The first two days of this cruise which were full of wind and rain have been long forgotten as the sun once again blesses us with its presence. Good morning on this beautiful Friday at sea. I am sitting here with my skinny cappuccino and my bowl of All Bran Rope cereal.
It’s 7:45am, the sun is out, the sea is calm and it is a perfect start to the day……………..unless of course I was to tell you that I was sitting writing to you in just my underwear so I won’t……….I don’t want to spoil that perfect day at sea image.
Another busy day awaits me. Last night after thwarting the kid with the laser pen and once the show was over I had a whole choice of things to do. I couldn’t decide whether to watch the midnight comedian show, have a cigar with some blogger friends and the press or just visit the lounges……………..so…………………I went to bed………………..I had to………….I was running on empty and last night was the first time I have been to bed before 1:00am and the seven hours of sleep I just had has set me up for the very busy day that awaits me.
First, I have a morning show. Usually this starts at 9:30am but as I have received 60 letters I decided it would be best to start it at 9:00am to allow me enough time to read everyone’s dedications before the 11:00am debarkation talk. By the way, I am now drinking a bottle of water to wash down this lump of dried fruit and wood shavings Heidi is making me eat for breakfast. The bottle tells that the water has come from the mountains of Switzerland and has flowed there for hundreds of years……….now if that is the case…………why does this bottle of water tell me that I have to drink it by October 2008? It’s one of those things that really annoys me………………a bit like the fact that when Heidi puts her mascara on she does so with her mouth open……..like some basking shark……….it is impossible for her to do this maneuver with her mouth closed and I have witnessed that this is an affliction suffered by thousands of women……………….and that’s me in the doghouse.
It is now 7:45pm and today has been a very busy but very rewarding day. I will not go into what I have done but what I will say is that although I am very tired I am extremely happy with the way the cruise panned out. As I may have mentioned (or not) my biggest fear was that the 3300 guests would be separated between the bloggers and non bloggers. This has in no way, shape or form been the case and everyone seems to have had a great time.
The common denominator between all the guests has been fun …………..everyone has had fun and laughter has echoed around the decks. It has also been brilliant to have guests who had no idea about the blog thingy coming up and asking how they can get involved and read it……………..7 guests even booked the 2009 Carnival Fantasy Bloggers cruise even though they have never read the blog. They did so based on their experiences this week………….I am smiling as I write this.
This afternoon we held a Meet the Press Q and A session. I had suggested this to our Public Relations Department and although I detected a hint of nervousness from them about doing this they gave me permission. The panel of writers included:
Clark Norton- Smarter Cruising – www.smartercruising.com
Anita Dunham Potter- Tripso/MSNBC.com – www.expertcruiser.com
Erica Silverstein- Smarter Traveler and Cruise Critic – www.smarterliving.com and www.cruisecritic.com
Robert Jenkins- St. Petersburg Times – www.sptimes.com
Harry Shattuck- Houston Chronicle – www.chron.com
Susan Young- Southern Travel News – www.southerncruising.com
Morris Blitt (aka Kuki)- Cruise Mates – www.cruisemates.com
Between the audience, myself and live questions from the blog they were asked a variety of questions and their knowledge and passion for travel and cruising in particular was evident for all to see. I truly enjoyed hosting this and although a couple were a little nervous at first I think they all were enjoying it by the end. Anyway, the audience certainly did and I thank them sincerely for doing this.
I was then presented with a plaque by Robert and Suzanne Schneider who have now cruised with me over 40 times. The plaque simply says ” thank you for making us laugh”…………….laugh…………….I nearly cried when I saw it. Thank you both so much and that’s something else for my Dad’s office.
Then, it was time to dance…………………….yep………………dance………………we all danced……………..even me. We got everyone on stage and we danced to the official blog dance…………..photos and evidence as follows.
The Captain called the emergency line in the middle of this event. I answered it worried that something was wrong. He told me that something was making the ship list…………..I then realized that this was happening because my mate Big Ed and I were moving on the stage from left to right at the same time………………it was quite a sight.
After that it was time to say goodbye. I thanked everyone………..Roberto, Stephanie, Roger, Chris, Tim and the Press, Vance, Big Ed and his crew and all the bloggers for making it such a special week.
The farewell party ………….like this blog……………is hard to finish……………what do I say? The fact that hundreds of people decided to spend their vacation with me is incredible. The fact that they gave me the best birthday ever is unforgettable and the fact that thousands of people continue to read the blog every day has and always will be truly humbling.
OK, it is nearly time to go. From Monday I will be writing from the Carnival Imagination. I am so excited to see the evolutions of fun and of course will be sharing my experiences daily with you. I promise lots of blogs and photos and of course fun. I will again be returning to answer all your comments once I return here to the Carnival Freedom…………I really have missed doing this and am looking forward to doing so again……………I know I have said this a lot but rest assured I am still reading every comment and continue to thank you for your postings. Over the weekend you will see a special interview with a wunderbar mann………there’s a clue……………it is one I know you will enjoy.
Heidi and I have had the time of our lives and thank you to all the people who sailed with me. To the people who are just reading this blog thingy for the first ever time I send you a warm welcome to my thingy. You are joining a group of people who love life, cruising and Carnival Cruise Lines………….welcome to my blog thingy and welcome to a community of the most wonderful, caring and fantastic people………………….in the world.
(Two more photos for everyone’s enjoyment.)
Goodnight
Your Friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Bloggers Cruise, Tales from the Ship
John,
Even though I couldn’t be there in person for the blogger’s cruise THANK YOU for taking us along. We had an awesome virtual vacation
Dottie
Dear friends John and Heidi:
Congratulations!! You did a great job!! WOW!! A complete sucess!I am very happy for both of you and all my blooger friends. I was in tears at the end us this blog.Even if I was not there it meant a lot to me. I spent the whole week reading all around the internet and searching for pictures and chatting with Kevin.This cruise brought me a lot closer to my friends during the planning of all the activities with Big Ed’s crew , their thoughts, emails and phone calls during the cruise. It was a great week even for me. Thanks for making me a part of this. We are a family.You are big Mr Heald! You are loved by so many and you know what? You deserve it. Now get some rest my friends, enjoy each other. You must be proud. Your work is done. Well done.
Huggos for all
Nanette
WOW John! What more can I say, those pictures were priceless, loved the pictures of you and Big Ed and his crew on stage dancing, but the BEST was you dressed in feminine attire-that is the only comment I will make on that subject. You make a pretty BLONDE! HA! HA! It has been great reading and seeing all the pictures from this week, and I have been reading Bee’s blog as well, and Nani’s, and can’t wait to see what pictures and stories Big Ed will have for us, upon his return home. So, how long will you be on the Imagination? Paul so wanted to see you on the Freedom on 2/2/08. I know Big Ed will miss you this week too, you two have become quite a DUO! Hope to sail with you again soon! Linda & Mike
Hey John,
My wife Patti and myself had sooooo much fun on the cruise this week even with the rainy start. It was fun being your “radio station” on the morning show and we appreciate all the wonderful gifts we received. Also, we loved dancing with all the blogger’s on stage, Pizzahut……Pizzahut…..KFC…….and let’s not forget Mc Donalds! We just love cruising with you because you’re such a fantastic and funny man to be around. As I told you, we booked the 2009 Bloggers cruise and yes you are welcome to share our penthouse suite. You looked just smashing in the sparkley black dress.It was sooo you! Be talking to you soon.
Your Friends,
Patti & Steve (aka Dick Wooden)
John,
The Blogger’s Cruise is now past and what awaits is anyone’s guess. I can tell you this, there has been much talk about the ‘09 Blogger’s Cruise on Cruise Critic and a number of us are already booked!
It must have been hard to say goodbye to so many wonderful folks. I can only imagine that it’s like leaving family, a family that you only just met but have known for a long time.
I’m looking forward to pictures and comments from the Imagination. I sail on her sister ship, Carnival Inspiration, in two months! The Inspiration was the first Carnival ship I ever sailed on so I am VERY anxious to be aboard her again.
Here’s a hearty thank you to all the folks who made it possible for we who could not be on board the Freedom to feel almost like we were.
And to the lovely Heidi… Aloha!
Take good care, my friend!
Greg
great cruise john and heidi! we had a blast! i wore my solid gold plastic tiara all the rest of the cruise wherever i went. when i passed through customs this morning the border policeman asked me if i wanted to declare it. the lights were flashing on it at the time. what do you know, a border guard with a sense of humor in miami!
hope charlie’s keys turn up! i know so many people leave things in the safe! he picked up my keys and thought they were his and never looked further.
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Wooo – who is that voluptuous blonde enticing the cowboy? If I come on the 2009 Bloggers’ Cruise (or even the 2008 Inaugural Cruise of the Carnival Splendor), can I get a dance with her?
John -
Kathy just came into the bedroom wondering what I was laughing about – your expiration date comment was classic.
My question – if it has been flowing for hundreds of years, was it a barren area before then? What happened that the water flow just suddenly appeared hundreds of years ago? A miracle?
I am so pleased that the Bloggers’ Cruise (spelt properly with the possessive apostrophe included) went so well and has encouraged new cruisers to join our family.
I do hope that you will update us on how Alan is doing while on the Carnival Imagination. Many of us are praying and thinking of him daily – we know in our hearts he is progressing, but our hearts ache for an update.
Look forward to your updates from the Carnival Imagination.
BTW – are Todd and Noortje leaving the Carnival Freedom when you come back on? What will be their next assignments?
I would love to be aboard for Noortje’s first cruise as the Cruise Director, so please think of me as news unfolds.
Love and kisses (BTW – did you give Alan my kiss?)
Jon (and Kathy)
PS – the reason that the Mrs.Missingthesmokefreeparadise has not been appearing on the blog is that she has not been reading the blog recently. Apparently, the computer room is too cold for her. I have repeatedly told her to turn the heat up, but she seems to be avoiding heating costs in order to insure that we can take the Carnival Splendor cruise.
John,
I could have done without those last two pictures, I think I will have nightmares.
-BigMike
John and Heidi,
Glad to see everyone made it home safe, well for the ones I’ve heard from anyway, Check the ship again a few might have stowed away in BIG Ed’s cabin. Tonight I got in the mail my confirmation from Carnival for the 2009 Bloggers cruise. Now you and Heidi go and relax on your cruise. You deserve the break and the rest. Looking forward to see some of the pictures from the bloggers when they start posting them.
Kevin
Good evening Mr. Heald. My congratulations for the success of the Bloggers Cruise. I really enjoyed the opportunity of reading and watching the many different things that took place, especially your birthday party. Even though there were many people that took place in the success of this cruise, you alone had the gumption of even thinking about such a thing. Without your willingness to work so hard this cruise would not had succeed. You must realize now that many people especially your bloggers love you. Congratulation again Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
John & Heidi great job. Bill intruduced me to your blog. I think it is the highlight of my husband day is to come home and read your blog. I hope someday in the future we will be able to personally attend your bloggers cruise but you do make sure that we all feel like we are there with you. John, we just booked our 12th cruise on the Liberty leaving Ft Lauderdale on the 12th of April. 10 years ago we took our once in a life time cruise thinking we would never do it again. Guess what we had the pleasure of having you as our cruise director on the Destiny. And every year since we have taken a carnival cruise for just Bill & I, we also took a couple extra one with my brother and wife and one with our daughters & son-in-law and grandchildren. We have not yet had the pleasure to meet Heidi but I’m sure we will someday. We are even thinking about a retirement cruise to Europe. Just wanted to let you know that we think your the greatest and keep on blogging.
Congratulations!! What a sucess. Hope to be there next time
John,
I can’t stop laughing at the Blond picture. You’ve made my day.
Actually l am glad that you are not replying individually, reserve your energy for the blog.
Mary
John…. My eyes… My mind… My dreams…
My fantasies of you have now been tainted! I would see you in tuxedos, Bentleys, satin sheets, round beds, behind a martini, in a Carnival robe… BUT now I see you on a horse, as a cowgirl and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same… please please please…
You have the blessing of never having to say good-bye! You will always be talking to us, sharing with us, and making us laugh! But as your friends get of the ship and go back to their homes I’m sure it was tough! Like saying goodbye to one year and hello to the next — all in the same breath…
We’re always here waiting for your next post and you’re there writing to us!! Life goes on…
Regards,
Kirsten
John and Heidi,
You must be so very proud of yourselves. Your first bloggers cruise was a HUGE success and you deserve every bit of praise that you get. I too have been following along all week and felt like I was on the cruise with everyone too. I am so looking forward to my cruise on Friday on the Fascination and hope to cruise with you on the bloggers cruise in 2009. Have a great time on the Imagination this week and take it easy for that week before you head back to the Freedom and working as hard as you two do.
Cindy
John, Heidi, Roberto, and Stephanie:
Thanks so much for hosting such a wonderful week-long event for us “bloggers.” Sounds like fun was had by all. It was such a wonderful 7-day party — so warm, welcoming, and a great chance to get to know lots of interesting folks! You guys rule on planning blogger cruises!
Give yourselves pats on the back for a job well done!
John and Heidi we made it home safe and sound, I know you are now relaxing for a few days and watching the miami heat game tonight (saturday). .then the convention on the imag on Monday. I was great seeing old friends that we cruised with over the years. Also great making new friends. This cruise was very special for me and suzann, you all know how I feel about john he is more then a friend, he is part of me and my family he is like a big brother to me, it was outstanding, we loved every minutes of it. It is hard to believe that this cruise is in the history books it did fly by, feels like it was yesterday when I opened that email and john said to me robert check out my new web site, let me know what you think about it, well the rest is history. Big Ed and the evil group members great meeting the ones that we did talk to during the week, you guys did an outstanding job with john birthday blash A number 1. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Thank you to everyone from Carnival cruise lines for making this so great, roberto steph, roger blum (vicki freed now with another cruise lines, the ex boss bob dickinson) and chris you guys are great thanks a million, also Al Ernest thanks for being a part of this cruise, you go back many years with john. My closing remarks to john and heidi I will close using the great tina turner song of SIMPLY THE BEST.
See you for john heald bloggers cruise #2 in 2009..
Glad everyone had a great time,
……. so is it a cruise director law to dress up as Dolly Parton? the last 2 pick look very similar to the ones I have of Wee Jimmy from September on the Glory!
Best to you both
Heidi-Beth
John,
Thank you so much for a wonderful week! The only down side was that I was not so brilliant on the bloggers game show. Total strangers would stop me in the elevator and one even while in Cozumel and said “You’re Elaine” “yeah, you’re not very smart are you? But it’s all in fun. Wish I had gotten the bottle of champagne, though!
Thanx again for a wonderful experience.
elaine
Great Blog! Great Cruise!
Great Pictures!
I want to know who was the cowboy with the Big voluptous blonde in the last two pictures??????????
2009 Here we come
The Tuckers
Arnold & Elizabeth
John,
Aj here…I have returned home from the wonderful week on board the Freedom. I had a great time and cant wait to see you next year on the Fantasy. My favorite part of the trip???? You dressed as Dolly Parton. Thanks for making me laugh and for making this the best cruise I have been on.
Your friend (and boat washer)
AJ
Love it!! Can’t wait till my next cruise,John you have indeed made my last cruise stay with me longer and keep the fun memories alive ,it makes it easier to pick up the phone and book my next cruise,cruising prices are good its the air fare thats the killer,love from New Brunswick Canada!!
Hello mate. Are you ever going to respond to the blog? We write and no one is writing back?
The Sheriff
John and Heidi,
Thank you again for the Blogger’s Cruise..It by far was the best cruise we have ever taken !!! I think maybe because of the constant efforts of you both to be sooooo hospitable and the fact that you embraced your guests on such a personal level that we as “Bloggers” felt part of such a large “FAMILY” and “Community”…as did all your Bloggers I’m sure. Your attention to Catelyn our 8yr old was very heartfelt appreciated…she THANKS you for her goodies !!! See you on the 09 Blogger’s cruise for sure.Thank’s to Kuki for the picture and nice mention on Cruisemates as well.
We woke up today and said: Let’s go to the Lido deck….but Ooops..we don’t have an elevator.
THANKS FOR A “BRILLIANT” Week of FUN !!!
and a big hello to our new friends: Frank-n-Beans
your tech friends.
Mark,Amanda and Catie from Alabama…
Thank you John and Big Ed-
Reading of the wonderful memories you have made this week has really perked up our dreary existence on the January shore of Lake Ontario. We have laughed and laughed with you all this week.
John–I’m sure you’re sorry to see this event end. The dancing pictures are great! Promise we’ll let you relax aboard Imagination. One more day for me! We can’t wait to meet you!
John…this had to be the best cruise my family (and friends) have ever done! Haven’t laughed that hard in a long time…(Mary:) Although, my son, Jonah, was a little disappointed that he didn’t get the special gift you promised. But, we’ll just have to see you on another cruise:) Thanks for a great time.
Great blog today. Enjoyed the pictures. Seems everyone had a GREAT time. Thanks again for sharing these special moments with us.
John, First cruise and it was a dandy. My wife and four kids had a great time and I got to have dinner with my folks for a week; It was the first time since I was in high school.
BTW, my pop, oldsealegs, turned us on to your blog and helped book us on the first bloggers cruise. He is a big fan! The fact he got onstage to ‘dance’ was miraculous. You’ll see wife and two daughters on stage as well in the photo on your blog. She looks better in a bikini
Finally, the ladies, during the press Q&A had it right regarding the future of blogging. The medium will become dominated by multimedia and video. Thank you! for such a great time and being a wonderful host. We appreciated the invites to your various events. Take care.
John, this was the first we herd about you on our cruise. You are the best thing to happen to cruising since we started 9 cruises ago.We were part of the people Carnival held the boat 2 hrs for, Thank you Carnival! You were awesome in taking the “bounce”
from “Mary” and between Mr. Pooh and Mr.Little I
am still laughing. One joke my blind son Ricky wanted to tell you was, ” What should you do if you get swallowed by a whale?”—————”run around in little circles untill you get pooped out.” pass the joke around for safer cruising. Jim ,Sarah and Ricky. former room #6456.
My friend, I must tell you that we have been on many cruises, yours is the only cruise director name that I remember, we had a blast and you were responsible for that. Thank you and Heidi for a memorable experience.
Prince Charlie
Hi John,
Loved all the pictures! I still think it’s look like you’re trying to shake
dog poo off your shoe when you’re dancing like that and kicking up
your heels! See you on next years cruise!
Julie
Hi John,
Great pictures of you and the group. I’m so glad everyone enjoyed themselves. And you as a blonde – Wow!
Can’t wait to hear your impressions of the Imagination.
C.
Hi John/Heidi:
Thank you for the great blogs during the cruise. I appreciate it.
Great pictures and i’d love to see video of you guys dancing during the Q&A.
Glad everyone had a great time. One can sense the enthusiasm coming right through.
Welcome back and looking forward to chatting soon!
David
Dear John & Heidi,
We have been waiting patiently to see and hear all about your bloggers cruise, but have had nothing from you for about 10 days now. Just logged into the Carnival site and checked it out. Sounds like you had a fantastic time.
Would there be any reason why we have dropped off the mailing list?
Regards from Downunder
Suzanne & Lisa
John & Heidi,
My wife Nancy & I just finished the cruise on the Freedom. The 1st Blogger cruise was great! I was unaware of your blog before we were onboard but enjoyed you both so much. The weather was not the best but we never let that stop us from having a great time. The 20th was the roughest seas and we still enjoyed the supper club’s great food and wine for our 28th anniversary. At Cozumel we went to the ruins of Tulum and Nancy was still able to get 87 great shots thanks to my hat to shield her camera against the rain. The people who complained about the rain should be sent to Minnesota where my son said it was minus thirty-five degrees. We were on a great adventure on a fabulous ship with so many great people. What was there to complain about? We went snorkeling with the Stingrays at Grand Cayman and horseback riding at the most beautiful bay in Ocho Rios Jamaica. Yeah Mon! The ship and her crew were great! This was our second cruise and both were with the FUNSHIPS. Thanks again for the great stories at debarkation.
James & Nancy the “FUNSEEKERS”
Dear John and Heidi, I am hoping you can help me with re-connecting with a delightful gentleman I met on your first Annual Blogger`s Cruise on the Carnival Freedom of Jan 19th throuch 26, 2008.
You may remember me as the lucky winner of the draw at the past cruisers cocktail party. That evening I met `Mickey`from Victoria BC, Canada and am hoping he is one of your bloggers and if so, you would be kind enough to give him my email address. Foolishly, I did not exchange surnames or email addresses with him and have been thinking of the great conversations we had and how much we enjoyed each other`s company.
I have been `kicking myself`ever since for this foolish oversight and hope you can help, perhaps he is wishing the same and you are my only hope to help us re-connect.
I would deeply appreciate your assistance and sincerely hope he is one of your bloggers.
My name is Donna Summers and my email address is as above.
Thank you, so much, in advance for perhaps bringing us in contact with each other.
Donna Summers