There are many of our cruise ship guests who do not appreciate the fact that we have a dedicated cigar bar on our ships but as I sit here and write to you and with respect……………..those people at this moment in time are far from my mind. It has been a long and productive day which started at 8 am this morning with a quick breakfast and then from 8:30 am – 6:15 pm we have been in conference. Therefore, as I blog to you know the soft leather of the Oxford chair and the silky draw of my Cohiba Siglo 6 are very welcome……………all that’s missing is a nice fire, my favorite pair of slippers and Jessica Simpson. Talking of chairs the only negative aspect of the conference so far are the awful chairs we have been forced to sit on. They have to be the most uncomfortable on the vessel and as hard as an armadillo’s shell……………and my bottom is not happy.
Before we get on with other business let me say thank you for all the comments that have been posted and although I am not able to reply to them I really thank you for your input. I have brought everyone’s suggestions and comments to the table and they have all been discussed in length and you will be seeing some changes accordingly. Please keep the comments coming and remember, if you have anything urgent you need my help with and a personal reply please mark the posting URGENT – PLEASE RESPOND. This will alert the beautiful Stephanie or the slightly handsome Roberto who will send them on to me. Remember, I will be returning to the usual format of the blog which included comments answered, the “In Their Own Words” section as well as other favorites very soon……………in fact…………….let me tell you when.
The last few weeks my schedule has been knocked about more than Tom Brady was in the Super Bowl but today I can confirm that on Friday I will fly from Jamaica, land in Miami, spend the night in another hotel and then finally………..finally…………….on Saturday 9 February………….Heidi and I will join the Carnival Freedom and I can start being a Cruise Director again…………….I can’t wait. How long we will remain onboard for is uncertain but towards the end of March it will be time to go back to Europe.
Now, before that I have been offered a chance to sail on the Emerald Princess and write about this wonderful ship. This was originally planned for 28 March but this would have made me late back for our familiarization trip for the Carnival Splendor’s Baltic ports of call. Therefore, tonight I wrote an e-mail to my friends at Princess to see if I can do this earlier. I certainly would enjoy this chance to bring you daily reports of what make this brand so popular with so many people……………..let’s see what happens.
Meanwhile back here on the Carnival Victory things have been going very well indeed. Today, the Cruise Directors were joined by our President and C.E.O. Gerry Cahill and our Executive Vice President of Operations Roberto Martinoli and our Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Natko Nincevic.
You know, whenever you meet the new boss and whenever the new boss meets you there is bound to be some uncertainty, which is normal. You sit there wondering what his expectations are of you and I am sure he sat there this morning thinking what do they expect of me…………….Gerry probably was also thinking “This chair is harder than a Camel’s hump” ……………however, this uncertainty on our part lasted but a few minutes as he laid out his visions for us, the company and most importantly ………………you, the guests.
Today’s topics of conversation included the future of our entertainment and what we can add to our hardware to create more excitement. Now, at this point I am desperate to tell you what we will be adding but once again as people from the dark side may be reading this I cannot………..I can tell you that some of the additions we will add to the ships are groundbreaking events and hardware never before seen on ships.
We also discussed operational issues such as our photo operation (as requested by many of you) and other important guest related topics. I think……………..no, scratch that………………..I know ………..you will all be very happy.
Tomorrow the ship will be in Cozumel but we will all remain onboard to continue to find ways to make the onboard experience better for all of you.
One thing is certain. Mr. Cahill is dedicated to keeping Carnival Cruise Lines at the top of the industry and after today all of us are excited to be working alongside him…………………..oh by the way………………you may remember that when I interviewed Gerry when he first joined us he mentioned that he kept fish…….hundreds of them in fact. Well, you will be sad to learn that due to the terrible cold weather in Florida these past weeks (it dropped below 75) 70 of his fish died………………..please send him your condolences ……………. maybe one or two of you will send him a sympathy card ……………. actually could you…………….maybe a sympathy letter or e-mail ………………….he would really appreciate that……………..you know, he could name all of the fish that are no longer with us. When I was a kid I had two fish. I named them one and two so if one died I still had two.
Today, I was speaking about the old days and today I was talking to some of the older Cruise Directors about some of the old activities we used to do. These included The Male Nightgown Contest, The Beer Drinking Contest, Pillow Fighting and many more. These were popular but in today’s society they probably do not have a place but one activity we all miss……………..is Trapshooting. This was a great activity where for $5 you could shoot at clay pigeons that were fired from a trap out across the stern of the ship. The official reason we stopped this was because of the damage the lead shot was doing to the oceans and seas…………..of course, this was correct, we had to stop……………..although……………looking back it probably wasn’t smart to give a Winchester rifle to someone who had just drunk 17 Margaritas……………..those were the days.
Those days also produced some of Carnival’s greatest Cruise Directors ever including Dave Armor, Gary Hunter, Leith Andersen and the incomparable Malcolm Kennedy.
For those who never had the chance to meet Malcolm he was truly one of the funniest people I have ever met and if you had of met him you would have felt the same.
He was from Scotland and was as Scottish as Haggis and the Loch Ness Monster. When not on stage he could be found at one of the ship’s bars, a glass of Johnny Walker Black in his hand and a crowd of passengers around him desperate to hear one of his jokes.
This was never a problem for Malcolm who had the biggest repertoire of jokes you have ever seen. There was not a subject that he could not tell you a joke about………….they were all told with perfect timing and told in that charming Scottish accent. he wore a kilt, loved life and his shows were always standing room only.
Choosing my favorite Malcolm Kennedy joke is difficult …………. however…………….here is my personal favorite. ………….please read this in a Scottish accent.
A Scotsman walking through a field, sees a man drinking water from a pool with his hand. The Scotsman man shouts ‘Awa ye feel hoor thatâs full Oâ coos Sharn’ (Don’t drink the water, it’s full of cow s ** t.) The man shouts back ‘I’m English, Speak English, I don’t understand you’. The Scotsman man shouts back ‘Use both hands, you’ll get more in.
Malcolm is no longer with us and we also lost Dave Armor. Today, I looked around the room at all the young Cruise Directors and played a silent tribute to them and the legacy they have left behind …………… this blog is dedicated to those who have gone before……………..we miss you.
Goodnight
Your Friends
John and Heidi
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
Good Morning John,
I can sympathize with you about the conference chairs. I have never sat in anything more uncomfortable. I think its a deliberate thing to keep the meeting going to a speedy conclusion but the “Powers That Be” don’t realize that the southern end in contact with the said chairs goes numb and with it any focus whatsoever on the meeting. So then the meeting just drags on and on and on………
Please extend my heartfelt sympathies to Mr. Cahill on the loss of his fish. It seems the bloggers crew and associates have had a bad time these last few weeks with the loss of family members, pets, sicknesses, etc. My prayers go out to each and everyone.
Well, tonight’s the night. The Heat get to experience Michigan in all it’s Winter wonder. Yes we have snow (4+ inches) and under the beautiful white blanket is ice! Hope they enjoy it.
Take care
Joan
John, it sounds like another exciting day of insider info! Perhaps entertainment could be Carnival’s icon! Although already wonderful, if Carnival took the absolute, undisputed lead in evening entertaining it certainly would be great bragging point! Concerts, perhaps??
Don’t you know why they have given you Armadillo shells to sit on? To keep you awake! I thought that the military had cornered the market on the most uncomfortable chairs in the world but it appears they elected to share with Carnival.
Now, back to work with you! Keep coming up with ways to make the Carnival experience even more enjoyable that it currently is!!
Pass along my howdies to Heidi, Stephanie, and the slightly handsome but nonetheless Famous Roberto!
Cheers, mate!
Greg
Hey John and Heidi,
Wow, that is great news that you will be back on the Freedom this Saturday when we sail! You will be back where you belong! Hope you enjoyed your vacation! I have been trying to find some sugar-free jelly beans to bring you. See ya Saturday!
John & Heidi:
I was tickled to find out that you will be back on the Carnival Freedom on February 9, 2008! My husband and I will also be on the Carnival Freedom this Saturday! We will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary with our very dear, long time friends. This will be our 5th Carnival cruise and their first cruise ever. I have enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to meeting you both next week! Have a wonderful week and a safe trip! See you soon!
Beth
Mr. Cahill,
I’m so sorry to hear about your fish. It’s difficult to lose something you have spent so much loving time with, be it fish, dogs, cats…. My sympathies.
Myra
My heart has just broken in two. We booked a large family gathering cruise on the Freedom last April. We are sailing on April 19. I have been reading your “blog thingy” ever since. My parents are currently on the Freedom today. They will also be sailing with us in April. Due to the CD conference, they missed having you as their CD. No big deal, I thought, he’ll be there for our April trip. I can’t tell you how said I am.
Rochelle
John, as always, you hit the heart of the matter. There is a tremendous loyalty to the Cruise Directors, no matter the line for whom they work. We have sailed Carnival 8 times, with 6 cruise directors. We remember Lenny Halliday (great voice) and Wee Jimmy’s self-depricating humor, and of course your comedic timing. The CD sets the mood of the cruise. But the fact is, even though we have cruised with you personally 3 times over the past 2 years, we, and others, don’t necessarily cruise Carnival because of a particular CD (Bloggers Cruise excepted). We cruise Carnival because it suits our lifestyle, provides all the amenities we could possibly want, and it gives us the itineraries that thrill.
Even so, I must say that after 3 John cruises, and even though we have heard all your schtick before, there was a thrill last month hearing the roaring laughter from those who had never cruised with you before. I honestly thought the lady in front of us in Victoriana was going to pee her pants, she was laughing so hard during her first “bedtime story.” And as a result, I doubled over laughing at the same things I laughed at before.
Some of my best moments have been the times onstage with you and Carnival – the ship where the passengers get to make their own fun! So please keep doing what you are doing, keep people laughing, and keep Carnival the most fun ship on the seas, building memories for all of our futures.
Sincerely,
Rus Franklin (aka: Dastardly, Oct 2005, Mr. Motorcycle Man, Jan 2008, Frankie Sinatra, Jan 2008)
Hi John,
My first time posting here, I have just found this site last week. We just booked the 2009 Bloggers cruise on the Fantasy (my favorite ship of all time :>) after finding out about the 2008 Bloggers cruise while it was at sea :>(
Reading your last week’s worth of posts all at once and today’s post most of all compel me to reflect on what is so magical about Carnival cruising and it is without a doubt the people, staff and fellow cruisers, so I say keep investing there!
Especially when you find people at all staff levels who have that gift of engaging people….Your post today brought me memories (lordy this will date me) of vacations in the 60′s in the Catskill mountains, at ranches for families (ours was Shapanack, bet you will hear from some others who remember it!!) These places were phenomenons, no kidding, and people remember the activities that simply brought guests together (can you imagine wooden “horse races”, wienie roasts, impromptu costume contests oh my!!) to share some silly fun and laughter and that is what people remember. Not fancy gimmicks!!!
It is a great thing you do here, for Carnival, and for us Carnival junkies (and proud of it!)
Happy sailing and I can’t wait to see you and Heidi in 2009!!
John,
Please please stay on the Freedom for the week of March 22nd. We were so excited when we found out that you would be our CD. I’ve told my kids how much fun they’re going to have on this cruise, because of you. Please don’t leave early!!!!!!!!!!!
Peggy
I’ve been thinking about the icon thing. The smokestack is your mouse ears… but what do you want people to think when they see that icon. That’s the question. The answer seems to be fun.
So, what is fun? Fun is laughing. Laughing requires other people. Skating rinks and rock climbing walls are oddities more than “fun.”
If Carnival wants to emphasize it’s fun, why not emphasize people interacting. Why not have a costume party on every cruise?Why not expand your audience participation events? Why not do audience participation things that involve kids with adult audiences? There are a host of things you can do like this that really emphasize the fun element without requiring a lot of investment in infrastructure that is not often used (like the rock climbing wall, which was mainly void of bodies).
So, I would say, make it about the people — people interacting and having fun.
Dear Mr. Cahill
I am really saddened to hear about your loss.
Hi John:
Sounds like all of you have had a very productive day! I hope they are planning on going to a card type system for their photo system. I love looking at all the pictures, but it can become very frustrating at times trying to find your among all the others. Another suggestion would be offering packages of photos even at a very small discount for larger packages. While the prices are fair, it can really add up quickly and you would make more offering packages.
You may want to bring a fluffy towel to the meetings to help cushion your tushy. Hard chairs are not fun and your butt will be much happier with some added cushion.
Have a wonderful time with your fellow CD’s!
We would love for you to post the CD schedule for 2008 ASAP!
Thanks again!
Susan
John, you are so right about Carnival’s chairs. As you saw first hand on the Bloggers Cruise my back side is more like a back porch. All the chairs that have arms act like vise grips on my back side and legs. The nice chairs on the other decks that do fit my back side act like a giant sponge. Yes, I’m the person sitting their yelling save me I’ve been sucked down in this chair and I can’t get up. In the main lounge on the Freedom it seemed liked the seats were not as deep as others ships. You felt like you were sitting on the edge and going to slide off at any time.
Uncle Gerry, so sorry to hear about your fish but maybe after Carnival puts a cruise ship on the Great Lakes you can get some fish that can handle the cold winters.
BIG Ed
367 days to the next Bloggers Cruise
My sympathies are with Mr Cahill. Loss of a living thing that you have loved and care for is very hard. It also says volumes about him that he has that kind of capacity for compassion. He must be a very good man and well suited for his new job looking out for the pleasure and comfort of Carnival’s guests.
Boy, I bet you will be glad to have a more set schedule again. I imagine that Heidi is looking forward to finally boarding the Splendor so that she will have more time between packing and repacking!
I cannot wait to find out all of the wonderful things that you have decided in your meetings. The Carnival cruise experience is already a great vacation… so to add more… WOW!
Having said that … I had my first luxury cruise on the Fantasy (took a cruise on the SS Uganda as a kid – slept in dormitories) and it was fantastic. My next one was with a group on one of those “other lines”. I asked why that line (starts with an R) and was told that the food and rooms/service were better than on Carnival. I was pretty excited to think this was going to be even better, but… it wasn’t. The food was much better on the Fantasy and the rooms were bigger, too. It was the same great experience on the Carnival Spirit. I am now a loyal Carnival fan. So I agree with others that said, please don’t make any additions that would make you have to cut costs in your already superior areas.
Only 80 days now until we get to set sail on the Carnival Freedom. I cannot wait for the chance to meet you and Heidi in Malaga and then again in New Orleans and aboard the Fantasy. I am not great with a hammer, but as long as I have a pair of pliars to hold the nail with I will hammer away.
Hope everyone is safe. The storms have been horrible. Take care, everyone.
Ann
how do i leave a reply?
John
Several years ago I mentioned to a friend that my audience seemed to be squirming during my recent talk. I wondered why because what I had to say was riveting (IMHO). He looked at me and said “Barb, THE MIND CAN ABSORB ONLY WHAT THE BUTT CAN ENDURE”.
JOHN – URGENT PLEASE RESPOND
Bathrobes that are truly XL (make sure you say this comment with a big smile) – Big Ed and the Carnival Freedom will both be happy.
Jon
Comment concerning Charter Cruises. My son and wife, to their dismay, discovered once on-board they were on the Imagination when 1/2 the ship was chartered by the Motley Crue (Feb 24-28). They said this resulted in restricted areas, first dinner seating totaly reserved for the charter folks, etc. The Heavy Metal crowd was different than the carnival cruisers with whom they normally sail. They booked the cruise thru a Carnvial Cruise Agent. The really liked the Imagination (are past Carnival cruisers) but were very disappointed in the situation and concerned how to prevent such a cruise in future.
I’ve wrote all that background info to request if a large portion of the ships is chartered by a group then the other passengers should be informed at time of booking.
John,
I Don’t know if the chairs were anything like we had in school, but if they were I have sympathy for you. With all of the people studying children these days, it seems as though they have put a bigger inwards curve on the chairs each year. I don’t think I could endure being in school today with chairs like that.
_BigMike
2009bloggerscruiseherewecome,
He has 367 days to get the “THIS SIZE FITS THE REST” size robes on the 2009 Bloggers Cruise February 7,2009 on the Fantasy leaving from New Orleans.
BIG ED
Attention Bloggers
Click on my name above to go to my blog and veiw my pictures of the Bloggers Cruise. I will add other links to photos as they are sent to me. So check back often.
BIG ED
URGENT — COMMENT ATTACHED.
John,
I see one of the topics of discussion was photo services. Call me crazy, but is it possible to use a channel on the TV to preview photos? Just show a looping slide show so that the passenger can decide, by viewing on the screen, whether or not to purchase a picture. Limit the viewing for each event to 12-24 hours and order by phone (like ordering shore excursions) using the ID number on the photo. A few screens could be put up in and around the photo area. This could save on all of that printing that gets wasted. Maybe just print one copy for those who prefer to study their picture before deciding not to buy it. …just a thought. Be well!
You are going to make him very happy, if you do see him give him a huggo from me ok? and tell him I said YAY!!
I need a huggo!!
Nanette
Hi John/Heidi:
First, condolences to Mr. Cahill on the loss of his fish.
Second, excellent stories today. I can only imagine how intimidating it must be to sit there with these young CDs and the highest ranking members of CCL management. I’m sure they were all looking up to you since you’re the hit of the cruise line right now.
Looking forward to hearing the changes that will be implemented soon.
Can’t wait to hear from you soon as you get back into the normal swing of things on the Freedom.
Thanks again!
David
Mr. Cahill – Sorry about the loss of your fish. Losing a living friend is tough no matter what it is. Our cat Muffin died almost 3 1/2 years ago and we still talk about him every day and miss him a lot. Nothing can replace him and people that aren’t “pet people” will never understand.
John – are you going to be on the Splendor South America cruise? I know that the 2009 Bloggers cruise is in the middle of the first leg but are you going to go back or what?
Enjoy your conference and come back with lots of interesting things to tell us. What is the itinerary of the new ship, the Dream I think, going to be in 2009?
Linda
Hey John,
Sounds like the meetings are going well.
As to old (pool) games… maybe Carnival can bring back horseracing… also, I have not yet sailed on a ship with the big screen tv’s and I heard that they are great… but one concern that I have is that they will take away from our poolside cruise atmposphere – something we love – the occasional pool games plus live reggaie band music.
Hope you enjoy the rest of the meetings… and find a better chair.
-Matt
Hi John & Heidi,
Oh gosh, sorry to hear about Gerry’s fishies. Tell him there is a light at the end of the tuna (my bad — ba dum ching…).
Anyway, I was going to post in yesterdays blog ‘thingy’ about Lynn Torrent. I can tell you that she’s perfect for the position. I got to know Lynn in May during the Costa Serena innaugural and I was so impressed. She’s a go-getter, and beloved by all those who work with her.
Happy meetings!
Best,
Anita
Hello John and Heidi,
I’ve been thinking about the “Icon” question. Carnival is the “Fun Ships”. They don’t need some big wall taking up valuable space that only some of the passengers will use anyway. They also don’t need to have the biggest ship. The enormous size actually turns some people off. Some don’t want to sail with 3000 or more other people. Some things CCL has that the others don’t have are singing and dancing wait staff, and towel animals (almost) every night. I really miss those things when I sail on other lines, and no, I don’t have any children. (Wait a minute. Does my husband count? OK. One BIG one.) Carnival has the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept on. I love the idea of the water park and “serenity” area on the Fantasy class. I can’t wait until next Feb. when I can see them for myself! In October, we were in Hawaii sailing on the competition, and all of us devoted Carnival cruisers were shocked at the lack of live music on the NCL ship. Their “orchestra” was a 5 piece jazz band! We made sure to tell the one couple who were on their first cruise how much better it will be on the Freedom this October, “because on Carnival they have live music all over the ship. All different kinds”. One thing people have been asking for – a dance floor, with a live band for ballroom dancing. Well, Carnival already has the musicians. Why not have some dancing? After all, “Dancing With the Stars” is a big hit. They could have ballroom dance lessons for an hour or two, and then actual dancing afterward. The only other cruise line that really has ballroom dancing is Cunard. As you know, the two lines do not attract the same clients. Just my 2 cents. Thank you for your blog “thingy”. I look forward to it every day.
The Sheriff enjoys a good cigar after a tough day of fighting crime (and dealing with stupid people)!!
Handcuffs To All!
John, you never write back……..
John,
We have seen your routines before. We’ve seen the schtick, heard the jokes, saw the format. What sets you apart from the flock is your delivery. I, like Rus, was having a ball watching the folks around me in the Victoriana lounge convulsing in laughter over your routines! I was enjoying myself once again, through their eyes. I must say that my wife and I really enjoyed the morning show. What a wonderful showcase for your wit and off-the-cuff-humour! You had us looking forward to sea days!
We are not sure what Carnival has in store as far as ship-board entertainment is concerned. What we do know is the reasons why we continue to make Carnival our vacation destination of choice. My wife and I feel that CCL consistently produces a high quality product that fits our lifestyle and personality. We continue to look forward to our Carnival cruise vacation experience. We look forward to our next cruise (2009 Bloggers Cruise) with much anticipation. Carnival has YET to disappoint. You mate, are the BEST cruise director on the seven seas, whether you care to hear it or not. Looking forward to seeing you and Heidi once again!
I wish they would let you buy a sheet of 3 x 5 photos without buying the 8 x 10. I really have no use for 8 x 10 photos and would probably buy more if they would sell them that way. I wouldn’t think it would cost anymore to print them that way.
Dear Mr. Cahill,
My condolences on the loss of your fish. It leaves a hole in your heart when your pets are gone.
Karen
Hi John: I just had the greatest idea. Why not have a 50′s night. Everyone who grew up in the 50′s (that’s me) and everyone who didn’t will surely agree that it was an era of great songs, great dances and great outfits….What a time!!!
Regards,
Terry
Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane,
You missed me. I was watching for you coming and going to the Bloggers Cruise. I-75 was very quiet in Georgia didn’t see many of your boys at all.
BIG LEAD FOOT ED
Memories….. light the corners of my mind….
Now I have Barbra’s voice playing in my head….Great…..
To honor those who have crossed our paths and in some respect shared in our life journeys is very admirable. History has always been endearing to me and part of embracing our individual history is remembering and respecting those that have proceeded us.
So it’s the laughter
We will remember
Whenever we remember…
The way we were…
Help………… Barbra’s going to be haunting me in my dreams…
Hi John, I have a question.
How come all these people at the conference have big huge titles and you are just called ‘senior cruise director’?
I think we should start a campaign for you to be Executive Senior Vice President Of Cruise Director Operations.
Imagine the size of the name badge you would need.
DM
Good morning John & Heidi,
First, please pass along my condolences to Mr. Cahill on the loss of his fish. And no, I won’t make a joke.
I see you saw my previous comments about the old activities on the ships, thanks. But what is “Dare Bingo” and “Pig Racing”?
You mentioned some of the past CD’s. I don’t remember all that I’ve had (besides you), just a few – Greg Kneale, Greg Hutson, Troy Linton, Josh Riffe (If you’re reading this, Hi Josh). Malcolm in the middle was social host on the Imagination and HorHey was the entertainment on the same ship.
John, I’m sure you’ve heard by now that Shaq was traded to the Phoenix Suns. Miami is really in a lot of trouble (and I thought the Knicks were bad).
Can’t wait to hear more from the CD cruise.
Take care, and mucho hugs,
Carol
John,
Our condolences to Mr. Cahill. Perhaps he — and you — will enjoy the following, which your recitation of Malcolm’s joke reminded us of:
During the Irish Troubles, a number of Catholic priests would use their Sunday sermons to rail against the English. However, the economy in Ireland being what it was, many Irish boys were working in the docks of Liverpool and returning home with distinctly English burrs in their voices. And then, the Pope issued as edict that the pulpit should not be used to vent one’s personal animosity, but the spread the news of God’s love.
Well, the next Sunday, one particularly crusty Irish priest rose to speak, announcing that his subject would be “The Last Supper.”
“Aye,” he said in his thick Irish brogue, “thar way our Laird Jesus in the upper room, wi’ his twelve Apostles wi’ him. And he say to them, ‘One of ye’s gain t’ betray me.’ And he looked at Judas, and Judas looked back at him and say, ‘Cor, Blimey, guv’nor, couldn’t be me.’ ”
(This last line, of course, is said with the thickest Cockney accent one can muster.)
Cheers,
J&K Watts
John and Heidi,
Glad to hear you will be returning to the Freedom. I am even more pleased that you will be returning to Europe in March because you will be preparing for the Splendor! I am beginning to wonder if it will ever get here! I am anxious to start hearing about things to see and do in the various ports!
Ruth
I just thought that I would also suggest some improvements in the photography department. There are too many people and too many photos to find your pictures and if you do they are full of fingerprints and/or bent. This is also a waste of paper to print all of these pictures that are never purchased and just thrown away. It would be so much better if the photographer took your room number or gave you a number (whichever is more convenient for the photographer) and you could imput it on the television in your cabin and order what you want. This way Carnival would only print what people purchase and avoid a lot of frustration for the passengers and a lot of unnecessary expense.
I also agree with the idea of offering package deals because the photographs do become costly when you purchase multiple photographs.
Thank you again for being such an excellent Cruise Director and I am looking forward to sailing with you soon.
Your signature smokestack is definetly Carnival’s icon.
The cigar bar is a great place to enjoy a puff for those inclined. The only knock on the cigar bar is that you have to go through to get to the internet cafe and some people don’t enjoy that aspect. Although with the Freedom being wireless it worked great.
Looking forward to finding out the reuslts of the meeting.
Hmm, 2010 Blogger Cruise out of Port Canaveral.
JOHN – PLEASE REPLY
Hi John. If you’re on Emerald Princess sooner… will it be on March 5th? If so, I’ll see you there!
I can’t wait for a cold beer standing in the shallow water at Princess Cays…..