I met Allen and Melisa Young on Sunday night when I popped into the Posh Dining Room to see my friends Robert and Suzanne Schneider who by the way are on their 42nd Carnival cruise…………….37 of which have been with me…………more about them on a later blog.
They were seated close to the entrance and as always I said “hello,” etc. to the guests I passed by. I did the same when I passed by their table and Allen and his wife told me how much they had enjoyed the Welcome Aboard Show and laughed so much………..this was great to hear of course. Yesterday I received a note asking if I could give them a call………….I did so……..this morning ………….and I thought I would share our conversation with you.
Before that, let me set today’s scene…….it’s now 11:23 am and we are in St. Thomas. The weather is beautiful and the outside temperature is 86 degrees. Once again I will not be getting off the ship as two’s company but three’s a crowd and as Mr. Bell has yet to bugger off back to where he came from …………… which is probably France……………….I shall keep myself on board.
Heidi has gone to get some “things” ashore…………the word “things” usually means “clothes” and that spells trouble for me and Mr. Visa.
The Carnival Triumph is here along with the ship that when I called her the “Botox of the Seas” two weeks ago got me into more trouble than Lindsey Lohan with a key to the pharmacy cupboard (allegedly.) So, I will not call it the Botox of the Seas and simply say that in between us and the Carnival Triumph is the ship that looks like me in a size 6 dress………there are things sticking out in all the wrong places.
OK, back to the Young family. I called them this morning at 10 am thinking that something was wrong as the note seemed……..well……….a bit ………… harsh………..no, scratch that………..straight to the point………..it just said “call me please.” When I did I thought they would be off the ship but indeed Melissa answered and asked if I could spare them a few minutes.
I met them in the Lobby and on my way there I thought what might be ahead ……….you automatically think……….”complaint”……..that’s natural…………as some of the time it is the case of course………………not this morning.
Let’s go back to the brief time I had seen Melisa and Allen …………I had said a quick hello, chatted about the show and not noted anything about them except that they were in their early thirties or so…………….nothing else came to mind.
This though was not the case when I met them in the lobby. Melissa looked radiant in a white flowing skirt and if I said thirty-something before, I now realized she was probably in her early twenties……………Allen………well he was dressed in pair of shorts and a plain old T Shirt and……oh yes……………….he was on crutches………………and his right leg was missing.
We sat and ordered some coffee and Allen said he wanted to talk to me about his problem and I sat there ready to listen about how he may be finding it difficult to get around the ship considering his disability……………………but once again……….I was wrong…………..he wanted to tell me that he had just gotten over……………………Bells Palsy……………and he could help me.
I sat there………….gobsmacked………..absolutely …………….gobsmacked ……………….here was a young man………with problems that were obvious and he wanted to tell me that for a two-month period last year, he had met Mr. Bell and now here he was……………sitting drinking coffee……………..showing me facial exercises that he said made all the difference…………..I felt such different emotions……………happiness that he wanted to help ……………and I felt ……………guilt because here was a guy with …….well……….one leg ………….. wanting to take his vacation time to help me.
We sat there and after talking about Mr. Bell and our mutual hatred of him, I asked him about how he was managing around the ship. He was full of praise for the staff and said he was doing just fine. We then talked about he and Melissa………….just before I carry on I have of course mentioned the blog to them both and they are very excited to have their story told and I know we will be hearing from them when they get back………………anyway.
Melissa was just 14 when she met Allen who was a bit older at ……… ummm …..20. They met at a McDonald’s of all places in their hometown of Gainesville, Georgia and Melissa pretended she was 17……………….they chatted all night………….she stole his car keys…………..locked herself in his car with him outside and refused to come out until he professed he would marry her one day…………….they did marry………….5 years later.
Allen and Melisa spent their honeymoon on the Holiday which is where they discovered their love of cruising and this is their fifth cruise with us now.
Allen told me that in January 2007 he and Melissa were riding their bikes as they always did at the weekends when a car struck Allen leaving him with critical injuries and the loss of his right leg……………the driver never stopped…………..and has never been caught.
I wish though that I was blessed with the words to describe what a magnetic and sunny disposition these two young people have and how infectious it was and how blessed I was that he had wanted to help …………..me.
I will make sure that before the cruise is over I take a photo of these two and slap it on for you all two see…………their smiles will warm the cockles of your heart.
So, armed with a new series of facial exercises which I will begin this afternoon let’s get on with some photos and insert some random one’s for you.
Deck party
Management keeping an eye on things.
Here is today’s letter in their own words.
I just wanted to mention Lance and his fantastic “Climb This” T-shirt design. I am going to ask him to see if he wants to have them made and purchased directly through him as there are too many copyright laws involved on my end. However, as Lance did design this wonderful fashion item, we should allow him to decide what to do with it.
Ok, now I see I have a total of 90-something comments from the last two blogs so lets get into answering as many as I can.
HERE WE GO.
SUSAN V……………………I am glad you appreciated the Piano entertainment schedule being posted. VA stands for Carnival Valor….sorry, should have written the names in full. Obviously, things change all the time and people come and go but I will keep you all updated. I am having my first acupuncture treatment in the next 48 hours. I have finished the Prednisone and now it is time to wait and see. Thank you for your thoughts, they mean so very much.
NANNI…………………………….We missed seeing you yesterday but we are thinking of you always. Muchos huggos.
SOUTHERN DREAMS…………Thank you so much for being such great friends and for your constant kind words of support.
CINDY 56………………………..Most of the kids or March Breakers, as you call them in Canada, are just great. They enjoy live and are harmless to others around them. There are one of two whose parents will require serious medication when they discover the amounts of money spent on their credit cards. The only truly happy people are Mr. Budweiser and Mr. Heineken. Thanks for the great posting and hope to hear from you soon.
JIMMIE KENNEDY…….Mr. Bell is still with me. Have a wonderful spring break cruise on the Carnival Liberty and please drop us a line when you get home. Have fun!
TRACEY…………………………Welcome back from your Carnival Freedom cruise. I want to say a big Thank You for saying how much you enjoyed me as a Cruise Director and especially considering my current affair with Mr. Bell. In answer to your questions, we still have so far to go to find a suitable settlement to the reserving of deck chairs on Lido deck. You are in fact allowed to take someone’s belongings off if for a 30-minute period they do not return. This is also printed in the Carnival Capers. We have to do a better job ourselves. I was sorry to read that you had such a traumatic last day due to the behavior of a group of teenagers. Our Security Guards do the very best they can but where are the parents? How can 14-year-old kids be allowed to use such racial slurs at people just doing their job? I have passed your comments to our Chief Security Officer and some people in the office and I assure you that we will, as a company, continue to do our best to provide the best environment possible on the Lido deck. For years, it was ok to give your kid a slap on the back of the leg when they misbehaved. Maybe those times should come back?…….….just a thought. Most importantly, I am glad you had a wonderful cruise and it was an honor to be part of it.
JOHN M………………………..Thanks for the kind words John and welcome back to Chicago. I am so glad to read that you had a great time and thank you so much for your words and get-well wishes. My best to Toni and hope to see you both again soon.
NICK…………………………..Congratulations on successfully slapping on your first posting. I am glad you had a great time on board, although I see your journey home was quite the adventure. I found it difficult last week with Mr. Bell as company but seeing that you still enjoyed the shows and events that I hosted means the world. Thank you mate and I hope to see you and Lori again very soon.
P.LETTORALE………………..I am just stunned about your RCI Cruise Director. I can see that singing like a baby may be funny as a 5 seconds skit but to keep going for minutes, mmmmm….. Anyway, I am sure he will realize the bit didn’t work and hopefully he will improve. Finding the right piece on stage is very difficult and takes time and practice and I wish him much success…….it’s not easy. Thanks for letting me know and I hope to cruise with you soon. All the best until then.
BIG ED…………………………I have a feeling some of the spring breakers I have met would have problems reading Bob The Builder books, let alone War & Peace. Wish you were here mate.
MARGIE TRACY…………….Thank you Margie. Have a wonderful drive to Florida and I hope in between the journey and your vacation you forget about your dental problems. We will see you on Saturday and please leave me a note to say you arrived safely at the information desk.
THEPARADISEISNOTSMOKEFREEANYMOREHOWEVERALLOURSHIPSAREMOSTLYSMOKEFREENOWEXCEPTFORJUSTAFEWLOUNGESBUTLOOKINGFORWARDTOTHEBLOGGERS2009CRUISE……Tell your lovely wife that if it gets her posting again, I will have solar engineers come to your house to warm up the computer room. We miss her wonderful outlook on life. Cheers John.
AUDREY……………………….Audrey, I thought your incredible cruise day at home was just superb and thank you for allowing me to post it. I have a feeling that many more people are going to have a go at this. I can see Big Ed holding a land-based summer cruise inviting his crew down for example. You may have started a new phenon…phunon……..bugger this…….started a new thing.
Really looking forward to meeting you soon, congratulations again.
LINDA MOM OF DJ………….I knew you would appreciate the piano bar schedule and next I think we should post the one of the Karaoke Hosts. I am glad your son Josh had a great time and I hope you and DJ are both well and of course dad. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Best from Heidi and I.
LAMB KNUCKLES………Spring break is here and overall it’s going OK. Thanks for thinking of me and thank you for saying how much you enjoy reading the daily blog thingies. I hope this will continue for a long time to come.
DARLENE………………………Welcome to the blog thingy and yes, the next time your dog tiddles on the floor, it will be my fault. Thanks for the laughter and I hope you continue to read the every day stories of a humble Cruise Director and the good ship Carnival Freedom.
DIVETRASH…………………..If anybody was going to reply to the postings about the piano bar entertainers it would be you. I knew you would enjoy this and I also knew that your information would probably be as accurate, if not more so, than mine. There are a couple of changes already which I see you mentioned and please do keep talking about them on CruiseCritic as these great musicians deserve all the mention they can get. You said Piano Bars are your favorite places on the ship………..no???!!!!! It’s great to hear from you Laura and I hope to see you again soon. P.S. I will find out who the new entertainer will be on the Carnival Pride.
ROBIN IN NEW YORK………Wearing an eye patch is indeed no fun. I actually find that it gives me a headache as well. Still, hopefully Mr. Bell will get bored, move back to Paris and leave me alone. Thanks for your kind compassion and hope all is well with you.
JIMNI……………………..Ann, I promise I will. Thanks for being so concerned.
FLIP FLOP CRUISE QUEEN…..I am not sure if I could ever get used to wearing pants that low unless Fruit of the Loom were prepared to pay me the advertising fee. Anyway, it provides with so much material and hopefully you with some good laughs as well. Thank you Sheryl and thank you for your support of the blog.
THERESA…………………………You asked who the Cruise Director will be on the Carnival Glory and it is at this time Ryan Fitzgerald who I understand will be there for the next few months. Are you cruising on there? Let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Cheers.
JERI GREEN…………………….As many as we have on board, I know that places like Ft. Meyers and Daytona and Cancun have many, many more. It is a shame that one of two can spoil it for the others but oh well, isn’t life just like that? Cheers Jeri..
AMY AND ST. JEFF BURNEY…Thanks for the update on Jeff and I am sure you know how proud we are of him and also of you for looking after things while he is away. I hope that you get to spend the next few years in peace and quiet together and not being thousands and miles apart. I can imagine your job is also very stressful and I hope the blog thingy gives you a little laughter during the day. Heidi and I send our best to you both.
VICKI……………………..I just did and they send their very best to you. March 22 we expect 200 spring breakers however, as it is close to Easter there will be close to 1,000 children under the age of 18. It will be a great cruise with a great mixture of people. Cheers Vicki.
GREG B………………………….Glad you liked the photos and yes, Mr. Pee did carry the bucket around with him all night. You and I have the same problems understanding the fashion of today. However, I think we should try it for ourselves, so tomorrow, let’s both go to work without our pants around our ankles. ROBERTO AND STEPHANIE appreciate the kind words as do Heidi and I. Cheers Mate.
SHIRLEY CALES………………I am not quite sure how to react to the image of you sitting in your living room watching me steal the show from the Olson twins in the 1995 movie. It’s quite disturbing actually. I was so young back then and it feels like a thousand years ago. However, thank you for spending your valuable money on this movie and personally, following my performance I should have seen an Oscar by my bedside. Watch out Hannah Montana…..you are next. Thanks and Heidi sends her kind regards back to you.
KATHY KROLL……………….They do tend to multiply mid cruise. Is Vegas popular with spring breakers? Hope all is well with you and Paul.
CRUISING SUE………………The parking lot in the Port of Miami has both an open and a covered area. I am not sure but I expect there is a special area for motor bikes. I will check for you. I can tell you that it is quite expensive. Let me get back to you soon and if any other bloggers has any information, please let Sue know. Cheers.
LINDA THE MOUSE………….I just wanted to say Thank You So Very Much for your beautiful Easter Gift and card. Receiving this, brightened our Saturday. You are our favorite mouse.
PEANUTS………………………I hope the snow has all melted and I was also glad that the principles you were given as a child were taught to your daughter. Judging by some of the things I have seen over the years, both here and at home in the U.K., that is not the case. Thanks for the kind words and for being such a great friend.
PETER AND SHANNAN…….Welcome back and how fun to read that your first cruise was won by your husband in a magazine competition. I am glad you enjoyed all the ports and the crew and I know your Pastor will also have a wonderful time here. Please stay in touch via the blog and hopefully it will feel like you are still on board. Cheers.
BIG MIKE……………………..Thanks for having my back, this is one week were I wish my Chief of Security was with me. They are not threatening really, it would just be a good excuse to have you here. Cheers mate.
MAYLA…………………………I was sorry to hear about your adventure with Mr. Bell. I was just wondering, do you still have a patch over your eye? Can you blink? Anyway, thank you so much for thinking of me and any help you think you can give me would be very much appreciated. Thank you Mayla, I send you and your family all the best.
BRYAN…………………………Losing Dwyane Wade for the Heat is like me losing Heidi……it’s like Abbott without Costello or even worse, a pale George Hamilton. Have fun this spring break and enjoy some of the best times of your life.
MARK TWAIN AND A HALF……Just wanted to say a quick hello to you and your other half. Hope all is well.
KEVIN…………………………..Heidi wanted me to say Thank You for sending her the HEMA link thingy. It is indeed brilliant. By the way, menu you cooked the other night sounded delicious. Wish I was there with you.
TOM AND LYNN PICKETT………I don’t quite think I am a celebrity, however, whatever this thing is that I have here…….I proudly welcome you to it. I am not sure about my 2009 schedule outside of a huge bloggers cruise which will take place in February on board the Carnival Fantasy. She will be newly rejuvenated, completely re-designed and we already have over 400 of the most caring and fun people joining us. What do you think? Anyway, regardless, I am here for you both and I truly hope we get to sail with each other soon. Until then, please keep reading the blog thingy.
CRAIG…………………………..I totally understand seeing the things you want to see in Marmaris, especially Dalyan. If you decide to do this, just let me know ahead of time and I will make sure that we take care of it from here. However, I do suggest that you make sure you purchase a tourist Turkish visa before you sail. It sounds to me like the toughest part of this plan will be persuading your fiancée. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and if it is something you really want, then you should do it. Cheers.
DWA76………………………….I am glad I am still making you laugh after all this time. You have been here since the beginning and your support of the blog thingy means so much to me. May the laughter and friendship continue for a long time to come. Cheers.
MICHELLE……………………..I have added your names to the list and suggest just checking with your Legendary Journey rep to make sure they have done the same. We will be having two wine tastings on the trans-Atlantic crossing, which I know you will enjoy. All the best and see you very soon.
JIM AND MARY……………….And we wish you were here as well. Hope you are both having fun and it won’t be long before we see you here again. Best from us both.
BETH…….Congratulations on your first time post. I am so happy you have joined us and that you are enjoying the blog thingy as much as I do writing it. I hope the laughs continue and please let me know if you need anything at all.
I see that you are considering the Carnival Splendor this summer and if you are worried about being entertained, informed and being catered to every minute of the day………..don’t be…………you said you have ADD…….well, Carnival is the best medicine for that I promise. So, talk to dad and let me know if you have any questions. Hope to see you this summer. Cheers.
JANE………What wonderful memories for you and the family following your Panama cruise. I am sure the picture of that little girl will be one that stays in your mind for many years to come. Thanks for all the kind words and the beautiful posting. My best to you and the family.
JOHN H…………….Yep, the train ride is nice but your are correct to mention the air conditioning or the lack of it in Costa Rica. My Dad loves train and is President of the local “O Gauge” society……….he has a passion for American Locos especially the Big Boy and Challenger engines. He is often in his anorak building his models in his workshop. Sounds like you two would have a lot to talk about. Thanks for the information mate and hope all is well.
DAWN P……….Good idea………we have 800 kids next week and a few pirate stories may go down well. Thanks dawn and thanks for thinking of me. Cheers.
OK, my fingers are now pleading with me to stop……..in fact the right one has just packed a bag…….and transferred to the Carnival Triumph. I will answer more tomorrow I promise and as always a big thank you to you all for the comments.
I hope many of you blogger’s out there that are still deciding on whether or not to join us on the 2009 blogger’s cruise have found out about our special Funtennial offer.
-If you book before March 31st you’re entered to win one of 10 new digital cameras.
-Now in the second week of our anniversary celebration, we’re offering $300 in family savings.
-Find out more at www.carnival.com/funtennial
Hopefully everyone will be able to join us on next year’s bloggers cruise. With that said we’re hard at work planning the 2009 cruise. We should have some announcements soon. In the meantime, some of you have requested that we bring back some “old school” Carnival events. If you’d like to see one of these make a special appearance on the cruise, please submit your top choice. Stephanie will then tally up the top choices and set-up a poll for everyone to vote.
I want to make this cruise special……..more even than last time and I already have some brilliant ideas. However, I do want to do what you all want to do as well and remember…………..I will not be the full-time cruise director so we will have so many chances to have these events just for us.
Let me know what you want to do. Stephanie will post your ideas in a special area on the blog called Bloggers Events Ideas so that the other regular comments are separate and at the end of April I will sort through them all and we will decide which ideas and events we will do.
I know many of you can’t come and please don’t feel that you are not important to me and this blog if that is the case. I know how hard it is to plan a vacation and when we give you one specific week, one specific place that it needs to happen………well for many it is just not possible…………….I understand and although I wish I could see all of you there I know that is well……………just Fantasy 
For those of you are who are considering booking…………………..just do it……………..do it now and come and spend the best 5-day cruise on a rejuvenated ship with incomparable fun and caring people.
Yesterday (Monday) evening was I admit……….a little difficult. We were in San Juan and while 3,400 guests went off to enjoy their first taste of dry land in 2 and half days 178 guests came onboard to experience their first taste of the ship…………and some………..were not happy.
We had arranged a special “hassle free” check in system for them. They were met at the airport, their luggage collected and then once onboard we had arranged a special check in area in the Victoriana Theatre. This included a quick debrief from me and a welcome party with drinks and food and, of course, we then escorted them to their cabins.
While it is fair to be said that most were understanding and realized that the weather was not Carnival’s doing….there were some who felt that as they had booked their airfare through Carnival that the ship should have waited for them in Miami. I explained that if this had been the case that 3,400 guests would not have made it to San Juan and possibly St.Thomas …………again………..most understood except one family who were swearing and screaming at poor Margarita our Chief Purser……….she………..like the professional she is kept her cool and tried to help as best she could.
I looked at the lady who was doing the screaming and then at her husband and four young children aged I would guess from 1 year to maybe 6 or 7 years old………..traveling with kids is not easy at the best of times but with delays ……….an overnight spent at an airport and then another flight to San Juan ……….you could sympathize with her somewhat……………..so I did…………..I walked over to help………….bugger…………..that was the wrong thing to do ………..and I guess the sight this huge Cyclops with the ugly and twisted face bearing down on her turned her into Sinbad and now she was going to protect her family from this monster from a foreign land.
Eventually it was her husband who calmed her down and they left for dinner. I will call them again tonight after we sail and see if there is anything I can do to make them happy. I will do whatever I can for them as we will for all the people who missed the ship………….although……….for the young unhappy mother I would humbly suggest that this week her and her husband sleep in separate beds………4 kids is enough I think.
So far on this week of blogging I have been singing the praises of our reasonably well behaved Spring Breakers. Last night in San Juan was going to be the big test………….first time ashore……………cheap liquor …………Senor Frogs ……………well………here are the results.
We had three miss the ship……….they eventually returned in the wee small hours of the morning under the impression that the ship stayed until Midnight………..tonight…………Tuesday……………..I wonder what they are studying at college………..reading may be a good idea.
Anyway, they now have to pay for a flight to St.Thomas to join the ship today.
We have also received a few comments……….about a dozen………..from other guests about the noise being made when walking…….or staggering………..back to their cabins. I can understand how frustrating this is for guests who are asleep and therefore I have decided to make an announcement as we sail today asking for “consideration for your fellow guests” however…….unless I end it with “and if you do we will give you a case of Budweiser as a thank you” I am under no illusion that they will listen…………….but I have to try.
Again, I should point out that it is the few ……….not the many…………who are cause for concern and mostly everything is being done I good taste.
However, last night I had my own first real close up example of how annoying one or two of these young people can be.
The show last night was performed by the brilliant Marcus Anthony who I wrote about the last time we were in San Juan. So, there he was on stage singing his heart out to 1,000 people and all was going well. Unfortunately the front row was taken up by Beavis and Butthead and the rest of the class of Tequila College. They had been singing and “woo hooing” the entire show and up until the finale had been OK.
Then however as Marcus began his Marvin Gaye medley, the fun began. Beavis decided that all the world was a stage and that he and he should be on it. He tried to walk up the steps to the stage but considering he had just drunk the equivalent weight of Rosanne Barr in tequila shots that was a big a challenge as it would be for me to make the front cover of GQ magazine.
Behind him, also trying to stagger up on stage was a very Drunk Barbie who looked upon the 4 stairs that led up to the stage as Mount Everest………… gave up…………….and sat ………….. on the floor. She was blonde……..and quite pretty……….however as she sat slumped on the floor that prettiness had been replaced by someone whose hair looked like they had just rented a moped ………her make up looked like she had just watched Sleepless In Seattle, Notting Hill and My Best Friend’s Wedding back to back as it had run all over her face and worst of all she looked like at any minute she may decorate the already colorful Victoriana Lounge with a further coat of orange…………pretty she may have been sober…………..drunk………..well I have seen prettier gangrenous sores.
Marcus carried on singing about hearing something on the grapevine and as he put his soul into the great man’s song, as he threw back his head and showed us all the voice he had been blessed with, as he moved his hips to the rhythm of this Motown anthem……..there beside him……..was a short rotund 20 year old……..swaying from side to side………..mouth wide open ……..the only thought in his mind was…………..he was God…………….he beloved that the people wanted to see him and that the people were applauding and cheering not for Marcus and his inspirational renditions of Marvin’s classical hits but for him…………………and inspired by their cheers and applause he now decided to turn around and wiggle his bottom…….which in his mind probably reduced the audience to a sexual frenzy when I could see from backstage that some were getting frustrated.
Marcus was now singing the last part of the medley which was a song called “Let’s Get It On “…………Marcus sang this with such passion and panache that the audience turned their entire attention back to him and for a moment Beavis was forgotten.
As Marcus finished the band carried on playing his ” leaving music ” which was the “Let’s Get It On ” reprieve…………the audience stood as one………….except Drunk Barbie whose bottom remained glued to the floor…………Marcus came back for another bow and the audience heightened their applause………….what a superstar he is.
Usually, at this point I will stay and have a three-minute bit with the audience but not wanting to share the stage with the a stud muffin like Beavis I signaled the band to carry on “vamping”……….playing quietly……….the Let’s Get It On Music……….as I told everyone about the deck party etc…………..as I did so………….Wild Thing next to me…………kept dancing.
I explained to the audience that Carnival had asked Beavis to come on stage to show the world how dangerous it is when Cousins marry each other…………..he was unperturbed as the audience howled with laughter………….I realized it was time to say goodnight………..provoking him further was pointless……………as I started to say goodnight though he decided to go for his big finale……….trying to grab my microphone he bent his beach ball sized head towards the microphone and in a voice that must have had Marvin Gaye asking God for a pair of ear plugs he sang……………” Lettssssssssss geetttttttttt it oooooooonnnnnn ”
I looked at him………………and I couldn’t hold back any longer……………I said “Mate……..I have a feeling if you ‘get it on tonight’…….you will be alone”
The audience stood and cheered for the second time
I pushed him in front of the curtain
We closed the curtain
The show was over
And as far as I know
Drunk Barbie is still there…………… sitting on the floor
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.
ATTENTION, PLEASE…
My name is Lance Gunberg and I am employed as a professional graphic designer for a corporation (not Carnival) as well as having my own freelance design business (Gunberg Graphic Designs). I had designed a special shirt for our blogger’s group to wear on the upcoming NOLABC II in 2009. Our group being that of “Big ED” and his crew of Evil Bloggers. I have done numerous designs for our group to celebrate the very first John Heald’s Bloggers Cruise. We had a blast and the shirts were well received by John and Heidi. Since then I have been busy designing other items for our group to wear on the upcoming New Orleans cruise. These designs were created for the sole purpose of fun and to celebrate inside jokes that would be recognizable to other bloggers, as well as for the enjoyment and entertainment of John & Heidi. Well, I recently designed a shirt for our group that was based on a remark that John made concerning RCC and their rock climbing wall. The term “Climb This!” struck me as a great idea for a shirt. The design was then sent (with the BEST of intentions) by one of our members to John (privately) to cheer him up. John knows my work and upon seeing it was taken by the design and decided to write about it in his blog. I was very touched by that. Unfortunately, since that posting I have been getting emails from some of our crew that my design (which is registered under my business name) has been stolen. It has been uploaded to a website that produces retail products with your design on it, for profit. One of the bloggers took it upon themselves to upload MY artwork to this site and offer it for sale. Be aware that for each sale from this website, this individual receives a commission. Now I understand that some people just accept the idea that whatever is posted online MUST be in the public domain. Not so. This shirt is not only MY property, it is the property of all of our crew. It is a proprietary design. John was kind enough to feature it because he was excited about it. One other aspect that I would like to make perfectly clear is this: I cannot sell, nor accept any remuneration for this design as it contains a REGISTERED TRADEMARK. The Carnival “Funnel” as well as the LOGO and registered PANTONE colors of BLUE and RED are covered under numerous U.S. and International laws. Anyone violating those laws is subject to the punishments described therein. Myself included. The fines are severe. Intellectual property is just that, property. It belongs to someone. If you use that property for personal gain, it is commonly referred to as theft.
I would suggest that if you liked the design, send me an email and let me know. You can contact me at: lancegunberg@verizon.net
I will be more than happy to respond.
I will not accept that this design, which started out as an inside joke for Big Ed’s Evil Blogger’s Crew (yes, we have our OWN registered logo!) would be exploited in such a fashion. It may very well be that this individual was unaware of the repercussions of doing such a thing. I will give them the benefit of the doubt. We all make mistakes.
I sincerely hope that all involved will understand the reasons behind this.
It is wrong.
This blog is an open forum. Let’s keep it open and honest.
Sincerely,
Lance Gunberg.
PS… you should SEE the BACK of the shirt!
Thanks for the info John.
Hopefully we will have responsible parents on board for those 1000 little ones.
Getting really excited now, it’s almost here.
Again sorry we will miss you !
Good Morning John,
Sure sounds like you are having fun with the “Spring Break” crowd. You have to admit, even a little, that they are fun to watch. I bet “Barbie” woke up with her head feeling like Ken was doing a Samba, Mambo and Tango routine on it and I’m sure Mr. Super Star feels the same way. Ahh to be young again………..NOT.
Your guests who missed their flights and joined the ship late I can sympathize with but that’s why Jack and I always arrive in the home port city a day early! I don’t think Carnival charges that much for a deviation and its well worth not having the stress of missing the ship. Of course, I don’t want to miss one second of our cruise! The earlier the better plus you can not trust Michigan weather especially in the winter. If you don’t like the weather in Michigan wait a minute and it will change.
The young couple you posted about are awesome. To have an accident happen like that and still be so full of excitement and love of life has to be a lesson for all. My Grandmother use to tell me that there is always a silver lining to any adversity and I certainly believe her. Hope the face excercises work for you and you feel like your self again instead of Conan the Barbarian!;D
You take care
Joan
Thanks for the info John ! Let’s hope we have responsible parents along with those 1000 kids.
On one of our cruises, I’d left my husband in the casino to go back to the cabin–at was about 130am—anyhow when I got on the elevator, there were 2 boys maybe 11 and 9 there all by themselves. No way would I have let my kids roam by themselves at that age.
Again, sorry we will miss you !
John,
I only have a moment as I need to dash off to a client but I wanted to tell you that your sense of humour is entirely intact!!
Here’s hoping that the facial exercise work for you and God bless Allen and Melissa!!
Ciao!
GregB
LOL! Spring breakers sure keep it interesting! When I went on my first cruise it was during spring break. We had a blast. The spring breakers kept us laughing the whole time. We were all that age and carefree once.
I hope the facial exercises help! Mr. Bell will take his leave soon. Just relax and let your body heal.
Hi John & Heidi,
Oh yes, it is definitely Spring Break. My condolences.
What a great story about Allen and Melissa. I wish them well for years and years and years. So how about the facial exercises? Did they help?
Stop making me feel bad because I can’t make next year’s Blogger’s Cruise. We’ll keep trying until we get it right – time of the year, location, ship, etc. One day it will happen.
Bye for now, and leave Mr. Bell in St. Thomas,
Hugs,
Carol
Leave
John,
I wish I could put into words, the full range of emotions I experienced with today’s blog. It is very moving that people like Melissa and Allen are willing to be there for you. You have touched sooooo many lives over the years and so many of us just wish we could do something to help. I know you are in EVERYONE’S prayers.
My wife and I will be on the Freedom this Saturday and can’t wait! I’m sure we will be experiencing the surge of the breakers as well. I laughed hysterically at how you handled the “situation” during the Motown show. Dignity, class, humor….You are the man!!!!!
On the subject of the Olsen twins. I, too enjoyed the video. You did indeed steal the show during your five seconds. I was impressed that you had a line in it and was listed in the credits at the end. Also, wanted to let you know my 5 year-old twin girls absolutely love this video. They have almost worn it out in a week. I’m not sure if it’s because they think it’s them in the movie or because of your scene stealing performance. I like to think it is the latter!!
See you Saturday!
Mike and Michelle
John, Greatly enjoyed last week’s Western Caribbean Cruise on the Freedom. A couple of comments: Pianist Przemyslaw – fantastic, wish I had found him earlier. The Big Band show in the Habana Lounge was not adequately promoted in Carnival Capers. Only two of us were present for most of their 5:00PM performance. Also “Big Band”, you think “Dancing”. The dance floor in that lounge is not big enough for such an activity, but with only two in the audience – moot point. Much of the audio I felt was too loud. I enjoyed it all anyway.
John, had to comment on the Marcus Anthony / Spring Break “moment.” While I’ve never had that extreme of a situation I have (rarely) dealt with Beavis and Butthead. It’s something that every performer must be prepared to deal with at one time or another, sounds as if Marcus dealt with it professionally. Was wondering what was the most extreme story of this type you could remember in your years of experience. Hope Mr. Bell leaves your domain soon!
Why Mr. Heald, was that a little sarcasm in your reply to me? LOL! I guess I came off as a bit of a broken record!
However, my evil plan has worked! I’ve now instilled a Pavlovian response in your mind. You see the word “divetrash” and you automatically think “piano bar”. Which in turn causes you to mention “piano bar”, regardless of whether or not what I have posted has anything to do with it (and at least twice, that has happened!). Which means that your whole blog reading audience, hears the words “piano bar” and when they are on their next Carnival Cruise suddenly they will think to themselves “Hey, there is a piano bar here, let’s check it out!” See how that works? Publicity for those entertainers I am so fond of!
(evil laugh) MWAHAHAHAHAHAH
Now the next step is to embed the suggestion for you and all the other Cruise Directors to occasionally include a mention of the piano bar in your announcements. And then have a feature on them running on the Funship TV! And then, WORLD DOMINATION!
But seriously, thank you for thinking of me! I hope you survive the rest of these Spring Breakers relatively unscathed.
Alas, seeing you soon will be in February for the Bloggers Cruise!
All the best to you, Heidi, Roberto and Stephanie.
Cheers mate,
Laura (aka Princess Laura, the sweet and innocent of the Evil Krewe)
That is too funny about beavis and barbie!!! That would have been a site to see!!! I don’t know how you keep your cool with people acting that way!! Keep up the good work John and I hope to cruise with you again soon!!
John,
I think I would end up as part of the “threat”. I could start my own “Evil Crew”, aha Big Ed. I’m wearing my “Carnival Freedom 2007 Mediterranean Inaugural Season” t-shirt proudly right now, so I’m there in spirit.
_BigMike
Chief of Security,
John Heald’s Secret Service
I’m going on the Glory in September for my mom’s 60th birthday. So, I was just wondering who the CD might be. By any chance is Ryan British? I just love your accents!! I can listen to them talk all day long. Hope you get better soon!!
John, we have been reading for a while, but this is our first post! We are counting down til April 13th when we board the Pride! This will be our third cruise and we can’t wait! Piano Bar here we come! Sorry to hear about all the spring breakers, they should be all partied out by time we get on board! LOL! Thanks for keeping us laughing and getting excited for our cruise! Hopefully Mr. Bells will start his slow decline soon!
Frank and Christy
Hope that Mr. Bell goes back to Paris and that you get well soon. I have been lurking around the blog for a while now hand have really enjoyed it. Had to laugh at the guest that was worried about the spring breakers. Our first cruise was on the Jubilee 1/96 with about 450 collage students on winter break and we encountered no problems at all. As a mater of fact the trips to the pool were quite enjoyable. We are booked on the Splendor 1/10/2009. It’s probably too early but by chance do you know if you will be the CD? Take care and all or best to Heidi.
John, please reply.
About the Bloggers cruise:
I’ve been holding off booking it because I’m still waiting to see if we are really doing the house renovation project. That affects which day I fly in and which days I need a hotel for. Any info on that?
Also, could you please resume naming which blog’s comments you are answering? Sometimes your answers to other people only make sense when I can go back and read their original question.
*****
Boy, what a coincidence that you met someone who was injured in a bike/car collision. On Sunday, not too far from where I live, 2 cyclists were killed when a Sheriff’s Deputy car crossed to the wrong side of the road. We still don’t know how it happened, but it’s shaken up pretty much the whole Bay Area.
I don’t think you should feel guilty that Allen Young took a little time to try to help you out. You would do the same.
I hope those facial exercises work for you. Frankly, in my totally uninformed opinion, I think they have a better chance of working than acupuncture, so I hope you will give ‘em a really good try.
Excellent story about the “added entertainment” at the Marcus show! You paint such a vivid picture it’s like I saw it myself, and I can’t decide if I’m delighted or disgusted.
Oh well, everytime I find myself tempted to pass judgement on today’s kids, I remember how when I was a teenager the grown-ups would complain about our bell-bottoms and how with our long hair they couldn’t tell the boys from the girls. I’m pretty sure that a lot of that outrageousness is intended specifically to provoke us old fogeys. I guess all I can say is, “Hang tough, my dawg” (spelled correctly).
Greetings John…
Glad to see you handled Beavis….Buttwateva…& Boobies….. Ooooops…..Barbie with class & humor. I can just picture Mr. Buttlookatmeshakinmywildthing & you tryin to keep a straight face…(no pun intended)…
My wife & I were touched when reading about Melissa & Allen…. Goes to show you how so many complain for nothing….& those who have something to complain about… well…. D’ont…instead take vacation time to help others.
Melissa should be proud to have married a great guy as Allen….
Before i forget…. I agree with you that “Outland” was a great Connery movie…
I’m trying to convince the wife on booking the Feb. 2009 BC…… gotta go real s l o w l y…. Wouldn’t want to walk around with a ball & chain around my ankle…
Hope Mr Bell walks the plank very soon John….
Too bad we will miss you & Marcus on the 29th…..
Cheers to you & Mrs H
Richard
John…
Forgot…..tell Ron to save us two seats at the piano bar……
Thanks….cheers John
Good afternoon Mr. Heald. I just felt so glad with your story about Allen and Melisa Young. You wonder how life gives a person such a serious result but they in turn bring out a highly positive ending. These two young people seem to show what is really good in our world today. Remember to keep doing your exercises. Hopefully it help Mr. Bell disappear a lot quicker. It’s unbelievable that a couple could cruise 42 times and 37 times they have met you and all I want is to meet you at least once in my life. Life is not fair.LOL. The story about those two drunken fools in the lounge confused me a little. Aren’t there individuals to take them out when they act like that.? I remember when we on our cruise, one drunken jerk tried to start a fight with a man just sitting there watching the show and he was quickly shown the opening of the lounge by men that weren’t his friends. I received a fantastic compliment the other day about an article that I wrote in my blog. They told me that I sounded like you. I’m so very proud that much of your writing that I read is now comming off. You’re much more comical than I, but it’s so nice to even have your name mentioned with mine. Mr. Heald maybe someday I will have that chance to shake your hand and meet the man that has helped me write my blog. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Ah yes, spring break cruises, make me wish I was 25 again. If I had to do it all over again it would be with a little less booze. I think some of your party goers will have the same idea next week. They will know they had a hell of a good time. The Sail & Sign told them that, now if they could just remember where they were for a week.
Last year at spring break we took two of our grandkids on the Fantasy and had a great time in Costa Maya. We are booked again for the Bloggers 2009 cruise. Any chance that the Costa Maya port will be open again by then and that the Fantasy will return there?
I hope you and Mr Bell part ways soon. Glad to see to are keeping your humor (my spell check say correct) about the whole affair.
Hey John just a quick word the story of beavis and drunk barbie was hilarious
thanks for the laugh!
Hello John and Heidi,
This is Sean and Melissa from Massachusetts. We would love to be in St Tomas with you guys, it sounds much better than our cold weather here. Both of us enjoyed our cruise on the Carnival Freedom very much. It was nice to bring some romance back into our life! This is a great website and we our definite fans, with or without the Mr. Bells! We both look forward to our next cruise with you both. Thank you for a super vacation!
Wishing you the best and a quick recovery from Mr. Bells.
Sean and Melissa
John:
I have a question and possibly a suggestion…..First of all sorry to hear you are still plagued by “the ding-dong” aka Mr. Bell. What a miserable situation. Of course that is accompanied by all the other ding-dongs….drunkin Barbie…Mr ” American Idol” up on stage…naked Germans and people who seem to think that in order to balance the ethnic balance on a ship you should physically drag African Americans on board. Not to mention the PETA types……Good Lord deliver me. This is why I cruise at times when kids are in school…or should be. I told my friend “virginal Kara” (first time cruiser) that being on a cruise ship was like being at sea with the United Nations…..except more drinking and less arguing! I also told her in an educational sort of way that on a cruise ship you have NO politics or religion. Accept people for who they are and what they are. Anyway I digress……first my question….How far in advance are the shipboard activities planned? As in…gatherings…bingo…port talks etc. Now that being asked….Is it possible to sent out to each person on a new sailing a list of embarkation days activities?? When I was on the Elation this past spring (15 day Panama Canal trip) We missed a couple things we would have liked to attend. Granted it was our own drinkin..dancin..eatin fault. We didnt get to our room till later. Now in my drunkin stupor they might have handed us a first day copy of the Carnival Caper as we boarded but honestly I dont remember……Chemo Brain….I hope and not old age!! If they do give out copies of the Caper disregard all this blather….Otherwise consider sending a copy with travel documents so we can “pace ourselves” and plan. I assume the embarkation party is on the Lido deck. I know this sounds rediculous but we are down to about 6 months before “Freedom”. I just hope I can keep Kara grounded……She has NEVER done anything like this before and is SOOOOO excited. You will be able to recognize the “two old broads” Me walking on board holding a string attached to Kara who will be flying like a balloon. She wants a tour of the ships medical area. We are both Nurses and she wants a look see. I will talk to Purser on board to see if I can arrange that for her if it is possible.
Take care and listen to the Dr.
Georgina and Kara
Oh John – you are k.i.l.l.i.n.g. me! Barbie and Beavis!
I hope Mr. Bells will be gone soon and the facial exercises help. Just do them regularly!
25 days until Valor. Yipeeeee!
Take care and say hello to Heidi!
Dear Mr. Heald,
RE: earlier mentioned plan for WORLD DOMINATION
Please see above comments from “Frank and Christy Clark” and “rickakaseanconnerylookalike”.
MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Told you so!
Laura (aka Princess Laura, the sweet, innocent, yet strangely sinister of the Evil Krewe)
Hi John/Heidi:
And that is why its great that Spring Break only comes once a year. It really chaps me since we see pictures of these kids partying it up in our newspaper on spring break when there are so many other important things going on in this world. I understand vacation is important but to get absolutely blasted for no reason cuz its spring break is friggin ridiculous.
Sorry…didn’t mean to go on a rant there. I’m just fed up.
I am sorry that you had to deal with these people as well, but you’re used to it.
Keep your head up and i hope the facial exercises work out well for you.
Great blog today. Thanks again!
David
Hi John,
I am looking forward to seeing you on July 13th….
George & I will be on the Splendor. Hopefully this time we can say hello.
Can’t wait.
Marge & George
Kerhonkson, New York
Dear John
Took some time off work to spend it with you and the blogger’s by catching up on some of your blogs. That 20 day infection that I had before the blogger’s cruise, ignited when I got back home and now it has been another 25 days or so..Looks like this time I have an antibiotic that is working so I finally have the desire to read for pleasure rather than just cruising thru time with the life maintenance issues being the only priority to survive! You have been on the same page and same fight, I know. Been praying for you to heal. Just knowing that Susan has been fighting the good fight with good humor, and that Mellisa and Allen, and lots of other blogger’s and guests have room to laugh makes me have some modicum of grace to move forward through all of this. Long story short and way too much information, I truly love to hear from you about your days and your outlook on them. Healing comes in all forms. I am glad Melissa and Allen sent some your way. Look forward to your posting a photo of them. they are virtually neighbors as they live just 15 minutes from Dacula Georgia. Dan, Jeff and I wish you all on the Freedom a good week. Jeff is wishing he were among the spring breakers wreaking havoc on the ship! Dana nd I are learning Spanish so we can give mucho huggos to Nanni and Eugene in Spanish!
Yours,
Kathie (Kap)
I would LOVE to see a list of the karaoke hosts!!
I have cruised with some great ones…Melvin H.(Imagination) being the very best…Kyle (Victory 07) and Adam (Miracle 06) coming in a close second.
Actually Kyle was the Disco DJ that was just filling in on our cruise. The regular host had a family emergency and had to leave before we arrived.
He was soooo funny. And yes, anyone who goes to karaoke knows that “Spring Break” brings out the Brittney Spears and Garth Brooks in everyone.
We are also booked on the Bloggers 09 cruise and looking forward to a great time with Laura in the piano bar!!!
Linda
(aka Lady In Waiting Linda, the Domestically Challenged of the Evil Krewe)
divetrash……. aka…….laura…*wink
You see……. you are not alone….
I wonder if John can have the onboard carpenters install backs on our stools….. or maybe put weights in my pockets… Just a thought…..
Cheers…..Richard
Montreal
Hi John,
Thank you for the kind words.
I in fact never had an eye patch! I actually had a weight put in my eye lid to help me close the eye. It worked but.. it was not a fun surgery.
I went to see a facial therapist and she has given me exercises and messages to do. I had practice smiling, blow through a straw and anything to try and keep my face symmetrical. You may also want to see one of the message therapist on the ship because facial messages are a great help.
Good luck I will be keeping up with your progress on the blog.
Take care and my best to Heidi.
John this is for divetrah—love Ron and the piano bar is also our favorite place to hang out.
John
I live in a “university town” with 50,000 students. This week, I’ve gone to all my favorite pizza joints and coffee shops near campus because it is spring break week and the students are gone. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the vibrancy the university and students bring to our community, but I gotta say bless you for taking over the babysitting for a week. Its been a nice break.
Hola John!!
Palsy didnt like SJ? I was hoping he would stay
We miss seeing you a lot!! More thinking that this was going to be the last time that you were going to be in SJ and that we dont know when we are going to see you again( We are still praying for a miracle to go on the Fantasy) That night my nephews and their girlfriends wanted to go to Old San Juan to see the other ship that leave earlier sail. We were 9 people and we walked up to the very end of el Paseo La Princesa just below El Morro and we stayed there until the other 2 ships sailed. It was beautiful because they get very close, and at night with the lighted walls and the moon.After that we walked up to the Freedom and everybody started asking about you and the ship.We told them everything about our visit and the “perfect ship”AGAIN!
We will see you again friend someday, take care !!
Nanni
DIVETRASH…er, Princess Laura: Be careful what you wish for or you may find yourself standing just outside the door to the piano bar if you keep “advertising” it so inticingly. Ever seen a S.R.O. piano bar?
John: Great Beavis and Barbie story. Hilarious!
And I hope you’re trying the exercises Melissa’s Allen recommended. They sound like a really happy, truly in love couple. Looking forward to seeing pictures of them so don’t forget to post them.
You sound better…as if you’re beginning to get used to Mr. Bells, or at least have reached a truce. Hope he gets bored now that you’re not so upset with him as that should surely send him on his way.
Sending good thoughts to you and Heidi,
Myra
I wish I could have been there to see you put Beavis in his place. I am sure it was done with grace and humor.
Beavis is lucky it was you he was dealing with and not the on-board security folks.
To Georgina Fair and Kara,
I just had to say I loved reading your comment! I’ll bet John wishes every sailing was full of nothing but people like you.
Yes, you can get a copy of Carnival Capers before you go to your cabin. As you board the ship, the Purser’s desk will be on your right and you can get one there. Also, be sure to get a deck plan. This will help a little bit in finding your way around.
John,
Just commented under my name, went to the previous blog, “The Language of Fashion”, to see if my comment there had been posted yet and saw this from Jessica:
“I’m sorry to disrupt the community. Fear not, I don’t intend on posting again.
- Jess”
I would like to apologize to Jessica if I was out of line with my comment yesterday about her putting Lance’s t-shirt design on cafepress.com. I knew her intentions were good, but I was concerned about the legalities from Carnival’s point of view and didn’t want her to have any problems as a result. Anyway, to Jessica…I hope you’ll accept my apology and change your mind about posting. I didn’t mean to sound judgemental.
Sincerely,
Myra Bushnell
John, Beavis and Barbie, guess she dumped boring old Ken – too bad!
What marvelous people Melissa and Allen are, surely they have had a lifetime of trouble all ready and will now sail effortlessly through the rest of their happy lives. And how nice of them to take the time to help you out, make it worth their time by doing those exercises.
I see a few bloggers still thinking of booking the Bloggers2 Cruise, come on over to Cruise Critic we have a great fun-loving group, still with a reduced deposit!! We’re the Bayou Bloggin’ Krewe!
Much success and good health to you, John, Heidi, Stephanie, Roberto and all the bloggers, too!
Diane from Texas
Hi John,
Wonderful story about Allen and Melissa. Such a lovely young couple, kind of restores one’s faith in humanity. Just wanted to wish you the best of luck with the accupuncture and the exercises.
I have to say that my heart is with Heidi, as clothes shopping is 2nd only to cruising as “things i would rather be doing.” Take care and may many more Allen and Melissa’s cross your path than Beavis and Barbies!
John,
Do you think that Spring Break will be over for the sailing on April 5? That’s our Spring Break here and my friend Letha and I will be sailing on the Freedom. We are two very tired high school teachers from Tampa, and boy, do we need a vacation! Letha and I have been sailing Carnival since our first trip in 1986 on the Holiday. We can’t wait to be on board once again (this will be my 24th Carnival cruise). We’re both sorry that we won’t sail with you again (you were our CD on the Victory and on the Liberty) but we’re looking forward to meeting Todd.
Oh, ask Heidi where to shop in St. Thomas. Letha and I have our credit cards ready!!
I hope those facial exercises help you out and that you can continue to get some rest. My dog Sadie rests all day–maybe you should stay in the doghouse for a while…just a thought.
Take care,
Kathy
Myra!
Yes, I have, but on land mainly. But, I’m okay with that. I just want them to have the audience they deserve and since most of them feed off the energy of the crowd, the more the merrier I say!
Besides, there are benefits to being good to the piano men!
Cheers,
Laura (aka Princess Laura, the sweet and innocent of the Evil Krewe!)
BTW I felt pretty good and proud talking about the Senior cruise director of the Carnival Freedom my friend.
First off !
Did you do your facial exercises yet…I’m waiting…ok!
In answer to your question, it seems Vegas is just busy all the time now! Conventions, NASCAR, Rodeo’s, Award Shows etc. I like the “good ole days” with Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal whom I worked for via Bare Touch of Vegas.
As for the two drunks, did anybody video tape them? If so, play it on your morning show, that should end that quickly and anybody else thinking about it!
Kathy and Paul
Hi John, Thanks for the kind words about my husband….. and thank you for the pic of Sergey…..My daughter cant believe how much he looks like her Dad…. In my post you must have misread it a bit….My husband passed away on February 9th in Iraq…..that is why seeing Sergey and how much he looked like my husband means so much to me…..So thanks for the kind words and I will be back on the Freedom just to see Sergry almost feels like it is my husband up there dancing. Is there anyway possible to email him or write him a letter? Just wanted him to know how much it meant to me.
Hey John. All I have to say is …I wish I was there.
Told you there was one in every bunch..oh, make that two.
Dear John & Heidi:
Again, thank you for a good laugh with Beavis & Barbie! I bet that was a real site to see!
Allen & Melissa’s story really touched my heart and I hope the exercises he showed you help you. I am sure it was a pleasure to meet such a wonderful couple with such a zest for life. I hope you do something special for them while they are on board with you!
I hope Heidi had a blast shopping! Maybe she brought you back something special.
Thanks again for another great blog entry!
Till Next Time!
Susan
Having raised two sets of twin girls, I can only sympathize with you!!! I still have shell shock!!!Have a good day dear friend. Kathleen
John,
So glad you told us the story of Allen & Melisa, and their inspirational story. The joy of meeting people like them thankfully counter balances the unpleasant encounters of the few small minded people who’s goal seems to be make everyone around them unhappy.
The “spring breakers” are an entirely different “breed”. LOL During my own career, at one point, for 5 years , I owned a bar that catered to the college crowd. There were PLENTY of times I’d slap myself on the head thinking… “this is our future?”
A few years back my own Kuki Jr. wore his pants with his waist band closer to his knees than his navel. Last weekend I attended his law school graduation dinner. — and all those drunk Barbies helped pay for his eductation
Somehow, some way, some day, the majority of them thankfully become more responsible…. in one way or another.
One idea for the Blogger’s cruise…. For our CruiseMates group we are planning a Pajama Party for the first night to kick off the cruise. I think it would be great fun to make it a ship wide event. With you of course leading the way in bright red bootie PJs with the back door…. it could begin with the Welcome Aboard Show… and then spread out on deck and through the ship.
Hey it’s only a 5 night cruise, we can’t take the first night off. LOL
Al Ernst tells me he’s going to be back onboard with you for a couple of days next week, during your last week. Wish I could be back to see you two together again before you head off to become a Princess. Maybe Susan, Elaine or Laura can loan you a tiara.
And I certainly hope the Bells disembark this week.
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
What a hoot!! The young people are really showing their talents – drinking their body weight in alcohol each day!! I have decided that I really don’t want to take a cruise in March or April to the Carribbean! April in the Med. was great!
I hope your facial exercises help in a hurry so Mr. Bells can leave you!
I will see you and Heidi in only 5 months!!
Melisa and Allen sound like wonderful, caring people. Life is to be embrassed and they are doing it. May God bless them as they bless the world just by being in it.
Sorry to hear about the drunks. I hope they are paying for it today.
CarolAnn
Hi John-
Thank you for responding to my post, I know how busy you must be aboard the ship (especially with all the spring breakers!). I was the one who posted about the dispruptive people on the Lido Deck last week on the Freedom. Please don’t take my post as a complaint b/c in 9 years of sailing with Carnival, there has not been a single thing I could complain about. I love sailing Carnival!
But I do want you to know the disruptive people were not actually teenagers, they were a huge group of adults that were on board for an event (I’m sure you would know which group if I told you more about the group). The group ranged in age from 25-60ish. All of the teens/smaller kids were VERY well behaved all week long, I don’t want to give them a bad rap.
Thanks again for a great week, next year when booking our trip we’ll have to check out where you are! You truly are wonderful. I thought the Morning Shows were so funny, your laugh is infectious. It always got my morning off to a great start!
Get well soon!!!
Tracey
Hi John;
Thanks for sharing your story about the young couple with the BP advice. I hope the myofacial exercises work for you. I am surprised they were not suggested during your initial diagnosis.
Also, thank you for the your thoughts on my Marmaris question. The more I look into it, the less feasable it sounds. Bus travel between Marmaris and Selchuk would get us there (Selchuk) at 1330. With the ship leaving at 1600, it pretty much makes the whole thing not worth it. Do you know if Carnival is planning on adding any aditional excursion options to their website prior to sailing? Also, would Carnival give any special rates on their excursions for large groups (25+)? Thanks for letting me know.
Here’s to drunk coeds and the endless amount of entertainment they provide. I live in a big university town so I get it all year. It was nice of you to not remove your dancing queen via a security detail.
Cheers
Craig
Craig
Hi John,
Great story about the Youngs. What an inspiration they are. My oldest brother lost his leg as a teenager in a motorcycle accident. He too, just keeps going. Always willing to help out others. He doesn’t see his loss of a limb as a disability, it’s an obstacle for him to work around. He says there are so many others in this world that have bigger problems than him. (Guess that’s why I love him so much) It sounds like that is the way Allen Young is too. What a wonderful young couple. I wish them a long a happy life together.
Marcus Anthony is such a wonderful entertainer. I admire his true proffessionalism in being able to keep going even with Beavis and Barbie as a side show act! Will Marcus be on the 2009 Bloggers Cruise???
John, don’t worry about this World Domination thing that Princess Laura has going on…. Princess Susan, Princess Elaine, Big Ed, Sir Lancelot and myself (Princess Barb… the one scrapping the doo-doo (from Laura) off her shoes) will keep her in line!!! LOL
Now… did you do your facial excercises yet? Try the facial massage too. Massage works wonders!
I hope Heidi had fun shopping! Give her my best!
Hello,John
Do you know when the Liberty will go to miami and the freedom will go to ft.luaderdale?
Frome , JAKE S. ( :
Hi John and Heidi,
Spring Break is on and you are involved in it !! Good luck !!!
What a great couple Melissa and Allen are !! For what he has been thru and to try and help you with MR. BP , that is very unselfish and giving !!! Cudos to Allen!!!!!!
Try to do something special for them, if you can !!!Hopfully everyone else be back on the ship before it leaves port !!!!
How many cruises do you have that involve SPRING BREAK ?
HAVE A GREAT DAY MATE,
TONY
Hey John!
Hope you are giving Mr. Bell hell! Take care!!
These crazy spring break kids! Seems like you and I are having similar brushes with youth. As you know I am in South Beach covering the Seatrade Convention — it’s absolutely crazy here. I get a kick out of hanging out with the “kids” they remind me how lucky I was to survive that time
Best,
Anita
Hi John,
As always, thank you for the great read, and even bigger laughs. Even as it is midnight here, missing even one day is not an option :>)
God bless Allen and Melissa, very special people!
Do your exercises, and hope you are free of Mr. Bell soon.
Love to you and Heidi,
Eva
John,
Glad to hear Heidi like that, I look forward to the time when I have the chance to prepare a meal for you and Heidi, maybe next February on the fanasty. Now wouldn’t that be a instering bloggers event. We would have to limit it to say 2000 because thats about all i can handle on vacation at a time. Then again being a chef myself I know we never really like others in our kitchens, unless of course we can put something together, maybe a little charity dinner for the charity of the bloggers choice? We have time but let me kow I’m willing and game just have to figure out how to get my knifes on the ship. Best to Heidi
Please send a big big big thank you to all the spring breakers over the next few weeks for drinking so much beer that my budweiser stocks have been rising.
Kevin
Hi John and Hedi,
As I hunt and peck one handed like you do, I just want to warn people…I may be held together with duct tape and nuts and bolts (thanks for the screwdriver BIG ED) nobody better bother my Lance!!!! Cuz I bite, just ask Laura!!!
Looking for a Hedi blog.
Princess Susan…the one who rattles now
John;
Thanks for sharing your stories with a wonderful sense of humor, despite your unwanted and uninvited guest Mr. Bell. I am praying for your quick recovery.
We are on Freedom May 10 to the Mediterranean. Will you be our CD? I’ve met a group of people on the message boards who will also be on this cruise. Can we set up a ‘meet and mingle’ time and place? Somebody suggested I leave a message on your blog.
Thanks,
Dale Edwards
Spring Break! Ahh… the rites of becoming an adult. Too bad they do not act the way reasonable adults should. The good thing about it is that they are only there for one week and then they leave. The bad part about it is that if you have saved and saved for this trip and then you are bothered by them during the cruise, it is a bad experience. I am sure the ship security staff does the best it can in terms of monitoring these folks.
It will soon be over, John, and things will return to normal.
Hope you will be feeling better soon. Give my best to Heidi!
Ruth
Angela, I have sat down to write several times and just couldn’t even begin this post. Your loss is so great that I don’t think I can begin to express how sorry I am. I’m glad your cruise gave you some comfort and I hope you have plenty of freinds and family to help you through this terrible time. I know you will never really get over it, but I hope you can still find comfort in the love of your daughter and the other friends and family members who are left behind with you to mourn your terrible loss. We all owe a debt to your husband and all the other brave men and women who have fought for our freedom through the years. May God bless you and your family.
Angela,
I read your post also. It is impossible for me to know what you are going through right now. You do have your daughter and I hope you have a strong community of supporters surrounding you through this transition. Focus on the happy times you had with your husband. That will sustain you through these difficult days. Be aware that many people are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers.
Ruth
John, Allen and Melissa sound like amazing people. I was certainly inspired by their story and I am looking forward to their pictures in a later post. Still praying for your Mr. Bell to take a hike; and Susan to heal. Hello to Heidi, Roberto, Stephanie and all the Evil Crew! (Sorry about all your trouble Lance.)
Hugs to all.
Hi John:
I wish you a speedy recovery from your
‘pirate’ imitation affliction. The question I have is in reference to my last six blog additions which I have not seen. I’m wondering if inclusion is limited to those who were fortunate enough to be on the bloggers’ cruise or (and I certainly would understand) if it was due to your needing to rest up. ‘Unfortunately, most of them was prior to ‘Mr. B.’ Anyway, I thank you for a million laughs that you are giving us all. I look forward to possibly a book in the future?
John,
Just when you start to believe all of the things people are saying about the twenty-something generation, people like Allen and Melisa Young come along. What wonderful, giving people. May
they have a hundred happy, blessed years together.
Then, of course, there are the spring breakers. We just returned from Key West and they were in full force last weekend. I feel sorry for you, but I am sure their parents are glad the kids chose a relatively safe vacation with you as head babysitter.
That reminds me- until this year Key West had a “Spring Break Court”. They stopped this year because it was no longer needed. The non-felony law-breaking (allegedly) kids had a choice-they could either work for 8 hours cleaning up the streets and have their records expunged or they could go to trial. Over the years we have seen hundreds of kids picking up trash in bright orange jumpsuits. This could work for Carnival. I’m sure there are plenty of waste bins that need to be emptied…
Hi John,
First off, thank you and Heidi for the very nice gifts. I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you personally, however, I was lucky enough to speak with Heidi several times. We had a wonderful week and want to thank you for being “you”. There’s nobody better!!! OK, I’ve got a good one for you. Yep, this was the spring break (never again) cruise week and believe it or not we were with 6 other “adult” Kentucky friends that we met a year earlier on the Valor while sailing! (please don’t categorize all Kentuckians…although they all bleed blue, most do have manners) Anyway, one of our our sailing friends sent me this link that her boss saw (he is a real sports fan) and wanted to know if this was the ship she was on. This is priceless and I’m sure it will spread around nationally! I think the comments following are hilarious and hope you can appreciate them! We love you John and support you 100%!!!! Here’s the link. Go down to the “Kentucky Fans Storm a Cruise Ship” (too bad they couldn’t find a picture of a REAL cruise ship
http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/
Thanks again for a great week!!!
Patti
Can someone tell me how to know when you update the information on your website? I don’t want to have to remember to come back all the time. Someone said something about a feed? I don’t know what that is. Thank You