Friday, April 4th, 2008...3:07 pm
A Flying Blog
As soon as he sat next to me I knew I was in trouble…………..I also knew that I would have to start this blog with the words…………you won’t believe this but I promise it’s true……….so…………you won’t believe this but I promise it’s true.
So, today Heidi and I flew to Copenhagen where I write to you from now and once again Murphy or some other great big sod obviously knows I write a blog thingy and therefore just in case I should have just one normal day…………one day where all I can write is:
Hello
nothing happened
Goodnight
Murphy and his gang crapped on me yet again from 30,000 feet. I thought I was ahead of the game. Yesterday, I finally looked at the tickets Carnival had sent us for our flight from London to Denmark and to my horror I discovered we were flying from Heathrow’s new Terminal 5.
Now, I am not sure if you have been reading about Terminal 5 but it is supposed to be the most modern airport terminal in the world paid for and run by British Airways……..or BA as they are known……………well……………….BA now stands for Bugger All………….works.
Hundreds of flights have been canceled and there are 20,000 bags misplaced………..even the Supermodel Naomi Campbell had her bag lost this morning which resulted in her throwing her toys out of her stroller and getting arrested…………….shame…………..I understand though as her suitcase contained her lunch of a piece of lettuce and a bottle of air.
T5 has become a nightmare………….it’s useless and the only thing that can make it any worse is a rock-climbing wall.
Now, due to the fact that my suitcase only returned tanned and refreshed (unlike it’s contents ) from Barbados yesterday I decided to cancel Carnival’s booking and book our own tickets……………….unfortunately the only airline I could find was …………………..Easy Jet.
Now, for those people who have no idea who Easy Jet are and have not read my previous references to them I should explain they are a low cost budget airline with no frills, no seating assignments, orange planes, cabin attendants who really wanted to be Parking Police and seats designed for Snow Whites seven friends and not people like me.
I had no choice……………I needed to get to Denmark and I needed my underwear to arrive on the same flight as me……………..so £280 ($650) later (it’s only a low cost airline if you book 300 years in advance.
Well, the flight was 25 minutes delayed as someone had found a dead squirrel on the runway…………the seats were orange…………my bottom somehow was wedged into the seat and there were a bunch of drunk rugby players singing songs about a snake with one eye or something…………….I thought it couldn’t get any worse……………of course it could!
The seating configuration is three across in two rows. Heidi was at the window and me in the isle. We have all done that look and had that feeling when someone walks down the aisle…….that “Oh please don’t sit next to me”……………well in this guys defense he had no choice as the cabin attendant had found time between drinking a coffee and chatting with her friend about her new boyfriend to tell us to hurry up and sit down and that the flight was full…………..charm school and this lady had never met.
So, the guy started to sit down and Heidi moved back to the middle seat to be next to me and offered him the window seat. This meant me having to stand up………….un-wedge my bottom from the orange seat and undo the seat belt that had taken all my strength to get round my waist………………….anyway……………..down sat the man and we prepared for take off. The chap was from Denmark………..I knew that from the Danish newspaper he was reading…………..he was in his 40’s…………..and the only remarkable feature was his moustache which was thin, wispy and curled upwards at both ends.
Anyway, we eventually took off and after we had reached our cruising altitude Miss Charm School informed us that she was about to rip us all off by coming round with the cart selling a Diet Coke and a sandwich for the same price as dinner at our Supper Clubs.
Well, Mr. Moustache ordered a coffee…………….that was fine……………he paid his $90 and we passed it along to him.
He started to drink, Heidi was reading a magazine about how Brad still had feelings for Jennifer someone and I closed my eyes…………….I would have read my book but it was in my bag in the overhead locker and I couldn’t be bothered to have another battle with the seat belt…………..so………..as the flight was only 1 hour and 30 minutes…….I tried to sleep.
I was woken by a strange noise…………I couldn’t make it out so I closed my eyes and as soon as I did I heard the noise again and this time it was accompanied by a dig in the ribs from Heidi…………..I looked at the source of this disgusting sound and there was Mr. Moustache …………..holding his now empty polystyrene coffee cup ………………gobbing large black tidal waves of chewing tobacco into the cup………..I couldn’t believe this………….was he allowed…………it was a non smoking flight of course……………was this smoking?
Well, being British I said nothing…………..eventually he stopped but my joy was short lived as he took out a tin , shoved another bail of tobacco in his mouth and that was Heidi and I listening to him for the remainder of flight spitting into a cup……………….bugger and double bugger.
Anyway, more in a moment but first ………….the news.
Talking of airlines I see there was a comment about Carnival Airlines …………this was successful for a time but then we merged with the “new Pan Am ” which like the old Pan Am it went down instead of up which is never good for an airline.
I also want to apologize for my calling ships’ “lines” ropes and again thank you all for your comments……………….except my sister who instead of investing her billionaire clients money is busy telling fairytales about me on my thingy……………watch out for another Suedrip story very soon………………..especially as she has outed my fear and loathing of cotton wool…………….payback is coming.
Here is the next installment of Bubba’s Alaskan adventure.
Day 4 Alaska Fam – April Fools Day – Welcome to Juneau…
Well it was no joke that we were up and out the door of our Anchorage hotel and on the way back to the airport at 6am. We were flying to Juneau early in the morning. Interesting thing we found in the Airport today is that in the state of Alaska, they actually allow you to check 3 bags when you fly. It’s because of all the tourists who come up for the fishing, going back home with their coolers of fish. Thought that was an interesting tidbit.
No drama at the airport today. Everything was on time. Took off, got above the clouds and saw the sun for the first time in two days. It was very overcast during our stay in Anchorage. All though we were headed south I didn’t expect the weather to get much better.
We all sat in the same row together, except Linda she was up front. Not all the way. Just behind first class. I found it interesting to see how each of us handled the flight. James and Ross were right out asleep. Asleep before they even did the safety briefing. They didn’t wake up until the plane touched down. I think that they were out late the night before checking out some the nightlife there in Anchorage. Grant and Kat watched DVD’s the whole trip and I played a bit of poker on my PSP and enjoyed my small bag of pretzels which were cinnamon-flavored. Also something a bit different. Tasty..…I do love a bit of snacking.
The flight from Anchorage to Juneau is a short 1 ½ hours. Cool thing about this airport is there are two runways. One made of concrete, and the other made of water. There is a channel running parallel to the main runway for all of the floatplanes that are in the area. Walked off the plane to find there are only 4 gates in this airport and one baggage carousel. Yet the baggage carousel has a big number 1 on it. “look for carousel #1.” It’s not hard to find…IT”S THE ONLY ONE! Our bags came quite quickly and we were out the door in a van on our way to another great day. Today we were meeting a lot of the MUST SEE excursion operators in this port.
Juneau is the capital of Alaska. It is the 3rd largest town in Alaska population-wise, yet it is one of the largest cities in the USA square mileage wise. There are only three ways to get to Juneau. By air. By sea. Or by birth. You cannot drive in or out of this city. They have roads going all over town, but none of them leave town. Downtown where the ships dock is surrounded by mountains. It is a beautiful port. The weather here can be tricky. It can be raining buckets downtown, yet a mile up the road the sun can be shining.
Today we met with some of the tour operators who run some of the most popular excursions. Flight seeing by helicopter or floatplanes, zip lines, fishing and glacier trekking. These are some of the can’t miss experiences for your day in Juneau.
The main theme that came up among conversations with these operators is that they want to provide a quality, memorable and exciting experience, but the most important thing to all of them was Safety. If they can’t do something safely, they were not going to do it at all. It’s good to hear, and one of the best reasons why one should book shore excursions through the ship. You know that we have working relationships with these tour operators for years. They will run an excellent excursion while keeping you safe and getting you back to your ship in a timely fashion. If there are weather issues for excursions, they will work with our shore excursion team on trying to arrange later departures, or to put you on one of the other excursions that are similar in nature. For instance there are several companies that run helicopter glacier tours. They fly in different directions in Juneau. The weather can be horrible on one side of town, but great on the other. So one helicopter tour might fly and the other might have to cancel, but working with our shore ex team they will do the best they can to try and get everyone out on one of the excursions. Weather is a major part of the Alaska experience. Welcome it with open arms..be one with mother nature.
The other thing related to safety that they brought up today were concerns to some of the restrictions that are necessary to run tours safely. They strongly recommend that you read through excursion booklets thoroughly so you can see the details of what is required to go on an excursion and to understand that these restrictions have been placed in mind on how to maximize the safe running of that excursion.
If you like to fish, than Alaska will be like heaven to you. Depending on what time of year you come will depend on what’s running…Your shore ex can fill you in on the details when you are on board if you have specific questions. In addition to the cost of the tour, there is also special permits that you will need to purchase directly from the tour operator. Again the shore ex team can answer specific questions for you. Although I Live in Florida I have never been into fishing. But I do love to munch on all things Salmon…and you will find it all up here. Try the salmon jerky and salmon spreads. They are delicious. Mmmmmmmmmmmm…..salmon.
Here’s some pics from today…..
This is Kat modeling the Safety equipment used for the zip line tour in Juneau. This tour will do 7 different zips and couple of suspension bridges which range all the way up to several hundred feet in the air. Another interesting aspect is that the zip course was built over the top of one of the largest gold mines. Which there are still some remains that you can see. The mine collapsed many years ago.
This is some of the equipment and gear that is provide for those who go trekking on the glacier. There are several different tours that do this that depend on your physical ability and how much you would like to do once you are on the ice. AMAZING!
Here’s Kat modeling the pilots chairs of one of the helicopters. The helicopter tours can be a bit pricey, but they are worth every penny. Folks sometime ask why are they so costly. The helicopter you see in this pic cost over $1.5 million, and let’s not even talk about the price of gas. Can you imagine having to fill this thing up? Just to start the engine burns almost $700 worth of fuel. But I can’t stress enough about how amazing the helicopter trips are.
Here we are at the fly fishing base. They use the best gear and it is all provided.
This is one of the many floatplanes getting some routine maintenance getting it ready for the season.
There is a tour in Juneau called the Taku Lodge, Flight & Feast. It’s a can’t miss. Flight see over many different glaciers. Plus have an incredible salmon feast in an historic lodge.
These are pics from the Salmon Hatchery, which is a destination on a couple of different tours that are offered in Juneau. Depending on the time of the year that you visit, will depend on what type of Salmon you see. The top pic is of a Salmon ladder which is amazing to see in action.
Also inside the salmon Hatchery they have an interactive touch tank where you can get up close and personal with some of Alaska’s underwater life. This is Ross holding a Sea Cucumber. It was very happy to make his acquaintance.
We are going to be here in Juneau for a few days as there is plenty more to see and learn about. I really like Juneau. It’s a great town with some incredible experiences. You’ll definitely want to try more than one during your stay if time permits.
I would also like to say thanks to the kind words that I saw today on the blog about my contribution. My reports are about 3 days behind of me getting posted so today was the 1st day I saw my first report. Thanks again to John for letting me be a part of this, and thank you for reading….
Later taters!
Chris
I don’t know about you but I want to go to Alaska…………..thanks Bubba.
So we arrived at about 5 pm into Copenhagen. It is very cold and the taxi ride over cost 232 Krona which is the equivalent of about $100. The taxi driver was very young and I tried having a conversation with him and I guess the fact that he turned up the techno music on the car stereo told me he wasn’t the chatty sort.
Walking through the airport it seemed that everyone here in Denmark eats Toblorone. I am not sure if you have this in the USA/Canada but wherever you look, someone is nibbling on this triangular chocolate. We arrived at the Best Western Hotel and all I can say is that the word Best should not be included in the title. I know I am a lowly CD but goodness, the 3 stars on the wall probably refer to the number of people who have made it out without some catching some sort of gastro illness………….I don’t expect 5 star but 4 would be nice, or even 3 and a half. Still, Carnival were thinking of me when they booked this room as the local delights of the national dish McDonalds is right next door………….I wonder if they serve McToblerone.
I know, stop whining…………………………I can hear PA 007 saying that to me right now.
By the way, I have PA 007 working on who will be the Carnival Splendors’ Godmother, I should have news soon.
So far, the scenery has been stunning, especially the receptionist……………wow, everywhere I look there are beautiful girls……….not that I am looking but goodness, Denmark was not a country who had a visit from the ugly stick.
One of the interesting things is seen as you fly into Copenhagen. Denmark is leading the way in Europe with wind-generated electricity. As you fly over the sea, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of huge wind turbines that generate 10% of the country’s power. Some people think they are ugly; however, it is an amazing sight to see from an airplane.
It is now 7 pm and time to go and eat a Toblerone for dinner. Actually, we are hoping to find a restaurant that serves the famous Danish dish of meat, white beans and cabbage. It’s fantastic, I had it once before, the last time I was here on the Carnival Legend.
Tomorrow, we will meet with the Tour Operators and will begin our first day’s exploration of this country. We are here until the Monday for somewhere, no idea where and of course I will report back on all we have seen.
Time for dinner and if I find the Danish dish I mentioned, they should shove a plug in my bottom and the countries wind depended electricity will increase by 20%…………40% if I have an extra helping.
Good Night.
Your friends,
John and Heidi
45 Comments
April 4th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
John:
I would have solved that “chewing tobacco” incident quickly….since the smell makes me
“hurl” instantly.
He would have had the pleasure
of watching me “spit” into the airsick bag as he “spit” into his cup.
Touche’
April 4th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I am trying to envision what it would be like if Naomi Campbell were to ever be forced to fly on Easy Jet…. perhaps as a punishment for her recent tirade.….the mere thought brings a slight smile to my face……Perhaps sit her next to Mr. ChewingCud. Miss socially unadjusted abysmal manners would grab some of his bale (without asking) and munch on and devour it….. thinking it a delicious snack….she does seem to be a bit mal-nourished.
My brother and family recently stayed at a Howard Johnson’s (didn’t know they were still around) which allegedly was a 3 star…….who gives these locations their star ratings anyway???? My sister-in-law said it should have been a 1 ½ star hotel.
Mark
The Flying Dutchman
April 4th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
HAVE FUN IN DENMARK.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Hi John & Heidi,
Glad I checked the blog thingy before I leave for the day.
T5 - oh no - the Horror!!!! But Easy Jet and Mr. Chew-it-up-and-spit-it-out!!!!! uggggghhhhh.
Why does Mr. Murphy keep following you around?
Thanks for the follow-up on Carnival Airlines.
Bubba-Part 4 - Every CD should post this type of informative blog. It would help so many people decide where to cruise. I’d love to see Alaska but I’m not into snow, ice, climbing, etc. (the old knees won’t let me anymore). Just give me the warm Caribbean (soon please).
I know you’ll have some more to tell us about your life as Suzanne’s big brother - can’t wait for it and for her rebuttal.
Enjoy Copenhagen (& Toblerone) and the weekend.
Hugs always,
Carol
April 4th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Hi John..love the blogs about Alaska. I’m still voting for a bloggers cruise in Alaska.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Now you know why we try to fly “Business Class” !!
We loved our Alaskan Cruise aboard the Carnival Spirit! That was May ‘06. Paul (Lee) was stationed in the Air Force underground in King Salmon, Alaska in the 60’s.
Vancouver is where you pick up the Spirit. It’s a beautiful city. Lots to see right there. Went to Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway where we took the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. It snowed at the Canadian border, loved it! You must go!! Glacier Bay is fabulous……
Kathy and Paul
April 4th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
John, were you trying to do the evil seat saving for the phatom flyer trick. The last time I flew the armrest in the middle removed is that still true on the newer planes? I’m sure that the Mr. Moustache when he look at that seat being next to you he didn’t want to sit there but he also saw Heidi and said to himself, I can move as close as I can to that good looking blond and blame the fat guy for me being forced over on her. But to his surprise Heidi moved over a stuck him in the window seat.
BIG 2 SEAT ED
April 4th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
John & Heidi:
Have a great time in Denmark! I am off to Miami tomorrow and boarding Valor on Sunday. I will not be blogging for a week so do not put an APB on me. I’ll be back!
Hi Bubba - great blog posts - keep them coming!
April 4th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Ivana,,
Have a great cruise. Just because your getting married during the cruise is no reason not to read the blog and post comments. We want an hourly update from you.
Congratulations and best wishes
BIG ED
April 4th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
my only time in copenhagen was not too good, the waiters were ALL surly. i mean really surly. i was glad to leave there. i know there must be perfectly lovely people but unfortunately i did not see them. and i did pay the ridiculous amount of about eight bucks for coffee one morning and got charged again for a refill! ha ha ha i was glad to see the area though and thought it was beautiful.
ten days till my cruise on the valor! woo hoo!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
April 4th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
sounds like a horrid experience on easyjet! I’m surprised that Ms. Charm school didn’t say anything about the tobacco!
The 1 or two times I flew I never had any problem with easyjet, but then again, I’m normal sized.
April 4th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Poor Heidi, having to sit next to a tobacco spitter, YUCK!! That’s worse than I expected, because I expected the seat mate to be a stinky Frenchman! LOL
Yes, we do have Toblerone in the USA. Hope the Denmark trip goes well.
Diane from Texas
April 4th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
John…
Denmark??? I’m not there… I’ve always used a bed and breakfast… in Copenhagen and Odense… And LOVED the breakfasts and rooms… Even with the bath down the hall… it’s always very comfy and pampering! Sorry yours isn’t up to parr.
Your flight mate… YUCK!!! Here in Texas we get that all the time… nasty NASTY habit!!! EWWW!
Bubba’s flight seemed much better than yours… but I loved the carousel #1. Hey, they’re planning for expansion…. next century!!
Have a delightful time in Denmark!!! I look forward to your next blog…
Regards to Stephanie, Heidi and of course you, John!!!
Lambie
April 4th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Chewing tobacco on a plane?!?! Roget will have to think up some new words before I can express my feelings about that! I’m just glad he wasn’t American.
OK, globalization has officially gone too far when they place Best Westerns in Copenhagen.
No wonder the rest of the world hates Americans, when they get exposed to such highlights of our culture as Best Western and McDonalds. bleech!
I forgot to say in my last post - Please give my wishes to Al Ernst for a speedy recovery. Although, I have to wonder if his messed up leg is Karma getting even with him for pulling all our legs on the Bloggers’ Cruise.
To “Bubba”,
Thanks so much for the Alaskan posts! I’m a confirmed warm-weather vacationer, but you just might entice me up to Seward’s Folly one of these days. Actually, Kat is the one enticing me most, but the other pictures look nice too. Carnival sure seems to have a habit of hiring good looking ladies. As for the men - well, I don’t think George Clooney is worried about being replaced by a Carnival CD any time soon.
April 4th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Thanks for another great blog, John. I hope you have recovered from the flight & arfe having a wonderful dinner with your beautiful wife. I also really enjoyed “Bubba’s” writing from Alaska, nice to know the cruise lines do so much to ensure our safety while on excursions.
Jan
April 4th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Big Ed !
I’m trying to catch up on the blog “thingy”. I’ve just read where you said to help John get a “good” agent! Everybody in this town is looking for a “good” agent…. ………. all Lee’s are dead!!! Ha!
Kathy and Paul (Lee Paul retired!!! )
April 4th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
John,
I enjoying your “journey” as much as I did the shipboard stories. I do hope you get to Tivoli Gardens. It’s like seeing the original model for Disney. The best thing about Copenhagen is the Danish…. pastry…. and as you said the women aren’t hard to look at either.
I hate flying, so your flight stories make me reminisce. Last time I flew I asked for the window seat, but they told me the pilot needed it.
The prison guard (errr flight attendant) offered dinner. I asked what my choices were, and she said yes or no.
I’ve been following the Terminal 5 story closely, as coming back to Miami to catch the Freedom they have me flying BA , through Terminal 5. YIKES!
Maybe they’ll loan me some underwear you left behind on Freedom.
I’m also getting a kick out of your sister stories. I have a twin sister. When people asked if we looked alike, I’d always say yes, but her moustache is thicker. When they met her on a group cruise that she came along on, and they told her she didn’t have a moustache I got in BIG trouble. The joys of siblings!
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
April 4th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Hi John/heidi, everyone out there in blogland,
John you really did a lot of nasty stuff to you sister when you were younger!! Shame on you…
Carol S. Yes!?! I agree with you, the next blogger’s cruise should definetely be out of NY, the greatest city in the world. It would be so much fun to sail past the Statue of liberty, under the Verrazanno Narrows bridge and out to sea, as we’re passing by Coney Island!! I’ve been saying it to my family, so now I’m glad someone else thought of it also. Carol you are a genius.
Sue
s
April 4th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Hi John,
Thanks for having Bubba write about Alaska. Alaska is on my list of places I want to cruise. Just like Europe. I am looking forward to reading about the places the Splendor will be visiting. I also hope to cruise that region one day. For now I will be content with my cruises that I can afford to do.
Enjoy your trip. Don’t worry about people not reading yourblog. As I have said before, I get to travel without leaving home. It keeps me going until my next cruise (101 days).
April 4th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
John -
I can understand your comment about Denmark and it’s women - if they all look like Heidi, one would consider never leaving.
When I served in Iceland in the late seventies, the women of that island were beautiful - they share many of the same genes as the Danes.
Enjoy your time in Denmark on the company.
JustJon
April 4th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
My poor Heidi ! I work with someone who chews tobacco, a huge Somalian rugby playing guy who wears his long hair in a pony tail on the top of his head like a giant Samari warrior - in a suit ! He has 2 Starbucks coffee cups on his desk - one to spit into (an art through the small hole in the lid) and one to drink. I am not happy to say I was witness to the day he mixed the two up and took a large gulp of his grande skinny spitoon, resulting in him shouting the Communications Officers name of the Starship Enterprise into the nearest bin “UHURA”
So I gave you a little insight yesterday into life growing up with my brother and to all those kind people who mentioned karma and divine retribution please please please do not send him any cotton wool or mention Doris Gilson his first girlfriend because that would be just cruel !!!!
April 4th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
So Mr. Mustache enjoyed a little Copenhagen while en route to Copenhagen. I guess it’s a good thing you weren’t going to Djibouti.
April 4th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Hi John,
Don’t eat to much Toblerone… it might not agree with your diet! I love Toblerone ….we sell a lot of it at the store I work at. Good stuff, but awfully rich! Maybe that’s why it’s so good.
Poor Heidi…. having to sit next to Mr. Cud-Chewer. Yuck! I think I might have bee rather verbal about his spitting. How disgusting and rude of him.
Sounds like Bubba Chris is having a great time in Alaska. He’s right… the helicopter rides are worth every penny. I was scared to death (I’m afraid of heights) when we went up over the glaciers… but afterwards, I told Carl I would do it again. It was great!
Hope your stay in Denmark gets better than it has been so far! Hello to Heidi!
Barb
April 4th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
John,
I don’t know how you and Heidi kept from being sick with that guy spitting his tobacco next to you. It nearly makes me gag just thinking about it.
Really enjoying reading about Bubba’s Alaskan adventure. Makes me want to visit there even more.
Ever thought of doing a blogger’s cruise up there?
The Kilmartins
April 4th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Hey there John. Enjoy Copenhagen!
If you get a chance–stroll through Christiania–not too many places left like it. Was a self ruling “hippy” village until a few years ago. Now Copenhagen is trying to take control of it.
By the way, your flight in US$ would be $557, not $650. The rate is at 1.99 today. Don’t make it any worse than it is.
Have fun and pick some good places for us to go.
Check out the “Ice Bar”.
Gary B
April 4th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Toblerone! Yum! They sure do have them in the US. When I was growing up they were very special treats and my parents always put them in our Christmas stockings. We love them so much here at our house we named our dog (a “chocolate” lab) Toblerone–we call him Toby.
OK–now I’m off to purchase a certain kind of chocolate!
Kathi
April 4th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
John,
I have an idea! Since everybody, including me, are enjoying reading about Bubba’s adventure, maybe Carnival should hire him to go to every port and do a report for us. His insight on the tours are great! It could be called Bubba’s Blog or something like that.
I hope you had a good dinner!
I’m with DianeCruzin2, please have a bloggers cruise to Alaska!!
Princess Susan
April 4th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Oh Bubba I love your description of the Juneau International Airport. There actually is a 5th gate but you have to know where to look for it in the corner. The Alaska Airline schedule is such that the TSA security area can be shut down for their lunch and dinner hour……..no real need to check in 2 hours ahead, it is great. When the fish start coming back to the hatchery the channel will be black and churning with salmon for days………you will have to see it.
I am looking forward to the return of the Carnival Spirit it is my favorite Carnival ship……….I have spent so much time on board I think I could find my way around blindfolded.
Enjoy the rest of your stay in Juneau.
Kersplott
April 4th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
John,
Hope your trip is going well. Been really busy with work sorry I haven’t written sooner. Talk with you soon.
Kevin
PS Hi Heidi
April 4th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
John,
What a small world. They have rednecks in Denmark!
April 5th, 2008 at 1:08 am
URGENT JOHN!!!! PLEASE REPLY!!!!
John,
We just got back from our Spring Break cruise on the Valor. I have an urgent concern that I wanted to forward directly to the CD, Chris. Could you give me his email address, or perhaps, does the ship have a “generic” address? You can reply to my email if needed.
I also have a complaint that I believe is a design flaw for the Conquest Class ships….who would be the ideal person to direct it?
THANKS!!
Enjoy the European vacation!
Brian
April 5th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Your plane ride sounds like a nightmare! Chewing and spitting - Ugh. My granddad used to chew and then spit out the window. When sitting in the back as kids were supposed to do, it was truly gross.
At least the plane did fly. Today we got news that the plane that flies into our airport in Punta Gorda, FL went bankrupt and the last flight was yesterday. Surprise! We were not the first to call the credit card company to apply to get a refund. What a shock.
Haven’t stayed in a Best? Western for years and don’t intend to either. Hope the rest of the stay is much better. Jeri
April 5th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Easy Jet - V - LHR T5
The showdown! bet you wish you took your chances with BA “The worlds Stupedist Airline”
You could write them a book on customer care, cruise companies seem to get this so right, yet airlines don’t.
Anyway, have a great time in Europe, hope you had time to place your National bet although Muryphys Law isnt a runner this year!
Gav and Em
April 5th, 2008 at 11:04 am
John,
sounds like you and flights just don’t go. The reports from Bubba are great, Alaska sounds like an adventure of a liftime….. for later when the 2 boys are on there own….. after they row up migh even try to get Kevin to take me on a cruise in Europe….. a northen, would love to see Germany, Ireland and England more than Italy…. till then will enjoy the cruises out of Florida!
Now must have triangular chocolate…….. they do sell Toblorone here at Publix.
Best wishes the you and Heidi
The One
and only 1
Heidi-Beth
April 5th, 2008 at 11:53 am
John–That person sitting next to me with the chewing tobacco would have had it stuffed up a body part that I shall not mention. How absolutely disgusting.
Have some Toblerone for me. Yes, they have it here–along with every other type of chocolate, foreign and American, I am trying to avoid.
And one thing–bloggers cruise out of NYC??? All I can say to that is–YES!!! Absolutely fabulous idea, and I think you should “make it so.”
April 5th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
OK I want to hear the story about Doris Gilson LOL
Now who is going to do it?? John or Suzanne??
Suzanne:
I guess you have always read the blog. Why didnt you write sooner ?? We are enjoying this! LOL
John!! We love you!! HA!!
Nanni official welcoming committee to SJ Puerto Rico
April 5th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
You can get really large containers of Toblerone in assorted flavors at Costco around Christmas time! Relatively cheap, too!
I see Eurodam has a pretty neat website:
http://eurodam.hollandamerica.com/
Only 88 days until I board Splendor in Genoa!
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/splendor/splendor.htm
April 5th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
John’s Sister
Suzanne, you said “please please please do not send him any cotton wool or mention Doris Gilson his first girlfriend because that would be just cruel” we would not think of doing something like that, ROFLM*O. Would we Evil Krewe at least not till we see him on the New Orleans Bloggers Cruise.
Thank you for the info will be looking for more ammo to help you get even. Anything you can do to help poor Alan out would be nice also.
KING EDWARD THE BIG
of the Evil Krewe
PS, We would like to make you a member of the Evil Krewe Suzanne. Just click on my name above and come to my blog. Maybe even send my a picture of you to put in the Bloggers Album there.
April 5th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
John,
I see some details about the Eurodam dedication ceremony have been published. when will we find out about Splendor? I also see they are calling their “pre-Inaugural” sailing a prelude cruise. Whatever. Looking forward to my prelude sailings on Carnival Splendor.
“The festivities will begin with a champagne reception in Rotterdam’s historic cruise terminal beginning at 2:30 p.m. Immediately following, a pierside concert will begin at 3:15. Due to special security arrangements, all guests must be seated by 3:30, and no one will be admitted after 3:30pm. The ceremony will end at approximately 5 p.m. Guests will not be allowed to board the ship.
For guests sailing on the July 2 prelude cruise, there are still a limited number of tickets available to attend the dedication ceremony for $100 per person. There also are two hotel packages available that include transfers and the ceremony. For information, contact your travel agent or Holland America Line.”
April 5th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Poor Heidi….I would rather be delayed 8 hours on a plane with no way off that to be sitting next to Mr. Mustache…Isn’t there a rule about that??? If not there should be. YUK YUK YUK.
Try to enjoy the rest of your trip. Kim Parker
p.s. Have you tried trains when possible….Maybe Murphy wont follow you.
April 5th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
John,
Sorry about the poor airplane trip, but now you can enjoy seeing Denmark this weekend, and can forget about tobacco boy and parking-attendant-wanna-be flight attendant. At least it was a short flight.
Thanks to Bubba again for the update on Alaska. I’m enjoying seeing what there is to do there.
Have a good weekend and hi to Heidi!
Shannan
April 5th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
John’s Sister,
So John suffers from Bambakomallophobia does he? And just why does he fear cotton wool so?
The only Doris Gilson I found of interest on the internet was a “strict” teacher at a school in St. Ann’s Lane, probably in the 1920’s. So I doubt that would be John’s first girlfriend. Unless, of course, she was still teaching when John was in school (she would have been what, 80 something so not likely!). But then boys do get the strangest crushes sometimes.
Please fill us in on all the details of these little tidbits you keep dropping!
Cheers,
Myra (Mickeyspal)
April 5th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I heard CCL is having optional formal nights. A real plus in our opinion.
Will Princess be following? We are platinum with princess and obviously like the line, but my husband got a NCL credit card several months ago because of their “free style” approach.
I want to stay with Princess they are wonderful IMO.
Is their any hope they start optional formal nights?
April 5th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
You are not alone John!
My brother has the exact same phobia about cotton wadding. He says it’s the same feeling as fingernails on the chalkboard. He won’t even open a new bottle of asprin because of the cotton–he makes his wife or daughter do it.
Kathi
April 7th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Hi John/Heidi:
Great blog and nice catching up with you.
I did’nt realize there were so many wind-turbines in Copenhagen. Very interesting. I know its a growing trend, but its interesting that Denmark is ahead of the curve in making that transition.
Sorry you had to deal with your tobacco-chewing friend. That would just irritate me.
Enjoyed reading Bubba’s adventures. He has some great pictures on there.
Thanks again for the blog. Hope all is well.
David
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