Friday, August 10th, 2007...11:17 am
Highlighting the Celebration and Cruise Director Lenny Halliday
Good Morning from Izmir, TurkeyIt is now 11 am and it has been a very busy morning so far. We arrived into port where after yesterday’s call at Rhodes where we shared the town with six other ships, it was strange to see us being the only ship in the harbour (spelt correctly) today.
While Heidi was disembarking the guests on their tours to Ephesus, I was on the bridge at 9:30 am ready for a very important drill. This cruise we have a Safety and Environmental Audit and Inspection being carried out by Lloyds Of London. These gentlemen are here to make sure we are all meeting and exceeding the high standards of safety that they require. These inspectors check everything from top to bottom and are very thorough. This morning, we held a full muster drill for the crew only starting with a mock fire where our specially trained fire squads simulated fighting back the flames while other squads cooled the surrounding areas. Then, pretending that the fire was out of control, the order was given to sound the general Emergency Alarm and at that time the crew all proceed to their emergency stations.
Following this, the Lloyds inspectors want to see the operation of preparing and lowering the lifeboats as well as testing the crew to make sure every one of us knows what to do should a real emergency arise. I am happy to say that everything went well and I am sure everyone reading this will appreciate and find comfort in the knowledge that the crew passed the inspection with flying colours (spelt correctly).
Lloyds of London have inspectors based all over the world and are the best at what they do. They are part of the famous Lloyds Insurance Company whose headquarters in the heart of London. I used to work in the old building or “Room” as it was called. Nowadays, there is a brand new building, modern, shiny and in my opinion…..ugly. Anyway, as an 18-year-old, I ran a round the room getting things signed and sitting with the underwriters. It was like going back to the days of Dickens, you had to wear three-piece suits, the underwriters still wrote with quill pens and if you went to the wrong school (like me) then the chances of you progressing were limited.
I remember broking some TLO insurance for cruise ships………TLO, stands for Total Loss Only and I wish I could remember the names of the ships that I used to ask the underwriters to insure…………..maybe it was one of the old Carnival ships, I just can’t remember. I do remember my Director used to give me the tough jobs including getting the underwriters to sign a line (insurance) on tankers and cargo ships who were sailing in the Gulf. Now remember, this was during the Iran and Iraq war when they were knocking the stuffing out of each other…..needless to say, it was never easy to get the underwriters to insure anything in that area and I used to leave the room having been rejected nearly as much at work as Alan and I were by girls.
So …………….I quit and here I am working with Lloyds Inspectors…………………it’s a funny old world.
What else, well the International guests seem to be settling in. I asked someone to find out what Costa does for their many International (should that word have a capital I?) Anyway, I wanted to find out what they did and that meant I needed to unleash someone who could find out the recipe they use on the wonderful ships of Costa.
Who could find this information out…………………well there was really only one person for the job.
Some say that this person has the power to make themselves invisible and that they have one red eye and one green eye, all we know is that they are called PA 007 and here is what they have discovered.
John, They structure their entertainment differently as their customers are mostly Italian, French, and Spanish. Everything is done in five languages (Italian is the first language) including the Cruise Director’s very short intro even the Captain’s talk in his cocktail party. The main shows focus on music, acts are visual (no comedians) they have jugglers or magic shows etc. There is a lot of focus on themed parties and dancing. The cruise staff are high energy and are called “animators” — they create and energize the parties. All this works well with most nationalities but not so well with Middle Americans - Latin Americans love it. That’s what I heard from a colleague at Costa and I hope this helps.
I really enjoyed my Train Spotting conference. I am very excited because I am going bowling tonight and then to Taco Bell afterwards, should be a great night. Congratulations on getting to 500,000 recorded hits on the Blog.
PA007 at your service.
Here are today’s Photos of Ephesus as taken by one of the Dancers, Richard…………..thanks mate
1. Looking down on the Grand Library
2. The spot where St. Paul The Apostle Preached His letters To the Corinthians
3. The Entrance to the Emperor’s Baths.
4. The Amphitheatre
Here the letters from today’s IN THEIR OWN WORDS SECTION.
Starting with this comment that was sent to me via the Purser’s office
6266 Gil Calvo (From Spain) - - To much and loud music
The following comment card was received:
Too much music and so high. This is not a fun ship, is a crazy ship. Music is ok but half an hour or one hour. Not always. SILENCE PLEASE!
OK, SSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH, I AM WHISPERING………………….HERE ARE THE REST OF THE LETTERS SLAPPED ON VERY QUIETLY
OH, BY THE WAY, HERE IS THE PRESS RELEASE ABOUT OUR 500,000 HITS……………..BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN BY OUR PR DEPARTMENT
Now, about today’s Q and A…………on my desk I have 98 comments to answer and that’s not including the ones from yesterday’s blog thingy. Therefore, with your kind permission I am going to answer the ones that have a direct question if that is OK with you. I will get back to answering everyone’s comments again tomorrow I promise but as time is short today with shows, past guest parties and the continuing safety drills and inspections, I will just answer certain ones today.
I want to start thought by saying thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to congratulate me on my 20-year anniversary yesterday. Your sincere words meant that yesterday was a special day for me. I would love to reply to each and every one of you but time does not allow for this today so please except this group thank you from Heidi and I.
Some people asked if I really was getting an Aston Martin as I mentioned in the blog. ………NO, that was wishful thinking on my part. I belive though that in the weeks or months to come I will receive a beautiful pin with a diamond on it which I shall wear with pride……………….but if they get me an Aston, well that’s fine as well 
Anyway, here are some of your questions answered.
GREG BALSASARRI - Just wanted to make sure Greg that when you mentioned dining you meant the regular dining room and not the Supper Club. Please let me know. Thanks mate.
BIG ED - I know we have joked over the past few months and had lots of fun doing it but on a serious note, I know it took a lot for you and Mrs. Big Ed to change your cruise plans and for that I will be forever grateful. You are right though, this will be an unforgettable cruise and over the next few weeks we can discuss the plans for this great adventure. Thanks again mate, you will not regret it.
LINDA HERNACKI - Hello Linda. You asked about plans for a second bloggers cruise. There will indeed be one and soon, not yet, but soon I will be taking a poll on when and where people like you would like that to be. For now, I will say have a great day and my best as always to you and my mate Mike.
CAROL SCHOENBERGER - Hello carol, you asked me what ship I used to work in the bar department on. Well, it was Holiday, Jubilee, Celebration and The Carnivale. In fact, have a look at the end of the blog and you will see what was what back then. I am sure our paths crossed and I hope they will again.
RICHARD D - I wanted to drop you a line because I remember when you and the family had to leave the ship suddenly in Greece and I always wondered how you all were. I hope everything is OK now and Heidi and I send our best to you and your family. Bedankt and Doooeeee.
LUV CRUISIN - Hello, I see you are having problems matching the answers to the questions in these sessions. It is really hard for me and I do try to kind of repeat the question when I can. However, your idea to mention which blog I am answering questions from is a good idea and one I shall try and adopt starting tomorrow. I wish I could do so now but I have such a pile on my desk I have no idea myself. Let’s see if this helps. All the best and thanks for the great idea.
ROCHELLE - You asked for photos of crew areas and indeed there are some I will take for you and slap on the blog. Look out for these very soon and thanks for catching up on the blogs. All the best and please keep reading the blog thingy.
BRYAN - Your question is about how I plan the Welcome aboard show…………well, I really don’t. I have three or four versions in my pocket and after 5 minutes of being on stage I pretty much know what version I am going to use. This week for example I went with the shorter show as I new I had a lot of people who may have not understood the verbal humour I was performing and instead switched to making the guests the stars. I was lucky with the people I picked and as always if the guest smiles and looks you in the eye when you are choosing volunteers then usually they will be fun on stage. Apart from that, I just take whatever is thrown at me and see what happens. Hope that answers your question and hopefully soon you will be seeing the show for yourself. Thanks mate.
DAYLE WITH A Y - I see that you say you never posted before so I wanted to say thank you to you for reading the blog since the beginning. I hope you will slap on a question when you need anything as I am here for you. Cheers mate.
EVA B - when I find myself in times of trouble mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom Eva B……………sorry, I have been listening to the Fab Four’s music tonight and your name prompted me to start singing the song. Anyway, you asked if I would be on the Carnival Splendor for its South America cruise. At this time I still do not know and I am waiting for Roger Blum and Chris Prideaux to give me the word……………but, I think so. Regardless, I see that you have booked the Brazilian portion of the cruise and that is going to be a cruise to remember forever regardless if I am there or not so congratulations. Thanks for reading the blog and maybe………….I will see you in Rio.
MELISSASNEU - Thanks for the most wonderful words about the blog thingy. I see you are taking a cruise with me in September so let me answer your questions.
1. Can You take Your Own Suitcase Off……………Yes, if you would like you can keep your bags inside your cabin and leave the vessel anytime from 6 am - 9 am.
2. What Time Do I Need To Be Off The Ship………….as mentioned above, last call is usually at 9 am. Hope this helps in making your plans so please let me know if I can help further. See you in September and all the best.
GODWIN SULTANA AND IRENE VELLA - First of all I am glad to hear that you had such a wonderful time last week onboard but I am very sad lo learn you lost a bag on the way back. I checked with the front desk and they have a record of the tour operator finding a bag on Blue 27 so that could be yours. You need to call our Miami Office - Guest Relations on 305 - 599 - 2600 and describe the bag so you can claim it. Hopefully, it will be yours especially as it contains all your photos. Please let me know how you get on and let me know if I can be of any further help. Mr Sultana, I hope I have raisen your hopes…………raisen…………a little Sultana humour there:) Look forward to hearing from you.
SEWING NUT - thank you for slapping on the latest information on dress codes in the Vatican, I found that very useful. I will see you soon and as I say to all Bloggers, please leave me a note when you arrive so I can call and say hello. Have a safe flight and see you soon.
LINDA THE MOUSE - Heidi will honour your request and slap on a new blog very soon. However, like most celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries etc, there is little time to celebrate as there is work to be done. Last night we really did not celebrate at all but reading all the special mentions from my friends in blog land have really made me feel special……….I will write more about that in a minute. So, look forward to another blog by Heidi soon and many thanks as always for your kind words.
SHARON AND JEFF - Ahhhhhhhhhh, the memories, some of which I will be writing about in a moment. You asked if I will be on the Splendor, just in case you did not read my posting above here it is again for you. At this time I still do not know and I am waiting for Roger Blum and Chris Prideaux to give me the word……………but, I think so. Regardless, I see that you have booked the Brazilian portion of the cruise and that is going to be a cruise to remember forever regardless if I am there or not so congratulations. Thanks for reading the blog and maybe………….I will see you in Rio. So Sharon and Jeff, I hope we get to have some Brazilian fun together………….Heidi just laughed because she is reading over my shoulder and just told me that apparently a Brazilian…….well…………….you know………..anyway, I had better stop now as I could end up in the dog house………..that was a close shave
TERRI 910 - Hello Terri, how are you. You asked me an interesting question. Do I ever reflect on where my life has taken me? Normally the answer to this would be “no.” I am not really a deep thinker and usually I tend to live for the day and tomorrow and not the past. However, one cannot help reflecting on what has happened to me in the last 20 years and more recently since March and the birth of our baby blog. All I can say is that I am very lucky and maybe when I stop working for Carnival on board ships then I will have time to reflect. One thing is for certain, when I look back in the past, I think, what the hell was I wearing?? All the best to you and Larry.
DEB ROWE - Congratulations on getting your tickets and very soon you will be walking up the gangway. Do you need any other questions answered before you sail? You asked if they have green tea with mint on board. Yes, we do, this tea is available for you at the Viennese Café. Look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks. Have a safe journey.
LYNN AND MIKE SAGARA - I had to respond to your comment as I remember meeting you and your family like it was yesterday. You asked if you could attach a photo to the blog message. I have asked Roberto to answer this for me as basically I haven’t a Scooby Doo. Thank you for the wonderful memories and my sincere best wishes to you and your family.
WILL - I just noticed that I celebrated my 20th anniversary with your parents yesterday. Therefore, I wanted to pause and wish them many more happy years together. All the best.
LAUREN - Thank you for mentioning Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant. Try the risotto. I love the risotto reference. I actually have a very good friend who is considered the world’s expert in risotto and she enjoys giving her opinion to the chef on each recipe. Hopefully in the winter they will join us so we can take them to dinner at his restaurant in London. Just wanted to say thank you for everything you wrote.
CAROL SCHOENBERGER - What a fantastic posting and sorry that you were getting teary - eyed and you mentioned PMS, which in my house stands for Permanent …….. That’s me, back living with the dogs. Cheers Carol, all the best.
EWAGMA - It won’t be long before we are all together on the Carnival Splendor. You asked if we will get to see the inaugural ceremony. Certainly, if I have anything to do with it, you will. When we did this on the Carnival Legend, the ceremony was on the pier and all the guests were able to look over the side of the ship and watch. In my opinion, guests who have chosen the sail on the inaugural cruise deserve to be part of this special occasion. You also asked if I would be commenting on Shore Excursions. Indeed I will. I will be traveling to all the ports in the first week of April and directly after that I will be posting my comments. I will also give daily brief updates using my new RASBERRY E-MAIL MACHINE, which Roger Blum is sending me soon. See you in 300 and something days…
THAIS & FABIAN - Hartelijk dank voor de lieve woorden vanuit Nederland. Het allerbeste voor jullie en de hele familie!
PATRICIA - I had to reply to you. I saw the words I HAVE NEVER SAILED ON CARNIVAL. Now, I see you love the blog, so what can I do to persuade you to come and see us and experience a Fun Ship cruise? Let me be your guide.
JOHN AND SUSAN IN FRISCO - How kind for you to mention sugar-free candy. It’s very nice of you to offer and any kind will do as my jet pack needs constant refueling. All the best to you both.
I feel very guilty not answering all 100+ comments. Please forgive me as I know I normally answer every single one but the next few days I am going to be very busy here and I did not want too long to go by without posting another blog. I must say, however, that I read each and every comment. So many of you have reminded me just why I enjoy my job so very much and I promise you I will continue to be here for each and every one of you. Thank you for your thoughts, congratulations and heartfelt words which I have just finished reading. On the next blog I will return to answer each and every comment but for now please accept this communal Thank You which is said from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of Heidi.
Here is today’s interview featuring a wonderful Cruise Director from Liverpool. He has been with us for a long time and is someone I have always looked up to. He has a brilliant voice and is a marvelous entertainer. Here is my mate Lenny Halliday.
1. Please can you tell us about your career with Carnival so far? How did you start and when? Originally, I came out on ships in 1982 as a singer/guitarist on a little ship called the Scotia Prince in Portland Maine. Then a chance encounter in Miami with entertainment manager, Arthur Ashton, (a fellow Liverpudlian, and a performer in the Beatles era) saw me work briefly with Paquet Cruises and a month on the Mardi Gras with the legendary Gary Hunter, before returning to the Scotia Prince as Cruise Director just one year later. After 8 years sailing out of Portland Maine, my wife and I decided to get some sunshine again in Miami and Carnival were the team to play for. Also, coming from Liverpool, it seemed inevitable that I would be in the entertainment business. Worked on 19 of the Fun ships so far and looking forward to more to come.
2. What ship are you currently on and what is its itinerary? Right now I’m on the Celebration out of Jacksonville, then over to the Miracle in September out of NY, and the Triumph for Christmas out of Miami. You get around a bit doing this gig! The Celebration sails out of Jacksonville, to the Bahamas and Key West, four and 5-day cruises.
3.Please can you pick two excursions from each port and tell us why you recommend them so much? In Key West, the Catamaran Snorkel Tour, as this is the only way to see the only living coral reef around the mainland USA. One of the six walking tours, such as the Pub Crawl or Tastes of KW. For Nassau the trip over to Atlantis resort with its massive outdoor aquarium, is great for the whole family, and it looks as though the resort will be opening up its beach facilities to our guests very soon. This has only been available to their own Atlantis guests until now. Kayaking is the fastest growing water sport in the world right now, and is a great day for all family members to bond. Swimming with the Dolphins.
4.What are your favorite activities or events that you host and why? The Talent shows, in their various forms around the fleet, have always been a favorite, as it not only gives you the opportunity of making several of our guests into stars, but it is different every cruise, for obvious reasons. All the live stuff that we do, whether walk-about interviews or quizzes live on TV. Again it gives us the chance to go one on one with our guests, rather than addressing them from the confinements of a stage.
5. Fill in the blank please……………..People should sail on the Celebration because It’s the best vacation in the world, with the friendliest service staff you’ll ever encounter
6. What do you enjoy most about being a Cruise Director? Providing, watching and being involved in the fun that we provide our guests, with a young enthusiastic staff. It keeps you young, and on your toes. The challenges are different every day. Variety is the spice and all that. Also, reading John’s blog, and touching base with the other (younger!!) Cruise Directors.
7. Share your favorite story with us that involve our guests and your job? Over 17 years there are soooo many, but the guests who we all see, coming back time and time again, and often because you are the Cruise Director, is always a big thrill. However, the most unlikely occurrence was meeting a fellow cruise director for the first time, (Greg Kneale - now retired from CCL) in 1996, and finding out that his father was my father’s best man in 1950. They had since lost contact, but after a few phone calls, they are both now reunited army buddies, who keep in touch with each other regularly.
8. List your three favorite ports you have visited? Barbados, Maui, Skagway. There’s variety for you!
9. Name three ports you would really like to see that you have never been to? Barcelona (been there but not as a CD), Venice (Been there too but not on a ship) and Sydney (not been there at all, but I have relatives “Darn Onder.”)
10. Finally, if you could introduce on stage any star, alive or not who would it be and why? Paul McCartney or John Lennon. Just to share the stage, play some guitar and vocals with them, as without their inspiration to the kids of Liverpool in the 1960s, I probably would not be here right now. By the way, give peace a chance!
Just before I finish talking about the past, I thought I would share these photos with you. These are rated R for ridiculously dressed, and what the heck was that gold watch?
Me as an Asst. bar Manager on the Jubilee - 1988
Me, Captain Spisa, My sister Suzanne and her husband Paul
Me, Captain Catugno and his family in 1992 on the Fantasy
Me and my favorite entertainer Michael Andrew from the Ecstasy in 1993 or 1994 or 1995
To finish, I want to tell you about our trip to Newfoundland as I see we have some people from there. This took place on the transatlantic crossing on board the Carnival Leg-end. We were on our way to St. John’s and were due to arrive at 9 am in the morning. Unfortunately at 6 pm the night before our arrival I was informed that we had a very sick guest who we needed to get ashore as quick as possible. Captain Cupisti who is a wonderful man, took the ship to full speed and informed me that we would be arriving at 11 pm that evening. As usual, I went down to the infirmary and visited with the family of the guest. They were very worried but I promised them that all would be well and we continued on to Newfoundland. At 10:30 pm I went to the bridge for our arrival and to this day, we have never experienced an arrival like this one. It was cold, foggy and damp as we sailed between the two large rock formations that can be found at the entrance to St. John’s. They have a name but at this time I can’t remember. They are full of puffins and sea birds and are quite a sight.
However, this was not the reason the entrance was so memorable. Back in 2003 when we visited on the Leg End a ship at this size had never called there before. As we sailed in through the fog we began to see the headlights of hundreds and hundreds of cars and trucks and as we sailed toward the pier we saw that it was lined with literally a thousand people. Word had gotten out through the local television station and local radio that we were coming in that evening. It seemed that the entire town was there to welcome us. They were cheering, applauding and even singing. Through all of this, the first thing we had to do was disembark our poor guest who needed attention. As he was taken off in a stretcher an amazing thing happened. We could hear the singing of Amazing Grace….it was quite extraordinary.
The guests were waiving and people on the pier were singing and shouting and some were doing the strangest thing I’d ever seen. They were cooking out of the back of their trucks on small BBQ’s; I have never seen this before. The next day the Captain, Hotel Director Shahnaz and I were guests of honor at a huge parade given on the pier. It was a traditional Canadian parade with musketeers and soldiers who reenacted the wars of independence. After this, I had to give a speech and was given the key to the city which sits proudly in my Dad’s office back home. It was a great parade, we were there for 2 hours and I really appreciated the honor. ……actually, all I wanted to do was eat a Tim Horton’s doughnut and go to bed.
It is one of my many treasured memories and I have many more which I look forward to sharing with you. Maybe not for another 20 years but certainly a while longer.
Thank you again for making this a very special day for me and Heidi and as always we wish you and all your loved ones continued happiness.
Good Night.
Your friends,
John & Heidi
40 Comments
August 10th, 2007 at 11:35 am
John,
I had intended the reservations to be for The Point on Monday and Thursday. The 6:30 time slot is perfect.
As for other matters, could you please assure me, so I can pass it on to many Doubting Thomas’s, that the Supper Club link on the blog thingy is kosher. There have been numerous comments regarding phishing and so forth.
As for the Aston Martin, do you think that Carnival would give you an AM in addition to the very nice pin if we started a letter writing campaign? I didn’t either.
All the best!!!
Greg
August 10th, 2007 at 11:36 am
John & Roberto,
One suggestion to deal with the huge quantities of Q&A… For the comments & correspondence, it works well in the blog itself, but for those that have questions, a “forum” might be the appropriate place for these (for an example see: http://www.apacheforum.com/ ).
You could have a variety of topics (Supper Club, Ship Activities, Shore Excursions, Misc., etc.) and if someone had a question, they could ask it there.
The beauty of this would be that past passengers, or other CD’s could also answer the questions, rather than everything falling on your bloody fingers.
Keep up the great work.
August 10th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Hey John
Congrats on 20 years and being nominated! I have an unusual request. I’ve seen pictures of just about every part of the ships, what I’m curious of is if you could post or send a picture of the tender lobby and/or the part of the ship where the guests enter.
Thank you John, you’re great!
August 10th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
John, Please pass on to yourself & Crew, Thanks for the Job well done in passing your Lloyds Safety Inspection…It takes hard work and dedication to complete this…The Captain Must be Proud of all his crew..
Bravo Zulu,
FrankC
August 10th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Whatr a wonderful story to share with us about your Leg End cruise adventure, and those pictures you posted are priceless. Keep them coming, love seeing how you have changed thru the years, any pictures of you and Heidi on other cruise ships? Or while you were dating? Would love to see them posted too. Keep the stories coming too on your past cruises on different ships and funny stories! Love them all! Have a Happy weekend, Linda & Mike
August 10th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Yet another amazing blog, I hope yesterday was a wonderful day for you and Heidi. I know a lot of people complain on the drill, but it is better to be safe and prepared and not have anything happen than to not be ready for the an incident if it occurs, (praying they never happen). It is good to know the training and importance that is put on the safety of the ship Most passengers do not even give it a though, they should remember a safe ship is a fun ship.
The info from PA 007 is great as always, I have some friends that have been on a Costa ship (she likes to go on a different ship and line every time) she liked but it did not sound like what we were looking for. Carnival is still the best way for us to go even if that is it is the best cruise for the value and that can be the most important thing in a family vacation.
Lenny Halliday sounds like another classic CD. All the interviews are great and a must read for anyone that is planning to go on any of there ships, and another friend of ours has a favorite CD and follows him on whatever ship he is on (won’t say who as it is with another …, they don’t know what they are missing) well with being in Florida more of our friends have been on cruises than the ones that have not
The Kids Corner always makes me laugh as you seam ot make a great impression on the children too, and are bigger than life, or at least the ship. I know with my own children that they already plan to use Carnival when they become adults and hope that their cruise they go on count towards the platinum card later
Best wishes to you and Heidi
Heidi-Beth
August 10th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
John, after seeing these pictures of you I know I mad a mistake. The other day I said but my application for CD in the only thing on the bridge you could show. Well I changed my mind. Go put it in a shreader. I don’t want it ever to be found. CARNIVAL really owes you for what it did to you in ONLY 20 years. I think I will stick to taking a cruise now and then and keep my dark hair and good looks.
“BIG” ED
PS; What is Alan up to?
August 10th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Hey FENG-SHUI TURTLE!
I’m in San Jose
Are you going on the Bloggers Cruise?
August 10th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
These pictures are getting better and better…The one with you and Michael Andrew looks like you guys are a comedy duo. Classic.
Great story about the Leg End crossing. I’ve been to St. John’s before and the townspeople are so nice and friendly there. It brought back memories reading the warm gretting they gave you when you arrived.
Congrats on passing the Lloyd’s Safety Inspection. I’m not surprised. I’ve seen many of these insurance examinations before on cruise ships and CCL has one of the highest reputations in the industry for their success rate of passing these inspections. Job well done!
Have a nice weekend and don’t drive Heidi crazy.
David
August 10th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Hi again John & Heidi,
I’ve said it before, but please never feel guilty when you don’t have the time to reply to my comments. Even Superman has his limits. Besides, I feel the blog thingy is kinda like a really good cocktail party where everyone is talking at the same time, and it’s perfectly natural for bits of the conversation to go out into the ozone and not come back. If I ever have to have a particular reply, I’ll just repeat it - no problem!
Loved the Lloyd’s of London stuff - both the general info and your personal memories, very interesting! Hmmm, since Lloyd’s is famous for insuring body parts like dancers’ legs and singers’ voices, maybe Carnival should ask them to insure your fingers. That is, if they’re not already a Total Loss!
Great old pictures, too! Michael Andrew’s jacket - WOW! Did anybody ever tell him that Man o’ War wants his horse blanket back?
That BBQ’ing out of the backs of trucks that the Newfoundlander’s did: I didn’t know that it was popular in Canada (eh?), but here in the States it’s called a tailgate party and it’s very popular to do in stadium parking lots before football games.
August 10th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Hello John and greetings again from Boston. Congratulations on making the Big 50…0000! This blog thingy is catching on. Chris is a TA and is telling all her clients about it. The feedback she’s gotten is great!!
It’s just a little over a month before we sail with you on September 10th. This is one cruise we are really looking forward to. We are not planning any pre or post packages. We were wondering what you or the other bloggers can recommend for excursions. This could be our only visit to the Med.
Also you made a generous offer to make Supper Club reservations. When would you like the information for that? Keep up the great work.. From what you write, you enjoy this as much , if not more than we do.
By the way…www.redsox.com
August 10th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Mrs.missingthesmokefreepaaradise,
Thanks the the assistance with booking shore excursions on line. I followed your instructions over and over and was beginning to think there was something wrong with the user. :o) but I found out that we are too far in advance for them to show up. They won’t show up before 120 prior to departing. :0(. Thanks again and by the way, I like your name. I know what you mean about symptoms of ATCOCS!! I still have 246 days to go! AAARRRRGGGGGGGG!
August 10th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
john, prince charlie and i have taken several costa cruises and i must tell you the shows do not translate well into five languages, especially the comedians! we learned to tune out the intercom and go our merry way, not listening. then we switched to carnival and have lived happily ever after! the end.
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
August 10th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
>>>Now, about today’s Q and A…………on my desk I have 98 comments to answer and that’s not including the ones from yesterday’s blog thingy. Therefore, with your kind permission I am going to answer the ones that have a direct question if that is OK with you. I will get back to answering everyone’s comments again tomorrow I promise but as time is short today with shows, past guest parties and the continuing safety drills and inspections, I will just answer certain ones today.
John -
I may be in the minority here, but I have no problem whatsoever with your not responding to comments from me that don’t have direct questions that require answers.
I think most of us view this blog as an opportunity to enter into a conversation with someone whose work we respect and enjoy. We all recognize that this blog presents additional demands on your time and sometimes those demands become overwhelming.
Jon
August 10th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Hi John, Please don’t respond to my comments. Please do continue to answer my questions. I love reading the answers to all the questions. Sometimes you answer my questions before I get to ask them. :))))
I booked the Sorrento and Amalfie Coast tour in Naples as you advised.
Thanks so much.
Jo
August 10th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
You see how the children keep painting you? big and high over the ship ummmm. They love you and admire you thats why they draw you big and watching over the ship.About the pictures let me tell you, you look great in white, how handsome!, Your sister is very pretty. And the picture with Michel Andrew!ahhhh! you two are brilliant together I was lucky to be there to see it on April 1992.
August 10th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Hi John. I have a question. Some of my replies that I have sent either do not get answered or do not even get posted. I have not seen any of my replies about the new Godfather of the Carnival Splendor being posted. Some of them say they are awaiting moderation. Can you please explain? Thanks!
Rosco P. Coltrane
Sheriff
August 10th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Oh, the Celebration was my first cruise in 1998. Times have changed!!!
August 10th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Hi John
Thanks for your reply in carnival legend blog. I thought it would be the case that you wouldn’t be able to give me the girls info. I would have replied earlier but i’ve been on holiday for a few days.
In terms of your dream for an Aston Martin im sure that if you continue working hard, keep entertaining people the way you do and keep being a genourous and genuine guy you will get an Aston Martin. In my eyes you deserve one.
In terms of me contacting the girl on the july 12th cruise i have one other possible way of getting her email address. On the last day i was sat near this girl and a bar waiter who was a really nice guy got this girls email address. This is a common thing crew do to people they become friendly with so they can keep in contact after the cruise. Therefore i was wondering if it would be possible to get the email address from the bar waiter.
Thanks for any help you can offer me with this matter. Hope to hear from you soon
ps congrats on 20 years with carnival and 500000 hits on the blog thingy
August 10th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
hello john’
check this out,,,,
a lady by the name of “helen hunt”found a wallet
up on LIDO deck,,,,so if you lost your wallet,,
YOU CAN GO TO HELEN HUNT FOR IT,,,
WE VOTED FOR YOU
tom & jane
August 10th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Hello John
Nice photos from Ephesus and from your past. History’s always fun…
You answered my question well about the (lack of) planning for the Welcome Aboard shows. I was thinking that it’d be impossible to just have one framework of a show to work with, considering how different people can get. That clears things up, thanks.
August 10th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Hi John & Heidi!
I have a quick question that may not be possible to answer (but if anyone can, it’s you guys!). Do you know who was the CD on the Carnival Inspiration for the April 27, 1997 cruise? It was our honeymoon cruise, and I’ve been putting together a scrapbook of our 10 married years together. We loved the CD, he made our cruise, and was just wondering who he was, and if he was still with Carnival. Of course, you’ll always be our favorite CD.
August 10th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Thanks so much, John, for sharing those photos of the young bartender (destined to become a social host and Cruise Director and author of a world-renowned Blog Thingy)! Since Larry & I were on the Carnivale back in the 80’s, I think it’s very possible you were part of the reason we were, from that vacation on, hooked on cruising! Of course, you look a bit different now, so I’m guess we might, too!
I also enjoyed the interview with the Celebration’s Liverpudlian CD! If there’s anything I love more than your English accent, it’s a scouser’s! Being such a sucker for a scouse accent, I only wish it had been an audio file!!!
For an old Beatles fan, like myself, I just thought of another departure port for Carnival — Liverpool! It certainly has a variety of attractions and possibilities for shore excursions. I know when I visited there I enjoyed walking on Matthew Street and actually taking a ferry ‘cross the Mersey. But nearby are fabulous Chester and the Wirral Peninsula, and even the northern coast of Wales isn’t far! Okay, I’m getting myself all revved up for this — in whose office do I have to stage a sit-in (might as well keep the 60’s theme!) to get them to add this to Carnival’s European itinerary?
Love to Heidi!
Terri & Larry
P.S. We got our cruise docs in the mail today for our next short Carnival Cruise — we leave in three weeks! Wooo hooo!
August 11th, 2007 at 12:23 am
Heartfelt congrats on your Carnival anniversary as well as your 500,000 blog thingy hits. Very impressive on both! Also, my blog thingy t-shirt arrived today. Perfect! I plan on wearing it on our Miracle cruise in January. Hopefully I can save it that long. Tell “Omar” he done good…LOL
No need to reply to my post. Just wanted to send along my best wishes to you and Heidi.
August 11th, 2007 at 12:41 am
John and Heidi,
Once again congrats on 20 years. PA007 is amazing sometimes, that man / woman can find out just about anything I do believe. Sorry to see I diden’t make the answer phase this time around, but it’s ok because i make it most of the time.I hope this reaches you well. I see BIG “ED” has revoked his application for CD, that’s to bad he probably would have been very good at it. Also nice to see another blogger who wants to find employment along with me on a cruise ship. It’s really sad that they make the process so hard. Especially for American’s it seems, to get on board employment. But for those of us who want to work on a ship, before we get to old to pull those 10-18 hour days, any suggestions John, Roberto, pa007, Heidi ? Well best wishes, thanks once again to all the great comments I keep receiving about Brian, who I can now proudly say is the youngest person to ever drive my car, in a parking lot in first gear without stepping on a gas peddle, Brian has been coming around allot lately, we sit talk about things important to him epically something called web kins, anyone know what thats about ? Please let me know.
Kevin
August 11th, 2007 at 4:21 am
Hello John,
During my cruise in June, I looked forward to hearing your daily talk/discussion on each port & tours, and based my tour decisions on your excellent commentary. Every excursion I chose was fantastic, and having some knowledge as to what to see/expect/and look forward too, made a big difference in my appreciation and enjoyment!
I would have never experienced the wonderful “Turkish Delights”, (and ultimately purchasing 12 boxes for friends & my staff) if you had not mentioned them in your talk!
One of my favorites was the Lerici-Portovenere Tour. This was a “first-class” tour to one of the most incredibly beautiful coastal towns-villages in Italy! My compliments to the individual who scouted and selected this location, to add to the list of tour options! Was it you?
My only regret was not purchasing a Lerici-Portovenere/Cinque Terre Photo-Guide book, as I ran out of time…(too busy taking photos and taking-in my beautiful surroundings!) I was able to collect souviner photobooks from every other place I visited during my cruise.
Can you recommend a source/vendor/website possibly located in Lerici-Portovenere that I might be able to purchase a souviner book on-line, or over the phone?
Thank you in advance, for any suggestions/guidence!
Regards,
Manuel
August 11th, 2007 at 4:29 am
PS- Your sister Suzanne is a “knock-out”!
She and Heidi are proof that “all the pretty girls are taken”…(some guys have all the luck!)
Regards,
Manuel
August 11th, 2007 at 5:58 am
Okay John.
Jeff and I will patiently to hear you are confirmed on the Splendor in 2009.
A 7 week cruise is a long time, but we are really looking forward to this once in a lifetime voyage. Knowing you may be our CD for 7 weeks is very exciting and comforting. We know your experience will serve us well as Carnival sails into uncharted(well at least for Carnival) seas-He he!!
I just love this blog. Jeff keeps telling me to leave you alone as you have a busy job and better things to do than read my rantings.
Cheers!!
August 11th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Hi John,
I’ve only been reading your blog for about a month but it is something I look forward to reading every day.
Its funny that you mentioned St. John’s Newfoundland today because as I sit here writting this I am a Navigation Officer onboard a ship tied up in St. John’s Newfoundland. I am not from Newfoundland but I have been fortunate enough to spend a fair bit if time here and this province is certainly full so many kind and generous people.
The entrance to the harbour that you were talking about is called simply “The Narrows”. As you sail into the harbour you will have Signal Hill on the starbord side. The top of this hill provides some amazing views of the city, harbour and ocean. It is also the site were the first transatlantic wireless signal was sent from by Marconi (this fact is disputed in some parts of the world but thats what we are taught growing up in Canada).
I often dream about becoming a Navigation Officer onboard cruise ships and I was hoping that as part of your blog you might be able to interview a Nav. Officer and ask him or her about their life on the ship and some of the challenges that go along with it!
Sincerely
Doug
August 11th, 2007 at 11:01 am
John and Heidi may I wish you a belated happy 20th anniversary! Dan and I celebrated ours on the Freedom as well! ( Although it was a few months later) I have been out of touch as I have been ill, but I am able to read now and appreciate the blog in my recovery. So accept my belated wishes. I am please that Big Ed will go on the Blogger’s cruise. That makes this old body’s aches feel better! ah! I think the Sheriff Roscoe is on to something. I just figured you can’t post all the comments, but there are many that I have written to you and Heidi that say they are awaiting moderation and have not been posted. Sherriff ,think if you deputize me and you and your lovely wife go on the bloggers cruise we can find the post stealing bandit?
August 11th, 2007 at 11:31 am
Hello John,
Just a few more days! We are very excited and the boys are going to burst with all of their exuberance. Andrew (age 11) would like to know if he can borrow someone’s double bass for the talent show or if he should bring his own.
We especially love the photos today. It is finally dawning on the boys just how ancient some of the buildings are.
August 11th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Hi John,
I read about your Blog and was fascinated, this is such a great initiative, and a way for past passengers to keep up to date on what’s happening onboard and “travelling” to new places through your eyes.
Tomorrow your ship is in Piraeus and I’m sure most people will be going to the Acropolis. If you have a few moments during you busy day, please pop in to see us at the Within Reach Internet Cafe, right opposite the crane at the Passenger Terminal, we’re only 2 minutes from the exit. We’re open every day a ship is in port and as tomorrow’s Sunday, we’re having a small rest until 09.00 hours when we’ll open our doors to welcome everyone from the ship. Other ships in port with you tomorrow are the Oceanic II, Royal Iris, Emerald and the Sapphire - but I believe you will be docked right opposite our office!
It would be great to meet you and to personally congratulate you on all your achievements. I used to work on board cruiseships, so it would be really wonderful if I could meet you.
All the best - Shelagh
August 11th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Good afternoon Mr. Heald. You asked us for your permission for not answering all the many comments. My friend, you have done more than most people and you still try to answer all of them. I would never expect you have to answer all of them continually. Take a break once in a while. Your pictures were amazing. I had a big laugh. Mr. Heald need some assistance from you if you can. You knowthe animals that the stewards make for the guests to put on their bed well when I was on the Legend I took a picture of two swans put together that shows them as a heart. It was a little different than the picture in the picture book that tells you how to make them. Would it be possible for when my wife and my sons future mother - in - law when they are on the Freedom in February, could they have a steward show them how to make the heart shape picture of the swans. They would like to have that done when the have the shower for the future bride. They would just like to really know how to do well. They will have the picture I took with them to show the steward. Thanks for all your help if this can be possible. Also, I hope you win the award. You deserve it. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
August 11th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Sheriff Roscor:
The manna said only gottamothers for ships.
Donna ewe lissen?
Eura notta eye Taliano. Ewe cannabe agottafatha.
A Sutthen landlubber agottafatha indeed.
August 11th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
John, after 500,000 slaps on your thingy you finally think it’s safe enough to show us all those younger pictures of you. In the first picture is that a ROLEX or a ROLAX. If I remember you did say you did work at a bank at one time. The caption on the second picture, the one with Captain Spisa, must be wrong. It says that beautiful Heidi looking lady is your sister. How can that be? As a matter of fact your parents are also good looking people. Were you adopted maybe?LOL. Then in the picture with Captain Catugno you say the Elvis looking guy on the left is you. Are you trying to pull our LEG ENDS? And Gooooollyyyyy I know that’s not you in the one with Michael Andrew that’s Jim Neighbors.
Just think only 161 more days and you get to put up with me for 14 hole days, your idea. John I don’t think you better have any comedians on the Bloggers Cruise for entertainment. The Bloggers will need some time for their DEPENDS to dry out a little bit. Plus they are already getting the best. They would only boo the rest.
“BIG” ED
THE Official Assistant to the Cruise Director
August 11th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Only 50 days until we come to Rome. I can’t wait.
Hopefully, you will not be on holiday.
August 11th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
John, you know I have been reading your blog almost from the beginning. Today was a treat. I had a lot of catching up to do. My father-in-law has been in the hospital for a week and a half. I took tonight as a “blog break”. You have been my relief. These pictures are amazing and it was a welcome retreat for me today. Keep up the great work. You are a joy and have made my day on more than one occassion!!! Carnival has a gem in you and your outstanding wife!!! Love you guys!
August 12th, 2007 at 8:58 am
JOHN
WERE ARE YOU ?????
August 12th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Hi John and Heidi,
I enjoy your blogs a lot and am one of the many “lurkers.” There must be lots of us with over 500k hits. Thank you for your honesty and for the commitment you both have made to make the blog work. Remember to keep the balance between work, rest and fun. Then you’ll make it to your 50th wedding anniversary like many who celebrate on your cruises.
I liked your depictions of the new Fantasy ships. I knew they had to be a fantasy since there were no towels on any of the chairs.
I have a little poem for you when you get complaints about the weather. Of course it won’t work very well with non-native English speakers.
Weather
Whether the weather be fair
Or whether the weather be not,
Whether the weather be cold
Or whether the weather be hot,
We’ll weather the weather,
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not.
Agutaya (Mary)
August 20th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Hi John,
I can’t seem to find an answer to my post concerning arrangements for a “Meet & Greet”
on the 10th.September cruise.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Regards,
Cyril Bernstein.
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