~~FRIDAY CRUISE NEWS & DETAILS~~

ONLY 21 WEEKS UNTIL WE CRUISE!! September 15th News: If you are looking for a precruise hotel, check out the Radisson Admiral Semmes just 8/10 of a mile from the cruise port. They have a cruise special. $129 + tax includes a one night stay, $30 breakfast voucher and free parking for the length of the cruise. A free shuttle will take you to the port and will pick you up from the port when we return. Radisson Admiral Semmes Hotel 251 GOVERNMENT STREET MOBILE, AL 36602 (251) 432-8000 As of right now three guests have booked (including me ) at this hotel. There are other hotels in the area if you would like to stay with a different hotel. Unsure if there are any other hotels with cruise parking specials. If you drive in on Feb 8th (day of departure) remember that parking at the port is $50. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CRUISE DETAILS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *****FRIENDS & FAMILY RATE***** OCEANVIEW: $347.57 pp /includes tax INSIDE CABIN: $296.57 pp /includes tax ****CALL TO SEE IF THIS RATE IS AVAILABLE- AS OF 9/15, ONLY 3 CABINS LEFT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS LOW RATE***** Who is coming? Carmen Griffin & John Griffin (AL) Pam Kirk & Ronnie K. (AL) Lisa Fisher & Fish (AL) Dollie Girl & Shirley M. (GA) Diane C. (AL) & Betty S. Tammy Long (GA) & Phyllis Johnson (AL) Randall Culpepper (AL) David B. & Alisa B. (AL) Michelle Crane (MS) & Tommy C. (MS) Beth Merchant (AL) Karine Gandy & James Hockman (MS) Stephanie & Derrick Polen (GA) Peter & Carolyn Carroll (AL) Connie & Paul Reed (MS) Helen & Joe Hutchinson (AL) Jennifer R (AL) We will be sailing on the CARNIVAL HOLIDAY leaving out of Mobile, AL on Thursday February 8th. Please e-mail Beth M @ [email protected] for more information or you can call me at 205-821-4144. Where can you get a room and 24/7 round the clock entertainment and food for just $78/day? THE 2007 WLS CELEBRATION CRUISE!!!! Our Vacation Planner for the 2007 WLS CELEBRATION CRUISE is Jean (sounds like John) Michaud 800-819-3902 ext 85703 Hours: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm (Mon-Thurs) 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Friday) Tell him your calling for the 2007 BAMA BOARD CRUISE. He has the plans listed under that or my name - Beth Merchant. Jean is giving us some GREAT DEALS! Not only will we get the group rate, but we could also be eligible for other discounts. Pasts guests get a past guest discount AND a free upgrade. Military travelers get a Military Discount and he will do his best to accommodate an upgrade while there is availability. New Cruisers get an excellent rate AND he will do his best to accommodate an upgrade free of charge (while there is availability). Right now we have a wide selection of rooms available to choose from. However, the longer you wait to cruise the less selection you may have. YOUR PRICE IS NOT FIRM UNTIL YOU HAVE CALLED TO RESERVE YOUR ROOM. He will hold this promotion for us as long as he can, but it is subject to change. Jean has also advised that he will update our reservations if any future promotions become available that we are eligible for - WHICH MEANS WE CAN SAVE EVEN MORE MONEY!!! The prices below include all meals (even if you eat 10 times a day), juices, coffee, tea 24/7. It includes your port charges and your cabin for the entire cruise. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. A 3rd or 4th passenger in the room will have a lower rate. Please ask Jean. If you need a roommate, please let me know and I will keep a list of those needing a roommate so you can contact those that would like to be paired. I will post these on the Carnival Connections page that I set up. I will need your e-mail address to include you on that distribution. The cruise will sail on Feb 8th (Thursday) and will return on Monday. Thursday - leave Mobile at 4 pm Friday - at Sea Saturday - Cozumel Sunday - at Sea Monday - return to Mobile at 7 am Rates: Past Guest: (includes upgrade) Inside Cabin: $309 Oceanview: $359 **Please ask about Friends & Family promotion!!!!**** Non-Past Guest: Inside cabin: $329 Oceanview: $379 **Please ask about Friends & Family promotion!!!!**** Military: Inside cabin: $294 Oceanview: $332 **Please ask about Friends & Family promotion!!!!**** *****(Book now to reserve these prices. Rates and Availability are subject to change.) These prices are per person based on double occupancy per cabin.***** DEPOSIT DUE AT BOOKING: ONLY $150 per person ** The Deposit is Risk Free until Dec 10th meaning if you have to cancel, you get all of your monies back ** FINAL PAYMENT DUE: December 10 Singles - If you prefer to travel without a roommate, the rate is a lot higher. If you plan to go, but don't have your roommate yet - you can book now and pay your $150. Jean will put a TBA next to your guest's name but the $150 deposit will have to be made for your guest at the same time that you book. December 10 is the final payment date, however - he will not have to have that person's name for the reservation until 3 weeks before the cruise. Do you want a picture window cabin? If you call now, Jean will try to get that for you at the same rate above. The rates above is for the Riviera deck, but early reservations may get you upgraded to the highest deck 'The Empress'. http://www.carnival.com/Deck_Plans.aspx?shipCode=HO Just an FYI: Effective Dec 31, 2006, it is required for all travelers to have a US Passport. They will no longer accept a birth certificate in customs after this date. Carnival allows travelers to put down a deposit. Payments can be made to Carnival up until 60 days prior to travel. Not only is the cost reasonable, but they have a payment plan. Looking for a hotel in Mobile the night before? There are several to choose from. I am booked for Feb 7th at: Radisson Admiral Semmes Hotel 251 GOVERNMENT STREET MOBILE, AL 36602 (251) 432-8000 ***** PARK AND CRUISE SPECIAL: $129 includes one night stay, $30 breakfast voucher and parking for the length of the cruise. Free Shuttle takes you to and picks you up from the port. -or- Parking at the pier is $50. Join in to celebrate! Another Important question: What does my cruise include? This is a common question with new cruisers ... what exactly is included in the fare? Well, the answer to this will vary from cruise line to cruise line. Some lines offer different ammenities that may be free or paid. A general tip (that is not always true) is that the more expensive the line you go on, the more that's included. Royal Caribbean offers unique activities like a rock wall and an ice skating rink (Voyager class ships and newer). Disney cruises include free soda. Luxury cruises, such as Seaborne or Silver Sea may include complimentary wine and other liquor. The following is taken from Carnival's "Welcome Aboard" booklet. While the names and descriptions of some of the items may be unique to Carnival, I think you can get an idea of what your fare generally includes: What Your "Fun Ship" Cruise Includes Fine dining including late-night buffets, featuring culinary creations by world-renowned French master chef Ceorges Blanc Casual dining at our seaview bistro, convenient 24-hour Pizzaria and ice cream around the clock Spa Carnival menu offering healthful selections low in calories, fat, sodium and cholesterol Sushi bar (on select ships) 24-hour stateroom service Welcome Aboard Party Captain's ****tail Party Captain's Gala Dinner Gala Midnight Buffet (on most ships) Lobster served on every cruise Singles Meet and Greet Variety of clubs, bars, and lounges Spectacular Vegas-style shows Live music including three bands and orchestras Comedy acts and international signers Spa and fitness programs Choice of three or four pools, including children's wading pool Superivsed year-round Camp Carnival program for ages 2 through 14 Club O2 for teens 15 through 17 Fabulous destinations Briefings on each port of call Carnvial Comfort Bedding in all rooms In-stateroom toiletries and amenities Bathrobes available upon request in all staterooms to use for the length of your cruise Mini Golf (on select ships) What's Extra Drinks, sodas and cappuccinos from the bar All items from the patisserie Use of Spa Carnival services Ship-to-shore communication Photographs, portriats, or film developing Onboard duty-free shopping Medical services Shore excursions Casino, bingo and other gaming Gratuities Internet Cafe Supper club Golf Academy Babysitting services Reservations-only supper club (on select ships) ********************************************** How do I get to the Port of Mobile? Address: Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal 201 South Water Street Mobile, AL 36602 PARKING Parking for cruise passengers is adjacent to the terminal. Cost of parking is $50.00 for a four day cruise and $60.00 for a five day cruise. Pay on entry is required. Cash or credit card is accepted. RV and Camper parking will be $100.00 for four day cruises and $120.00 for five day cruises. For information please call 1-888-shipmobile (744-7662) DIRECTIONS TO THE PORT: Traveling from 1-65 South- Stay on 1-65 southbound all the way to where it meets Interstate-10 Take I-10 east until you are almost at downtown Mobile and be prepared to take Exit 26A, "Canal St." This exits off the right (east side of the interstate Turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto Water Street Water Street is a 4-lane road with a median and will curve back to the north toward the terminal Stay on Water Street for two blocks The garage and terminal will be on the right side There will be signs directing you to baggage drop off and parking Traveling from I-10 West - Stay on I-10 across the Mobile Bayway bridge and go through the I-10 George Wallace Tunnel Coming out of the tunnel, go three-quarters of a mile (3/4) and take Exit 25A, Texas Street Turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto Texas St. You are now going to double back onto the Interstate Slowly drive under I-10 and proceed to the left turn lane to the on-ramp and get back on to the Interstate, I-10 East Once back on the Interstate, stay in the right lane for one-quarter mile (1/4 mile), then take the next exit, Exit 26A, "Canal St" Turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto Water Street Water Street is a 4-lane road with a median and will curve back to the north side of the terminal Stay on Water Street for two blocks The garage and terminal will be on the right side There will be signs directing you to baggage drop off and parking Traveling from I-10 East - Stay on I-10 eastbound almost to dowtown Mobile Be prepared to take Exit 26A, "Canal St" Turn right at the end of the exit ramp onto Water Street Water Street is a 4-lane road with a median and will curve back to the north toward the terminal Stay on Water Street for two blocks The garage and terminal will be on the right side There will be signs directing you to baggage drop off and parking ************************************************ You can go to the following link for all of the F&Q. http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/FAQLanding.aspx ************************************************ Is there a dress code for the dining room? Depending on the length of the cruise, either formal dress or casual resort wear is required in the Dining Room. The dress requirement for children is the same. For those not wanting to dress up, the Lido restaurants are open nightly (with the exception of the last evening of the cruise), and have a casual dress code. Formal Wear: tuxedo (optional); suit and tie; sport coat, tie and slacks; evening gown; ****tail dress; pantsuit Casual Resort Wear: sport shirts and slacks; dresses; skirts; pantsuit NOTE: Shorts, t-shirts and bathing attire are not permitted in the Dining Room during dinner. *********************************************** What is the tipping policy onboard? Guests can pay their shipboard gratuities in one of two ways: 1. Reverse Gratuity Policy - For our guests' convenience, we automatically add the recommended gratuities to the onboard Sail & Sign account on embarkation day. Guests will have the discretion to adjust these gratuities based upon the level of service received during the cruise. This includes the option to adjust gratuities (up or down) for any individual on the Dining or Housekeeping staff. In order to do so, the guest will need to visit the Information Desk on board. 2. Pre-Paid Gratuity Policy - Gratuities are pre-arranged and paid at the time of booking or any time up to two weeks prior to the sail date. All guests on each booking must prepay the gratuities, with the exception of children under two. Guests will have the discretion to adjust these gratuities based upon the level of service received during the cruise. This includes the option to adjust gratuities (up or down) for any individual on the Dining or Housekeeping staff. In order to do so, the guest will need to visit the Information Desk on board. The dollar amount of the gratuities will appear in the Miscellaneous Charge field on the booking. The guest copy on the cruise ticket will indicate if gratuities have been paid. The total amount will be $10 per guest, per day, which breaks down as follows: $5.50 pp/pd for Dining Team Service (Headwaiter and Waiter) $1 pp/pd for Bistro Service (Waiter/Cooks) $3.50 pp/pd for Cabin Services (Cabin Steward) Tipping the Maitre D' is strictly at guest's discretion, based upon services rendered. For guests who wish to extend this gratuity in cash, an envelope will be available on the last evening of the cruise. Tipping still applies regardless of the dining options selected, such as eating at the casual dining restaurant or utilizing room service. Bar Waiters, Deck Stewards and Bell Boys - Certain personnel, as noted above, may be tipped as service is rendered. A 15% gratuity is automatically added to beverage purchases which the guest may adjust appropriate to the service received. Note: Guests under two years of age are not required to extend gratuities ************************************************ What are the new passport requirements? Effective December 31, 2006, the U.S. Government will require that all of our guests, including U.S. citizens, be in possession of a valid passport when traveling on any Carnival cruise. Foreign nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain further details. For more information or to get a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov. Or, contact Passport Services at www.passportservices.com/carnival for step-by-step instructions, passport applications, call center support, and discounted rates. Need your passport right away? Passport Services offers 24-hour processing. All guests must present the required documentation at embarkation. Guests without the required documentation will be denied boarding and no refund will be issued. Please understand that Carnival will strictly enforce this requirement to be in compliance with this important U.S. Government mandate. *********************************************** What amenities are in my stateroom? All staterooms have an amenity basket displayed in the bathroom. The amenities are subject to change and are only sample sizes. The basket may include such things as: his/her razors; shampoo and conditioner; body wash; Tylenol; deodorant; hard candies. Supplies will be replenished by the room steward, if quantities allow. Are there electrical outlets in the staterooms? There is one electrical outlet in each stateroom located in the area of the desk/vanity. The outlet is equipped with a 3-prong 110 volt and a 220 volt plug. The outlet in the bathroom can only be used for electric razors. Do I need to pack my Hair Dryer? A hair dryer is provided in the bathroom (Destiny, Triumph, Victory) or at the desk/vanity in the stateroom (Spirit, Pride, Legend, Conquest, Glory, Miracle, Valor, Liberty). Hair dryers are not provided in the staterooms of all other ships. Is there a safe in each stateroom? For our guests' convenience and security, a safe is provided in every stateroom and is located in either the closet or a cabinet. The size varies among the fleet; approximate size: 10"(wide) x 9"(high) x 8"(deep). On the following ships, guests must obtain a key from their room Steward. There is no charge; however, a $40 fee will be charged to their Sail & Sign Account in the event the key is lost or not returned by the last evening of the cruise: Holiday Jubilee Celebration Fantasy Ecstasy. On all other ships, the safe can be opened by using any type of card with a magnetic strip on the back, such as a credit card. *********************************************** The Embarkation Check-In Procedure Guests will pass through the X-ray Security Machines with their carry-on bags. Luggage larger than 24" x 16" will not be permitted through the security machine and must be checked-in with a curbside porter. Guests will proceed to the Check-In area. The embarkation process will include submitting cruise documents, showing proof of travel documentation and issuing a credit card (if applicable) for their Sail & Sign Account. All guests must activate his/her Sail & Sign Account with a credit card (Amex, Visa, Discover, and MasterCard - No Gift Cards) or opt to pay with cash. The credit card must be present at embarkation and the cash is deposited on board at the Information/Purser's Desk. Inspiration, Elation, Paradise, Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Victory, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Valor and Carnival LibertyI: Each guest will be issued a Sail & Sign card, which is used to (1) charge on their Sail & Sign Account, (2) access their Stateroom Key and (3) get on/off the ship. Holiday, Celebration, Fantasy, Ecstasy, Sensation, Fascination and Imagination: Each guest will be issued a Sail & Sign Card and Stateroom Key. The Sail & Sign Card is used to (1) charge to their Sail & Sign Account and (2) get on/off the ship. Guests will have a "Welcome Aboard" photo taken by the Ship's Photo Staff. The photo will be on display later in the cruise for purchase. The Security Personnel will take guest's boarding card and with the A-Pass System, will imbed a full color, digital photograph together with personal database information directly onto the boarding card. Guests at this time may proceed on board for their cruise. ************************************************ What activities are available on board? The following activities and entertainment are just a sample of what is available on all "Fun Ship" cruises. Gala Captain's Dinner Captain's ****tail Party Past Guest Party (on cruises 5-days or longer) Camp Carnival - year round supervised children's activities (ages 2-15) Singles ****tail Party Full Gambling Casino Gaming Lessons Tournaments: Blackjack; Slots; Poker 3 Bands and Orchestras (Calypso, Dance Music, Easy-Listening) Karaoke Briefings on each Port-Of-Call Shopping Talk Gala Midnight Buffet (on cruises 3-days or longer) Nightclub shows each evening at sea Midnight shows Spa Carnival Program Note: Some classes may not be available on every ship; classes listed with a $10 fee are not offered on: Celebration, Jubilee or Holiday. Beauty Seminars Pathway to Yoga Bodywalk Power Walk Pathway to Pilates Body Stretching Class Kickboxing Class Low Impact Aerobics Body Cycle Class Body Symmetry Stretch and Relax First-Run movies featured daily on the in-cabin TV Ping Pong Shuffleboard Volleyball (not available on Destiny, Triumph or Victory) Golf Putting Video Arcade Art Auction at Sea Card Players meet and play Guest Talent Show On Board Duty-Free Shopping Bingo Sessions Library: books and board games to borrow Midnight Deck Party Dance classes Galley Tour Ice Carving Demonstrations Debarkation Talk Fun and Games with the Cruise Director and Social Staff Note: Games vary and are up to the discretion of the Cruise Director Horseracing Couples and Lovers Game Trivia Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Win/Lose/Draw Battle of the Sexes Scavenger Hunt Ship Building Competition "Survivor" Game Show Mania Lido Deck and Pool Games ************************************************ Before the ship leaves port there will be Muster Drill. Life Jackets will be in your stateroom in the storage table at the foot of the bed. Muster Drill Attendance is mandatory and is required. Of course we can't miss having our photos taken in the life jackets. LOL ************************************************ Check out my profile for cruise info & updates.

I had been sharing hotel information for the Radisson Admiral Semmes in Mobile. It was brought to my attention that they no longer have the $129 Cruise and Park Deal. This happens to be Mardi Gras Weekend. If you plan on booking a hotel in the Mobile area, please book ASAP as room availability will be limited because of the Mardi Gras weekend. I am booked at the Radisson. They have runs but at $149 and you would still have to pay $6 parking per night. The Polens (from GA) has booked at the Ramada which is also across from the port. The Ramada does not offer parking for cruise guests while they are on the cruise. Please let me know if you need any hotel information and I will be glad to help.