Thursday, January 24th, 2008...6:20 pm
Jamaica, the land of no problem….except for one
“Oh, it’s the Cruise Director ….good………I have a complaint”……………….now, under most circumstances this would have been no problem, however this happened half an hour ago…………at 6:40 am.
Heidi and I have been staying in a guest cabin this week. We have been working out of the CD cabin but because Todd still has all his belongings in the bedroom section of the cabin we have been sleeping on deck 1. This morning, as we have each and every morning we awoke to the sound of the alarm on my raspberry thingy telling me it was 6 am. I have to say that this morning was really hard to get out of bed as I had another late night. Heidi had relegated me to the doghouse just because my bottom had decided to do an impression of a machine gun (blame the curry)……..so overall I was not in the best of moods.
So, at 6:40 am we opened the cabin door to head to the office and as we stepped into the corridor a couple exited from the cabin opposite.
I won’t even bother telling you what there complaint was……….ok………actually I will…………it’s just so trivial…………they were disappointed in the ice cream stations on board and the fact that we only have two flavors. I stood there …at 6:40 am……….after only 5 hours sleep…………listening as they told me that on Celebrity cruise lines you get 300,000 flavors and I stood there and listened as he told me most of them pointing out that pistachio and double something with a chip thingy were their favorites.
Now, I have to admit that I had — as Ben and his wife Jerri went through the virtues of ice cream — drifted off to sleep a few times and I am sure they must have known that at that moment I couldn’t have cared less. I tried not to show it but I am sure this must have been the case. Anyway, once Ben and Jerri had stopped talking I apologized and said that they had an excellent point and that I would pass their comments along. They then walked off to breakfast to enjoy eggs, bacon and a dollop of vanilla ice cream.
I am telling you this only because I just wish they could have started the day with a good morning………..I mean ……….it’s not the Gettysburg Address ………..it’s just two words.
Anyway, after that encounter here I am sitting at the desk writing to you. The scene outside of my window though makes me smile. We are in the land of “no problem, Mon”…………….Jamaica. I have written that this colorful and vibrant island has had its critics but for every one critic there are hundreds of people who, like me, think of this place as a very special one. It looks like the sun is feeling “irie, Mon,” and is sending her golden rays that are as I write glistening off the deep blue sea.
This morning I will be attending the special tour we have organized. It is called “John’s Bloggers Jamaican Bash.” This is a special tour to a beautiful place called Dolphin Cove. It includes an all you can eat Jamaican buffet or jerk pork and chicken and other tasty local food. There will be an unlimited supply of drinks and also included is a 20-minute swim with the dolphins. Now, this bit has me worried. The tour is sold out…………..this means we have 755 people going…………….fantastic……….but those Dolphins are going to be exhausted by the end of the day and I am sure…………….let’s see.
They were indeed tired but fulfilled I am sure with having met so many fantastic Carnival Freedom guests. Good afternoon. I just returned from the Jamaican Beach Bash which was attended by 755 people. The location for this event was Dolphin Cove so called because it’s set in a cove and there are …………. ummmmmmm……………….dolphins there.
The day was blessed with hot Jamaican sunshine and Dolphin Cove itself was staffed by the sort of people that make Jamaica such a favorite of mine and many others. Their radiant smile showed that they were truly grateful that we the tourists had chosen their island and their location to spend our day. The guests were very happy as well. The reasons for this were that everyone got a complimentary dolphin swim, everyone could eat as much as they wanted ……….and the jerk chicken was indeed fantastic.
Many laid in the sun, went snorkeling, swam with the sharks ……….. yep …………..swam with the sharks, rented kayaks, played beach volleyball, explored the nature trail and so much more. The main reason however that everyone was walking around looking like they had just won the lottery probably had something to do with the unlimited rum punch. Many who had partaken in a vat or two of this evil mixture suddenly found me very attractive and as I walked around I was hugged, kissed, some even patted my bottom…………and that was the men.
I welcomed everyone to the party on the microphone before turning the stage over to the great reggae band that had many people doing dances with great names like the “Cha Cha Slide and The Big Bamboo.” It is only after drinking a glass or 12 of the rum punch that some people suddenly thought they had some island vibes in them and it was hilarious to see people thinking thanks to the rum that they are brilliant dancers when in fact they are “cha cha”rring the wrong way and have as much rhythm as a deaf donkey…..it was very funny though.
I decided not show of my dancing skills and instead opted for a spot of relaxation in the shade which was short lived as I gave two interviews to the Jamaican Observer and the Jamaican Gleaner newspapers. We spoke about my passion for Jamaica and Carnival Cruise Lines and in particular the bloggers group. ……………he then looked at me and said in his best Jamaican accent…………”What’s a blog, Mon?”…………..It was nice to see that there in the island where nothing is ever hurried that the blog has yet to manifest itself in Jamaica.
The guests were really getting into the swing of things but before long it was time to return to the ship and here I am now. Would you excuse me as I am about to organize the On Deck for the Cure walk so I will be right back.
It’s hot out there. It’s a hot day in Jamaica……..how hot is it?……………well I saw a squirrel holding his nuts with a potholder………that’s how hot.
What a sight, hundreds of people proudly wearing their T-shirts and wristbands showing that they had given their money to help the ongoing fight against breast cancer. There were many emotional moments some private and some very public. Included in the public category is Catherine Dodds who lost her 28-year-old daughter last summer. She told us all how she felt that her daughter was here with us now and thanked everyone for donating their time. She spoke of her love for her daughter and how right up to the last moment her positive and bright attitude was inspirational……….finishing, she looked up at the heavens and said……….I love you Catherine……………………everyone’s tears could have filled the swimming pool.
Well, the thrusters are on and away we go. The week has gone by so quickly and today’s beach party will hold many happy memories I am sure. I love Jamaica, I enjoy the people, the culture and everything that is so cool about this piece of paradise…………..however………..I am so upset…………..the final impression the guests have, was well….quite frankly………disgusting.
I understand that Jamaica has concerns with the availability to buy marijuana but my goodness, handling this problem the way they did this afternoon was unbelievable.
Guests return through the port building and everyone, that’s all 3,000 people have their bags manually searched……..not X-rayed but manually searched. The people who are doing this have some sort of security uniform on but my goodness they were so rude. They barked instructions such as “wait”…..”come” and some even just used hand gestures. The lines stretched out of the terminal and looped around the building. The building was hot and there were no signs ………none……….telling us why here in Jamaica and not at any other port was this being done.
However, this was not the worst of it. On the other side of the terminal were four young men dressed entirely in street clothes. They wore no uniform and no identification……….not even a lanyard with an ID on it. At random they approached the line choosing people to search. They wagged their fingers at them and or pulled them by the arm. Tim Gallagher, Heidi and I watched as one young man was chosen but questioned who this person was grabbing his arm…”Police” was the reply but yet no ID was shown. Then, another man was searched and this involved him having to open his shorts while the policeman checked inside his underwear to see if there was anything hidden in there.
Speaking to the guests in front and behind me they all said how awful this was and how it had spoiled their day.
If anyone from the Jamaican authorities is reading this I urge you to change this system. If you must do this, have signs placed around the terminal explaining why this is happening? The security personal can still check the bags but surely they can still do this in a polite and friendly way.
If you are going to search someone, introduce yourself as a police officer, have ID available and again do so in a professional and polite manner……………..and for goodness sake………..if you are going to search one of the cruise ship guests please do it behind a curtain or in another room.
Maybe the FCCA can help or maybe someone from Jamaica will read this and realize that this last impression of their beautiful land is the worst possible one.
Let’s finish on a positive note and show you some of the photos from today.
I wish you could have been there………..today we start selling the 2009 Bloggers Cruise on the Carnival Fantasy onboard today. I will let you know how it goes . You of course can book through your travel agent or through Carnival. Whatever you do…….just book. This one has been brilliant and next year ……….. well………….I have a feeling it will be incomparable.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
22 Comments
January 24th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
John Almighty:
I dont remember seeing a Baskin Robbins onboard the Galaxy. Did I miss it?? People are sooooo ….. Some people are born to complain, I cant believe it. Poor people.Ice cream ? Please! Thats my #1 priority when I choose my cruises.DUH! LOL Im very happy that you and my friends had such a special cruise.We are a family.Where is Big Ed and his crew when all this people come to bother you?? They should follow you. JA!Pictures are great.
Huggos for all
Nanni
January 24th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
GOOD MORNING John!! I hope this is a proper way to greet you in the morning!
Your “John’s Bloggers Jamaican Bash” excursion looked and sounded wonderful!!! I just can’t wait to see what’s in store for our ‘09 cruise… “No worries, mon.” is a great atitude! BUT, whoa!!! The ’search’ getting back onboard… That just sounds wrong! And American are so use to politically correct and full disclosure and we have rights… That I’m sure it didn’t go over well. Is this a new thing? Or a normal thing? (I’ll prepare for this for my Sept cruise, if it’s normal.)
Do all ships do “On Deck for the Cure” walks? It’s such a great cause, I’d love to participate! But, I won’t be on a seven day cruise until Sept. I hope so!! I volunteer for organizations locally and support others — but Breast Cancer is high on my list!
John, it sounds like you’ve done a fantastic job with this first blogger’s cruise!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Regards!!
Kirsten
January 24th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
John,
I was thrilled and laughed my tail off over your description of your adventure in Jamaica. You described the Jamaica that I love and treasure. 180 degrees from that was the experience that you were all forced to endure attempting to return to the ship. I have never seen or even heard of such an outlandish display. Actions like these will serve to further erode tourism in Jamaica. What a terrible shame.
God bless Catherine Dodds. I couldn’t keep tears from welling up as I read the description of what she said and how she said it. God bless her and her family. She can rest assured that her daughter is in excellent hands now.
Thank you, John. Thank you for sharing your experiences, your emotions and those of the passengers and bloggers aboard the Freedom.
Pass along my regards to the usual suspects, the lovely Heidi, the Famous Roberto and the entire Blogger’s crew.
Greg
January 24th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
GREAT PHOTOS TODAY JOHN! Well, the Irie Gods were with you today and in good old Jamaican style you had loads of sun and fun! What a great day for all of you minus the exodus from the island. Is that you Southern Dreams in the front row in the walk on board for the cure photo? It reminds me of when we did the 1st walk on board the Freedom last September. What a great experience that was for all of us who participated. I came home and gave my bracelet and t-shirt to a friend who is now a 3 year survivor of breast cancer. Well, I feel sad for all of you that this 1st Bloggers cruise is almost over. I know how I always feel when it is time to pack up and go home, wishing that you could stay on board and leave your cares behind for a little longer. I am sure that you have all had a fabulous time with our great leader! Take care, and safe trips home for all of you!
Sheryl
January 24th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
In honour (spelt incorrectly) of the 2009 Blogger’s Cruise, I have taken the FREEDOM and LIBERTY of using my FANTASY to adopt a new nom de plume (aka secret identity).
Hello, John - it is 8:19PM and I just got home from work about an hour ago, took my medications, ate my dinner (left over pizza), checked my email and am now responding to this blog. All in all, a long day.
Jamaica - I am basically indifferent about the island. Never had a problem being bothered by the local population, but it would not be my first choice of ports to visit. Grand Cayman and Cozumel, absolutely, but not Jamaica.
On our first cruise, the Mrs. and I enjoyed the first season of the (now defunct) Smokefree Paradise, booking an outside cabin (U37) - the Cozumel, Georgetown and Ocho Rios itinerary.
Sorry for the break - the little one called with car trouble. Since I have been taking pain pills (took quite a spill yesterday resulting in beautiful bruises), the Mrs. had to drive. Once I called AAA, she brought me back home and went back to supervise the loading and towing to the Volvo dealership.
Now, back to the blog - so you have announced the 2009 Cruise. Any complaints yet?
As for Ben & Jerri - I happen to know that they are not the original, because I have been to the original Ben & Jerry’s, which operated in an old gas station in Burlington, Vermont. Cherry Garcia, here we come.
Lookingforwardtothe2009BloggersCruise, I am
MR Missingthesmokefreparadise
January 24th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
That Is terrible that you wher checked in that poor mannar.
SO NOT PROFFESIONAL!
anyway when you say todds cabin is that todd wittemer?
from the liberty to?
January 24th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
John,
Again, a happy birthday – we’re firm believers that such celebrations should last more than a single day. And thank you again for all you’ve done on the Bloggers’ Cruise. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and one that we hope we are able (personally) to repeat in 2009.
It was also great to get the chance to meet you and Heidi personally, and to express a bit of why this cruise was so meaningful for us. Karen tried to express it at the birthday party when she said that our first cruise, in 2001 on the Triumph, changed our lives. We realize that sounds rather melodramatic, but it is the only expression that fits. We had gone through a number of personal and professional traumas in the preceding years, and the idea of going on a cruise seemed like a wild, almost unthinkable extravagance. We booked that cruise in the firm belief that it would be our one and only time to go to sea. Between the booking and boarding came Sept. 11, 2001, and all the horrors and triumphs, answered prayers and unspoken fears that come with that tragedy. The disruption of travel made it seem as if we might not get to the ship at all.
But we did, and from the moment we boarded the ship, until we were dragged kicking and screaming from it seven days later, we felt as if we had left the ordinary world behind. It was seven days of pure enjoyment, as we went about determined to sample everything because, as we thought, this would be our only time to do this.
We learned that we loved the days at sea, that a bedtime story can be a source of unhinged hilarity, and that cruising was something we had to do again and again. And so, our lives have been changed very much for the better. And because of your visibility as cruise director – along with the fact that your sense of humor very closely mirrors our own – you can to symbolize for us all that was great about that first cruise. We’ve enjoyed all our subsequent cruises, but there has always been something missing – and that has been you as cruise director. Discovering the blog and learning about this cruise, was something of a dream come true for us, and we’re so glad to be able to share the seas with you once again.
On to slightly more mundane matters: we enjoyed the Jamaican bash, but it made me think of a potential shore excursion – the James Bond in Jamaica Tour. I don’t know if Goldeneye is open for tours, but surely there could be some sort of tour of Ian Fleming’s life on Jamaica, such as places where “Dr. No” was filmed or some of the books were set, Ursula Andress Look-A-Like contests, Sean Connery impressions (with everyone using a shtrangely shillibant Shcottish accent), maybe even Aston Martin could sponsor the tour buses.
Just a thought on the balmy Caribbean night…
All the best,
J&K Watts
January 24th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
My Mon John, and dear Heidi,
Glad to see you had a nice day on shore with the bloggers at the beach bash. I booked a few days ago for 2009 I’m not missing that one. To Mr and Mrs. Ice Cream I have sailed on every major cruise line out there and the only one i saw with more than 2 choices for free so far was Princess and only one day during the week in the lido deck dining room at like 3pm they had 5 flavors of gelato for free. Other than that 2 for free most lines now charge for more than those 2 free ones. So to you who need 300,000 flavors please go to baskin and Robins and pay for it, yes it’s your vacation but if your taking a cruise to eat ice cream or lobster only save the money go out and have dinner then his a ice cream parlor. Even with drinks you will be way way way ahead. To those sailing in 2009 on that bloggers cruise I have started a role call over on John’s fan site. Http://fansofjohnheald.wordpress.com
Please comment I would love to try to get the majority of us to stay in the same location the day before so we can all do John’s activity in new orleans together so click my name and look for the link or follow the link above.
Kevin
PS John how is Alan doing ?
January 25th, 2008 at 3:05 am
Hi Everyone,
I loved the pictures and wish I could have been with you in Jamica instead of below zero Wisconsin. John, have you ever encountered this kind of inspection upon returning to the ship in Jamaica before? A few years ago I was on the Liberty and the hurricane shut down Cozamel so the Captain took us to Ocho Rios instead. We were docked by ourselves at a weird industrial looking site. There was a pole barn looking building across from where the ship was docked and the “agents” had a table set up there and randomly motioned people to come over where their bags were searched. Most everyone got searched, but I got lucky and was waved on. I was walking with a cane due to my arthritis and the fact I had fallen backward down some of the basement steps the day before the cruise. I don’t know if that’s why they didn’t bother with me, but people did complain about the treatment. The two things I remember most about that day are visiting the beautiful Dunn River Falls park, and the fact that my taxi driver drove like a maniac, had an accident that flung me from the back seat of the van to the front seat and neither he nor the guy he hit even stopped to survey the damage. I was on my way back to the ship when it happened, so I just hung on for dear life and prayed I’d get back to the Liberty in one piece. Before he let me get out of the van, he tried to convince me to come back to Jamacia and visit and stay with him and gave me his name and address. I was floored that he flirted with me as I am a middle aged huge supersized fat woman. As I waddled away he yelled at me, “You come and see me now, I like a little meat on my plate”!
wooo hooo!
Julie
January 25th, 2008 at 3:33 am
John let’s go in order. First, why the f%^k were those people complaining about ice cream at 6 in the morning. You and i and Big Ed all know what it is like to be hefty but damn, 6 is too early for ice cream (at least on the weekdays!). Second, Jamaicans are not nearly as professional as the rest of the world. Their laid back attitude is what got them such a huge problem with marijuana in the first place. They should be out patrolling the popular tourist destinations rather than borderline sexually abusing people leaving their country.
-BigMike
January 25th, 2008 at 3:46 am
John - Happy Birthday (belated!) and glad to hear the bloggers cruise is going well. Ive never posted, but have read all your blogs, and would love to enjoy the “John Heald Experience” in 09 on the Fantasy!
Sorry to hear about the Jamaica search. We cruised to Montego Bay on the Conquest this past April, and the search was nothing at all like that! It was pretty much similar to airport security, you walked through a metal detector and any bags went through a x-ray machine. They did have a few dogs standing near one exit, but that was it! They were also polite and friendly. On the ice cream subject, the one cruise I took on Celebrity (Someone else paid, I wasnt going to say no!).. They had three flavors, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, and all were runny and sad, like the employees had been crying into them wishing they were with Carnival. And as for the pizza and pasta bar.. They can keep their overcooked pasta with sauce that was provided by seasick customers, Carnival’s pizza wins any day!
Keep up the great work, you, Heidi, and the rest of the people of Carnival! Thank you for the blog. I know many of us after returning home from a cruise wish we could have our steward, our waiters, our cruise director home with us - you have made this possible. Thank you.
January 25th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Mom and Dad do love me. We are booked for the 2nd annual boggers cruise. Countdown clock here I come. I have the greatest parents in the world.
January 25th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Good morning John & Heidi,
Now it’s a complaint about the ice cream???? As the late Gilda Radner said “It’s always something”.
But absolutely fantastic photos of Jamaica. But it is still not one of my favorite places - and for pretty much the same reason you mentioned - the attitude of the people there. When I went there on the Holiday years ago you had to exchange American money for Jamaican money at a bank at the pier. When I went to change my Jamaican money back to American the woman in the bank complained that only $99 Jamaican money was left from the $100 - what did I do with the other $1? Attitude, no smile, no friendly greeting, clicked her tongue and handed me $100 American. That experience so turned me off about the Jamaicans that the next stop I went there, I didn’t get off the ship. That and the shantytown that was near the pier.
Anyway, I’m glad things worked out well for everyone who swam with the fishes.
I probably won’t be able to get back to the blog thingy today, so enjoy the rest of the cruise. And when you get on board the Imagination, please say hello to Jorge, Noonan, Sophie & Jamie. And if you see her, my favorite waitress Vessie. I think her real name is Vesalke. I don’t remember the spelling from her name tag, but she’s in the Pride Dining Room. We were at table 115 - left side along the windows. She’s from Bulgaria, is short with long dark hair in a ponytail. Always a smile on her face and will go out of her way to please you. Her husband is there too (I don’t know his name - he’s from Peru). She told me they really want to work on the Splendor for their next contract - gives them a chance for a honeymoon and to see her family in Europe and then his in Peru. Do you think she has a chance?
Anyway, enjoy your cruise on the Imagination and you will thoroughly love Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk.
Hugs to all,
Carol
January 25th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Enough about ice-cream…apparently the couple who is up at 6 in the morning and has time to complain about ice-cream….should jump ship and swim up to the New England area to visit Ben & Jerry. The On Deck for the Cure - specifically Catherine Dodd’s story has left a river of tears in my office this morning. What a sad, but inspiring story. The last sea day before debarkation…very sad. I know I HATE that day. The packing. The thoughts of getting back to reality…uuugggghhhh. John, you do make the best of every situation. Glad this first annual blogger’s cruise went so well. Can’t wait for them all to get back and start posting stories and pictures!!!
January 25th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
John - the on ship walk for the cure was an amazing thing to do. Our granddaughter has leukemia and is 16. It has been a horrible and at times amazing 2 years. She will have her last chemo on March 28. Just having people like you to organize and raise money makes my heart swell. As for the incident in Jamacia all I can say is Wow. For first time cruises it might make them think again and it is so not Carnival’s fault. If someone tried to look in my shorts I’m afraid I might have belted him and I am 63. (Just ask my darling husband). Later - Jan J
January 25th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Hi John–the photo for the breast cancer walk is marvelous. Sounds like you are having a great time–if exhausting! Well, youll be able to rest up on Imagination next week. I’m in Florida now at the in-laws and enjoying the sunshine, but looking forward to seeing you there. You’ll get a well deserved rest, more or less. Robin Starr gets to meet John Heald, and I’ll be wrapped in toilet paper like a mummy. Maybe Carnival can do toilet paper folding in addition to towel folding in our honor…….
January 25th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Sheryl,
I just read your response to the blog. I mentioned to John last week that I wish Carnival could develope some type of time warp that would stop time. Then you could stay on the ship and leave your worries far behind you at the pier. I know exactly how you feel. My husband and I have been cruising for thirty years. He was a travel agent when we married, but he had never cruised. We took our first cruise after he left the travel industry. I remember so vividly being in the cabin and having him say, “I hope I don’t get seasick.” Boy, he was hooked after that. We have been on over thirty cruises. At times I have slipped items into luggage while he is out of the cabin because he hates to have to leave the ship.
Now, we just sit and decide what ship we will be on next summer. We always tell our daughter and grandkids that we have to get off and go home to earn the money for the next cruise. Cruising has become a family event for us. It gives us quality time with our daughter and her kids. Wow! Where would we be without cruise ships?
Ruth
January 25th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
John,
I loved the pictures from Jamaica. I would love to get “up close and personal” with the dolphins at some point. It sounds like the Beach Bash was wonderful. I love the island music and everyone gets into the party mode!
It does sound like they are overdoing the security when you are returning to the vessel.
It has been a while since we were in Jamaica. The last time we were there, it was nothing like that.
Oh, yeah, the ice cream people, I think they should just save the money they spent on the cruise and do a tour of ice cream parlors around the states. That is absolutely pathetic. I truly do not think there are actually that many flavors of ice cream. I am more of a traditionalist. Just stick to the basic chocolate and vanilla!
Enjoy the rest of the cruise. I can hardly wait to start getting info about the Splendor!
Ruth
January 25th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Hi John,
I just don’t know what to say about those silly people wanting such a silly thing like different icecream flavors! So I won’t! I just booked Geoff and I on the 2009 bloggers cruise! Yea! I can’t wait. I’m really sorry for the treatment y’all got in Jamaica. Now I’m really worried because I booked the swim with the dolphins for the cruise we’re about to be on Feb 2. It will be on the last stop of our b-b cruise. Do you think I should cancel it? The swim, not the cruise! Hahahaha! Well, anyway, I know it’s your last day with big Ed and the gang so have a wonderful day. hugs,
Leasa
January 25th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Hi John/Heidi:
I’ve had that issue in other ports, not just Jamaica before regarding the search. It does seem like the lines can do a better job with this.
Great pics from your beach day. Sure seems like everyone had a great time.
I’ve been enjoying the blogs since you’re back in the swing of things so thank you.
I can only imagine what kind of size these people were who were commenting about ice cream at 6am. Oh well…Leaves more thoughts for the imagination.
Thanks!
David
January 28th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
About the ice cream, our family of 10 - 2 parents, 7 children, and one friend just debarked your Blogger’s cruise and the children have nicknamed it the pizza and ice cream cruise! It was their first cruise and they had a blast — from the 8 year olds to the 21 year old! They especially LOVED the ice cream! I have to say that your 6AM “ice cream” couple are mistaken. The Freedom has 4 flavors of soft serve as the kids can attest. They made it their mission to search out the stations with the strawberry yogurt which was our “gang’s” favorite! The flavors are: vanilla, chocolate, vanilla-chocolate twist, and strawberry yogurt.
Bon appetit!
Oh, about the 2nd annual Blogger’s cruise next Feb. on the Fantasy, any chance you could move it to January? The college kids are out of school then and they’d love to come along on the next Blogger’s cruise but can’t do it in Feb. We also loved having the cruise over the MLK holiday so that less time from school and work was missed. Thanks so much for everything!
February 7th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Hi John,
Your bash was a real hit. Everyone had a great time.
Its a shame that you were interviewed by Jamaica’s only dumb reporter because most Jamaicans who know what a computer is, know what a blog is. Sorry about that.
I am concerned that the security situation upset you so much. I agree that a lot can be done to improve the present arrangement with virtually no expense, but sometimes it takes someone from the other side of the fence to point this out. I’m glad you did.
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