Woke up this morning and for a minute I had no idea where I was. It seemed like I had only just gone to sleep. The realization hit me that I was the Cruise Director of the newest ship in the world and that the 6 hours of sleep I just had would have to be enough until I went to bed again after midnight.
It was time to disembark the VIP’s and my mates from our head office in Miami. The VIP’s included our Chairman Micky Arison and his charming wife Madeleine as well as El Presidente Bob Dickinson and other top Carnival People.
As I made the announcements over the Public Address system from my cabin, I am sure they all thought that their Senior Cruise Director was smartly dressed and alert at 7:00am. Little do they know that I am half asleep and dressed only in my Marks and Spencers underwear ( British pants at their finest ). It’s now time for a cup of coffee made by my wife Heidi and then a staff meeting.
I received some photos from Vicki Freed, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing for Carnival, with the Carnival Freedom’s Godmother, Kathy Ireland. Vicki has also started a blog for travel agents, and I encourage you to visit it; simply visit vickilovestravelagents.wordpress.com. 
I’ve also received some fantastic shots of the ship in Venice, truly a sight to see. A special thanks to Radu Ursu, Senior Photographer for these spectacular images.
Will write more soon and this time fully clothed
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
I have cruised with CARNIVAL for the 3rd time Feb. 27th, 2007. I had a great time…Noone does it better then John the x cruise Dir. from Destiny, Triumph. Hope to see you soon at Freedom. I love you…I need you…& tonight baby….badababado0!!! Stop! or I Sh…t!
Hi John,
WOW!! I went to the “Carnival Freedom” site to see some pictures of the new ship, and received a happy & great suprise to see that you are now the Freedom Cruise Director. You were our cruise director on the Carnival Liberty in July ’05 LOOKING forward to being with you again on the June 18, 07 cruise. Our whole family’s going again, daughter and grandchildren, son & wife and sister and brother-in-law.
Wow wish I was there. But in December 2005/06 I got My first start on Carnival Victory as a Short 8 months A/V staffer ended upburply after 2 weeks Durring Christmas. As Stress and pressure built not sure what really happen but my short lived carreer came to a hault It took me 5 years to get that job and I blew it not even sure what I did well seeing stuff like that ship keeps me going to try again. Heck I’m just waiting to get a call and get back on a ship again and try again. My Latest Blog says it all.