I smell………….I have been flying for 8 hours…..I just got home and boy do I need a shower……all I need to do is to act rude and coupled with the stench emanating from my body I could walk around the streets of Paris and blend in with no
problem at all.
Good Evening. It’s 6 pm here in the U.K. and Heidi and I are home safe after a long trip. You know, every time I think to myself, I will have nothing to write about, things happen and once again our journey home was eventful to say the least.
The Passenger Service Director, Martin, had organized a van for us to take us to Barbados International Airport and after the cases were loaded in and poor Troy, our driver, strained his back from the super human effort needed to do so, we began what we thought was our journey to the airport ………………….wrong.
After just one minute’s journey we stopped and were told by Troy that we had to unload all the cases and present ourselves through Barbados customs.
Troy stopped the van and said he would go and fetch the Customs Officer which was just a ploy not to lift the 3 baby elephants that were camouflaged as suitcases. So that was me lifting the suitcases out of the van in temperatures hot enough to have George Hamilton in his thong soaking up the sun. It was sweltering. Miraculously, Troy appeared as soon as the last elephant had touched the sidewalk and told us we had to take the suitcases to Barbados Customs and Excise’s central office. This sounded very official, however, it turned out to be one very rotund lady sitting on a stool…………which didn’t look happy that she was.
I dragged the suitcases over to the Officer and wished her a good afternoon…….she looked as happy as the stool was to have her three bottoms perched on it.
My wishes that she had a good afternoon were rewarded by her telling me to open all the suitcases……….I couldn’t believe this and when she said that I thought Heidi was going to cry………….not because we had anything to hide…………the only thing I was smuggling was 15 pairs of my unwashed underwear and had she been an Environmental Officer I may have been concerned.
The reason both Heidi and I were upset was that it had taken every one of my 280 pounds (the equivalent of one of the Custom’s Ladies Buttocks) sitting on the cases that had enabled it to close.
So, there I was in the terminal building with hundreds of cruise ship passengers walking around……….I was hot……….I had Heidi about to turn into the Exorcist…………and now Mrs. Four Bottoms was rummaging through my underwear…………it couldn’t get any worse…………….of course it could and did as you will see.
Anyway, after my new best friend was comfortable that I was smuggling any health foods into the country we were allowed to go but not before once again I had to give the three Samsonites a lap dance.
We were back in the van and Troy had the sense not to offer to help load the suitcases back into the van………his tip drastically reduced in size at the same time.
Off we went to the airport. I have not been to Barbados since the Millenium cruise on the Carnival Triumph and I had forgotten how beautiful it’s coast and beaches are. It is still considered THE place to vacation by the rich and yuppie Brits and at the 5 star hotels are full of people called Biff and Wendy all talking like they have plums in their mouth…………or Bells Palsy.
Anyway, I enjoyed seeing Barbados even though due to my suitcase adventures my arm pits were doing their Niagara Falls impression. We arrived at the airport and I was looking forward some air conditioning……..we had some in the cab and I needed that to continue in the airport……….it didn’t…………..why…………because every check in desk is outside…………yep………..outside………in 3000 degrees of oppressive heat………..I was sweating so much and smelt so bad Heidi started calling me Jean Pierre.
We presented ourselves through Immigration and then through airport security who when they asked me to take my shoes off and looked perplexed as thy tried to discover why the area suddenly smelt of molding Brie cheese.
We waited for the flight to be called and amazingly it was on time and as I walked up the 300 stairs to the aircraft (no causeway here of course) I thought maybe Murphy had gotten bored and had decided to crap on someone else………………wrong.
I should start by saying that we were lucky to fly Business Class or Upper Class as only a British airline would call themselves and I will mention now that the service was brilliant and that everyone of the Cabin Attendants could have been models…….even the men………….one of the men could in fact have been a male of a female model …………anyway, as I sat in my big leather chair and looked at the way it turned into a flat bed………looked at the big TV and the 300 channels of movies and games etc I started to relax a little…………..and then that big sod Murphy returned.
The Captain announced that we would be shortly taking off but before we did he needed to apologize that due to “bad quality water ” there would be no hot drink service and that there was also no running water in the bathrooms and we would have to wash our hands with liquid hand gels.
Bad quality water?????………….what did that mean….had a pair of my underwear fallen into the tank……..was the water from Mexico………..had one of my Parisian friends swam in it?
We would never know………….all I knew was that I would not be getting my cup of tea.
Working in the service industry you learn to just accept things like this and apart from one very snobby Brit who was giving one of the supermodels a bollocking about why this was unacceptable etc for the most part everyone was ok.
So we took off and both Heidi and I were lost in our own private thoughts about the amazing time we had on the Emerald Princess. The flight was good with very little turbulence and although I had a flat bed and took two Tylenol PM tablets sleep ignored me like girls ignore my mate Alan.
Anyway, I passed the time by watching a complete series of an HBO series called Entourage which is brilliantly written and acted. Heidi meanwhile was fast asleep and I envied her for that……….she can sleep anywhere, anytime.
I have one more thing to tell you about the journey home but first the news.
Let’s start with a worry I have. I know that the real reason for my blog thingy was to write about the ship and my experiences. For the next two months the blogs will be about cruise news, my life on land and upcoming visits to some of our brand new corporation ships as well as a visit to say goodbye to an old friend. I will also be writing about my experiences in Europe when from the 4th to the 19th of April I will be setting up the tours and ports for the Carnival Splendor………….my worry is that during this time………..will you all continue to read or will you switch over to another channel…………I hope not.
Now, I will as promised from the end of April start to answer every comment once again………..I truly know how important this is to all of you and indeed to me so please keep the comments coming ……….I read each and every one.
One more addition to my travel schedule. On April 27th I fly to Los Angeles to film a segment for the USA channel. This will be part of their “live your dream” programming where upon the channel helps people live their dream jobs……….some want to be Lion tamers or NASCAR Drivers or Heart Surgeons and some actually wanted to be …………Cruise Directors.
Carnival agreed to help with this and I will be filming with this winner onboard the Carnival Paradise. I will let you know when the program airs so you can all watch…………it’s a 14 hour journey by plane but from London to California but if that journey helps someone realize a life long ambition to be a CD then I will be happy to help and ask for nothing in return…………..except 1st class……limo and a suite at the hotel.
Anyway, I will of course take you all along for the ride as well.
Heidi and I were waiting for our taxi to come and pick us up this morning at Gatwick when we saw a small crowd of about a dozen or so people all gathered round a car…………we both thought that someone famous was about to step out of it but after a while I realized it wasn’t someone famous getting in or out of the car that had caused an ever growing crowd to gather………….it was the car itself…………a Rolls Royce Phantom…………..probably the most exclusive and now famous car………………..in the world.
There are few things that generate excitement like this however one thing that will without a doubt cause a crowd to gather………….is………..the sight of a Cunard Smokestack on the horizon heading into port.
Back in November I wrote about the naming ceremony of the Queen Victoria and just after that amazing experience she sailed on her 1st ever world cruise.
So, I thought it would be super to catch up with her adventures and to discover if indeed the crowds had been gathering to welcome her. ……….who better then to tell us all about her then the Master of the Queen Victoria.
1. Captain, I am sure you have had a wonderful journey which has led you to be the Master of the Queen Victoria. Please can you tell us about your life at sea.
My introduction to ships and the sea came very early in my early life was growing up in the great entrepot ports of Colombo and Singapore where my father had much to do with ships and some of the officers became family friends. Also traveling as a child with my family to and from was by sea. The liners of that period traveled between England and Australasia via ‘the East’. These great white liners represented to me the highest standards in seagoing professionalism and lifestyle. So anyway when the time came going to sea was almost predestined. Firstly as a cadet in a New Zealand shipping company from the age of 17 then, once I qualified as an deck officer, I joined my first liner, the SS Oronsay of the P&O Line, which was on voyages between Australia and Europe via North America with summer cruising seasons in both South Pacific and Europe. Since then I have remained with passenger cruise ships or liners ever since visiting almost every port to be seen on the itineraries of cruise ships and liners. Following promotion to captain I’ve had the privilege of command in nine vessels including all three Queens; Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Mary 2 and the new Queen Victoria. To widen my professional experience I did serve with British Royal Navy’s Reserve for some years, ‘grey funnel line’.
These years at sea have shown me many wonderful experiences. Places, people and of the natural world.
2. Can you tell us about the Queen Victoria’s journey so far on this magnificent cruise so far. Where has she sailed and what’s still to come.
Queen Victoria is on her maiden season and maiden world voyage so every port of call is a first and of course accompanied by welcome ceremonies. Since departing Southampton, England, her home port, she has crossed the Atlantic to New York then gone south to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal and up the west coast visiting Costa Rica and Mexico to complete the first segment of the voyage in Los Angeles. Next segment was across the Pacific via tropical island destinations to New Zealand and Australia were I took over from Captain Paul Wright for the second half.
This current segment of the voyage has taken us up to tropical Queensland and inside the Great Barrier Reef to Asia. We have recently visited Hong Kong, Singapore and several ports in Vietnam and Malaysia and ports around the coast of India and are now on route to Dubai. This time in Asia is in the season of the ‘North East Monsoon’ in which we enjoy the most marvelous weather of clear skies, light winds and slight seas for the weeks we are here and is one of my favourite sea routes for this reason to which is added exoticism of the East. The final segment of this ‘Pathways to the Explorers’ World Cruise (Cunard give a unique name to every World Voyage) will visit Oman, Egypt, transit the Suez Canal and then, via Mediterranean ports of call, return to Southampton on April 22nd for late spring.
3. How many guests are sailing for the entire voyage?
747 Guests are doing the whole world voyage. This is a high percentage and a number we have seen grow over the past five years in Cunard. Interestingly quite a number have chosen a world cruise for their first ever sea voyage, and love it. For them the expression “a civilized adventure” applies. However many others will recount to you the number of previous world voyages they have completed and go ashore with the confidence that belongs to travelers who know exactly what they want to do and where to go. “We always go for tea in the Taj when in Mumbai”
4. The sight of a Cunard smokestack causes emotion wherever it is seen. I understand that although welcomed warmly everywhere that she received a special welcome in Australia. What can you tell us about that moment?
The people of the City of Sydney, Australia, have a great affinity with their beautiful harbour and with these liners that visit once a year. They turn out in boats by the hundred and on the foreshores in their thousands and when it comes to an event such as this visit, a new Cunard liner in rendezvous with the Queen Elizabeth 2 on her final call, it makes for a spectacular event. These two liners passed in the harbour as if passing the baton of tradition in sea travel, one each side of a small island fort dwarfed by them both. Whistles were blown, one ship then the other, again and again and people waving celebrating the spectacle of it all. I should add that the famous ’smoke stacks’ or funnels also have whistles or horns that are both deeper and louder than normally fitted to ships for just this sort of event. The sound is so evocative of another era of travel and is thrilling to all who hear them.
5. You must be so proud to be Master of this amazing vessel. What is it about her that makes her so popular already even though she is but 5 months old?
She is a modern liner but very much in the tradition of the great liners of the past in the interior design of her public spaces which are magnificent, in our service style which we call our ‘White Star’ service, and the lifestyle which our guests can enjoy here. Really all the things that make this the other Cunard ships a choice. Legacy & tradition, grandeur and elegance, British ’signatures’ in all we do. And a sense of community, our passengers find themselves in like minded company or are repeaters and know many of our ship’s company or crew. Also these ‘legendary voyages’ such as we are on right now.
6. The Captain’s position on a Cunard ship requires a lot of social time with the guests. Do you enjoy this aspect and who are some of the more memorable people you have met?
The people aspect of Cunard liners is important as well as personally rewarding. Each day at sea I endeavor to walk round late morning and again late afternoon to see and hear how things are. Also in the crew and working areas, it is just as important to maintain that familiar contact.
Evening social events are approximately every second evening and are fully engaging social events in the company of fellow officers. On a voyage I will personally greet all the guests one or more times. The Captain’s Table is another feature on the formal nights, navigational duties permitting. Add this to all the management, planning, emergency exercises and navigation duties of a captain and you have a pretty busy life.
Over the last two years for example I have had the enjoyment of meeting Lenny Kravitz, Uma Thurman, Baroness Deech, British Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, to name a few.. presently onboard eminent scientist Lord Robert Winston, here as an enrichment lecturer, a most interesting and thought provoking speaker.
It is a job you must enjoy in order to do it, and fortunately this is so.
7. How if at all do you find time to relax while onboard……………..and………..I recently visited New Zealand and I have to say it was simply stunning. Can you tell us why new Zealand in your opinion is so popular now with tourists?
Relaxing on board… I actually have to exercise some discipline to ensure this otherwise there will always be more things to do. The essential thing is to get enough exercise and enough sleep to keep up the energy to do the job and be productive. Whilst I have a television, a new flat screen type, and I am sure there is a lot worth viewing, it is seldom more than something to fall asleep in front of. Click on the remote and suddenly I am out of it. Better just to read in bed after a busy day, and read something that is totally different from the world of work. I seldom see the evening entertainment. Now I know to the Entertainment Director that may seem unappreciative but I just have to rely on others to tell me how it is.
I try to get to the gym every other day, not too much excuse here, the gym is one deck up from the bridge. My wife announces quite firmly ‘today is a gym day’ often just as I am thinking of taking a break for lunch. So lunch is deferred.
As for the attractions of New Zealand; it is a young, clean and green country with a small population and a British/Maori heritage. It offers different things to different people. For some peace and uncrowded quiet connects them to a less complex or busy age. For others its the adventure sports. The scenery is a major feature for both. Mountains, volcanoes, wonderful rivers, fiords and sea coast. It is an excellent cruising destination with all the main cities set on the shores of beautiful harbours so those who visit by sea are in the centre of the scene. And there are the wilderness areas that can be seen best only by sea, the fiords and sounds of the South Island.
8. When I visited the vessel one of the areas that I thought was just spectacular was the Queens Room. Can you describe how the atmosphere is here on a formal evening and are there any other areas of the ship that are your favorites?
The Queens Room is about elegance and style and on a formal evening guests match this in their dress and the company of like minded people. There is a big band, a singer, various themed balls that fill the room with people. One couple the other day told me they choose to travel Cunard for the ballroom dancing.
Ten gentlemen hosts ensure single ladies have partners.
An area of the ship that is my favourite is the Cafe Carinthia. Comfortable and rich furnishings in the style of the a Cunarder early last century, subdued colours, intimate atmosphere, views of the sea between velvet curtains. To immerse yourself in this room is to be transported back in time, and of course good coffee and pastries amongst the offerings. I often call by on my morning walkabout on sea days. French style deckhead design also dates from this period.
9 . Working at sea myself I know that everyone misses home. Are there any particular things outside of your family that you miss or indeed miss doing during your time away?
Wonderful as sea life is what I most miss is the natural environment of forest and seashore away from people and man made things and sounds.
We find this environment in New Zealand and in the national parks that border harbours of my wife’s home city of Sydney Australia.
Very much enjoy sailing and messing around in boats, a different sort of sailoring. A simpler lifestyle.
10. OK, as is tradition here on the blog thingy, please can you fill in the blanks. The scenario is that you are hosting a Captain’s Table on the Queen Victoria and you get to choose your guests and menu.
The food should include all your own personal favorites as it is after all your table.
HERE WE GO
APPETIZER – Symphony of Seafood with Marinated Jumbo Shrimp, Salmon Tartare, Salmon Mousse with Caviar
SOUP – Tomato Soup with Fresh Basil.
FISH COURSE OR PASTA COURSE – Grilled Dover Sole with Chive Lemon Butter.
MAIN COURSE – Lamb with mint sauce, roast parsnip, pumpkin and peas. Also roast potatoes cooked in such a way as the outside is crispy,(My wife knows how to do this and may have to advise the chef).
DESERT – Bread and Butter: Pudding with Sultanas
TABLE GUESTS
SOMEONE FROM THE WORLD OF SPORT
Grant Dalton. International yachtsman from New Zealand. Met him way once back at the time Australia was defending the Americas Cup in Western Australia, I was on a cruise ship chartered by New Zealand interests.
He went on compete with success in the grueling Round the World Yacht Race known as the Whitbread then the Volvo Ocean Race and most recently managed the New Zealand challenger for the Americas Cup. In the grueling environment of ocean yacht racing the pressures of international match racing, both of which require the highest level of team building and team work, he is a man I would like to talk to and hear something of the drama that accompanies such fierce competitions. In the America’s Cup last year ‘Emirates Team New Zealand’ yacht lost the series to the Alighi in Barcelona by just one second. That must have been tough. A fellow sailor but, you could say, for the other end of the spectrum.
SOMEONE TO MAKE YOU LAUGH
Michael Pallin, English comedian, actor writer and traveller and television presenter. Like many of my generation Monty Python was a cult in its original years and I love revisiting some of those skits but Pallin is a great travel presenter and the humour he elicits is a delight. In the TV series, ‘Pole to Pole’, I think, an Egyptian camel driver, keen to ingratiate himself and win custom, tells Pallin that he is also called Michael and so is the camel. The scene is then set where the ‘three Michaels’ set off for the pyramids.
SOMEONE FROM THE CRUISE INDUSTRY
Bob Dickinson, recently retired and hopefully has time to relax and no doubt have a few anecdotes to tell. Also believe he is an expert on wine so I would pass the wine list his way to make the choice for my guests that complements the dinner.
SOMEONE TO ENGAGE YOU IN WONDERFUL CONVERSATION
Cunard ships’ engage wonderful guest lecturers and I often invite one of these to join the table. A recent one who would be great stimulus to dinner table conversation is Sir Harold Evans; journalist, writer and editor. Amongst his many achievements he was founding editor of Conde Naste Traveller and author of the history ‘American Century’. Notwithstanding his British origins he could very ably represent America in his views.
A FAMOUS ACTOR
Helen Mirren. Recently had the lead role in ‘The Queen’. A very appropriate person to have aboard a ship which has associations with royalty. However in an interview I read not long ago she presented as lively and somewhat controversial and this would further stimulate the table conversation
A BEAUTIFUL LADY
My wife. She is my companion on board full time these days and co-hosts the Captain’s Table. She mixes very well and is a wonderful asset in the all the social environments on board.
We sit at opposite ends of the table and she and I have a practice of changing seats prior to dessert to allow us to better engage all our guests in conversation.
Captain, thank you so very much for sharing in those brilliant moments of this now famous Ocean Liner’s life. I hope we can catch up with you again soon and I hope to maybe shake your hand personally when I hope to visit you in Southampton. Bon Voyage Captain and thank you on behalf of the thousands of daily readers of this humble blog thingy.
So, it’s time for a shower and to unpack but before I do all that I wanted to make sure I wrote to you all. Heidi is unpacking and opening all the windows as our house has not been lived in for two months.
One last thing then before I go. The flight home was good and as we landed I felt sure that we had left Murphy in Barbados……………wrong.
There we stood……….watching the carousel finally stop………and yes……….you have guessed it….one of our suitcases is missing and guess whose it is……….yep………….mine….you couldn’t make stuff like this up.
So, me and about 20 other passengers walked to the service desk where we were told that unfortunately one of the baggage trolleys had not been loaded on the aircraft and was still in Barbados and that it would arrive on Thursday morning as their is no flight tomorrow.
We did no laundry on the Emerald Princess……they already smelt bad……….now my underwear and socks are sitting on the runway in Barbados in a suitcase………can you imagine how that case will smell by Thursday…………Viva La France.
So, it’s been another eventful day and now jet lag has set in and I can hardly see the key board. We are going to Mum and Dads tonight for dinner and I have a feeling I may fall asleep with my head in the Yorkshire Pudding. Tomorrow I drive back to the airport so Heidi can take a short flight to Amsterdam so she can see Mum…………….who misses her very much as I do my Mum and Dad.
After my trip to the airport bits off to a shop called High and Mighty to find some XXL underpants……..bugger!
Goodnight and a special thank you in advance for continuing to read the blog thingy
Your friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Tales from the Ship
Hello CD John!
My family and I had a wonderful cruise aboard the Carnival Freedom 3/15-22, 2008! We missed you the last day.
I enjoy your blog and will continue to read. I am about willing to give up my life in Minnesota for a job on a Carnival ship. When we returned to Minnesota, we were welcomed with 16 inches of snow of which I hate more than words can describe!!
Oh, can I join you filming your “Live Your Dream” segment in Los Angeles…no? Oh well, I figure it would not hurt to ask! I am excited to see it on USA. Let us know.
I have cruised 8 times so far and this was my first on Carnival. I am sure it will not be my last. I am saving up for a much longer cruise. One week is definitely not enough. We no sooner learn the ways of the ship and it is time to leave.
Respectfully,
Tina Tano
Even when you smell of moldy brie…we won’t leave you.
Welcome home, John and Heidi! Both your parents will love having you around for awhile. Your faithful followers will hang in there during your absence. Never fear.
Hugs,
Duchess Sandy and Duke Dick in GA
What? No Carnival Splendor pictures? Such a tease.
Too funny about the underwear. i remember one time TSA wanted to inspect my suitcase – thought there was some organic material in it. I knew the only thing that could possibly be organic inside was my dirty underwear. Not sure that they ever found what they were looking for, but I got a good chuckle out of it.
If you keep writing, I will read whatever you write. Personally, I love hearing about your life on land as well
Hi John,
. I guess since I have been reading from the beginning I’ve start to talk like you (scary).
I’m glad you and Heidi finally made it home safely. A very short story to make you smile. My son Sam was being well …a kid and driving me a little crazy and I said to him Bugger off. I thought to myself where in the world did that come from. A big smile came across my face and I said to myself oh.. John
Don’t give Heidi to much trouble about being a star fish, I realized that when my husband gets up at 5:00am I do the same thing. I hope you have a great time at home. Please don’t stop blogging we are all addicted and have to read it everyday.
Terri
Ahhh, John… despite all the difficulties it must be good to be home. Perhaps you should redirect your bag to be air dropped over Paris as they may consider it some sort of wonderful Care package…
Thanks so much for the interview with the Master of the Queen Vic. As you may know, there was a great deal of debate about how much liner she had in her as opposed to cruise ship. Many doubters were won over on her initial crossing. She’s a worth inheritor of the Cunard name.
So much for my expectation that customs officials in other regions might be easier to deal with than those here in the US… It sounds like Madame Quatre Derrière was just waiting for someone to inflict herself upon.
I’ll make you a wager. I’m betting that the episode of ‘Live Your Dream’ will be the most watched airing that show has ever had. You know, for a fact, that Bloggers world wide will be tuned in.
Lastly, I don’t believe that you’ll ever have to fear that the faithful blogging community will depart for ‘greener pastures’ while you relax at home and wander about Europe. You, sir, have a remarkably dedicated following. A friend mentioned to me that ‘a day without a blog is like a day without sunshine’.
You keep ‘em coming and we’ll keep reading!
God bless, my friend.
As always, my thanks to everyone connected with this Blog Thingy, especially the MOB…. Stephanie!!!
Cheers!!!
GregB
You know…coming from a west coast cruiser…you on the Paradise could be a fantastic opportunity for those of us that cruise from the west coast to get to meet you.
You keep writing and I’ll keep reading.
Is that all you’re going to hold out for a 1st class, limo, and a suite. Wow you’re not going to be like some stars then. But, after all is it someone else’s dream. Show em a good time.
Enjoy and thank for keeping us entertained as usual.
John and Heidi,
Thanks for letting all of your faithful followers know that you made it home safe! What a trip though!!! Sometimes it seems as if NOTHING CAN GO RIGHT! You had me laughing though, so even though you are tired, smelly, and without a suitcase that smells as if it is full of frenchmen, you still maintained your sense of humor and took time to write to all of us. Thank you!!!
JOHN–PLEASE RESPOND!!!
Are you going on the sailing on the 28th of April on the Paradise? If so, I would love to meet up with you at some point–do you think that would be possible–please send me an email to let me know. Is Heidi going with you? Thanks, Sheryl
John and Heidi,
Glad you made it home safe and sound – too bad Mr. Murphy keeps traveling with you – bugger!
I will not be switching channels – enjoy your time with your parents, family and friends – looking forward to your land adventures!!
Please let Alan know he is in my daily prayers!
“Debs”
Hi John. I just wanted to say that I’ll def keep reading your blog. As an employee of Carnival myself I love reading this during the down time between calls.
Hello John
Glad you nad Heidi made it home safe, that was a good idea by Greg, to drop your suitcase over Paris as a care pakage:) Great interview with the Captain of The Queen Victoria, we really enjoy these interviews. We also see Living your Dream as being a hit and cannot wait for the date.
We will never forget our cruise on the Freedom this past Feb geat ship and the best CD waht more could you want.
You keep writing and we be raeding every word.Best to starfish oops Heidi.
Papanh
So glad to hear you made it home safely. Never a dull moment in the lives of John and Heidi. Yes John, your faithful readers will continue to read the blog thingy. It’s the next best thing to being there!
Enjoy your time at home – it will be over before
you know it!
All the best to you and Heidi,
Linda
John
Of course I will check in daily. I can’t imagine not. I need the chuckles way too much. I guess you could say Karma is at work…they forgot to load your suitcase, so they get to smell it for a couple of days.
Moldy Brie, huh? Only a small step above “eau de after football practice teenage boy.” We love you anyway.
I’m sorry to hear about the getting home issues but how nice to see the house still standing when you got there. See? It could have been worse.
I love your blog thingie and look forward to hearing about your life on land.
Kathy
I’m glad you both made it back safe and sound. As for the missing bag, you are lucky you didn’t fly British Airways to their new Heathrow terminal. It’s so messed up that 15,000 bags got lost!
Don’t worry that we’ll stop reading the Thingy. If things get too boring I’ll just track down Mrs. Knee-Hi and tell her that you have a solid gold Mah-Jong set for her.
Tell Heidi I wish her a nice trip home.
Welcome home John & Heidi! Hope your time visiting with your Mum & Dad, and Heidi visiting with hers will be wonderful.
Now, as to your question…if you write it…I will read it! And maybe comment every once in a while.
Karen R.
Hey John just wanted to write to assure you I will continue to read the blog daily. Also didnt you promise us more artist renderings of the Carnival Splendor? Anyway glad to hear you had a safe flight home.
James
Dear John:
I had to laugh out loud at this:
“my worry is that during this time………..will you all continue to read or will you switch over to another channel…………I hope not.”
Even better I dont know how to spell what Ed sometimes says ROFLOL and I dont have the smilie that roles on the floor laughing like ED does but if I had it, I would have put it in here just that.
Switch to another channel? Are you kidding?
ad·dic·tion – Show the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physical habit-forming, as narcotics and blog thingys to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
Love you John!! LOL
Nanni official welcome Committee to SJ, Puerto Rico
Switching to another channel may cause:
withdrawal – Discontinuation of the use of an addictive substance. The symptoms of withdrawal include headache, diarrhea, and tremors and can range from mild to life threatening, depending on the extent of the body’s reliance on the addictive substance.
John, I’m glad you and Heidi are home safely. What a trip! The lost suitcase may need to go through fumigation before using it again. ewwwww!
I must say I will read your ramblings, anytime! They are always interesting and give a little view into what is going on, somewhere other than in my small part of the world!
Continue on!
Why do I get the impression that you could have flown home from Barbados on George Hamilton’s private jet and you still would have had a story to tell.
stop reading the blog thingy??? i think not dude! we shall continue…
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
SO GLAD YOU ARE HOME SAFE!
JULIE
John Son of Murphy, were would you be without Murphy. He gives you so much to write about. John did your nose grow another inch when you said 280 pounds. Looking at a picture of us standing together I must be 310 then instead of 410. LOL Just joking Mate, NOT.
BIG ED
John, you are too funny! Did you forget your deodorant? I’ll bet you will be doing your own wash after you pick up your suitcase!!
Hi John,
I see that you and Heidi made it home safely, although there were a few “bumps” along the way. And I think it is safe to say that you shouldn’t worry about all of us bloggers changing the channels, you are stuck with us. While you were on vacation and such, I got up my confidence enoough to start sending in comments on a semi-regular basis, even exchanging a few words with BIG ED, who invited me to join the Evil Krewe if I can make it to the bloggerscruise’09. Wish I could say yes this minute, but don’t know due to you know, expenses. Would like to book the Splendor, or sail out of NY next year. I f we sail from the city, we wouldn’t have to worry about the cost of 4 flights to FLA. either. Please John, send a Carnival fairy to help
‘BYE…Sue frm Narrowsburg
Enjoy being back home guys – have some scones with clotted cream for me!
Not that I miss that or anything…
Glad to hear you had a good vacation
So glad you made it safely home, John. Do not concern yourself about people not reading your blog. I check every day to see what new and amazing things you have to report!
Thank you for the interview with the captain of the Queen Victoria. I may have missed it but cannot find his name mentioned. Would you mind sharing that information with us? I hope your luggage shows up or you may need to make a trip to Harrods!
Hi John & Heidi,
Glad you guys are safely home even though it’s without your luggage. You don’t have to worry about me changing channels, your blog is the first thing I check each night. It helps me to feel connected to Carnival still. I have to wait a whole year to sail again. I wish I was rich. Oh well, I can dream. Look forward to the next blog. Enjoy your time home.
Margie
John you should not worry about having a growing group of readers. You’ve got me hooked and I’m not an easy catch. Thank you so much for letting us travel with you and Heidi on this trip. Make certain you pass our thanks on to Heidi as she had to give up private time with you to allow you time to entertain us. May Murphy grant you a vacation and may your next “thingy” be rosy!
Hey John!
Glad you and Heidi made it home safe and sound. Sounds like a nice flight. I see you found my favorite show on TV — Entourage!! Vince and the gang — what a hoot! Enjoy the time on terra firma. And see you in July for a “Splendor-ous” time! Hee hee!
Best,
Anita
For anyone interested, I have posted several pictures of the behind the scenes tour of the Vatican on my blog.
I will be posting more in the next few days.
Hi John & Heidi,
Glad you made it home safe.
Stop reading? No way…As long as you write the blogy thingy, I will be reading.
Welcome Home!!! Good to hear you both are home safely. Hope you both enjoy your visits with your parents.
I have so enjoyed reading about your adventures on your cruise. Nice for you both to be a guest for a change. Loved the photos too! Thank you.
No need to worry we will still be here everyday looking for the latest blog. We are addicted and you allways leave us wanting more. Looking forward to hearing the latest cruise news and other info.
Mary
John,
Would love to hear about your land trips and how you set up tours for the Splendor (just out of curiosity since it relates to the business side of Carnival) and of course, Europe! I’ll be out of school soon so I’ll have time to read this more than just once a week…
Bryan
John,
I don’t see anybody writing you a “dear John” letter…so I guess you’re stuck with all of us reading your blog everyday!! I know for a fact you couldn’t get rid of the “evil krewe” if you tried!!
Murphy really likes you; espcially when you travel. I think everybody gets a bit of murphy when they travel, but I think murphy lives with you…LOL
Thanks for the interesting interview today with the Master of the Queen Victoria.
Can’t wait to watch the”Live Your Dream” on USA with you in it!! I agree, it will be the highest rating that show will ever get.
Glad your home safe and sound. Enjoy your mum and dad, and relax for a little bit. With Hedi visiting her mum, maybe you can really relax and not have to worry about ending up in the doghouse.
Princess Susan…one of the many, many faithful readers of John’s Thingy!!!
Good evening Mr. Heald. I’m so very glad you and Heidi reached home safe and sound. As far as continuely reading your blog thingy, how could I not. It’s like reading a letter from a friend from another country that I haven’t seen for such a long time. Each word leaves me with excitement and wanting more. Even though we want more from you, remember, rest during this time at home because you wouldn’t want to be ill before you enter this knew section of your life, the Splendor.
Very soon, I will let you know the date, ship and cabin that my son and his knew wife will be on during their honeymoon as you requested. Enjoy your time at home. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Hi John and Heidi
So glad to hear you had a safe, yet eventful trip home. Maybe they will wash your dirty undies before they send them to you.
How could you ever think that we would ever switch to another channel? My PC has only one operating channel and it has glitches if I don’t tune into the blog thingy at least once a day….LOL
Both of you take care and enjoy your time at home. Keep us updated on all your journeys.
Gloria aka Sue
John,
I didn’t know what a blog was until I stumbled onto your site through the Carnival home page. I am not sure I really know what a blog is now……but I enjoy the stories and your bloggy thingy has helped my wife and I build excitement for our May 10 cruise aboard the Freedom. I notice the same people write often and I enjoy their comments and thoughts as well. The comments and your responses read as if you know everyone personally. You and I spoke briefly in July 2006 in the Liberty and if you want to say hello again look my wife and I up on the Freedom May 10 sailing. I will be in cabin 7434 at night and at the buffet the rest of the time.
John & Heidi, welcome home….it’s truly amazing how well traveled and far reaching Murphy makes his way around the world. Today’s air travel has lost the sex appeal it once enjoyed….none-the-less…home, sweet home, safe and sound as you both spend valuable time with loved ones before setting sail onboard the spectacular Splendor. A wonderful chat with the Queens Captain, thank you…ahhh can a world cruise be in our future….hmmmm.
I expected no less from the SVP of Blogs for CCL as you flipped the nipple switch, bravo.
John, I must say taken back a bit by your lack of confidence….your blogger family will not abandon you as your thingy takes a short break from the everyday mode we truly enjoy….if you begin feeling sorry for yourself…rest assured Heidi is sure to give you a proper slap bringing you back to reality…..or we could chip in and send BIG ED across the pond on a slow boat to slap you, you choose.
goodnight & glad your home, cheers.
Ray & Deb
Glad to hear you got home OK. Wouldn’t you wonder what went RIGHT if your adventures going home didn’t happen?????
I will never stop reading your blog thingy……i’m addicted like everyone else.
Cindy
John and Heidi, so glad you made it home safely, although a little stinky, bet Heidi didn’t hug you much. My hubby always wants a big hug when he has the “eau de man” smell! LOL
The Blog seems to have a life of it’s own, you couldn’t run us off if you tried!
Enjoy your time off, we’ll be here whenever you have the time.
Diane from Texas
John,
Right on big mate. You haven’t been this famous since your stint in that Olson Twins movie. I guess there are people who want to be the strangest things. I’m sure being a CD would be interesting, but it’s not a very common dream job. Let me know when your special airs (and don’t forget to mention your old pal BigMike;)).
_BigMike
Head of Blogger Security
Please respond.
John,
On carnival.com it seems that Monaco has replaced Cannes as the first port for Splendor after leaving Genoa. Is this true? I was thinking of going to Monte Carlo anyway.
Thanks,
bill
Glad you are home safe! I have recently found out that you will be the cruise director for the Splendor. Hubster, Randall and I, will be on the Splendor on December 6th. We are excited to meet you!
Dear John & Heidi: Glad you are finally home safe and sound. Try to rest John..you don’t want to have a relapse of Mr. Bells. And as far as not reading your blog thingy..do you know how many times I go to my internet every day waiting to read another blog? I’m hooked!!!! Now just try to relax and enjoy your families and most especially your dear friend Alan. God Bless you both.
Regards,
Terry
Not read your blog? How silly!
Plus we all know that you never have a dull day and I am sure you will have lots to share about the Splendor and other things going on in a day of the life of a Cruise Director 
You could just type that you ate breakfast, went to the bathroom, ater lunch, went to pick up the news in your bathroom, ate dinner and went to bed and we would read it. BECAUSE you would come up with some colourful way to tell it to us
Deanna
John,
Enjoy your blog very much. Helped us decide (with another couple) to do back to back cruises on the Freedom in Sept. Too bad that you will not be there, but I am sure we will be in good hands. This is one of those once in a lifetime “bucket list” adventures for us.
One of the things that we are concerned about is that we may have to pack up and leave the ship between cruises. Unfortunatly we made our reservations with 2 different internet services and we are not confident that they can help us. It would be nice to keep the same rooms and not have to pack.
Would you have any advice for us?
Again, I have become a great fan of your stories and hope you keep it up even from land.
Thanks,
Charlie P.
Oh John, how could we not continue to read your thingy? You have the most amazing outlook on life and find humor in every situation! Combine that with your people skills and we are all totally addicted! I check your blog faithfully each morning and will continue to do so regardless of whether you are able to post that day or not….each blog is a treasure and waiting for a new one just makes it that much more special. Enjoy your holidays mate — we will be here! Gloria
Hi John: Another great blog! You must be kidding, the reason we all read the blog is because of YOU, your humor, your funny stories – whether they be at sea or on land, so Yes my friend we will continue reading, as Nanni said, this is an ADDICTION that none of us can give up! We look forward to our days just reading about YOUR life, not necessarily your life at sea, but just about what you are doing, you and Heidi! So keep blogging, we enjoy hearing about home life, etc. Can’t wait till you appear on the USA channel, be sure and let us know when it will be on so Mike and I can watch it and tape it too! Have a good visit with your family. Your friends, Mike & Linda
Hi John and Heidi.
Well that was an eventful trip home. You seem to have all the luck..haha.
Glad to see you home safely. Have fun underwear shopping.
Enjoy your time with family and friends.
Dear John & Heidi,
So glad you’re home safe and sound, despite Mr. Murphy and Immigration (again). I’ve never been to Barbados, maybe some day (cruise – not flying in).
John, how could you possibly ask if we would stick with you or switch to another channel? There is no other channel!
I can’t wait to see that show on USA. I’ll even stay up past my bedtime for it.
Great interview with the Master of the Queen Victoria. Don’t forget – April 22 – all 3 Queens will be in London.
For now, enjoy your time home with your folks and Heidi with your mum. Then back to being the best CD in the world and let us know all.
Hugs,
Carol
Hi John,
Of course I’ll continue reading your blog thingy. Adventure seems to follow you around whether you’re on land or sea. Enjoy your short time at home & tell your mum & dad hello.
Glad you made it home safe!!
Hi John and Heidi,
Glad you made it home safely even if you did have some adventures along the way. It’s always hard to leave a cruise especially when you’re a passenger. I didn’t want to leave the Sensation on Sunday even though it was just a 3 day cruise. Can’t wait until the Splendor.
Enjoy your time at home.
George and Linda
OH yes, we will continue to read the ‘blog thingie’. This is becoming a morning event for me! You will have to let us know when the USA channel does the showing that you will be on. I will be sure to watch it and record it on the DVR!!!
Oh oh…. Your suitcase basking in the 3000 degree Barbados sun…..I’m worried that the intense pressure of the manner in which it had to be vacu-sealed combined with the now superheated steaming dirty laundry ala body sweat …. et al… :O ……. may cause the case to spontaneously combust and explode from an acute methane buildup. I can hear the news now…..Barbados Airport explosion …..bomb experts puzzled over the source of detonation.
Mark
The Flying Dutchman
John and Heidi:
Just remember….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ2L4iPvdIk
only change the word “sisters” to CRUISERS!!!!
You can’t get rid of family (believe me there are times when I have tried!!!)
Linda ( Lady In Waiting)
The Domestically Challenged Goddess of Big Ed’s Evil Krewe
Dear John and Heidi,
Quit reading the blog? I don’t think so. We were very surprised to look today and see that you had written since you were traveling. You are a dedicated writer…..we are dedicated readers! Please enjoy your time off and we look forward to your further adventures. Only 47 days until we leave for Rome and our cruise on the Freedom!!
John & Susan in Frisco, Texas
Please don’t think we will stop looking your thingy every day …..errr reading it.
(Think a Brady Bunch Song……
)
We’re gonna keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on reading the blog thingy all through the night.
We’re gonna keep on, keep on, keep on hoping you’re doing it….. write!!!
We’re gonna keep on, keep on , keep on grinnin’
Gonna keep on, keep on, keep on laughin’
Keep on sharing and commenting all through the night
Mark
The Flying Dutchman
John and Heidi welcome back home. Enjoy your time in the UK and think of us often.
Be well
John & Heidi,
Glad you guys made it back to the UK safely. John, try to enjoy “hanging free” for a few days. I can’t be that bad. Reading this has actualy given me “the bug” again. My wife and I have decided to book on the Legend in May 2009, but I can’t wait until then so I am going to surprise her with a trip on the Inspiration in September 2008. So no, I can’t stop reading. I to am addicted!
Congrats on your USA shoot ! Get your SAG card!
The “snobby” Brit who complained about no water on the flight is probably the passenger who paid full Business Class price! Having flown Business Class last Freedom cruise to Rome from LAX, I’d be complaining too! It’s “bloody” expensive !!! No good water…what’s up with that ???
Glad you and Heidi are home safe and sound!
Kathy and Paul
I am glad you made it home. With Mr. Murphy, but safe. How could we not read your blog???? On sea or land – we will be here to read it!
Cannot wait to watch you on USA!
Have a great time off and say hello to Heidi!
John:
I have a question…..
do you know (or can PA 007 find out) how many Platinum members Carnival currently has???
For some reason this has become a topic of some interest on Cruise Critic. So I figured….why not go to the “source”!!
Thanks!!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
Kathy Kroll,
You better help John get a good agent. For sure get in to fill out his Union app.
John, SAG has nothing to do with Mr. Bell either.
BIG ED
The April Fools Joker
Welcome home guys! No matter how far we roam there really is no place like home! Of course I’ll continue to read your thingy! I put the RSS Feed on my Google homepage so I could always find it! Unfortunately I don’t have time to read it every day (can you imagine they actually want me to work while I am here!? The nerve!) but days like today are catch-up days. I love reading about your travels. They remind me so much of so many of the trips we have taken! We have had the strangest trips and we always are able to laugh about it. I guess that’s what keeps us sane! Now that we have started cruising we are able to add a whole new classification of oddities to our ever growing list! haha! You just keep writing and we’ll keep reading! Get some rest!
Mike
John, I could never give up the only addiction I have – reading your blog. (Just don’t ask Ed or Elaine about my addictions.) Your faithful Krew will follow you – you provide too much entertainment to stop “cold turkey”. Enjoy your time at home, get some rest, and write about anything. By the way, you mentioned you would be visiting your parents, and Heidi is taking a trip home – we are all wondering about your best mate and his health. Will you be visiting him as well? Take care and say hello to Heidi and the family.
Lori
Hi John/Heidi:
Well, i’m happy to hear you made it across the pond safely but i figured there would be some drama associated with it.
Have you read about all the baggage nightmares at the new terminal in Heathrow? Yikes!!!
Great interview with the Captain of the QV. She’s a beautiful vessel and its impressive how many people are taking the entire world voyage. I am so jealous.
Hope all is well and looking forward to hearing from you over the next few weeks.
Thanks,
David
I too am addicted to your blog thingy!! No changing channels for me!!
We would love to see you on the West Coast–please keep us posted!!
Dear John,
There is no way I will miss any of your blogs..It’s like taking a trip each day of the week and laughing at all the silly predicaments you manage to get into keeps me from being bored.. I just signed up for a cruise on the Pride from Long Beach to the Mexican Riviera and then a visit to my son who lives in Beverly Hills.
I can’t wait!! I also think it might be my 11th cruise on Carnival..
John and Heidi,
So glad you got home safely. I know you are looking forward to some much needed rest. It is nice to have some time when you don’t have to follow a rigid schedule and you can determine when you feel like doing something. Sometimes you feel like doing absolutely nothing!
You have developed a tight knit group of loyal followers. Isn’t it amazing. This time last year the blog was just getting off the ground. Now, we are like family! We are going to check out the blog to see if anything new has been added just like we did in December! Let us know how things are going for the two of you!
Take care and enjoy your time together.
Ruth
Stop reading the blog thingy? Are you kidding? This is part of our daily routine! Thanks for letting us be part of your life!
Cathy & Tom
Tampa
Hi John and Heidi!
Glad your home for awhile! Remember John – - while Heidi is gone to her mums, don’t buy any wine to spill on the couch, pick up your underwear daily and enjoy your own starfish sleep. Even though we love our spouses tons, it’s always good to have the bed to ourselves at times.
Still wishing we could have met you both, but maybe a future cruise will allow that to happen. We are down to 11 days to our first cruise and the snow is still showing it’s ugly face around here. Can’t wait to leave, work is going too slow – -
Take care and enjoy your time off! I will always be a faithful reader! You crack me up and make my work days better! Hugs!!!!
John,
You shouldn’t have tipped that twerp, Troy, a thin dime. What does he think his job is anyway!!!??? Service people who don’t provide “service” need a different job. At least you had a nice “bed” in the airplane. Was it comfy? I know you said you didn’t sleep, but did you at least rest well?
I thought for sure you were going to say Big Ed had surprised you by ordering a Rolls Royce to drive you home. Too bad. And as for the bad water on the plane…maybe your “lost” suitcase found it’s way into the water holding tank and released the lethal contents otherwise known as your dirty unmentionables (which seem to get mentioned a lot, actually).
The interview with the Master of the Queen Victoria was very interesting…but as someone pointed out earlier, you forgot to tell us his name. Also, is it common for a Captain’s wife to accompany him onboard? Now I would consider that a GREAT PERK as a wife!
Tell your parents and Heidi’s Mom that we all send our hellos and hope they truly enjoy having you both around for awhile. Also, hello to Alan.
And finally, of course I’ll continue to read your blog. I actually think of it as “a life in the day of…the cruising era” which I think is at least slightly a paraphrase of a Beatle’s tune. At any rate, I look forward daily to whatever crazyness comes from your laptop whether you be on land or at sea!
Hope you both have a wonderful “interlude.”
Cheers,
Myra
I am glad you are home safe and sound.
My family was on the Freedom 3/15/08 and had a blast!!
We are going through withdrawl…we miss not only you but…Mr. Dick Little!
Wow what a busy life you and Heidi have. Do you have children? You never seem to stop. I love reading your blog which I do every day and I will continue to do so as I find it very relaxing after my day at work. You always make me laugh and it also reminds me of the very wonderful time we had on board the Freedom with you. Thanks for taking time to do this.
Hi John,
I am glad you made it home safely. Sometimes you have to look at things as an adventure and not an inconvienence (which is better done on a good nights sleep.)
I have to tell you about the BEST April fools joke I played on my husband today.
He knows that I wanted to go on the blogger cruise 2009. Due to school schedules with our daughters and lack of a babysitter it is not happening…Anyways I called him today to tell him that I entered a contest a few months back where Carnival was giving away a Blogger cruise for two.
I played the whole story perfect right down to the wonderful email you and Heidi sent me. He went for it hook line and sinker. I know my husband and I know he was thinking what to pack and what a wonderful trip this would be and then I texted himApril Fools. He truley believed we were going.
I wonder what I will get for our anniversary???? Better be that…
Enjoy your time at home….
Kim Parker
Hi John,
I’ve only started reading your ‘thingy’ in the last month or so. And I love it. I don’t plan on stopping! I actually look forward to any and all news about The Splendor as I’ll be sailing on her on Aug 6th.
I hope you and Heidi enjoy your time at home.
Take care,
Chris
John,
I still have a lot of reading yet to do of the next two posts (I’ll slap myself on the wrist for running behind), but I wanted to say that I hope your suitcase got back to you safe and sound. Thank you for the interview with the Master of the Queen Victoria. I enjoyed the description of the QE2 and the QV together in Sydney. It brought tears to my eyes. What a sight that would have been to see!
Onward to the newest posts….and keep writing this thingy…we’ll all still be here no matter where you are!
Shannan
John,
You have brought together a very special group of people with this blog. Nobody’s switching to another channel. I will continue to read your blog whether it’s at work, at a friend’s house, at home, or on the go through my cell phone.
Take it easy,
Alex G.
John:
We are booked on the Splendour’s 50-day trip around South America next January. Could you tell us, if you can, when we might expect to see the list of tours published? Much of the excitement is in the planning and much of the enjoyment is reliving the trip when it’s over. I hope you have many, many fond memories of your “vacation” on the Princess.
John & Heidi – glad to see you made it home, enjoy your time at him with your families.
John, you have to be kidding, what not read your blog, it would be like not breathing, nothing can stop your loyal fans, you have us hooked.
Love,
Suzann
Hi John
Helen’s sis here… I’m still on the QV, so particularly enjoyed reading your interview with our captain (who I still haven’t seen)!
Sydney sail-away was awesome… I tooks some pics if you’re interested: http://karen123.wordpress.com/2008/02/25/sunday-24th-february-leaving-sydney/
Anyway… hope you are well. Take care.
Kaz
John…
Your interview with the Captain is wonderful… but Captain… Sir… about the main course choice… Lamb is excellent, I know this, but we are creatures to be loved and romanced and held in high esteem… Mint sauce, no this won’t do. It would be sticky… and with our Texas humidity… my hair… No this just won’t do…
Your wife sounds like a wonderful compliment to you. The Captain’s table sounds delightful. Your tradition allows all the guests to meet both of you. What a great idea!!
John, I’m just catching up and you already know how remarkable I think you and Heidi are… so I’ll just leave my post at this..
Best regards to you all!!!
Lambie
John, so glad that you are finally on “terra firma” as they say and you can forget your sea legs for a while. Yup looks like Murphy really follows you around. Congrats on your television debut……
Now to business. You said you are going to start preparing our tours for the Splendor. My husband and I are travelling July 25th and I joined Cruisecritics.com to meet other fellow cruisers and find out the best things to do etc. etc. Well if you go to the Splendor July 25th sailing message board, you will find alot of disgruntled cruisers who are being bombarded by Carnival letters talking about Russian visas etc. and how passengers who book through other agencies won’t be able to leave the ship till 9:30am while ones who booked with Carnival Tours leave at 7:30am.
As a loyal Carnival cruiser I find that this is totally unfair, if it is true. Please John could you look into this for us because I promised the message board that I would ask the one and only person who would give us the nitty gritty on the truth. We are talking here of local legal tourist agencies eg.Denrus, Redoctober, Alla Tours, who prepare the visas as part of the tour package and we do not need to purchase our own visas. So if you could clear it up it would be so totally awesome of you.
Looking forward to a positive reply. Thanks.
Eva B