Morning Bloggers:Just a quick note to start. Did you know that we are now up to 62,000 bloggers or hits or whatever you call all of you who take the time to read this site. Let’s get T-shirts made — maybe even tattoos!For those who have been watching the Web cam today you will have seen that the ship has been experiencing a low front which has caused a lot of wind and consequently large swells.The ship has been moving a little because of this but it does not seem to have caused anyone to stop enjoying themselves.It is also quite amusing to see some people who are trying to find their sea legs. Many have their own cures – tablets, patches, wristbands, etc. Some resort to the time old cure of drinking which seems to counteract the rocking and allows you to walk in a straight line! Even with all the motion, I must therefore acknowledge the brilliant cast of dancers and singers. Some of us have trouble walking in a straight line but they are on stage dancing their hearts out. They are the best !
This cruise has started well even though we have a different demographic than usual. This cruise we have 400 Asian guests who are originally from China but now reside in Canada. We are also happy to have 400 guests from Mexico and the Dominican Republic. My Chinese is awful as is my Spanish but at last nights Welcome Aboard Show everyone seemed to laugh and have a good time.
I even had a nun on stage “Sister Marjorie.” She was so funny and even played the spoon game. She said that she enjoyed being on stage but she didn’t want to get into the habit! It was a great night.
Today was a very busy day for me. It started with my 9:30 am Morning Show on the closed circuit TV. There was nobody — and I mean nobody — on the Lido Deck as temperatures struggled to go into double figures. However, it seemed from the number of callers to the show, many guests were watching from the cabin.
One of the first callers was a guest named Paul Williams from Gaylord, Michigan. He wanted me to know about his wife Alanya. He told me that she had just retired from teaching after 33 years at the same school. Alanya was a music teacher and often stayed behind for hours locked in the music room teaching the kids after hours. What made her even more special was that she had been a foster mother to 21 children, as well as raising four kids of her own, including her daughter Melissa who at age 14 experienced an illness that left her confined to a wheelchair. He wanted me to know that she had never asked for any recognition or reward but could I do something special for her.
So, after a bit of thought I decided to make tomorrow – March 29, 2007 – ALANYA WILLIAMS DAY. Her name will be placed in the daily bulletin and the Captain will sign an official proclamation that states that for the rest of the Carnival Freedom’s life every March 29 will be Alanya Williams Day. This will be presented to her in a ceremony tomorrow night.
As the son of a teacher, I know how hard they work and how important they are in our lives. They should be paid millions!
P.S.
Below are some pictures from Turkey. The first is the ship arriving in port. The second as on overhead shot of the city. Spectacular views!
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.
John,
That was really nice what you did for that teacher.. I’m sure that will be something that will be engraved in her mind/heart for the rest of her life.
How was Turkey ? Were you able to tour the sites?
Will you be aboard the Freedom come Dec. ?
Congrat’s to Alanya !!
What a fabulous way to celebrate a wonderful woman! Teachers are very special indeed. What a great guy her husband must be too !
We were watching the web cam this morning and I did mention to my husband that the Lido deck looked empty. Hope things have calmed down.
Love “Sister Marjorie”! I had a few nuns like that !
Thanks for the photos of the ship and Istanbul. I saved them to my file til we can take our own….
Kathy and Paul
Hello from Vinkeveen,
Please keep on writing on this blog! My family and I read it every day. And we can’t wait to get onboard again. Also friends and family from Vinkeveen and Mijdrecht are having a great time reading your stories. Please keep them coming. I hope to see you on the 14 day Transatlantic crossing this fall. I’m booked on it.
Regards,
Vincent and friends from Vinkeveen and Mijdrecht. The Netherlands
Well, John, you had me going this morning when I read that “temperatures struggled to go into double digits.” As an American ‘of a certain age’ I think of temperatures in terms of Farenheit, and that sounded darn cold to me!!!
Last night before heading off to bed, I checked out the Freedom’s webcam….looked like a beautiful sunrise (and much calmer seas than when I’d checked in the morning)!
We took note that you have a group from the Dominican Republic on this cruise, which reminded us of our very first cruise on the Carnivale (back in the early 80′s) and our favorite shore excursion to Samana in the Dominican Republic. My husband and I both seem to remember you, if not as CD then certainly the next best thing to it. Are our memories playing tricks on us, or will we be coming full circle on May 13th?
Terri Rericha
John – Gay and I were looking at your picture at the top of the page and wondering how it will look tattood on 62,000 people.
Bob & Gay
Hi John,
I’ve never sailed with you, although I’ve heard a lot about you. And unfortunately no plans for a Freedom cruise exist in the immediate future. But I very much enjoy reading your blog. I love reading stuff “from behind the scenes” so please keep blogging as long as you can!
Thanks!
P.S. I wish I could fit in a Freedom cruise this spring, and not just because of the ports. You’ve got a terrific piano bar entertainer on board with you! Tell Ron Pass that Laura from Hoboken says “Hi!”
Hola / 你好
Or should I say Hello John, just to practice diffrent laguages, as I know that you come accross many diffrent pleople on your journeys.
It was an amaizing things what you did for Alanya. My partner is a teacher and is always busy, at school, at home, at church and just about everywhere. Some times teachers are not recognized enough for their great work.
Very nice pictures of Turkey.
Jose
another lovely story. we are so enjoying them!
smiles, s’dreams
John, as a person that has been on stage doing the spoon game I’m laughing my — off just thinking how that went with “Sister Marjorie”.
Just got my confirmation in the mail today from one of Carnival’s, like you “THE BEST”, Personal Vacation Planner, Laurie Pandzik at Ext.85877. Now just to wait and pray for 303 more days hoping you will still be on the FREEDOM then.
“BIG” Ed Konefe
Hello John,
What a great tribute to a wonderful person. Unfortunately in today’s world, the news is slanted to draw attention to all things negative. Bad people doing bad things to other people. What is special about cruising is that the ship is a small version of the world. People of all nationalities and backgrounds living, working and playing together. Genuine cruisers know this. We treat others as we would like to be treated. We all get along with each other, but more importantly, we RESPECT each other. If only the governments of the world could adopt a model based on the microcosm of nationalities that is a cruise ship. A pleasure to experience like no other. It’s no wonder cruisers are so rabid about this type of vacation. Nothing can compare to being a part of the family that is Carnival. John, I salute you. I have been volunteering my time in the classroom 3 times per year, bringing Junior Achievement to grade school children for over 10 years. I know how hard teachers work and what is demanded of them on a daily basis. They are certainly not even CLOSE to being compensated sufficiently for what they provide. Keep up the blog for as long as you can. We look forward to your updates every day.
Lance & Ilda Gunberg
Hello John,
I will be joining you on May 25th. This is so enjoyable following you each day. Tonight, is the first show on the Travel Channel for the new series about the book “1,000 Places To See Before I Die.” I am watching their show on Italy right now! This will be my 2nd cruise as my first was a 2 nighter from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas. Congratulations to Alanya! I am also a teacher(28th year) and teach special education students. I made my calendar tear off list tonight. It shows 39 school days left before I fly out of the states to join you! Keep blogging………..Molly
G’day John, I continue to find your blog quite droll and touching. Like that story about the retired teacher (Alanya Williams) and the recognition you gave to her. Bravo, John! You really have a heart, which is more than I can say from some CDs I’ve met.
Your blog has become a part of my evening entertainment package here in Central Florida. Keep it up, if you will. I’m alerting members of a cruise site I belong to that your blog is a “must read” if you love cruising.
Jack Evans
Orlando
Hi John, I have a question for you. Our airlines has changed our return flight and it leaves at 6:20am on debarkation day. We called Carnival and they told us we could leave the day we get to Rome. We had some trouble arranging transportation in the middle of the morning for the airport, so we just booked a room at the airport Hilton. I just wanted to make sure that custom inspectors would be at the port to let us leave one day early. Thanks , and we will see you on April 18. Can’t wait.
Hiya Johnny,
It’s only me. Do you remember when we were standing on Lido deck one night and you couldn’t stop fiddling with your radio mic that had gotten stuck in your trouser pocket?
Well we were talking about absolutely everything and then you said “There’s nothing you would like more than to dock your boat in an Asian port “.
Now I’m going East in 2008 and I wondered whether you had any plans to visit China then?
Do tell.
Qunity x
I will be joining your cruise which departs on April 7. If I get the opportunity to meet you, please excuse my giggling. Sperm of the devil…did he actually think of that himself?
Lori Wheaton-Giles
Welcome Mr Heald. I’m enjoying reading your blog. I’m a new cruiser just completing our initial cruise from the Legend Jan. 27th, 2007. We have signed on to the Freedom, Feb. 2nd, 2008. I’m looking forward to meeting you. The blog that really affected me was the ” Alanya Williams Day “. I just retired from teaching , 31 years and you really made me feel so great and I don’t even know you. You made Mrs. Williams feel like a million dollars. She went home feeling that being a teacher is getting like a million dollars because you made her like that. You are very respectful man as well as cruise director. Reading your blog, I sense that. So, We’ll see you in February, 2008.
Till then, keep writing your blog so I can continue enjoying cruising through you. Thank you.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Welcome Mr. Heald. I’ve enjoyed your blog. Since my wife & I experienced our initial cruise ( Jan. 27th 2007 ) on the Legend, we had to cruise again and will be February 2nd 2008 on the Freedom. I ‘m looking forward to meeting you. Many of your blogs made me feel so good. The one that changed me was the ” Alanya Williams Day “. I just retired from 31 years from teaching and I know how Mrs. Williams must have felt when you treated her to her day. Thank you for respecting the profession of teaching. Not many do but I thank you for what you did. I hope to meet you and thank you personally when I’m on the Freedom February 2nd, 2008. Till we meet, continue your great blog.
Paul F. Pietrangelo