The alarm sounded at 5:30am this morning and as I scrambled to turn it off, forcing myself not to roll over and return to the dream I was having about a Bentley, George Hamilton, Uma Thurman and a bucket of soapy water. Then the starfish next to me awoke and the day began with the usual conversation of who is using the shower first and who therefore gets the extra time in bed. Obviously that decision was never going to be made by me so I was instructed that I had 15 minutes to shower and get dressed thus allowing Heidi a full 45 minutes of the allotted hour.
So, that was me, in the shower, the curtain sticking to my back like some overweight and naked superhero’s cape…………Blog Man.
As I dressed and then sat waiting for Heidi to do whatever takes her 45 minutes to do I began to slowly prepare myself for becoming a fully fledged Cruise Director again.
As I was thinking about what was going to happen I was told that Her Royal Highness was now ready and could be seen in public and off we went…………………….to Immigration.
Now, remember I have not been here ( Miami ) for four years and the last time I was here we were still using the old terminal and the amazing structure that I was about to visit was just being dreamt up…………………and it is amazing. Huge public areas, fantastic amenities, a very large area for Immigration checks and proper airport carousels for luggage collection upon debarking the ship. It looks and feels fabulous and now we have an embarkation area that compliments the onboard experience.
Anyway, we passed through Immigration very quickly with the only concern being that the escalator was having a maintenance check performed on it and that was me climbing 45 steps ( yes I counted ) and by the time I got to the top my breathing sounded like a Swedish poorly made pornographic movie………………not that I have ever watched a Swedish poorly made pornographic movie……that’s just how I imagine a Swedish poorly made pornographic movie would sound…………lots of heavy breathing and panting and lots of………………let’s just leave this alone now shall we.
After Immigration it was time to move cabin. Todd left at 6:30am so Heidi and I with the help of our Cabin Steward Ketut moved Heidi’s three suitcases and my one hefty bag to the Cruise Director’s cabin which was being cleaned by a small army of helpers.
I then left Heidi to unpack and went to look at the new debarkation process. Gone are the old colour ( spelt correctly ) tags as now we have a Zone Debarkation system which from what I saw today is a huge, massive, gigantic improvement. Before I sing it’s praises however lets just say it would have been impossible to make it any worse. The old system was dreadful, actually embarrassing and one of the reasons I stopped standing on the gangway to say goodbye to everyone……………I would only have done this if I had been allowed to wear Kevlar body armor and have Hulk Hogan, Mike Tyson and the 101st Airborne Division as my personal security detail. Obviously, we were under a lot of constraints which I will not bother going into because that is in the past. The present however, well that looks very bright indeed. The new zone system is very simple. You state room steward will hand you a tag with a number on it. Those numbers start at 1 ( what a shocker ) and go up to thirty something. This is done completely at random and one of the benefits of this is that you now know approximately what time you will leave the vessel. Gone are the days where you have no idea what colour tag is going to be called and what time therefore you will be off the ship.
Here is how it is going today.
7:00am…………..guests with all their luggage leave on our self assist program
7:40am…………..we began with Tag number 1 which are our Platinum guests.
7:55am………..we began with regular debarkation calling tag number three
As I sit here and type this blog thingy it is 9:05am and we are up to tag number 26 which means we only have 7 numbers to go which means……………..by 9:45am we will have everyone ashore.
This is a huge improvement and means that once again I can stand proudly on the gangway saying a fond farewell to the guests, shake some hands and hopefully get the odd kiss as well.
Here are some photos of the new terminal and our morning view of Miami.
At noon today Roberto and Stephanie from the office will join us to help at the hospitality desk for the Bloggers. All is ready and my only concern is the other 2000 guests who have no idea about the blog. I have arranged a lot of private activities just for the Bloggers but I have to make sure that I do not alienate the rest of the ship. I am sure this will be ok but it is something that I will have to work hard at regardless.
I am sure some of you may have heard the news that one of Carnival’s long standing employees Vicki Freed suddenly left us on Friday to join another cruise line. This was a sudden departure and one that took all of us by surprise. Vicki was very close to the Travel Agent community, many of which read this blog and are wondering I am sure what will happen now.
Although I am not involved of course in forthcoming decisions as to who will take her place, I can tell you that Carnival’s dedicated and award winning sales force will be there for you all and in the weeks ahead you will learn the name of the person who will continue Carnival’s wonderful and everlasting relationship with our travel partners.
I know Vicki spent a lot of time on the road meeting and addressing all the agents………………maybe I can do this………….that would be fun…………I would love to visit all the agents and spread the Carnival word……………as long as you feed me that is. Actually, maybe that is something I should consider…………I could become a marketing ambassador…………that’s it……….my new position…………..Senior Cruise Director and Vice President of Travel Agent Relations…………so, if there are any agents reading this…………..invite me along………….let me tell you why Carnival has been and always will be ……….the best.
Anyway, it’s goodbye to Vicki after 29 years of service and I am sure she will succeed in her new venture……………we wish her well…………..I wonder though………………..how she will feel………….as she sits in her new office at the Port Of Miami…………..and looks out of her window and sees the Carnival Ships………………………..she had better keep a box of tissues on her desk………..I think she will need them.
OK, time to go…………..I will post multiple blogs this next seven days and Roberto and Stephanie will be slapping them on here from the ship. I will do my best to make you all feel like you are here with us and on Sunday I will tell you all how you can be in 2009.
Cheers
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.
Hey, John. Congrats and bon Voyageeee on your Bloggers Cruise. Would love to have been able to participate, however, my brother Rus and his wife Nina ARE on the ship. Lucky them!!! Have fun (like that isn’t possible). See you in the future.
Kevin& Rhonda Franklin
Carnival Triumph 04/2004, 06/2006
Dear Blog Man;
I just talked on the phone with Big and Elaine right now sitting on the Lido of my Freedom with a bunch of other bloggers.They havent seen you yet but they sound very happy and excited. I was very excited for them.We almost couldnt talk because of the laughs and the fact that we wanted to talk at the same time. LOL
John dont worry so much!! You are going to be great as always and this time you are with a bunch of friends that adore you. You are the best CD in the industry!!!!! I wish I was there but at least Im going to see you soon and I hope that with time I get to meet all my blooger friends also.Hope to talk to you during this week somehow.
Love;
Nanni
Say a big ‘hello’ to all the bloggers on board.
P.S. You’re lucky it only takes Heidi 45 minutes to get ready. Some women I knoe take 2 hours!
I’m watching the web cam ! Somebody stand there !!!
The new “digs” look great ! We wish we were there.
Send lots of pics!
Kathy and Paul
Man, it is soooo good to have you back in top form John! I was laughing so hard at this blog that my co-workers were asking what was going on. So, I read them the blog, and they too were hysterical! How right you are about the blasted curtains in the showers! Anytime you have to step out of the shower to pick up the bar of soap that you have dropped means one of two things–1: You (not you personally) are too large or 2: the shower is too small! Personally I’m sure that #2 is the problem. The fact that even the smallest adult should have to have the shower curtain stuck to their backside is disgusting!! Especially since I’m quite sure that the housekeeping staff does not change the shower curtain prior to new guests getting on.
As for the Sweedish made porno movie, it is probably a good thing that I wasn’t there with you, for if I’d climbed 45 stairs also, it would have sounded like a hurricane was coming thru and it isn’t even hurricane season!
Well, it is currently 11am here in California which means it is 2pm in Miami and alot of the faithful bloggers are probably on board by now. I am sooooo jealous of all of you! I can’t wait to read what funny things happen and about all your exploits while on board! John, possibly you could have one of your get togethers with the bloggers filmed and put on as a podcast so that all of us that couldn’t go can share a laugh with you! ENJOY!!!
Sheryl
John, Heidi, Roberto, Stephanie, all the Bloggers:
I am so jealous! I guess I shall have to live vicariously through the webcam all week, as I was unable to join y’all for what sounds like an amazing week!
John – calm down, you’ll be fine (as always); just think, unlike most cruises, you already have 1,500+ friends on board
Heidi – have a ‘Funship Special’ for me, okay?
Bloggers (especially Big Ed) – have a fantastic time, take tons of pictures, and leave John in one piece!!!
Enjoy everyone!
Bon Voyage,
Nancy D
John,
It sounds like it is going to be a good schindig (spell check needed). You should do an interactive bloggers webcast for those of us that couln’t make it. You could all gather in front of the webcam (just kidding). But an e-meeting would be pretty cool.
-BigMike
John,
I’m glad to hear that you’re wearing the Cruise Director pants again – they sure do fit you well! I hope you have a great time this week with all the lucky bloggers who were able to make it this cruise. From reading everyone’s blogs, it definitely sounds like you will have some fun (or horror….I’m not sure yet) this week! Please keep all of us sitting here in 5 degree weather (seriously…it’s 5 degrees right now in KC) updated on all of the fun this week in the warm Caribbean and with all the bloggers! And pictures…we definitely need pictures or a podcast…that’s a good idea too!!! Have fun on this special cruise!
Bon Voyage, my friend… uhh… make that FRIENDS!!!
So many of our wonderful bloggers are on the ship with you I’m afraid that there will only be a handful of us here on shore to keep track of things!
The zone departure thing works wonderfully well and as you said, far better than the silly color thing.
I’m looking forward to all the news from on board the Freedom… in particular the announcement regarding the 2009 Blogger’s Cruise!!!
Offer my ‘howdies’ to the most lovely Heidi and the world Famous Roberto!
Have a fantastic time!
Greg
PS… any word about the 2009 Cruise Director schedule???
Happy sailing to all you lucky bloggers and of course the best CD in the world John!
I am so jealous, I have been thinking of all you lucky bloggers on the Freedom ALL DAY! Nanette is keeping me informed with all the latest, she spoke with Elaine and Big Ed, PLEASE – a podcast would be wonderful to see all our friends and you and Heidi together at last, please arrange a few thru the week with Roberto, ok? Keep us informed thru the week of all the EVIL being conjured up by Big Ed and his Evil Crew as well. And lastly, Lucky Paul will get to meet you on 2/2 on his cruise with you! I can’t wait to sail with you again, am anxiously awaiting the news on the 2009 bloggers cruise! Have tons of fun with our blogger friends! Your faithful readers, Mike & Linda
John:
Glad you’re back onboard and getting back in the swing of things. It is, however, sad to note that debarkation (while vastly improved for most guests), is still not a priority for Platinum members. Your own itinerary for debarkation confirms what I have experienced in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale….self assist go before ANYONE. Certainly not priority debarkation for Platinum guests. I would not be so concerned if this was true in all ports, but in fact Port Canaveral and Tampa (my experience) Platinum guests are indeed first off the vessel. I guess this won’t change…I’ve written letters to appropriate places and it is still the same. So with much regret, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale will not be in our plans for the future….and it’s not just this….don’t forget the ridiculous parking fees ($140 per week), and a fee for the terminal added onto the S&S card. Sorry, my cruising options have just been limited.
Anyway, welcome back.
For Tim Kriebel: Self assist get off first in ALL ports now, I live in Florida and have traveled from Port Canaveral (a 30 minute drive from my house) in May 2007 and self assist were first off, then platinum (of which I am one). When we go thru Miami or Ft. Lauderdale as we just did in November we took a bus for $80 each, which is better than paying the $140 for parking, plus gas and the hassle of driving, but we had #1 to be off the ship as Platinum but opted to wait since our bus doesn’t show up till 10am, but no big deal for us, as we hate leaving, so being able to stay on board till 10am is ok with us! TRUST me self assist always gets off first no matter what port! Linda
John & Heidi!
Conrats on the Inaugural Blogger’s Cruise!
Hope all goes well! Am sure it will be a success and the first of many!
Have a gr8 time….
Best regards from Down-under…..
Storm’n Norman
Hello John and the lovely Hiede! So glad to hear about the bloggers cruise.
I was wondering if there are blogger’s events, even one, on other cruises. It would be nice to chat in person to other bloggers. Answer if you have time.
Marilyn
Congratulation Mr. Heald. You’ve done something that even you didn’t realize could occur once you stated blogging. Your own cruise, the Bloggers Cruise. Success took place my friend. After all the time and effort you’ve put in with blogging now you put together over 1000 bloggers who have met for the very first time. I can’t believe it. I wish I was there in this fantastic setup. I hope that I will be able to go on the second blogger cruise. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy your great achievement. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
John
best wishes to you and all of your bloggers on board. and on tuesday when you sit thinking how old you are just think there is some one out there with that same birthday as you. yup me
the big 41 but still acting like a kid you can ask big ed about that.
Chad
p.s. and thank you to all the bloggers
that sent there prayers and condolances
John,
The Kilmartins are on our way. Unfortunately, our flight was canceled out of Baltimore this morning and the earliest they could get us to Miami was 6:45. We’re here now, but you’re not.
We’re trying to arrange a flight into Cozumel tomorrow so we can join up w/the celebration on Monday. Hope we aren’t missing toooo much fun.
Looking forward to finally getting there.
JOHN AND FELLOW BLOGGERS
HAVE A FUNSUNSATIONAL TIME
I AM SOO JEALOUS SITTING HERE IN THE RAIN!
THE NEW DEPARTURE PROCEDURE WORKED VERY WELL WHE THE T/A LANDED IN MIAMI, IT WAS THE AIRPORT THAT WAS THE NIGHTMARE! SORRY BOUT VICKI , AM HOLDING OUR BREATHE WAITING FOR THAT 2009 ANNOUNCEMENT!,
THE TUCKERS ARNOLD & ELIZABETH
ROBERTO,
John’s last 2 blogs were in a lighter font than normal and were not so easy to read. Can you help? Thanks.
To all the bloggers and John and Heidi of course
I am at work tonight (11:30pm) and sitting here reading the blog and being very jealous of all of you!! Of course I am going on the Pride next week, but it just isn’t the same. I hope all of you have a great time and PLEASE have a drink for me.
I would like to see a pod cast or pics or something from this cruise. I can hardly wait to hear the stories from everyone. Please keep us posted on the 2009 blogger’s cruise for surely I want to try to go on that one. In the mean time, we land locked bloggers will be anxiously awaiting blow by blow updates for this week.
Take care and give my best to Heidi once again…until we meet again, keep smiling and keep the humor!!
Bon Voyage to John, Heidi, and all the bloggers.
Looking forward to reading all about it and looking at all the pictures. Have loads of fun and have an extra dirty martini for me.
Can’t wait to hear about the 2009 bloggers cruise plans.
Ann
Hey John,
Wish we were there with you. Have a great week, I’m sure you (and everyone else will).
-Matt
Hey John, Heidi, Roberto and all the lucky BLOGGERS on board,
Hope you all have a fantastic week getting to know each other in person. Can’t wait to hear about the 2009 version and will make plans to attend if possible.
Sadly John…………………..our Cowboys are at home watching the NFC Championship game today as we went down to defeat to the Giants. Enough said about that.
May you have great weather and lots of laughs and try to keep Big Ed and his crew happy!
All the best from frigid Canada,
B&D from Canada
Hope all of you have a wonderful time.
Blooger crew….take good care of John and Heidi for us!!
John and Heidi….we will see you a week from Monday!!!
My mom and dad are with you on the cruise, of course if they loved me they would have taken me with them. Have fun
John, Heidi, Roberto and all the lucky bloggers on board. Bon voyage!
I wilsh I could have made this one but if you will be doing a cruise on the Fantasy next year then count me in.
Have a great cruise.
Sallie Holland
John,
You left me here… I didn’t get on… I’m still on solid ground, no rocking, no ocean, but stuck in central Texas and cold weather… But only 15 more days for me… I’ll be in Ecstasy!!
Have a WONDERFUL cruise. I’ll be imagining myself there with you as I hear about it and maybe… see photos!! Remember to tell us who we see in them!! I’m sure you have everyone’s name memorized by now!!!
Heidi’s the perfect second in command CD, so I know everyone’s cared for!! And with Roberto and Stephanie helping — I’m sure you’ve already begun spoiling everyone!!
I’ll await more reports!!
Regards,
Kirsten
Hi John,
This is late, but just a quick one. The debarkation you described with Platinum guests leaving first is the way it should work, but for some reason was not done on my cruise which caused all the problems. Maybe I will reconsider leaving from someplace other than NY.
Later,
Carol
Wow…29 years! I knew she had been there a long time. Good luck to her with the competitors.
I think you should become the new travel agent rep. You would be a great liason.
I can’t believe that picture out of Miami. My how times change!
Great to hear from you!
David