Comments on: Jamaica, the land of no problem….except for one http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/24/jamaica-the-land-of-no-problemexcept-for-one/ The official blog of Carnival Cruise Line's Sr. cruise director, John Heald Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:02:46 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Jamaican Chica http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/24/jamaica-the-land-of-no-problemexcept-for-one/#comment-29187 Jamaican Chica Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:44:58 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=2046#comment-29187 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. 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.

]]> By: Dahna http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/24/jamaica-the-land-of-no-problemexcept-for-one/#comment-28683 Dahna Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:23:55 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=2046#comment-28683 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! 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!

]]> By: dwa76 http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/24/jamaica-the-land-of-no-problemexcept-for-one/#comment-28586 dwa76 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:43:53 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=2046#comment-28586 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 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

]]> By: leasa http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/24/jamaica-the-land-of-no-problemexcept-for-one/#comment-28580 leasa Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:02:13 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=2046#comment-28580 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 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

]]> By: Ruth Jamison http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/24/jamaica-the-land-of-no-problemexcept-for-one/#comment-28573 Ruth Jamison Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:31:11 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=2046#comment-28573 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 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

]]> By: Ruth Jamison http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/24/jamaica-the-land-of-no-problemexcept-for-one/#comment-28572 Ruth Jamison Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:23:19 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=2046#comment-28572 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 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

]]> By: Robin in New York http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/24/jamaica-the-land-of-no-problemexcept-for-one/#comment-28570 Robin in New York Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:15:14 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=2046#comment-28570 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....... 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…….

]]> By: Janet and Don Johnson http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/24/jamaica-the-land-of-no-problemexcept-for-one/#comment-28564 Janet and Don Johnson Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:24:39 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=2046#comment-28564 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 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

]]> By: Catmama044 http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/24/jamaica-the-land-of-no-problemexcept-for-one/#comment-28559 Catmama044 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:58:43 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=2046#comment-28559 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!!! 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!!!

]]> By: Carol Schoenberger http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/24/jamaica-the-land-of-no-problemexcept-for-one/#comment-28558 Carol Schoenberger Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:31:18 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=2046#comment-28558 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 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

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