There were three thousand happy, smiling faces today as the sun rose in the morning and decided to spend the entire day with us. There are a lot of red faces too as people from places such as Minnesota and North Dakota baked sun worshipped and ended the day looking like they had been slapped round the face a dozen times by a moody Britney Spears. Everyone was happy…………well…………..nearly everyone.
From: FREEDOM PURSERS
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:10 PM
To: FREEDOM CRUISE DIRECTOR
Cc: FREEDOM PURSERS; FREEDOM CHIEF PURSER; FREEDOM ASSISTANT CRUISE DIRECTOR
Subject: 7*&^ – Bloggers GiftsGood evening John,
Mrs. &*^%$ called the desk asking to speak to you immediately. She is unhappy with the complimentary gifts she has received for your blog cruise. She stated they are cheap and not worth any money. Please call her when you have time. Thank youKind regards,
Livija Rajcic
Purser Carnival Freedom
Bugger……………anyway, I called the guest who as the above email states says the gifts are not worth anything and she especially thought the calendar was pointless. Now…………when I called her I started the conversation with the words…” Hello, sorry to disturb you, it’s John here “…………….she said…………….”who?”……………….now, far be it to say that she actually does not read the blog but saw 700 people receiving free gifts and thought ………oh, that’s good………..I will have some of that when in fact she has no idea who I am and has never actually seen my thingy…………………but you know what…………I think that is exactly what happened. Her name and cabin were not registered until the second day of the cruise when she did so at the hospitality desk……………..mmmmmmm………………the Sherlock Homes in me says she is telling pork pies ( rhyming slang ) and if I had video of our phone call I would have seen her nose doing a Pinocchio impression.
So, I apologized to Mrs. Pinocchio and said that I hoped she would enjoy the complimentary T Shirt on Thursday. I then asked her what her favorite blog was……….her reply………….” oh, I don’t know they are all the same “………I was going to press her further but saw no need to embarrass her further and said I would send her some champagne to apologize……….she seemed happy and hung up. I wonder what will become of my calendar, the bloggers bag and the T Shirt. I imagine the bag will end up as a receptacle for the build up this weeks dirty laundry, the T – Shirt will be placed in some dark draw never to see the light of day or stripped into rags to wash the bird poo of Mrs. Pinocchio’s windows at home. As for the calendar, well I am sure that will be thrown away as soon as she returns home, thrown in a garbage bag along with unwanted food and buried with tons of garbage. Then, 400 years from now it will be uncovered in an archeological dig and hailed as the most important find of century. It will be cleaned, restored and eventually hung next to Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Millions of tourists will beam over to see the Calendar . It will create the most important fashion trend of the millennium as millions of men dress in brown pants and a blue blazer that is just a little too small for them. Reading the calendar they will move out of their environmentally friendly computer controlled homes into a dog house. Entertainment will change for ever as the world forgets about inter active leisure and robot love. Instead they will search their home computers which will be built into their left buttock and controlled by thoughts for any reference to George Hamilton and Angelina Jolie……………..and mankind will wonder………………..who was this chubby guy and why were so many people wanting to see his thingy.
Wow, what a day. I had 73 letters to read out at the morning show. I could not of course read them all but I got through 40 or so and some were very special. Here is a small selection as we re introduce the In Their Own Words Section.
At 11:00am I hosted a Q and A session which was attended by many of the bloggers. I was asked a host of questions and we even had some asked live from the blog with people writing in their questions as Stephanie and Roberto read them out. One thing that became clear was that the blog had somehow formed into a special community with people caring about each other and their problems. One lady asked me how long I would continue writing………..I answered that as long as people were reading I would be writing. There was also talk again of having the blog turned into a book…………maybe one day this may be so. Anyway, it was great to interact with my friends and it was a fun hour that we spent together.
Then I hosted my marriage show and that was followed by an hour of press interviews along with Tim Gallagher from Public Relations. The ladies and gents from the press were so kind and I was honoured to be in their presence and truly humbled that they wanted to write about my thingy. I thank them so very much for their time and I look forward to reading what they though of this first ever bloggers cruise.
It was at 4:00pm that heidi called me with some bad news. A pipe had burst backstage and the scenery and stage area was flooded…………I needed to come quickly. The first thing I thought of as I sprinted ………..well………….walked quickly to the backstage area was what we would do if any of the scenery was damaged. It was with this thought at the forefront of my mind as I entered the lounge……………I was so deep in thought that it took a few seconds to notice Big Ed and his Crew……..about 50 people…………all wearing the t shirts ……….were sitting in the lounge. However, as they all stood and shouted ” surprise” that I knew I had been played…………there was no flood…………..just a great group of wonderful people ready to make this the most special of birthdays.
I was asked to sit behind a table as Big Ed said wonderful things about me, the blog and the people in the room. I received dozens of gifts including:
A HUGE JAR OF 1000 JELLY BEANS
AN ASTON MARTIN WATCH
AN INCREDIBLE SCRAP BOOK CONTAING PHOTOS AND WISHES FROM ALL THE BLOGGERS
A BEAUTIFUL PHOTO ALBUM CONTAING A MEMORABLE PHOTO OF HEIDI AND HER DAD………..WE BOTH HAD TEARS IN OUR EYES ABOUT THAT ONE
BASEBALL CAPS
T-SHIRTS
MUGS
A SPECIAL TWO DISC CD CONTAING ALL MY FAVORITE SONGS
THE LIST GOES ON AND ON
A PHOTO OF GEORGE HAMILTON AND ONE OF ANGELINA JOLIE
AND SO MUCH MORE
One of the highlights was as they gave me the 1000 jelly beans they all put on surgical masks should my jet pack go into overdrive. It was funny watching people not involved in the group walking into the lounge and seeing everyone wearing protective masks and turning away as quick as they could certain that we all had Uba Buga Plague.
The over highlight of this amazing afternoon was the cake. It was ” a doghouse”……………have a look at these photos and see for yourself.
John’s Dog House Cake
Facemasks in case of jelly bean exposure.
John’s gift of spotted dick
Big Ed presides over the surprise festivities
Surprise, John!
Warning! Jelly Bean Zone
Afterwards we all had cake and the hugs and kisses came thick and fast. Big Ed, you are a star for arranging this and it was one of the best birthdays I have ever had……………………except my 16th birthday when I sat on the back row of the cinema with Helen Ferdinand!
The day got even better when I was told that we had raised $7040 for On the deck For The cure walk which will be held as we sail from Jamaica.
So, today the sun came out, the stock markets started their road to recovery, Papa Smurf spent $5 in the gift shop, it was warm enough for The mad conductor to venture outside, I have 1000 sugar free jelly beans to fuel my jet pack, I had a wonderful birthday, we raised thousands of dollars to help fight Breast cancer and heidi has just told me that after I have performed the shows tonight …………it’s Thursday……………….a happy birthday?………….you bet it was.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Bloggers Cruise, Tales from the Ship
A blogger impersonator?!?! ….How unscrupulous! That dastardly and despicable person …..just wanting free stuff AND then complaining about it…..Have the housekeeping staff recover the discarded items from her cabin and send them to me
Glad the weather turned out much improved for all the bloggers on-board and glad you enjoyed your birthday celebration. Looks like I may get to sail on the Carnival Splendor after all….although it will be in June ’09 sailing the Mexican Riviera. Unfortunately I assume that the esteemed Mr. Heald will likely not be the CD on that itinerary.
John,
The dog house cake is WONDERFUL!!! But the name was on the sign, not on YOUR house!!! Compliments to the chef on creativity!!!
I was overjoyed to read Tim Gallagher’s work on the CCL page on my stock market update!!! It says you have over 1000 bloggers on board, the dates and codes to book the ‘09 Bloggers Cruise and lots of fun facts about the ships!!! He does a great job!! Please let him keep interviewing you!!!
You’re famous on Wall Street and CCL has a nice raise today!!!
I hollered out, “That’s my cruise!” and everyone in the office wanted to now what I was talking about… So maybe more cruisers and converts…
Thanks to Big Ed for honoring you!! You deserve all the praise and thanks you get!! And a million times more!
I’m getting more and more ansty… I only have 12 more days… It’s hard to wait!!! ECSTASY!! Where they let you forget about the world and all that’s going on. I’ll forget about being a grown-up and let that kid in me out to run and play and dance and swim… and just relax in ECSTASY and smile, sigh, feel great, and be pampered!!! Thank God for Carnival Funships!!!!
With a huge smile on my face, I’ll send special good weather wishes to you and Heidi, WONDERFUL Roberto, Stephanie and wishes and prayers to Alan…
Regards,
Kirsten
Congratulation again Mr. Heald. It seems that you are getting younger. The family of bloggers really went out on its own to give this great party. I don’t think I want to be near you if and when I ever meet if you plan on eating the jelly beans. Warn me ahead if you can. It couldn’t of happened to a nicer guy. What was the gift that Heidi gave you or is improper of myself to ask of such question? Enjoy your day and evening. Ciao.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
John: To be loved by so many folks…..you are indeed a wealthy man!!!
Ed and his Evil Crew….you certainly “exceeded all expectations” and then some!!!!
My good friend John,
The first I heard of this was on Erica Silverstein’s blog in the Carnival Forum on Cruise Critic. She did a wonderful special report about your surprise birthday party including a few great photos of the event. I have to tell you, I was beaming ear to ear and just a tad misty eyed over the outpouring of affection for you. You deserve every word of praise offered.
That Dog House cake is AMAZING!! Kevin (nycruises) posted this on Erica’s blog:
“I would love to see the pictures of the dog house in seeing as I designed that cake here in NY and sent plans with my evil crew mates who are sailing without me on the cruise for the chef to re-create.”
How wonderful is that!?! You, sir, are one well loved individual.
Thanks so much for the frequent updates. They are greatly appreciated.
There’s already a great deal of talk on Cruise Critic about the next Blogger’s Cruise! I’m thinking we’ll need a bigger ship!
Offer my best wishes to the wonderful Heidi and the Always Amazing Roberto!
‘Til the next time!
Greg
To: Mrs. &*^%$
From: One Blogger who could not make the cruise
Subj: Cheap, but free, gifts for the bloggers
Please forward the unwanted, cheap gifts provided by Carnival to the attendees of the blogger’s cruise to:
Lookingforwardtothe2009BloggersCruise
c/o Have you no shame
1000 Unbelieveable Behavior Drive
Hell, Grand Cayman Islands
Thanking you in advance, I am
Sincerely yours,
Are you @*&%^$^ Kidding Me?
Happy Birthday John and many more, so glad the weather changed. hugs to all judy
John
isn’t it a wonderful feeling that knowing that what you have done with this blog thingy. bring total strangers to gether that have never met and now feel like they have known each other for years and can do somthing as wonderful as get a suprise party to gether for some one they hardly known but feel like they have known for years
you have just made some real great friends on that cruise and on the blog
Chad
John,
I hope your birthday was unforgetable, and I have one question,(i understand you have lots to do so i dont expect an imediate response).
I would like to know if the carival crewmembers , such as you like cptains and officers must go throw years of expriance befor working on a funship.
I am half scandinavian and half american but i hear that ONLEY italians can be officers.
than i cant be thee master of my dream cruiseline, and i would have to go to like royal caribbean or holland american ,and i can dessinetly not go to my second choice COSTA because that is just PURE italaian crew.
And by the way I met a social host on the fascianation who new NOTHING about carnival (he has onley had three carnival contracts celebration,destiny,fascination)and he is the one who told it to me , however i think POWERFULY that he is correct , and there hase been italian ofiicers sice the mardigras.
And one more thing i was watching a cruuise ship show on the travelchannel and they showed the crew of the Elation or now called CARNIVAL ELATION as so is the rest of the fantasy class anyway i saw captain roberto vapoli who i had on the CARNIVAL fascination and i cant belive when i was on the ship i didnt now he has been on television before, and what do you now the new carnival commercial is on as i type this blog it has the fantasy class evolution of fun and the freedom melenium atrium which by the way is SPECTACULAR and i saw a royal c. documentery and joe farcus was on it!
DO YOU THINK HE KNOWS IT WAS FOR ROYAL?
CARNIVALS BIGGEST RIVAL!!!!!
chat soon say helo to Heid
From ,Jake S.
Wow, I’m so envious of everyone. Sounds like a great time. I wish we could have been there, but one trip a year is all we can muster, hey muster, how shippy…
The cake etc looked fabulous. By the time you get this my wishes will be quite belated, but Happy Birthday just the same. It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve read so I’m going to have to settle in and catch up again.
Sounds like you were really busy over Christmas and your supposed holiday. Slowing down sounds so boring anyways.
Thank you again for the enjoyment you bring.
Love the stories.
Happy Happy Birthday!!!!!
Dayle & Grant – Victoria BC
John,
Happy to see you got all the presents we spent so much time working on for you. And I’m even happier to see the dog house cake that started with a photo of a cake I had designed a few years ago for Wallace and Grommet. Looks like you had a great day now go point your jet pack towards the aft of the ship and help her pickup speed. Best to Heidi and Roberto.
Your friend who only drives a stinky Aston Martin
Kevin
So nice that you had a happy birthday, and very nice of Big Ed to arrange that. How nice to have a great party when you’re expecting a flood.
Here is my “reverse post card”… You’re having a great time, wish I was there
Talk to you soon, and Happy Birthday!
condolences to roberto on the death of his grandmother. we were so sorry to hear this. being a grandmother myself i really feel so badly for him. and john, the blogger gifts are fantastic. glad you liked the birthday party!! we did too!!!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Glad you had a happy Birthday and sorry we did not get to join the bloggers cruise.
I am so glad you are back!! As I read about your birthday party I am so jelouse. I so wanted to be there! Big Ed you and the misses did great. Hard to beat a big surprise like that.
I will be on the next blogger cruise.
Today was not a good day for me, and I am only part of the way there. I am positive most of the time but as I said today was not a good day and it is hard some times to keep a stiff upper lip. Sorry minor pitty party. But reading your thingy…. all is good in the world again. There was some good new for me, the chemo and radiation is working, thank God and science. It’s just the side effects to are kicking my butt. Again sorry for the pitty party.
Ladies of the blogg, get those check ups. We caught this early and will defeat this.
Have a great day.
CarolAnn
John,
It sounds like you had an awesome birthday. I’m so happy for you. Big Ed and all the other bloggers, hats off to you for pulling it off. I wish I had known about the scrapbook page. I would have loved to contribute to it. Anyway it sounds like all of you are having the time of your lives. I hope to have that wonderful of a time next year. Hey, if that so called blogger doesn’t want the cool stuff you so kindly got for the bloggers, send it my way! Hahahahaha! Give my love to Heidi and have a blast in Jamaica! Hugs to all,
Leasa
Hi John,
This is my first post here, but I have enjoyed reading the blog for the past few months. Sounds like the bloggers cruise is a lot of fun, maybe I can make the next one.
I have a question that I don’t know if you can answer or point me in the right direction, or if maybe some of the other bloggers have an answer that would be great too. We did a cruise last month and some how we got duplicate past guest numbers and now can only see the most recent cruise. We can’t get a response on why it happened or how to fix it. Any ideas or suggestions on who to contact?
Keep up the good work,
Pam
Well, I just went and looked up the weather for Ocho Rios for tomorrow–it says scattered showers, but chance of rain is only 30% with a high of 85 and a low temp of 73. Here’s hoping the rain, if it happens, is in the early am before you dock and the sun shines brightly on your beach party at Dunns River Falls. It is an awesome place and for those debating the hike up the falls, it is an easy hike and well worth the effort. I am sure that the Carnival crew has planned a very special day for all of you bloggers–certainly wishing I was there with all of you! Have a great day–I know you will even if it does rain! What is a little warm rain when you are hanging out with wonderful friends and our illustrious leader, John and his trusty assistants, Heidi, Roberto and Stephanie.
Sheryl
John,
Thanks for the pictures which allowed all us poor stay at homes to pretend we were there. So glad you got to celebrate your birthday with so many folks who think so highly of you. Just sorry we couldn’t be there.
Wishing you sunny days and moonlit nights,
Myra
Hello John
“Happy Thursday”
Mrs. &*^%$ can go take a flying leap off the port bow, and send her gifts to any of us who didn’t get to go on this cruise. What an ingrate.
Your pictures of your party were great. I remember Ken telling us abut your “doghouse” cake prior to us leaving the freedom in Nov.
As we read about your birthday party we are so jealous. we so wishwe could have been there! to share it with you and the other bloggers.
Sending all our Best to Heidi , Roberto,Ken and all the other bloggers.
The Tuckers, Arnold & Elizabeth
Big kudos for the success of the surprise birthday party! Kevin – that cake was absolutely adorable!
I’m going to keep an eye on ebay in the next week to see if some Bloggers cruise 2008 items show up….in case Mrs. Impersonator finds any alternative way to rid herself of the items. (How rude!)
John,
ok I would never do that it would take too long to airbrush it tan. To Mrs. I want free stuff that isn’t cheap. You mame make me sick apoligise to John. I bet your from Florida or New York because only someone from those places would ever do such a thing. You should be ashamed of your self. And John please send her flat champagne’s. In other News my Restaurant Was Voted Best on Long Island by the Long Island Press. So John you best be coming for a god dinner and a few cigars soon. I get the feeling Roberto is going to make it here before you do though. To all those who commented on the cake thank you this is not a exact copy of mine but it’s got many of the same principals of the one I showed the crew to being with. As a chef you never want to do the same thing twice or copy some else’s work you must make it your own. So to the Chef on the Freedom you did a great job, and you are welcome in my kitchen at any time. John there will be a package waiting with Chris from me on the 9th of feb keep a eye out for it you don’t want to wait to long to open it.
Wait till you see the cake we make for heidi next year mate ;-0. Can we say george Hamilton and a speedo
Kevin
John,
Ssup “Big Snoopy”. I was working today and someone handed me a credit card to pay. Nothing out of the ordinary, but do you know what the credit card said, ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL MASTERCARD. I could not help but make a comment, obviously some people have not had the John Heald Experience. You should have told that Bi#@h to give you your “cheap crap” back if she didn’t want it. Next year, people should only be able to sign up ahead of time and not on the cruise. This is what happens when you have too many greedy people wanting all of the same free things that they don’t deserve. She probably didn’t even know what a blog is.
Work and school tomorrow time to call it a night.
-BigMike
Hi John
It sure does appear that you had a great birthday…way to go Big Ed!! I wish you many more.
I can hardly wait till the 2009 blogger cruise. It will be upon us before we know it.
Give my best to Heidi and the rest of the crew. Until we meet again….wear that mask!!
Dear Roberto,
I am so sorry you lost your Grandmother. I hope you have many happy and wonderful memories of her.
Carol Ann, Hang in there girl. I’ve heard that sometimes the cure is worse than the disease, but given the alternative, well, you’re going to have to get through it so we can meet on the 2009 Blogger’s cruise! I’m sorry you’re so sick from the treatments and will lift you up in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care,
Julie Gantt
Hi John & Heidi, and all the bloggers,
What a wonderful birthday surprise for you. Big Ed and his Evil Crew pulled it off. I saw the plans for the cake earlier and it turned out great – good idea Kevin. But what was the dog made of?
Have a wonderful time in Jamaica Mon! I climbed Dunns River Falls when I was on the Holiday – but I don’t think my knees would let me do it again. I hope the sun cooperates.
And to Mrs. Pinocchio – SHAME ON YOU!
Still wishing I was there,
Hugs
Carol
Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday, and what great gifts, I wish I had known about the scrapbook I would have loved to contribute pictures to that, oh well! 1,000 jelly beans huh? You will be fueled for many years to come! HA! So what ship will you be on Feb 2nd? Paul P. is disappointed he won’t get to see you on the Freedom, is that when you are going on the Imagination as you talked about previously? I thought that was next week, but I must be mistaken. Well, hope your day in Ocho Rios is grand as I know you have a special excursion planned. Till later my dear friend, Linda & Mike
John,
I was just reading the comments before heading off to work and I saw Southern Dreams post about Roberto. Please Give him a hug from me and tell him I’m sorry for his loss. Crusin Grandma, you’re also in my prayers. hang in there and I know you will be better soon. I hope to meet you and many of my other fellow bloggers next year. Love to you all.
Leasa
Dear John
Let me start with a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sounds as if you have not only had one joyful day but discovered
You’ve created an extended family in your creation of the blog.
Jeanne and I want to go on the next blogers cruise Feb 09 who knows maybe
My Dear, Dear, Dear sister in law Barbara may come to.
We are going to rally the whole family to come along.
Jeanne has bin busy researching all the excursions for northern Europe on Splendor.
Almost every night when I get home from work she tells me what we might see and do in Europe this time I can’t wait.
Any advice on what excursions you are excited about in Northern Europe.
Congratulation on the your Fantastic fund raising for Carnival’s Quest for a Cure.
I hope my Jeanne’s event in April will raise a lot for the Breast cancer 2Day walk here on Long Island.
All The Best
Ray Czenszak
John and Heidi,
It was a wonderful party. John you are such a trooper to put up with our antics.
So glad you enjoyed the spotted dick for your birthday. You have Diana from the art gallery to thank for returning it to me. She’s a doll!
Hubby Hank and I are having a blast. You don’t know how much this cruise picked up my weary spirits. I’m soon back to my old (bad) self.
Please send hugs and love to Roberto and his family from us. I know they are having a difficult time right now.
Love the blogger gifts, especially the fan…Folks in Nashville, TN will be quite jealous of this prize posession professing my love for John’s thingy.
Hugs and love to both you and Heidi!
Lois (Hank, too!)
John, so glad you liked your surprise birthday. I think Big Ed, Roberto, Ken and all the evil crew (myself included) are great at keeping secrets. Sorry I couldn’t be there…but, I did include my scrapbook page, as well as Nanettes’ and the pictures make me feel right at home!
Roberto, I am so sorry for your loss. Will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Hello to Heidi….great job getting the Big Guy to his party!
Hugs to all,
Lori
John and Heidi:
Sounds like your day was full of surprises and love …, but who else deserves it more than you, one question …, who designed and made the cake, according to the blog two people had the same idea.
Just curious if they do it for a living or a hobby, cause it was beautiful ~ whoever did it!
Happy Happy again
Vikki
Wow, what a wonderful surprise…..I just wish Jim and I could have been a part of it.
I am so glad the sun finally came out and people were able to venture out to the decks.
Please express my condolences to Roberto. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.
It sounds like the bloggers are having a blast! Isn’t it ironic- this time last year none of this existed. This year there is an entire network of friends who have become a family. We owe it all to John who came up with the idea for this blog thingy!
Smooth sailing everyone! Enjoy the time together.
Ruth
Shame on you Mrs. Pinocchio!
John, I am happy for you, you deserve all the attention!
Great job on B-day party to Big Ed & his Evil crew and Kevin for the awesome cake design!
Still wishing I was there with you!
So sorry for your loss, Roberto! Best wishes for speedy recovery to CarolAnn! You are both in my thoughts and prayers…
John,
Hello, it’s been awhile. I’ve been busy with school all the time, so I’ve been catching up on some of the blog entries I missed. Which were a lot, apparently. Awesome birthday cake (who made that doghouse? Props to them for it) and pretty awesome that you’ve been able to meet up with all the bloggers and share all the inside jokes in person instead of through the net. Wish I was there (or anywhere, besides my heap of homework).
If I didn’t have school, I’d try and jump in on the blogger cruise aboard the Fantasy. I really want to see the ship’s renewal after having sailed on it so many times from Cape Canaveral.
By the way, how many of the guests onboard the Freedom were actually there in the blogger’s cruise? I couldn’t find a count in the earlier entries, or I just plain missed it…
Hi John/Heidi:
Great stories today…
Thank you to Big Ed (and everyone else) for making your birthday so memorable.
I love the picture of the dog house cake. Too funny.
I hope Heidi got a big kick out of that.
Wonderful hearing from you!
Keep in touch..
David