Wow! What a Party! We have uploaded over 600 pictures and could still use a bunch more (especially the concert at the Hilton) ! So if you were on the cruise and have some good ones send them to us (preferably on disk as jpgs) and we'll post them.

Dateline 3/11/02...,
You just missed the world's biggest Salsa party! We just returned from a glorious week in the Caribbean. Some of the bands that we danced to included Celia Cruz, El Gran Combo, Grupo Niche, Willy Chirino, Frankie Negron, Puerto Rican Power, Eddie Santiago, Hansel Y La Calle Ocho, Fruko y Sus Tesos. Here's the recap:

Starting on Friday March 1st we partied at Miami's #1 club Mystique til 4 am.
On Saturday big luxury coaches took us from the Miami Hilton to our cruise ship the beautiful NCL Sky. After embarcation and lifeboat drill, we had our first get together dance where everyone got to know each other over rum punches. That night we had our first dance under the stars by the huge pool. The sound system could probably be heard back in Miami and LA's #1 DJ Frank Martinez kept it going way past 2 AM.
On Sunday we spent the morning in the Bahamas with some going on the Dolphin Encounter or over to the Atlantis Resort, and sailed off for St Thomas in the afternoon.
On Monday we spent an entire day at sea doing workshops, partying by the pool, exploring all the fun adventures the ship had to offer and an amazing evening dance with the wind cooling you off no matter how much you danced.
On Tuesday, many of the group went snorkeling at Coki Beach or Magen's Bay before making the rounds of all the duty free shops. Every night after the dinner and show everyone would gather around the pool for 4-5 hours of hot Salsa. With the ocean breezes you could dance every song and not get sweaty or even jump in the pool or jacuzzi and right back out.
On Wednesday we arrived in San Juan and spent the morning touring the old fort El Morro, or walking through the old town shops. That afternoon Felipe Polanco took us to a new club called El Conuco and a special party featuring Roberto Roena's band, local dancers and the best dj's from various clubs. An incredible party was capped by a jam session of our dancers and the local PR dancers. With all the ship activities throughout the day and some really glorious weather attendance at our daily workshops was really light but students really enjoyed all the varied styles and high levels of instruction.
On Thursday on our all day return sail towards the Great Cay we had another great day of workshops or partying by the pool, or watching DJ Frank who was hotter than a pistol in the Casino! At 9PM we took over the ship's discoteque for an open Salsa dance for all passengers then another evening dance at the pool that didn't even start until midnight.
On Friday we parked off the shore of the Great Cay and took the tenders over. After a day of fun in the sun, we gravitated over to the reggae band stage and asked them to play some Salsa. After a really interesting version of La Bamba ;-) they got better at it and started to play some more Salsa. Our own Orlando who sings in Montreal, jumped up and blew every one away with his Salsa rendition. By then the afternoon sun and too many drinks in huge glasses, had us doing limbo, Rueda, and other really crazy things.
On Saturday we returned exhausted from too much partying and returned to the Hilton Resort. That night over 4,000 Salseros packed the Hilton ballroom and Mystique as the bands competed for the most number of standing ovations. Our dance pros kept drawing crowds everytime they danced and could often be seen switching partners in mid dance. L.A.'s Seaon Bristol showed up and jumped in. Enio & Brigitte were finally kicked out of the ballroom at 5:30 am after the last performance.
On Sunday morning we slowly boarded mini buses for the short trip over to Calle Ocho. With everyone separating off to see their favorite bands on 10 different stages, it was amazing that we kept crossing paths in the sea of 1 million Salseros. At 3 PM everyone joined hands and after a short speech from Governor Jeb Bush, everyone sang America the Beautiful. That night those still standing went down to Mystique for one last Salsa fix before heading home.

Want To Go Next Time? Here's the info for the just past 2002 Cruise. Dates and prices will be announced soon for next year's Costa Rica Land Cruise!

For the third year in a row we go to the world's biggest party CALLE OCHO! Starting on Saturday March 2nd, 2002 we will take the luxury cruise ship NCL Sky from Miami to Nassau, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas Virgin Islands, the Great Cay and back to Miami. If you're looking for the perfect escape from the winter chill, join us for this combination weeklong cruise, workshop and party. To download the announcement flyer in Adobe's PDF format click here. If you have already signed up to go on the cruise, please fill out the online cruise information sheet Our cruise flyer is available in PDF format. If you don't have it, you will need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to read the newsletter.
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Calle Ocho on Sunday your hosts for Salsa 2002:       Enio Cordoba    Terryl Jones The Teachers For 2002       Felipe Polanco    Carlos Tellez       Ron & Karla Montez            Jami Josephson;   Isabelle Pampillo         Homero Gonzalez   dj Frank Martinez New York's #1 DJ     L.A.'s #1 DJ       Orlando Alfonso

Sorry, You Missed The Chance To Join Us For This Year! Last year we called this a once in a lifetime cruise- obviously it wasn't because many of our Salseros from last year had so much fun that they have already signed up to go again! Two of the Penthouses have already been booked! After traveling all over the world teaching Salsa, Enio & Terryl have united 40 organizers from all over the world to create this fabulous event. Each of the organizers listed below will organize groups of Salseros from their area . Many of these hosts will also teach workshops and or privates during the cruise. We are adding more organizers and instructors daily. The pictured teachers are some of the Salsa pros who will be teaching. Please check the website periodically for the up to the minute list of teachers. More will be added soon. Workshops will be offered for all levels in different rooms and each teacher will teach in each level. All workshops and dances are included in our price. Private lessons will be available at additional cost. PARTY IN MIAMI- For those arriving in sexy Miami on Friday night March 1st, we'll get in the Salsa mood as we hang out at Mystique, Miami's hottest salsa club owned by Hansel Martinez of La Orchesta Calle Ocho at the exquisite Miami Airport Hilton on the Lagoon. On Saturday morning we'll board luxury coaches that will whisk you dockside to board the beautiful Norwegian Sky. GREAT CRUISE ITINERARY- One day after a stop in the Bahamas we will arrive at the site of one of the World's 10 best Beaches- the beautiful Caribbean Island of St. Thomas. Incredible duty free shopping and a glorious beach make this our favorite stop. The following day we will arrive at the Isla de el Encanto (island of Enchantment)- Puerto Rico. Felipe Polanco will show us the salsa side of San Juan. After a day at sea we will spend a day on NCL's private island- the Great Stirrup Cay where we will have a barbecue, sports day, and dance Rueda on the beach. Of course during the week the friendly staff of the Sky will entertain with great shows, exquisite food, happening casinos and fun by the pool. WORLDS BIGGEST SALSA PARTY!- Returning to Miami on Saturday, we will disembark and check our bags into the Hilton Resort. That night Hansel Martinez throws a party for 4,000 of his closest friends in the Hilton Grand Ballroom. We have discounted tickets available! Last year Gilberto Santa Rosa, El Gran Combo were just 2 of the top bands that played til 4 am! On Sunday morning we will head off to the World's biggest Salsa festival- Calle Ocho. In the last two years we saw among others Celia Cruz, El Gran Combo, Tito Nieves, Willy Chirino, Eddie Santiago, Oscar D'Leon, Fruko y Sus Tesos and a dozen more. Returning to the beautiful Hilton where those of us still standing will be dancing back at Miami's #1 nightclub, the throbbing Mystique owned by Hansel Martinez. The Hilton is also the place where many of the bands will stay. In the morning you'll rub elbows with many of them as we did this year! More to be named later! GREAT RATES/ LAYAWAY PLAN- Because of the large number of dancers on this cruise we have obtained extra low rates from NCL. To get these fares you must book as soon as possible! We know that many of you have budget constraints but can you imagine a weeklong luxury cruise on a new (3 yr old) ship that costs under $649? That's right! Those willing to travel 4 to a cabin may travel at around $649 per person plus port tax and hotel. To help you even further, we have set up a layaway program with NCL. A $250 deposit will hold your cabin and payments may be made until 70 days before sailing. Start planning now for an incredible week, it can't get any easier! Listed rates are for the cruise, onboard workshops and events only. Air Transportation, Hotel and Port taxes not included. Rates are Per person double occupancy! Single cabins @ 200% of listed fare. Category    Early Bird Prices      after January 10th    Additional Persons KK- Inside Stateroom      $799      $849      $499 J- Inside Stateroom      $821      $884      $499 JJ-Superior Inside      $899      $954      $514 I-Superior Inside      $925      $974      $514 II-Superior Inside      $944      $994      $514 G-Oceanview Stateroom      $1026      $1114      $514 F-Oceanview Stateroom      $1046      $1185      $514 FF-Oceanview Stateroom      $1099      $1134      $514 D-Oceanview Stateroom      $1141      $1154      $514 C-Oceanview Stateroom      $1171      $1204      $514 BC-Oceanview w/ Balcony      $1350      $1464      $514 Hotel Rates Although having a hotel room is not necessary for those flying in from the East Coast, we recommend that those flying in from the West Coast arrive on Friday as any delay might cause you to miss the sailing time. For the budget minded guests we have rooms at the Summerfield Suites starting at $89 and for our luxury minded guests the Hilton Resort starting at $129. Due to fluctuating airfares we regret that we cannot quote rates until you are ready to book. On the other hand airlines regularly hold sales and prices from L.A. can drop for as low as $200 r/t. (Travel tip: try Ft. Lauderdale airport instead of Miami Intl but don't forget to figure in the add'l taxi ride) Remember rates subject to change so book early! Please note- These rates include all workshops, dances and special events! A $250 deposit is required for holding a cabin prior to 70 days out. If you book the cruise through a different agency there is a $300 fee in order to attend any of our events. For questions regarding Workshops, Calle Ocho, or itinerary contact Enio @ (USA 01) 626-227-2572 or e-mail prodnzr@earthlink.net Special Layaway Program! Discounted tickets for the Special Mega Band Party in the Hilton Grand Ballroom Daily Salsa Workshops Special Swing & Latin Workshops Daily Rueda Classes Nightly Outdoor Dances Understanding Music Workshop Jack & Jill Salsa Contest Beach Party Hear what Albert Torres the world's #1 Salsa promoter had to say about our 2001 Cruise Audio File. We are proud to announce our newest copromoters: Raul & Alicia Gomez, Sherman Oaks; Carlos Pabon- New Jersey, Evan Margolin-SalsaCrazy.com, Charo Ledon- Ann Arbor, Michigan; Anthony Garcia, Orange County; Lazaro Martin Diaz- Rome,Italy; Lisana Zahir- Beverly Hills; Solomon & Rocio- Houston Texas; Anthony Garcia- Orange County, Ca.; Daniel Ramirez & Ysenia Peralta- New York; Orlando Alfonso from Montreal, Canada, Homero Gonzalez-London and Tony Boutros- British Columbia & Alberta, Canada; Juta Vanaga-Latvia; Juan Salido- Seattle; and our previously announced group organizers: Marco Mechelke- San Diego; Glen Braunstein- Seattle/Spokane & Alaska; Mari Ross- Tri Cities, Washington; Hal Segal (SalsaCruise.com)- Boulder, Colorado, Elda Gomez, Mexico;

If you have already signed up for the 2002 cruise, please CLICK HERE to fill out your cruise questionnaire.