Finally……….some sun. Good Afternoon from a now sunny Baltic and the sight of the sun has had meant that the sun cream has been applied and the Speedos are on, the roof is open and the sun worshippers are laying before the golden ball in the sky. The Lido deck is being entertained by Steve our great guitarist and vocalist and meanwhile on the big screen the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics is being shown.
We actually have this with no volume so people can watch the ceremony and enjoy the live music………….and because we can only get the feed from German television and the commentary is in German. …………nobody seems to mind though and it does seem very popular not just on the big screen but in the sports bar and on the dance club screens as well.
It’s strange to think that in 2012 the Olympics will be held in London and some events just a few miles from where we live namely the sailing and rowing competitions. The Chinese allegedly spent $80 million on the opening ceremony and as I watch Das Wunderbar Olympica (it’s in German remember) I read in the news that London is anxious that they will not have the money to come close to the extravagant ceremony being seen all over the world.
What a load of old bollocks. The U.K. is the fourth richest country in the world. If the Greeks and the Chinese can organize a fortnight of running and jumping, then for God’s sake why can’t the Brits? However watching the Chinese flaunt all this money and I have to say see this jaw droppingly amazing show with a cast of 15,000 performers I fear the British equivalent in four years time will not be quite as grand.
Knowing the political landscape it will be a perfect ethnic blend of London schoolchildren prancing about in the nearly finished stadium wearing hard hats and protective goggles lest they are exposed in some way to the Olympic flame. But no swimming pool because health and safety thought it was a “drowning hazard.”
What’s worrying me most of all are the next six years as we struggle under the global spotlight to get the stadiums built.
To me, making the stadium the best in the world ever should be the biggest consideration. But I’m not in charge, health and safety will be. And they’re going to spend every waking moment fighting with those who want all the seating to face east, to keep certain religions happy, those who have found a rare fruit bat nesting in the rafters of some old barn that lies in the middle of where the stadium will be built.
So, what’s to be done to avoid this cataclysmically expensive fiasco? Well, we could hand the whole job over to Paris who came second and that’s never going to happen. But since, on balance, I want the Olympics to come to London …how’s this for a plan?
We take the Olympics back to its roots and host the whole thing on board the ships. No, really, I was walking across the Lido Deck today and honestly I think we can do it.
We have simultaneous events going on at the same time already… There’s a pool for the swimming events and the rowing can be done in the sea………we can even let the teams use our lifeboats instead of canoes. We have a jogging track which is perfect apart from the fact that the 10,000 meters may take 300 or so laps. The weightlifting, judo, and gymnastics can be done in the main theatre…….see, we can do this.
Anything missing to make the ship a complete Olympic venue would involve nothing more than an enlargement of Camp Carnival kid’s sandpit. Manuel the joiner will do that, with no danger to his workforce, and no impact on global warming…. All for a case of Budweiser.
This then is my vision: not to host the safest, least offensive, most globally cooling Games of all time. But the smallest. And then we could spend the savings we make — about $10 billion — on the most important part of the Olympic ceremony. The fireworks.
I can’t quite remember how we left Hannibal Lecter in the last “Silence of the Sheep” film. As I recall, he’d sawn the top off Ray Liotta’s head, lost his hand and was on a plane, offering brain pate on toast to the unfortunate chap in the seat next him.
Or was he being eaten by a pig? Or was he setting fire to a man in a wheelchair?
The fact is that Lecter creator Thomas Harris only ever gave Hannibal a very small role in his first book on the subject of mass murder, but since the movie boys moved in, he’s been turned into one of the biggest baddies in cinema history.
But even so, I understand there’s a new Lecter film in which we see the cannibal as a young man, growing up in Eastern Europe. I have not seen it but I would not be surprised to find out that the plot involves him killing his mother with a stapler and cooking her in a white wine sauce and for dessert his brother will be souffled and become a melting cake with raspberry sauce ………which should have the directors inducing gallons of vomit from the cinema audience.
Why am I writing about this I hear you ask……………..here is why?
Guest: MR…………………Ref: 002802486A
Cabin: ____ Booking#: ______ Added-Changed: 08/07/08 – 08/07/08_______ – INFORMATION ON ESTONIA
MR ____________ called the desk from his cabin asking to speak to the cruise director. Purser asked if she could help and guest said he would like information on an area of Tallinn that he did not mention. Mr_______ wants to visit the town where a movie was shot and guest said he was very disappointed that this was not mentioned and would like to speak to the cruise director. Purser advised she would pass his request to the cruise director.
So I called Mr ________ and sure enough he is a huge Thomas Harris fan and apparently there is a town in Estonia where the latest film was shot. I found out via the ship’s Estonian agent where it was and the guest is now very happy and will be touring the town of Tartu. This is 180 kilometers from Tallinn and I cannot imagine how much the taxi we have ordered for him will cost………….but he is going ……………and is obviously a huge Hannibal Lecter fan…………..if I see him walk off the ship with a nice bottle of Chianti…………I am calling the police.
Talking of films, last night was the perfect night to watch a movie on our Seaside Theatre Big Screen. The roof was closed, people were cocooned in one of our blankets, their legs stretched out on a sunbed watching Casino Royale. I lingered for a while myself after watching the show and the guests were enthralled by the atmosphere and by the movie itself…
I’m the biggest fan of 007 and know most of the films off by heart. But even I will admit that while Moonraker produced the best Bond villain of them all – Michael Lonsdale – it was such a stupid story that the only way to go afterwards was backwards.
It’s my opinion then, as a result, all Bond movies after Moonraker aren’t really Bond films at all. In the early days, we had long scene-setting sequences – the carnival in Rio and the funeral in New Orleans, for instance.
Now we can go to Venice on any number of Carnival family of ships or on a cheap no frills flight… We can see the carnival in Rio on a web cam……..or visit it on the Carnival Splendor. James Bond, thanks to Carnival Corp, Easyjet and the internet, lost his glamour.
And now, in Casino Royale, he’s lost his gadgets too…………..and Q is nowhere to be seen except when I stand naked in front of a mirror. Where is the invisible Aston Martin, the pen that can blow up a tank? My favorite gadget and the one I always wanted was the Rolex watch that could unzip a dress.
So what are we left with? A bloke who looks good coming out of the ocean with fruit shoved down the front of his shorts ………..well judging by the reactions to the guests on Lido Deck last night I am in a minority…..they were loving it. Of course, very soon, all the Destiny and Conquest class ships will have the big screens and they are certainly massive assets to the guest program………………..oh by the way…………….who was the Best bond?……………and who would you like to have seen play him?
For me, Roger Moore was brilliant and I loved Pierce as well but nobody beat Sean ……… he was Bond. I would have liked to have seen Michael Caine play him just to give it some cockney swagger…………what do you think?
I see many of you were quite annoyed at Mrs. S. Nob and her comments about guests not dressing to “her standard”……….some even asked for a photo of her and obviously as much as I wish I could plaster her face on the internet I obviously cannot. However, the story continues as I much expected it to…………the poor sod dealing with her this time is our old friend Ken Byrne our Senior Maitre D……………….here’s his report.
Guest: Mrs Ref: 002802465A Owner:
Cabin: ______ Booking#: _______ Added-Changed: 08/07/08 – 08/07/08Cabin__________
During dinner this evening in the Gold Pearl Dining Room guest Mrs_________ from table ___ Late Sitting asked to see me. I approached the table and was met by an angry lady who with her voice raised stated the following
1. She expected the Maitre D to serve and pour her wine at the table
2. She wanted the passengers from a nearby moved because they were too loud and were laughing all the time
3. She stated that she had to return her steak three times as it was not cooked Medium as requested
The guest made many references to her past cruises on Crystal, Cunard and others and that she always got personal service from the Maitre D.
I explained that I would come to the table as often as I could but the waiter would be serving the wine.NOTE: The guest is very demanding and has also upset others at the table who has requested to be moved due to her comments about other guests.
Blimey……Its one thing to say that every other guests do not meet her usual standard and that they are all as ugly as a moose, but to complain because someone else is having fun and laughing………..well, that’s going to far…………………I am on the hunt for her tonight.
There are times when you meet people onboard who you know whatever happens and wherever the road of life will take you…………….you will never forget. I met such a person this morning. Her name is Susan Brock. Susan is a Platinum member and on her 70th cruise, 31 of which have been with Carnival. I remember her from previous cruises.
She has a wonderful smile and always…………I mean always ……makes sure she is at the shows and events early to get her usual front row seat. This cruise I saw her and I could tell she was not herself. Yes, she was in her usual position and yet she didn’t seem herself………….I was concerned that at the welcome aboard show I had said something to offend her. So, this morning I spoke to her after my Berlin travel talk and discovered why she was not the happy go lucky lady I remembered.
She was due to be sailing with her Mother………..as soon as she said that I remembered that yes……..on a previous cruise she had been with another lady.
Well, her Mother could not be with her because she had been………….and I should warn you that this is shocking………she had been killed in a robbery at her house in Fort Worth Texas………she tried to fight back and was shot………………Zee Drew was 89 years old.
There is little you can say to someone who should have been here celebrating a Baltic vacation with the Mother she buried in March. She is traveling alone and I have made it my mission to comfort her and look after her. We start tonight……………..I am watching the show with her and Heidi and I are having coffee with her in the morning ………………… she cried some tears and as I held her I was reminded that sometimes the world we live in is a bloody cruel one.
I also met a man called Dan. You may not know him but you may remember his wife. She was a regular blogger and mother of one of our Carnival dancers ……. Paulette ………….. in fact her screen name was “Paulette’s Mum.” I had found it strange that she had stopped posting comments………….and now I understand why………….she passed away suddenly from cancer…she was just 55…………………..Dan also shared some tears with me tonight during the Captain’s party and I was reminded yet again …………. sometimes the world we live in is a bloody cruel one.
Then I met Pam and Anthony who are again regular bloggers. Tonight they told Heidi and I a story we will never forget. Pam and Anthony have a severely disabled child. I won’t go into details here but I can tell you that the constant care and attention that their child needs would be enough to overwhelm anyone.
They have never cruised before………..in fact this is their first vacation in 12 years since the birth of their child…………they have never left their child with anyone else …………. ever.
Pam came across our blog thingy when she was dreaming………..and then it was just a dream……….about coming on a cruise. She has been reading it as has Anthony since February. Pam told me that laughter is not commonplace in their house because of the strains and stresses of looking of their child but said Pam “when I hear my husband laugh………..I know he is reading your blog.”……………….and so, they decided to leave their most precious possession at home………..for the first ever time…………..and here they are…………..missing their loved one beyond measure……..yet…………laughing and having fun and as Anthony said……..” living the dream.”
Sometimes the world is a bloody cruel one…………..and sometimes……………….you get to help make sure…………….even if just for a short time…………that its not.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Destinations, Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Carnival Splendor
I’m glad you and Heidi are there to comfort them. You are so caring! That’s why people like Mrs. Snob makes me mad. She doesn’t get it. Introduced her to them show her what’s important in life and if she doesn’t understand trow her overboard. You got my permission.
A big huggo
Nan
No one can rationalize why bad things happen to good people. I’ve tried and it begins to drive me mad. Good bless Susan, Dan, Pam, Anthony and the thousands of others who have to endure such heart rending times.
I like your idea for the Olympics. Often, smaller IS better. One athlete from each country… not three hundred or so. Let’s keep it down to sports that would do the original Olympians proud… running, jumping, stabbing the enemy with a spear and such. By the way, how can anyone justify that BMX bicycle thingy as an Olympic sport? “LOOK!! Number 41 just did a double spinnie fork hook with a crotch cracker at the end!! ” “Tens from all the judges!!!” ??? Odd…
Please find Mrs. S.Nob for me ask her why it is that laughter is so offensive… Is ‘twitess’ the feminine form of ‘twit’??
Howdies to the Lovely Heidi and thousands of kudos to the most amazing MOB… STEPHANIE!!!
Ciao!!
Host Mach
John
Awesome blog !!!! Ms S Nob is not to be believed..and the other stories were tragic(2) and Happy (1) – you do have a way with words. I look forward daily to your charm and wit. Sean is the one and only 007, though Pierce did a wonderful job. I liked Roger but not as much as Sean and the last one, not much… Hi to Heidi and your guest of honor on this cruise.
John,
I hope this shows you that you do a lot of good for a lot of people. And you see it all with people that should be enjoying themselves. I am looking forward to meeting you during the Aug 18 cruise and would enjoy having a drink with however I know you are busy with all of your duties. Keep speaking your mind, present your views, and do the best you can. We can never please everyone but you do touch the hearts of many. See you on your next cruise.
Wow John,
Mrs. S. Nob is surely one for the record books. I must admit though, the mental picture of poor Ken running around trying to personally serve wine to every table in the dining room is kinda funny. Or, maybe Mrs. Nob meant that he should serve only her. Is she possibly wearing a crown or ermine robes that signify she is the queen of some country? You need to find this out, John, so you can have minstels follow her about the ship and play her national anthem whenever she enters a room, while the peasants bow to her.
As for the constant laughter at the tables, I’ve noticed that also. I just can’t understand why people on a Carnival cruise are so darn happy all the time.
Yes, John and Heidi, Sometimes the world is a bloody cruel one…………..and sometimes……………….you get to help make sure…………….even if just for a short time…………that its not.
You both are doing hte job chosen for you. Thanks for sharing.
Yours,
Kap
This blog gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. You hit it straight on the head…it’s all about perspective. Thank you for reminding me that no matter how bad a day seems, it is a day I am part of, and someone always has it worse. My compliments to you, John, for helping others have a really memorable and special trip. That’s why most of us cruise…to leave the “bloody cruel one” behind and laugh…maybe even loudly at dinner. Bonnie
Hey John,
You were right, that was a sad one. I do remember the poster ‘Paulette’s Mum’ & I am saying a little prayer for her family. I am 55…makes me feel thankful for my health.
You are a special person & it shows in all the laughter we get from this thingy. I look forward every day to reading & I thank you.
Jan
John:
Movie trivia….apparently he mispronounced “Chianti” in the movie….which is a hoot since the “character” was suppose to be so precise.
BTW< did I not “warn you” that yesterday was just the beginning for Mrs. S. Nob? Sadly, she will be a bee in your bonnet all week.
On a more serious note, please convey to Ms. Susan and Dan that their fellow cruisers all over the world are holding them in their hearts right now.
Having lost Mom (at the age of 97) 2 years ago….it is a void that never goes away. I (as I am sure she also) was blessed to have had such a wonderful Mom. Oddly enough, now whenever I “want to ask Mom” something….all I have to do is think the question and I know what her answer would have been.
So the ones we love do stay with us….especially when we need them the most.
Hope Pam and Anthony are having a marvelous time. As I have said before, God blesses us with these special children and then graces us with the ability to care for them. I admire their strength and the depth of their love for their child.
To bad that Mrs. S. Nob is not reading this Blog. Perhaps a small dose of the reality that others are living every day would “soften” her opinions.
PS: As for 007, I was never a Sean fan (shocking, I know). He always seemed “to old looking” for my taste. I did like Roger Moore. I have not watched an 007 movie after Roger Moore….so I don’t have a clue about the other guys.
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
Dear John,
Hi John, I was with you on the Splendor last week and I would just like to say that you are an amazing Cruise Director. You are so nice and funny, your jokes are absolutely brilliant.
Dear John I loved your Blog Thingy as always.You are a craftsman at what you do.Portraying the good and the bad part of life.It is a shame there is so much hurt in this world but we have to take the bad with the good.Luckily there are people like yourself to bring smiles and comfort to there lives.P.s. I think Great Britain will come through just fine or maybe a Carnival Olympics.Best wishes to all Gary and Bug
Hi John and Heidi!
Thanks for sharing the stories each and every day, love reading them. Esp. hope Pam and Anthony, Dan, and Susan have a wonderful cruise!
Just goes to show you how each day you have the opportunity to make a difference in someones life. Sometimes just by making them smile……….and dream!
Wow, I don’t think a box of tissues is enough. I sure hope these special people have a wonderful vacation and if only for a few days enjoy themselves.
Good evening Mr. Heald. Your story about Pam and Anthony told me about the strength that these two people must have. Knowing that I have a very healthy new grandson, I thank God for all the good things that he has given to me and my family. Also, the story about Susan Brock and Dan shows that the reality of life is so precious and it can be taken at any moment. Please let these very strong people know that I will be thinking about them and asking God to help them continue their lives with strength and happiness and for Susan and Dan, that they are not travelling alone even though their love ones are not with them. In a short statement from a prayer that I have after my dad died, it states and I quote,
” I won’t be far away, for life goes on;
So, if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear,
All of my love around you soft and clear. ”
I hope this will help Susan and Dan in any way Mr. Heald. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
PS I would have liked to have said a few words about Mrs. S. Nob but my heart was with Pam, Anthony, Susan and Dan. I didn’t feel like wasting my precious words on her. I wanted to use my words for good. Thank you Mr. Heald.
Hi John, those stories you shared about Susan’s Mother, Paulette’s Mum, and Pam and Anthony were really humbling to read. Thanks for sharing them; it stinks having to see hardship like that, but it helps me put things in perspective with my own life.
*Prayers going out to Dan: Your wife will be missed among us.
*To Anthony and Pam: You are brave and couragous. I hope this is the first of many cruises.
John – I can picture it now. Mrs. Snob sitting at a table all by herself because all the other guests moved to other tables. What a _itch!!! Pity the pour people on those other cruise lines she has sailed with. Hopefully this will be her first, last, and only Carnival cruise.
John -
As always, a wonderful blog.
My sympathy goes out to Susan and Dan. Having recently lost my Mum, I can relate to the pain that they feel.
As for Pam and Anthony, please tell them congratulations from me for having the courage to trust someone with their cherished child and take the cruise. I know the burden that a disabled child brings to a family – I grew up with a sister who had severe Downs syndrome, so we never took a summer vacation except for one summer when Dad rented a camp on Lake Champlain. I honestly believe my mother enjoyed those days more than any other days, because she had the best of both worlds – her beloved daughter and family, while enjoying time away from home. Of course, the fact that one of Mom’s childhood friends were in the camp across the road probably helped too.
Now, onto Mrs. S Nob. IMO, she is not deserving of the fine service and atmosphere that Carnival, and especially Ken Miles, provide. It sounds to me like she really needs to be enrolled in Camp Carnival and kept there until she learns some manners. Of course, the cruise probably isn’t long enough for that to happen.
Keep your chin up – faith in the human race goes a long way and I am certain that Mrs. S Nob will get her ultimate due. In the meantime, she must be tolerated, but nothing more.
Jon
John, thank you so much for reading my letter and calling my son Heath’s cabin to say congratulations on the marriage. I never dreamed you would have time to call. Thanks for putting him on the morning show! You went out of your way to make not only Heath and Rachel fell special but myself as well. This is why Carnival is my choice when it comes to cruising. I’m amazed that you did this for me. You’re awesome!
Thanks a million!
Gaynelle
Hi John: Just a note to let you know we were on the last cruise with our grandson who turned 18 during the cruise on 8/4 . We all enjoyed ourselves immensely, although being from Miami, I suffered from the “cold weather” and my husband’s snoring. Hope you didn’t get any complaints from our next door neighbors on deck 6!
One funny thing happened due to the fact that I was slightly stressed out from lack of sleep due to the snoring. I was having a good dream about being in a pub somewhere and deciding to leave and go home. Well, I walked out into the hall way at around 3:00 in the morning in my nightie “on my way home”. The slaming of the cabin door awoke me and it was instant panic. How was I to get back in the cabin? I was locked out without a key. I fumbled my way to the elevators and the phone on the wall to call for help in my nightie with no one in sight (thank heavens) but without my glasses, I couldn’t see the numbers on the phone.
Suddenly, it dawned on me. My husband was probably snoring in the cabin. I went back to the door and pounded until he finally awoke and let me in. Whew!! It was close, but no one saw me.
And that’s a true story to laugh about now and remember our wonderful time on the Splendor.
Mary Lou
Hi John,
I like your idea of the Olympics being held on board. Maybe you could suggest the Olympics be on the Splendor while the Dream sails right beside her for more of the guests to be able to watch the competitions?
I think maybe Mrs S Nob was on our first Carnival cruise aboard the Spirit. There was a couple sat alone at the table near us, where we were seated with 2 other couples. The elderly couple sneared at us the first two evenings, even though we tried to be friendly to them, and complained that the people at our table laughed to much. They never showed up in the dining room after the second night. We didn’t feel we were all that loud and our waiter told us not to worry about it, we were fine. Also, that the elderly couple was not happy with anything. So, I think it may have been Mr & Mrs S Nob.
Our hearts go out to Anthony and Pam, we wish them much well deserved fun and laughter on thier cruise. We hope they will have many more cruises in thier future.
We also hope Dan and Susan can find comfort in the many good memories they have of thier loved ones. All our best to them.
John,
Another great blog full of laughter and tears. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones and that wonderful set of parents who love their child so much and take such good care of him/her. They deserve a break today, and I’m so happy that they’re living their dream this week.
I’m sure you have helped make it more special than they ever imagined.
You and Heidi are truly one (or two) in a million!
Keep up the great work.
Lisa and George Kilmartin
John,
Let Ken pen us a blog one day…he surely has to have some great stories…I loved hearing about “the hag”in the dining room….I know if I was a table guest..I can see myself putting her in her place pretty quick…However Ken like you…must have great patience to deal with such stupidity…..lol
Good day !
Mark “the EvilAlabamaFrog”
John, Too bad you can’t leave Mre, S. Nob at the next port and tell her can fly home or swim. She is miserable and is trying to make every one else miserable too.
I wish you could find out what ships she has sailed on and ask the CD of thaat ship if she was such a pain in the butt on their ship.
It is so kind of you to take care of Susan Brock and see that she is not alone. But I
John,
A beautiful, fun post! All I can say is I can’t see to type much (tears, you know?). You’re a wonderful man.
Sean and Roger, in that order.
Your Pal, Myra
Thanks goodness for people like Mre. S. Nob. We have to have people like her to make us truly appreciate how wonderful people like Anthony and Pam are. There is no good without evil. No beauty without ugly. And you must admit, isn’t it thoroughly entertaining to read about how poorly this woman behaves? Let’s just hope she only makes herself miserable and doesn’t spoil the trip for others as that would be a real shame.
Cheers,
Brad
John, what a roller coaster of emotions you must experience each day! Thank you for sharing with us. You simply don’t know what will be coming your way — you simply keep going, taking it one step at a time. How wonderful that these individuals found there way onto the Splendor, where you can help them heal, remember better days, and simply laugh. What a gift for all!
John & Heidi, I’m sure most of the 3000+ on board last week think y’all have the best jobs in the world–you very well may. My observations of your efforts (indeed of the entire crew) were colored more by the incredible amount of hard work and dedication necessary to make it all seem so smooth and effortless. We’re sure we’ll never have another cruise quite like this one. Unbelievable!! Thanks to you John. we probably met and talked with over half of the people on the cruise. To a person, (most of them multi-cruise veterans) they all felt that you are the best cruise director they had ever seen–and we agree. We were asked repeatedly what we thought was the best part of the cruise. The answer was simple–the wonderful people we met on board(particularly the kids). We had the pleasure of dining at the “Pinnacle” with Rachel and Heath the “newlyweds”. Fantastic young people with a beautiful life before them. Good luck to them and good luck to you. Maybe we’ll see you again in two years. We are planning a cruise to the Mediterranean–Carnival of course. Y’all come to see us some time. The “Littles”
Its nice to hear tahat a few people found comfort and a smile from a friend as you always will on Carnival. its not always about the the money!
John, you are a very nice person.man you put up with alot bull—- from people who don’t know how to have fun and relax. that lady who looks down at everyone, I believe she never been on a cruise before and attempting to put on hiers she dosen’t have in her personal life. If she has money as she attempts to put on. I’ll see you in september 23,2008. and i don’t have a problem with telling miss high and mighty where she can GO……..
I think that at tonight’s dinner seating, Mrs. S.Nob should be placed at an 8 top….by herself.
I hope Mrs S Nob is not doing 2 cruises as we join you in a weeks time and are planning on laughing and having fun!!!
I was touched to read how caring you are loking out for vulnerable people
Cant wait to j0in the ship on the 18th
John, today tour blog brought tears to my eyes, but it also made me think about life. You never know what is going to happen. I have been pretty miserable this week. I had a stupid injury (nothing major) just annoying. Well i have let it control my mood and how I treat others. That is done now. I will recover and be on The Splendor September 23 with a smile on my face, laughing at all the miserable people.
Y’all don’t suppose MrS nob is that Moran character we’ve read about in the boards ?!
Phil & Liz
Hi John.
For me, the best ever James Bond was George Lazenby.
He only played Bond once, in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, but as an avid reader of the Ian Fleming books, I felt that he came closest to portraying Bond in the manner Fleming portrayed him.
Unfortunately, this opinion gets me into a lot of heated discussions, as generally the women prefer Sean Connery (not for me – his fight scenes were too false). Finally – on my last cruise – I met one other person who agreed with me. So that’s 2 of us against the rest of the world!
I have to admit to loving the gadgets, and having a soft spot for Roger Moore’s “double-entendres” as Bond – certainly the Roger Moore era was the best era for the films – submarine cars, little flying machines, everything – and the watches too!
—————————
Please don’t try to make Mrs S Nob enjoy her cruise – obviously Carnival isn’t for her – and she certainly isn’t for Carnival.
Let her go back to Cunard – just don’t tell her who owns Cunard !!!!
—————————
Although I’m an avid fan of James Bond – I have collected all the films – I think that Casino Royale is absolutely the worst Bond film ever. When I went to see it at the cinema I gave up after 45 minutes and went off to get a pint. Even “Never Say Never Again” was far better!
My all time favourites have to be:
The Man with the Golden Gun – great locations, a great villain, a super henchman, a flying car and great stunts – plus a gorgeous girl.
Live and Let Die – again great locations, spectacular scenery, and a super plot.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to both Dan and Susan; may they find comfort from all their wonderful memories. So great to hear Anthony and Susan have a chance to live a dream–and thanks to you for giving them the laughter to want to take a cruise.
We passengers are so blessed to have folks like you and Heidi caring about us as we cruise. You both not only do a great job but you take the time to befriend those you meet.
Thanks for being You…
Behind all her nastiness Mrs S Nob must be a terribly lonely woman who cannot enjoy laughter and other people. Too bad she chooses to try to make everyone’s life as miserable as hers. Will be interesting to see what is her next complaint. Be Cunard, Crystal and Silversea are rejoicing that she is sailing/complaing with Carnival and giving them a break.
GOD BLESS CARNIVAL!!! God Bless each of her crew!!
A cruise is an adventure: Sometimes to celebrate, sometimes to honor, sometimes to re-create, sometimes to rest and relax, and sometimes to escape!!! It’s not like any other vacation… it is a true adventure!!! One can make it whatever is needed!! And Carnival is ALWAYS there to make it the best of whatever it’s suppose to be!!!
I have cruised and will cruise more for many reasons… It gives me the time to reflect, to let loose, to be a kid, to be formal and fancy, to be alone, to be all together, to live in reality, or live in a Dream; it gives me whatever and everything I need.
God Bless those you mentioned in your blog. Their families and their friends, their sufferings and their joys… God Bless ALL!!!
You are a wise and wonderful man John Heald! Thank you for opening a part of your adventures and sharing them with each of us every day in your blog!!!
Now… Get to work with your Olympic proposal… I assume if we’re going back to the basics… it will be in the nude???
Smiling and Happy!
Lambie…
PS… Thank you for never trying to do “Silence of this Lambie!!!”
John,
First time blogger! I read every day though.
I know that no one can replace a mother but you should make sure that Susan knows about the blog and the blogging family that way she won’t have to cruise alone. She can cruise with us.
Prehaps Mrs. S. Nob will get the point when she shows up to dinner and there is no one left at her table because they all requested to be moved. Although, from the sound of it she would probably prefer it. Something really aweful must of happend in her life to make her that mean.
Seems to be a theme this week. My mother passed away this past Tuesday, August 5th, after suffering a very long battle with cancer.
John,
Lucky me never ever meeting Mr/Mrs S.Nob on any of my cruises. As more than one people sitting at her dining table beeing offended who has to be reseated???
Dear John and Heidi
Great Blog
Viewing the Olympics is good no matter what language, long as you can see the sport and the pagentry. I like your ideas though.
as far as Bond, Connery, Moore and Bronsnon wer all good.
Mrs Snob needs to take a “chill pill “or take a walk off the Plank! Wheres Johnny Deep when U need him? LOL
Poor Ken to serve her wine? Is her blood blue? Or just Ice? Its going to be a looonnngg cruise with her onboard.
Thanks so much to yoiu and Heidi for being you and giving your time to Susan, Dan, Pam and Anthony and making their cruise so special, That’s why we love you soo
Take Care
The Tuckers
ELizabeth & Arnold
P.S
Thanks Stephanie for the Bloggers New Orleans Update & your HARD WORK!
Geez, John now you have me crying. I am so glad that these people have you to comfort them. My husband and I also had a disabled child and when we took our first cruise twenty years ago on Carnival, it too was the first time we had left her. She passed away eleven years ago yesterday. We miss her but know she is in a good place.
I can only imagine how Ms. Susan Brock must be feeling, traveling alone w/o her Mother. There is just so much tragedy in the world.
I am glad that you were able to make the pax that wanted to go to Tartu happy. Sometimes money is not something that we think about when we want something so much, for this I know.
Now to Mrs. S. Nob. I am glad that you can not put her picture here, there is just way to much ugly in the world as it is. Why should the happy pax be moved? Why should the pax at her table have to move? She SHOULD MOVE. And the perfect table for Mrs. S. Nob, a single table right next to the kitchen door with said door slamming against her table. I would honestly pay good money to see that.
BTW, I am still waiting on my confirmation of our excursion to Morocco. We want to go on the Morrocco/Monte Carlo tour that was promised on the first cruise of the Splendor. We sail on September 11th so please make sure all is arranged. There were several of us on your blog that wanted to go on this fabulous excursion so please do not disappoint us.
Keep smiling John, there are more of US than there are of them.
Hi John, DH is also, like Peg, looking to book the morrocco/monte carlo tour he has heard about via my following of the blog thingy! Be prepared when he asks you about it also on 11Sept!!
Our group has now grown to 18 with a BIL of one of our group who lost his wife last summer. His adult daughter is travelling with him. So glad we are doing this remarkable journey with you this year as life is so uncertain as your posts clearly remind me. I’m already packing and the anticipation is mounting!
Count my vote for Sean, 2nd place to Pierce.
See you in 4 weeks.
Hopefully, all the you mention families read this blog and take some measure of comfort that many of us are praying for them.
In particular, Dan and Paulette, your wife and Mother was a member of the blog family. I am sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences.
John Lewis
MrS. Nob is at it again….I figured as much….Actually sounds like a buffoon I witnessed on my last cruise….. In the dining room I overheard this self-absorbed blowhard complaining that Carnival didn’t profile him adequately and seat him at a table with people of his caliber…..I’m thinking sorry pal…..the only match to your profile would be the stuff one flushes down the crapper…….. When he moved to an alternate table the next night the people must have thoroughly detested him (can’t blame them) since they didn’t return on subsequent nights and by the third night he was dining alone……which was totally unacceptable to Mr. Grandiose……
Bond….. I’ve seen most of the films…. I too always loved the gadgets Q dreamed up…… Sean Connery and Roger Moore were great…. Timothy Dalton not so much…. Pierce Brosnan was OK …..
Mark
The Flying Dutchman
Hi John & Heidi,
Sitting here with tears running down my face through the absolute waste of beautiful lives, I lost my husband of 27 years to cancer 4 years ago and while it has been hard some of the ups for me have been looking forward to my trips on Carnival. How I wish I could bring him and how much fun he would have, although not being able to hang a fishing rod over the side of the ship may not be his idea of “boating”. Dan & Susan are great examples of people who although faced with grief and adversity know that you have to get on with life and that is what your loved ones would wish.
You have to wonder how people like Mr S Nob even bother going anywhere when they don’t like anything or anybody. Perhaps we should feel sorry for people like this maybe she is a very unhappy lonely lady who can only be happy by trying to make others the same as her. Unfortunately it is sometimes these people who live the longest and give us all such hard times when the good ones go so young. Lisa and I are getting very excited as we will be joining you on the 30th August in Dover and do hope that we can meet you personally. Please answer if you can.
Suzanne & Lisa (Downunder)
John, thanks for keeping us well grounded. Having just spent a week in the hospital after another hernia surgery I need a vacation. We came close to booking another NOLA cruise on the Fantasy for this week for a little R&R but with the temperary port move to Mobile did not feel that a 7 hour ride in the car each way would be much of a start. I will have to wait for our October cruise on the Ecstasy.
John, Sometimes I wonder if we could simply drop off passengers/guests at a port when they believe they are the only ones aboard! I would have liked to be at that table when Ken addressed the issues. Ken is great and I know he handled it very professionally. I hope we see him on another cruise. Last years Med cruise on the Freedom was spectacular.
Jim
Hi John/Heidi:
What an amazing blog today. Thanks for posting.
I don’t even know what to say but i agree with Uncle Doug b/c it helps keep me grounded when you see what other people have to go through.
Good luck in dealing with Mrs. S.nob over the next few days. Sounds like you have your hands full.
Roger MOore or Sean Connery were definitely the best.
Thanks again for a great blog.
Keep in touch!
David
Dear John,
I know you, Heidi and the staff will take extra care of your special guests this week. Thank you for posting the good, bad and beautiful of your experiences as a cruise director. Our hearts go out to Susan and Dan. They are in our prayers. Also Pam and Anthony are truly amazing and they will go home to their child full of even more love and happiness to share.
One more thing- Sean and Roger are the best.
Poor Ken, being picked on two weeks in a row.
hi john, i thought i was the only one who thought casino royal was awful. that idiot refused to say the classic line,shaken not stirred and everything he does seem artificial.thanks for the splendor ship model as my prize for phoning in but i was expecting champagne.ha! ha!, just kidding.it`s a good thing you did not give me one or immigration would have confiscated it since i might have conveniently forgotten to declare it like the chocolates i bought.i agree sean connery was the best but he was a liitle too cruel to the ladies.