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Archive through September 03, 2005

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Sep. ~ Nov.: Free Expressions...: HURRICANE: ARCHIVES: Archive through September 03, 2005 users admin

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Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 1:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Thanks Who, glad to hear they are ok.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 1:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
3 Carnival ships will be used for housing for 6 months. one in Mobile and two in Galveston. WOW.

MIAMI, Sept. 3 -- Carnival Cruise Lines has chartered three of its cruise ships to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for six months as part of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

The three cruise ships are the Ecstasy, Sensation and Holiday.

The Ecstasy, normally homeported at Galveston, Texas, operating four- and five-day cruises, and Sensation, normally homeported in New Orleans operating four- and five-day voyages, will be pulled from service effective Monday, Sept. 5. Initial plans are for both vessels to be docked in Galveston.


The Holiday, which is homeported at Mobile, Ala., operating four and five- day Mexico cruises, will be pulled from service effective Thursday, Sept. 8. Initial plans are for the vessel to remain docked in Mobile.


"We sincerely apologize to those guests whose vacations have been impacted by these voyage cancellations," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "However, given that Hurricane Katrina is the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, we trust our guests will understand that the decision to enter into these charters was the right one. This inconvenience to our guests will provide desperately needed housing for thousands of individuals affected by this tragedy," he added.


All guests whose bookings have been cancelled will be offered full refunds and will have the opportunity to re-book their cruise on any Carnival ship. Guests who re-book on any Carnival ship will receive a $100 per person shipboard credit. Carnival is protecting travel agent commissions on cancelled cruises.


As a result of three ships being taken out of service, Carnival is implementing some additional deployment changes within its fleet.


The Elation, which currently operates seven-day cruises from Galveston, will offer a one-time six-day voyage departing Sept. 4, then take over the Ecstasy's four and five-day Galveston program effective Saturday, Sept. 10. Guests on the Elation's six-day voyage will receive a 15 percent refund and a $50 per person shipboard credit. The Ecstasy's five-day cruise of Sept. 5 has been cancelled.


All guests originally scheduled to sail on the Ecstasy during the affected six-month period will be automatically moved to the Elation. The Ecstasy and Elation are sister ships with identical layouts. Guests will be assigned to the same cabins on Elation that they had booked on the Ecstasy.


Carnival Conquest, which is normally based in New Orleans, will move to Galveston after it completes its current drydock on Sept. 11, to operate her original seven-day itinerary to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest entered service in 2002.


The Ecstasy entered service in 1991, the Sensation in 1993 and the Elation in 1998. All three are sister ships in Carnival's eight-ship, Fantasy-class series. The vessels measure 70,367 gross tons and have a basis-two passenger capacity of 2,052 and a total passenger capacity of 2,606.


The 46,052-ton Holiday entered service in 1985 and has a basis-two passenger capacity of 1,452 and a total passenger capacity of 1,800.


Carnival shipboard employees will be staffing the three chartered ships. The Ecstasy, and Sensation each have approximately 920 crew and the Holiday has approximately 660.


Affected Carnival guests will be notified of the cancelled and modified sailings this afternoon.


For additional information and questions, guests can contact their travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.


Source: Carnival Cruise Lines


Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 1:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Another email from my friend in Baton Rouge with an update and a physical address.........

********
YES! At the time I originally wrote this, they didn't have a mail-in donation address established. While I think this address is supposed to be primarily for monetary donations, I can't imagine that they wouldn't graciously accept diapers, wipes, etc. because it is the physical address of the hospital. If you include your return address I'm sure they will send you a tax deduction form, so please send donations directly to the hospital. Any money they receive will go to buy supplies not received, particularly carseats.
Woman's Hospital
Disaster Relief Fund
9000 Airline Highway
Baton Rouge, LA 70815


Oh...and to give you some specifics. There are currently 116 babies in NICU (that's HUGE!) and labor and delivery are at full capacity. All elective surgery (this hospital also does a fair amt of cosmetic surgery) has been cancelled temporarily. I just got called in to work on the 4th floor and in the NICU on Monday. These are things I normally don't do, but they are desperate for hands to feed and change babies and don't want outside volunteers because of liability issues.

************

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 2:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
Texannie, that gives me goosebumps!!

I keep seeing the images of people in the shelters, and they have a cot, and they have a bag if they are lucky of stuff, no pillows... personal items for showers... but where can they "live" where can they put "stuff" etc... I know the ships cant hold everyone - 4,000 ish? I do also recognize the other options that are working on moving the evacuees into better housing options!!

Having the cruise ships will give them "rooms", "home" but once again, it will get mired in some political discussions as most cruise ships have 'suites'... and most rooms are still very small, but still, better or at least larger place to move about in - exercise, do things instead of sitting!! Even having different areas to eat what a choice!!

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 2:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
I was thrilled to read they were doing this. I was so frustrated when they started announcing cheap fares cause the ships had to be diverted to Galveston.

Willi
Member

07-13-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 3:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Willi a private message Print Post    
I dont know if this has been posted yet...

www.hurricanehousing.org


Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 3:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
One of the boards I frequent did post $80 5 day cruises - that was CHEAP!! lol, they called and confirmed, it was $80 per day - - $400, still not bad, but definately not $80!!

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 4:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
Watching the evacuations, from active duty the helicopters dont have to take a break, they are refueling in the air, have night goggles, and infrared lights, they are trained at this type of search and rescue...In one day they have rescued 2,000 (not sure what a "day" is, or where the 2,000 is from) still....

its about damn time

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 4:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
The I 10 is finally all rescued. The convention center is rescued... (Geraldo Rivera was there, he was funny trying to find words to describe the 'drama'... the lines of people, the helicopters, the horror of the inside of the center... this wasnt the same place.that Fox showed with the granmother that died in the wheelchair)


I still hate seeing the same pictures from Day 1, I hate seeing that they've "piece mealed" a "story" with "old" footage...

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 4:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
I know hate is a horrible word, so I intensely dislike Geraldo!!!!

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 4:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
I am sorry, but I just gotta brag about my town, hope you don't mind. My church has served over 1500 people since Wed, and we are just a little church on the westside of town! People are buying out dollars stores all over town to send in supplies.
But this is the best

Evacuees' sense of calm grows after thousands turn out to help


http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory/3337672

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 5:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
Blessings

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 5:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
I didnt want to say that Annie - ie Geraldo, so I self modded and didnt mention my 'opinion' of his descriptions, but I truly chuckled as he was on air, and felt bad about it!!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 6:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Go Texas!!! When we lived in Texas we thought the people there were so wonderful. They are sure proving it now.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 6:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
I am late adding my unbridled admiration for Texas, as well. Just absolutely fantastic to see how open their arms and hearts are.

Nanalinda
Member

08-06-2005

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 6:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nanalinda a private message Print Post    
Thank you Texannie for everything you are doing! Also thank for the links to these very informative articles in the Chronicle.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 7:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
I watched a lot of coverage of the hurricane during the week -- mostly NBC (no cable or satellite here). At some time I remember a segment about groups of people staying on upper floors and rooftop gardens of buildings (downtown?). They thought they were safer where they were until things got more organized down on the ground. Part of one group was a couple from Scotland vacationing in the U.S. The woman was screaming and crying, afraid that she would die here and would never get home again. Does anyone else remember seeing that? I would guess they got out OK, but...? Did anyone ever hear about the couple again? I can't imagine being in such a freakish situation in a foreign country.

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 8:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
Color, I didnt see that, I've also have been wondering about the firehouse siege... nothing on that either!

One other thing about Houston, and Texas, there have been comments made about the number of refugees, maybe as we admire Texas, we also need to speak with Dollars too - Texas will not be burdened by their generosity!! The American Spirit will help, I just know it!!

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 8:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
Hi Guys, I'm home early tonight. We have so many volunteers at the Center, I felt okay to come home and see my son. I haven't seen him since Wednesday evening.

There are no words to describe the condition of the evacuees. It is unforgivable that they had to endure the horrors they went through since Monday. And we're getting the "healthy" ones.

Listening to them relay what they through is horrifying. I don't know whether I'm going to post what they told me.

This is not supposed to happen in the US. We are not a third world country. How dare the US government ever tell others how to run their country. They have failed their own citizens horribly.




Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 8:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
Reaching out over the web to give Ddr a huge {{{hug}}}!! Thank you for coming, for having your heart and soul, to be willing to give so freely of yourself!! May you find rest, and peace, may God Bless you as you continue to work where you are needed!!

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 8:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
Very very good to hear from you, Ddr. My thoughts have been with you and everyone affected directly and indirectly.

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 9:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
The tourism industry is pissed off as hell at Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu. Since he was elected, we have been bombarded with press releases and emails dedicated to the greatness of this little twirp. He markets himself as the Guru of Tourism, like he invented it.

After we have safely gotten all the evacuees out of NO, we're going to ream him a new a$$hole for not making it his mission to get the tourists out of New Orleans. Little shit.

I wanted to share something a friend said last night at the Center. She said this is like the Acadian deportation out of Nova Scotia. Evacuees are being placed all over, not knowing where your family members are.

100 years from now the story of the New Orleans Deportation will be told.



Tishala
Member

08-01-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 9:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tishala a private message Print Post    
Ddr, is he related to Mary Landrieu and the former mayor of NO whose name I can't remember?

Moondance
Member

07-30-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 9:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Moondance a private message Print Post    
Thanks for all you are doing Ddr!

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 9:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
Yes Tish, he's Mary little brother. And I mean little in every way.