Here I am again. Good Evening fellow blogists and hope you are all well. Can I start by telling you how deeply touched I am about the comments 40 of you have posted about my blog called YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE .
Hearing your own thoughts and remembrances of that fateful day have assured me that it was the right thing to do. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Time to answer a few questions from my new friends — all 88,000 of you.
LINDA – We do a scavenger hunt called “It’s in the Bag” and it’s hilarious. It will be one of many great activities I promise you will enjoy. Heidi sends her best to you and hopes to see you soon as do I.
JOANNE – One day we have to sail to your beautiful island of Malta. See you in May and please make sure you come and say hello.
CRUISINGCANUCKS – Thank you for being a blog addict. The only cure I know is for you to buy some Tim Horton’s doughnuts and send me some. As for the alcohol, there are many favorites among the guests and we have daily specials. The latest is something called a BBC – Banana Baileys Colda. I can assure you that you won’t have to drink to have a great time here. See you soon.
MARK – Mama was given the unofficial title as she has taken so many cruises and does get to know each and every crew member and always remembers their birthdays and other special occasions. She is a very special lady but not my mother!!
ED – I am employing you as my agent. You will receive 10% of nothing but all the buffet you can eat.
To everyone else I will do my best to reply to direct questions so please keep them coming. I will answer as best as I can.
Today we were at sea. The day started a bit overcast but did improve by the afternoon. The 2:30pm Matinee Movies have now become a HUGE attraction especially as we have the new big thick blankets. There must have been 400 guests watching the movie (Mission Impossible III) today even though it was a bit chilly outside.
We passed the volcano Stromboli this morning and, although it was not as naughty as last cruise, it was still spectacular. Then it was time for the Debarkation Talk and this culminated in the parade of crew members on stage. They received a standing ovation from the guests and it was a joy to see their smiles as they took their well-deserved applause.
I want to say a quick hello to Tim and Anita Reese who are sailing onboard and are having the time of their lives. They were supposed to be sailing with 4 friends who changed their mind at the last minute and decided to take a tour to China. Tim and Anita wanted me to tell their friends (who are reading this blog) that not coming on this cruise and going to China was the WONG decision as Tim and his wife are having the best vacation ever. Hopefully, we will see their friends next time.
I was asked in one of the blog questions about the role of the Godmother who christens the ship. This is, of course, an old seagoing tradition and the honor is bestowed on a very important person or public figure. The Carnival Freedom’s godmother was Kathy Ireland who is a beautiful and charming lady and performed her duties perfectly.
Once the ceremony is over though the Godmother tends to not stay in contact with the ship directly although I wish sometimes that on the anniversary of the christening that they would send a card or something……..maybe Kathy will read this and will do so. Regardless, it was an honor to meet her.
It is however with respect that I must tell you of my favorite ceremony ever and also one of my proudest moments as a cruise director. The ship was the Carnival Legend and she was christened in my home county of Essex in the U.K. at the port of Harwich back in 2002. The ship was there for two special cruises to the Baltic and I was given the privilege of hosting the pierside naming ceremony. It was a beautiful sunny day and for the first time in years I was nervous about hosting.
Why, well let’s see. The red carpet was out. I had all the top Carnival people on the stage with me including Micky Arison AND Bob Dickinson and all the Carnival executives. In the audience was my entire family including Mum and Dad and my wife, of course, along with my sister and family. Playing and marching up and down the quay was the greatest marching band in the world the 50 strong The Band Of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines and sitting on my left was none other than DAME JUDI DENCH. I was wearing brown pants for a reason!
I then had to give a speech about the ship and the ceremony and then introduce this icon of stage and screen. The speech went well and everyone laughed in the right place and then I introduced Dame Judi. Up she stood and then from three feet away from the microphone a huge and powerful voice proclaimed how excited she was to be chosen to be the ship’s godmother. I was in ecstasy as “M” from the James Bond movies said thank you to me for the wonderful introduction.
After her speech up she stood alongside Captain Claudio Cupisti and as the Royal Marines played a fanfare she cut the ribbon and the bottle of champagne flew towards the bow of the ship…………………………and then………………………………………………..it bounced straight back again with a slight dull thud.
Time froze, the band kept playing as everyone stood aghast. Quickly, we tried again by hurling the bottle on the rope against the bow, but still the bottle would not break. This is considered a very unlucky thing to happen as any sailor will tell you and the looks on some of our experienced seamen were ones of pure anxiety.
We made a quick decision and we walked the captain and Judy and the very uncooperative bottle of champagne to the gangway. the Captain and Judi grasped the bottle In their hands and smashed it against the ship. The bottle broke into thousands of pieces and we watched in what seemed to be slow motion as champagne showered Dame Judi soaking her and her no doubt expensive dress. We all gasped and without pausing dame Judi smiled, wiped away the champagne from her eyes and started laughing as then did all of us. The band played, people shook hands and the newest ship in the world had been christened all be it in a very unconventional way.
I escorted Dame Judi back to her stateroom where she changed and we went back to the bridge where I asked if I may have a photo taken with her. She of course said yes, and that photo now has pride of place in my Dad’s office at home.
Never missing a chance the incomparable British press came up with a banner headline for this photo – it read:
JUDI DRENCH
For me it was a special day and with true British Stiff Upper Lip Dame Judi had saved the day. It was a proud day for me and I cannot think of anyone I would rather had Hosted and spent time with as godmother………….except maybe Angelina Jolie.
Goodnight Bloggers
Your friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Tales from the Ship
John and Heidi,
I guess I must have missed “It’s in the Bag” on the 3/14 sailing of the Carnival Freedom!!! Perhaps that is just another reason for booking another Carnival cruise!!! I still have all my Capers so I can look back to see when it was…thanks for responding though…I’ll keep holding onto my “green feather” just in case it is still an item on the scavenger hunt….
I have been back at my desk at Walt Disney World since 3/29, but my mind is still back in the Med….Happy Easter to all…
Linda
I remember those brown pants John.
Guiddy.
Wow! What interesting reading. We will be on the 8/17 sailing and your blog is keeping me entertained until then. Thank you. Debbi
John, I accept the job as your agent. But all I was planning on charging was you making sure that I didn’t get a booth on my January 26, 2008 cruise on the FREEDOM. But you already said you will not be on then. BUT as your agent that WILL be changed. When we embark on any cruise it’s my job to go to the dinning room and check our seating (good idea for all, especially those cruising in a group). First to make sure we DON’T have a booth (they are nice but don’t fit me). Second to make sure there is an armless chair at our table for me. Pat’s job is to make her hair appointments for formal nights ASAP (ladies take note).
I just finished putting some cruise pictures on my blog site. When I did the LEGEND 2003 pictures I noticed a picture of Pat on the pier with the caption “…George Lopez over her shoulder…”. Is that the same George Lopez that’s on TV in the state now? Both men walking there were the entertainment the night before.
As for the night time strools on deck, yes they are great. Every cruise we take is on our anniversary. The 2008 cruise will be for our 42 anniversary.
You and Heidi have a nice walk tonight.
“BIG” Ed
A Tale of Two “Legends” …….
That was a great story! We love Dame Judi. We are still watching As Time Goes By on PBS. What a wonderful actor with a fabulous body of work!
New big, thick blankets caught our attention! Should we be packing shorts for May 13th or woollies! We did Alaska last May !!!!!
John, were you CD on the Pride in Aug. ‘04 Mexican Riviera? It sounds like you on one of our videos . I also have your “disembodied” voice in the background as we were sailing down the Grand Canal in Venice explaining why the gondolas were black! I think “voice overs” are next
for you $$ You should get residuals for all the videos you must be on!!
Kathy and Paul
I’m curious about how you learn about new programs to hold on board. I have an idea for a program and would like some advice as to how I discuss it with cruise directors on a large scale. Is there a newsletter or magazine specifically for cruise directors?
Please do get back to me as soon as possible.
Thank you.
Kerry
Hi John.
My Wife, my little baby (1 yo) and I 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
John, sorry that’s the SPIRIT 2002 pictures that had the George Lopez picture.
John,
I love your blogs. They are great! My wife and I are taking our first cruise aboard the Freedom May 1st to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Can’t wait to set sail. Just promise my wife we won’t pull a “Sea Diamond” and run aground. Talk about timing.
I’m glad I’m not the only guy whose wife has ESP (extra sensory perception) when it comes to leaving the toilet seat up. To help encourage me in that regard my wife in bright pink fingernail polish has painted the words “Put me down” on the under side of the toilet seat in our master bathroom. Now she has me so paranoid about leaving the seat up that I occasionally forget something else. I’m not sure which is a bigger embarrassment for her — having a husband who forgets to put the seat down, or a husband who forgets to zip up his fly when company comes over.
See you soon, Rich
Hi John I’m a relatively new reader to this blog, and must say it’s been very enlightening to read about the exploits of a cruise director. Anyways, getting to the point. You have my dream job. I decided years ago that being a cruise director was my goal in life. It’s what I want to do. At first it was just to spend months and months at sea, but after reading this blog, I’m fascinated by the challenges a cruise director , and the interesting people you seem to meet. Now, my question for you is, have you ever had, or do you know of any other cruise director that has had someone shadow them for the day? I know that due to all the daily demands that this could prove impossible, but it was something I had been thinking about lately. I figure that shadowing would probably be the best way to see into the day of a cruise director. (Outside of this blog of course!) Thank you for any input you can offer, and for writing this blog.
John, if you click on my underlined name at the top of my comment you will see your “AGENT” is doing his job. Our first “JOHN HEALD BLOGGERS CRUISE” meeting is in the planning and approval stage. LOL
BIG” Ed
John – Do you remember Bert form the third inaugural sailing of the Imagination July 15, 1995? Bert is my father and we all had the best cruise that year, thanks to the amazing comedic genius between you and my Dad. We are all (my parents, my husband and our son) looking forward to seeing you on the Freedom’s June 29, 2007 sailing. Thanks for the great blog!
Hey John,
I remember the christening of the Legend well as it was all the talk of the crew the next week when we did the trans-Atlantic. Certainly the best cruise ever as it was like old home week with you and Heidi, Tracey, Al Ernst, Ralph, and so many others of the crew that we know so well. Dame Judy is just a class act. We have not given up hope of sailing with you two again. Until then we keep you both in our thoughts. Give our love to Heidi,
Jim
PS Your Blog is a hit at my website as well so keep up the great work!
Hello John,
I have just come from my 3rd cruise, this time on the Valor. Other 2 were Triumph (05), Glory (06).
Planning to come with a friend in March 2008 for the Western Caribbean. Will you be on the ship then? So far Chris ? (can’t think of his last name)and Chris Price have been our cruise directors. Chris ? just married Emily one of the Valor dancers last summer. Looking forward to my next Carnival Cruise. They are the best!!!! By the way, where are you from?
Sincerely,
Cindy Wiley
A Canadian Cruiser
Hi John,
Thanks for doing this blog it makes me feel like I am there with you. I was orginally going to be on the Freedom for a back to back in October but my job decided no. 26 days is too much to be away from us. Well I was able to go on a cruise last month on the Glory and I meet Ralph “Wee Jimmy” and he was a blast . You trained him well. I am planning another one for December with my boyfriend and hopefully his brother’s family who are against cruising. Hopefully this cruise will change their minds. Maybe they will be like me 4 cruises (all Carnival) and counting. I will like to be a platinium member. I so hope I can be on a cruise with you as Cruise Director because you sound so down to earth and i like that. It makes the cruise enjoyable. Well I got to go. I hope you and Heidi have a great cruise. Wish I was there.
Pam Green
Orlando FL:)
Hi John and Heidi,
Please don’t be amazed that almost 100,000 people want to see what you have to say each day. You seem to be a delightful person, speading time with your wonderful lady and experiencing life at its fullest. I know you do work hard, but you must admit, it is a fantasy kind of life to those of us from a far.
Besides, you guys took me places I was sure I would never see. We sailed with you on the first cruise on Freedom from Rome. Everyday we took an excursion, the longest we could get, and although we were quiet tired, everyday was an overwhelming experience of seeing the most beautiful and amazing parts of our past.
I am an OB/Gyn doctor who thinks of getting a little more emergency training and asking carnival for employment every time we cruise. (My fantasy I guess)..Besides John, you could make some excellent jokes with that set up…couldn’t you?
I really just wanted to thank you for all that you do to make the time on board even more special than it is. Your sincerity, a warm and caring personality, and your humor made our trip a once in a life time experience.
So now you know why I read the blog. I hope all are well on the Freedom……….please tell suzanna, daniella, and DINO ….OPAAAAAAAAAAAA for the folks back in North Carolina.
We really do appreciate all that you are John.
And Heidi will too when you start PUTTING THE SEAT DOWN
My husband and daughter (10) will be cruising with you on 12th July. We’re from Scotland and can’t wait. We’ve cruised before but this will be our first with Carnival. Your blog is brilliant and its now the first site I log onto! Totally addicted…
Counting the days
Sheila
Hi John. We will be on the April 19th cruise. We’ve been on several Carnival ships and one previous one with you as CD (Liberty, 2005). Like everyone else, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading your bloggy thingy and, of course, the 911 story brought more tears to my eyes. One recent comment you made has led me to write and ask a question. When you talked about the christening of the Legend, you mentioned that it was done in England because of two special sailings to the Baltics. Do you think Carnival will ever plan a regular itinerary to the Baltics? My hubby and I would love to do that area, and even though other cruise lines go there, we have been waiting and hoping that Carnival will eventually include Scandinavia and the Baltics as well. When we were on the Liberty during her inagural season you were able to let the guests know that Carnival would be doing Greece in a couple of years, and here we are already. Now, I’m hoping you’ll be able to share more such news about new places and ports in Europe. Thanks so much and keep blogging.
Marilyn
Hi John. we really enjoy reading your blog. we are going to join you on the April 19 cruise and we can’t wait to met you. This will be our first cruise and the celebration of 22 wounderful years of marriage. Our youngest daughter got married three weeks ago and we are experiencing the empty nest symdrom, in a good way. A new begining in our relationship. We are excite and looking forward to a great and memorable time aboard the Fredom. Our travel planner, Luis Rodriguez, quarantied that we are going to have a wonderful time for many reasons but, the most important is because you are going to be our cruise director.
Thank so much for all the information and your time.
Juan & Maria
About the gentlemen who was upset about not getting NBC & CBS, does he understand he is in Europe? Go figure!
We were on that crazy cruise in October. Did Heidi get upset with the ride on stage? I’d guess NOT! Like me she gets upset when the lid is left up! Wish her a great vacation.