What a beautiful day. The Baltic early morning haze gave way to a fresh and breezy day with temperatures just reaching 70 degrees. The ship kicked off its shoes, sat back and smiled a giant smile at thoughts of those friends and family back home around the world at work, school and not on a cruise.
There was, however, a fly in the blueness of it all. Normally when the sun puts his hat on, someone on the weather forecast will tell us precisely how long we can spend outside without catching cancer. …………….which is understandable.
This week, however, the weather forecasters and news reporters have come up with a new idea. They started this in Beijing for the Olympic coverage and suddenly on CNN and BBC and SKY they are warning us that the warm weather across the world may cause smog which may lead to breathing difficulties and now we are given “Air Quality Reports.” Now I understand that this may be useful if you are running the marathon in Beijing but do we really need to know this in everyday life?
This morning on SKY weather report the Lovely Lisa warned the UK that the air quality was a little lower than normal and to be careful if going outside.
I mean. What kind of sad, friendless person peels back his curtains on a sunny day and thinks: “Oh no, there may be smog, I had better stay in”? Well, matey, whoever you are, just because you spend all weekend in the darkest corner of your mother’s attic, downloading photographs of naked ladies, doesn’t mean we have to as well. So get back to your internet and leave us alone.
This kind of thing doesn’t happen in America. And in the land of the free and the brave you aren’t warned on the radio to stay indoors whenever it stops raining. What you get there is: “It’s a beautiful morning in the Bay Area. We’re expecting highs in the upper twenties. Here’s The Beach Boys.”
What you get in the UK is: “It’s a beautiful morning in the southeast. We’re expecting thousands of people to choke to death. Stay indoors. Here’s some Chanting Monks.”
Anyway, the air is totally free of smog here in the crisp and fresh just out of the washing machine Baltic. Guests seem very relaxed so far and the report from the purser’s office seems to be much lighter than usual although I will be sharing one with you later.
Once again you have to feel so very sorry for the 48 guests who have no luggage including 21 of those all from the same British Airways flight from Toronto to London. As always, our Pursers are working hard to recover these. You have to wonder though ………is the fault of technology or is it the fault of someone with the brain capacity of a frog and just can’t be bothered to check that 21 suitcases go on the right plane ………… anyway, regardless I hope they get their belongings soon.
Now, the passport situation seems to have been resolved and anyone who may have been a little tempestuous about handing their passports over seem to have calmed down and after some careful explanation all seems to be well. There are one or two people who seem a little upset about the itinerary changed but considering we have 3,300 onboard and only four have expressed some concern………well…………that’s not bad.
Tonight we will be reading through last week’s comment cards. The ratings from last cruise came back today. We have discussed comment cards before here on the blog thingy and I think I have also mentioned that the ratings and results can, if need be, be manipulated by the Cruise Director………….and to be honest, they normally are.
We ……..and I include myself in this…………..do tend to use certain wording that can persuade guests to give a rating that maybe they may not have done otherwise. I have also said before that our rating system of Opportunity for Improvement………..Met My Expectations………….Exceeded My Expectations…………are somewhat difficult to understand. I mean………last cruise we had 1,700 past guests…………that means 1,700 came back again to Carnival because they knew what to expect…………they knew the food would be awesome………….the entertainment outstanding…………and the staff superbly friendly……….so………..why would that exceed their expectations?…………..they new they would have a great time and they did.
Anyway, when you start a new vessel it is important that you get the honest feedback from the guests, so the last two cruises instead of dropping to my knees and begging for an exceeded rating I have simply said, “Here is your comment card…….please give me your honest opinions.” And they did. And obviously the rating was not as high as normal …… probably 10 points or so lower……..but……………its an honest rating and after years of manipulating them its quite refreshing to be able to just to say “tell me what you think.”
The most important rating though is the percentage of people who say they had enjoyed their cruise and last week out of 1,255 cards returned ………….96.8% said they enjoyed their cruise and would come again and…………would recommend Carnival to a friend ………………….job done!
I will continue to ask for honest opinions and I hope that Carnival returns to a simplified version of the card giving rating options such as Excellent, Good and Poor…………what do you think?…………..comments please……………and oh yes………….what do other companies do…………….what do other Cruise Directors say?
Here are a few photos of the town of Dover, U.K.
And is a lovely drawing from a junior cruiser and a letter requesting help with a marital dispute.
Have you seen the latest photos from Bill Zydecocruiser of the Carnival Splendor ………. honestly they are fabulous…………have a look
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/splendor/splendor.htm
Well, there a few bloggers sailing again and a special hello to Ray McTeague who brought me a cigar and who is reading the blog via the Internet cafe. …………thanks Ray and I hope you enjoyed the gift I sent you in return. Its great to have you here and congratulations on your Carnival Platinum membership……….see you soon.
Hello also to all the bloggers who have joined me this week…………..I hope to meet each and every one of you.
OK, talking of blogging lets talk about the bloggers cruise. In the last few days we have achieved the following.
1. We have chosen the complimentary and exclusive gifts that each of you will receive. I am not telling you what they are but one of them is outrageous and quite honestly I have no idea why anyone would want one………..but I am assured by a few people we tested it on that you will. Anyway, I hope you enjoy them.
2. Lets talk about the pre cruise activities…………….here is Stephanie to give you an update on hotels and the pre cruise activities. STEPHANIE OVER TO YOU.
Hi Everyone,
Right now I’m giggling at the thought of some of the things we have planned for the Blogger’s Cruise and wish I could share a lot of the details, but then what fun would that be? In the meantime here is information on the pre-cruise festivities.We turned in the registration form for the New Orleans charity and are awaiting their okay before we make a formal announcement. Remember, we’re a rather large group, so the coordination is taking a little more time than usual. But I can tell you that they are a local organization in New Orleans that started from true need after Hurricane Katrina. We are really excited about working with them and hope to tell you all the details soon.
And, after a hard day of helping the community we’ll be having a get together at our group hotel. We’re working on making it easy for everyone and are coordinating travel from the airport, hotel, charity event and port- plus planning a great shindig. So as soon as the package is all ready we’ll let you know all the details. We have people from Carnival’s Air Sea, Public Relations, Marketing, Shore Excursion, Volunteer/Community, Groups, Purchasing and Entertainment department all working hard on making this year’s blogger’s cruise even better than the first, so be sure to check the blog for updates.
See in you in February!
Stephanie
Thanks Steph…………that sounds wonderful. I want you all to know that Steph has been working so very hard on this and honestly…………getting a charity in New Orleans to accept our offer of help was harder than you would think……….in fact at one point I nearly gave up…………….however, as you can Stephanie didn’t and it looks like we are going to have a heck of a fun time and be able to do what we wanted to from the start………..help the people of New Orleans rebuild.
Now, as I mentioned, I will not be the CD but I will be hosting private activities for all the Bloggers including.
DINNERS
TEA TIMES
Q AND A’S
THE MALE NIGHTGOWN CONTEST
COOKING WITH JOHN AND KEVIN
Oh and…………………….A SURPRISE!
There will be bloggers only Capers and most importantly the chance to renew friendships and make new ones.
OK, time for the comment of the day.
Guest:Mrs——— Ref: 002802390A
Cabin: ____ Booking#: 5SN927 Added-Changed: 08/06/08 – 08/06/08_____ – NEGATIVE COMMENT ABOUT CARNIVAL CAPERS
Mrs_________ came to the desk to say that she was unhappy with the Carnival Capers. Guest stated that the information on the Capers said that the dress code was Cruise Casual which she said means nothing to her and she has spoken to many others who agree. Guest states that on Cunard and Silversea cruises a full explanation of the dress code is given. Guest also stated that the Carnival Caper was of poor quality and had no port information included or maps. Guest also said that the other guests onboard were of a lower standard than she was use to and did not dress well around the ship. Purser apologized and offered to explain the dress code but guest walked away from the desk. Comment e-mailed to Cruise director for follow up…cc: Hotel Director and Chief Purser
So, let’s start with the comment about the Carnival Capers. Maybe its not bright and shiny like Cunard’s or Silversea but then our cruise prices are a little different and there will be port information in the Carnival Caper when we actually……..ummmm……..get to a port…………we are at sea and the nearest port is the bottle in the cigar bar.
As for dress codes………….well………..excluding the fact that the words Cruise Casual are pretty self explanatory and ignoring the fact that 3,300 other guests understood I called the guest and explained……….she still said that the words were pointless and that a full description should be given on what guests can and cannot wear. She is right, that’s why we have a flyer in the cabin describing this….but she wanted it in the Caper. I apologized. She also told me that she felt the guests on the ship were dressed “in a cheap and ugly way” today……………………….back to that in a moment.
I can understand a little of how this guest is feeling as I hate getting party invitations with dress codes included and anyone who feels they need to tell their guests how to dress is nuts. To me, including a dress code implies that you are a control freak or you are very worried that the people you have invited will turn up wearing an all in one leather suit with the arse cut out. When Heidi and I are home we receive a lot of invitations for dinner parties and social gatherings and if they include a “suit and tie” dress code, they will have more chance of winning the lottery and waking up to find their wife is not the one the went to bed with the night before who had been savagely beaten with the ugly stick but is in fact Catherine Zeta Jones……………….my best mate Alan sent 40th birthday party invitations with a dress code that said “formal” on it and that was me…………..sweat pants and a T-shirt…………….he couldn’t say anything……………most people bought him socks and soap for his birthday………….I got him a cruise.
Anyway, I shall do as my new friend suggests and add more information on what to wear and what not to wear in the Capers…………oh and hers will be printed on pure gold …….. just like Cunard’s.
I was surprised and somewhat defensive when Mr S. Nob said that all the other guests were “cheap and ugly.” I wonder how she will react on formal night when not everyone is dripping in designer dresses and Brioni hand made Italian suits……………my tuxedo was designed by Omar the Tent Maker and my shirt and shoes will be by that well-known designer J.C. Penney.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ……..this is the case in cars, paintings, sofas, clothes and of course people.
And animals. If I told you the Brown Spotted Dung Beatle – the ugliest creature ever to walk the earth – was in danger of extinction, you’d be happy. If, on the other hand, I showed you a picture of some cute little tiger cub that was about to be dismembered by a person from China who wanted its bones to make his penis bigger, you’d be on the first plane to Beijing.
I am sure this is not the last we will hear from Mrs. S.Nob………………….tune in tomorrow for the next thrilling episode.
Goodnight
Your Friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Bloggers Cruise, Destinations, Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Bloggers Cruise, Carnival Splendor, Dover
John,
Can’t wait for the Bloggers cruise. Sounds like it will be great fun!
Hi Ray and Deb! Hope you’re having a fantastic time!
Princess Elaine, the quiet and single
Ya’ know… I’ve never even thought to complain about how OTHER people dress on a cruise. I dress the way that I’m most comfortable for the given situation. That may be shorts and a t-shirt or it may be a tux. What a shame that MrS.Nob has nothing better to do other than be critical of other cruisers. I’m betting that she won’t enjoy the remainder of her cruise. What a shame…
The plans for the Blogger’s Cruise get better all the time! Thank Steph for me for her Herculean efforts!!
Simplifying the Comment Cards is an great idea. ‘Excellent’ means more to me than ‘Exceeded my expectations’. Another excellent idea!
How’s the plan for getting fresh water in the pools going??? Yet another brilliant idea!!!
Zydecocruiser’s pictures are lovely! Thanks so much!!!
By the way… I’ve discovered that ‘air quality reports’ are entirely unnecessary… I follow this simple rule… If I can SEE the air… don’t go out in it!!! Beijing take note…
Ciao!!!
Host Mach
Hi John,
Oh you have to take a photo of Mrs. S.Nob for the blog. I want to see what she will be wearing. I also don’t understand why she’s on Carnival at all if she’s cruised on Cunard & Silversea. What a comedown.
Oh by the way, we do get those weather alerts for poor air quality in NY when we go through a heat wave.
Catch up with you tomorrow.
Hugs,
Carol
John,
Great blog as usual my friend, Mr. S Nob sounds like they are expecting the days of the titanic type cruises. I wonder is this their first cruise that might give more insight to their thoughts. Probably they are platinum guests. Oh well. Hello to Ray and Deb glad you made it aboard can’t wait to hear some reviews from you upon your return back home and to our evil krewe. Stephanie thank you for all your hard work with the NOLA events and planning i’m sure they haven’t been easy. Not the Male Nightgown contest has already gotten a few comments from some of the evil krewe with offers to help shave legs and offers of nightgowns. I think i’ll spend that night in the casino. Ok i’ll come to it, should be fun. Oh and this cooking thing with John and well me should be a total blast. I promise John i won’t make you work the dishwashers after. I hope all the bloggers attend as i promise this will be not only funny but embarrassing no wait umm educational. Best to Heidi.
Kevin
Dear John
In regards to the “ship on a stick” If the couple is married I say they share the trophy. Even though I played the game on our cruise. It is proudly displayed on OUR trophy case and Mr. T tells every one that It is OURs but I won it and he claims it as OURS, some one has to get over them selves,,,,
AS far as the weather reports you are right, you can stay insdie and be a hermit, or let the rain truly rain on your parade or you can get out and enjoy life, it is precious and yopu really don;t know how much time you have on this earth. So enjoy it while you can…
I never saw any problems with the Carnial Capers except that I couldn’t be cloned to be in 2 places at one time and I had to make a command decision on which place I wanted to be at more,
RE the Bloggers Cruise: Its sounding SOOO Great Thanks to you and Stephanie and ALL for working so hard on it, You do know that some of us have already gotten Hotel Rooms in advance to be safe, The Mens Lingerie Contest sounds like a Hoot! I am scrambling for the Big Kahuna as I type this..LOL,, LADIES get the Cameras!
SOUNDS EXCITING!
Mrs. S Nob needs to get over theirselves as well, and I can’t wait to hear the next installment.
Take Care
The Tuckers
From Humitdity Florida USA
I’ll be on the Bloggers Cruise and happen to live in New Orleans too. I still am hoping for a visit to one of our famous oyster bars so John & company can down a few. They just slide on down! Please work it into the schedule. I’m also available for anything to help with.
PennyB.
John – I agree with the other posters. I want to see a picture of Mrs. Slob, or is it Snob. Anyway, what the hell was she thinking when she booked a Carnival cruise. That is why people love Carnival – because it is casual and fun and not full of snobby people. It she wants snobs, she should be on Celebrity. Now there are some people who think their stuff doesn’t stink.
Hi John,
About the dress code- I look forward to my cruises to “dress up” on formal night and be comfortable on the other nights and during the day. My main reluctance in booking a Cunard cruise is the fashion worn during the day and in the evening. I have read alot lately on the “other” cruise lines and Carnival is just how it is presented, I don’t think flip flop beach sandals are appropriate for the Captain’s dinner or shorts . You can always go to the buffet if you’re still dressed from a day at the beach, otherwise Carnival is about fun and enjoying yourself. Like you have said there is a cruise line for everyone and not every cruise line will be for you. Look at the number of children that cruise, I hardly ever see them on my cruises, it’s all about tastes and doing what your family is comfortable doing and what each of us enjoys. So much for my rambling on… Great blogs lately- pic’s are wonderful. Hi to Heidi too.
Sadly, we also get “OZONE” warnings with our news every day here in Tennessee. I say “sadly” because DJ (with his Autism) takes these “warnings” very much to heart. He does not realize that a “code orange alert” is nothing more than the weather guy having something else “pretty and colorful” to put on his screen. So when there is a “code orange alert”, DJ does not want David or I to leave the house. And then we have to have this 30 minute discussion about how it is ok…. etc etc etc.
I vote YES for different “rating terms”.
Perhaps “get me off this ship” Poor
“just had an ok time” Good
“I am never leaving!!!” Excellent
As for the dress code, Mrs. S. Nob should have read the VOLUMES of material that Carnival has provided. Jeans and shorts are now allowed in the formal dining room on Casual Nights. I do suspect you will hear from her again.
Now it does seem that it is just a general “free for all” in the formal dining room at night and that saddens me a little. I have always admired Carnival for being inexpensive…I just hate to see people make it “cheap”.
Sure, there have been times when I did not particularly want to pack both the boys’ suits, dress shirts, ties, dress socks and dress shoes (especially now that Josh wears a size 14 shoe)
for one night…. but out of respect for tradition and proper etiquette…I did.
And I seem to recall several of your comments on this very Blog Thingy about guests whose attire was “not up to stuff” when they met the Captain. Yes, you made fun of them. So remember that when you get that call from Mrs. S.Nob. ; )
Hope Ray and Deb are having a great time.
We look forward to hearing more about the Blogger’s Cruise. As always, THANKS STEPHANIE for doing such a brilliant job.
Alcoholic rewards will follow!!!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend ~and our local weather guy~ DJ)
I can assure you that, in America, they do in fact make a national emergency out of nearly every weather incident. Take Florida for example, each time a low pressure system thinks about forming we get inundated with news report predicting doom and gloom and the inevitable devouring of our state by this as yet to be formed hurricane. It gets even more exciting if the system gets organized. I like to think of it as the superbowl for weather reporters. They need something to get excited about. On the upside, if they are getting hyped up about the weather, you know it was a slow news day as far as the real disasters go.
Regarding comment cards, I think you are correct about past guests expecting to have an amazing time. It seems silly to set yourselves up in the position of having to plead with passengers to mark the card a certain way when I reasonably expect that, with a little rewording of the options on the card, you would get just as good a result without the hard sell at the end of the cruise. I have had two Carnival cruise directors, one who pleaded and the other who, quite frankly, was so fabulous at his job, he didn’t have to and I’m guessing he knew that because he really didn’t do anything other than ask everyone to fill out the card honestly.
Hi John!
So glad to finally get an update on whats happening with the Bloggers Cruise. Really looking forward to it! Looks like I need to get Carl geared up for the Men’s nightie contest… he’s been practicing! We went to my store picnic last Saturday and he dressed up! LOL (for one of the games we played) He looked so lovely!!! Want to see a picture? LOL
Tell Mrs. S Nob to get over herself and maybe join Mrs Mah Jong on a cruise to visit Fatima. Sounds like the 3 of them would get along very well!
Tell Ray & Deb McTeague Hello!!!
And Hello to Heidi!
Hugs!
Princess Barb
Hi John,
Please, please, please change the comment cards to use Excellent, Good, and Poor. Also, please replace the circles to fill-in with something less 1960’s and more 21st century! We get cramps filling out the darn things.
Thanks.
Lynn
Hey John, regarding the comment cards, it’d probably be better to revert to the old wording of “excellent/good/fair/etc” to simplify things. I don’t think anyone wants to think on vacation, so one word options should suffice!
hi ray! hi deb!
who is going to send me some of the bloggers goodies since i can’t go??? steph?
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Hey John
Can’t believe a good Englishman like you is wearing JC Penney and not M&S. Clearly letting the side down here!!!
I hope Mrs S Nob isn’t one of our countrymen/women and you should certainly post a photo, I need a new target for my dartboard.
Would really like to make your Bloggers cruise but unfortunately we’ll be partying in Barcelona (I hope) as we’re off with friends on a mutual 30th wedding anniversay celebration.
Kind Regards
David
PS Your French needs a little work, even us Macunians can do a little “Je ne sais quoi?”
Hey John,
Great job on the comment cards!
Let people tell you what they really think! Evaluations should be used in just the way you are currently using them!
I feel guilty sometimes when saying what I really think because I am afraid it will impact someones bonus or pay! However, as a Carnival stockholder and a Platinum guest I would rather folks be truthful so that shortcomings can be addressed.
Evaluations should not be used to punish but to teach!
Keep up the great work and we continue to read everyday!
John & Susan
Hey John,
Here in beautiful Tennessee because of the air quality, the Smokey Mountains are more than smokey. The air quality is so bad many days you can’t see the mountains. So yes we to have ozone alert days or air quality alert days and everything around is controlled by how the air quality is. What you can do, what you can’t do. So I feel for ya on a bad air day.
Hi John,
How sad that Mrs. S.Nob can’t relax and have a good time. That’s what a cruise is all about! Hopefully she’ll lighten up a bit. The blogger’s cruise sounds great, I wish we we were going!
Ugh, we do have a weather crisis in America as well. Sad, isn’t it? Sorry for Linda too with her son.
Yes, PLEASE change to comment cards. I agree with Bryan–nobody wants to have to think that much when on vacation–especially when its almost over!
AND, where are you with the fresh water in the swimming pool thingy? Princess does it so we know its doable.
The Ship on a Stick should be for “them” .
Mr & Mrs S. Nob should have booked on their usual line since they are definately not “fun ship” kind of people! By all means keep us posted on this saga.
I’m so sad now that I’m on the Splendor instead of the blogger’s cruise but I booked it well over a year ago. You are going to have so much fun and I want to be there too…:-(
Hey John,
Just a note to let you know that I am back from my New York city weekend and I did everything on my list including ordering an Honor plaque for my Grandparents who came here from Italy in 1922.
The whole weekend was wonderful, but I am pooped out to say the least.
NIce to get back to reading your blogs and I am so excited about the Bloger’s Cruise, I just can’t explain it.
Nice to see nothing has changed aboard ship with the one in 3500 people to complain, but you handle it great!! Chin up!
Ciao, Kathleen
Hi John,
I vote for “excellent, good, fair” on the comment cards. A Carnival cruise never exceeds my expectations. I always expect a perfectly wonderful cruise & that is exactly what I get.
For the love of all that’s good, pure and righteous which certainly ain’t me
Anyhoo……MrS. Nob has quite some nerve to critique EVERY other passenger on the ship……The grand dame of the ship….. impeccably dressed ….sheathed in the finest designer garments…. with rings sporting jewels larger than a small moon on her fingers …. Dang those peasant commoners that spoil her cruise….. Sorry Lady perhaps your travel agent should have booked you into a lavish resort in Barbados .
Next on Lifestyles of the Rich and Pompous ……your arse demonstrating the operation of the life vest….floating in the Baltic….with the Splendor sailing away….
Actually you can see some air…..aka fog…..and it is probably safe to walk outside in it…..except perhaps if you happen to live near Chernobyl…..
…the Brits should be quite used to it……
http://www.zarshmogon.com/ana_and_andis_lovely_slim_english_wedding/London_fog-mist.jpg
Mark The Misty Flying Dutchman
“This kind of thing doesn’t happen in America.” (re: air quality reports)
Sorry to burst your bubble, mate. Here in the SF Bay area we get AQ reports every summer – and sometimes in the winter too when too many people use their fireplaces. With the many wildfires we had recently every TV weather report would warn you to hold your breath until September. But, since the hills that usually surround us had vanished like a David Copperfield illusion, the AQ report was really a redundancy redundancy.
As for Mrs. S. Nob, I think you should give here brochures to some of CCL’s other fine lines, since obviously we “Carnies” are far beneath her rarified level of sophistication. Does she get enough oxygen with her nose up so high?
Hi John…i agree that the comment cards need to be changed. I like DJ’s mom analogy of the poor, good, excellent rating system .
Diane
Good evening John, just had to comment on Mrs. S.Nob. It really is sad when someone has to think that they are so above it all and it is all about them. She is going to get a rude awakening one day, maybe this week
Hope the rest of your cruise is smog free, sunny days and starry nights. Keep smiling there are a lot more of us than there are of “them”.
I will not be on the bloggers cruise but the next cruise for my husband and I will be to Alaska.
I agree on the comment cards – Excellent, Good, Fair and Poor would be much better. A week from Monday we’ll be sailing on our eighth Carnival cruise – if we didn’t have high expectations, we wouldn’t be anxiously counting down the days! And if something isn’t quite right on a cruise, we’ll let you know. I like being able to recognize staff who go above and beyond as well – to my mind, that’s where “exceeded my expectations” comes in.
John – the comment card problem is two fold. First, there are too many questions. You need to know what you really need to know, now a little something about everything.
Secondly, a three point scoring system is too general. Most knowledgeable people will tell you that 7 points is best, and 5 points is minimal. In otherwords, there is a long disstance between good and excellent and you may get a lot of “goods” when people really wanted to say “this was much better than good, but a step below excellent.” Then you will have more valuable information.
John and Stephanie, It looks like the plans for the 2009 Bloggers Cruise on the Fantasy are moving right along. It looks like this one will be another JUST CAN”T MISS cruise. Thank you both and all the others working on it for all you’ve done to make this happen.
COOKING WITH JOHN AND KEVIN, come on John we’ve read about you and kitchens. Maybe you better let Heidi do this one with Kevin for the sake of the ship.
Bloggers, if your not booked you better get going you don’t want to miss this cruise. I know I’m not even if John going to get even with me for my itcy pitsy April Fools joke.
BIG ED
The one with the target on his back
Great to read an update on Blog2NOLA.
THANKS STEPHANIE for all the work you are doing.
One question…we are already booked at a hotel……
what is this you mention of ” our group hotel” ??
STEPHANIE or someone else here respond please.
Phil & Liz
John -
I too agree about the dress code – I don’t have any dresses, nor do I have the key to the kode, so it is difficult for me to decipher the message that is being sent. Clearly, you have to do a better job of writing this information in a language that people can understand – say Swahili or Mandarin Chinese?
Looking forward to NOLA and all the activities – hopefully, you will get the information out soon so that I can be sure to get all my arrangements made, including the necessary days off.
Love and kisses.
Jon
John I forgot say Hi to Ray and Deb for me and tell them we want pictures of them with you.
Yes, please redo the comment cards. I liked Linda’s idea of;
“get me off this ship” Poor
“just had an ok time” Good
“I am never leaving!!!” Excellent
BIG ED
I’m a “I am never leaving” Carnival cruiser
Good evening Mr. Heald. Isn’t it a pain in the derriere when you have to deal with Mrs. S.Nob. I always thought that when a person came on a cruise, it was to enjoy onesself, enjoy new individuals who also are there to enjoy the cruise, great food and see new ports that you probably wouldn’t see in your old home area. BUt I guess Mrs. S.Nob has decided to wnat to put down the other guests on the ship, you and Carnival. You really don’t need a guest like her. I really feel sorry for a person like her. My friend, how are you doing wiht your diet or whatever you call it. Unfortuately, I’m having some problems with mine. It’s called, ” enjoying food & drink “. LOL.
Please say hi to Heidi. Ciao my friend.
Mrs. S. Nob should have chosen a cruise on a different ship
like Cunard and Silversea and whatever to take her dip.
So she was upset about the Carnival Caper of poor quality and
the people who dress in a cheap and ugly way for her novelty.
I appreciate Mrs. S Nob for her sheer stupidity and disrespect
for the the people who are happy, thoughtful and showed respect.
Maybe the next time she will think first of her silly words
and maybe think better of Carnival, you and others who are nerds.
Mr. Heald don’t apologize for being a good cruise director for all
knowing that 99.9% of the those aboard are having a ball.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
John,
I love the idea of making the comment cards more simple. I just finished reading a great book called The Ultimate Question. It talks about how corporations spend so much time talking about customer satisfaction scores but never really drive anything using them. Instead, they suggest that companies really only have to ask 1 question which is “would you recommend us to your friends and colleagues?” That question is a much better predicter of how satisfied a customer is and if you can turn customers into Promoters (those who will recommend your company), your company, and profits as a result, will grow. It’s an interesting theory, and there are great stories about well known companies that have embraced it. Just a thought in case you have the urge to curl up with a good book.
So excited to start hearing details about BC 2.0. Thanks, Stephanie, for all your hard work.
And, hello to Ray and Deb…hope you’re enjoying your cruise…wish we were at the dinner table with you.
I heard the Mall of the Seas line has dropped comment cards . . . not sure if that’s true or not, but I’m glad to hear a CD fess up to manipulating the results. When “Excellent” used to be on a lot of cruise lines comment cards . . . they’d start brainwashing you the second night out. “How was your steak tonight sir?” I reply, “Great! Fantastic! Out of this world!” Waiter replies, “I’m glad it was EXCELLENT!” It was amazing how often the crew worked the e-word into the sentence . . . It seems to me that honest feedback is the only way a cruise line can improve and really deliver, and not just talk about, a product that is truely stellar!
John, Heidi, and Stephanie.
Thanks for all of the hard work you are doing to make the BC2 enjoyable for all of us.
We appreciate you.
Countess Carolyn of the evil Krewe
PS John please if you can include the bedtime story in your plans for the BC.
I have tried not to send a comment regarding the “dress code” and how everyone’s dress style around the ship does not meet her unusually high standards. However, my fingers can not help but dance across my keyboard.
I think you should put in the Capers that tonight’s dinner’s dress code is…”clothing optional” and then everyone can see how this particular passengers taste in “clothes” really are from the “inside-out.”
There…now I feel much better (haha)!!
Hi John
wow you get some real a-holes,,mrs snob
should stay off our FUN SHIPS.
some people need to get a life.
bet you would like to tell her to bugger off.
so I will
HEY YOU OLD BAT,,IF YOU DONT LIKE
CARNIVAL,,,THEN GET OFF,
was that old fool from France?
later
tom & jane
see you all in NOLA
Change the comment cards to blue, green, yellow, and red to really mess them up.
Jeff
Dear John I have to agree about the comment cards there is room for improvement. Simplicity is often the best policy.As for Mrs. Snob tell her thats why there are other cruise lines. Like people no cruise line is the same as peoples taste are different. Carnival has a variety of lines and ships to choose from.
Glad to hear about plans for Blogger’s cruise sounds like its going to be a hoot.Loved the pictures as always. Best wishes Gary and Bug
I like the simple wording on the comment cards excellent/good/average/fair/poor. The formal dress is getting harder as travel bag restrictions continue to tighten; wife will not be taking a suite case anymore just for shoes in the future. We are looking forward to the bloggers Cruise.
Hi John-
I think Mrs. Snob(oh, go ahead and call her a snob…that’s what she is…)should relax and take a chill pill!!! Carnival is about fun, but I also hope that alowing shorts and really casual dressing in the dining rooms doesn’t become a let’s see who can look trashier contest either.
The bloggers cruise, is sounding more and more exciting. So glad I’m going! … I remember the Male Nightgown contest on Jubilee in 1988!!!!!!!!!!…and the Men’s Hairy Chest contest (?) and also one for the women(the Sexy Legs(?) contest…) Or Am I remembering it wrong?! The drink of the day in those big, Carnival glasses (Now they use the plastic ones, oh bummer), and the pool games. I say bring SOME of those back!!
Sue M
Wow John! (and thanks Mach!)
Thanks for the endorsement!
For others, no, I don’t sell anything or accept advertisements, I just try to post pictures of my experiences – albeit too many! And any that others want to contribute.
I do have some more work to do (captions, etc.), but the pictures are substantially posted now, I believe. Is that ever possible?
Hi John.
On every cruise I have been on, the Cruise Director has attempted to “enhance” customer satisfaction scores with phrases like “don’t penalise a whole department for one mistake” and even “if something went wrong – mark the survey as if it didn’t happen, then put details in the box at the end”.
Either this is a corporate policy – so the shareholders can be shown how happy the customers are, or it’s down to the individual CD – to keep his ship’s scores comparable with others in the fleet whose CDs are doing the same thing.
Either way, it’s not getting fair and truthful data.
I don’t want to wait till the end of a cruise before I say “that was good” or “that stinks”. I want to say it when it happens. Either to congratulate the member of staff concerned – or to get things put right and hope the member of staff gets some extra training.
I want to see more customer care – I want the Pursers Desk staff to take notice of a complaint and act promptly – on Princess it takes 2-3 days for a complaint to be addressed. Now that certainly stinks.
I want a problem to be addressed within minutes, and if it is serious enough for me to take time from my holiday to tell somebody, I want somebody to take the time to send a letter to my cabin acknowledging the issue and assuring me that action has been taken. If the problem merits it, I want a gesture of apology. Nothing massive. Maybe a plate of canapes delivered to the cabin with the letter.
I don’t want grovelling. I just want good service, and when things go wrong, as they inevitably will from time to time, I want things to be put right.
What I don’t want is to be looked at by a junior purser like “what is his problem”. I don’t want to wait 3 days for things to be investigated before they are put right. I want them put right now, then investigated after, to prevent them happening again.
That’s how the Carnival Group will keep me as a client. The “frequent cruiser” perks are nice, but they won’t make up for the basic product being defective.
And by the way, my complaints aren’t like Mrs P.Osh’s. Let me give you examples.
Suitcases smashed and ripped when delivered to cabin (but were perfect at the dockside) took 4 days for Holland America to sort out. The worry about luggage for the return journey spoilt what should have been a perfect anniversary cruise.
Filthy stained toilet seat in cabin took P&O a full day to sort out – after telling me “we have no spares”, “stores are closed” and “we will try and clean it” – after me complaining over a period of hours, finally someone came, with a brand new seat, and fitted it – in 2 minutes work. So why did I have to complain for 3 hours first?
Hi, John.
Great Blog……”Again”….But what I personally enjoy always is the pursers’ incidents ……what a pus that lady…honestly…what king of cheek a person must have, to say that “the other guests onboard were of a lower standard than she was use to and did not dress well around the ship”. I wonder if she thinks when she goes to the bathroom to do #2, that what comes out is Perry Ellis scent?….
I like sarcasms and I have a whole bag for her…..
Keep them coming.
Thanks
Don’ Hector Hernandez
Hey there – I totally agree that the comment cards need to be revised. I think that the only time you should be asked to mark “excellent” or “above expectations” is if something is actually ABOVE expectations. You are right, when I come on a cruise, I expect things to be good. If someone goes above and beyond, THEN you should mark “Above expectations.” Just my 2 cents worth. You could probably mark this comment “meets expectations!”
Hi John!
Making the comment cards simpler is a great idea! Usually there is such pressure to make the CD and staff look wonderful….even though they have been 100% of the time in our 6 cruises! I’m in the hospitality business, have been for over 10 years, and we would prefer our guests to be honest (sometimes even brutally so!) so we can correct concerns.
Hi John,
Yes, I agree, the comment cards need to be changed to the simpler ratings. It’s true, past guest cruisers expect the excellent service, so the phrasing “met expectations” doesn’t really tell the whole story.
The infamous Male Nightgown Contest, huh? Seeing some of the bloggers participate would be worth the price of the cruise, but alas, I will just have to wait to see the photos. Brings back memories John of the Jubilee, Holiday & Ecstasy.
And Sue – don’t forget the Knobby Knees contest.
I forgot this yesterday about the problem of the ship-on-a-stick. It belongs in a place of honor in the home for all to enjoy – my 3 have their own shelf in my living room wall unit (when the cats don’t jump up & knock them down).
Later,
C.
John,
I just read this on Cruise Critics and thought you would be interested in the perception that is coming across of the ruls on Carnival.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=823677
Hi John/Heidi:
Great thread today and i look forward to hearing more from the S.nob…
I wondered about the comment card process but its interesting to see how much “influence” you have over it. Granted, the consumer makes the end decision but you can help steer them towards their answers.
Great pics of Dover.
Bloggers cruise right around the corner. Very exciting!
Thanks for posting.
Take care,
David
Comment cards: I agree with your proposed changes. I do though understand the way to fill them out and Carnival always exceeds my expectations.
Every other CD has explained the cards as you do/did…
Most of us don’t need a dress code lesson. In fact I am going to dress the way I want. I like to dress up for dinner, but on the ship, if I walk into the casino in a bikini, they will politely ask me to put on a shirt and that is perfectly acceptable!
Keep the fun coming John!!!
John:
)
)
Yes, please – make the comment cards simpler. Excellent, good, average, fair and poor ratings would work for me.
I think Mrs. S.nob is on a wrong ship. Titanic already set sailed
Regards from Ohio to you, Heidi & Steph
Please do change the comment cards. Being a platium card holder I know what to expect on Carnival so not very much could exceed my expectations. I always expect the best – and get it.
Maybe “meets expectations’ would make better sense.
Mrs. S. Nob needs to find another ship as soon as possible so others on the Fun Ship can forget about her. Until then – ignore the b – (woops) witch.
Stephanie . PLEASE REPLY
Has the hotel in New Orleans been named? Are reservations going to be made for us? If not, when can we book and be assured of a room? Thanks.
I love the thought that the comment cards may change!! Unless you go to the talks… they really are difficult to understand why Carnival is asking…
Oooo… I’m getting excited for the Blogger’s Cruise!!! WOO HOO!!! I have a cruise in 44 days… and a shorter one in Dec, just to tide me over… But BLOGGERS is what I’m DREAMing of!!! And speaking of the DREAM… I’m DREAMin’ of her too!!!
You’re wonderful!!! Hellos to Heidi and thanks to Stephanie for all her work!!!
Lambie
Big hello to Ray and Deb. Wishing we could have sailed on your platinum cruise! Having a great time I am certain. Be sure to post us your favorite ports!
Love,
Kap
From the Tennessee Two
John,
My husband Harold and I were on the Splendor cruise that just ended. About the comment cards… Both of us are very analytical, accountant types. We stressed and obsessed over the comment cards – Well I did more than Harold. Which is surely not what Carnival wants. I felt so guilty because I stated that our dining room duo had “opportunity for improvement.” I even worried about it until I got home. I thought about trying to steal my card back out of the container by the dining room. I tried to explain what was wrong until I just sounded like an idiot!!! But they really did need improvement! And I think with some additional coaching, they would be a great team. And yes – after a few cruises, our expectations are high and meeting our expectations really is quite enough.
Have a great cruise. Hope to see you on a future itinerary.
John, I have been reading your blog for several months and love it! Imagine my surprise when reading this edition to see the letter from the young couple! I taught them in Middle School in a very small town at the foot of the Great Smokey Mountains! I lived in that area for over 25 years and moved a few years ago to the big city which has lots of Music everywhere. Thanks for reminding me of some of my favorite people!