Tuesday, February 19th, 2008...10:55 am
It’s Not a Dream
It felt good……….land…………..I hadn’t touched it for days and here I was in Cozumel finally walking on terra firma. Good Morning everyone and sorry for the brief delay in my postings but yesterday (Sunday) is the busiest day of the cruise with so much going on that instead of writing last night I surrendered to the call of my bed. I then had big plans to write a blog this morning which turned into this afternoon which turned into this evening and here I am at 7:30pm just starting………..oops.
I awoke this morning to find bright sunshine pouring in through my window as we docked in Cozumel…………it was a beautiful day. Mexican builders have a reputation of not exactly being quick to finish a job however since I was here three weeks ago on the Bloggers cruise the repairs to the pier that was destroyed in the hurricane are moving along very quickly and obviously we have hired Las Speedy Gonzalez Builders to do the job. There is still a lot of work to be done and not just on the pier itself but to restore life to the fantastic area of Puerta Maya. For those of you who did not visit this terrific area it was full of shops and restaurants and made a striking first impression to Cozumel. This area certainly has a lot of work that is needed to bring it back to its former glory and I was told today by some Cozumelians that they believe September will be the magic month when Puerto Maya will return……….we all look forward to that day.
Today however we are docked at the International Pier which is the one just next to where the Puerto Maya pier is being repaired. This brought back many memories for me as, for years, the Holiday, Jubilee and Celebration would dock here and later the Ecstasy and Sensation as well. Once again, time away had resulted in many changes and where before there was a small shopping complex of maybe 6 or 7 shops there are now dozens and dozens of “Duty Free” stores, jewelry shops, silver emporiums and T Shirt stores where signs proclaim that “everything is nearly free.”
The most popular store however…………certainly to photograph and visit ……………is……………….the drug store. A huge sign outside it states that you can buy anything over the counter including Diet Pills, Antibiotics, Valium and even Viagra. This little drug store seemed to be doing great business and as I passed by I wondered exactly what our guests were buying. I saw one man coming out the shop looking very pleased with himself and I guessed that he and hopefully his wife would be happy with his purchase later tonight.
Passing by the old shops that have been there since the late eighties memories came flooding back. In those days the ships would stay until 2 am and after I had finished pretending to know about wine in the dining room, me and my friends would rush ashore, jump in a cab and pay $1 per person to go to a club called Neptunos where entrance was free to all the crew and Corona Beer was 50 cents a bottle. I have to admit those were wild days and, one day, remind me to tell you about them……….when Heidi isn’t anywhere near me.
Here I was again………..probably in the same taxi judging by the state of it. As I may have mentioned once or twice, I love all things cars and I like to think I know a bit about them however as I got into the ancient taxi I tried to work out exactly what make of car I was in. I mean, it had four doors………….four wheels……………and made a sort of a car noise but it was as though it had been made by a factory who was too embarrassed to put its badge on the vehicle………….it was…………….a car………….and a hell of an ugly one at that…………….I have seen better looking open sores than whatever this car was. I was about to ask the driver what this petrol-powered wheelbarrow was but my attention and my breath was taken away by the driver’s two front seat covers…………they were towels……………….Carnival Cruise Lines towels ………………. circa early nineties …………they were pale blue and although slightly faded the word “Carnival” proudly sat there waiting ……….. well…………..to be sat ……..on.
All thoughts of the soulless vehicle I was sitting in were lost as more memories of the times when these towels were around returned. There are guests who sometimes scoff at the fact that we charge $22 for non-returned towels but here in front of me was proof positive that we are right to do so. These towels were left in the back of Jose’s taxi many years ago by someone who had just drunk 12 Margaritas and was never going to remember who he was and what ship he was on let alone remember the towel that Jose’s bottom was now sitting on. It’s strange but today we still have the odd guest who may drink a barrel full of Margaritas and like our 1990’s friend won’t remember their name or cabin number but you can rest assured they will have that towel with them ……….clutching it as though it had been woven from pure gold …………….. determined never to have to pay that $22.
Anyway, I arrived at my destination, paid Jose his $6 plus a $1 tip, took one last fond look at the towels and went into a restaurant called Pancho’s Back Yard which is situated inside a huge shop selling all things Mexican called Las Cinco Soles which, as all you graduates of Spanish will know, means ………… made in China.
I have been coming to this restaurant for 20 years simply because it has the best guacamole on the island. I had not been there for 4 years…………..would it still have the best guacamole on the island……………..answer……………..oh yes. …………..the only problem was I could not believe how expensive everything had become……………..for the same price as a plate of guacamole you could buy two taxis and still have enough money left to buy two Carnival towels as seat covers.
I could go on about the price of the menu items but I won’t. I will tell you the food was excellent. I had something called “Sexy Fajitas” which I hoped meant that it would be served by a Senjorita in stockings and suspenders but was disappointed to find out that it meant that my shrimp had bits of cheese and bacon dumped over it. …………….anyway…………..it was excellent and again the memories came flooding back of the many times that me and my old ship mates had been there……………..I had other memories too of eating there with ……………..ummmm………………other …………… ummmm …………. people ………….but seeing as though after the drive-by blogging incident yesterday I have only just finished extracting bits of Heidi’s shoe from my bottom ……….I will refrain from talking about that any further.
Talking of Heidi she was having a great time. She had left earlier in the day as I had insisted she take some time off. We were in Cozumel with the Carnival Liberty and that meant she could see two of her best friends, Stephanie Meads and Beverley Mingerstanton. Stephanie, as many of you know, worked with me on the Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom inaugurals and is currently Assistant Cruise Director on the Carnival Liberty. Bev is an old friend and was one of our most successful Dance Captains. She delivered the Carnival Triumph and Carnival Glory with us and we are especially good friends with her as she lives just 15 minutes from us in the UK.
Joining us today were the Carnival Freedom’s Staff Captain Luigi Di Angelis and Chief Purser Margherita and my old friend and captain of the Carnival Liberty Marco Nogara, Captain with whom I shared many wonderful memories as we sailed the Med and, of course, into his home town of Venice.
I have to admit, it was so nice to take three hours off although I still had my trusty Raspberry by my side.
Here are some photos from today.
Heidi & Stephanie
Chief Purser Margherita, Beverley, Heidi, Captain Nogara, Stephanie, Staff Captain Luigi, and John
Staff Captain Luigi, Captain Nogara, Stephanie, John, Beverley and Heidi
Staff Captain Luigi, Chief Purser Margherita, Captain Nogara 
Stephanie, Beverley and Heidi
The Carnival Freedom docked in Cozumel
I have to get ready for the show now and tomorrow I promise to include more answers to your questions but time has run away from me. I have read some comments about a certain video that many of you have seen on boobtube.com …sorry….youtube.com.
This video allegedly contains an animated look at the new Carnival Dream………..and I am here to tell you…………nope………it does not.
This is not the Carnival Dream and is in fact one of the many representations conceived by our brilliant friends at Fincantieri for possible future ship designs. This animation was released without authorization and it’s a shame that someone is trying to say it is something it is not. It is not the Carnival Dream……………..However, I can assure you she will most definitely be incredible …………..you wait and see.
Oh, by the way if the person who posted the animation film on youtube is caught they will be in big trouble……if you hear screaming it means we know who did it and just like in the Godfather………. They will have woken up…………………. and found Fun Ship Freddy’s head in their bed.
Buenos Nachos
Your friends
John and Heidi
34 Comments
February 19th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Hi John, got a question. It seems that everytime Don and I travel alone, we end up being assigned a booth in the dining room. When I sit in a booth , I feel like I should have on blue jeans, tennies and be ordering a hambuger, french fries and a milk shake, not dressed in nice clothes eating prime rib. The worse part of eating in a booth is that Don being a southpaw (left handed), has to sit on the outside and I get stuck over next to the wall……….bugger.
Is there anything in the works to replace the booths with a small table that seats 4 ? Also can I request to be assigned a seat at a table for us?
Hope you get some rest. I enjoyed seeing the pictures of Heidi… I hope the stick quits showing the smiley face and another stick shows that a little one has been conceived.
Carolyn ….. and Don
February 19th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
First, I am very much sorry presenting this information. I had received from a reliable source.
Had I known what the impact of this would have been sooner I would have kept this a secret.
Once again I regret the misinformation I have been giving everybody.
To The Carnival Corporation, The Internet Community, and of course John; please don’t hang me by my toe nails.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
John, You have to admit the idea of a Up and down back to front monorail is great. Why not go for it. Fincantieri sure must think it’s possible or they wouldn’t have spent all the time and money making that video. If Carnival don’t do it somebody will sooner or latter.
John, while your in Cozumel scout out places for My Evil Crew to have a good party during the 2009 Bloggers Cruise sailing from New Orleans on the Carnival Fantasy.
BIG ED
Ps. Still looking for more info all the Pre-cruise activities in New Orleans so we know if we have to make hotel reservations. Hotels book fast in New Orleans just before Mardi Gras which is the 25th in 2009 but it runs almost all month before.
BIG ED
February 19th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
John – PLEASE ANSWER
Why are you the only one I see in the dining picture wearing a bib?
Just wondering.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
John,
We have a cruise planned for 3/24/08—yes, Easter Sunday–but when you work for the public school system, you take what you can get!!!
Anyway, would it be possible to look into your crystal globe; aka – computer; and see how many rugrats; aka – lovely children; are scheduled to be onboard?
Just need to know how many nerve pills to bring with. 180 days of loud, rude, obnoxious parents–yes parents–you would think a vacation is in order!
ALSO, could you make supper club reservations for us? RES # 1V9Z18 and 9V4X84 on the Carnival Valor, 3/24/08.
By the way….as platinum guests, isn’t one of the perks a guaranteed dinner time? Yet every correspondance we receive states times can not be guaranteed.
THANKS!!!!
Brian
February 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Carnival Dream …. while certainly this vessel will be the largest in Carnival’s fleet it will be dwarfed by the current monsters from RCCL or their newest 220 million ton
Galaxy Class no… .. Gargantuan Class… errr Ginormous Class … whatever ……Behemoth of the Seas . TOO HUGE in my opinion!!!!!
When I hear the specs about this newest colossal beast and I equate this to RCCL advertising some raunchy video entertainment of the adult nature….. I wonder if Mr. Goldstein has figured out it’s not the size of your ship that matters, it is what you do with it.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Buenos Dias Johno & Heidi,
I miss seeing Cozumel (my last cruise visit was changed due to Hurricane Wilma).
First, please pass along my sincerest condolences to the Kimmett family on their tragic loss.
Happy 60th Linda – welcome to the club!
John you will be interested to know that NY is moving towards “Congestion Pricing” too. There are a few variations in discussion – don’t know which will be put into effect (if any – there is definite opposition).
I just missed out on the Platinum Thermos on the Imagination – I got another tote bag.
As for that other CD, from Scumbag of the Seas – everyone else has said it – they are jealous. Jealous because Carnival has such a loyal following (well deserved).
Bye for now,
Carol
February 19th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
John,
‘Pepe’s taxi ride featuring Big John and the magical Carnival towels’, sounds like the newest ride at a place that rhymes with Shnisney Shorld. Oh, and Anon.Dude, NOT COOL.
_BigMike
February 19th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Good morning John.
I just wanted to thank you for the photo postings in this mornings blog. I have had the pleasure of sailing with Captain Nogara on multiple cruises the last being the TA in November 2006. I also have great memories of Stephanie on the TA and am glad to see she is still on the Liberty. Great to see them looking well and happy.
When last I visited Cozumel I had a fantastic meal at Las Palmeras. I was on the Elation, as it was repositioning to Galveston, and the Paradise docked next to us that day………….a beautiful sight to see for sure.
Kersplott
February 19th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
John,
The next time you are on the the Freedom in Cozumel with the Liberty (March 17), I will be there on the Liberty! I’m a long-time reader/lurker, and just decided to come out of the woodwork today with that moving story about the Kimmett family.
Anyhow, perhaps I will see you at Pancho’s March 17. We’re going to spend the day at Playa Uvas, but will certainly end up back downtown for drinks and snacks before heading back to the ship.
I am loving the blog, and hope to sail with you one of these days!
February 19th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Hi John/Heidi:
Great pictures today.
I always love seeing pictures of the Freedom in port, and once again she just proves that she is such a beauty.
I have so many fond memories of Cozumel. Thank you for helping me relive some of them.
Thanks again for another great blog today!
David
February 19th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Cozumel is our favorite port.
Our time is divided between Tulay and Grant’s place ..well “Sonny’s” place..No Name Bar (yes we have the old tshirts that we got when their old bar was across from Puerto Maya) and Paradise Beach which is fun by a friend of ours Tom.
I don’t even eat the green stuff, but I love Cozumel!! Frozen margaritas and cheese nachos at Paradise Beach is the Breakfast of Champions!!
We have been there 5 times since Oct 06 and we can’t wait to go back on the Legend in May!!!
February 19th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
JOHN PLEASE REPLY
I’m planning to go to Nassau for the first time ever in August this year aboard the Sensation. I would like to know what shore excursions do you like best. Also, how’s your finger? Same thing happened to my brother recently. He got his finger caught in a closing car door. Thankfully nothing was broken. Also, one more question… I saw in a previous blog that someone bought a DVD onboard which had you in it… Is that the “Funship Films” DVD? Or another one available for purchase? Thanks!
Mike L.: Good luck with everything at Northern Illinois University. It’s such a tragedy with what happened there and I wish you all the best.
Monica and Al: I’m very sorry to inform you, but I have checked the calendar for the Triumph and it appears to be going into dry dock on Monday, September 22nd.
John & Heidi: Love the random photos! Keep them coming! I knew that video of the dream wasn’t the final output. Some of the stuff shown looked like great ideas though! I so can’t wait to see the REAL Carnival Dream! Have a great day guys!
Thanks!
-Alex
February 19th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
john great pictures of all your past mates,Captain Nogara, Stephanie and Beverley brings back great memories of the liberty and glory. I remember how proud the captain was sailing into his home town and port of Venice, which I feel is the best port of call we ever been to, it is that great. Also I never will forget the ingural first cruise on the glory with bob dickenson aboard and the air a/c went out and it got so hot aboard the glory then the sounds for the public address system kept going off, they were going to cancel the cruise and head back to port, do your recall that sailing, bev was with you as dance captain.
Dream video did look great I bet the dream will have some of things in that video, they are great.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Hi John,
My wife and I took our honeymoon on the August 17th Sailing of the carnival freedom. We had a GREAT TIME!! We actually bought the Bed Time story video but since then we have lost it. My wife really wants a copy of that video, I tried calling customer service but they said they didnt have any left. Do you know if there a way I could buy 1?? Thanks alot
February 19th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Hi John
I love reading your blog and when you mention Cozumel and Ecstasy the memories flood back through my eyeballs. Just want to let you know and all the bloggers my book about my life working for Carnival Cruise Lines and you, the best Cruise Director of course, is doing very well. Permanent Passenger: My Life on a Cruise Ship is being featured on several cruise websites, selling in bookstores in San Francisco and has gotten good press.
http://www.permanentpassenger.com is the best site to see the book and learn about it.
Great John Heald stories include some of the old Male Nightgown competition stories, tricks of the trade on the Crew T-shirt which everyone wanted, and the chapter on romance on the ship has my wife fuming!
Cheers and hope everyone gets to enjoy
I did send one in mail to you
Micha Berman
February 19th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Wonderful, John!
I’ll be in Cozumel in about a month and a half and I’m going to make it a point to stop at Pancho’s Backyard and order some of the Buenos Nachos that you mentioned at the very end of your blog! I’m sure they’re delicious and I’ll write a lengthy critique upon my return.
The pictures at Pancho’s were great. It has to be wonderful to run into so many friends at a foreign port and have a bit of time to spend remenissing… that and drinking margaritas…
Thank you for what you did in the previous blog for the Kimmets. I hope the words that so many of our community offered will be of some comfort to them. God bless them and God bless you for being thoughtful enough to allow us to express ourselves to them.
All my best to the wonderful Blogger’s crew!
Greg
February 19th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
John
have been reading your blog faithfully. We are doing a B2B on the Freedom Nov30th 2008 & Dec 6th. This will be our 12th & 13th cruise with Carnival. Love your pics of the ship. We were just on the Liberty in Sept 29th 2007. Todd W. was our CD, & I have to tell you he was great. If you aren’t going to be on the Freedom then maybe Todd will
Keep up the great work you do to keep everyone happy
Cheri
February 19th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
John,
I was just in Cozumel. Reading your words, I felt like I was there again… I didn’t take my Carnival towel to shore… it’s worth it’s weight in gold and too precious to even think about getting dirty, lost, or heaven forbid, forgotten…
I’ll be back aboard and in Cozumel in September, then again in December for Christmas shopping, then with you on the Blogger’s Cruise… Great port!!
Your photos are wonderful — so many smiles, so much laughter and fun!!
That’s your gift… That’s what you spread… Laughter and fun!!
Thank you!!!
Lambie
February 19th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Go get em! Shame on that person for posting something that’s not approved…
February 19th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
John,
I don’t know if Heidi reads this blog all the time or not, so please tell her how great she looked in today’s photos! She looks like she has lost a lot of weight! Wish I was also losing–oh well! Usually wearing white makes one look heavier, but it certainly doesn’t on her!
Sheryl
February 19th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Hello , John , Jake her again
O my g-d captaim nogara is my Favorit captain in the fleet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He was the one that gave me the anchore pin from his white salior suit whith epeletes.
He realy is a nice person.
I remeber him having a real thick Italian accent and being VERY funny.
I was on his ship (Liberty)wher I had my first kiss , but imcase her parents read this blog i dont want to disguse it.
I was recently approached whith a fairly large envolope whith a book of pictures tooken by team carnival.
It was sent to me by the executive office in miami.
Very well book.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Hi John,
I love the video on you tube of “the dream” Of course the Carnival Dream is not going to have all of that stuff…but it is pretty cool to see what the designers are thinking of. In fact, because of that video, I along with MANY people have joined a group to book a cruise on the Dream without knowing where its going, what it looks like or what the pricing is….Who cares its a cruise!!! It will be fabulous! But could you talk those brilliant minds at fincantieri into putting that monorail on the ship!!! I would never leave it!
February 20th, 2008 at 8:48 am
HI !!
February 20th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Morning, John!
Would you mind answering this question for me? I’ve just learned that Carnival has done away with the European sunbathing deck around the Funnel on all ships, and I’m wondering what the reasoning was for the change. It was quite a nasty shock to discover that my favourite secluded section of the ship is no more.
Regards,
Kathi
February 20th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Looks like all of you had a wonderful time and a well deserved break (even if it was only 3 hours). Love the pictures!
I had a feeling when I saw the faux video of the dream, it was quite far fetched. It’s a neat idea, but realistically not it’s time yet! We look forward to the “real” Carnival Dream when she becomes a reality!
We hope you have a wonderful day! You deserve it! Maybe you can get off the ship for a few more hours today!
February 20th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
So what does your cabin look like? We see pictures of everything on the ship except for your cabin, are you ashamed? Do they have you holed up in a ramshackled shanty town? Everyone always wants to know how the “other half” lives, well dont be ashamed, let us see the broom closet you call home! I think it would be very interesting to see where you get to reside, that is my request.
February 20th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Alex G,
I just came back from Nassau earlier this month on the Fascination. I was alone on the cruise so I shopped in the morning and did a tour in the afternoon. I did the Astrada Gardens, Zoo and Concervation Area. It’s 2 1/2 hours long, in a nice bus, shows you the sites of Nassau and you go to the zoo. I really enjoyed it and it was under $50.
Hope this helps.
Cindy
February 20th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Hi Heidi & John
Lovely to see Captain Nogara, we have fond memories of sailing into Venice on Liberty and the stories of how he started his career.
Thinking of you today as the Queen Victoria has docked in Melbourne this morning, she has apparently dwarfed the pier and there will be hundreds of people going to see her. Unfortunately we are working and can’t do so. She leaves tonight to sail to Sydney and apparently will be sent off with fireworks and huge fanfare.
Cheers for now
Suzanne & Lisa
February 20th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
When we were in Cozumel, Linda and I absolutely loved eating at Pancho’s. Some of the crew were inside eating so we knew it would be good.
Keep up with your random snaps.
February 20th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Pancho’s Back Yard located inside Las Cinco Soles is also known for its Margaritas, which they make from their own tequila. Never order more than one and expect to walk unhindered back to the ship.
I keep hearing so many good things about the bloggers cruise that I am trying to figure how to make the next one, but I am already booked on the Ecstasy Nov 1st this year and an Alaskan cruise the middle of May in 2009. Us working stiffs in the USA just do not get that much vacation!
February 21st, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Hi John,
I loved the pictures! It’s nice to see the Captains taking some time to themselves as well. I had the pleasure of sailing with Captain Nogara on my last cruise a few years ago. That’s where I met you. I remember the very first joke you told when you came on stage. You said when you came to America you found out your name ment “toilet”. You’ve had me laughing ever since. See you on the bloggers 2009 cruise.
Julie Gantt
February 26th, 2008 at 1:32 am
My wife and I just took our first cruse for our 25th wedding aniversary. We went to Cozemul, Grand Caynan and Ochio Rios. There are no words to say thanks enough for the time of our life. (My wife is already saving for our next cruise.
I only made one BIG mistake…I did not get the exact recipe for the Frozen Rum Runners that the bars served. My wife absolutely loved them. Any chance you can get the recipe for me.
My only advice I can give other possible patrons thinking about going on a cruise is to not hesitate. If you do not have the time of your life then you have no one to blame but yourself. My hat is off to all the crew of the Freedom (Feb 2-9, 08)
February 28th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Great to see Captain Nogara is still with Carnival.
I met him on his very first cruise with Carnival, I don’t remember which ship it was; I didn’t think he would have lasted this long! He has not changed much… Bravo!
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