Hello,

I apologize for the delay in informing anyone interested about the upcoming cruise, which will follow immediately after WinterFest.  There were other suggestions and requests made, so I tried my best to visit all the cruise sites and other vacation sites to see what I could find and held off to hear from others.

So, with no other conclusions, and after speaking with many other people coming from many other areas of the world and country, who are interested in the cruise, I have decided we need to go on the MSC cruise to the Caribbean and Bahamas on Sunday, March 8 to Thursday, March 12, leaving from Port Canaveral, which is considered Orlando.

The convenience is Port Canaveral is approximately half an hour to 40 minutes from Lake Mary. It is also approximately half an hour from the Orlando airport.

If you plan to fly home immediately after the cruise, the ship MSC Seashore will dock at seven in the morning, and taking into consideration the debarkation time and travel to the airport, you would probably want to arrange for your flight home after 12 noon.

As the IUKF totally and unquestionably supports Sensei Mattson’s Winterfest, I encourage all Uechi-Ryu practitioners to join in these festivities. The cruise that I have arranged is merely to help complete a full week’s vacation.

Please be informed that Sensei Mattson usually has a Thursday workout and dinner afterwards.

Winterfest will begin at 9 AM on Friday and conclude on Saturday.

For those who are interested in the cruise, it will start the very next day, which is Sunday, and return on Thursday the 12th.

The ship MSC Seashore is large enough for your own privacy, or we can meet at breakfast, lunch, and sit as a group for dinner.  We can also arrange to lounge by the pool during the day. The Broadway shows have always exceeded expectations.

If you would like to dine privately, everyone understands. There are also specialty restaurants, which will be an extra expense. It will be your choice; however, I have been completely satisfied with the dinner that the cruise included.

Passports are highly encouraged because getting off the ship the last day is easier and faster. 

Please know that this cruise is not a mandatory part of the Winterfest, and all participants of Winterfest are not required to go. It is just made available to complete a full week’s vacation for anyone interested in cruises.

You will need to contact MSC Cruises (information found online) and call to arrange for your own cruise. I would suggest you have a passport, although I believe a government-issued ID is all you need.  I’ve always brought my passport.

I hope to see all of you at Sensei George Mattson‘s Winterfest, and I will be delighted to see you on the cruise.

Due to the late correspondence regarding this cruise, although we are only in late August 2025, you will need to make your cruise plans as soon as you can, as cabin availability is less as time goes near and the price could go up.

Looking forward to seeing you at Winter Fest, and hopefully, I will enjoy your company on the cruise.

Darin Yee

IUKF president Darin Yee and his partner Joy recently visited the Sitka Alaska Uechi-Ryu club in Sitka, Alaska. Sensei Yee participated in testing Stacy Smith for Yondan (she did a wonderful job and passed!). He also worked with members of the club on different techniques, various applications for the techniques, and how they can be used most effectively. Other highlights of the trip included boating and salmon fishing with Captain Lloyd Swanson, axe throwing, playing pool and cribbage, and driving to the top of Harbor Mountain to view a beautiful sunset. Their visit went by so quickly and everyone was sad to see them go. The Sitka Uechi club is very grateful they took the time to visit and hope they will replay the adventure again next year!

Duane Swanson