Good Morning, lets start by all singing Happy Birthday to the Carnival Freedom. One year ago today Kathy Ireland smashed the bottle against the side of the ship and this great ship sailed away…….Happy Birthday Carnival Freedom. I wonder if Kathy will be sending a card?
It’s a beautiful sunny day here in Cozumel, Mexico. Birds are singing (in Spanish) the sea is calm, guests are snorkeling, swimming and shopping and I look like the Elephant Man. I woke up this morning with everything still the same except one Prednisone tablet has the same effect as eating four bags of sugar-free jelly beans. It also has given me more energy and I am debating whether or not to go for a 10-mile run or write a blog….I guess I’ll write a blog.
I am not going to go ashore today, just to protect my eye from the sun and I would rather rest to get ready for tomorrow’s day at sea. The most annoying thing is my speech, which although Heidi says does not sound very different; I am very self-conscious about. There are certain words that have me speaking with a heavy lisp as the left side of my mouth is as active as the garbage collectors in Naples, Italy who have been on strike for a year.
I also seem to have the ability to drool, something I have not done since …well….last week when I saw a photo of Jessica Simpson washing a Ferrari. Anyway, tomorrow will be a big challenge as I have a morning show, travel talk, marriage show and two evening shows to host.
This cruise we have 80 guests who are sailing with a Singles Group. They are of all different ages and of course they are all single. The youngest is in her early twenties and the oldest is 67…..they are all having fun and after talking to many of them last night at the Elegant Night party they are all looking for love…..judging by how much they are all drinking if they do find love I have a feeling they will be in no fit state to do anything about it.
I wanted to share this letter with you in keeping with my promise that I would share the good and the not so good thoughts of your fellow guests……have a read of this.
Now, let me start by saying that although my shows may contain some “suggestive ” material there is never any direct mention of “sex” as the person wrote and I never ever use bad language. As for the Divorce thing….well…..this was very interesting. During the show I was talking about the dedication TV programs I would be doing and as I was going through the list…birthdays, honeymoon, anniversaries, graduation, etc. etc. a man shouted out “divorce”…..so of we went in some friendly banter which included him telling the audience that while he was here in the sun his ex wife was freezing her butt off back home in Minnesota…….
Now, I can imagine that for many people Divorce must be a hurtful and shocking process to go through, even more so if there are kids involved however it was never my intention to even mention it but as usual when someone shouts something from the audience you respond. My only regret is that the person did not leave her cabin number or name on the letter so I can apologize in person to her.
It is amazing the things people tell me. This afternoon I spent some time with this family at their request and what wonderful people they are. Have a read of their letter.
One cannot imagine the horror of what they have been through. This is their first vacation together since that terrible day. They are such a great family and they spend their lives looking after others. I met with the daughter, Mum and Dad and the beautiful baby whose name is Tiffany…..the family are so very close as you would expect.
There were some tears shed as they described what a wonderful time they were having and so thankful for the gifts I had sent them yesterday. Meeting these folks made me realize that even though I may look and like I have run a 100-yard sprint in a 90-yard gym and talk like my tongue is made from a Camel’s scrotum, my problems and worries are nothing, zippo, nader, nichts, niente, bugger all compared to what some have been through. I have invited the family to our VIP party later in the cruise……it’s the least we could do.
Yesterday was quite a day and Mr. Murphy was still dropping his laws on me into the night as well…….by the way, I just tried to eat a banana while writing this and because the left side of my mouth is numb it just fell out a dropped over the key board……bugger……hold on.
Ok, I used my magic cleaner to get rid of the banana…its great stuff this magical cleaner…..all you do is shout “Heidi” and in a few minutes it’s gone…..there are side effects of course to using this product which include uncontrollable movement to the dog house.
Where was I ……ahhh yes. That chap Murphy. So, my day had started with my usual handsome features being turned it to someone who has been attacked with the ugly stick and I retired to my cabin early to rest as per doctor’s orders. At 8:45pm I got a call from the Entertainment Technician that we were having to stop the Big Easy show as for some unknown reason all the microphones had stopped working and the singers were silent…….bugger.
So, off I ran backstage….running when you are wearing a patch over one eye is about as recommended as telling Lorraina Bobbitt that you are leaving her for another woman while she is holding a large steak knife….it’s going to end in tears…yours….and your voice will be a lot higher as well. Thus it was as I ran to the backstage area and missed the last stair falling on my bottom……bugger.
I reached backstage and made an immediate announcement…the staff member on duty had already done this but I did again emphasizing that this was a technical problem and we should have it fixed soon……I won’t bother telling you what the problem was but something had blown up and the result was we had gone from the most technically brilliant show on the seven seas to a silent movie in a few moments.
I stood backstage and got everyone doing what needed to be done and after a the amplifier and wireless receiver thingy had been changed we re-set the stage and I introduced the show start asking for applause for a the cast who were so anxious to bring the show to them…….the rest of the show went like clockwork and a full standing ovation followed. I returned to the cabin…..my eye patch having every crewmember asking “What’s wrong?” and my bottom throbbing away from the fall……
The elevator door opened and one of the engineers waited to get in…he looked at my eye and before he had time to ask I said, “Heidi hit me” ……and walked to my cabin leaving a shocked looking engineer thing Heidi had given me a right hook.
I got back to the cabin with the Doctor’s words “Rest John, your body has an injury and needs time to heal,” ringing in my ears so I thought that’s what I had better do. I changed out of my Tuxedo (took two photos for last nights blog) and then took of my white tux shirt and changed into something more comfortable. Heidi and I sent the blog of to Stephanie and then…..I just sat there. I tried to watch TV for a bit with Heidi. She recently bought seasons 1 – 3 of Boston Legal and it is now her favorite program. I just couldn’t get into it….they were doing something about protecting Salmon in a courtroom and then someone wasn’t someone’s son…it was like Despicable Housewives without …well…nice bottoms.
However, the real reason I just couldn’t get in to it was because for some bizarre reason Captain Kirk appeared dressed in an Armani suit drinking scotch…..where was his tight fitting pants and why wasn’t he drinking his Romulan brandy. At one point this other lawyer was screaming at him and threatening to hit him…I shouted at him to use his phaser and have Scottie beam him up…..it was when one very trampy woman walked on to his terrace and tried to seduce him and I shouted “You won’t be the first man to boldly go there mate,” that Heidi threw an apple at me….normally I dodge these various flying objects but with only one good eye I just groped at air and the apple hit me right in the chest…..I left Captain Kirk and went to the bathroom to fight some Klingons.
Now, its 10:40pm….I am just getting ready for bed…I cannot remember the last time I went to bed this early unless the God that is “The Magic Stick” demanded it. Anyway, the phone rang and I could not believe my ears…..we had to stop the show again. So, I shoved my T- shirt on and me and my throbbing bottom, my sore chest from the lethal piece of fruit, my patched eye and my stupid lopsided face walked …walked this time backstage.
The first time we had ever stopped the show on the Carnival Freedom was two hours ago…..not bad considering that she is only a year old.
This time the problem was the lighting controls which for some reason had blacked out all the lights…..not only does this make the show hard to see for the audience but with 18 cast members performing in front of a deep orchestra pit its also very dangerous. So…..same again……apology announcement….and after 10 minutes hard work by the tech team the board was “re-booted ” and off we went……the show received another standing ovation.
I stayed backstage and kept an eye (get it? …”kept an eye” – ?) on the proceedings and then took myself back to the cabin and went to bed. I dreamt of Star Trek….Captain Kirk had been replaced by Captain George Hamilton….he had an all supermodel crew and I cannot begin to tell you what he was doing with his photon torpedo!
Here are a few Random photos taken by Heidi…oh and one from two new people on the blog and the couple I mentioned a few days ago.
Let’s get on with some Q and A…..here we go. To skip the Q&A, click here.
RIKKI BOYCE – Even to mentioned as the same sentence as David Beckham means this young lady is smart, intelligent and in urgent need of glasses. Thanks mate, hope all is well.
BOB HICKLY – The Shriners indeed do outstanding work and I am glad that you are acknowledging them. Thanks Bob for all your kind words and for reading this blog. Cheers!
BILL AND DEBBY – Your story is a perfect example of how colour and race should not matter. Thank you for mentioning our friend Malcolm in the Middle and every time I see the word Heinz, I shall think of you.
Best to you both, all 57 of you.
ED MILAN – Hearing that you enjoyed your cruise last week so very much is music to my ears. I passed the words of congratulations from your executive chef friend on our food to our Head Chef here on board. I am glad you enjoyed all the shows and I hope it’s not too long before we will see you again.
TBFMTSFPBLFT09BC0TCF – work that one out. Thanks for the update on my wedding vows and you are probably correct; the word shopping should definitely have been in there. I agree with everything you said and unfortunately these are words I wanted to say to this lady but never did. She had already made her mind up that I was a bad person and purposely did not hire people of colour. Your support has and always will be so appreciated. My best to your lovely wife.
JIMNI – You asked if I can have a gathering of bloggers when I join the ship in Funchal and certainly, we can do this toward the end of the cruise. It will be my honor and pleasure to organize this. I will send further details out nearer the time. The crew of the Carnival Freedom looks forward to meeting you. See you soon.
CRUISIN GRANDMA – Hello Grandma…….I saw the photo yesterday and you are a very good-looking grandma indeed. Still..I hope you allow me to continue to call you grandma. You know, I was talking on the Blog with Big Ed about how this thingy has become such a great community one that cares and shares with complete strangers. This is confirmed by you when you tell of how the stories of others and the things they share on this blog have kept you going through your cancer treatments. I also was humbled by the fact that laughter the blog provides has also seen you through. So Grandma…let that always be the case and I wish you continuing health and happiness and we will always be here for you.
PATTI AND WAYNE – By the time you read this I know you will be getting ready and packing for your cruise her on the Carnival Freedom. Please leave me a note when you get here and I will look forward to hopefully meeting you and shaking your hand. Have a safe journey here and see you very soon. Cheers.
MARTHA L – Indeed we will not disappoint. Your return to the world of cruising is great news and I know you and your family will have a fantastic time together on the Carnival Fascination. Please write when you get back and until then please keep reading the blog thingy.
RICK AKA SEAN CONNERY LOOK A LIKE – Please let me know when you are sailing and I will speak to Ken on your behalf. I am glad your wife is ok with my French humour. We loved Quebec when we sailed there on the Carnival Legend; it is one of our favorite places. Cheers Richard and see you soon.
HELENE DENIS – And we miss you too, come home soon.
BIG ED – A good question mate. I asked the doctor here on board and he confirmed that 24 weeks pregnancy is the cut off time for being allowed to sail. Hopefully Heidi will be with us on the Bloggers cruise. Please say hello to Mrs. Big Ed and thank her for her kind words.
ROBERT & SUZANN – See you in 4 days time in your usual seats.
MYRA BUSHNELL – I asked Heidi and she said that we have actually been there. It’s full of beautiful Dutch flowers and it takes about 1 hour to get there from Amsterdam, it’s an amazing exhibition and you will love it. If you have any other questions about your trip, please let us know. All the best.
PISMO JIM – Just wanted to welcome you with your first posting. I am really glad you have been enjoying the blog for so long and I hope this will be the first of many posts.
MOUNT SINAI CRUISER – You asked who the Cruise Director will be on your son’s first cruise on board the Carnival Destiny. This will be a young lady called Darcy Kniefel and I promise you will have a fantastic time. Please wish him Bon Voyage from us and if he hast time, send our kind regards to Darcy. Cheers!
SHARON DOVER – We can indeed take a poll nearer the time to see who is sailing on the July 13 Carnival Splendor cruise. Great idea Sharon.
BECKY – Heidi says, thank you for taking her side. I guess you women stick together)
SHERI BOLCHOZ – The good news is, you will hear no noise from the Lido deck where your cabin is positioned. Don’t worry about not being able to swim as, if you fall overboard from your Kayak on the Bioluminescence Tour, the sharks will eat you before you drown ….. kidding, you will have a life vest on and float. Are you talking about your collection of solid gold plastic trophies or something else? Let me know. Looking forward to hearing from you very soon and I will remain at your service.
JEANNE MARIE – You asked about Dover. A taxi from the ship to Dover Castle will cost you approx. 10 Pounds, which is about $300…kidding, more like $20. I am not sure of the entrance fee; however, I am sure you can find out on line. Dover Castle is fantastic and I agree you should try and see it. Just remember you must be back on board no later than 4 pm. Unfortunately we have no packages to Paris; however you can take the Euro star train, the ferry from Dover to Calais and a train to Paris or fly from Heathrow. However, personally, I would see other parts of England before Paris. Then again, I would rather see a pile of elephant poo before I would Paris but that’s just me. I am here to help and please say a big hello to Ray. Cheers.
CINDY 56 – Still not sure on our finish date on the Carnival Splendor and a trip to Canada though would be amazing in the winter. As long as I don’t have to ski. Thank you again for your kindness. All the best.
LAMB KNUCKLES – Thanks for your thoughts and maybe I should get more serious and actually think about doing a Bloggers cruise on the Queen Mary out of New York. So far, 4 other bloggers said they would come. No lamb for me tonight for dinner. Heidi sends her best, so do I.
BIG ED – I agree mate, the world has gone mad. I bought my friend a huge slap of Cadbury’s whole nut chocolate and on the front of the bar it says in big letters “contains nuts.” How big is the Evil Crew for Carnival Fantasy??
DRIVERNC – Thanks for your support on the Vegas hotel idea. It’s good to dream.
JOY – Looking forward to seeing you on the Carnival Splendor, it will be nice to say Welcome Home.
CAMERON – I am glad you guys had such a wonderful time last week and sorry about the debarkation. Good luck in the coming year and if you have time try and read the blog now and then. Cheers mate.
DEANNA – So you would be interested in a Queen Mary 2 bloggers cruise would you? The more people tell me they are, I will get some rates and dates. Cheers.
SUSAN V – I shall have to try the Publix version of the warming chocolate cake. Thank you for joining my Facebook thingy. I really must pay some attention to it sometime. I always look forward to your postings and I hope you and your family are well.
SHELLY – Just wanted to say Thank You and wish you a wonderful week as well.
MIKE AND LORETTA BROWN – Thank you for the kind offer and one day we may be knocking on your door. Thank you for your kindness kind and one day I hope you can show us your neck of the woods.
MIKE ORELLO – I asked Heidi for her opinion and she suggested the following two hotels in Amsterdam. The Radisson SAS in a street called RUSLAND, close to everything you might be interested in. Also the Marriott near the Rijksmuseum/Leidseplein is great and just on the other side of the centre. Hope this helps, let us know if you need anything else.
LOIS VERYFUNNYPOSTINGSKI – That’s a great idea. A bloggers commercial. You are hired. Heidi and I miss you and send you our best.
CRUISING EAGLE – I will chase up my friends on the Carnival Elation and get the tour recommendations to you by the end of the week, my apologies for the delay. As you will have read, one of the guests we disembarked did pass away, the other is doing well. Thanks for you kind concern. I will write to you soon, cheers.
DANNY – We should be able to pick up ABC 3 days before the end of the trans-Atlantic crossing. So it will be touch and go if we receive satellite coverage. If we do, we will gladly have it played for you. Cheers mate.
SANDRA – I love French Canadians and as I just mentioned, our trips to Quebec have been some of the highlights of our cruising lives, now, your Paris cousins, that’s another story. Hope to see you soon.
PEGGY – The broadcasting of news on the Seaside Theatre big screen has received 1 or 2 negative comments. However, they are just 1 or 2 and the news is only played from 8 – 9 am every morning. The rest of the time we show activities, ambient footage, concerts and movies. Have fun on your cruise. I am very sorry I can’t be there with you and I got the hint and passed it on to Ken. Heidi and I send you our best.
UNCLE DOUG – Great idea, never been to Lake Tahoe, it sounds wonderful. I wonder if anybody high up at Carnival would take this seriously. Cheers mate.
MARY ALICE – Oops!
JIMMIE KENNEDY – I was actually being serious and I am even more so now about a Queen Mary 2, 2010 New York bloggers cruise. Let me get my head around this and see what we can do. Cheers.
HEATHER JEFFREY – Please send a big hello to your beautiful daughter Hannah. It was a pleasure to have you on board and I hope Hannah remembers her uncle John. Hope to see you all again soon.
JEN – You just made my day. Thanks for wearing your Carnival shirt on a RCI shop. Cheers.
RICK AKA SEAN CONNERY LOOK A LIKE – I passed your request to Ken to eat in his dining room. I am sure he will do his very best to look after you. I see the “Climb This” t-shirt has another fan and I am now seriously thinking of having them made. Cheers.
PRINCESS ELAINE – Glad to hear I made you laugh and I agree, Nathan’s has brilliant hot dogs although Bill Zydecocruiser and Robert from New Jersey may disagree.
MARIA CONNIE COELHO – Welcome back from your Carnival Freedom cruise. I am glad you enjoyed your cruise so much and I hope that the laughter and fun you shared with us all will carry you through your battle with breast cancer. Hearing that has made me realize how important my job is in ways I could not normally think of. You have joined a great group of people here on the blog, all of which will now be thinking of you on March 7 when you have your surgery. I am sure when you check back in a couple of days you will see many of the bloggers have said how they are thinking of you. Take care and Heidi and I send our warmest regards to you and your daughter.
JASON BELL – Just post your comments mate and somebody will send them to me in private.
SHERIFF ROSCOE P. COLTRANE – The Cruise Director on the Carnival Glory will be Ryan Fitzgerald, a brilliant kid who I know you will absolutely love. I am sure the sheriff can have fun with him. Captain Salvatore Rassello will be the Captain and please remind me before you sail so I can send you a bottle of Moonshine. Good luck with your election, you always have my vote.
KEVIN AND HEIDI BETH – Why do people always say the grass is greener on the other side? I am afraid the lady in question who said they disembarked 3,500 guests in 15 minutes on an RCI ship had probably just smoked her own underwear. Anyway, we can always improve our systems of debarkation and we will continue to try and do so. I can’t believe you are a Doctor Who fan and I agree with you, Tom Baker was the best. With my current illness I look like a Darlek. Heidi and I send our best to the three of you.
DIVETRASH – I knew I can count on you. It seems I was right in thinking you would say Nathan’s. A friend of mine was going to have a Nathan’s hotdog recently but his wife made him eat a vegetarian one instead as it was healthier. He has promised to take me to Nathan’s one day and I will hold him to that as I have never had one. It sounds like you had a wonderful dinner with Kevin and I am happy for you that you were enjoying Ron at the piano during the bloggers cruise.
CHERYL – Thank you for being the first to wish Maria good luck with the surgery. I am sure there will be many more bloggers following you.
STEPHANIE MARTIN – I will have much more information on the tours for the Carnival Splendor toward the end of April so, stand by for that. I will be great to sail with you again. Our best to you and Frank.
SHERYL PELTON – Be careful what you wish for, we may be selling the “Climb This” t-shirts, you never know.
KEVIN – I think I would lock my door tonight as you may have some New Jersey folks coming over for dinner. Hope all is well and Heidi and I can not wait to finally meet you.
CRUISIN SUE – Thank you for your great post and the information on Pigeon Forge. I should be the Cruise Director on your November Carnival Splendor cruise and I will definitely see you in February with Big Ed and his evil crew.
SUSAN B – I know Lance could design such a shirt, maybe he can have them made and sell them to the rest of Big Ed’s crew. I am not sure if it would be politically correct to have Carnival make them. Please give him my best and thank you for all your kind words.
NANNI – Thank you for such kind words.
PAULA BAKER – Thank you and Heidi just smiled a big smile when she read the kind words you wrote about her. I am glad you continue to read the blog and I will continue for as often as I can.
BILLY JO – Yes, debarkation last cruise was not very good but it was a one off. Guests on self-assist carrying all their own luggage do get to disembark first. This week will be better, I am sure. Let me know if you have any other questions.
DUCKIE – Wine packages I know are very popular and this is something I suggested we start during our recent Carnival Cruise Director conference. It is a great idea and something we should be doing. Hopefully, it will be ready for your July 2 Carnival Splendor cruise. Until then, I remain at your service and send you my best regards.
ESTHER VALLINS – Hello Esther. Unfortunately, the master copy of all the shows from your cruise have already been deleted. I am so sorry. The cruise you sailed on the audiences were indeed remarkable. Thank you for sharing your valuable vacation time with us and I hope you have some great memories of our time together.
LUCAS DECOSTA – I am glad you are looking forward to your Carnival Splendor cruise. If you look above a few questions, you will see Heidi sending a few Amsterdam hotels to another blogger. As far as a great restaurant serving typical Dutch food, let me get back to you as Heidi is not here at the moment and I will make sure she replies to you. As for, hiring a bike, you can do this anywhere. The most famous company is YELLOW BIKES, just be careful with the tram tracks!
BILL ZYDECOCRUISER – Cannes is the only tender port and indeed being a Platinum guests will prove very useful. Cheers.
That’s it for now. Thank you to all of you who wished Maria all the best for her surgery. I know this will mean the world to her.
You know, I have no idea how many Blogs I have written….I know someone will be able to tell me (right, Stephanie?) and I also have no idea how many I have written since I left the Carnival Freedom to go on vacation until now…how many Steph?
The reason I mention this is because I have a feeling a may have touched on this next bit last year sometime….I apologize if I am repeating myself but the subject came up again this morning as well and it involved my “animals are people” friends from PETA.
I opened my e-mails this morning to find that last night he had gone to the Pursers office at 1:05 am to speak to me so I gave him a call. I now have one bad eye and one bad ear as well……he was furious …… here is the reason.
I had actually thought of the tours that were coming up in Cayman and Jamaica and would they present a problem for this gentleman…..I thought about the Stingrays but they are in their natural environment and also that we had another horsey tour in Jamaica but I had never considered he would be mad at the arcade.
The arcade games are very popular with all the kids and teens. We could try filling the room with inventions from the Science Museum, etc. but let’s face it the place would be empty. Kids these days want to play games like Halo 3, Transformers and Zombie Death Killers from Uranus.
I went down to the arcade today and kids were playing these machines hosing down monsters with a huge machine gun laughing hysterically as a zombies head fell off and rolled on to the floor and then David Beckham ran on to the screen and kicked the head into the back of the net ….. you get extra points for that.
I watched a young kid….no more than 10 years old play a game where you can actually blow up people with hand grenades and cut of an arm with an axe…..the look of sternness and concentration on his face was incredible as he saved the world again.
Now, the machine this particular gentleman had a problem with involves killing real animals…deer…wild hogs etc…..is this cruel?…..or is it just for fun? His opinion is that us having the game onboard is a disgrace and he wants it removed immediately. Obviously that is not going to happen but is he right……it’s a tough one. Anyway, I calmed him down….again…and tried to break the ice by admitting I had once burned a dung beetle alive with the sun’s rays and a magnifying glass….apparently PETA doesn’t care about the poor dung beetle as he said he forgave me.
When we were kids we played Monopoly, Buck A Roo, Crossfire and Clue and I guess these have been replaced with Halo, Assassin, Star Wars and Gran Turismo. The days of families sitting round the table playing cards have been replaced by families playing bowling and air guitar on the Wee Wee game thingy.
The argument is of course that electronic games offer no form of education unless you intend to spend your adult life driving a Porsche through the streets of Los Angeles at 200 mph being chased by the police and after lunch destroy an army from the planet Zog and after dinner have a quick walk through a grave yard to behead a few zombies.
Then again, did the games of old teach us anything? Are the world’s top police officers where they are today because of playing Clue and that Professor Plum gave Lady Marie the good news with a steak knife in the library?
Are Micky Arison, Donald Trump and Warren Buffet so successful in life because they were the Shoe in Monopoly and always won?
The fact is that maybe this guy is right….the games involving firing a bullet up Bambi’s bottom is not very nice but it is there because its part of today’s culture and if we replaced with an electronic version of solitaire the place would be empty.
I left the arcade thinking three things.
1. My opinion on this whole thing is undecided and I really hope that this guy doesn’t spontaneously combust during this cruise.
2. I left the arcade feeling pretty down……why?………….Well I was looking at the Zombie games and I realized that with my current Bells Thingy condition…..I looked like one of the Zombies
3. I also left realizing that if there was a game where you could pretend to be a Special Forces soldier and creep around Paris forcing French people to take a shower and if they refused fire a 50-caliber garlic and onion gun at them……I would be in there all day.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
BY THE WAY – I JUST DID SPELL CHECK AND THE WORD KLINGON CAME UP AS MISPELLED – THE CORRECT SPELLING ACCORDING TO MICROSOFT OUTLOOK IS…….CLINTONS ……..I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SAY.
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.
Hi John/Heidi:
Can’t appease everyone. Like you said, those are the games the kids want to play. Good luck on that one.
Hope you’re “situation” is getting better. Thinking of you as you’re dealing with your “issue”.
Weird to have 2 technical meltdowns in a period of a couple hours on a new vessel. Hopefully that issue has been resolved.
Thanks for another great blog today!
David
Der John
Too Funny
I hope your Bell Palsy gets better soon
I can imagine the discomfort you are going thru, just having a numb face from dental surgery was enough for me for a week!
Watch out for the Prednisone not only will it give you energy you never had it will give you ravenous hunger as well..
Boston Legal is Hubby and my favourite show we watch it religiously on Tuesday nights, we recorded it while we were on the cruise.
Those video games that they have out now for kids are something. What ever happened to pac man and the safe little thingys that ate dots? I guess I am showing my age now.
Take care and say hello to Heidi for us
Elizabeth & Arnold Tucker
Good afternoon John,
Obviously this is not turning out to be a very good cruise for you. Hope you get well soon and return to the good looking, charming person you are under all the Bells stuff. I have an idea…..maybe you can give it to our PETA person. I’m sure he would appreciate it
Then he wouldn’t complain about “stuff” he has no control over and get on with living and contributing something worth while.
Happy Birthday Freedom and Happy Anniversary John. Thank you again for all the laughter and memories. I look forward to your Blog everyday. Feel better soon.
Joan
John, put me on the list of those who would love a bloggers’ cruise on Queen Mary 2. But I also was hoping for an Alaska cruise in 2009. Actually, any cruise is fine with me.
See you in eleven days!
Shirley
Hope all is well John, and I hope your eye gets better!
Can my grandmother be godmother of the Carnival Splendor? She is one of the most amazing people in the world
Warm Regards,
-Nico
Dear John & Heidi the Magical Cleaner,
Oh yes, Mr. Murphy did show up again.
I have to catch my bus (again). I’ll really read this one in the morning & probably comment again.
Feel good,
Carol
John, don’t get me started on “Clintons” jokes. Well maybe not jokes their life is just one.
BIG ED
John,
Just thought I would try to cheer you up with a joke called “Menopause Jewelry.” A man was tired of his wife’s mood swings so he bought her a mood ring. It turns green when she is happy and leaves a red mark on his forehead when she is not. Next time, buy her diamonds, dummie!
Take care, rest more, and keep a close eye on your sugar.
Hey John!
First, I hope you get to feeling better mate, and your Bell’s Palsy eases up. My mom suffered with it and I know from her how hard it can be to deal with.
My question to you today is this, How early is too early to make a dinner reservation in the supper club?? I know we have the great form to fill out to make one, but the Carnival Splendor is not listed as a choice.
My wife and I will be celebrating our one year anniversary when we are on the Aug. 30 cruise. Our anniversary is Sept 8, one of our sea days, and I want to take my wife to dinner in the supper club to celebrate!
John
1st off, hope your eye is better, I do know about being self-conscious about things
also simple goof- my first name is spelled with a C not an S- but thats okay mistakes happen ha!ha!
Hubby got a kick on the shark bit- but I don’t know if this excursion will be offered- we are there from 5pm-12am & the tour is 6hours, which gives us no time to shop.
The gold ornaments I am talkin about are sold in the ships gift shop- they are round,kinda flat, but 3-D, with the ship in the middle & has the ship name on them. I think the price was about $5.
I’ll go in the attic & look if this doesn’t help
We do have 2 ship-on a stick awards (enjoyed winning them)
take care
Cheri
Greetings John…
Thanks for passing the dinner thingy to Ken for the march 29th sailing. We really appreciate it. Get well soon…..
O… 1 more thing………. MERCI BEAUCOUP
Cheers….Richard Bursey
John, Well I guess I just got to comment on the QM2 bloggers cruise. It would have to be from a U.S. port because we don’t fly. It would have to be a round trip to the same port so we end up where we let our car. But most of all they would have to get rid of the class system. I will not be treated as 3rd class cruisers. No Steerage for us. Oh I forgot something, as Pat would say about the price, I don’t want to buy the ship.
King Edward The Big
Of The Evil Krewe
John Merrick errrr Heald,
Funny thing about that spell check….I wonder if some programmer at Micoshaft was having a bit of fun with that…..It would not shock me
Sign me up for a “Climb This” T-shirt …..
Bugger!!!! about the system snafus that were plaguing the show and your required rest….that rotten Murphy…..hopefully those have all been corrected
John,
In this overtly politically correct world, Boston Legal is one of the most politically incorrect shows on the market. Yet, the opportunity to see Shatner making fun of Shatner on a weekly basis is positively the most fun in the world. His (and the others’) lifestyle is nothing to emulate, but at least they show the downside of living that lifestyle, too. In the absence of my favorite show, 24, it may have to do.
John, many of your problems may be the result of bad luck. But I must echo my words to my 12-year-old son – Quit running in the house, young man! I know you have a serious duty to the passengers, but how much can you do in traction? You have great backup–use them.
Much love from your friends,
Rus & Nina
Hola John!!
It doesnt sound as you are getting some rest. Its funny like sometimes we are connected. I was feeling the same way this morning when I learned about Susan. My problems are nothing. I know she is going to be allright and we are going to be there for her even in the distance.But now Im very happy and I want to share it with you and Heidi.You remember I told you I had a lousy week? You know what?? This afternoon I received a flowers and you know what the card said?
Como estas??????
Sending muchos flores and muchos huggos to help make this week a better one
Love
The Evil Crew
Cant you believe my friends?? They are a blessing!! Thank you for bringing all of us together. I thought this might cheer you up friend.
Behave and take care ok?
Nanni
Perhaps the Turtle lady cursed you?
John, your humor never ceases to amaze me… your sense of humor and your incredibly tolerant nature.
Mr. Peta must be one terribly miserable person if all he has to do on a cruise is skulk about looking for things to complain about. Does he complain to every TV network when a commercial for McDonald’s airs? Sadly, I believe you were just an easy target, a captive audience that he could spew ridiculous complaints at and you had to listen.
I’m glad to hear that the entertainment staff overcame technology-run-amok to be able to complete the shows. I remember working a lighting board in a control booth for a Shakespeare festival… things like you mentioned were my worst nightmare.
Count me in on a 2010 Blogger’s Cruise on the QM2. Have I mentioned that previously? I don’t recall. I suspect the question would boil down to would the QM2 be ready for us?
All my best to Heidi, Roberto and Stephanie!
Cheers!
GregB
Hi, John,
I have been reading your blog for a little while and this is the first time writing to you. We have been on one Carnival cruise out of our 7 cruises and toally enjoyed our time on the Elation. We are booked for the supposely inaugural cruise July 13, 2008 of the Splendor. Looking forward to meet you on that trip. We have never been to Europe before and this is so exciting! We are trying to work out the air part of this trip and also looking into the July 2 Splendor sailing out of Genoa. That way we will be spending 20 days total on that ship and visit London the three days in between! Now, I know the naming ceremony will be on July 10, will we be able to see it near the dock?
I have another question that has been waiting to be answered for years but have not had the nerve to ask any one. I saw some people teaching classes in various cruises to do different things, like crafts, whatever. I heard that they get some things in return. What would those “some things” be? I am a 2nd grade teacher, but of course I won’t be teaching the ABCs on the cruise, but I can teach Tai-Chi. I was thinking, yeah, I can do that on the sea days. Would you be so kind and tell me more about that kind of things and how you go about doing it? I would appreciate it very much.
Please do not publish this letter. If you will, please respond through my email address. Thanks again. Hope you get better soon.
Sincerely,
Rebecca
Happy Birthday to Carnival Freedom! Do we all get cake like in the picture you posted?
Putting on my motherhenski hat to remind to you to follow your doc’s orders and rest. Keeping stress at bay will help speed up your recovery (as will a few sugar-free jelly beans). I still say milk the eyepatch as a get out of the doghouse free card (so to speak), and enjoy the second wonderful year for Carnival Freedom!
I just took a job at a new store in town. Today we opened up for the first time. A customer walked around with a can of spotted dick in his hand. I asked him if he ever tried it…Thought of you, my dear. So I guess I’m now Loissellsspotteddickski!
Hugs!
Hi John -
I was lucky enough to be on last week’s cruise. It was my first and will not be my last! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am going thru ‘pampering withdrawl!’ You are a true professional because I had no idea you were feeling so poorly.
I will play my DVD’s of the ‘Welcome Show’ and ‘Bedtime Story’, remember Mr. Viagra, Dick and Anita Little, Mary and you, and laugh just as hard as I did on the ship.
I’m so sorry that very unhappy woman felt she could take 0ut her anger on you. She deprived herself of a wonderful vacation!
Wishing you a speedy recovery and Heidi lots of patience!!
Linda
To: Maria Connie Coehlo: ALL of us bloggers will be praying for you as you go thru this ordeal with Breast Cancer, God Bless and Get Well soon! Linda
For John: You are really in your element today, your blogs are just hilarious lately, either you have been sniffing glue, inhaling helium, or smoking something other than a cigar, because all I can say is I have never laughed so much, and you know what they say about laughter, it is good medicine! Hope your sleepy eye wakes up soon. Sorry to hear you are dealing with bells palsy! What a bummer! Hope it doesn’t interfere with Thursday nights and the smiley stick! Get Well SOON! Linda & Mike
John,
My husband and I took a Carnival Cruise about two weeks after 9-11 and you were the cruise director. I never had a chance to thank you for helping all of us on board forget about that horrible time even if for a short while.
We took another cruise two years ago and I was told you were not with Carnival, imagine my disappointment! We had so looked forward to enjoying your bubbly personality.
To celebrate my husbands upcoming 60th birthday and brothers 50th birthday, we all decided to book another cruise. When I discovered you were indeed still a cruise director, I booked aboard the Freedom for the week of March 22nd, 2009. We have spoken to our family about the great time we had cruising with you in 2001 that they all want to join us!
I read somewhere in one of your blogs, that there will be a change of directors, is that correct?
Thank you for taking the time to read this and have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Lorie Clements
John,
Sorry you are having such a bad week. Before you hurt yourself any further, maybe you should just crawl under the covers and let Heidi take over for the rest of the week.
Depending on where the QM2 would be going, I would be very interested in going. Have you given any thought to where we would be sailing?
I have not heard any more today from Susan’s family. As soon as I do, I will be sure to let everyone know. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
elaine
To Maria Connie Coelho,
I have almost made it through my treatments and reading this thingy is one of the things that helped me. I will keep you in my prayers.
CarolAnn (Grandma)
John and Heidi,
Congradulations on your anniversary of the blog! Thanks for all the memories–the laughter, the tears, the OMG the nerve of people issues, for all the days that you make my day when I turn on my computer and a new blog pops up, for getting all of us in touch with our huge new family, but most of all for just being you and bringing all of us into your family–YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND!!!
By the way, I am sooooo excited–just booked the 8/6/08 sailing on the Splendor!!! Yeh!! Maybe this time I will finally get to meet you in person! I hope you are better! Hi to Heidi!!!
Sheryl (aka flip flop cruise queen)
Wow! One year already and you’re right I can’t count how many times I have laughed about something you have posted on the blog.
I was wondering who the cruise director on the Carnival Victory on May 4th will be? Thanks.
Keep up the great work everyone
I say if people don’t like the port/destination/ship for the bloggers cruise they can stay home! John should pick the cruise HE likes and not cater to everyones demands.
John,
Having had a Bell’s Palsey I can sympathize and empathize with you. When I had mine and wanted to drink through a straw I had to hold my lips shut with my fingers. The good news is that it does get better.
Thanks for the laughs…hope you get some relief from your “hells bells” palsy soon.
Maria my thoughts and best wishes are with you during this difficult time.
I was thinking about your recent blogs, John. Never mind Murphy’s Law….there are times that just happens. But I was thinking more about those people who found themselves offended by one thing or another, and it occurred to me that with 3000 people on board, how can there NOT be at least a few who will be offended by something?
What I was thinking about was that I admire your approach to these instances. Your sincere efforts to understand and see the person’s point of view is to be commended. You know you can’t please all the people all of the time, but you try harder than possibly any person I have ever met, that deals with the public. It is obvious to me that you care. It is what makes you the best at what you do.
Kudos for all you do, John (and you can rightly share those kudos with Heidi!).
Terri
John,
First of all…we love Boston Legal…give it another chance…and if you still dont like it…well thats to bad…Heidi does and that is all that matters.
Second…those darn video games…Aj has the wee wee thingy and every other game system I can think of however he is limited to the games he is allowed to play and the time he is allowed to play. We still sit down and play Monopoly and cards as a family…I hope other families do that as well. His latest quest is something called rock band where I guess he can play the drums…he does that in the band at school already but somehow I guess this is different. I simply cant keep up anymore.
Take care,
Stephanie & Paul
John – Hope you’re feeling better soon. I’d be curled in a bed until I was better – I can’t imagine doing all that you do.
Good luck this week with the PETA guy. I do find it interesting that he was upset about the Big Game video games, but didn’t seem to care about the killing humans video games. That’s what I’ll never understand about activists like that.
The video games today are crazy. When my daughter was six, she got a pen pal from another first grade class. She told the little boy her favorite game was Go Fish. He replied that his favorite was God of War. Amazon describes one of its selling features as: “Amazing graphics bring the slaughter and carnage of Kratos’ quest to vivid, terrible life.” I thanked God my daughter was still so innocent and loved Go Fish.
Anyway, there’s really nothing you as a Cruise Director can do. It’s what the kids want and it’s up the parents, not you, to decide what the children should or shouldn’t be playing. And, for what it’s worth, I don’t think kids playing video games means that they’ll grow up to be hunters or killers or zombies.
John,
Sorry to hear you Murphy caught up to you. Hope things get better for you soon. Please follow the docs orders and get some rest.
Wishing Susan a speedy recovery, will keep her and family in our prayers.
Happy Anniversay on your blog, please keep the laughter coming.
Tom & Michelle
happy birthday to the freedom! i wonder how many guests have as may days onboard as we do??? the 12 day mediterranean, the 14 day transatlantic and the 7 day bloggers cruise! 33 days! nice… hope you feel better mate!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
HAPPY B DAY CARNIVAL FREEDOM!!!!!
THAT IS OFFICIALY THE LAST VESSEL IN THE CONQUEST CLASS.
i hope suzzane gets better!
Hi John, Just wanted to say a little something. I was on the bloggers cruise with my family of 8 and had a great time. One of the dancers in the cast named “Sergay” i think reminded me of my husband I swear they could be twins. This dancer made my week because my husband is in the Air Force and was in Iraq so looking at him made me feel as I was with my husband. My husband passed away in a road side bomb on February 9th and I hadnt seen him in 6 months. I told Sergay that he looked like my husband and I began to cry. Please tell him Thank you for not knowing that he had made my week and I will never forget it.
John,
I am booked on next weeks cruise and my fiance’ an I are looking forward to meeting you. I assure you that neither one of us are with PETA, nor do we mind if you only have 20,000 different countries represented by your wonderfully diverse crew. We would on the other hand appreciate it greatly if you would not injure, hurt,abuse, aggrieve, batter, blemish, blight, break, contort, cripple, cut up, damage, deface, deform, ding, disable, disfigure, distort, distress, do in*, draw blood*, foul, foul up, grieve, hack up, harm, impair, louse up, maim, maltreat, mangle, mar, muck up, mutilate, pain, pique, prejudice, queer, rough up, ruin, shake up, spoil, sting, tarnish, torment, torture, total, tweak, undermine, vitiate, wax, weaken, wound, wrong,or zing yourself anymore before next weeks cruise. Thank you for allowing us to get to know you, Heidi, and the rest of the crew through this very informitive,fun outlook of life on a cruise ship. See you Saturday.
Mark H.
Cabin#1272
John,
Of course you’re taking the 2010 is when the Blogger’s cruise on Cunard, seriously!!! Would that make us Bloody Bloggers?? Hummmm, Bloggers at Tea Time… Ballroom Dancing Bloggers… and of course, Tuxedo donned Bloggers, with Fancy Female Bloggers on their arms! Can we have confetti and serpentine at send off and welcome home???
John, heal quickly and keep the keyboard clean and working… We’d go through withdrawls without you!!
As always, you keep us entertained, educated, and eager…
Stephanie and Roberto: Thank you for all you do! You keep it all together for us!!
Heidi: You’re crucial and loved!
John: Take care of yourself!
Regards,
Lambie
PS: even I occasionally eat Lamb… But please don’t tell Mr. Peta, he really would be angry…
Hi John,
I’m not so sure about the QM2. They are certainly not as blue jean friendly as Carnival.
And to Rebecca – oops – too late. About the 3 days in between the two Splendor sailings – I decided it was less expensive just to stay on the ship, so that’s what I chose.
bill
John
. Best wishes
I would like to take a moment and apolgise to those who live in new jersey the garden state. I am sorry for any offense I may have caused in my statements. But don’t forget coney island home to nathans is in new york. NJ is home to sOme great beaches and atlantic city. All we have here in new york is the hamptons where george harrison keeps a house and a few other people. Thank you for your time.
Ok now john as you know I played all those board games as a child that you mentioned. And I am a suscessfull member of society. But there is nothing like killing zombies winning world war 2 on your own. I hope Mr. PETA can understand his opinion and beliefs are his own and in this world that is fine. But if I want to go hunt virtually or physically bambi I can, that is my choice not his. Bring on the veal!
I too can’t wait to meet heidi either any you too if you have time john
Kevin
Ps looking forward to BC 2.0
Dear John,
I’m not sure if this is the best way to try and get a hold of you or not but it was the only way I could think of. I was aboard the Freedom on what I believe was the its second most recent trip (Sat 2/23/08 – Sat 3/1/08; leaving and returning out of Miami with stops at Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten). Anyway, my family and I thought you were great. And a number of the shows had us laughing out of our seats. I remember you mentioning one of the nights that you were going to send a DVD of that night’s show to the gentleman who had the medical emergecy in the hopes that it would raise his spirits. Which got me wondering (though not of course until we were off the ship when it would likely would have been much easier to ask you in person) is there anyway to get a hold of a DVD of any of the shows? Mr. Viagra, Ohio, Mary, et al are simply priceless and it would be great to get. I’m not even sure if this would be within your area anymore but any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and Yabadabadoo!
So, are you feeling better yet? You’ve kind of got yourself beat up from head to toe, huh?
Try to be more careful. No running in the halls!
Cheers,
Myra Bushnell
Jeez John, you’re really having a run of it lately arent you?! I hope your Palsy gets cleared up as Im sure having a lisp must add to your list of frustrations. It must be hell to be the front line of every person’s particular cause, phobia or opinion.
You asked if I was ready to come back as a yeoman and maybe after just reading your last few days of joy, it isn’t the time to answer that question.
I’m still playing catch up reading all through the last year of blogs (congrats on 1 yr by the way) and just came across a lovely photo of Mr. Blum back around your mid June posts. I think it was from his Mardi Gras days and thats exactly how I remember him!
Darn if I still havent located my elusive Mr Blum shot, but I have got a few others from 20+ years ago that you’re welcome to. They are scanned as jay-pegs and Im about as technically literate as you. I have no idea how to attach a jpeg here – help?
Please feel better soon – I hear there are a group of ‘save the dung beetle’ activists coming on board next week and you’ll need your strength.
Hi John,
Hope you are feeling better. Don’t worry, I will keep reading. I don’t miss a day. I will be looking for the information about shore excursions for the Elation.
Hope the rest of the cruise is good for you.
Dear John;
I am hunting Murphy. His law will no longer terrorize innocent Bells Palsy afflicted cruise directors. We will only imprison him as we are benevolent enforcers. I will not rule out waterboarding though. When I find him, I will let you know. Stay rested and healthy .
Best Wishes
Craig
I have a great idea, or at least I think so…
Why don’t we have a Bloggers’ Cruise 2.5 on the QM2 in 2009 sometime, and then there can be a Bloggers’ Cruise 3 in 2010 back on a Carnival ship? It will satisfy those of us itching to cruise the Queen and those who aren’t so interested won’t miss out on a whole years’ worth of Bloggers’ Cruises!
[Besides, I am trying to convince my husband that 2010 would be a great time for us to add on to our little family and have our first child.
]
John,
Don’t get me started with the PETA guy again. He must be Bipolar or something, one moment he is really pissed then the next he is happy. PETA should be happy that games like the duck-hunting one exist, it keeps people from ACTUALLY killing animals. By his logic, the police should be angry about Grand Theft Auto because it glamorizes murder. I think it would have been priceless to see the face of that engineer when you told him that Heidi gave you one upside the head, she is probably going to get weird looks from all thew crew on the ship now. Don’t worry Heidi, just tell them to read the blog.
_BigMike
BlogBlogBlogBlogSecuritySecuritySecuritySecuritySecurity
MasterMasterMasterMasterMasterMaster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My husband works for Raven Software, a division of Activision, which produce a number of various computer based games. Mostly they are known for the 1st person shooter games. So I am very familar with the computer games that are out there. I have to say that the wii is a nice system for learning though. You can bowl, and play tennis, and you are really mimicing like you are actually playing the game. Another new realm of computer games consists of Rock Band and Guitar Hero. You actually play a mock up of the instruments. Guitar, bass, drums, and singing. Granted you are just pushing buttons on the guitars, but let me tell you it takes some good hand eye cordination to make it all come together! Of which I have very little……..
Looks like you have your complainer for this cruise to take the place of the lady from the last cruise. Ah well, like someone else said with the number of people you are sailing with you can’t please everyone all of the time and having just one whiner is better then more then one
And yes, chances are very high that I would be on the QM2 for a bloggers cruise. I do have to agree with some of the other comments though. Price, destinations, etc would also come into play. I have looked at the ship and it does look spectacular…
Deanna
Good morning John & Heidi,
OK, now that I’ve put the splatter screen on the computer and had my breakfast, I can really read this posting. You are really too funny. I think all your different ailments and medications are getting to you.
Kevin, thank you for the apology about New Jersey, but remember I am a true-blue New Yorker (with NJ relatives). Please don’t sell the rest of NY short. NY is not just Manhattan and Long Island’s beaches & mansions. Beautiful Catskill & Adirondack mountains, the Finger Lakes region, Baseball Hall of Fame (you knew I’d throw that in, right), wine country, Lake Placid (site of 2 Olympic games), and of course, Niagara Falls (shared with Canada). Now isn’t New York a great state? And back to the subject of hot dogs – how could I forget a Hebrew National Hot Dog from the neighborhood Kosher Deli?
I hope Mr. Peta doesn’t give you any more trouble.
Feel good and I’ll catch ya later,
Carol
Hey John,
Maybe all the problems you are having wiht the electronic equipment is the warranty ran out??? hahaha…… as for the video games, next time you see the capt on the bridge ask him how much the bridge of the new ships is like a video game. With all the new technology it is like playing a video game on the bridge sometimes….. at least from my prespective. and I would love to know what your capt’s persepctive is…..
Take care oldd friend,
Your friend
Capt Bill
Look out John! I’m coming in ten days and I have OPINIONS! I have opinions about the war in Iraq, abortion, the state of the US economy, Bush1, Bush2, Billary, Obama, kids today, the price of gas, PETA, race relations, and on and on and on. But since there will be 3000 other guests on my cruise who are there to have a good time, I will mind my manners and keep my opinions to myself.
Shirley
happy bday freedom. and happy 1 year on the blog john
hope ur eye gets better john.and i hope susan b gets better. and i feel for the family from indiana indy. im from indiana.take care john and heidi
Hi John
It sounds as if you are feeling some better. Hang in there, Bell’s palsy will go away eventually. And believe me, you always think things are worse than they really are.
I am glad to know you will be on the Splendor when we go next year. I also can hardly wait to meet all the other bloggers in Feb. See you in Feb in NOLA, if not sooner. Take care and give my best to Heidi!!
Gloria aka Sue
hi John,
hope the BP is easing up!.. please do get some drops from the doc ..your eye will feel much better .. glad you are joining us on the april TA.. see you in Funchal…I’m not too sure about bringing you the SF jelly beans ,, that would depend on where your cabin is located….maybe I’ll give them to Kuki, a gift from Cruise Critic to Cruise Mates:)… on second thought that won’t work as his cabin is next door to mine.. …
regards
simi/host star
cruise critic.com
Good morning all. I needed this blog today for a HUGE laugh. Thanks. Nanni, I’m so glad you received something beautiful – enjoy! John, you REALLY need to slow down. I know you like being a hands-on kinda man; but, again, I say…delegate before something more serious happens. Good luck with PETA man this week, I think you are going to need it. However, he is adding a lot of humor to your blog thingy. Have a great day all. Lori
John,
First of all, I’m sorry to hear about Susan B. I’ve said a prayer for her last night and will continue to pray for her and her family. Sorry to hear about your condition as well. It really has been rough since you been back to work and I hope that things get better for you very soon!
First the turtle lady and now the PETA guy?? They must be connected in some way…… I know people who are animal friendly and they aren’t this bad. I have done horseback riding twice and hope to do the dolphin swim one day. Well, I hope he doesn’t give you anymore problems.
Happy anniversary to the blog! Happy Birthday, Carnival Freedom! Thanks for all the laughs and great stories. Get well soon, and I hope Heidi doesn’t make an Apple Launcher to use against you! Have a great day you two!
Best Regards,
Alex G.
Hi John,
I love your blog and read everyday. You are too funny!
Recently my friend’s husband passed away and she has been very down. She asked if we could go on a vacation, so she would have something to look forward to and I had the best suggestion, a cruise! We have two planned. September of this year we are going on a NCL cruise (her choice) to New England and Canada. Then, January 25, 2009, we are set to sail on the Carnival Freedom (my choice). We look so forward to getting away. I have sailed Carnival several times and have always had the best experience. My last cruise was on the Carnival Glory and we had to most wonderful wait staff. I am sure after my friend sails Carnival, she will be hooked, just like me.
Thanks so much for the blog!
Lisa
I have decided to rate each blog based on the amount of spew I have to clean off my screen from spontaneous laughter.
I rate this one at 3 bottles of Windex!
Hi John,
I just found this blog and I am having a great laugh everyday! I’m taking my two daughters (15 & 9) on our first ever cruise on March 23 on the Liberty. I have been reading all the great advice on cruise critic and am getting very excited. Do you know who the cruise director is? Hope you feel better and look forward to more laughs!
First, Maria C. – good luck. I’ll be praying for you. Get well soon.
Hello John,
1. I’d love to take a cruise on the QM2. As the others have said, a Blogger’s cruise would be great, depending on timing and price, of course.
2. Nathan’s hot dogs are wonderful, and are available in almost every mall or airport in the US these days. They are also deep-fried, so not the diet lunch! My favorite hot dogs can be found in Connecticut. Just off exit 24 of I-95 in Fairfield, CT is a little stand called “Super Duper Weenie”. (Really.) They serve a locally made hot dog called Hummels. I really think they are the best I’ve ever had. Second place would be a little place in Mamaroneck, NY called Walter’s. They have their hot dogs made in a local factory according to their own secret recipe. They split and grill theirs. Someday I’d like to try a Pink’s hot dog. They are supposed to be very good.
3. I started reading this blog thingy just a couple of days before CCL opened up the 09 Blogger’s Cruise for sale. The day after it opened up for sale, which was also the day after my birthday, I called Carnival to book the cruise. Being a travel agent, I asked about blocking out a small amount of group space. I was told that no amenities or TC’s were being offered for this cruise. A bit surprised, I asked about pricing. The reservation agent couldn’t access any group prices! So I booked an individual reservation instead. On reflection, I guess Cruise Critic, Cruise Mates, and various travel agencies jumped on the group space the very minute it opened up, and because I came into it a day later, I was out of luck. Well, that’s OK. No big deal. What bothers me is that we will be “left out”. CC and CM will have their special cocktail parties, etc for all of their people, and we wouldn’t be invited. Cancelling my reservation and rebooking into one of their groups is not an option for us because we are travel agents. We would be paying more because we wouldn’t be making back our commission, and we wouldn’t get credit for the sale of the cabin. (That would drive my husband crazy.) We don’t get or expect freebies, but it’s just dumb to pay more. Anyway, is there a group out there willing to include us? How evil do you have to be to apply for the Evil Crew? I bet we qualify.
4. I was so sorry to hear about the Bell’s Palsy. I know what it’s like not to be able to see out of one eye. I’ve been blind in my left one since birth. But you folks with binocular vision really have to think your spacial orientation and your depth perception. Not to mention not being able to see 3D properly. I wish you a speedy recovery. You have such a wonderful attitude. You always manage to see the humor in things. Hurray for you!
5. Looking forward to the Bloggers’ Cruise 09 and hoping we won’t feel too lonely.
Hi John,
Susan from the West Midlands here I have not sent a comment for a while but I still read every day and can’t believe the blog is a year old. Congratulations. I have booked on the 3 night Splendor cruise in July so hopefully will see you then. Do you know if there will be a formal sorry elegant niight on that voyage and does Heidi have any tips on what to do in Amsterdam? Also does my Platinum status guarantee late sitting and a table for two? (This will be my 15th Carnival Cruise)
Enjoy your cruise on the Emerald Princess. I have just returned from my second voyage on her and it was fantastic.
John,
We enjoy reading your blog every day and are looking forward to cruising with you again. We cruised with you on our honeymoon on the Victory in 2002. I imagine you remember this sailing because of an incident during the Bedtime Story. There was a woman ( who was “of pretty good size”, is that politically correct?) at one point of the story ran over to you to hug you and tackled you and the two of you rolled around a bit. You managed to get back to your feet to discover you had busted your suspenders!!!!
Anyways, looking forward to seeing you again March 15th.
Hope you eye, cold, lips, cheeks, PETA problems, and other ailments…..get better!!!!
How hysterical that Mr. PETA is dreadfully concerned about the hunting game when there are games all around it where people are killed!! The hunting game is a least imitating a legal sport — and no animals were harmed in it’s making.
You might consider replacing some of the more violent games with the new games that require motion on the part of the player: dance steps, athletic movements, even drumming and (sorta) guitar playing. These have really grown in popularity. However, you want to have the games the kids want most — even if they are violent. Don’t buy into that violent games begat violent behavior hype. They said the same thing about comic books in the 50s.
You know William Shatner was disappointed that he was not invited to be in the upcoming Star Trek movie (Nimoy was). Winning acting awards for his role in Boston Legal must be some consolation, however.
Rest and think healing thoughts.
Rikki
I love the random photo of the Vienesse Cafe…. it brings back such nice memories. I went there everyday to get some different dessert. I tried almost all of them. I would wonder there at some point during the day and get a steamer with some sugar free syrups, pick a dessert and take it back to my room to eat later, because I was always full when I wondered by, but always wanted something from there! YUMMY!!!!!!!! And she was the girl that waited on me too! They have one on the Triumph too right? Sigh…… 319 days………..
Yes John, I too want to know who the CD is on the Liberty, we will be going on her on 4/20. You said awhile back you would post the new CD list, haven’t seen it, if it isn’t available can you at least tell me who will CD our cruise on 4/20-Liberty! Thanks! Hope you are feeling better and staying out of trouble!!!!!! I know that is hard for you! HA! HA! Linda
Hi John,
My first post. I really enjoy your blog. My husband and I were on the Triumph with you a month after 9-11. It was the cruise that rescued the Grand Cayman fisherman. Cruise passengers were wary because of 9-11 about picking anyone up but you were great at assuring everyone things would be fine and we actually probably saved their lives. My husband and I are both Travel Counselors and I tell everyone you are my favorite cruise director. The Bedtime story was awesome. I still remember the couple you picked that got the gifts at the end of the cruise. You had the husbnad say when we get back to the cabin it’s going to be boot knockin time and at the end of the cruise when you asked what he did, it turns out he was a Pastor. I still remember you saying I’m probably going to he** for having a Pastor say it’s going to be boot knockin time. Sorry to hear about your Bells Palsy. The Prednisone is not fun. My Mom is taking Predinsone and complains about a fat face all the time. Hope it gets better soon.
Hi John:
Any chance of learning more about the Publix warming cake that Susan V wrote about. I’m very addicted to them!
Dear John:
I was reading what Rebecca sent in about activities while at sea. Her suggestion of Tai Chi was great. I hope there is something like that on the ‘Splendor’s’ South American cruise next January. Is there anybody you can pass this suggestion on to?
As I munch on my jelly beans, I hope you will be feeling better soon. Hope the palsy doesn’t interfere with your eating your jelly beans! Can’t imagine drooling out all that flavor . . .