Comments on: Hungry For An Emerald http://johnhealdsblog.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/ Mon, 21 May 2012 19:18:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Deborah Rosatohttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6485 Deborah Rosato Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:33:47 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6485 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 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

]]> By: DWA76http://johnhealdsblog.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6484 DWA76 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:02:21 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6484 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/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

]]> By: RBGateshttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6483 RBGates Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:14:28 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6483 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. 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.

]]> By: Carol Schoenbergerhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6482 Carol Schoenberger Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:12:39 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6482 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 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

]]> By: Dawnhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6481 Dawn Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:11:34 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6481 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 fantasticDawn 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

]]> By: Kimhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6480 Kim Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:31:39 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6480 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! 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!

]]> By: mrs.missingthesmokefreeparadisehttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6479 mrs.missingthesmokefreeparadise Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:31:33 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6479 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. 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.

]]> By: dawnhttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6478 dawn Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:16:47 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6478 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 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

]]> By: Janehttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6477 Jane Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:35:20 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6477 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 ~ 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

]]> By: cruisingeaglehttp://johnhealdsblog.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6476 cruisingeagle Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:28:53 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/hungry-for-an-emerald/#comment-6476 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,

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.

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