I want to thank the folks who have posted condolence messages for Joanne. I am sure they will help her as they have helped Heidi and I. Thank you.
Congratulations! We have gone past 100,000 hits which means I will celebrate by posting a photo of me wearing spandex; seriously, you all deserve it 
Q & A .
BONNIE AND CHARLIE – When you get on the Legend, please say a personal hello to the CD whose name is Chris Roberts or Bubba to his friends.
He is a great guy. Also, look out for dancers Lucy and Deliah, who are old friends of mine. You will love the suite. I gave Heidi a small poiece of chocolate I found at the back of the cupboard. To answer your question it is pronounced.CIVI TA VEC HIA……………..have a great cruise and send me a review when you get back. Ask Chris the CD to print a daily blog for you and put it in your cabin, I will let him know in advance.
KATHY AND PAUL – 30 cents for a toilet in Florence, now that is a bargin. You are right of course there were toilets in Florence but all the seats have been stolen. Police have nothing to go on! Best to you and Mum and hope to see you soon.
RICHARD – I will make sure Heidi and I see you and all my Cruise Critic friends on that sea day, please drop me a line to remind me when you arrive via the Purser’s Office. The Med cruise will be so fantastic and I will do my best to keep the blog going as long as I can think of things to write about and with great comments like yours I am sure I can continue. See you in may and my best to all the C/C readers.
TARQUIN – Thanks for the comment that one blog per year will be enough. Are you a friend of Quentin’s by any chance as you both have similar writing techniques? I think you may be BIG ED in disguise.
DAISY – When you get onboard you are asked to complete a boarding card which asks you if you have cruised before with CCL and when etc. Later in the cruise you will receive an invitation to our past guest party.Please give my regards to the rest of the Duck family and I will see you very soon.
NANETTEALI – Thanks for the offer of help with my Spanish or Muchos Grasyarse as the Spanish would say. I look forward to a romantic stroll with your husband and a photo with your daughter. What is the name of my competion Cruise Director?I will keep going with blog.See you soon. Buenos Morningo.
BIG ED – let’s whack Tarquin, lets have him sleeping with the fishes. You are hereby promoted to Head Of Special Operations! I am hoping to encourage other Cruise Director’s to write a blog and the guest bloggist is a great idea. Let me know when Tarquin has been made an offer he can’t refuse! I MAY HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS FOR YOUR January cruise…………stand by.
SMANI – I feel guilty that you have my blog as your homepage so out of respect for you I have deleted my www.angelinajolie.com homepage (Heidi is now happy) and instead made the blog thingy my homepage as well. The exclusive and private view of the Vatican, it is the most sensational, jaw dropping tour I have ever done and quite frankly you have to do it. I have included the tour description and a photo. It will leave you breathless. See you soon.
BILL AND SUE – Can I be cheeky and ask for a copy of the Essex Chronicle and a bag of Walkers’ Cheese and Onion crisps. I will keep the blog going as long as I can and I am sure we will still be in communication before you sail.If you are moving in with Big Ed I suggest I make you my Head of U.K. Operations. Give my regards to Essex and have a brew for me. See you soon. Heidi is an Essex girl now!
MISSINGTHESMOKEFREEPARADISE – The injury report has been completed and the accused pistachio shell is now in the brig. Yes, we have a brig and I think its safe to say all cruise ships do although apart from Peter the Pistachio, I cannot remember anyone being in there in all these years. Still, maybe Big Ed can put Tarquin in there. Thanks for the kind worda about the blog thingy and Heidi sends you her best.
VINCENT FROM HOLLAND – Heidi wants me to write this bit in Dutch. Queer Morge. Het is noo 7:00am und Heidi sitter bi mi und cofee drinker. Noo ich will plaser don. Ich dromer op Frinkendel speciale mit patakyers orlock..lecher. Tot Zins und liefs und kunuffles – John und Heidi.
JOHN AND MICHELE – The figures I have are that we are getting between 3000 and 5000 hits per day with the total at 93,000. I will get the latest. Figures from the incredible support team of Robert Castro and Frank Rivera from our head office who put this whole thing together…a big round of applause for them please. I will see you in August for what will be a fantastic cruise.
MATT – The fact that you know to the exact second how long it will be before you cruise deserves more than a handshake so expect something with bubbles in it when we meet in 237 days.
CARLOS – While formal wear is needed to enter the dining room on the two formal nights it is not for the shows. Hope to meet you soon.
TERI – The good news is that the weather is getting warmer every day and while you should bring a light jacket I do not think you will need a heavy coat. The blog is a great idea and I hope we get to share ideas. See you next cruise…..it will be fantastic.
SOUTHERN DREAMS – Have a great time on the Leg End and give my best to everyone there. See you in October.
DAVE AND DIANA – I am glad you were rewarded with Sun following that journey you had to get to the Conquest. I hope you are ready for a Monte Cristo with me and I will say “Long Ashes To You.”
BIG ED – I HAVE PLACED YOUR “DON’T STOP THE BLOG SIGN ” next to the “PUT THE SEAT DOWN SIGN.”
LINDA – It looks like we will be spending Turkey day together. The day we left on an emergency from the Glory was a very sad day as Heidi’s Father passed away suddenly. Heidi is onboard with me now and we both look forward to welcoming you.
TERI – Larry and I love Leg Ends ! May 13th is just around the corner and we can make some new Leg Ends together. See you soon.
MARK – I had no idea about the airline information you included in your blog. It is very useful to know. I know how disheartening it can be to loose your luggage.
PATRICK – At 16 I wonder if you are our youngest blogger? I got your letter on debarkation morning but I am sorry I could not reply because I some urgent things to take care of. Anyway, as far as being a Cruise Director I think that is a great idea. I suggest you stay in touch with me and when you are 18 and old enough to work on a cruise ship I will be glad to help. As far as qualifications are concerned you need to try and get some theatre or public speaking experience. Apart from that a love of people, travel and French fries are the only other requirements. I wish you much success. Maybe you will be my cruise Director when I take a cruise. I will get back to you on the jazz CD.
JERRY FRIEDMAN – I once dated a girl called Rebecca Friedman. My mate Alan Adkins and I were double dating two girls. I remember Rebecca because she was very small only 5ft, we only dated for a week. Alan’s lady was called Sandra Scott, she was not very small and remind me bloggers to please tell you the amazing story of how they met, it is worthy of a Hollywood movie so please remind me.
Now, as for Formal Nights. There are three sea days and the formal nights are on Sea day 1 and Sea day 3. Sea day 1 is the main formal (Captain’s) night and formal attire is required in the dining rooms. We serve Lobster as one of the choices and I also recommend the Prime Rib ! Don’t forget to book the Supper Club, it is simply the best. I look forward to seeing you and your family soon mate. (Hope you are not related to Rebecca)
JO AND DAVE – The Carnival Freedom is also totally “WiFi” friendly. I see many people using their Lap Tops all over the ship – it even works in the bathrooms.
GREG – A Limo in Naples would cost $1150 for a full day of touring or $633 dollars for a half day. These prices are per vehicle (Not Per Person) and also come with a guide. If you would like me to pre book a car for you before you cruise in June, please let me know.
BIG ED………………….Please post a photo of yourself so everyone can see my Head of Security.
Here is the Supper Club Menu. I cannot recommend this enough. It’s only $30 PP and I urge everyone to give it a try. If you want me to make bookings for you I will be happy to help. The Porterhouse, Prime Rib and the Surf and Turf are my personal favorites – and the Wasabi mash Potato – mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I needed to cheer myself and Heidi up so as were in Naples today and it is Easter Sunday, we decided to have a traditional Easter Dinner ashore. I had pepperoni on mine while Heidi had a vegetarian one.
We were walking back to the ship when we saw two small kittens curled up in a shop door way. Heidi being the female of our species cooed sounds like “ahhhhhhh” and ” their so cute ” etc. while I was just thinking how long it would be before we got back to the ship as I needed to sit and read for a while……………that’s as polite as I could put it.
I have never liked cats, never have, never will. Now, before the cat lovers of the world unite and send me hate blog thingys, let me explain. Cats hate me, they really hate me. I have never met a cat that likes me. I must let of a scent that provokes cats into scratching and biting me which brings me to my ex-girlfriends Cat a huge ginger monster called Rambo. It was aptly named because anytime it saw me it thought it was at war and the thing would attack me. It became just like the hilarious Pink Panther Movies starring Peter Sellers as Inspector Closseau. He would walk into his house and his servant KATO would attack him using the element of surprise.
Rambo adopted the same strategy and would go into stealth mode, invisible until the moment of attack. It was after one such attack that I planned my revenge. I purchased 24 bags of the exploding candy called “Pop Rocks”. Now, don’t get ahead of me, I did not feed it to the cat, that would have been cruel. Instead I emptied all 24 bags into Rambo’s litter tray and the next time he peed you guess what happened. Rambo was subjected to explosions all around and he ran off with his tail between his legs. It gave me minutes of joy and laughter which turned to agony as sensing his litter tray was no longer a safe place to empty his bowls he found other places, usually in my shoes !
The guests are all onboard and its time to say goodbye to Naples. The Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri tour as usual was sold out and 500 guests came off the jet boat with spring sun tans and huge smiles.
I have received 5 letters from guests saying that they read my blog everyday, the latest from the Tucker family. I have sent them all gifts and hopefully I will get to meet them.
I apologize that this blog has been random and with out much structure but my mind has been else where.
I am off to the Welcome Aboard Show now and I promise that I will be more “myself” on tomorrow’s blog thingy.
Tonight, the show must go on, however my mind will be with Joanne and her incomparable husband John and I am sure I will have some great characters on stage tonight however in my heart the show will be dedicated to him.
Goodnight
Your Friends
John and Heidi
P.S.
Here are some pictures that were taken recently. Enjoy!!
Filed under: Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Tales from the Ship
What wonderful photos of Ephesus! Can you tell me if they were taken during a tour of Ancient Ephesus or the Terrace Houses? The reason I ask is, most of our fellow Mellow Yellows (a group of CruiseCritic.com May 13th cruisers) have booked the ship’s “Virgin Mary’s House and Terrace Houses” tour and Larry & I have booked the “Virgin Mary’s House and Ancient Ephesus” tour. Of course, now I’m worried we’re going to miss something wonderful!! (Is that even possible on this cruise?)
John, for the first time I looked at the webcam and saw people on deck. I even saw some flesh even thought it showed the temperature and it was only 60f , brave souls. Usually all I saw was empty deck chairs.
As for TARQUIN, offer made and accepted, since we have not seen him lately in here. For a picture of your “head of security” just click on my name or go to my blog site ekonefe.wordpress.com . By my name “BIG” Ed you will know who I’m in the pictures. While at the site read my “OPEN LETTER TO BOB DICKINSON”
Both Pat and I are waiting to hear the “GOOD NEWS” hoping or prayers have been answered.
“BIG” Ed
ekonefe.wordpress.com
Hola John!!!
Your competition for my daughters love is actually the cruise director of the FREEDOM of the Seas, Richard Spacey. Curious you are both on the FREEDOM . I dont know him, my daughter went with her aunt to that cruise butshe has a picture with him and yes he is very handsome.Continue to write your blog the balance is tilting to your side (you are bigger) LOL
Te queremos!! (We love you) Spanish 101
Nanette, Eugenio and Viviana (daughter)
Hi John, I have a question about Capri. Have you done that tour? How difficult is it? I have been to Naples several times and have always wanted to go to Capri. Is it really difficult walking?
Thanks,
Jo and Dave Myerly
Wot! no Pie n’ Mash.?
Of course we will be happy to bring the stuff are you sure you only want one bag? anything else? I guess a ‘Rossi’s would melt don’t you fink?
Great photo’s today by the way, we just cannot wait to join the ship, it is almost painful!
Up the hammers!
Bill and Sue
Chelmsford
Hi John & Heidi:
So glad you will be on the Freedom this coming Thanksgiving, maybe we can have dinner together? So, you had PIZZA for Easter huh? I am Italian myself, but the Pizza in Florida is NOTHING like New York Pizza (I am originally from NY). My husband is Polish, and LOVES Pizza too! Anyway, glad we will get to see you in November and I will finally get to meet your lovely wife! Sorry about her dad. Knew something had to have happened for you to leave so abruptly. All we were told is it was a family emergency! Thanks for posting the photos, and keep them coming, and also the Menu. Is this the menu for the supper club that has the Statue of Liberty? From what pix I have seen on Carnival’s website this ship is MAGNIFICIENT. We took the Legend last year in Jan/Feb. then the Elation in November. I personally like the bigger ships, much more beautifully decorated. Carnival is the BEST – I have been on only 1 RCCL ship and it does not compare to Carnival! And of cause the CD makes the ship so I always enjoy being on a cruise that you are the CD, you are ever so funny! Keep up the good work! Linda & Mike
Me again John, I read this Blog 3 x a day, I love it, and especially like watching the webcam too, it is awesome, keep the pix coming too! Linda & Mike
John, I don’t know what happen to my first comment but my name changed and the link went away. So now you can see “John Heald’s Head of Security” there. I added a new album just for you.
“BIG” Ed
ekonefe.wordpress.com
John, please keep this blog thingy going. I’ve sailed with you several times and my daughter Jennifer, our friend Karen and I look forward to the transatlantic crossing with you this coming October. A question, though – - when I booked this cruise one of the shore excursions offered was “Granada of the Moors” which featured a visit to El Alhambra, the “Red Palace.” That excursion is no longer listed as an option. I was looking foward to that because it was one of the sights my late husband often mentioned when he spoke about his U.S. Navy duty (many years ago) in the Med. and Persian Gulf. Any chance that option will be offered?
May I digress and tell you about some of the memorable Carnival cruises I have experienced over the years?
In Aug. 2005 I sailed with you on the Carnival Liberty. There I was – a little old gray-haired lady traveling alone – missed Rome (stupid airline scheduling), caught up with the ship in Naples, no luggage (it showed up at my home one month to the day after I returned) BUT – - wonderful shipboard experience, wonderful excursions, and generous ladies at my dinner table who supplemented my meager wardrobe. My daughter Jennifer and her husband Mike tired of my tale of woe about missing two of the most important ports so his Xmas 2005 gift to her was her share of a return cruise on the Liberty for both of us, which we took in June 2006. You weren’t CD on that one, but Jennifer and I (and our luggage) had a wonderful time.
In July 2004 my son Bob, his wife Melinda and 8 year old daughter Ginny, my daughter Jennifer and her husband Mike and I took a family cruise on the Carnival Pride to the Mexican Riviera. Many wonderful memories – - Ginny could hardly wait to get to Camp Carnival every day; Mike got to play golf in 2 of the ports; Melinda got to shop for unique Mexican fabrics; Jennifer enjoyed the massages in the spa; Bob (or “Bawb” as you said it) still proudly displays his “Solid Gold (Plastic) Ship on a Stick” for participating in the Guest Talent Show – - and I – - I just basked in the joy of having my children all together with me.
See ‘ya in October.
Keep blogging!
Sue Grohol
Hi John and Heidi
Great news that you are an Essex girl now Heidi, and Essex men are not bad also are they? not that I have personally experienced it from that end as they say John!
By the way John have you lost your Essex ‘twang’ now? thats twang John not thong!
Regards
Bill and Sue
Hello We got our cruise documents on Friday and I am now more excited than ever. What excursion do you reccommend in Messina? My thought and prayers got out to the family and friends of the passenger that passed away. Please keep blogging.
Kena and David
John, I am reading your blogs daily, wishing I was on a cruise right now – it’s cold in NY. Hopefully I will be able to take a 4 or 5-day cruise in November (I’m thinking Inspiration). By the way, were you on the Destiny late October 1997? And I really miss those Male Nightgown contests.
Keep doing the blogs – I’m living vicariously through you.
Carol
Dear John and Heidi, we’re taking our first cruise on the Freedom (western carribean) on Nov.24th will you guys be on board? We sure hope so, we feel like you have become part of our family. Do you know how we can get a table for 2 on early seating as we are celebrating our anniversity? Looking forward to your blogs everyday.
Al and Monica Rhodes
Hi John,
While reading through the postings that continue to come in concerning John Harris, the thought struck that some of his co-cruisers might like to make donations to some charity or foundation in his memory. We might not have known him personally, but so many of us were touched by his humor and enthusiasm. Do you have any information concerning the family’s wishes in such matters?
Thanks,
Nicole Sellers
Kena and David….
Messina? Are you on the Liberty? I don’t believe we stop in Messina on the Freedom.
We took the ” Taormina and Greek Theatre “excursion when we were on the Liberty last Aug/Sept. Taormina is a beautiful village with a great view of Etna and a wonderful Greco/Roman Theatre that they still use for performances. We enjoyed it very much. We like Sicily !! It would be great if we are stopping there !
Kathy and Paul
Hi John, I must be one of your biggest fans, I just love this blog thingy, I check it out every couple of hours! Am I addicted? I think so!!!!!!!! Anyway, if we can possibly get together with you the week of Thanksgiving (11/17-11/24) and finally meet Heidi we would love it. Our cabin # will be 9284 (Lido deck-balcony) By the way, how did John from Baltimore pass on? Was it a heart attack? So unreal, just getting home from the cruise and something like that happening, please send my deepest sympathy to his widow. I know what she is going thru. I lost my first husband in 1989, he was only 47 yrs. old then, and I had 2 teenagers at the time. He died from a heart attack suddenly, and you feel your whole life is gone. I was lucky to find a new man to love, and to love me back in 1992, and we now have 4 grandkids (all boys) Or I should say 3 (as one is on the way, due in July). Well, I will close now, keep up the wonderful work you do, and talk to you soon! Linda & Mike from Melbourne, Florida.
Hi John… Just wanted to let you know that I read your blog almost daily! I will be going on the July 12th cruise on my honeymoon! My husband to be, Kevin and myself cannot wait to go on the cruise. We are getting married July 7th (777 cannot forget it!) We cannot wait to be married and go on this wonderful cruise!!! Thank you for writing and keeping us posted about the Freedom!! Only 3 more months and we’ll be married and crusing with you!!!
)
-Jamie and Kevin
Hi John and Heidi,
Didn’t even know what a blog was till I discovered yours and my day isn’t complete till I’ve read your newest entry and checked the webcams. We too are counting how many “sleeps” we have remaining until joining the May 1st sailing. We are travelling with 3 other couples and looking forward to meeting you both. All 8 of us are fortunate to be staying on for the May 13th sailing as well ..trip of a lifetime! It’s not so much the destination but “the journey” and it feels like “the journey” has already started thanks to you. Keep blogging…Please! It’s brilliant!
Linda and Len
Hi Fellow Bloggers (and John and Heidi):
I have been reading this blog since the very beginning. I was so excited to be able to read tidbits about life on Freedom. My husband and I will be on Freedom 8/17/07 to celebrate our anniversary. It is a first cruise for both of us. We were disappointed to read that the private, behind the scenes tour of the Vatican is not running the 16th of August.
Please pass along condolences to Joanne. Although most of us have never met them, we shared a small part of their lives via your stories from their cruise.
What is the approximate cost to send an email from the ship to the great country of Canada?
SewingNut
Hello John and Heidi
First, thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives and writing this blog. We have sailed with you John a number of times and each reading brings back memories as well as dreams of our upcoming cruise. We are getting ready to take our 15th cruise with Carnival in 33 days on the Liberty. One question. Do either of you know what happened to Peter? He was our very first CD and we think of him often. One custom he started and the men of my family continued, is having a cigar together on formal nights. In fact its our two boys’, now young men, that have continued the custom by presenting their father with a cigar at dinner and asking him to join them for a smoke. If you are still in contact with Peter please send our regards and thank him for us. Lynn & Mike Sagara
John,
I do enjoy reading about what’s going on aboard the Carnival Freedom because it helps me feel closer to my daughter. I am very proud of her. I miss her. I love your sense of humor. Hope to meet you some day.
Very sad about John’s death. Linda Cairns (proud mum of Jana James, musician)
Hi John (& Heidi),
Your “blog thingy” is the best. 100,ooo+ bloggers can’t be wrong. Congrats on that. Don’t ever worry about being random. Some of ones best experiences are random.
Your cat story just cracked up my husband and I. Randy had just settled into bed. I was reading and started to loose it when I got to the KATO reference. Well, when I reached the Pop Rocks I lost all hope of keeping it together. He joined in and before we knew it we were both hysterical. Thanks so much for helping us to end our day with a good laugh. In today’s world it really does make a difference.
Mary and Randy
PS Our deepest condolences to Joanne and her family on their loss. Even though we don’t know them it still makes our hearts hurt when we hear of such a tragic event. They are in our prayers.
Hello John,
. About keeping in touch with you, I would gladly like to take your email as I said before (if your willing to give it). I think you already have my email as it says on this site (not sure if you can see that or not). And please let me know about the Jazz CD I will waiting and listening for it in due time.
Thanks for the feed back on my last comment I was very glad to hear back from you. I talked to my dad about being a cruise director and he said above all I want to look into a degree in public relations, or as you said public speaking. Also you mentioned that I have to have a love for people, done. I love people I love making them laugh, just the smile on someone elses faces when they laugh makes my day brighter which is how it is for you most likely
Thanks,
Patrick (Kuwait)
Hi John, The supper club sounds wonderful. What night would be a good night to go? What time is dinner? Is there only one seating?
Thanks,
Jo
Hi John
Just seeing that there are some more Essex bods talking to you. We are out with you on May13th so if you like we can bring you some crisps?
Just wish to mention the Supper Club menu link doesn’t work (at least for me).
Hi John
Well we are home from our vacation all in all the trip was good. I only have one thing to say in a negative way and that is in Istanbul we were left on the ship I know you heard it from your wife what a morning that was…. I am not mad any more but on that day I was hot we stood in line for an hour to get to the sticker desk and when the man said the bus just left and that we were 15 minutes late…If I would have seen you well I would have talked you to but good if you know what I mean……. if you sell the tickets and know how many people you have on a bus and that there is a line from hell you should at least hold the bus and try to make sure everyone is accounted for……….the staff was nice and we did get a refund to our card but the day is gone forever and I do not see myself in Turkey again Anyway I was happy it rained all day made me feel better……
John and Heidi,
I have been reading your blog everyday since Day 1. I am enjoying them immensely. I have not been able to pull up the webcam however. I am always sent to the Carnival homepage. Am I doing something wrong? We are sailing on the 25th of May and doing a pre-cruise in Rome as we did 2 years ago. 41 days until we leave, but who is counting? There were so many tours to pick from the last time we sailed, so this time we have the chance to do the ones we were not able to fit in.
Keep up the blog.
Minnie and Mickey
John,
I know you can relate to this. The stalls for the urinals in the mens restroom on deck 3 are so small, that by the end of the cruise, a man would have to be well endowed to reach the urinal. You might be able to get in close the first three days, but after all the good meals, you can only hope to hit the urinal from afar. Ma and my wife are enjoying the blog. Please keep it going and hope to cruise with you again soon.
Bob
John,
Just like so many others we have found ourselves reading your blog daily. We are set to sail for New Year’s and can’t wait … would love info about anything special the Freedom does for New Year’s and any info on the spa would be appreciated …
Keep bloggin’
Vikki
Just wanted to thank you for your blog..I truly love it. It’s the high light of my day .It’s almost like cruising and for now it will be my best bet..I can’t go on a cruise for awhile..so again thank you,
Carla
John, we first met you on the inaugural cruise on the Triumph. You told us you were leaving to get married. I am so happy you have decided to continue entertaining us all!!! We look forward to seeing you again on the inaugural Mediterrean Cruise on May 1, 2007. We have a Cruise Critic meet and greet set up for the first day at sea. Hope you and Heidi will be able to join us.
Dear John,
Emily and I will be on the Carnival Pride on May 27. Our grandson, Jeremy, is graduating from high school this year and the cruise is a graduation present for him. Another grandson, Daniel, graduated from high school three years ago and went on a cruise then, but Emily and I got married then and our daughter Angelea and her whole family (husband and four boys) and our son Casper and a couple of his friends all went with us on our honeymoon cruise. So Daniel would have gone on the cruise anyway so he kind of got cheated out of his own cruise. So we are taking him and his fiancee, Amanda, on the cruise, too. It should be a lot of fun.
Is the Carnival Freedom the only ship in the fleet that has its own web site? What ever information you can give us about the Carnival Pride especially who the cruise director is would be appreciated.
Emily and I were trying to figure out what ship we were on that you were the cruise director the first time we saw you. We had kind of narrowed it down to the Legend in December 2003 or the Victory in July 2003 because those ships were only a year or so old when we went on them and I think you have said that you were the cruise director on nine ships when they were first put in service. Were you on one of those ships during those times?
That’s it for now.
Kindest regards,
Bob and Emily Means
Hi John, Thanks for the update about “Wee Jimmy”. That is fantastic news that he is a Cruise Director on the Carnival Glory. Funny thing-I live in Orlando and Port Canaveral is only about an hour away. The Glory will likely be my next ship for a Caribbean cruise. I started cruising with Carnival in the 80’s and have been on many Carnival cruises (over 10 but the Platinum system apparently does not count cruises before 1990). Al l in all I am an avid cruiser having cruised over 30 times. I love to travel! Anyway, that Legend cruise was one of the best European cruises I have ever been on. That is why Mom and I decided to go back to Europe this year on the Freedom. We will see you and Heidi on May 13!!! My mom deserves a great break from everything so I am so glad she will be away for Mother’s Day! We will be sure to introduce ourselves to you and Heidi. By the way, I think it is so funny how you love Angelina Jolie! It is great Heidi appears fine with the idea that you love Angelina from afar!:) Do you like her movie Tomb Raider(the first one)? Just wondering—it is one of my favorite action movies. Looking forward to seeing you and Heidi on May 13th. Don’t work too hard!