Good morning from Katakolon, Greece and an early start for me here at 7:07 am. I woke up at 5:45 am and could not get back to sleep so I thought I would do some paperwork which I have now finished so I thought I would write to all of you.
Before I did I read my mail for today’s afternoon show. The mail is from guests and is left at the information desk at various times and delivered to me at midnight and at noon every day. Many of these letters I share with you in the In Their Own Words Section and 99% are wonderful letters that share lives joys and sometimes sadness with guests onboard through the morning show and here on the blog.
So, I opened the letters and the second one turned my good mood into a ………………well……………not a good one………it’s too early to use any stronger language than that. Yesterday, as we were sailing through the Dardanelles I mentioned that we would now be sailing in the Aegean Sea, something I have done a dozen times this season. However, this week I apparently said The Adriatic. How do I know, here is how.
So, I am ignorant. Well, I am an idiot and me saying this is a sure sign that I am tired but to be called ignorant……….well, that is a bit harsh. Anyway, on today’s afternoon show I will apologize but to everyone for the slip of the tongue………..I would apologize to the guest who called me ignorant but they did not sign it or leave a cabin number which I found a little……………ignorant.
It is little things like this that get me down and I can now picture you all rushing to the keyboard to say “don’t be harsh on yourself,” etc. How I appreciate your support but this man/lady is correct, it was a stupid mistake and I am mad at myself for being so silly. Why, well as I mentioned I am running on autopilot now and after nine months that is not surprising. I will talk more about this later but not a good start to my day…………………..oh and to make matters worse I forgot to replace the toilet roll last night so you know where I am.
Today in Katakolon we will be joined by the four guests who missed the ship. Where were they?……………Shopping, of course, and they didn’t leave enough time to get back to the vessel………………..oops. Anyway, we had just sailed and were in maneuvers when they arrived at the pier. Unfortunately we could not come back as we would have missed our slot to leave the port. We then asked the pilot if they could come on their boat out to meet us but he said no due to insurance reasons which is understandable.
Here is a photo of the guests on the pier as we pulled away, you can just see them standing as a group with our agent.
They will be meeting us later today following that long 6-hour drive …………….hopefully they will be here in time to go and do some more shopping.
Let’s have a look at some photos of the Acropolis taken by Gary.
Here are the letters from today’s In their Own Words Section.
Here is today’s joke of the day……………………………..rated P.G. 17
An Englishman, a German and a Frenchman are all in Saudi Arabia, sharing a smuggled crate of booze when, all of a sudden, Saudi police rush in and arrest them. The mere possession of alcohol is a severe offense in Saudi Arabia, so for the terrible crime of actually being caught consuming the booze, they are all sentenced to death!
However, after many months and with the help of very good lawyers, they were able to successfully appeal their sentences down to life imprisonment. By a stroke of luck, it was a Saudi national holiday the day their trial finished, and the extremely benevolent Sheikh decided they could be released after receiving just 20 lashes each of the whip.
As they were preparing for their punishment, the Sheikh announced: “It’s my first wife’s birthday today, and she has asked me to allow each of you one wish before your whipping.
The German was first in line, he thought for a while and then said: “Please tie a pillow to my back. This was done, but the pillow only lasted 10 lashes before the whip went through. When the punishment was done the German had to be carried away bleeding and crying with pain.
The Frenchman was next up. After watching the German in horror he said smugly: “Please fix two pillows to my back.” But even two pillows could only take 15 lashes before the whip went through again and the Frenchman was soon led away whimpering loudly.
The Englishman was the last one up, but before he could say anything, the Sheikh turned to him and said: “You are from a most beautiful part of the world and your culture is one of the finest in the world. For this, you may have two wishes!”
“Thank you, your Most Royal and Merciful highness,” the Englishman replied. “In recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me not 20, but 100 lashes.”
“Not only are you an honorable, handsome and powerful man, you are also very brave,” the Sheikh said with an admiring look on his face. “If 100 lashes is what you desire, then so be it. And your second wish, what is it to be?” the Sheikh asked.
The Englishman smiled and said, “Tie the Frenchman to my back.”
Before the Q and A can I pay homage to two more blogs. The first is one from my great friends Anita Dunham-Potter. She cruised with me recently and also wrote that wonderful interview about me for MSNBC. She now has her own blog which I wish her much success with. Here is the link so stop by and say hello and enjoy a blog written in Anita’s incomparable style: http://www.expertcruiser.com/
Now, talking of great friends here is a name you will also all know from his own website and as a very gifted cruise experience writer. Here is Lynn Seldon’s blog called Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley: www.lynnseldon.com/wordpress it is a brilliant read.
Here we go with today’s Q and A starting with those from the Interview with Rick Meadows. To skip the Q&A, click here.
DWA76 – I agree with you mate that the Culinary Experience onboard the Holland America ships sounds extrodinary.I am glad that you enjoyed reading about Rick’s career so far and I thank him so much for providing you with the “good read” you described. Hope all is well mate and have a great weekend.
CAROL SCHOENBERGER – I am so sorry it took so long to reply to you Carol. Your posting was not lost it was just that I was so back logged ……………not that way……………..I mean with comments that I was about 3 or 4 postings behind with my replies. Anyway, you will see that I replied to your Cheesecake posting yesterday on the blog called “Happy Ending” and again, sorry for the delay. Hope you are well and if you ever have a spare piece of cheesecake I will be round in a flash. Cheers.
CAROL SCHOENBERGER – Now I see that you saw that I had replied to your posting that you thought I had not but I had done yesterday so the above posting can be ignored or you can read this one but not the one above instead of the one you wrote three days ago that I did not reply to until today and that was before I saw that you saw that I had replied and now I can’t stop typing and my fingers are going crazy and what’s the difference between boogers and broccoli kids wont eat broccoli and I hate Turkish baths and help and ……………………OK, just slapped myself……….all is well………………slow breaths……….mmmmmmmm.
ROSA – It is fabulous Rosa. Please come and find out sometime for yourself and if I can help in anyway, please let me know.
CRUISIN SUE – You will be here soon. Please send me a note when you get onboard, just leave it at the Information desk. Now, have a safe flight and thanks so very much for all the kind words about the blog. See you next week.
ALAN AND CHRIS – Thanks for the Red Sox posting and I shall wear my hat with pride (if they win.) I am going to talk about my schedule in a moment as well. Watching the baseball on the ship is so much fun especially the final thingy …….the ummmm……..World Series………..why is it called that when only two countries take part?……..Anyway, watching it on the Big Screen on lido is wonderful. Lets hope the Red Sox win because I want to wear my hat. ………..LETS GO HEAT! All the best guys and I promise your Carnival Freedom Caribbean cruise will be the best ever.
Now to comments and questions from the blog called ‘ A Happy Ending”
BRYAN – Oh yes, how I hope the weak dollar can find some strength from somewhere as the pound continues to be The Miami Heat and the dollar the Detroit Pistons. I will have some stories to tell on vacation and I will do my best to keep them as interesting and as fun as I can. I am also going to have some guest interviews as well. Thanks mate and I hope your dream of studying in the UK comes true one day soon.
NANI – Thanks Nani. I will indeed be telling you all what is happening at home as well as keeping you up to date with all the latest gossip. I am sure PA 007 will also help me out there as well. I agree though Nani, I do need some time off but I will be able to make sure the blog continues even if it is slightly diluted. Muchos Hugos.
GIRLDOC – Flying is certainly not my favorite thing to do either Doc. I have always dreamt of being part of those images you see in magazines here a private plane lands……….a handsome tanned man in a suit walks straight down the steps into a waiting Aston Martin. The reality is of course that after an 8-hour flight I look like I have gone 12 rounds with Mike Tyson as I walk down the steps, stand in a huge line for Immigration and then get into my hired Toyota Yaris (Yaris is Japanese for – you’re too big, get an upgrade.) I wish I was George Hamilton. So, try the longer flight if you can and see how you go. If things are OK then please consider a European flight as the reward is so worth it. Thanks again Doc and look out for more Eye Podding cast thingies soon.
BIG ED – Todd will be able to write one or two guest blogs but I will be able to record a few each week. Audio blogs will be easy and if someone from Roberto’s office can help type them out then that’s easier still. Thanks Ed for your concerns and I will be energized ready for the thong contest.
J – JOHN – I see winter only lasts one week in your neck of the woods, how cold does it get? Thank so much for supporting the format of the blog. It has been so encouraging to hear these words from you and so many others. Thanks again mate and stay cool.
SHERYL PELTON – My goodness, 15 hours of flying. I am sure you must all be exhausted but it seems that you also have so many wonderful memories of your cruise vacation here on the Carnival Freedom. You said that you miss hearing my voice so I hope therefore you will be happy to hear that during vacation I will be slapping on lots of audio thingies onto the blog. Heidi sends her best and any jellybean donation would be gratefully appreciated. All the best and thanks again for spending time with us here.
LAUREN – I will, promise!
DAVE AND BARB – I really did upset that lady with my innocent Cleveland remark. Hopefully she has accepted my apology and has forgiven me…………….I really just said the first town that came into my mind and until you told me I had no idea that it used to be called “the armpit of the Midwest. I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad and I am sure that he and Mum must have had a wonderful 50 years together. May I also wish you and David a very happy 30th anniversary this October? I will chat about my schedule shortly and thanks most of all for supporting the blog; it means the world to me. My best to you and of course to Mum and David as well.
LINDA HERNACKI – Hello Linda. First of all I hope the family are all well and Mike continues to enjoy his new job. I have not tried the sugar-free cheesecake onboard for a long time………….why…………….well honestly, I just can’t bare to sit there eating it while everyone else eats the real thing so to speak. When I did try it all I could taste was the sugar substitute and I was disappointed …………..not with the cake itself……………with me………….being diabetic. Anyway, I will try and make some at home……..OK, Heidi or Mum will try and hopefully it will taste like the real thing. I am going to discuss vacation in a moment Linda and I will explain what is happening. I really want you to know that I look forward so very much to seeing your name on a posting as I know in advance that your words will be ones of joy and happiness and support …………that is so special. All the best to you and the family.
DAVE MYERLY – I used to love the basic Old Spice scent. It is distinctive and smells manly. This is not the same of modern scents which either have you smelling like a guy on the front cover of GQ magazine, dressed only in his Calvin Klein thong, pointing to something in the distance or is so disgusting it smells like Fatima’s feet. Yep, Old Spice for me anytime although I also liked Brut and High Karate…………….those are men’s aftershaves. What do you wear mate? How’s Jo? Please send her my best regards.
TERESA C – I was happy to hear that you loved the story of the Middleton’s but sad to hear that you have yet to find love yourself. Maybe we should start a bloggers “lonely blog club “…………what do you think? I will try and cheer you up by sending as many audio posts as I can as well as having them typed out. You will find love one day, you will really………..if I can…….anyone can. Don’t give up, he is out there, somewhere…………………let us know when you find him. All the best until then.
That’s all the comments have been posted so far and I will be answering many more I am sure tomorrow.
OK, lets have a chat.
During the past few days I have been talking to Roger Blum and Chris Prideaux about my vacation and schedule for next year.
This is usually a pretty easy decision to make. I work 5 months and have 6 weeks off. Work another 4 months and have 2 months off. However, because of the love of this blog and the amazing relationship I have struck up with you all I have had only 1 and a half days off and as of today I have been onboard for exactly 9 months……………….I am very, very tired.
The blog has added an extra 3 – 4 hours work every day and of course the pressures of delivering a new ship are obvious …………..don’t get me wrong…………..I would not have changed these last months for anything in the world………..except an Aston Martin………..but you already new that.
I have started to make silly mistakes (as shown above when I named the wrong sea) and I now find myself on full automatic. Therefore I have made a choice that I am sure some of you will be disappointed to hear……….I will apologize in a moment.
Before I explain what is happening, I need to tell you about the bad news I got a few days ago. It’s my best friend Alan. Some 10 years ago Alan had a serious and complicated operation that luckily he came through. Last week, he told me that he would have to have the same operation again. Now, I am being vague here I know because I respect his privacy but I can not possibly be gallivanting around the world knowing that he is going to go through this again. His operation is due at the end of the October and before then he has scans and …………..well, other treatments that will make sure it is OK to operate.
Alan and I have been pals for 20 something years. I was his best man and he mine, so you can see the bond even though we make fun of each other constantly. Therefore, I must be home when he has his operation and be there to support him and his wife and two children afterwards and help with his convalescing.
I have taken all these factors into consideration and have decided not to host the trans-Atlantic Crossing. Now, I know there are going to many disappointed people out there and their names are flashing around my head as I type this. Let me say that this was not an easy choice to make; I want to be with you all. The reason I am not going to do this is simple. I cannot be at sea for seven straight days and not be able to get off the vessel to be there for Alan and his family should they need me. Yes, I am tired but this alone was the deciding factor. I also have been asked to attend a very important meeting in Miami in early November which I can only do if all is well with Alan……….it will be of course.
One small, very small cancellation to those TA people who read the blog………………I will fly very late on the 28th and so as to meet you all I will host a reception just for those people who have been writing on the blog. This will be held in the Swingtime from at 5:15pm – 6:15pm (in a smoke free room) and drinks are on me…………well………..Carnival. If you will be joining me please put on a posting that you will be and your cabin number so I can send an invitation. This will be exclusive and just for those names I recognize who have been contributing to the blog……………I want to make this special.
The great news is that Todd will be the Cruise Director for the crossing. He is now working with me on the schedule and he will make sure the crossing is an amazing experience.
I am sorry I will not be there for the Caribbean cruises after the crossing either. I truly wanted to but with all the above factors and for my own health I cannot be with you. I am so very sorry. You will have a great cruise though I promise.
I will return on January 12 to the Carnival Freedom to prepare for the bloggers cruise and then I will have a conference in Miami with all the Cruise Directors. In February I will travel on a few of the Carnival ships to have a look at some of the new Cruise Directors and see if I can be of any assistance to them. Then in March I will be back on the Carnival Freedom. April will see me preparing the tours for the Carnival Splendor ports and then it is back to the Carnival Freedom for the crossing and the first two cruises in the Med before it is off to the Carnival Splendor.
Through all of this……………..I will be blogging…………..from home …………. during the naming ceremony of the Queen Victoria and of course from the Bloggers Cruise and beyond. I promise you at least three blogs a week and maybe more if I can. These maybe audio as I mentioned with someone else doing the transcripts. I will also have guest interviews and there will be lots of photos as well………in fact……….all your favorites.
So, as I leave you today I want to ask you for two special considerations.
1. Please think of my mate Alan and his family. I know he will be fine…………he has to be ……….he needs to be on the bloggers cruise in that thong.
2. I also ask that the people who were looking forward to seeing me onboard forgive me for letting them down……….I hope you all understand why .
I didn’t want to leave this blog on a sad note so instead I want to share one of the many Alan stories with you.
Before Alan had his first operation he was a very successful Money Broker working on what was then called the London International Futures Exchange (L.I.F.E) These young men and women would stand all day wearing bright coloured blazers, waving their arms around shouting things like “mine” and “Yoursa” and generally looking silly. They did work long hours but the rewards were good and of course the parties and perks were high. Now, back in the day Alan liked to get ………ummmmmmm…..he liked a few………..well, he had quite a thirst because he and the pint glass became good friends.
One night he had been having fun with the boys and got the last train home. Now, when we say train, we have to remember this was 1994 and the trains were the old British rolling stock. This meant that the carriages were enclosed with no bathrooms and that was not good news for Alan. The journey from London to our home town of Southend takes about 50 minutes and as Alan boarded the train at midnight he was already very jolly indeed. Once on the train the swaying and shuddering and juddering started and the 10 pints of beer and the chicken vindaloo curry that he had digested started to have a good old fight in his stomach.
Alan tells me that there were only three people in the carriage and all looked as wrecked as he was. By the third stop they were all sound asleep but Alan knew something was stirring. Now, he could have stuck his head out of the window but as the train was going 60 MPH even in his state he realized that may not be a good idea.
Trying to hold off the inevitable he realized he would have to take drastic action so he reached up onto the luggage rack, grabbed his briefcase and relieved himself of the night’s festivities.
Closing up the briefcase and replacing it on the rack he spent the rest of the journey in contemplation.
Once off the train he walked, briefcase in hand and headed on the five-minute walk home. When he got there he fell straight into bed leaving the briefcase and its contents to deal with in the morning.
Saturday morning came and went and eventually he awoke about noon. As he did so he already expected a massive stay in the dog house for coming home sponsored by Budweiser but then he remembered his briefcase…………..and it’s contents.
Walking gingerly down the stairs he retrieved his briefcase from where he had left it by the door……………he walked into the kitchen hoping nobody would see him………….he gingerly opened the case………….preparing himself for smell of curry and beer and other gastric juices to great him…………..opening the case slowly he peered inside……………….and………………..nothing.
His papers were there, his newspaper and his pens, etc……………and then it hit him…………..in his happy state he had been sick in someone else’s briefcase ……………..and last night, that person who had been asleep on the train had arrived back home………..opened his briefcase to find his possessions floating in a sea of curry and beer.
That’s why he is my best mate. Please think of him tonight and maybe Big Ed can put his nurse’s uniform on and look after him while he is in ICU.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Catherine Zeta Jones, Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Splendor Godmother, Tales from the Ship
Sniffle Sniffle Sniffle.
Does this mean there won’t be a cigar thing with you for Mr?
What about his appraisal and judging duties???
I am going to tell you. There are families out there that won’t even drive 3 hours to visit a brother with his appendix out, and you leave work for an extended time to help out. It says a lot for the man, and it says more for you. The good news is, Alan already knows what he has to do for rehab post op, so he can practice starting now and it should be easier.
Alan’s family: don’t feel alone.
Heidi: don’t forget to pack the dog house.
Todd: Mahala!
Alan and John: do what the nurses tell you. They have needles and bed pans to use against you. We should be sending sympathy cards to them.
Now I really understand why you need a vacationI You are a very busy man! Yes, I’m disappointed in not getting a chance to meet you on our cruise April 12, 2008, but I will continue to read your blog! It really makes my day, especially your jokes.
One thing you need to do is ask the “ignorant” person who wrote that note if they ever made a mistake in their life. Obviously they were not taught manners and how to treat other people. I was always told, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it at all”! It’s amazing how many people point out errors and don’t look at theirselves. You have to love the “wonderful” public!
John,
Glad to hear you decided about your leave time and guessed you would not be doing the trans Atlantic thing. I am really touched by your loyalty to your mate Alan and I too have a friend from early school days and fully understand. Its a great bond.
I also use Old Spice (after shave original) and Brut (splash on) and don’t care for the perfume smelly types. If I wanted to smell like a french tart I can find better ways to do it. I also try Musk now and then but it is usually a little too strong for me.
Many years ago while in the US Navy on Destroyers, at the end of a deployment we would make a stop at St. Thomas before returning to our US home port. It was great for buying cheap liquor. I found a creme cologne called Island Man w Aloe Vera. It is the best and I really love the feel and scent but can no longer find it anywhere. We have friends on St. Thomas and have returned many times.
Dave (Jo and Dave)
So sorry to hear about Alan and quite understand your wanting to be near him when he has his surgery. l would love to meet you in the Swingtime lounge at 5.15. on 28th Oct. Especially if the drinks are free. Perhaps we could all raise our glasses for a toast to him. l do hope we get to meet Heidi too.
l cannot imagine how you have managed to go on for so long without a proper break so l hope that you will take it easy. Try not to dwell on the negative comments although as humans that is what we all seem to do.
Mary H cabin 1211
Sorry to hear about Alan – perhaps you can arrange a housecall from Fatima to cheer him up.
As for your well deserved break, it has certainly been earned. Enjoy it! I, and I’m sure many others, appreciate your efforts at not only keeping the blog going this long, but also of continuing it in one form or another in the future.
A little bit of Deja New of the TA. I was recently thinking of a TA I did on the France in 1974. I think I might have been on the last sailing of the France (wasn’t supposed to be), but in any event, it was one of the last.
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/france/france.htm
Things that were a little different back then – they adjusted the clocks every 15 minutes when crossing – talk about a sobriety test. Also skeet shooting was still allowed. I was pretty good at that considering my blood alcohol content and the motion of the ocean. Ah the good old days.
Dear John,
I am laughing at your story about Alan (as you intended), but I know you have a heavy heart. I may not be a religious person, but I am praying that all goes well for his operation, and that you and his family give him all the love and encouragement he needs.
I know you need a vacation badly – you deserve it – but I’m sure this is not how you wanted to start it.
I think I need one too, because I completely understood your replies to my comments. But don’t forget to let us know where to send things.
Love to you and Heidi (and Alan),
Carol
As I always suspected from your blog you are a very caring and generous person. My prayers will be with Alan and his family.
John, we will VERY much miss your being on the TA with us! However, it sounds like you have your priorities in order and we fully understand. Our prayers will be with Alan and his family. They will also be with you and Heidi for some well deserved rest. Although we’ve never met, we feel like we know you and believe you are the best out there.
I wanted to confirm the Cruise Critic meet-n-greet for the TA at 11 AM at the Swingtime lounge for 70 people. (Thanks again for setting that up!)
Dave and I would like to confirm being at the gathering with you on Oct. 28th 5:15pm Swingtime Lounge. Our Cabin # is 7238.
And a final question… is there ping pong on board? One of the couple traveling with us plays and was wondering.
John, I guess I will not try to be funny today. Our prayers are with Alan, his family, all the bloggers going through all different ailments and you and Heidi too. I’m sure all the TA bloggers will understand you not being on the TA. You have made “the man without a face” one of us. You have made him part of our extended bloggers family. So I’m sure we all see your need to be with him and his family and I’m sure nobody will hold it against you to be with them. Tell Alan for us our prayers are with him and to have a speedy recovery from the operation. Keep us updated John.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Konefe
John/Heidi,
I will be thinking of Alan over the next few weeks and your briefcase story just made it more of a reason why I care.
What a story. Hahaha! Too funny!
I wish you and Alan luck as you support him.
I feel bad looking at those people standing on the pier, but rules are rules.
I look forward to keeping in touch with you over the next few months as you travel and support. Don’t forget about your friends online.
Good luck Alan,
David
Hi John, Please do what you need to do the next few months. We will all support you. Please give Alan our love. We’ll ad his name to our prayer list.
Jo and Dave
My Dear John & Heidi
As one of the T & A cruises we were thrilled just to find out you were going to be there on the TA cruise
Yes we are disappointed to find out you won’t be there,
HOWEVER it’s like having a balloon burst the sadness is there for a little while but then you get over it. How hard of a blog it must have been for you to have written to us all.
W e will miss you both BUT if we don’t have a good time it won’t be your fault it will be our own darn fault!
SO GET Over the guilt my friend. And please keep a blogging!
Your first priority is to yourselves First and foremost. “Burnout” is a mean little devil”
It sneaks up on the most successful and best of the world. You have gone out on a limb for your passengers every cruise for the past nine months
Your second priority is to Alan & his family, your third to Carnival,
Take it from me a nurse of 36 years. It will getcha in the end….LOL
Please include us in the little tete~ e~ tete, cabin number October 28, 2007
Will Heidi be with you?
Stateroom: 8440
Sending Prayers and good thoughts, and good vibrations to Alan & his family
(I assume in the Miami area)
The Tuckers
Hello John,
Well i will not harp on you mate as i feel you made the right decision for both alan and you.
My thoughts/prayers are with you guys mate..
So does that mean Todd will be CD on freedom till your return next january?Pardon me is it Todd Walker if i’m correct currently on liberty?
But any human person will understand the decision you made and find it unselfish of you John.
My next question is, I currently have a gift for you that i received today and was gonna rush out but after reading the blog is it still a good idea to mail it to italy or what? I would appreciate if you could let me know, as this is a gift i know you will savor..
Thanks John.Hope all goes well with you and alan and sounds like now i will see todd in 1month,30days,11hrs,53mins,20secs
Take care John,
sincerely matt
John,
Out of respect for your heartfelt words I didn’t want to make light of Alan’s hardships with a mere poem.
I am sure as many other’s will have the same question of “what can I do?” Realizing this is probably not a condition or alighment you or he would like to discuss publicly I suspect you have many a good friend who would like to support him and you in a time of need. Considering all of the wonderful wishes and thoughts and prayers you convey to so many readers during their time of need, it would seem only proper that you let us reciprocate.
Is it possible that you could post an address or possibly a PO Box within Carnival that bloggers could send a get well card to? I think Alan would be suprised the number of fans he has just through your blog thingy.
John, I know some of your passengers will truely miss you, but you need to be with Alan too.
OK – we just got back from our cruise on the Mariner of the Seas and spoke with the cruise director – Dennis Sciortino. We told him you said “hello”. He said he knew you but he may just have been saying that to amuse us.
It was a real nice cruise, but Carnival is still our favorite. There were some things we liked better, especially their Promenade Deck which was set up like a street with outside cafe’s where you could just sit and have coffee, etc. and “people watch”. We also had an inside room with a window overlooking the Promenade so we could relax and see the action without leaving the room.
Other than that – the meals (we think servings were bigger but we never had Beef Wellington or Filet Mignon), the desserts (some were so dry you couldn’t enjoy), the fun, and especially the Cruise Director are much better on Carnival. Unlike Carnival too, the dining room charged extra for after-the-meal cappuccino coffee.
Another plus was the dis-embarkation process. We were given colors, as with Carnival, but there was also a listing of when the colors would be called so we knew that we were going to be the 4th color called.
Now we have something to compare it to and all in all, Carnival is THE VERY BEST !!!!
We have some pictures of the ship if you would be interested in seeing them.
I have really enjoyed your blog – especially since it comes from a European cruise. You have managed to put that bug in my brain to fester and grow until I break down and book a Med cruise. Hopefully, the Saints and Sinners will figure out how to arrange a group cruise across the pond. Until then, we still have the Mexican Riviera and Hawaii to tame.
Speaking of which – we leave for S&S3 on October 13th on the Liberty. I have always invited Uncle Bob to join us, but he always has some excuse (the last one was some silly Carnival Corp meeting in London!). Now that he is stepping down as CEO, do you think he has enough free time to join us in 12 (count them – 12) days? Despite our name, we are really quite harmless.
S&S4 sails October 30, 2008 if you don’t already have vacation plans.
Cheers!
Shelly
Give Alan our best. Family, friends and health should ALWAYS come before a job. You made the right decision.
Hi John,
First of all, you are not ignorant!! The person who wrote you the note was definitly ignorant of good manners, even if he knew geography. I sure would hate to be an acquaintance of that guy.
I hope you & Heidi enjoy your well earned vacation. We’ll miss hearing from you daily. Reading your blog is how I always start my day & I’m very much addicted to it.
I’m wishing the very, very best for Alan & his family. Just because of this blog, he’ll have thousands of people pulling for him.
We all make mistakes, thoes 2 names are very close and it would be easy to make the mistake, everyone does. it is them who put themselves on a lower level by pointing out anothers flaw, they are not without mistakes either. And Yes you need a break and have worked very hard for it, enjoy it, relax (if you can). the podcasts sond great, they could be a lot easyer for you and your your fingers. it could mean a lot more to hear your blog.
We will add Allen to our prayers too, and He will be fine, you help all you can and stay close to your friend.
All our best to you and Heidi
Heidi-Beth
**and just a hello! to all the other bloggers out there, I know you all read this too.
Hi John,
I’m happy to hear that you will finally taking your vacation. Please don’t think of it as letting people down. It’s more a case of having the right priorities. Any one with an ounce of compassion in their body would understand your situation. You have a big heart and a kind soul, that is obvious. I can’t wait to meet you on the Blogger’s Cruise.
Until then, please turn off the “Mr. Cruise Director” portion of your brain and focus on yourself and Heidi and Alan and his family.
My heart and thoughts go out to Alan and his family. I wish him a speedy recovery. I hope to see him doing laps around the lido in a thong with you and Big Ed in January. I think maybe a bright orange one for him, it would go well with the bright blue I think you should wear and the leopard print for Big Ed.
Cheers mate,
Laura
Oh John, I am so sorry that you and your dear freind have to go through something like this, and twice in one lifetime is just totally unfair. I know that having you by his side and knowing that you are with his family to help them will bring him through his operation with flying colors.
We are very disapointed that you will not be with us on the TA crossing and will miss you dearly but David and I fully understand and wouldn’t want you to be anywhere else. So you go and help your friend and when he has recovered get some rest for yourself and Heidi as you have become very important to us all.
Count David and I in on reception on the 28th so we can send our best wishes with you and Heidi to England to your wonderful friend Allen.
Your cyberfriends,
Barbara and David
Hi John, I am so sorry to hear about Alan, I hope and pray his surgery goes well. I kind of knew you wouldn’t be there in November, so am not disappointed as I realize you need a vacation desperately and that your mind is elsewhere with Alan and his family during this time, plus you and Heidi need some time away, which is understandable. Please let us know where we can send packages to come December 1st, I want to send you and Heidi a Christmas gift. Any chance you can leave us that book you promised in our cabin and maybe a signed picture? Sure would love it! Again, we will miss you tremendously but do understand as I am sure all the bloggers will. God Bless you John for being such a wonderful man, and friend! Linda & Mike (the handyman)
So sorry to hear about Alan. Please give him my warmest wishes for speedy recovery. I wish I had a friend for life like you, I am sure that you will be the best cure with your humour and positive outlook on life. Ahhhhh…
I am happy to hear that your vacation is coming up, please take care of yourself and Heidi and enjoy your time off that is sooo deserved and sooo overdue.
Love and hugs,
I.
John, I forgot our cabin number it is 8260 for the get together.
John,
I will be keeping your friend in my thoughts and prayers. It is very rare to find friends who have stuck through thick and thin together over the long haul. It is great that you have made the decision to be there for him. I am sure it will mean a lot.
I noticed in your blog that you mentioned that you would be doing the first two Mediterrean cruises before leaving for the Splendor. I am taking that to mean that you will be the CD on the maiden voyage on July 13th. I have been trying to zero in on that fact. Hopefully, I found my answer. I must admit, one of the key factors in selecting the Splendor was to have you as the Cruise Director.
When you come back into Italy, I hope the box will be there.
Hey John. As we can all tell you are a dedicated man. Your enthusiasm for your work and life at sea shine throught in your blogs. Yours is the first web site I check when I get up each day. That being said there is much more to life than work and it is great to see someone like you has his head on straight about close friends and family coming first.
I work in surgery and we do see people come in with little support and others with a great support system like you. the ones with support always seem to do better. I am sure you will help Alan get better sooner just by being there as well as being able to help his wife cope.
I like so many other readers have come to care not only for you but the other folks you bring to life in your blog. So please give my regards and support to Alan and his family. I can only sympathise with his wife as she will have to deal with Alan as he recuperates.
John,
Glad to hear you will still be blogging. Please keep us updated on Alan, I feel like I know him from your blog. Let him know we are all concerned. Carla
Dearest John and Heidi,
My heart goes out to you both. You must literally be ready to drop! Just being a guest on a cruise is extremely tiring as one runs from one end of the ship to the other trying to take in all the fun things to do, plus excursions and getting to meals and shows on time. Whew! And you, John, have to plan and participate in all this over and over again. You either love it or are a glutton for more than jelly beans! I know all the folks who planned to have you around for the entire TA are terribly disappointed, but are all wonderful people who love you dearly and so will be with you and Alan in spirit. And sorry though I am, John, I cannot resist saying that I’m sure you did not mean to “cancel” those folks, but rather to “console” them by scheduling a special gathering just for them. Please forgive me for mentioning this, but it’s a rather bad habit I’ve had for years; i.e., scrutinizing the written word for…whatever. And I hate when I’m caught in an error. So, I’ll be on the lookout for my come-upance. I, too, will add Alan to my prayers and am sure with the thousands of entreaties wending their way upward on his behalf, Alan will be back among the partying tout suite. Try to rest and get to know each other (you and Heidi) again. Have a good visit at home. And it goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway…that’s a silly saying) we all know you’ll spend as much time as you possibly can with Alan and his family. Just remember that you have multiplied by thousands the number of well-wishers Alan has rooting and praying for him. There’s no better health care plan than that! Would love to share some got too drunk and did weird things stories with Alan someday. If all of you ever have a layover of more than four hours in Florida, maybe we can have “tea” together.
Adieu, my friends,
Myra
John & Heidi,
Allen and I will be putting Alan on our prayer list to pray for him during his surgery and rehab.
The decision you made to go be with Alan and his family shows again the reason you are so liked. You have your priorities straight! Take your vacation guilt-free and both you & Heidi, take a long rest to get your body and mind refreshed. Doing a good job is good, but standing by your friends and family is better!
Dear John,
I’ve been catching up on a week’s worth of your blog thingy in reverse order and had all kinds of cheery comments to make – - Big Congratulations on the Sea Going Employee of the Year award; Clevelanders can (and frequently do) laugh at themselves; love the photos; keep both the negative and positive comments in your blog thingy; great staff interviews, etc. . .
And then to learn of your mate Alan’s serious illness. You have made him a friend to all of us bloggers as well through the stories about your escapades together. Although you will be missed on the TA, the place for you to be is with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Please include us in your gathering on Oct. 28.
Sue, Jennifer and Karen
Stateroom 8296
John,
Please let Alan and his family that our thoughts and prayers are with him as he undergoes his surgery. As well, our prayers are with you and Heidi as you stand by your mate’s side.
Please take the time to relax, enjoy (as much as you can) your time off the ship. It is more than deserved.
110 days and counting…
Elaine and Lisa
John,
I have been lurking around, reading your blog for about a month, because I wanted to know more about the Carnival Cruise experience. My wife has been on 3 (Carnival (I’ve forgotten the name of the ship), 1984; the Norway, 1985; and HAL’s Zuiderdam, 2006) and I have been on 2, the Norway and the Zuiderdam. All of our cruises have been conference cruises. We are cruising on the Carnival Conquest November 4th, and this is with some friends and not a conference.
You have put a wonderful face on Carnival. Your warmth and caring are quite evident in your writings, even when you have problematic passengers & guests. I thought the way you handled the smoking travel agent on the Lido was par excellence. I also appreciate your concern when passengers miss the boat. And your follow through on what happened.
I’m saddened to hear about Alan, and I admire your response, most would simply send their best wishes in a card and flowers. You are a true friend. God’s speed on your journey to help him, and on his recovery.
Thank you for continuing your blog, and I will look forward to it every day.
Keep up you excellent work, and take care of yourself too. We’d like to be able to sail with you on a future cruise, so enjoy your time off.
Thank you,
Bob
John:
Re: Loot
We have been giggling over our gift list for M&M Heald, but my first notion is that when we get there you really don’t want to have to find room for stuff and then dash.
On the other hand….what is the status of diet A&W Root Beer? I was thinking of the 2 liter bottle, should be about 4 pounds.
There are already 2 bags of candy for Heidi. Has to be checked baggage if not already eaten.
And.
hmmmm.
Since your major problem is that you want to get back to your home forty, that’s cb talk, I think, before the pond, you do realize that a lot of Brits holiday in Madeira? And they have regular flights from there? So….you could ship your shipping stuff from Civi and then have an overnight case and a formal outfit and I guess there would be room to put a runaway bed in our place for a couple days if you got special dispensation. And you men could both eat limburger and gotawful cheese and pretend to be caliopes. On the balcony.
I mean.
You have been wrestling with your decisions for, well, since March 4, so I just can’t let you think that you have made up your mind.
I also don’t want Todd to think that you are leaving on account of us. That boat could get awful small… or that we are glad to get Todd so you can go…and now we will have Another day to wear our Halloween costumes!
Take care of Alan… and yourself.
I cannot imagine working 24/7 for nine straight months. You are remarkable.
Frankly I think it is amazing that you are sticking around for that little get together with us TAers on the 28th. You give so much. We certainly look forward to seeing you then, hubby Bill and I (cabin 8404), and wishing you Godspeed to home and family and friends in person.
We’ll try to not sink the Freedom in your absence.
John,
Again you show how wonderful you are! What a true friend you are, and I’m sure Alan sings your praises over and over again like the rest of us do!!! You are so deserving of a long vacation–after all, we all come on vacation and have you entertain us, day after day, and how you do it 7 days a week is beyond me. I also work 7 days a week, but I don’t have to be “on” in front of people all that time like you do. I can’t wait to hear your podcasts, and read whatever you write. Hi to Heidi, and please let her know that the cards are on their way to her. Do you think that you could somehow brodcast your morning shows to us here in the states? Best of luck to Alan, and if he needs a private duty nurse, give me a call. Sheryl
Just so you know, I am here.Thats why we all admire you so much. But now first things first, you your wife, family and friends. You have given soooooo much of you to us already!!!! Time to think of yourself.Thank You John!! Dont worry we are a strong group and we all are going to have Alan on our minds and he is going to be on that Bloogers cruise and its going to be a celebration. Starting today blog when you have time ,when you can! Its not an obligation we want you to enjoy it also! We will wait , we will be here . Now its our time to give to you.
Now I hope this helps but from a distance I send you and Heidi the biggest hug I have sent you in months.
Hi John. Long time no talk!…..My deputies and I get called all kinds of not so very nice names. But you know……..we always say to them…… I hope those handcuffs are not too tight!!!
As we know, there are really stupid ignorant people on every cruise!!!! Maybe next time, they can stay in a Holiday Inn and not on my boat!!!!
Hope you are doing well mate!!
Handcuffs to all!!!
Rosco P. Coltrane
Sheriff
Oh, when is the bloggers cruise?
John, Although I will miss the opportunity to sail with you 2x on the Freedom (Nov.12 & May.21), I am not at all going to be upset. I know that Alan is very lucky to have someone like you in his life & being there for him is very important. I am fortunate enough to have some friends for over 20 yrs & they are very special to me too.
I will say a little prayer for Alan. I’m sure with you by his side, he will have an excellent & speedy recovery.
P.S. Glad that you remembered Elisa D. I will give your regards in my next email. We are planning to meet up in Naples next year when I cruise.
OK, Mr John Stephen Heald…..you are to be congratulated for recognizing when “enough is enough.” There are too many nice folks who for varying reasons “keep on keepin on” and begin to resent things that before brought pleasure. Your loyalty to your friend and to your family is well placed. Believe it or not, Carnival will be fine. Things may not be “as” fine……but the boats will sail. You are great at what you do, but everyone needs to recharge the batteries. from Suzanne (not your sister)
John:
Family (whether by choice or genetics) should always come first. You are making the right decision to be with Alan and his family. I’m not very religious, but I will say a prayer that all goes well.
As for 1 1/2 days off in nine months all I can say is “Yikes!!! If I’d been working that long without a break I wouldn’t be able to put a complete sentence together.
I’m going to share with you the 3 questions my Mom would ask me when I fretted about something I had done: 1) Did anyone get hurt? 2) Did you do something that violated your values? 3) Will your mother be afraid to show her face at the grocery store? If I answered “no” to all three, she would laugh and remind me that whatever it was, it probably wasn’t so bad.
Cut yourself some slack my friend, a simple mistake is all you did. Rest assured your Mum can go grocery shopping tomorrow
.
Have a good night.
Good afternoon Mr. Heald. It’s with a heavy heart that I write this post to you this afternoon. The thought of you having to deal with this very difficult situation about your mate Alan brings back stories of my friend being told that I had a stroke. I only difference was you being the strong friend at the time when he had the first one but especially now how strong you are for him now. My friend wasn’t able deal with my stroke and since that time he would no longer be my friend. Alan is a very lucky man having you as a friend and he with you. The other reason my heart is heavy is that on my February 2nd cruise you’ll will be on other ships at that time. Maybe someday we will meet. Rest my friend, you definitely deserve it. Give my love and prayers to Alan and his family as well as you and Heidi. I definitely will miss the opportunity of meeting you. Ciao.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
I will say a prayer for Alan that he has a good surgery and a speedy recovery and that God watches over him. Thank you for the good story I laughed so hard.
I just want to say the true idot and ignorant person is the chicken that couldn’t even write his or her name, and haven’t they ever made a mistake, they should hope that no one makes them feel bad about a silly mistake. I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you, you have nothing to be ashamed of so don’t be sad.
I can’t believe that you have lasted this long with the schedule that you keep. You so deserve a well earned vacation and it is very considerate of you to think of others and if they would be upset. But that is why you are you!
John,
I am very glad to read that you are taking time off to charge your batteries (and not your jet pack). Please take care of Heidi and Alan, and relax as much as you can. I will be happy to hear from you via blog whenever you can, and not hold you to a set schedual for postings.
My fellow bloggers have expressed their caring and concern better than I am able, so I’ll just add a ditto to their heartfelt comments.
ditto
Kay
Hello John,
It’s very obvious what a hard decision this was for you to make. But totally understandable. You are a warm generous man and putting your best mate before everything else just shows that. Alan is lucky to have you as you are to have him. My best friend came to stay with Carl and I for a few weeks. I mentioned before, how she lost her home in recent flooding. The company she works for was kind enough to find her work here in our town. It’s been nice having a few days with her and sorting through our problems together. We are good support for each other, as I am sure you and Alan will be as well. A good friendship is really more like family. Am I right?
You and Heidi certainly deserve this time off and while we will miss you… you will be in our hearts and we will still be here when you can join us. Of course you must keep us updated with Alan’s progress and with some of the highlights of you and Heidis fun times (we will pass on the details of Thursday nights…. unless of course it is to report the impending pitter-patter of little feet!) lol!
Our prayers are with you and Heidi, Alan and his family and of course with all of your loved ones!
Please let us know where we can send a card (and more JetPack Fuel). Perhaps if it is okay… somewhere we can send a card to Alan as well.
BIG Bear Hugs to you!
Barb
John & Heidi
Susan and I absolutely understand your loyalty to Alan. We wish him the best and can only admire your relationship. It really does sound as though you need a rest and I will tell you….all of us that read your blog daily would understand. Might I suggest a hiatus from the blog while you recharge and get your mate well. You have all of our e-mail address’s and you could let us know when you will crank it up again. We would all be there waiting anxiously for the notification. You must watch your own health both physical and mental.
Re-charge!!!
All our admiration,
John & Susan from Frisco
I am so glad to have checked in today, have been alittle MIA lately. (mission trip to Kake, Alaska; darn work; etc etc)
So glad to hear you are finally putting yourself first and taking a well deserved vacation! I think of how tired we were after the June Med cruise and to think that you live that way day after day.
Thoughts and prayers will be with Alan, his family and care providers.
Us? Phil is a-ok after the heart thing in August. One little $50,000 stent was all it took. Told him that we shoulda grabbed an extra little straw at Starbucks!! haha
Randy – is recovering in a hospital in the desert from a spider bite (or sting ??). Should be ok, but mom’s worry about long term problems.
No response is needed : ) Give Heidi a hug. We still hope to join you in January on the bloggers cruise, but if not, we will be on the first sailing of the Splendor.
take care, Janet
John,
Take care and be available for your mate and his family. You’ve done a great job, it’s time for a break although better circumstances would be nice. Don’t fret about Mr. Ignorant. Clear your head and recharge your batteries.
Scott
I am back reading more comments from bloggers, I am so sad about Alan’s illness, and so sorry for you too, you are such a good man, no one should have to go thru this in life, least of all you. I know Alan will be in good hands, and all of us bloggers are going to be praying for him. PLEASE be sure and let us know how the surgery goes once it is over, and please rest as much as you can while you and Heidi are off from work, you both need the rest too! We all look forward to hearing from you whenever you can blog, and of cause please let us bloggers know where we can send gifts and holiday cards to in December. Thanks John and give Heidi my best regards. Your friends, Linda & Mike P.S. We will definitely be thinking of you when we are on the Freedom 11/17-11/24.
John,
I understand what you are talking about. I have been through similiar types of “burnout” before. While we were on the Glory, one of the social hosts(?) we were talking to told us about how much of a load that the blog was putting on you. He kind of indicagted that if it was not for Heidi, you would not be able to manage. You need to look after yourself first. We were cruising and having a great time before there was a blog. We really appreciated the attention that we got from Wee Jimmy because of our contact with you, but we would have had a great cruise either way. You take care of your business first. We will be fine.
We will be giving prayerful attention to Alan, and I am convinced that everything will be fine with him. He is privelidged to have a friend like you. If I could contact him, I would tell him as much.
For now, relax, get yourself back in order, and we look forward to the possibility of being able to cruise with you someday.
All the best
Kevin
John, our prayers go with you and Heidi as you go to the side of your friend Alan. We will remember him in prayer also.
So, you made a mistake. Big deal. Those of us who know and love you through meeting you, and continue it through the blog already know that your self-deprecating humor on realizing an error is one of the things we find most appealing. So what’s the big deal? At least you had the “A.” As a professor and a manager, one of the first things that I tell my people is that “an error is nothing more than an opportunity to learn. If none of us had ever made a mistake, then we might have cause to judge, but in lambasting you and calling you “ignorant,” I believe the lady has erred far worse than you. Follow the advise of the great AMERICAN writer, Mark Twain, “Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.”
I am so pleased to see that you will both be taking some time on land. Remember, CD is a career and an adventure, not a prison sentence. And those of us who consider you our friend understand the need to be away from the job. After all, we cruise to get away from work–what does a man/woman do who cruises for a living? We will certainly miss you, but I believe that trimming the blog to 3 times a week instead of 3 blogs a day will allow you to share absolutely the most salacious of stories.
Enjoy your time ashore, and let that lady know that you really love her–lower the seat and change the roll.
Rus & Nina
Roberto,
My last 3 blogs have not made it on the comments section…have I done something to make someone mad?
Elaine
John -
I have to admit to being disappointed that I will be unable to enjoy your witty exuberance on the transatlantic cruise, but I am certain that this disappointment will, in part, softened by our enjoyment of John & Diane’s music during the cruise.
I can certainly understand you unwillingness to be essentially cut off for seven whole days – once we leave the Madeira Islands, nothing can really be done for seven days until we get to the other side of the Atlantic. I hope those people who are going on the TA are planning for this fact – communications, medications, etc.
As to Alan, I am certain that he will come through this event safely with you by his side holding his hand. Of course, the idea of you as his nurse might cause him to have a significant setback
, so you might want to discuss that issue with him first.
We will make our plans to meet in the Swingtime Lounge at 5:15PM on the 28th for a brief meet and greet, after which I am certain that Aston Martin will provide a vehicle to whisk you to the Airport to make it home for Alan. Although it won’t be the same, I know that Todd will do a great job as the CD on the Transatlantic – he certainly did a great job on our cruise on the Carnival Liberty in January.
Don’t worry about keeping the blog up – it does add a great deal of time to your day and perhaps you need to pay more attention to yourself (and Heidi).
Lots of love,
Jon
John- your decision shows the kind of man you are- and why you are the cruise director of the century. You care so much more about others than yourself. But you have to take care of yourself as well. Get some well deserved rest have some wonderful family and friend time. Looking forward to a future cruise.( just don’t know when!)
Please send my best wishes to Alan and let him know he will be in my thoughts and prayers.
John,
Sorry to hear about your mate Alan . Family and Friends can be the best medicine after surgery. I will keep him in my prayers . Maybe us Bloggers could send Alan a get well soon card to cheer him up . I hope you and Heidi enjoy your time off with family and friends and home cooked meals .
Hugz ,Kari
We wish you and Heidi well on your much needed Holiday (vacation). Of course it will not feel much like one at first with the worry about Alan. We all here in cyberspace will be praying for Alan.
Enjoy the much needed rest. When you have a slow afternoon drop us a line to let us know how everyones doing.
We will see ya’ll on the flip side.
John, Please pass this along to Alan….You are in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy, uncomplicated recovery. The power of prayer does amazing things! Through this blog John has made it certain that you will receive prayers from around the globe. Best Wishes!
John – Right decision !! Our thoughts and prayers are with
Alan and his family. And also with you and Heidi. Please take some time while you are off to do nothing !!
Recharge your batteries and take care of yourself
We’ll see you in January
Dear John & Heidi
I would like to send my prayers to Alan. I am so glad you are taking time out to spend it with a true friend. Alan will surely pull through just because of the prayers and your presence. I can’ t wait to meet you and your wife in two weeks. If I have a chance to introduce myself, I will tell you my real name. Peace Miss America
Please extend my heartfelt wishes that Alan, your best mate and a man obviously dedicated to life, be made whole soon.
Sometimes God gives us reasons to stop or slow down. Get rest and giv ehim all the love you give to us.
We will be thinking of Alan and his family, your family and the journey ahead. No TA crossing or event can trump the need for you to get this guy better! Be sweet. Whatever sea or ocean you may be floating on!
John,
So sorry to hear about Alan. It’s a great gift to have a friend for that long with that many funny and wonderful memories. I’m so glad you are making the trip home. As we all know that is what is truly important in life. Friends and family. The rest doesn’t really matter. Your stories about Alan and the two of you make us laugh out loud. I love them. I know you will have some sad but funny times together. Cherish it all and get some well deserved rest!!!!!!!!!!!
See you soon,
Dayle & Grant Howell:)
Hi John,
Sorry you will not be with us on the TA this year. I enjoyed your cruise ‘directorship’ on last year’s TA on The Liberty. Although I got the dreaded N___ Virus last year not only once but it twice I really enjoyed my cruise and the entertainment on board. I enjoyed the experience so much I am making the crossing this year and was looking forward to enjoying your fantastic sense of humour (corectly spelled). My wife tells me that we share the same form of British humour, she calls it sometimes sick and wierd. My wife is Canadian and has not experience the pure form of the British humour like your recent guest John Cleese and of course my two favourites (spelled correctly) Norman Wisdom and Brian Rix, two of the best comedians to appear on the stage. I place you in that category as like you, their facial expresions and quick ‘of the cuff’ remarks was there trademark.
I hope your friend as a speedy recovery and I can only say that his gain is our loss. He is very lucky to have a friend like you, try not to make him laugh too much.
Brian S
John,
First, please offer Alan my support and prayers in the days ahead. Without doubt, every person that drops by this blog thingy would say the same.
God knows that you must be tired. The life you lead would exhaust Lance Armstrong. It’s astonishing that you could continue for nine months without a break. You have been too good to us with your time and energies.
Go, my friend. Rest, care for your amigo and give Heidi the time that she so richly deserves. We’ll be here when you get back.
God bless.
Greg
John,
Sorry to hear about your mate Alan. My thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and you. I think it is wonderful that you are going to be with him and his family during this time. Too many people put job and career first. Family and friends are definitely more important.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself. For you to take care of Alan, you have to be in good health.
Enjoy your time off. Don’t worry about the blog thingy. We will all be here reading or listening to it when you have time to blog. You don’t have to blog everyday. We understand that you need some time off. Take care.
Hi John,
You’re a busy person even on your breaks… If all the cruise directors have a conference in Miami in February, who’s cruise directing the ships while the conference is going on?
Finally, give my best regards to Alan.
John,
I’m so sorry to hear that Alan is having health problems. Like so many others, I’ll be praying for successful treatment and quick convalescence for him.
Pat
John and Heidi
I am so in awe of you for so unselfishly giving of yourselves to be with Alan during this trying time. I do wish him and his family the very best during this time. They will be in my thoughts.
Please do not feel guilty about your decision to be with them instead of on the ship. I am sure everyone on the TA would not want you to be anywhere else. As was said in a earlier blog….this says alot for you and you have all my respect.
I am now 2 days from boarding the Freedom. I will leave you a message at the Information desk when we arrive. Until I see you in 2 days…take care and my best to you and Heidi.
Dear John,
Family always comes first. You deserve the time off to relax, re-energize and rejuvinate but most importantly to be with Alan and his family. My prayers will be with you, Heidi, Alan and his family.
Best,
Cathy
John,
I hope you and Heidi enjoy your vacation…..you certainly deserve it. You’re a true friend to Alan, he’s very lucky…..no wonder you’ve been friends for 20 years. I will say a prayer for Alan that all goes well with his surgery.
Cindy
John, I will keep Alan in my prayers and I know he will be in God’s care.
We just got back from the Victory and I don’t know how you deal with some of the people who cruise. My husband said I was to ask you how in the h_ _ _ you do it? It was a fantastic cruise but we talked to two people who didn’t like it and that another line was better so my husband told them to go back to that other line. Oh, by the way Carnival owns the other line. We just laughed and thought well at least Carnival gets their money either way.
Malcom was great, of course he wasn’t John Heald.
Jennifer
Hi John,
I’m so sorry to hear about Alan’s problems. He goes right on the top of the prayer list. If you ever get to see my last couple of postings you’ll know I think you are getting a well deserved vacation. I’m sorry it has to start on such a stressful note but I know Alan will be o.k. I am so fortunate to have 3 very close friends for over 30 years and I can’t imagine not being there for any of them if they needed me. You are a wonderfully kind man and good friend. Take time for you and your sweet wife too. Blog when you can but know we’ll be here when you need us. I won’t send a package until I know where you may be for a while. You said you would be visiting some ships next year before going back to the Carnival Freedom. Might 1 of those be the Carnival Liberty and if so do you know when? Todd Whitmore will be on the CF by then and we will have a different CD. We sail on Feb. 2 and are doing a back to back on her. It would be such a pleasure to get a chance to meet you. Anyway please know you, Heidi, Alan, and his family are in all our prayers. Big ole hugs,
Leasa
Please tell Alan and his wife that they are in our thoughts and prayers. It is great that you and Heidi will be at home with them during this time. As “Reader’s Digest” says, laughter is the best medicine – so a good dose of you each day should have Alan up and around in no time.
As for the “ignorant” comment, bad manners are such a bore. Imagine how hard it must be for those in his/her everyday life to have their every move scrutinized.
I looked at thongs this weekend, and none of them seemed quite right. Will continue the quest! Please do post an address for vacation time. If you don’t want to give out your home address, perhaps you could give us an address to send it to in Miami and 007 could forward it to you.
Take your much deserved vacation without guilt, enjoy that precious time with family and friends, and go make a baby!
Take care,
Ann
John,
Alan is in my prayers along with you and Heidi, I’m sure he will come through this with flying colours (spelled correctly) Also we all understand you need to take time off, 9 months is way way way too much for anyone to ever have to work. So enjoy your time on land with Heidi and by Alan’s side and with his family. We will be here for you when you can. Cheers mate, and try and get some down time when you can. Let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you in this a time of need .
Kevin
PS the new aston is amasing
oh dear! what dreadful news for both you and your dear friend alan. i will definitely be sending prayers for you both.
tonight we are on the way to florida and are spending the night in the town of your friend roscoe p. every policeman i see i wonder if it is him. i think most people here in this town work for the police. and they are all waiting for me to go too fast. i shall disappoint them this trip.
we would love to join you for the party john. i do not have my room number with me here in my hotel room but will be on the cruise before the transatlantic and can give it to you then.
again, so sorry for you and your mate. hope all is going to be fine.
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Dear John the Almighty,
Guess what…your not perfect, your human! (but to us blogger’s, you are perfect) First of all, you made a mistake. Is John the Almighty not allowed to make a mistake? With everything on your mind, I would think you would be held together with duck tape. One little slip, don’t dwell on it…only one person out of how many on the ship wanted to put you down, and he/she wasn’t even brave enough to sign their name.
Now, us blogger’s realize how hard of a decision you had to make. I’m sure we all agree you made the right decision and that is why we all think so highly of you. And you know me, I will continue to say my prayers for the bloggers and will add Alan, you and Hedi to my list. It is going to take all your strength to be there for Alan, and you know Hedi will be there for you to lean on. I wish we could send get well cards for Alan, so you could tape them all to his wall so he would realize just how many people are praying for him!
Hedi, please leave the doghouse on the ship. And I will pray for you to have the strength to hold John up. If you feel he is running low on gas…just give him some jelly beans, and a big hug…better hug first before the jelly beans!
Susan
Hi John,
Add me to those who wish you, Heidi and Alan all the best. Remember that things have changed in the medical field in the past 10 years, so very possibily Alan’s surgery won’t be as bad as it was the first time around. This proved to be true for my father who has gone through 2 heart bypass surgeries many years apart. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
Julie Gantt
Good morning Heidi and John,
I am very sorry to hear about your friend. He will be in my thoughts and prayers. Well, tomorrow morning we leave from FL to Newark to catch our flight to Rome and hopefully, we will be seeing you on the 4th! We are bringing some “goodies” for you both. We look forward to listening to John’s dulcet voice making his various announcements and then we will know that we are truly on our cruise and it is a reality!!
We are off this morning to play racquetball — Sunday it was singles and we play for the convertible. I won again but I never seem to get to drive it. Today it is doubles with “Da Boys.”
I know you like jokes but here is a true story. Our son David bought for my Mom (The Bubbie) a printer (Presto.com) that receives email and pictures. She can’t send anything out. Mom is 92 and though has to use a walker and oxygen is feisty and has all her wits about her. (She reading Alan Greenspan’s latest.) Mom lives in a senior retirement home. Anyway, she goes out for lunch with my brother Bill who lives near her in Philadelphia. Bill’s email to me:
Bill: So, I took Bubbie to lunch yesterday. Conversation on the way from car to Panera’s:
Bubbie: Do you have email?
Me: Of course I have email…too much email
Bubbie: Everyone else sends me email. Why don’t you send me email?
Me: But I’m around the corner. You see me all the time.
Bubbie: I hardly ever see you. Send me email.
Bill told me in a late email he felt like the punchline in a Jewish son joke!
(Initially, Mom didn’t want Presto but now she enjoys her email. She has a computer but only plays Hearts on it!)
Best regards,
Laura
My thoughts and prayers are with your friend Alan and you. You work so hard and are so dedicated. I can not believe, that for the most part, you have worked 9 months straight through. My family sailed with you in June on the med cruise. it was the most fabulous vacation we have ever experienced. We were celebrating my daughter high school graduation and it was the perfect celebration. You were terrific and oh so so funny! Our dining stafff was top notch. We were tearing up when we had to say goodbye to Dennis and Christian. The ship was awesome and the ports of call were just breathtakingly beautiful.
So good luck to you, enjoy your much needed rest. To Alan we hope that all goes well. And to all of those ridiculous cruisers with their ridiculous comments, i.e. mistakingly saying the wrong thing, or worried about slamming doors, GET A HOBBY! To bother you with such trivial things. They are on vacation in the MED, take a look outside enjoy the beauty of whatever sea or ocean it is. Have a coffee or a drink, enjoy the terrific nightly show or my favorite has a second dessert!
John you do a great job and the staff on the Freedom was the best. (we have traveled on other Carnival trips which we also very fun but Freedom topped them all by far) So now it is time for you to have some R & R, get some rest and spend time with your good friend. God Bless!
John,
You make us laugh and you make me cry with your many stories over the last 9 months. All this makes you even more loved and special. There is nothing better than a friend and you and Alan are the kind of friends that nothing can replace. You and Heidi go and be with your friend and his family with blessings. Alan will be in my prayers for a speedy recovery and his family and you for comfort during this time. The crusiers on the TA will be disappointed but surely will wish you a wonderful much overdue “vacation”. All us bloggers will survive as long as you keep us updated. Can’t wait for our Splendor crusie in August to be with you again.
Sharon of The Blogger Sisters
John…I’m just going to leave you with a few phrases that came to mind as I read your blog:
“A friend is someone that knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgetten the words.”
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival.” (C. S. Lewis)
“I get by with a little help from my friends.” (John Lennon & Paul McCartney)
“It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Oh….and for the bit that started your day off not-so-well:
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” (Mother Teresa)
Hey John,
It’s been awhile since I left a message. So I have a few things to say. First, my prayers to your friend Alan. I hope all goes well. Second, hats off to you and the tech guys for creating a very easy blog to navigate. Third, do not feel guilty about taking a vacation! It amazes me how all ship crew work every day. My hats off to all of you. And finally, thanks for the great pictures! They keep reminding me of my great trip my mom and I had this summer. Have a safe trip home, Judi
Mr Heald,
We hope and pray that all will be well with your friend — both for the sake of him and his family, and for your sake as well. Few things can be more physically and emotionally trying as coping with a loved one’s illness, and we pray that all will go well so that Alan recovers — and that you recover, as well.
all the best,
J&K watts
John,
Alan is a lucky man to have a friend like you (even if you tell stories about him). I’ll be thinking about him.
Almost from the moment I discovered this wonderful bloggy thing, I’ve been worried about the workload it heaped on to you. As much as you enjoy it, it is a lot when added on to an already busy schedule. I think a break, even though not under the best of circumstances with Alan’s operation coming up, is well deserved and will do you good.
You are right that some of your readers (including me) will jump to your defense and say you are being too hard on yourself regarding the slip of the tongue. Sometimes words seem to get temporarily cross circuited, your mind thinks one word but out comes another. Of course this only happens if you’re human.
Good morning, John. Let me start out by saying that family always comes first. And your friend is definitely part of your family. Which means, you have made the right choice. We will be keeping you, your friend and his family, as well as the many blogger’s in our thoughts and prayers. Nine months is a long time to keep up at the pace you have been going. Having diabetes in my family, I am well aware of the extra toll it takes; especially with the 150% you give to the job. You deserve a bit of time off. On a selfish note, I was very happy to read that you will be on board for the January 12th sailing. Selfish because I will be on that cruise and if you could squeeze in a short meeting with myself and my husband, we would be truly honored. Please take care of yourself and your friends. I’m sure Heidi will be there for you all the way. Again, you are making the right decision. Take care.
Tom and Lori
Dear John and Heidi,
I will surely have Alan in my deepest prayers and thoughts, I have gone through a similiar situation as you and prayer and strength will pull Alan through.
Please do not let such lowness of that ignorant lady rattle you in the least, for all you do and your unbelievable schedule, who could ask for more!!
See you in a few days, Paula and Nelson Baker
Suite 7326
Hey John,
What can you (or perhaps Vicki) tell us about the new “Milestone Awards” program for frequent Carnival cruisers? It sounds similar to one you mentioned earlier, but not quite as lucrative.
This is Dave. Sorry to hear about Alan, I hope everything is fine. It is understandable, you taking the time for him and needing vacation. I know I can’t wait for this 2 week TA since it is my only vacation this year and I don’t put in as many hours as you do! So as many has said go guilt free and once Alan has recovered enjoy your vacation.
On a different note, can you arrange a table for two for Barb and I? We are in room 8260 for the TA. It is our 30th anniversary and we would just like to spend some special time together. As Barb said earlier we will definately be there for your get together the 28th.
Good luck and take care, you and Heidi both!
I am sure that many people have and will say what I want to say more eloquently but here goes. You are a true friend!! I understand how you can feel bogged down with all the responsibilities and problems that all seem to hit at the same time. You are a survivor and so is Alan. I know everyone tells you that all will turn out fine, and it will. Alan will be in my prayers, and with all the people on this blog thingy keeping him, his wife and kids in theirs, the Lord (or all mighty being depending on the religon) will hear, no matter what language is spoken, or how it is spoken.
The hardest thing for someone like you who works too hard, is to learn to rest when you can. If you just take 5 minutes for you to sit and think about nothing but green meadows, Heidi and that Astin Martin. This will revitalize you so that you can help Alan and his family when they will need you most. Must end now. Will write again later.
There’s a song…..”that’s what friends are for”. You’re an awesome friend, man, person, husband. I’m sure there are many people out there who know ( I sure do) how much the support of good friends mean when times like this come along. Good on you John!
Hi John,
I almost feel unentitled to write this, because none of the changes you mentioned will deprive me of your company since I am only going on the Blogger’s Cruise, but please DO take care of Alan and yourself and DON’T feel guilty!
As for the “geography expert” who chose to correct you, well, to be charitable there are times when I have tried to be funny by teasing people and it just didn’t come out as amusing as I intended. Maybe this person was trying to do that. Or…maybe he/she is simply the south end of a north-facing horse. ;-P
You are a good man and a good friend to Alan. Give Heidi a hug from me, and tell Alan and his family that I know everything will turn out great. Maybe you could provide a mailing address where we could send Alan some Get Well cards?
Dear John,
I have added Alan and his family to my prayers and I’m wishing him a successful operation and a speedy recovery. Family and friends should always be cherished and when they need us we must be there to lend support, encouragement and above all our love.
God Bless you both,
Hey John,
Well, I do like the idea of the “lonely blog log”; however, I don’t know if “lonely” would be the word I’d use. How about the “singles blog log”. Get that up and running and then we can have a singles blogger cruise. I know you’re liking the sound of that. Why not???? John there is no need for guilt or feeling bad….the commitments to our family and friends come first. And there is no need to give explanations to us, though I and I’m sure others appreciate it. You’re a good friend.
I have to laugh about the passenger calling you “ignorant”. If you’re ignorant, than so am I. I read the Capers consistently at least 2x a day on my trip, I don’t recall any misspelled words. So see John, you’re not alone.
By the way, I don’ recall if I had given you that permission to pass my email on to Zoltan. Well I am. Thanks again for all you do. Your a special angel here on earth!!!!
Dear John,
I am at a loss for words for the person who pointed out your error. That is the type of person who has way to much time on their hands. With all the activities going on it boggles my mind that they felt the need to find a pen and paper and make note of this. Put it out of your head because the person was rude and when people behave like that it is not even worth worrying about.
My family and I will be praying for a speedy recovery for Alan.
Try to find some time to enjoy yourself and time with Heidi while you are on land. Dont worry to much about the blog while you are off, as much as I look forward to it (its my vacation at home) you shouldnt feel pressure to do it. We will all be here when you feel well rested and Alan has recovered.
I am trying to give hints to my husband that the Splendor next year would be all the Xmas present I need, He doesnt even need to get me a card. I am not sure he is going for it.
Try to enjoy your time off.
Kim Parker
I am so sorry to read you will not be our cruise director on the TA. I was most certainly looking forward to meeting you….I would love to join you in the “Swingtime” lounge at 5:15 on the 28th. My cabin number is 2348.
I will put in a prayer for your friend Alan.
~millie
Alan, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you prepare for your surgery.
John, your decision to be with Alan and his family demonstrates not only the depth of your friendship but also that you know what is truly valuable in life.
Hi John,
Carnival is really missing the boat with an important cruise demographic, (the 18 to 20 year olds) based on my experiences and comments of many others on the cruise boards. We’ve filled out comment cards, talked to pursers, written letters; but no one seems to care! MAYBE you can make a difference.
There are plenty of activities and opportunities to meet and interact for kids <18 on board. BUT, the 18 – 20 year olds are completely ignored as a group. They may be adults but they are not the same as the 21 yo’s singles who can drink and party anywhere on board.
My 19 yo son did not enjoy our cruise, while our 17 and 14 yo’s loved it. I’m worrying about the next cruise, when the middle one will be 19 and in Carnival “age-limbo-land”.
If Carnival would JUST provide some organized events at the beginning of the cruise for this age group to break the ice and meet each other, it would go a long way to improve their cruise experience. Considering, there are numerous single over 30 mingles set up all week long, and other events for special demographics, this should not be a big problem.
John I beg you to PLEASE, PLEASE, get this organized before my Aug 08 cruise on the Glory.
I’m sure the 16 yo will have a blast and I really don’t want the 19 yo to have to tag along with dad and I.
Thanks for listening,
Christmascor
Know that you and your family are in our prayers and thoughts. Allen is truly in your family more than most blood relatives.
All the best,
Marilyn and Joe
Know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Allen is surly in your family more than most blood relatives.
All the best,
Mariyn and Joe
oh please…who really cares if you made a mistake..big deal.. i cruised with you on the Freedom..and found you to be funny and good at what you do…so keep up the good work!