Where do I start?
You know, a lot of people say to me how amazed they are that I can think of things to write about on the many blogs I have slapped on since the middle of March.
Honestly, that has never been a problem and I have never really had a moment when I cannot think of anything to write…………………until now.
This will be my last blog from the Carnival Freedom until my return in January. The blog will continue as I will tell you all about in a minute but today, the words are just not flowing ……………..I have blog constipation.
What I can tell you is that Todd Wittmer arrived today in a very cold Barcelona and he is the exact opposite of me………I don’t just mean he is ugly and I am not………………no…………I mean that he has the energy of a barrel of Red Bull while I………..well…………….look and feel………… like a barrel of ……….well, just the barrel actually.
Todd is a great guy and has some wonderful ideas for the crossing and beyond and tomorrow I will be spending the day going over everything with him. This means that he will be using the computer all day and hence………the last blog.
There will be constant blogs from home. What format they will take?….I haven’t a clue and who knows, maybe people won’t want to read them when I am off the vessel. One thing is for sure, I will keep you all updated on what is happening in the fleet as well as what Heidi and I are doing, etc. There will be guest interviews and apart from that…………there may be the odd blog about what I had for dinner and if I actually moved from in front of the television.
I will write a blog when I first get home and, of course, keep you all updated as to what happens at the coming Miami conference.
Thank you all for your comments and answers especially on the “anytime dining” issue. I have no idea if Carnival will ever consider changing but if they are they now have a basis on which to make their decision. Reading the comments I would say opinion is divided………..having never experienced anytime dining for myself I cannot comment but if it means you can go anytime ……meaning as many times a night as you want……….meaning more chances to eat……then I vote YES.
Now, please note the address of the blog thingy has changed. To make it easier for everyone, the Interactive Marketing Team has set up a new web address thingy that’s easy to remember and you can share with your friends, use www.johnhealdsblog.com …… thanks team, this is excellent and I am very grateful. Look out for a quick blog on Oct. 29 or 30 from home.
I am going to finish now, I could waffle on for ages about guests saying this and that and the weather and hats and me being in the doghouse again but I am delaying the inevitable.
The last 9 months have been some of the most rewarding of my career. The crew of the Carnival Freedom has performed magnificently and I am so proud to have been part of the beginning of this amazing ship’s life.
There have been the occasional guest who has ……….well………….you know provided me with great subject matter……….but 99.9% have walked off the gangway with happy memories of a great ship, brilliant crew and a true realization of why Carnival is The World’s Most Popular Cruise Line.
Then, there is the blog……………I have tried to share each experience with you………..the good, the bad and the ugly. Some of you have been with me from the start and a special thank you goes to each and every one of you. Then, to everyone who may have clicked on this blog thingy …………….thank you for taking your valuable time to do so…………..one million times!
This is not the end. It is just a new chapter of blog thingies and I hope that as and when I slap on a posting that some of you will take the time once again to read my humble musings about life, fun, friendship and this wonderful world of cruising.
We remain…………your friends……..always.
John and Heidi
Filed under: Catherine Zeta Jones, Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Splendor Godmother, Tales from the Ship
JOHN see my words to you on my blog.
http://ekonefe.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/enjoy-your-vacation-john-and-heidi/
“BIG: ED
John/Heidi:
Travel safely and have an amazing vacation.
Thank you for everything that you do since you have provided me (and everyone else) countless hours of enjoyment from your rants, raves, pictures, comments, etc.
I don’t know what a day would be like if I didn’t type in your blog address, and it will be weird not to see posts everyday.
Talk to you on vacation and when you get back…
Have a great time!
David
WE MUST KNOW IF HEIDI GOT HER COAT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a wonderful vacation! Send pictures of Heidi in her hat.
Hugs,
Julie Gantt
John,
Enjoy that holiday…lord knows you have earned it. I remember the feeling of walking down the gangway when a contract was done, and settling into the seat of the airplane, secure in the knowledge that they couldn’t get to me to extend me for just “one more cruise”.
It has been a treat reading your blog as often as internet at sea permits, and I’m glad that we’ve got back in touch. (Now if I could just get Boyd to do the same)
I look forward to reading your blogs in the future, and who knows, even seeing you in a port one day. Say, if you ever need a Hawaiian style band, keep us in mind. We’re all part of the Carnival family, right? Much respect and admiration from the Diamond Princess, and get rested and stay well.
Aloha,
Dave Soreff
As a original blogger from the beginning- I will add the new address to “My Favorites”
Have a great and well deserved vacation and I look forward to your “vacation” blogs, as do 1,000,000 others !!
Did Heidi get her coat back- it must be the question of the day
Blog soon……
John and Heidi,
What can I say? I along with many others will miss the daily log-ins, laughs,amazements at the world’s stupid people, and the tears, which today’s blog brought. It’s sad to think that something we all take for granted, ( a smile, laugh, etc. thru the blog), will be taking a long and well deserved siesta! I look forward to your stories from home, updates on Alan, pictures of Heidi in her new hat, pictures of your new Aston Martin (courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines of course), reports on the Miami meeting, etc. It will be strange to not have your wonderful sense of humor to enliven my work day. (Since I work 7 days a week, you can rest assured that I will really miss yours, and Heidi’s, blog highlights.) Travel safe and we will catch up with you whenever you have time to brighten our days!!! All the best to you both! Sheryl
JOHN & HEIDI Have a great vacation. The Red Sox are 3 wins away from being the world champions in baseball. See you in Jan. The Bears Carl & Barb
John,
We just found you in July, but you have become an intricate part of my life and also the life of hubby. You have gotten us through some difficult times. The sunset pictures got me through a very stressful situation on one of the most difficult days I have ever encountered about three weeks ago. We will miss you, but you need a break. Please keep us informed about what is happening especially as you get info about the Splendor. I can not wait to board that vessel on its maiden voyage. I keep telling hubby to delete all the stressful stuff and focus on the Splendor.
Your blogs will not be boring because we have truly become a family. We want to know what is going on with the two of you. More importantly, we want to know how things are going with Alan.
I am wishing for the two of you a safe journey home. Spend quality time together and with your friends and family. Just as our time on the ship is a time of making memories for us; so this will also be a time of making memories for the two of you!
It is time to wind this up and wish you both Godspeed, my friends! Let us hear from you soon!
Just a quick note…
Thank you, John, Heidi and Roberto and Godspeed to you all.
See y’all on the other side.
Adiós, for now!
Greg
Thank you for all of the hard work you have put in. It is very special to all of us. Looking forward to reading your posts from home.
Have a very safe and wonderful well deserved vacation!
Thank you so much for taking time our of your very busy lives to make the past nine months very enjoyable for all of us bloggers.
Kellie
Have a great vacation!
You deserve it, that’s for sure.
Chuck
Thanks for all you do,we will miss you guys.
drink a pint for us, we send best wishes to Alan.
Enjoy yourselfs,,,be safe.
aston martin wishes
tom and jane
I feel like I am saying goodbye forever, but I know that isn’t so, as I am sure you will write when you have the time. God Bless you both, and Godspeed! Your friends forever, Mike & Linda
John and Heidi, enjoy every minute of your well deserved vacation. I have enjoyed all the photos, jokes and updates, especially about the Splendor. I cant wait to sail on her in July and again next Feb. If we are very lucky we will have you both with us. The cruise I sailed on with you last year was the most enjoyable is my long cruising history
John and Heidi,
Thank you for every single one of your blogs. I started reading when you first started and you’ve made my day many a day. I get withdrawal pangs whenever I’m unable to keep up with your postings! Now that you’ll be on holiday I’ll have withdrawal pangs of a different sort.
John,
Have a terrific holiday, relax, watch the ROCKIES win the World Series, make Alan laugh so hard he has to have stitches put in new places, tell Heidi her hat is the best ever (no matter what you really think), and most of all don’t “prang” the new Aston Martin.
Heidi,
The hat will be gorgeous and all the other ladies in attendance will look quite a sorry state next to you.
Fair winds and calm seas to you both.
Anne E.
Bon voyage John and Heidi, the best of everything for your time with family and friends. I look forward to reading your blogs, land or sea, I enjoy your perspective on life, your sense of humor, your observations on the human condition. Heidi, good luck on finding the right hat…I totally understand this! Please give my regards to Alan, best wishes on his continuing medical journey. I’ll be here, reading and cheering you on!
If the “Anytime Dining” question is split down the middle, why not have it in one dining room and traditional style in the other? This way people have a choice what they want. You get the best if both worlds.
We are looking forward to your entries from home. Godspeed.
I know you won’t be able to stand it! You’ll be on the computer blogging from your chair in the back of the room in Miami. There’s an idea! You can type away and fill us in on whatever’s going on in there. That way, you’d be taking notes and sharing info without double input, thereby saving your fingers excess work.
Do share your holiday with us if you can find the time. Especially when Christmas draws near. I’d love to hear about Mum’s Christmas day dinner and your decorations. Will Alan and his family be with you and Heidi perhaps? Will there be snow in London?
Just be safe, you two, and rest!
Best Wishes as always,
Myra
Good evening Mr. Heald and Heidi. I’m finding it a little difficult putting together my words tonight. I know it’s not forever, but it feels like it. I began reading about you & the blog way back in March. Little did I know that a person called John Heald would be so close to my life and I’ve never met the man. I’ve written so many personal things to you Mr. Heald and it felt so good doing it. You have the power of words but also your power of commitment and caring about others has been amazing to witness. I thank you for allowing me to be part of your fantastic blog. We will see you again soon after you & Heidi have a joyous vacation with family and friends ( Alan ).
I wonder if I could ask you one last thing. Could you send me a photo of you and Heidi on the Freedom since you won’t be there when I arrive on my cruise ( Feb. 2 ). I will send you my address to Miami with the address you’ve given earlier. Finally my friend, CIAO.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Dear John and Heidi,
May you have fair winds and following seas on your break from the ship. Thank you so much for all of the entertainment that you have given us. I like the fact that you do have a balanced blog- it is not all positive, upbeat- but the majority of it is- just like life. I hope reading about some of the difficult passengers makes us more aware that your job is not just fun and games- but a balancing act. Sending hugs to Alan and his family- along with many prayers for his upcoming treatments.
Deby
Have a wonderful and restful vacation…..and buy Heidi which ever hat she chooses! I look forward to hearing of your adventures from home.
John -
At least one of your blogs from Miami must include a picture of you and Roberto together – preferably NOT in thongs
It is sad that this era of your life is ending, but a new era is beginning. You get to spend some time with the beautiful Heidi, perhaps even figuring out how to avoid the canine abode, as well as be the proverbial fly on the wall for a very important meeting of the Carnival big wigs [btw - is PA 007 attending as well? If you tell me, will he have to kill my internet access?
]
I honestly believe that you should look at this meeting in Miami as an opportunity to set yourself up for your future with Carnival. As I said before, the EVP of Guest Relations clearly needs staff – create your own job, and the Aston Martin shall follow.
See you in less than 72 hours.
Jon
John and Heidi,
Parting is such sweet sorrow. No one deserves a vacation more than you two. Enjoy your time off because it will be a long time before you get off again. Keep us updated on Alan and let us know if his treatments also improve his looks. Heidi will be beautiful no matter what she wears, but she deserves ANY hat she wants. The best news you could give us when you return would be Alan’s complete recovery and that Heidi is pregnant.
Godspeed to you both. We love you and will miss you.
Sharon
Go Cowboys!!
john,
have a great vacation you diserve it
John & Heidi,
You will be missed…but we will see you soon.
Be safe, have fun, relax and tell Alan he is in our prayers as are you both!
Champange wishes, caviar dreams and Aston Martin driving!
Lisa and Elaine
Well mates another chapter ends but life does goes on. Thank you Heidi and John for give us so much since March. I didnt post much on blog because if I had anything to said I said it direct to my dear friends with emails and a few phones. I type this with tears in my eyes knowing it will not be the same day in and day out without this blog daily, but I will be counting the days until we meet again in January. I love you guys, you are the best husband and wife cruise director and asst cd in the world. Todd has big footsteps to follow on the freedom but we wish him well. Thanks a millon times and always remember you will never walk along. Robert Aka: Willy Banger/Dick Wooden.
ps have a great vacation and we wish allen the best. robert/suzann
John,
Hope you enjoyed that email I sent to you via roberto. I found it funny, Have a great trip home, Did Heidi ever get her coat back ? Best to alan
Mr. Aston Martin
Kevin
John,
Carla
Have a safe trip. I look forward to reading the blog about your dinner.
John and Heidi
I am sitting here with a glass of my favorite wine, and toasting you both. (and in case you were worried, it is 8 pm here in Wisconsin
) Thank you, Thank you, Thank you,! You have provided me laughs and reminders each day of the beauty of life. Somehow, on the days I needed to laugh, your blog gave me that. On other days when I needed to be reminded my problems are not that big, your blog gave me that too.
Have a truly relaxing and enjoyable time at home with your family and friends. Also, my best to Alan and his family.
Thank you for the daily dose of laughter and peek in the Life of a Cruise Director and his wife.
My family and I cruised with you back in June of this year and heard about your Blog. Been reading every since! You and your wife are wonderful people, work extremely hard and deserve a BREAK! Enjoy!
Yes, we will miss you guys…HAVE FUN AND RELAX!
Mona
John and heidi, I am looking forward to hearing from you from England. Have a great vacation. You two deserve it.
Jennifer and Danny and Flat Joey too.
John and Heidi, have a great vacation. You two deserve it. Can’t wait to hear about it.
Jennifer and Danny and Flat Joey too.
Only posted once (we’re the Disney kids), had too much fun reading your thoughts, experiences, musings, etc.
BUT every day or evening meant clicking and hoping there would be a new post. Office is right off the living room and when I would burst out laughing Michael would ask, “Are you reading John?” Spot on I was and I savoured every word.
Warmest wishes to you both dear ones. Big hugs and hopes for a wonderful rest and hopes that all good things come your way.
You are a treasure. Period. And you will be missed beyond any reasonable description. Enjoy your time but hurry back to us.
Hi John and Heidi,
I’m sad but happy too. I want you guys to have a wonderful vacation and get lots of rest. I’ll look for any blog you want to write. I’ve been doing the blog thingy since May and I love every minute of it. Thanks John and Heidi for sharing so much of your life with us. Please let us know how Alan is doing. I hope to visit with you in Feb. Until the next blog thingy, big hugs to you.
Leasa
Safe journey home.
All the best to Alan…………swift recovery ahead.
We all look forward to your return and chapter two of the blog………….the return of John and Heidi.
Stay tuned for more fun on the open seas!!
Your friends in Canada,
B&D
PS………….HI to Todd from his friends on the LIBERTY Brad and Donna from the Newlywed game! Great job Todd…………..keep it up on the FREEDOM.
Smooth sailing everyone!
Look what you have given birth to in 9 month’s ! And Angelina thought she had the market on international babies! Safe home!
Love,
Kathie
John and Heidi
Enjoy your well deserved vacation.
Jeanne and I loved our time with you on Liberty in 2006 and our 2007 voyage on Freedom was excellent.We will see you on Splender in August of 2008. Your the Best!
Regards
Ray and Jeanne
P.S. I see an Austin Martin in your Future.
Dear John & Heidi: Have a wonderful well-deserved vacation. We will truly miss you. Logging on to your blog has become a way of life for me, the first thing I do everyday. Alan wil remain in my prayers and I know he is looking forward to having you with him. So long for now.
Have a great vacation John & Heidi. We will wait patiently to hear from you as you have the time to blog for us. We will be waiting for news of Alan, pictures of Heidi’s hat, wondering if Heidi got her coat back from Mrs. Weatherchannel…so much more! Keep us updated on the vacation and what future plans will be.
Thank you for making us all a part of your lives. We hope it continues for a long time!
Karen
John and Heidi,
I may be alittle late but I just want to wish you both well on your vacation and say Greetings from Iraq!! I just arrived back from a one week trip to Germany and was able to see family I knew and met some that I did not know. I had a Great time and then ended my vacation with a week in Dubai. As you know that is one of my favorite places to get rest and buy things that I need in Iraq. Then it was back to work. I will go to America at the end of December for 14 days and then spend 7 in Dubia once again. Well I will stop for now. I hope to see you both soon and I am palnning a cruise in May of the Greek Islands. I will be asking about that later and will be going with the fun ship Carnival again. I hope that you both enjoy your well deserved break and do what you want and enjoy yourselves more than anything.
God Bless you both,
James
G, DAY JOHN & HEIDI
HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY ALL THE BEST FOR THE FUTURE…MISS YOU NEXT OCT ON THE FREEDOM XX
John & Heidi, Thanks for the memories! We have been reading from the beginning in March and will miss you while you are gone. You can count us among the 99.9% of the happy cruisers. ( we were on the Freedom in June ) Give our best wishes to your family and friend Alan. Have a Great vacation! Mark & Shelly
I am also one of the original bloggers as I’m on carnival’s website everyday dreaming of my next cruise…..not booked yet. You and Heidi are going to have a big adjustment after being on the freedom all those months. You certainly deserve this vacation and I hope you enjoy it. The best news we could get from you in the coming months is that Heidi is pregnant and that Alan has had a complete recovery from his surgeries.
God Bless and take care……keep in touch.
Have a great vacation!!! Congrats on such a successful 9 months on the Freedom and on the World Wide Web Thingy. ~ Rich
my blog @ http://www.cruisesource.us
John and Heidi,
Have a safe trip and a wonderful vacation.
So glad to hear that Alan is doing better. Take good care of him and each other.
Although we are looking forward to your vacation blogs, please don’t let this blog interfere with your need to relax and get away. If you find that it is, let us know, we will understand and we will be here when you return in January.
Again, all the best to you both. Have fun!
Have a great vacation. Enjoy your time off and enjoy spending time with each other and with family and friends.
Praying that Alan continues to heal. Keep us posted on his recovery.
Thanks to everyone at Carnival who helps to make this blog successful.
Be safe and careful. Have a great day and a great vacation.
“This is not the end.” I’m going to hold you to that statement, as a tear slowly rolls down my face I want to thank you for being you. Hedi, thanks for sharing him, and you can let him out of the doghouse now.
I will be looking for news about Alan. He will be in all our prayers along with you and Hedi.
You sir, are one of a kind, they broke the mold when they made you.
Hedi, if you have time, would love to see some of your pictures from home on the blog.
I dont’ want to end this blog, but I must…
Godspeed
your friends always,
Susan and Mr. Cheap
John & Heidi,
It’s an emotional time right now for both of you and also for all of your blogging family, you both will be missed allot…but we will see you soon.
Be safe, have fun, relax and tell Alan he is in our prayers as are you both!
Hi John and Heidi, I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep so here I am again on my computer. I miss you already. Have a wonderful time on your vacation. I hope you have Thursday every day of the week.
Jo
Hi John and Heidi
Have a great time back in Blighty. Make sure to give your Mum and Dad a big hug when you see them. Best wishes to Alan and his family. Have you every wondered how may people from how many countries read your blog thingy? This one is from an ex-pat pom living in Melbourne Australia.
We all need times of renewal. That is the way God made us. While I will miss checking out the blog thingy daily, I will enjoy knowing that you are being rejuvenated. Emjoy some time with the lovely Heidi and your family. Take lots of pictures. We’ll see you around the next bend – or swell. Our best to you all and Alan remains in our prayers. Write only when you can!!!
Thanks for all of the time you took to share with us…can’t wait to learn the fate of the dining room controversy, if Heidi got her coat back, and whats new with Carnival.
Here’s to you and Heidi and many stress free hours in front of the tv!
John, wow am I lucky I got to meet you before you before you….well. I was on the Freedom on Oct. 4th saling and saying we( my wife Debby) and I had a great time, and this was your fault, thanks. I finaly met you in person when we were at the captains reception, we said hi, and you introduced us to Heidi she took our pictures together, for as great of a time we had, I looked forward to that the most. My wife is the literate one and wrote you on the ship and you read our letter on your show, our 15 minutes of fame. On the ship we ate well, almost too well, had the porterhouse at the supper club, your suggestion, and we were so lucky to have tablemates for our dinner that we became such close friends that we seemed the last ones out of the dining room almost every night, ok, meaby you did not have anything to do with that but I blame you agian for that, thanks.We had a wonderfull time at the ports, but if we were on the ship instead we would have had a great time also, I think that this was your fault, thanks agian.On the anytime dining I think some nights we needed to eat earlier than the 8:30 dinner time, so I am for it. Also thanks for the champagne and picture, but I would have likes your face near the ship, hey I am big and ugly like you, we could have been twin sons of different mothers. I will keep reading your blog, even on land you are an interesting man and you need some rest. I hope all goes well with Allen and you made a friend of us.
Thanks,
Mauro Moscardino
We won’t say ‘goodbye’….we will simply say
“until next time” !!
Safe travels…..
Dear John,
Greetings from “Podunk” (Hancock), MD!
I just love writing ‘Dear John’ letters.
You truely are “one of a kind”. Thanks for making our Sept/Oct Mediterranean Cruise a wonderful experience. Never have we had a Cruise Director like you, and honestly don’t expect too again. There’s not another like you.
My tears today are a little different. Usually, I am wiping my eyes while I belly laugh at something you have ‘blogged’. Strange how someone becomes a part of your life after so little contact, but insite into their lives comes from their openess and caring spirit revealed in this ‘thingy’.
Have a great vacation. Get the much needed rest, and ‘blog’ every chance you get, else we will all miss you terribly.
All my best wishes to Heidi and to Alan.
See you later (not Good-bye)!
Vickie Q
John,
Thanks for the humor. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of cruising from your side of the mirror.
And thanks for sharing Heidi/John moments. It goes to show that all of us are more alike then we realize.
Have a great vacation! Enjoy your time in front of the TV. And let Heidi get whatever hat she wants!
Kathy
Dear John and Heidi,
Thank you both for the time and energy you have devoted to this blog thingy – - as if you didn’t have a few other duties to attend to each day!
I have looked forward each day to the stories – - humorous, sad, touching, uplifting – - that you’ve shared with us.
Your rest and relaxation are to be foremost during your vacation, so keep the blog going at a more relaxed pace also. We will all understand if it isn’t a daily thingy. I will keep Alan in my prayers and I know you will take good care of him during his treatments and recovery.
See you Sunday before you fly away.
Sue
Enjoy your holiday & travel safe.
Enjoy your vacation ! Have loved the blog thingy–you]ve made me laugh and cry both.
Hope to see you and Heidi in the near future !
John and Heidi, We wish you well on your well deserved vacation. You both certainly gave us the most wonderful and memorable vacation ever. Whenever I talk about my vacation to this day people say I beam and it’s all thanks to Carnival and the crew on the Freedom. Please keep us informed on Alan. Hope you get to extend your Thursday nights to more than one night a week. I just talked to my son who is stationed in Iraq and he says when he comes home he would like for us all to go on a cruise since that’s all John and I talk about. Heidi, your hat will be perfect in every way. Even without one you will be the most beautiful one there. Thanks for all you do and please get some rest – both of you!
John and Leona(Mt. Holly)
I keep re-opening your blog, just in case you decided to write to us one more time–Greedy, yes I am! I think you need to tell yours and Heidi’s parents that because of this blog you have over a million new immediate family members and that they need to rent a hall because we can’t imagine spending the holidays without you! Tell them not to worry, we’ll all bring pot luck! Seriously, with tears in my eyes I wish you wonderful holidays and quality time with family and of course, dear friends like Alan and all the others who are fortunate enough to be close to you two! We are all so lucky to have had you come into our lives! Looking forward to your first blog from home! Sheryl
[...] Farewell Message from John Heald All Good Things Jump to Comments Where do I start? You know, a lot of people say to me how amazed they are that I can think of [...]
John -
By the time you read this post, I expect that we will have said our hellos and goodbyes.
I want you to know that, since the day I discovered this blog thingy, reading this blog has been my favourite (spelled wrong) thing to do when I get home after greeting my wife, daughter and the pets.
Your colourful (who taught you to spell this way anyway) descriptions of life on board ship and the characters that you meet have raised my spirits.
I know that you have your own life to leave and I wish you the best – take advantage of your time off. I know you enjoy this blog, but don’t spend too much time updating us on your escapades.
Do, however, keep us apprised of the beautification (I’m sorry, rehabilitation) of Alan. Know that we all consider him and his family in our thoughts and prayers. I will be certain to say a prayer for him while in the Vatican on Monday.
TA minus 36 hours.
Jon
Like Sheryl Pelton I too can’t help but check out the blog each day, morning, noon and night, hoping for something……. But it is nice to read other bloggers comments. At least we can all still write and read each others blog comments, that is nice, but I miss you already! I feel like I lost my bestest friend in the whole world with you two gone now. Looking forward to your next blog, whenever it is. God Love you both! Linda & Mike
John and Heidi,
Have a wonderful, well-deserved vacation. Hopefully you enjoy your vacation as much as we enjoyed ours on the Carnival Freedom.
All the best.
John and Michele Lewis
John,
Have a safe trip back to England, and to the conference in Miami! Looking forward to the entires from home.
John, You and Heidi have a GREAT holiday…You both deserve it….
Be safe on your travels….
We’ll keep reading
FrankC & Jennifer
New Orleans
Carnival Splendor
8/30/08
Same Cabin as the Freedom!
John,
Thank you for a great season of reading the blog and entertainment while I was on the Freedom. Enjoy your time off – you deserve it!! When you get to those meetings in Miami, could you do us Canadians a favour and ask those mucky mucks to start shipping the Carnivalcomfortcollection internationally!!??
All the best to you, Heidi, your family & prayers for Alan.
John when are you and Hedi due to be back on the Freedom after your holidays. We are due to sail on her on Jan. 5/08
WE’LL MISS YOU JOHN & HEIDI!!!!
Enjoy your time off (well deserved!!!) And thanks for all your help with my own group on the Freedom this past week, you are an amazingggggggggg cruise director.
Happy Travels,
EsmeeK
hi
john
do you have “google earth” on your computer?
if so go to “long beach california”scroll
in and check out the QUEEN MARY 2,they got all kinds of cool pics
regards
tom & jane
Ta Ta For Now!!
Have a great vacation ! Looking forward to seeing you and Heidi once again in July for the Inaugural Cruise of The Splendor.
We’ve resolved most of the issue’s we had. Nancy in Air and Sea found us a decent deal on Business Class Air, booked the Pre and Post Hotel packages in London and we are already packed……..naw, just kidding! I’ll start packing in June!!
Bye for now,
Kathy and Paul
Hey John!
Here’s proof that the Freedom is still floating without you!
I am aboard the Wind Surf and I took this picture of the Freedom as I left Livorno this evening.
http://www.expertcruiser.com/wp-content/uploads/carnivalfreelivorno.jpg
Seems Todd is playing “Under the Tuscan Sun”…again.
Look forward to the blogs and best of all seeing you in January!
Fondly,
Anita
John,
What an amazing thing you’ve done! Your “little” blog thingy has had over 100,00,000 slaps (that’s GOT to leave a mark!) and you’ve won an industry award for what you do. Just by reading all of the posts from your group, it shows us how you have touched so many people in so many ways. What an amazing ride for you and Heidi!
We wish you well on your MUCH deserved vacation! We will check in from time-to-time. We are sooooooooo looking forward to our Blogger’s Cruise this January! Can’t wait to see you both, as well as all of the other blogger’s!
Bon Voyage!
Tom and Jane,
I did that google earth thing you suggested and looked at the pictures of the Queen. Awsome. I was wondering if you have any idea what that small wall in the water surrounding the area the ship is? How did the ship get in there? My inquiring mind wants to know.
Thanks,
Julie julkg@yahoo.com
JOHN, THE RED SOX ATR ONE GAME AWAY FROM BEING THE WORLD CHAMPS
For Darryl: John will not be back on the Freedom, when he returns on 1/12/08 he will be hopping around from ship to ship till the Inaugural of the Splendor, other than his bloggers cruise on the Freedom that is.
Roberto, keep us informed on John & Heidi till he can blog again, if you can. How did the meeting in Miami go? Did John get his Aston Martin, he so deserves it! ha!
I have been reading this blog thingy since day one. It did take me a couple of weeks to get up the nerve to actually type a message though. It made me nervous about typing these messages to total strangers. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is, that I felt I knew John and Heidi and bloggers well before I ever met them on my sailing (8/17). I have wonderful memories from my trip. Tomorrow starts a new chapter for Carnival Freedom as she leaves Roma and begins the TA sailing.
I have the new Carnival book although booking another cruise seems like more of a stretch than the length of Freedom at this point. A girl can dream … right?
I have been reading a bit about a Cruise to Nowhere. What a novel concept. Has anyone out there in blog land done one? I see 2 scheduled – 1 from New York and 1 from Norfolk, Virginia. I am in Ontario, Canada so driving to the pier is a possibility. I would love to hear from anyone who has been on one or knows of someone who has.
SewingNut
Dear John & Heidi,
I know it’s not really goodbye, but I feel like you’re a part of my family. Maybe I go back the longest knowing you (sort of). Todd has some really great shoes to fill. Just keep us up-to-date on Alan’s progress. And I don’t care if you just post what you ate for lunch – I’ll read it, as I’m sure all the other bloggers will too.
Heidi, did you get your coat back?
So, not goodbye, but so long for a while. Safe trip home & to Miami.
Hugs always,
Carol
SewingNut
Go to any comment in here by “KEVIN” and click on his name to go to his blog. He just did a two part post on a cruise to nowhere.
“BIG” ED
JOHN. THE BOSTON RED SOX ARE THE WORLD CHAMPS, THEY SWEEPED THE ROCKIES
Good news! I just went to my local market and they now carry spotted dick! I no longer have to drive three hours to get some. (grin)
Enjoy your trip home. Hope it is enjoyable and uneventful (if you catch my drift). I know how it feels to finally come “home.”
Just got home last night from about a month away and will probably head on out…Family illness issues, funerals, and all. I’m ready to stay home long enough to do a good autumn cleaning. But then in January it’s off again for the cruise, and possibly an out-of-town job. Maybe I’ll shoot for Christmas at home…ya think?
That being said…I hope y’all (that’s southern for you and Heidi) have a fantastic and happy homecoming. Enjoy the time together and the break from the boat. You’ve worked extremely hard and deserve that time (and more!). Get lots of sleep, snuggle time, and some TV time…Oh, and you can have a cattle day or two (when you sleep all day and get up only to eat). Those are the best!
Can’t wait to read what’s coming on your blog thingy….
HUGS!
)
Lois