Reality hit home hard this morning as……………….are you ready for this……….. I had to make my own breakfast. After being spoiled and pampered aboard the Queen Victoria this morning, Heidi decided she deserved a sleep in so that was me slaving over a hot toaster as tried to cook myself a gourmet breakfast of a slice of toast. I did consider trying to boil an egg but Heidi has a new cooker called an Arga……….which apparently you need a degree in Physics from Cambridge University just to turn the damn thing on……………..so………….that was me …………eggless……………….and munching on this piece of toast. I used to love jam and marmalade on the toast but unfortunately the sugar levels in these glorious pots are higher than Mount Everest …………………….bugger.So, Good Morning one and all and thank you all for the so very kind comments you have written about the Queen Victoria Blog “wot I wrote”…………….that was pure Victorian London speak there. Anyway, I truly do appreciate the nice words and congratulations and a special thank you again to all those at Cunard who made Heidi and I feel so special………………….Sabrina 
Talking of comments I realise that I have not answered people’s questions this week at all and I apologize for this. Therefore, in order not to miss anyone’s questions or anyone who advice needs please can I kindly ask you to re-post your questions and Roberto will slap them onto this blog and on Monday I will answer every single one in a special Q and A blog. Therefore, if you have anything you want to ask on Carnival, Cunard or any of the sister companies, The Bloggers cruise, Marriage, Improving your Love Life ………………OK ………..forget the last one but I will be on hand to answer all your questions and comments and say hello.
Therefore, please submit your comments and questions by Monday night and Tuesday I will answer all of them for you…………..TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR ME, PLEASE CAN YOU START YOUR POSTINGS WITH THE WORDS – JOHN, PLEASE REPLY …………………………..this will help me know which ones to reply to.
What else is happening…………….oh yes………………let’s do the news. Congratulations to Carnival Corporation and in particular our German “Schwester” AIDA whose amazing success has been rewarded with two new ships as mentioned here.
CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC ORDERS TWO NEW 71,000-TON CRUISE SHIPS FOR AIDA CRUISES BRAND; INCREASES CAPACITY OF A PREVIOUSLY ORDERED VESSEL Triples AIDA’s Total Fleet Capacity to 16,384 Berths by May 2012 MIAMI (December 13, 2007) – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) has ordered two 71,000-ton cruise ships for its AIDA Cruises brand, which caters exclusively to the German-speaking market. These two newbuilds mark six new ships that the German cruise operator has ordered in just the past three years. The 2,174-passenger vessels, which will be built at Germany’s Meyer Werft shipyard at an all-in cost of €380 million and €385 million, are scheduled to enter service in April 2011 and May 2012, respectively. Additionally, the company announced that it has contracted with Meyer Werft to increase the size of the fourth vessel in the series, set to debut in April 2010, to 71,000 tons with a passenger capacity of 2,174, making it a sister to the two ships ordered today. The all-in cost for that vessel has been increased from €335 million to €350 million. All of these vessels will operate under AIDA Cruises’ informal “club resort” cruise concept which is marketed exclusively to German-speaking clientele and offers a product aimed at younger, more active guests who enjoy a host of on-board amenities and facilities. “With the interest in cruise vacations among Europeans continuing to grow significantly, we are committed to investing in our European brands. The addition of these 71,000-ton ‘club resort’ newbuilds and the increase in capacity for the fourth in the series will help to ensure that we have adequate capacity to meet growing demand, while further reinforcing AIDA’s position as the leader in the German cruise industry,” said Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc chairman and CEO. AIDA Cruises’ President Michael Thamm added, “Our business has been performing very strongly and our parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc, shares our confidence in the potential of the German cruise business as demonstrated by the more than €2 billion investment in six exciting new ships.” These vessels will join the 68,500-ton AIDAbella, set to debut in April 2008, and an as-yet-unnamed sister ship in April 2009. The first vessel in the series, AIDAdiva, was introduced earlier this year. AIDA Cruises revolutionized the German cruise market with the introduction of its first “club ships” in 1996. By 2012, a total of nine “club ships” will be in service, operating voyages to the Mediterranean, the Canaries, the North Sea, the Baltic, the Caribbean, the Arabian Gulf, Asia and Central America.
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Iberocruceros, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia.
Together, these brands operate 85 ships totaling more than 158,000 lower berths with 22 new ships scheduled to enter service between April 2008 and May 2012. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Tours and Princess Tours, the leading tour companies in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.
###I admit that I know very little about our German sister or indeed what the experience is all about. I know, lets do an interview with someone from AIDA. I don’t know who but maybe PA 007 can help me find someone to speak to…………..in English as my German consists of the word BRA……………….”Stoppen Von Floopen”………………Heidi of course speaks perfect German but let me see if we can go behind das scenes and find out in English why AIDA is the market leader for guests from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland and New Jersey……….Ich will kommen back to zu later ………….aufweidersen.
Of course, we also have the exciting news that Carnival Cruise Lines will continue to deploy vesseld to Europe. Although the Caribbean is our bread and butter or…………..my breakfast in this case…………..Europe continues to offer our guests a fantastically fun way to see these exciting places. So, as you will see the Carnival Freedom and the Carnival Liberty will be sailing the Med, Baltic etc. in 2009. …………….have a read of this.
CARNIVAL’S 2009 EUROPE SEASON TO BE BIGGEST YET, WITH UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF ‘FUN SHIP’ DEPARTURES 110,000-ton Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom to Operate Popular 12-Day Northern Europe and Mediterranean Cruise Programs MIAMI (December 12, 2007) – Continuing its growth in the rapidly expanding European cruise market, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate an unprecedented number of “Fun Ship” voyages within the region in 2009. The line’s 2009 European season will feature two of its newest 110,000-ton ships – Carnival Liberty, which will operate 12-day Northern European and Mediterranean cruises, and Carnival Freedom, sailing 12-day departures to the Mediterranean. “A Carnival cruise is the ideal way to see Europe, offering consumers the opportunity to experience and explore a diversity of spectacular destinations and then return to the comfort, convenience and amenities of their magnificent ‘Fun Ship,’” said Vicki Freed, Carnival’s senior vice president of sales and guest services. “Plus, with the exciting itineraries and spectacular features of these two new ships, combined with today’s high euro/dollar exchange rate, it’s the absolute best way to see the grand sights in Europe,” she added. Carnival Liberty 12-Day Northern Europe, Med Cruises In response to outstanding advance bookings for its first-ever Northern Europe program next year aboard the Carnival Splendor, the company has announced that the Carnival Liberty will operate the program again in 2009 – with twice the number of voyages. Carnival Liberty’s 12-day Northern Europe cruises will operate round-trip from London (Dover) from May 9 – Aug. 25, 2009. Featured ports on these voyages include Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia (two-day call); Tallin, Estonia; and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The ship will then operate a special one-time 12-day western Mediterranean voyage from London (Dover) to Rome (Civitavecchia) Sept. 6, 2009, after which it will operate two 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyages departing Sept. 19 and Oct. 25, 2009, and three 12-day Mediterranean & Greece cruises Oct. 1 and 13 and Nov. 6, 2009. Carnival Freedom 12-Day Cruises to the Med, Greece, Turkey Carnival Freedom will offer the popular 12-day Grand Mediterranean and Mediterranean & Greece cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) beginning in May 2009, following a highly successful inaugural season in Europe this year. Carnival Freedom’s 12-day “Mediterranean & Greece” cruises include eight ports: Naples, Italy; Rhodes, Greece; Izmir (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey featuring scenic cruising of the Dardanelles; Athens (Piraeus) and Katakolon, Greece; and Livorno, Italy, as well as an overnight call in Rome (Civitavecchia). Voyages depart May 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 18, 2009. The 12-day “Grand Mediterranean” cruises visit seven ports: Naples, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice, Italy (two-day call); Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. Departure dates include May 21, June 2, 14 and 26, July 8 and 20, Aug. 1 and 25, Sept. 6 and 30 and Oct. 12 and 24, 2009. Exciting ‘Fun Ship’ Amenities Among Carnival’s newest “Fun Ships,” the Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom, each offer a diversity of dining, entertainment, and activity options, including 22 lounges and bars, four swimming pools, a 214-foot-long water slide, a 14,500-square-foot health and fitness center, an Internet café, with bow-to-stern Wi-Fi access, and Carnival’s Seaside Theatre, a massive 270-square-foot LED screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming. Cell phone service is available, as well. The ships’ family friendly amenities include a 4,200-square-foot children’s play area – part of the top-rated “Camp Carnival” program – and a 1,800-square-foot “Club O2” teen facility featuring a dance floor, DJ and high-tech sound and lighting system. Dining options include twin two-level restaurants with extensive menus and wine lists, a 1,200-seat casual eatery with 24-hour pizza and ice cream, and a reservations-only supper club featuring USDA prime aged beef and other gourmet cuisine. Carnival Freedom and Carnival Liberty also offer a variety of comfortable and spacious accommodations including a wide selection of balcony staterooms and suites. All feature the exclusive Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows. Reservations Carnival will begin accepting reservations for the Carnival Freedom an
d Carnival Liberty’s 2009 European cruises on Monday, December 17, 2007. Special rates for third and fourth guests staying in the same stateroom and pre- and post-cruise packages in and around London (Dover) and Rome (Civitavecchia) are also available. For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, or visit carnival.com.
###
Right, let’s chat about the Bloggers Cruise. The in cabin gifts are now ready and Roberto and the marketing team have designed some wonderful and unique gifts that will be placed in your cabins during the cruise. Now, originally we thought about presenting you all with DVD players, plasma TV’s and laptop computers but we realised that packing these items may have been difficult so instead we went with smaller items …………….which I know you will enjoy.
Originally, I had discussed that Todd would be the CD but after lots of thought I decided that I need to be on stage as much as possible and host all of the shows and events. So, I will be the CD and the only thing I will not host will be the travel talks which someone else will do. This will allow me to host some morning coffee gatherings and Q and A’s etc. I hope this is ok with all of you. Now, I do have some exciting news about Ocho Rios. With the fantastic help of Mico our VP of Shore excursions and his team we have managed to put together an exclusive Ocho Rios tour available just for our bloggers.
It will be held at one of the most gorgeous locations anywhere in the Caribbean ……………….Dolphin Cove. This is a short drive from the ship and once there we will have a 13,000 square foot area of golden beach and tropical shade to enjoy. You can relax on the beach, watch the dolphins play, snorkel, shop and then we will all enjoy a huge Jamaican buffet lunch together. Heidi and I will be there of course and there will also be an opportunity to go and climb Dunns River Falls as well if you want to. Now, more details will be available soon and as well as booking onboard we will also have the ability to pre book online. I will let you know when that option is available as well. So, things are really coming together and I also hope to announce when and where we will hold the 2009 Bloggers Cruise very soon.
It’s strange but being onboard the Queen Victoria made me realise I miss being on a ship. This vacation has gone quickly and before I know it Heidi and I will be back on the Carnival Freedom. Someone asked me the other day “what are you going to do when you grow up?:…….hhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm………………….good question. I have been thinking these past few days about the future……………….how long should I stay on ships……………..should I come to work on land……………..if so, what should I do ………………..will I ever see Sabrina again? Certainly, I am committed to the Carnival Splendor in 2008 and beyond that…………I don’t know……..but one thing is for certain. ………….. I will stay within the family. I am not sure either why I am telling you this ……………I am just waffling after all but as we are all friends I feel I can waffle…………and you will all listen.
During my time on the Queen Victoria I had the chance to meet a very important man within Carnival Corporation…………………Mr. David Dingle. As you will see he is a fellow Brit and someone who has dedicated his entire life to the sea. He was kind enough to collect my Seatrade Award thingy and during our time together we sat down and had a chat. here then, is an interview with David which I know you will all very much enjoy.
1. David, please can you tell us about your career so far and what your
current position requires of you?
A. I joined the P&O Passenger Division in 1978,undertaking various marketing and sales roles before becoming UK Marketing Director of Princess Cruises in 1986.I was subsequently Marketing Director and then Commercial Director of P&O Cruises before becoming Managing Director of P&O Princess Cruises UK in 2000.After the merger with Carnival Corp in 2003 I became Managing Director of Carnival UK in 2003 and in June 2007 I became CEO of Carnival UK with responsibility to the Carnival Main Board for P&O Cruises, Cunard, Ocean Village and Carnival Australia. I currently have two industry positions too – I am President of the Chamber of Shipping of the UK and Chairman of the European Cruise Council based in Brussels.
2. P & O has a wonderful history within the shipping industry. For those of us who may not be familiar with the wonderful pedigree the company has and continues to have perhaps you could tell us a little about P & O’s past, present and future.
A. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation dates back to 1837 when it was limited by Royal Charter. Originally the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company through its operation of the mail routes to the Iberian Peninsula, it later extended to the East via the “Overland” route from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, hence adding “Oriental” to the Company’s name. P&O grew to be Britain’s greatest ever shipping company and was
regarded as the communication link which held together the British Empire particularly through its passenger and cargo trade routes to India, the Far East and Australasia. As it grew,P&O absorbed other famous companies such as Orient Line, British India and New Zealand Shipping.P&O derived the word “POSH” meaning “port out, starboard home” and referring to the preferred cabin location to remain in the shade when transiting the Suez Canal. P&O is reckoned to have the cruise – its first “cruise” in 1843 is recorded by
William Makepeace Thackeray in his book “From Cornhill to Cairo.” P&O went through many transformations and by the 1990s was a conglomerate which included cruise, ferry container and bulk shipping along with port, property, construction and exhibition businesses. With the arrival of the wide-bodied aeroplane in the 1970s, its passenger vessels, most famously Canberra and the first Oriana, we converted to cruise ships and at the same time P&O acquired Princess Cruises.In 2000 the cruise businesses were demerged from P&OSN Co. to become P&O Princess Cruises plc, subsequently the London-listed part of Carnival Corp and plc. Meanwhile the remainder of P&O
was eventually sold to Dubai ports. Proudly, it is the cruise company of P&O
which remains as the UK-listed part of the original P&O and harks back directly to the foundations of the company in 1837.P&O Cruises comprises five modern cruise ships – Artemis, Oriana, Aurora, Oceana and Arcadia – with a combined capacity of 8,900 lower beds.It is Britain’s largest cruise brand with a 20% market share. In April 2008, P&O Cruises will take delivery of the new 3,100 bed Ventura, the largest cruise ship ever built for Britain. A sister ship to Ventura is also on order and will enter service in 2010.
3. Your fleet of ships carry passengers all over the globe, can you tell us some of the exciting destinations your vessels call at.
A. During the summer all the P&O Cruises ships operate round trip Southampton with durations varying between two nights and a month. Many cruises cover the Western Mediterranean, the Canary Isles, Norway and the Baltic. Our longer cruises stretch as far as Canada/New England, the Colonial South, the Caribbean and the Amazon. also we stretch as far as the Black Sea and Egypt. Each year we increase our reach and have recently added summer cruises to Greenland and the Gulf of Bothnia, particularly taking
advantage of our smallest ship, Artemis, which is able to visit less easily accessible
ports. In the winter three ships operate round world cruises or Grand Voyages of equivalent duration (i.e. 80 to 100 days) – these again start and finish in Southampton although we carry many “liner” passengers, recreating the tradition of P&O in carrying passengers between the UK and Australia/New Zealand. Our world cruises and Grand Voyages feature all the major ports of the world – San Francisco, Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore – but we are constantly innovation by including new destinations such as
Antarctica and the Chilean Fjords, and Cambodia. Our other winter deployments provide two-week cruises covering the Caribbean, Panama Canal and the Amazon from our prime winter homeport Barbados. All our passengers travel by our own bespoke air charter flights from the UK and operate from very many different UK regional airports.
4. Are there any signature items that make a P & O cruise unique?
A. The whole essence of the modern P&O experience is one which is elevated and effortless. We recognize the stresses of daily life and always aim to lift these from our passengers the moment we step on board. We have many signatures, not least the Britishness of our crew, particularly our British officers and entertainers and our “Empire” crew many of whom still come from India and Pakistan. We pride ourselves on our set-piece dining – every evening dinner with P&O should an occasion to remember – and we still provide silver service at table. Due to our heritage the P&O curry is legendary, served each lunchtime with due ceremony. In all our cabins we provide tea and coffee-making facilities – the British thirsty for a decent cuppa is timeless and we make sure that one is always available day and night. Nowadays we are adding further points of distinction. Many of our dining outlets are overseen by leading British chefs Gary Rhodes and Marco Pierre White who are responsible for product definition, menu planning and culinary oversight.
5. We are all excited about your brand new vessel which is currently under construction. What can you tell us about her?
A. Ventura will be the largest cruise ship built for Britain, at 116,000 tons and with 3,078 lower beds.57% of her cabins will have private balconies. She will have more than 8 dining outlets including three main restaurants, a buffet restaurant, Marco Pierre White’s White Room, the East Asian-fusion restaurant, the Ramblas tapas bar and the Marco-Pierre White inspired family restaurant. The ship will host a series of British
“icons” – in addition to Marco Pierre White himself we have an are programme in
connection with the Tate Modern, over 200,000 items of crockery, cutlery, glassware and cabin items designed by leading British designer Nick Munro, a full-size Scalextric model race-track lay-out and for the small children the children’s character Noddy and all his friends. Circus Ventura will provide the first passenger-participation circus-school afloat offering lessons in trapeze, tightrope, trampolining and bungee. The Metropolis observation lounge will have a 21-screen video wall showing panoramic views of the world’s greatest cityscapes, with the mood changing according to the time of day.
6. P & O cruises are immensely popular with British guests. Do you feel that British cruise ship passengers are any different to North American guests once onboard. I guess by that I mean do British guests want a different experience to their American and Canadian cousins
A. Our menus, entertainment programmes and the cultural orientation of our crews all respond to British tastes – indeed P&O Cruises is the most thoroughly British of all cruise lines.(See above for further examples).Whilst many British passengers find much to enjoy aboard the top American cruise lines, many others enjoy the reassurance and ambience of a British experience. P&O Cruises always aims to be totally in tune with
contemporary Britain and to reflect current tastes, fashions and topics of conversation (not least our underperforming football and cricket teams!).
7. Having asked that question I am sure you, like me, would highly recommend a P & O cruise to our American and Canadian friends as the ones I know who have cruised with you have had an amazing experience. If you had to pick one ship, one itinerary that anyone who has never experienced the brilliance of a P & O adventure, what would be top of your list and why.
A. I would recommend to an American or Canadian passenger a sector of a round world cruise, embarking San Francisco at the end of January and sailing as far as Singapore across a six-week period. This will take in Hawaii, the South Pacific Islands, New Zealand, a host of Australian cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth – before finishing in maybe still the most British of countries in the Far East. The long leisurely days at sea will illustrate most clearly the traditional British service standards and
the fact that P&O Cruises still offers a true sea-travel experience far removed from simply a floating hotel.
8. Having met thousands of North American passengers and friends onboard, they all seem to love anything “British.” With that in mind can you chat a little about something uniquely British in Ocean Village. I know it is a wonderful concept and hugely popular, what’s it all about
A. Ocean Village is as far removed from P&O Cruises as you can get, the only common thread being that both are British. Ocean Village is our way of capturing a completely new and much younger market which has never considered cruising before. We call it “Cruises for People who don’t do Cruises”. The key virtue of Ocean Village is informality – please don’t even think of packing a tie.Our main dining offering is a fantastic
buffet in two separate locations although we have additional paid-for served-to-table dining including a bistro overseen by the UK’s most fashionable celebrity chef (and veritable heart-throb) James Martin. Ocean Village, with its two ships is really a “chill and challenge” experience – supreme relaxed informality mixed with high-energy moments including some of the wildest adventure shore tours you’ll ever witness. Entertainment is stunning and contemporary with our Madonna and Robbie Williams tributes now legendary along with our once-weekly on-deck acrobatic show. Ocean
Village operates one-week, two-week and “stay-cruise” holidays. In the summer the
ships are homeported in Palma ,Majorca and Heraklion,Crete whilst in the winter they operate out of Barbados and Montego Bay.
9. Time for some fun. You are hosting a table on the inaugural cruise on the Ventura, please fill in the blanks based on your own wishes and personal dreams.
MENU
APPETISER Seared scallops
MAIN COURSE Aberdeen Angus fillet
DESERT Rice pudding with armagnac prunes
WINE Sancerre (white), Brunello di Montalcino (red)
DINNER GUESTS
Please choose 6 famous people from the following categories past or
present
SOMEONE FROM THE WORLD OF CRUISING Micky Arison (how could I say
anyone else!)
1 COMEDIAN Michael Palin (ex Monty Python but now a famous travel broadcaster)
1 SPORTS PERSON Dame Kelly Holmes
(the gracious godmother of Arcadia)
1 POLITICIAN John Prescott (cruising’s greatest friend)
1 MUSICIAN Elizabeth Schwarzkopf – the greatest soprano ever
1 AUTHOR Leo Tolstoy
1 RANDOM GUEST My wife Lovie – of course!
David, we all thank you so very much for that wonderful interview. If Mr. Arison cannot make your table I would love to join you and your distinguished guests for dinner. We can arrange a fleet of Bentleys (not the convertible version as they do not look as good as the coupe model) to collect them! Seriously though, it was an honour to meet you and I am sure the thousands of readers of the blog thingy will now realise why your name is so respected within the world of cruising. I thank you for the invitation to join you for the naming ceremony of the new and brilliant P & O vessel Ventura next year which I mention now in case you forget
Today, I have the wonderful task of buying the Christmas tree. Now, Heidi insists that we must have a real Christmas tree and later today we visit many garden centers looking for the perfect specimen. Then, as usual, I will carry the bloody thing to the car, it will be too big and we will not be able to close the trunk and then I will have to tie the trunk lid to the bottom of the car to allow half a Norwegian rainforest to stick out the back.
Then, I will have to carry the tree in the house and will no doubt cut myself on the pines and while blood is dripping from my wound I will be assigned to the doghouse because I have either bent one of the branches during transportation or allowed to many of the pine needles to drop on the floor. Of course, the pain and suffering will continue as I have to stand holding the damn thing while Heidi examines the tree from all angles to make sure it is standing as straight as a Guardsman outside Buckingham Palace. Now, none of this procedure can take place until Heidi has put on her favorite Christmas song on the CD player so my pain is doubled as I have to listen to George Michael and the other one from Wham tell me that Last Christmas some girl broke his heart………………..not as much as hers was broken when she discovered George was batting for the other team…………….
Then, once the tree is straight and Heidi has approved the position the real hell begins as we start to decorate the tree. My job, is to stand holding the box of balls and things which we have once again spent a billion pounds on this year. I did ask why we cannot use the same ones every year and I was told that Christmas tree decoration is like fashion……….it changes every year. So, this year we have a purple and gold motif and I am sure that as usual I will be standing holding the box for hours as Heidi does her thing and festoons the tree with various Christmas delights. Oh, but it’s not just the tree……………oh no …………. we then have the front door and the outside Christmas lights to hang as well so instead of spending a relaxing Friday at home I will be spending the day with Sergeant Major Heidi Heald as she bellows her instructions on how this will be the best Christmas tree………….. in the world and if I make any mistakes…………….it will be my chestnuts that will be roasting on an open fire.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
sounds like a lovely christmas y’all! and i remember how i felt when i discovered george was batting for the other team as well! ha ha ha
our family christmas cruise starts monday on the miracle! grandchildren arrive tomorrow! yay!!!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
John,
Thank you for your interview with David Dingle. I think the elegance and tradition of the British ships would be a wonderful experience, and I hope, someday to experience it. You always report great interviews and capture an interesting side of the interviewee.
I pray your tree hunting went well! And your tree standing and straightening and balancing, and your tree trimming with all the precious decorations, and house decorations, and Christmas music… It’s tradition and as we can read, you understand that — but love to kid Heidi all along the way. (Now no temper tantrums, close your eyes, Sabrina…)
Now, I will take issue with Heidi on one thing — Christmas decorations are NOT fashion. They are history and stories and memories. I have some ornaments almost 100 years old that hold precious memories. I have some homemade, that can’t be replaced. I have some new each year, that began a new tradition. But I know that decorations are based on the taste of the do-er. And God Bless Heidi, she has great taste!!! She picked you and she picked a LOVELY gown!! (Besides purple and Gold were my college colors — Go Coyotes!!)
Merry Christmas Season to you! To Heidi! The magnificent Roberto!! and to Alan with my prayers!!
Kirsten
Im very excited that Carnival is going to continue doing Northern Europe, I never been there and after the perfect experience on the Freedom what better way to do it that on the Liberty. I hope that it continues to be the best value ($) so my husband doesnt change cruise line on me.
but you know and we know that you can do whatever you like and you are going to be great.
You can waffle as much as you want, we do that with you all the time dont we? We are friends and we are listening to each other. So about your waffling (whatever that word means) You know your friends would love that you stay as a CD forever (how about the Liberty close to home? )
Im envious in a good way about all that bloogers going on the bloogers cruise its going to be a blast !! Have you seen the Aida from a bigger ship side by side on a pier? I did, its a sight to remember or forget ? LOL
Take care, enjoy your vacation and see you soon
Nani
Hey John,
Well, it is that time of the yar again. We don’t put up a tree, so it is impler for me anyway. We keep everything low key. The boys even accept this.
We are also in the time of year when we plan our next vacation. You made mention of a 2009 blogger’s cruise on the Carnival Inspiration. We were already looking at returning to that ship anyway. However, Heidi-Beth wants to see Wee Jimmy again. An Eastern Caribbean on the Carnival Glory is a very tempting proposition. We always book around the beginning of the year for the fall. Mike Alvira always makes sure we get the best deals that way. If you have any more teasers about the 2009 event, I would love to here it. If I don’t get a cruise booked by the beginnig of January, then I don’t have anything to tease the family about for a year, and it is so much fun.
Hope you are looking forward to getting back to sea again. I have a friend who is booked on the Freedom transatlantic when you return to Europe. She may want some information about what to do. She has never been on a cruise that long with so many sea days. I’ll try to point her your way.
Well, Heidi-Beth has just brought me my tea (organic white tea), so I have to go and start getting breakfast made for the family.
Till next time
Kevin
John-Please reply to this.
I would like to ship liquor to friends in the states instead of having to schlep all of it home. Can this be done from the ships liquor store or from the stores on the islands?
Here’s hoping your chestnuts are not burning too bad!
elaine
John, I hope you had good luck with your CHRISTmas tree. That was the only time of the year when I was a child that I ever saw my parents fight. My Dad every year came home with the nicest looking tree. Until he went to put it in the stand. The tree would always have the crookedest trunk it would look like a dog leg. He would cut and cut and still end up putting wires on it to hold it up straight. So I feel for you. I’m lucky we have an artificial tree.
BIG ED
JOHN PLEASE REPLY: Did you get our Christmas gift yet? I know you got our first package a month ago, as you said, but hope you got the Christmas gifts too, and card and pictures inside the package. I never got the note you said Heidi sent?? Wonder what happened?
John- haven’t you heard of Sugar free jam and jelly? It is very good, and I as a diabetic love it, and I am sure you will too. Try it, you’ll like it!
Sounds like the bloggers cruise is gonna be a blast, sure wish we were going, but can’t cruise again so soon, have to save up for our next cruise.
I will await your reply on Tuesday, hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and I am sure your tree will be beautiful all in gold and purple. Our tree is gold and red decorations this year, but we also have some SPECIAL ornaments that go on the tree every year as well. Love the holidays, don’t you? Your friends, Mike & Linda
MR. HEALD PLEASE REPLY. I felt a little silly starting my note to you as I did but that’s what you asked us to do. There is really only ONE question that I want you to do and that is this, would you PLEASE send me a photo of you and Heidi together. Hopefully it could be the one with the two of you while on the Queen Victoria. You both looked fantastic. Since I won’t be able to meet you on my cruise in February, I would appreciate it if you could send me a photo. I really want to let you know how much I appreciate the fact of knowing you through the blog. I’ve had a chance to write the many different people that are on the blog. Big Ed has helped me with my own blog, I’ve had the chance to write Linda, Nan, Southern Dreams and Kevin. I don’t know these people personally, but through you I’ve had the opportunity of knowing them. It’s like having a new family and you are the one that started this beautiful family. Thank you Mr. Heald and Heidi. Through you kindness and caring the world is a much better place. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Please Reply John to a POst I left under your “Take That blog ” I beleive
Salutations John & Heidi
John by the time you get your tree decorated and after the length of your last 2 wonderful blogs your next blogs are going to be short because you will be typing with a pencil in your teeth because your fingers will be bloddy nubs again. Thanks for the wonderful updates. The interview with Mr Dingle has me longing for another cruise and its only been a month since we landed from the TA. Seems like a long ago dream, but the pictures flash across the computur screen every day to prove me wrong. I just unpacked the souveniers! Just in time to wrap them for holiday gifts…I am envious of the upcoming bloggers cruise. Ochos Rios is great! I climbed the falls OMG 14 yrs ago. The Mr has not been there.We are in anticipation of the 2009 Bloggers cruise, but then you posted the 2009 European cruise and now I’m ready to go again… Seems like I’ll be working till I’m 90 with this wanderlust….To keep paying for them. I should own carnival stock, or at least a piece of a ship and I am not talking about a gold plated ship on a stick (got 3 of them)
Take care, Greetings from Humid Florida, the Tuckers, Arnold & Elizabeth
John and Heidi,
John make sure you leave time to walk the lido deck with BIG ED in your matching thongs. Or maybe you should just do that bit on the morning show. I think while some bloggers might not be thrilled with you being the CD for the entire ship I don’t think this will be too big of a issue and I would prefer it if i was attending. But alas that is not happening unless mickey is sending me free tickets. And a note to take a week off from work. Sorry to hear you can’t work Heidi’s egg cooker. there is always a sauté pan where you can fry the egg. Anyways Merry Christmas to Alan, mum,dad, Heidi,and of course you my friend. Can’t wait to sail with you and go for a ride in the Aston with you also. Best
Kevin
John -
Our Christmas tree is already up – and has been the entire year!! We have a small artificial tree that sits on top of the TV stand – Stacy & Kathy never bothered to take it down from last year. Just plug it in and voila – Christmas time.
As for your issues with the Christmas music, I agree – around here, they seem to be playing Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is You” every ten minutes. All I want for Christmas is some other Christmas song. Whatever happended to Nat King Cole’s “A Christmas Song”, Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” or even the Royal Guardsman’s “Snoopy versus the Red Baron”?
Our best to Heidi – 200 days until Genoa.
John could you please reply ?
Going on the Freedom March 22 with a group of cruise critic people, yay !
Do you know who will be CD then ? Thanks.
Hope you enjoyed your dry toast
John, Please reply.
Not really. I just wanted to get your attention. I’m resending a poem I wrote for you as a comment to your “Fame” post. I hope you like it.
___________________________________
On John’s Newfound Fame
“If they could see me now” the old song goes.
And, oh, it’s true as John well knows.
He’s famous now and all those chicks
Who looked “through” him to get their kicks
Wish now they’d thought ahead to see
Just where John Heald might some day be.
Well, John’s arrived, known near and far,
As recognized as any star
Of film or stage or sport or song.
And, yes, you know it won’t be long
‘Til his life’s story we’ll all see
In glorious color on TV.
Why, John can hardly shop these days
For food or drink lest someone gaze
Upon his handsome, manly form
And round his person start a swarm
Of fans who know without a doubt
That John’s a man with lots of clout!
Sex object, yes, but so much more!
CD that all his fans adore,
Honest, loyal, brave and true,
And there is little John won’t do
To make sure guests who sail the seas
Will always find the things that please
Them on the ships he loves so well.
And that is why John does compel
All those who see or hear his words
To flock to him like homing birds.
And when he says “Sail Carnival”
There’s nothing more to say, at all!
The End
___________________________________
Don’t fall off the roof while putting up your Christmas decorations!
I enjoyed your post today. Thanks for all the information and the nice interview with Dave D.
Oh, and how is Alan?
Best wishes to you, Heidi, all your family and Alan and his family.
Myra
Ed,
Maybe now you can get Pat to go to Jamaica!
John Please Reply–
So where were you today? It is my birthday, and it really would have been nice of you and Heidi to join us for lunch. Can you see the New York Sarcasm here! Loved your QV blog. Heidi looked fab. The whole thing sounded wonderful. Oh, BTW, any leftovers from the bloggers cruise will be kindly accepted as a late birthday gift on the 1/28 Imagination Cruise! Just kidding–Robin
Reposting
Hi John,
As I am sure you know, Todd English opened a restaurant in New Orleans in the new Harrah’s Hotel.
The name is Riche, but you certainly don’t have to be rich to dine there.
http://www.harrahs.com/casinos/harrahs-new-orleans/restaurants-dining/riche-detail.html
Not sure if the menu is current, but I do see a N’awlins Shrimp and Andouille gumbo listed!
As for my favorite gumbo recipe, it is really very simple. I call up the Gumbo Shop and order some!
http://www.gumboshop.com/
I may have to stop in there New Year’s Eve after my Christmas Fantasy cruise.
Any reports on what was done during the drydock of Carnival Pride?
Thanks,
bill
Reposting:
Hi John,
It looks like 2008 might be the only year Splendor does European itineraries, so it will indeed be historic!
Please answer question–John, I forgot to ask, when are all three “Queens” going to be docked in NY in January together? As it is a short 45 minute train ride from my home, I would love to go see this.
Also, I am shocked with all the mention of Sabrina, Heidi has not attached an entire trail of shoes from your rear end to look like a train on a ball gown. Not to mention stuffed your mouth shut with an entire case of the non-plush toilet paper!
Repost
Hi john,
Me thinks the New Orleans blog entry might need some of your sugar free jelly beans. It seems to be plugged.
Anyway, you asked if I was booked on Splendor and yes, yes I am. On the July 2nd, July 10th AND July 13th sailings.
I was going to visit London (and may still) for the 3 days between the July 2nd and July 13th cruises, but that could easily cost more than just staying on the ship.
No web page for the July 10th sailing, but I started ones for the other two cruises:
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/splendor_pre/splendor_pre.htm
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/splendor_08/splendor_08.htm
and for tha matter, one for the Splndor Round the Horn sailing:
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/splendor_09/splendor_09.htm
Do you know of any good fish and chips places in Amsterdam? Without a fish and chips place on Splendor, I may have a new quest – to find and eat fish and chips in each port. Wonder what the Guinness record for that is?
What is Heidi’s recommendation for food in Amsterdam?
bill
Christmas…………………….with Mr. David Dingle
made me think of Christmas with Mr Bingle (part of pop culture in New Orleans).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Bingle
Mr. Bingle’s theme song:
Jingle, jangle, jingle
Here comes Mr. Bingle
With another message from Kris Kringle
Time to launch your Christmas season
Maison Blanche makes Christmas pleasin’
Gifts galore for you to see
Each a gem from MB!
John & Heidi, Could you please get us (4) tickets to Paul Potts? We would love to see him…I would of course pay for the tickets for you also (4) …We will be in England on the 26th of August 2008, Getting ready to board the Splendor…If not possible we will be in Switzerland in March 2008….Please let me know….We would love to hang out with you…We need more than a hand shake…Also Please let me know the dates available for the Supper club on the Splendor, We need to make reservations…We will be onboard starting 30/08/2008….
Thanks<
FrankC
New Orleans
Splendor 30/08/08
John, please reply: My husband and I, along with 3 other couples will be on the Splendor August 6, 2008. This will be our first time in London since we live in the USA We took the Liberty from Rome in 2006 where you were the CD. We had a blast and this is one of the reasons we decided to pick the Splendor. We understand the hotel rooms are expensive in London. Do you have any suggestions on where to stay at a reasonable price? Do you have any room at your place? (only kidding) We will only be in London for 3 days prior to the cruise since we can not leave our disabled daughter for longer than 2 weeks. What do you consider a MUST SEE in London. I really appreciate your input.
Thank you for all the laughs you have given us on your blog site. My husband and I have never laughed so hard. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Healthy New Year.
Pam and Tony Lettorale (letter “L”)
PS: I have never saw the show Journeyman but my sister told me about it and says it is one of her favorite shows. Since she raved about it, I’m going to have to tune in to see it. Hopefully your friend will be renewed for next season.
John, I was just looking at that great picture of Heidi again. When I looked down near the bottom and saw the points of her shoes sticking out I said Oh Boy John better stop saying that “S” name or they would turn a debarkation point into a embarkation point. You dog no wonder you find yourself in the dog house so often.
“BIG” ED
35 days to go
John,
Ah, yes… the perfect Christmas tree. We’re going tree shopping tomorrow. Although I’d be happy with an artificial tree, my Dearly Beloved must have a REAL tree…… and so we shop…… quickly, because it’s cold!! However, the decorations on the tree won’t be well coordinated because we had the (mis)fortune of receiving a dated ornament our first Christmas together. Thus began our tradition of dated ornaments. Christmas Eve is our 30th anniversary, and soon dated ornaments is all that will fit on the tree!
Five weeks from today begins the Bloggers Cruise (and our anniversary celebration). Thank you for giving us something extra-special to look forward to.
Pat (and Ken) Kern
InMN253
Thank you so much for all the information!! As we sit here in the middle of a Nor Easter, dreaming about our upcoming cruise to warmth sure helps. You sounded like a giddy school boy on the QV how nice is it to know that even as we get older we can still be so excited in life. You and Heidi looked absolutely stunning!! Your information on the 2009 Med cruises was very much appreciated, I want so much for Tom to meet you and I really think after the last 3 years of his life he sure deserves some fun. As for our christmas tree? Well……….hmm…….it isn’t up yet, I almost feel like a scrooge this year. Told Dave yesterday he should just go cut one from the front lawn, he didn’t agree………too funny!
Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, and again John, Thank you so much for all the information………what would all us cruise addicts do without you????
Merry Christmas
Blanche & Dave
Dear John, Please reply
Did you see the picture of you, Ms. Potter and Heidi in Cruise Mates? Loved the yellow tie. Heide looked great but I would have enjoyed seeng the outfit closer up. (How rude not to to use her name instead of “wife.”) Anyway, all of your photos were great -you both looked fantastic. Now we’re looking forward to the Jan. 28th cruise and seeing you and Heidi. Will you be on stage at all or be a full time guest? Jeri
Merry Christmas, John & Heidi,
Since I’ll be leaving shortly for an extended holiday visit with my brother & his family, I wanted to be sure to send Christmas & new years greetings to you, Heidi, your mom & dad, & Alan & family. Hope all of you have the best Christmas & new years ever!
Dear, Jhon and Heidi It is again the little 11 year old Jake Silverberg. ( THE MEGA CRUISE OBBSESOR ) I am oficaly OBSSSESED whith the conquest class and have been on the Valor and the liberty of the 5 ships in the class and i REALY would love to go oboard the freedom.
I live in Ft.Lauderdale so its onely around a 20 minut drive to port of miami.
YOU ARE MY IDOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE reading your blogs , and was the the new queen?
i understand that she stands in the vista class of carnival spirit class, costa medetrainean class, p&o
arcadia, and holland osterdam class.
I am going oboard the Carnival Fascination on the 28 any hot places i should now about?
i love the aft. dinning room of each ship for some lucky reason?
ill hopefully bee in the imagination dinning room as if my family goes oboard the freeom hopefuly the chik dinning room.
If i ever met you in person I would flip out!!!!!!
because i love carnival and your the senoir cruise directer and i always thought of the cruise directer as a fun flexible person who every passanger oboard adored and loved during there cruise!
my grand mother who has sailed on over 90 cruises of many luxry cruise lines such as cunard or seaborn or holland and princess.
I realy want to go on the freedom from miami on a sat. and my mom has been ont he triumph and is taken me and my sis on the fascination.
and my dad has been on the old CARNIVALE so id realy like to show him hhow carnival has changed and he love food thats like deli and gormea
so i think hel will love carnival.
Happy holidays , tell heidi i said helllo frome, Jake S.
I can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John, please reply…
I do have one question. We booked a “guaranteed category room” (know what I mean?), so we have no room number. How do I input that into online form on the blogger’s cruise page to get the email updates and get in on the action?
John,
I cannot remember all of my posts and frankly I am too “busy” to go back and read them. I do remember asking about security positions ship-board. I am going towards a bachelors in Law Enforcement Administration and think it would be a unique opportunity to work on board. What are the ups and downs, does it pay somewhat decent, what are the main responsibilities (besides controlling the drunks), etc.? Good to see you all had fun on your trip and I’ll check back sometime this week.
-BigMike
John:
No reply needed.
I just wanted to tell my favorite Christmas Tree story. One of the greatest memories I have of my Dad (who passed away over 20 years ago) was of our Christmas tradition. We would start out early on the Friday after Thanksgiving to search our 300 acres for the perfect Christmas tree. It had to be Cedar. It had to touch our 14ft ceiling. Every year, we got a bigger tree and every year Dad had to cut that much more off the bottom to get it to fit inside the house.
I have two Cedar trees planted in the backyard in Memory of Mom and Dad…one at each corner…just to remind myself how very blessed I was with to two fabulous parents!!
john please reply; dear john could you confirm our reservation for a table for two that was made by a tall oriental lady in the posh restaurant on our med cruise this easter.She assured us that the reservations had been made for our upcoming cruises on the 22/12/07 and then 29/12/07 and that the maitre,d would be Ken. many thanks .
Merry Christmas John & Heidi,
It seems like the pain and punishment of Christmas decorating is world wide!! Have you ever seen “Christmas Vacation” with Chevy Chase? If not, rent it. It sounds like you can relate. Happy Holidays to you, your family, and especially Alan and his family.
By the way, did the hats and shirts from Boston arrive??
Heidi’s choice of tree decor is perfect for the University of Washington Huskies!!!! Purple & Gold! Ok, well football hasn’t been as great lately as prior seasons, but there’s always next year!
We do change our tree sometimes; one year with the traditional kiddie made ornaments and favorites; and the next year more formal. This year is blue, silver and white. We only had to buy a few items to complete the decor : )
Hope all is well in your world!
Janet, Phil and family in Puyallup, WA
John, for this you need not respond
Enjoy your vacation while across the pond
While for Sabrina you might have grown fond
Lest we forget the one who is a blonde
And to matrimony you have a solemn bond
To Heidi we have become quite fond
We would hate to see her crush your precious almonds……
John Please Reply,
I know you are a big Diet Coke fan as well as I am, but my mom has to drink the color water form of it Caffeine Free Diet Coke for her special diet. Does the Freedom have this on board, or do we have to bring some along with us.
Also, just to give you a good laugh….when my three loving children were younger they used to make bets how many times the Christmas tree would fall off the top of the van on the way home, how many broken branches, and how many swear words daddy would say before we got home..LOL
Susan
Hope you and Hedi have a wonderful Christmas!
JOHN, PLEASE DO REPLY!
Hi John, I’m glad to hear that you’re home and have joined the less-fortunate folks in the “real world!!”
It’s count down to the GARCIA FAMILY CRUISE aboard the Carnival Freedom on December 22nd. We’ve got nine cabins, and we’re all very excited.
Just to remind you to please tell Todd that we’re sailing, as I would love to meet him.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND HEIDI, AND ENJOY CHRISTIMAS AT HOME WITH YOUR PARENTS!!
Hugs always and un beso,
Neny
John,
I got sooooo excited when I read the part about the Ocho Rios excursion, but then realized it was for the Bloggers cruise. In your words “bugger”. That sounded like such an awesome day and it would have been perfect on our cruise April 12th. Oh well, we can find something pretty close I think. Besides, how many bloggers will be on the same cruise as us, right? We may be able to join a future bloggers cruise, but that’s quite a bit down the road after this one. We have our daughter’s wedding to pay for.
Have a wonderful Holiday!!
Hi John
Please reply
Thank you so much for the interview with Mr. Dingle. Wonderful as always.
As for the Christmas tree, my hubby can sympathize for sure. Only he gets to hang the decorations while I hold the whip.
We are going on the Pride on January 27th. I am curious to know who the CD will be. Is Jeff still on that cruise or someone else? If you can help it would be greatly appreciated. Until next time, take care of Heidi and give her my best.
Sue
John-Please reply
Is there any hope of getting a scrapbook and pages for the Carnival Freedom? I know that months ago you posted about trying to get it set up online so that we could order one and I have not seen an update in a long time. As you know I sailed on the Carnival Freedom on 3/14 and would just love to have that scrapbook..in fact I have posted several times looking for an update, but with the volume of questions you receive I can understand how it may have been overlooked.
Please also let me know if my Christmas present to you and Heidi shows up…too bad I did not know the color scheme for your tree this year when I purchased it.
Good luck with the decorating…I know how that goes…my 85 year old Mother has to have everything precise too…from all of the outdoor lights to the tree inside…at least she did not make me go and purchase a live tree this year, but instead she purchased a new artifical tree which I was given the honor of assembling on Saturday night. Just when I thought I had all of the outside lights set up (snowman, spiral tree…etc) I noticed one bulb out over the garage door…so of course I got on the ladder and tightened it and wound up somehow blowing out the 2 strings of lights…here it is 8 pm after a long day in the office and I am taking down the 2 sets of lights and replacing them (sounds like something that would happen to you). I finally got my own outside lights up on Saturday, but no decorating has been done indoors yet, or any baking for that matter.
Happy Holidays to you and Heidi.
Linda
Hi John/Heidi:
Hope your Xmas Tree hunt went ok and you didn’t spend too much time in the dog house.
Excellent interview with Mr. Dingle. He makes me want to take the “Round-the-World” cruise out of Britain. One day we’ll make it happen (or when my dollar gets a little more bang for the buck).
Thank you for the blog and hope all is going well!
David
Hi John, It is so nice to have all these blog entries to read each day, Hi Paul, yes it is a pleasure to meet allthese people, Nanette, Ed, etc. thanks for making us a big happy family. Have a nice day! Linda & Mike
John Please Reply
John please reply
Me and my wife were thinking of taking a cruise from either Mobile Alabama or New Orleans next Thanksgiving and I was wanting to know would either of the ships that are docked there would have gone through the Evolution of Fun renovation, loving the blog, keep it up. Have a Merry CHRISTmas as soon as you get the house decorated!!
John and Heidi,
What a wonderful trip you must have had. I could not stop reading your blog. You and Heidi looked fantastic in your evening clothes. Heidi your dress is beautiful and worth every penny John had to pay for it. John you have convinced me that I need to start saving now so Travis and I can cruise on the Queen Victoria one day. It is great to have you back and we look forward to seeing you both on the blogger cruise in January. Please let us know about the shore excursion in Ocho Rios as soon as you can. We wouldn’t want to miss it.
Mary H
Great interview. My first cruise was on the SS Uganda in December 1968. We slept in dormitories and all of my friends were there. It was such a great experience and gave me my love of crusing. Gosh, things have changed a lot since then. I can’t even imagine how small the Uganda would look next to the Freedom.
John, in the south, the tree farms wrap the trees in a mesh bag of sorts to make the transport easier. Of course, pre-lit artificial trees are even easier!
The bloggers cruise sounds like such great fun. Wish we were going to be there with everyone, but we have a new grandbaby due during that cruise. We will be with you in spirit, and of course, we will be having our own great fun here with the new addition to our family.
131 days until we sail!!!
Merry Christmas.
Jim and Ann
……………….Dolphin Cove! Dan and I had planned on our day there so bring it on! Now, how do I say no to the goodies this season in order to avoid some poor blogger thinking a whale had beached herself when I’m napping after that buffet?
Yours,
Kap ( Kathie )
Hi John, Please reply. First I just wanted to say hi. I posted a few bloggs ago and I know you read it but I thought I’d ask again. Remember Geoff and I will be on the Liberty from Feb. 2 to Feb. 16, and I was just wondering if you knew if you will be on her during that time. I believe you said you’d be on some of the ships during the month. If you’ll be with us during that time, we’d love to introduce ourselves. In my last post I told you about my new software that has different voices. So now I can listen to the blog with a British voice! Loved the QV blog. Thanks so much. I hope you managed to get all your Christmas decorating done and staid out of the dog house! Love to you both. Merry Christmas. How’s Alen? Big ole hugs.
Leasa
John: please reply- We were on your cruise this past June and are still talking about the trip today! We must say that you were a big part of the success. My son was your assistant for the talent show. To refresh your memory, he was the 11 yr old-going on 20- boy you set up with Tiffany (babe). He tried to leave the stage in your jacket. my question is, was Mr. Pu really a passenger or was he part of the show? I heard his name was really steve and he was an actor. also, my only regret of our trip was the need for a final show the night before we disembarked. There was no goodbye show. We wanted more, but we came home with great memories and the coolest kid on the ship! Thanks and hope to travel again with you.
John Please Reply
You once mentioned that eventually more Carnival ships would be retrofitted with the giant screen at poolside ala Lido Deck? Will this include the Fantasy class ships? Also what is the timeframe for each of the Fantasy upgrade in the Revolutions of Fun initiative? What are your recommendations for shore excursions in Freeport and Nassau Bahamas?
Lemme think ….any other questions……Oh …. Has Carnival expressed their utmost gratitude towards their superstar CD in the form of an Aston Martin yet?
Hi John & Heidi,
This is my first time posting a comment. I am a radio presenter in Scotland and found your blog several weeks ago while doing research for my travel feature.
Having started at the beginning I am proud to say I have now caught up and I am inspiring my listeners to read your blog too if they are looking to cruise.
Have a great Christmas and New Year and I would hope that we (my family and I) have the pleasure of cruising with you.
David.
Dear John & Heidi (Please reply),
Great to hear about all your adventures while you’re on vacation.
Once again, my comments to you have been lost in cyber-space. Two of them still say “Awaiting Moderation”. One of them I marked “Private” and was about something that happened on the Imagination, and the other was a general comment about the Imagination itself. They were both rather long and I don’t think I can remember them all. Just one thing I do remember – the comments about passing through the Cigar Bar on the way to the Internet cafe. On the Imagination, they moved the Internet cafe down to the Lobby Level – no smoking at all down there. It is on one side of the new Atrium Bar. That might be the answer to the problem.
Robin in NY – Happy Birthday. Mine is the 24th so we share this wonderful season. Did you think when you were a kid that all the lights and decorations were for you? I did.
John, did you receive the ornament I sent you and Heidi? I’m sure you have similar, but I thought it was perfect for you.
My vacation planner called me yesterday and sent me a holiday greeting. I think I’m going to book the 4-day NY-Canada on the Victory in June. That will give me enough time to save for next year’s Blogger’s Cruise – which will be?????
When I get the chance I will try and re-write the comments about the Imagination. Just this first – George (Jorge after 5:00 p.m.) and Noonan both say hello and can’t wait to see you in January. (Robin, you are so lucky – it’s a beautiful itinerary – I may even do it again on the Destiny). And if you ever get the one marked “Private”, the problem was resolved yesterday.
Regards until later,
Carol
Hey John,
I see Carnival Pride will be moving to Miami and doing what looks like the Triumph itinerary. Does that mean Triumph will finally be moving to New Orleans ????????
http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Articles/pridemiami_2009.aspx
John……loved reading your report about Queen Victoria. Cunard scored another big hit. Thought you’d like to see what I wrote recently about Carnival –
http://www.shipcriticblog.com/why-im-a-carnival-fan.
My question: Which is your favorite ship and why? Personally I’d pick Carnival Valor, but I’m not sure why.
Oh, the vicissitudes of life away from Cunard! I feel your pain! Sometimes life can be such drudgery . . .
John, PLEASE REPLY
I was reading on CruiseCritic that some ships still have the talent show like it used to be done as well as the Carnival Legends show.
Do cruises with you have both, or just Carnival Legends?
Hope you’re enjoying your break, we can’t wait to see you in one month!
–Adam
John: Can you give us any tasty information on the Carnival Dream due to sail in late 2009? Have any destinations been talked about? Any sneak previews or insights?
JOHN – NEED REPLY
Good morning. Hope all is well and you are still relaxing and enjoying the remainder of your time off.
I have a question about internet usage on board. I don’t want to pay by the minute – is there a package I can purchase once I get on the ship?
(Don’t forget we will be sailing the week BEFORE the First Annual Blogger’s Cruise.)
Take care, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Tom (and Lori)
John Please Reply…
Hi John, was curious if Todd will be hosting any events during the blogger’s cruise. You and Todd are my husband’s and my favorite CDS, and I must say that one of the reasons we decided on taking the blogger’s cruise (we were already booked on a Miracle cruise the following week so we’re doing back to backs) was we thought it would be a wonderful experience to enjoy our 2 favorite CDs on one cruise. While we certainly are still looking forward to the blogger’s cruise, we will be a bit disappointed without Todd.
John,
I’m sooooooooo sad….yes, I am actually crying…Mr. Cheap won’t let me book the blogger’s beach bash because it cost so much. He said all we would do is maybe swim and lounge, and maybe eat the food and he won’t spend $200 to do that…I’m so sad, I think it’s going to ruin my Christmas knowing all my blogger friends will be together….try not to miss me too much and take lots of pictures for me please……
susan
John, PLEASE REPLY!!!
Just curious as to whether you will still be on FREEDOM on 4/12/07 sailing to W. Carribean? Have booked this one “again” and HOPE you are still CD on that ship. Please dont let me down and say “no”… Hope to see ya then,
Bobby