Good Morning from Izmir, Turkey. Heidi and I have just finished disembarking 2,005 guests on tours and the rest of the guests are slowly disembarking the ship to explore on their own. We actually sold out of every tour for Ephesus as there is obviously a limit to the number of buses we can have here in this part of Turkey. Anyway, it is now 10:58am and as I have an hour before a meeting with the tour operator I thought I would relax a little by starting the next blog.It’s a hot one again with a temperature expected of 101 degrees so again the advice was water, sun cream and sun hats. Most of the tours include free bottled water and I asked the operator today to have all the guides continue to make sure they get the guests to drink lots of water especially at Ephesus where it gets even hotter.
I have taken a lot of supper club bookings for the Carnival Freedom via the blog and am very happy to do. However, if you are sailing on another Carnival ship and you wish to have me make a booking for you in the supper club I am also happy to do so as it will guarantee your preferred time and date to eat. Talking of the supper club, I am going tomorrow night with Heidi before I M.C. the show as it is the anniversary of the day we met. Heidi reminded me of this yesterday in a way only women can and the overtones in her voice suggested that I had better do something to celebrate the fact or else. I thought about taking her out for lunch in Istanbul but then I realized that may also involve the scenario of having to go shopping in the Grand Bazaar afterwards. That place is OK the first time you experience it but after that, it is hell on earth as people from everywhere shove carpets, bags, jewelry and other tempting purchases in my wife’s face. Heidi speaks six languages fluently but unfortunately she hasn’t learnt to say NO in Turkish and the result of this is me being broke and having to carry loads of bags back to the ship like a damn camel. Therefore, the tactician in me decided to be all romantic and offer Heidi dinner in the supper club which has put me well up in the pecking order of romantic studs when the real reason was of course its cheaper and more enjoyable than walking around the Grand Bazaar spending money on stuff that will spend the rest of its life hibernating like a bear…….. in the back of a cupboard………………whose a clever boy then?
Talking about the Grand Bazaar, here a few facts for you about this incomparable nest of vipers. Heidi is going to type this while I make go to my meeting
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi in Turkish) is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. It was built of wood after the Conquest of Istanbul around an old Byzantine building which became the part of Old Bedesten (Old Bazaar) today, and got bigger and larger throughout the centuries with the addition of new sections and inns. The Bazaar initially consisted of two warehouses only, known as Inner Bedesten and Sandal Bedesten. Later on open streets were covered with doomed roofs, and separate buildings connected to each other. Today it covers an area of approximately 31,000 square meters with its over 3,000 shops (some even say 4,000), 17 inns (Han), 61 streets, over 20,0000 employees, four fountains, 10 wells, two mosques, several cafes and restaurants, change offices, a police station, and 22 gates. It resembles a giant labyrinth and can be a little complicated for the first-time visitor, but after a couple of visits there you can familiarize with it because streets are arranged almost on a grid plan, and shops tend to group themselves according to the type of goods they sell. I love shopping here as there are true bargains to be found. I know John hates it and I think its hilarious watching him huffing and puffing outside a shop waiting for me…..I love my camel. Back to John when he gets back.
Heidi
OK – I am back.
Here is the lucky winner of the NAME THE SPA CONTEST……………..SORRY BIG ED AND OTHERS
‘CLOUD 9 SPA’ SELECTED FROM MORE THAN 24,000 ENTRIES AS NAME FOR LUXURIOUS HEALTH CLUB ON NEW CARNIVAL SPLENDOR
Expansive 21,000-Square-Foot Facility to Offer Host of Innovations, Including Line’s First Spa Staterooms and Suites, Thalassotherapy Pool, Thermal Suite
MIAMI (July 16, 2007) – “Cloud 9 Spa” has been selected as the name for the luxurious 21,000-square-foot health and fitness facility aboard Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor, which is scheduled to launch the line’s first Northern Europe cruise program July 13, 2008.
The name was submitted by Gregg Harper of Aurora, Colo., as part of Carnival’s “Name Our Most Spectacular Spa” contest that attracted more than 24,000 entries.
For his creativity in naming the elaborate new facility, Harper will receive a complimentary cruise for two in one of Carnival Splendor’s exclusive spa suites, as well as complimentary spa services throughout the entire voyage.
“Carnival Splendor’s spa promises to be the most elaborate and luxurious at sea and the name ‘Cloud 9 Spa’ truly embodies the feeling of pampering, relaxation and rejuvenation that guests will experience within this spacious and modern facility,” said Christine Arnholt, Carnival’s vice president of marketing services.
Spanning the forward portion of two full decks with large picture windows providing panoramic views of the sea, Carnival Splendor’s “Cloud 9 Spa” will offer a host of innovations, including 68 exclusive spa staterooms and suites – a first for the line – accessible by a private elevator.
Also featured will be a soothing Thalassotherapy Pool covered by a glass dome and featuring heated ionized water and pulsating water jets, along with an elaborate Thermal Suite comprised of four climate-controlled rooms with varying degrees of warmth and coolness.
Guests who book the spacious spa staterooms and suites adjacent to the “Cloud 9 Spa” will receive a number of exclusive amenities and privileges, including unlimited access to the spa and its facilities, priority spa appointments with pre-cruise concierge consultation, use of special “Cloud 9 Spa” logo items such as bathrobes, towels and slippers during the cruise, and complimentary fitness classes. Custom-designed “Cloud 9 Spa” in-stateroom amenity items, as well as personal fitness bands and yoga mats, are also available for use during the cruise.
Seventeen private treatment rooms, including two VIP facilities just for couples, will serve as the venue for “Cloud 9 Spa’s” sophisticated and elaborate menu of soothing and exotic Asian, Middle Eastern, and European-style therapies. A post-treatment area where guests can relax on Asian-inspired beds amidst magnificent sea views will also be featured.
Rounding out the stunning facility will be a full gymnasium with expansive workout areas featuring the latest Lifecycle exercise equipment, including treadmills and weight training, stair climbing and rowing machines. A beauty salon with complete hair and nail services, a men’s barber/grooming area, teeth-whitening venues, and special areas for manicures and pedicures will also be featured.
Carnival Splendor will also offer a wide range of health-conscious dining options, including an extensive salad bar and 24-hour frozen yogurt in the Lido restaurant and gourmet-style selections in the main dining rooms that are lower in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
Representing a new class of vessel for the line, Carnival Splendor is scheduled to debut from London (Dover) July 13, 2008, with a schedule of 12-day Northern Europe cruises – a first for the line. The ship will then sail on 12-day cruises to the Mediterranean and Greek Isles through October followed by a trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., positioning the vessel for a series of seven-day Caribbean voyages.
Carnival Splendor will then embark on a new series of 14- to 18-day South America cruises before redeploying to Long Beach, Calif., for year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera voyages, continuing the expansion of the line’s West Coast operations.
Reservations are currently being accepted for Carnival Splendor’s various European, Caribbean, South American and Mexican Riviera departures.
For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
And now, lets move on to some photos.
1. TWO PHOTOS OF THE ACROPOLIS AT LINDOS
2. THE KNIGHTS OF SAINT JOHN BUILT THESE WALLS THAT SURROUND RHODES, GREECE
3. LYNDOS AND THE VIEW FROM ABOVE THE VILLAGE
4. FISH AND CHIPS – THE SHOP, MY DAD AND THE PRODUCT, THE PRODUCT ON A PLATE (NOTE THE MUSHY PEAS) AND MY DAD EATING THEM.
Here is today’s “In Their Own Words” section.
Not too many Q & As today as I appear to have caught up over the weekend.
BIG ED (who else) – Mr. Cahill said he would consider sailing for a few days on the Bloggers Cruise if you and Mrs. Big Ed do as well.
We are going to Jamaica, Cayman and Cozumel
On the Bloggers cruise together, it’s going to be so swell
Big Ed’s not coming though and that really is too bad
I even offered to wash his draws, good grief I must be mad.
So please come Big Ed and bring your lovely wife along
And if you decide to say you will
I will dance for her in a thong
FRANK AND LYNDA HESTER – Welcome home to you both and thank you for checking out this humble blog. Also, a big thank you for the kind words about the ship, the staff and the shows. However, this swapping of seats seems to be something I have yet to get under control as it happened to you in Tuscany. I have since added this protocol to my travel talk and information as it seems to be something that this season I need to make clear.
As for Dubrovnik and the shuttle bus situation. I wish I could say that it has and will improve but that would not be the truth. The fact is that we are not allowed to put any of our staff to work there as per the countries laws. The shuttle buses are controlled and run by the local authorities and it is indeed badly organized. The problem is that there is little or no parking areas for today’s modern fleet of buses in a town that was built in the 15th century. I am sorry to say that the infrastructure can not handle the number of buses needed. Therefore, as we are not able to control them ourselves and not permitted to make any changes I am now advising guests to take a taxi back to the ship. It is a few Euros more expensive but if there are three or four people in a cab the cost is actually cheaper than the shuttle bus.
The problem is that I want everyone to see the beautiful town of Dubrovnik; it’s just a shame that getting there is not as easy as in other ports. On another note I have passed on your thanks and best wishes to Deepak and Greage in the dining room and of course also to Ken. I hope now you will become regular readers of the blog and wherever your next cruise takes you I hope if you need advice or need a smile you will know where to come. My best to you and the family.
ROSA HERNANDEZ – I wish I could have come home with you. Where is home? Anyway, thank you so much for the wonderful comments about your recent cruise on the Carnival Freedom. What was your favorite port? Please write soon.
HOTCOPFAN - I have to admit the only reason I knew about Amway was because they chartered one of our ships a few years ago. It was an “interesting” cruise but I got lots of free soap…………….on a rope. Please pass on my best to your “cool” fiancé, is he the HOT COP? In April, I should be back here on the Carnival Freedom for one or two Caribbean cruises before going back across the pond to Europe although as yet nothing is confirmed. Are you considering a cruise in April? If so, please let me know if I can help in anyway.
KAYLOR – Welcome home Kaylor and thank you also for your exceptional words regarding the cruise last week. It’s funny, I was just talking to Frank and Lynda above about the beauty of Dubrovnik and that even with the transportation concerns we have there that the reward is so great once you arrive. If your husband does decide to move to Dubrovnik then let me know and Heidi and I will be over for lunch every time we call there. I just read the article you sent from the Dispatch and now I am famous in Columbia.
MAURO MOSCARDINO – Most of the ports are easily accessible except Cannes where, if you want to go to Monte Carlo, you will either need to take a tour or the train as taxis are very expensive. May I advise that you come to the travel talks onboard that I host and listen to the choice of tours and then the options of doing things on your own and decide then. October is quieter and tours are basically unlimited so you can decide once here. I think October is a beautiful time to cruise so I hope you are excited, it’s going to be a lot of fun. Let me know if there are specific tours or sights you are interested in and I will assist as best I can.
NANETTEALI – I read your posting three times to make sure I was not dreaming and you were indeed talking about me. Oh, my goodness you really have made me blush with pride at your heartfelt words of gratitude. I can only reply by saying thank you for writing them and I just showed Heidi and she says my head will not fit through the door tonight. Thank you so very much and as always you and your family are in our thoughts mi amigo para siempre.
DEBRA HEHN – Now beaches, that’s better than snorkeling, at least I can give you some choices. The nicest beaches without a doubt on the Grand Med run are in Cannes. You can walk to them from the pier and there is a small cover charge of 10 euros. They are beautiful sandy beaches and much better than the volcanic sand that you find in Italy. The only other beach worth seeing is in Messina which is a short taxi ride away (about 10 euros each way). Please remember that in Europe all the beaches are clothing optional so you may see things that you may have never seen before……………I used to go every week but I stopped…………..seen one you’ve seen them both. See you in August and let me know if you need anything else.
TOM AND JANE – did you miss me?
RUTH JAMISON – Great news and another big smile on my face as another friend books the Carnival Splendor’s inaugural cruise. I do not know too many details just yet but I know it will be a fabulous event and will I am sure be a cruise that will stay in the memory forever. If there is anything you need from me before please let me know and please keep reading the blog thingy.
BILL – ZYDECOCRUISER – Yes mate, the Internet was having problems with the worp coil which resulted in a break down of the bridge rectifiers that are coupled to the klingon moon tracus and I had to beam out or be eaten by Big Ed’s underwear which had morphed into a Godzilla like creature.
I am back now though.
GREAT NEWS……………..WE JUST BROKE 450,000 SLAPS IN UNDER 5 MONTHS…………NOW SERIOUSLY, CAN SOMEONE TELL ME IS THAT GOOD? IS THAT ABOVE NORMAL FOR A BLOG? I AM NOT LOOKING FOR PRAISE BUT JUST WANTED TO GET A SENSE OF REALITY FROM YOU OUT THERE…..PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Here is today’s interview. I thought we would change the pace a bit and let two young people talk about being married and living onboard and working together.
Ladies and gents here are Andy and Sue
Where and when did you first meet and how long have you been a couple
We met on the Tropicale in August, 1998. Sue was a cashier and I was a casino supervisor. We didn’t get together on that ship however. We ended up meeting again on the Fascination in Dec 2000 which is when we started seeing one another.
What are the best things about working together on a cruise ship?
Andy – The best things are getting to see all the places we’ve been, together.
Sue – We have been to so many places and done so many amazing things together, we will have some great stories for our kids.
What are the worst things about working together on a cruise ship
Andy – The worst thing is living in such close quarters can lead to disagreements and frustrations sometimes.
Sue – Yeah Cabins are small – we don’t get enough space from each other.
Tell us about your job Andy as a Casino Host. What does this involve?
As Casino Host my job is to advertise and promote all aspects of the Ocean Players Club and Casino on board. I run all the tournaments held in the Casino, advice and help guests use our “Cash Out” system (cashless gaming on slots) as well as look after our players whilst gambling in our Casino. Also guests can email the Casino Host on any Carnival ship prior to their cruise should they have any queries, and as a Casino Host I will keep in touch with guests so they can let me know when they will cruise next so we can notify the Host on the guests next ship.
Sue, you are the Head Cashier what your daily responsibilities are.
I hold the main bank for the casino, so I have a lot of responsibility – all the money from the casino channels through me, and I take care of it! I do all the accounting side of business in the casino – I am in charge of the running and smooth operation of the casino cash desk, and the four cashiers who work there. Also the manager Gareth thinks I am his secretary (he he)!
What are your plans for the future?
Andy — We are actually planning on leaving the Fun Ships after this contract and settling down in Edinburgh, Scotland in our new apartment where we hope to start a family. We have a few job offers on the table at this time but have yet to decide which ones to accept.
Sue — I hope to start a family as soon as possible, this is the main reason we are leaving.
As you look back, what has been the best memory you have had together while working for Carnival
Andy — We have many memories, I think mine has to be meeting all the good friends from all over the world over the years as well as getting married on the beach in Hawaii.
Sue – where do I start? From ice climbing on the Juneau ice field in Alaska, to sky diving over the north shores of Hawaii – to scuba diving in the Caribbean – to name a few – oh yeah I did do something else in Hawaii! It will come to me!
Do you think relationships onboard a ship are different to those on land?
Andy — Definitely, living on a ship in a relationship can be more intense as you live together, work together and play together, every couple needs time apart.
Sue — I think life is easier on the ships, as you have no responsibilities, apart from work. It is a lot more intense as you are together all the time.
Sue, what is Andy’s most annoying habit
Which one?! Andy is always hyper active – so if I want to relax and he doesn’t, we don’t!
And finally, why do you think Carnival Cruise Lines is the World’s Most Popular Cruise Line.
Andy — I honestly believe that you will struggle to find a better “value for money” vacation anywhere in the world!
Sue — To hit the nail on the head my family (2 adults and 2 children) came out for their first cruise on the Liberty last year, said it was five-star treatment, they could not believe the value for money you get here. They went home and booked the Freedom for this year. I know where I will be going on my vacations from now on. Also I think Carnival has something for every age group – they are the FUN SHIPS – we have had a great time working here. Thank you Carnival.
So, there you go and as Heidi and I always say, if your love can survive life onboard it can survive most anything.
Just a quick follow up with the story about the ladies who were upset about the fur shop in Rhodes yesterday. They did indeed come and make a complaint saying that they were mistreated by the local authorities and that they should have the right to protest against the fur trade. I have not spoken to the ladies myself yet but will do so tomorrow night and will make sure I am wearing nothing with hair on it. I will let you know what happens.
Heidi and I had a cup of coffee in between the Repeat Guest party with two guests who have sailed with me many times. In fact, they only book a ship I am on so we have become great friends over the years. Their names are Mr. and Mrs. Schiller and Ian Schiller is a pilot for Southwest Airlines. We talked about the first cruise he remembers me from which is the Holiday back in 1991 and we were reminiscing about some of the activities that I used to host back then like:
PILLOW FIGHTING
THE BEER DRINKING CONTEST
THE WET T SHIRT CONTEST (FOR MEN AND WOMEN)
THE MALE NIGHTGOWN CONTEST
I have to say I do not miss any of them (well maybe the wet shirt contest) no really I don’t and it is amazing to think that they were the core elements of what we used to do. The pillow-fighting contest was held on Lido deck and involved various couples sitting on a big slippery pole bashing the heck out of each other on a pole. The winner was the one to stay on the pole while the looser went crashing head first onto a mat that was about as supportive as one of my socks. I wonder why we decided to stop this event. As we reminisced we also spoke about the shows, the food and how really unrecognizable today’s Carnival really is compared to 20 years ago. As I approach my 20-year anniversary I would like to share some stories from the old days every now and then if that’s OK with you.
So, back on the Fantasy in 1992 I remember one of the biggest mistakes I ever made as a cruise director. I had only been in the job a very short time and I must admit I was a bit “cocky” as we say back in the U.K. Anyway, I was in the middle of my travel and shopping talk Nassau, which I did before the ship sailed from Miami and was in full flow about the tours and what to see and where to go doing my usual information dissected with various off the cuff remarks and as the talk went on I realized that there were very few laughs coming from the audience. This puzzled me greatly and then I mentioned about the casino that Carnival used to own in Nassau called Crystal Palace. We used to send guests there during our overnight stay and they would gamble and see the show. The show featured “topless dancers” in a showgirl scenario as well as a big magic and illusion act called Dirk Arthur.
Anyway, I made my usual reference to the show saying don’t worry about the topless dancers because “you have seen one you have seen them both” and then en masse………meaning at the same time……..75% of the lounge stood up and left………they walked out together shaking their heads and muttering words of disgust. I finished my talk in record time and went back to the cabin dumb struck by what I had seen. I called the Chief Purser Mico Cascais and told him what had happened and he said “didn’t you read your memo, we have 1,000 Jehovah Witnesses on board?”…………………………..oops. Well I felt an idiot and indeed I had not read the memo which in the days before e-mail came in written form in a big brown envelope which was sitting on my desk.
I spent the rest of the four day cruise apologizing and making sure I kept my stage time whiter than white but they never forgave me………I don’t think they enjoyed the Male Nightgown Contest too much either.
By the way, just before I go, here is a joke that Captain Schiller shared with me, it is his favorite airline joke.
A plane was taking off from Kennedy Airport. After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom: “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 293, nonstop from New York to Los Angeles. The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight. Now sit back and relax. OH, MY GOD!” Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the Flight Attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!” A passenger in Coach yelled: “That’s nothing. You should see the back of mine!”
Until tomorrow.
Goodnight.
Your friends,
John and Heidi
Filed under: Angelina Jolie, Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Splendor Godmother, Tales from the Ship
Hi John, I was on the 6/30 sailing around Italy. I wanted to tell you and all of the Freedom staff how great my trip was. Both my Mom and I keep telling everyone it was a trip of a lifetime. All the ports had so much history and beauty! We live in Chicago and the only history we have are the windy city politics! I do want to say a special thank you to our dinner staff Branamir and Zlatko. (especially Zlatko!) They made dinner very special every night. In fact if Zlatko would like to stay in touch thru email that would be great. My one complaint would be your morning show during days at sea. Not the content just the volume on the pool deck! WAY TO LOUD! I was usually just starting to drift off and BAM! Maybe you could fix that. Again thanks for everything, Judi Lendino
John, you are starting to mess with my brain and my sleeping habits with the anagrams. On most days anagrams I can get 2 right away and the third with a little harder thinking but yesterday boy o boy. Like normal I got Bob Dickinson and Cruise Director in short order but Fence Hinge Ire had me stumped. I kept working on the fence most of the day but finally bed time rolled around so I put it aside and turned in for the day. I tossed and turned for over an hour then all of a sudden “chief engineer” popped into my head and I went off to dream of my future cruises.
Mr. Dickinson has choosen the perfect way to celebrate his birthday………onboard the Carnival Spirit cruising the beautiful inside passage of Alaska. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for good weather on Saturday when they are in Juneau.
Since I booked the 3 South American cruises I would like to reserve one of those blue rocking chairs on deck also………………JUST KIDDING!
Have a wonderful dinner in the supper club with Heidi. Great excuse to spend time together.
Kersplott
Hi John and Heidi:
I’m still here enjoying each and every blog. The cruisecritic roll call I joined is organizing a Meet & Greet and I know you have attended others and I want to invite you and Heidi to ours. We are looking for having the 1st on the day of Embarkation, October 4, 2007, between 4:30 and 5:30PM at the Endless Pool Bar and the 2nd on the 1st sea day, October 6th, between 3:00PM and 5:00PM in the same location. Would these dates, times and places work with your schedules? If not would you please suggest other dates, times and/or venues? (The roll call has 65+). I know you do a Welcome Aboard show but not sure about the time. I look forward to hearing from you. I know I don’t post reguarly like some of your other faithful bloggers (you just get sooo many comments) but I’ve been reading from day one and I don’t plan on stopping until you do.
Dear John-John:
How exciting; I have just been reading about those beautiful spa staterooms on the Splendor and as wonderful as you and Heidi are ~ I am sure they getting yours ready as we speak…. Can’t wait for the details.
Vikki
hi John, i feel like i know you already from reading all the blogs. i cant wait to meet you and heidi in person. Me and my husband Alan will be sailing 8/5/2007. This will be our 6th with carnival, and as for the ones before im sure we will have a great time. i really think that all the people that work on the ships really do a great job. We have never had a problem with anything. one trip i got sick and the staff was real helpfull called me on the phone to check one me. please book us for the supper club. see you soon
dawn and alan
John, yes we missed you terribly. A day without a new blog from John feels like a day without sunshine. Love looking at your new photos, and miss having the live-feed from both the Freedom and the Liberty. Hurry up Bloggers Cruise !!!
hi john and heidi!
since you asked if your 450,000 slaps are good let me tell you that your blog is a pr4 and your alexia score is 918,096. now before you go all gaga, alexa should be LOW, not high and pr (page rank – google term) runs from 0-10 with 10 being the best. to have a pr4 this early is great, really great, the hits are wonderful, and the alexa is based on the number of people that link you that have an alexa toolbar. are you getting any of this john? anyway for a four month old blog it is wonderful. if you want some cash you can sign up for pay per post and earn about twenty bucks a week here. interested?
smiles, bonnie (and prince charlie)
John and Heidi, I guess the too of us are a PACK-OF-DERMS. I hate shopping too but I do it because Mrs.”BIG” Ed just loves window shopping. OOPS, she’s going in, is when I’m in trouble. Maybe Heidi and Pat could go on a shopping trip while you and I go to one of those optional beaches. The Mrs. just said over her dead body, WOMAN OVERBOARD.
“BIG” ED
Ironic Oohs
Ms. Tami Starr,
On Nov 2-4 2008 The Freedom will be in the transatlantic crossing. Halloween is a sea day, then it’s Malaga, Spain; Funchal, Madeira, Portugal; and westbound Atlantic. So unless you include his passage, and have some kind of something that would put him back on board out there somewhere in the Atlantic, you can’t have him. Well, that sounds rude. But unless he stays on the ship to cross the Atlantic, he can’t be called the CD for the transatlantic crossing, so even though he could fly from mainland Europe for a couple days, okay, a couple three or four days because it is half a day in the air, not half of daylight but half of going around the clock day, and making connections….why don’t you change the date of the Tennis Do? I am sure if you did that and provided him with an Aston Martin to drive and an intro to certain celebrities who are also attending, they are attending, right, well, if you do that, he’ll probably drop everything and be there without changing the dates!
You do know you have all the luck in the world because the ladybugs landed on you in Tuscany. Sounds like they know what they are doing.
And, JH, see, there is another reason why people might not want the same seat on a tour. You are making it like police transport from jail to the courthouse. If we aren’t buying reserved seats, then they aren’t reserved.
You want people to have the same seat on the bus all day, but you don’t want them to have the same seat by the pool all day. Make up your mind.
John,
I am with you on the Grand Bazaar. Yikes, what an experience!!! It seemed that everyone was related to someone else. Our daughter was trying to use a credit card and was told the merchant would not accept a credit card….Oh, but wait….they are starting to walk away…..let me make a phone call………a cousin in a stall on a different passageway will accept a credit card! So, we get walked to the cousin’s stall. Of course, he wants us to look at all his valuable merchandise also. It is something you need to experience once…but “been there done that!”
I personally think the dinner at the Supper Club was a better choice!
Im sorry you were a little confused, sometimes I want to say so much and the language gets in the way and this time I was trying not to tell the other ship name and CD complete name.I was just trying to tell how I felt having the chance to be in less than a month in 2 different ships and different cruise lines.I got the chance to really compare with everything sooo fresh in my mind.And wow what a difference.I keep thinking that I felt so especial on your ship, like I was important and at the other ship nobody care, I was another one (invisible).Yes , be proud, be proud because everyone wants to go to the theater even to the port lectures you give , because the way we feel when the show finish , because you almost made us fell from our chair laughing and make people have crup attacks for laughing (true story) and for the Morning show were you make many people feel especial and you made all you guest feel you care about them.Ok Ya! Im not going to do this to you It just that the other ship was so different and I wanted to tell others whats the difference.The bad person in me wanted to go to the other Cd with your picture (I have the same memory stick) and show him your photo and tell him “Do you know who this is ? ” He is your Daddy learn!! LOL Ok Ok. Enough My husband agrees with me a 100 % you were the best CD 15 years ago and continue to be and we know because this last cruise was my #30.Ok I talk too much promise I wont do it again…
You wrote that maybe you are going to do some Caribbean if you come to PR we have to see you!! At least 10 min to say hello ok??
Nanette
John, here is the latest post copied off my blog.
___________
Open Letter to Mr. Gerry Cahill, President and CEO of CARNIVAL
Mr. Gerry Cahill, first of all I would like to congratulate you on your appointment to President and CEO of the greatest cruise lines, CARNIVAL. I sure you will fast become “Uncle” Gerry to use bloggers/cruisers. The title we affectionately gave “Uncle” Bob Dickinson.
John Heald and I and many other cruisers who don’t fit in the “ONE SIZE FITS MOST” robes that are in the cabins would like to see CARNIVAL carry a few ” THESE FIT THE REST” size robes. A sign could be put inside on the closet door saying “For larger robes contact your cabin steward”.
I’m sure with all the major challenges you will face in the future this one will be a snap to resolve. Thank you in advance from all of us “BIG” size cruisers.
Edward Konefe
“BIG” ED
____________
BLOGGERS, to read and post a comment to this post just click on my name at the top of this comment.
Dear John, today while reading your blog entry and you mentioned Izmir and Istanbul I was, for whatever reason, instantly taken back to our cruise with you to these ports about two months ago. What a magical trip it was for us! Thank you once again!
Terri & Larry
Hey there, Kathy and Paul,
I hope you didn’t take my advice about changing over to the Spa Suite. Because then you would have to admit to your tablemates and buddies on board that when you leave to go back “home”, it is going to Cloud Nine. They would think you were back in Junior High.
So sorry.
hi i have a question about money should i convert to euros before i come on board?
thanks dawn
John,
As much as imitate you when calling this a blog thingy*, I am actually in the web development business and I can tell you that your hit rate for a blog is outstanding.
* as a smart technical guy I know the real term is blog thing-a-ma-jig
Here is an airline story I heard (3rd or 4th person, so I don’t know if it really happened or is urban legend, but I like it anyway): A passenger on a flight was very demanding and nothing seemed to satisfy him. The flight attendants were getting weary of dealing with him when he called one over yet again to complain about his meal. He looked at the attendant and said “this potato is bad” to which she then started slapping the potato and saying “Bad Potato, Bad Potato” then turned around and walked off.
Hi John,
“450,000 slaps in under 5 months” is above normal, at least from my experiences. It all depends on the target audience of blogs; some blogs get way too many hits simply because they ask rhetorical questions for everyone else to answer, while others only go for their friends and community and the slaps only get to the thousands after a year or two. But hey, 450,000 slaps under five months? Let’s just reduce that down and say you’ve been getting about 100,000 new visitors a month. You should be proud of yourself.
Cheers.
My husband and I will be sailing on the Freedom Aug.17th. for our honeymoon-and would like to make reservations at the Sun King,Supper Club for Friday August 24th.
Please let me know who to email-I read John Heald can arrange this for me.
Thank you.
Kathy & Justin Ritenour
Hi John and Heidi,
Thanks for the info about the Kapalicarsi. I have been thinking that a Med cruise was a long ways off for me, but if you guys keep this up I may have to bring it higher in my things to do list!
I chuckled at the different reactions men and women have to shopping. It reminded me of my last cruise. Myself and another single guy had hooked up with two ladies who were traveling together. We had spent the day in Cozumel, but made sure to get back to the pier an hour before the boarding call to be absolutely certain we didn’t miss the ship. But of course, since there was a little shopping area right on the pier, the ladies wanted to look it over “just for a few minutes”. Well, you guesssed it. They got so engrossed in their “hunting and gathering” that even with us two guys giving a steady countdown of the rapidly diminishing time we had left, we almost got left behind. The crew were removing the gangplank as we ran screaming up to them! Good thing the women were good looking or that would have been the premature end of two shipboard romances!
John, thanks for the Jehovah’s Winesses story, too. After far too many of my weekends being disturbed by them knocking on my door uninvited, my heart was gladdened by how you managed to annoy 1000 of ‘em at once! Whoo hoo! You know, it’s amazing to me how it’s always the super religious people who are most offended by simple nudity. When you consider that they all believe God created the human body, but as far as I know none of them think God invented clothing, why would an unclothed body be such an affront to them? One more of life’s little mysteries.
Hi John & Heidi,
Just wanted to say hi and share this exciting news! I spoke with my travel agent yesterday at “All About Cruises”, and she is in the process of booking the Carnival Splendor for the second “leg” of the South America sailing in 2009. Can’t believe it-South America-Wow!
OK, so now that makes three cruises I am booked on between 2008 and 2009, thanks to this blog thingy. It’s definitely become addictive as I have been reading it from the very beginning and enjoying every minute of it.
It would great to have Mr. Cahill join us on the bloggers cruise-come on Mr. Big “ED” can’t turn that down.
Thanks again for everything you & Heidi do!
Inez & Dean
After reading your blog, we are seriously thinking of coming back to Carnival. Hopefully next year after our oldest daughter gets married. What ship do you think you will be working on next year?
I have to tell you…I miss the Men’s Naughty Nightie contests. They use to be the highlight of our cruises.
Hey John,
just taking a quick minute(or 2) to read your blog. Im on board right now and had to purchase minutes to check something back home. Anyway, just saying thanks for a great cruise so far, just like last year on the Liberty with you. I think we can all agree, any cruise led by John Heald is going to be one of the best cruises you’ll ever be on. Hopefully my family and i will get to see you on the splendor next year.
p.s. Im the “robert” from the first morning show you did a few days ago….you know, the one with the extremely attractive picture you showed of me! Nice meeting you last formal night as well. I’ll send the picture of you me and my brother if i get the chance.
robert, 8271
BLOGGERS, something happened on my above comment. The underlined link on my name went away. So here’s another chance to see that post and make a comment. If this one goes away go here ekonefe.wordpress.com .
“BIG” ED
It is tuesday at 4pm. I dont want to jinx it but I have been promised our passports tomorrow ay 2pm. I have to drice to D.C. to get them. Plenty of time I do not leave until friday. We you ever able to find out if we would get the “exclusive” vatican tour on sunday 7/22? I am so excited we are leaving in 3 days. Thanks for your bloggy thing I LOVE IT.
Hi John and Heidi,
I hope the 2 of you have a wonderful time at the supper club. I think it’s wonderful that you celebrate those romantic memories. I’ve been married to Geoff for 21 years and we still do those kinds of things. I’m sure getting more and more tempted by the Carnival Splendor. I’m going to talk to Geoff about it again. I don’t know a lot about blog slaps but it seems to me that you’re doing great! Thanks for the interview with Andy and Sue. Do you know if Andy was on the Carnival Liberty in Feb. of this year? Our casino host was named Andy. If it’s him tell him hello from us. Thank you again John for all you do. I was a little worried when I didn’t get a blog for a couple of days. You always put a smile on my face. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Leasa
Sorry Mr. Big “ED”, I don’t know what the heck I was reading when I submitted my last blog. I sent a comment “that it would great if Mr. Cahill joined us on the Bloggers Cruise if you decided to go”, but Mr. Cahill was referring to your request for a Carnival ship to be deployed to the Great Lakes. Sorry for the mis-read. His response to you was, “At least eight of our fleet to be deployed there as soon as you book the Bloggers Cruise.
It would be nice though if he could join us! And you too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Inez
John,
How did you and Heidi meet? I am a softie for romantic stories.
I love you blog. It is a wonderful resource tool for me as a travel agent. I have not been to every port and love seeing the beautiful pictures you post.
It makes me want to go there right now!
I told my husband I would love to go on the blogger’s cruise but not sure as I could get time off, since January tends to be my busy season.
My 6 year old son is dying to sail on one of your big ships.
Thanks again and we hope to see you, and meet Heidi on our next cruise.
Peg, John and Jackson Forgotch
ps.. see i have a “thing” for guys named John
John,
DH and I are on the Sep 10 sailing and would really appreciate you making a reservation for us at the supperclub for Sunday, 9/16 at 6:30pm. Table for two or we can share with others. We also would like a second seating Wed, 9/19 at 7:00. Our last name is Neubauer and cabin #1322. Love this blog!
Melissa
Hi John and Heidi -
We (myself and 15 others) will be joining you on the 7/24/07 cruise and are leaving on Thursday to spend a few days pre-cruise in Rome. My mother (Lori Diem) sent you a message a few days ago. Just wanted to say that we are very much looking forward to what I am sure will be an unforgettable adventure. Can’t wait and see you soon!
Katie
While the Carnival Splendor rounds the Cape of Horn we need to view the movies “March of the Penquins”, “Eight Below” and “Happy Feet”on the big screen on deck.
Just in case I haven’t said it lately, thank you for all your hard work keeping up with the blog thingy.
Kersplott
Hello John. OK, the Sheriff is disappointed. Two blogs and you did not acknowledge the high Sheriff (me)….. I doubt the Sheriff Of Nottingham would have let that one go. Nikki and I have a new kitty. His name is Rosco P. Coltrane. We call him Lil Rosco. Dolly and Loretta (the other kitties) are not happy with their new brother. OK mate, gotta run I have court in the morning.
Remember, if you are taking a shower in jail, don’t drop the soap!!!
Handcuffs to all!!
Rosco P. Coltrane
Sheriff
Hi John and Heidi
I was on the 6/18/97 Carnival Freedom and will be coming back on 9/22/07 for my repeat cruise. I don’t know if this has been mentioned before but on my return flight on 6/30/07 we flew thru Atlanta and I saw something your need to put out to all personnel that return thru Atlanta. After we landed we picked up our luggage and went thru customs and then recheck our luggage for our next flight. We then had to go thru another security check point and a lot of passengers that had purchased alcohol at the Rome Duty Free shop had their alcohol taken away from them. This security check point was in the lower level of Terminal E which was well within the confines of the airport. This caught everybody by surprise and I saw a lot of people lost their carry-on boxses of alcohol.
Hey John, Thanks for beach info. I did find a snorkeling tour in Dubrovnik. May just give it a chance. Which night would you suggest to go to the supper club? Debbi
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your BLOG. We are really looking forward to our TA in October with you. I had a couple of quick questions. 1: How many formal night will there be on the TA. I have heard 2 and 3. 2: You won’t be on vacation during the TA will you? 3: Why don’t you show the question or at least a synopsis of it in the blog so we all know what is being ask? 4: Lastly, are there tables for two in the dining room and is it too early to make reservation at the specialty restaurant?
Keep up the good work. By the way we booked next years TA in Oct also because we know this one will be so great.
Hi John,
I read on the blog that you can make bookings for the supper club restaurant.
If possible would you please book a table for 2 for the night of September 17.after the ship leaves Messina.Prefered time is 7pm.
Cyril & Sylvia Bernstein cabin#7356.
Thanks,
Dianella.
Could you please check for me if your spa has yoga mats for use. As I am trying to pack at a minimum, to be able to bring as much back as possible, my husband wants me to leave my yoga mat behind and I very much like to get in my Yoga routine while I am aboard ship for the 2 weeks. Also, we can use our debit cards to obtain Euro’s on ship, is that correct? Thanks
Hi John, Good news. The web cam is back. We get real pleasure knowing were you are. We lead a sad and boring life.
Jo and Dave
Good morning Mr. Heald. You must never say that you are an idiot, you only made an error of judgement at the moment. This sounds much, much better. To tell you the truth, I thought your joke was excellent. Unfortunately, there are too many people that say one thing and than say something else. Even after apologizing, they still couldn’t forgive you. I guess their God doesn’t believe in forgiveness. I believe in God but even God gave us our sense of humour. After reading about Andy and Sue, I feel I missed out by not working on a cruise ship. Oh well, my cruise ship for 31 years was my classroom. Let Captain Schiller know that his joke was funny. I wonder though,how I would feel if the pilot of my plane did that. Probably the same result. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
John,
Dave from the Jo and Dave duo here…….
We will see you in 30 days. Hopefully along with our luggage. Did you ever find out more about Carnivale being able to accept luggage sent via, UPS, DHL, FeDEX, Airbourne etc?
Glad to see the web cam repairman came to see you. I see on TV the Maytag repairman is taking on odd jobs like that to stay employed. Also Carnivale must have paid your satellite bill and now we can see the ship web cam pictures. Still looking for the one minute updates.
I saw a cartoon I thought you should see. It reminded me of you and Heidi, the blonde bombshell. It is especially for you about forgetting to remember to put the toilet seat down.
Only problem is I don’t know how to send you a picture. Please advise.
Dave
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Be Kind To Yourself,Have Some Fun
Run Naked!?
The Frying Pan looks like my kind of place. Yum! Do they also serve deep fried hot dogs there?
The offers you made me
In anagrams they will be
For you to solve
For the answer to evolve
You may have to go back
To get the whole stack
But when you do
You will get the clue
“BIG” ED
CAB UNDRESS SIS
John,
Enjoy your blogs! We’re excited to be on the Trans-Atlantic sailing with you. Hope you can help us decide what to do on that Monday in Citavechia. We’ve spend tons of time in Rome already, and all the museums I wanted to see in the area are closed on Mondays. What’s the most interesting nearby place to visit? I’ll share the info with my Cruise Critic friends on that cruise.
Hi John,
My colleagues Gaynor and Monika are there for a deployment. Be sure to tell them hello! Thanks.
Hi John,
I enjoyed the last two blog posts; the first one with the great interview with Bob and this one with the photo of the fish and chips, which made me VERY HUNGRY.
You and your dad should go over to Cunard and teach them how to make chips. On the QM2 they have a pub with very good pub food and the fish and chips is very good EXCEPT for the chips which are really limp American “fries” and thus not so good. I do enjoy the fish though anyway and you can get other tasty treats there as well.
That said I do have to question the sign outside the fish and chip shop there… “FISH AND CHIPS! A healthy choice of takeaway!!!” I am not sure that the British Association of Cardiologists would agree with that…!
In your last response to me you mentioned Seabourn; I have never been on Seabourn ship (!) but they are very pretty. Recently they laid the keel of the Seabourn Odyssey which will be their first ship in 20 years and while I think she is a mite big to call a “yacht” (unlike their much smaller current ships) she should be quite a ship and bring new standards of luxury to the cruise industry.
Ten years ago (1997) on my first trip to London we were strolling along the river and saw one of the Seabourn ships – I am pretty sure it was Seabourn Pride – going under Tower Bridge! Now that is something you can’t do on the big ships! Since then I have always wanted to go under Tower Bridge on a cruise ship but it has not happened yet I’m sorry to say. However, it is certainly something I am determined to do someday and Seabourn would of course be a lovely line with which to do it.
An interview with someone from Seabourn would be very nice. I am sure their wonderful PR guru Bruce Good will be happy to set something up for you. Perhaps you can get an interview with their President Pamela Conover, who before Seabourn was the President of Cunard. Pamela became President of Seabourn under the tragic circumstances of the passing of her legendary predecessor Deborah Natansohn. Deborah was the very first woman to be President of a cruise line back in the 1990s when she was hired by Gerry Herrod over at Orient Lines (a company near and dear to my heart as you know) and now both Cunard and Seabourn have the distinction of having two consecutive women Presidents.
In the future I would like to see interviews with key people from ALL the Carnival brands; you have already got the Presidents of Carnival (both) and Cunard on there; hopefully soon you will have Pamela Conover and then it will be time to go on to all the other brands! Alan Buckelew at Princess, Stein Kruse at HAL, David Dingle at P&O and so on.
Looking forward to your next blog.
Best,
Doug
Hi John
Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our tour aboard the Freedom starting June 30 on the eastern tour! Family loved every minute of it and can’t wait for our next Carnival cruise!! Quick question we had regarding that cruise, how many kilometres did we travel? We watched you on the big screen and saw you live afew times but never came across this info and didn’t think of the question until we got home! Thanks.
Hi John…
I hate to be a pain…we will be on the 7-24-07 sailing. I recently called Carnival to add something to the reservation and as per our original reservation we requested a table for four (myself, husband, and parents) and that request was not orginally entered into the reservation. The second rep that I spoke to did add it in…my mom really doesn’t like to sit with people she doesn’t know…as much as we tell her that she would have fun meeting tablemates, she doesn’t agree. If you could help us out, we would all really appreciate it (I don’t know if you have any clout in the dining room)…if you can’t we still appreciate you and your listening to my long message. Thank you so much. See you in a few days!!!
Hi John;
We are sailing with you on Aug. 29th & just heard that we need a visa to go ashore in Turkey. We are all Canadians. Is this true?
Also, are there hair dryers in the cabins or do we need to bring our own….an important question for 6 women!!!
Thanks, Marlene
I really enjoy reading your blog John. I was on the Liberty’s second voyage to the Mediterrean and will be on the second voyage of the Splendor next summer to Northern Europe. I look forward to seeing great places and hope you willbe the curise director. As a elementary teacher, I look forward to my summer voyages so I can relax and get rejuvenated for the upcoming school year. We have been on many carnival curises and love them more than any other cruyise live we have tried.
Thank you)
It was very interesting for me to read your blog)
Today i realised: i want to work on cruise liner in 2008, because it is a real chance for me to make my dream come true – i want to see the world. I checked web-pages of cruise-companies …. so i am here)))
Good luck.