Sunday, September 9th, 2007...6:26 pm
PA 007, A Duchess and the King of Comedy …What a Day
Good Evening,
This is going to be an “instant blog.” It is 10:30pm and the ship is in Civi tonight and it has already been a long day. However, I wanted to quickly tell you that tonight I spent 45 minutes of pure joy and excitement….no…I wasn’t driving an Aston Martin….nope…I wasn’t sharing a mud bath with Angelina Jolie and Catherine Zeta Jones….nope…I was on the phone with…MR.JOHN CLEESE.
The interview went very well. Ok, that’s my opinion…but I think it really did. We chatted like old friends and ….Oh, hold on…I just got a news flash on my Raspberry from PA 007….I will be right back.
Here I am….and what a news flash it is….lets get back to John Cleese in a minute because I now need you to read this from the Super Spy PA 007.
Hello John,
I had to work today as my boss “M” has an important lunch meeting with two VIP’s on Tuesday so I had to help prepare for that and guess what I found out?….This is big as the official press release is not due out until Monday lunchtime…I am a bit nervous about sending you this but it certainly is more exciting than my country line dancing classes….check this out.
10 September 2007
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL
TO NAME CUNARD’S NEW QUEEN VICTORIA
Cunard Line is delighted to announce that Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, will attend a ceremony in Southampton on 10th December 2007, to mark the introduction of Cunard’s new 90,000-ton liner Queen Victoria. At this ceremony, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall will perform the naming of the ship.
This naming will be a milestone in both Cunard and British maritime history, and will be a major event of worldwide interest, with over 2,000 VIP guests from around the globe in attendance at the prestigious ceremony.
Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line, comments:
“This will be an historic occasion. We are most honoured that Their Royal Highnesses have accepted our invitation and that Her Royal Highness will name our newest Cunarder. Every one of our Cunard Queens has been named by a member of the Royal Family and we are therefore delighted that Queen Victoria will follow in that tradition. In addition, this particular ceremony will mark the beginning of a new era, as it will be the first time in our 168-year history that we will have three Cunard Queens in service at the same time.”
Queen Victoria will not only be a classic Cunard ocean liner, offering the very best of our heritage and traditions, but will also be the second largest Cunarder the company has ever built. She will be in Southampton for four days, during which time over 7,000 guests from around the world will visit the ship. She will depart on her maiden voyage on Tuesday 11 December 2007.
- Ends -
For Further PRESS Information
Contacts
Eric Flounders, Corporate Communications Manager: 0207 940 5390
eric.flounders@cunard.co.uk
Michael Gallagher, Corporate Communications Executive: 0207 940 5391
michael.gallagher@cunard.co.uk
Or visit the Cunard website: www.cunard.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Royal Connection
There is a strong tradition of Cunard liners being launched by members of the Royal Family.
* Not only did Her Majesty The Queen name QE2 in 1967, but as Princess Elizabeth in 1947, she performed the ceremony for Caronia, “The Green Goddess.”
* The late Queen Mother, as Queen Elizabeth, launched Queen Elizabeth in 1938.
* Queen Mary, wife of King George V, launched Queen Mary in 1934 and in so doing became the first monarch ever to launch a merchant ship.
Features of Queen Victoria
From outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at what differentiates a Cunard liner from a standard cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship’s adherence to liner traditions of the past, with elegant public rooms, many on a grand scale two or three decks in height, featuring rich wood paneling, intricate mosaics and gleaming chandeliers. There will also be a grand, colonial-style conservatory complete with a retractable glass roof.
Queen Victoria will also feature some exciting innovations. These will include the first traditional West End-style private boxes at sea in the Royal Court Theatre; the first floating museum, Cunardia, housing Cunard artifacts and memorabilia; and a two-storey, spiral staircased library at sea. The ship will also feature the line’s celebrated luxury Grills accommodation and dining, further enhanced on Queen Victoria with an exclusive al fresco dining option, “The Courtyard.”
Queen Victoria’s maiden voyage is a 10-night Christmas Markets voyage. She will leave from the company’s homeport, Southampton, and will call at Rotterdam (for Amsterdam), Copenhagen (overnight call), Oslo, Hamburg and Zeebrugge (for Bruges), enjoying the pre-Christmas decorations and traditional gift markets. After spending her first Christmas in the Canaries, Queen Victoria will embark on her 106-night maiden world cruise, which will call at 37 cities in 23 countries. Every call, with the exception of Lisbon, will be a maiden call for Cunard’s new Queen. Queen Victoria will circumnavigate the globe in a westbound direction and, after calling at New York, will transit the Panama Canal before making maiden calls at some of the world’s most famous cities including Los Angeles, Auckland, Sydney, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Dubai, Athens and Barcelona. Queen Victoria will also transit the other of the great canals, the Suez, before returning to her homeport of Southampton on 22 April.
Going back to my cubicle now before M sees I am gone.hello… to all the bloggers….PA 007 – over and out.
Thank you so much PA 007, that’s dinner at Denny’s I owe you. Congratulations to Cunard for securing a member of the royal family to dedicate a royal ship.and …what a ship she is going to be….and what a day that will be. I have been invited and although I am sure I will be seated on the back row and sleeping on deck I promise constant live blogs from my raspberry every 10 minutes…a live blog…..that will be fantastic.
The interview went very well. Ok, that’s my opinion…but I think it really did. We chatted like old friends and OK – back to Mr.Cleese. Here are the questions I sent him ahead of time so we would have some basis on which to conduct our interview.
1. What was your first impression of the magnificent Queen Mary 2?
Is this what they call a leading question? My first impression of the magnificent Queen Mary 2 was of its magnificent magnificence. My second impression was that it seemed to float very well, which is the important thing.
2. I know you are onboard the Queen Mary 2 to take part in the Insight program. What can you tell us about this and with whom are you sharing the program?
As I joined the ship a relatively late comer, I have only been asked to do one appearance, when Ray Rouse interviewed me about my life and times. Ray and I have done this before, so it was very easy and comfortable, and I was able to tease the audience about being nearly as old as I am.3. Hopefully you will have a lot of time to relax during the Atlantic crossing. How do you relax? What was the last book you read?
I relax mainly by reading. I just finished reading a Christopher Hitchens book, about religion, which seemed to be good journalism, but utterly lacking in wisdom. I just started a book about recurrence, the strange idea that time may recur.
4. You have traveled the world during your illustrious career. What has been the one place that made the greatest impression on you and is at the top of your list and is there anywhere you have not been that you really want to see?
When I recall the places that made the greatest impression on me, I find that I recall different ones when I am in different moods. But perhaps seeing the sphinx, was the most special moment, I regret very much that the Middle East is not very safe at the moment, so my plans are to see Argentina, Chile, China and South East Asia
5. On a personal note as a cruise director dealing with 3500 people every cruise you meet some “interesting” people. I often find myself muttering my favorite “Basil” phrases under my
breath……………..my favorites being when I say “Good Morning” and receive no reply I am often found muttering “It’s not the Gettysburg Address” or as I am providing information on how to save your life during our Abandon Ship Drill there is always someone who is not paying attention and can be found sitting on the balcony having a glass of wine…..I often feel like saying “I don’t know why we bother, we should let you all burn” over the Public Address System.
Sorry to waffle but my question is this………..Are you aware that even today, Basil’s idiosyncrasies are played out all over the world by people (like me) involved in dealing with the public?It really tickles me that some of Basil’s thoughts flash into people’s minds as they do their job. I suppose it is inevitable in a service industry that we should have moments of exasperation with our customers! The one that I always recall is “Well whose fault is it then, Dennis Compten’s?”
6. The blog I write has now had 630,000 readers in the five months it has been live. One of the conversations that everyone has been commenting on is the difference between British and American humour…..even the spelling of the word! So, who better to ask than you Sir…………..is there a difference and if so what is it?
Each country displays a wide variation in styles of humour. Think of Little and Large, and Monty Python. But I think the main difference between the US and the UK is that the Brits will laugh at a funny situation, but the Americans need funny lines to trigger the laughter.
7. Just a quick question on your future filming. What can we look forward to seeing you starring in during 2008 and will ‘Q” be making a comeback in the next James Bond Movie…………..we all missed him?
My next movie is Pink Panther Deux, with Steve Martin. I shall be shooting a few days in Boston in the middle of October. I am sure Steve will be very good as Clouseau, but I think Alberto Gonzales would have been even better casting.
As far as Bond is concerned, I think they have decided to move to a grittier style so I doubt that Money Penny and Q will be returning.
8. Back to the Queen Mary 2. I would like you to choose 6 people to dine with alive or not. Who would be at your table and why?
My six diners would include Charlie Chaplin, Carl Jung, Richard Feynman, Cary Grant, Jesus Christ and Alyce Faye Eichelberger. She is my wife and is not quite as interesting as the other five but she’d make my life a misery if I left her out.The last question…….well, it’s not really a question. It seems to me that in today’s society of the ‘instant celebrity’ that maybe we have forgotten our true heroes.
You obviously were born with this incredible gift of making people laugh and you have shared this gift with all of us for many years and long may that continue. So as your busy days continue and in case nobody else remembers……………I just want to say………….thank you”Hope this helps.
John Cleese
So, this was the basis of the interview but we spoke about so much more including:
MORE FAWLTY TOWERS STUFF
RELIGION
PRESIDENT BUSH
BOOKS
PSYCHOLOGY
FAMILIES
FISH SHOPS
It was an amazing experience.
The full audio file will be available tomorrow (Monday) sometime for you to downslap as well as one of those video clip thingies as well…..I hope you enjoy.
There will be a full blog tomorrow with the usual Q and A and other sections.
Until then, you find me very happy and Heidi said as I did so well………it’s Thursday!
Goodnight
Your friends,
John and Heidi
34 Comments
September 9th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I am very happy for you John. You deserve it.
September 9th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
John, I can’t wait to hear the audio tomorrow. I’m sure I will need to keep the coffee cup far away from this computer. Who will be on the video?
Great job PA007. I think you have to change her/his name to SCOOPER.
John, I still think the Godmother of the CARNIVAL SPLENDOR should by Princess Diana posthumously with Prince Harry or William doing the honour. Has a ship ever been Godmothered posthumously?
“BIG” ED
September 9th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
My very favorite Faulty Towers bit is the “kipper breakfast” and moving of the body from here to there! That is so funny. What is your fav.
Marilyn
September 9th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Good evening Mr. Heald. Congratulations and WOW regarding the interview with Mr. Cleese. I find him to be a breathe of fresh air. Also, you seem to be very excited about the New Queen Victoria. I’m so excited for you Mr. Heald and when it occurs, please tell us about your feelings when it takes place. Ciao and Hip, hip hurray Mr. Heald.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
September 9th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Love the “Kipper breakfast” episode on Faulty towers. What’s your favorite?
Marilyn
September 9th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
John, wonderful news about the Queen Victoria. She’s a glorious ship and deserves nothing less.
I can easily sense the glee that you felt interviewing John Cleese. The man is a genius and has brought countless millions cheer. He is a treasure of the rarest kind.
I can’t wait to hear the interview and see the clip! My, how technological you’re becoming!!! Bravo!
Keep the home fires burning and offer my ‘howdy’ to Heidi and Mr. Roberto.
Until you blog again, best wishes.
Greg
September 9th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Wow John!
What a great interview, John to John that is. It also obviously boosted your spirits after the previous bloggy thing with the trip on the pier and such.
By the way I posted a reply the other day that never made it onto the bloggy thing. I don’t know if it was a technical glitch or if I said something outrageous (which I can’t imagine doing) that the moderators clipped it out.
I’ll have to catch up on the Alaska updates in a later reply, too tired tonight, but I’ll recreate that past update the best I can sometime this week.
Went to visit my dad Yesterday, he was sleeping for most of the time I was there, but did wake for a little while. Been a long summer in regards to my dad and your notes of encouragement have helped more that I would have imagined… thanks again!
September 10th, 2007 at 12:51 am
PRESS RELEASE…..HAZZARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
SHERIFF ROSCO P. COLTRANE, HAZZARD COUNTY SHERIFF IS CELEBRATING HIS 44TH BIRTHDAY TODAY. PLEASE JOIN WITH EVERYONE AT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE IN WISHING SHERIFF COLTRANE A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
HANDCUFFS TO ALL!!
September 10th, 2007 at 12:51 am
Hi John,
Way to go with the interview! Cheers to you!
You should get an image of him talking along with one of yourself, then paste them together and post it here on your blog. That, along with the audio would create the ‘full effect’.
On a serious note… I have 2 questions for you:
1 – Who (or what) exactly was it that took the photograph of the Carnival Triumph ship when it was struck by that wave on it’s way from NY to Canada? Coast Guard helicopter or was Carnival filming a commercial? That photo is UNREAL. How much does a ship like that move when it is hit with that type of wave? Was anybody injured?
2 – (Sorry for my lack of knowledge on this) But, where is it that I am able to specify a dinner time for the ship? I keep reading things that mention the dinner times, but I do not recall giving a request for that. I booked the cruise last year on the Liberty, so I’m not sure if a preference was given then or not. I was hoping you could tell me something. We’re interested in one of the later seatings BTW.
Any info you could provide?
See you in 12 days,
Matt & Arte Holden
September 10th, 2007 at 1:22 am
John,
Great interview with Sir John Cleese, and even better news about the Queen Victoria. Looking forward to the video and audio clips of it.
I should have a update on the crash tomorrow, but unofficially I’m being told it’s going to be totaled. The body shop it is at is owned by a very good friend of mine and he says the frame is for sure cracked and not bent, but the only want to check on that is with a mri of the frame and the insurance companies will never pay for that kind of work to be done. So when i hear more like what they are going to give me for the car, hopefully it’s enough to cover the ending payments on the loan, it would really suck to have to keep paying for a totaled car because the insurance company diden’t pay out enough to cover that. But more tomorrow on that topic.
Kevin
Formerly Mr. Vanquish
September 10th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Good morning the Amazing John H,
What an interview with John Cleese – WOW! And, just like Big Ed said, I had to make sure my coffee cup was nowhere in the vicinity or disaster to my desk. That must have totally made your day, week, month,…..
How are you feeling after that bad day in Livorno?
And that woman who didn’t know about the fires in Greece – maybe she just woke up from a coma, or just beamed down to the ship?
Interesting question – can Princess Diana be Godmother posthumously? She was Godmother to one of the other ships though. Interesting to see how well received the Duchess of Cornwall will be when she christens the Queen Victoria??? Maybe a bit of public relations to help her image??
Take care for now Amazing John & Heidi,
Regards,
Carol
September 10th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Love Mr. Cleese’s humour! I grew up watching Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Adored Fawlty Towers as well.
Maybe he can dress up in costume and be godmother of the Splendor? Just an idea. After all Carnival has the FUN ships! ;-D)
September 10th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Hi John,
You are welcome! As I said before, you made my time on the Glory the best it could be in a scary time! Not that I even live in the area where Hurricane Francis hit, I live in Buffalo, NY, but I missed my very first day of teaching (ever), I was back by the second day of school though! I know that you probably don’t remember the Asian mas who did not speak English, or the lady sleeping in the Audience who you woke up, or your pants falling down on stage, but it was hilarious!!! Are you going to be on any ship leaving from the US anytime soon? I am planning another cruise for August 2008 and would like to sail on your ship if at all possible and so would my family! ALSO
I just have to say that as a daibetic, sugar free jelly beans ROCK!
Lindsey
September 10th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Camilla’s doing the Queen Victoria naming???
P.S. Shrubbery!
September 10th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
What a blog today John!
Great interview with Sir Cleese and i look forward to reading/hearing more of what he has to say.
The Queen Victoria sounds like quite a vessel and how wonderful that the Royal Family will stay involved in her launching.
I hope you do carry out your plans for a live blog during the ceremony. I think it would be quite a read.
Congrats on your newest milestone.
You’re a lucky guy and on behalf of your 630,000 closest friends, Congrats!
David
September 10th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
SHERIFF COLTRANE A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Good job John!
September 10th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
BLOOGERS
GO TO Carnival Connections John has a place to register. You should have got an e-mail if you filled out the other form. Link here;
http://www.carnivalconnections.com/InvitationSplash.aspx?ID=95a7bf44-22d3-472c-9533-4f181b51ccf6 .
BIG ED
September 10th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Sheriff Coltrane and terri910 share birthdays!
Happy birthday to Sheriff, Coltrane, from one Virgo to another!
Now, after reading this blog thingy entry, I wish someone would give me that 106-night Queen Victoria cruise for a birthday gift…..!
No? *sigh* Okay…..
September 10th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Hi John,
Thanks for the John Cleese interview. I’m green with envy that you got to talk to him.
And no, I haven’t convinced the boyfriend to do a cruise yet. I almost have him sold on an Alaskan cruise (no humidity! LOL!)
The blog about your computer woes made me think about something I’ve been wondering about since my cruise this summer. How many computer tech support people do you have on board the ship? I believe I read that it is one (occasionally two) and that person is reponsible for all the computer systems on the ship, internet cafe, purser, POS (point of sale) for the bars and shops, shipwide network. With lots of support from the Miami office.
I’m asking because with all these responsibilities, the techs have very limited hours actually in the Internet Cafe where the passengers, who often have limited experience, run into all kinds of issues with all kinds of questions. It would seem prudent to have someone stationed there more often, particularly during the first few days of a cruise when people are trying to set up their accounts.
What got me thinking about this were a few occasions on my last cruise when I was in the internet cafe. I do computer support for a living and I think people can smell it on me… Often while I was sitting there checking or sending email, people would come up to me and start asking me questions about setting up accounts, printing, why they couldn’t do other things, etc. I wasn’t really bothered by it (even though I was off the clock), but it did get me to thinking maybe there should be a little more support available.
Just a thought. By the way I hate the fact that on these Conquest class ships, you have to walk through the cigar bar to access the Internet Cafe.
Ooo, I didn’t mean to make this a complaint posting! Sorry! I have to say that if this is the biggest problem I have with Carnival than y’all are doing something right!
Anyway only 130 days until the Blogger’s Cruise! Whoo Hoo! Not that I’m counting or anything…
Cheers,
Laura
September 10th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
John:
Great interview with Sir John!
Sheriff Coltrane:
Happy Birth Day!
Kevin:
So sorry to read about your Aston!
September 10th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Ahoy, John!
Great interview with the inimitable Mr. John Marwood Cleese. I love his work, and am especially partial to his films, “A Fish Called Wanda” and “Fierce Creatures,” largely because I also love Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline. It’s amazing the way John and his cohorts (Michael Palin, Terry Jones, et al) weave old bits into new works. There’s always an undercurrent of private humor (spelled correctly in American English) in John’s work. He must get a great deal of fun from seeing that his fans catch on as his gags migrate from one project to the next. Am looking forward to the next installment of the blog to see what else you have in store for us.
I am including here a link to the crest Scott and I (mostly Scott) designed for you. Just copy and paste! http://www.scottbushnell.com/Heald.html
Hope you enjoy it.
PS: To Sheriff Coltrane, Happy Birthday from “Daisy and all the Dukes”!
Our best to you, John, and to Heidi,
Myra and Scott
September 10th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Fantastic blog today John . Loved the interview with Mr Cleese. Looking forward to the audio.
And Happy Birthday Sheriff
September 10th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Hi John,
What a great day all the way around!!! Your interview with John Cleese was great. You have such a way of making people comfortable around you, that I had no doubt, your interview would be nothing less than fabulous!
Then topping off it with the news from PA 007…. I’m sure it just made your day perfect as it did the blog. Wonderful!!!
We had a good day, as well. Today, I had my PET Scan… and the doctors office called as soon as they got the report. At this time, there is no other cancer! I can breathe again!!! They tell me it will return, when and where is unknown, but for now it is contained in one spot. Surgery is still scheduled for Wednesday, the 12th. So, I thank you and Heidi as well as all the wonderful bloggers for thier kind words and prayers… so far it’s all helping! Thanks!!!
Happy Birthday to Sheriff Coltrane
and to terri910!!! Yee Haw!!!
I’m ready for the bloggers cruise… Let’s celebrate!
SF Jelly Beans all around!!!
Barb
September 10th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
This is for Kevin, If I were you I would not only sue the restaurant, but the valet parker, for moving your car without your permission, to me he/she is at fault as well as the restaurant, and regardless of whether the restaurants insurance company pays for your losses or not, they are at fault, and you should not have to keep paying on a car that is totalled, plus you should be compensated for your loss as well! Sorry to hear about your car, I know John was even looking forward to driving it someday in Miami. Are you still trying to get a job with CCL? Good Luck!
For John: Good interview with John Cleese! Are you two related? Your humour (spelled the English way) is so alike. I LOVE your humor (spelled the American way) so NEVER change! If you ever wanted to make a career change you should become a comedian, and tour the world, and then us bloggers could all say “we knew you when”. But I guess that wouldn’t be such a good idea, that’s why you want to retire so you aren’t traveling so much! Well, again another great blog! Only 68 days till our cruise 11/17/07-can’t wait! Have a nice night, can’t wait till tomorrow’s blog. I check the site out 3 times daily, and read all the comments too. God Bless, Mike & Linda
September 10th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
John,
Wonderful interview with Mr. Cleese. I imagine you felt much like a little boy in knickers and braces kicking at pebbles as you basked in the light of your idol.
I am one of millions of Americans who appreciate the unusual British sense of humor, even if I had to watch Full Monty with closed captioning to get past the accents. I only wish that one of my heroes, the late Benny Hill, could have been here to discuss comedy with you and Mr. Cleese. He was my first indication that the Brits are not a bunch of “stuffed shirts.” Imagine the three of you together–now that’s a trio I would pay to see!
Much love to you and Heidi,
and “Carry On!”
Rus Franklin
September 10th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
John,
Just wanted you to know Jo and I finally got home at 4PM EDT to New Jersey. It is a bout a 9 hour 10 minute flight and went well on Continental. WE alwasy said if we had to be on Alitalia we would just stay home. It is great to be back home again.
We were pleasantly surprised that the departure from the ship went much better then last year (except for the before 6AM thingy – I hate that). The Lido deck crew had hot food out about 5:15 for us to have some eggs and bacon. That was not the case last year.
Also as we remembered the Rome airport is a poor airport but thiss time the busses and off loading luggage went very well. I was surprised to see a man out front GIVING everyone a luggage cart without a charge.
There were adequate people around to answer questions along the path and at the various airline desks, while were hectic but also handled much better then last year when we left the Carnival Liberty in the rain. Oh yes, we did not have to remove our shoes at security and having more then one carry on was not a problem.
Take care John, and stop tripping around the pier.
We will see you on the Bloggers cruise in Jan. and
tell Heide, “the Blonde Bombshell” thanks for everything.
Dave (Jo and Dave)
September 10th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Oh No!!! Not the Cinque Terre…Don’t go people- you’ll all hate it…. um…, all that walking, terrible food, horrid people that don’t want you there. So NO ONE go on the Carnival cruises to Cinque Terre ….oh bother, all is lost…first The Voice, and now this…I shall now retreat to my box of chocolates…no calls please…………………
September 10th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
p.s. John Cleese makes me laugh without saying a word – and I’m not even British (well, only through heritage – the last Englishman in our family that touched British soil expired 200 years ago)
September 10th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
TO: Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane
Ku, Ku, Ku. I love it. I love it. Speaking of birthdays, have you seen the episode Happy Birthday, General Lee? It is one of my favourites.
Happy Birthday. Are you celebrating with Flash?
SewingNut
September 10th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Dear John, I think you missed my last note. I left some very important things in my room on the last cruise. Please email me as soon as possible. I was in room 1116 and would very much appreciate your help in getting back the things that I lost on the Carnival Freedom. I would rather not post my address on the internet.
Thanks much, -RP
September 10th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Hello John & Heidi,
John, I have been lookng forward to your interview with the incomparable John Cleese for some time. I am SO looking foward to the audio, which I believe will be much better than the printed interview! I have been a huge fan since Monty Python and the follow-up Fawlty Towers. I’ve always felt that Fawlty Towers was too short lived. I do wish they had filmed many more episodes, as the casting was absolutely brilliant and spot-on. I know of Mr. Cleeses’ popularity as a motivational speaker, and if anyone has not seen his send-up of the wine connoisseur on PBS, I would suggest looking it up online, it’s PRICELESS. To quote Basil Fawlty “I can certainly see that you know your wine. Most of the guests who stay here wouldn’t know the difference between Bordeaux and Claret.”
Mr. Cleese truly is one-of-a-kind. What kind, we’re still trying to determine! Thanks John for, what certainly must have been for you, a once in a lifetime achievement. Who would have imagined that your career as a cruise director would culminate with one of the world’s funniest men giving YOU a compliment about how you touch people on a regular basis with your humour (British spelling). Bravo Mr. Heald. You must (and SHOULD be) be VERY proud!
September 10th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
[...] PA 007, A Duchess and the King of Comedy …What a Day Good Evening, This is going to be an “instant blog.” It is 10:30pm and the ship is in Civi tonight and it […] [...]
September 11th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
John,
That interview with Mr. Cleese was awesome.
Oh man, I think I’m going to pop in the Monty Python and the Holy Grail DVD again now that I read this…
Cheers.
October 9th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
John
I am sailing on the Freedom Oct 16th, one week from today. This will be my 64th cruise-11th on Carnival and my first Med. I am a home based travel agent from the Detroit area. I am a group specialist and I love Carnival. Your Blog is awesome-I tell all of my clients to check it out. I have read that you are not a Pistons fan-is there a specific reason? What about our Red Wings (hockey), Tigers (baseball), and we don’t have to mentioned our Lions (football). I will be traveling with my two sisters-please make sure the bars do not run out of liquor. I am anxious to experience all that you have written about. See you soon.
Marilyn
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