I am one of those people who have no idea about electricity and how things work………..if you want a battle of wits on this subject you should note that I am unarmed.
What I do know is that when you don’t have any it’s a real bugger. That’s what happened last night……..we had a power cut. These used to happen a lot back in the 70’s and 80’s and I remember my Mum putting out the candles and it being quite the adventure. Back in those days all you lost was the lights, heating and TV and as I said it was fun. I remember also my Dad telling us a story using just a deck of cards and it really never bothered anyone.
Today however it is a bit different and last night the power went out and I lost my TV, lighting, coffee machine, DVD player and my raspberry which was charging. Of course we had no candles in the house and that was me………..sitting in the dark with absolutely nothing to do, no cup of coffee or tea and an uncharged raspberry. To make matters worse Heidi was in the shower and she was not happy immediately blaming me for this thinking I was playing a trick on her.
I pointed out that indeed it was me and that I had also managed to play the trick on the surrounding houses as well and ……….I pointed out that I was in the middle of my favorite program “The Bill” which I was trying to catch up on. So, there we sat with nothing to do …….in pitch darkness. Heidi made matters worse by suggesting this was “romantic” but considering I was jet lagged, thirsty and now totally bored I felt as romantic as a hemorrhoid.
Eventually we decided to go to bed……..we were both tired and even though it was only 9 pm off we went. I think my head touched the pillow by 9:05 pm and by 9:06 pm I was asleep. However, my luck continued when at 11:35pm the power came back on and of course the TV downstairs exploded into life and all the lights came on as I had forgotten to turn the switches off…….this woke sleeping beauty and of course you all know where I am now.
Let’s do the news.
First of all I want to say thank you to all 8,000 of you who read the blog yesterday and for all your comments about how you intend to read the blog even though I may not be onboard at the moment. You have no idea what that means to me.
Then, I would like to show you two more amazing renditions of the Carnival Splendor ………have a look.
Atrium
Promenade
I don’t know about you but that whets my appetite more than a huge plate of Spotted Dick served by Jessica Simpson in an Aston Martin.
Then, I was asked by one of our blogging family to advertise this wonderful cause which if you are in the area and you can support it would be great.
Jeanne’s LI2DAY Breast Cancer Walk fundraiser ComedyEvent at the Atlantis Marine world in Riverhead Long Island this Sunday April 6th at 6pm. All funds raised will help women with Breast Cancer that reside on Long Island with their needs while battling breast cancer, such as: sending someone to cook for the families or drive the women to treatment. For more information visit: LI2DAY.ORG.
Now, the Carnival Splendor is just one of many new ships being born this year. You already know about the Eurodam through the great blog they have about the building and preparation of this vessel………..the link is at the side of this page by the way. We also have the much awaited Ventura from P & O and I was truly hoping that I would be able to go to the naming ceremony. However, I will be in the middle of my European trip to prepare for Carnival Splendor’s Baltic season and remembering that I am a CD first and a blog person second I decided that I needed to do the European trip…………and yes…………I will be blogging everyday providing the hotels I am staying at have Internet service.
Anyway, I am going to ask Carnival’s boss at Carnival U.K. my friend David Dingle to send me some photos of her as soon as she arrives in Southampton………from what I understand she is amazing.
I think that our friends at Costa have a new ship ready this year and I am sure PA 007 will check out the name and when she is expected etc and let me know. Then, at the end of the year there is the sister to the Emerald Princess the Ruby Princess and I for one have no intention of missing the naming ceremony of that one.
Finally, there is a new ship for Aida our German Schwester (sister) and for me and with no disrespect to any of our other schwesters the one with the most beautiful name……………..Aida Bella………zehr schon is it not?
I will make sure we slap on photos of all these ships and continue with some behind the scenes photos of all of them starting with Ventura ……….I hope to vast her in May though and also I want to take you all for one last look at the Queen Elizabeth 2 while docked in Southampton.
It seems that we have an itinerary change for the Carnival Splendor’s 8 day cruise to Dover. We will be docking in Monte Carlo/Monaco now instead of tendering into Cannes. This will be better for everyone I believe and we will still offer a brilliant excursion program to Cannes, St.Tropez, Provence and St.Raphael…….we also have a special “Spot George Hamilton on the beach tour”……….I love that one. Now, I also wanted to share with you some amazing photos from Holland America’s Amsterdam which was docked in Istanbul, Turkey. The ship’s passengers were joined by the companies President Stein Kruse and many other VIP’s including the American and Dutch Ambassadors for this special event held in the oldest Cistern in the city built in 330 AD. I have visited this astonishing place which is said to be the place where Medusa is buried……….upside down no less.
Anyway, I thought you might enjoy having a look at these photos.
I must visit a Holland America ship……..I have never done so………….Mr. Kruse?
Now, I would like you to meet Chris Roberts. Chris is the Cruise Director who will be spearheading the Carnival Spirit’s Alaska season this year. He is on a familiarization trip himself in Alaska and I thought it may be nice to have him write a blog about his experiences. So, without further waffling from me …………here’s Bubba.
THE ALASKA FAM 2008
Well they say that morning comes quickly and it comes even earlier when your vacation comes to and end and you have to travel back to work from where you are. The alarm clock was off at 3:07am (I always like to set my alarm for some odd time, it’s something I have done for a long time, gives you that illusion of having a few extra minutes of snooze time). I had to get up that early to be on the road by 4am to get to the airport on time for my 6am flight. Even though the vacation was over, I was still excited as today I was not headed to a ship, but to work on a familiarization trip, I was headed WEST. to Alaska. Well west, then north. I will explain in a bit….
First allow me to introduce myself. My name is Chris Roberts and I am a cruise director for Carnival Cruise Lines. I have been with company since 1994 and have been a CD since about 1999. All though I am not the senior CD, I am up there with some of the guys who have been around for while. Most of the cruise directors I had worked for have long left the company, with the exception of Mr. Heald, who I had the pleasure of being his ACD towards the end of 1999.In fact John was the last CD I had ever had to work for before my promotion. They say when we worked together that I was John’s younger brother as we are both men of stature. John likes to call me Bubba; because he thinks I am from the south, but I am not really…not the real south…I am from Florida. Tampa to be specific. He thinks I eat at the waffle house, I drive a truck, and date my cousin, but that’s not really true. My cousin broke up with me.
The bubba thing actually started backstage on the Triumph where John and I were having a conversation…about what I cannot remember, but I said to him…”allright bubba calm down.” or something like that calling him bubba. He says to me…”BUBBA?”and told him that where I am from it was a term of endearment, and since then he has played the old switcharoo and now I am called Bubba by John.
I have mostly worked the western Caribbean through my career and most of those ships have been in Tampa, as I live across the street from the port, but last year I was presented with the opportunity to become CD of the Carnival Spirit for the Alaska season and I jumped at the opportunity. I have been to Alaska before in my time on ships, but the other times were more like small samples as I was there a very short time. just a few weeks at a time. But this was a chance to do a whole season and also visit the incredible Hawaiian Islands as well.
Carnival is great for keeping CD’s up to date on the local ports that they travel to. I know John has probably mentioned the fam trips in the past where they send you into the port, you tour facilities, meet port authorities & tour operators. You really get a feel for the lay of the land. So that way when you are there providing information to your guests in travel talks, you can truly speak from the heart as you know your ports backwards and forwards. It is an invaluable experience for what we do and I am so glad that carnival invests the time and money into setting these trips up.So today I am on my way to anchorage Alaska. However since I am going to the ship right after the 2 week fam trip, I didn’t want to have to fly with everything I need for my contract, suits, dress shoes, ties, working day wear, etc. I just wanted to go with a bag with the items I will need for the trip….being that the low temperature in Anchorage today is 19 degrees Fahrenheit, and I am Florida boy, I will need about 18 layers of clothes to make it through the trip. I have only seen snow twice before…once it snowed in Tampa in 1977. It lasted 10 minutes…it shut everything down. In Florida we don’t know how to drive in ice.
And another time I saw snow was just last year when I visited Europe for the first time.
So I got a bag with winter wear, a bag with suits, and a bag with some misc. crap. Plus my normal carry on bag. So to avoid having to take all of that with me, I am actually flying to San Diego, California to meet up with the Carnival Spirit. San Diego is it’s home port when it is not doing the Alaska season. I will drop off the two bags I don’t need for Alaska, then go back to the airport, then fly to anchorage.
For a travel day this intense, I was keeping my fingers crossed that all the planets would aline and I would make all my flights, and my bags would make it too. The day started very well as I got to the Tampa Airport around 5am, not a long line at check in. Paid $80 to check the extra bag. 2 50lbs is not really enough for a CD to bring all they need. Used to be 70lbs years ago, but those days are gone.
Got through security no problem. The Tampa airport is one of the nicest airports to get through. I know I am from there, but I have been through a lot of them in my 15 years at sea. You can usually go from curbside to gate in about 15 – 20 minutes.
My flight to San Diego was through Atlanta as I was on Delta. And all things Delta go through Atlanta. The plane was enormous. I was honestly excited as this was the 1st plane I have ever flown on that had direct TV. So I break out my head phones…turn on my personal TV, and realize, there’s nothing on direct TV at 6am. So there I am, watching Ron popeil sell some new knives. It was still pretty cool.
Got to Atlanta, my next plane was much smaller but also had the direct TV thing, and games and everything. They even have a plane wide trivia competition….next thing you know they will be playing BINGO in the sky.
4 and half hours later I have arrived at San Diego. and so did all my bags! Do the happy dance at the baggage carousel and grab a cab. The port is only a stones throw away from the airport. It was an $11 cab fare to get there.Went through security and boarded through the crew gangway. Shawn Bussey, the current CD of the Spirit had put me on the visitors list so I could get on board. Found a locker backstage and met up with my good friend Natcha Audette, who is the backstage floor manager who let me into the locker and I dropped off my 2 bags. Spent a little while catching up with Natcha and decided that I would go back to the airport. The company scheduled me on a 6:30pm flight to Seattle, and then I had a 11:30pm flight from Seattle to anchorage. I was scheduled to arrive in anchorage at 2am (Alaska time, one hour behind Pacific). So I was hoping to get on an earlier flight. Got to the airport again at 1:30pm and my flight at 6:30pm was already delayed. Which is never a good sign. I was flying Alaska Airlines, which I am a huge fan of. don’t know what it is about them, but I just seem to like them. They put me on stand by for a 3:30pm flight, but told me it was not likely I would make it. And they were right, went back to the desk after I didn’t make it, then they put me on standby for a 5pm flight. Didn’t make that either. The next flight is my actual schedule flight which now has an eta of 10pm. So I won’t be making my connection to Anchorage.
Went back up to the desk to discuss my options, they now have me on stand by for an 8:30pm flight which I am “high on the list” they say and there is 4 seats open. So it does look like I will get to Seattle to spend the night. Maybe I can go see the space needle. I doubt it. I am already having to keep my eyelids open with toothpicks. I am soooooo tired, but am not one of those people who can sleep on airplanes or at airports. I think though, by the time I do get to Seattle, this could change about me.
Well delays aside, it has been a good day. It was nice to see my future home in the Spirit….the Spirit class vessels are some of my favorites in the fleet. In fact my last two ships have been spirit class. It was nice to see an old friend. I always travel with the attitude, let the winds take me to where they will. Besides, having all of this time has given me a chance to write my first attempt at being a guest blogger for my good friend john. I look forward to bringing you actual update to the adventures that await me in the great outdoors of Alaska.
Hopefully my next update will actually be from Alaska, and that I am not still in San Diego.
Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of the thingy….
Chris
Thanks Bubba. I know many of you have and will cruise to Alaska on the Carnival Spirit or another of the Corporations fleet so this is a great insight to this last frontier………….oh and by the way not only is Bubba a great CD he does eat at the waffle house all the time………….he drives a truck with a rifle in the back and nearly married his own cousin. Tune in tomorrow for part 2.
This morning I drove Heidi to Stanstead Airport for her flight to Amsterdam where she will spend two days with her Mum. I collect her again on Thursday and we fly to Copenhagen to start our European trip with the Shore Excursion team.
Although flying home is something Heidi loves to do and her Mum appreciates so much but I also know it makes her sad. For years when Heidi and I flew to Amsterdam her Dad would be there to meet her……….now, when she reaches the arrival hall and her Dad is not there …..Well you know. Heidi’s dad was a proud hard working man who passed away at the age of just 61 a few days after retiring…………we both miss him very much.
Once I returned home I called Virgin Airways to see if my suitcase had appeared…………and to get to actually speak to a human being I had to go through a call center.
I hate call centers……….I hate the fact that you have to be told that for training and quality purposes the discussion about my missing suitcase may be recorded……….then you are given a menu which requires you to have a degree in rocket science to understand……….this being London you are given a choice of four languages to choose from……..Arabic, Japanese, Mongolian and oh yes…….press seven if you want in English. Then……….you get put on hold and told that all operators are assisting other callers.
Now………firstly……..the words “all operators” conjures up a huge room full of computers and dozens hard working intelligent people……… it is of course probably just Howard and Bob…….sitting in a small room at the airport with post it notes stuck on the wall telling them whose luggage has more frequent flier miles than the owner.
Then, “assisting other customers”…….well actually that made me feel better that there was some other poor sod with no underwear. While you are waiting for Bob and Howard you get put on hold and listen to a 6 year old playing Beethoven’s 5th on a piano…………………help.
Eventually, I got through to a human…….a lady in fact called Jasmine……………she started by asking me for my name and reference number……….I explained that I had obeyed the robot who had answered the phone and already keyed in that along with the flight number as requested…………Jasmine was unmoved and unsympathetic and asked for it again…….and as soon as I had given the last number of the reference she said “Please hold” ………and that was me humming Eine Kleine Nacht Musik with the kid on the piano.
You know, I was just thinking………..I wonder if Carnival would allow me to record a little thingy for when people call reservations……….I could have a little fun and maybe mention the blog thingy……..I wonder?
After what seemed like hours but was just 4 minutes Jasmine returned and without apologizing for making me wait and suffer one of the world’s greatest composers music being slaughtered she told me that they had “no further information” and the bag was “probably still in Barbados.”
I knew this as there was no flight tonight but what I needed to hear was that it was confirmed that miss Samsonite would be flying to reunite with me tomorrow………….I even tried a bit of humor but Jasmine had heard it all before and in closing reminded me that I could check the status of my luggage on line…………..or translated……..please don’t bother me again……..use the computer.
So, there you have it……..I await my suitcases return. Hopefully Jasmine will continue to investigate and if she gets my suitcase back to me I shall send her a gift for being so helpful……….a pair of my underwear from the suitcase…… which by then will probably be able to walk there on their own accord.
Goodnight
Your Friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Tales from the Ship, Uma Thurman | Tagged: Splendor Godmother
Hi John,
Glad to hear we will stop in Monte Carlo instead of Cannes. I understand they use soap in Monaco.
As for actually docking there, I’m looking forward to seeing how they manage that. Some ships dock in Monte Carlo, but even George Hamilton’s yacht is tiny compared to Splendor.
Maybe they have made some improvements.
John, I know that feeling of only seeing one parent, when there should be two. Please let Heidi know that she is in my thoughts.
I enjoyed Bubba’s blog contribution. Wish I was going to be visiting with him in Alaska this year! It’s not to be, though, maybe next year!
John, Good to read a blog as I ahve not had an opportunity to for days. It was filled with great stuff. News on the Slpendor, the great blog from Chris, and the day in a life of John and Heidi with the amazing dabs of fun and humanity. When I steal time, for me. I look to you. Thanks again for being there for us.
Kaperino (Kathie) of Big Ed’s Crewe
SOB, Big mate. I’m going through the same issues with a suitcase. It really sucks and being a guy with a small wardrobe, about 3/4 of my clothes are still in it. I am a very understanding person, but I don’t think I have ever been more pissed off at the lack of service or the ability to speak English. I have to go before I start using some not so nice language.
_BigMike
Pissed off Chief of Security
dude! i liked bubba! have to cruise with him sometime. maybe there will be cornbread for supper!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
John, did I ever tell you I’m an evil electrician. Us sparkey’s stick together. My UK brother was just supposed to pull your plug not the whole neighborhood as a April Fools joke. Oh well s*** happens.
I still like my other April Fools Day joke better. Even more when I heard it got Stephanie also.
BIG ED
An Evil man with a target on his back
John & Heidi,
Good to hear you arrived well at your home and Heidi….welcome in Holland !
ps perhaps Mr. Dick Little has some spare underwear for you
Hello Bubba er I mean John,
You worry that we will not read the blog thingy, that’s like saying we won’t eat on a Carnival cruise… lol I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
I was so excited to see the pictures from the Splendor. We, as well as several other bloggers on Big Ed’s Krewe, are booked for cruises on the Splendor for 3 different sailings, the last of Oct , Nov,and the first of Dec. . It looks gorgeous. I hope you can send us more as you have the time.
Your friend, Bubba Chris, is very funny, I can tell he was your ACD, he picked up some of your humour (sp right?) and sounds a lot like you. I would love to be on a ship that he is CD on, but it won’t be Alaska…we won’t fly to get the ship in Seattle. I really enjoyed his blog.
I’m glad Heidi will have her few days with her Mum. I know every minute is special.
Why are you in such a big hurry to get your suitcase back, this is an excellent excuse for Heidi ……….. yeap, to go shopping. lol
Hope you get over the jet lag and get reunited with your luggage soon.
Carolyn
John, hope your suitcase shows up soon.
Thanks for the guest blog by Bubba, that’s a good idea; gives you a little break, but keeps us addicted! LOL
Take care my friend,
Diane from Texas
When you mentioned “recording… for Carnival” it made me wonder if you had ever considered a podcast?
Creating a podcast would either free up a chunk of your time or simply add more to your workload. Either way their simply are not enough good cruise related podcasts out there.
Just some food for thought…
PS: If you did create one, I’d even be willing to put together the instructions for the visitor/readers so they would be able to listen with ease!
John:
It was great to hear from Bubba. We sailed with him on the Miracle and he was a hoot.
His ACD at the time was Sarah Kushma and she was absolutely wonderful.
We have also sailed with Shawn twice (once in Alaska) and she is adorable.
Bubba will have DJ’s favorite Club 02 director on board. Ria arrived on the Spirit in January. (Bubba give Ria a BIG hug from DJ!!)
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2320219690083327311TGSugW
LOVED Alaska….we flew in a week before the cruise and rented a car to do the interior of Alaska on our own. We can’t wait to go back!!
Enjoy this time with your folks and we hope Heidi has a great visit with her Mom.
I too was blessed with wonderful parents who are now greatly missed.
Tomorrow is Josh’s birthday, so he will no longer be a teenager. My “baby” will be 20 years old. It just does not seem possible. He is counting the days until our cruise in May. DJ still gets a kick out of the fact that he has more cruises than Josh.
(College has interferred with Josh’s cruising plans)
Hope the lights stay on while Heidi is away. Without your “ray of sunshine”…. you would be totally lost in the dark!!!
Linda ( Mom of your friend DJ)
It’s like Deja Vu!
Watching a movie on TV – Once Upon a Crime – with a bunch of well know actors, including George Hamilton. And some of it even takes place in Monte Carlo! I was trying to imagine Carnival Splendor in the harbor. Can’t wait!
For Don & Carolyn: Are you going on the Thanksgiving week cruise on the Splendor? We are too, as well as Empress Bee & Prince Charlie, and we hope to meet up with Nanette in P.R. See you there, IF you are going that week!
John: Good thing it was YOUR suitcase that is lost, because if it were Heidi’s she would’ve had to go shopping for a whole new wardrobe being she went to visit her mum. Hope the show you will be on the USA channel is not going to be shown the week of April 20th because we will be on the Liberty that week, and I really want to see it! Well behave yourself while Heidi is gone, ok? Good April Fools joke on your part, having the lights go out, BUT I thought YOU might be trying to be romantic, not Heidi! How is the smiley stick working? I wonder if your cab driver decided to keep your luggage in Barbados? See Ya, Linda
Hi John – I for one would love to hear your voice when I call into Res! Although, the agents are really pretty quick to pick up so not sure how much “airtime” you would actually have. Come to think of it, I think I’ve only been on hold with Carnival res once or twice in the million times that I’ve called into them for clients! But good thought, and I am certainly behind you!
Hopefully Heidi has a wonderful visit with her mom and by the sounds of it, your boxers are having a wonderful visit in the warm sun! Hopefully they will be on their way home to you soon!!
Cheers!
John,
*clothes pin on my nose* I think I found your luggage…….
Caio, Kathleen
Hi John
Surely you will get your luggage soon. If Heidi was thinking she probley tipped them to delay that suitcase so you could clean it while she was away!LOL! Sorry had to……
I enjoyed Chris Robert’s blog. Is he the CD that does the Blues Brothers show on the Legend? I had read about him on this blog last year and was looking forward to cruising with him. He was on vacation when we cruised in Sept. We were hopeing to see him next Sept. Oh well hope he has fun in Alaska! Looking forward to hearing more..
Hope you get some rest before you head off again. And for me be sure and tell your parents they raised an amazing son and the best CD on the seas.
That was a nice one tonight! I look forward to reading each & everyday.
John, Is the suitcase that did not come home with you the one that had all your Cuban cigars in it. That might be why they opened all your bags to see which one they wanted to make miss the plane. If the cigars are still there getting marinated in the fum de boxair I don’t want to be in the same room when you smoke them.
I hope it gets back home before Heidi gets home so you can do that laundry. Maybe you kept one of the masks the Evil Crew wore when we gave you the big jag of jelly beans for your birthday. You may need it when you open that suitcase.
BIG ED
Cuban cigarless in Michigan
Hello John
Being from New England maybe I missed something, if your mother put the candles out how did you see.
Enjoy your few days off and best to Heidi
Papanh
John
so glad to be able to get the “daily dose” even while you are land-locked and thank you for the visit from Bubba.
I have been cursing Carnival for not having a round trip Alaska and allowing my dear Baby Brother to win the battle of the cruise lines in selecting the family vacation for next summer (09)
My happy countdown ticker went under 200 days today and I am mentally transporting myself to the deck of the liberty for some much needed RnR
Hope Heidi has a good visit with her Mum and you get to see your missing luggage sometime soon!
They may have quarantined the area immediately surrounding your baggage in Barbados. Transporting hazardous wastes is against international law and perhaps that is why they didn’t load it onto the aircraft ……that or the luggage handler didn’t want to throw his back out……
Mark
The Flying Dutchman
John, should it be any surprise that your suitcase hadn’t headed toward home? When it does start to travel I’m sure it will get routed through Singapore or Ceylon… Mine always do…
Here’s hoping that Heidi has a wonderful time with her mum… The time that a mom spends with her children is very special, regardless of their age.
Thanks for the introduction to Bubba! From his words it appears that there may have been a little cloning going on somewhere! He sound like he was built in your mold! Good for him!
The renderings of the Splendor are, well, splendid! She’s going to be a true beauty, John!
Time for me to finish packing as I’m a dot tomorrow morning, heading out for my next adventure on a Carnival ship!’
Howdies to Heidi and Stephanie!
Cheers!
GregB
Hi John,
Glad to hear you made it home okay. Tell Heidi hello and hope she has a nice time visiting her Mum.
Well, I hope Miss Samsonite makes it home soon. Carl and I have never experienced lost luggage… but you seem to be getting a taste of what some of the guests go through. At least your not on a cruise ship with no luggage.
Maybe we should have a bloggers event at the naming of the Ruby Princess! Was good to read you had such a nice time on the Emerald Princess.
Bubba Chis sounds like a great CD. Would sure like to visit Alaska again…. maybe I will throw that up to Carl. Looking forward to reading an update from Bubba Chris.
John, I just seen your suitcase on National news here. It was on a carousel going around in Heathrow airport till it fell off and busted open. There was immediatly panic as people started falling over passing out from the foul strange odor filling the airport.
BIG ED
Next time you renew your contract with Carnival, maybe you can sneak in a clause that they will pay to FedEx/UPS your luggage to you. Could save a lot of back strain and aggravation!
“it is of course probably just Howard and Bob…….sitting in a small room at the airport”
Sorry to burst your bubble, John but the true answer is more like:
It is of course probably just Sanjay and Apu…….sitting in a giant noisy cubicle farm in Bangalore, India. And they probably just finished answering a call from a frustrated Mastercard customer asking why his last payment hadn’t posted, and after you hang up their next call will be a housewife in Iowa asking why her new refrigerator arrived without a door handle, and they probably know sod all about your bag.
*****
I really liked “Bubba’s” blog. I think Carnival should encouarage all the CDs to write blogs. (Don’t worry, John. I would never abandon the founder of the dynasty.) They probably wouldn’t write as expansively, or as often (or as funny) as you do, but I’m always curious about how things are going in the rest of the fleet.
Tell Heidi I understand how she feels about still missing her dad. My mom died a year after I finished college, and it still hurts sometimes, but it’s a good reminder that everything in life is temporary.
John,
I must tell you King Edward was so proud of his joke on you that he let me in on it in the wee hours in morning….I was going to email you, but I had found out you already knew it was a joke…then the evil took over in me….I thought about emailing you and tell you I was in another car accident…hehe…but I didn’t…didn’t want a target on my back!!! And until you get Ed back for what he did, I am NOT standing anywhere near him!!
Princess Susan….trying to stear clear of this one!!
Good evening Mr. Heald. Unfortunately the last post I sent to you didn’t arrive and I completely forgot what I had written except to say, spend some time with relatives and friends when you are at home. A couple things that I had ask also didn’t arrive. Just to let you know. Isn’t it a bummer when the lights go out. Around here we have to worry about the length of time out and the material in the freezer. We have so many candles around here, I should send some to you the next time the light go out. Bubba seems to be an interesting CD, almost like you. You are doing a great job and I will continue to read along with all the many fantastic things that you have prepared in the future. Keep well and say hello to Heidi. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Hi Linda, We are going 11/29 and so are Gloria and Larry. I saw that Ray and Deb are going on the Splendor in Aug. Big Ed’s Evil Krewe will be well represented. lol
John do you know who our CD will be?
Carolyn
John, “Big” Ed is not pulling your leg. I saw it too! The reporter that did the story got his bag back in 4, I repeat 4, days so maybe yours will arrive sometime after you have headed to Copenhagen. Ain’t progress marvelous?
We were thrilled to see the bit from Chris Roberts !! He was instrumental in arranging my proposal to Liz on the dance floor of the Ecstasy at the Captains party in October 2004.
I had tracked him down in the lobby and he took me to his cabin to sort out the plan, since Liz would not let me out of her sight. That evening went perfectly and Liz of course was completely surprised! He will always be a special CD for us.
We are booked on Spirit September 17th out of Vancouver…..Chris will still be the CD then won’t he ??? We really want to revisit with him so he can know how happy we are and that he played a big part in that happiness.
Phil & Liz
Newsflash:
Dateline: Barbados International Airport
Airport officials today blocked all traffic into and out Barbados International Airport today after a gaseous odor began eminating from a suitcase being held for shipment to London.
Airport officials ordered all personnel to evacuate the terminal, all airplanes to hold and called for HazMat teams to converge on the location.
Upon arrival, the HazMat teams identified the odor as decomposing underwear belonging to a known bloggerist, Mr. John Heald. Fearing the worst (i. e. – no one was willing to open the suitcase), the HazMat team moved the suitcase to the center of the airports runways, where they proceeded to bomb the suitcase with a combination of OxyClean and Fabreeze.
An APB has been issued for Mr. Heald, last seen fleeing the island paradise for the English isles accompanied by a blonde bombshell.
Further updates as they become available.
Hi JOHN!
I enjoyed the pictures,,,,,,especially the one w/the dolphin. I can already picture Kathleen and I swimming with them on our next cruise,,,,,,thanks to your suggestion.
Glad to hear all is well,,,,,,,but not so well with the luggage. Never fear,,,,,,,,,,with dirty underwear and all,,,,,,,,you’ll be able to sniff it out with no problem.
Take care,,,,,,,,,,,,haven’t blogged in a few days. Did you miss me?
Jeanette
aka Bucket Lady
Lori: I almost got to meet Nanni last year in P.R. It was raining, and I didn’t see her, she emailed me when we got back from our cruise that she saw me, but was too shy to come forward, I told her I wish she had. This time we definitely will see her! Hope we can get others who can’t make the Bloggers 2 cruise on the Fantasy out of New Orleans to join us on the Thanksgiving cruise on the Splendor. Princess Bee and Prince Charlie will be on it also! And maybe others I am told!? Linda
John (BroMate) – I’m inventing a new word for you as none other seems to adequately address who you really are. I think it is great you are letting Heidi rest up for a new round of picking up your underwear. Pray that she keeps her humor (spelt correctly). Bubba should know that he is on the greatest cruise there is, going to Alaska. Did that in 9/06 and would go back in a flash. But we are doing the Glory on 4/26 as we need to warm up from this Chicago winter. Take care and relax!!!
I wonder if Bubba will still be the CD on the Spirit when it leaves Alaska, for our Vancouver-to-Hawaiian Islands cruise in september?
Oh, and John, Heidi had the right idea about the power outage. Sometimes you just have to figure that the Fates, or sometimes Mother Nature, is trying to tell you something. Ask any maternity nurse at a hospital. Nine months after a black-out, or some other event that results in people being left to come up with their own entertainment, there is always a sharp increase in babies being born! (We should know…our first son was born nine months after a large rainstorm washed out roads and bridges in our area!)
Terri & Larry
Glad you are both back home safe and sound; will there be anymore excursions added for the Splendor Baltic Cruise or are all of them posted on the excursion website; also when we were on the Liberty we did a post cruise stay in Rome and there was an excursion which departed from the ship and did a 12 hour excursion of Rome, do you know if there will be such an excursion for London? There is only one posted now which only goes to Windsor; we would like to see more of London. Please let us know so we can start making some plans. See ya soon.
Hi John
I do so hope you get your suitcase before I go to Barbados in a couple of weeks….lol
I am glad Heidi gets to spend some time with her Mum. I spend as much time as possible with mine. She is now 71 yrs old and an avid cruiser also.
I am booked with my hubby, Larry, on the Nov. 29th sailing of the Splendor. Carolyn and her hubby is booked for that one also. It is a small party but the Krewe will be represented there, and Nanni is planning on visiting us at the port…how exciting!! Please tell us who will be the CD if you know. Take care and enjoy your time at home. Give my best to Heidi!!
Gloria aka Sue
OIC,
It looks like there is a new dock in Monte Carlo
The new cruise ship pier (Nouvelle Digue de Monaco) is located in the Port of Monaco (Hercules Port), just east of the Palais Princier, the home of Prince Albert, and just below the sector of Monte Carlo. Although the new 352 meter dock can accommodate several ships in port, there will be the odd occasion where it’s booked up and tenders will need to be utilized.
I even found a picture on Monaco’s port website:
http://www.ports-monaco.com/images/stories/photos/photo_086.jpg
I can hear the whining now about how the big cruise ship blocks everyone’s mega-million dollar view. It’s only for a few hours, people!
If you push Windstar and the others out of the way, it might be a perfect fit for Carnival Splendor!
It’s still going to be interesting to watch Splendor dock there.
Still love reading your blog John and never miss a day.
Also loved ” Bubba’s” blog too. He is a natural and travelled from Tampa to San Diego with him.Did He ever get to Seattle, next installment please.
Hope your luggage arrives
Hello Mr Heald,
Don’t you just hate it when thelights go out? Up here in the mountains, it happens several times a year, when we have a really big storm(like we had tonight, with tornado
warnings) or if a car hits a pole along the roadway. We live in a big, old, scaary kind of house too.
Enjoyed Bubba’s blog, he sort of reminds me of you. I see that everyone seems to be having great fun with your suitcase that is MIA. The Hazmat team with the febreeze and oxyclean, got me chuckling!
Also know how Heidi feels, lost my Mom to Alzheimers
disease several years ago, and I still miss her so much sometimes. I dream about her often.
Bye, Bye for now John
Sue from Narrowsb.
John, Hope your undies make it home soon. I’m sure you will be seeing Alan soon. I hope he is doing well. Please say hello and let us know how he is.
Bubba, thanks for you post. I’ll be looking forward to hearing more from you.
Good morning John,
What a great blog. All the pictures, etc.
Thanks for the info. on the Cancer Walk on Sunday. Riverhead is pretty far from me, but I’ll try and get a group together.
Bubba – I would love to cruise with him one day. After all, he’s one of your protoges. But his blog was really interesting about all he has to do to learn the Alaska run. Plus his small encounter with Mr. Murphy & his law. I guess I take it for granted that all the CDs just know what they’re doing right away. Just shows what a professional organization Carnival is.
My best to Heidi and her visit to her Mum. And I know how she feels about her Dad. Mine has been gone many years, but I still think of him and my mom all the time. Especially my mom now that it’s baseball season again. She was almost as big a fan as I am. Almost – not quite. GO YANKEES.
Keep the blogs coming John – any subject is fine.
Hugs,
Carol
John,
Your blog thingy has had another positive point of distinction for it…..it has put a face and a name on anonymous ships and people. The Duke and I have been on numerous cruises around the world, but I never paid much attention to the names of the crew….after all, we’ll never see them again, right? WRONG. And I had a tendency to only remember the name of the cruise line, not the name of the particular ship. WRONG.
You mentioned the Carnival Spirit (we cruised on her in Alaska when she was a month old) and we are gonna cruise on the Eurodam in August, when she is a month old. Hmmm, there seems to be a pattern here. You can bet I’ll know who the CD is on that trip. We were on the Zaandam in ‘04. Have no idea who the CD was. You have now personalized cruising for us and made us realize that we are a part of the Carnival Family…..and we enjoy getting to know our family and our ships.
Thank you for giving us this virtual scrapbook of memories, past and future.
Hey John!
I am right there with you on the call centers… why do they always have to act like they are so miserable? I just don’t get it…
The Splendor looks amazing! I can’t wait til the MR & I get a chance to cruise on it!
Keep the blogs coming
John,
Your discussion about the missing luggage was all too familiar. My granddaughter, Amanda, had one of her bags missing for almost two weeks after we got off the Freedom. The bad part was that all her cherished stuffed animals were in that bag including Kitty who has been with her through some very stressful times- like when she took the entrance exam to get into a wonderful private school. Kitty went with her but did not attempt to help her answer questions.
I made many, many international calls to Rome and Paris. Knowing very well that the suitcase was in one of those two places. It finally arrived safely back at our house and Kitty had quite a story to tell of her experiences. I know the frustration of talking to person after person. No one wants to accept responsibility for anything. Yes, I hate the message that they may tape the conversation to insure quality service. Oh well, good luck. Be vigilant about it! Don’t give up. I told both airlines that someone had that bag and I wanted it back!
Can’t wait to see pictures of the Splendor. Can’t wait to board it also! We are almost at 100 days!
Ruth
I really enjoyed Bubba’s contribution. This will give my wife and I some info on Alaska. We have always wanted to do this itinerary.
John, Of course we’re all still reading the blog! Wouldn’t miss it. Some days time is short and mind is a blank. So no comments. Jeri
John,
Please let Heidi know that we certaintly feel for her. I know how it is to feel like something is missing. Nothing could ever fill that void.
You almost have me convinced to take a cruise on the Splendor. Timing is just an issue, as we are book on two cruises already in the next year. Insipration in September 08 and The Legend in May 09.
From a real Bubba who can’t deny his raising in the DEEP SOUTH, tell Bubba we are looking forward to hearing more from him. Alaska sounds like fun, but there is just something to be said for taking a 110,000 ton ship to a secluded island beach.
John as always, try not to get bored, enjoy your time “to yourself” and thank you for this blog “thingy.” I was lost until I found it!
Always,
Adam, a.k.a. Bubba
Thank you so much for posting pictures of the Splendor. My husband and I were supposed to sail in July, but he had a massive heart attack in addition to prostate cancer, so we had to cancel. I love looking at the photos and can’t wait to read your blogs when you are on board her. We’ll live vicariously through you. Thanks again.
Timoneer had a really good suggestion. Sending your bags by FedEx or UPS would save you so much time, aggravation and back strain. I’m sure you could talk Carnival into paying for the added expense. Have your agent negotiate that perk for you, lol.
John,
Thank you so much for the pictures of the splendor! I love getting here to find one or two teaser pictures. I am waiting to open up the latest blog one of these times and see pictures/drawings of the winter garden and tea house pictures. *hint hint* LOL Carla
My mother passed away just after I graduated High School (18 years ago) and I still sorely miss her. I do as much as I can with my father to make up for it though.
I need another cruise, I only have been on one and I am thoroughly addicted now….. Between your time on the Princess and everyone talking about their up and comings I am jealous!
Hi John/Heidi:
2 blogs today for the price of 1 from 2 people? Excellent.
I look forward to following Bubba’s journey to Alaska and I hope he is able to make it up there.
I was not aware of how many familiarity trips the CDs make, but it obviously makes sense since you have to be on top of the lay of the land, excursions, etc.
Thanks for another great set of blogs today and looking forward to hearing more soon.
David
Don’t ya just love it when your luggage has more frequent flier miles than you do?
John, I sure would love to see a bloggers’ cruise to Alaska with you and Bubba some time. I remember you had suggested Alaska as a possibility before you decided on the cruise from New Orleans. Maybe those of us who were excited about the chance for Alaska would make enough of a group to for you to reconsider it. Even as a second 2009 bloggers’ cruise. Since they are so enjoyed and so anticipated, why limit it to one a year? Prior committments have kept me from both the last one and the next one, and I am sure there are many like me just waiting for a bloggers’ cruise that fits their schedules.
Shirley
John,
I think it’s a great idea to have a recording of your voice when calling the reservations number! Thanks for the guest blog by Chris. I’m hoping to surprise Peter with an Alaskan cruise in the next two years (crossing my fingers), and I look forward to hearing Chris’s point of view as the season gets underway.
Here’s to wishing Heidi a safe return to your arms! Oh, and your suitcase, too.
Shannan
John,We sailed with you in Jan.’08on the bloggers cruise.Great time.Since then we have followed your daily adventures with great enjoyment.We feel like we are part of the family.
Thank you ,enjoy your time off,and i will definately continue to follow you daily.
Best wishes mate,
Butch
John & Heidi,
I love that you take space in your thingy to introduce people like Bubba! We loved the Spirit so much on our Mex Riv cruise we are on her again in 2009 for Alaska. I hope Bubba is still there, although Shawn was a hoot as well! Enjoy your Euro-Fam trip!
Mike & Mary