairman, Organizing Committee |