Back in the 1980’s the Boomtown Rats had a number one hit across the world called “I Don’t Like Mondays.”………………..well, its 8:30am on Monday and I am sorry to disagree but I do like Mondays, particularly this one as I get to return to the Carnival Imagination for the first time since 1997…………….more about that later but first lets return to Saturday.
It had been a fantastic week, sailing with the bloggers and meeting so many new friends and Saturday morning was not one I was looking forward to. Firstly, I once again had to live through the nightmare scenario of Friday afternoon and evening……………….Heidi was packing again. Now, I understand she has to do this more than most, we do travel a lot but does she have to turn into that woman from The Exorcist every time………………I mean, I could pack myself………..ok, I may have forgotten the odd thing and have to wear one brown sock and one blue one and have no clean underwear (am I bothered) but at least I wouldn’t have to watch Heidi’s head spin around as she tells me that I “don’t understand how to pack properly and that I have no more right to live on God’s earth then a dung beetle for making her pack…………….again.”
Anyway, once her head had stopped spinning and the battered old Samsonites once again were closed it is my job to lift them off the bed. Now, I love my wife, I love her more than an Aston Martin full of naked supermodels shouting “there’s room for one more big boy.” But once again I know that as I lift the suitcases off the bed I know I will discover that she has slightly over packed and the suitcase will weigh the same as a baby elephant…………….and I was right………………….so that’s my back buggered again.
Saturday morning started at 5:00 am with the alarm demanding for us to get out of bed as we had to leave the ship at 6:30 am. This of course was not my choice but that of United States Boarder patrol that have all the crew go through the various checks at that time. I was disappointed because I wanted to use the PA system to say goodbye and also to stand on the gangway to do the same, but that was not to be.
I did however feel good about the cruise and I am sure everybody had a wonderful time. I certainly put my heart and soul into it and although I will change a few small things for the next one overall…………I was very happy.
As I said, going through Immigration and Customs was quick and simple and I only just had time to marvel again at the new Carnival Terminal……………it’s fantastic. The day was going well. I had found that $5 was enough to have some poor sod called Dwain who was one of the porters to carry our bags to the taxi. I had given him the money before he had picked up the bags as I was sure if he had picked them up before taking the money he would have demanded much more of a tip to help pay for the back surgery that surely was imminent.
So, things were going well but of course that was about to change as we entered a place called Avis Rent-A-Car at Miami Airport.
It’s 7:45 am…………..there are 18 (I counted) people in line and guess how many people were working behind the counter…………go on guess………………….wrong…………..2………..yep……….2. I stood in line while Heidi sat and waited as the line moved slower than a sloth who has just taken a sleeping pill. The worst thing was……………..I needed to pee……………..really badly and standing still made it even worse. We have all been there, that feeling that you just have to go and like you I started doing that stupid dance that we have done since we were kids…………you know the one……..where you move from one foot to the other on the spot………..making small “ohhhhh” noises…………..I looked like an American Indian……………Big Chief Needapee.
Eventually after 40 minutes in line and with my bladder feeling like Niagara Falls was about to burst out I reached the desk. I expected a “sorry to keep you waiting” or “thank you for your patience” or even a “I will be as quick as I can because I can see from your war dance you were doing that you need the bathroom.”…………….I got nothing…………..just a blank stare as Lourdes waited for me to tell her why I had dared to come and see her. I handed her my licence and credit card and I waited for words to eventually make there way from her brain to her mouth……………..eventually they did and arrived in Spanish. I guess she took for granted that I spoke Spanish and when I said “I don’t speak Spanish” she looked at me as though I had three heads and a large booger hanging from my nose. Eventually Mrs Lourdes Rudo gave me my contract and I ran (ok, walked quickly) to the other side of the building and finally disposed of three diet cokes, four coffees, two cups of tea and judging by how long I was in the bathroom………..I must have drunk two swimming pools as well.
Eventually we were in the car, a Chrysler 300 in black which with its darkened windows and angry grill looked like something Tony Soprano and friends would be driving. As we drove I kept saying ” forgetabout it ” to Heidi and that if she ever packed as much again I was going to “whack her”………………she was not amused.
Then we arrived at the hotel grateful to them for allowing us to check in so early. We then had a choice to make……………shopping, breakfast, see friends…………..well, I am embarrassed to tell you we did none of these things because the sight of the king size bed and fluffy pillows……………..we went to sleep. I do not think we both realised how tired we were after the Bloggers cruise………………..so that was us in the land of nod…………at 9:45 am.
We awoke at noon and I would like to say I felt refreshed but I actually felt like I had just flown Trans Atlantic and realised that going to bed had been a mistake.
So, we roused ourselves as we had a special afternoon and evening to come.
You may remember that a few weeks ago I had the privilege of going to see the Miami Heat play and as we were in Miami and they were playing again I thought I would take Heidi to see this amazing spectacle for herself.
Now, for those avid followers of basketball you will know that the Miami heat have been ……….ummmmmmmmm………well……………..awful and have lost a few games here and there……………..and as we sat there I could see why. Ok, I am no Michael Jordan or Magic Bird but as the lads played the Indiana Pacers I could not see a smile amongst them. It does not matter what you do for a job but surely if you are not happy at work you won’t do your job well…………….these guys were not happy and therefore they didn’t play well. The crowd were getting frustrated and the players even more so…………..it didn’t look good.
Half time came with the Heat loosing and as I had my half time diet coke both Heidi and I feared the worst. I spoke to the chap sitting next to me who was obviously a die hard Miami Heat fan about why he thought they were playing so badly but after a minute or two I realised speaking to him was pointless due to the fact that he was sitting next to a stunningly beautiful young lady who had reduced him to a blubbering mess of puppy love. They gazed into each others eyes the whole match and even if I had taken of all my clothes and dribbled the ball up and down the court dunking over Dwayne Wade’s head …….Romeo and Juliet would not have noticed………………..I remember when.
Back to the game. The second half started as the first with the Pacers smiling and laughing and generally having a good time, especially one lanky git called Delaney who I was told was a Duke…………..strange…………….I didn’t think you had royalty in America. Anyway, he was brilliant and had scored most of Indiana’s points and you know what………….he was smiling………….even when he missed a shot.
That was the difference then, one happy team having fun, one team not happy, not having fun and therefore loosing. Then, something happened…………….. suddenly Dwayne Wade scored a brilliant lay up shot………..and then another and then another and he smiled……..coach Riley smiled………….the other players started to smile and then the crowd saw that they were smiling and having fun…………….still loosing………but having fun and the crowd responded with cries of “let’s go Heat” and I started screaming like I was at a soccer match at the referee and that “he needed glasses” and the arena, its fans, its players had come to life……………all except Romeo and Juliet who were feeding each other Sour Fish as though it was Caviar.
The Heat won. They had fun and they won………….it was close but the smiling, happy team from Miami won the game and broke a multi game loosing streak.
Obviously the reasons were many. Great coaching, inspirational team talks and of course the players scored some brilliant baskets. However, I would like to think that they also won because they were having fun; they were smiling at each other and remembering why they had dedicated themselves to this game.
I have often wondered about sports stars. When they loose a game does that awful feeling stay with them as they climb into their Ferraris and head for their million dollar homes. The feeling certainly stays with us, the fans, as we drive our ordinary cars and head to our ordinary homes. However, this Saturday thousands of fans drove their ordinary cars and went home feeling fantastic, their team, their pride and their joy had won.
Have fun lads, smile, show the world that even in adversity you can have fun………..the other teams are expecting down trodden and sad faces…………..give them a smile and a laugh, pinch their bottoms and let the opposing team and the fans see that you still over this game………………………………………..that’s enough from Coach Heald.
After the game we went for dinner with some great friends Mr and Mrs Prince. The restaurant was in Miami Beach………..it was an Italian eatery called Casa Tua……………..and while Heidi had Sole, and Mrs Prince had something called Ozzie Buco both Mr. Prince and I had something historic…………………Pork with crackling. This is where the skin goes hard and although it’s not exactly health food it was amazing and it was like my Mum was in the kitchen…………..what a meal. Then it was time for dessert and the usual ritual of Heidi telling me she can’t have any because she is overweight. I have to respond with the “you are not overweight my darling and you should have the Panecote and worrying about eating a small dessert is like a multi millionaire panicking because they have lost 50 cents.”……………..she then has the dessert.
It was a fantastic night with good food and great friends.
On Sunday farternoon (that’s not a spelling mistake by the way as the pork returned with a vengeance) we met up with Roger Blum and his family and enjoyed some sushi and lots of laughs with the junior Blums Max, Ashley and Pumper.
Returning to the hotel Heidi went straight to sleep while I watched a classic movie starring one of my favourite actors…………….Sir Michael Caine. The movie was The Fourth Protocol which also stars a youthful looking Pierce Brosnan. I watched the movie which reminded me what a brilliant actor he is and how I would expect him to be funny and very personable off the screen as well as on it…………how I would love to meet him……………and his gorgeous wife as well! Maybe we could invite him to the Carnival Splendor naming ceremony …………..his wife Shakira could be Godmother and as the ship was built in Italy they could arrive in a Mini like in the Italian Job……………..sorry, had one of my visits to the realms of fantasy there……………………anyway, rent a Michael Caine movie and remind yourself what a completely brilliant actor he is.
Can I just send a quick message to Mr. Pietrangelo who I know was so disappointed as was I that I would miss him on the Carnival Freedom. I will however ask Immigration to allow me on the ship early so I can say hello to you in person before you disembark………………it would be an honour to shake your hand.
So, you are up to date and now it’s Monday morning. In a few minutes I will be heading to the Carnival Imagination to see for myself just why the world is raving about the new Evolutions of Fun. As I mentioned before, I was her first Cruise Director, Heidi and I were engaged on the ship and if I climb under the desk in the Cruise Directors office there are probably a few memories of the time I had a cold but no handkerchief.
Whatever I find I will of course share it all with you through multiple blogs.
So, the cases are packed and in a few moments some poor un-expecting bellboy will arrive at the door to take our luggage unaware that he will be lifting something that will have him walking like that chap from Notre Dame for days.
Good Morning
Your Friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Evolutions of Fun
Yay for the Heat, finally! I went to Monday’s game and my husband and son went to Thursday’s game and the games were close but no cigar.
Have fun on the Imagination! Go down the new water slide!
The Heat might have won that game, but they are going to be crying when they play the pistons.
Also, just so you don’t feel alone, whenever I pack my lovely husband rolls his eyes too, and complains
John & Heidi – glad to see that you got a chance to relax after the bloggers cruise.
Hi John,
Enjoy your time back on the Imagination! Lots of memories will come flooding through.
It’s official, we are down to 75 days left to our cruise. We continue to hope you two will be on the Freedom then. This count down will help in the tolerance of the blizzard we are having right now. We are definitely going to welcome the warm weather on April 12th.
Take care!
Teresa and Paul
Hi John/Heidi:
Great recap of the Heat game. I do think its contagious when the team is feeling it to it carrying over to the stands (this coming from a Mavericks fan for so many years).
I am glad you had a great time in Miami Beach. I love it there.
Unfortunately, i’ve had that same issue with Avis in Miami beach. Nothing to do to improve it. I hope that changes.
Thanks again for another great blog,
David
it was a lovely cruise, it really was. something we will always remember, meeting people we knew through the blog and now call friends…
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Hello John:
A word about your choice of soft drinks………”run away” from any drinks that say “diet” They are terrible for your uninary system…There are too many chemicals injected into the drinks . Drink the real stuff.
Good health
Shirley
John and Heidi,
I just had to buy some minutes to post a comment on here. Thank you both for a great cruise. This week with Todd as CD all my laughing mussels are getting a well needed rest.
It looks like all My Evil Crew got home safely. They have already kicked into the planning mode for the Second John Heald Bloggers Cruise on the Carnival Fantasey, Feb 7, 2009.
I’m all booked and will be doing a BTB making it a nice 9 days cruise out of New Orleans. Hope to see all the bloggers that missed the first one.
Thank you Heidi for all your help in setting up the surprise bithday party for John. I bet if you put them on sale in here you would sell a few more copies. What do you think Roberto?
Tomorrow will be our anniversary. We are just about to arriver in PR so I will be getting my big huggo from Nanette very soon.
BIG ED
How wonderful that the Heat won and you were there to see it ! It doesn’t happen that often so the alignment of the planets must have been just right…
I swear that I had the same counter agent that you did at Avis but when I encountered her she worked for an airline. I think that the look she had on her face is taught by some company that specializes in producing irritating customer service representatives…
So, pray tell, how is the Imagination? Did you take any pictures? Is it all that you expected? Did you find anything familiar under the desk in the Cruise Director’s office???
Speaking of cruise directors, please sir, if you get a chance, the ‘09 list of same. It would be greatly appreciated.
Now head aft and grab a hamburger and a slice of that delicious pizza for me!
Send along my regards to the lovely, problematic packer – Heidi and to the amazing Famous Roberto!
Take care and have a wonderful cruise!
Greg
Hey John and Heidi,
Glad to hear everything went well with the bloggers cruise, and that you are getting to see the Imagination again. I really love the fantisy class ships, I like the small ships better than the big ships, I think you get better service from the crew because there are less people tp worry about and more time to do there work.
I asked my step son the question you asked in your blogg – “I have often wondered about sports stars. When they loose a game does that awful feeling stay with them as they climb into their Ferraris and head for their million dollar homes. “-
Well he does not climb into his expensive car or go to a manchon, well we like to think it is ( 3 bedroom 1 bath house) but he said it does stay with him. he really hates loosing, but hates it even more when they (the team) play awful. he is out injuried right now but hopes to return to play hockey this week. we are waiting to hear from the doc about his knee. they did an MRI thingy on it Saturday night. He really loves playing hockey and this is his senior year in high school, so it will be his last as the college he is going to does not have a hockey team. His choise by the way.
Take care John and if you have a min. look up the South Beach diet. yuo might find it interesting.
Capt Bill
And I will speak for myself, I am still having nice memories of last week, wish it had been longer. See you soon my friend.
Prince Charlie
Hello ,John
As I was ridding home from the port of miami from the fascination the sister ship Imagintion was behind us and I saw the evolutions of fun , like the water slides on the aft. section of the ship.
I hope you runite well on the Imagination!
from your friend , Jake
Good afternoon John and Heidi,
Hope all is well and you find the Imagination as wonderful as we did when we had our daughters’ College graduation cruise.
John, I did want to tell you about one young lady, no I didn’t get her name, at the Pursers office. I broke the nose piece on my glasses during the cruise so we went to the Pursers to see if they could help. This young lady went down to her cabin and brought me back a tube of super glue! Needless to say my glasses were fixed and are still fine. I’m sure if you ask at the Pursers desk about the super glue, on the Freedom, maybe you can find out her name and give her a BIG Thank You from me? It would have been very uncomfortable to try to wear my glasses without the nose piece.
Now on to your Heat game. I understand completely what you are saying about unhappy faces on the Heat. It seems to go hand in hand with poor playing. I’ve seen the same thing with “My Boys” too. Isn’t it amazing what a great play can do for a losing team! Hmmmm maybe there is something connected to a smile, having fun and a winning attitude. I was very happy to see the Heat break their losing streak. They deserved that win and maybe they will come back to what they were (are).
Hope you and Heidi have a wonderful, relaxing cruise.
Joan
Hi John,
This past week was my 10th Carnival cruise,which in it self show’s how much we enjoy “The Fun Ships.
Somewhere along the line we have sailed with you before as i immediately remembered your voice as well as your sense of humor.This trip for some reason left me with an entirely different feeling.I felt that we were friends (even though we have not met personally)that have known each other for years.
You are an absolutely amazing man with the ability to let people take leave of themselves for a week to laugh and have fun.It’s like you said that having fun and enjoying ourselves is a universal language.It is not by accident that you have acheived such a prestegious position.I spoke with SEXY John on friday who told me how fortunate he was to be trained by you.
Best wishes to you and THANK YOU for our special week
Butch&JoAnne
Actually you were our cruise director on the Imagination in Feb. 1998, so you were there then too! I know Paul P. will be so happy to shake your hand, so anything you can do to be there early to say goodbye/hello to him would be great. He did mention he was traveling with 80 other people on a bus, so he probably will need to catch that early, so please try to get on as soon as you can to see him! Thanks so much! Linda P.S. I LOVED the Imagination when we were on it, and from the pictures of the new Imagination, it looks great! My brother and his wife were on it a few weeks ago for a Lynard Skynard concert, and they had a blast!
hi john & heidi
have fun on the IMAGINATION,,
we loved the ports,,,
grand turk & half moon cay,,,
see you in NOLA,
tom and jane
HI JOHN AND HEIDI,SO GLAD TO HEAR ALL WENT WELL ON THE BLOGGERS CRUISE . WE WERE GETTING THE BLOW BY BLOW INFO FROM OUR BLOG AND CRUISE CRITICS ALSO,WE ARE PSYCHED ABOUT THE 09 CRUISE FROM NEW ORLEANS PLEASE KEEP US POSTED ON UPDATES . BTW, WHAT SHIP DO YOU PLAN ON BEING CD IN THE FUTURE? REGARDS MATE,KEVIN&ROBIN P.S. HAS YOUR BRO-IN-LAW GOTTEN ANY UGLIER SINCE THE
MED CRUISE ?
Hi, John!
You’re right to feel happy about how the first Blogger’s cruise went. It was an amazing time! I had told Ken about what a great cruise director you are, and he says you’re even a better than I had described! Our only regret is that you didn’t have an opportunity to smoke a cigar with Ken. Maybe next time.
Pat (and Ken)
InMN253
Sleep is good!
HI JOHN,
THIS WAS OUR FIRST CRUISE AND OUR 15TH WEDDING ANNIVERSEY. I HAVE NEVER LAUGHED SO MUCH !!! YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS !!!! WILL RECOMMEND CARNIVAL TO ALL MY FRIENDS.
YA’LL ARE SUPERB AT WHAT YOU DO.
WILL YOU BE ON THE SPLENDOR WHEN IT COMES TO HTE STATES IN NOVEMBER AND FOR HOW LONG ?
REALLY ENJOYED THE BASH @ OCHO RIOS !!!
HOPE TO BE ON A CRUISE YOU ARE DIRECTOR ON AGAIN REAL SOON.
MAY YOU AND HEIDI HAVE GREAT SAILING,TONY AND KELLEY VANCE
I would love some Miami Heat.
40 BELOW ZERO temps. and a blizzard greeted my arrival home.
I was showing off my great sun tan to the snow blower this morning (John: to clarify, that’s a machine used to clear snow
)
Also, I did have a rather horrid dream last night about a Brit, a laptop and a toilet.
Looking forward to hear all about the NEW Carnival Imagination.
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
Thank you Mr. Heald. I appreciate the effort that you will try to get back on the Freedom before I have to disembark. If it doesn’t work out, I still thank you for thinking about me. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
HI JOHN AND HEIDI,
HOPE I AM DOING THIS CORRECTLY. WE WERE ON THE CRUISE LAST WEEK TO CELERBRATE OUR 15TH WEDDING ANNIVERSERY. ALSO OUR FIRST CRUISE. I HAVE NEVER LAUAGHED SO MUCH IN A WEEKS TIME. JOHN YOU ARE HILARIOUS. HOPE TO BE ON A CRUISE WITH YA’LL AGAIN SOON !!! WILL RECOMMEND CARNIVAL TO MY FRIENDS. WILL YOU BE ON THE SPLENDOR WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATES ? IF SO WHEN ? MAY YOU AND HEIDI HAVE GREAT SAILING,TONY AND KELLEY VANCE
wow, we were on the bloggers cruise. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as hard and as many times in one vacation. The bedtime story put both my husband and myself over the edge!! I laughed so hard, I cried. Thank you for making our 20th anniversary cruise so much fun.
glad you had some john and heidi and enjoyed the game. I want to update you john and my fellow bloggers on my dog. Those who didnt know, i got a call on wednesday during the cruise, that they took my dog to the animal hosptial, she wasnt eating and had the runs. She made some improvement on friday. But today was a tough day in my life I type this with many tears in my eyes and suzann eyes, I went down to animal hospital around 3pm, today Monday, they called me this morning and told me that dusty wasn’t do too good, couldn’t walk. Well i got there she was in bad shape, couldn’t even stand up, tried to get up when she smelled me no good just too weak and back legs gave out. I called suzann she came home and we went back down to hospital and about 430 pm we did what we had to do, she was in great pain, we put her down and held onto her as the vet gave her the shot. She was the greatest dog I ever had in my life, she will be missed big time, she had a great life and left many memories behind, rest in peace dusty we love you…..
John- hope you have a wonderful time on the Imagination. My daughter just got off on Thursday- she was on the Rock Boat show cruise- the one with the record setting bar bill……
I think she said the ship survived… Looking forward to a cruise very soon. Deby
Loved your reports from the bloggers’ cruise — you make cruises come alive in a way that no one else does!
And re your Imagination “moment” with you and Heidi. It makes me wonder: how many of us out there celebrated incredibly special life moments on a ship? I think you should ask, John!!! I’d love the details, even from afar.
And I’ll share, too: I met my now-husband while a solo journalist covering the launch of Costa Mediterranea; he proposed to me on Regent Seven Seas Voyager. Both ships…will always be special.
Best to you and Heidi.
Carolyn
John & Heidi…thanks bunches for making the bloggers cruise a memorable experience. We’ll look forward to cruising with y’all again.
Sandy & Dick
I have had many firsts this week. The best first was cruising with all you bloggers. My daughter and i had never cruised together before (just the 2 of us). We were always with a group of friends/families. This being the first time…we couldn’t ask for more. We had more activities, laughs, fun…than we could ever imagine. Thank you so much. We were glad to be on the ship to celebrate John’s birthday…My last first is writing on this blog….thingy….lol.. I’ve never done this before, read them but never added my 2 cents, lol. My husband and i are hoping to join you on your second bloggers cruise in February 2009. That will be his 10th cruise with carnival.
My daughter and i would like to know what dates John will be on the Splendor. We’re thinking of cruising in Europe this summer and hope/want to be on the ship with he and Heidi. Thanks so much for everything…What a great week.
Dear John and Heidi,
We were so very proud to be a part of the very first Bloggers Cruise. I sit here now, watching the birthday celebration DVD and re-living the memories. It was a very special cruise for us. Finally getting to meet all of the original bloggers was a very special treat. We were with our extended family. We spent time with many of them and got to make some new and lasting friendships. I think that this is definitely the future of cruising. John, your morning shows were the highlight! We loved watching you interact with fellow guests, some of who were a part of “Big Ed’s” evil crew! We haven’t laughed that hard in a long time! Thank you so much for the wonderful gift that you have of making people laugh and forget about their troubles, if only for a week! It is what a true vacation should be.
Cheers mate, to you and Heidi. We are booked for 2009 and look forward to sailing with you once again. Keep up the best blog going. There may be many imitations, but NOTHING can touch an original.
Dear Big Chief Needapee…
now I’m little princess needapeenomore… You make me laugh and I love it!!! Thank you!!!
You’re blogs are TRULY medicine for everyone!! They grab me and shake me and make me laugh till I can’t feel anything but my cheeks and jaw aching!!! God Bless your humor and writing!!!
I’m cruising through this week, readying Mom and me for our ECSTASY cruise… One week, next Monday… to Progreso and Cozumel!!! And Goose shepherding us to fun and fantasies!!! Never met him — but your interview told us lots about him!! Thank you!
I’m waiting for your next update of laughter and fun!!
My best to everyone! Heidi the wonderful packer and beautiful lady, Roberto the miracle man, Alan the friend of us all, and you, John our CD Supreme!
Kirsten
Robert,
My sympathy goes out to you and your wife in the loss of your dog Dusty. It is such a hard decision to make to put a pet down, but when they are suffering you know in your heart what you have to do. I’ve had to do it also, and it is like losing a member of your family. Hopefully you have many fond memories that will stay alive in your heart for the rest of your lives! All the best to you in the days ahead!
Sheryl
John and Heidi,
Well, my friends, I wasn’t able to join you on the blogger’s cruise, but it was certainly fun living some of it vicariously thru your blogs. I hope you enjoy your cruise this week and rest up alot! Looking forward to your next blog as usual!
Sheryl
John When it comes to Heidi complaining about her weight tell her what I tell my girlfriend Michelle “As long as you are standing next to me you will always be skinny” Have fun on the Imagination and get some rest. See you in 2009 on the bloggers cruise part II
John.. Great Blog !!! I wish I could have been on the bloggers cruise. I sailed with you on the Glory a few years ago. You made the cruise so much fun ! Any word on what ship Todd Whitmer will be on? We base our cruises on what ships you and Todd are on. We will only cruise on he ships you two are the cruise directors ! Keep up the great work !
You dont know spanish? I thought we have been talking in spanish for months now
Im very happy that you are going to try to meet Paul and shake hands ( forget the hand give him a huggo)
I meet Big ED.We spent two hours talking.It was great!
Robert,
Sorry to hear about Dusty. Our “children” are our dogs – we’ve had a collection… As many as nine “kids” in the lot – we’re down to two now: Max and Buddy. Every time we lose one I too turn into a blubbering, something.
Good to see Suzanne and yourself again – the Blogger’s of ‘08 will definitely be long remembered! Thanks John and Big Ed and everyone on Freedom! It was a great week in the warmth of ship and friends…
Owen & Shannon
Robert: So sorry to hear about your dog. We had to put down one of our cats last year on a Monday and then our Ferret that Friday, it was not a good week. Dusty is off over the rainbow bridge now, running and playing and not in anymore pain. Smile for that at least
John:
This was my husband and I’s very first cruise and we were there with Michele and Sydney and another pair of friends Bridgette and Kaitlin. We had an AWESOME time and are already planning another cruise for 09. You made the trip very memorable and we are hoping that in the future we will be able to sail with you again. How far in advance do you know what ships you will be the CD on? Thanks for a wonderful time and I am now an official blogger and hope to meet more people from this list on other cruises. I have already seen quite a few people from our neck of the woods (WI).
To All:
Does anyone know how you find out who the CD will be on cruises? How far in advance does the ship know who will be the CD anyway?
Thanks!
Deanna
Robert,
This entry is for you. Your entry touched my heart in a very special way. My husband and I are both animal lovers. When we first married, we had cats. One of our cats developed some type of condition. The vet told us there was no cure,however, she was not in any pain and the quality of her life was not lessened. Being the excellent vet that he is, he kept checking her periodically. Finally, he told us that it was time. She was in pain and there was nothing else that could be done. My husband and I met at his office and held her while he did the injection. She very peacefully drew her last breath in the arms of two people who had loved her.
That was such a hard decision for the two of us,however, we did not want her to continue her life in pain. It would not have been a very good life.
Many years later, I lost my soul mate-my first shih tzu. He died in a tragic accident while we had him with us on a family trip. I still get teary eyed when I talk about it. My second shih tzu is almost ten now, so it has been quite a while. Anyway, someone told me about Rainbow Bridge.
Look it up on the internet. It is a beautiful poem.
It has helped me get through some difficult times.
I know that my first shih tzu furbaby is waiting for me. In fact, he is the guardian angel for the one we have now. Every Christmas Eve our shih tzu starts to run around the house as if he is chasing someone or something. It happens like clock work. Keep your eyes open for subtle signals that your furbaby is checking on you and how things are going.
Robert, please know that many of us have walked this path with you. It is not easy, but I think the poem will help you. Please take a look at it!
Ruth
Robert and Suzann…you have my deepest sympathy. We lost one of our beloved “furry kids” in September and it was dreadful. It will take a while, but slowly the pain will lessen. But personally, I still get teary-eyed just thinking about my little guy. And several others from years past. We still have our little girl plus a kitty. Hope you have some other furries to love.
Myra
John,
My guess is that the weather is better in Miami than across the pond right now. Here in Chicago we have temperatures in the mid-forties (well anticipated). Trying to convince the family to do a 3 or 4 day cruise over spring break but don’t think it will happen.
Later,
_BigMike
Deanna,
Here is a link:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=685370
Hello John… I am currently on the Imagination with you as well, for the readers who don’t know, and I am wondering if you can mentiuon the link to my pictures of the ship and commentary.
http://www.cruisemates.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=589258
This is on CruiseMates.
Paul Motter, Editor.
Hi John
Will you still be on the ‘Imagination’ for 7th Feb. cruise only some of the guys and I are booked for a ‘Village People’ re-union, it would be great if you were there to join in.
RG
John,
I guess you are not sailing on the Imagination as I thought. We, Larry and I, are here with his brother and wife. The ship is now beautiful, but we had hoped to see you and the lovely Heidi on board. Oh well, maybe we can celebrate our 52nd anniversary with you. No, I forgot , we will be on the Freedom next fall. I guess we’ll have to try for the 53rd. (The good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise.) Jeri
Deanna,
It was nice to see that someone else is familiar with Rainbow Bridge. That thought has gotten me through some very difficult times. It is a good feeling to know the animals are happy and will be waiting and watching for you!
Ruth
Thanks for the memories. We have so many to share now and lots of love to spread about. I even learned a new word. It’s absolutely “brilliant”… The shows were fantasmico………Big Easy fantastico…………Big Ed, have fun….Robert, I wrote you….Evil Crew, it’s a big “miss”
Love,
Kap
John & Heidi,
Thanks for making the bloggers cruise a memorable experience. We enjoyed meeting you both and all the other bloggers-hope to see you again real soon.
Inez
Carnival has the FUN Ships. Take the Miami Heat out on the Carnival Freedom and play a little half court basketball with them. Something different for them in the preseason or before the playoffs. The ship doesn’t have to leave just do it there on the dock.
Ruth
I work with a Ferret Shelter and first heard about it there. It is such a beautiful poem! We still have one cat – 5 – who when we got home from our cruise this past weekend hasn’t left us alone since! We are going to get a dog at some point – bernese mountain – but for now the cats and ferrets keep us company.
Deanna