So it starts again…………3,300 guests leave just as you get to know them and today at 5:05 pm we sailed again with a brand new group of guests and the adventure for them has just started.
Today we sail with 3,448 guests……..here is the breakdown.
TOTAL GUESTS – 3,448
GUESTS UNDER 21 – 227
GUESTS 21 – 25 – 455 (OH JOY)
NON U.S / CANADIAN – 309
MOST REPRESENTED – FRENCH CANADIAN – 111
MEXICO – 39
However, out of the 3,448 people actually 195 are not here. They missed the vessel because of the bad weather in the North and Midwest and the resulting flight cancellations. They will join us on Monday evening in San Juan and, as always, we will do our best to make them feel wanted and welcome………….I feel so very sorry for them missing out on the first two days of the cruise they were so looking forward to.
The weather improved today just as the Miami Heat came on the TV to play (I wish they would) and now as I sit here at 8:34 pm writing to you my main concern is the welcome aboard show.
OK, let me start by saying the next time I ever say on this blog that I am never going to mention a subject ever again I want you all to ignore that as you would ignore someone who says “Hello , I am from Paris , please put your head under my armpit and take a deep breath.” …………….
I am going to mention Mr. Bells again because I can’t help myself so just ignore the next time I say that I will………..OK, now I have totally confused you let’s talk about tonight. I am nervous………….last week I did the Welcome Aboard Show as………….myself……………and not a one eyed monster with a Hannibal Lector grin. They had seen me as I should be but tonight when the Musical Director announces “please welcome to the stage your Cruise Director Mr. John Heald,” thousands of guests will expect to see a good looking, easy-to-understand, soave George Hamilton type of guy and the sound of warm and pleasant applause will greet me.
Tonight, when I walk out instead of Mr. Hamilton they will see a large Cyclopes who sounds like Davey Jones from the Monkees……….with a lisp.
Instead of warm applause, I will no doubt be greeted with screams of terror as parents run from the lounge to lock their kids in their cabins while the rest reach for cloves of garlic and the nearest cross…………….. I am not looking forward to this at all.
Heidi is now moaning at me to get away from the computer and rest so I guess I had better do so otherwise I will be in the doghouse ……………wish me luck.
Well, here I am back again after the show and I will tell you about how it went in a minute. I can tell you that the Spring Breakers all though very well behaved so far are all completely blathered (good English word for very happy) and the parents’ American Express cards have been making Mr. Budweiser, Mr. Miller and Mr. Cosmopolitan very, very happy. Some came to the show but most are in the Disco dancing to Beeonse, D.J. Crapper and M.C. Fartalot and waving their hands about as though they are being bitten by a gang of Cayman Crab.
Over in the Karaoke Bar we appear to be castrating cats with a blunt spoon judging by the howling that I heard coming from the three girls on stage who Heidi told me were singing something by a group called The Scissor Sisters…….It was called “I don’t feel like dancing”……………well I didn’t feel like dancing or listening to the Feline Three so we decided to go to the cabin………….and here we are.
More about the Spring Breakers in a minute
I am not going to stay long because tonight we have to put our clocks forward one hour for daylight savings time so it’s already 1 am. I will say that the show went well. I explained close to the top of the show why my speech was a bit “funny” and that I had a touch of the Mr. Bells and then went on. The show went really well although my timing………..that’s comedy timing is affected by my speech difficulties and I can only see half the audience at a time. However overall…………everything went OK.
Here are some photos of what happened.
Christopher, age 7, from Canada
The Welcome Aboard show- note the man holding the bucket, which I had given to him as half way through he interrupted proceedings by saying he needed to pee.
OK, I will start on comments tomorrow but with the clock change it’s now 1:30 am.
See you tomorrow.
Good morning again. It’s Sunday morning and here I am sitting at the desk to say a quick hello. It’s 9 am however it’s really 8 am ……….and it feels like it. Mr. Bell has spent another night with me and when I looked in the mirror this morning I hoped he would have buggered off……….but nope………he likes cruising, so Mr. Bell stays.
In a few minutes I will be off to host the Morning Show and then a travel talk and then this afternoon I will answer a few comments and questions.
Just got back from the Morning Show and here are some of the letters that were featured in today’s In Their Own Words section.
Time to answer some comments. Let me start by answering the bloggers’ question about what are the tours not to be missed in Panama and Costa Rica for their upcoming Carnival Liberty cruise.
Here they are:
Posh train takes guests to Pacific side of the country – guests really like it. It also stops at Miraflores locks where they can see the Panama Canal.
Fairly easy activity, guests like it, they can see the tropical forest and really enjoy it.
Guests see two locks of Panama Canal on this tour. There are many others but these are some of the most popular.
Let’s answer some comments.
As I am really behind today and this Prednisone makes me feel like a sloth that has just drunk a bucket of Nyquil, I am going to answer just a few today.
So many of you continue to write to me offering your thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery and when that finally happens I will know it’s because of you all and your caring.
Here we go.
ANDREA IN TEXAS………………..Congratulations on slapping on your first comment. It’s great to hear from you. It’s also wonderful that your first ever cruise will be on the Carnival Conquest at the end of this month. You sound like Heidi when I read the words “telling me to rest.” I will, I promise. So, welcome to the blog thingy. Have a wonderful cruise and please let me know if there is anything I can do for you before you sail. Cheers.
DWA76……………………………….You are most welcome mate and you along with Sherri, Joko Joan and many others feel that acupuncture is something I should have. I am going to give it 2 more days and then in St. Thomas, if it is not any better I shall inflict dozens of spikes upon Mr. Bell and see if he buggers off that way. Thanks mate.
DIANE AND RICH SEXTON………It was great to hear that you both had such a great time on the Carnival Destiny. I was very happy to hear that young Darcy did a great job as Cruise Director. She is still new to the job and I am sure she would love to read these words of praise which I am forwarding to her now. Thanks again for your posting and I look forward to reading many more from you.
FLIP FLOP CRUISE QUEEN…….Thank you for praising Lance and his great T-shirt design. I am hoping Lance will have some made and we can post on the blog a way to contact him to purchase. We should hire him fulltime. Hope all is well with you and your flip flops………………by the way, you should listen to me say the word Flip Flop with a lisp, it sounds like Fwip Fwop.
MARK G…………………………….Great idea mate, send me a photo with you wearing it.
BIG ED……………………………..Any further news on Susan, mate?
JAMES SPEELMAN………………Yes mate, we had some problems with the webcam but everything should be working now. Let me know if you are still having problems, if so, I will send you a link. We are working on the T-shirts with Lance so watch this space. See you in July and the best from us both.
CAROL SCHOENBERGER……Thanks Carol. I am hoping, the week on the Emerald Princess will be relaxing and a little break for us both. We will be blogging every single day, however, the rest of the time we can get some rest as well. Thank you Dr. Carol and please take my temperature. All the best from Heidi and I.
LAUREN…………………………..Laughter is great medicine for us all and writing these blogs is somehow therapeutic for me. I hope you continue to enjoy it. Cheers.
CANUCK CRUISER…….I don’t know how I do it, sometimes it is hard when people say things like “you should have told me there would be crabs in the sea,” not to poke them in the eye, shake them or just pass out. Still, it’s what makes this job so interesting and so much fun. I am going to check out this Darwin Awards book you mentioned and yes, we should publish one just for the ships. All the best to you and the family.
JIMNI……………………………….You asked me for the demographics of the trans-Atlantic crossing. I have checked and I can tell you the average age is 53, we have only 24 children and very few non-U.S. guests. We have a large group booking of an agency called Legendary Journeys and apart from that, the only thing I can tell you is that we will arrive in Portugal and have a bloggers party the day after. Let me know if there is anything else you need to know. See you soon. Cheers.
MYRA/MICKY’S PAL…………….Ouch! Did anybody tell you that crabs lived in Daytona Beach? You should have complained to the lifeguard. Heidi sends her best back to you as do I.
CINDY 56…………………………..You asked if we can make the letters we post a bit bigger. STEPHANIE, CAN WE DO THIS?? I am sure we can. Hopefully this week will be a little calmer than last cruise; however, the characters I met made it so entertaining. Thanks Cindy, my best to you and the family.
JANE………………………………..I was so sorry to hear that a pigeon crapped over your husband’s shirt while visiting the Statue of Liberty. Indeed, the Statue of Liberty was given to New York as a gift from France, although you would never think it as the Statue has only one hand raised in the air. I guess it hadn’t fully surrendered. Thanks for the great posting, stay away from the pigeons. Cheers.
CHERYL D……………………….I want to also say Thank You to both Kuki and Greg for helping you out. Heidi is teaching me many more funny German words and I will share some of them as time goes by. I am definitely going to have acupuncture and I am glad it was able to help your husband. Thank you for sharing this motivating story. Hope to see you both soon. All the best.
LINDA HERNACKI………………Hi Linda. I will let you know what is going to happen with these T-shirts and get back to you all soon. Thank you for your continuing caring and Heidi and I wish to see you both soon.
MICHELLE……………………….You will indeed meet Heidi and I on the last part of the trans-Atlantic Cruise in April. Don’t worry about the past guests party, I will enter you into the system and will make sure you will get your invitation. However, I need the last names of all the guests involved. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you and see you very soon.
MARK CHAMBLISS…………….I am sorry if I missed you on Saturday mate but it was a busy day for you as well as me, I am sure. I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed cruise3sixty and Thank You for your wonderful support of Carnival Cruise Lines and mentioning us here at the blog thingy to the other Reps that you met. I was sorry to hear that because of a dirty porthole, one of the agents told you that because of that 1986 experience, she would never sail with Carnival again. How I wish she could see us today. Anyway, great to hear from you and look forward to your next report mate.
PEG………………….I have given every crab in Grand Cayman a pedicure. All will be well, see you soon.
CRAIG……………………………”Can you miss the ship in Marmaris and join in Izmir?” you asked. Yes, I guess you could. We would have to make arrangements ahead of time for you with immigration because you are covered on the ship’s blanket VISA which expires when the ship leaves. You might want to consider getting a Turkish VISA before you sail and if you do decide to do this, please let us know so we are not all running around looking for you when the ship is ready to sail. May I ask why you want to do this? Cheers mate, Merhaba!
TOM M………..Kissing a Dolphin mussed have given you a porpoise in life as you now have booked another cruise………..great stuff. Hope you are both well and hope you have just as much fun next year as you did on the Bloggers cruise. Cheers.
SANDRA………….We will do something with the T-Shirt for sure Sandra. Of much more importance is the speedy recovery of your husband who we are all now thinking of. I am sure it will not be long before you are both sitting on deck watching the big screen movies and loving the fun ship life together. Thinking of you both and hope to hear from you soon.
SPIDER………………Glad you love the blog and you should know you are the only Spider my wife likes. Cheers mate.
JON ………………..See, I already gave up one thing and that was typing your name instead of MISSINGTHESMOKEFREEPARADISEBUTLOOKINGFORWARDTOTHENEARLEYSMOKEFREECARNIVALFREEDOMANDTHE2009BLOGGERSCRUISE. Thanks for your concern mate and I know I should delegate………..that rhymes. However, you know how hard that is for me. If things do not improve then indeed it will come to pass that I give the baton to others. Thanks so much for everything that your post offered especially the words of kindness and concern. Please give my best to your lovely wife and mine sends hers to you as well.
P.LETTOTALE…………We realize that when people invest their money in one of our shore excursions that we need to make sure they are take special care of which is what I hope you experienced when you cruised with us on the Carnival Liberty. This has been and always will be the case as you will again see in August. I am sorry you had such a bad time with your RCI Cruise Director……………OK…………..that was a lie…………..actually………..it wasn’t……………OK …………….maybe a tiny one. What I mean is that Cruise Directors can and should make a difference to people’s vacation…………….they set the tone and if they set a negative one then, as you discovered, you remember that cruise for that reason alone. So, see you in August and please remember I am here should you need anything at all. My best to you and the family………….how bad was he?………sorry……none of my business……….oh go on………..tell me.
MICHELLE……………You are welcome and check with Ken at dining room reservations when you board for the table number etc. I will be onboard the 22nd until mid-afternoon as I have a meeting, etc., with some folks so I am sure I will see you……………I certainly hope so anyway. Not long now and you will be walking up the gangway. Cheers.
SUSAN V………….I am sure if you did wear Lance’s “Climb This” T-Shirt during your Carnival Valor cruise and a RCI guest did see you it would probably go over their heads…………however………….if there is a pitched street battle please remember that there are over one million of us plus Big Ed and Big Mike right behind you…………………go get ‘em. Let me know if you need help with Chris Jefferson material and thanks for another great posting. All the best from us both.
KATHY KROLL…………Knowing dancers as well as I do I can imagine the creaks and groans you hear every morning. People do not realize how much effort dancers put into shows and every crack, creak and rattle represents many hours of rehearsals, shows and ultimately huge applause for those efforts. Thanks for the kind words Kathy and hopefully things will only get better.
HEIDI – BETH………..I AM TRULY HOPING THAT Mr. Murphy buggers off this week and leaves me in peace. Thanks for the funny posting and I hope you three are well and having fun in Krewe. Cheers.
POPCORNGAL………………195 people missed the ship…………I wonder if some were from your snow affected area? Stay warm and eat popcorn. Cheers.
RICKAKASEANCONNERYLOOKALIKE…………I also love the Untouchables movie with Sean Connery. Have you ever seen an old Sci-Fi classic called Outland. He was fantastic in that. I am also sad I will not get to meet you in March but there will be one day I am sure when we do. Until then we have the blog thingy to chat through and I hope that will be for a long time to come.
SLICKABRINA……………..As always it gives me great pleasure to welcome a first time poster to the blog and its even more exciting to say how wonderful it is to see you just booked the Bloggers cruise in 2009. Thanks for saying how much fun the blog brings you and I will try my best to keep that happening on a daily basis. See you next year and my best to you and your family.
SUSETTE LOWENSTEIN……………….You asked how much longer I am on the Carnival Freedom? I am in fact only hear for this week and next leaving on the 22nd. I then have meetings in Miami and then on 25th march I have a 7-day cruise on the Emerald Princess to write about for the blog thingy. I then fly to Europe on the 31st and then on April 4th have a 19-day trip setting up the tours and ports for the Carnival Splendor. Then I have two weeks off come back to the Carnival Freedom for her first European cruise to assist with everything and help Todd the cruise director. Following 16 days onboard doing this I will have two weeks at home and then it is time to launch Carnival Splendor………………..I am exhausted just thinking about this. You wanted to book a last minute cruise,………….how about the 15th?……………too last minute? I hope you can and let me know if you need anything else that can help you decide. Cheers.
PAUL F. PIETRANGELO………………..Indeed Paul………..interesting does describe the week that was last cruise. Hopefully, this week will be slightly more…………..normal. You asked who your Cruise Director will be in January 2009 on the Carnival Valor. I wish at this point I could tell you but we are even still moving people about for May and June of this year so at this point I am not able to confirm. We are trying where possible to keep Cruise Directors on certain ships as familiarity helps produce a better product but this is not always possible. I will let you know Paul though as soon as I can………………I would say that I wish it were me…………..you know that of course. Thanks for all the kind words Paul and you remain a true gentlemen whom I hope to finally meet one day soon
NANNI……………..Just wanted to say that I will be thinking of you and the family when we arrive in San Juan tomorrow and the fun we had last time. Much Hugo.’
R.J. MOERTLE…………….I could not tell Paul who the Cruise Director will be in January 2009 but I can answer your question and tell you that the Cruise Director on your upcoming Carnival Triumph cruise will be Matt Ross. He has been with us for 10 years and is a firm favorite with many. I know you will have fun with him. With regard to your boarding pass for your airline ticket may I suggest you call Carnival and ask for the Air/Sea department so they can assist you or even better ask your Travel Agent to do so. Regardless you should have that information sent automatically nearer the time…………if you have any problems let me know. I hope you stay warm and the snow melts quickly and that you continue to enjoy the blog thingy.
JANET GUARDINO……………Thanks for the posting Janet and a special thank you for sharing your experiences with Mr. Bell. I am also taking the pills and looking at other options as well should I need them including acupuncture and heat treatment…..I hope they work as they did for you. I am mostly concerned about my speech which as you can imagine is most important in my job. I am glad you are well now and hope that one day soon I can write and tell you I am also. Thanks again and all the best to you and the family.
ANN WILSON………..What a sight that would be Ann………3.000 people lining the deck wearing “Climb This T-Shirts”…………I will see what we can do to at least get everyone a chance to buy one. Thanks Ann and hope all is well.
DUCHESS SANDY AND SIR LANCELOT…………Thanks for the hugs and loads more back to you and the folks at the round table. Cheers.
TERRI 910…………..OK, Heidi seems to be mustering huge support for me to sit down and do bugger all…………I promise I will rest soon…………if I don’t get better………….I will………….promise. Anyway, judging by your posting you could do the Ocho Rios travel talk yourself with ease. Thanks Terri and I hope you know how much your concern means to me. Thanks.
TOM AND JANE…………..Love the name of the new ship. You asked if I will be on the 2008 Bloggers Cruise………..did you mean 2009……….or did I miss some deep and hidden meaning? Thanks for being such great friends and write soon.
TIM KRIEBEL, MCPO, USN RETIRED……………..It is an honour (spelt correctly) just to type in those words “Sir” and we all salute your dedicated service. Also, you have probably made someone’s day……….or life…………by turning in a piece of jewelry that has so much value and as is normal so much sentimental value as well. I applaud you for doing this and will make sure our Guest Relations department sees it as well. Thank you Tim…………..for everything.
MICHELLE HILL………..Just wanted to say hello and hope the winter chill has dropped a bit…………John is a great name for a boy, a girl or a Cyclops with a lisp. Heidi and I send our best and please write soon.
JUDY……………..Just wanted to make sure you saw my reply telling you that your cruise director will be Chris Jefferson when you board the Carnival Valor. If you need to know anything else please let me know and I will be here for you. Cheers.
RIKKI BOYCE…………Thanks for the laugh mate…………I don’t think I will ever be able to eat Crab again.
That’s all I have time for today and as always thanks to you all for your comments………………..please keep them coming.
I know many of you are waiting for the Cruise Director schedule and I will post it soon but we are making constant changes. However, I know equally many of you are interested in the names of our Piano Bar entertainers and what ships they are on. The Piano Bar has become a signature bar on our ships and I know many of you head there for your nightly entertainment. With this in mind I would like to slap on the names of our current band of piano playing brothers. Here they are:
SP Peter Brenner
SE Larry MacConaghey
PR Laurie Anne Gardner
CQ Don Russell
FA Robert Crucilla
EC Angela Johnson
GL Mark Weiser
TI Conn Davis
LE Heather Schulte
CE Michael Smith
IS Milburn Dumas
EL Damian Brell
FD Ron Passalacqua
HO Richard Cantor
IM Steve Brisley
VA Duane Lewis
DE Peter Rossetti
PA Lorraine Ingle
FS Colin Kadey
LI Vince Strong
VI Robert Stiel
MI Jason Davis
Back to our friends on a break from college and partying, drinking and playing tonsil hockey interrupted occasionally by a bit of studying.
They have come on a cruise………….well………………to do the same……………without the annoyance of a bit of studying once a month.
Although spring break is a well known factor in North America there are still shocks in store for some who forget that this annual pilgrimage takes place.
This was noted when one of the staff members was told by some guests last night that they felt threatened by having so many onboard……………..threatened………….well, I guess I can understand a little that maybe – it was a bit of a shock but threatened……….nope…………..can’t agree with that one.
You see, I have no problem with them doing this and I think 99% of them are having a great time. They are happy, fun and yes, many will use Britney Spears as a role model.
However threatened……………..well let’s just say I didn’t walk around the Promenade Deck worried that a gang of cheerleaders are about to attack me with a kitchen knife.
I went out with a cheerleader once by the way…………..it was a disaster. She got in my car……………I put my arm a round her and went to kiss her.
She pushed me a way and in that annoying cheerleader voice she said
N.O.T.H.I.N.G…………..THAT IS WHAT YOU’RE GETTING FROM ME……………NOTHING
Sorry…………I digress.
So, what are we doing onboard to make sure we look after these creatures of the night? Well, security presence is increased. I.D checks at the doors of the nightclub are constant and nobody can enter without showing proper proof of age.
The first night is always the craziest as people just drink as much as they can…………that’s actually not a bad thing ………….because we don’t see them now until Tuesday as they hibernate under the bed clothes promising “I will never drink again.”
One or two maybe a little loud, one or two may have to pray into the God of porcelain every morning and cause a bit of a problem for the ship’s plumbers but none are here to cause trouble and all are here because they know they are also celebrating their lives in a safe and controlled environment.
Tonight, I was approached by young people who had seen the show and said how funny it was. The boys seemed to be from a less privileged background and had decided to spend the family money on a cruise. This meant that there was no money left over to buy the boys new pants that fit so they were wearing Dad’s instead which meant that their underwear was in full view at all times……………….
Heidi told me these are called baggies…………..and it was “fashion”…………….fashion………..how can advertising that you cannot afford pants that fit be fashion?…………how can showing you underwear be fashion?…………how can having the crack of your bottom on so much display that old ladies are putting quarters in there thinking it’s the slot tournament starting?
The girls were unable to afford clothes as well and as they could not pay for a skirt had decided to wear belts instead………just a belt.………if my father had caught me going out in a skirt like that he would have slapped the back of my legs with a porcupine…………..I said.
My problem is I have reached the age where I am no longer able to tell how old kids are. I had no idea if they were 18 or 8 …………I didn’t know whether to talk about “Nickelodeon” or….”Slappin’ My Bitch Up.”
I feel so old.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
Hi John & Heidi:
Sounds like you have a very interesting week ahead of you!
Thank you for the Piano Entertainment schedule. How often does this change? I hope they do get a break. If I read your abbreviations correctly, VA is the Valor and we have Dwayne Lewis. We met him on the Fantasy almost two years ago and he is a very nice man and plays to please the crowd. Thank you, we are hoping he will be with us in September!
Keep us up to date on the T-shirts with Lance’s design. I will get ours and wear them proudly in St. Thomas and dare any RCL passenger to say something, I will have to sick Big Ed on them! (Just kidding Big Ed, we love you!) It would be my honor to wear the shirt!
John, any thoughts on the acupuncture? You should be finishing the prednisone soon and maybe it will help you. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
Till next time, we hope all of your days at sea are smooth ones!
Susan
We will be thinking about our night of Freedom also.I hope tomorrow is the day your palsy goes away if not go ring the bells of la Catedral. Have a great day tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A big huggo and a grande besmmier for you Quasimodo (nah you look great) and Heidi
Los Margarida
spring break… sigh
try to hang on john, they mean well. well, they mean something, not sure what! ha ha
feel better mate and REST!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Hi John,
This is the 1st time in 3 years I haven’t been on a cruise at March Break. That’s what we call it in Canada. I have gone with friends who are either my age (50′s) or older and we think the kids are great. They never caused any trouble on any of the ships we were on. The funniest part was when on the last night when the bills are put in the mailbox and you hear them go……OH MY GOD, how am I going to explain this bar bill to my parents?????LOL
Have a great week!
Cindy
Hi John,
I hope you are feeling better and that “Mr. Bell” decides to go on his merry way soon. I hope the spring breakers don’t cause you too much trouble–I’m now 26 (and going on Liberty next week, as ‘spring break’ from work and grad school)…but I did my fair share of spring break cruising in my undergrad days. Hopefully they won’t do anything too crazy.
Hi John!
I just got off the March 1 Freedom sailing. Good luck this week with all the spring breakers! you may need a vacation after the week is over!!
I thought you were terrific all week!!!! We cruise Carnival every year, and for the past few years, we’ve heard so many good comments about you as a cruise director. Each ship we booked in the past 2 years, you were supposed to be the cruise director but for some reason there was a change so we’re glad to finally be on board with you. All of the great comments were correct! we thought you were terrific!
And as for your bells palsy, I’m hoping you get better soon! I didn’t think you looked like a “cyclops” at all, and your speech isn’t as bad as you think. The whole week we understood everything you were saying, no problem. some comments were actually pretty mean. Get well soon!
I had a terrific week, the ports were great all of the people on board were spectacular!!! One thing I do have a question to you about the Lido Deck. 2 questions:
1. chair reserving. it’s very hard to get a chair so every morning I have to set an alarm to get up so I can have a chair by the pool. and on the last day we sat next to 5 chairs reserved chairs which noone sat in all day. if noone shows up, are you able to take someone’s belongings off the chair???
2. lido deck security. The last day on the boat we sat near a very “rowdy” group (I’ll use that word to be polite…). progressively throughout the day as the drinking increased so did the bad behavior. I’ve been on alot of cruises and I totally understand the lido deck during a day at sea. It can get wild sometimes. But never did anyone elses’ behavior affect me but this day it did. The constant screaming, throwing water and ice, innapropriate comments to TEENAGERS about certain body parts, comments about foreign groups and workers is just the tip of the iceberg. and since the group was so large and intoxicated I did not feel right saying something. By mid afternoon security had made numerous trips over to tell them to control their behavior. but that just made them worse, “noone was gonna tellthem what to do” and they followed that up by some inappropriate racial comments. and then they got kicked off the waterslide, to which they went back up b/c “no one can tell them what to do”. Now while I would have loved to get up and move my seat, I was not able to so I had to endure this awful behavior all day long on my last and unfortunately not relaxing day at sea. By the end of the day, I absolutely lost and I screamed at them, that i was sick of their bad behavior. my sister got a bit nervous since it takes alot to make me mad but I was mad that these people have no respect for any of the other patrons, or workers. luckily for me, it was late in the day and they decided to leave. So with all that background on my last day at sea, here’s my question. What can be done with a group like this. It seemed like security was doing what they could but it seems like there is no recourse for a group like this at sea. Is there any chance that all of their sign and sail cards can be shut off for alcohol and them being kicked off the pool deck? I even felt bad for the security workers b/c even though they were doing what they could the group was so large and beligerent there was no slowing them down. And they even were yelling racial slurs at the security workers. As I was leaving the pool deck, alot of people congratulated me on saying something. I just wish I would’ve sooner.
But anyway, with all the rant, it will not deter me from another carnival cruise. I’ve sailed many of the cruiselines and Carnival is the best!!! I had a super vacation in spite of the last day!
Thanks for doing such a great job!
Tracey
Dear John,
Good luck with all the collegiate debauchery that will be going on this week. My wife and I were with you last week and made it home to Chicago safe and sound. We certainly wish you a speedy recovery and appreciate all the effort you put in. We had a BLAST at the shows and repeatedly watched them over and over in our cabins. I do regret not getting toe DVD and am wondering how I might be able to go about obtaining one.
Thanks in advance
John and Toni
Plainfield, IL (about 40 miles SW of Chicago)
Hey John,
This is my first time posting on here so forgive me if I’m not doing it right. I know you said to drop you a line once we got home safely after departing the Freedom yesterday, so that’s what I’m doing……my fiance and I made it home 22 hours after leaving the ship. This was due mostly to delays from the weather in New York. We were unable to land there because of weather so we circled for hours until they decided to land in Washington DC and have us spend the night there. Oh well, at least we made it home.
But the real reason I am writing is to thank you for the AWESOME time that we had on the ship. We are still talking about how funny you were and how you had us rolling on the floor laughing. We have never had so many laughs in our 7 cruises as we did last week. I know it must have been very tough for you to continue going on with the cruise after everything that happened, but you showed your true dedication and commitment by continuing and we truely admire that in you.
I can imagine that things must be difficult for you right now but we’re glad to see that you are pushing forward. Keep doing what you love to do and we hope we can cruise with you again in the future. THANK YOU!!!
Nick and Lori
John:
As always, you are making me cry with laughter. Really, the CD on RCI was so bad that I’m not sure if I’ll cruise with them again. He was young and a very bad guitar player. He actually came out on stage and proceeded to tell us about his sister just having a baby and would like to sing us the song he wrote for her. He actually strummed the guitar and pretended he was a baby by proceeding to cry like a baby and carried on for a few minutes. No singing, just crying like a baby. The audience was not sure how to react and we all just looked at each other and shrugged. This was just the tip on the iceberg, ha-ha. I guess you could say I felt the problem was that he could not connect with the age group on board (and at the age of 49, I do not consider myself an old fart!)
On a side note, I know how great Carnival is to their guests that do take the excursions, since I have been on a few Carnival ships. Can’t wait till August to see you and Heidi.
Pam
John, It looks like on the last night of this cruise the purser will need a hand truck to deliver all the copies of War and Peace to all those spring breakers. Sorry they only look like War and Peace but they are really their Sail and Sign bills.
BIG ED
So the spring breakers are out in force. I wonder how many we will be entertained by next week. We leave NJ Thursday night for our 18+ hour drive to “sunny” FL. We are what you might consider slightly excited. We promise not to stare when we see you. After reading the blog for the last few weeks we are well prepared for your change in appearance. I feel your pain. I am having dental problems and thought they would all be cleared up before sailing. That’s not happening so keep me so busy that I won’t have time to think about what’s going on in my mouth. Good luck this cruise and we’ll see you in 6 days. Can’t wait to actually meet you and Heidi.
Margie Tracy
John -
Glad to see that you have given up the stress of trying to keep up with my ever changing identities. Has to improve your health immensely.
The Mrs & I took a St. Patty’s Day cruise many years ago – surprisingly, it was not all that bad, with the exception of the one drunk kid who knocked on our door at 2AM. I have to give credit to his friend who immediately apologized for his behavior. Otherwise, I was surprised that there was no real horrible behavior.
Now, I have finally got the real scoop on why the Mrs. has not been reading or replying – the room that her computer is in is too COLD. So, can I move her computer to Suite 9206 on the Carnival Freedom until the weather improves? At no charge, of course.
Speak with you soon.
JustJon
Hello everyone. I submitted the Celebration Cruise invitation that John posted in the in your own words letter section. I shared it with John in case bloggers want to host their own cruise parties. With this explanation, reading the invitation will make more sense. Our party was so much fun. Hope you all copy us. I love the blog and have read for many months but this is my first post. I can’t wait until my next cruise!
John:
Thanks for giving the piano bar folks a little “cheer”.
Actually, Mikael Smith is on the Celebration. Michael Smith just finished the Legend at Christmas and (last time I talked with him), he is still on break.
It is so funny that Carnival would have TWO Michael (Mikael) Smiths and I have sailed with both of them…..along with Peter, Richie, Duane, Milby and Steve …and that is just with in the last 16 months! Michael Smith (the one currently not listed) is a good friend of mine. I wish I could put in a special request to have him on our Splendor sailing.
Another friend of mine Robert Stiel (German version for Bob Style) is currently enjoying his very first Carnival contract on the Victory and he is enjoying it very much.
You are correct that the Piano Bar is a Carnival Favorite….almost as popular as the Cruise Directors….but not quite!!
Our oldest son (Josh) whom you have not met yet spent Spring Break at the beachside vacation home of a fellow college student with about 8 of their best friends at Myrtle Beach, North Carolina.
He just called. They are back on campus safe and sound. All I can say is “brave parents”. Actually I am kind of proud that they trusted my 19 year old son and others that much. These are all honor students and are a great group.
Enjoy the essense of youth this week!!!
John,
You said it… “Oh Joy…” HAPPY SPRING BREAK!!! Full of fun, fashion, and frivolity!!! A week jammed packed with Blogging fodder!!!
I look forward to each blog this week! And for weeks to come with all the different timings of SpringBreak!
HOORAY!!! Sorry to sound so cheerful. But, from this end of the blog… it’s entertaining and funny… from your end… it may be slightly different!
Regards and GOOD LUCK!!!
Lambie
Dear John,
I haven’t been reading your blog long, but one thing I now know! The next time I have a wet newspaper, or a hangnail, or the dog piddles in the floor, I now know that you are responsible! Well, actually I don’t have a dog, but if I did, I know you would be responsible for its doings. It just amazes me, the audacity of some people!
I’m sure this week and the next couple will be challenging for you. Hang in there! Regarding the BP, as your Mum surely told you “This too shall pass.”
Okay John,
You knew I was going to chime in on this blog…. Thanks for the shoutout for the piano bar entertainers. You know I love to see them get some love from the folks at corporate. Thanks for posting the list! But you need to update the entertainer for the Sensation. Larry MacConaghey finished his contract on March 6th and Jordan Addison took over. Also Peter Brenner is on vacation from the Spirit for 2 weeks, so Bryan Roper is filling in for him until March 20th. Also Robert Stiel on the Victory goes by the performing name of Bob Style.
But thanks again for the list. There’s going to be a lot of turnover in April and May so if you could post it again sometime then, I’d appreciate it.
SUSAN V – The length of the contract depends on the performer and the needs of Carnival. Duane Lewis is currently scheduled to be on the Valor until May 11. It’s likely that he could be back though since his last two contracts have been on the Valor.
I keep a running list on cruisecritic.com
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=13723332&posted=1#post13723332
and also on cruisemates.com http://www.cruisemates.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=589808
The list isn’t always accurate but it’s as accurate as I can get it. Because schedules are subject to change.
However, if John keeps posting the schedule, I guess I’ll become obsolete! LOL!
Thanks again John. The piano bars on Carnival ships are my favorite places!
Cheerios,
Laura (aka divetrash, aka Princess Laura, the sweet and innocent)
Also John,
I believe Laurie Anne Gardner finished on the Pride on March 9th. Any idea who her replacement is?
Thanks,
Laura
John–OK, you and Mr. Bell really have to take it easy. How are you blogging with the use of only one eye? My dear departed cat, many years ago, at 6 weeks old scratched my cornea with a claw (he was just a kitten, and thought my eyelashes were butterflies moving or something). I had to wear an eyepatch for two days, including one excursion where I got on a subway train which got stuck between stations and I almost had to walk off it on the tracks with the use of only one eye. Let me say that visually it was probably the most confusing day of my life. Slow down, Quadimodo!
What are you waiting for? Quit stalling and get acupuncture, today!
Take care of yourself.
Ann
John,
Thank you for another “laugh till you cry” blog! I don’t know how you do it day after day??!!! I can sympathize with you on the boy’s pants. I believe it is partly a gang related thing. Many of the boys at the boy’s home where I work are wearing their pants like that. It is soooo gross–the crotch is down at their knees and the belt is often times tightened down below their butt cheeks. Boxers and butt cracks showing is disgusting! I always ask them how many girls do they think want to date someone who looks like he has a load of poo in his pants. I hope this “fashion” goes out of style very soon! All my best to you and Mr. Bell. I hope he decides to jump ship very soon!! Hi to Heidi–where are you hiding girl? We would love to have another blog from you soon!
Sheryl
Hey John, hope you are feeling better. I read your blog everyday at work and the funny things you say get me through the day. Anyways, I was wondering if you can tell me who the CD is on the Glory. Hope you get better soon!
John, You need more Spring Breakers on board the ship. Then there would not be so many on Ft. Myers Beach. No. Scratch that – the merchants need the business. Actually we enjoy having them around and most are very nice. It’s a shame Tracey and others had to put up with few no class juvenile delinquents!
Don’t forget you are supposed to be getting some rest. We’re all thinking of you. Jeri
Goooood morning! Hope you are feeling better today! Right now we are stationed at Fort Stewart…Jeff is on a fly-out list for Iraq in May but the unit he is with is already over there, and he has dwell time at home. May Should be past the cut-off date of when they’ll send soldiers from his unit, so he most likely won’t go back. We are just crossing our fingers and praying right now!
I’ve been reading about all the crazy guests on the past cruises and it cracks me up. I realize that we have very similar jobs. The difference is…you’re a cruise director and I’m the administrative assistant for a pediatric doctor’s office! So I deal with screaming 2-year-olds and their crazy parents all day long. So you can see how similar our jobs really are….
Ok well I suppose I better get back to work! Have a fantastic day!
Hey John, take care of yourself and a big hug for Robert S from me.
Can you find out how many spring breakers are on the Mar 22 sailing ?
Thanks !
Well, John… what a shame that Mr. Bells has decided to stick around for a period of time. Here’s hoping that either he departs post haste or the Needle Master of St. Thomas does his magic. I’m praying for you, my friend.
The pictures of the Welcome Aboard show are great. Does the gent with the bucket have to tote it with him for the rest of the week? I think that he would become famous in short order…
Here’s hoping that the Broken Springer’s will not be TOO much of a factor this week other than to the bottom line. I’m sure that all of their families will be extremely proud of the contribution they will be making to the economy over the next week.
I am as baffled as you over the current ‘fashion’ of walking about with one’s drawers hanging out. First, it looks like something that would be seen on street people in LA. Second, it shows one’s extraordinarily bad taste in boxers. Most of these folks choose shorts more appropriate for Ringling Brothers than Brooks Brothers.
Thanks, again, for all the laughs.
Pass along my howdies to the lovely Heidi, the Famous Roberto and the MOB… Stephanie!!!
Cheers!!
GregB
John, I finally received the video and watched it several times yesterday. Actually, I watched the whole thing once and rewound to your part and watched that several more times. If only they had known how popular you would become with your blog (and in 1995 who could have foreseen blogs?), I’m sure they would have given you a much bigger part. But you had a speaking part and you were listed in the credits and you did an excellent job! And reading this blog for months did not perpare me for your charming British accent.
You need to get your agent to line you up a movie with Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana on Carnival Splendor. Combining your popularity with hers would ensure a record-breaking, money making, venture, and I’m sure you could negotiate a much bigger part this time around, especially if they got you and the lovely Heidi in the deal.
See you Saturday!
“Kids On Board ”
Our first Carnival Cruise was on The Pride. We took the 7 Day Mexican Riviera Cruise out of Long Beach in Aug. ’04. Everything was great until the last night when we seemed to be stepping over large numbers of children who had “suddenly” appeared in the middle of the Pacific !! We asked somebody where all these kids came from and found out there were over 900 of “them” that trip!!
Kathy and Paul
Hi John
I am glad you are feeling better. Just hang in there, Mr. Bell will find someone else to hang on to in time.
Poor spring break parents. I get to do the spring break thing next year when I take my neice and her friend on the Splendor…woo hoo. It will be fun.
I do have a question: Is the parking in Miami secure as in a parking garage or is it an open parking lot? We have 3 couples wanting to ride our motorcycles from NC to Miami for a cruise, therefore want to know how the parking is at the Port of Miami. Any info will be appreciated.
Give my best to Heidi and take care!!
Gloria aka Sue
Good Morning John,
Don’t feel bad about not being able to judge ages of the kids today. I can’t either but I can tell you that if I tried to wear, what some girls wear today, when I was that age I would still be confined to my room! Same with what I would allow my daughter to wear. I know it’s another time and another place but please cover yourself up. A little mystery is a good thing. As for the boys when I see those baggy pants and underwear the first thing I would like to do is grab both pants legs and yank down. Bet they’d think twice about wearing pants that fit and a belt! Sorry, time change all the snow we got over the weekend and Monday I guess has me a little bit sideways ;D Carnival Take Me Away!!!!
Take care and hope you feel better I keep putting in a good word for you so something should improve soon
Joan
Audrey, I loved your party invitations and understood immediately what it was. A young couple who were on our first cruise (relatives of relatives) had a bon voyage party a couple years later (most of us had booked again but not with each other) and we all had a great time. If you love cruising, a cruise-themed party is the next best thing to actually being there. I took my daughter and her three kids on their first cruise six weeks ago and am taking my sons, wives, & kids on a cruise (on Freedom with John!) this coming Saturday, so I may have a party with a cruise theme sometime soon, to share photos and memories.
Hi John & Heidi,
OK, I give up. I will no longer have my breakfast, lunch or anything edible while I read your latest blog thingy. I almost choked today because I was laughing so hard. As miserable as you feel, your sense of humor is still there and we love you for it.
Spring break – oh the memories. Actually I was only on 1 cruise during Spring Break. I didn’t realize it when I booked it (about 3 weeks before). But it wasn’t too bad – Just a little noisier than usual. Everyone just wants to have fun – we all deserve that.
Thanks for posting the description of what the crew goes through during debarkation-embarkation. Their hard work is really appreciated. Cheers to them.
So try & get some rest, take care of Mr. Bell and hugs to you and Heidi.
Carol
Not really related to Mr. Healds post…but if you are, or will soon be on a ship with Mr. Heald…you will have a great time!! I just disembarked from the “Bells Palsy” cruise, and actually met John in the infirmary (briefly) on that infamous Sunday morning. I feel for you John…I was just picking up a $13 dollar (US) tube of “Ambesol” for goodness sake. You are a champ…and reading your posts, and some of the idiots that cruise and the ridiculous complaints…you may also qualify as a Saint! Thanks for a great time, you and all the Carnival staff have never been better!! I’ll never cruise Celebrity again….Hope you feel better soon.
Jay
John,
We were on our first cruise ever, on Feb 23rd, with you on the Freedom. I can’t believe — after realizing that you are indeed a rare gem — that we were fortunate enough to have you as our CD on our first cruise (and this was a prize my husband won in an auto mechanics’ competition – there was another couple there with us who also won in their region). We had so much fun watching the crazy goings-on of the week and the people who were involved on stage. I’ve been reading the blog, and like that I can “keep in touch” in this way. I miss everything about the ship/crew/ports, and can’t wait to book our next one. I’m the secretary at our church, and our pastor is booking his first ever Carnival cruise, the same one we took, and I get to relive ours while telling him all about it and showing him our one thousand pictures.
Thanks for a great time, and I hope to be a returning commenter on this blog thingy. Love ya!
Shannan from Rolling Meadows, IL.
John,
You Posted:
“thousands of guests will expect to see a good looking, easy-to-understand, soave George Hamilton type of guy and the sound of warm and pleasant applause will greet me.
Tonight, when I walk out instead of Mr. Hamilton they will see a large Cyclopes who sounds like Davey Jones from the Monkees……….with a lisp.”
Yet, millions of us would have been expecting just that, got you back mate. Besides being a college student I know that most of them were there to take a brief break from drinking. You could’ve said, “all college students suck and I want them all of my ship now” and anyone of us would not have thought twice because we were all incapable of listening. Don’t worry big mate, they’re definitely not “threatening”.
_BigMike
CHIEF OF BLOG SECURITY
Hey John,
Bad luck with the Bells Palsey! I got it in August 2005, and I was secheduled to sail on the Cernival Liberty in September. I don’t want to be discouraging but I still had it when I sailed and I still have signs of it today. But on the bright side I am fun at parties. You know I smile and my eye closes or I close my I and I smile. Small things I have no control over. A friend of mine came down with it the same day I did and had no evidence of it after 2 weeks. SO here’s hoping that your’s only last a short time.
I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery!
Mayla
Hey John,
I’m on spring break myself, getting to be lazy for once in my life. Hooray! Sorry about your Miami Heat, though, who lost Wade again for the rest of the season because of injury…
Anywho, make sure my fellow spring breakers stay in line during the cruise! I’m personally not a fan of alcohol, but it’s kinda funny seeing some of the antics my peers come up with because their brain isn’t exactly functioning correctly…
Hi Audrey,
Thanks for sharing the party invitation with us. It looks like a lot of fun. I especially like the “who’s smarter than a 6th grader?” idea – did anyone fail? Or maybe I should ask, did anyone pass?
How many people were at the party?
John,
Have a fun week with the co-eds best to Heidi.
Kevin
Hey John,
I see that you are quite the celebrity with a fan-club and all. How long will you be the CD on the “Freedom”. We will be cruising on it next Feb. 28, 2009. We would love to meet you.
Hi John;
Thanks for your time on my questions concerning “intentionally missing the ship in Marmaris”.
First, I would never even dream of doing this without getting express permission from Carnival. I know how hard you all work and I would never want you to have to waste your time looking for me.
Second, you asked “why?”. I feel as if there is not enough time in this place to do the things I want to do. In particular, visit the village of Dalyan and the surrounding attractions (i.e. Caunos, rock tombs, Iztuzu Beach, etc.). I know that Carnival offers an excursion and that for the price, it is an excellent value. What I would really like to do is an excursion like the one Carnival offers, but go by boat from Marmaris to Dalyan. These tours are available from local tour companies, but not in the time we have. Hotel rates in Marmaris for the date we are there are very reasonable (@50USD) and bus travel from Marmaris to Izmir is a viable option (although that also depends on the bus schedule). I agree that this is an unorthodox plan but I am at a loss for other options.
Finally, this plan is still on the drawing board and I haven’t even run it by my fiance (so you can bet its a no go anyway). I would appreciate any advice or opinions you have on this subject.
Thank you again,
Craig
Hi John/Heidi:
I’ve read this from day one (as you know) and i have to admit that this statement is the funniest thing you have written yet: I didn’t know whether to talk about “Nickelodeon” or….”Slappin’ My Bitch Up.”
You absolutely crack me up.
Hope things are starting to improve on your end. At least you’re not dealing with PETA this week, but a bunch of unruly adults could be just as bad.
Cheer up and keep Mr. Murphy as far away as possible.
Thanks,
David
Audrey: Thanks for the party idea. I copied it before you even said it was what you wanted us to do. Could have really used it in my previous neighborhood as I was sort of the “social director.” We had parties once a month at someone’s home and I coordinated them all. I have yet to get really involved in my new (two years) neighborhood, but maybe…one of these days.
John: Could Scott and I be in the Marriage Game or the Bedtime Story on the Splendor TA from Rome to Ft. Lauderdale October 29? As we discussed previously, I’ll bring my “nightie” just in case.
What kind of things go on aboard ship during the actual crossing of the ocean? Is there lot’s of Bingo, dance classes, trivial pursuit, etc.? Do you and Heidi have any “free” time during the crossing that we could have a diet coke or something and at least chat for a minute? (I guess everyone wants a “minute” of your time, though.) Can’t blame a fan for asking!
You’d better be getting some rest or I can imagine Heidi tying you to the bed…or maybe that wouldn’t help you rest. Okay, maybe she’ll lock you in your cabin for two hours a day.
Take care, both of you,
Myra
John,
Just a note to say Hi and hope you’re feeling better. Hope you get over this Bells Palsy thing quickly.
George and Linda
Wow – - I’m sure glad that Spring Break will be over before our cruise sails April 12th. I love college kids also, but it sounds like some of them get pretty crazy.
You had me laughing so hard over the pants issue with the kid who couldn’t afford ones that fit. I see those kids and want to go up and “de-pants” them. But I can’t run very fast so I don’t. LOL
Hi Heidi!
(I am leaving John out because he needs to rest. Besides, he doesn’t share our highly refined taste in television.)
Yes, I love Boston Legal. My only complaint is that they have this huge cast of very talented actors, and except for the Spader/Shatner dynamic duo, they only get to shine for 2 or 3 episodes per year and the rest of the time they might as well be office furniture.
Have you only seen it on DVD, or do you watch the broadcasts too? If you haven’t watched the broadcasts, one thing that would be useful to know is that the show used to be on Sunday nights, but starting with season 2 they got moved to Tuesdays at 10. They make some funny references to that during some of the balcony scenes.
I have season 1 on DVD, but I haven’t watched it yet, so my memory of those episodes is a bit hazy. Have you gotten to the episode with the little girl who can’t smile? If you have, and you didn’t understand the part where Alan hold up a newspaper with a picture of a guy with a big stupid smile on his face, that’s Tom DeLay. He was a sleazeball Republican (oops, I just repeated myself) Congressman who had just been indicted for a few of his many crimes. He smiled for his police booking photo to show that he wasn’t worried about being convicted. He wasn’t – his fellow sleazeball Republicans (dang, repeated myself again) protected him from jail time, but he did have to resign.
Anyway, hope you enjoy more BL, and if you are looking for more smart but goofy TV shows, I recommend Northern Exposure and also Thirtysomething.
John,
Thank you for your quick response about the past guest party.
We are traveling with Legendary Journeys, the past guest are:
William & Michelle Mutz
Dale & Mary Mutz
Joe & Peggy Young
Donna Fillmon
Sharon Burdette
Also does the Freedom have a wine tasting. On one of the other ships while we were at sea one day we could pay $20.00 and enjoy a tasting. Fun and interesting.
Once again thank you for your help and we will see you in April.
John, It was great to see “Dick Little” up on stage. Sending our best to you, Heidi and of course that ever cruising couple. Wish we were there.
Jim and Mary
Been reading for months, but my first time posting! Love the blog! On those tough days I know where I can get my mid-day laugh from!
I’m currently trying to convince my parents to cruise on the Splendor this summer! My mom wants to get my dad to Finland sometime, and I figure a cruise would at least get him there for the day! My dad is reluctant to cruise though, he fears he’ll be bored stiff, especially on sea days. He and I are both alike in that way. He isn’t one for sea days and neither am I. We both are very ADD and like to be kept entertained constantly. Yes, we’re a CD’s worst nightmare.
Good luck with those spring breakers! I feel I failed in my role as a spring breaker in college as I mostly just crashed at my parents!
Hi John,
We went on the Liberty last spring to the Panama Canal and took the Gatun Lock and Portobello (sp?) tour through Carnival. It had been a real dream of my husband’s to see the canal and Portobello was one of the most beautiful little harbor towns we had ever seen. We had a fabulous time. The drive along the Panama coast was breathtaking. It was very hot that day and we were all thirsty when we got to Portobello, so we went looking for a store. We found a little place that had Orange Nehi’s in the bottle for 25 cents, ice cold out of a tub! There was an old stone Catholic church that was so beautiful with stained glass and statues of the saints. But I think what we all remember the most was this adorable little girl, maybe 3 years old, selling little beaded bracelets for a dollar. She was so cute, we all bought everything she had. All the townspeople there were so friendly and not pushy at all. It was one of many Carnival magic days. Thanks for making dreams come true!
Hoping you are feeling much better soon.
John -
We have done both of the train trips you described above. Both are a blast, particularly if you are a rail fan. The Panama railroad is actually operated by a subsidiary of the Kansas City Southern Railway. Nice quipment, great roadbed with all concrete ties – very nice ride.
The Costa Rica is just the opposite. Very old equipment with an old U10B General Electric locomotive. It is a little 1,000 horse power locomotive, which is nothing by today’s standards. The cars are very old and the road bed is in very bad condition. But it was a fun and interesting step back in time. By the way, there is no A/C on the Costa Rica train.
John,
So sorry to hear that your houseguest, Mr. Bells, won’t leave. I think you should get a black eye patch and anounce you’ve taken over the ship at the welcome aboard show
That sounds so great. I would really love to join your trip and have fun on your ship.
Dear John,
I was on the spring break 2008 cruise,
and I thought it was amazing. It was my very first cruise and I was there with my brother and my aunt, who both enjoyed it just as much as I did. I knew how self cautious you were about your palsy, but i wanted to tell you that it did not change the way people thought about you. I did not talk to all of the people who were on the ship, but the ones that i did talk to all thought the same thing about you, that you were an amazing person, who lived to entertain and make people happy, and you always have a smile on your face, and I admired that. I really liked the evening shows, they were definitely the best i have ever seen. The dancer’s were excellent, and so were the rest of the staff. They tried so hard to make your stay the best it can be. And with my experience, they definitely did a great job. Thank you so much for making my first ever cruise so great .
Hi John! Thanks for putting the photos of my son Christopher on your blog…he feels like a celebrity! This was our first cruise and we had a wonderful time (despite the noisy students partying in our hallway until 5 am!). I guess they didn’t take me seriously when I was telling them off in my pyjamas! At least I was up early to get a prime seat on the lido deck…I really enjoyed the early morning hours before it got busy…time to reflect, read and savour my vanilla latte! I had been reading your blog before our trip and was thrilled to find that you were the cruise director for our week. We thought you were so witty and thoroughly enjoyed the shows. Our kids are still talking about Willy Banger and Anita Banger…although they don’t quite get the whole picture! I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you personally…I was the one video taping your show Friday afternoon as I was hoping you’d read Christopher’s letter. We are hoping to plan for another cruise next year and are already missing the boat, the Caribbean, and the warm weather!
Kristine and Gary Talman
Whitby, Canada
Just wanted to say, thanks for a great vacation. You mentioned that you were not at your best, well if that wasnt your best, I cant imagine how much better it can get!!! Hope you are feeling better.
Just got home today. My husband decided to drive straight home from Florida instead of stopping midway- 1400 miles. We looked real intelligent stopping for fuel as we drove north ultimately to Northern Indiana, with shorts and tank tops on. (He neglected to tell of us in his plans).
PS..Thanks for signing our shirts on the day of disembarktion..honestly we tried to catch you earlier. It meant alot to us..we know you were VERY busy.
Thanks Again
Rhonda Stacy & Family
I did have a question and comment for you regading cruises in general.
What happens to those tickets we drop off at shops with our name & cabin # on them while in ports, to win different things? The tickets say -winners announced on board- but I have not heard this happen on either of the cruises Ive been on. Is this just a scam by the businesses to get shoppers in their stores?
and
We were recently on the ship during spring break- it was impossible to get a chari on any of the decks during the day. Towels etc, were left on the chairs for the entire day with no one returning to them. I had wanted to have some relaxing time on deck in the sun and watch the activities on lido, but this did not happen because there was no open areas in the day, all were taken by loud college students that were obnoxious and had no respect for others – I had to cover my 10 year olds ears several times (esp in elevators). There really needs to be a time limit or something on unoccupied chairs.
Despite the obnoxious college kids (i remember being one once- but I had respect for others).
We did have a wonderful family vacation, we attended lots of onboard activities and esp enjoyed the minigolf (and cornhole) and look forward to our next cruise with carnival.
Dear John,
I was on the Carnival Freedom from March 8 – 15 (the Willie Banger cruise) and had a fantastic time. I meant to send you this “Dear John” letter while I was actually on the cruise but better late than never I guess.
Although there were so many things about my trip that made it so memorable and enjoyable, one of the things that came to me as a suprise was how you personally contibuted to how great of a time I had.
At first, I got to know you mostly through the cruise television. My girlfriend and I missed most of the shows for the first few days, but we quickly became familiar with your charm by tuning into the pre-recorded program the following day. It took us both by surprise at how drawn we were to your speaking. We would find ourselves watching the same shows over and over again, and be just as entertained as the first time.
You are extremely good at what you do. You are funny, witty, personable and comforting to listen to. You obviously have a passion for your job to continue on in the wake of your illness.
What prompted me to leave this letter mostly is that I watched the morning show where one of the guests wrote to you stating that they couldn’t understand you and wished you hadn’t decided to continue on as cruise director. Originally, I felt really angry that someone could think that and leave you to consider that it might be true. After I thought about it more, I realized that the world is such that there are so many differing opinions, and no matter how effective you do your job, there will ALWAYS be someone who doesn’t agree, and unfortunately, it is those negative opinions that stick out in our mind the most.
I am sure that you are confident enough to not let it effect or influence you. However, in case there is a little bit of self doubt in you that perhaps there is some merit in that one person’s opinion, please remember this letter and let it stick out in your mind that when it comes to deciding whether or not we are doing what we were truly meant to do in life, it is the majority that rules and I am most definately one of many that believe you are doing what you were meant to.
Your friend,
Ivano
ivano_volpe@hotmail.com
Wow, my wife and I had a great time. Who can forget such great moments such as Willy Banger, Linnnnnda, Red/Grey, steven spielberg and the gentlemen who had to use the bathroom. LOL
This was my 1st cruise after working with Carnival for 5 years. I really enjoy my 7 days on the Freedom. The tours were great and the food was fabulous.
Can’t wait to go again next year.
Thanks again! Cheers John
Hi, I was wondering how I could write a note to our cruise director, Chris Jefferson, from the Carnival Valor tour of 3-6-08? Thank you.
We booked a cruise with Legendary Journeys on Carnival. We paid a 4000. Deposit plus 800. for “insurance”. We had to cancel for health reasons and found that they had chosen an insurance co. that was not an insurance co. when we tried to collect from this so-called ins. co. they had gone out of business. I think that business practices like this reflect poorly on cruise lines that continue to do business with companies that have a history of shoddy practices .
we always love to be given party invitations and when we organize our own party, we also love to send party invivtations ~