Take two chefs, give them the same ingredients and you will no doubt find yourself eating two completely different dishes both cooked to perfection.
The same can be said within the cruise industry. Take Carnival and Princess ……the recipe was to design ships to carry 3,000 plus guests using the same ingredients. Both have done so with huge success, yet, like chefs, both are very different.
I say this because as I start my review of my day onboard the Emerald Princess, I want to stress that at no time will I be comparing the ships against each other and that this blog is based purely on my views of the Emerald as seen by someone who loves ships…………and I thought I would take you along…………..so, if you are ready lets go aboard.
Amazingly, this was my first time aboard a Princess ship and as Heidi and I walked from one side of the pier where we were docked in Venice to the other side I was very excited to see the vessel.
Previous to our leaving we had gone through the usual “what shall I wear ” routine and as I patiently waited for Heidi to try on five different outfits (I already knew that she would end up wearing the first one she had tried on) the anticipation grew.
The Emerald Princess is 116,000 GRT yet she looks bigger and as we approached her bow (Heidi moaning that she had worn the wrong shoes) the ship glistened in the Venetian sun…………….this was going to be fun.
We were met at the gangway by a very happy security guard from the Philippines and I introduced myself with a greeting in her language “Magandang Abon” which either means Good Morning or if pronounced incorrectly by replacing the A of Abon with a H means “I am a good lover”…….I must have pronounced it right because rather than calling for back up she used her radio to let someone know we were here and politely asked for our identification.
As we handed over our ship I.D.’s we were met by the ships’ Chief Security and at this point I cannot remember his name which I am deeply embarrassed about. I can tell you that he was from the North of England although his nametag said Ireland and that he was so polite and very, very funny. That therefore narrows it down because it is rare that you meet a man in his position who is funny, as security is a serious position and even rarer that you meet someone from the North Of England with a sense of humour at all.
Anyway, Chief Happy called for the ships Cruise Director on his radio and we chatted for a while and I thought that he had already made us feel “at home”.
Then we were met by our two guides the ship’s Cruise Director James Lay and the First Purser in charge of Food and Beverage operations Andrew Spencer.
I had heard about young James and how highly thought of he was by Princess Cruises. There are too few occasions where a Cruise Director will meet another and when we do there is always a little bit of professional rivalry between us. I am always very conscious that every other Cruise Director I have ever met is either a Brad Pitt look a like with perfect teeth, a gorgeous tan and one of those deep, sexy voices or the female version, just replace Brad Pitt with Catherine Zeta Jones.
I was very pleased therefore to see that James was nearly as ugly as I am and that he was only two X’s away from sharing my clothing. As we shook hands it was obvious that this young man was in the right job. This cannot always be said in our profession. First impressions are very important to me and my first impression was that he was genuinely pleased to see us and I already could sense how proud he was to be showing off his beautiful home. Then there was Andrew. His firm handshake and warm welcome showed a man who also was very excited to be able to present this magnificent ship to us. More about these young men later.
It smells……….I mean, in a good way………….. There is a familiar odor about a cruise ship and that odor is one of excitement, fun and on the deck where we boarded it was the familiar smell of hard work from the crew. We walked up one deck using the stairs, (both James and Andrew ignoring my statement of “oh look, an elevator”) and reaching the top of Everest we entered into one of the most brilliantly thought out areas of the ship. The Piazza.
This is the heartbeat of the ship and, unlike most other cruise lines that place their information centers in the lobby, this is completely different. Think of this as European Café district, more importantly put all your favorite public spaces on your favorite cruise ship and put them all in one area……………… and that’s The Piazza.
It is designed to be an area just to “hang out” in which upon seeing it and feeling it you immediately want to do. It contains an Internet Station, a premium wine bar, a coffee and treats cafe and inviting seating that shouts for you to sit and stay a while. If you decide to do this you will not be bored. James explained that this area is designed in the same way as places like La Rambla in Barcelona or Covent Garden in London. As he spoke and as if on cue, a juggler/acrobat/street entertainer began his show to an audience of 50-plus people seated in the center of the Piazza and many more watching from other areas above………………yep, I was in Covent Garden …………the only difference was that nobody was trying to sell me a fake Rolex or tell me that I must repent my sins as the end of the world would be here in a few hours.
The wine bar I mentioned is called Vines and serves a flight of premium wines by the glass along accompanied by zesty sushi and daily specials such as Tapas. It is designed in such a way that as you enjoy a glass of Opus One, you can still enjoy the entertainment that according to James is constant and ongoing most of the day and night.
Across the way from Vines is the International Coffee Shop which was manned by a chef with a wonderful smile who greeted us warmly. Like most shipboard coffee shops you pay for the specialty coffees but unlike any other ship I had been on the pastries, doughnuts, treats and lunchtime salads were complimentary. You do pay a few dollars for the “Extra Special Selection ” which included ……..Toffee Apples the size of Pamela Andersen’s ……………… hands………. and just looking at the them put my sugar level up 10 points. The Coffee Shop was inspiring and the best I have seen on land or sea ……………it just made me want to buy one, sit down, watch the entertainment and stay a while……………….The Piazza is brilliant, simply brilliant.
As James and Andrew ignored my comments of “I am a food critic as well and I must try the pastries” we headed up to look at the various dining options on the vessel……………..oh joy I thought we are going to talk about food………….just talk.
There are many varied dining options on the vessel and they include the sometimes controversial “anytime dining.” “Some guests like it, some do not,” said Andrew which is why they have a regular dining room with conventional confirmed seating times. The anytime dining seems to be working for them especially as they will take bookings as late as 9:45pm. Andrew told us that if there is a small wait for a table that guests are provided with beepers and invited to relax in one of the many lounges and bars until they are beeped when their table is ready. The menu is the same in both restaurants and to me; it seems that they have successfully covered all the angles.
Unfortunately, there were no examples of the food for me to taste and as I contemplated pretending to faint from the lack of food my situation got worse as we were led into the galley and introduced the Executive Chef Michele Cozzoli.
My Dad once told me “never trust a thin chef “………….Chef Cozzoli was therefore very trustworthy.
He greeted me with the words “at last, a proper sized Cruise Director” …………actually, being Italian he said ……………”ata lasta, a propera size bigga Cruisa Directa” ………………………and that was me in love.
We chatted about his passion for food and again you could feel the pride oozing out of him as he spoke about his love of cooking. During the cruise the Chef will offer something called “An Evening At The Chef’s Table” which sounds like an unforgettable experience as you actually get to follow him around the galley during the galleys busiest hours followed by a VIP table hosted by Chef Cozolli where you get to everything……….even the table .
As we said Ciao to the Chef and he shook my hand I realized two patterns were emerging………….Princess had taken their best people and put them on this ship and the second ……………bloody hell when are we going to stop talking about food and actually feed me…………………..but the torture continued.
“Welcome to The Crown Grill” said Andrew as we entered the first of the Emerald’s two specialty restaurants. Oh good thought I, surely here there will be samples to try……………but no, nothing………….the tables were empty and the galley which is on display to the guests was quiet and still……………….it was a bit like saying…..”Angelina Jolie is waiting in your bedroom but the door is locked and there is no key.”
The restaurant is beautifully designed with rich oak tables, upgraded silverware and a real steak house feel, there is even a fireplace. The menu (which I will add onto the end of the review) costs $25 and the selections include a 22 ounce Porterhouse Steak, Lamb and Pork chops………..I mean separately, they haven’t fused a pig and a lamb together and called it a pimb…….I mean you can get…..you understand …………………..and of course a very large selection of Appetizers and deserts. Now, be prepared to be amazed. For only an extra $9, you can get a whole Main Lobster or a Brazilian Lobster Tail……………….and it is cooked LIVE……..I mean the lobsters are alive……………..now that’s something to scream about ……………especially if you are the lobster.
The Crown Grill is inviting and I can imagine that booking early is a must.
We left the Crown Grill and saw the casino and the Speakeasy cigar lounge but I was not really listening to what the chaps were saying as in my mind I was tucking into Larry the Lobster who had not died in vain.
I was snapped back to reality by the words “Let’s go and see our other specialty restaurant Sabatini’s”…………surely this time there would be some form of nourishment.
Sabatini’s is the second of my top three favorite areas of the ship. It is based on The La Tratoria (I know the words La and the are the same but I love the Movie “Mickey Blue Eyes.”) Before you go and eat there is a huge area for pre-dinner drinks with deep sofas and a wonderful piano entertainer……………then its time to manger…….mangai…eat.
The cover charge is only $20 per person but what a menu. It includes an all you can eat selection at the start which includes the various mixed Italian delights you would expect to find at a canal side restaurant in Venice. As for the main courses…….well rather than me ramble on and probably spell everything incorrectly as well I thought I might as well just slap on the menu which I will do later…………….”oh by the way, if the weather allows there is an outdoor area for Al Frescos dining,” said Andrew……..I was to hungry to be bothered to ask who Al was.
Andrew explained that after dinner. guests could return to those deep comfortable sofas and chairs for coffee and desert ………the cost of hiring a crane to hoist you out of them again was not discussed. Sabatini’s has been designed to perfection and especially with the ship being in Venice ………….but when it sailed, you would still fell like you were in Italy…………..it was indeed “Italy To Go.”
I now wanted to hit both Andrew and James over the head with one of Sabatini’s sofas as there was still no food and now the torture level had increased as the smell of cooking wafted past me from the galley as I nibbled on my last Tic Tac.
Please God can we see something else apart from food I thought and for a few moments we did as we explored the very impressive kids and teen areas ……….one separate area for each age group each done superbly and decorated with the kids in mind…………..I was very impressed. It was then that I saw a young lad of about 7 years of age playing in a thing with things in it and in his left hand he was holding ………………..a bag of potato chips…………right kid I thought, those are mine. ……………..but just as I was about to turn into Jack Bauer, set a perimeter and snatch the kids chips……..James said “Let’s Go,” …………and my plan was foiled.
We then saw Club Fusion Lounge. This is used as a multi activity and entertainment center and again is superbly laid out with more comfortable seating, plasma televisions and from 2 pm, bowls of peanuts…………….I looked at my watch…………it said 11:45 am.
This brings me to one of James’ most difficult jobs, scheduling the entertainment. Because of the Anytime Dining concept coupled with the set seating times and constant performances in the Piazza, he has to make sure that shows are scheduled accordingly. This means that guests not only have dining choices but entertainment choices as well with two shows going head to head in the 900 seater Princess Theater and the Club Fusion Lounge. I would be terrible at this as scheduling is something I leave to the Mrs. but James seemed to really enjoy it and it was obviously something he has perfected…….well done mate.
Following our chat about the joys of scheduling Andrew then led us up to the Horizon Terrace where not satisfied with the levels of torture he had bestowed upon me already he explained about the daily lunch specials and how in the evenings gusts could dine in a casual atmosphere while devouring themed menus. We walked to the outside deck where they were still serving breakfast and I felt Mike Tyson had given me the good news with a right hook as I watched a beautiful lady officer devour eggs, bacon and sausage………….a trickle of egg was running down her chin and I was about to leap over the railing and mop it up with a small piece of bread she had left on her plate when Little and Large decided it was time to go.
We then passed by the Ice Cream bar and my stomach was now making noises similar to the engine of an Aston Martin Vanquish. We walked under the big screen that plays movies under the stars and then headed for a very special place…………..both James and Andrew were explaining all about it but I had only heard four words “let’s stop for refreshments”………………………more about that later.
The Sanctuary is a slice of paradise, it is something that when Heidi saw it for the first time I thought she was going to fall to her knees and weep with happiness……………..I would have done but I was still climbing up the 20 steps to get there in my wool blazer, in 80 degree heat………..once I was there I my breathing sounded like the air conditioning unit on my old Alfa Romeo.
So what was it that had Heidi dreaming of being a Footballers’ wife as she lay there next to Posh and Pecks……….well, imagine suddenly being handed a remote control that paused the everyday life that can be found on every Lido Deck on every mega ship in the world………….pausing the kids screaming for there 12th ice cream……….pausing that one couple who insist on having a domestic louder than AC/DC on steroids……….pausing the search for that elusive spot that offers piece and quiet and tranquility…………..well imagine no longer………………it’s real…………….it costs only $10 for a half day pass and it is called The Sanctuary.
Large doublewide sun beds with extra padding, dedicated staff to serve your every whim, complimentary water and juices and if you have the energy you can walk 10 paces and have a massage in one of the special cabanas. There is also a lap pool which is one of those contraptions where you swim against the current………….rather like a treadmill in the water but don’t worry ………..exercise is not compulsory.
As we chatted about this special place the refreshments arrived…………..four Diet Cokes……………I looked longingly towards the steps to see if another waiter would be arriving, laden with fresh fruit and Porterhouse Steaks …………….nothing…………..Cheers said James………………..cheers mate…………………..and I drank my Diet Coke trying to decide if it would be rude to ask if the had a vending machine onboard.
Leaving The Sanctuary we stopped by the Lotus Spa and something unique to Princess, a place called….. a gym. I would describe it to you but for some reason Andrew and James had started speaking Klingon and I could not understand anything they said. After that we went through the theatre and backstage and met two of the beautiful dancers. They took the time along with a the not so beautiful but charming Technical Manager to walk us around backstage and through the dressing rooms explaining all about the various grand shows they perform. The two dancers and the technical manager were also suffering from the oozing with pride syndrome which seemed to afflict everyone we had met.
Leaving the dressing room and the wonderful aroma of feet it was nearly time to say goodbye but not before we were graciously met by the ship’s Senior Officers.
CAPTAIN: GIORGIO POMATA
CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER: ALESSANDRO
PASSENGER SERVICE DIRECTOR: MARTIN FORD
As we chatted I knew I had discovered the source of the “oozing with pride syndrome” ………..it was them. On a cruise ship hospitality and respect for the guests and fellow crew has to start at the top and it was obvious from meeting these fine gentlemen that the pride they had in their ship was shared by the rest of the ship’s company………….congratulations Captain, you should be very proud.
We said our goodbyes and walked down to the gangway. We said goodbye to James and Andrew who are two fine people and who Princess should be proud of. They both love their jobs and were the perfect hosts (well nearly) and I thank them so much for their valuable time. The guests of the Emerald Princess have a top notch Cruise Director in James and I can see why he is considered one of the very best in the business……………..it was great to see passengers coming up and saying how happy they were that he was the Cruise Director as they had sailed with him before.
Andrew is full of passion about guest service and I wish he could be cloned …………except maybe his nose…………..because Andrew is one of those rare people who love ships, love people who cruise on ships and truly love every nut and bolt of the Emerald.
What to say in closing……………….well, it was a great experience. The Piazza, The Sanctuary and Sabatini’s stole the show along with the crew themselves. Can I recommend this ship?…………………………..well let’s just say this. Following the bloggers cruise in January I am going to cruise on the Emerald Princess……….I haven’t asked yet but I am going to……….I am going to eat at every restaurant and probably three times at Sabatini’s……….I am then going to sit in one of those deep sofas and when I am ready to leave I will order a large German woman named Helga to carry me to bed.
In the morning I will lay on the doublewide sun lounger in The Sanctuary and when they ask me if I want fruit juice I shall say no thank you and order four Toffee Apples instead.
Most importantly I shall enjoy sampling more of that oozing of pride from the crew and everything that makes this ship something very, very special. The value of an emerald depends on cut, color, clarity, and carat, the four C’s………….well this Emerald has the four C’s as well………..
Charismatic………….The ship is stuffed full of Charisma – especially it’s Captain, Officers, Staff and Crew.
Cool……………..with its Piazza and the incomparable Sanctuary this is one cool ship.
Choice………….with the many dining and entertainment options available …………..the choice is yours.
Captivating……She certainly captivated me and I wanted to cruise on her right there and then…………as will you.
The value of this Emerald……………………………..she is priceless.
So Heidi and I returned home happy and hungry. We have invited the Captain and his Senior Officers over to our place next time so we can show them how proud we are of our home. We will treat them like royalty as we show them the fantastic Carnival Freedom but if they think they are getting anything to eat………………….they are mistaken..
Here are sample menus from Sabatini’s and the Crown Grill………..mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Here I am with from left to right.
JAMES LAY – CRUISE DIRECTOR
MARTIN FORD – PASSENGER SERVICES DIRECTOR
ME
GIORGIO POMATA – CAPTAIN
ALESSANDRO – CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER
PIAZZA CHARACTERS
PURE TORTURE AT THE INTERNATIONAL COFFEE SHOP
JOHN AND CHEF COZZOLI
THE SANCTUARY
A DIET COKE – ARE YOU KIDDING
WHERES THE FOOD AT
THE EMERALD PRINCESS AND THE CARNIVAL FREEDOM
Filed under: Catherine Zeta Jones, Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Splendor Godmother, Tales from the Ship
John–I am taking my first cruise on Carnival in January (not your ship, unfortunately) and have begun reading your blog. I find it hysterical. Your constant references to “24″ (set up a perimeter and grab the kid’s chips!) and Star Trek, two of my favorite shows, make me laugh out loud. Hopefully I will get a chance to cruise with you sometime–Robin from New York
Hi John & Heidi
Susan from the West Midlands here again. Sorry it has been a long time since I last communicated with you on the blog but I am still an avid fan and have really enjoyed your blog on the Emerald Princess as I only disembarked from her last Friday 14th September after a fantastic med and greek isles cruise. I can’t believe I missed you and the Carnival Freedom by just one day.
I have cruised a number of times with both Carnival (14) and Princess (7) and think the two brands are very similar. I have also done 7 cruises with RCI and they lack something that Carnival and Princess both have. The Emerald is a lovelly ship and it was great to read your comments. I am already booked to sail on her again in February. Princess stand out with their anytime dining after so many cruises it is nice just to have a table for two when you want and still enjoy the dining experience although much quicker. Having said that I still love Carnival and hope to be back on board soon.
PS- John no offence to James or Martin (assisant CD on Emerald) you are still the best Cruise Director I have sailed with.
PPS – THE FOOD WAS FANTASTIC ESPECIALLY THE KANSAS STRIP IN THE CROWN GRILL!!!
john do you actually mean to tell me they NEVER fed you honey??? oh my word. now that is just not nice i don’t care who you are. here i was thinking all through this post how perfectly lovely this ship sounded and how i MIGHT be tempted someday to cross over, but they didn’t FEED you? sigh… i am mortified for them. a southerner would never do that! why (and this is a true story) prince charlie’s aunt was having a heart attack and when the paramedics came she asked them if they wanted a glass of tea and some cake before they put her on the rolley bed thingy (sorry, i forget what you call that thingy). a true southern belle, that lady, rest her soul! all i can say john is, when they visit you on your ship, do as you would, not as they did. i will stick with carnival, thank you very much!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
John,
. Oh and John how dare they not even feed you, come on now, and i have to say be the better person when they come on lay out a great spread for them but forget to put out forks 
. lets see em try eating with no forks, ok wait stop be the better person my friend that I know you truly are. One thing I think carnival needs to start doing is fresh water pools all princess ships have them why can’t carnival?
In seeing I have sailed on Princess a few times i can say this the food while good in the dining rooms is off th wall awesome in the specialty restaurants. Sabitinies ugh….*drool*——-need bigger belt now!—bring me more——-can i take some home——i need a wheel chair now please. Ok it’s good and for me a executive chef who has worked in five star establishments with ingridents that cost more money that some people make in a week says something. I’m all for a bloggers cruise on the emerald. Caribbean princess wasn’t better than Diamond in my opinion though, so if we can’t get on emerald lets hit up diamond if she’s back from aisa / alaska
Good day Mr. Heald. It’s been a while since I’ve contacted you. The last note I sent unfortunately didn’t seem to come through. I sent it on the first sunset blog but I guess it wasn’t read. There is one question that I wanted answered if possible, when a person or couple forget their time and arrive at the pier and see their ship has left earlier, is there anyone to help them in their dire needs or are their just on their own? I really enjoyed your note about the Emerald Princess. It seems there is so much for a person to see and enjoy on that vessel. Maybe some day I might try the Emerald Princess, but as for now I’m still looking forward to the Carnival Freedom. I wonder why they didn’t give you and Heidi some form of food enjoyment other than just liquid refreshment. I’m very happy to have read about Tara. I may need her strength after I get my results. At least she has shown me how to deal with something that I may have to deal with in the near future. Thank you for the story about ” Still think you are having a bad day “. I didn’t know whether to feel sorry for the people or have tears of laughter but thanks for putting it in the blog. I’ve sent the gift to Heidi and I hope she receives the box with a mug, cup and shot glass. It has the emblem of my hockey team, the Detroit Red Wings. Enjoy. To end this note, once again the sunsets were beautiful. They have always put me at ease as I sit here and look at the wonderment of God’s creation. Ciao my friends.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
John and Heidi,
Great review and thank-you for taking the time in Venice to go on board another ship. Now you started by saying that you wouldn’t compare the Princess Emerald to the Carnival Freedom, but could I request that you do in the future? As a new cruiser (only 2 voyages) one of the things that I’m trying to understand is the difference between Carnival Corp.’s different lines. We’re hooked on Carnival until the teenagers are grown, but may want to expand our horizons one day.
Please accept our thanks again for a wonderful cruise on the August 17th voyage. Couldn’t begin to count the number of people to whom we’ve recommended Carnival’s Mediterranean itinerary and you’re upcoming Carnival Splendour itinerary (alas, that may have to wait until 2009).
John and Michele
Hello John,
Do you think Heidi would mind if we join you on the Emerald Princess…. ? You had us salavating at the menus (especially Carl, he grew up in Maine and loves fresh Lobstah!) and the picture of the International Coffee Shop…. Well, we wouldn’t have been able to walk by without stopping. Did some oneone clean the drool off the glass before Heidi snapped the photo?
We do have to comment though on how wonderful you look. Your weight loss is really showing and you look Great!!! Keep up the good work…. It’s difficult but you can do it!
Carl & Barb
John, sounds real nice BUT you wrote one thing that made me say I’m glad to cruise CARNIVAL. It was “Andrew told us that if there is a small wait for a table that guests are provided with beepers and invited to relax in one of the many lounges and bars until they are beeped when their table is ready.” Like you when I go to eat I want to eat not wait for a table. I like to walk in set down and order. We avoid all those big chain resturants that have you waiting for a table. If we go to them we go real early to avoid the waits. I love being part of the stampede when the dinning room doors open and we all rush to OUR table just to see OUR waitstaff standing there at the ready to make our dinner an event to remember. CARNIVAL DON”T CHANGE THIS.
“BIG” ED
How can one invite someone of such importance into their home and NOT feed them – such manners.
Oh John. If the people from the Emerald Princess tour the Carnival Freedom show them what real class is. Roll out the red carpet. Feed them the best food. Make them feel bad they didn’t feed you. Embarrass them.
)
Jo
Hi John
Long time no blog. I was on the Crown Princess in May,I believe sister ship to the Emerald, very nice, BTW ate at the Crown Grill…..it is Superb!!
Has Carnival Confirmed you will be our CD on the 49 nights to South America on the Splendor? I am holding my breath.
I understand the ship is selling fast for all 3 legs.
In 6 weeks from today I will be on my way to England for my 19th cruise . It’s not CCL so I won’t bore you with the details.
Although I have not emailed you in a while I do read your blog daily and you keep me laughing. You are a wonderful man.
HELLO JOHN & HEIDI
BEEN MIA FOR AWHILE
TRYING TO CATCH UP ON ALL YOUR BLOGS. WE WERE IN CALIFORNIA ON BUSINESS, FIRST THING WE SEE AFTER GETTING OFF THE PLANE IN SAN DIEGO WAS THE GOOD OLD CARNIVAL “SMOKE STACK” OF THECCL ELATION.
I HAVE TO ADMIT JOHN YOUR TOUR OF THE EMERALD HAD ME GIGGLING AND AFTER READING THE MENU I WAS DROOLING OVER THE COMPUTER KEYS(MAY I HAVE A NAPKIN PLEASE?) I CAN TOTALLY SYMPATHIZE WITH YOU. WE ALL HAVE THOSE DAYS. I HAVE YEAT TO SEE THE WHITES OF MY OLDEST SONS EYES WITH MY BIRTHDAY PRESENT AFTER HE CANCELLED ON ME LAST WEEK AND NOW I CANNOT GET HIM TO CALL ME BACK ON THE PHONE. WELL HAVE A GOOD DAY OR EVENING WHAT EVER IT IS OVER THERE, AND WE WILL SEE YOU IN 36 DAYS!
John,
I’m pausing momentarily form my frantic suit case stuffing to drop you a note. Much as you had a terrible day, I have as well. My vacation started with me back in my office taking care of multiple problems that I hoped would not arise at all or at least have the decency to wait until I returned from my cruise on the Conquest.
Suffice it to say, that didn’t happen and I’ve been struggling since the wee hours of the morning to set things right so I might leave in twelve hours. Bummer.
The bright spot; your two hilarious blogs today. You had me laughing out loud. In fact, the grin still creases my face. Thank you. I needed that and I promise I won’t hold it against you that you’re a Heat fan and not a fan of the CORRECT team.
I’ll be thinking of you, Heidi and Roberto tomorrow morning as I board the ship. Thanks for the fun. I’ll be keeping up with the blog as I have to drag my anchor (laptop) along with me.
Adiós for now!
Greg
Great tour of the Emerald.
How could they welcome you into their home and torture you with all of the dining information without at least offering a sampling of their cuisine. Perhaps they knew they couldn’t beat Carnival food? I’m thinking that the person on the far right of the group photo was probably Andrew the Food & Beverage guy who wouldn’t share anything other than diet coke, and that must have been the reason he wasn’t named
Thank you for the time in doing this blog thing a mah jig
Hi John!
How awful of that woman and her cigarette ,she must have come right out of a zoo . Thank you for your answer about Rome. I just check the web site of the vatican and it says that it is closed every
Sunday except the last Sunday of every month.So I just wonder if it is a wong information or an old web site. The hotel we are going to stay in Rome is Aurelia Antica Residence. We reserved on the internet hope it is o.k. anyway all we need is a bed to crash for a few hours and maybe take a shower if one is included in the room. Also one of us is going to have a B.D. on the 20th is it possible to have a special cake for the occasion. Also congrad for the award and the pin, nice to be appreciated, but as my husband use to say after and award .Where is the money.? Hope you got a bonus with it. Thank you for your time and have a nice day happy day .
A bientôt the 16/10/2007 so anxious to see Italy trip of a lifetime for me.
Samou
John,
If and when you ever do retire, you must write a book or work for a cruise magazine…you are so articulate, yet hysterical! You’ve made me start to think about maybe cruising on the Princess some day!
southern dreams is right…us folks in the south would ALWAYS serve you food, and, being jewish AND in the south..well, let’s put it this way…you would NEVER starve.
Speaking of starving, today was Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement, where as a Jew you sacrifice food for the day, to atone for your sins of the past year. Of course this is the day I’m always the hungriest! Anyway, I broke my fast this evening by eating…are you ready for this….wait for it…sugar free jelly beans in honour of you!
Please send my best to Heidi..only 3 months, 3 weeks and 7 days until we meet!
Elaine
Hi John, I’m just wondering if you may have left the entree off the Italian menue? It ended with the pasta. They must have a meat course don’t they?
marilyn
John,
If you came to visit me at my “house”….I would offer you something to eat. Shame on the Princess staff! Maybe they were too nervous showing around a “celebrity”!
Cruise director-extraordinaire
Thats the way they call you on Porthole. Im looking at the article right now and it has great pictures of the ship and it talks a bit of everything even talks about the infamous Melting cake (how much I miss that ummmmm!)It also says that that the shows are some of the best afloat( I agree with that) and that his favorite was Ticket to ride and about the finale. It says that” John Heald , one of our favorite cruise directors at sea takes particular pride in the ships showcase and it shows”. EJEEEEE!
On the magazine there is also a picture of you and something about the Bloggers cruise and the blog on the news.At the end it says that you will be keeping up with the blog while on the bloggers cruise ensuring that all of your friends back home will get plenty jealous (That would be me, Thank you) LOL ( I should be crying)
John,
My heart goes out to you….Couldn’t they not see that look (feed me) on your face. I absolutely saw it in the picture you posted. Thank you for presenting us to the Emerald Princess. It sounds fantastic. You’d definitely find me in the Santuary for most of the trip. Your recent story reminded me of our trip in 2005 Liberty when we had the opportunity in Venice to dock near St. Marks Square. It was the most amazing site. The more I continue to read your blog the more I think that a year seems so far away for my next cruise. Keep up the happy blogs. Thank you for all you do!!! =)
Hi John…I was thinking about Pavarotti and remembering sitting in the sun, drinking my Bud Lite onboard the Freedom only one month ago, listening to that glorious voice. I decided to try a google to see if I could find out which concert you played and guess what…your Blog popped up. What fun I have had for the last hour browsing your comments and pictures from those unforgettable 12 days & others. I must say you made our trip with your wonderful sence of humor & great entertainment..I laughed and laughed – remember Dick Little? And The Beatles Tribute was the best.
Anyway,I hope you can tell me which Pavarotti concert you played as I would like to get a copy for myself.
Keep up the great blog .l really hope We can sail with you again sometime.
Best Sherry in Minneapolis
John,
I can’t believe they didn’t feed you. I’m sorry that is unexceptable. It’s poor manners to invite someone over and then at least offer them something to eat. Besides that mistake…maybe us bloggers should all go together on the Emerald Princess.
I would like to agree with Big Ed…don’t change the dinner arrangements to like the Princess’s. I don’t like the idea of pagers for dinner. I like knowing my table is ready and waiting for me.
Sorry you had bad news from home. Just to let you know, you have been there for Tara, Bonnie, Barb, and who knows how many other people’s life you have touched. And then the list is to long of how many people you have cheered up and made us laugh out loud reading your blog thingy. We want you to know it’s ok for you not to be happy everyday, (especially if your in the doghouse about the watch) so I hope a couple of these one liners make you laugh:
1. DON’T SWEAT THE PETTY THINGS AND DON’T PET THE SWEATY THINGS.
2. ONE TEQUILA, TWO TEQUILA, THREE TEQUILA, FLOOR…..
3. ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION.
4. IF MAN EVOLVED FROM MONKEYS AND APES, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE MONKEYS AND APES?
5. THE MAIN REASON SANTA IS SO JOLLY IS BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHERE ALL THE BAD GIRLS LIVE.
6. I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND ASKED THE SALESMAN, ‘WHERE’S THE SELF-HELP SECTION?’ HE SAID IF HE TOLD ME, IT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.
7. WHAT IF THERE WERE NO HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS?
8. IF A DEAF PERSON SWEARS, DOES HIS MOTHER WASH HIS HANDS WITH SOAP?
9. IF SOMEONE WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES THREATENS TO KILL HIMSELF, IS IT CONSIDERED A HOSTAGE SITUATION?
10. IS THERE ANOTHER WORD FOR SYNONYM?
11. WHERE DO FOREST RANGERS GO TO ‘GET AWAY FROM IT ALL?’
12. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL EATING AN ENDANGERED PLANT?
13. IF A PARSLEY FARMER IS SUED, CAN THEY GARNISH HIS WAGES?
14. WOULD A FLY WITHOUT WINGS BE CALLED A WALK?
15. WHY DO THEY LOCK GAS STATION BATHROOMS? ARE THEY AFRAID SOMEONE WILL CLEAN THEM?
16. IF A TURTLE DOESN’T HAVE A SHELL, IS THAT TURTLE HOMELESS OR NAKED?
17. CAN VEGETARIANS EAT ANIMAL CRACKERS?
18. IF THE POLICE ARREST A MIME, DO THEY TELL HIM HE HAS THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT?
19. WHY DO THEY PUT BRAILLE ON THE DRIVE-THROUGH BANK MACHINES?
20. HOW DO THEY GET DEER TO CROSS THE ROAD ONLY AT THOSE YELLOW ROAD SIGNS?
21. WHAT WAS THE BEST THING BEFORE SLICED BREAD?
22. ONE NICE THING ABOUT EGOTISTS: THEY DON’T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.
23. DOES THE LITTLE MERMAID WEAR AN ALGEBRA?
24. DO INFANTS ENJOY INFANCY AS MUCH AS ADULTS ENJOY ADULTERY?
25. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR?
26. IF ONE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER DROWNS, DO THE REST DROWN TOO?
27. IF YOU ATE BOTH PASTA AND ANTIPASTO, WOULD YOU STILL BE HUNGRY?
28. IF YOU TRY TO FAIL, AND SUCCEED, WHICH HAVE YOU DONE?
29. WHOSE CRUEL IDEA WAS IT FOR THE WORD ‘LISP’ TO HAVE ‘S’ IN IT?
30. WHY ARE HEMORRHOIDS CALLED ‘HEMORRHOIDS’ INSTEAD OF ‘ASSTEROIDS’?
31. WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN’T SHOOT AT THEM?
32. WHY IS THERE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON SOUR CREAM?
33. IF YOU SPIN AN ORIENTAL MAN IN A CIRCLE THREE TIMES, DOES HE BECOME DISORIENTED?
34. CAN AN ATHEIST GET INSURANCE AGAINST ACTS OF GOD?
Have a good day!
Susan
Hello John,
We’re back home in Boston after a magnificent 12 day cruise with you in the Med. I wished I had the chance to meet you but things just seemed to not work out. I do, however, greatly appreciate you wearing the hat we sent you and keeping it on the desk for your afternoon show. Point of Information: the Red Sox are a BASEBALL team, NOT Basketball. You can still love your Miami Heat without feeling any guilt!! You are probably unaware of the fact that you had encounters with several members of our group. Our Travel Agent (and Chris’ boss) Marie sent you t-shirts from Salem and Lenny & Freda, the couple who got engaged under the Bridge of Sighs and you called up to the stage, were also with us.
Just a note about the airport in Rome. You may want to have the ship arrive a day early so people have enough time to stand in line at the airport. While they’re standing in line, they can think about whether they are actually in the correct line. Seriously though, although it was somewhat frustrating, we did make our flight. Now I understand why we were off the ship at 8:15!!
Well. enough for now. Our internal clocks are still trying to right themselves. We’ve enjoyed this blog thingy before the cruise and will undoubtedly enjoy it after. Thank you for your hospitality and belly laughs (Dick and Anita Little and the Bed Time Story). If these were’nt a fix, you are the luckiest Cruise Director ever!! We’ll be writing again soon.
Alan & Chris
ps Thank you for the books and the “Ship on a Stick”.
Hi John,
I really enjoyed your description of the Emerald Princess, nice to hear it from someone who knows the industry from the inside out. It’s nice to know that they have the scheduled dining along with the “anytime dining”. One of our favorite things on a cruise is meeting and getting to know our dining companions during the week. I think that would be lost with pure anytime dining.
By the way, still been reading but not posting as much the last week or so. Just wanted to let you know I’m still around.
Hi John,
I was on vacation for a while and then busy catching up with work, so I’ve finally gotten the chance to catch up with all the blogs and most of the comments. Whew! While it was a lot of enjoyable reading I find a couple that stick out in my mind to comment on.
The first, the interview with Xander Choy the entertainment technician. Thank you for highlighting someone so integral to the success of your shows but so rarely acknowledged. I live with a sound engineer, used to live with a stage manager and one of my friends is a set designer. All have given me an insight into how much these behind the scenes people affect the audience’s enjoyment of a show. I have to admit though, that ignorance is sometimes bliss, I have a hard time sitting through shows and not nitpicking the mistakes, particulary with sound problems!
Second the transcript of the John Cleese interview. Loved, loved, loved it! I love John Cleese and he proved as gracious and funny and honest as I hoped he’d be. Am I to understand that you got your hands on a copy of “Families and How to Survive Them”? I had found an extra copy on my bookshelf and I was about to send it along with a couple others I think you would like, but if you have it already, then I will pull it out of the package. What about “Life and How to Survive It?”
The one that affected me most was the one about Tara and the Walk for the Cure. I think because cancer has reared it’s ugly head in my life once again. I returned from my cruise with my niece in July to find out that her mom (my sister) had been diagnosed with stage 2 uterine cancer. Fortunately at this point, they think they got it all with the surgery. It seems sort of unreal, and I’m still not sure my sister has completely processed it. I don’t think she’s ever even uttered the C word.
The C word has been a part of my life since I was born. I lost my mother when I was 4 to breast cancer. She was diagnosed about a year after my birth and lost her battle on the day after Christmas in 1973. It has become a very matter of fact detail in my life, and something that I do not talk about very much. But, I still get surprised about how much the loss of woman I hardly knew affects me every day both emotionally and physically. Physically, because of her early and aggressive cancer, I am considered a high risk for breast cancer. I had my first mammogram at 26 rather than the usual 40. And it’s become something I have to think about. It also makes me wonder how different I would be if she was still around, what kind of person I would end up being. I’m very aware of how things that changed in my life after her death have altered the person that I am. Stories like “A Blog for Tara” bring up memories and emotions I often keep under wraps.
I’m not a terribly religious person. But God bless Tara and SouthernDreams and Barb and my sister, fighting the good fight and being survivors of the disease rather than victims. My thoughts are with you all.
And sign me up for the Walk.
Cheers mate,
Laura
No food?
Scandalous.
John, be proud your on a FunShip! I have enjoyed all 5 of my Carnival sailings more than the Caribbean Princess (although the Caribbean Princess was a great sailing indeed) Carnivals just has that vibe…i cant tell you what it is….that happy atmosphere…am i making sense? who knows. The emerald is a beauty but so is the freedom! Hope Heidi is doing well! Best regards to the both of you!
Hello again John,
The consensus of the Cruise Critic group on the TA is to have the 1st meet-n-greet Oct. 31st around 11am if possible (if not, Nov. 2nd). Everyone agrees that they will be to0 busy or tired from the port activity to do it any sooner. Haha. There are approximately 66 people on our list. We would love for you and Heidi to join us if your schedule permits!
Also, would it be too much trouble to ask you to make reservations for my husband and I (Sondra and David Heaverin, Cabin 7238) at the supper club? We’d like Nov. 4th around 6pm if possible.
We continue to read your blog daily and are excited to be sailing with you! Thanks!!
Hi John,
Thanks for looking into getting us a Carnival Fantasy pin. I do appreciate you taking the time to do so.
I want to see if I can help people decide to take the plunge and try cruising, especially a Carnival cruise. I know some people are reluctant to try Carnival because they are known as the “Fun Ships”. Your fun is what you want it to be.
We consider ourselves a normal, average American family that lives in south Mississippi. We do not drink or gamble, yet we love to cruise on Carnival. We avid sports fans, enjoy traveling, visiting Walt Disney World and going to the beach. The beach use to be the best vacation we could have until we tried a cruise. On vacation, we like to do nothing. When we go the the beach, a typical day would be to get up eat something (that we would have to fix or pay for) and sit on the beach all day and relax. All other meals for the day would have to be prepared by us and we would have to spend more money to go out to eat. If the condo got cleaned that day, bed made, etc., we would have to do it. On a cruise, I don’t have to cook or clean and I still get to sit in the sun and do nothing. Or if I want something to do, there is always something being offered on the ship to do.
A typical day on a cruise ship for us includes going to breakfast when we want (sometimes on Lido, sometimes in the dining room), finding a spot to sit in the sun on one of the open decks, having lunch, sitting in the sun some more, then getting ready for dinner in the dining room and the evening show. Somehow getting ready for dinner on the cruise ship is much more enjoyable than when we are at the beach. I guess we just know we are going to fantastic dining experience with great food and great service. And the shows are terrific. After the shows, we normally go up to one of the open decks and enjoy the fresh air, looking at the stars or visiting with each other. If it is a port day, we normally will get off the ship for awhile. Sometimes we do a shore excursion, sometimes not. We have discovered that if we are not interested in a shore excursion, we usually have the ship to ourselves and it is a great time to enjoy the slide and swimming pool.
We know that there are a lot of other activities we could participate in if we chose to do so. We also enjoy just walking around the ship and watching everyone else. We also enjoy the opportunity to have pictures made that we wouldn’t have made at home. This is our fun on the “Fun Ships”!
We did some price comparing this past year before we booked our 2007 cruise on the Fantasy and discovered we could cruise cheaper than we could spend a week on the beach. The price of a condo for the week was more than it cost the 2 of us to cruise. The cruise also included wonderful food, service and entertainment.
If anyone is thinking of booking a cruise, just do it. One of the things we always discuss on a cruise is where will next year’s cruise take us and which ship. We are already booked for 2008 on the Imagination going to Grand Turk, Half Moom Cay, and Nassau. Hopefully one day we will get to do a European cruise on Carnival and an Alaskan cruise and many more.
Reading the blog makes waiting for the next cruise more bearable. I feel like I am on the cruise each day.
Thanks for all you do. The pictures are wonderful and the interviews are great.
Have a good day.
Hi John ~ I look forward to reading your daily blogs! This particular one you hit every nail on the head! Great review by you! I sailed the Crown Princess before (old & new) which is the sister ship of the Emerald! You will love her! I am an elite with Princess but will be cruising with you on the Freedom next June 3rd. First time Carnival cruiser….thought we would try the Valor this January. I look forward to meeting you next year.
All the best to you & Heidi.
Jane from Boston
Hi John and Heidi,
it has been a month since our cruise, and i would like to thank you and all the staff for the great trip. This will be one i will never forget, besides the 700 pictures i took. We did have alot of problems with delta on the way home, but what can you do. you and heidi are truly the best at you jobs and are very wonderfull. I enjoyed carnival so much that i have become a online travel agent part time, since i only work as a nurse 3 days a week. I am now going to start learning all about cruising most of all about selling carnival. i hope i can make other people have there dream vacation.
take care
dawn
Sharon and Jeff:
If it is Cunard, SHARe ON
We love cruising vicariously with John and Heidi et al but obviously they won’t be on this cruise and part of vicariousness is anticipation.
So Vicarious Anticipation and then Reports.
John,
I loved the photos from your tour of the Emerald Princess. As someone who has only cruised with Carnival, it was great to see what the other lines have to offer (or not….as in the case of food to celeb guests!). I just remember being docked next to the Emerald Princess in Venice and thinking how huge that ship was! I definitely agree with the others in the idea of you making sure there’s some food to offer at each stop of your tour with the Princess people (“So here’s our infirmary……and how about a Warm Chocolate Melting Cake?”).
Oh, Dick & Anita Little…..we ended up on the same tour, and took a photo with them. It still makes me laugh everytime I look at that photo….or a pair of bright yellow smily face boxers! Have you received a pair of them yet? I only wish I would have bought the end of the cruise video with all of the shows.
I have received the photo of the car with the fire hose through it in an email before. My dad is a retired firefighter (I have a brother still on the department) and he said that his truck has had to break car windows to do that before. He said that on a couple of occasions, the owner waited until after the fire was put out to talk with the Chief and find out who to speak with to get it fixed for free!
And, Mr. Pietrangelo – I am a huge Red Wings fan as well, so I was very happy to see that you sent John something from one of the greatest NHL teams! The Red Wings were originally from Kansas City, MO (where I live), – as were the Blues – so my family have been fans for awhile now. Here’s to a Stanley Cup Season!
Hi John!
I LOVE reading your blog!! I keeps me in stiches and at the same time makes me jealous of all the wonderful places you’re visiting! I love the report on the Emerald Princess! How dare they not feed you. To ease your pain I will bring you a bag of sugar free jelly beans when I come to sail on the Freedom. I’ll be there for the 11/24/07 sailing..I am so excited I am ready to pack NOW.
My parents and their friends will get a surprise. I want to have a cake delivered to the dinner table on the first formal night. My parents anniversary was this past June and the other couple’s anniversary is in December. I think a cake would surprise them.
Is it possible, pretty please with jelly beans on top, for you to bring the cake to the table?
And I will have a bag of jelly beans for you!
How will I give them to you?
Keep up the blog..it’s fantastic
Dawn
Hello again dear John,
Once again I closed my eyes and saw the Emerald Princess as you were describing her. I guess I can now understand why my refuses-to-try-Carnival neighbor loves Princess. I think she’s taking the Emerald Princess next year. But she does sound fantastic. I know she’s bigger than the Grand Princess, but does she look the same in the back – we called it a “shopping cart” when my friend & I first saw her. That big square handle? I thought that didn’t look as sleek as the Carnival ships, so I wasn’t very impressed. But your description of her sounds wonderful. And, I agree, roll out the red carpet for their return visit and show them how terrific Carnival is. It’s still my favorite line!
And Elaine – I broke the fast with sugar-free cheesecake (and bagels and lox of course).
Hope all is well with everyone,
regards,
Carol
John, no need to reply, just want to say how much I enjoyed your review of the Emerald Princess. I want to book right now! (Especially after all the comments about the food. Yum, yum.)
I have also been enjoying all of the interviews with the various crew members. Please keep doing those as it is so interesting to hear a bit about all the fine people who work so hard to ensure that we have an enjoyable cruise.
Hi John/Heidi Cruise Ship Lookers:
Excellent blog today.
I really felt like i was walking with you on the tour of the Emerald Princess. She sounds like quite a beauty.
I can’t believe though than in the whole time you were onboard, all they served you was a diet coke. That is clearly unacceptable.
I’d be hesitant to roll out the red carpet, but on the other hand, maybe have a huge banquet of food available and say this is how we do it “across the street”.
Thanks for including us in this. She seems like a ship that i know my wife and I would love to see one day.
David
Hi John,
Well its almost time for our Oct 16 sailing. We have a Cruise Critic Roll Call list of at least 88 folks all counting down the days to our wonderful vacation!!
We would like a place for our meet & greet the first sea day around 1pm if at all possible – we would also like a place, if time permits to visit with you and Heidi – let us know what works best!
In reading about your mug collection – I have to say that no mug collection is complete without a Pittsburgh STEELERS mug – you must have a mug from the 5 time Supper Bowl Champs – hopefully when I pack it – it will not be a part of any lost luggage
See you very soon!!
Deborah from Pittsburgh