HELLO EVERYONE.
Here is the first of the new “separately posted interview blogs.” These have been written exactly as the crew spoke which I am sure you will appreciate even more. I hope you enjoy the first of many chances to meet this fine ship’s company.
Here then is Mr. Luis …………….that’s what everyone calls him……………out of respect.
1. Can you tell us how long you have been working for Carnival Cruise Lines. What year did you start and what is your current position.
I have been with the company for 18 years and started October 15, 1989.
My job on board the Freedom is Staff Stateroom Steward and I tidy the cabins of the staff who I like much.
2. Where are you from and what is the best thing about living there.
Honduras – I loves Honduras for the beaches and I live only 10 minutes from the beach
3. Are you married and tell us about some of your family.
My wife passed away and I have 7 kids — 3 girls and 4 boys
4. What does your job involve. Describe what you do each day.
I start my day around 6:45 am sweeping and mopping his section which is made up of 30 cabins. I then go to a staff meeting and from there clean the infirmary before starting with cabins. In the afternoon I take a nice long break and then I clean the cabins and usually finish around 8 pm.
5. What is the best thing about working on a cruise ship.
I like the money I makes so I can send home to my family and like working with the crew onboard.
6.What is the hardest thing about working on a cruise ship.
I miss my family and always call them everyday to say hello.
7. Please tell us your favorite things.
FOOD – Plantains (in Honduras)
MOVIE – Action Movies with Kung Fu
MUSIC – Spanish…….I like to dance
FAVORITE WAY TO RELAX – Like to sit in the cabin with a cold drink and listen to music.
8. If you could any other job on the ship for a day what would you like to do and why
I really like working on a ship and any job would be fun because that would mean he gets to be onboard.
9. FAVORITE PORT – Barcelona
10. If you could meet one famous person in the world who would it be and why – I would likes to meet Hale Berry as she is sexy.
Thank you Luis, you are a true credit to the vessel and to Carnival and to your family whom I know you support.
More to follow tomorrow
J & H
Filed under: Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Tales from the Ship
A wonderful interview with Mr. Luis – he epitomizes the staff members that we have met on our six cruises. The joy that they bring to their jobs is effervesent, to say the least.
LFTTNSFCF
Dear John (what a start to the letter),
“This is a post I placed here back in August, I don’t believe you saw it, so here it is again as well as another question or two…”
First off, thank you for answering my questions on the Carnival Triumph and dinner seating times. We would like to know if you can find out what our dinner time is for the 9-22 sailing. It was booked last year while on the ship and I do not recall what time I specified. If possible, we’d like the 8 or 8:30 seating, if at all possible.
My wife and I cruised with you last year on the Liberty for the 10-22 sailing. We were the last 2 people to board the ship and found ‘Wild Willy’s’ lost luggage at the airport and brought it with us. I’m sure you’ve met 7 million people since then, so you’re minds probably in a haze, or your thinking ‘who gives a poop’. Nonetheless, we are cruising with you again on the Freedom on 9-22, and again with a back-to-back on the Splendor next year on 8-30 to the Baltics, then staying on the ship for the next sailing voyage into the Med. and back to Rome. We can’t wait.
After reading this blog, I came across this post:
“BILL(ZYDECO CRUISER) – You asked if both sides of the Carnival Splendor are going to look the same? Have you been at the Bushwackers again? Tell you what, sail on the Carnival Splendor and I will take you ashore in Dover and buy you Fish & Chips. Let me know as soon as you can about the Fantasy. Once again, we have ended up talking about food. What a shocker.”
Ignore the first part, but perk up regarding the fish & chips. If Bill doesn’t take you up on the offer, I want to take his place. Part of my reasons for traveling to Dover is simply to try the fish & chips there. I am a food fanatic like you… I just wear a smaller size of pants.
We’ll see you in 7 days on the Liberty and again in 365 on the Splendor for the double-duty cruise. Luckily, we got the same stateroom for both the Baltic and Med. cruise on the Splendor. That brings up this question… since we have the same room, will we have to remove our luggage from the ship in Dover, just to re-board it again at 5pm for the next leg of the new voyage, or are we able to keep our stuff onboard?
If you have time, let me know. If not, I’ll make a point to find you and say hello to you and your lovely wife. I understand that the 9-22 sailing is a CC cruise or something? Is that when you and Big Ed are going to dance?
If you have any left over Cannoli’s, just leave them for me and my wife in cabin #7211 on the 9-22 sailing. If you happen to eat them all, a massage voucher will suffice.
When’s the last time you saw Preston, the Entertainment Technical Manager for CCL? He and his mother played ‘Venice tour guides’ last year for us.
Sorry for my lack of concentration. Simply writing this letter is a headache, I do not understand how you do this whole blog on a day here, day there basis… your two fingers must hate you.
If you have time, I’d love a response.
Take care of yourself and be sure to have the chef take the anchovies off the menu for our voayage.
See you guys soon!
Ciao,
Matt & Arte Holden
—–
Hey John,
It’s us again… that last post, change the words Liberty on the 9-22 sailings to Freedom and it should ‘all come together’. You’re probably thinking… “I’m not even on the Liberty, you wanker.”
Matt & Arte Holden
Hello,
I enjoyed reading your interview with Mr. Luis. When I’m cruising I’m so wrapped up in who is taking care of me I don’t think about who may be taking care of the staff, I just assumed they had to clean up after themselves, except the Captain and senior officers of course. On my 2/2006 Liberty cruise I had the opportunity to visit with the head of the housekeeping department at the Captain’s cocktail party for about 15 minutes. I had commented to him how impressed I was with our cabin steward because the young man had a master’s degree and spoke three languages. He told me that he had three medical doctors and something like nine or so attorney’s working as cabin stewards because they could not make a decent living in their native countries. I was stunned. As an American I take so much for granted, but I was very moved when I heard about these professionals working so hard out of their field just to take care of their families. It certainly gives you different perspective on things.
I look forward to meeting more of the fantastic Carnival staff through interviews.
Thank you,
Julie Gantt
John, glad to hear you’re feeling much better now. Get a lot of rest so you can be healthy & peppy on the Bloggers Cruise !!! Just like your normal self!!
John, if it isn’t too much trouble, could you have the following message sent to Jude Stewart on the Carnival Destiny? We have not yet heard from him.
“Jude, we want to sail on the Destiny next spring or summer & would love to see you. Please let us know if you will still be on the ship in early June, 2008.”
And, a good idea for you John is to interview Jude, along with his picture, telling us how the waiters spend their days.
Thanks! Love ya!
Hey John,
Like the idea of separately posting the interviews as their own posts. Gives each interviewee (is that a word?) their own place to stand out here…
Good interview, so who’s lined up next for this section? Or is it a surprise?
Hi John and Heidi,
I just wanted to leave a note before we leave for Rome this week to sail on the 9-22 Freedom sailing. It has been great reading your blog this past few months. It has been very helpful in getting information pertaining to our upcoming sailing, plus all the other posts. I know Heidi’s Mom will be on our sailing. I’m sure as a good SIL you will be sure to introduce her at one of your shows.
I’m sorry to hear you bowed to the throne. I had this happen one time on a cruise shortly after eating some mussels and it was no fun. I had never eaten them before and never will again! I missed Antigua the following morning. I’m going to be going to Capri too and I’ll be sure not to get that Ceasar Salad that you ate.
My husband and I will be looking forward to meeting you and Heidi on the ship in the next week. Hopefully when I say this is Mamaw G. you’ll remember me. That’s what my grandkids call me, hence my e-mail name.
Gail in cabin 9229
Thank you so much for the interview with Senor Luis….
He sounds like a very nice man….though that I had no doubt…Carnival IMO…has always employed the very best…
See you all soon on the TA-Freedom..
~millie
Hi John
I just returned from the Carnival Liberty yesterday and just caught up on the blog thingy here. I see you just keep the awesome interviews and such coming our way. Kudos…for the John Cleese intrerview.
I did in fact see Todd on the ship again and again I say…what a guy!! Awesome isn’t even the word to describe him. I told him you said hi. He gave a message to you…said hi back at you!! Take care and we will see you in 18 days. You asked earlier if there is anything you can do…at this point I will say no, but if something comes to mind I will blog it to you later. Give my best to Heidi.
Hey John!
I’m sitting on the carnival Destiny enjoying a cocktail and was wondering…How many days of sailing does it take for a new ship to be paid off (that is the cost of building)?
Nice interview with Mr. Luis
I really enjoyed his comments.
I am sorry for the loss of his wife and i can now understand why he looks forward to seeing his kids so much.
Thanks!
David