ouachita

Regarding US Coastguard evacuations, not all accidents and serious illnesses occur on the ship or at sea.

I'm pretty sure that the USCG doesn't evacuate US citizens out of foreign countries because they are sick or had an accident.

From what I understand, each cruise will have a set base number of FTTF's available early on and usually will have more become available closer to the departure date. How many become available closer to the departure date depends on how many Platinum and Diamond guests are sailing. The more D&P's, the fewer FTTF's are made available.

Liquer now gets picked up as you debark the ship. The assigned times for boarding are only in effect at Galveston, sometime next year the rest of the fleet will be instituting the policy. When you fill out your documents you can choose what time you would like to board. The earlier you book the better chance of getting on early. This does not affect platinum and diamond. Have not seen how FTTF fits into the program. The captians party is now only for platinum and diamond. The golds get free bottle of water and a free drink the last day of the cruise.

This is all I could find so far re: Faster to the Fun and the new check in schedule for Galveston. According to the FAQ's on Carnival's check in web site:

"Q: When should I arrive at the terminal?"

"A: You must arrive at the cruise terminal within the 30 minute check-in window you selected. Check-in windows will be strictly enforced so that we can minimize wait times in the terminal. Guests who are part of our Priority Program (Diamond, Platinum and suites), have purchased transfers with Carnival or 'Faster to the Fun' must still select a window online, but are invited to come at their leisure, up to one (1) hour prior to sailing. Departure times can be found on your boarding pass."

Sounds like if you are in a "priority program" or "FTTF" you have to select a check in time but then it's business as usual - show up when you want as long as it is at least an hour before departure. Naturally, your interpretation may differ.

If you are the least bit interested in history, especially the WWII era, then it is a must see. If I recall correctly the museum recommends you plan for at least 4 hrs. I spent about 5 1/2 hrs and could have easily spent several more, unfortunately i had to pick my wife up from a business meeting at a specified time.

The Tom Hanks presentation is well worth the extra fee. They have a submarine feature (you apparently "role play" on a sunken submarine and determine at the end if you were a survivor) that I didn't go thru, but others have told me if you have to choose then the Tom Hanks show is by far the better of the two.

They have most of the usual hardware to look at but to me the interviews, displays of personal effects, diaries, etc were the real attraction. The Boeing exhibit where the warplanes are suspended amid catwalks where you can view the planes top, bottom, and sides is not to be missed.

When I was there a couple of years ago they were in the process of restoring a PT boat and were constructing an "Asian Theater" exhibit to add to the "European," "Pacific," and "Home Front" exhibits. Hopefully they are available now.

I'd go back in a heartbeat!

Check the lunar tables for when your cruise is scheduled. Maybe you'll be lucky and there will be a full moon up early enough to allow a moonlight view of the Mississippi and Gulf.

Make sure that whatever you use can be removed cleanly, quickly, and doesn't damage the door. My wife used some peel and stick decorations last cruise and we like to never got the adhesive backing off.

I don't know that Carnival would charge you for repairs/refinishing a door but at least have pity on the person who has to clean it up if you don't.

I know 3M makes some adhesive tabs that hold very well and come off clean and easy.

We accept responsibility for our own safety.

That kind of sums it all up right there doesn't it? (Like the way you think okgirl.)

I fully agree with the comments that people should be more attentive and respectful of the muster drills and the sensibilities of their fellow passengers. I am also as appalled as anyone that a ships crew would treat a matter of survival as a joke. The bottom line, however, is that the world is full of numbskulls who believe that (1) Nothing bad can ever happen to them, and/or (2) It is someone else's responsibility to take care of them in the unlikely case something bad does happen. These are your basic "self inflicted victims" and there seems to be a high correlation between this group and the "habitual bitch and whine" classes. I prefer to think of them as evolutionary cannon fodder.

It would be a lot easier to write them off if they didn't produce so much collateral damage.

One must always keep in mind that you cannot control the actions and attitudes of others - you can only control yours.

Just remember that no one takes care of YOUR business like you do. Make sure that you and yours are safe first, then you do what you can for the "numbskulls."

The majority of the people on the Elation were from the South. Mostly Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia.

We're from lower Arkansas. It was nice to go on a cruise where people spoke proper english without a funny accent.;)

We were on the same cruise with Cool Breeze Cruiser as well as staying at the Microtel and I can, without reservation, confirm CBC's review of both.

Our group of 9 was favorably impressed with the Microtel and it's staff. The rooms were somewhat smallish but very clean and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, and WiFi. There is a internet station in the lobby for guest to use where I met CBC. The staff was exemplary - in fact, one of our members who has worked in the hospitality industry was very complimentary of the staff's friendly professionalism. Special kudos to Amanda (who is expecting by the way). Our shuttle driver, Mark, not only had coffee for those who wanted it but took the time to bring a shawl that one of our ladies had left in the shuttle up into the port building.

Embarkation was a smooth process for us with no problems or undue waits.

Once on the ship we had lunch in Tiffany's and at 1:30 were in our room and settling in.

I can't add much more to CBC's assessment of the ship other than to say that our group voted the Atrium bar as the best on the ship - no doubt that the drinks were full strength there. :)

In Progreso we accidently found "Pablo" the American expat tour guide you may have read about. It would actually be more accurate to say that Pablo's business associate, Pedro, found us. We were going to take the $3 Progreso city bus tour when one of our party was approached by Pedro who offered to take us on a tour to see the flamingos, ruins, and beach for $15/person. We were ready to take him up on the tour and when we found out that Pablo was the guide the deal was cinched. Excellent tour with a very knowledgable and personable guide. On the return leg of the tour we stopped by a small beachside villa owned by a friend of Pablo's and had lunch and drinks. (meal - $7usd, drinks - $3usd/each) The meal and drinks were good. Unfortunately the beach there was covered with seaweed and the pool was a little chilly for us older folks to really enjoy - with the seaweed gone and a warmer pool it would have been a great end to the tour, we just caught it at the wrong time so it was just merely very nice. LOL For those who are interested they did have palapas, kayaks, and beach volleyball available. If you have a chance to take one of Pablo's tours, his personal story is almost as interesting and entertaining as the tour itself.

In Cozumel my wife and I went scuba diving on the Carnival excursion (Sand Dollar Sports). It was the first time either of us had scuba dove in the ocean and it was a fantastic experience for us both. The Santa Rosa wall and the reefs are amazing even with the hurricane damage to the reefs. When you are used to freshwater lakes diving in the waters of Cozumel is a revelation. One of our other divers (from a RCL cruise) had just dove Cayman on his cruise and said that the Cozumel dive was better in his opinion. The rest of our party went to an all inclusive beach resort that they arranged on the dock. They came back happy as larks and pleased with their experience. I don't remember all the details of their self arranged excursion but if anyone is interested I will find out.

We had the early seating for dinner and our wait staff was great. Our head waiter, Godfrey, had a great sense of humor and kept the ladies going while Bambang kept the drinks and bread filled. Kudos.

We took the standard disembarkation and things went smoothly with only one piece of luggage in the wrong pile were it was quickly found. We got out quick enough that we actually threw Microtel's shuttle service a bit off schedule and we had to wait about an extra 20 - 25 minutes for our ride. If that is the worst thing that happens with that many people on a trip then I consider it a success. Even with that minor glitch we were back to our vehicles and on the road before 11.

Cool Breeze, I'm sorry if I butted in on your excellent review, I just wanted to add our "amen" to what you had to say.

Remember to stand before you flush and turn the lights out 'cause its more romantic!

Southern Cross - Crosby, Stills & Nash

Life of the Party - Heather Stewart

...Ouachita, btw are you anywhere near Arkadelphia? I went to HS and HSU in Arkadelphia. Beautiful area!!.../quote]

 

I live about an hour drive south of Arkadelphia in East Camden. My youngest son was attending HSU when he and the rest of the ANG 39th won an all expenses paid vacation to beautiful downtown Baghdad. He's safely back and just graduated from Georgia State.

 

One of my DDILs is an OBU graduate. So we are pretty familiar with the general area of Arkiedoo.

 

I wonder how many people who read this have a clue about how "ouachita" is pronounced?:D

 

What part of Idaho you in now? I've only been through the southern part but I hear the northern part is beautiful.

Okay, Here's the updated list alphabetically sorted first by song then by artist. This should help if you are checking to see if your favorite song or artist is listed and for searching the download sites for a song that interests you. Marley and Buffett are Icons so any song by the two should be considered on the list by default.

Consumer Alert: There are a wide range of musical styles represented in this list. Many of these songs have explicit lyrics but may be available in "non-explicit" versions. Many songs also are covered by different artists and come in karoke versions...so...make sure you preview each song and are confident it is what you and/or your fellow travelors want to listen to.

ALPHA by SONG

99 In the Shade - Bon Jovi

Bang on The Drum All Day - Todd Rundgren

Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy - Tams

Beer in Mexico – Kenny Chesney

Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darrin

Big Pimpin’ - Jay Z

Brandy - Looking Glass

Brian Wilson (live version) - Barenaked Ladies

Buffalo Soldier – Bob Marley

Caribbean Queen - Billy Ocean

Carolina Girls - Chairmen of the Board

Cheeseburger in Paradise - Jimmy Buffett

Come Sail Away – Styx

Conga - Miami Sound Machine

Cool Change - Little River Band

Cruisin - Gwyneth Paltrow/Huey Lewis

Day-O - Harry Belafonte

Deliverance - Bubba Sparxxx

Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding

Dollar Wine - Byron Lee

Dollar Wine - Soca Boys

Don't Worry, Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin

Down At The Harbor - Cross Canadian Ragweed

Down With the Sickness

Drift Away - Uncle Kracker version, with Dobey Gray)

Dude - Beenie Man

D'Yer Mak'er - Led Zeppelin

Follow the Leader - Soca Boys

Fore She Was Mama - Clay Walker

Good Life - Kanye West

Heaven - Los Loney Boys

Hips Don't Lie - Shakira

Hot, Hot, Hot – Buster Poindexter

I Love Beach Music - Embers

I'm Still In Love With You - Sean Paul

In the Navy - Village People

Island In The Sun - Harry Belafonte

Island In the Sun - Weezer

It’s 5 o'clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson/Jimmy Buffett

Jamaica Mistaica – Jimmy Buffett

Jammin – Bob Marley

Key Lime Pie – Kenny Chesney

Key Wasted - Rich Hardesty

Kiss the Girl – Samuel E. Wright

Knocking on Heavens Door - (Eric Clapton version)

Kokomo - Beach Boys

La Bomba - King Africa

Loco in Acapulco - The Four Tops

Love Boat - Jack Jones and Various Artists

Love Like This - Natasha Bedingfield

Lovely Cruise - Jimmy Buffet

Lust for Life - Iggy Pop

Lust for Life - Iggy Pop

Macarena - Los del Rio

Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf

Mambo #5 - Lou Bega

Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett

Mas Que Nada - Sergio Mendes

Me Love - Sean Kingston

Mexican Wine - Fountains of Wayne

Miami - Will Smith

Montego Bay - Bobby Bloom

No shirt, No shoes, No problem - Kenny Chesney

NoWoman, NoCry (Everything's Gonna Be Alright) - Bob Marley

One Love – Bob Marley

Orinco Flow - Enya

Oye Como Va - Santana

Red High Heels - Kellie Pickler

Red, Red Wine - UB40

Ritmo De La Noche - Mystic

Rock The Boat - Hues Corporation

Rocking All Over the World - John Fogarty

Sailing - Christopher Cross

Sherry's Living in Paradise – Kenny Chesney

Shift Work – Kenny Chesney/George Strait

Smooth - Rob Thomas/Santana

Soak Up the Sun - Sheryl Crow

Some Beach, Somewhere - Blake Shelton

Stay Fly - Three 6 Mafia

Stays in Mexico – Toby Keith

Steal Away - Robbie DuPree

Sugar Sugar (In My Life) - John Fogarty [not to be confused with the “Archies”]

Summertime - Kenny Chesney

Summertimes Calling Me - Embers

Sweat - Inner Circle

Take You There - Sean Kingston

Temperature - Sean Paul

The Boys of Summer - The Ataris

The Ketchup Song – Las Kala

The Pina Colada Song (Escape) – Rupert Holmes

The Seashore of Old Mexico – George Strait

The Way I Live - Baby Boy da Prince

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

Two Pina Coladas – Garth Brooks

Two Tickets To Paradise – Eddie Money

Under the Sea – Samuel E. Wright

Upside Down - Jack Johnson

Vacation - The GoGo's

Vamos A La Playa (very 80's!) - Righeira

Wasting Time - Jack Johnson

What I Got - Sublime

When the Sun Goes Down - Kenny Chesney

Why Georgia - John Mayer

Yellow Bird – Instrumental

ALPHA by ARTIST

Ataris, The - The Boys of Summer

Barenaked Ladies - Brian Wilson (live version)

Beach Boys - Kokomo

Bedingfield, Natasha - Love Like This

Bega, Lou - Mambo #5

Belafonte, Harry - Day-O

Belafonte, Harry – Island In the Sun

Bloom, Bobby - Montego Bay

Bob Marley - NoWoman, NoCry (Everything's Gonna Be Alright)

Bon Jovi - 99 In the Shade

Brooks, Garth - Two Pina Coladas

Buffet, Jimmy - Lovely Cruise

Buffett, Jimmy - Cheeseburger in Paradise

Buffett, Jimmy - Jamaica Mistaica

Buffett, Jimmy - Margaritaville

Chairmen of the Board - Carolina Girls

Chesney, Kenny - Key Lime Pie

Chesney, Kenny - No shirt, No shoes, No problem

Chesney, Kenny - Sherry's Living in Paradise

Chesney, Kenny - Summertime

Chesney, Kenny - When the Sun Goes Down

Chesney, Kenny /George Strait - Shift Work

Clapton, Eric - Knocking on Heavens Door

Cross Canadian Ragweed - Down At The Harbor

Cross, Christopher - Sailing

Crow, Sheryl - Soak Up the Sun

Darrin, Bobby - Beyond the Sea

Down With the Sickness

Dread I - Share Dem

DuPree, Robbie - Steal Away

Embers - I Love Beach Music

Embers - Summertimes Calling Me

Enya - Orinco Flow

Fogarty, John - Rocking All Over the World

Fogarty, John - Sugar Sugar (In My Life) [not to be confused with the “Archies”]

Fountains of Wayne - Mexican Wine

GoGo's, The - Vacation

Hardesty, Rich - Key Wasted

Holmes, Rupert - The Pina Colada Song (Escape)

Hues Corporation - Rock The Boat

Inner Circle - Sweat

Instrumental - Yellow Bird

Jackson, Alan /Jimmy Buffett - It’s 5 o'clock Somewhere

Jay Z - Big Pimpin’

Johnson, Jack - Upside Down

Johnson, Jack - Wasting Time

Jones, Jack - Love Boat

Keith, Toby - Stays in Mexico

Kenny Chesney - Beer in Mexico

King Africa - La Bomba

Kingston, Sean - Me Love

Kingston, Sean - Take You There

Las Kala - The Ketchup Song

Led Zeppelin - D'Yer Mak'er

Lee, Byron - Dollar Wine

Little River Band - Cool Change

Looking Glass - Brandy

Los del Rio - Macarena

Los Loney Boys - Heaven

Man, Beenie - Dude

Marley, Bob - Buffalo Soldier

Marley, Bob - Jammin

Marley, Bob - One Love

Marley, Bob - Three Little Birds

Mayer, John - Why Georgia

McFerrin, Bobby - Don't Worry, Be Happy

Mendes, Sergio - Mas Que Nada

Miami Sound Machine - Conga

Money, Eddie - Two Tickets To Paradise

Mystic - Ritmo De La Noche

Ocean, Billy - Caribbean Queen

Paltrow, Gwyneth /Huey Lewis - Cruisin

Paul, Sean - I'm Still In Love With You

Paul, Sean - Temperature

Pickler, Kellie - Red High Heels

Poindexter, Buster - Hot, Hot, Hot

Pop, Iggy - Lust for Life

Pop, Iggy - Lust for Life

Prince, Baby Boy da - The Way I Live

Redding, Otis - Dock of the Bay

Righeira - Vamos A La Playa (very 80's!)

Rundgren, Todd - Bang on The Drum All Day

Santana - Oye Como Va

Shakira - Hips Don't Lie

Shelton, Blake - Some Beach, Somewhere

Smith, Will - Miami

Soca Boys - Dollar Wine

Soca Boys - Follow the Leader

Sparxxx, Bubba - Deliverance

Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride

Strait, George - The Seashore of Old Mexico

Styx - Come Sail Away,

Sublime - What I Go

Tams - Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy

The Four Tops - Loco in Acapulco

Thomas, Rob /Santana - Smooth

Three 6 Mafia - Stay Fly

UB40 - Red, Red Wine

Uncle Kracker version, with Dobey Gray) - Drift Away

Village People - In the Navy

Walker, Clay - Fore She Was Mama

Weezer - Island In the Sun

West, Kanye - Good Life

Wright, Samuel E. - Kiss the Girl

Wright, Samuel E. - Under the Sea

Some Beach, Somewhere - Blake SHelton

Cool Change - Little River Band

Love Boat - Jack Jones and Various Artists

In the Navy - Village People

99 In the Shade - Bon Jovi

Soak Up the Sun - Sheryl Crow

Here's a compilation of songs listed so far with a quick and dirty cleanup of the titles and artist to make it easier to locate them on your favortie site. Apologies in advance for any inadvertent mistakes, typos, or omissions.

Hot, Hot, Hot – Buster Poindexter

Jamaica Mistaica – Jimmy Buffett

One Particular Harbor - Jimmy Buffett

Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett

Don't Worry, Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin

Jammin – Bob Marley

One Love – Bob Marley

Buffalo Soldier – Bob Marley

Key Lime Pie – Kenny Chesney

Yellow Bird – Instrumental

Sherry's Living in Paradise – Kenny Chesney

Two Pina Coladas – Garth Brooks

The Ketchup Song – Las Kala

Shift Work – Kenny Chesney/George Strait

Stays in Mexico – Toby Keith

Beer in Mexico – Kenny Chesney

The Seashore of Old Mexico – George Strait

Island In The Sun - Harry Belafonte

Island In the Sun - Weezer

Loco in Acapulco - The Four Tops

Oye Como Va - Santana

Vamos A La Playa (very 80's!) - Righeira

Ritmo De La Noche - Mystic

Mas Que Nada - Sergio Mendes

Conga - Miami Sound Machine

Rock The Boat - Hues Corporation

Sailing - Christopher Cross

The Pina Colada Song (Escape) – Rupert Holmes

Miami - Will Smith

Red, Red Wine - UB40

Temperature - Sean Paul

Steal Away - Robbie DuPree

Smooth - Rob Thomas/Santana

Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding

Hips Don't Lie - Shakira

Heaven - Los Loney Boys

Brandy - Looking Glass

Lust for Life - Iggy Pop

Day-O - Harry Belafonte

Cruisin - Gwyneth Paltrow/Huey Lewis

Orinco Flow - Enya

Caribbean Queen - Billy Ocean

Dollar WineDo - Soca Boys

Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darrin

It’s 5 o'clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson/Jimmy Buffett

No shirt, No shoes, No problem - Kenny Chesney

When the Sun Goes Down - Kenny Chesney

La Bomba - King Africa

Mambo #5 - Lou Bega

Macarena - Los del Rio

Follow the Leader - Soca Boys

Mexican Wine - Fountains of Wayne

Take You There - Sean Kingston

Summertimes Calling Me - Embers

Carolina Girls - Chairmen of the Board

I Love Beach Music - Embers

Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy - Tams

Kokomo - Beach Boys

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

Lovely Cruise - Buffet

Key Wasted - Rich Hardesty

Sweat - Inner Circle

Knocking on Heavens Door - (Eric Clapton version)

Sugar Sugar (In My Life) - John Fogarty [not to be confused with

“Sugar, Sugar” by the “Archies]

Rocking All Over the World - John Fogarty

Lust for Life - Iggy Pop

Dollar Wine - Byron Lee

Down With the Sickness - Disturbed

Two Tickets To Paradise – Eddie Money

Big Pimpin’ - Jay Z

NoWoman, No Cry (Everything's Gonna Be Alright) - Bob Marley

Montego Bay - Bobby Bloom

Drift Away - Uncle Kracker version, with Dobey Gray)

Bang on The Drum All Day - Todd Rundgren

Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf

Come Sail Away – Styx

Under the Sea – Samuel E. Wright

Kiss the Girl – Samuel E. Wright

Mas Tequila - Sam Hardy

Acoustic Alchemy - (instrumental group)

“Cocktail” the entire album (soundtrack?)