Good Evening……………and first the scores on the doors are……………………93,108 bloggers.
When we reach 100,000 we should all meet up for a bloggers cruise, drinks are on me!
Seriously, though, I wonder how many readers this actually means I have per day.
So, I also guess I need to ask, do you want me to keep going for a bit? Maybe I should should just post once a cruise…your thoughts?
As usual, the first order of business is to answer some of your questions. Again, apologies that I can’t answer them all.
Oh, by the way, Heidi has insisted that I make it public that this blog is being typed by her because I cut my finger while opening a pistachio nut and that I am a “big girl’s blouse” (as we say in the U.K.). Also, Heidi wants to thank the president of her fan club for mentioning her in your comments.
OK, back to the Q & A.
NNETTEALI – I am sure with the right persuasion your husband will make the effort and walk you round the deck. How about on the first night of the cruise he walks hand in hand with me and practices his romantic lines so he is fully trained for the following evening with you.
GUIZELL – We can indeed move the web cams around and will make sure this is programmed into the them for the start of next cruise. My best to everyone from the New Orleans, in fact I can’t wait to show you our new show called THE BIG EASY.
LEONA – The people at work are just jealous. May 25 will be here before you know it. I am sure you will love all the shows and I will do my best to have you laughing all cruise long.
KATHY KROLL – You no longer need coins in the casino. Your Sail & Sign card is good to plug in and play on all the slot machines. Anybody who needs advice in the casino, you should know, we have a wonderful new position called Casino Host. He is there to teach you how to win — yes, he really is! His name is Andy and he is a wonderful guy. So, any of you who may be intimidated by casinos, try talking to our Casino Hosts, one is on every ship and let them explain to you how to use all the gaming facilities before you decide which one is right for you. Did you know that we have the largest slot machine jackpot on the Seven Seas called MegaCash. Last year, on the Carnival Liberty, Heidi and I, along with the captain, presented a check to a lady who won $995,000. She was very happy and said she would swap all that money for a chance to have a photo of me dressed as a Roman Gladiator.
Seriously, our casinos are the best in the world and our International and friendly Staff are there to make sure every guest is comfortable before playing. By the way, you MUST try our new Poker machines called Poker Pro, they are fantastic.
Since we are talking about the casino, check out our website: www.oceanplayersclub.com .
Kathy, as to your comment about the toilets in Europe, you are correct, that some do require change. Usually you have to leave a tip of 50 Euro cents to use the toilets, but for this money you get all the toilet paper you could ever need (unless spicey food does not agree with you).
Here are two photos.
W A W W – You are my neighbor over the fence. Thanks for reading the blog.
Lance and Ilda – You are right, I am a big romantic softy. (this is Heidi here: ever since John started this blog, the only thing I have that is romantic, is reading other peoples stories. Still, at least we will have a few other people we can make friends with as we walk around the deck at night)
Char Harris – See you on Saturday. The weather looks like it is going to be good and Heidi and I can’t wait to meet you.
Jo and Dave – Please check out our fantastic website for tours — just click on the word Freedom and then click on Shore Excursions. Have a read of what’s there and if you have any questions, let me know. Remember, I will host a Adventure Talk for each port of call before we arrive to help you chose what is right for you. See you in August.
Robert and Suzann – You are my chairman of the board and Suzann is the boss of bosses. Big Ed is Head of security and I just need a CEO for Heidi’s fan club. Women only please (Ignore that, I am typing, so I want men that look like Joaquin Phoenix)
Hope the dog is doing OK.
Maria and Jose – Si! Mucho abla Espanol a bordo uno grando barco Freedom. Muchos nachos. Seriously, many people speak Spanish on board and you and your family will have a great time!
The Down Under Crew – We loved having you on board and I have passed your regards on to the crew you mentioned. My best to you and your family and hope our paths cross again soon.
Micky, Minnie, Donald and Daisy – Can’t wait to see you all in May. We do have a Venetian mask parade. We encourage all guests to purchase masks and then we have a big party on deck as we sail away from Venice. P.S. we will be serving DUCK every night.
Livorno welcomed us with outstretched and sunny arms today. It was the best weather by far this cruise with a sunny day. The temperatures were perfect to explore Pisa, Florence and Tuscany. I have not been able to get away from this computer today, except to use host our shows featuring a brilliant singer/comedian called John Courtenay……….he was fantastic.
I wanted to write about a couple of guests tonight. I have asked again for their permission and they have been gracious enough to allow me to do so. I think the best thing about this blog is being able to write about the guests and share their experiences as well as mine.
Let me therefore introduce you to a Mr. Dasnik from Parkside Wisconsin. I met this guest on the first formal night as I walked the lounges with the Captain. He was a very handsome man in his early 50s I would guess I just checked and oops – he is 48).
Anyway, we chatted for a few minutes about the show the night before and how he and his partner had laughed so much until their sides hurt. Then, yesterday morning I received a letter from him to read out at my morning show wishing his partner a happy birthday. Now, this is where I made a bit of a mess of it. I wished his partner whose name I understood from the letter (in very neat but italic writing) was Paula and hoped that she would have a wonderful day and how much her partner (as the letter stated) loved her and I carried on with show.
This morning I received a call from the Purser’s Office telling me that Mr. Dasnik was at the desk at wanted to speak to me. Now, I guess some of you know where I am going with this already and you would be correct, his partners name was Paul not Paula. I felt so bad, I felt like such an idiot for not attempting to decipher the writing and assume it would be Paula and not Paul. I told Mr. Dasnik that I would be right there to apologize in person and prepared myself for the worst. When I got there I was met by the man I recognized from the formal party at the beginning of the cruise. We sat down and I started to apologize but he would not here of it. He said he wanted to apologize for his writing, explaining that he was a doctor of psychology and his writing was difficult for all you understand. He explained that he and his partner Paul had been together for 22 years. He wanted to thank me and the crew for making him and his partner so welcomed and told me some horror stories about his previous vacations and cruises where he and his partner were certainly not accepted.
Anyway, I made up for my earlier mistake by recording a special message on my show using the correct names. I wish them both many happy years together as they return to Parkside, Wisconsin.
So, my assumption and my carelessness could have caused two guests to be very upset and I will now make sure that if I cannot read the names on the many letters I receive that I check the manifest before reading them out.
So, we are in Civitavecchia tomorrow for a day exploring Rome. A big thank you to Heidi for typing this for me (I want more than a thank you, I want chocolate) because of the huge wound caused to my finger by a naughty pistachio nut.
Time for a walk on deck and hopefully one day we will see you out there under the stars as well.
Goodnight bloggers
Your friends,
John and Heidi
Filed under: Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Tales from the Ship
john and heidi, please continue the blog, it is my morning ritual now!! and john? be more careful and get that gal some chocolate!!! thanks heidi for typing.
going on the legend monday and guess what? we got upgraded to a suite! yay!!! our first ever upgrade and quite a nice one i would say.
question: how do you pronounce civtavecchia phonetically? civ-ah-tah-vek-e-a ???
see you in october!
smiles, s’dreams
aka shipshapegal cruisecritics
aka bonnie and charlie
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Morning John and Heidi! I think I know Andy, wasn’t he on the Liberty? Yes, all your ships have a pretty nice casino area , that’s coming from a person who use to live and work in Vegas! I didn’t gamble when I danced up there ( unless my mom was visiting!!) I’d go to the market after doing 2 or 3 shows at 3 am. I’d hear somebody playing the slots off in the distance….turned out to be my mother!!
I’m saving up my 50 Euro cents as we speak, by the way you get a “bargin” in Florence, I think it was only 30 Euro cents!!! There are loo’s with seats, don’t scare the new comers !!!
Kathy and Paul
John,
You have got to keep the blog going. It is the best thing happening in a long time for us cruisers.
I have already told you that DW and I will be on the May 1st cruise to the Western Med. What I haven’t told you is that there are over 50 couples that have “met” on the Cruise Critic Roll Call for this cruise. We have a “meet-and-greet” scheduled for our first day at sea for 3:30 pm until 4:30 pm. Carnival has been so kind to provide us a meeting place with a bartender. It will take place in the 70s Lounge and we would love to have you and Heidi come and spend at least a few mins. with us.
See you in about three weeks.
Richard
I think one blog per year would be more than enough.
Tarq.
Hi John and Heidi,
It’s great to read your blogs – it makes us wish we were on board now. To answer your question about continued blogging, I realize it must take a lot of time for you to have to sit down every day and write of your experiences, so I would suggest you only do it a couple of times a month to whet our appetites to go cruising on Carnival and with you! Hope this helps you. Now maybe you can answer a question – how does one recieve past guest benefits? We cruised with our friends Minnie and Mickey in 2005 aboard the Liberty to help celeberate our 40th wedding anniversary, and now in 49 days will cruise again to help them celebrate their 49th anniversary. Looking forward to meeting you again and a great cruise!
Daisy
Im still laughing just thinking about you and my husband walking hand in hand on deck.Definitely we will like to meet you one night and have a good conversation.I also love your answer to Maria and Jose, my husband said you should add 2 cervezas to muchos nachos.I am voluntering to help you with your spanish speaking fans.Maybe we can do “El club de fanaticos de John” Sorry you have to keep writing. I know that you have plenty of work but each day i look forward to you letters. Its so much personal!!Its a plus that we can get to know you and you us before the cruise.Now we are not meeting just a CD but a friend.KEEP THE BLOG THINGY!!
PS. MY daughter has just finished reading all you letters now she is a convert (She is a fan of another handsome CD from another cruise line)She says that you are super cool and she wants a picture with you.
John, Heidi just demoted me from your “AGENT” to security. So to “TARQUIN Ballsworthy” we will hear no more of that “…one blog per year….” stuff or else.
The following is an idea I posted before when you first talked about ending this blog.
——————
John, I hope you have no plans at all on ending this site. I was planning on reading it loyaly till our January 2008 cruise and beyond. If it gets to be a problem for you time wise to do it let Heidi do it for awhile from her veiw point. Then maybe even a crew blog day once or twice a week when you pick a different crew member to blog on his 0r her duties and life on ship. Now for the big idea a GUEST blogger to report on their cruise from the CYBER CAFE on a day near the end of their cruise.
Everybody reading John’s blog log in and give him your vote and ideas on how he can keep this going so we don’t hear that “END” word again. And those of you that have cruises booked on other CARNIVAL ships log in here so maybe other CDs will start one for that ship someday too.
—————
With all us bloggers coming onboard at different times just let one of us know right at the start of our cruise that we will be the “GUEST BLOGGER” at the end of the cruise. I’m sure many of us would be willing to do that. I volunteer for January 26, 2008 cruise. You better start marking up a calendar.
Have Heidi kiss your BOO BOO to make it better.
“BIG” Ed
Head of Security/ Agent
My husband and I are planning on taking the exact cruise you have been describing in May. Without your daily blog, there are at least 7 activities I would not have known about that you have classified as “can’t miss”. Please keep up the great work – I have set this blog as my homepage and each time I read it I look forward to my vacation even more because I know in addition to the terrific ports, I will also enjoy every moment I am on the ship.
You had mentioned in passing the private tour of the Vatican – how fantastic is it really? (I’m trying to talk my husband into this one, so if you answer this question please use lots of superlatives – you will have my eternal thanks!)
Keep it going every day for as long as you can (it is a great way to keep in touch with the ship whilst awaiting our cruise) but please just reply to my comment first ! otherwise after all my failed attempts I may have to move in with Big Ed.!
Seriously John just to say (as previously said!) we really do enjoy the blog which we look at every DAY. Will you be ont the ship for 17 th August trip which will be our first cruise, we do hope so.
Regards
Bill & Sue
Chelmsford
Heidi (and John) -
Absitively, posolutely keep this blog thingee going – it provides those of us who dream of the day that we will be aboard the aptly named Freedom to live vicariously through your blog.
Love the stories. Love the answers (and questions). Love basically everything about this blog.
PS – Heidi, thanks for doing the typing in the presence of John’s injury, although I have to wonder about someone who cuts their finger on a pistachio shell. Can’t wait to see the injury report about this episode.
Hello John and offcourse Heidi,
Please keep the blog’s coming, Your fanclub in the Netherlands want’s to hear more of your adventures and stories! If not every day than I hope at least one’s a week! 200 day’s to go untill we board the Freedom ! We can’t wait.
Regards en de vriendelijke groeten from Vinkeveen The Netherlands
Vincent and friends
Wonderful blog John (and Heidi!). Write when you are able and inspired. Certainly once a week would keep one coming back to check and read.
A question on the number of bloggers. Looking at the quoted numbers, it appears that the number views is growing by 2-5,000 per day. From the description of the stats feature at WorldPress.com, there is a Total Views number on the daily report – is that the 93,000 being quoted? What does the Best Day number say? My guess would be that the blog is being viewed by 2-5,000 bloggers each day and that has now added up to 93,000.
John and Michele
Sailing Aug. 17, 2007
Hello John,
You definately have to keep this blog going, and i think 93 K bloggers show that. Cause if you didn’t what else would i have to look forward to in the next 238 days 16 hours 10 mins and 53 sec oops now 48 secs!!
Can’t wait to see you again john and hopefully shake your hand.
matt
cme030603@yahoo.com
Hi, John.
I always wanted to ask: how formal is the attire needed to enjoy the night shows on a cruise??.
Hi John,
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your blog and would hate to see it go…and least not until after my cruise. I join you on the Freedom on April 19th, along with my parents (to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary).
You see, I’ve gotten my cousin to start reading this each day and to check out the webcam to follow the cruise. She’s hooked … and now she’s come up with the crazy suggestion that I should start a blog while I’m on the cruise so that I can share details of the trip with my entire family back home.
So you gotta hang in there for me…
Looking forward to meeting you in 13 days.
By the way…everyone seems to always be in a coat? I may need to rethink my wardrobe.
Thanks, John for your blogs, I read them daily and I am missing the ship, we sailed with you on March 14. Everything was wonderful and the shows were the best I have seen at sea! Keep up the good work.
Hi John & Heidi
Question for you if you can answer that would be great. The Mellow Yellows – met through Cruise Critics and have been corresponding for quite a while now – we join you on May 13th – I previously invited you and Heidi to our Meet & Greet. The question: there are about 22 of us all going on the Ephesus/Terrance House Tour through Carnival – how can we organize it so we are all together on one tour bus. Appreciate any advise if you can. By the way I have been a faithful reader of your blogs since day one! Keep them coming whenever you can!!!!!!
John and Heidi, cannot wait to join you on April 19th. John we have sailed with you twice on the Triumph and both times you picked me out of the crowd for the first nights show! My hubby is the one with fantastic name, “Ramon”. You made him famous for which he is proud. Please keep up the blog, we enjoy reading about the events and our fellow cruisers. Ramon and Vicky
Hi John and Heidi
I just wanted to say that your blog has made the last month bearable for us. We are on your beautiful Freedom for our first Med cruise in 13 DAYS yes, April 19th. I hope I get to meet you and “Uncle Bob” too since he is sailing on this one. I wonder if he is actually a long lost relative as our surname is “Dickinson” too. Co-incidence? Yah probably, but fun too. lol
We have snow here in Southern Ontario Canada AGAIN, so even those low temps in the Med are looking good to us Canucks. Keep up the great work with the blog, it’s very entertaining and insightful too. See you soon!
John, since this will probably be your last post for the weekend I would like to wish you, Heidi and all the other bloggers a HAPPY, HEALTHY and BLESSED EASTER.
BIG ED
I am 17 years old deaf child. This coming November will be our 16th Carnival cruise. We have enjoyed the Glory last thanksgiving and we are looking for the Freedom Eastern cruise this coming Thanksgiving. I am cruising with dad, mom, and four sisters. We booked three cabins( balconies). Although, I am deaf but I love to dance. I hope to meet you and Heidi on board. I am going to have a cochlear implant surgery in July ( 4 months prior to our cruise). I am hoping that I’ll be able to hear your jokes and the dance to the music. Please keep this Blog going and ask all the bloggers to pray for me. Looking forward to meeting you and keep this blog going.
hi john, i would really like to say that you are a great cruise director. we had taken our first cruise on the liberty in april of 2006. you really left a long lasting memory of our first cruise and its all because of you. we will cruise again this year and years to come, but the fact that you will not be with us this time really makes me and jennifer sad. hey, we hope to see you on the freedom next year (2008). keep up the awsome job and share this with all of the fellow cruisers. we hope to here from you soon and see you also. thank you very much, TIM
hi john and heidi, dog is doing much better thanks for asking, eating very good, some of suzann home cooked chicken lol. vet didnt want her back on dog food for a week wow. heidi thanks for typing for john you are doing a great job. john the weather is very cold in new jersey maybe some snow flurries or showers on the overnight. john is the real CEO bob cruising on april 19 with us, he will want warmer weather if he is.
John,
I have never been on a cruise and the May 13th sailing will be a “first” for me! I have really enjoyed reading your “blog”, which is also a first for me. I settle in each morning with my first cup of coffee to enjoy the web cam view and your witty conversation.
Any words of wisdom for us newcomers to the cruise world? I’m a bit nervous that I won’t bring everything I need, including the right attire for the “formal” dinners. I’m not a “formal” kind of girl, so how formal is “formal”? I’m nervous that I won’t choose the right excursions and miss out on something. I’m excited and would love to hear more about what I should expect for my first cruise!
John,
Also one question about smoking on board the ship….are the casino and restaurants smoke-free?
Hello John & Heidi,
I would like to thank Heidi for the response (my wife and I print out the responses and save them!)
John, I know that after your long day as CD, it must be tough for you to sit down and put the days thoughts into words for all of us “Cruise Crazies” out here. Just the sheer number of readers to your blog is getting pretty impressive (much more, I’m sure than the imposter’s blog).
As long as you try to fit it in when you can will be enough for us. I think that some anticipation would be a good thing! We’ll just go through the archives and read the “classic” blogs (especially with our responses!) to hold us over!
Hi John: I tried an earlier reply, but am not sure if it “took.” Won’t redo the whole thing again. However, I will inquire again about whether or not Carnival may ever consider cruising Scandinavia and the Baltics (as you mentioned the Legend did two special Baltic cruises). We keep waiting and hoping Carnival will add this area to its itinerary.
Secondly, for Terri: we are also on the April 19th cruise and a blog has already been started. I’ve got it saved to my favorites, so am not sure how to direct you, but its under cruisecritic.com and has been wonderful. Someone started it during the first Freedom cruise (out of Venice), and folks have kept it up on each subsequent cruise. Also, look at the Roll Call for this cruise also on the cruisecritic site. There are alot of us on that site as well. Tons of good information to add to the wonderful stuff that John has been providing. Hope to meet you in just two weeks, Marilyn
John,
I vote for daily posts, not just once a cruise. Well, if you need to take “a” day off, I would understand.
We will be joining you on May 25; I am looking forward to meeting the “Sperm of the Devil.”
I have 3 questions:
1. We will be cruising with our children 5 (turn 6 on disembarkation day) and 7, how is the children’s program?
2. I still have to stay in touch with the office while on vacation, how does the Internet access work from the passenger side (i.e. one price for the entire cruise or by the hour?)
3. Are there poker tournaments in the casino?
John, once again you put a smile on my face before I hit the hay back here in the States. I’m beginning to understand all the lovely things I’ve read about you on the various cruise sites. How long will your assignment last on the Freedom? We’re looking at October 2008 for the Western Med itinerary. Anyway…please do extend my thanks to your lovely wife Heidi for assisting you…and just how did you suffer such an injury from a pistachio nut? And, if you so celebrate, Happy Easter! P.S. Please do keep the blog going…I am sailing with you vicariously. You bring a humaness (is that even a word?) to your blog which is why you’re almost at the 100K level. We had snow (well just a few flakes but snow nonetheless!) here yesterday (in NYC)…and to come home and read your blog…well it took me away for a few moments. If your schedule allows, please do consider keeping this going.
Ciao,
W A W W
Hello John And Heidi:
We can’t wait to meet you again (12 days and counting down) on the April 19th sailing, Carnival’s Past Guest Reunion Cruise .
My wife, family, and me had great memories of Carnival’s First 16 day TransAtlantic Cruise aboard the Carnival Liberty on October 24, 2005 –
It was A W E S O M E !!!!
Is the infamous Mr. Cohen going on this cruise as well?? ; )
Let me know if you need anything from Miami or the U.K. (3 day pre visit) before we go !!!
Cheers !!
Luis and Bea
Hey John You cant end the blog thingy what will I do til my cruise in october on the glory? Ive asked you this before but no doubt because of your busy schedule you havent been able to get back to me who will be the cruise director on the glory on the october 13th cruise? Wish it was you! Anyway please keep the blogs coming.
James
John,
Please keep up the blog. We love keeping in touch with the Freedom. We have sailed with you twice in the past. You have been our favorite CD. We will be bringing our family on the Freedom for Thanksgiving. Will you and Heidi still be on board then? We sure hope so!
Carlos – Does this help? You won’t look out of place if you wear a tux with T-shirt and a pair of air Nikes.
John, Please keep the blog thingy going. I wake up to you every morning!!! But if it means you would get a little extra sleep during your busy day, by all means cut it down ( a little). I also would not know what to see if not for your comments. You’re right. People at work are very jealous. Can’t wait to meet you on our 5/25 cruise.
Leona
heidi always great to see great pictures, you guys look so cold
robert/suzann
John,
First of all, as a travel agent who has sailed on Carnival 23 times, I LOVE your blog!! I find it so fascinating! I sailed with you once or twice on a Carnival ship, but it’s hard to remember which one it was. My partner and I remember you so well, not only because you ARE the best Cruise Director in the industry, but because we LOVED the music you played!! I know it’s not an easy task for you to do this blog, but I vote that you keep doing it every day or at least every other day!
Deb, Omega Travel, York PA
I truly enjoy the blog. It’s a joy. Some day’s blogs are funny and others offer time to reflect. They are always informative and entertaining.
As others mentioned we understand the time involved with daily postings and leave it to you and Heidi to decide the frequency.
Looking forward to seeing you two and Carnival Freedom LIVE (instead of cyberspace) on September 10th.
Mr. Heald,
Cruised with you a few years ago aboard the triumph… was selected to be onstage and do a little dance..”OREGON”…. was wondering if “wee jimmy” is still with carnival?? young scottish gentleman. he was the assistant cruise director.
you guys made that such a special cruise. he seemed well suited to become a cruise director someday and was just curious if he was still with the company.
thanks.. jim
Dear John,
we were thrilled to read your blog in answer to our being able to get a table for 2 on November 24th from Miami. As requested we’ll remind you a few weeks before to speak to the Maitre’d. We really will feel special and like we are on our honeymoon. Love to you and Heidi.
Al and Monica (from Canada- originally from London and Liverpool.)
John, how excited we are to see your pic on site. We have tried to find out where you were. Our very first cruise was on the Destiny several years ago. We have had many cruises since but none were like our first. This is all because of you. You made our trip wonderful and very memorable. We can’t wait to sail with you again next year when you move to the Carribean. See you soon…..
Is it true that the Bloggers Cruise will be a one stop trip to Guantanamo Bay?
John, my future cruise director,
My daughter and I will be on the Freedom, June 30. I have a question. I have been going through the excursions and it seems like everyone is “not available for guest”. Are they all sold out or do I have to book with an independent tour operator?
We recently got back from the Liberty. I have back for about a week and no one has been making my bed or leaving me fresh towels. I have to do those things myself. Very strange. Who makes your bed? Looking forward to meeting you. Sheree
Hi John,
Just wanted to send you a cheery hello from sunny So. Cal. We’ve recently returned from the Freedom’s April 26th sailing…what a blast. Though everything about the cruise was exceptional; the highlight for my husband John and I was that we were the first couple to renew our vows on the Freedom! And we were the first couple married by it’s captain. The crew went out of their way to make sure it was a memorable event. Oh, and thank you again for that extra bottle of bubbly! Now if only Rome could find the remainder of our luggage…lol.
Chris Bishop