I decided to sit down and write a blog due to the fact that maybe I will find doing so calming………..that’s because I just spent the last 20 minutes shouting, swearing and eventually physically assaulting…………..the dishwasher.
During the last few days I have gradually filled Mr. Bosh with various mugs, plates, knives and forks. Now, Heidi had taken me through the whole process of how to use this machine and I do believe I followed her instructions completely. So, why then does the thing keep beeping? It has finished washing the stuff; I know that because it makes more noise than a group of students from Kentucky and now the washing noise is finally over it keeps beeping. I was nodding off by the fire after a hard morning of having breakfast with Alan (more on that later) when the German beeping machine woke me up…….I ignored it at first but it just kept beeping………and it may have been my imagination but it was now beeping……..in German.
So, realizing that Herr Bosh was never going to let me return to my dream about George Hamilton and I having fun at the Playboy Mansion I pulled myself out of my recliner and goose-stepped over to the dishwasher.
I opened it and was immediately hit by red-hot steam which left my eyes watering and my nose hairs smoldering. It was, as I was swearing at the German dishwasher from hell and splashing cold water on my eyes that I realised that the beeping was still going on and the fact that my face looked like a melted slab off butter had been for nothing.
Everything beeps these days……….the microwave beeps, the cooker beeps, the car beeps if you don’t have your seat belt on and as I explored the kitchen looking for the source of this beep and bits of skin started peeling off my burnt face I realised the beeping was coming from the ceiling and the smoke detector.
Living in an old barn as we do the ceilings are a little higher than in other houses which meant that there was no way that I could reach the cover of the beeping smoke detector………even standing on a chair I cannot reach …………I mean………..that brain surgeon thought of putting the thing where only Shaq can reach it and he could only do that by standing on Dennis Rodman’s shoulders.
So, here I sit in my little office………the door is closed…………I have Deep Purple playing on my CD player yet all I can I hear is the constant beep telling me the battery needs replacing and to hurry up and hire a helicopter so I can do it.
Anyway, my Dad is on his way over with an extended step ladder so, I will try and ignore the beeping and talk to you all instead.
Good Afternoon from a bright and sunny but cold England. This morning I met Alan for our weekly traditional bacon and eggs at the Arches. Alan is doing very well and sends his best to everyone. After breakfast I went once again to the shops and bought provisions. This was done at my local Supermarket where a nasty surprise was waiting for me. It appears that while I was away a turtle suffocated on a beach in the Seychelles and it was my fault………therefore this supermarket no longer supplies bags for you to put your toothpaste, toilet paper and hemorrhoid cream in. You have two choices said the check out lady……….go over there and take a cardboard box or purchase these biodegradable bags.
Let’s start with the boxes……..the lady had said over there ……however over there was the other side of the store where I could just make out loads of people in a rugby scrum looking for a box as though there was buried treasure hidden under the pile…….so that was an easy choice then………however what Mrs. Check Out had not told me was that the bags were 50 pence each ($1) and that they were so small that after I had put the Hemorrhoid cream and toothpaste in one there was no room for bugger all else….so I was forced to buy a dozen of these bags which proudly told me that I was “green” and just to make sure everyone knew there was also a picture of a smiling turtle relaxing on the beach this time with a pina colada and a gorgeous female turtle with her shell off by his side.
I guess the idea of these bags are that you bring them back every time which of course neither I or anyone else will remember to do leaving all of us forced to buy more bags so that the owner of the supermarket can go to the Seychelles on vacation and lay on the same beach as the turtle.
I am trying to listen to Deep Purple who are now playing Beep On The Water …………. ahhhhhhhh.
Let’s do the news.
You will see that yesterday it was announced that the Carnival Dream will home port in Port Canaveral, Florida. Details of the islands it will visit have yet to be announced ……… we like teasing you …………but it will be soon. PA 007 told me that there may be some exciting news about what the ship is doing before it gets to Port Canaveral and the superspy will let me know as soon as they hear anything.
I also see from your comments that a lot of you were intrigued by the dogs that were sailing on the Queen Mary 2 as noted in my blog and from the photo I slapped on.
I see that some of you having seen this are considering booking a cruise and bringing your dog with you and that you require further details. I really don’t know too much however I am going to ask someone at Cunard to send me the information on where they stay, eat and poop ……………..stand by for that and I will get back to you all ASAP.
Let’s send big congratulations to the newest vessel in AIDA Cruises fleet the AIDAbella. I am sure many of you enjoyed Captain Josef Husmann’s interview last week and here are a few photos of the Captain and his “wunderbar boat.”
So, yesterday was a very interesting day. I went on a train………….and then spent the day interviewing for new Entertainment Staff.
Now, Big Ed wrote a great comment about Carnival Corporation scheduling cruises so that you could complete a trans-Atlantic cruise and then board another Corporation vessel and then come back on another TA. Certainly, for those who like me hate flying but love cruising this makes perfect sense. I asked someone about this today and they told me that Cunard has always tried to coordinate trans-Atlantic voyages with other Southampton and New York voyages and that discussions have taken place before to try and match them up with Carnival cruises or indeed Princess, Costa, Holland America etc. Unfortunately this is harder than it sounds as deployment decisions are made at different times.
However, I think that for the future that this could be looked at again and your posting has brought this idea back to the table………..thanks mate.
Imagine……….a Queen Mary 2 Cruise from the Big Apple to Southampton……..a Carnival Splendor Baltic cruise and then the Queen Mary 2 back home…………wow……..make that a HUGE WOW………………let us see what happens.
Let’s start with the train. I may have mentioned this before but the UK has probably the worst train service in Europe and while the Swiss and the Germans train service is as regular as clockwork the British train service is as regular as someone who has eaten nothing but cheese fondue for an entire week.
So there I was standing on the platform at 7:30 am waiting for the 7:10 am train to come along and when it did the station announcer …………and I kid you not…………..told us that the train had been delayed due to “a cow on the line at Chelmsford.” Laughter erupted from the city types who were standing with me……………a cow on the line…………..what was a cow stood motionless on a train track for?…………I know this is the countryside but why was it standing there…………..maybe Daisy the Cow wanted to end her life ……… maybe her friend Barry the Bull had choked on one of my plastic bags…………maybe Daisy was jealous of Timmy the Turtle and she was protesting that cows had the same right to be on the side of a biodegradable bag……………..maybe Daisy was suffering from Mad Cow disease and thought she was a train………..who knows……..whatever the reason I was now running late for the interviews.
I took my seat admiring the graffiti that told me that if I wanted a good time I should call “Lorraine” who had been charming enough to leave me her number which she had scrawled on the window. All around me were the city types……………some listening to their Eye Pods…………some reading the Financial Times trying to look important and who probably had the Sun in their briefcases along with their cheese sandwiches Mum had made for them. Most did what I used to do…………………sleep.
I did this sort of journey into London for two years and had the sleeping thing down perfectly. I could board the train, be asleep within 5 minutes and wake up just before the train arrived into Fenchurch Street station in London………………..and that’s what most were doing……………and like I used to some would arrive at their desks with drool marks on their shirt collar…………….I really do not miss those days.
So, I arrived right on time at the Best Western hotel where we had hired a conference room for the interviews.
I was joined by Chris Unstead from Carnival HQ in Miami. Chris is a wonderful person who has been with us for 20 years. He started life as a dancer and then became a dance captain before moving into a shoreside position as a dancer supervisor. Eventually he became Manager of Entertainment Staff and is respected by all the people who work for him.
So, what do we look for when hiring Entertainment Staff………well hopefully they will be the Cruise Directors of the future and therefore we want people whose personalities will continue to make sure Carnival has the best CD’s at sea.
We had placed an advert in the trade paper called the Stage which is an audition paper for everything Entertainment and the response was incredible with a full three days of interviews planned. Chris had asked for my help and as the weekend is going to be very busy for me I agreed to help him for just one day.
So, they came…………all ages…………all sizes…………some with loads of experience some with none at all and each and everyone with the dream of working on a cruise ship and entertaining our guests and it was so hard not to offer each and everyone of them a job.
Take this one young lady who had traveled all the way from Scotland…………she was working in a day care centre for special needs children…………she was a lovely lady but had never been on stage or entertained and was actually quite shy…………she told me about the job she did and how rewarding it was but she wanted to travel, entertain and see the world………………..I wanted to hire……………but I couldn’t.
Then there was a chap in his late forties…………….he arrived 10 minutes late for his interview and was nearly in tears because the train was late………….he had some entertainment experience in British Holiday Camps but wanted me to know that he could only work on a ship out of the UK because he needed to be near his Mother………….I felt for him………..I wanted to hire him…………..but I couldn’t.
Then there was the young lady who was from Kenya…………she had just come to the UK……..she was beautiful…………spoke perfect English but unfortunately had never had any entertainment experience…………….I wanted to hire …………but I couldn’t…………she cried when I told her…………….I felt like crap.
My favorite though was a lady who …………..umm……….was larger than life in many ways. She also had no experience and I think halfway through the interview she realised she was not going to get the job so she informed me that “I am also a professional welder………if I don’t get the job as Entertainment Staff…………..I can come as a Welder…………I have all my certificates”………….and with that she pulled some engineering certificates out of her bag…………….I nearly laughed but considering she was the same size as a Bison I decided not to………………I didn’t hire her as Entertainment Staff but she starts as Chief Engineer of the Carnival Splendor next week.
I did hire six fantastic young people. Some have worked on ships before and some have land based entertainment experience……………..all though had one thing in common ……… a smile as wide as the Welder and eyes that sang forth a passion for people…………..they all had one other thing in common…………when I told them they would be joining the best entertainment department at sea ……………they jumped for joy…………some even cried tears of happiness.
That felt good but on the way home I could only think about the ones who didn’t get the job and I wondered what I would be doing now if 20 years ago Carnival had not given a skinny young thing from Essex a chance.
So, the smoke detector is still beeping and until my Dad arrives it will continue to drive me mad. ……………by the way…………..if the batteries are dead how is it managing to keep beeping?
I get a day of rest tomorrow and then it’s off on Sunday to Los Angeles for the USA filming thingy. Remember, when I return I can start answering your comments once again.
Time for tea………….I am cooking myself tonight……………I am having roast beef which does not come from the shop with the designer bio degradable turtle bags but instead comes fresh from the local railway tracks…………………poor Daisy.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
ps – PA 007 tells me that they may have breaking news on the Carnival Splendor Godmother very soon.
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
Have a good weekend John (& Heidi)
Carol
Mum do my wash. Mr. Bosh do my dishes. Dad change my battery. You need turtles for your Hemorrhoids. I think Heidi better come home and get your rear end back on a ship. Any ship.
John, with all Heidi must have to do for you you better not go shopping at DOLLAR GENERAL you better get down to Rodeo Drive and buy Heidi something sparkeling while your in LA.
BIG ED
John…
Lovely… simply, lovely… your blog brought smiles and laughter and even a few giggles… THANK YOU… what a great way to end the day on a Friday, last day of the work week for me!!!
I just hate that little warning bleep that tells, not notifies, or asks, but TELLS me to get over here now and change me… just like the crying babies whose nappies are full!!! They don’t quit until THEY ARE HAPPY!
I always hated interviewing and always loved hiring. There were some that you have to turn away… and of those, some were wonderful people… just not what’s needed for the job. I always wanted to let them down so gently… and many times referred them to other companies I thought would be a good fit. (I think that’s the spirit of networking…) I always said a short prayer as they left they would indeed find the job that would allow them to bloom and thrive! Like Smiling Welder… I’m sure she’d add color and spice to any job!
Have a safe (but blog-fully interesting) journey to LA… And get a day’s rest before you begin that adventure.
Heidi — Happy Upcoming Birthday… I’m sure we’ll say it again and again… you’re only getting better and sweeter!!!! I look forward to meeting you both on the Blogger’s Cruise 2!!
Regards,
Lambie
7 years ago Carnival gave me a chance to be part of the entertainment staff onboard the ships even though I didn’t have any prior experience. I thank God they did because that was the best job and adventure I ever had.
People can learn and if not given a chance they will never get experience. I hope Carnival will look for people who have great personalities and who have the drive to learn. Past experience is not always indicative of future performance.
Anyway, I am curious about the dogs on the QM2 as I have a severe dog allergy and can’t imagine sailling with them. Maybe those dogs were seeing eye dogs? Surely Cunard would not allow pets on cruises. ?
John, ahhh the price of fame and position. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to turn those poor folks down. I hate it when I have to turn someone down for some mundane job. It must be horribly difficult to have to, at least temporarily, end someone’s dream.
I hope, for your sake, that Ms. Bison doesn’t secure a position in a Greek spa…
Thank you for that wonderful picture of the AIDABella. What a lovely and whimsical vessel she is.
We’re anxiously awaiting word, and hopefully some clips, from your USA TV program!!
Cheers!!
Gregb
CONGRADULATIONS JOHN!!! Over 2 million visitors! You should be very proud of yourself!
Glad to hear you had some time with Alan…still hoping he can make the bloggers cruise.
You know if the beeping is still bothering you, just put the cd on that we gave you on the cruise and you will get so tired of hearing It’s a Small World, you will forget all about the
the beeping…sorry, I hit the submit comment to soon!
Hope you have a great dinner.
Princess Susan
I have to tell you, you are doing a really good job. Two-weeks ago I ripped my smoke detector off the wall. I was cooking yes it does go off quite a bit. I keep trying to tell my family I can’t cook but they keep saying please ma I’m starving to death. Any way back to the detector. Usually a towel waved in front of it for a few seconds will do the trick. Not this time I was waving my chicken was burning I kept running back and forth. It’s true what they say about a woman and hormones. I claim temporary insainity. I had had it…jerked the thing right out of the wall and started jumping on it. It was dead. So was the chicken. I mean I killed twice. We went out for burgers and stopped by the local hardware store for a new one. Not chicken a detector.
But anyway as I’m writting I’m sitting here thinking I wonder if his was on the wall and not on the ceiling that shaq and dennis built…would he too be jumping up and down?
Kendra
You asked about pets on CUNARD
Does Cunard offer a Kennel programme?
Queen Mary 2’s kennel programme is available on all crossings between New York and Southampton in either direction, and is overseen by a full-time Kennel Master who takes care of responsibilities such as feeding, walking and cleaning the ship’s 12 spacious kennels. Travelling dogs and cats also receive a complimentary gift pack and other animal amenities.The kennels and adjacent indoor and outdoor walking areas are open throughout the day, enabling passengers to spend significant time with their pet. Reservations for the kennels may be made at time of booking, and are based on space availability. Contact Cunard for fees and additional requirements.
BIG ED
I hope that helps
To ALL, John has got a link on the CUNARD home page about his 3 Queens visit.
Hi John,
We were very excited about the Carnival Dream being stationed in Port Canaveral as this is our favorite (and a convenient) port for us to sail from. I looked on the Carnival site but found no info on the Dream. Is there somewhere I can find out more? We are taking our fourth cruise out of Port Canaveral in the fall on the Glory (which we LOVE), but a new ship is always so exciting. Thanks for the wonderful blog. Good luck with the bleeping thing.
WOW!!! I didn’t even notice the change to the header!!
2,000,000 !!!! WOOHOOO!!
Congrats, John, Heidi and Stephanie!!!
GREAT JOB!!!
GregB
Hola John!!
Congratulations on the 2,000,ooo!!!!!! and have a safe flight and a great time in LA.
love,
Nanni
[Please reply to question at the end]
The QM2 is such a lovely boat…
As to where the dogs stay: the kennels are on the top deck close to the back. There’s a bump of ship that rises above Deck 13 (radar and other stuff?), and set in the base of that are kennel spaces. There are amusing signs saying “Beware, live animals” – amusing because right above the kennels there is a short ladder leading to a tiny crew-only deck. At first I thought it was intentionally ironic, but later realized that the kennel was below. I don’t know how you get access to the animals, some secret door perhaps. It also looks like there aren’t a lot of them so hopefully there won’t be a sudden rush of half the passengers wanting to bring their pets. Can’t remember but you might be allowed to give them a little walk on deck at certain times?
John, is there a way to submit photos to you? I’ve got some great ones of a Princess suite and some other spaces on the ship.
Cheers,
Cassie
Awww – poor Daisy! Well, I bet she was well tenderized.
I don’t know about British locomotives, but back in the steam days in the U.S. almost every engine had a cowcatcher – a wedge shaped piece of metal sticking out from the front. The engine could push the cow off the tracks without stopping, or fear of derailing. Of course, the cow was a little worse for wear after getting hit by a train at 40 MPH. Still, I never understood why they did away with them. Even as fenced pastures became more common you still might encounter a deer or other wildlife.
BTW John, if it ever does happen that it really is your dishwasher beeping, the cause is usually that the little arm that spins around and sprays the dishes from below has been blocked by a pan handle or other thing dropping through the wire rack. Happens to me all the time, usually during my favorite TV show.
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep
Love
your description at the train station just had me – laughing so hard tears were streaming down my face. again thank you!!
there are just no words.. (unless you type them)
OVER 2 MILLION!!! YEAH!!! Way to go John! You keep writing and we will keep reading and laughing! You are the best–the most entertaining–the funniest–the most compasionate–the most sincere–the most down-to-earth, cruise director alive! Thanks to you for all of the new friends and family that all of your faithful bloggers now have. You have cemented all of us together into one big happy family–you are the glue that causes us to stick so close together! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Have a safe flight to LA, and enjoy some of the warmth and sunshine in sunny California. Today it is in the 80′s here and crystal clear. So now we will be able to add another star to the walk of fame in Hollywood–John Heald! Be sure to let us know asap when the show will be on TV here!
Sheryl
Hi John, Congtats on 2,000,000. Who woulda thunk it? We would.
Jo and Dave
Dear John,
Having met you I might say you’re one in a million, but as of now that’s half wrong….congratulations on 2mm slaps and all the very best on the next two.
Cheers,
Ray & Deb
I also have never figured out how, if the battery is truely dead, those damn things can bleep!
Thanks for taking time to post, missed your humor yesterday.
Please let us know all you can about the US TV thingy – please!
Enjoy your day of rest tomorrow.
can you tell us about any special features that the Carnival Dream will have?
Hello John,
I hate beeping too, even the microwave. I loved the pictures from Cunard. But honestly, after the hull art on the AidaBella, how can you ever make fun of the hull art on you-know-who again? Yeesh!
For those asking about the dogs on Cunard, I know that they are only allowed on the QM2 transatlantic crossings. They have special kennels, and special areas. Cunard really isn’t like any other cruise line, is it? They have planetarium shows, Shakespearian actors, huge libraries, kennels, british nannies, and a host of other things no one else seems to have. Ah, how the other half lives!
Have a nice dinner. I hope the beeping stops soon.
I was just reading this article today:
The 5 Best Mass Transit Systems in the World
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/green-living/free-ride-the-five-best-mass-transit-systems-worldwide/1095
and #3 was London..
Hey john,
Another laugh out loud blog for me. We’ve all had to deal with those dang fire alarms, so I know how maddening that beeb can be. Loved the picture of Aidabella, I exersize with a German woman & I know she will love to see it. Have fun in California & I hope Murphy leaves you alone for the flights.
Jan
Last night on National Geographic Station they had a program that dealt with all the new an innovative ideas at the new T5 at Heathrow and how marvelous they are…..snicker snicker snicker!! Obviously the program was filmed before the actual opening. They kept talking to the master mind of T5 and now I know why they are having so many problems…………..he was dressed all in red head to toe with a grey pony tail. It actually was almost like watching a comedy since we all know the problems that have been encountered. Certainly hope you don’t have to traverse T5 on your journey to Los Angeles this weekend.
The docks have all been power washed, the flags are hung, the buses are all fueled and washed, the helicoptors have been practicing flying back and forth to the glacier which means Juneau is ready to welcome the first cruise ship of the year tomorrow. Even mother nature has graced us with sunny blue skies.
My Bosh dishwasher always beeps until I turn it off when it is done washing and is very annoying but even more annoying is the fact that my smoke detector is sensitive to the TV remote so if I am not careful the darn thing starts beeping and scares me to death.
Your dinner sounds much better than mine which will be left over mac and cheese tonight.
How exciting that you have started hiring entertainment staff for the Splendor I am really starting to get excited for July 13.
Kersplott
dude: congratulations! myself, i went over 50,000 this week on mine and that was quite nice for an old lady without much to say!
will you please tell sheriff roscoe p coltrane that we will be headed through his lovely little town in about a week and a half and i will be needing a get out of jail free pass because of prince charlie’s heavy foot and the sheriff’s boys every 50 feet along rt. 75. much obliged!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Hi John
I loved your pictures yesterdayand your blog today was great. I hate/love my smoke detector. Once a year we change ours faithfully.
Sorry you had to break someones dream, but Carnival does have the best crew and by not hiring everyone you keep it that way.
Grandma
John,
I think “It’s a small, small world” would be much more pleasant dinner music that Beep, beep, beep! LOL
Nice that you could have time with Alan again. Is there a chance he might be able to join us on BC 2 NOLA? We would sure love to meet him and his lovely Alison. Give him our best.
Hello and Happy Birthday to Heidi!
You are killing me!!! What will the Dream itinerary be???
Maria
Nice pics ,
and deep prple is also a great group to me!!!!
from JAKE S.
ps.hope to her from you and everyone soon.
Hi John,
Hope the beeping has stopped. Our smoke detector here at home is annoying in that besides the regular battery that needs to be replaced periodically, ours has a hidden battery that cannot be seen. I guess it’s suppose to be some sort of built in back-up battery.
Have a safe trip out here to California. We are suppose to have wonderful, yet hot weather (high 80′s to low 90′s) this weekend.
Clair
John,
Congratulations on 2mill slaps. It seems like yesterday this thingie started. So I would like to apply for the position of entertainment staff. I have 9 years of on stage experance and so much improv experance that it is bigger than ed’s thong for the 2nd bloggers cruise needs to be. See working in dining establishments is just as hard as anything else entertainment driven and in my opinon harder to do it at times with a smile and a happy demineor when Mrs.Veal parmigiana is harrassing you because her dinner was good up untill her last bit that was so small a mouse woulden’t bother with it and wants a free meal because she is not happy. And I give it to her with a smile and a professional apology. Any way if I can make 600 people.a night happy 7 days a week for years why not be a entertainment staff member and get to have a nice tan. Best to heidi and the family.
Kevin
PS I’m also a chef so if I don’t get this gig, can I be the splendors executive chef?
Maybe you should hire the welding bison to come and change your smoke detector battery… that is, if she has the proper certificates.
_BigMike
Chief, Blog Security
Congratulations John on reaching 2 million, who would have ever thunk (I believe that it is a word) it a year ago? The pics, are really nice. I really like the way the bow of the Aida ship is painted!
Those funny reuseable bags at the grocery store-I’ve been using them for several months now, got to save the
planet now:). And I get a 3 cent rebate for each bag I use. I ‘m saving those 3 pennies per bag for our next cruise, oh boy, yes siree!!!
I think Big Ed’s idea about the roundtrip cruises to Europe is a fantastic idea too.
Sue frm Naarrowsburg
Hi John.
Unfortunately, beeping smoke detectors need to be up high because that’s where the beeping smoke would be.
Don’t change the beeping battery – you will just put off the beeping problem till next beeping year. Plus, if you’re away when the beeping battery runs down, you’ll never hear the beeping beeps – you’ll just have a strange beeping plastic ornament that does no beeping good.
Get down to your local DIY store, and get a beeping smoke detector with a LITHIUM BATTERY. These beasts cost a beeping bit more, but they last 10 beeping years. If you can’t reach the beeping smoke detector easily to change the beeping batteries, they’re absolutely beeping brilliant.
We use them in our rental units… it saves staff having to go out to change a beeping battery at beeping midnight…
Hey John,
I am sitting here having my morning coffee and just read your blog. You are truely a “down to earth” person. You have gone through the same as all of us ordinary people: Gas prices, poop on the car, boring air flights, rude people, beeping smoke detectors and everything green now days.
Thanks for taking me to all those wonderful and some NOT so wonderful places.
Note: We just got back from Florida after 5 months of sunny weather and we are back to Michigan. I have to tell you that my car was used by the birds that were left behind in the cold weather and they decided to take it out on my car. Wish I knew how to up load a picture to you because it wasn’t a pretty sight to say the least.
Take care, Ciao, Kathleen
Hi John & Heidi,
I now am back in Miami, after arriving on BA from Nantes, France to Paris, to “TERMINAL” 5 in London, to Miami.
I managed to make my flight after jaunting around the Greek Islands, Egypt, and Aker Ship Yard in France. Had a wonderful time.. have to admit.
Luggage intially met me in Alexandria, and Sam Sonite and I had a lovely reunion dinner,and romantic evening, ending in me hanging his innards in the closet.
Now I’m afraid Sam is going to have the daunting challenge of catching up with me on the Carnival Freedom that I board this afternoon. EEEK
Hopefully the folks on Freedom can help me track down my missing back in Bolivia.
Terminal 5 in London is lovely… perhaps it should be moved to Dubaii where it would affect less travelers.
Oh.. and while blogging from “that other” ship I’ve come up with a new law to cousin with Murphy… Kuki’s Fiasco Flying Law.. or for short FO Flying Law.
I heard a rumor that you may not be joining Freedom in Malaga as planned?? That would be the pits. Was looking forward to seeing you again and telling you some stories
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
Hi John, Congratulations on hitting the 2 million.
I think Mr. Murphy finds different ways to annoy you, but a cow on the track? Boy he had to go some to come up with that…………. smile
Thanks for checking on the plans for the Dream. Please keep us informed.
5 days until May when you and Heidi will hopefully get to relax and enjoy your new home….
Hope you have an uneventful trip to the states without Mr. Murphy
Carolyn
PS CruisinGrandma, Hope all is going well with you.
John – those smoke detectors can be so annoying, I recently had an experience making grilled cheese on the stove and the thing just started beeping. But in a way its good, because God for bid that there was a real emergency.
Have a great time in Los Angeles and make sure you got your lovely wife something nice for her birthday.
See you soon!
Just wanted to leave a little comment to say thank you so much for the opportunity on Thursday, and i feel over the moon to be one on the lucky six people you hired (unless you just said that to get me out of the room) he he!
It was lovely to meet you and Chris, and rest asure once i eventualy got hold of Jaymie we did our fair share of screaming and celebrating!
Thanks again, I just can’t wait to start!
Take care
Haych
P.S I’m sorry i finished with Damien
he he!
John:
Was the shy lady who had experience working with Special Needs children not interested in being a part of Camp Carnival?
On the many cruise forum boards I chat on, I have run across many families who cruise with special needs children. I have written a “know before you go with Special Needs” post that I send to them.
In America, 1 in 150 children ( 1 in 90 boys) have a form of Autism. These vary in a wide range of PDDs (pervasive developmental disorders).
As a Mom who cruises with a son with Autism, I believe Carnival is going to see an increase in children with these (and other) special needs.
Most accommodations needed are small like,
placing the child in the appropriate Camp Carnival group that may not be by age, but by their ability and understanding.
We were so blessed to have Ria Bennett as the Club O2 director on the Victory because she had worked with children with Autism before. She was wonderful with DJ.
Where years ago, DJ was the only special needs child onboard…..our 5 cruises from Dec 06 to Dec 07 had at least two other special needs children, in his age group alone, on each cruise.
Just an idea for your “head hunters” to consider.
Safe travels has you head to California!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
Welcome to L.A.! It’s going to be hot on Sunday but Monday should be cooling off.
Hey John! I just finished the Cunard Academy training for Agents and here is the exact wording from the course with regards to Kennels:
“Kennels on the Queen Mary 2: The Kennels on QM2 are a wonderful asset for clients on Transatlantic sailings. By using the kennels to transport their dog or cat, your clients can avoid difficulty of transporting pets by air, and in many cases the prices is less for transport on the QM2. Bringing a pet on a transatlantic requires planning months before the sailing, and space is limited in the kennels. The kennels are only available to book on Transatlantic sailings. Details about required vaccinations, veterinary certification and an implanted microchip are available by phone. Pricing and availability are limited…Only dogs and cats may travel in the kennels on QM2 and they may not leave the indoor or outdoor kennel area during their stay onboard.”. Hope this helps!
Hi John,
Congratulations on breaking 2 million!! Thanks for the updates on Alan. Glad to hear that all is well! Thanks for sharing your experiences with the three Queens. The photos are truly amazing!
I do agree with Big Ed’s opinion about the TA cruises. I would do that too if I had the money… All the best in your trip to L.A. Have a safe trip and a great weekend!
Cheers,
Alex G.
Hi John,
Was awesome meeting you and Chris!! It was so hard to not call Haych straight after to give her my amazing news. I did however call my mum and scream down the phone. My poor brother who came with me had his ear bashed all the way home too haha:o)
Thank-you so much for this amazing opportunity!! Im so excited and can’t wait to get on board!!
My office job seems all the more boring now, knowing the amazing journey I have ahead of me!!
THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU
)
Lots of Love
Jaymie xxx
I was sooooooo excited to hear the Carnival Dream will be coming to Pt Canaveral!!! It is certainly going to be a growing port with the addition of 2 more Disney ships too….hopefully there will be good news on the planned itinerary too….
Beep…beep…beep…beep.
Linda
Hi John/Heidi:
My what a British blog we have today. Thank you.
I’m sorry about your dishwasher incident. That is awful.
I”ve dealt with the beeping demon like you have, but i almost shot my smoke detector. It was so frustrating.
Glad all is going well with you (besides that).
Gorgeous picture of the Aida boat. Thank you.
Hope you got across the pond ok.
Thanks again,
David
It was a pleasure to meet you both on the interview day!
I cant wait to hear more about where i’ll be placed!
Like i mentioned to you about a thousand times, i gave up everything to prepare for this opportunity and you guys have helped me realise my dream! Thankyou x 1000!!!!!
Looking forward to seeing you again, please tell Chris i wont stalk him any longer, lol! Also, i have a Big Mac ready for you whenever you want to drop by John, you know what I mean!
Thank you again,
Robin