Here are some replies to some of the posted questions. Again, please allow me to say that I apologize that time does not allow me to reply to all of them.
Scejas – I love the sites in Istanbul, the Highlights of Istanbul Tour with the lunch is my favorite. Bad news – I am so sorry but I will not be on the Freedom in December
Schuijt – Here is a message from my wife in Dutch for you – Bedankt voor jullie boodschap. Hoop dat alles naar wens gaat in Vinkeveen, met de zaak en natuurlijk op persoonlijk vlak. Jammer dat jullie niet eerder komen…..Istanbul & Athene zijn fantastisch mooi, we zien elkaar in november. Tot dan! QUICK TRANSLATION – MY HUSBAND JOHN IS THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE. I WOULD MUCH RATHER WAKE UP WITH HIM IN THE MORNING THAN BRAD PITT.
Terri Rericha – You are correct, I am sure I was the CD then. I have been with Carnival for 20 years this June.
Bob & Gay – You would need to be a big chap to have a tattoo of me!
Divetrash! – Message passed to Ron P who sends his best to you. Hope you can sail soon.
After a miserable day of weather yesterday we awoke to a day of glorious sunshine and a high temperature of 16 degrees Celcius in Rhodes, Greece.
This morning though, at 9:30am, I made a woman cry. The last time I did this was when I announced on stage that I was getting married and every lady (and one man) in the audience cried hysterically at the knowledge that I was now unavailable.
Today, the lady in question was Alanya Williams from Gaylord, Michigan. Alanya is the retired school teacher I mentioned in my blog yesterday. This morning, I announced over the Public Address System that it was officially Alanya Williams Day. I presented her with a proclamation signed by the captain and we all had photos together. Tonight I am paying for them to go to our fantastic Sun King Supper Club. She cried tears of happiness and her husband told me after that is something she never does as she always hides her emotions. I am going to send a copy of the photos and the proclamation to the local newspaper The Gaylord Herald Times and hope they publish this event for all her past pupils to read.
After this I went to the bridge for arrival into Rhodes. The old town with it’s gated castle walls is a fantastic place to explore and there is also some lovely nick-knack shops to explore. While the guests were ashore the crew conducted a disaster drill. This involves many aspects of safety and what to do in a mass emergency situation. This is one of the things that guests never see and lets hope we never have to put what we practice into a real situation but if we do, the brilliant crew of the Freedom will be ready.
Later in the day Heidi and I went for a cup of coffee in Rhodes town. A Cruise Director is always a Cruise Director on or off the ship. Of course, by now, people recognize you and want to ask questions or just want to say hello. The usual start of these conversations are the words “sorry to bother you” which was the case this time when 2 ladies stopped by the outside café table we were sitting at. As usual I stood and shook their hand expecting a question about the island, the ship etc. What I heard was nothing of the sort. The guest, a Mrs.Reeves (her maiden name) (she wanted me to make sure she I printed her name in the blog which she has been reading since it’s conception) and her sister were on the cruise to celebrate something special, not a birthday, not an anniversary but a divorce. Now, I have no idea what possesses people to open their life stories to me but it happens every day and in this case she insisted that I put this in my blog. Turns out that Mrs. Reeves was married to a man, who will remain nameless, for 12 years. She told me that she thought he was having an affair but could not prove it so she didn’t hire a private detective she hired……………her sister. They planned that she would “entrap” her husband ” with an offer of …um…fun……………..and to cut a long story short one Tuesday morning he fell for it hook, line and sinker. The divorce just came through, so the sisters celebrated with this cruise to Europe on the Carnival Freedom. There are times when I have lots to say and try and have a comeback for every situation but this time Heidi and I just laughed and said – congratulations, I mean, what else can you say.
So, if the nameless man is reading this, please don’t shoot the messenger but the sisters wanted you to know that they are having a fantastic time spending your money:)
Is there any other job in the world short of being a psychiatrist where people open their hearts to you. This is but another reason why I just love my job.
So to the Reeves sisters from Elm Grove, Wisconsin, I wish you a fantastic cruise and to all the men out there remember, never underestimate sister power.
Bedtime, oh by the way, we reached 69,000. Will keep blogging a bit longer.
Cheers
j
P.S.
Here are some fantastic pictures from Rhodes, Greece.
Filed under: Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Tales from the Ship
Dear John,
Thank you so much for the special surprise for the inlaws, they really enjoyed it!
Ook hartelijk bedankt en groetjes aan Heidi!
I called my parents in Brazil yesterday and told them about the blog, they loved it
and are also going to check it out. My whole family enjoys cruising (we are no
airplane people, get me?!) and we mostly travelled along the Brazilian coast, or on
transatlantic trips to Europe. On one of these adventures, I met my Dutch hubby; that
was really the LUV boat … ooops … no ads for other cruise lines on this blog!
(it’s part of the FUN SHIPS Corp though, so it’s sorta allowed?!?!)
Greetings,
Thais&Fabian
John, there you go with those unwanted hints, “WILL KEEP BLOGGING A BIT LONGER”. We all know “IF” and when you leave the FREEDOM you will pass this great blog site on to the new CD. I would hate to be the new CD if he didn’t keep this wonderful blog going on and on. He may become a W-A-LLY HEAD BANGER.
“BIG” Ed Konefe
PS to CARNIVAL home office. “IF” John is ever replaced on the FREEDOM as CD the new CD must be blog capable and willing to keep this great idea going. Start them on all CARNIVAL cruise ships ASAP.
“Here are some fantastic pictures from Rhodes, Greece.”
What an understatement!!! The one of the acropolis overlooking the sea is worthy of a tour book cover!
Terri Rericha
I was wondering if you had any update on the 2 passengers who had to evacuated for medical reasons? Hope that they are doing ok.
well just another lovely story john! tell me please, will you still be on the Freedom in October for our btb? and heidi too?
we only have another week and a half until we are back on the legend. that will be our third time on the legend. love that ship!
smooth seas my friend….
smiles, s’dreams
Hi John,
I have enjoyed reading your blog over the past month as I have been uber-jealous of all the guests who have traveled on Carnival Freedom. You sound like you’re having an amazing time as CD on Freedom’s inaugural season!
A little backstory: I took my first cruise just this past December on the Carnival Legend, and loved it so much that I turned around and booked a cruise for 6 weeks later on the Sensation. I must say that I have been impressed by the crew aboard the ships. I work in the tourism industry, and while I was cruising and introducing myself to various guests and crew members, I would smile, shake hands, and completely forget that I was not wearing my nametag. Only to remember seconds after I had walked away that I never said my name. Given my background, I feel a sort of kinship to the crew, and I’m often torn between going to some activity and getting to know one of the crew members and to hear their stories. So the blogs when you speak of them are probably most interesting to me.
You are very lucky to have a couple of people that I met on my previous trips aboard the Freedom with you. Chris P. and Jason C. from the band are incredible talents and good natured guys. I’m sure the shows are amazing in part due to them. Also Ali S., one of the I/S Managers was super sweet when I met him on the Legend. He taught me a lot about the ship and soothed some of my fears as it was my first cruise. (My family almost missed the cruise, and he was there during embarkation to help make sure we didn’t.)
I wanted to share some of my experiences as well as tell you how much I’ve enjoyed reading about yours. You said that you won’t been on Freedom in December…any idea where your next adventure will be?
Best wishes for smooth seas and beautiful weather,
Cinnamon
John -
First of all, thanks for the blog. At the moment, I have a deposit down on a balcony cabin to enjoy the relocation cruise Oct 28th. I am hoping that my work schedule will allow my wife and I to visit your wonderful new ship and visit our friends John & Diane.
As you can probably surmise by my username, my wife and I began enjoying cruising on the wonderful environment of the Paradise. With the demise of its smokefree status (we were on the last smokefree Caribbean cruise that was “hijacked” by Hurricane Francis), we did not cruise for a couple of years, but did take a six day cruise on the Liberty in January – it was an enjoyable time, but we ran into smoke related issues.
Can you please expand on which lounges are smokefree zones, as opposed to smoking and nonsmoking sections? Also, where did you put Just Du’et – hopefully, its a smokefree environment, so my wife and I can dance (and eat) our way across the Atlantic.
Please keep up the good work and tell John & Diane we said hello – if they (or you) need more M&Ms, just let us know.
John – Thanks again for a great blog.
As the recipient of 12 years of Catholic confinement (read that as grades 1-12 of Parochial School in Boston) you truly are the seed of satan for making that poor nun participate in the spoon game.
I’m only sorry that I wasn’t there to witness it.
Please read your catechism and and hold out your hands for the ruler.
With tongues in cheeks -
Bob & Gay
Hi John,
I have never cruised (or blogged) before. My husband & I chose the Fun Ship for our first and booked a cruise on the Freedom, to celebrate our 25th anniversary, in December 2008.
I have to tell you that I absolutely love your blog. One can very easily tell why you are a favorite CD. You are sincere, down to earth and funny to boot. Your stories are wonderful. Please don’t stop your anytime soon.
I feel like part of the Freedom family already. I only hope that you will be back on the Freedom when we cruise as I would love to meet you and Heidi in person. If you know, a quite yes or no would be so greaty appreciated. Either way, I’ll keep reading!
Thanks,
Mary & Randy
John i have been reading you blog sence they came out I am looking forward to meet you and sailing on the freedom My wife and I have passage on the Dec 1 2007 sailing in the eastern Carb. i wonder can you tell us more about the new feture the Freedom has . we will be sailing for our 33 wqedding and both are brithday are just two week befor we sail .
thank you and keep them coming
Fangclaw
Hi John,
We cruised with you 4 years ago and will do so again in July. You were so enjoyable even my small kids remember you!! Can’t wait! Wondered why you suggested staying in Rome after the cruise rather than before. As of now, we are scheduled to spend 2 nights in Rome before the cruise and wonder if we should change that?
Looking forward to your charming guidance!!
Nancy Brightbill