John, we are sooooo looking forward to our “Blogger’s Cruise!” My wife is getting very excited about the prospect of seeing you once again. We do have a number of surprises in store for you when we board the beautiful Carnival “FREEDOM!” I was very happy to see the interview with a person whom I have much admiration for, Mr. Joe Farcus. His talent is immense. I would like to bring up an interesting fact that most folks may not realize. All other cruise lines (non-Carnival) utilize design teams numbering somewhere in the vacinity of 75 to 100 individuals to design the interior of a single vessel. Joe Farcus does this with only FOUR people… Joe, his wife and 2 assistants! THAT is an absolutely incredible feat. I work as a designer myself (restaurants) and I can tell you that given the sheer scope of interior public places on a cruise ship, he is a force to be reckoned with! Whenever I am in a bind creatively, I always ask myself “What would Joe do?” Carnival is very fortunate to have a designer of the magnitude of Joe Farcus. I’ve read critics complaining that Joe’s designs are “gaudy,” “garish,” “outlandish,” etc. These folks seem to be more at home in a bland, uninteresting environment. Joe knows the power of design for a product such as Carnival. It must stimulate, entertain and excite. He does this exceptionally well. He is, in my estimation, one of the premier designers working right now. I am constantly impressed everytime I step aboard a Carnival cruise ship.

Keep up the fantastic work that YOU do, Mr. Heald and please keep posting the “embarassing” photos. We LOVE them!

From All of your Dedicated Bloggers in Bloggerland.

Well, our last minute 7-day trip on Pride evolved into a 5-day on Elation, as “there was no room at the inn.” It was good to be aboard her again, as we had cruised Elation on our 2nd cruise. We headed to the Welcome Aboard show, and were greeted by a kilted vision straight out of “Darby O’Gill & the Little People” who declared himself to be none other than the infamous Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee JIMMY! Hoot mon—what a corker! Rus was once again chosen to be on stage, and Wee Jimmy hugged him and said, “Dad”! They did look alike, body-wise, although Rus, at 5’8” towered over Jimmy’s diminutive frame. What a hoot to see my dear husband dancing on stage in a KILT! And with a Scottish leprechaun! Then the prizes came out—John, he gives better prizes than you. A bottle of champagne, a gold plated plastic ship on a stick, sapphire earrings, a spa pedicure, an Inch of Silver necklace with matching bracelet! All for acting crazy! What Wee Jimmy did not understand was that for Rus–it was not an act! Afterward, we told him that John says “Hi!” and he spoke warmly of his time with you both. In fact, he gave us a note for you that I have scanned in, and if you can provide an e-mail address to rusnina@cox.net, we will send the message on, and treat your private information respectfully. We had our picture made with him, which we posted on Big Ed’s blog page. As you can see, he towers over us—but we were on a lower step. After he saw the photo, he said, “Oh, no! Now John will see that I’m wearing “braces” (suspenders) just like him.” All-in-all, a very relaxing trip. Hope it was enough to hold us over until the Bloggers’ Cruise in January.

Poor Mrs. Barsby! I’m glad to know that she safely made it home….hopefully the airline rep is as kind with her to locate her bag as you were on the ship! I also enjoyed the interview with Risa. My first cruise was on the Inspiration about 10 years ago.

I love the idea of the blog movie….with the stories you tell….it would make millions! As for the cast, it’s a tough call, but I would have to say:
1. John Heald – John Heald (of course) – I think the world is ready for your big introduction!
2. Heidi Heald – CZJ, as I’m sure AJ will be off adopting another child in the world while the movie is filming.
3. PA 007 – A young (or perhaps older) Sean Connery (does Carnival have a mandatory age retirement?!?).
4. Roberto Castro – Andy Garcia is a good choice – very dapper and intelligent.
5. Big Ed – Must go with the crowd and say John Goodman
6. Alan Adkins (remember, he is ugly) – George Clooney – it is quite a shame how unattractive that man is

I can see them now – huge billboards along the highways here in the midwest, with the following in big, bold lettering “See John’s (blog) Thingy in Theaters Near You.” What a marketing tool!

Can’t wait to hear about tomorrow’s adventures!