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Bean Bag Extravaganza Cruise
November 11-14, 1999

On Thursday, November 11, 1999, 85 bean bag lovers boarded the Carnival cruise ship, Fantasy. They were greeted at a welcome reception by Pauline Ritthaler, Vicky Krupka, Becky Phillips and Becky Estenssoro. Each guest was given a welcome packet in a Puffkins bag which included a Flo the flamingo Puffkin with special cruise tag, exclusive cruise button, luggage tag, and keychain, a Dreamsicles Angel Hugs cherub, an exclusive Sailor Mickey Mouse, a Screenie Cleanie, a Coca-Cola Bean bag, a Classy Tassy keyring, an excluive Countdown Bear, and a Cushy Critter. Pauline and Vicky also had booklets put together for each guest chock full of info on each collectible represented on the cruise as well as fun, games, coupons and some special offers.

Friday saw the group heading off the ship for a one day stop over in Nassau, Bahamas. Shopping, swimming, walking on the beach, dancing, and sight seeing were some of the activities enjoyed while in port.

The Fantasy set sail once again early Saturday morning and the bean bag collectors gathered in the Crystal Lounge for a day of seminars and fun! Each seminar included drawings for great door prizes.

The first seminar was given by Becky Phillips, Becky Estenssoro, Vicky Krupka, Sara Nelson (Beanie Mom), and Lu Venia (Bean Doctor). They discussed Beanie Babies and the future of the bean bag collectibles market.

Pauline Ritthaler gave a very interesting talk on Disney bean bags. She was accompanied by Tomoe Hirao who joined the group all the way from Japan! Tomoe spoke about bean bag collectibles in Japan, especially Disney. Jerry Ritthaler spoke about H.R. Pufnstuf, a popular 70's character, arriving back on the scene in the form of bean bags.

After a delicious lunch, Nikole Gill gave a presentation on our beloved Puffkins. Wanting to do something a little different, she randomly handed out 6 Puffkins. Every time she said the word 'Puffkins', the audience tossed the Puffkin they were holding to someone else. At the end of the presentation, whoever was left holding a Puffkin got to keep it. As an added bonus, Nikole drew the name of a Puffkin and the lucky collector holding that Puffkin won a Puffkins' T-shirt. Pauline Ritthaler ended out the hour by speaking about Countdown Bears.

Vicky Krupka told about some of the other bean bag lines such as Coca-Cola, Angel Hugs, Screenie Cleanies, Classy Tassy's, and Cushy Critters. There were more drawings for fun things like Bean Mania shirts and baskets of bean bags.

At 5 o'clock, Captain Cupsiti joined the group. He was presented with a welcome packet of bean bags. He especially liked Flo and commented on how cute he thought she was. He told Nikole that his nine year old daughter in Italy was going to be overjoyed with the gifts. He graciously posed for pictures and signed autographs before leaving the collectors to their farewell cocktail party.

Most of the group was reluctant for the weekend to be over and spent the rest of the evening attending a Broadway style show, a comedy show, walking on the deck, and chatting at the midnight buffet.

Rising early in the morning, the bean bag lovers met for one last breakfast together. Last minute goodbyes were exchanged along with home and e-mail addresses in the Universe Lounge where the group had gathered to wait to clear customs. Once through customs, the collectors were all headed home (with the exception of a few stopping off at Disney World first!) exhausted but with a great sense of companionship and friendship.

Thank you Pauline, Vicky, Becky and Becky for arranging such a wonderful get together!

Cruise Pictures

Information gathered from:
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