Thursday, October 18th, 2007...9:42 am
In The Shadow of Vesuvius
Good Morning . . . it’s time for my favorite blog. . .the 5:30am rise and shine blog thingy as we start debarkation again. This time in 12 days I will be debarking guests for the last time before our vacationâ . . . .seems strange saying that. I will have time to wander down memory avenue later this week as we look back at the blog thingy . . . oh, by the way, we reached 802,000 visitors to the blog as of Monday . . anyway, our last cruise starts today.
Here are the demographics.
TOTAL GUESTS – 3007
GUESTS UNDER 18 – 28
INTERNATIONAL GUESTS – 770
The largest of these groups are 88 Russians and 70 from Venezuela. We also have 180 from French Speaking Canada who are also listed as International guests so we can provide written information in Italian….French.
Here is an interesting fact. We have 157 back-to-back guests. This means we have 157 people who will sail on this 12-day Grand Med cruise and the 14-day Trans Atlantic crossing. That’s 26 days they will be here with us and we will make sure we pay them extra attention.
So, as this last cruise begins I sit here writing in between making announcements for guests to leave the vessel. I do so in the hope that the cruise will be uneventful and that all goes well. I have had trouble sleeping the last week or so. I have Alan on my mind as well as all the things that are needing to be done before we leave. Also, it didn’t help that I suggested to the guest in the Supper Club that he may have been sleeping with his Mother!
Some of you have asked about he plans for vacation… Here are the first few days.
October 28th – late night flight from Rome to London
October 29th – Visit Alan & Dad’s birthday dinner with the family at his favorite restaurant called ” The Citadel ” which is a restaurant that serves traditional British food.
October 30th – Visit Alan and take care of a few things.
October 31st – Fly to Miami for meetings with all of Carnival’s top executives to discuss the future. I feel very privileged to have been asked to attend this and I will of course report back to you all.
November 5th – Fly home – vacation begins and I can look after Mum and Dad and be there for Alan’s next major surgery on the 7th.
Heidi is not coming to America with me but instead will be home with Mum….I will not see her for three weeks. Thursdays will just not be the same.
Obviously, I will have my lap computer thingy with me in Miami and will send you a blog every night to let you know what is going on….more about that later this week.
One thing I am going to treat myself to is one of my Mum’s Full English Breakfasts. These are so unhealthy and I will allow myself just two. One on my dad’s birthday and one on Christmas Eve…it is tradition. Here is a photo of said breakfast.
Yesterday, James (Entertainment Staff) went with some of our Shore Excursion staff to look at the new tour we will be starting next year. The tour was one many bloggers had asked for …an Italian Cooking Experience. This one will take place at an old farm house near Sienna in Tuscany and involves cooking the traditional family way using an open fire and fresh ingredients found only in their gardens. Basically you pick what you want and then cook it. Here are some photos for you.
One last photo from the ship in Livorno and the Alps in the distance.
Today’s Joke of the Day
A farmer named Clyde had a car accident. In court, the trucking company’s fancy hot shot lawyer, was questioning Clyde. Didn’t you say, at the scene of the accident, I’m fine? asked the lawyer. Clyde responded, Well, I’ll tell you what happened. I had just loaded my favorite cow, Bessie, into the … I didn’t ask for any details.. the lawyer interrupted. Just answer the question, please. Did you, or did you not say, at the scene of the accident, “I’m fine.” Clyde said, “Well, I had just got Bessie into the trailer and I was driving down the road.” The lawyer interrupted again and said, “Your Honour, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman on the scene that he was just fine. Now several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my client. I believe he is a fraud. Please tell him to simply answer the question.”By this time, the Judge was fairly interested In Clyde’s answer and said to the lawyer, “I’d like to hear what he has to say about his favorite cow, Bessie.”
Clyde thanked the Judge and proceeded. “Well, as I was saying, I had just loaded Bessie, my favourite cow, into the trailer and was driving her down the highway when this huge semi-truck and trailer ran the stop sign and smacked my truck right in the side. I was thrown into one ditch and Bessie was thrown into the other. I was hurting, real bad and didn’t want to move. However, I could hear old Bessie moaning and groaning. I knew she was in terrible shape just by her groans. Shortly after the accident a Highway Patrolman came on the scene. He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning, so he went over to her. After he looked at her, and saw her fatal condition, he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes. Then the Patrolman came across the road, gun still in hand, looked at me, and said, “How are you feeling?” “Now tell me, what the hell would you say?”
Let’s do some Q and A. To skip the Q&A, click here.
LISA AND ELAINE – Yes of course. I promise that there will be daily photos slapped on the blog from the January 19th cruise. Hopefully on the next Bloggers Cruise you will be able to join us….I hope soon.
LFTTNSFCF – Glad you enjoyed the blog mate. The Montgomery’s were such special people. I wish you could have seen them for yourself….truly inspirational. As for Brooklyn….just a man who probably has a lonely life and just likes to complain….oh well they were perfect contrasts and one of the reasons why this job is so wonderful. See you soon mate.
BIG ED – I have to see a photo of that mural. I have a feeling that after the Bloggers Cruise your picture will be a sought after item. I foresee the front cover of GQ magazine or Hunting and Fishing. I am looking forward to seeing Southern Dreams today….see you soon as well mate.
JO MYERLY – wish you were here….nobody else is sympathetic about my finger. I am glad you were inspired by the story of the Montgomery’s and it was a perfect example that love does conquer all. I hope you are both well and we miss you here.
PEANUTS – Do I detect a touch of sarcasm in your sympathy towards my finger and the pain I suffered at the hands of that needle and thread. When I would cut myself or hurt myself at home my Mum would give me a treat, all I got from Heidi was a bollocking about the broken picture frame . ..how things change. Thanks for saying such kind words though about your Carnival experiences and I hope that one day Mr. Brooklyn will realize that life really is too short to spend it looking for the bad things. OK, lets talk about the HEAT and the Pistons. What date is the game? Maybe I could do a live blog during the game itself. All the best and thanks for taking the time to write.
NAUTICAL BY NATURE – Hello and thanks for writing in. So, you are a crew member and that entitles you to a wonderful big hello from all the thousands of people who read this blog thingy every day. I found it incredible that someone would comment on your English speaking skills even though you are Canadian! Can you reveal your real name? If not, we will keep you as a mystery writer and call you Crew member A – you are Canadian after all. I know it is hard to hold back when people are demeaning to you but the fact that you smile and let it go shows your class and education as a person and a wonderful example of what Carnival crew are all about. Please keep writing and if you have any more stories to share we would love to hear them…cheers mate.
GREG BALDASARRI – Indeed, the word magical does best describe the Montgomery’s. They have had so many mountains to climb and have many more to do so as well but their love keeps them strong….it was so wonderful to see. Now, as for the lady who wanted an audience with the Pope, well I called her back and said we had tried but unfortunately he was busy opening a new Supermarket…no, seriously, I called and said that it was not possible.
She seemed a little put out by my answer though. I will keep you updated on Alan and as soon as there is any further news I will let you know. Thanks mate and all the best.
A CRUISE BY ANY OTHER NAME – You are correct, because we are at sea it really does not matter when we turn our clocks back for the TA cruise as long as when we arrive in Miami we are on local time. In the U.K. we say Savings time with an S….another one of our cultural differences. All bridge log entries are made on GMT time while here in Europe however in the Caribbean I am not sure…..let me check and I will let you know. I wish I had the time and intelligence to learn to fly…..I am very jealous of you and one day maybe I will try…….but I doubt it. Do you fly much….do you have a dream flight or destination….let us know? Cheers.
MYRA BUSHNELL – Sorry about making you cry with the story about the Montgomery’s…..I shared a few with you as I walked down the streets of Barcelona.
Sounds like your Halloween Horror nights was fun even if you were surrounded by thousands of teens. Let me know about the new Elizabeth movie, Heidi really wants to see it as she loves period dramas. I hate them with a passion and if I want to see a bunch of men dressed in fluffy shirts and pants wearing make up I can go to Amsterdam. I have often thought about going ashore in disguise but….what as? Even the dark glasses and my Miami Heat hat do not work. Maybe if I went ashore naked people would run away and I would be free. Perhaps not.
Thank you for all your kind words and I promise to shed some more light on the Bloggers Cruise very soon. All the best to you and the family.
DIANE – Thanks Diane. I just read the article in the St. Petersburgs Times on line addition and it was once again surreal to see my name in print. Thank you so much for letting me know about it and hopefully someone will send me a copy of the article soon. Thank you for the Happy Vacation wishes and we shall not lose touch I promise. Thanks for reading the blog thingy and all the best.
SHARON AND JEFF – Poor Jeff. It seems that Heidi, you and your Mum have a lot in common. I actually was relegated to the doghouse and as blood pumped from my finger my wife scolded me for breaking her $20 Ikea photo frame (I HATE Ikea by the way.)
It is Swedish hell. I can tell you that YES I will be the CD for your cruise and very soon I will start having a look at the tours for the Carnival Splendor and we can chat about what to do. I am sorry it took so long to answer your posting and uncross your toes and fingers….I will be there. Best to you Sharon, Jeff and your Mum.
DAVE AND BARB BUTLER – I have passed on your request to Dino and will get back to you shortly. Thanks for thinking of Alan and see you both very soon.
CATHERINE EBERT – Thanks so much for the words of congratulations and it was a true honour to win the award. It seems just yesterday when you were on board and I am not surprised you have taken Heidi’s side on the finger versus photo frame battle. Did you buy your new furniture from Ikea, I have I mentioned how much I hate that place…and they serve Herring…yuck. In the scheme of things 46 weeks is not too long and your next cruise will be here before you know it. Thanks for the wonderful posting and see you soon.
KATHIE – The difference between my injury with my finger and yours is you got Tea and Sympathy while I got a tongue lashing and a return trip to Ikea….I hate that place – once you are in you have to walk all the way around to get out.
Seriously, thanks for all the kind words and I truly hope the Montgomery’s live for many happy years together…nobody deserves it more.
MATT – thank you mate for the kind words. I really do try to make each blog true to life and sometimes with that formula comes the sad stories. You asked about a waiter called Roberto Dejesus who made your Carnival Triumph cruise so fantastic in 2000. He has just gone on vacation and was previously on the Carnival Victory. I suggest you drop him a line to the Carnival address and include his name on the heading – I am sure he will be so proud that you remember him.
Thanks again for all the kind words and hopefully I will hear from you soon.
Cheers.
DAVE W – thanks for saying that and that thought is seconded by me.
BRYAN – You asked if I tell the Jokes Of the Day on stage ? Nope…actually, I don’t tell any “joke, jokes.” The ones I am posting are just ones I really like that people send me all the time. I hope you are enjoying them mate and all the best.
CAPTAIN BILL – We all salute the wonderful work you do in the often unheralded United States Coast Guard. We all thank you for your wonderful service.
JENNIFER HAMMOND – And after reading your posting….Heidi says she really likes Danny…what’s going on here. I am glad you like the story of the Montgomery’s and we both send our best to you….let me know when Danny cuts his finger so I can show him no sympathy:)
ELAINE ROMANO – Welcome back from your Carnival Freedom cruise and I am so happy you had such a wonderful time. You asked for the name of the winery you went to during your tour in Tuscany. It is called Il Gatepado Estates. I will find the address for you if you require…let me know. I hope it will not be long before we see you walk up the gangway again and, until then, I send you and the family best regards.
LUIS – I hope to see you as well and anyone who has cruised 4 times with me deserves a drink on the house. Cheers.
WANMAN – Listening and watching the Montgomery’s was indeed a special moment and one that made my job that extra bit special. Thank you for thinking of them and Alan and hope you continue to enjoy the blog thingy.
CANUCK CRUISER – Just a quick note (I am sure I missed you) to say have a wonderful time in Winnipeg and thanks so much for saying how friendly the crew on the Carnival Liberty were and I have passed the comments to the ship’s management. Hope all is well and have a safe journey.
LV2CRUISE – Thank you for the kind words for my finger. I have shown Heidi your comments and how it shows the way to be sympathetic…she says “Am I boveered?” Thanks so much for thinking of Alan and the Montgomery’s….they are all special people and one of them is very ugly…and it’s not the Montgomery’s. My best to you and the family and I look forward to your next posting.
HEIDI & BETH & KEVIN – I am intrigued by Home Schooling. If this is not invading on your privacy would you mind letting me know how this works. How do you divide their education into subjects etc? Still, at least there are three of you to help out. Always great to hear from you and hope to see a posting slapped on from you soon.
SUSAN B – Your hug message has been passed along to Southern Dreams as requested and I managed to do it myself despite my throbbing finger….do I detect a hint of sarcasm in your sympathy for me? I am glad you enjoyed the blog and it is obvious that everyone enjoyed the story about the Montgomery’s and thank you for your kind words for them. I hope to have a medical update on Alan soon and thanks again for the kind words of support. Wishing you and the family all the best.
KIM – The photos of Mount Etna were indeed amazing and I am glad you enjoyed them. You did the right thing in touring Taormina during your recent cruise especially treating yourself to a cannoli. I trust this blog thingy will keep you going until your Carnival Splendor cruise and very soon I will start highlighting some of the incredible shore excursions we can look forward to. Until then, all the best.
KEVIN – I was surprised that Mr. Brooklyn was so angry and his hurtful comments about the crew were said with such venom that I actually felt sorry for them. Please have a word with Brent, your Cruise Director, who will have a surprise or two for you. Have fun and I hope you go for that interview, you seem to have the ocean in your blood. Heidi and I send you our very best. Have a wonderful cruise and write when you get back.
MR. LESLIE LEVI – It is great to hear that you will be sailing with us on the forthcoming Transatlantic Cruise. I know Todd will make sure he includes plenty of singles gatherings in the schedule. This is actually the fourth Europe to America Transatlantic Crossing that Carnival has carried out and this one will be wonderful, I am sure. There will be trivia’s, game shows, arts & craft lessons, bridge lessons, contests, big screen movies, dance lessons and the best shows you have ever seen plus much much more. We still have the show you mentioned featuring a tribute to New Orleans. This show is called The Big Easy and it will be one of the highlights. Maybe you can post your cabin number so we can invite you to the Bloggers party on the 28th. Hope to hear from you soon and all the best.
SHELEE – We welcome you back from your recent Carnival Sensation cruise and the wonderful words you wrote about the friendly crew and how clean the ship was have been passed to the management team on board. When you say, this was the best vacation you both have ever had, all of us at Carnival feel a wonderful sense of pride. I am sure you are excited for your next cruise around Hawaii to arrive and I hope you keep reading the blog thingy until then. All the best.
ASPIRENOW – I am sorry you laughed your bottom off…would you like some of mine? Come and cruise.
CAROL SCHOENBERGER – Hello Carol. How are you today? I hope you are alright and that there is a special place for the Montgomery’s. Nobody deserves it more. There is an endless supply of interesting characters on every cruise ship in the world every week. More proof of this will follow at the end of this blog. Thanks for mentioning Roberto and thank you for your continuing kindness.
CATMOMA04 – Thank you for continuing to pray for Alan. He certainly needs all the help he can get. As for Heidi needing a present, you will be happy to know I bought her a cup of coffee this morning. Always great to hear from you and I am glad you liked her pear. Cheers.
NICO.R – Thank you.
LINDA MOM OF DJ – Thanks for finding out who Alan is by reading past blogs. He is my best mate and even though he is pure ugliness, prevented me from ever having women talk to me every time we were together, he always will be. Maybe next time we have a Bloggers Cruise I will get to meet you and DJ. Our best to you both, thank you for everything.
RUTH JAMISON – How wonderful to hear that your granddaughter is playing soccer and please congratulate her on winning and also scoring 2 great goals. Maybe one day she will play for the national side. Thank you for thinking of Alan, you are a great friend. I have made some investigations and the housekeeping steward you are talking about is Felicia. I have shown her this blog and she is really happy that you remember her. She is from Croatia and one of our best. Thank you again Ruth and I am sure I will hear from you soon.
JOHN HUDSON AND PRISCILLA KONCZAL – Great to hear from you and I see we have a mutual friend in Kuki. I have asked Dino, our Maitre ‘D, to try his best to provide you with a table for two. We have added your name and cabin number to our Welcome Aboard party where it will be our pleasure to meet you.
JOHN FROM ARKANSAS – We are also looking forward to the Bloggers Cruise and a chance to meet you both. Hopefully, we can talk about the Red Socks and how they won the final of the baseball thingy. I am glad you are enjoying the blog, see you very soon.
TERESA AND PAUL B – It seems that a lot of people have shed a lot of tears over the story of the wonderful Montgomery’s. Wonderful people and truly happy, despite their difficulties and a complete contrast to Mr. Brooklyn. You will love meeting our crew and their diversity is one of the best things about a cruise experience. One day soon Heidi and I hope to visit Montana. See you there.
RIKKI BOYCE – Michelle was a wonderful kid and the letter from mom was rewarded with gifts galore. The TA cruise will be here soon and I look forward to shaking your hand and buying you a drink (or ten). See you then.
MARSHA BREEN – I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for reading the blog so faithfully. It is great to read your first posting and I hope there will be many more. I hope also you enjoy your cruise on the Carnival Miracle and one day we can cruise together. We send our best to you and your family.
M@&RT – Just wanted to say a quick hello, I miss seeing you on the front row and I shall keep an eye open for your Britney comment. Hope you and your beautiful lady are well, see you soon.
GINA – Thank you for appreciating the mixed emotions from the last blog. I hope you continue to enjoy reading the day to day life of Heidi and I and the good ship, Carnival Freedom. Thank you.
WOLI – Cheers!
MIGUEL – When someone says they appreciate the blog as you did, it makes all the extra hard work worthwhile. We miss you here, your friends always. J&H
ZSOLT JURAK – Of course I remember you and I am so disappointed that you did not get the DVD that I mailed to Hungary. Please can you resend your address and I will mail from the U.K. while on vacation. How is mum doing? Heidi and I think about her all the time. Please write soon and send her our kindest wishes.
DWA76 – I am sorry my Cowboys lost. Maybe if I had a Cowboys hat, they would do better. When I see your name, I always know, I am replying to a friend and my two fingers will enjoy slapping on a reply. Cheers mate.
SEWING NUT – Great to see a posting from you. It’s been a while. Stay away from pineapples and thank you so much for everything you said about Alan. We miss you here.
LEASA – I did ask Heidi to kiss my finger better but because I had broken her favorite photo frame, her reply involved her using her own finger. I am glad you have been sending me jokes, I have enjoyed them all, please keep them coming. Heidi and I send our best wishes to you and can’t wait to see you soon.
SHERYL PELTON – Heidi is so excited to hear that you have mailed the package to her. Hopefully they will get past Customs, the Police and the other agencies who are on the look out for dangerous greetings cards. We are doing another walk for breast cancer this cruise and we will of course send photos. Alan is, I am sure, so grateful for everyone’s kind words and as soon as he is better I know he will enjoy reading them. Thank you again and we really hope we see you again very soon.
That’s all for now and my finger is throbbing. I have to have the stitch out later this week and I am considering general anesthesia ..I will be brave though.
So, many of you will have noticed that on the blog called Fun – Reborn that we have 250 comments posted. This is because Carnival’s terrific interactive marketing team sent out an e-mail thingy to all past Carnival guests and a man called Bob….the result was that on Tuesday we had 100,000 slaps….100,000. That puts us at 900,000 slaps and we proudly welcome many brand new readers to the blog thingy. Tomorrow, Thursday, I will try and reply to many of the questions that were sent in so please bear with me. I hope that all the new readers will take the time to go back to read previous blogs and share in some of the laughter (and a hint of sadness) as I continue to do my best to provide a daily look at what happens here on this wonderful ship and within this great corporation. Welcome to you all and enjoy the blog thingies.
Back to today. We just sailed from Naples having left behind two guests from Russia. We waited as long as we could for them both but we had to leave. As I may have mentioned before, unlike the Caribbean we are going country to country rather than island to island and we have a tight schedule. The couple (the Dubrovinas) eventually arrived back to the vessel at 7:00pm, a full hour after we sailed. They will now take a train to Venice missing a full day at sea.
This, as you know is our last Grand Med cruise and as I mentioned the average age is much older. This means that everyone moves a little slower and information for some ….well, lets just say I need to be sympathetic and make sure I explain everything about tours, ports and provide general information….a little slower than usual as some guests are a tad confused. Nobody more so than this guest.
Guest: Mr %#@ Ref: 002714307A Owner: (FRCA) Francesca Catalano
Cabin: 7210 Booking#: Added-Changed: 10/16/07 – 10/17/07
7210 – Wanted to visit The VaticanMr %^&*&^% came to the desk to ask why the Cruise Director had not mentioned the tours to the Vatican at the afternoon talk. Purser explained that John will talk about Rome tours towards the end of the cruise. Guest said that he wanted to visit the Vatican tomorrow. Purser explained that we would be in Naples and that the Vatican was in Rome. Guest asked if they could take a taxi. Purser explained that it was hundreds of miles away and this was not possible. Guest left the desk saying that he was very unhappy. Purser informed the guest comments will be documented .
I will call the guest later tonight or tomorrow and have a chat with him about Rome tours so we can help him get to see the Vatican….unless someone has moved it to Ohio.
Heidi and I went ashore today for an hour to have a farewell lunch with our friend Adolfo who runs the tour operations in Naples. He took us to a wonderful restaurant where Heidi feasted on pizza and I had some fresh fish….it was very tasty. As we sat and ate the foreboding image of Vesuvius lay directly across the bay and I could not help but think of the devastation that an eruption could cause today as it had back in 79AD when it destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum. Let’s hope that Vesuvius stays dormant forever.
How lucky we are to have sat and enjoyed true Italian food in a wonderful port like Naples and done so with a view like that. I would have reached under the table and squeezed Heidi’s hand in a show of appreciation and love but that was not possible…because this morning I had woken her up with my own dangerous eruption and have been in the doghouse ever since.
Goodnight
Your Friends
John and Heidi
68 Comments
October 18th, 2007 at 11:34 am
What are you favorite restaurants in Naples for pizza?
Thanks.
October 18th, 2007 at 11:45 am
“because this morning I had woken her up with my own dangerous eruption and have been in the doghouse ever since.”
Ok I must take care to read what you write because I read that totally different. I saw “er” and “tion” and I thought you had written…ah…er…um well something about a…and I didn’t know they could be dangerous.
Actually do you call it savings time, or refer to it as BST (British Summer Time)?
Sadly like most pilots, I put all of my funds into earning my ticket and then life got in the way. It has actually been several years since I have been “in the left seat”. The nice thing about a pilot’s license though is unless you do something daft, it is good for life. To be able to fly again, I would just need to get a medical exam and take about five hours of ground and flight time. I am checked out in a number of aircraft back at my home airport, but for safety’s sake I would rather have the refresher. The laws in the US require that flight review to be able to carry passengers.
I did let someone else do the flying and went on a dream flight while in Alaska. We took a floatplane into the Misty Fjords and landed on a beautiful lake.
At this point, I would be just happy to be back in the air. It really is almost better than waking up with dangerous er…tions.
Many good sleeps until your vacation.
October 18th, 2007 at 11:52 am
I love reading your guest complaints aloud to my husband. This one was classic.
Hav eyou considering trying to pass off one of the cathedrals in Naples as the Vatican? Nah. You’re too honest for that.
I’m so excited to here about your trip to Miami. They know they have a true diamond in you.
October 18th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
John, I remember you said you would do something if you hit One Million by the Bloggers cruise. I may have to seach to see if I can find out what it was. But 100,000 in one day WOW. At this rate you will be there this month. I see an ASTON MARTIN being given to you at that Florida meeting or maybe even at the Bloggers Cruise on your Birthday. That post pushed my high day to 253 slaps and my total to over 17,000 slaps all due to you getting me into blogging. Thank You Mate it’s been fun. BJ (before John) I didn’t even read a blog.
“BIG ED
October 18th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
John,
I think you may have Lisa and I confused with someone else. We will both be on the Blogger’s Cruise. As a matter of fact, we booked it before it was the “Blogger’s Cruise”.
I know you must be excited about your much needed vacation…mine is only 94 days away!!
Is there ever a moment when you’re not in the doghouse? LOL!
Elaine
October 18th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Dorthe in San Diego still here, reading every day, enjoying the blogs so much. Wanted to ask you which year/s you were aboard the Tropicale. Four of us ladies were aboard in 1984, it was a Mex Riv cruise. We had so much fun, it was a first cruise for all of us and opened the door to the most wonderful way to travel. Enjoy your time off, and best to Alan, his family and to yours as well. I suspect there are many of us out here quietly enjoying a glimpse of another life!
October 18th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Hi dear John & dear Heidi,
Hope your finger continues to heal – that’s real sympathy, not sarcasm.
I didn’t receive any e-mails from Carnival about your blog thingy. Some of the new bloggers sounded like they had never seen Carnival’s website or had vacation planners with some of the questions being asked about itineraries, homeports,prices, etc.
Good joke by the way.
That guest who wanted to visit the Vatican reminds me of the woman who wanted to see the “Leaning Tower of Paris”.
Hope the both of you are enjoying your Thursday.
Hugs,
Carol
October 18th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
I am sure you are looking forward to going home; and that your family is thrilled. Sorry to hear that you and Heidi will be apart for three weeks. However, just think how many “Thursdays” you will have once you meet up. “Smiles”
Once again, the photos are excellent. Tuscany is a dream of mine. Cooking in Tuscany….even better.
It was truly amazing to see so many hits this week. But…100,000?! WOW! You have slowly emerged to become Carnival’s “amazing wonder”. Keep up the good work!!!
October 18th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Hi John got your reply about Il Gatepado Estates can not find on the internet do you have an address and a web site.
Thanks again your friends Elaine and Vinnie Romano
October 18th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
John,
In refrence to the guest complaint, shouldn’t he research where he is going and what he is going to do before he spends thousands of dollars on a European cruise? Some people just don’t get it.
October 18th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Hi John/Heidi:
I am so jealous of the lucky passengers getting to be aboard for 26 days. They are going to have a wonderful time.
900K hits now! Unbelievable. can you believe that 1,000,000 is right around the corner? You should do something special to celebrate.
That Italian Food tour looks amazing. Man that raviolli looks delicious.
Hard to believe your vacation is right around the corner. Seems like it was so long ago that you were just mentioning it as a possibility. I (and everyone else here) am look forward to keeping in touch with you as you relax/recuperate.
My thoughts are with Allen hoping that he is optomistic. I know he truly appreciates having you by his side. You are a good friend.
I’ll work on sending you the Cowboys hat. Don’t get your hopes up because I will not be sending you a Stetson. There is a big difference
Great to hear from you and I appreciate your kind comments,
David
October 18th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
When you are in Miami, stop by to visit!
October 18th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Dear John, I am so happy to hear that you will soon be getting your well deserved vacation–I know that you have been working very hard for quite a long time now. Make sure you get to some fine restaurants in Miami (and let Carnival pay for your meals–you deserve it! And while dieting is good and fish is brain food, feel free to let loose a couple times even beyond the 2 British breakfasts you plan to indulge in). We are thinking of Alan each day and hope that he is getting better. I am still amazed that people sign up for European cruises and don’t have the foggiest idea where they are going or what they can look forward to seeing. When we did the May Freedom cruise, my husband and I had both learned an awful lot about the ports, the tours available, and what we would do in each place–which to wing it and which to tour. It increased the anticipation (as did/does the blog thingy for our Christmas Carnival Glory cruise). Take care of yourself my friend and feel free to skip some blogs on your vacation (but do keep us informed about new ideas Carnival has–I love the updated Fun SHips. Gloria
October 18th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
The cooking excursion looks interesting!
Sorry to hear you will be alone for some time without Heidi. Time away from those we love simply makes us realize how much we really love them…
Warm Regards,
Nico R
October 18th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Hello John & Heidi.
Such a post with Great pictures
Your post almost seemed a little sad.
That English breakfast with those bangers look absolutely wonderful
I fell in love with those sausages when we sailed from England on the Legend.
Had that English breakfast at the hotel on the Pre Cruise Loved it
That fire in the Italian oven in Tuscany looks mighty hot!
That reminds my John with you having to come to Florida
It’s been pretty warm this fall, still in the high eighty’s you might want to pull out the thong and try it on
Another words pack light, keep the winter things in the UK
Having to be apart from Heidi for awhile is sad but you know what they say about being apart making the heart grow fonder,
Di you get my question re: the supper club?
Hope Alan & Alison are doing well and he is on the healing side preparing for the next step. Of recovery.
57 back to back passengers I wish I was one of them… Oh well. I have to try to get ready this weekend
I cannot believe the time has flown by We fly out of here on the 24th. And we shall see you (briefly) on the 28th.
Take Care
The Tuckers
P.S.
Pass this along to Alan please:
The road to success is not straight.
There is a curve called Failure,
a loop called confusion,
speed bumps called Friends,
red lights called Enemies,
caution lights called Family.
You will have flats called Jobs.
But, if you have a spare called Determination,
an engine called Perseverance,
insurance called Faith,
a driver called God
You shall get to your destination!
October 18th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Another 100K slaps on your blog thingy! Super! There just may be 1 million by the time we see you on the TA.
Amazing how uninformed some people are – - ?no cars in Venice? – - ?can’t go to the Vatican while in Naples? I’m surprised you haven’t had someone complain that they didn’t get to see Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” while in Rome (it’s in Milan, people, unless they chopped it out of the wall in the Santa Maria delle Grazie and moved it). As Carol Schoenberger said, don’t these people have travel planners who know how to steer people towards the right vacation destination? Of course, for some rude people, anyplace farther than the sofa in front of their living room television is too far!
And – - Looks like we might get some rain in Cleveland tonight during the game. Red Stockings do fade when they get wet. Go Indians!
John, I still keep Alan in my prayers daily.
We’ll see you soon.
Sue
October 18th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
How is ‘Southern Dreams’?
October 18th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Good afternoon, John,
Sounds like your vacation will be as busy as your work schedule. Don’t you understand that you’re supposed to REST?
The Italian Cooking tour looks wonderful. I would love to do that. Maybe some year!
Tell Heidi she will really like “Elizabeth: The Golden Years.” Elizabeth was apparently an amazing woman, and actually a rather tragic figure as regards her personal life. Both Scott and I were intrigued enough by the movie to do some web-searching and found her life fascinating. Also, Kate Blanchett is one of my favorite actresses, and she NEVER gives less than an outstanding performance. I honestly think you will enjoy the movie…there weren’t really THAT many fluffy-shirted men. DO take special note of the hand placement in the dance moves Elizabeth forces Sir Walter and Bess to perform. You and Heidi might try that one *Thursday! But back to the story, such a tangled web the Royals (English, Scottish, French and Spanish, all) and their advisors wove. Such complicated machinations. It’s a wonder the human race survived.
Speaking of *Thursday, isn’t that your regularly scheduled day for, ummm, “eruptions”?
On that note, here’s a joke for you.
—————————————————————–
Three women die together in an accident and
go to heaven. When they get there, St. Peter says, “We only have one rule here in heaven: don’t step on the ducks!”
So they enter heaven, and sure enough, there are
ducks all over the place. It is almost impossible not to step on a duck, and although they try their best to avoid them, the first woman accidentally steps on one.
Along comes St. Peter with the ugliest man she ever saw. St. Peter chains them together and says, “Your punishment for stepping on a duck is to spend eternity chained to this ugly man!”
The next day, the second woman accidentally steps
on a duck and along comes St. Peter, who doesn’t
miss a thing. With him is another extremely ugly man. He chains them together with the same admonishment as for the first woman.
The third woman has observed all this and, not
wanting to be chained for all eternity to an ugly man, is very, VERY careful where she steps.
She manages to go months without stepping on
any ducks, but one day St. Peter comes up to her
with the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on … very tall, long eyelashes, muscular, and thin. St. Peter chains them together without saying a word.
The happy woman says, “I wonder what I did to
deserve being chained to you for all of eternity?”
The guy says, “I don’t know about you, but I stepped on a duck!”
—————————————————————–
Now I really must go,
But tell Alan “hello,”
And to Heidi, say “Hi-dee”
For me.
Get some rest when you can,
Take advice from this fan
And slow down mon, don’t grow wan,
Dear John.
Ouch!
Myra
October 18th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Hi Everyone,
I was looking at Big Ed’s blog site and he has posted this address to Carnival’s blog site:
http://newsfromcarnivalcruiselines.wordpress.com/
I checked it out and it was interesting reading, had lots of stuff about John. I looked back to the beginning when it started in June 07 and was sort of amused to discover that over the life of the blog I only saw about 3 comments. Quite the contrast to this one that gets daily posts. I wondered if Carnival started their blog site after seeing how popuplar John’s had become.
Also, I was poking around the web and came across this site, www://.cruisebruise.com/sitemap.html and found it informative and interesting, containing personal reports of incidents that have occured on ships. It dishes out a dose of occasional unpleasant reality that occurs on cruise ships. Made me appreciate my fantastic Carnival vacations even more.
Hi to John and Heidi. My prayers are with Alan and my fellow bloggers who are struggling with health and personal issues.
Take care evryone,
Julie Gantt
October 18th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
hello john
I hope you have a very good last med,,,cruise,,,no stupid people,,,I hope .
you guys have a good vacation,,,eat ,drink ,and be merry,,,and we pray Alan is doing better,
we look forward to meeting all the bloggers,,and having one HELL of a time in the Caribbean,,we were in Ocho Rios in september,,,,its so pretty,,
me and Jane ,,,,,did the falls climb,,and we made it all the way to the top,,,,965 feet up,,we did have some cuts and sore feet,,, but it was fun,,,,and we will do it again,
stock up the FISH & CHIP place,,,yum,,,,yum
have fun,,,,be safe,,,drink a pint or 2
regards
tom and jane
sorry about my typing
October 18th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Hi John and Heidi,
I think the complaining guest was absolutely correct to do so. If you truly cared about customer service you would put the Vatican on wheels and tow it to each port you visit. That way, Mr %#@ could visit it on any day he chose!
I should think the Pope would be all in favor of this scheme. Just think, he could sleep in his own bed but still be able to wave to thousands of more people from his balcony!
Have a great vacation!
October 18th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Haven’t finished my thingy fix, but must ask…
way back Ms. Tami Starr offered you vip status at a function and busybody that I am told her she couldn’t have you because we had you for the transAtlantic but now that we don’t have you are you going to grace her do with your presence???
October 18th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Hi Julie,
This is Stephanie, I work at Carnival (with Roberto) and am posting on the news blog you mentioned. I’m glad you found our news blog interesting! Until now we weren’t really promoting the news blog, hence the lack of comments. We also didn’t start posting daily until recently. It’s hard to top John’s blog, he’s just too entertaining
But we’ve had a few blogs going for awhile now; they’re just harder to find 
Feel free to post comments, questions, etc. to any of the carnival blogs you find and someone will always respond.
Steph
October 18th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
John,
Why Ohio???? What’s wrong with moving the Vatican to Illinois??? Just brace yourself for the guest to ask for a refund!
When they remove your stitch, it will not hurt a bit, so don’t worry about that. Alan is what we all should be thinking about because I’m sure it’s hard for you to find someone who will be friends with you…lol…now that is the sarcasm you were talking about.
100,000 hits?!? WOW…I think since you are going to Miami maybe they are going to give you a raise…(hint, hint to any Carnival big wigs reading this).
Hope Southern Dreams is having a great time! Still hoping for a Hedi blog before the end of the cruise!
Susan
October 18th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
G’day John
My real name is Sean, I’m currently employed as a SeaMiles Rep.
This is my second contract with Carnival, third ship (soon to be 4..v/t tomorrow) and third ship contract over all. I started the ship life as an opportunity to travel for free and to gain some valuable skills that employers look for. (After all..3 years of College studying TV Broadcasting was just not enough to get a job in the local market ). I enjoyed Carnival so much that I now myself here on the Vic. at the age of 26. It’s an exciting life to travel and make friends with people from all over the world. (My friends back home are quite jealous). During this contract alone I will visit 20 ports of call … not bad if you ask me! =)
Some of my most memorable moments as a crew member would have to be when family visit me aboard and when the Fantasy was hit by the barge last season (5 days at Mardi Gras!).
I too found it hard to believe that some people would complain about my English skills. However, I guess my thick Canadian accent would do the trick. Most of the time I receive compliments on my speaking skills…but every once in a while there is one person that is… to be polite …a stick in the mud. lol We all meet these people every day in every industry. So I do my best to not let it bother me and I’m sure every crew member does the same.
Well.. back to work
Cheers mate
Sean
aka Nautical By Nature
aka Crew Member Eh.
October 18th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Last Trip.
Are you coming back to the Freedom after your vacation? She’ll be back in the US then, right?
The back to back 26 day trip sounds great. I spent 22 days in the UK with my mom and dad on a bus trip. I remember that “Full English Breakfast” !! Looks yummy in the photo! Let’s eat……..
Kathy and Paul
October 18th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
John -
Time for me to regale you with a tale from lunch the other day.
We were sitting there eating in the Hospital cafeteria and one of the people at the table expressed concern that I might find myself in the middle of the Atlantic with a significant medical problem and no medical care – in fact, she explained “only the Captain has medical training.”
I assured her that there was a doctor and nurse on board, but she continued, exclaiming that the Captain “could perform a tracheotomy if needed.”
Being the ex-Navy Corpsman, I exclaimed – “heck, I can perform a tracheotomy.”
Whereupon, our risk manager stated (without batting an eyelash) “Yes, but you are not credentialed to do it.”
You had to be there.
October 18th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Well, my friend,
As your vacation time nears I have mixed emotions. First, I’ll miss all of your wonderful tales about life on board the Carnival Freedom but second, I’m thrilled that you’ll get some very well deserved time off and get to be at your mate’s side when he needs you most.
I can’t wait to hear the details of your tete a tete with the heavy hitters at CCL home office. I’m sure they realize what a celebrity you’ve become due to this fantastic blog thingy you have here. Please, sir, before they make you King of Carnival and you surround yourself with dancing girls and other assorted minions (and the occasional Aston Martin…) stay in your current position long enough for me to have the pleasure of sailing with you at least once.
The photos of the Italian Cooking Experience look phenomenal!!! If the Italians are not very good at war they are most definitely good at cooking! I’m betting you folks have a major hit on your hands with that excursion.
You have to excuse me for not mentioning your dinged digit and it’s associated stitch. Many moons ago, when I was a bit younger and stupider than I am now, I had a bit of a shunt in a TVR that left me with several hundreds of stitches, over 130 in the right side of my head alone. Not to downplay your condition but … gee… one stitch? I’m sure Heidi will tend to you properly and comfort you at the appropriate time.
Enough silliness out of me for now.
Warmest regards to the lovely Heidi and the Amazing Roberto!
Thanks for being there, John.
Greg
October 18th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Hi John!
Please tell CCL to send me a ticket quick so I can be there to hold your hand while you get your stitch out. It’s a sacrifice I am willing to make for you and the sake of the blog!
Hope all is well with Alan.
The Bears – Barb
October 18th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Hola John!!!!
Im happy for that.I saw a picture of you on the blog, you look much thinner.Did she gave you the grande huggo that I sent?? That Inspiration blog UFFFF!! 300 comments, Im way behind on my work just reading them I cant imagine how you do it. Is good in a way but is moreeeeeeeee work for you.They should pay you more for all this WOW!!
Como estas???
I been reading Southerdreams blog and she is very happy on the ship, you are spoiling her
Everything is going more or less here calm and serene.
Love you
Nany
October 18th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Hi Heidi and John,
I’m so happy that you are doing another walk on board for the cure while Southern Dreams is there. Please have her in the front row waving when you take the picture! I’m sure that she is having a marvelous time!!! The new tour looks great, especially the ravioli’s! By the way John, what is the pinkish stuff in the back of the breakfast? Is that bacon, ham??? Heidi I know that you will miss John while he is in the states, but it will give you more quality time with your mom, and maybe he will be out of the proverbial dog house when he returns, but probably not. 11 more days and home you will be! Missing you both already. Sheryl
October 18th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Opps! I forgot, give Southerndreams a huggo from me and tell her Im reading and enjoying her blog and tell her to eat a Melting cake in my name
John Im glad you are so close to your vacation but Im going to miss you some days I know….you have us very spoiled. 
Another huggo for Heidi, Alan and Roberto
The huggo giver from PR
Nanette
October 18th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Hi John: Wow, your last cruise before coming home, and Bonnie and Prince Charles are on it too. How nice! Those Ravioli look simply scrumptous, my mom used to make homemade ravioli when I was a kid, her mom and dad were from Italy and the first time she made them she stayed up all night the Saturday night before Mother’s Day to surprise her mom with them for Mother’s Day. My mouth was watering seeing those pictures! I mailed yours and Heidi’s package today, so hopefully you will get it by the time you get back home and please give Alan his little gift as well. Please keep us informed of have everything is going back home ok? You say you are going to a meeting in Miami to discuss the future, I hope you mean CCL future, and NOT yours? Almost sounded like you were planning on retiring sometime very soon, and I hope that isn’t so, UNLESS Heidi is with Child and you want to begin living a NORMAL everyday life, that would make perfect sense then. BUT, I do hope someday we can be on another cruise with you. Hopefully at this meeting you will find out when the next bloggers cruise will be, as I am anxious to know that too. Well, it’s Thursday, although I realize it is early Friday morning for you already with the time difference. Hope you have a nice LAST cruise before going home, my best to southerndreams! Linda & Mike (your friends FOREVER)!
October 18th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Good evening Mr. Heald. As time passes by, how do you really feel with the realization that you and Heidi will have that opportunity for a vacation? Your mother’s breakfast seems heavenly. How about a couple more sausages and bacon? I love bacon and sausages. Where do you get your jokes from? Each time I read one, I bust out laughing. I wonder if your meeting with the bigwigs on the 31st is making you one of those bigwigs? You deserve a hell of a lot. You have made Carnival a peoples cruise ship and your blog has opened up the eyes of many people involving cruising. You will probably miss Heidi and she you but when that time to see each other arrives it will make that time so much better. My prayers and thoughts are of both you and Alan each day. Thank you for allowing me to have the opportunity to being involved with this thing called a blog. Ciao friend and please do rest a little.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
October 18th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
I just caught up on 2 weeks worth of blogs. As usual, it was combination of laughter and tears. I just love your stories and the wave of emotions I can look forward to when I read this blog thingy.
Anyway, I know I’m late but my 2 cents…love the Carly Simon and Rod Stewart ideas for a replacement for Britney Spears in the Legends show.
I LOVE the report and pictures of the new Inspiration. My husband and I took our first Carnival cruise in 1996 for our honeymoon on the Inspiration, then cruised her again a couple of years later. We can’t wait to go on her again with all the great changes.
Most importantly, I want to send my thoughts and prayers to your dear friend Alan. You are both so lucky to have each other and to have shared such a long and wonderful friendship. I have no doubt he’s a great guy to have such a special place in your heart. It’s wonderful you’ll be able to be home with him as he goes through his recovery. I’m sure your support and humor will go a long way in helping to speed up his recuperation.
Please send him all the best!
Finally, Godspeed to you and Heidi as you embark on your vacation. You both deserve a break and time to yourselves. I hope you get plenty of rest and relaxation and are rejuvenated by your visit home with your friends and family. We look forward to seeing you in January on the bloggers cruise!
October 18th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
John, Danny said to tell you he cut his arm the other day and no one even asked him what happened. He didn’t get any sympathy either.
Oh about the free drink for cruising with you 4 times. We will be ready for ours in Aug. because that will be number 5 for us. I might even bring “Flat Joey” .
Have a wondrful vacation. Tell Heidi to enjoy the peaceful three weeks alone. Just kidding.
Be there for Alan all you can be.
Jennifer and Danny
October 18th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
I envy the 157 guests doing the back to back as well. What a trip that will be for all of them … as long as they aren’t like Alan Adkins and almost miss the ship in every port. Heidi: Enjoy some girl time with mum and without John and his poor finger. Can you send John with a tape of your usual comments to him so he feels like you are with him the whole 3 weeks? John: Play the tape. It will feel like Heidi is still with you.
SewingNut
October 18th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Hi Folks,
I often wondered as well what the saying “raining like cats and dogs” meant so I looked it up and there were some interesting suggestions, Animalplanet.com suggested that “It could liken the racket made by a storm to the thunderous noise made by fighting cats and dogs. Or, it may arise from the era of thatched roofs when downpours would bring cats and dogs dozing atop houses down onto the occupants.” Lynn
October 18th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Sleep tight this week mate. You will need strength to get by this week and into the next three. Give Heidi a hug’cuz I know you both will be missing those Thursdays. Good luck in Miami with future planning. Be sure to schedule an assistant to type your blog answers , it’s really gotten quite out of hand from the beginning, hasn’t it? Lots of work. But we all so enjoy it. Like big Rd, I never even read a blog before! Now I catch it every day that I can. Please don’t feel the need to reply. I know it is tremendous pressure on you these last few weeks. My best wishes.
Yours,
Kathie
October 18th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
helllo john i dont like stiches eather hope ur finger feels better. i got a ? how long have u and heidi been married? i dont rember seeing her in 04 on the glory. and hope to someday have u as my cruise director again.
October 18th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Hi John & Heidi,
This is my first posting. My wife, Lou and I are both 69 years old, both retired and we will be the on-board ballroom dance instructors for the TA. I have been following your blog since July but did not post any comment because I was saving them for the TA and tell you personally what is in my mind. We thought that we would be sailing with you come October 28. As a matter of fact we are bringing a gift for Heidi from the old country and a healthful goodie for you. Hopefully, you would be coming back to the FREEDOM next year on her Nov. 6 TA sailing as we already booked that one.
I really enjoy your interviews of quite a mixture of personalities, especially that of Shawn Bussey because we also gave dance lessons on board the SPIRIT; once to Alaska and twice to Hawaii. Not only is she gorgeous, she’s also marvelous. We had a blast when we sailed with her.
Hope to connect with you on the 28th. MABUHAY!
(literally means “Long Live!” but because its use has become so common, it could mean anything like “Aloha.”)
Amor
October 19th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Good Morning John and Heidi!
I loved the picture from Livorno! How incredible. It brings back such sweet memories from last summer! I also liked the picture of the British breakfast. John, you need to tell us what the components of a British breakfast are. It looks wonderful!
My thoughts and prayers continue to go up for Alan. I made a notation of the fact that his next surgery is on November 7. I will light a special candle for him on the 6th. Needless to say, special prayers will be offered up that morning! I will, however, need to keep the time difference in mind!
I am glad you were able to find Felicia. She was so sweet and was so wonderful to Amanda. That really seemed to form a special bond!
Just keep in mind that vacation is just around the corner! Everything will get done…and you know what? If it doesn’t, you can either delegate or delete!
October 19th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Good morning John & Heidi,
First I want to thank Stephanie for mentioning Carnival’s blog. I saw the description of the new terminals in Miami and was very impressed. I also did not know about them – that’s what happens when you haven’t cruised out of Miami in 2 years.
I hope your Thursday was better than mine. Besides having a toothache and sinus headache, I got into a disagreement with someone in our mailroom. Then my bank totally screwed up my direct deposit payroll. I now have to have a new check made up and will have to go to the bank in person to straighten everything out. Because of an accident it took 2 hours to get home last night (instead of a little over 1 hour). One of my cats is sneezing. Need I go on? Anyway, the photos of the Italian cooking and your English breakfast, and that last description of Lido deck breakfasts has made me decide to have my own big breakfast tomorrow. In the immortal words of Stavros of the Riverdale Diner “Cogito Eggo Sum – I think, therefore I am a waffle”.
Have a great weekend everyone,
Regards,
Carol
October 19th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Hi John and Heidi
Just discovered your blog, going on our first cruise in Jan on Carnival Glory, looking forward to it.Do you think we could be related as my old man was called John Heald ( DID YOU HAVE A BIKE) ?
October 19th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Lisa K,
If your going on the bloggers cruise you got to get your name on the ROLL CALL on my blog. Also put your picture in the bloggers album. So you can get in on the planning for the Bloggers Cruise. Links to both are below.
JOHN HEALD BLOGGERS PHOTO ALBUM
Add your mug shots to the Bloggers Album. So we can put a face to your name when you post a comment.To see how just go to this link;
http://ekonefe.wordpress.com/2007/07/24/john%e2%80%99s-bloggers-photo-album/
BLOGGERS CRUISE ROLL CALL
If your going on the BLOGGERS CRUISE add your name to the list at;
http://ekonefe.wordpress.com/2007/08/07/bloggers-cruise-roll-call/
“BIG” ED
T-92 days till we launch the party of all parties
October 19th, 2007 at 11:25 am
John,
I love the new cooking excursion. Would surely do it if we were ever on the cruise. Having 10 cruises under my belt, I am always looking for new and exciting excursions to try. Hopefully Carnival will think of doing this in other ports. Would love to be on this your last cruise, and surely love being on for 26 days straight!! Those guests are truly lucky! Keep up the good work and REALLY hope to cruise again with you someday soon(hopefully Feb.2nd on the Holiday). You are a true hidden secret for Carnival.
Barry
October 19th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Roberto,
I posted another comment this morning, but I don’t have the “waiting for moderation” comment on my computer & it’s not listed. It’s not a problem, but I don’t want to re-post if it’s going to show up later.
Have a good weekend – I’m leaving for the dentist (ugh).
Carol
October 19th, 2007 at 11:30 am
John and Heidi,
Enjoy your vacation!!! We will see you on April 12th, 2008. Getting close and we can’t wait to meet you!
October 19th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Just had to post a comment, we were on the cruise that just ended the 16th. You might remember me by recalling the photo you signed for the Dirty Dozen. John- you do a fabulous job, thanks for making the cruise extra special with your efforts. Sorry we never got to see eye to eye I am just a little more ugly than you but that is a requirement of the Dirty Dozen. I did say hi to Heidi when I gave her your canoli, hope you enjoyed it. The cruise was really great all though I was one of those hacking away like mad with a cold that did develope into pneumonia after we left the ship, I’m doing ok now with some wonder drugs. We are so happy with Carnival and everything you guys do that we are thinking we might jump on board for the bloggers cruise, will let you know if that happens. One final thing our last excursion out of Livorno, It was fabulous, San Gimiyano(?) and Sienna, however there was a jerk in the group that added another element to the trip if you know what I mean. If you get any negative feed back about that particular excursion know that it was a perfect day with the exception of one person who I am sure would complain even if you hung him with a BRAND NEW ROPE!
Good luck with everything and enjoy your time off-Rich
October 19th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Just returned from the Freedom’s next-to-last of the season Med cruise. Weather was perfect, ship was fun. Best off-ship excursion was the wine-tasting in Tuscany–we felt *very* welcome and the wine and food was exceptional. Wish I could do it again next week. Have been reading the blog about CNN…how about US sports reporting? My husband is a sports junkie and was *very* disappointed about lack of sporting events in Players Lounge throughout the cruise…which would have left me more time for the spa! Enjoy your blog and especially the photos…happy vacation.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Hi Again John!
Thought you might enjoy these:
One day Little Red Riding Hood is skipping down the road when she sees a big bad wolf crouched down behind a log.
“My, what big eyes you have, Mr. Wolf.”
The wolf jumps up and runs away.
Further down the road Little Red Riding Hood sees the wolf again and this time he is crouched behind a bush.
“My what big ears you have, Mr. Wolf.”
Again the wolf jumps up and runs away.
About two miles down the road Little Red Riding Hood sees the wolf again and this time he is crouched down behind a rock. “My what big teeth you have Mr. Wolf.”
With that the wolf jumps up and screams, “Will you knock it off, I’m trying to poop!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An extremely modest man was in the hospital for a series of tests, the last of which had left his bodily systems extremely upset.
Upon making several false alarm trips to the bathroom, he decided the latest episode was another and stayed put. He suddenly filled his bed with diarrhea and was embarrassed beyond his ability to remain rational.
In a complete loss of composure he jumped out of bed, gathered up the bed sheets, and threw them out t he hospital window.
A drunk was walking by the hospital when the sheets landed on him. He started yelling, cursing, and swinging his arms violently trying to get the unknown things off, and ended up with the soiled sheets in a tangled pile at his feet.
As the drunk stood there, unsteady on his feet, staring down at the sheets, a hospital security guard, (barely containing his laughter), who had watched the whole incident, walked up and asked, “Say, what’s going on here?”
The drunk, still staring down replied, “I think I just beat the sh## out of a ghost.”
Happy Halloween!!!
October 19th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
John,
This is just too much….
“because this morning I had woken her up with my own dangerous eruption and have been in the doghouse ever since.”
I am still laughing. After seeing that plate of food from your mum, with all those beans, then this thought of ‘exhaust’, from of all people, you. I can’t help but laugh and laugh and laugh.
Just tell her it means your ‘intake’ and ‘exhaust’ are working fine and she shouldn’t be at the least bit concerned. It’s like turbulence on a plane, it just happens.
Try some of those ‘Bean-O’ pills… it may work for you. You may need to eat more than a couple, but its worth a try… and it involves eating.
With me, the dog simply leaves the room, but he does that with himself as well.
Enjoy your time off, take it easy.
Matt & Arte
October 19th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
John,
Personally we love the idea of a back-to-back cruise — will probably be years before we can so indulge, though, so we will have to console ourselves with our upcoming Blogger’s Cruise. (92 days and counting–YeeHaw, as we say in Oklahoma!)
The “K” of this duo, however, was less than taken by your portrait of Mum’s full English breakfast. She’s not a fan of tomatoes in their raw state at any time of the day, and baked beans are a delicacy she partakes of only occasionally — and then never before noon. She also prefers her eggs scrambled and her bacon streaky — which means she’ll be quite happy with the fare served aboard the Freedom come January.
I’ve had an Irish equivalent of said breakfast, and found all of it quite tasty — save for the blood sausage. Couldn’t quite deal with that particular culinary contribution.
All the best on your many voyages, your much deserved vacation, and again we wish the best for Alan in his surgeries.
j&kWatts
October 19th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
What is the latest time of day we can arrange to board on the TA 10/28/07 ?
October 19th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
We sailed on the next to last on the October 4th sailing. We had a great time. The sites were wonderful, and the weather was perfect. What more could you ask for? Oh, yes, we enjoyed John and his antics with great relish. No mustard!
The best part of cruising for me is meeting new people. This cruise was no exception as we met a gaggle of interesting people.
Thanks John. Thanks Carnival.
October 19th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Hi John & Heidi,
Almost time to go on your long awaited overdue vacation!! Hard to believe your vacation is right around the corner. I hope Alan continues to do well with his upcoming surgery. My Mom is having her surgery the same day (Nov. 7th) so I will definitely be praying real hard for both of them.
Beautiful pictures, as usual. The Italian Food Experience Tour sounds great- I could probably use a brush up course in my Italian cooking. I grew up on Italian cooking, (my Dad’s from Calabria, grandparents are from Naples, other grandparents from Sicily), and so of course I ate a lot of it growing up. Still one of my favorite kinds of food to eat…
Hopefully with this being your last cruise (for awhile anyhow) it will go by real smooth with no foot in mouth!! Ha
See you soon,
Inez
P.S.Finally made my last payment for the bloggers cruise-Yahoo can’t wait!
October 19th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Dear John,
With Halloween falling on your next and last cruise this year, I’d like to send you a Halloween joke. This bald old man with a wooden peg for a right leg sent a letter to a costume company: “Dear Sirs, I am bald and have one wooden leg. What costume would you recommend for Halloween?”
The next day, he received a small package with a polka-dot handkerchief enclosed. The note from the costume company said, “Wear this handkerchief as a pirate cap. Your wooden leg is perfect for going as a Pirate.”
He strongly objected to his wooden leg being emphasized and wrote a complaint letter to the costume company.
The next day, he received another package. Inside was a monk’s frock. The note from the costume company said, “This robe will hide your wooden leg. Your bald head is perfect for going as a Monk.”
He strongly objected to his baldness being emphasized and wrote a complaint letter to the costume company.
The next day, he received another small package containing a jar of molasses and a bag a crushed nuts. The note from the costume company said, “Pour the molasses over your head and then sprinkle the nuts over it. Then stick your wooden leg up your ass and go as a Caramel Apple.”
October 19th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
John,
You and Heidi were definitely on my mind today as we had a cast sale at work and what did I find, but some surplus merchandise from the Disney Cruise Line Med. cruises…I purchased a beach towel which featured a map of Italy with all of our Ports of Call…I sure wish that I could be in Naples right now enjoying some wonderful Italian food.
Maybe I have missed it in the blog, but were you ever able to make it possible for those of us that sailed on the Carnival Freedom to the Med. to purchase the scrapbook????
Alan will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda
October 19th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
John,
That Italian Cooking Experience Shore Excursion looks great!
I’m hungry now… Mmm, pasta.
October 20th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Hello
John, had so much fun with you on a Glory cruise brought our son and daughter-in-law next time alas you were not there!!! We are going on the Freedom November 24 for two weeks please say you will be there, they are coming too. So sorry about your finger I am a Nurse and would have taken great care of you. Hugs Judy
October 20th, 2007 at 10:34 am
John,
.So yesterday Friday, the optional formal night,(lobster night is what I call it) I was on such a winning streak in the casino, trust me i was way way up and wasn’t about to leave this kind of luck at the table I actually missed dinner. So a quick trip to lido a burger and pizza with a drink. Ahh the life. So I returned to my cabin where I had voicemail waiting for me from Brent who went looking for me in the dining room not knowing that I was taking a large amount of cash back from the casino, much to the pit boss’s annoyance ( every 3 hands we got a new dealer, think he was a bit ticked) anyway, he left a nice message about just talking or emailing with you and your mentioning me and to check on me to make sure everything was fine. He also wanted to make sure your great presents arrived and they were enjoyed too bad I couldn’t take the rest of that great basket home with me.I will post a picture on my blog. Strange thing is the card had the Hotel director’s name on it and not from John ” Please let me out of the dog house some time this year” Heald on it. But i knew it was from you.
The Miracle is such a great ship and the casino was very kind to me I left with enough to pay for the trip and my sign and sail account. And a bit more for dinner
So i went to the purser’s desk and I have to say John if there is anything you can do or anyone you can speak with, those ladies and gentlemen are such a pleasure to deal with, they called Brent and he came down we chatted for a few minutes I asked him to once again please stop telling your jokes because he just doesn’t do them justice.
Ok this post is long enough now. Once again thank you John, and you to Heidi, I can’t wait to sail with or maybe even work with both of you some day.
Kevin
Ps for a full review click my name in the top left corner, also a picture or two.
October 20th, 2007 at 10:58 am
hello john
when your in Miami,you can fly up to visit us,
in Tampa,,,its only a 30 min. flight,,,,we can do lunch,,,,,
or stop by the ASTON MARTIN DEALER,
just a thought,,,,
have a good vacation,,,,,and we will see you on Jan.19th for sure,,,,,then we can do lunch.
your sunny florida freinds
tom and jane
October 20th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
John.
We just got home from our Cruise on the Freedom 10/4. We stayed a few extra days in Rome to take in the sites. We wanted to thank you for such a wonderful vacation. It is difficult to express how much we enjoyed our cruise. We met great people, your staff was terrific ( LOVED the Beatles Tribute Band/Show) & the ship was fantastic. We have many cherished memories …. and we will never forget Mr & Mrs. Eikel.
Thanks for everything…
October 21st, 2007 at 4:12 am
Hi John & Heidi;
Hope you have a great vacation.
I sailed with you the first 2 weeks of Sept. Had a wonderfull time. We spent nearly every evening with Ron in the piano bar. Say “hi” to him from me. I Emailed a funny song to him, don’t know if he got it.
I hope in your breaking spree that you haven’t broke your Tim Hortons mug that I carted over there in my hand luggage!!!
Have you ran into any “Willy Bangers or Sum Poos” since that trip??? That had to be the funniest show. I have forgotten the name of the guy that was late boarding 4 times…Larry something??
Bye for now
Marlene
October 21st, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Dear John,
I just found your blog and I think it is awesome!! My parents along with 4 of their friends are on this cruise also on the trans atlantic cruise. They are from Florida. This is a great way to find out about their days. Thank you so much for all that you do to keep everything going smoothly.
Enjoy
Bev Davis, Daughter of Pat and David French
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:56 am
Good morning John and Heidi,
Smoochy…..now does your finger feel better!!
As for the PISTONS/Heat game the first season game between them will be Thursday, November 1 in Miami at 8 p.m. This is going to be one great season for “My Boys”. Keep in mind we did beat “Your Boys” in the pre-season game by quite a bit!! I would love to see a real live game blog. What I wouldn’t give to be there. “My Boys” playing “Your Boys”, sunshine, warm weather it doesn’t get any better than that ;D
Take care
Joan
P.S. has it arrived yet????
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:10 pm
John,
Will you be on the Freedom during the TA crossing in April/May 2008? I hope so, because I so look forward to meeting you and your crew. I enjoy your daily blog, your daily joke, and reading about you and Heidi’s “day-in-the-life” at sea.
Suzanne
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:14 am
Hey J0hn, what was the out come on the breast cancer video we made on the Carnival Freedom sailing Oct, 16-28, 2007? Will we see it on tv or not? Love Miss America aka Angela
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