The Gulf of Lion (French: Golfe du Lion) is a wide embayment of the Mediterranean coastline of Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence in France, reaching from the border with Catalonia in the west to Toulon……………….and last night the Lion had toothache because it was roaring its head off creating force 9 winds and some pretty big swells. This resulted in the ship doing an impression of a rollercoaster as we ducked and dived effortless through the swells until about 3 am when the Lion obviously saw an emergency dentist and was able to calm down a bit. Luckily, we got through the show without having to stop it and the cast performed admirably……………I was very proud of them.I went for my morning cup of tea in the lobby around 8:30am and the guests gave mixed reaction to the nights bumping and grinding…………the ship………I mean the ship moving around…………..stop it !
Some people get seasick and that’s natural I guess but some found it exhilarating that we were sailing through rough seas. Anyway, I was talking to one guest who was really happy with everything and was in full flow praising the friendly crew when I he was interrupted by a lady who did not look happy……………..someone had definitely taken the jam out of her doughnut. She was wearing a gold shimmering track suit with matching hat and her finger with a diamond the size of my head waggled in my face “I want to talk to you” said Mrs. Goldfinger………….”one moment I am just finishing with this guest,” said I…………..turning back to the guest I was about to continue our conversation when he said “that’s OK, I have to get ready for my tour.”………and he walked away……leaving me with Mrs. Goldfinger. This is how the conversation went…………….sorry but I can’t be asked to do the speech mark things………..here we go.
JOHN………….Yes, can I help you
Mrs. Goldfinger………..I want to complain.
John…………OK, complain away and let me see if I can help you
Mrs. Goldfinger…………I don’t like this ship
John…………..I am so sorry to hear that ………..may I ask why
Mrs. Goldfinger………..The food is no good, the shows are boring and there is nothing to do.
John………..OK, I am sorry to hear that……….have you enjoyed anything
Mrs.Goldfinger………….NO
John………….How about the ports
Mrs Goldfinger……….I didn’t come here for the ports I came to cruise
John……….OK, lets sit down and discuss what it is you do not like and let me get one of the Purser’s to record everything. I will be right back.
I then walk 15 paces to the front desk and one of the Pursers to join me. Joanne walks around an we walk toward Mrs. Goldfinger who has been joined by an man……….dressed head to toe in a black track suit with a logo saying “The Villages, Florida” across the chest.
John……….Hello Sir, Is this your wife.
Mr. Goldfinger…………Yes.
John……….OK, would you like to join us as we discuss what you are not happy with.
Mr. Goldfinger…………Oh ignore her, she could complain for America at the Olympics………come on let’s go ashore.
And with that Mr and Mrs. Goldfinger walk away leaving me Joanne laughing and me shaking my head, holding a cold cup of tea.
Today in Barcelona we were joined by Jonathan Blackburn who is a theatrical and entertainment agent based in London. He has provided us with all the wonderful singers, musicians, comedians and variety acts we have had this season. We will be meeting all day tomorrow to plan who will be entertaining guests on the Carnival Freedom and Carnival Splendor next year………any requests?
Here are today’s photos which I hope you enjoy. They were taken this week by Entertainment Staff member Gary during his trip to Pompeii……………………oh yes, there is a photo also of the a hat…………not just any hat…….THE HAT!
Here are today’s letters from the In Their Own Words Section
Time for the Q and A starting with the ones from A Blog for Tara
A CRUISE BY ANY OTHER NAME – Hello J.R. and how’s the price of oil today? Let me answer some questions for you. You asked about the Carnival pools and if they are open for 24 hours. The answer is no. Each ship keeps one pool open until midnight however due to safety concerns and the fact that we have to empty the pools we need to have them closed at some point each day. Then you asked about a place that is dark on the open decks so the heavens can be seen. There is always one area where this is possible, usually at the forward part of the ship. However, we must have the lights on most of the vessel so we can be seen. Even in the day and age of modern radar and detection equipment the best way to avoid a collision is to be lit up like a Christmas tree. This does not apply to parts of the front section of the vessel as bright lights can reflect back into the bridge making navigation difficult. Therefore the front of a cruise ship is often the best way to see the stars. Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers J.R.
NANETTE – Nani, I will let you know nearer the time and will put a visitors pass in for you to visit the ship. I am sure we will sail together again one more time. Sorry about wearing the blazer for the walk on deck but I had run straight from my Marriage Show plus I had given away my T Shirt to the lady in the electric wheelchair in the photo………. Adios ….mucho hugos.
PARIS, TEXAS – Welcome home and it is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your cruise so much. Of course I remember our brief conversation and I will now have a look for myself at the wonders of Paris, Texas and your own Eiffel Tower….do you consider your self Texan or French. Do you eat frog legs? Do you say Bonjour……ya’llllllllllllll. It sounds like a fascinating place and thank you for sharing its history with us all. Welcome to the world of blog which as of today has 670,000 readers. Thanks and stay in touch please.
LINDA HERNACKI – I want you to know that Carter has been in my thoughts since I read your posting Linda and I would be grateful if you could keep us informed as to his progress. I am sure he is in good hands and that the doctors at the Arnold Palmer hospital (is there a golf course on the roof?) will have the little chap back to playing and shouting for his Grandma very soon. I know how desperately you want me to be here in November and I am going to make a final decision when I will take vacation by October 1. I appreciate so very much that you want to sail with me and the feeling is I assure you mutual…..I want to sail with me to……………I mean I want to sail with you as well. Let’s see how the next few days go and then I will let you know. The book is a definite fact for the future and PA 007 is going to be my publisher! Most importantly please give Carter and his parents our best wishes and those of the thousands of readers to the blog thingy.
RUSS AND NINA FRANKLIN – Heidi wants to order the harmony seat now ……………..that’s my Christmas present sorted then. I was glad that the Walk on Deck for Breast Cancer was so successful and I am hoping that we get respelled very soon so we can do it all over again. Thanks for all your kind words and thoughts and my best to you both.
THE BEARS – CARL AND BARB – I saw the photos of your beautiful new grand bear and that is one beautiful baby. Will you please wish the family our very best and I hope the new cub brings you many years of joy and happiness……………..what a life he will have with grandparents like you. Congratulations and enjoy these special times.
KAREN TESSIER/EDMONSON – When you read a review like the one you just slapped on it makes my day. First of all, welcome home and thank you for acknowledging the dining room staff and of course the origination and quality of our shore excursion program. I know that there are times when having 3,000 people onboard can feel like there are 4,000 people onboard and these are areas we must try and improve on but hearing you say that you never felt that there were this many onboard…….well that is music to my ears. Keep working on your Platinum status and also please keep reading the blog thingy as I hope it will keep you going until the next time you walk up the gangway. Thanks again for your wonderful posting and welcome to the blog thingy.
RAY CZENSZAK – Ray, there is no need to thank me for the blog dedicated to Tara and the many ladies like her who have and unfortunately will still, face many battles ahead. The real thank and praise should go to people like your Jeanne who has walked thirty-five miles each and every year for four years to support breast cancer research. The next time she does a walk like that would you please let us know so I can sponsor her and I am sure there will be many more on this site who will do the same. Please pass on our best wishes and sincere praise for all she has done. Thank you mate for sharing your special lady with us all.
DEBORAH ROSATO – You and your group will soon be here and I am sure you must be very excited. You mentioned your meet and greet at 5′pm on the first day but unfortunately I will not be able to come as I am on stage at 4:30pm – 5:15pm for the Welcome Aboard Talk followed by the Q and A. However, I suggest that you have a second meet and greet on the first or second sea day and if you drop me a note at the Information Desk upon boarding I will arrange a lounge for you. Is this a Cruise Critic or cruise mates group of family and friends etc? Thank you so much for the kind words about the blog and if it does as you suggest offer a new level of customer service then it makes all this typing worthwhile. I will see you in a few weeks and let me know please if there is anything that you may require. Cheers.
LEASA – I wanted to say a big hello to your Mum and tell her that as a cancer survivor it is her that needs applauding not me. The Walk on Deck for the Cure is now as important to me as any show or activity and I will make sure it continues to be a focal point of each cruise for as long as I can. Thank you also for your kind words to Southern Dreams and please send Mum a big hug from us both. I am so glad you found the John Cleese book on audio and how wonderful that this support from the Library of Congress is there for sight-impaired people. John Cleese is tall, skinny, has typical English features which include a strong jaw line and a stiff upper lip. I am not sure if anyone has described me to you so close your eyes and picture the most handsome, debonair man you can with soft silky dark hair and the muscle tone of an Olympic athlete……………have you got that in your mind …………………good…………………..now think of the exact opposite and that’s me. I will be adding on a new PODCAST / AUDIO FILE very soon for you all to enjoy and my best to you until then.
LFTTHSFCF – Congratulations on the wonderful charity golf tournament you have been involved in ………….you should be very proud. Maybe I should do some sponsored Jelly Bean eating or if every blogger sponsored me $1,000 maybe I would go back for round two with Fatima. Have the tickets come yet and did you see the press release about the Halloween activities? The dream will soon be a reality…………….not long now.
MARILYN VISCHIO – I WILL INDEED BE YOUR Cruise Director next year on the Carnival Freedom as we head back to Europe. I love those crossings……………….except the 6 times we move the clocks one hour ahead. Still that is a small price to pay fro our voyage to Europe. Thank you for the kind words about the Walk on the Deck for Breast cancer and we will indeed be doing this again on the crossing next year. See you then and let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
GREY KITT N – Hello little grey kitten ………………….. ahhhhhhhhhh. Now, I just wrote that and then the thought popped into my head that you may be a 300 pound body builder but I will take the chance that you are not and say……………..aaahhhhhh again……………..aaahhhhhhhh. What a beautiful thing you did for your friend by sending her those beautiful gifts during her chemotherapies and how fantastic that you would like to do the same for Tara the lady I featured in the blog. I just contacted her and she was so overjoyed to hear that so many people were thinking about her and that you want to send her a Becky Bracelet. Tara said that she will be writing a post on the blog as soon as he gets home and I have given her Roberto’s e-mail so she can send in her address so we will be in touch. Thank you for being such a special person and I applaud all that you do. Thank little kitten…………..aaaaaaahhhhhhhh.
THE POET LAUREATE – Thank you once again for another poem and especially one that refers to the special Walk On Deck. You continue to be such a great supporter of the blog thingy and we all thank you for that and all your poems.
She started writing poems and suddenly she was a hit
Words of beauty and joy would flow when at the computer she would sit
From jellybeans to Fatima she has written from a far
And that is why for all of us jtoddinman is a star.
INEZ – Heidi says you are welcome.
JULIE GRANT – As I just mentioned Tara was overjoyed when she read all the comments that everyone has been posting and I know that it has made a huge difference to her knowing so many people both onboard and on this blog thingy are supporting her and everyone else who faces the slings and arrows that lay ahead. So thank you Julie for being one of those special people and my best regards to you.
CAROL SCHOENBERGER – So far, no space ship sightings have been recorded but I thought I saw an ugly monster from the planet Zog yesterday. It was huge, had scary red eyes and a terrible smell was coming out of its rear end………..I was about to call Mr S and tell him he was correct when I realised I was looking at myself in the mirror this morning………….jelly beans and late nights do not go together. Talking of scary monsters, Halloween will be a wonderful fleetwide event and I will make sure all the cruise directors take photos of the events so I can slap them on the blog thingy. Thank you Carol ……….my phaser is set on heavy stun and my warp drive is on factor 5 ………..Heidi is not happy.
DWA 76 – I know I should not let people get to me like my friend who wrote that the photo of the Carnival Triumph is not real……………I mean, does he really think I would post something that is not real on a site that has nearly 700,000 readers. I respect everyone’s opinion but sometimes ……………….well………………you know.
I am glad you enjoyed the blog thingy and I hope that you are also enjoying today’s. Cheers mate and many thanks for the constant support.
LOIS THANKSFORTHEKINDWORDSSKI – Hope you are enjoying your hide away vacation in Kentucky. A man from Kentucky walks into a bar and orders a beer Bartender says “have you got any ID? The man from Kentucky says “About what?” That joke was old to me by friend Carl Falconberry from Louisville. Heidi says a big hello back and most importantly thank you so very much for the kind words you shared with us all.
NOW WE MOVE TO COMMENTS FROM THE BLOG ABOUT STEWARDESS MERYLN
JO MYERLY – I knew she had been your stateroom stewardess so I hoped you would be the first to place on a posting and there you go…….you did. She is a wonderful lady is our Merlyn and she is the opitimee…the impatami, the apatamee…..she is a great example of what makes Carnival Cruise Lines’ crew the best in the business. I have passed on your kind regards and she was THRILLED. Thanks to you and Dave whom I picture now in your bloogers shirts sitting in the Victoriana Lounge.
MAMAW G – Here are the demographics you requested for the cruise of September 22nd…………..your cruise.
GUESTS ONBOARD – 2,988
INTERNATIONAL GUESTS – 754…………MOSTLY FROM AUSTRALIA, THE U.K. AND MEXICO.
GUESTS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE………..27
NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WILL FIND SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT…………T.B.A.
Now you asked if Mr and Mrs Kurtz meant to miss the ship in Venice and after speaking to them I assure you they did not, especially as it cost them a few hundred Euros in hotel and travel expenses. Don’t worry, I will not let you miss the vessel. See you very soon and have a safe flight here.
DWA 76 – What a great idea and after reading your posting Heidi has presented her with a Carnival Scrapbook………….Heidi said her smile lit up the port side of the ship…………………that is thanks to you mate.
NOW THE COMMENTS FROM THE BLOG CALLED SUNSET PART 2
PEANUTS – You asked how long it takes for a package to reach us here on the Carnival Freedom? Sometimes it gets from the states and Canada within 12 days but I know some people who have been kind enough to send packages that have yet to arrive. How kind of you to ask if you can send packages to the address at the side of the blog thingy which indeed you can and really though it is not necessary…………………….but if you do please include food. I am glad that you and so many others are enjoying the sunset photos and there will be many more to come…………..Gary and Heidi will make sure of that.
CRUISERANNE – You are welcome and how wonderfully you described your feelings when watching a sunset………especially the word “languid” ………….I am going to use that word as much as I can in the future. Have a languid night ……..see, I told you…….and thanks for reading the blog thingy.
SOUTHERNDREAMS – wishing you many, many more sunsets together.
SAMOU – Right, lets answer your questions then. How many big production shows are held on the Carnival Freedom you ask?…………….The answer is 3. They are called The Big Easy, Jump, Jive and Wail and Ticket To Ride. We compliment these with the finest variety entertainers at sea and I know you will find the shows to be one of the best parts of your cruise.
You then asked what tour I suggest you take in Rome when you disembark. Well, for me the answer to that one is not so easy. In my opinion you have to see the Vatican but that is unfortunately closed on a Sunday which of course the 28th is. Therefore, I suggest you take The Best Of Rome which will include all the other major sites including the Coliseum, The Trivi Fountain etc. After the tour the bus will drop you in the center of Rome or at the airport. Can you tell me the name of the Hotel you have booked and when you do I will advise you of the best way to get there after the tour has finished. I hope you are excited at the prospect of your forthcoming cruise and I am here should you need anything further. Cheers.
GREG AND CINDY COURINGTON – I wouldn’t bother packing huge Halloween costumes on your cruise of October 16th as I know Trans Atlantic flying limits the ability to pack too much these days. If enough people want to “play” we will of course have a pre-Halloween event and I promise that will be lots of fun. Not long to count now……….see you soon.
MARILYN VISCHIO – Glad you are enjoying the photos and there will be more sunset ones very soon.
TERRI910 – Hello Terri. You asked how many guests aged under 18 the Carnival Freedom carried during its August cruising when the school holiday’s were in full swing. I just checked my records and during the last cruise in July through to the first cruise in September the ship carried 2189 guests under 18………………….that’s over three 12-day cruises. The demographics have certainly changed now though as we have just 20 something guests aged under 18. I am glad to hear that you are now considering a 2008 Baltic cruise on the Carnival Splendor. You asked a few questions so let me answer them as best I can.
WEATHER IN THE BALTIC – Well, it this year is anything to go on it is going to be hot. St.Petersburg had record temperatures but even at normal levels the ports will all be blessed with sunshine and temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees during July and August. I do remember on the Carnival Legends cruise to the Baltic thinking how hot it was and how surprised I was.
DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE GUESTS – I expect this to be the same as here on the Carnival Freedom perhaps with a few less children………… Obviously, we have to wait and see and I will also try and get some information from reservations regarding this as soon as I can. I hope you will seriously consider this wonderful adventure and I remain at your service should you need any further prompting…………go on………………book a cruise………….it is going to be a wonderful adventure.
OK, I have to stop there and will continue later tonight with more Q and A.
I am so sorry I did not post a blog yesterday, I just ran out of hours and that drives me absolutely mad. Anyway, I will make sure I catch up on all the questions tomorrow so that we can get up to date. Once again, my apologies for yesterday.
Today, I received a plaque marking my 20 years with this great company plus a diamond pin…………………I wanted to share them with you so here they are.
We are now just about to leave the port of Cannes and yet again we have two missing guests……………..Mr and Mrs. Crocket. They have 10 minutes to get here.
Happy Birthday to the Queen Elizabeth 2. Here is the correspondence I received from Ms Carol Marlow, Cunard’s President and Managing Director.
Happy Birthday QE2!
We have had a great day here on QE2 in Greenock, the place of her birth, with over 200 visitors to the ship, many of whom who worked on the ship when she was built, and local dignitaries, and we had a great fly past by the Red Arrows….and then 3 cheers throughout the ship at 14.28 to commemorate the time that Her Majesty named the ship back in 1967. Wonderful!
What a wonderful way to say happy birthday to a ship who will forever be one of the most famous ships in the world. Let us raise a glass of something tonight and say “Happy Birthday.”
Nope, they didn’t make it…………….the Crockets…………..they will have to fly to Livorno tomorrow as we are sailing away.
I have to vent…………….I know I should not but I have to…………………and in advance I have to say that Carnival are going to be very happy that there is a disclaimer at the side of this blog thingy…………..they are going to need it.
Today, was a very busy day. Once the tender service was finished this morning (2,600 off in 2 hours, twenty minutes) I had a long meeting with Jonathan Blackburn who we hire much of our fly on entertainment through for the carnival Freedom and will do so next year from the Carnival Splendor as well. His acts are just amazing and he has such a variety of top entertainers on his books many of whom I know bloggers who have cruised this year with me have enjoyed so much.
Anyway, I digress. After an hour or so of scheduling I was hungry…………what a shocker I hear you cry. So, up to the Lido Deck we went for some grazing time. Most guests were off the ship enjoying Cannes so I was surprised to see so many people at the food service lines. It was then that I remembered we had 100 visitors onboard from Cannes who were here as Travel Agents inspecting the ship………………which we want them to do.
As Jonathan, Heidi and I were getting our food (I was ordering the spicy Mongolian Wok which is so spicy it hurts………twice) I heard a bit of a commotion across the other side of the Lido. There, standing at the salad bar was a tall French lady with blonde hair that had a large black stripe down the middle………she was shouting……………I mean screaming at one of our Indonesian service staff. Why ?……………..well he was trying to tell her that she was not allowed to smoke…………..he was being as polite as he could but she was having none of it………..waving her hands around pointing at the guest identification tag she was wearing. The waiter then said in English “no smoking” and again she shouted in fast and brittle French………………and do you know what she did……………and we could not believe our eyes………….she took one last drag, dropped the cigarette onto the marble floor and ground her heel into it to stub it out…………………………..I was fuming…………………I mean steam was coming out from all parts of my body, not just the usual places (jellybean reference )……………….this…………..this………………….thing had just done that with out a care in the world……………….what a complete and utter female canine.
She then picked up a plate and started helping herself to salad.
I then looked at the waiter who had gone to get some napkins from the line and was about to bend over to clean up Cruella Devilles’ ash ………………….I decided to act.
I knew Jonathan spoke fluent French as he lived in Nice for many years and grabbed his arm and pulled him along with me towards the scene of the crime. I gently maneuvered the waiter out of the way and took the napkins from his hand telling him many thanks and to go back to work. I then approached Cruella and tapped her on the shoulder…………..she looked round and said “wee”………………yep I thought, that’s what you are a lanky streak of wee……………..what I actually said was ………excuse me madam, please use this napkin and clean up your cigarette and ash………………..she then as expected said something in French which probably translated to “go away you ugly fat Englishmen.” I then waived Jonathan over and asked him to explain that unless who I was and that if she did not do as requested I would have her removed from the vessel immediately. Jonathan then translated in French what I had said but obviously he didn’t know how to say Cruise Director as those were the only words I understood. She looked at me and I looked at her …………there was then a standoff that John Wayne at the OK Corral would have been proud of …………until she snatched the napkin from my hand, walked over to the ash and cigarette, picked up the remains of the cigarette …………mopped up the ash………..and as she did so the various guests who had been watching started applauding and cheering……………….Cruella then turned on her heels and still holding the napkin in her hand walked away her hand raised in what was definitely not a message of love and as she did so she said something in French which Jonathan told me had something to do with miss kissing a certain part of her body………….and on our first date as well.
After this incident many guests told me how wonderful they thought I had been in making her do this and how dare she etc etc.
Why did I get so bothered by this? It would have been easy just to shrug my shoulders and walk away but it was the fact that she was so abusive to a staff member and as a visitor she thought that she had the right to do this. I have been here 8 months now and I think I am getting tired but bloody hell …………this is my home and I won’t have anyone abuse it or the people who work with me. How would she feel if I had done that in her house …………she would have probably set her dogs on me…………all 101 of them
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Catherine Zeta Jones, Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Splendor Godmother, Tales from the Ship
John, ooops! jtoddinman is a man.
“BIG” ED
So John thinks the poet is a she
However the poet will disagree
A man the poet is I will guarantee
The reason I give to you is free
I can stand when I pee…….
John, my compliments on a well-handled situation. Your altercation with the “lady” if I may be so bold as to call her a lady, reminds me of a conversation between 2 characters, Toad (Ian McKlellan) and Le Frog (Jean Reno) in the movie, “Flushed Away”:
Toad: You find my pain amusing?
Le Frog: I find everyone’s pain amusing, except my own… I’m French!
Unfortunately, this behavior is not limited to the French – it crosses all cultures, and infuriates all others. Typically, these people think that they are hot snot on a silver platter, when they are truly just cold boogers on a paper plate.
She was quick to point out that she was a guest–in your place of business, and your community. If guests insist on acting like rectal orifices, I say give them to Fatima – she’s an expert in the cleansing of that part of the anatomy.
Wishing you smooth sailing, Mate.
Rus Franklin
John, A little late but you got it. Where is the ASTON MARTIN? I’m sure glad you had that beautiful lady hold it for the picture and not you. Heidi you look great in the picture. You’ve lost weight, right?
It is smokers like Cruella Deville that give smokers a bad wrap. We are ex-smokers that cheat now and then. But I would have been applauding and cheering you for this action. Well done John. Non-smokers do get rude sometimes too even when they are in an approved smoking areas as you know. Untill they totally outlaw the sales of cigarettes I do believe there should be areas on the ship equal to the percentage of people still smoking used as smoking areas. I think CARNIVAL has it about right now. I could see even adding cabin balconies since they are so close together and the smoke does carry around the partitions. But leave the cabins as your choice since your smoke here is contained and also fire protected by the sprinklers. 121 days till we can have a good cigar together.
“BIG” ED
First of all, Bravo!!You did the right thing.Who do she thinks she is ??You were at the right place at the right moment.
John We would love to go inside the ship again and spend more time with you, Thank You!!
Hey! I went to see the movie that Mr Cleese recomended Death at a funeral last night, Bloody brilliant mate! Love it, yes it is very funny is one of those movies that makes you laugh out loud and stomp your feet on the floor from laughing (like your bedtime story) I needed that soooooo much. You would love it!
Heidi:
Im hearing many things about what the men are going to do on the bloogers cruise.That they are going to get in trouble, Spice things, Alan, revenge, etc, etc. What are the girls going to do?? I wish I was going so we can join forces and with our friends Bee and Kathie do something special for the boys and also a girls night out.AHHHHH! I wish . The last thing to lose is hope…. I will keep praying for a miracle.
Take care my friend!!
Congratulations John!
20 years of service and a showdown on Main Street. You rock!
I have been to “The Villages” in Florida, live about and 20 miles from there, we do not go at all….. (I could say a lot but I won’t) anyway at least you where rescued by the husband this time. And as the french women goes I would have been cheering your actions with the others.
Congratulations on the 20 years, Heidi displayes the plaque well.
Best to you and Heidi
Heidi-Beth
John,
To bad you can’t keel haul people still, I would have loved to see her when she was going under. In the last 3 days at work I’ve noticed people are very aggressive to each other, a older man and a gentleman in his late 40’s the other day were bickering about the older man not holding the door open. So the older guys said look here mister don’t talk to me like that I’m old enough to be your dad. And it just went on from there sadly I had to ask them both to leave because they were disturbing the guests. And I have a few others but that is the most recent. People are just odd at times, maybe it has something to do with the change of season. Best to Heidi
Kevin
PS If bribed properly I might take on the roll of a spice girl as long as spandex isn’t required and I’m rather well tanked up
John,
I applaud you!!! Well done!!! How dare her treat the waiter like that – does she not realize he is a person, just like she is (although that could be debated). I don’t understand how that behavior is acceptable in any part of life. How does she get away with that? And to be a travel agent? I hope you have her name so we can ruin her business!!!
You had a crazy day, all before your lunch!! It sure makes my days seem very tame in comparison.
I’ve been lurking the past month or so, went to Alaska on the Golden Princess and what a beautiful ship she is!! And a fabulous trip!! I have never done a cruise from my home port and it was amazing to drive to the ship, walk on, sail away…..sail back, walk off and drive home. I can’t wait to hear about the Emerald Princess later in the blogs to come. I’m sure she is a beauty too.
In catching up on the blogs while I was gone, I had to put my dog down, he was 16 years old and he got to the point where he couldn’t walk any longer and it was time. It was one of the hardest thing I have ever had to do, and that put me behind on reading blogs, but in the 2 weeks since, you have brightened my days with thoughts of sailing on the blue seas.
Now, I am caught up again, so off we go on new adventures!!!
S’dreams, glad to hear your treatments are over, hope everything went well and hope you enjoy your TA cruise.
Kevin, sorry to hear about the car and hope the lawyers and insurance companies get on the ball and you get a new set of shinny wheels soon. Glad to hear no one was hurt in the mishap!!
And a huge shout out to Tara!! What a wonderful inspiration to all of us!!! She is a beautiful woman and I hope she joins us here in bloggy-land.
John, glad you are feeling better and send my love and greetings to Heidi…I really enjoyed the times she filled in for you. I hope you can part with your computer long enough for her to write another blog soon.
Rochelle
Ah, John, my friend!!
You taunt me with your picture of that NBA Champion hat… I have one, also except MUCH newer… and it says ‘SPURS’… Humm. For the life of me, I can’t recall how the HEAT did in the playoffs last year… Might that be because they were SWEPT in the first round???
I was right. You have this remarkable ability to attract ‘that’ type of person, the type I refereed to in my last note to you. You know, the Mrs. Goldfinger and Cruella type! You handled both situations wonderfully. Had it been me I would have been tempted to pick up the crushed butt (not HER, the cigarette!!!) with the napkin and then deposit it down the front of her, without doubt French chic, apparel. That’s why your a cruise director and I’m a hit man (not really but it just sounded good!). Tact. God graced you with mountains of tact. In fact, I believe he gave you mine.
Well, it’s time to starting thinking about starting to pack for my cruise on the Conquest. If I’m nothing else I am a world class procrastinator. I suspect that I’ll be madly cramming everything in the closet into my cases moments before I have to dash out the door and set some variety of land speed record as I head to Galveston.
Cheers to your lovely wife and Roberto, who may be lovely but I don’t have a clue…
Greg
GOOD JOB John! You handled that French “LADY” very eloquently, I don’t think I would have been so kind! I would have made her get down and wash the floors on her knees! HA! Thank You so much for your kind thoughts about Carter. He got home from the hospital yesterday, his mom and dad stayed with him the 3 days he was at the hospital, he still has a drain but that will be removed next week. Only thing is they have to do another operation in 3 mos. on the right side kidney, it wasn’t a blockage but a kink or something? I don’t know exactly, but he is such a brave little boy. Thanks for your warm thoughts. Yes, I understand John that you and Heidi need a rest, so whatever you decide I will understand! If you do leave before Nov. 17th I hope you can tell me where to mail you a package in early December. OK? Hopefully, we can connect on a cruise somewhere in the near future before you leave Carnival cruising. I will be patient and await your answer. Heidi looks so pretty in her black dress holding your 20 year placque – well deserved. You asked who we would like to see in entertainment on the Freedom/Splendor in the future, while I know this could never happen I would LOVE to see Barry Manilow perform on a CCL ship, I know that is an impossible task, as is getting Angelina or Catherine to be Godmother of the Splendor. But, since you asked……. Anyway, hope your Thursday night is going/has gone well! This weekend we are going to Kennedy Space Center with the grandkids, they are having Florida appreciation weekend, and all Florida residents go for FREE with a donation to the Food Pantry. It will be fun! Talk to you soon! Linda & Mike
john and heidi,
i saw the oncologist today and you know what he told me? (he was the last dr. i needed to see by the way) anyway he said: GO ON YOUR TRIP, it is the best medicine i could give you!!!!! woo hoo… three weeks and a half more and i will be giving you both a hug! what about that? (then he gave me some awful pills to take for the next five years, but woo hoo anyway!!!) see y’all soon! tell me what you want me to bring you or i shall have to guess. oh, and today is thursday so i will shut up now, i know you are “busy”.
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
First of all, thanks for the compliments on the golf classic. It is truly a joy to be involved in these types of charitable endeavors.
Second, I did see the press release on the Halloween activities. I do have one question – October 31st (Halloween) is also a formal night. Do I need a formal costume for the night? Seriously, are we going to do the costumes another night or in conjunction with the formal night activities?
Last, three cheers for the manner in which you addressed the issue of Madame Defense de Fumer. Your response was absolutely spot on – she needed to be taught a lesson and you are The Professor.
Its getting close – 39 days now. Any special requests that we need to attend to in order to get on board?
Jon
Hi John and Heidi,
Oh man! John you prove over and over what a gentleman you are. That woman should be glad I wasn’t there for her little fit! As I said in my last post, I’m a smoker and I would never ever think about doing such a disgusting thing! Much more than that, is the way she treated another human being. The cigarette thing makes me mad but her horrid behavior with the staff member was just too much! I wish you could have kicked her **s right off the ship. O.k., I guess I should calm down before my blood pressure goes through the roof! You did make me laugh with Mrs. Goldfinger. Thank you again for being the sweet gentleman you are. Say hi to Heidi for me. I’d like to send a package over to you guys but I don’t think my screen reader has found the address you spoke of. Could you email it to me through Roberto or something? Do you guys have too many mugs yet or would you like something else from Ft Walton Beach Fl.? Let me know. Big hugs.
Leasa
Bravo, John! You were nicer to Cruella than she deserved.
Pat
Mercy, Breezy!
And give a special thank you to the waiter.
Good for him.
You asked a while back about lambie pie.
I grew up in Florida. We had fried chicken most Sundays, unless there was a special sale price and we had roast beef or ham for a change. We also had canned tuna, hot dogs, hamburgers, and fried steak. For special treats, we had Stone Crab Claws and Oyster Stew. I highly recommend Stone Crab Claws: when done properly, only the right claw is harvested IF it and the left claw are a minimum prescribed size, then the crab is turned loose to grow another delicious meal, again and again and again….
I knew people who raised chickens, and hogs, and cattle, and caught the seafood. We didn’t know anybody who raised sheep. Something about the temperature! Otherwise, all the sheep would have to get a buzz cut every week.
Now, Mr. grew up in Vermont, as discussed earlier, and had lamb with mint jelly on a fairly regular basis, and turkeys roasted in a slow oven, and pork roasts with potatoes; his mom was an excellent cook and she taught him well.
So, today I wandered through the grocery store. Didn’t find Savoy cabbage, so I brought home red. Still have no idea what Savoy cabbage is: I know bok choy.
Then I went looking for the lamb. There was racks of lamb, suitable for crown roast, at $12.99 per pound. There was semi boneless leg at $5.19 per pound, none of them less than $25. The deli man went looking for me, and said that shoulder chops and blade cuts will be in for one pound packages tomorrow at $5.60 per pound or so, along with lamb loin at I’ve put it out of my mind, also $12.99 or more. He said they order in already packaged. When I can get sale prices for hamburger which is ground beef with regulated amounts of ground fat for $2 or less a pound and boneless skinless chicken breasts for $2 or so a pound and lovely london broil for $2 or so a pound and a whole loin side of pork for $2 or so a pound, I make my not shepherd’s pie from hamburger.
Back to the first subject. When you said…..I was afraid you were going to say she squished into the bowl of lettuce or the shrimp salad or your hand and at least she squished it instead of leaving it embering along.
You did good too.
Mercy, Breezy.
Good Evening John and Heidi,
That was just wrong!?!?!?……a picture of THAT hat was just not right!!! You will see that My Boys WILL be the heat!!!
By the way if I send a package to you at the address on this Blog Thingy what happens when the Freedom is re-positioned? I will be sending it on Monday so I guess I will keep my fingers crossed.
Take care and that is still not right;D
Joan
John, I have to ask how do you and Heidi live on the ship. I have not read all of the blog all the time, do you have large crew cabins or a regular passenger one, just curios. See you on Oct.4.
Clarification re Vatican October 28
Hi John –
Hope you soon get a ship full of guests looking to have fun rather than looking to find trouble. You deserve it.
Could you clarify a post you made to Samou regarding the Vatican being closed on October 28? In an earlier reply to me., you confirmed that the CCL Exclusive Tour of the Vatican would still be running that day (plus from some earlier reading I saw that the Vatican often opens on the last Sunday of the month with free admission; not sure if this is true for October 28). Perhaps only the Exclusive tour is running and others are not ??
I agree the Vatican is not to be missed and we were planning to do it on the 28th when we got off the ship. If it is cosed, we need to adjust our plans.
Thanks for your help. See you October 16.
John – You are a class act. You handled a difficult situation with tact and finesse. Bravo !!
Hello,
It’s been awhile since we have written. The last couple of weeks have been busy with my mother in the hospital and our son leaving for a month to work in the Congo for an NGO there. And guest what – you got it the, airlines lost his luggage! Two weeks later Mom is home from the hospital and doing well but -still no luggage. No Purser Office so calling 7777, well it just did not work, and traveling from village to village, there is little hope that the luggage will find its owner.
Anyhow, we are just wanted to say congratulations on the success on the Walk for the Cure. The pictures were wonderful. It was really amazing seeing all of those people taking out time from their vacation for such a cause. By the way John, your clothes are looking like they are getting too big on you. Congratulations – it looks like the diet is working.
Thank you for reminding folks to wash their hands. Life is all about making choices and if one is informed about the risks and decides to take the risk then it’s their choice but it is so important to keep reminding folks of the risk. And thank you for speaking up with the incident with the “lady” on the Lido deck. WELL DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heidi – your pictures are wonderful. Have you ever thought of giving lessons or sending them somewhere to get published?
We do have a question. One time you spoke of Heidi’s father sailing with you. Has your parents ever taken a cruise? My mom hate’s going over long bridges. We’ll never get her on a ship. Lynn and Mike
John,
I took french in high school. I only remember a couple of phrases, but will be glad to to teach them to you in April.
I am so glad you reacted as you did and hope you will not have any trouble for it. You certainly have my support.
You handled the “lady” sooo well. You deserve an award. Why is it that some people think they can just do anything they please?
Good Job John! That was so very rude, no matter what nationality you are. I think we all forget that the ship is your and your co-worker’s home. I’m always amazed at your politeness and the patience of the employees at Carnival.
Sondra
Hello John,
The Villages… That’s pretty close to me. A huge retirement community.
Anywho, you handled that situation with the cigarette woman well. Don’t let her bring you down.
Cheers.
Yeay John! You were so right on with that horribly rude guest! It’s really a shame that people don’t understand basic manners anymore. Good for you for teaching her some.
Check out how Patty LaBelle teaches manners:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWlJrWX6fio
J. Todd – Maybe Jenny is logging on under your user name! Great reply in the comments
Good morning John,
Cruella indeed! How dare she? But I am so glad you had her clean up. She also should have apologized to the waiter and then been escorted off the ship. If she was a travel agent – Carnival could do well enough without her.
And I thought your only problem was Mrs. Goldfinger. At least Mr. Goldfinger had some sense. But I wonder what life is like in their house? Probably not that peaceful. Does she get bored at home too?
I probably would have loved the rough seas. I always sleep better on ships than in strange hotels – probably the rocking motion. But I probably would have been on deck watching (as long as I was holding on).
Let me read your other posting,
Regards,
Carol
Dear John,
Did I read your blog correctly? Are you taking vacation and are NOT going to be on the ship on the 3rd of Oct.? I appreciate that you (and of course Heidi) do deserve time off but we will be so sorry not to get to meet you when we take our cruise on the 4th of Oct. Please say you will be back by then.
Laura
There was a blonde woman from France
Whose boorishness caused John to glance
To the salad bar line,
Then this hero of mine
To the rescue of wait staff did prance.
John, gentleman all through and through,
Was angry and his anger grew.
He took a stand
And made a demand
Which at first the French femme did eschew.
Then she saw John meant business, so deigned
To pick up butt and ash that remained.
Then she turned and walked off
With mid finger aloft
And so her whole country has shamed.
So much for the French attitude
That only Americans are rude.
Guess our French forbears brought
Bad manners and taught
Them to all who’re with French blood imbued.
John:
Thanks so much for answering all our questions! We’re still deciding which Carnival cruise we will take in 2008 — it’s a matter of “which” not “if”!!
You asked for suggestions as to entertainers….one person I would LOVE to see perform while we are on a Carnival cruise is ventriloquist Terry Fator.
And you can add my voice of approval to your handling of “Cruella.” Clearly, her mother should have reacted similarly during her formative years — perhaps she would have known better by the time she was old enough to have a career.
Oh, and I laughed out loud when I read what Mr. Goldfinger said about his wife!!
It’s no wonder your blog thingy is as popular as it is….we, the readers, are “let in” on everything: the good, the bad, and the truly ugly!!!
Terri
Not in my house – I don’t understand how people can treat other people that way. I worked retail for 10 years and I will never forget one customer who I was trying to help find pants. She told me that she wore an american size 14. After about 30 minutes of “Those are too small, those are too big, I don’t like that color, that can’t be my size, etc.” I finally found a pair that she liked, in pink of all colors. She then turned to me and demanded that I find her another pair with a snap of her fingers and the comment that “You serve ME”. At this point I had had enough. My answer to her was “I help you, but I DO NOT SERVE YOU” and I turned and walked away. She was not French but just as arrogant.
Everyone should be treated with respect at all times. Thank you for stepping in and making her do the right thing. It probably will not change her, but the rest of us really do appriciate it when someone else steps up and takes our side.
The people who work for Carnival have always done an outstanding job when I have been cruisin with them. My husband and I are about to take our 6th Carnival cruise on the 7th of October on the Carnival Legend, and we are counting down the days. I hope to sail with you again in the future (we sailed on the Carnival Glory with you three times) but I don’t think it will be in Europe. Again many thanks.
Mr. Heald,
Bravo! Bravissimo!! I’ve run out of Italian superlatives!!!
Seriously, I was greatly impressed by the way you handled Madame La Fumar, she of the nicotine-stained finger, sulphurous breath and poisonous attitude. I am continually amazed by the bloody- and single-minded rudeness of some people.
My wife and I have been on four cruises — our first was right after Sept. 11, 2001, on the Carnival Triumph, where we first made your brief but (in our case, at least) memorable acquaintance. And each time we jokingly say that we will say we’re from Canada, in hopes that others won’t associate us with the boorish behaviour shown by some of our fellow countrymen. My goodness, you’re on a marvelous ship in the middle of the sea, being waited on hand and foot by extremely nice and interesting people from all over the world — WHAT IS THERE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT???
Ahem. Sorry.
We’ve booked passage on the Blogger’s Cruise this January and my lovely wife is literally counting the days until then.
We enjoy your postings on the “blog thingy” immensely. Thank you for taking the time and effort to do this — it almost makes us feel as if we’re back at sea.
all the best to you and those of “your house.”
jim & karen watts
3 Cheers for John’s defeat over the evil Cruella. I wanted to stand up here at my desk and cheer
What an awful woman.
Your looking for entertainment ideas huh?
One of the things I would love to see would be entertainment based on the local area. Something that gives you a little idea of the traditions and flavor.
Maybe another idea is something similar to Cirque du Soleil. I just love how acrobatic they are
Also we love the comedians. Would love to see more than just one or two.
Ok all out of ideas… Carla
You have a lot of Lindas on here…so I thought I would add a litte distinction. (DJ is our son who has autism that Carnival has so beautifully cared for on all our cruises over the years.)
Anyway, 2 quick things. Way to go with Cruella.
One of the most important things we have used cruises for is to teach our 2 sons that people they encounter deserve our respect regardless of race, culture, occupation or financial standing.
Whether in the ports or on the ship, I had better hear “yes mam”, “yes sir”, please and thank you.
We have pointed out men and women who have very little (by our standards) that are working hard to provide for their families and living a life of honor and character and that is what we base our respect for them on….not money.
Secondly,. my BIL and sister did have a Aston Martin (years ago when Moby Dick was a tadpole) but sold it when their first child came along. It just wasn’t practical and my sister had a heck of a time trying to drive it 9 months pregnant. But they did love that car and were sad to see it go.
The Victory in only 8 days….yeah!!!!
Hi John/Heidi:
Way to make a stand! I echo the sentiments of everyone else in this thread who think that she was out of line. Clearly, she lacked a lot of class by not listening to the person telling her not to smoke.
I’ve been by the Villages. I liked the husband’s line about how she would complain about America in the Olympics!
Nice pics even though the Miami hat is an insult since they beat my little Dallas Mavericks. Oh well…Win some and lose some.
You made my day telling me that they gave Meryln a scrapbook. I hope she gets a lot of joy and fun out of documenting her memories. Thank you!
Hope you have a better weekend than last weekend. With any luck, the seas won’t be so rough for the passengers.
David
Hi John,
Bravo on your reaction to Ms. Cruella!!! Personally, I think you should have force fed her a double dose of SF Jelly Beans (after she cleaned up the mess and apologized to the staff) and then she could have been doubly embarrassed as she strutted away with her finger in the air and her rear-end-rumbling!!! (Maybe throw a few at Mrs. Goldfinger too!) I can’t believe how rude some people can be. It really appalls me how some people think it is okay to treat service staff so rudely. Don’t they realize we all put on our pants the same way… one leg at a time. Carl and I have found that CCL has the nicest people we have ever met working on thier ships. We both enjoy getting to know the staff and chatting with them about thier lives and learning about where they are from and just getting to know them. They are wonderful people who enjoy thier jobs and that is a big part of customer service. That’s why CCL is the best. And you are the perfect representitive for them. Your tact in sticky situations proves that.
The plaque and pin are beautiful and well deserved, John. And Heidi is as beautiful as ever!
Yesterday, I saw the surgeon again. He sais I am healing nicely and the pathology report came back good. It looks like they got all the cancer from my leg. In a month I will see the surgeon again and the dermatologist. I am waiting for oncolgy to call with the appointment time with them. So… good news so far.
Take Care!
Right On John!!!! You did the right thing with that awful person. Please don’t let her get to you. I am a ex smoker but never in my life could I ever imagine being that rude or obnoxious to anyone when it came to where I was allowed or not allowed to smoke.
As for Mrs. Goldfinger, Mr. Goldfinger said it all.
Please try to have a FUN Cruise!
Inez
Well done John! As always you have 100 times more patience than I. My first reaction would have been to throw the female from France overboard……..she is no lady so won’t use that term.
Please, please book Penny Mathesen for both the Splendor and Freedom next year so I can again enjoy her beautiful voice in July and November.
I am busy getting ready for my Sept 29 sailing on the Victory with Malcolm in the Middle so find myself getting a little behind on blog reading but nothing like it will be when I return. I will have bloodshot eyeballs to go along with your bloody finger stumps.
Keep up the great blogging. I really like the new format of putting the beautiful photos and interviews in their own blog.
Kersplott
On your handling of Cruella – good riddance to bad rubbish. John, you handled her like the professional we have all grown to love. Congrats on your 20 year award. (Heidi you look amazing holding said award.) 113 days and counting…sure hope you will be on board.
John,
Congratulations on receiving the recognition from Carnival. They should definately appreciate all the hard work you put into this blog as well as all you do on the Freedom.
Bravo for your actions with the French guest!
I am sure she would not have wanted someone to do that in her home. Everyone needs to realize the hard work that goes into maintaining the public areas on the ship, and do their part by cleaning up after themselves as much as possible.
The pictures were beautiful. It really helps keep us grounded in what cruising is all about.
Hope you will receive your package when you arrive in Civitevecchia.
John – I love reading your blog. Congratulations on 20 years of doing a job you love, wish everyone could say the same thing!
Some very nice comments John, very well handled and an excellent weblog.
John, the more I read your blog thingy, the more I realize we have so little in common…You like the Heat, I the pistons. You like Aston Martins, I Jaguars. You watch cricket, I step on them. You think football is played w/a round black and white ball, I know it’s brown, oblong, and pointed at both ends. You still think you can reason w/a french woman smoking a cigarette…I would have asked Jonathan, “How do you say ‘Bait’ in French?” and tossed her overboard. Nothing in common…
Love your 20-year award…and you have such a beautiful award model! It’s nice that the company honors employees that way.
I’m home for the day (my birthday + a funeral — no, not the same…). I gotta laugh, Every time a river barge passes by the campsite I wish it were a cruise ship…
How many days until the bloggers cruise?
Kevin:
Would that make you Tanked Spice?
Lois Grabsomebodysdottir:
As an Icelander/ic/ish you must throw the party since it is the odd or even 5. Since you are on a Kentucky backwater, I guess we will get crawdad stew, hushpuppies, and Hungarian goulash. How about Mud Pie for desert?
Do you balance well at noon?
Many happy returns of the day to you in good health.
You go John!
You handled that alot better than I would have. You have the patience of a saint!
John:
Great job on handeling Cruella! Glad that no animals are allowed on board as she would have sent her 101 dalmatians to get you.
Barb & Bonnie:
I am so happy for you! Stay well!
Lois G. Fourtysomethingyearsky:
Happy B-day!
To John:
One word – BRAVO!!!!
To SouthernDreams:
I am so happy for you that you can go on your cruise! Best of Luck to you.
southerndreams,
I have another assignment for you. While on the CARNIVAL FREEDOM I want you to see if the “THESE FIT THE REST” size robes are available yet. If they are not available yet I want you to go to the purser desk and demand to talk to the cruise director. If needed I give you authority to enlist the help of every passenger of size that may also need the “THESE FIT THE REST” size robes. Do whatever is needed to make your point heard. Don’t be afraid to use the “FULL REFUND” line it works with this cruise director most times. Will be waiting for your full report upon your return.
“BIG” ED
HEAD OF MY N.U.T
No Uncovered Thingies
Congratulations on your 20 years!
Julie G A N T T
A standing ovation for you John. There is a huge difference between customer service and allowing your employees to be abused. Her treatment of that man and the ship were nothing short of abuse! I hope that you and Heidi will get a much needed vacation soon. I’m sure that it is exhausting being “on duty” for 8 months without much of a break. I know that when Nate came home he said it was nice to not have to “be nice” for a few weeks. Do you only do interviews with the staff of the freedom? I’m still waiting for the interview with the golf pro….the one on the elation!
Great to hear the good news from southerndreams and mama bear! Hope you continue to heal and stay well.
Too bad you couldn’t have thrown the lady with the fag overboard, better yet, it would have really been fun if you had her escorted off the ship after she picked up the butt, citing disorderly conduct or something of the sort. In any case, “You were WONDERFUL darling.” (I bet Heidi says that every morning!)
Take Care,
Julie Gantt not Grant
John
Great job handling Cruella! You deserve a huge pat on the back for that.
Heidi
Will you please give John a pat on the back for me?
Thank you
Careful John,
your starting to sound like me…But coodose to you. Someone I respect once told me that one can only gain respect by treating others with respect.
By the way congrats on the 20year award!
G
“southerndreams,
I have another assignment for you. While on the CARNIVAL FREEDOM I want you to see if the “THESE FIT THE REST” size robes are available yet. If they are not available yet I want you to go to the purser desk and demand to talk to the cruise director. If needed I give you authority to enlist the help of every passenger of size that may also need the “THESE FIT THE REST” size robes. Do whatever is needed to make your point heard. Don’t be afraid to use the “FULL REFUND” line it works with this cruise director most times. Will be waiting for your full report upon your return.
“BIG” ED
HEAD OF MY N.U.T
No Uncovered Thingies”
have no fear big ed, head of my nut, i am ON IT!! i will use the full refund line liberally and report back to you. as i am an extra medium myself, i shall try them on personally!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
to the bears:
so happy to hear your wonderful news!
smiles, bonnie
It never ceases to amaze me just how obnoxious some people can be (Cruella). I had a very similar run in with a Mr.Cruella years ago….I will never forget it…..I work in a retail department store…. the “gentleman” was smoking, I asked Mr to put his cigarette out … as he could be fined….he became irrate and stomped the cigarette out on our brand new carpeting!! he swore and left — I couldn’t believe his re-action. Thank goodness these people are in the minority. Way to go, standing up for the waiter…I’m sure that meant alot to him.
I do have a question for you, were you on the Sensation (I think that was the ship), an inagural I believe….Carnival arranged for Windstar to rendezvous with the ship in the middle of the sea and sail with us for awhile…..anyway as Windstar got as close as possible to the Sensation the guests on board Windstar lined the one side of the vessel and all at the same time shouted “pardon me….. do you have any Grey Poupon?” — It was priceless! If I remember correctly, it was shortly after Carnival had purchased Windstar. It was an amazing site seeing the 2 ships sailing together.
I enjoy reading your blog. I like your new style too. Thank you for your efforts in sharing your”sea-life”. It brings back memories of past cruises and make me want to take another!
Congratulations on your 20 yrs!
I hope your Aston is waiting in Miami for you!
Bye the way, we were staying in Miami when they were building the stadium for Miami Heat, all of a sudden there were dozens of helicoptors in the area…we look down the road and the stucture is on fire! The “Heat” really are hot! although I too am a Pistons fan.
Wishing you smooth sailings.
Hi John,
Don’t think that you have seen the other posting letting you know that I will be sailing with a bunch of family members for a Christmas Family Reunion Cruise on the Freedom on December 22 — so far we have eight cabins blocked. Please let me know if you will be staying on — we all hope that you will be our Cruise Director.
Congratulations on your 20th Anniversary!
Your friend always,
Neny
P.S. Had you beat by five years!
Hope
Well Its the weekend plus John is in Civitavercchia (Rome). So that means people getting off and new ones on. So John must be busy at the pursers deck having been summond by a “I got to talk to the Cruise Director right now” message. I better get the Scran Wrap ready to lay on the keyboard.
“BIG” ED
Hello John and Heidi,
Congratulations on 20 years. What a remarkable feat. You also have a beautiful trophy cabinet holding your trophy!
David and I would like to chime in and give our praise for how you handled Cruella. I just can’t believe how cruelly some people feel that they can teat others. I have seen this on other cruises and am always glad when someone steps in, because I would throw that person overboard! Some just seem to feel that they must make others feel badly so that they can feel good themselves. Just doesn’t make sense.
Southern dreams so glad that you can take your cruise. Have a wonderful time!
John David and I will be on the TA cruise and we will be celebrating 30 years of marriage. (and they said it wouldn’t last) We were wondering if you could speak with the dining staff and see if we could might be able to get a table for 2. My mother has been living with us the last couple of years and after 30 years we would like a little alone time at dinner. Kind of rekindle a little romance. We would certainly appreciate it if at all possible.
Once again congratulations and keep up the great work.
Barbara