Good Morning again and the end of another cruise is upon us. I just completed the debarkation process and now we have the 3-hour gap between the debarkation and embarkation processes. During this time the ship’s company work so very hard. Every stateroom is cleaned from top to bottom, all bedding is replaced, public lounges are cleaned, stores are brought onboard and then, at around 11 am we start all over again…………………it’s a very busy day.
Normally, I try to go back to bed for 2 hours from 9:30am – 11:30am but this morning I have such a backlog of the dreaded paper work that I have decided to ignore the call of the mattress and spend a few minutes blogging………….go away !……….sorry, the mattress and duvet were shouting for me to come and rest my delicate frame upon them…………I am ignoring them.
Anyway, back to today and the start of a new cruise. The biggest change this cruise is the summer is over which means from 800 children we return to a count of 40 and from 3,500 guests we have 3,100. The change there is because obviously there are many less cabins that have third or fourth occupants in them, however, as always the ship is completely sold out.
We have 1,525 International guests again…………..no, I am not whining.
These guests are mostly from Russia, The Dominican Republic, Germany and a big group from Israel as well as the usual Brits and Aussies.
One of the obvious concerns are the continuing fires in Greece and although we do not expect it to effect our itinerary or our tours to the various sites etc, I did feel it prudent to have a letter handed out at embarkation which was approved by my friend Terry Thornton in our Miami office……………here it is.
August 29, 2007
Dear Carnival Guest:
Welcome to Rome. We want to thank you for choosing Carnival for your vacation.
We also want to provide you with some information about the wild fires that have occurred in areas near two of our ports of call on this cruise…Katakolon and Athens. We have been closely monitoring this situation and will continue to review it over the next several days.
At this point in time, we do not expect any disruption to our call in Athens. All of the great sites are available and our excursions are expected to operate as scheduled. In Katakolon, the fires came within a short distance of the archeological site of Olympia. The fires have now been extinguished and the area is undergoing a cleanup effort prior to re-opening this important visitor site. Local officials have advised us that they expect Olympia to be available for our call next Thursday.
Most importantly, we are looking forward to welcoming you aboard the spectacular new Carnival Freedom. My officers, staff and crew will do everything possible to provide you with a great cruise experience.
Sincerely,
Captain
The situation in Greece seems a little a better but there are still fires raging and we will, as stated in the letter, be keeping a very close eye on the situation.
Now, here are some beautiful photos of Voltare & San Gimignano taken yesterday from the Beautiful Tuscany Tour by our intrepid Entertainment Staff member and photographer Jamie.
1. A typical Tuscan house in San Gimignano
2. The Village of Voltare
3. The gorgeous Tuscan countryside
4. San Gimignano
Here are the letters from today’s “In Their Own Words” section
the first one is from a family who missed the ship in Naples but were lucky enough to get a ride out on the pilot boat…………….as for the last one………….well……..words are not necessary.
Let’s get on with some Q and A; I am so behind with this.
I do want to say however how wonderful it is that we have had so many heartfelt messages for Chrissy and Brad and also the positive messages of support for Southern Dreams as she begins her treatment. Everyone of you who have taken the time to write messages have shown what a close community of friends we are here on this humble blog thingy. Thank you all so very much on their behalf.
IT ALSO SEEMS THAT THE IDEA OF US PROMOTING THE CAUSE OF BREAST CANCER HAS BEEN MET WITH EXTREME ENTHUSIASM AND SUPPORT – HOW WONDERFUL THAT IS. THE T SHIRTS AND WRIST BANDS WILL BE HERE NEXT CRUISE AND WE WILL BEGIN OUR WALKS…………I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT ACTIVITY BUT THANK YOU TO ALL WHO TOOK THE TIME TO WRITE IN WORDS OF SUPPORT.
No – Go away……..I will not heed your call………….sorry, the bed is trying to get me to rest my lily-white thighs upon the eiderdown.
Onwards and upwards we go starting with the reaming questions from the blog called We Are family and then onto ones from the blog Highlighting the Carnival Imagination.
JENNIFER HAMMOND – Hello Jennifer. It’s wonderful to hear from someone who has cruised with Carnival as many times as you have. I am not sure if the On Deck For The Cure walk will be still going next year on the Carnival Splendor but if we haven’t found a cure……..then we should keep going don’t you think? Please send my best to your family and of course to Flat Joey……………………………don’t ask.
KEVIN – I am sorry that the itinerary has been changed for your forthcoming Carnival Glory cruise and thank you for your understanding mate. Progresso has lots of great things to see and do. Here is a link to the great tours offered and my favorite nine before you ask) is the beach Buggy Break…….it is fantastic fun, almost like driving an Aston Martin. Here is the link thingy mate and all the best.
http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursionsSearchResults.aspx?region=CW&portcode=PGR&portname=Progreso%2c+Yucatan%2c+Mexico
RICK D – Thanks for the update on the Moons and I will make sure the correct information is given to the guests. I really appreciate this as I would have fallen for the hoax ………If I had told the passengers that Mars would pass behind the moon and then realized it was a hoax, it would not have been Mars I would be worried about it would have been the kick up the Uranus I would have received………………..so cheers mate I owe you one.
TERRI 910 – First of all I live with a blonde so I am used to “blonde moments” as you described yourself having. Anyway, you asked about the 2009 season in Europe and if anything has been confirmed yet as to what Carnival ships will be sailing there. The answer is NO so far and I have asked PA007 to keep his/her ears wide open and he/she will let me know as soon as anything breaks….the news that is ….not me after eating sugar free jellybeans. I would however bet my brand new Aston Martin that you will see the Carnival smoke stack in Europe in 2009………….however as I do not have a brand new Aston Martin or will I ever have one………that’s not such a bad bet to make. Seriously, I would be very, very surprised if Carnival is not here in Europe for some time to come and therefore I hope you get a chance to experience a European carnival cruise. All the best.
NANETTE – Thanks Nanni (my new name for you) for your concerns about Greece. At the time of writing it seems things are getting a little better although it has come too late for so many. Thank you for your compassion and as always a grande hugo for you from mia wifeo and meo.
LFTTNSFCAF – .Thanks mate…….you speak for us all.
INMN253 – A brilliant posting, short but Oh, straight to the point ………please slap on a post more often and my best to you and your husband.
JOHN AND SUSAN IN FRISCO – Your words are oh so true and of course with the passing of Heidi’s precious Pop at such a young age, words we both know the meaning of so well. I call my Mum and dad twice a day everyday and family…….well there is nothing, nothing more important. As for a ship designed by the artist Peter Max………very interesting idea! It certainly would be ummmmmm….different. Thanks again for the sincere words and I, like you, hope we get to meet in person one day soon.
LOIS BRAGABREWSKI – Thank you! Your words are uplifting and obviously from the heart.
THE BEARS, BARB AND CARL – Thank you for all the fantastic comments you slapped on today, especially for Chrissy and her family as well of course for our good friend Southern Dreams. Once again it shows how special you both are. Thank you for sending me some jet pack fuel, you are too kind and it is needed as one of my tanks is half-full again. As requested, here is my Mum’s recipe for home made Spotted Dick……..you need custard with this.
Ingredients
Serves 4
225g (8 oz) plain flour, plus extra for sprinkling
15g (1/2 oz) baking powder
a pinch of salt
115g (4 oz) chopped beef suet
150ml (5 fl oz) water
115g ( 4 oz ) currants
55g (2 oz) raisins
finely grated zest of 1 lemon
HOW TO MAKE IT
To make the basic suet pastry, sieve the flour, baking powder and salt together, then rub in the finely chopped suet. Add the water and mix to a dough. Roll out to a rectangle 25 x 15cm (10 x 6 in) and 1cm (1/2 in) thick. Sprinkle with currants and raisins, leaving a border of 1cm (1/2 in) round all sides. Press the fruit in and sprinkle with lemon rind. Paint the borders with water.
Turn the two short sides in and seal. Roll up from a long side carefully, to keep all the fruit in. Seal when rolled up. Take a clean tea towel and rinse in boiling water. Sprinkle with flour and shake off the excess. Lay the roll on top of the cloth, fold the cloth over, and fix at the ends with string. Steam the cloth-wrapped roll for 1 1/2 hours. Take out, unwrap, cut into slices and serve with custard or jam sauce.
MESSAGE FROM MUM – This is quite a difficult one, finding a steamer that will hold the pudding roll. Adaptation is the key. You could put the pud on a rack in a roasting tray full of water, then cover it with foil. Bring up to the boil then steam in the oven at 200C/400F/Gas 6 for about 2 hours. Top up the water occasionally. Don’t give up. If none of these work, bake the pud at the above oven temperature, but not in the cloth, brushed with egg wash, for about 1 1/4 hours.
Thanks Mum for taking the time to type all this out……..actually Dad did the typing I think. Anyway, look out for Mum’s recipe for Sticky Toffee Pudding coming soon…………..all things I can’t have………………bugger!
KAREN R – Thank you Karen for you kind words of sympathy.
POET LAUREATE – A ripened pear…………brilliant. That was one of your best and one Heidi laughed her socks off at………thanks! You are getting too good at this now, please don’t stop.
MAX AND LEX FROM AUSTRALIA – Goodness me, a letter from Down Under, that’s wonderful and congratulations on booking back to back cruises on the Carnival Splendor where yes, I will be the Cruise Director. Can I also say sorry in advance that England beat you in the Rugby but we won’t talk about cricket! See you next year for what will be a fascinating and fun cruise experience.
SUSAN B – Hello and my best to you and the now famous Mr. Cheap. You asked if Carnival has ever done a “kids go free cruise” and although I am not certain I am pretty sure that we have had offers where the third and fourth people in the cabin go for free or at a reduced rate. Now, may I suggest to Mr. Cheap that he calls a travel agent or Carnival Vacation Planner to discover all the latest offers and let’s see if we can make magic and get him to open his wallet. You asked if you can do the Breast Cancer charity walk from your wheelchair. …………..tell you what, get Mr. Cheap to buy you a cruise and I will push you round the track myself……..and if I eat some sugar free jelly beans beforehand you will go faster than ever before. Have your daughter send me her questions 2 at a time then I will be sure to give them my undivided attention. Until then, my best to you and all the cheaposPlease write soon.
MEDCRUISER – As you will have seen from my comments above, the fires in Greece are still burning but so far there has been no damage to the relics at Olympia or to village of Katakolon. We are looking closely at the situation and of course we will see what happens and act accordingly. Thank you for mentioning this and for your thoughts of kindness for the Greek people.
CAROL SCHOENBERGER – As always it’s great to hear from our “regulars ” and that of course means my good friend Carol. Thank you for asking about the tea, I am fine for PG Tips (monkey tea) and Heidi has now started drinking this Green tea that smells like burnt broccoli….yuk. I did check on this PBS show on Costa Cruises that you mentioned and it seems it was very popular. I have never seen it and someone is hopefully going to send me a copy of the show. There have been some great documentaries filmed on ships over the years, the most famous one of all of course was called All At Sea……………..don’t ask !
I am very interested to hear from your neighbor as to why she is reluctant to taste the delights of a Carnival cruise so please do let me know. Now, it is time to cover up your computer because as you like Puns so much here is one for you…….no spitting over the computer now.
There were two prawns, James and Christian, swimming along the bottom of the ocean. James accidentally rubs up against an old lantern and whoosh, a genie appears and grants James two wishes.
After a moment’s thought James decides that he wants to become a shark so as to gain the respect of all the creatures of the sea. Whoosh, James becomes a shark and swims off.
Two weeks later James is upset. All of his old friends are now afraid of him and his life is miserable. He decides to use his second wish, and he wishes to be a prawn once again. Whoosh…. Now a prawn once more, James swims away to look for his mate Christian.
When he arrives at Christian’s house he knocks on the door and shouts out for Christian. “Go away”, says Christian, “you’re a shark and you’ll just eat me”.
“No I won’t”, shouts James, “I’m a prawn again, Christian.”
All the best Carol.
DEB ROWE – Welcome to Venice where I see you have noticed a black Aston Martin on the pier and asked is it mine…….well the answer is yes………it is mine so could you do me a favor and just ask someone to move it from the pier and drive it to the U.K. for me………………I wish it was mine and I am still hoping that when I a am home one of the bloggers will have decided that instead of sending their kids to college that they will use the money set a side to educate their kids to buy me dream car………..even lease me one for 2 months, I really am not fussy. So Deb, thanks for the thought but if you want to see my car look at the Nissan Micra next to the Aston, that’s mine. Have fun in Venice and see you soon.
IVANA – The Walk for the Cure program will indeed be on the Carnival Valor Ivana and thank you for showing an interest in this special cause. Thank you also for your lovely words of compassion for Brad and Chrissy. May I also say a big thank you for saying hello to all the Cunard cruisers who are now reading this, you are very kind to welcome them and I am sure they appreciate it very much. My best regards to you and the family.
THE BEARS, CARL AND BARB – No worries Carl and Barb, I was completely fooled by the e-mail about Mars as well. Reminds me of the time my friend Alan Adkins sent a Valentine’s Day card to me from a “mystery girl” that said she really liked me and to meet her outside a restaurant at 8 pm. I arrived and waited for 15 minutes but no girl, I then noticed another man standing outside the same restaurant and we got chatting as I waited. After a few minutes he told me he had received a Valentine’s card from a “mysterious man” and was there to meet him……..I said “Oh, that’s nice” and then pretended I had forgotten something in the car and ran away, very quickly……………turns out this “man “worked with Alan and he thought it would be nice if he hooked us up…………. what a complete B%$#^&*.
So, no worries and thank you for all you do for Heidi and I.
ADIAS.ANGEL – Thank you………..those were wonderful words.
BIG ED – It is interesting that Cunard’s e mail system sent the number of slaps sky high and I think Roberto and his colleagues are now looking at doing the same………..Roberto, is this correct? How are you mate. I was thinking of you yesterday as I was making sure the extra large sizes of the Walk for a Cure shirts were ordered. My best to you and Mrs. Big Ed, I hope she will be able to handle your fame, have you thought about hiring bodyguards, maybe some ex Navy Seals?
BILL ZYDECOCRUISER – Please make sure you post your cabin number, if not remind me a few days before you sail mate. Glad you liked the scones; did you try the chicken curry? Food, glorious food………again.
HOLLIE M – I am truly happy to discover that you love the blog thingy so much and I was happy to make your supper club reservation for you. It sounds to me as though your recent Carnival cruise was one full of fun and adventure. Thank you mostly for mentioning the crew. It does seem that in all walks of life there are people who feel they have the divine right to treat people in the service industry with such disrespect. It is a very small minority but as you witnessed and as I see each and every week, it does happen. Thank you then for taking the time to praise a ship’s company whom I am very proud to work alongside. I hope you cruise again with us soon and until then please keep reading the blog thingy.
MEDCRUISER – I agree, having taken the tour to Lerici I know exactly why you think it is so smashing. We look forward to saying “welcome home” to you again soon.
JILLIAN – How nice of you to think of one of our crewmembers here on the Carnival Freedom. Ike is part of the Music Unlimited band here and of course I will be happy to send the jar of Zucchini relish for him. At the side of the blog thingy is my address so just send it to me and I will promise not to eat it before it gets to him. Thank you for reading the blog thingy and let me know if I can help further.
LISA AND ELAINE – And thank you for your kind words and congratulations on surviving as you did the N – Stage Breast cancer. I am sure your words of hope and joy will mean so much to Southern Dreams and everyone who knows someone who is or will be going through what you had to. Thank you for being such a special person.
TIMONEER – Thank you for supporting the On The Deck for the Cure program and we are all very excited to start this here on the Carnival Freedom. May I wish continued health and happiness to your lovely wife and I am sure she understands the importance of what this program is all about. I hope you continue to read the blog thingy and I send my best to you both.
SARGE CHARLIE – Charlie, please know that we are all thinking about your wife and we know that she will beat this and before long you will be sailing away with us again. Our continuing thoughts and prayers are with you.
GC – First of all I am sorry that my review of the Queen Victoria has resulted in your wife demanding a suite on said ship. Your Basil Fawlty comment was priceless and as you have booked so many cruises may I add one more “a satisfied customer …we should have you stuffed.” The Queen Victoria will I am sure provide you and Cybil with an unforgettable cruise and I also look forward to seeing you on the Carnival Splendor, after all, this is a cruise ship, not the Burma Railway
DWA 76 – Once again David, it is so wonderful that you and so many people have taken their time to write messages of support to Chrissy and Brad and Southern Dreams. We did in fact hit 600,000 on Monday and I continue to be shocked as to the popularity of my daily offering of waffle. I am glad you are enjoying the photos of Heidi, you have no idea the vetting procedure that goes into what I am and am not allowed to slap onto the blog when it comes to her indoors ( Heidi )…………one false step, and that’s me in the dog house. We both send our best to you and everyone down in the land of the Ewing’s.
Now we move onto some comments and questions from the blog about the Carnival Imagination.
CAROL SCHOENBERGER – I looked up the word Chutzpah as you suggested and it does indeed describe the wonderful Mrs. M who shared our lunch table in Barcelona…………………I guess the word audacity does come into play. My concern Carol is that as of today, I have been hard at work for seven months with only one and a half days off the ship and one day I may just snap and someone will be wearing a Spanish Omelet as a hat!………………..hopefully, I will see that day coming long before and will take a vacation. George Solano was and still is a comedian and you probably do remember him as a fly on entertainer. I am so glad you enjoyed the story about John Horner who once home has promised to start reading the blog……..I told him there may be one or two comments about him. Thank Carol for another wonderful posting ……….have a great day and write soon please.
GREG BALDASARRI – And I was right, John, if you are reading this you touched a lot of hearts by having such a positive and fun outlook on life when you have the right to be mad at the world. Greg, thank you for your kind words and like you I was in awe of John and after the depressing afternoon I had with Mrs. at the Tapas bar. Hope we are going to see each other soon so I can thank you in person for your inspirational words. Cheers mate.
POET LAUREATE – I wish I had your skills, actually, I wish I had you with me when Mrs. M sat down, a quick burst of poetry and they would have been long gone. Its time to write a poem about Alan Adkins and his inability as a teen to have women find him attractive…………I commission another poem. You are the BEST……….keep them coming please.
DWA 76 – Good Afternoon to you as well. Thank you for saluting Mr. Horner. I hope you are correct and that the dollar will indeed become stronger, although I promise you wild horses could not drag me into Fatima’s den of despair. Let’s see what happens in Greece this week, we are taking a real careful look at the situation. Hope to hear from you soon and the best from us both.
RANDALL PONIK – First of all, I have met rude people from all over the world, not just America. In fact, I think I met Mrs. M’s British cousins this week. Mr. and Mrs. G had found much joy in telling me that I was not a “classy” Cruise Director as they had encountered on Cunard and Celebrity. Rudeness therefore is an international problem. Now, I want to say thank you for your comments that you found so much of what you enjoy about Holland America on your recent cruise on the Carnival Liberty. We are very proud at the Carnival family to have sisters as Holland America and Princess and yes, you are correct, Carnival certainly has helped upgrade some elements of their cruise experience. However, I do believe that Mrs. M is the sort of person who will be found on her next Holland America cruise complaining that the food, cabin, entertainment and everything else is better on Carnival. She will however not be saying that about the Cruise Director as I doubt I am on her Christmas Card List.
Thank you for the wonderful posting and wherever you cruise next, I wish you and Marta smooth seas and a brilliant vacation.
KATHY KROLL – Good luck with getting the business class fares which seemed to be, as you said, very high at the moment. I am sure if you were to board the Queen Victoria those many years of dancing would magically return and the magic that the Queens Room provides will have all eyes on you as you grace the dance floor once again. Great to hear from you as always and our best to Lee Paul.
KEVIN AND HEIDI AND BETH – Hello you three. Did you see the link thing I put above in this blog with all the tour descriptions about Progreso? The Mayan Ruins are excellent and I promise that you will also enjoy the Beach Buggy Tour of which I am very fond of. I have let Wee Jimmy know you are coming and except some Scottish hospitality………….which basically means, you are paying. Have fun you three.
NANATTE – Hello Nani. Sometimes yes, they do get me down, it’s OK on the ship but when you are trying to have lunch and people think that they can just interrupt you without care or consideration, well, sometimes that is hard to swallow. Next time you sail I will spoil you again. Mucho huggos for youo.
WINE WANDERER – I love you screen name. Let me answer your question about the May 9 call in Livorno. You asked if we are running the full Florence tours and indeed we are. Although the back on board time says 7 pm, we will of course not leave until all the tours return. So, Beautiful and Essence of Tuscany will run as normal. May I also inform you of the brilliant Wines of Tuscany Tour which judging by your screen name, you will truly enjoy.
SOUTHERN DREAMS – You are an inspiration to us all and if you want to bring your radiation machine with you, go right ahead. Have you seen the thoughts of everyone? If positive thinking is indeed helpful you have nothing to worry about and Heidi and I will see you soon.
LAUREN – The webcam should be working, please let me know if you are having problems still.
LINDA THE MOUSE – We haven’t typed your name in for a bit and I am very very very very excited that you have found some sugar-free products which you are sending me. This is really so very kind. It was indeed so sad to see Costa Maya and you, like so many people have such happy memories. Progreso is an excellent replacement port and I am sure everyone will enjoy their time there. It’s great to hear from you again and my best to you and all the other mice.
LV2CRUISE – The crew doesn’t speak English comment as spat by Mrs. M is actually one that I have heard every now and then and as you will remember from a previous blog, one particular guest from North Carolina was unsure of the language I was speaking. I have spoken to people who work for other lines and it seems that this comment is one that is not reserved just for Carnival Cruise Lines. However, the majority are like you, people who love to talk to the crew which in turn makes their day. Heidi and I say goodnight to you …………….in perfect English, well, mine is anyway…
KATHIE – What wonderful words and if laughter is a cure for Southern Dreams then I will give her as much medicine as I can each and every day. The loss of Costa Maya is a big blow to the Western Caribbean and we all hope that they will bounce back very soon. Thank you again for everything and for reading the blog as much as you do.
SHERIFF ROSCOE P. COLTRANE – Where have you been mate? I was getting worried about you. It was very funny to read that your cells are smaller than our smallest cabin. I wish you could have arrested Mrs. M on charges of ruining a good Spanish omelet and her husband has, I am sorry to say, probably had the right to remain silent most of his married life. I hope you are staying safe and we are all thinking about you.
CRUISINSUE – Heidi and I were sorry to read about your father. Please treasure every moment you have with him. We will see you in 38 days and I am sure you and your in laws will have so much fun. If you want to book a Supper Club you can either complete the form on the side of this blog thingy or just send me the day, time and how many people it is for and I will make the booking for you. Heidi sends her best back to you as do I.
MAURO MOSCARDINO – I did get your Supper Club reservations and they are confirmed. Each cruise I encounter thousands of guests and less than one percent are like Mrs. M. However, I am like they are moths to my flame. I seem to attract them all. I am often left wondering if they spend their entire lives like that. If so, I feel truly sorry for them. We will see you in October and until then, please enjoy the blog.
DONALD BORST – You asked about the Carnival Splendor’s Baltic Season in 2009. This has not been confirmed and as soon as anything is, I will keep you all informed via the blog. Thanks mate.
LINDA HERNACKI – Linda, as always, thank you for being by my side through the good times and the bad times of this blog thingy. Luckily, later that night I met John Horner and he reminded me how much I love my job. So, Mike has yet to see Paris Hilton. Maybe he should look by the bar…… Thank you again and we wish you continued fun and happiness.
SHARON TWEE – Just a quick note to say thank you for your kind words for Southern Dreams, I know she will really appreciate it.
I AM GOING TO STOP THERE
It is nearly time for my Welcome Aboard Talk. I will continue with a comment from Karen R tomorrow.
We have nearly covered the whole fleet with Cruise Director interviews and we just have three or four to go. Today, we feature the good ship Carnival Elation and my mate from Down Under….. Stuart Dunn.
1. Please can you tell us about your career with Carnival so far? How did you start and when? In 2001 my career started in the spa as a fitness trainer onboard the Carnival Elation. I loved it as I had taught fitness and aerobics for many years and the guests would overcrowd my kickboxing classes and the fitness room turned into a sauna itself. Many of the guests were not regulars at the gym or at fitness classes, so I hope they caught the bug to exercise when they got home. I watched the Social Hosts interacting with guests on a much larger scale and from there I wanted to become a member of the entertainment team as Social Host. One thing leads to another and since 2004 I have been Cruise Director.
2. What ship are you currently on and what is its itinerary? Funnily enough 6 years later I am back onboard the Elation at the moment as Cruise Director. The itinerary is very exciting as it is brand new for a Carnival ship and sails out of San Diego, doing four & five-day cruises. From San Diego we visit Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada Mexico on a five-day voyage and Cabo San Lucas on a four-day.
3. Please can you pick two excursions from each port and tell us why you recommend them so much? My favorites in Cabo have to be the ATV’s on the beach. I love adventure sports and this is an opportunity to do something that you normally don’t have the chance to do. It’s fast, exciting and very safe. Many guests thank me for the suggestion as they have a great time. My other favorite is the Todos Santos Nature History & Arts tour. A town established on a desert oasis that has attracted many artists which have their works on display in one of the several galleries there. It is the most beautiful town that is authentic and has not been hit by the tourism boom. I certainly recommend that our guests discover the beauty of Todos Santos.
While in Ensenada the must see is the La Bufadora. A natural ocean blowhole that is absolutely spectacular. Ensenada is also one of the best wine producing regions of Mexico so the Wine Country tour is a must. I like wine.
4.What are your favorite activities or events that you host and why? One of the highlights onboard my ship’s is without a doubt the Deck Party on the open deck under the stars. It not only is a great chance for our guests to dance, it almost becomes an aerobic workout. It is crazy, high energy, very competitive and the closest thing that takes me back to my days as a fitness trainer. When we finish there are literally hundreds of people glowing with huge smiles. It certainly is one of the biggest events and highlights of the cruise.
My next favorite activity is horseracing. It attracts hundreds of people, is very loud and lots of fun for the whole family. The guests name the horses each cruise and almost always give me interesting names and phrases which I end up screaming down the microphone. Lately a returned favorite is “Hoof Hearted.” Thank you to the lady who always suggests that name each cruise.
5. Fill in the blank please……………..People should sail on the Elation because……………………………..??????????? People should sail on the Elation because of many reasons. Our team is driven to give our guests lots of high-energy fun. We have a wonderful itinerary, the friendliest team onboard, incredible live music and unexpected crazy antics always catching our guests off guard. They may even get the chance to meet the “1976 King of Rollerdisco, Roland Rollerderby”
6. What do you enjoy most about being a Cruise Director? The responsibility of giving our guests a great cruise vacation through our own creativity. I get to meet many of our guests early in the cruise and I see them again as they walk off the gangway when it’s all over, utterly exhausted, to me is very satisfying as I have kept them up and involved because they were afraid of missing something exciting. Also the fact that I have the chance to inspire someone to step out of their comfort zone and do something they normally wouldn’t do is really rewarding.
7. Share your favorite story with us that involve our guests and your job? During the Welcome Aboard Show a couple of years ago, I met a young gentleman named Barry. He told me, and the audience that he was a marine and just returned from Iraq. The crowd exploded with applause so I handed him the mic, dropped all the lights bar a spotlight on him and then the band played a song. He ran onto the stage and sang the song as best he could for the whole crowd without hesitation to the screams of the crowd of almost 1,400. Barry approached me the next day to thank me as he was actually traveling alone, for the next 7 days Barry was a star to all our guests and was always in a circle of new friends whenever I saw him around. At the end of the week he came to me, gave me a hug and said that he never expected such a moment would ever come to him. It was really cool.
8. List your three favorite ports you have visited? Cabo San Lucas for its beauty. Acapulco for its hustle and bustle which I sometimes enjoy and Belize for its reefs and jungle.
9. Name 3 ports you would really like to see that you have never been to? Three ports that I would like to go would be any port I have never been to before. Europe, Hawaii and Alaskan ports are certainly on top of my list.
10. Finally, if you could introduce on stage any star, alive or not who would it be and why? Actually there would be two people. Australia’s Paul Hogan from the Crocodile Dundee movies. He had his own show back in the 80′s and it was hysterical. It was very Australian, very original and very politically incorrect.
The other would be a star I mentioned earlier, Roland Rollerderby. He ruled the roller disco scene back in 1976. He produced and starred in his own range of fitness betamax cassettes, and was the author of the best seller “How to maintain the 46 inch waist.” He still rollerskates, still wears the tight gold spandex suit and still has the ladies envious of his oversized shapely buttocks. He sometimes makes an appearance when I take the “night off” however, like Superman and Clark Kent, we never seem to be seen together in the same place at the same time…….
Thank you Stuart and congratulations on finding your niche in life. Both Stuart and I have lots in common including both being fitness fanatics.
Off to my welcome aboard talk………………………..back soon
OK, I am back.
Well you can tell the difference in the crowd already. The families have gone and we have a slightly older crowd now and very few children…………….it is amazing the difference in just one cruise. As expected everyone seemed concerned about the fires in Greece but the letter we printed really helped and I also reemphasized to the 1,500 people in the lounge that we would never put our guests in harms way……………..everyone applauded.
I have one regret from last cruise and that can be said for virtually every cruise and that is I just do not have the time to spend quality minutes with the bloggers who are cruising. This last week the wonderful Rosenberg family, Shelly P, Essexman and Sewing Nut all asked me to dinner and for tea ……………..I did not have the time and I hope they will forgive me. In a way, that is why I am so looking forward to the Bloggers Cruise where another CD will handle the day-to-day running of the ship leaving me unlimited time to meet, great and enjoy new friendships with bloggers
Oh yes, I nearly managed a whole cruise without being in the doghouse until last night. I had decided to take a bath (please do not visualize that one otherwise you will need immediate medical help) and had picked up one of Heidi’s gossip magazines. So there I am, sitting ………..well……………wedged in the bath when I came across a photo of Catherine Zeta Jones and boy…..did she look stunning. As I lay there my body emerged in the water …………. Well ……….some of it anyway……….I started thinking that CZJ really would make a wonderful Godmother especially as Angelina is out of the picture. I tried to sit up in the bath and as I did so I dropped the magazine in the bath………..it was soaking wet and ruined………….oh well I thought it is only a magazine.
WRONG………………I shouted to Heidi to come and get it and when she saw what I had done……..well………you would have thought I had been found sneaking out of CZJ’s bedroom at 3 am wearing only a smile……………Heidi was upset, something about wanting to read an article about someone famous woman and a new bag or a Spice Girl had a new show or something……….I tried to say that me dropping Hello! Weekly in the water was no big thing but that just mad things worse. …………………all is well now and I have replaced the magazine with something called OK! Magazine and Heidi can once again relax and read about who is doing what to whom and why and what they are wearing why they are doing it
Talking of baths
So, another cruise begins and it is strange to think we only have five left before our trans-Atlantic crossing. I do not think I will disembark the ship this week in Istanbul. I have a nasty feeling that Fatima will have read my blog and will be waiting for me with an extra long piece of tubing and a cold bucket of water ready to evacuate my Grand Bazaar………….I am staying onboard, locking the door.
I hope you enjoyed both of today’s blogs.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
Hi again John
I wanted to ask about the walk for breast cancer. Will they be accepting cash or S&S cards for the donation? Also is this something you need to pre-register for?
I ask because I plan to give the donation to my boyfriends mother for Christmas so that her and I can walk in honor of her mother. She lost her mother to breast cancer when she was only 16 and I thought this would be a great way to start our new years cruise.
Thanks again for everything, Carla
Hey John,
Thanks for the heads up to Wee Jimmy. There is only one thing that I have to know. What night do they serve haggis in the dining room? I am guessing that would be the second formal night.
Till next time
Kevin
Dear John,
Thanks for your reply about our port time in Livorno on May 9th the during the Spring TA.
Glad you like my screen name. I work for a winery in California and wander the globe tasting wine.
You mentioned I would like the Wines of Tuscany excursion. Yes, hubby and I are booked on that for the Fall TA. Looking forward to it.
No need to reply. Love your blog. Diana
Hello dear Saint John,
Thanks for your kind words and, as usual, your compassion for those who are having problems. And I certainly hope you get more than just half a day away just to relax and enjoy your time with Heidi.
You mentioned your mum’s recipe for sticky toffee pudding and I just wanted to let you know that one of Haagen Daz’ new ice cream flavors is Sticky Toffee Pudding. I haven’t tried it yet – but I will and let you know about it.
Thanks for “James & Christian”. And I stopped drinking my Diet Pepsi before I read it. My computer is safe and thanks you for the warning. And after Alan’s Valentine joke, I think he will owe you big time until eternity.
You may not have to worry about Fatima – last night on my way home I passed a new restaurant – called, yup, Fatima’s. So maybe all will be well.
I know it’s more than a year away, but do you think you will still be on the Splendor for the 11/29/08 Caribbean sailing? I think that will be my next cruise and I really do want to sail with you again. And I’ll have plenty of time to save up for my balcony cabin – nothing like sitting outside watching the sunset.
OK, I have to stop now to work on a computer training course, so until later (or tomorrow), Happy Thursday to you and Heidi,
Regards,
Carol
John,
Just a quick thought. The relationship with Park West that Carnival has could be a wonderful place to do something for the Susan Komen Foundation! Peter Max had done many wonderful things for charities around the world and sells many of his works through Park West on your ships. How about approaching Park West to get with Peter and ask about some works that could be auctioned off on the ships at the art auctions with proceeds going to Breast Cancer Research! That particular auction could even be done prior to a show so that a larger audience could participate. I know I would certainly place a bid.
John and Susan in Frisco
Dear John,
Thank you for your response:
“I have made Supper Club reservations as you requested and took the liberty of making it for the 11th after we sail from Messina. I did this because you had mentioned you did not want the reservation for a formal night which is indeed on the 12th. Let me know if this is ok please.”
Yes, Oct. 11th will be wonderful. Please share my warmest thoughts with Southern Dreamer and the challenge she has in front of her. I will say a special prayer for her when we are at Temple tomorrow night.
Regards to you and Heidi,
Laura
John:
I wonder if the article Heidi was looking to read was about Melanie Brown (aka “Scary Spice”) being one of the contestants on the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars”…?
So we have Scary Spice dancing on TV, and Posh Spice and her soccer (football) playing hubby making headlines for simply BEING here. I love British culture, but some things I’d be perfectly fine with you keeping on your own shores! A really good, fresh scone is rare here, but Spice Girls? We now have more than we need!
Thanks for the reply — non-committal though it had to be — regarding Carnival European cruises in 2009. Since we did the Mediterranean cruise with you this past May (Mellow Yellows!), we are mainly interested in the Baltics cruise. I guess we’ll just have to keep our eyes open and our fingers crossed!
We leave tomorrow out of Long Beach for a nice little weekend cruise over our Labor Day Holiday weekend (you’d call it a Bank Holiday?). I’ll have to check back and see if you’ve highlighted the Paradise and it’s CD….
Love ya!
Terri & Larry
Hi John and Heidi,
All my best to those dealing with health problems and those dealing with natural disasters such as the fires in Greece and the flooding here in the states.
You know as I read you blog thingy, which I love and look forward to reading every day, I can’t believe all of the people that think that you can fix ANYTHING. It’s amazing. Seems like they think that there is absolutely no one else on that ship. I think it’s you. You have such a personality that puts out that kind of vibe that says you love people and will do anything to make people happy. Next time you go out with Heidi you need to put on your meanest face and project a thug type attitude! LOL! Maybe you would get to finish your food.
It’s nice that you will have someone to fill in for you on the bloggers cruise so you have time to socialize. Will Heidi also have this time off? I do wish that David and I could come for this cruise but we will be on the TA in October this year and again next year. I don’t know if I can talke him into more time off or not. It would be nice though because that way we could bring my mother who suffers from severe arthritis and can’t do the long European trips. She does love to cruise and this will be the first without her for a long time.
Tell Heidi that I know how she feels with you dropping her magazine in the tub. David always goes to sleep and they tend to hit him in the face first.
Love the bolg so keep them coming!
Barbara
John, I sent Vicki Freed an e-mail with an idea for the BREAST CANCER WALK on the BLOGGERS CRUISE. Trying to see if maybe the BLOGGERS can get pledges, precruise,to sponsor each of us. She has not yet got back to me on it. The BLOGGER that brings in the most pledges could get that prized “SHIP ON A STICK”.
“BIG” ED
“I’m a prawn again, Christian.”
ROFLM*AO
John, my friend…
Reading your wonderful blog again today brought into focus just what a non-stop dash your job really is. Without doubt, being the Cruise Director on such a magnificent vessel visiting such wonderful ports is rewarding but at times it must also seem an incredible grind. Mere hours between waving bye-bye to 3500 cruisers and providing a gracious welcome to 3500 new guest… how do you do it? I believe that in short order I would end up going postal!!
I doff my hat to you, sir. You must have the patience of a saint. I know you have a double-strong sense of humor but how you manage to keep your sanity in the face of such a daunting task and do it with a smile is a bona fide miracle.
Bless your heart, my friend. Be assured that you and Heidi have found a place in my prayers.
Hello John/Heidi…
First of all…Happy Thursday and enjoy
Second…Great interview with Stuart Dunn. I feel quite intimidated reading his interview b/c it appears that every activity on board the Elation is a workout. At what point is there downtime and relaxation? Just kidding..
Great pictures of Tuscany. The countryside picture (#3) is exactly like something one would see in the movies.
JR and the gang send their regards from a warm Texas.
I just wanted to mention that this weekend is my first year wedding anniversary with my wife. We are so excited and we realized that it was a just a couple of years ago that we were on the Celebration falling in love. In fact, my favorite picture of us was taken during dinner service on the Celebration and it sits on my desk to this day.
Have a great weekend and stay out of trouble!
David
John, I and the crew are all glad that you have finally got the nerve to take a bath again. It’s been two weeks since Fatima and well your after shave just didn’t help any more. Maybe people will return to the first 10 rows at the shows now.
“BIG” ED
Thank you for your concern for my father. Every day IS precious and unfortunately, I think there won’t be a lot more.
I am looking forward to the Freedom in 35 days!! I am also looking forward to the Liberty in 10 days!! I will be looking forward to meeting you and Heidi on board. I have sailed with you before and what a hoot. We are really looking forward to Europe. We are from North Carolina, but we won’t accuse you of not speaking American. Most Carolinians can’t speak American either…ha ha.
Also, from an earlier comment, will you be on the Splendor 11/29/08? I am already booked on that sailing and it would be great if you and Heidi will be there.
My best to you and Heidi…..35 Days!!
John and Heidi,
Please give Brad and Chrissy our deepest sympathy. Both Jack and I have lost parents and know the grief and loss they must be feeling right now.
I want to tell you that the Elation was the first ship I had ever cruised on and I still think it is the most awesome ship yet! When Jack and I walked on board we were in love ;D (I did not want to go on this cruise at all and only did it for my father in law) We would love to cruise on her again. I think all the lighting on the Elation was wonderful and there were lights even in the tables. Great interview, thanks for bringing back some great memories.
I do have a couple of question for you….. Number one……what on earth is a spotted dick. You have no idea what a vision that created in my poor little brain.
Number 2….will you be interviewing the different positions on the Carnival ships. I know Jack and I remember several of our waiters (David on the Elation and Vlado on the Fascination) and the room stewards and stewardess. Linda our room stewardess on the Miracle made us a life size man one night. What fun to read a note she left us on the door and then to walk in and see this “towel person” relaxing on our bed reading the Carnival Capers. We had the whole family come to see our new Best Buddy and take pictures. It would be interesting to know what their positions are like.??
You and Heidi take care and see you soon on the Bloggers Cruise.
Joan Fredendall
Hi John,
I posted this on the We are family blog and I’m not sure it made it on that day. I wanted to make sure Krissy and Southern Dreams got my good wishes, so here it is again. Todays blog was great. Have a wonderful cruise.
Hi John and Heidi,
I just got home from taking my kids out to the beach for the weekend and was delighted to find 2 more blog thingies! You had me cracking up with the punny
blog and I’m not going to let Geoff read it because he’s just really bad about them! John, I’m soooooo glad to hear about the Brest Cancer fundraising
program. My Mom is a 14 year survivor and I feel so blessed. I’ve lost an Aunt and am losing a cousin right now that started with Brest Cancer and now
it has moved all over her body. Southern Dreams, you will stay in my prayers and I wish you all the best. Also Chrissy and Brad my deepest sympathies are
with you. I lost my Dad 3 years ago so I do know how you’re feeling. You too are in my prayers. John, I loved the title of the blog today. Even though
I’ve never met anyone from this blog, I do feel like you are all a part of my family. I hope to meet some of you on a bloggers cruise. I couldn’t see the
pictures of the Queen Victoria but John your writing gave me some wonderful mental pictures. Well, it sounds like a thunderstorm may be coming up so I’d
better get my puppy dogs out 1 more time. Love and hugs to you and Heidi.
Leasa
Hi John and Heidi
Just a quick note to say thank you for making our holiday on the Freedom so fantastic. I did write to you on board and i would like to say thank you for our gold ships and signed photo. Amber , Lily and Poppy have put them in their bedrooms as a reminder of what they and we feel was one of the best holidays we have had.
We are thinking about doing a carribean cruise next but need to do a little (well, big in our case !)saving first.
It was a real shame that we did not meet you and heidi, neither did we meet the captain but hey, more reason to return on another cruise.
Thank you again and we praise you and heidi on how very hard you both work.
Claire & Peter
hi y’all! first let me thank you and your lovely blogger friends (and mine) for the heartfelt comments and prayers, all of which are soooo appreciated.
next let me say, don’t eat any jelly beans today john, it’s thursday!!
and next i am just ever so sorry to have to say “spotted dick sounds simply dreadful”…. sigh. (really sorry mate!)
now for a blonde joke for heidi from one blonde to another:
Q: Why do blondes have square boobs?
A: Because they forgot to take the tissues out of the box.
and finally, when you said how few cruises are between now and the transatlantic it really made me think, we are to be on that cruise AND the one before it. i so hope we can still make it. i should know one way or the other soon…
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Good Morning Heidi and John:
Sewing Nut and husband have arrived safely home to Canada. We had an amazing time on our 2 day Rome pre-cruise tour and on our cruise. Freedom is a beautiful ship. Things were a little shakey at first but the kinks got themselves ironed out quickly.
We are very tired. To give you an idea of how tired I am, I have not used one of my sewing machines yet. I can hardly believe I am saying this but, I am too tired to sew right now.
I hope you got the envelope of Christmas ornaments I made for you at the Info desk before I left.
I heard your special goodbye to the bloggers on Wed. am over the loud speaker. Thanks for the well wishes.
More of my thoughts in a day or two.
Essexman and Shelley: Glad to have met you.
SewingNut
John–
We’re in Rome enjoying a few more days of vacation before heading back to the U.S. I’m glad you got the word in time not to make any embarrassing announcements about looking for 2 moons in the night sky.
We immensely enjoyed our Grand Mediterranean cruise, but I did want to mention something about the transportation afterwards that you could take into consideration for your next debarkation talk. You indicated in your debarkation talk for our cruise that there would be plenty of taxis at the cruise terminal. That sounded reasonable to us since when our last cruise debarked from Miami there were a huge number of taxis lined up to take passengers where they wanted to go. However, that turned out not to be the case in Civitavecchia, as the few taxis that showed up were mobbed by people who, like us, had not made prior arrangements for transportation to Rome. I’m sure you didn’t intend to mislead anyone, as Carnival would have sold more transfers if you had expressed doubt about sufficient taxi capacity, but it caught us off guard.
When it was clear few taxis were showing up, I asked an assistant purser who was outside observing if he could get more taxis to come, he said to get on the free shuttle bus and there would be lots of taxis at the port gates where the shuttle bus would leave us off. That turned out not to be accurate either–there were no taxis in sight where the shuttle bus left us off. We did find one lone taxi driver near the drop off point who had parked his taxi a little ways off and offered to take us to our hotel in Rome for 150 euros–significantly more than we were expecting, but with no alternatives in sight we didn’t feel we were in a position to argue. Then when we got to Rome, he made us get out several blocks from our hotel, claiming (falsely) that he was not allowed to drive on the narrower streets that would get us closer to our hotel.
Anyway, despite this experience, the cruise was great, and we’re having a wonderful time in Rome. I’m writing about this just hoping that you and future guests will learn from our experience.
Again, thanks for all your kindnesses on our cruise, John–you really go all out for your bloggers!
John,
We’re back from Alaska, what a great experience! Way to much to put in to one blog reply (not to mention it’s your show not mine). But I’ll fill you in over the next several days. First, thank you for the warm welcoming gift(s). We actually received quite a few gifts during our stay but only one could we trace directly to you. I’m guessing you were responsible for more. No matter, it was just great to know you were thinking about us.
I wasn’t sure a time or two if you weren’t up to some practical joking. We had a welcome aboard note addressed to “John and Teena” vs. “Chuck and Teena”. If it had been any other incorrect name, I would have thought it nothing more than a typo, but since it said John, I wondered if you would be so bold as to trick someone you didn’t know as well as Allan. When I survived all the nights without “mystery” small portions or a parade of people stopping by the table to thank me for the previous evening, I decided it was a typo after all.
Now a few details of the trip. Our embarkation was a breeze. In the past, embarkation has been something we tolerate in order to get to the “good stuff”. We had purchased a carnival bus transfer from Vancouver airport to the pier and that included a way to get through customs quickly. An enjoyable bus ride and then a (can’t hardly believe it myself) 5 minute trip through security AND check-in and we were on vacation.
The first full day was a sea day, but not a typical sea day, there was so much to see from the inside channel that many folks (including us) spend a good deal of time on deck with cameras watching for photo ops.
The second day was in Ketchikan. While we heard many complaints from fellow cruisers about the dizzily day, we were not bothered by it at all and in fact later in the day the sun appeared a few times (something we learned some Alaskan residents call “cloud failure”). We took a Carnival tour which took us up to a totem pole historical area, then a tour of old cannery, and finally a return to the ship by a boat while looking for wildlife. We spotted 4 eagles on the return. The bus tour guide was great, which can make or break this kind of tour.
The next day was Juneau which by many accounts had the worst weather, but for me was an experience I will never forget, and one that I am sure is very unique. But I’ll make you wait until next time to fill you in on that day.
My dad is still hanging in there, perhaps maybe even slightly improved, but still our hopes are firmly on his comfort and closure, not recovery which is no longer realistic.
I only have one comment on todays bloggy thing and it has to do with the second note (from the 20 somethings) and it kind of ties in with my earlier weather comments. If you can only have fun if there are other people your age having fun with you, or if you can only have fun visiting a new place if the sun is brightly shinning, then you will have all the fun days you deserve. Likewise if you find fun and adventure at every corner regardless what others are doing or saying, then again you will have all the fun days you deserve.
Wonderful blog john!
hope all is well on the freedom!
John, Juanito, John Almighty, St. John, Mr. anti -depressant , Mr Heald:
You can call me anyway you want. Nani, I like it its sweet! Ahhhh JA! A huggo for youo and your wifeo
Im here if you need help with the people from the Dominican Republic.Put them some merengue and they will be happy dancing no need for words ok?
Take care!!!!!!!
Hey Carol,
I have tried the Sticky Toffee Pudding ice cream from Haagen Daaz, and it is really really really really yummy. And rich. I can usually only eat a spoonful or two before putting the pint back in the freezer. Good Stuff.
Aloha John-sama! It’s now taken me two weeks to catch up with one weeks worth of blogs. Good stuff all around. Have a great cruise!
hello johnny
could you do us a big favor?????can you check with CARNIVAL in miami,,,,and see if a waiter:
name , jude stewart
from, grenada still works for carnival,,,we had him as our waiter 3 or 4 times,,when we sailed on the Festivale,,way back in the day,,,he was as good a waiter,,as you are a C D,,,
we had a waiter on the Sensation,,he said he new jude,,,and he was still working with Carnival,,,jane wrote him a letter and sent to to him c/o
the Imagination,,that was the ship he said jude was on,,,,,she sent the letter on 3/15/2007
we never got a reply,,maybe he was on leave,,,or????if you could check for us,,,that would be great,,,,,,thanking you very much,,
cruis-a-holics
tom & jane
our roll call
Festivale 4 times
Elation 2 times
Miracle 3 times
Freedom 1
Triumph 2
Glory 2
Holiday 2
Fantasy 2
Ecstasy 2
Imagintion 2
Inspiration 5 times its our home port TAMPA
Sensation 4 times
Fascination 2 times,
and the bloggers cruise
i guess you can we LOVE CARNIVAL
Hi Sir John:
Really enjoyed your blog thingy tonight. I didn’t realize that you would not be the official CD on the bloggers cruise, that is great, then you will have more time to interact with bloggers. I sure wish we were going in January but I could not change my vacation, even though I tried, but I am hopeful for another bloggers cruise in 2009, and hope you will have further information about that in the very near future. What happened to Heidi, I thought you had said she was going to blog in a day or two, haven’t seen it yet! So, you actually have a bathtub in your cabin? Not just a shower like us guests? Must be a SUITE to fit a tub in the bathroom! NICE! See, being the big honcho at CCL does have its perks! All you need now is the Aston Martin. So, what is the word on the Godmother for the Splendor, did you find out yet who it will be? Well, I will close now, God Bless you both! Linda & Mike (Mr. handydandy-man)!
go away !……….sorry, the mattress and duvet were shouting for me to come and rest my delicate frame upon them
No – Go away……..I will not heed your call………….sorry, the bed is trying to get me to rest my lily-white thighs upon the eiderdown.
STOP IT – the vision of your delicate, lily-white thighs on the eiderdown was bad enough, but then you had to bring the bath into this vision. Thank goodness, I have a standing appointment with our Chief of Psychiatry, I am going to need help after this blog
=======
You are so right – the transatlantic cruise is getting close (Southerndreams, I am looking forward to meeting you). Given that I have agreed to take so much of the administrative burden off of you (evaluating the dancers, judging contests), it should be a breeze.
Actually, I do wonder how the transatlantic crossing period will make things different for you – on the one hand, no tours/cities talks, no arranging debarkation, etc. On the other hand, you have 24 hours to arrange entertaining activities during. Why do I get the feeling that you will actually be busier underway than with port calls.
Now, back to the transatlantic cruise – I talked with my PVP today and it looks like we got the airline arrangements that make the Mrs. very happy – direct flight to Rome on a US carrier, so smoking should not be a problem.
He also mentioned, during our discussion on upgrades, that he had once booked four women on a cruise who got upgraded to “the owner’s suite”. Is there such a suite on the Carnival Freedom? If so, what types of bribes are necessary to insure this upgrade?
I do hope that the two weeks we are going to be spending together will present the opportunity for us to spend some time relating. I know we will get to spend time with John & Diane, but I want us to get to know John & Heidi as well.
See you in 59 days (but who is counting).
MTSFPBLFTTNSFCF (and the Mrs.)
John,
You had me in stitches as always! Unfortunately, I had all of my wisdom teeth pulled recently and, as I actually have stitches now, it wasn’t too hard to do. As a result, I had quite a few blogs to read, which kept me occupied for quite awhile!
While the Queen Victoria looks absolutely beautiful, I must say that Carnival is the way to go for me!
As for today’s drawing, I must ask – do you always lose your shoe during the bedtime story? Or, has the story of Yoo Poo, Dick Little (and his wife, Anita) and Mr. Stou-T (“I’m going to kill you with venom!”) been passed on to the many cruises following ours? That still makes me laugh until I cry everytime I think about it….
John,
I’m so happy to hear that you will be starting the breast cancer walks on board the Freedom with the next cruise! Please allow me to be one of the first to sign up! I think it will be exciting to see how much we can raise on board–I’m sure that there will be hundreds of people anxious to participate–hope you ordered lots of shirts and bracelets!! See you on the 12th! Sheryl
Another great blog, John!
Well it is getting close to our trip and a lot to do, (9 days to Glory) already started laying out what we are going to pack, And including myself I have 4 to pack for. Then get the other little details ready too, hopfuly we will have a more perment itinerary and can be ready for all the port of call.
The pictures today are captivating.
Kevin has it easy I guess, as I do not care who is with whom or who wears what, so no magazines. He just avoides my craft suplies, and I promise to keep the sewing needle off the floor.
Best to you both
Heidi-Beth
Good evening Mr. Heald. When I took my first cruise, I often wondered how were they able to have only a 3-hour gap between the debarkation and embarkation processes and still do what they do. How is that possible? They must be geniuses because everything is so neat and complete. The picture of the Tuscan house in San Gimignano is almost like father’s home in Roccamorice,Italy. It is so beautiful. As always, all the photos are great. I was wondering, the promoting the cause of Breast Cancer would this be a continuation on the Freedom even when my cruise in February is on. I would like to be involved if possible. I may be a little dense but could you please explain for me what is Spotted Dick and what kind of dessert is it. Remember I’m Italian. When you ask each cruise director to share his /her favourite story it always amazes me how great you all care about people even though at times it can be hazardous for your health, like Mrs. M was. It must feel great to feel that way. The more I read your blog the more I respect I have for your position and I respected you from the start. I really hope I get an chance of meeting you. After reading about your bath, I wonder how large a bath must be especially after I remember taking a shower on the Legend. It was small. I can hardly picture a bathtub. Ciao for today.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Hi John,
Just thought I’d drop a note. We’re all back safe and sound from our fabulous trip on the Freedom this past week. Dispite some minor mishaps, like being stuck on the bus that broke down in Florence for an hour and a half and worrying that we were going to miss the ship. All we could do though was laugh it off. I have the proud honour of being the very last person to embark back on the ship that day…as the staff pulled the threshold out from under my feet (just joking).
Anyhow, I have to say that we were very impressed with the ship and especially how attentive the staff were! I especially want to mention our wait staff Christian and Annette, and Ken (who has a wonderful voice by the way) who in my opinion, went far beyond the call of duty to make our dinners very special in the Posh dining room late sitting. Especially since we were such a large group of 16 people including my 2 pain in the butt sons (Zach 3 and Gabe 6) who definitely gave them a run for they’re money!
On a more serious note though I felt I should mention a concern I had on the ship itself. Particularly on the aft pool on the lido deck. I witnessed many a person slip and fall on that floor, despite the staffs’ constant diligence in cleaning it. I feel that maybe Carnival should consider a different flooring or at least some sort of rubber matting to avoid this happening. I just keep thinking that if this was my 72 yr old mother that this happened too who was travelling with us, it would be a real serious issue.
I was also glad to have met you at the captain’s dinner. You are a really great person…and funny as heck. I’m sure that Dick and Anita, and Yu, really loved the humour as well!
Anyhow,
Take care and as busy as you are try and take some time to yourselves.
Sincerly Grace, Chris, Gabe and Zach.
Hi John,
I posted this on the “Carnival Imagination & Cruise Director George Solano” blog and I’m not sure it made it. I wanted to make sure Brad, Chrissy and Southern Dreams got my good wishes, so here it is again.
First to Brad and Chrissy, my prayers and deepest sympathy go out to you and your family.
Bonnie, you will stay in my prayers and I wish you all the best.
John I’m so happy to hear that Carnival is helping the Susan G. Komen foundation, being a 2 time cancer survivor (Breast Cancer being one); I am a BIG supporter of this particular foundation. Also I’ll be participating in a “Clinical Trial” for cancer research and with all the support out there hopefully there will be a cure someday.
I do have one question: Is Trevor still the CD on the Celebration or is he on another ship? He was our CD when we took our last cruise, Jan. 2007, but with the re-positioning of Carnival ships taking place I was just wondering if he’s still with Carnival and where he might be. He was a great CD (but not nearly as good as you, but close).
Glad you’re out of the doghouse-Ruining a magazine-bad, bad boy!!!!
Thank you for another great interview! Have a wonderful cruise.
Inez
John,
Well I am glad to see how closely you and carnival is monitoring the wild fires in Greece. Safety is of course everyone’s number one concern. Looking forward to our next conversation. All the best to Heidi,
Kevin
Aston Martin Driver
CruisinSue-Hope you don’t mind me asking-where in North Carolina are you from?
I’m in Elon, NC.
Inez
Hello fellow bloggers…
I ask everyone to take a minute out of their morning today or tomorrow(Friday) to say a prayer for Crissy and Brad because Friday is going to be a very hard day for them and their family.
Also, as long as you are praying…please remember SouthernDreams in your prayers…we blogger’s are going to get her through this, because we are here for her.
Now it’s time for Hi John,
I have a great idea…eat a whole bunch of jelly beans and then go take a bath and you will have a bubble bath…hehe
I can’t believe you gave up prime napping time to work on this blog thingy. I must say, I think you are more dedicated of a person than I could be.
And as for your white thighs…I know I’m whiter than you…remember, I’m a ghost lady. A true redhead, Irish girl…yes I am soooo white that I burn in 5 minutes. I have to use baby sunscreen SPF 50 to keep from burning.
Mr. Cheap did buy me a cruise..many cruises…what I meant by that question was, I know Carnival has themed cruises, and he was wanting to know if you ever have a cruise that does NOT allow children on it.
Still voting for back to back Alaska cruise.
I loved the Tuscan Countryside picture!! I would love to see it in person!!
I’m sooooooooo disappointed….no embarrassing John picture today. I love those pictures!
Hi Hedi! Would love to see a blog from you!
Hi Guy,
How nearly smoke free is the Carnival Victory?
There are going to be singing recording artists onit later.
Thanx
Catherine Zeta Jones!
A much better choice for godmother ! She has our vote! I bet she would accept ! Michael Douglas isn’t too bad either for the “total” package !!!
Kathy and Paul ( Lee Paul…Bodyguard )
Hi John,
Just a quick note to Thank you, Mum and Dad for the Spotted Dick recipe. I told Carl he needs to go to the locker to get me some Beef Suet and I will be making it this weekend!
Your Blog thingy was wonderful today. I had such a bad day… I had a visit with the doctor and we discussed the dreaded “C” word. I will be having a little surgery in a couple of weeks. And hopefully that will take care of it for sometime. But as I’m sure Southern Dreams and many others could agree, When a doctor says that “C” word to you…. it feels like a ton of bricks just fell on your head. The ride home alone was very long and a few tears were shed. So, when Carl told me after dinner to go up and read your blog thingy…. Well, you cured what ailed me. I actually caught myself smiling and laughing out loud. Thank you John, for being the wonderful friend you are!
And the Sticky Toffee pudding sounds delicous!
BIG BEAR HUGS to you and Heidi both!
Barb
Hi John!
Since everyone is asking for recipes, may I request your mum’s Yorkshire pudding recipe? Since my dad was very British, Yorkshire pudding is something I grew up on and love it. I do have my mom’s recipe, which is a good one, but I’m always looking for another authentic take on it. I find it hard to find roasts that actually have enough fat on them to make the pudding come out right.
My best to you and Heidi…and I agree that it might be best to stay onboard in Istanbul. Thoughts of getting your Grand Bazaar evacuated make MY cheeks pucker!! : )
To Inez
I am in Fayetteville NC. (Fort Bragg) We moved here compliments of the US Army 31 yrs ago. My husband retired with 21 yrs in Special Forces and I did an early out and went to school. How about you?
Dear Heidi,
Thank you for the AMS information. We can’t wait to visit your country! I saw a video last night and I am anxious to experience your culture!!!
John, on our CC message board we were talking about the Piano Bar. Many of us love it but due to smoke and health problems can’t go there. I was wondering if you or Carnival ever thought of having just one smoke free night in the Piano Bar. Many of us would love to hear Ron Pass! I bet Ron , who is a singer would love one smoke free night too! Smoke is hard on the vocal cords! I told the CC group I would mention it . Thanks for listening John!
Hi y’all,
KayentaJane, thanks for the info on the ice cream. I’m going to the store after work today and will look for it. If it is as rich and sweet as you say, it may stop me from eating the whole pint at one sitting.
and Barb, you are in my prayers, along with SouthernDreams & Brad and Chrissy.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend everyone.
Regards,
Carol
Hi John (and Heidi).
I’ve been stuck on land since just shortly running into the Freedom in Alexandria. Should have jumped onboard instead of coming home! It would have been way more fun than coming home to accountants etc. to wind up the business I’d sold.
At any rate, now gearing up to cruising again, and realized 3 or my next 4 cruises are actually on the Freedom. Sent out a group e-mail last night to everyone joining on us the Freedom – Nov 17, sailing – for American Thanksgivng, then back on with another group for the Blogger’s Cruise on Jan. 19, then back on for the TA taking the Freedom back to Europe, next spring!
Don’t know how many of the three we’ll be lucky to have you the two of you onboard for. But those in the groups are keeping their toes (and other imaginative extremities) crossed that it will be all three!!!
I REALLY have to congratulate you on how interesting you’ve kept the “blog thingy”. I write Virtual Cruise reports for the CM site when I’m sailing… but they only go on for the duration of the one cruise. AMAZING that you can go on cruise after cruise and keep the reports fun, informative and funny. GREAT job!!!
Hoping we get lucky to see you in Nov!
Regards,
Kuki
Dear John and Heidi,
First of all – if I had a bottle of Veuve Cliquot (my favorite bubbly) I would crack it open and toast you for 600,000+ slaps on your wonderful blog thingy. Way to go! Maybe you will reach a million by the TA.
I’m catching up on things, so here I go – -
Brad, Crissy, Southern Dreams and all who are facing personal loss and challenges in life, my thoughts and prayers go out for you.
Wine Wanderer – I hope my daughter (a California girl), our friend and I meet you on the TA. I’m by no means an expert, but a fine wine in good company is something to look forward to. And from past experience, I can say there will be good wine choices aboard.
To all the other bloggers who will be on the TA – - If there isn’t a special bloggers get-together for us, let’s plan one for ourselves. How about it???
John -
Thanks for the wonderful tour of the Queen Victoria, and for your interview with Commodore Warner. And your comment about working with an experienced travel agent/cruise specialist is right on the mark. I shake my head in amazement over the rude ignorant behaviour you encounter.
A really good cruise specialist who asks the right questions of their clients and knows the culture of the various cruise lines can provide answers to all the FAQs and can make the right match. There are, of course, the few ignoramuses who will manage to spoil a perfectly good day in any event.
See ‘ya soon – - 58 days!!
Sue (also daughter Jennifer and friend Karen)
HI JOHN:
I have a great big favor to ask of you . . .
Pul-e-e-e-z-e!!! I lost the recipe for that chocolate thingy dessert with the hot chocolate thingy stuff in the center that you once printed. Could you pretty please reprint it? If they don’t serve it on the Legend next week, there will be one very unhappy cruiser (just kidding). Thanks for your kindness.
A man and woman were mistakenly given cabin assignments with each other on the sold out Carnival Freedom. Although they were both married to others who couldn’t travel with them, they agreed to spend the first night together, he in the upper, she in the lower, and see if it would work out.
In the middle of the first night, he looks down over the side of his bunk and says, “Excuse me, Maam, but would you mind reaching into the closet and getting me a blanket? It’s awfully cold up here.”
She says, “I have a better idea, why don’t we pretend we’re married tonight?”.
He says, “Wow! That’s a great idea!”
She replies, “Good, get your own damn blanket.”
After a minute of silence, he farts.
To CruisinSue,
I currently live in a small college town, ELON for almost four years now. Elon University is right up the street along with the thousands & thousands of lovely college kids, no really believe it or not it’s a pretty quite area, well where I live anyway. I was in Greensboro for almost 10 years & Kernersville(first lived in K’ville) for 4 years.
My husband is from here he was born and raised in Reidsville, NC a small country town, well maybe not so small anymore.
Sorry if Isound like I’m repeating myself from a previous blog but I met my husband when he was working for the same company that I was working for while I was living in NJ. So the rest is history-we met, fell in love & had a long distance relationship for awhile & then almost a year later I relocated. (which I constantly remind him of)haha.
So all in all I’ve been here 17 years already. And I Love it completely!
Thank you for replying to me
Inez
To Inez
NC is a great state with the mountains and beach within a day of one another. I am originally from the Asheville area, but joined the Army, came to Ft. Bragg, met Mr Right (sometimes..lol) and ended up staying here…kids, career and such. You can email me if you want…BooGotchYa@aol.com Would love to hear from you…until next time happy blogging..
Sue
Hi John,
No cabin assignment, yet. I really don’t expect to get one at this point until I show up at the dock September 3rd bright and early. I’ve sent info to Roberto a couple of times – booking number, name and such. Have you not received it?
Otherwise I can post once I’m ON the ship. My cell phone will provide “free” Internet for probably several hours after we set sail.
I was delighted to see that Acme Oyster has opened a restaurant IN the New Orleans airport. Now you can knock back a dozen oysters waiting for your luggage to show up (or not).
I may have to have a few hurricanes to stimulate my appetite again before some charbroiled oysters as a starter for dinner followed by some fried oysters or oysters and shrimp, or heck, maybe just a seafood platter with shrimp, oysters, fish and more. Or perhaps just BBQ shrimp. Yum.
Have to run make a donation to Harrah’s casino, first.
Later!
Oh yeah, with what should soon be Hurricane Felix, any guesses what the Fantasy itinerary might be?
Hi, I was just wondering….Is there any way I could get a hold of stuart dunn. I would really like to actuall ask him a couple questions for myself. If there is any way please let me know but please send it to baby-balouga@hotmail.com
Also does anyone know the adress of the Carnival elation in San Diego? If so please send it to me at baby-balouga@hotmail.com
Thank-you for your time Meghan
Hey John,
Iam sailing with you on the Elation on April 16, 2009 to Ensenada, Mexico and I am proposing to my girlfriend, I want to make it special and unforgettable….I overheard her and her friends talking about how they wanted to be proposed to and she wants it to be public…so John is there anything you can do for me, this is our first time sailing, i got the ring and I got the girl, i want to be with for the rest of my life….what can John and Carnival do for us, to make this the most special moment ever?
Big Z