Good Evening John,Here as a follow up from last night____ – Unhappy with Guests saving the seats
Mr. ____ came to the desk to share his comments regarding a guest who was saving six seats in the lounge for the show. Mr. _____ wanted to be noted that he almost got into the fight with the other guests who where keeping the seats. The other guests said that they were allowed to do what they wanted and used bad language to them. The cruise director had come out from behind the curtain and tried to calm the situation down but the guests were abusive to him as well. Eventually cruise director asked the other guests to leave the theatre which they did still swearing. Purser apologized for experience and will ask cruise director to follow up with guest.
Many thanks,
Tamara Djukic
2nd Purser
So, that was my night…………..how was yours?
Good Morning and more about that it a moment but first……………………………back to Mrs. Weatherchannel.
Guest: Mrs. _______Ref: 002714750A Owner: ______
Cabin: Booking#: _________ Added-Changed: 10/22/07 – 10/22/07
_____- Complaint about weatherGuest approached the desk wanting to say that she was not going ashore because of the weather and it was raining. She stated that had she known the weather would be like this then she would not have booked the cruise and that Carnival should tell passengers in advance that there will be no sun. She wanted this to be told to Cruise Director. Purser thanked guest for her comment and will pass on to Cruise Director.
Sometimes……………..not often……………..I have nothing to say………………this is one such occasion………………it should be fun trying to get Heidi’s coat back though.
So, that was my night and my morning so far however the other 2979 guests all seem to be having a wonderful time. It is indeed a dull and overcast morning here in Messina, Italy, and not that I am Willard Scott or anything but I don’t see it getting any better today……………hopefully Barcelona and Cannes will be brighter.
Back to last night and the bloodbath in the Victoriana Lounge ………………well …………hardly a bloodbath…………more like to men hitting each other with handbags. I was backstage waiting to introduce the show when the sound tech who can see everything that is happening from his perch thingy called me to say that two guests were screaming at each other. Hearing this I sprinted ………………OK…………..I walked quickly to see what was happening. Opening the door to the lounge I saw and heard the commotion coming from the third row of the theatre and there were Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya. One man was 6 foot something, the other smaller but the amazing thing was that both were in their 70’s……………………all though I guess that is no surprise this cruise. Walking over I stood between them and asked what the problem was. Of course, they both started screaming at the same time so I had to ask them to step away and we all three walked to the back of the theatre as not to be in the gaze of the other 1000 people who were waiting for the show to start ………………..although for many, it already had.
Mr. De la Hoya told me that he and his wife had walked to the third row and as they tried to take their seat Mr. Tyson had told them that this row was reserved. Mr. La Hoya said that this was not allowed and as he tried to sit down he was shoved by Mr. Tyson and the argument began.
After listening to both for a moment and with the show now 5 minutes late starting I asked Mr. De La Hoya and his wife to go and sit down and enjoy the show in the third row as saving seats were not allowed. Well, that went down the same way the time I broke wind at my sisters wedding………….and I became the Mr. Tyson’s punch bag. He was wearing and cursing, his voice level rising all the time and eventually I had no choice but to ask him to leave the theatre otherwise I would have no option but to call security. He stormed over to the seats where the rest of his party had arrived (two more couples), grabbed his wife by the arm and left the lounge…………….as they did…………..many of the guests who had seen the commotion applauded and cheered………….something that I wish they hadn’t done but I understand why they did so.
Having taken both the Tyson’s and the De La Hoya’s cabin numbers I sprinted ……………….OK walked fast…………….backstage and the show started nearly 10 minutes late. Normally, I start the show with a drum role and then I introduce the orchestra…………….unfortunately the devil inside got the better of me and this time as the spotlight hit me and the drum roll sounded I found my self using my best announcing voice and declaring “Welcome to the Victoriana Lounge……………….let’s get ready to rumble”……………….everyone laughed………even Mr. De La Hoya.
This morning I spoke to Mr. Tyson and asked him if he could spare a few minutes so we could discuss again what had happened but he said “I have nothing to say” and hung up the phone………………..I will try again later.
Just to clarify. In Carnival Capers, there is a “no seat saving policy” clearly written and announcements are made before the shows. More important, though, is surely common courtesy which seemed to be lacking in this case. I will be placing extra staff to monitor this for the rest of this cruise and also it is important to note that I cannot remember this situation happening for many years…………………by the way I checked their ages and both are 72 years old.
I hope Mr. De La Hoya and Mr. Tyson stay out of each others way although I may be too late…………. I just saw Mr. La Hoya heading for the infirmary …………….someone had bitten half his ear off!
1. John in Dubrovnik with the Tour Operator, Igor.
2. Chicken on the BBQ.
3. Hope you like your meat “well done.”
4. Asst. Cruise Director Stephanie begging me not to go on vacation.
Here are the letters from today’s In Their Own Words Section including a poem from Prince Charlie to Bonnie.
TODAY’S JOKE OF THE DAY
A guy joins a monastery and takes a vow of silence: he’s allowed to say two words every seven years.
After the first seven years, the elders bring him in and ask for his two words.
“Cold floors,” he says. They nod and send him away.
Seven more years pass. They bring him back in and ask for his two words.
He clears his throats and says, “Bad food.”
They nod and send him away. Seven more years pass. They bring him in for his two words.
“I quit,” he says.
“That’s not surprising,” the elders say. “You’ve done nothing but complain since you got here.”
Let’s chat about all the wonderful comments I have been reading. I still feel so guilty in not relying to any and again I PROMISE I WILL START DOING SO ONCE I RETURN FROM MIAMI. The comments are so important to me and the company. On that note and although I never want this blog to be an extension of our wonderful guest relations department…………I just don’t have the time or resources………….I have read one or two negative comments and that disturbs me. So, if you have written any such comment I want you to know that I have personally passed these on to guest relations and…………..I have asked that guests relations read the blog thingy every day to help me follow up on these comments. Therefore, if you have written something asking for help then help you will receive……………very soon.
For everyone else…………..please keep the positive and fun comments going and although I am taking two weeks off from replying I am reading everyone word for word and continue to be in awe of your support of the blog and each other. Thank you again for your patience.
Chris Prideaux has told me he has received lots of mail for Heidi and I and will be sending to the UK for me. Thank you all for taking the time to write and send such considerate gifts.
Now an update on Alan who arrived home yesterday. The doctors were able to remove the majority of the tumor although some was not operable. This means he will rest and home and then in early November return for something called Gamma Ray treatment…………….very Star Trek.
He is in good spirits as his always and his positive and fun outlook on life will get him through this I am sure. He has been ugly all his life in fact when he was born they put tinted windows on his incubator…………….despite being so ugly he has never stopped laughing and loving life and that will be what gets him through this time as well. We are communicating through e mail as he has no vocal cords at the moment and needs to rest his voice but he did write and tell me how overwhelmed he was at all your comments …………….so on behalf of Alan…………..thank you all. He cannot wait to meet those of you going on the bloggers cruise and has agreed to share a thong dance with me and Big Ed.
Well, I did it. I finally organized my car hire for when I am home. I was going to get an Aston Martin but in the end I went for something similar called a Toyota Yaris……………..same thing really.
I receive about 50 letters a day and some are very ………… well………………… different………………… like this one.
I love the way she has told me in the letter what a Tampax is……………just in case I don’t know. We spoke after I read the letter out on the show and LIVE on the phone she went into detail about his costume…………..which, I will leave to your imagination.
I asked how he got to the party………in a cab……….did he drive………or was he on his cycle?
They say that love can be found in many unusual places. In this case, 30 years ago, Donna fell in love with a man dressed as a Tampax but they fell in love that night and as Donna said they have had fun and still do so today. They have always been honest with each other and their relationship has never had any strings attached………………well………….except the night they met.
Before I go I want to share a toast with you all so raise a glass of Diet Coke or something stronger as I say:
THIS BLOG THINGY OF MINE HAS BEEN READ ONE MILLION TIMES
AND FOR THIS TOAST I TRY TO FIND WORDS THAT RHYME
SO ON BEHALF OF HEIDI, ROBERTO AND MY MYSTERIOUS PA
LET’S RAISE A GLASS TOGETHER AND SAY HIP HIP HOORAY
Cheers everyone…………………..and thank you.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Catherine Zeta Jones, Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Splendor Godmother, Tales from the Ship
Wonderful. As I mentioned previously, the crazies will dog you until your last seconds before you depart the ship for your vacation. At least Mr. De la Hoya seems to have some variety of a sense of humor. Good for him. Did you consider offering them over sized boxing gloves and letting them have it out on stage? Might well have been entertaining. I suspect that Mr. De la Hoya would have kicked Mr. Tyson’s butt…
Ah, yes, one million plus slaps on this blog thingy. Amazing and still totally expected. This blog is wonderfully unique in the blog world and I’m sure that all who frequent here find it a treasure.
Sally forth, good knight, and do battle with the heavy hitters at Carnival HQ in our name! I just wish I could be there.
Looking forward to the next installment!
Howdies to Heidi and Roberto!
Take care, my friend.
Greg
John,
. Talk with you soon
sorry mate. Come visit and you can take her for a spin
Congrats again my friend one-million is a great achievement. On behalf of myself and All the bloggers We thank you for making this first 8 months so enjoyable and look forward to many more with you and Heidi. You are truly a great person and we all appreciate the time you take to spend with us everyday. To you sir I say let Big ed and Fatima be happy for a long time together with the hose pipe, And let Alan feel better so we can continue to make fun of us ugliness. Now that anyone knows because you never shared a picture. I am also more than willing to take care of your role on the freedom as long as Stephanie is my assistant
Kevin
PS When you hit 3rd gear in that Toyota you will be doing my 1st gears top speed
It soon will be time to say goodbye
Almost every day John would post a reply
To bloggers who wanted to know why
For many it will involve a good cry
While some might think they are being left high and dry
But away John will have to fly
For in Alans time of need he can not deny
But on one point we can all rely
A good dose of Humour was always on supply
We’ve heard of when things went awry
And comments from guests words cannot defy
It seems like it went by in the blink of an eye
From stories of Johns jelly beans supply
To the horrible looks of Alan, John would imply
Big Ed was named as the number 2 guy
And juicy details came from 007 the super spy
Kevin was so impressed he wanted to apply
And France was lost as a trusted ally
Baked beans almost sent the ship to Shanghai
And John was blamed for the lights in the sky
While a visit to Fatima and her hose went awry
A Mah Jang board was required to buy
With underwear on the floor Heidi would just sigh
An extra Thursday John couldn’t even buy
And during an interview with Cleese he wasn’t shy
Since rarely we’ve found John truly tongue-tied
Now he’s leaving the ship on a Million Slap high
That’s why we’re sad to say Bon Voyage and a sad Goodbye……
John, I told you a long time ago to warn us to swallow our coffee and go to the bathroom before we read any further. Well you didn’t. Dang I sure wish you did so does my computer. That is for sure a page for you to put in your book.
I’m glad we all know what a TAMPAX is now.
“BIG” ED
88 DAYS LETS GET READY TO PARTY
If your going on the BLOGGERS CRUISE and want to be in on the party get on the ROLL CALL AT;
http://ekonefe.wordpress.com/2007/08/07/bloggers-cruise-roll-call/
jtoddinman
You have outdone yourself with that poem
well done!
AND I LOVED THE LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE JOHN
THAT WAS PRICELESS!
John,
A million thanks.
Love,
Kathie
Good morning Mr. Heald. It’s amazing the stupidity of two 70 year old men acting as they did. When people go on a cruise, I think it is to rest and enjoy their vacation not to fight with each other. I can see why you really need a vacation. I began reading your blog in March and your words and feelings have given me the opportunity to enjoy you as a cruise director, writer and new friend. It is now at the end of October with your rest and vacation present, I can only say thank you. I hope that Alan consistly improves after his operation. Be careful for siezures as I had after my brain operations. Medication will control them but getting the first one may scare everyone. My doctors told me when an operation into the brain can cause the seizures. Hopefully Alan will not have them but if so they can be taken care of. My meds have taken care of them for now. I’m so glad he is doing well. I heart goes to him. I’ll continue to pray for him and his success. Mr. Heald & Heidi, I hope that you both enjoy the needed vacation. Ciao for now.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Congrats – Looking forward to the NEXT million
Hi John
You asked about homeschooling, and it is not invading anything, I enjoy sharing as many do not know much about it at all. First we are registered with a school who keep our grades on recored and help when we need it, this is what the State of Florida requires. We have chosen a computer course, Switched-On Schoolhouse® (SOS) by Alpha Omega Publications®. This has all the work already made in subjects: Bible, History and Geography, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science (including experiments to do at home) and for the 9th grade we also have Consummer math and High School Health. The program help me to set up the year and does most of the grading for me, of with I can change (if needed) or send back the work if they need to work on it agan. I have 2 boys one in 6th and the other in 9th (first year of high school). I also have physical ed. timed out too.
they both make over 90% in their average grades in all subjects.
This is our 3rd year doing this, before that they went to a church school. We have chosen this because the level of education is higher as well as a safer place to learn. We are active in our church and the boys have lots of activites and youth outing so we are not conserned with the lack of interaction, most of the children we know are home schooled and we keep in touch and have activites with the other homeschoolers.
I do most of the overseeeing (Kevin play more of Princable) and it is still a full time job to keep them working and helping with what thye need. What helps most is both my boys like to learn. (they won’t admith that)
one of the things I do whils I am between helping and checking the grading is reading the Blog Thingy, thanks for the laughs and this is been a great help in planining for what will soon be our next cruise, right now it is just a matter of when…
and I know I have been slow but had tech issues, I have almost all the pictures at my flickr (a photo hosting site) and will post the link soon. Will let you (all) know. I got some great pictures of WeeJimmy, he ain’t as weee as he once was…. lol
Best to you both
Heidi-Beth
Hi John,
I can’t believe how juvenile some adults can be. I don’t see anything wrong with holding your spouse/partners seat for them but any more than that is unfair to the other guests. Especially if you have 200 people that want that 3rd row. You really deserve a vacation for having to deal with people like that as well as Mrs. Weather Channel and Mrs. Mah Jong and a few others!
It was so nice to read that Alan is able to recuperate at home now. I’m sure that’s a relief in many ways for Alison. Although, a lot of work for her, still a relief. And much more comfortable for Alan. Having his family and friends around will help him get better that much faster. He is still in our prayers and our thoughts!
Tell Stephanie Hello! Will she be on the Bloggers cruise too? It would be nice to see her again.
Bear Hugs to you and Heidi!!!
Hello John/Heidi:
Can’t believe that vacation is almost here…
I hope things are going ok for Alan. I will be thinking of him over the next few weeks as he prepares for Star Wars/Trek Gamma Ray therapy.
I am impressed at how you handled the seat-saving fight, but some things never change and I guess you really can’t be surprised. A real shame if you ask me.
Hope you have a good day and thinking of you.
David
The Yaris is a pretty sweet car. I have seen a few on the road, and I think you will really enjoy it (even though its not quite on the same level as your beloved Aston).
TKO !
That’s it…a Boxing Ring ! Everybody can take out their frustrations ! Perfect! I got shoved out of the way on our last excursion going into the showroom to get our bus number. She was in her
70’s come to think of it!!! OUCH !
Kathy and Paul
John,
I don’t know if you will blog anymore before you leave, but if you don’t, as usual, you got us laughing. (Great thing, because that burns calories, and I can certainly use all the help I can get!) I can tell by the look on your face in the picture with Stephanie that all her begging for you to not go on vacation did no good. By the way, I forgot to mention to Heidi what a cute picture of her that was of her standing by the front of the ship. Pack light our friends and we will catch up with you soon! Sheryl
Hi Everyone, When I read all the comments I feel like I know you all, Heidi-Beth, Kevin, Big Ed, Greg B., Jtoddinman, and even Paul Pietrangelo. To Paul: You sound like such a nice man-ITALIAN right? I am Italian too, and love to read your comments each day. To Kevin-have you heard anything from CCL on the job you applied for? Jtoddinman-love your poems, Big ED, you are priceless – what more can I say, I HOPE to someday meet you on a Carnival cruise, maybe a 2nd bloggers cruise? Heidi-Beth, I live in Central Florida (not far from Port Canaveral) and home schooling is very popular here too. Excellent choice and you are so right, the home-schooled are not deprived in anyway of outside activities. To my dear friend John- you and Heidi are SO GOOD together, it is a match made in Heaven! I wish you a Bon Voyage, and a Happy time off, again our prayers are continuing for Alan and please keep us informed of his progress. You are such a GREAT friend to him! I will be most happy to learn you received our package to you. Another will go out for Christmas, as soon as we get back from our cruise. I am so looking forward to it. I found out today that the Kidney Infection I have is bacterial, and will follow up with my doctor next week, to see if any further treatment is going to be necessary, but I am so geared for this vacation on the new and beautiful Freedom, I will continually have a SMILE on my face walking around the ship because I will know that YOU had been on this beautiful LADY for the past 8 months! Godspeed to you both, can’t wait to meet Heidi in the future, hopefully on the 2nd bloggers cruise. HOPE you can find out when that will be when you attend your meeting in Miami soon. Can’t wait till you start answering blogger inquiries again, as I miss hearing from you! Your friends forever, Linda & Mike
Oh man, lucky the two gents didn’t have napkins to toss…it might have been a free for all. Between these two and Mrs. Weatherchannel its a wonder you haven’t jumped ship and started to swim home! Finally, I am really disappointed to learn you and Carnival cannot control the weather. I was so hoping to order my weather with my room service each morning.
So glad to hear Alan is home and that you will be with him as he begins the road back to wellness. I’m sure that will make the challenges he will face much more manageable.
Rest well friend,
Barb
John -
I am absolutely, 100 percent certain that I was the one millionth visitor to this blog – what is my prize?
Personally, I prefer Ferrari’s, but I will settle for a Spa Suite on the maiden voyage of the Carnival Splendor
Hip Hip Horray
It is a wonderful day
The one millionth slap
It just took a snap
For a wonderful guy
With a wife who is sly
When it comes to his skivvies
They’ll be gone next in Civi
One wonders what he’ll wear
Forget it – I’ not going there.
See you in FIVE days,
Really Lookingforwardtothenearlysmokefreecarnivalfreedom
John,
Congrats on 1 million!
Clair
John,
Congrats on hitting one million!
Enjoy the work trip at Miami; I’m only hours away from you! I could say “hi,” but I have no car at the moment…
Cheers.
I was wondering if Alan would have the benefit of the gamma knife. It’s state of the art. He’s obviously in very good hands.
See you very soon.
Good morning Oct. 24th Mr. Heald. As you have already seen, I wrote a post earlier. I forgot one other thing. If possible, could you please send me a picture of you and Heidi with the Freedom. Since you won’t be on the ship when I’m on my cruise I would still like to have a photo of you both. I’ll send my address to the Miami address you gave. Thank you.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Hi John & Heidi,
This time I raised my diet pepsi in a toast as requested – to you and all the Bloggers out there. And no harm came to my computer.
Ah, dear John – they’re all out to get you – this last trip is really getting to be memorable. For Xmas I’m going to get you a weather crystal ball so you’ll be able to predict the weather for all future cruises and post the forecast weeks before so people can pack accordingly (sure they will!!!). Maybe another suggestion to put in the welcome aboard packet – advice to do research on ports of call before you cruise!
And for Messrs de la Hoya and Tyson – they probably acted more like children than adults -shame on them.
Linda H – Please feel well. Maybe we can meet on the 2nd bloggers cruise too (whenever and wherever that will be).
So I’m catching up on your blog thingy. One left.
Regards,
Carol
John,
Have a good time on vacation in Miami. It seems as though “De La Hoya” as you refer to him was right and “Tyson” is lucky that he did not start his little match thingy in the US or he would be the next Energizer bunny (what with the battery). Again, have a good time and don’t get shot in Miami (make sure you stick to the good neighborhoods).
Peace,
Mike L (AKA BigMike)