Hello John…….we missed you John……………great to see you and welcome home. These proclamations have been ringing in my ears since I walked onboard the Carnival Freedom a few hours ago……………more about that later.
Firstly, lets go back in time…………oops………….forgot to say hello…………..”hello” ………….and it’s been a busy few days of meetings and seeing great friends. As I mentioned I went to see the circus which by the way gave me the strangest dreams the following day ……….I won’t go into them but just to say it involved a tiger eating various parts of my anatomy while George Hamilton — dressed as a clown in full mascara and make-up — watched………….I think I need help.
The following day I had more meetings in the office and then dinner with Roger Blum and his beautiful wife Marie and their wonderful kids Max, Ashley and Pumpa…………Oh by the way, Marie…being British… slaved over a hot stove and cooked me roast beef and Yorkshire pudding………….it was amazing …………….. twice.
I also wasted two hours of my life at the movies. Heidi and I went to see something called I Am Legend starring Will Smith. I won’t go into movie critic mode bust lets just say the best bit of the movie was when Mr. Smith decides to blow himself up thus bringing the movie to a close and thus waking me from the coma that he had put me in.
This morning American Airlines flight 1700 from Miami was waiting to take us to San Juan Puerto Rico and therefore back to work. The flight was uneventful however I must relay something that happened before we boarded. Heidi and I were walking to the gate and when we arrived at E33 the flight had already started boarding. As we got in line a man barged his way past us and the others waiting shouting “business class, business class”………..he was dressed head to toe in designer gear……….I know this not because I am a fashion guru but because his shirt was gold, blue and purple with the word “Versace” emblazoned over it. His purple jeans had a huge gold tag on the bag that also showed that Versace had enjoyed more money from this guys wallet and to round off this ensemble he had a huge watch on with more diamonds on it than Her Majesty’s crown…………all those colours………..it looked like Walt Disney had been sick all over him.
Anyway, Mr. Versace wanted me and the rest of Miami to know that he was flying business class and the rest of us troglodytes had better move out of the way so that he and his recently puked on shirt could be seated.
Now, I would like to tell you that there was a happy end to this story……….that the airline staff told him to wait…….or that one of the passengers gave him the good news with a four iron …..or that Mr. Versace himself came back from the dead and was so embarrassed that this idiot was advertising his clothes that he ripped them off leaving him naked and showing the world that if his clothes were size large the rest of him was XX small. Unfortunately none of this happened and this rude and arrogant man was allowed to push pass women and children so that he could be seated.
Anyway, we landed and collected all of our luggage which miraculously had decided to be on the same flight as us and then we drove to the ship.
It is so strange how quickly you turn on the Cruise Director button for as we arrived at the pier and as our luggage was being embarked I told Heidi to look at the Carnival Triumph which was docked next to the Carnival Freedom. She also noticed what I was saying. The word Carnival Triumph is supposed to be illuminated but unfortunately some of the letters did not work……………..it did not look good and more importantly showed that I had turned my CD button on again.
However, the highlight of the day was the warm and sincere welcome I received from Nanette and her family. Nanette has been reading the blog since day one and we had such a wonderful cruise together recently. She brought her husband and her son to welcome us home and I must say it was a very, very special moment. I only wish we had time to spend together but Nanette will come on board next San Juan so Heidi and I can have dinner with them. Nanette, thank you so very much for making our home coming so special………….you are a truly wonderful person. Muchos Grasyarse.
So, here we are onboard. Todd has kindly allowed me to spend some time at his computer so I can write to you all again. The ship has been in great hands under Todd’s directorship and he should be very proud.
For the next few days we get to staying a balcony guest cabin. I just had dinner on Lido and I must say it is very, very strange to walk around and not be recognized ………… well…………….mostly……………I have already met people who know me and the Hern family who are sailing on the bloggers cruise next week.
As I mentioned at the start of this blog Heidi and I have been warmly welcomed by so many crew and their words of friendship prove once again that they are the best in the business.
So, off to bed and then a busy day preparing the ship for the bloggers cruise. By the way, on the last day of the cruise – if the stars line up — we were planning to announce the 2009 bloggers adventure and at the same time a live blog will also herald the event…………its going to be historic …………..are you coming?
Just before I go, I spent the last 5 days in a hotel…………..it was a good hotel………..but…………….if you walk down a hotel corridor or sit in the lobby and dare to say “good morning” to someone you don’t know, they will look at you like you have three ears and smell of Yak poo.
However, tonight, as we walked the ship I said “hello” and “good evening” to every guest who passed me by. They don’t know me…but unlike the hotel guests these ones said “hello” back once again proving that a cruise is simply the best way to meet new friends and that a ship creates an atmosphere that a hotel or resort just cannot compete with…….they must be so jealous.
It feels very strange sitting here blogging…………this is where it all began and this is where it will continue and I pledge that once this seat is mine again each and every comment will be answered………….it will be just like old times.
Goodnight and hopefully I will have a pleasant dream………..preferably of a man dressed in Versace being meeting his new best friend…………a Puerto Rican Customs Officer…………the touch, the feel of Latex .
Goodnight
Your Friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Tales from the Ship, Uma Thurman | Tagged: Splendor Godmother
Now you are where you should be, on a ship.
I so agree that being a cruise is where it is so easy to meet and make friends. danny and I have friends from eight years ago and as little time as last Sept.
Have agreat bloggers cruise and maybe we will be on the next one.
Jennifer and Danny
Hi John/Heidi:
Welcome back to the high seas.
I’m sure its better than sitting economy class coming across the pond with the guy spilling over into seats next to you or something similar.
Glad you were so warmly received. Of course everyone missed you.
Great to hear from you and looking forward to more blogs from the sea.
Thanks,
David
Hey John and Heidi,
Haven’t written in a while but have been reading weekly. We will be cruising with you on Feb 9th and can’t wait. Yesterday (1/14) was my 50th birthday and we decided to book the cruise last night to celebrate! What a birthday present (and Valentines, Mother’s Day, anniversary,etc)! Couldn’t think of anything I would want better!
This will be our second time sailing with you and I won’t have to worry about my wig blowing off this cruise like before cause all my hair has grown back.
Thank goodness and a clean bill of health to go with it! Anyway, welcome back and can’t wait to see you on the 2/9/08.
Good morning Mr. Heald. I see that you’re happily onboard your home, the Freedom. I hope that Heidi is also happy back on the ship. I received an email from Nanette who was very bubbly about the fact she was able to meet and Heidi at the pier as you both arrived by taxi. She was excited and the pictures that she had were excellent. I read her blog and the entire blog was about you. She was happy to see you again. I hope that I will also have the chance to meet you soon when I board the Freedom on Feb. 2nd. One thing that I’d like to know is how is Alan? Is he feeling better? When will he need the other operation or if he needs it at all? Well that is it for now. Hopefully I will see you soon February 2nd. Ciao.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Dear John and Heidi,
Welcome back aboard!! Oh, how I wish we were there, but a 2009 bloggers cruise is on our calender, just waiting for the dates. SEE YOU SOON!!! Have a fun winter in the islands!!
Your friends, Paula and Nelson Baker
Love the smell of Yak poo! Hope to smell it next week! Have a nice cruise. Welcome home.
Kathie
Good Afternoon John and Heidi,
So good that you are back on board the Freedom. Can’t wait until Friday and we fly to Miami. Saturday here we come!!! Hope you’re ready. I am bringing PISTONS shirts for you and Heidi, hope you will wear them for a second or two while on the Bloggers Cruise ;D This cruise is going to be sooooo much fun. We’ve never been on a ship when you were CD. Everyone has told me how funny, warm and what a great hugger. My TA told me to ask you to do your “bedtime sotry”. She says it is so very funny. Said I would need something extra for “dainties” because you have everyone laughing so hard that it is difficult to stay dry in a particular area :O
See you soon!! Brace Yourself!
Take care
Joan
Dear John & Heidi,
It is so good to hear that you are back in CD mode. The world is right again.
Now I really wish I were going on the Bloggers Cruise. If you’re going to announce the next one at the end of that cruise (a weekend), my biggest fear is that by the time I find out about it that all the cabins will be gone. How about a hint in the middle of the cruise for the date? Oh well, I tried. At least I know I can book now and not have to wait for my IRS refund.
So have a great time at sea and I hope to read some more from you soon (as soon as you get your sea legs again).
Hugs,
C.
Welcome back, John & Heidi! Have a great time on the blogger’s cruise everybody! See you next year…
Welcome back, John. Glad to see that your transition back to work was reasonably without pain.
Nanette wrote about seeing you off on her blog, and had wonderful things to say. When you are out of your element, rushed and bothered by all that is going on, and still take time to thrill a family who took time to see you for a few minutes out of their life–that’s class John, and you’ve got it, mate.
Hope Alan is doing well, and that his healing is on a rapid pace. We’ll see you Saturday. Only the Bloggers’ Cruise could get us to leave this beautiful Arizona weather to sweat with the oldies.
Rus Franklin
welcome BACK,,,,
are you going to have a sail away party for the
bloggers cruise?
hope so,,see you guys in 4 days
we are very ready
stock up the FISH-N- CHIPS place,,,yum
tom & jane
It sounds like you’re in a warm, happy place… and thanks for the heads up on the movie.
Hope to join you someday!
Dear John
Don’t remember if we asked, but heard rumor you and Heidi would be on the 50 day Splendor cruise please say it so, we have convinced two other couples to come with us and have talked about you so often, so hopefully, we will see you then. We missed you on our two week trip on the freedom this summer. hugs Judy and Jim
Hi John,
Back on the Freedom, huh? I’m surprised that so many people didn’t recognize you. When we spent the days around Christmas on the Liberty, we often talked about you with other passengers whom we met at the breakfast or lunch table. They all had either met you in person or else had seen your picture on the blog. The general opinion was, “Cool guy… lot’s of fun”.
On Christmas eve, the sisters met in Cozumel. I don’t know how often that happens, but when the Liberty gave three short blasts with the horn when she passed astern the Freedom, and when the Freedom answered in kind, it gave us all goose bumps. Those are two beautiful ships.
dear John and Heidi
Welcome Back to your home away from home
just saw your video blog, sure wish we coud be with you down there. I am a survivior of Dunns River falls, Yeah Mon! Just to close to the TA. We are waiting with baited breathe for the 2009 plans.
say hello to Todd for us and all the other bloggers.
We saw a great pix of all “three queens” in NY in yesterdays newspaper
Take Care & Smooth sailing
The Tuckers
Arnold & Elizabeth
Hi John and Heidi,
Welcome back to life at sea. No doubt your next few days will be busyh preparing for the onslaught of we blogger buggers.
I’m currently aboard Holland America’s Zuiderdam, off the coast of Tortola. An engine problem has prevented us from pulling along side, but they believe they have that remedied now, so we should be going ashore shortly.
Going to be fun to get off this ship on Saturday, and head directly to Miami to board the Freedom, and see you and Heidi again, and begin meeting all the bloggers.
A bit of fun to be had here before then, but looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
Just wanted ot say
“Welcome Home, John and Heidi!”
sending smiles your way
the one and only one
Heidi-Beth
Dear friend:
I have so many things to tell you that I dont know where to start, what to say. Thank you!! You are so special and kind. I wanted to say so much but there is always so little time and I felt so bad because we were in the middle with you just arrivingand the suitcases and everything but we couldnt let you go without saying hi and giving you a big hug.We have to talk for more than a few minutes my friend, I wanted to talk to you about my blogger friends, about Viviana that was very sad that she couldnt go because she was working. She wanted to see you and give you a hug. John, I didnt get a picture with you!!!!But the few moments that we spend with Heidi and you were precious.Tell Heidi that we enjoyed our conversation and say thank you for sharing her now famous husband with his fans. John Im not goin to let you go back to Europe without a long conversation my friend. So we accept the invitation to the ship or if you want us to take you someplace else please tell me but dont forget us ok?? We will very much looking forward to having a long conversation with you and Heidi.Thank you again for being the way you are and for being here for me through the bad times. God puts people in the right place at the right time when you need them most and you and my blogger friends family that you created are those people.
Love you and another big huggo!!!!
Nanni
PS – Yesterday I also meet at the pier Lori(catmama) one of your bloggers and part of Big Ed’s evil crew not going on the BC like me right now on board. Say Hi from me.
hey mate!!! glad to hear from you back on board! we are packed and waiting for saturday morning. the emails have been fast and furious in the planning of events. couldn’t be happier to hear from you!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
John and Heidi-
Welcome home! We will see you on board on Saturday. We are so excited – like a kid the night before Christmas. We’re at work and all we can think/talk about is the cruise. 4 days to go. Lynn and Mike Sagara
Welcome home to my new friends!
Glad to hear you had a safe trip and are back on the ship! Only 4 days until the Bloggers Cruise, can’t wait! Just one question, I noticed that Todd was the CD on this ship, will he still be remaining or is he leaving the ship with your arrival. We had so much fun with him on the Miracle’s 2nd sailing out of Baltimore MD in 5/04. Looking forward to another awesome cruise.
Cindy & Kevin
John, I have one of my spies on the ship this week keeping an eye one you, Lori Caskey (Catmama044). So you better be nice to her or she has my permission to start the evil a week early.
Captain Evil
BIG ED
Welcome home, indeed! I’m sure the Freedom has missed you despite being left in such capable hands.
To tell you the truth, it’s good to hear you in cruise director mode again. It suits you.
The video was wonderful. How deep in the dog house are you currently ensconced after you quickly, and hilariously, redirected the camera from the lovely Heidi???
A live blog announcing the 2009 Blogger’s Cruise! It IS historic and you can bet all the bangers and mash in the UK that I’ll be there!!!
Fantastic blog, fantastic video. Thank you so much! You made my day.
Many happy regards to the the wonderful Heidi and the Amazing Roberto!! I’m glad that he finally admitted his standing as ‘FAMOUS’!!! Most excellent, Roberto!!!
Greg
Hi John and Heidi
Welcome home! We will see you in 4 more days!!! We are so excited!!
Your Friends,
Inez & Dean
John and Heidi,
It’s great to hear you are back on board the Freedom. Can’t wait to give you and Heidi big hugs again. Four days and counting. See you on Saturday.
Travis and Mary
Hi John: Glad you are back in full swing with that awesome sense of humor, which we have all missed! I can’t wait till you announce the 2nd bloggers cruise for 2009, I will definitely be booking that one, can’t wait for all the blogs on the evil Big Ed and the gang have in store for you! Should be a blast! Sure wish we could’ve been there. We did book a cruise for April 20th on the Liberty, can’t wait! First time we will be in Ocho Rios, also going back to Key West and Grand Cayman. We are BOTH in need of another cruise! Nanette was so thrilled to meet you, she is such a lovely person. Mike & I unfortunately missed her in November when we went to P.R. It was raining and I didn’t see her, she says she saw me, but was too shy to approach me, I wish she had! I can’t wait to meet all the bloggers, and hope Nanette, Bonnie Bee, Big Ed, Kevin, Heidi-Beth and her family, Carol S., etc. are on the 2009 bloggers cruise, can’t wait! What a nice Bloggers Family reunion that will be! Loved the video, Mike and I just watched it. Hope you make another video during the bloggers cruise for all of us who can’t be there to watch! You look great, and so does Heidi! Take care my friends, and Happy Cruising! Linda & Mike (Mr. Handydandy man)
Hi John, Heidi and Roberto,
Welcome back! The video was great and you have my curiousity piqued! Can’t wait to see you in 4 days!
elaine
John and Heidi…Welcome Back !!
Enjoying your Balcony eh? Maybe Carnival could permanently spring for you to keep it???Hint Hint… Anywhoooo Have you got plenty of Jelly beans and Diet Root Beer or should we flood the Persers desk with it as our group boards??? You name what you need and You’ll have it !!(within reason) I hope KUKI brings groucho glasses for all ??? Please say Hello to my Mom and Dad…
Julie and Forrest Gump who will also be sailing with us…They are also really from Alabama and cant wait to say Hi…. Amanda went shopping for a new dress this week..one that doesn’t make her look fat (so I proclaimed) and Catie has the Principal of her schools blessing to cruise as long as she does some educational things….Please suggest a few to her….I couldn’t think of any.
It’s all about the FUN!
See you both soon…We cant wait !!!
Mark ,Amanda (the weather girl) and Catie Bug
How do you upload a picture to the comment field on the right side of this blog John???
Heidi, John & Roberto,
. Beware John, BIG ED and his EVIL CREW have had 9 months of planning going on also. They have many many tricks up their sleeves. Also we all want to know when the Thong walk is going to be happening.? Google earth works pretty well when it wants to maybe we can track you via there or the freedom’s web cam. I know Nanette and myself will be glued to it as much as we can. The video was great as always it’s great to see and hear you, not that we have sailed together yet but 2009 is going to be a great year for all of us bloggers as the family keeps growing it seems. Best to Heidi who needs to post a new blog herself soon. Roberto keep up the great work my friend you are a true asset to Carnival and John and his friends.
Greetings from Cold New York State where it is 34 degrees out side right now. Not as cold as other places but cold. Glad to hear that the 2009 bloggers cruise will be announced soon enough. I can’t wait my credit card is ready to book the best, biggest, largest, nicest, inside cabin I can afford
Kevin
Hi John & Heidi
All I can say is “Welcome Back”
Suzann
I just love your sick sense of humor…just like mine!
Hello John and Heidi!
Welcome back to the ship! I know you enjoyed your time of rest and relaxation. The bloggers cruise sounds marvelous. I wish Jim and I were sailing with you. I enjoyed the video! It was nice to be able to put a face with a name.
I can hardly wait to start getting information on the Splendor! Our granddaughter is talking about it also! She is reading a book about Ann Frank for a book report at school. Her reason for picking the book was that she hopes to visit the house in Amsterdam.
Enjoy the bloggers cruise and be sure to send plenty of updates! We want to know what is going on!
Ruth
Hi John and Heidi,
Welcome home. I’m so glad you guys are back where you belong. I got to listen to the video and you’re a nut! How long do you think you’ll be in the doghouse for, this time? I know others have said they are glad to put a face with a name, but I’m also glad to have been able to put a voice with the name. Thanks so much for that. I hope the bloggers cruise is a blast. I’m so excited about next year because I hope to book for that one. To all my fellow bloggers on the cruise, have a wonderful time. Big Ed, be kind to John. Or at least be gentle! I can’t wait for the updates from the ship. Hugs to you all. Only 17 days and at least I’ll get to be on a ship again!
Leasa
Hi John and Heidi,
Welcome back to the ship.
I so wish I was going to be on this year’s blogger cruise…maybe next year. Have fun everyone!
Hi, John and Heidi:
Love your blog and loved being on a transatlantic cruise with you. I tell everyone to take one of your cruises!
Are you going to be on the April Freedom transatlantic this year?
Joyce and Bob
John:
Very disappointed we missed you on the Carnival Freedom sailing Jan 5-12. My wife and I sailed with you on the Triumph a while back, and were looking forward to seeing you again. We are booked on the Freedom again in October, but are thinking of cancelling as you will be elsewhere in that case too. My wife Cindy took it in stride.
Oh, could you pass something on. We brought my daughter Susan along as a college graduation gift. We were looking forward to viewing the port of Miami on departure, however, they conducted the muster drill just as we broke free of the dock. I remember on all our other cruises that drill was conducted out at sea a bit. Is that the new process or were we just lucky. Had a great time otherwise. Chao. Glad you liked the circus.