OceanAngel

Keith and Rita-15 Marylou and Jim-Cruisetarp-26 Gregswife-Cheryl and Gregg-10 JohnG-31 Maria and Ken-Teacp-4 JoeyandDavid -6 elva -3 gymbrat33 -11 OceanAngel 5 Total 111<] [/size]

I have to agree with the others. The bedding, food, service staff are all awesome!!! The only difference I have noticed, is when we was on the Elation they didnt offer the galley tour. I asked why they said thats something that Carnival has stopped since 9-11. I had been on the Inspiration since 9-11 and it was offered. Since the Elation I have been on the Miracle, the Galley tour was offered there as well.

Choc covered Strawberries Choc covered Strawberries Those fishy looking thangs! LOL

About the time when cruise lines are scrambling across the globe to dominate the next hot market (China? India? South America? Australia?), Carnival is planning to base the biggest ship in company history in the exotic port of, er, um, Long Beach. In all fairness, Carnival Splendor (3,006 passengers) will spend most of its time somewhere else -- the best thing about boarding a ship in Long Beach is that, eventually, you get to leave Long Beach -- in this case, the waters off Mexico's west coast. In March 2009, Splendor will take over the weekly Mexican Riviera round-trips out of Long Beach currently being offered on Carnival Pride, the company announced recently. The plan will maintain Carnival's current fleet of three ships in Mexico year-round and one with seasonal visits, as well as increase capacity by almost 50,000 passengers per year. Three of the four ships will sail all or some portion of the CMP Circuit (Cabo-Mazatlán-Puerto Vallarta). Here's the fleet shakedown: -- Carnival Pride (2,124 passengers) will continue seven-day trips out of Long Beach until March 2009, when it will offer a short set of eight-day sailings from San Diego that will include stops in Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa and Manzanillo. -- Elation (2,052 passengers) has been sailing popular four- and five-day round-trips out of San Diego to Cabo San Lucas and, on the longer trip, Cabo and Ensenada, Mexico. -- Paradise (2,052 passengers) will continue the workhorse three- and four-day sampler voyages out of Long Beach that hit Catalina Island and Ensenada. -- Carnival Spirit (2,124 passengers) will operate seasonal eight-day voyages out of San Diego, sharing the year with routes in Hawaii and Alaska. It's unclear if Pride will take over some or all of that duty in March 2009. For more: www.carnival.com. God save the Queen: Now that the Queen Elizabeth 2 is destined to become the next attraction in the freak show that is Dubai's tourism plans (the Bearded Lady, perhaps?), Cunard has announced a set of farewell voyages for the grand dame before she retires in November 2008. A Farewell to the British Isles trip leaves Southampton on Sept. 30, 2008, and spends 10 nights sailing a circuit that includes Dublin, Belfast, Clyde (where the ship was built), Cork, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Newcastle. The ship will also make two last ocean crossings: Southampton to New York on Oct. 10; and a return trip, leaving New York on Oct. 16. The final voyage, 16 nights from Southampton to Dubai, leaves on Nov. 11 and will call at Lisbon, Gibraltar, Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, Malta, Alexandria and transit the Suez Canal. Cabins range from $4,615 to $11,995 (the Grand Suite). Take the cheaper option; you'll need the extra money once you get to Dubai. The cruise line said last month that the ship, which entered service in 1969 and is Cunard's longest-running vessel, had been sold and will serve as a "first-class hotel, retail and entertainment destination" at Palm Jumeirah, one of Dubai's enormous manmade islands shaped like a tree. For more, visit www.cunard.com. New ship, new name: Discovery World Cruises, known for longer, soft-adventure voyages off the beaten waterways (Antarctica, the Galapagos, Amazon and Greenland, among others), has added the 394-passenger Explorer II to its fleet -- and seems to be marking the event by changing the company's name. Explorer II (formerly Swan Hellenic's Minerva) will join the cruise line (soon to be Voyages of Discovery) in 2008 following a "soft refurbishment." The ship entered service in 1996 as a charter for Swan Hellenic, but building began in 1989 when it was intended to be a spy ship for the Soviet navy. (The original design called for a stern ramp for submersibles that would track submarines, according to Berlitz's "Complete Guide to Cruising.") Beginning in May 2008, the ship will sail around the Baltic, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. The change to Voyages of Discovery -- the name the company uses already in the United Kingdom, Australasia and South Africa -- is mostly a branding move, the company says, to bring the cruise line under a single moniker. For more call (866) 623-2689 or visit www.discoveryworldcruises.com. On the dock of the Bay: Large cruise ships expected at San Francisco's Pier 35 during the next two weeks: Dawn Princess, July 10. For updates, go to www.sfport.com and select the "Cruise" and "Cruise Schedule" links. Cruise Briefing appears every other Sunday in Travel. Deputy Travel Editor Spud Hilton travels anonymously and doesn't accept complimentary trips or special rates from the cruise lines. E-mail questions and comments to shilton@sfchronicle.com. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...TRGSTQNL551.DTL

Whats WAY funny is this is my life!! Stuff just happens to me!! Like today, I put on my panty hose (yes, I wear them to work every day with a . . .suit!!) I notice a small run in the toes on the right foot - no problem I have clear polish - so I dab some on - slide on my pumps & head out the door. Well, we have a walking group - we walk every day for 30 minutes. Being very busy today I didn't have my tennis shoes on when the gang came by - so - in a hurry - I jump up from my desk - go to kick off my heels & the polish had dried to my shoe!! So instead of my shoe flying off - it flys out & then right back onto my foot!! I freak!! Why is my shoe jumping back at me - I try to kick it off - now people are looking & laughing & I reach down - YANK the shoe off - taking my nylons with it!! I'm now bouncing on one stocking foot - my shoe in my hand with my nylons stretched down to my foot!! - people are now sitting on the floor they are laughing so hard. I just tell them to go without me. . . .as I limp into my breakroom to put my shoe back on . . .I never did get it off. And how is your day going?? Linda that is Funny! LOL Just a hint have you tried hairspray for panty hose runs?

I would get to know a bar tender real well LOL

June 20 - Carnival Splendor's funnel leaves Fincantieri's Trieste yard for the 1,110-mile trip to the Sestri yard where the rest of the ship is being constructed

By John Flinn, San Francisco Chronicle. John Flinn is the travel editor of the San Francisco Chronicle Published June 24, 2007 In the interest of streamlining and enhancing the experience for all American travelers, the following rules will take effect immediately: 1. Henceforth all rental car companies shall be required to provide laminated cheat sheets explaining how to turn on and off the headlights, windshield wipers, heater/AC and stereo system, and how to adjust seats, etc. 2. Aforesaid cheat sheet must also indicate which side the gas cap is on. 3. At scenic overlooks, ancient ruins and other points of high traffic, tourists attempting to frame and focus a photograph must not keep others waiting more than five seconds. 4. Every American citizen has the constitutionally protected right to walk into any McDonald's, anywhere in the world, and use the restroom -- even without buying something. 5. Bed-and-breakfast inns are hereby prohibited from posting more than five house rules (i.e., "Do not feed your happy-hour cheddar cubes to the tropical fish," etc.). 6. Theme park rides must offer the parents of exuberantly acquisitive children an alternative exit that doesn't pass through the gift shop. 7. All hotel room lights shall henceforth be controlled by big, obvious switches that can be found in the dark. 8. Hotel nightstand light bulbs must emit sufficient wattage for guests to read the type in books and magazines. 9. School groups are permitted at museums and historic sights a maximum of one day per week, and that day must clearly be indicated on signs so everyone else can stay out of earshot. 10. School groups checking into hotels must consent to all members being gagged for the duration. 11. Cruise lines are hereby required to play only location-appropriate music -- i.e., no steel drums in Hawaii, no "Banana Boat" during the Inland Passage. 12. Dirty room-service dishes placed in hotel hallways must be removed within 30 minutes. 13. Henceforth abolished are all "resort fees," "fuel surcharges," "port fees" and other non-negotiable fees. 14. As maids prepare a hotel room for the next guest, they must turn off all alarm clocks. 15. Restroom attendants are hereby abolished. Most of us have mastered the use of these facilities by the age of 2. 16. Bottles of water in hotel rooms must carry signs clearly indicating whether these are free. 17. In subways, buses and hotel elevators, riders are required to let those inside step out before trying to shoulder their way in. 18. Thick, light-blocking hotel drapes must close completely, with a little overlap. 19. As in airports, visitors to museums, ancient ruins, theme parks and other attractions are hereby forbidden from pausing at choke points to gape in wonder, consult their guidebook, gather their wits, wait for the rest of their party, fumble with their audio guides or scratch their heads and/or other body parts. 20. Once you've schlepped your luggage from your front hall to the airport shuttle to the check-in desk to the overhead bin to the arrivals hall to the taxi to the front door of your hotel, it is illegal for the bellhop to carry it the last 10 feet to the front desk and expect a tip. 21. While we're on the subject, all tipping is hereby abolished. 22. At hotel and cruise ship swimming pools, no one older than 10 or in excess of 120 pounds is permitted to perform a belly flop or can opener. 23. It is henceforth a felony for residents of travel destinations to tell newly arrived visitors that they really should have been here last week, because the weather was brilliant. 24. It is an aggravated felony, punishable by up to five years' hard time in federal prison, for said residents to add, "But we really need the rain." --------- John Flinn is the travel editor of the San Francisco Chronicle http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-f...=chi-travel-hed

I love to people watch anywhere! LOL When we was on the Elation a Older Lady was so cute. I would see her every morning heading to the Casino with her bucket of quarters, looking at her you could tell she was on a mission. Another time I seen this couple walking toward the front of ship, the hubby was asking where are we headed to? The wife said Honey if we are gonna cruise you got to get this right. LOL Pointing to the front of the ship that is AFT, pointing to the Back of ship thats BACK! LOL Then the lady at the buffet. was fusing. She was telling her daughter someone has highjacked my sign and sail card. LOL The daughter asked what did she mean? Well I am suppose to have a gold card, and they gave me a red and blue one. LOL

NCL Passenger Dies in Onboard Fall Just two days after a passenger on Freedom of the Seas toppled from his balcony, another cruiser took a deadly fall -- but this one didn't fall overboard. At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, a 22-year-old Boston man, identified by the Boston Globe as Richard Mulloy, fell four flights inside Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Majesty -- down one of the interior stairwells. According to a company statement, he was "apparently trying to slide down a banister." The ship was docked in Bermuda at the time. Mulloy had been ashore with his cousin in St. George's, Bermuda, where the ship was tied up overnight, according to media reports. After re-boarding Majesty, the men were reportedly on their way to the disco on the seventh deck when Mulloy climbed onto the banister on the ship's fifth deck and subsequently tumbled to the first. Mulloy sustained serious head injuries in the fall and was transported to King Edward's Hospital in Bermuda, where he died at about 3 a.m. --by Melissa Baldwin, Senior Editor

Operators of the Florida based Carnival Cruise Lines have dismissed rumours that the line will be pulling out of Jamaica due to security concerns. Speculation was rife in the cruise and tourism industries that Carnival Cruise Lines which is responsible for 90 per cent of local cruise shipping business, would switch to Florida Keys. The rumours came in the wake of last week’s robbery of a group of cruise visitors while on an excursion in rural St. James. However Friday morning, Opposition Spokesman on Tourism Edmund Bartlett contacted officials of the cruise line who reportedly dispelled the rumours. Mr. Bartlett said Carnival Cruise Line however expressed concern about the overall safety of the passengers while on tours. “I regarded this as being so critical that I called Carnival immediately to ascertain what the true position was and while they were very strong in terms of their concerns about safety issues we are assured that the Carnival lines are not going to be withdrawn from Jamaica,†he said. Mr. Bartlett adds that the cruise line will however contemplate a withdrawal if they are to be any further security breaches. He warned that if Carnival were to pull out of Jamaica it would be devastating for the tourism industry. http://www.rjr94fm.com/news/story.php?cate...amp;story=37109

Awesome news Chuck!!

All you troublemakers..... we need a list of things we need for this cruise... T-shirts Lanyards Jello Shots Door Decorations Suitcase big enough to smuggle a Smoo hangover remedy imodium AD (goes with hangover meds...lol) liquor Sun Glasses...Dark Ones... Electric Hot Pot (to make more jello shots) the ships drink stations have hot water for this Crowns for Troublemaker King and Queen

Good Luck at the Dr Chuck

Anywhere except, lower front inside in rough seas, thats a rough ride!! LOL

OMG Mary that is to FUNNY!!

The ones we had on the Miracle takes the cake. We started out sitting alone, after the 2nd night that changed. When we realized we was at a table by ourselves we decided to just stay. We loved the waitress and her asst. we had. Well the 3rd night another couple shows up. They looked to be in there mid 60's. We greeted them when we got to the table, they explained they moved from another table. I said hope we dont say anything to offend you. She said oh dont worry about, that I will just call you a B1TC* if you do. Ok now that is out of the way!! LOL I asked what exciting did they do today. (our first stop Grand Cayman) Her answer was I went shopping while he stayed on board and read. When I got back to the ship I got layed. About this time I needed to go to the ladies room. LOL Jim made the statement after I left, dont be surpised if she doesnt come back, she has a habit of disappearing on me. LOL The female (noticed I didnt say lady?? LOL)response was I dont give a (insert that 4 letter word here) It goes down hill from there, (if you want the rest of the story PM me I will tell ya) but we didnt move, we laughed about it, held our breath till they left the table right after the main course. LOL They showed up 3 nights, when she told use they didnt like to "play Dressup" for formal night I made it my business to remind them Friday night would be formal night. LOL Then they didnt show up the lastnight either. This went on for the 3 nights they sat with us. When the bread was presented this woman reached in the basket took her bread out with her hands. The waitress said mam I will get it for you, the female takes another peice of bread. (Guess she couldnt understand english). It would have took everything I had to not popped her hands with the thongs. LOL She gets the crust of her bread eats that, then takes his removes the crust eats that, then throws all the insides to his plate. She decided her hubbys food looked good, instead of asking for a lil bit she just starts cutting his up with her knife then shoves it in her mouth. When she chewed I was scared the food was gonna end up back on the table. (Yucky I know) She talked openly about her sex life, how she had to sleep with 4 guys to be able to leave a country where her visa had expired. So she could come to America and marry the man she is with now. geesh I dont have virgen ears but that was a lil to much info for us!! LOL

Nassua Grand Cayman (got with wrong tour) Belize Cozumel Half Moon Cay (thanks to Lisa I didnt get left behind) Grand Turk (got Lost)

GO SMOO you can do it!! repeat!! LOL

GO SMOO you can do it!!

WOOHOO Awesome news!!! Being in DD is awesome too. LOL

That would be nice, and also the eye patches! Not sure if they have any around halloween. If not those can be picked up in the pharmcy section of your local Walmart LOL

Sounds like its a for sure thing everyone is going!

I have started packing in my head! You want to come help?? LOL NO [/size] No come on I would buy ya a case of Corona are your beer of choice! LOL Would even bring it to ya while you packed ROFL

Thats a crowd.......... how many went on the last group cruise?