Sunday, December 23rd, 2007...8:47 pm
The Christmas Spirit
I just returned from what can only be described as hell……………….a supermarket, two days before Christmas when apparently the entire country had decided to go shopping at the same time. Now obviously there was a rumor that France was going to invade and that that would soon be nothing in the shops because people had gone mad………..totally nuts……….”stunard” as they say in Naples.The whole place was a zoo………..and by that I mean people were behaving like animals. I watched bemused as people barged others out of the way to get that turkey before someone else, old ladies who had suddenly gone from sweet and innocent basket-weaving grandmas to members of the Hell’s Angels who used their shopping trolleys as battering rams in order to get to the Brussels sprouts.
I watched as Mums acted as drill sergeant major’s snapping instructions at dad and the kids to go and get various items, all that missing was a salute.
Heidi and I were shopping for just a few bits and pieces because we are having our Christmas Dinner at my Mum’s this year and we laughed at the comedy show that was unfolding.
However, our laughter turned to utter grumpiness (is that a word?) when we reached the checkouts. Sainsburys is a huge supermarket and there must have been 20-plus check outs available but each had a line longer than the Carnival Freedom and each person in line had bought enough food to feed every guest on the Carnival Freedom. The result of this was we stood in line with our small trolley of 2 dozen items for……………..one hour…………….yep…………………one hour and of course just as we reached sight of the promised land Murphy dropped one of his laws on my head the complete and utter gift!
The couple in front of us had two full trolleys and were obviously going to be feeding Texas for dinner and as there huge pile got smaller and my piles started throbbing it was nearly our turn…………………..and then finally the last item was rung in and the young check out girl said “that will be £317″………..that’s about $700 by the way. Hearing this the man looked as though he had just been given the good news with a baseball bat to his Albert Halls (rhyming slang) and he went very red as he reached into his wallet and produced his credit card thingy…………………….all I cared about was that I just wanted to get out of this place and do something less disturbing like shoving a rattle snake that has not eaten down my trousers, or, telling Heidi her bottom looked HUGE in those jeans.
Anyway, as the man handed over his card I knew freedom was just around the corner…………but……………it was not………………………..the man’s credit card was declined…………….bugger. I felt sorry for him as he and his wife scrambled in their wallets and eventually they managed to split the charges on two cards ………….. Christmas it seemed had taken its tool on their bank balance and that of many of others I am sure around the world.
It is fair to say that when I left the supermarket I was feeling very un Christmassy………..in fact I was in a rotten mood. However just as Murphy had dumped his law on me early the spirit of Christmas reminded me what it’s all about.
This reminder came as we left the store to the sounds of a Salvation Army Brass Band playing Silent Night. As the beautiful notes of the 40-piece band drifted into the crisp morning air I reached into my wallet and deposited a few notes into the bucket which the poster told me would go to help make this Christmas a special one for the many homeless people of the area.
I felt good about myself and this time of year again and as we wheeled our trolley back to the car all the war zone of the supermarket felt far, far away.
Now, this then feels like the perfect opportunity for me to chat with a special lady. You know, Carnival Corporation is the first to blow its trumpet loud and proud about our new ships and ventures that make us what we are today. However, there is one thing we don’t sing from the roof tops and to change that I need to chat with the lovely Linda Coll.
1. LINDA, PLEASE CAN YOU TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR CAREER SO FAR AND WHAT YOUR CURRENT POSITION INVOLVES? I have been with Carnival for 18 years and oversee the Carnival Foundation, which is at the Miami headquarters and coordinates the company’s various corporate giving and philanthropy efforts. In addition to overseeing a multi-million-dollar budget that provides monetary donations to a wide variety of charitable, social service and arts-related organizations, both locally here South Florida and throughout the country,. part of my job also includes working with Carnival Cruise Lines employee volunteer service group, the “Friends Uniting Neighbors” (F.U.N.) Team. We have a three-person staff here that includes myself, Mitzi Capo and Lisa Marie Alvarez.
2.THEY SAY CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME AND IN THIS CASE IT BEGINS AT SEA. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE WONDERFUL PROJECTS THAT THE CORPORATION HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT HAVE BETTERED PEOPLE’S LIVES? Carnival Corporation & plc is the world’s largest cruise operator with a diverse portfolio of brands whose offices are located throughout North America and Europe. Our department primarily deals with our North American brands, which, in addition to Carnival Cruise Lines (based in Miami), includes Holland America (based in Seattle), Princess Cruises (based in Santa Clarita, Calif.), and Seabourn Cruise Line (based in Miami). The ships of these brands operate from homeports across the east and west Coasts of the U.S., as well as the Gulf of Mexico - not to mention calling at dozens of dozens of island destinations.As the world’s largest cruise operator, Carnival believes we have a duty to give back to our communities we serve and thus we take our position as a corporate citizen very seriously. We want to make sure our communities continue to be a great place to live and work.
With that in mind, the Carnival Foundation coordinates millions of dollars in donations - which support such wide-ranging organizations, with a particular emphasis on those that help children and support the arts. In addition to being one of the of the largest corporate contributors of the United Way, we lend our support to such organizations as March of Dimes, Junior Achievement, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the New World Symphony and National Association for Advancement in the Arts, which provides hundreds of scholarships for talented singers, dancers, and other artists.
During times of crisis, our department also works closely with the American Red Cross, coordinating corporate and employee donations for such emergencies as the tsunami in Asia and hurricane relief efforts throughout the U.S. and Caribbean. All told, over the past five years, Carnival has donated upwards of $30 million
to a variety of charitable endeavors.The efforts of the Carnival Foundation, of course, complement the many charitable initiatives coordinated by the individual brands themselves - and their employees — in their respective local communities. Shipboard personnel also do their part to help our communities, participating in beach clean ups and donating their time and talent to various orphanages and children’s charities throughout the Caribbean and other regions.
3. ALTHOUGH CARNIVAL CORPORATION ASSISTS DOZENS OF ORGANIZATIONS, IS THERE ONE PROJECT THAT HAS TOUCHED YOUR HEART THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH US? Yes, we assist lots of different groups and organizations. If I were to name one that we’re particularly proud of, it would have to be our most recent initiative with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Miami HEAT as it impacts the lives of children who are so important to the future of our community.Through Big Brothers/Big Sisters, approximately 50 members of Carnival’s management team are serving as mentors to high school students as part of an innovative in-the-workplace mentoring program. The students previously attended the HEAT Academy, an after-school program in downtown Miami for at-risk youth (30 of the students will be receiving college scholarships that have been purchased by Carnival).
After a comprehensive evaluation and interview process coordinated by Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the students were partnered up with a member of Carnival management according to their interests and aptitude - students who are interested in becoming lawyers are paired up with our legal department, etc. The students then shadow their Carnival “big” throughout the day and watch them interact in an office environment. We’ve just finished the second session and the response has been excellent, both from the students and Carnival employees.
Another project that we’re very excited about is the renovation of the pediatric intensive care unit and medical unit at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami. Carnival, along with the Miami HEAT, pledged $2.5 million toward this initiative which will benefit hundreds of children each year.
Renovations to the 30,000-square-foot facility are ongoing and include 30 special oversized rooms to allow family members to remain with their critically ill children, medical isolation rooms for those most susceptible to germs and infections, a sophisticated new monitoring system enabling nurses to more easily monitor patients, and a comfortable lounge where families can relax during long days at the hospital.
Following the renovation, the facility will be renamed the “Carnival Cares for Kids Center.” A Pediatric Medical Unit on the same floor will be named the “Miami HEAT Home Court for Kids.”
We’re very proud and honored to lend our support to the Jackson Memorial Hospital Foundation, whose tireless efforts in providing life-saving medical treatment to thousands of individuals, particularly children, has made a tremendously positive impact on our community.
4. ONBOARD THE CARNIVAL FREEDOM WE RECENTLY RAISED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH. ARE THERE ANY PLANS WHERE IN THE FUTURE EVERY SHIP IN THE CARNIVAL FLEET COULD HOST EVENTS FOR THIS ORGANIZATION?…….CAN WE DO THIS? Carnival’s On Deck for the Cure program - a series of one-mile fundraising walks currently being offered on all ships operating voyages of seven days or longer as well as four- and five-day
cruises on the Elation from San Diego - has been an overwhelming success.John, as you can attest from your time on the Carnival Freedom this summer, our guests truly appreciate the opportunity to support such a worthwhile organization as Susan G. Komen for the Cure - the global leader in breast cancer research — even while on vacation. Modeled after a highly successful program introduced by Holland America, the program was rolled out to other Carnival Corporation & plc brands that operate in North America, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, and Seabourn Cruise Line.
Carnival Cruise Lines initially launched the program on ships from Miami earlier this year and expanded to other ships a few months later, including the Carnival Freedom in Europe, which as you can attest was extremely well received.
Right now, the program has been on Carnival Corporation & plc ships for about four months and we are extremely pleased with the support both by guests and crew thus far. Since this project is still in the early stages, we’re concentrating our efforts on those ships that currently host On Deck for the Cure activities but perhaps one day we may extend the program to other ships and hopefully other brands.
John, I would like to personally thank you (and the readers of your blog) for your incredible support of the On Deck for the Cure program, which has not only raised thousands and thousands of dollars for breast cancer research and education but much-needed awareness, as well. Thanks again and happy holidays!
Thank you Linda for allowing us all to know the wonderful work that is undertaken by Carnival Corporation. We are all proud to help and I am looking forward to much more “giving “this coming year.
So, all that’s left then is to wish all of you a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful Holiday Season. I hope Santa brings you the gifts you want and I hope he saw my letter where I asked for an Aston Martin and a sun tan like George Hamilton’s…………who I see from the Entertainment News is in St.Martin.topping up his tan…………lucky sod.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
57 Comments
December 24th, 2007 at 1:40 am
Crowds at X’mas !
Our Mall reminded me of Ephesus and the 5 cruise ships and passengers that were all in port the day we visited! We got shoved from one site to the next! Thank god for the Terraced Houses, a welcome retreat much like seeing the end of the check out line approaching !
The good thing is I didn’t have to give 50 Euro cents to use the loo while X’mas shopping at Macy’s !!!
Kathy and Paul
December 24th, 2007 at 2:45 am
John & Heidi–best wishes for a Merry Christmas here on the east coast of the USA. Hope you enjoy your special day and have lots of goodies to eat. Tonight (from 9:30PM until midnight) I went with a friend to Macy*s to do some last minute shopping (for her, not me, I was just the appointed schlepper). The world famous department store has been open 24 hours a day since Friday night continuing until 6PM Christmas Eve. Well, what you say about the supermarket applied to the department store. Not the lines so much, but the confusion and crowds. The store was an unholy mess. My favorite was in between the pocketbook and scarf department where we found an undressed mannekin lying on the floor. I really did want to dress the poor thing or at least wind a scarf around her privates. People were just stepping over her and doing their thing. Amazing. I don’t celebrate Christmas (I light those candles for eight nights) but the commercial end of it has just gone too far!
December 24th, 2007 at 3:40 am
John and Heidi,
Well, I certainly didn’t expect another blog so close to Christmas from you! You have definately kept us up to date on everything while you’ve been on vacation, and I’m sure that I am not the only one who is very grateful to you for that! There would have been alot of us going thru blogger withdrawl without you! You shine a special light in all of us with your comments and tremendous sense of humor! Sorry your experience at the market was so unpleasant! I would have been tempted to leave without my few items.
HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, and enjoy the special times with your loved ones! Did you get the “toy” that I sent you? I figured it would be fun for you to use to play a joke on your dad especially. I will be looking forward to hearing about your special broadcast on the radio Christmas morning! Be yourself, and you will entertain as well as enlighten many lives that day!
Sheryl
December 24th, 2007 at 7:05 am
John,
I know this has nothing to do with the current blog but. Is there an easy way ( other than using the CCL transfers ) to get from Heathrow to the Port of Dover. We are taking a Northern Europe Cruise in 2009, yeah I know a bit early to be planning. Any insight to this would be great.
Thanks
Tim and Pam
December 24th, 2007 at 7:54 am
Christmas is pervasive and isn’t that a wonderful thing? Even when we’re at our most unChristmasy (is THAT a word???) the spirit of Christmas finds its way into our hearts. It sneaks in around corners and through tiny little cracks in our foul moods and rends them asunder. I love it!
Thankfully, I got all my necessary holiday duties out of the way before the Annual Craziness ensued otherwise I might have joined you in one of those lines that reach from here to there and back.
Thank you for the insight into Carnival’s charitable wing. It’s good to know that the company gives back and in such grand fashion. Good news about On Deck for The Cure! I hope it spreads to all sailings. It’s an excellent project for a most worthy cause.
Off now, to your Mum’s. Here’s hoping that everyone, especially your mate and our friend Alan, are well and have a perfectly marvelous Christmas.
Offer my best Christmas ‘howdies’ to Heidi and Roberto!
God bless us, every one…
Regards,
Greg
December 24th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Merry Christmas, John & Heidi.
December 24th, 2007 at 8:51 am
John, shopping is the only thing I dislike about the CHRISTmas season. Over here it is just as you disscribed it “a zoo”.
To John, Heidi, Roberto, the bloggers and My Crew
Pat and I would like to wish all off you a very
Merry CHRISTmas.
To Alan, may this CHRISTmas and all our prayers bring you the best gift of all, HEALTH.
“BIG” ED
Only 26 more days till I get my CHRISTmas gift. Meeting John, Heidi, Roberto and my hard working CREW.
December 24th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Merry Christmas , John, Heidi, Roberto and to all my blooger friends!!!!!!!!!!
XOXOXO
December 24th, 2007 at 10:31 am
I loved hearing about you shopping trip. Why? Because I sent Danny to the market on Saturday for a can of fruit cocktail so I could finish my fruit salad and when he got home he had almost the exact same story. So I guess it is the same on this side of the ocean too.
Have a GREAT time with you mum on Christmas day.
Jennifer
December 24th, 2007 at 10:42 am
John,
Let me take a minute as I get ready to take care of the last minute preparations for our Christmas celebrations, to wish you, Heidi, Roberto and all the bloggers a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy your families and take a moment to tell them you love each of them.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Karen
December 24th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Merry Christmas John and Heidi!
December 24th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Hello John and Heidi,
Just wanted to wish you both a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Hope you’re enjoying your time off and time with your parents.
When do you leave for Miami and will you get to go back to England after the two cruises or will be you be staying in Florida? What is your schedule for the next year until you go on the Splendor?
Again have a Merry Christmas!
George and Linda
December 24th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Happy Holidays to you and Heidi! We hope to sail with you again in 2008!
December 24th, 2007 at 11:46 am
John and Heidi,
So glad the Salvation Army band restored your Christmas spirit. It’s interesting to learn that last minute shopping madness is no longer a uniquely American malady. I’m happy to say that I have managed to avoid most of the crowds this year by shopping on-line. Groceries, of course, are an entirely different matter, but as I am retired I can shop for food at any hour and thus avoid most of the mayhem. I sincerely hope you need not venture again into the fray! It might be fun, though, to sit on a bench in a mall and watch the insanity.
Scott and I, and our Old English Sheepdog, Niki, will be driving tomorrow from Clermont to Jacksonville Beach (FL) to spend Christmas day with our daughters, most of our grandchildren and my mom. Will spend the night with an aunt and uncle (the couple who cruised with us on the Glory in September), then back home the next day. We will most likely see in the new year as we have for the past eight years: at Epcot! How will you celebrate new year’s eve?
By the way, thanks for today’s interview. Just to show you how uninformed (dense?) I am, it only now has dawned on me that Micky Arison owns the Miami Heat as well as Carnival. Can you say “duh”?! I’m pleased to note that the corporation gives back so generously to the community which supports it.
Speaking of sports…the Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) are officially in the playoffs. (That’s playoffs for the football, American style, Superbowl just to clarify.) Don’t forget to cheer for them, please.
My best wishes to you both, your families, Alan and Roberto and their families, all the bloggers and all the ships at sea! (Sorry, got carried away.)
Merry Christmas!!!
From Frenetic Florida Fan…Myra
December 24th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
John -
A Merry Christmas to you, your missus, Mum & Dad, Alan & his family and all the carnivalites in the world. May your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be White (with apologies to Irving Berlin).
Thanks also for the interview with Linda Coll. I have been wondering the extent to which Carnival supports charitable causes and now we see the organization’s involvement in the community. Very commendable.
Happy Holidays to all from LFTTNSFCF and the Mrs. MTSFP.
December 24th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
I remember when I was much younger and worked in a supermarket…..the mobs of customers, huge lines, shopping carts (trolleys) full and often multiple carts utilized. Ah the joy ….errrr insanity….. of the holiday fervor.
Anyway here is wishing you and Heidi a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic Holiday Season!
December 24th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
John, Heidi and all the Carnival staff and bloggers, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy new Year. We are fortunate to live in a country (USA) with the freedoms that allow us to travel and enjoy this wonderful world and the most astounding people we encounter along the way.
May God bless y’all and keep you safe in your travels.
Uncle Doug,
the now Platinum East Texas Cruiser
December 24th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Hi John and Heidi. Just a quick note to wish both of you a very Merry Christmas. I hope all your wishes come true. Thanks for the interview. That’s is just another reason we keep coming back to Carnival. I’m sorry you won’t be on the Carnival Liberty in Feb. I was really looking forward to introducing myself and Geoff to you. I guess it’ll just have to wait for the 2009 bloggers cruise. One final note to all my fellow bloggers. I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday. You are all in my prayers. Great big hugs to all of you.
Leasa
December 24th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Merry merry, happy happy !
I can feel your pain about shopping ! I went Sat to Publix, parking lot was jammed as well as the isles. I only needed some fresh asparagus and fruit and a few other items. What a zoo…………………..oh well, at least it’s over.
We are going to my dad’s tonight for dinner…roast beef, yummu. Then tom we are doing the Christmas dinner–will plan to eat about 3pm.
Beautiful weather here in the Orlando area !
Take care and God blass you both.
December 24th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
From the deputies, Mama Sheriff, and myself……Merry Christmas John and Heidi!! Yes, the Sheriff will be working Christmas Day…………….
If you drink and drive, I have a room for you at my jail!
Handcuffs To All!
Rosco P. Coltrane
Sheriff
December 24th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
All I want for Christmas is a good coach and quarterback for my Atlanta Falcons.
December 24th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
I hope they do not ban smokers (we are polite smokers btw)off Ur cruise line planning for our 4th cruise with carnival now,hope to see a south pacific journey planned for a Carnival ship soon (pleeeese)Loved U John on the Glory when we cruised Nov 04!!
December 24th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Merry X’mas John and Heidi! You must be close to opening gifts. We use to attend midnight Mass and open our gifts in the morning. Now that we’re older and a lot of our family is gone, we open our presents on X’mas Eve. I’m still looking for Santa!
Hope you and your fanily have a wonderful holiday! You too Roberto!!!
Kathy and Paul
December 24th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
A very Merry Christmas to you and Heidi. Thank you for the wonderful gift of this blog thingy. It has brought us so much enjoyment.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Barb
December 24th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
merry christmas john and heidi! we are back today from the carnival miracle. it is lovely and the crew also. the grandchildren had a blast too. see you both soon!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
December 24th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good night!
It is Christmas Eve (6pm) EST in Florida, and we are getting ready to go to a family get together, but I wanted to wish all my blogger friends, and especially to John, Heidi, Alan, Roberto, Big Ed, & Pat, Nanette, Bee, Kevin, Paul P. Heidi-Beth & Family, Carol S., etc. a Very Happy Holiday Season, God Bless you All! Linda & Mike
December 24th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Heidi (and Vincent)
Vrolijke Kerstmis en Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar
December 24th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Mr. Heald, Heidi, Roberto, Chris P. and the entire group that makes the blog a success I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope for more success in 2008.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
December 24th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Merry Christmas John and Heidi!
and to all the bloggers too!
You are right shopping is a bear this time of year and your once nice and friendly neighbors become comandos in a seek and destroy mision… Wehave everything we needed early but like you ended up going out for just a few last things, however we fared better than my sister who has the worst christmas shopping time I have heard, and as always she called me as it was happening!!!!! She got into the 10 items of less line to find the person in front of her had not just more that 10 but a cart full of little items in the end $300 worth, ans as she tried to wait the young child of the person in front of her was cussing at her and threatning to throw food at her. well she made it out with out the food fight and without saying anything to this mother or her unrestrained child, and for my sister that is a lot!
If everyone could just relax and remember the point to this holiday time is they might stop stressing and stop and enjoy it!
wishing you all a merry day
the one and only
Heidi-Beth
December 24th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!!!
TO JOHN, TO HEIDI, TO ROBERTO, AND TO ALAN!!!
You’re probably doing the Christmas morning radio show right about now. What a wonerful Christmas blessing you’ll give everyone!
And thank you to Carnival and letting us hear all about the charitable works it does! Sharing and giving back is what Christmas is all about — and you and Carnival live that all year long!
SHOPPING, a great sport… You have to head in to it as a competive sport. You can play defense or offense… Just don’t get called on a penalty or delay of game! Keep it all moving until the clock runs out. Be fair and have good sportsmanship! If you make it home and you have at least half of what you intended (with no penalties) you’re the winner!!! CONGRATULATIONS!
Only a week until 2008!! God Bless us all!
KirstenL
December 25th, 2007 at 1:20 am
MERRY CHRISTMAS JOHN & HEIDI. HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS IN ENGLAND AND HOLLAND. ALL THE BEST FOR 2008.
SINCERELY,
CINDY
A CANADIAN FAN
December 25th, 2007 at 1:45 am
From my husband, George, and I we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good luck with the radio program in the morning, and we hope you and Heidi have the loveliest of holidays w/your family.
Look forward to meeting you on the blogger’s cruise.
Happy Holidays,
Lisa and George
December 25th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Julie Gantt
December 25th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Hi John and Heidi! Happiest and Healthiest of Holidays to you and all.
I decided to take a breather this nice, quiet Christmas Morning on Long Island to read the Blog.
Seems like many people before this day had lots of home heating challenges for me to fix like Santa. My Jeanne worried we would not even have a Christmas tree, and Chistmas would be a lost cause this year, but in my true getter done ! attitude–I did just that.
The tree went up, family appeared, gifts were exchanged, and all is well Again.
Amazing how we all worried about these things.
How comforting it is to know how much good people do everywhere at this time of year.
Jeanne and her friend Debbie have already started their preparations for this year’s LI2DAY breast cancer walk.
Announcing the third annual Stand-up Comedy Night at a local Aquarium.
I am so proud of her. Hopefully we can walk on Splendor in August to help Carnivals Quest for the Cure.
Linda Coll, John and Heidi, Thanks for the Christmas Blog Gift.
Happy Holidays to all from Ray & Jeanne
December 25th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Happy holiday to the two of you.
December 25th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Hi John
Merry Christmas!!!! Just returned last night from our family vacation on the “Miracle” we had a blast. It took us a while to get used to the Lido dining area but we finally mastered it…. (different setup completely).
Brent Mitchell was the CD on this trip and we enjoyed his jokes and the entertainment was great as usual. All in all it was a great way to get my grandkids’ appetite wetted for future cruises and we succeeded!!!! They can’t stop talking about it.
Well now our next one will be the “Splendor” Northern Europe in July with you and I’ve just noticed that you wrote an article about the Pride doing a Panama canal cruise (which we’ve been wanting to do) so I have to check dates etc. and make sure they are not interferring with Northern Europe or South America in Jan 2009.
John I wanted to take this time to say that Carnival really does an excellent job at giving good value to their customers. Your cruises are filled with fun, good food, great entertainment, comfortable cabins, etc. etc. (list goes on). I’ve tried other lines but I’m now committed to you guys alone!!! Thanks again for the wonderful job you do as CD and I really want to know where your 2009 bloggers cruise is heading to so that I can book this one in time as well.
Hope you and Heidi had a great Christmas. What are you going to do without her on board????
December 25th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
John and Heidi
Have wonderful holidays and thank you for thinking of all of us carnival lovers at this time of the year. Blessing to all Judy
December 25th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
[...] The Christmas Spirit I just returned from what can only be described as hell……………….a supermarket, two […] [...]
December 25th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Happy Holidays to Heidi and John! My family and I just returned from a cruise on the Legends last week. Was that ever fun!!! It was our first cruise and everything was wonderful. Our CD was Chris, and he did a great Blues Brothers imitation!! I couldn’t recommend Carnival more so go cruising soon and often!! Chris
December 25th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Hi John & Heidi,
Luckily we had all our shopping, food and otherwise, done before the last minute rush. My daughters and I may go out tomorrow though to look for after Christmas bargains. Sometimes that can be just as crazy as what you went through.
It’s wonderful that you got the spirit back after you left and it’s wonderful all the good Carnival does for so many in need. There are so many less fortunate than we are and it’s important to remember that.
We hope you both had a very Merry Christmas together with your family and friends. We also wish all the bloggers a happy holiday, whichever they celebrate. Not long now and we will be enjoying the fun together!!
Mary & Randy
(TheChads)
December 26th, 2007 at 12:55 am
John and Heidi,
Merry Christmas from the ruin that is Oklahoma (tons of ice, millions of trees destroyed, no power for weeks for many). It makes us that much more anxious to get aboard the Liberty and cruise, cruise, cruise.
We hope your Christmas is one of happiness and peace.
We’re also pleased to know that you will be taking on some of the Cruise Director tasks for the Bloggers cruise. I think I speak for many of those posting here when I say that you are the reason why we want to be a part of these little adventure. I know it means more work for you at a time when you were planning to relax a bit, and we greatly appreciate your willingness to do what — in our opinion, at least — you do best.
The special Ocho Rios excursion sounds wonderful — although we will likely observe the Passover (so to speak) on the Dunns River Falls death march. Not our cup of tea — too much like work.
Again, merry Christmas and all the best,
J&K Watts
December 26th, 2007 at 5:04 am
Happy Holidays to Hedi, John, Big Ed, Roberto, all my blogger friends, and especially Alan…hope you are getting better every day!
What puts me in the Christmas spirit was Christmas Eve service. I just love it, and our church ends the service with each of us having our own candle, they turn off all the lights, and we sing Silent Night…it’s wonderful!
Hope your show went great this morning John!
Have a happy new year and behave yourself so you can stay out of the doghouse!
25 more days till the cruise!
Susan
December 26th, 2007 at 8:26 am
Greetings Heidi & John,
Another supermarket blog! I guess it’s a universal thing - the lines here are just as bad, along with the people in the aisles. Sometimes you can’t even get through one of the aisles because the carts (trolleys) are blocking the way. Monday morning the parking lot of the Supermarket a few blocks from me was packed at 9:00 a.m. Thank goodness I didn’t have to go there.
But Robin, I know what you mean about Macy’s. Same experience at the Yonkers store which was also a 24-hr. store. At 6:00 Monday the parking lot was still full as we drove by on the way to dinner (my nephew & his girlfriend took me out for my birthday at the Cheesecake Factory - my favorite. But they have to add a warm melting chocolate cake to their menu!).
John thank you for the information about the Carnival Foundation. It makes me very proud to be a small part of the Carnival family. Keep up the excellent work.
I hope your holiday with your family was wonderful and Sinter Klaus was good to both of you.
Regards & hugs to all,
Carol
December 26th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
hello John & Heidi happy holidays
ps.fri.is my cruise!
December 26th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Just writing to wish you and Heidi a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
December 26th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Hi Everyone: Well, we all got thru Christmas with all the food preparations, visiting family (which is always nice) and visiting friends too, today I went out in search of 50% off bargains in wrapping paper, etc. So, John we all want to know about the radio show, so please try to blog before the New Year with all the info. on how it went. Hope you and Heidi had a nice family day on Christmas with your mum and dad. I am starting to look for a cruise, wish you could give me some insight as to where you will be once you return to work and after the bloggers cruise. Any idea yet? Also, please post the CD list for cruises in 2008 ok? Thanks! Your friends, Linda & Mike
December 26th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Greetings from long island new york! hope this note finds you and yours well at this wonderful season. my fave movie during xmas time is the 1951 version of a christmas carol with alastair sim, although i’ve never been to the uk, this flick always transports us to olde london town! speak to you and heidi soon mate kevin&robin
December 26th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
The recent NCL commercials seem funny and EFFECTIVE. They portray other cruise line passengers as robots eating when the cruislines tell them too and the free style cruisers as lively people having fun. Now we both know Carnival cruiseline ships are FUN, but how do you counteract these very effective commercials.
I love Carnival, but I sure would like the flexibility of anytime dinning.
December 26th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
John and Heidi
I hope your holidays have been wonderful and full of joy. We were blessed to have our son, daughter in law and 8 yr old grand daughter with us for 10 days. What a joy she is.
We have booked 2 cruises for 2009. The first is the repositioning (Panama Canal) cruise for the Pride in March and then Northern Europe on the Liberty in August 2009. Please keep us posted on plans for a bloggers cruise in 2009. I would love to do one and meet all the other bloggers, but with the big agenda we already have, I am not sure.
Give our best to Heidi and Alan and family. Take care of one another and we will be looking forward to hopefully cruising with you again soon.
P.S. I will be approaching 50 Carnival cruises by the end of 2009… he he
My best to all of you
Sue
December 27th, 2007 at 10:48 am
John & Heidi
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the two of you from the wreckage that is Oklahoma (tons of ice, millions of decimated trees, weeks without electricity — just the usual holiday season).
It just makes us that much more anxious to escape aboard the Bloggers Cruise 19 Jan. We are so looking forward to this, in large part because you will be there. You were the cruise director on our very first cruise — one of the first after 9/11, aboard the Triumph — and we never had such an enjoyable time.
That is why we’re greatly chuffed to hear that you will be taking on some of the CD chores on the Bloggers’ Cruise. I know it means more work for you at a time on a trip that was supposed to be a bit of lark, but we greatly appreciate it. It will make this particular cruise that much more special.
Thanks again, and happy new year,
J & K Watts
December 27th, 2007 at 11:40 am
John and Heidi,
A little late; however, wishing you and yours the Merriest of Christmas and may the New Year bring health, happiness and peace.
December 27th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Dan and I are in the Christmas Spirit! We have (in hand), our Carnival Blogger’s Cruise Guest Documents ! We’ve booked our Jamaican Bash and are pulling out the luggage! Ok, so it’s a little premature but we’ve all had days like that, right John? If there is any room left on this voyage I suggest booking it. Fun is in the air! Happy 2008!
December 27th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
John and Heidi - thank you for the heads up on the Pride’s Panama Canal voyage in March ‘09. We had been hoping for that, and have already booked the cruise. Hope you vacation has been fantastic, and that Alan continues to do well. We miss you all and hope we cross paths again. Breathing is still a problem, and this new Panama Canal trip is giving me incentive to keep working. Happy New Year!!!
December 27th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Hey John,
Hope you had a great holiday. It was nice and quiet here, just the way that I wanted it.
Loved the insight into Half Moon Cay. We are actually considering taking the Fascination in November so we can go there. It would also put us in Nassau on our anniversary (18 and counting). It is either that or the Inspiration during the same week. I would appreciate any input you could give on the Fascination or Jacksonville. We really need to start gearing up and looking for our next booking.
We seem to have ended up on Wee Jimmy’s mailing list, so maybe we seem to have plenty of incentive to cruise again, (and again and again).
Till next time
Kevin
December 31st, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Hi John/Heidi:
An hour? Ugh! That would drive me nuts.
What a wonderful job the Carnival Foundation is doing.
Keep up the great work!
David
January 4th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I am new to this, so let me explain. We’ve been on
over 80 cruises, and I have never complained in
public, but here goes. We were on the Century in
early ‘06, a few months before it was refurbished.
I came home with Bed Bugs!! I suffered so much
but I never told Celebrity, as I was advised that they wouldn’t do a thing for me. Our cabin was flithy, which we told them about, and still nothing
changed. I am curious to know if anyone else out
there has also experienced this? We just came off
the Brilliance of the Seas. It’s the prettiest ship we
have seen, but the staff sucks. I fell twice on it,
once in the shower, second time when my dining
room chair fell into a hole in the floor. Not one
person seemed to care, although I did let a few officers know. We love the smaller ships, especially
their service…and we will try others, but so far we
have really liked being on the Carnival ships with
our g’kids. Everyone was extremely friendly and
very caring. So my point: don’t judge a book by its
cover. Less expensive lines are still great, so don’t
be afraid to try them. We’ve been on all the lines
except Azamara, but I am hestitant to try because
they are owned by Celebrity. What do you think?
My g’son, Jake, loves all of the Carnival ships and
for the age of 11, he’s a better agent than most out
there. His knowledge and great advise to his friends has really been helpful. Some line should
hire him to do their PR, because kids love to know
what’s on a ship and if they have the amenities they want. Jake knows which ones to travel on!!
We are both available to answer questions if you
care to write us. Thanks so much. John, kindly
help me with your knowledge of the Azamara line.
Your friend, SUGAR.
November 30th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Hello
Great blog and great post. Thank you for encapsulating so well the informations.
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