Good evening all and thanks for clicking on this blog thingy again. Welcome also to the new readers who are accidentally stumbling on to this site will searching for something else. For some strange reason when you type “photos of a stud” into a search engine it takes you to my website !
This has also become an international website as I see we have readers from New Zealand, the U.K., Germany and even such exotic locations as Dubai and New Jersey!
Can I please take a moment to say thank you for the positive comments about yesterday’s blog . It was a difficult decision as to write it or not but your comments have assured me it was, so my sincere thanks for the reassurance.
Today we were in Katakolon, Greece and the guests woke up to a mostly sunny day with a morning low of 9 degrees Celsius and a high of 17 degrees Celcius by 1:00pm.
The crew were up and ready to serve our guests by 5:30am with the serving of our Continental breakfast and of course we must pay tribute the team of night housekeeping staff who work all night while everyone is asleep cleaning all the public lounges and corridors.
Let’s chat about the crew for a bit. Last night we held a party for the crew on the aft part of Lido Deck. This was the first time we had the opportunity to do this since the inaugural sailing of the Freedom and last night we wanted to say a big thank you to all of them and give them a chance to let their hair down. This involves, music, cocktails and a fantastic spread of food. Now, serving food to 1200 crew is a huge job and one of the hardest decisions is what do you serve crew from 5o plus countries to make sure they all like it. The answer……………………………MEXICAN! Yep, as we sailed from Greece the crew dined on fajitas, nachos and those long things called Jimmy Chunders or something. We also served the crew a new cocktail invented by our Bar Manager which consists of Prune Juice and Tequila and is called the Mexican Road Runner 
There was music and a chance to dance. It was exactly what the crew needed, as well as a well deserved reward.
Outside of the crew parties there are many facilities on each of our ships that the crew can enjoy such as:
A Crew Gymnasium (well, so they say but I have never been able to find it)
A Crew Lounge
Crew Internet
Most impressively is a wonderful addition to our ships in recent years called the Crew Training Center. This is staffed by crewmembers who sole responsibility is to the personal and professional development of our crew. This is done by the teaching of hospitality classes, management courses and the ability for the crew to all have computer lessons. Crew can also learn other languages as well as other courses that enhance the lives of the crew. They also conduct various Carnival College programs for job specific training. This was the brainchild of my old (very old) mate Juan Carlos Trueba (he’s Irish) and his wonderful team and of course Senior Vice President of Air/Sea Operations and Corporate Training Roberta Jacoby who together have won industry awards. Here’s an example of one the awards received! The continued investment of every crewmember is vital to the continuing success of this great company.
When I first joined the company in June 1986 as a bar waiter it was a much different story. My training lasted five minutes and basically consisted of “here is a tray, here is a menu, now go over there and serve those guests some drinks.” The first embarkation day I thought I had done brilliantly as I raced around the ship serving Fun Ship Special drinks. I was sure I would get a big pat on the back for working so hard until someone I realized that they were not free and I was expected to collect $3 each for them! I was lucky to keep my job.
Right now, I’m off to the Talent Show and will write more when I get back.
And what a show…………..sometimes at a Talent Show the talent can be…………umm………………………..ordinary but tonight it was brilliant. I also had a cute kid help MC the show with me tonight called Davis Meeks. As you can see from the photo he was wearing my blazer that was rather big for him. He was one of those kids who you know one day is going to be a heartbreaker. I then performed my signature Bedtime Story which even after all these years continues to be so popular thanks to the guests I get on stage with me.
After the show Heidi and I took a walk out on deck as we try and do every night. This is often the most wonderful time to be on a cruise ship. It’s sad, though, I hardly see anyone else doing it these days. I encourage all of you to take a stroll every night around Deck 11 outside. There are no buffets, there is no music but there is a sense of peace and fulfillment when you hold hands with the one you love and take in the sea air. Do it every night and you will sleep well I promise.
Tonight as we walked the deck we passed a couple who were standing by the railing. They waved me other and introduced themselves as Mr. and Mrs. Long.
The lady, whose name was Penny, and her husband, Alan, will be celebrating their 46th wedding anniversary on Friday. Penny said that she had met Alan when they made music together in a local orchestra and that this was their first cruise. We chatted for a minute or so when Penny said that this cruise had brought her and her husband closer together and that they had gone through a rough patch but that this cruise had rejuvenated them. As we left them there by the railings I looked back at saw not a couple celebrating their 46th wedding anniversary but Alan and Penny, two teenagers falling in love for the very first time……………..I looked at Heidi, she looked at me, we smiled, held hands and as we walked along the deck Heidi turned and said………………………………you left your underwear on the bathroom floor again!
Goodnight
Your Friends
John and Heidi
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.
oh john, ever the comedian…
smiles, s’dreams
Thank you so much for continuing this blog; I was on the 3/14 sailing and long to be back on the Freedom….I had an incredible time and it was the second time having you as a Cruise Director. I had raved to others about you on our flight over to Italy and you certainly did not let me down.
I was wondering if “scavenger hunts” are ever an activity on the funships anymore? I participated years ago on the Sensation and have so many funny memories of looking for a guest with a pair of red socks…getting a blue drink umbrella from a bartender…obtaining a picture of someone with a bad sunburn…a feather from one of the entertainers costumes…can you believe that I still keep that feather packed in my luggage on each Carnival cruise????
It was also a pleasure meeting Heidi on my voyage along with the rest of the fabulous crew…happy sailing!!!
Hi John! This is Joanne writing to you from the small island and sunny Malta. I am new to this “blog thingy” but I must say I enjoy very much reading your updates. My husband and our son Bradley (2yrs 4 months while cruising) will be on the May 1st sailing and we’re really looking forward to it and to meet you as well.
Joanne.
John,
I have become addicted to your blogs. Two days in a row you have brought tears to my eyes. Previous blogs I’ve also enjoyed a good chuckle. Reading your blog is the first thing I do in the morning (after I pee). I started reading it as I will be on Freedom May 1st and wanted to see what I would learn about my upcoming trip. It’s been a great venue for extending my trip as I feel like a little bit of my holiday has already started. I am always a little bit pouty when my holidays are over and now I can keep a little holiday feeling after my trip by checking in on you. I love all your stories, thank you for sharing them. I was trying to think of something that I would like to know before my trip but the only really intelligent question I can come up with is a “must have” Carnival drink. Can you survey a few guests and let us know what their favorite (alcohol) beverage is? I love to picture me and my husband lounging on the deck basking in the sun drinking a (?) with (?) music playing in the background. It would be great if you asked a few what their favorite things to do on the Freedom. That way I can picture myself doing something other then getting smashed on the Lido deck. I know you get a lot of request so I’ll understand you may not get to this one. Best regards, CrusingCanucks
Hi John, I was on the 3/14 cruise and had an opportunity to sit next to “Mama”. I told her how proud she must be of you, but what trouble you must have given her while you were growing up. Mama gently corrected me that she was NOT your biological Mother. She said she was Mother is about 35,000 Carnival employees. Can you tell me more about “Mama”?
John,
Thanks for being you. Booked a cruise on the Freedom with you Oct 08 and are very excited. We were on the Oct/Nov 06 cruise with you on the Liberty (remember the Bangers). Looking forward to seeing you again.
Mark
I was on the 3/14/07 sailing and really enjoyed my trip. It was also the 2nd sailing I have had with you as cruise director and find your sense of humor as interesting or strange as mine. Keep up the good work.
John, this was posted on my blog somehow by mistake.
> Comment:
> Hi John. My Wife, my little baby (1 yo) and me will be cruising (first time)with you on august 29th.
> We are from Uruguay. I´m now congratulating me for choosing the only cruise you can read the Director’s blog every day from 6 months before, and then be aware of all details of onboard life and ports of call. I ‘m enjoying also your web cam.
> Congratulations for your success.
> Carlos Acevedo. Montevideo, Uruguay
PS. 39 comments on your 911 blog you are rocking the cruise industry.
“BIG” Ed
>
So you are going to find my husband taking those walks at night, after 30 cruises every night he takes the stroll, it doesnt matter how tired he is. I dont do it anymore maybe this time I will…
Hi John,
I have been enjoying your blog. Checking in almost daily now since my cruise on the Freedom is nearing. (Sailing 05/25). Question? Can the webcam be turned to view the the ports when docked? I’d love to see the views coming into port and leaving.
Keep on, keepin on. And will be seeing you soon.
From the Big Easy (aka the Big Breezy– New Orleans, LA)
John, I read your blog every morning before going to work. Please don’t quit!! I look at the webcam several times a day. Can’t wait till our cruise 5/25. From reading other comments I can’t wait for bedtime story and Willy B. Everyone at work is tired of hearing my countdown days. They will be so glad for 5/25 to come so I’ll be away and be quiet. See you soon!
Leona
WordPress ?
I’m having a slight problem, can’t log on the usual way, anybody else?
We love to walk on deck after we leave our coins in the casino! It’s much lighter that way!
Remember to save your change because it “costs” to go to the loo in Europe!!! Men and women line up together just in case you don’t know like me. It was a big surprise last August!!!!
Kathy and Paul
Wait a minute…did you really say $3 a drink???
I wholeheartedly concur with your comment regarding the walkabout each night. This has become a favorite thing to do for us as well. It clears the head, sorts things out, separates the important from the mundane.
Keep up the good work here on your blog. I look forward to coming here each day to see how your day is going and to find out what’s on your mind. Good heavens…this internet thing has become the global “chat over the backyard fence” don’t you think?
Ciao,
W A W W
John,
My wife and I loved the story about the couple on deck at the rail. We are going to take your advice on our upcoming cruise to take a walk “after hours” hand in hand. You big romantic softy you! Like many others in this blog family, we look forward to your stories. Always fun, exciting, funny and poignant. John, you keep up the “blog thingy” and the rest of us Carnival Cruise Crazies will continue to look forward to it every day!
Hi John, we will be on the ship on Saturday, we can hardly wait! We have been enjoying your blog.
We are in the process packing and we were wondering if we should pack any shorts, as it seems it has been cool for this past week. What do you suggest?
See you Saturday the 7th. George and Char
Hi John, Once again you made me laugh. Please tell us more about the different tours. We are sailing on August 29th.
Jo and Dave, Two of your NJ readers.
Hi John and Heidi, did you see where you got 40 posting on the 9/11 blog. Why is the deck camera locked/zoom onto big screen? Mark you can be honorable President of John Fan Club, I have that title, come on who else have done over 30 cruises with him lol. Robert
I am so exciting, we are going( my husband, a boy a girl and me)to your ship on august, it is really interested to be able to know every thing about it before to go.We are spanish and i would like to know if the employers speak spanish at least for the kids ?????’.THANK-YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR BLOG IT IS GOING TO BE VERY USEFUL FOR OUR TRIP.
Hi John (& Heidi),
I just wanted to thank you for being so entertaining and making us feel at home on our first cruise (March 14th).
We were away from Australia for a month and our 12 nights spent on the Freedom were definately a hightlight.
I check the web cam almost daily (nightly due to the time difference) and have been reading your blog to keep me feeling like I am still on holiday.
We are looking forward to our next cruise and it would be wonderful if you were still sailing the seas when that time comes.
Keep up the wonderful work you are doing, you make so many people smile all over the world – everyday.
Love to you and the crew
(especially Sarah in the Jewellery shop & Olena & Besnik in the Posh Dining)
The cruisers from Down Under xox
John,
We will be sailing with you on May 25th along with friends. This will be our second cruise with you as CD. We are all excited as we had such a wonderful time on the Liberty two years ago in the Med. Our husbands will be celebrating their 65 th birthdays and we will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. Any chance of the last evening on board being a “TOGA PARTY” for dinner. White sheets would do. How about a Venetian mask parade or dinner? Looking forward to a wonderful time on the Liberty
Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy
Count me in on the bloggers cruise
Hi John, We will be crusing on the Freedom on Aug. 29 and can’t wait. We wil be celebrating our 6th anniversary.Our first cruise was on the Liberty in 2005 and we thought you were great then…and we were so excited to hear you are on the Freedom this time around.
My parents are sailing on the Freedom this week (4/19/07). This is their first cruise and their first trip to Europe. We convinced them to do it when we returned home from our trip on the Liberty. They are celebrating their 36 (or 37th can’t remember) anniversay while onboard. Please say hello to them if you can, and embarass the crap out of my dad…he’s a little shy, but will love it.
Thanks…see you in August!