Good Morning My fellow bloggists. The current count is 105,000 and counting.
Time for answers to your questions.
TERRI910 – I am glad you liked the photo from Ephesus which indeed was taken while taking a ship tour. All the tours that go to Ephesus. Will pass by the sculpture of the Empress Reebok – sorry Empress Nike and although all the tours are great you have picked the best one – EPHESUS AND VIRGIN MARY. This includes a stop at the Virgin Mary House which was consecrated by Pope John Paul a few months before he was promoted to glory. So rest easy knowing you will not miss a thing by taking this tour. I look forward to welcoming all the Mellow Yellows.
BIG ED – I need to start an investigation into who the mysterious Tarquin is. I looked at your photo and you are a man that I know will take care of business. Seriously though, thank you for the wonderful letter you wrote to Mr. Dickinson and I will do my very best to try and be with you on your cruise so we can sit in a booth together.
VIVIANA – I may be ugly, I may not have Richard’s gorgeous looks but I promise I will do my best to make you laugh and smile and buy you gifts if you promise to like me better than Richard…..I am crying now.boo hoo……………….give me a chance
JO AND DAVE – Capri is beautiful and you can see why so many artists and writers have found inspiration on the island. It is accessible on our tours by private jet boat and then a cable train or “Funicular” which will take you to the top. Once there, the views are spectacular and you never know which famous star you may bump into. I suggest the Sorrento, Capri and Pompeii tour. There is little walking in Capri although Pompeii does have a bit of a walk involved. Hope I was of some use…….hopefully more than Richard on the other cruise line:)
BILL AND SUE – Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh a Rossi’s Knickerbocker Glory (a very famous UK ice cream.) Can’t wait to see you and should it not be DOWN THE HAMMERS (soccer)
LINDA AND MIKE – Thanks so much for the kind words about Heidi, it was a dreadful time but my beautiful and brave wife has been a rock for her entire family and I am very proud of her. The supper club menu I posted is for the Sun King named after King Louis of France and is a must during your cruise. I look forward to meeting you both soon.
LINDA – Glad you like the photos. Here is one just for you of the ship on the big screen at night
SUE GROHOL – I will check on the Granada of the Moors option and get back to you ASAP. I can imagine the huge smile on your face as you write about your cruise experiences and imagine that smile getting even bigger when you write about having your family all around you. There is nothing more important than family and I am so happy that sailing with us has given you and yours such wonderful memories. New ones will be created when you come onboard.
ESSEX MAN – Heidi refuses to be called an Essex girl and as for my twang I think its gone but hopefully when you get her mate I will be with a diamond geezer like you and it will come back again. Looking forward to talking about home.
KENA AND DAVID – Messina is a nice place but the best place to visit while we are there is without doubt TAROMINA. This is a wonderful Sicilian village
With winding streets, no cars, over looking the ocean, loads of great shopping and restaurants and most importantly it is the home of the CANOLI. I suggest you take the Taormina on your own tour. This leaves you most of the day to explore on your own after the 1 hour drive and tour with the guise. It is our most popular tour while in Messina and I love the place. I will send some photos of Taormina ASAP. See you soon.
CAROL – I was indeed on the Destiny in 1996. Back then it was the largest ship in the world and those Male Nightgown contests gave me nightmares. I think you will love the Inspiration and if you do sail please let me know in advance. Hope the weather clears up in the Big Apple and thank you so much for your encouraging words about the blog thingy.
AL AND MONICA – Heidi and I will still be here in November and the Western run of the Freedom is exciting and fun. Let me know if you need any information about the ports or the ship. See you in November.
NICOLE AND STEVE – I was so touched when I read your comments regarding a donation to a charity in the memory of John Harris. I will talk to Joanne later today and see what she wants to do. Thank you for your kindness.
First, the good news. The weather was perfect today. All of a sudden Spring has arrived and brought with it sunshine, temperatures that reached 70 degrees which in turn brought out the bikinis and speedos, some looking good on people some that there should be a law against wearing as gravity begins to take over and I include myself in that statement.
One of the biggest complaints we get on our ships (and I know it is the same on other lines) is that people save deck chairs from early in the morning by getting up, putting a towel down and then going back to bed for an hour. I have tried everything to stop this but I have failed. From announcements to written requests in the Carnival Capers you just cannot control everyone. How about security I hear you cry. Maybe a few years ago they would have had time for this but not these days where other important jobs take precedence. Anyway, one day I will solve the problem and if anyone has any suggestions I am open to anything.
I just returned from my Morning Show and I had over 30 letters today. These were mostly dedications of anniversaries, birthdays etc plus some very romantic thoughts of the day. I also received a letter from a Jahnine Spalding in praise of the two men in her life, Colonel Jim Spalding who is serving with the U.S. Air Force and her 15 year old son Adam.
One thing that struck me about this particular letter was that he praise was not just for her husband but also the fact that Jim has as he put it “rolled with the punches” of being a son of a serving officer. He has been to 4 different schools in 4 years in California, Illinois, Germany and now Belgium as the Colonel now works with N.A.T.O. It cannot of been easy for Adam as he constantly moves all over the world and it was great to hear that the son supports the father and never complains but just gets on with life. WELL DONE ADAM.
I would like to mention a great friend of mine and I am sure some of you know him as well. His name is Al Ernst who is 441st funniest Comedian in the World !
Seriously, he is one of our top entertainers and one of the nicest men you will ever meet. He is currently touring the United States and soon the rest of the world in search of new comedic talent to work on our ships. This is done via a contest called Carnival’s Comedy Challenge.
These are held at comedy clubs all over the country and basically involve professional and amateur acts performing for a few minutes live on stage in front of a live audience and professional judges. The judges give their opinion but it is the audience that decide who wins. The actual winner wins a contract to perform aboard one of our Fun Ships. It is a fantastic concept and please go along and see and help judge who will be the next top Carnival entertainer. Here is the link to the web site to see when the challenge will be in your area www.carnivalcomedychallenge.com .
It is formal night tonight. I now make an announcement every formal night to make sure that people have lost their luggage still know they can come to the parties as sometimes they think they will not be welcome. This of course is never the case and they are always welcome………..although last cruise someone did come in a bathrobe !
This reminds me of some of the wonderful groups we have had over the years. My favorite two are:
The Star Trek Convention
This was on the Sensation some years ago. We had 1000 “TREKIES” onboard and some of the stars of the various Star Trek shows. They had a week of interactive talks and events with their favorite stars and they were great fun. However, Formal night took on a new meaning as this seemed to be a cue for all 1000 to dress in their Star Trek costumes. The Captain and I stood welcoming Star Trek Officers, Vulcan’s, Klingons, the blue ones with smoke coming out of their mouths and various other members of the galaxy. For me, it was great to see but for the Captain who truly had never seen a Star Trek episode before he looked totally bemused and somewhat unsure and a little scared, especially with the Klingons.
The Nude Cruise
This was done on one of our smaller ships where a large group of Naturists chartered the entire ship. Now, these people are Naked everywhere around the ship, and I mean everywhere. Naked at the Pursers Office, Naked In the casino, Naked everywhere. They are a great bunch of people but you cannot imagine what it looks like
Having 2000 naked people all over the ship.
Still, on formal night they all made an effort. They all wore bow ties – nothing else – just bow ties.
These were great fun though and it is such a great thing to have one ship chartered by one company.
I am heading off to the shows now but not before I order some roses from our Formalities shop. These are for Heidi. No, it’s not her birthday or our anniversary, the roses are because I taped some soccer over her Desperate Housewives tape and I am well and truly in the Dog House. I know when she really is mad at me because she calls me……….yep………Sperm Of the Devil.
If I live through the night I will return for another blog.
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.
Hi John,
on the subject of towels on chairs, I thought this went on only in Spain. How about you announce to the guests that they can leave their towels on chairs but if there is no bum on the chair with the towel the towel can be discarded. I once was at a hotel where the management would come along and throw the towels in the pool if they were left on overnight or in the early mornings. It soon stopped the problem. I know this would be non-viable on board ship. But surely it would be no crime to remove the towel from the chair if people werent sitting there. How uncivilised & inconsidereate, any way. Thought this was a European prob. Hey Ho!!! On to Canoli mmmmmhhhh!!!!!!!!! We should be able to get these anywhere in Italy. Rome is good I know a good cake shop near the station.
John a friend just passed a link to your website onto me today. I was so happy to see that you are still a cruise director with Carnival as you are my favorite CD ever. I have been on 15 Carnival cruises and have only had the luck of having you as the CD on 2 of them. My husband still quotes lines from your bedtime story. We just got off the Destiny last week and I already can’t remember the CD’s name but he tried to do the betime story and it wasn’t nearly as funny as when you did it.
How long have you had this website, and whatever happened with the book you were writing? I tried to find it on the web but never had any luck.
Best Wishes,
Karen Stewart
John, I said NO BOOTHS. Do you know what a DUNLOP is? It’s when your beer belly has DULOPED over your belt. So if we are in a booth my belly will DUNLOP the table for sure, LOL.
BIG ED
PS. On my blog site (just click on BIG ED at the top) I’ve got a list going for January 26, 2008 FREEDOM Cruisers to put there info on. Meet you on the ship.
John,
. I watch a series called Prison Break and it is amazing, do you and Heidi watch Lost or Prison Break? And last but not least the towel solution, I’m going to have to go with “hyacinth1″ or you might just want to tell your passengers that if they see a towel on a chair and no one is in the chair then they have all rights to have a seat. Other then those 2 I don’t think there is much we can do about that.
Well in light of your past cruises “WOW” lol. The Star Trek cruise sounded like fun, as I am not a fan of Star Trek myself I think it would have been ver memorible. AS for the Nude cruise well as I quoted earlier lol, can people actually go nude on a cruise or was it a cruise only for nudists? I thought being nude was illegal (in the states). As for you messing up Heidi’s tape, big no no *Shakes finger*
Thanks,
Patrick
Hi Again John, thanks for the beautiful picture of the ship at night. You must really be in the dog house now John, taping over Desperate Housewives, that is a no-no! AND it was a NEW episode too! (Not a repeat)! Love seeing all the pix so keep them coming! If you can get a good pix of the Freedom restaurant, and post their menu if you can. Thanks! See you in 221 days! Yes, I am counting the days till 11/17/07 and our Thanksgiving week cruise on the Freedom. Only 39 days till we are on the Glory too! Can’t wait! I could cruise year round (if I could afford it)! My husband keeps threatening to get a job onboard. He is in maintenance and says he finds lots of things that need fixing on the ships and he is the man for the job! HA! HA! Till later, hi to Heidi! Linda & Mike P.S. Mike asked me how long you two have been married and did you meet on a cruise ship?? Bet that’s an interesting story!
Dear John and Heidi
Towels on chairs: I suggest you employ an army of ‘minders’ from the nudist/ trekkie conventions and have them patrol the area with their membership subcription forms, this should keep the area free until decent folk arrive.
Tarquin spotted.
We spent yesterday ( Bank Holiday Mon.) at Southend and I spotted Tarquin on the pier, sure enough as instucted by my ‘leader’ I whacked him and threw him off, for fish food, shame to say the tide was out ( as usual!) still his fall was broken by his leg and it is a long way back as you know!!
Regards
Bill and Sue
I forgot to congratulate you on hitting the 100,000 mark.
BIG ED
PS. Making a list of John Heald’s bloggers cruising January 26, 2008. Add your info to the list. Just click on BIG ED at the top and it will take you to my site. (this one should work)
Cruise Critics !
John, I’ve recently joined the gang at Cruise Critics. Terri and Sharon the “Mellow Yellows” are there as you know and we are “chatting up a storm” about our May 13th cruise. It will be here before you know it!
2,000 nude bodies, I can just picture it ! I bet ya it didn’t look like our dressing room in Vegas??? Maybe a few feathers might have helped!!
Kathy and Paul
John,
The 6th of June is getting closer and you better be ready for D-Day when we arrive! I think this will be our 12th or 13th Carnival cruise and, I’m sorry to say, we’ve never had you as our CD. After reaching platinum level there’s no reason to go on other cruise lines because of the great benefits. You might want to mention what you get at platinum on your blog. I’ve found a lot of people are unaware about reaching that level.
Plantinum on Carnival doesn’t do anything for us on her sister cruise lines, does it? Thanks, and keep blogging!
Jim & Peg
One question about the Nude Cruise – was EVERYBODY nude!!! if you get my drift!!!!
A question – does the comedy act that performs during the shows in the evening – do an adult performance at midnight – didn’t see that in the Capers (they did on our Valor and Inspiration Cruises) Can’t wait to see you on May 13th – don’t forget to wear a little yellow – see you on the Lido Deck for our Meet & Greet!
Hi John, Thanks for the info on Capri. Hopefully we will go there. We have been to Pompeii and Sorrento before.
)
Heidi can watch past episodes of Deserate Housewives on ABC.Com. That would get you out of the doghouse.
How do you become Platinum on Carnival? We are gold now.
Jo and Dave
I agree with hyacinth1 take the towels then charge that person for the towel at the end of the cruise when they are missing a towel because they stupidly left it on a deck chair. Any way hope to hear back from you I have posted 3 comments and have yet to hear back I was curious who will be the CD on the glory on the oct.13 cruise please respond i would really appreciate it i know your a very busy person but if you could find just a moment to answer my question that would be awesome.
Now John, really Im trying not to write again and again.I dont want to give you more work! But I cant!
I just cant imagine how you got time for this. But you seen to be enjoying this as much as we do. Anyway I know you are going to bring my daughter to your side of the force even before our cruise and win the best cruise director award.We will be celebrating her high school graduation and 4 days after the cruise she will be celebrating her 18 birthday. I cant imagine how much fun we are going to have in our cruise if we are having so much fun now.Just 57 more days to meet you again. I keep hearing about the bedtime stories. Explain please.. You didnt do that 15 years ago.Do you have a photo of the famous Chocolate melting cake?? Looking forward to it..
I love your blog. I sailed with you on the Glory. You were just awesome. We still laugh everytime we talk about that cruise.
Just want to say than you for such a fun time..
Carla Schillereff
The Mellow Yellows’ minds definitely run in the same channels….Like sharon, I was wondering if the crew on the nudist cruise went about their duties [i]au naturel![/i] I’m not sure I want to think of the dining wait staff doing the macarena in the buff! Aaaaack!
Thanks for the reply to my last comment. My daughter was thrilled (not that you’ll hear a single ‘och aye the noo’ from us! – well maybe the odd ‘och’ and a few ‘ayes’ but not all together).
Anyway, I have a question – do you offload everyone on dembarkation day really early – our flight back to Scotland is not till the evening – does this mean hours at the airport??
Sheila
We are looking forward to cruising on Freedom in 9 days, and meeting you! We have cruised on Carnival once before, but will a different cruise director. You were recommended to us by a relative who said you were the best!
I do have one question that may seem unimportant to some. Are there blow dryers onboard Freedom? The website mentions other ships, but not Freedom. If we can save any space packing, it’s worth it!
Hi John, Kim and I (from Ft. Lauderdale) are looking forward to our June 6th cruise, only our second. Wanted to know if we can make reservations for the Supper Club online or do we have to wait till we board? Looking forward to meeting you.
My family will be on the end of July cruise. The new Harry Potter book will be coming out when we are in rome just before the cruise. Will we be able to get the book in English on the boat or in town? Thanks I love the blog Cindy
Thank you for making me laugh!! I can’t wait to take the cruise – leaving 4/19/07. Not much time now and I can’t wait to see you in person! Keep the blog going – you’ll reach 200,000 before the end of the year!
Hello John,
Thanks for all the great info. Looking forward to a great cruise on the Freedom in July. Question… where can I find a picture of the Dynasty Room? My daughter is getting married there…I think, and I want to know what it looks like.
Thanks,
Lori
John,
I am happy to say that my family and I will be cruising with you on July 12th . This will be my second cruise on Carnival and my first trip to Europe. My son is very excited to be going on the cruise, he will be turning 6 during the cruise, what a way to celebrate your birthday! Reading this blog has been getting me even more excited for the day we leave. Just one question, What is there to do in Katakolon besides going to Olympia? Thanks ahead of time for any info that you can
give!
John and Heidi,
But I do hope that we might cross paths at some time.
Thank you so much for passing on my comments. Those crew members made my trips ones to remember! I am taking another one in just under 2 weeks, and I’ll be on the Liberty. I’m very excited, as I’ve never traveled to those ports before.
As I mentioned before, I currently work in the tourist industry, and although I love what I do, I wanted to do something different…yet still in the same vein. So what did I decide? I decided to apply with Carnival! And ironically I’ll be working aboard the Liberty in May as a Social Host! I had secretly hoped that there would be space available to work with you and Heidi, as I feel like you have been so open in your “blog thingy,” and that you would be much fun to work with. Alas, there is no room for me. Reading your blog, though, is one of the things that really inspired me to really want to be on board.
Thank you, and I look forward to your next comments and pictures.
Take care!
John just an ‘add-on’.
You may be wondering how I was able to identify Tarquin on the Pier, it was quite simple, he was wearing a pin striped suit,carrying his laptop,a copy of the Financial Times and a rolled up umbrella. The thing that really gave him away was his ‘kiss me quick’ hat,and an array of gold -sovereign rings, no substitute for style is there!
Greetings from Nashville John! Since working for Carnival I have been working hard out on the road.
I was the stage manager for Prince for three years and now I work for a country music legend George Jones. I have been with him for over 15 years now!
We are doing a cruise in January on your cruise line. I do not know if you will have retired by then
but it would be nice to see you. I really enjoyed our friendship and remember some very fun times.
if you would like to get in touch with me my e-mail is
kevnash@comcast.net or 615-202-6680
if not i will understand and i wish you and heidi well.
Kevin Wenk
John,
To follow up on your “To boldly go” theme – - While on the “Three Island Yacht Tour” from Dubrovnik last year I learned about beach attire familiar on many of the islands’ – the trikini. ‘Ya know the monokini is one piece (topless), the bikini is two pieces (itsy bitsy top and bottom), but the trikini – - that’s three parts (hat, sunglasses and flip-flops).
Keep blogging!
Hi again John, Could you write a few words about which ports have things to do nearby. We are on the August 29th sailing of the Freedom. If we choose not to do a tour are there some ports that have shopping and nice areas to walk around nearby.
Thanks,
Jo and Dave Myerly
John
We sailed on Liberty in 8/05 and i was one of the fortunate ones to play in your production and played the villian i still watch that tape and laugh my buns off. We booked this trip mainly because we saw u were on board.. my parents are also coming with us this time. my question is my mother is in her late 70′s and gonna celebrate her 50th anniversary the following year she is a fun but shy person but my father on the other hand is out there and goes great with the jokes he will fit your style. My question i know Carnival doesnt do anything special for anniversaries but was wondering if they can be selected for any type of game show like the newlywed game if that is still one of the show themes.
thank you
pat and rosanna from new jersey
John,
I just read your story about the lady named Louise and it actually brought tears to my eyes right here in front of my computer. I am glad you were able to cheer her up. I heard we will be having a Venetian mask party at dinner the night we leave Venice. Is this correct? I think that would be a great idea and a lot of fun! Also, did Carnival go back to the original beverage policy where you can bring a limited amount of diet cokes on board? If we go to the winery tour can we bring a bottle of wine back on board? We never know if what we hear is true or rumor. I love reading your blog, but would love to hear more about your days in port. P.S. I do realize it takes up a lot of your time. Whatever you can do, we truly appreciate. Can’t wait to meet you and Heidi. She seems like a very sweet person. You too, of course.
Dear John,
We just got home from last weeks’ cruise, and found a note from our older son, Taylor, who is studying at University and could not join us on our cruise. He was highly indignant that we did not mention him (ha, ha), but he was elated that we made it to your blog! We had heard you had tried to call us, but we were out on an excursion, so seeing this blog just made our family miss the cruise even more! We are glad to be home, but Adam is already searching the web for another cruise and telling all his teen friends it was the best vacation of his life. We think so too. Thank you so much for mentioning us, and adding one more special memory to our cruise memories.
Jahnine Spaulding (cabin 8428 Apr.7 cruise) and family
John!
We just got in this afternoon from the April 7 cruise and found a note from our older son, Taylor. He is studying at St. Louis U, and couldn’t join us on our cruise (and boy are we hearing about it!), but kept in touch by reading your blogs.
Imagine our surprise in finding we had made your blog! We had been told you tried to call, but we were on an excursion, and never did see the bit, though we watched CH16 trying to find it. It was a lovely surprise to see we had made the blog as well, and another nice memory to add to the amazing memories of our cruise. We are so thankful and appreciative of all your comments!
Jahnine Spaulding and family
Hello
We were on the Apr 7 sailing in cabin 2214. This is just a hope that this gets thru. I would like to write about a couple of things on the cruise but right now we have a problem. My husbands wedding ring was left in the safe. IS there any way to check and see if it was in lost and found.
hiddy-ho John…
i never met you when i went on the Med.cruise fall of ’05…… but as i have mentioned before and to many of my friends and family….the bedtime story will forever be in my memory when i am old, senile and toothless….btw….did you get your suspenders fixed or were they hopelessly tossed in the trash?
good news for me is that i actually have a chance to meet you when we board on the Freedom december 8th in Miami….and i have been on this cruise before on another Carnival ship… but i chose this one so i could cruise with you and hopefully get an opportunity to introduce myself and meet you….and see the newest ship!!!
Thankyou for all you and the staff do to make our vacations wonderful!
Theresa Taylor, RN
Selma, Alabama
John
We just completed the April 19th sailing of the Freedom; another great Carnival cruise. My husband and I can not say enough about the Big Easy show. Thanks for the champagne and most importantly the Carnival 24 carat genuine fake Ship on a Stick! Looking forward to our next cruise. You do a fantastic job.
Larry and Sharon Dover
Kennesaw Ga.