Comments on: 3 out of 3 carpet cleaners say it’s better than Vegas http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/30/3-out-of-3-carpet-cleaners-say-its-better-than-vegas/ The official blog of Carnival Cruise Line's Sr. cruise director, John Heald Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:47:15 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Daisy http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/30/3-out-of-3-carpet-cleaners-say-its-better-than-vegas/#comment-28906 Daisy Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:08:46 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2085#comment-28906 I love formal night! I found a vintage Emma Domb gown to wear on our next cruise (Holiday, March 1) and can't wait. I do realize there will always be people who 1) just won't dress up or 2) will think they're dressed appropriately when they're not. And I know Carnival wouldn't dare insult them so as to toss them from the dining room. But with so many other dining options available, perhaps the guidelines should be enforced. I think it'll always be a touchy subject. And that, as usual, the thing to remember is that no one can spoil your enjoyment except YOU! (And I don't mean, you, John, I mean..well bugger... you know what I mean. I hope.) I love formal night! I found a vintage Emma Domb gown to wear on our next cruise (Holiday, March 1) and can’t wait.

I do realize there will always be people who 1) just won’t dress up or 2) will think they’re dressed appropriately when they’re not. And I know Carnival wouldn’t dare insult them so as to toss them from the dining room. But with so many other dining options available, perhaps the guidelines should be enforced.

I think it’ll always be a touchy subject.

And that, as usual, the thing to remember is that no one can spoil your enjoyment except YOU! (And I don’t mean, you, John, I mean..well bugger… you know what I mean. I hope.)

]]> By: Myra Bushnell http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/30/3-out-of-3-carpet-cleaners-say-its-better-than-vegas/#comment-28875 Myra Bushnell Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:22:30 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2085#comment-28875 John, I totally agree with what "LanceandIldamissingtheevilcrewsers" said about dining. KEEP FORMAL NIGHTS!!! (Please?) The ship looks great. I really appreciate the cool pictures you've been posting. Thanks! Myra John,

I totally agree with what “LanceandIldamissingtheevilcrewsers” said about dining. KEEP FORMAL NIGHTS!!! (Please?)

The ship looks great. I really appreciate the cool pictures you’ve been posting. Thanks!

Myra

]]> By: Marsha Breen http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/30/3-out-of-3-carpet-cleaners-say-its-better-than-vegas/#comment-28867 Marsha Breen Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:30:02 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2085#comment-28867 John - as many people have mentioned above, there will always be a debate about formal nights vs. casual. I for one love to see everyone dressed up and don't feel it is a hardship to do this. Unfortunately, many younger people don't share that sentiment. We just cruised the Miracle a couple of weeks ago and constantly saw people going into the Lido buffet dressed in only bathing suits and no shoes. I don't think this is a problem if you are eating out by the pool, but why do people think everyone else wants to look at them half dressed while eating their food? If they are sitting across from you while you are eating, all you see is skin. Your mind starts imagining other things if you get my drift!! LOL! There were 4 guys who I constantly saw throughout the week that only wore their swimming trunks - no shoes, no shirt, just their trunks. It didn't matter where you saw them, they were always dressed the same. Until the cruise lines start enforcing their "rules" for dress codes, (whether that is formal, casual or whatever), nothing is going to change. I fear that if the cruise line changes their dress code to informal or casual during all meals, that this will end up still not being good enough for some people. The cruise lines serve a 4 course meal in the evenings with the wait staff dressed in uniforms. If they are going to go through all that trouble to make a memorable evening for their guests, why is it so hard for the guests to show their appreciation for a fine dining experience and dress appropriately???? John – as many people have mentioned above, there will always be a debate about formal nights vs. casual. I for one love to see everyone dressed up and don’t feel it is a hardship to do this. Unfortunately, many younger people don’t share that sentiment. We just cruised the Miracle a couple of weeks ago and constantly saw people going into the Lido buffet dressed in only bathing suits and no shoes. I don’t think this is a problem if you are eating out by the pool, but why do people think everyone else wants to look at them half dressed while eating their food? If they are sitting across from you while you are eating, all you see is skin. Your mind starts imagining other things if you get my drift!! LOL! There were 4 guys who I constantly saw throughout the week that only wore their swimming trunks – no shoes, no shirt, just their trunks. It didn’t matter where you saw them, they were always dressed the same. Until the cruise lines start enforcing their “rules” for dress codes, (whether that is formal, casual or whatever), nothing is going to change. I fear that if the cruise line changes their dress code to informal or casual during all meals, that this will end up still not being good enough for some people. The cruise lines serve a 4 course meal in the evenings with the wait staff dressed in uniforms. If they are going to go through all that trouble to make a memorable evening for their guests, why is it so hard for the guests to show their appreciation for a fine dining experience and dress appropriately????

]]> By: Tammie http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/30/3-out-of-3-carpet-cleaners-say-its-better-than-vegas/#comment-28864 Tammie Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:44:56 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2085#comment-28864 The Imagination was the first ship I went on. I can't wait to go on it again to see the changes. I think formal night should stay. However, I think it should be more enforced. I know that I would hate to be the guy that says you're not dressed up enough to enter the dining room. But, maybe that is the only way. It sucks going through all of the trouble of getting dressed up, doing your hair and making your husband put on a suit and tie and then having the people at your table wear khakis and a shirt. The Imagination was the first ship I went on. I can’t wait to go on it again to see the changes.

I think formal night should stay. However, I think it should be more enforced. I know that I would hate to be the guy that says you’re not dressed up enough to enter the dining room. But, maybe that is the only way. It sucks going through all of the trouble of getting dressed up, doing your hair and making your husband put on a suit and tie and then having the people at your table wear khakis and a shirt.

]]> By: Ruth Jamison http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/30/3-out-of-3-carpet-cleaners-say-its-better-than-vegas/#comment-28852 Ruth Jamison Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:37:34 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2085#comment-28852 John and Heidi, Thanks for the marvelous pictures from the Imagination. I told my husband and daughter over a quiet dinner Tuesday night- without the children- that after the Splendor we needed to take a look at returning to the Caribbean. I shared with them what you had been saying about the renovations on the Imagination. The sentiment seemed to be that returning to the Caribbean would be a good move. Speaking of dinners, I am in favor of keeping the formal nights. My daughter and I love the chance to show off some dressy gowns. I love to see my husband all dressed in his tux- ready for the formal nights. Our granddaughter and grandson only come to dinner in the dining room on formal nights. Our granddaughter always gets very excited about getting all dressed for dinner.She can not quite understand why we buy her a special dress that can only be worn once or twice. By the time the next cruise rolls around, she has outgrown it! But anyway, she does enjoy the formal nights in the dining room. Now the grandson is not quite into it as much, but he is only seven. Our best pictures are definately from formal nights. Usually we get a picture of the grandkids and our family together. You know, John, we never know from one year to the next what will happen. Those pictures from cruises are wonderful memories of quality time spent together. I feel assigned seating is better for several reasons. First of all, we have the opportunity to meet and get to know the fine waitstaff in the dining room. They can get to know our likes and preferences. Our daughter thoroughly enjoyed our waitress last summer. Her name was Agatha. A beautiful blonde who our daughter loved talking to. Agatha and our daughter would often talk about fashion when our daughter would arrive with her matching accessories. Secondly, if it is freestyle dining, they can simply resort to heating food up very quickly. I can zap something in the microwave at home. I do not come on a cruise for that type of food. It would also involve using more additives to be sure the food remained fresh. I just feel you will get better service in terms of quality of food as well as attention by having assigned seating. John and Heidi,
Thanks for the marvelous pictures from the Imagination. I told my husband and daughter over a quiet dinner Tuesday night- without the children- that after the Splendor we needed to take a look at returning to the Caribbean. I shared with them what you had been saying about the renovations on the Imagination. The sentiment seemed to be that returning to the Caribbean would be a good move.
Speaking of dinners, I am in favor of keeping the formal nights. My daughter and I love the chance to show off some dressy gowns. I love to see my husband all dressed in his tux- ready for the formal nights. Our granddaughter and grandson only come to dinner in the dining room on formal nights. Our granddaughter always gets very excited about getting all dressed for dinner.She can not quite understand why we buy her a special dress that can only be worn once or twice. By the time the next cruise rolls around, she has outgrown it! But anyway, she does enjoy the formal nights in the dining room. Now the grandson is not quite into it as much, but he is only seven. Our best pictures are definately from formal nights. Usually we get a picture of the grandkids and our family together. You know, John, we never know from one year to the next what will happen. Those pictures from cruises are wonderful memories of quality time spent together.
I feel assigned seating is better for several reasons. First of all, we have the opportunity to meet and get to know the fine waitstaff in the dining room. They can get to know our likes and preferences. Our daughter thoroughly enjoyed our waitress last summer. Her name was Agatha.
A beautiful blonde who our daughter loved talking to. Agatha and our daughter would often talk about fashion when our daughter would arrive with her matching accessories. Secondly, if it is freestyle dining, they can simply resort to heating food up very quickly. I can zap something in the microwave at home. I do not come on a cruise for that type of food. It would also involve using more additives to be sure the food remained fresh.
I just feel you will get better service in terms of quality of food as well as attention by having assigned seating.

]]> By: Heidi-Beth (& Kevin) http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/30/3-out-of-3-carpet-cleaners-say-its-better-than-vegas/#comment-28840 Heidi-Beth (& Kevin) Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:20:30 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2085#comment-28840 The Imagination sounds wonderful, and is already on the list of ships we want to go on, reasons is Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay, and they both sound like great ports. As for formal night it is as you have said there is always a group that is not dressed up, but the will not spoil my fun as I love formal night and I may not have the most expensive thing there is but I do love an excuse to wear my black velvet, and Kevin in his black suit looks soooo very handsome, but he look good anytime…… oh ya I tend to get lost when it come to my wonderful handsome husband…… and the boys look good too in their suits, now if we could just get a picture that looks perfect…. This is the challenge as something is always wrong…… someone blinked or moved or is not smiling ….. Oh well I will keep trying. Best to you both The one and only 1 Heidi-Beth The Imagination sounds wonderful, and is already on the list of ships we want to go on, reasons is Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay, and they both sound like great ports. As for formal night it is as you have said there is always a group that is not dressed up, but the will not spoil my fun as I love formal night and I may not have the most expensive thing there is but I do love an excuse to wear my black velvet, and Kevin in his black suit looks soooo very handsome, but he look good anytime…… oh ya I tend to get lost when it come to my wonderful handsome husband…… and the boys look good too in their suits, now if we could just get a picture that looks perfect…. This is the challenge as something is always wrong…… someone blinked or moved or is not smiling ….. Oh well I will keep trying.

Best to you both
The one and only 1
Heidi-Beth

]]> By: Scott http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/30/3-out-of-3-carpet-cleaners-say-its-better-than-vegas/#comment-28833 Scott Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:54:36 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2085#comment-28833 The Imagination looks wonderful. I especially like what was done in the cabin hallways. Thanks for the pictures. I think there should be at least the one formal night and depending on the length of the cruise another one. People have a choice if they don't necessarily want to get dressed up they can go to the Lido buffet. The food and service there is excellent also. It is sometimes confusing when checking your sail & sign you see some entries and scratch your head. . . oh yeah that what it is. The Imagination looks wonderful. I especially like what was done in the cabin hallways. Thanks for the pictures.

I think there should be at least the one formal night and depending on the length of the cruise another one.

People have a choice if they don’t necessarily want to get dressed up they can go to the Lido buffet. The food and service there is excellent also.

It is sometimes confusing when checking your sail & sign you see some entries and scratch your head. . . oh yeah that what it is.

]]> By: MSQPON - JO MYERLY http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/30/3-out-of-3-carpet-cleaners-say-its-better-than-vegas/#comment-28829 MSQPON - JO MYERLY Thu, 31 Jan 2008 01:41:58 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2085#comment-28829 I vote for a maximum of one formal night or better yet none. With the weight restrictions on luggage these days it means I am packing dressy clothes I will only wear once. We are retired and wearing fancy outfits just doesn't fit our lifestyle. Jo and Dave Myerly I vote for a maximum of one formal night or better yet none. With the weight restrictions on luggage these days it means I am packing dressy clothes I will only wear once. We are retired and wearing fancy outfits just doesn’t fit our lifestyle.

Jo and Dave Myerly

]]> By: Bryan http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/30/3-out-of-3-carpet-cleaners-say-its-better-than-vegas/#comment-28828 Bryan Thu, 31 Jan 2008 01:04:03 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2085#comment-28828 Hey John, The formal night should be kept, if not for the sake of tradition, but also because it's a good excuse to start flirting with someone else. Nice pictures; the reborn Imagination looks awesome. Back to homework... Hey John,

The formal night should be kept, if not for the sake of tradition, but also because it’s a good excuse to start flirting with someone else.

Nice pictures; the reborn Imagination looks awesome.

Back to homework…

]]> By: BuckeyeLady http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/01/30/3-out-of-3-carpet-cleaners-say-its-better-than-vegas/#comment-28826 BuckeyeLady Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:55:42 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=2085#comment-28826 Good Evening John & Heidi, I just returned home so first I want to say what an enjoyable week it was sailing on the Carnival Freedom last week; I've been reading the blog for a few months and was delighted to have the opportunity to be on the Bloggers Cruise along with many friends and my 83 yr old Mother. It was also great to see/meet many of the names I had read--especially Big Ed. Although I registered online a couple months ago, our registration somehow got lost in the shuffle so we did not get to attend any Blogger events but we never felt "left out" as CD you made the cruise fun for all and was nice to see you and Heidi in person. My son and daughter-in-law just returned from the Imagination on Monday. They too enjoyed the many improvements. (and I went directly from the Freedom to babysitting my 3 wonderful grandchildren while they were cruising). Looking forward to sailing on future Carnival ships where you are Cruise Director....... Good Evening John & Heidi,
I just returned home so first I want to say what an enjoyable week it was sailing on the Carnival Freedom last week; I’ve been reading the blog for a few months and was delighted to have the opportunity to be on the Bloggers Cruise along with many friends and my 83 yr old Mother. It was also great to see/meet many of the names I had read–especially Big Ed.
Although I registered online a couple months ago, our registration somehow got lost in the shuffle so we did not get to attend any Blogger events but we never felt “left out” as CD you made the cruise fun for all and was nice to see you and Heidi in person.
My son and daughter-in-law just returned from the Imagination on Monday. They too enjoyed the many improvements. (and I went directly from the Freedom to babysitting my 3 wonderful grandchildren while they were cruising).
Looking forward to sailing on future Carnival ships where you are Cruise Director…….

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