Carnival cruise passengers spend weekend in Antigua … in jail

It looks like Carnival could use some new passengers. Not even a week after banning a family for life – and then reversing the ban – six passengers on one of its ships have been detained in Antigua. Now, if you’re going to get stuck someplace, Antigua isn’t bad, but I’d rather be in a resort than involved with the criminal justice system – it just seems more fun.

Dolores Lalanne, 25, Mike Pierre Paul, 24, Joshua Jackson, 25, Shoshonnah Henry, 24, Nancy Lalanne, 22, and Rachael Henry, 27 have been charged with assault, battery and malicious damage. A fight over cab fare got out of hand and turned into an altercation with the local police. They are being held in Antigua until trial.

The alleged fight broke out on Friday, when the Carnival Victory passengers got off the ship for a 10-hour port call. The passengers refused to pay a cab driver, claiming they were being overcharged. Original reports of the story say that the cab driver quoted a $50 price for a tour that would end at a beach. He later told them, supposedly, that it would cost more to get back to the ship. The driver drove the passengers to a police station, which is where the fight is said to have broken out.

After spending the weekend in jail, the passengers were released on $5,000 bail but had to give up their travel documents and check in with the court regularly. Apparently, jail is unpleasant in Antigua, particularly because of the mosquitoes.

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Carnival Cruise Lines is looking for a Godchild for their newest ship

In just 33 days, the newest addition to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet will be unveiled.

The Carnival Dream
will be the largest ship in their fleet, and like all new cruise ships being built nowadays, the Dream comes with a whole linup of amazing innovations.

Guests on the Carnival Dream can enjoy an outdoor theater, a 24 hour pizzeria, a burrito bar, a mongolian wok, a sushi bar, 3 different kids clubs, a dance club, various lounges and bars and – get this – a 6 slide water park.

To celebrate the launch of their ship, Carnival is asking kids between 7 and 12 to “share their dreams”, for a chance at becoming the world’s first cruise ship Godchild. Click her to visit the Carnival Book of Dreams site, where you will see how kids can enter the contest.

In addition to the honor of being named Godchild, the winner will also be invited to christen the WaterWorks aqua park, and bring their family along to sail on the 3 night inaugural voyage of the ship. Carnival will even provide airfare for the lucky winner. Four runner-ups will each receive a digital camera and various Carnival logo items.

As if that wasn’t enough, each entry in the contest means Carnival will donate $2 to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital and $1 for each vote.

The contest started yesterday, and runs till September 18th 2009.
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