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Poor knackered John!!!
Thank you for the greeting and wish that we could have been there!!! We are wishing the same thing!!
EXCELLENT!!! A NAMING ceremony for the BLOGGERs WOO HOO!!! I LOVE IT!!!
More things to anticipate… more to dream on!!!
You truly are the SUPER CRUISE DIRECTOR!!!
See you soon!!! Feb is coming faster now!!!
God Bless,
Lambie
OMG you did it again…simultaneous laughing and crying is what I do best here!!!
You are the sweetest most genuine man…and what you give us is precious, so precious!! Thanks for bringing us today….we WERE there with you, all the way!!! And always will be!!
I LOVE the idea for the Bloggers cruise!!! LOVE it!! (I nominate my Mom…:>)!!
Love you, John and Heidi (Heidi, you looked FABULOUS today, just radiant, loved the pic on Bill’s site!!)
And Stephanie, wow, you and the (elusive) Tom did a GREAT job as always, so glad you were there too!!!
Eva
Ok John now you made me cry.. How can you say we were not there? We were! at least I was. Closer than I ever been before to a ceremony like this. Thanks!! It was wonderful! Thanks for sharing and for bringing the ceremony home. I was speaking with the other bloggers and Stephanie, I was looking at the cam. Stephanie was narrating everything with pics. I felt like I was there !! I was seeing you and Mylenne. When I saw the video of the music and the diver and bottle breaking and ship horn. WOW! I wasn’t there? I was in tears. I felt like it was my ship or the ship of a friend that I know well. I was proud. Love it!! It was a gift! Don’t apologize we are your friends and we know you.
Ahh the Bloggers cruise !! Still praying….I want to see my family and give them a big hug. The next one please do it in summer. Pleaseeeeeee
God bless the Carnival Splendor and all the people sailing on her.
Nanni
John, I can just see me pulling my way up a rope. I think I would have to stop and open the bottle and drink it first.How about we just smoke a rope and call it a day.
I think your digging youself into a full time doghouse. You know with all the women bloggers you have and your going to make just one the Godmother. Well I guess I will be safe and wont have to worry about you getting even with me for my small April Fools joke. Your going to be so busy running away from all the woman but one.
BIG ED
Free at last
God bless you, John. You give much more than you know. You bring laughter to the lives of thousands upon thousands of people daily.
I’m positive that each and every one of us wishes we were there as well.
Pass along my most sincere thanks to Steph. She’s done an amazing job!!!
Ciao!!
Host Mach
Thank you so very much for including us in this beautiful ceremony. As I wrote to Stephanie earlier, when the naval officier struck the bottle on the hull of the Splendor, I had tears in my eyes. I’m pretty sure that all the bloggers love you a great deal but we are well aware that you have much love for us. God bless the Splendor and God bless John Heald. Ciao.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
*standing ovation*
Dawn (who leaves for London tomorrow and will shake your hand on July 13th)
You do this SO WELL, John!
dude! we were all there, don’t worry. you could not see us but we saw the webcam and the lovely live blog. it was amazing…
thanks for everything.
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Ed in a rubber suit? Oh yeah, this I’ve GOT to see!
Wish I could have been there with you.
Best to you and Heidi!
Princess Elaine, the quiet and single
We nominate Kuki AND Big Ed as Co- Godmothers !!!
He has to wear the nun outfit for the ceremony.
Phil & Liz
Hi John,
I just want you to know I was there – Stephanie & Tom did such an excellent job making sure we know exactly what was happening and the pictures were great!!
Congratulations a a brilliant day!!
Have a good rest, I can’t wait to my next virtual cruise!!
All the Best,
Debs
john thanks for broadcasting the Naming Ceremony Coverage we all were there with you, I know how beat you must be thanks you are great
LOLOL! I had to write again and say I can’t wait to meet you crazy Big Ed!!
And ummm…no…not so…that woman will represent and symbolize ALL Blogger women proudly, we stick together, and we will reign together!!
You are hilarious!!!
Eva
Thank you for the wonderful wish, wish we were all there with you, too.
Congratulations on a great ceremony and very successful day.
A naming ceremony for the blogger’s cruise sounds great, and so do the other plans you have mentioned. I am so glad that you are not letting the red tape about helping with the rebuilding project stop us from getting to help.
My sister just told me that she and a friend are going to join us on the blogger’s cruise. So here is an RSVP (hummm…. please excuse my French) for four to work and then dine and party with you and Heidi on the 6th! We can’t wait!!!
Great pictures on the Splendor website. Congratulations again on a most successful day, you deserve it.
May God bless you, too.
Ann
Dear John….We love reading everyday! Congratulations on the wonderful ceremony!
John & Susan from Frisco, Tx
John, you are so loved and adored, do not even think about apologizing for not doing a blog today, we are ever so thankful just to have seen the video Stephanie made available for all of us to see. I cried when I saw the bottle hit the ship, what a wonderful, exciting moment. Like Nanni says we are ALL FAMILY now, and even though some of us can’t be on the 2nd bloggers cruise we are always with you in spirit. Keep up the excellent work you do! Cheerio to our dear friend, Linda & Mike P.S. Gee, I wonder who will be the Godmother of the 2nd bloggers cruise on the Fantasy? Tough one! One of your Princesses for sure!
Hey John,
. Looking forward to tomorrows blog.
I just love the videos, being American…well I just love the accent. Reminds me of my beloved Beatles
Jan
John, Please do not apologize for not writing the blog today. You have to be exhausted with all you have had to do today, as well as all that you have had to do to get the ship ready for passengers and preparing for the ceremony.
We all wish we could have been there with you. But even though we weren’t there in person doesn’t mean we weren’t there in spirit and on our computer. I was here on my laptop watching every minute of it from 7:30AM until it was over.
You are definitely the sweetest, kindest, most caring CD that Carnival has. They didn’t know how lucky they were the day they hired you as a wine steward. We were lucky, too, for you bring so much laughter and fun into our lives.
We’re hoping you will still be on the Splendor when we cruise 11/29. And we definitely can not wait until the bloogers cruise when we can be with you, Heidi, Ed and our Evil Krewe.
Get some rest you have earned it,
Carolyn
PS.. Nanni we’ll all keep praying that you can find a way to be there with us too.
John, I’m amazed that you and all the others involved with the blog were able to give us such a great experience with Splendor’s naming. I enjoyed it a lot!
God Bless You John
With the Live Blog Attempt from Stephanie and
You being knackered. and still thinking of us.
BUT OMG a “naming ceremony for us @ the BC2 2009 How Kool is that? WAY KOOL! But Big Ed is right, you going to have a LOT women clammoring for that “top position” of Godmother. I know I am not worthy, so I don’t have to worry about that….
Take Care and Get some rest
The Tuckers
P.S I love Big Ed’s Idea of “Smoking the rope” too funny!
E T
Awww John, you’re sweet! I wish I could have been there too. But it is fun looking at the videos, seeing the pictures. Thanks to you and Stephanie for letting us look through a window into it all.
I know I’m not a part of the evil crew…but I do feel like I have many “friends” here. The blog is a place I come to and sometimes on bad days, it makes me laugh! Thank you.
Karen R.
You leave me speechless. You’re so kind and thoughtful of everyone around you.
We bloggers were there with you in spirit. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do the live blog but I just read Stephanie’s commentary, and it brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks, John, for all the great memories!
Lisa Kilmartin
Bravo John…What an amazing job you and the crew did to pull such an event off today..We are proud of you all and Salute you today!! Thanks for the video’s..It really took us there in a little way.
I am proud to say that Ed and the evil krewe took me into the hallowed ground and made me a member last night…I’d like to thank Ed for that honor !!
Mark…. “evilFrog” I’m working on my new logo for that one…lol
standing by for:
the Miss FANTASY godmother pageant….
John, we may not have been physically there, but your loyal bloggers were certainly there in spirit and via the web. Stephanie did a great job and between the blog, the photos and the ship’s webcam, it was as if we were actually taking part in the festivities. I actually felt like one of the honored guests! Great job everyone!
Hi John
What an awesome naming ceremony. It is by far the best I have seen and how I wish I could have been there. I was there in thoughts and spirit though.
What a wonderful idea of naming the blogger cruise. There are lots of deserving people out there. I nominate Big Ed. Why can’s we have a godfather, since all ships have a godmother. What do you think?
A wonderful presentation and thank you for the update. Looking forward to seeing you in Feb if not before.
Give my best to Heidi and thank her for sharing so much of you with all of us.
Gloria aka Sue
John, I can hardly wait to meet you on BCv02! You make me laugh and cry at the same time and you touch my heart deeply at times.
Please do not apologize for not posting a blog today. The naming ceremony and this video were perfect!
Stephanie, as always, you are “Super Steph”. You always make it happen and do it so well. Thanks.
My darling hubby and myself are getting very excited for our upcoming cruise on the Victory in two weeks and being a part of this ceremony today only heightened my/our excitement. Thank you John and everyone for bringing us there today.
Sallie
“Life isn’t making it through the storm,
but how you dance in the rain.”
Hi John & Heidi,
John you are truly the best, kindest, wonderful….need I go on. I felt like I was a part of the naming ceremony even though I wasn’t there. And you are making me really feel bad about not being on the Blogger’s Cruise (again!). But I would give big bucks to see Big Ed climbing the rope in a wetsuit. How about Stephanie as Godmother?
I can’t wait to hear more updates.
Love,
Carol
Oh John John John: No need to apologize. You bring such joy to our mundane lives. It is a pleasure to know you. We’ll see you on July 25 cruise — can’t wait to be on that beautiful ship.
Mary Lou
I can understand why you are so tired.
You-Tube is blocked at worked so I had to hop on an outside connection to view your clip. Glad I am the IT Admin…
THat is a great Idea for the bloggers cruise. I want to make one of them but with work I am not able to make them when scheduled. I hope to hear some live (or close to live) reports on this bloggers cruise.
John:
I can honestly say that you, Stephanie and Tom did a tremendous job making sure that we were all included!!!
For all the times I have “cursed” modern technology (when I computer would not work correctly)….I take it all back. It worked yesterday and worked well!!!
I hope you rested well last night after all the celebrating. When things get back to “normal”, we need to get you into an exercise routine of walking 15 minutes twice a day.
We want you “hosting” (or at least involved with us in some cruising capacity) for many many years to come!!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
Carnival has a the REAL DEAL with you John you are genuine it shines through in Ur videos AND your written word!You my friend are amazing and dedicated. We were there with U at the ceremony in spirit,we are so lucky to have you here to blog with , U R VERY MUCH appreciated,hats off to U……
John….you do amazing things each and every day, so do not apologize for not blogging today. Thank you so much for showing us a naming ceremony. It was so exciting! And now the thought of actually being at one on the Fantasy has me tickled pink! Can’t wait……
Sheryl
I know you are all exhausted after the full day activities and ceremony. We all wish we were there too. It was definately something to see and it was great to have the play by play from Stephanie–you all did such a great job! Hope you were able to get some much deserved rest. I can see from the webcam that you are docked and hopefully having some fun in Amsterdam today. That is quite the imaginary picture seeing either you or Bid Ed climbing the ropes of the Fantasy in the renaming ceremony….I might have to rethink the Splendor South America cruise to see that…
This was a great day and I could have never imagined having all the “immediate” access to the ceremony. Thank you for your efforts and hope you are more rested by now.
Bonnie
We were there and loved every minute of it. Thanks for the video – they are great when you can’t write.
Take care and rest up!
I would also like to nominate Big Ed for Godfather, he must of course be in a wetsuit and a Tu Tu.
Bob
Thanks to you, and Heidi, and Stephanie, and everyone involved in making us ALL “a part” of the Splendor’s naming ceremony. What a treat, John.
I know Larry & I won’t be making the 2nd Blogger’s Cruise, either, so I hope that when you have the Blogger Naming Ceremony you share it with us all, as well! You’ll have to have nominations for Godmother sent to you….but how you will decide, I have no idea! I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes in that instance! (Besides, I’d look funny in your shoes)
Terri
As this was the only naming ceremony I have watched, it was the best.
Thank you everyone involved for making this accessible to us. I agree with CruisinSue that Big Ed should be the godfather! Although I’m not sure my vote would count as I am unable to attend the Blogger’s cruise. 
Hi John ( please reply)
Great job on getting the Splendor launched.
I hope you have smooth sailing from now on.
Request: I made reservations on the blog for the supper club on the Miracle for Feb. 14th , 2008 at 7:30 pm for two. Donna and myself and have yet to hear back with our confirmation. Any chance you could look into that for me? Thanks.
We’re on the Feb. 9th sailing out of Fort Lauderdale.
Thanks in advance for any help you can be.
All the best to Heidi and the gang,
B&D from Canada.
Hi John –
I certainly felt like I was there so thanks to everyone who had a hand in putting this together. I wonder if people realize just how many VIP’s and head office brass you have on board right now…to contend with that and still make us all feel important is really really special!
Why did you make the video in a broom cupboard?
Hi John/Heidi:
Great hearing from you and loved the video.
I appreciate you taking me along for the ride since i will probably never get this close to be at a real naming ceremony.
I am sure you are ready for things to calm down so that you can just enjoy the “normal” sea life.
I like your blazer that you’re wearing. Very hip and stylish.
Thanks for taking the time and always thinking of us. You have no idea how special it makes us feel.
Take care,
David
[...] director John Heald wants a woman of online substance to take the honors. Yesterday Heald posted a video on his blog stating he that he wants to re-dedicate and have a new godmother for the Carnival Fantasy and he [...]
We can’t wait to see you Sunday on the Splendor.
We sailed with you on the Legend transatlantic (Ireland, Scotland etc.) No cruise will ever top that one! See you soon.
John can’t wait to see you Sunday on the Splendor. We sailed with you on the Legend transatlantic (Ireland, Scotland etc.) No cruise will ever top that one! See you soon.
I nominate Bee. She is the Empress of the Sea after all! I’m quite sure she has had her ups and downs also
Cheryl,
you give up the South America cruise and I will do a rubber suit put I may have to go down a rope. I don’t think I could ever go up a rope.
BIG ED
ooops I just thought of something. I still would have to get back up on the ship.
John, with that video we were there …………
thanks…..
John,
While I missed reading the blog, the video was touching. Remembering us on the name day was very special.
What a wonderful idea, a naming ceremony on the Bloggin cruise. So many surprises you seem to be planning.
Thank Stephanie for all her hard work, she did a terrific job.
And thank you to you for being the caring, humorous person you are. Hope you can get a little rest now that the ceremony is over.
Charlotte
I am thinking that we should have a christening ceremony for John Heald on the Blogger’s Cruise. I am certain that the Mrs. could make a christening gown – either that, or we simply rent a circus tent for the day
Pleased to see/hear/read that you are having a good opening for the Carnival Splendor. One question that deserves reply – has the winner of the Spa naming contest sailed yet? If not, I hope you are going to highlight them when they do sail.
Jon
Great post. Even though we weren’t there it still seemed like we were with the coverage online. GREAT JOB.
Thanks for thinking of us.
Great choice Lauren, but Bee is not going on the 2nd bloggers cruise she said. Doesn’t it have to be one of the Princesses that will be on the Bloggers cruise?
Knackered is a great word. I am sure that you and all of the crew are very knackered, and you still have to clean up the mess for the cruise.
Thank you so very much for including us in this beautiful ceremony. Like many other bloggers comments that I have read I too had tears when the naval officer struck the bottle on the hull of the Splendor. God bless the Splendor and God bless John Heald and all who sail upon her.
CarolAnn
Hi John,
Thanks so much for the videos! We love them! I don’t comment everyday, but I do check in with you and Carl reads every line as well. He fills me in on whats going on before I get to my computer, and lets me know when you have a video. He also keeps tabs on the webcams for the Splendor now and lets me know whats going on there and where you are a couple of times a day. Makes me feel like we are right there with you.
It’s only 211 days now until the Bloggers Cruise. I can hardly wait. I am so ready for a vacation! And there is Nothing I enjoy more than vacationing on a Carnival ship with all my blogging family!!!
You are the best John! Carnival should pay you double for all you do!
Princess Barb and Carl
Hi John,
we excuse you for not putitng up your blog today after having been knackered. Thanks for great ceremony. You are one hell of a guy who manages to make poeple laugh like hell and cry at the same time ……a rare quality in a person. Just 25 days to go for my Splendor cruise on 6th August and the family is really looking forward to seeing you and having a great time laughing and laughing and laughing.
Cheers mate …….. and a great ceremony
Norman from sunny Malta
I forgive you for not having a blog today….but, I want a raincheck on a future cruise.
Hello,
Pure Band the very best band employed by Carnival Cruise Lines is currently assigned to Elation Ship porting out of San Diego California. Carnvial has plans to move them to the East Coast. Please keep them on West Coast , Let us keep the best in the West!!!!!!! Who can I write, call, fax e-mail to???? Carnvial Executives???? Please let them know that the east coast has had them for about three years, it is time for the West Coast to have equal time to enjoy this GRANDE’ BAND. We deserve a chance to enjoy them too. Thanks for the help, Becjogee