Good Morning and just before I forget I wanted to start by demanding a new Olympic event……….its the 4×4 100m relay: A real chance of medals here for the British and Americans in the event in which braying women in Range Rovers, Lexus’s, Acura’s, Hummers, Lincoln’s and Cadillac’s compete to drive their children the shortest distance to school.
Sorry, I know that’s an unusual start to the blog but I was just watching BBC World and they were talking about who has won what medal and they mentioned 4X 4 something or other so I made up my own event………………….as you can see………….I need more sleep.
But that’s not possible as it’s been a busy day again in St. Petersburg. It’s now 4:43 pm on day two of our stop here and most of the tours have returned. Yesterday was a challenge especially with the 11 am arrival and the first hour of disembarking guests was not as smooth as I would have liked. You see, at 11 am we have the first two Carnival tours disembark, the Panoramic St. Petersburg and the Hermitage and City Tour…that’s 1,000 people.
Plus, at the same time we have guests on private tours all leaving as well and this cruise that must have been 500 or so. Now, I have to allow guests on private tours to disembark the same time as Carnival excursions………it would not be fair to do otherwise. However, this means 1,500 people needing to get off immediately and this creates lines on the stairwells. Normally, the staff is very good at controlling this but this cruise we had an added concern.
Now, I have to be very careful here but it is a fact that certain ethnic groups tend not to do well in crowds and can be somewhat rambunctious. In this case we are talking about our guests from Japan and Hong Kong. We have two large groups this cruise of 120 Japanese and 137 from Hong Kong all with private tours and all moving from A to B at the same time. Now while these people are lovely and kind as a individuals, put them in a group and they will steamroll through any obstacle…………..and they did…………..and we had to really be strict with them……………and…they didn’t listen.
So, for a short time we had a crowded stairwell and lobby area on deck 0 where the gangway is located. Once ashore those problems are usually eradicated by guests moving straight to buses, taxis and walking off into town. The unfortunate thing here is that you walk off the ship into the lines for Russian Immigration. Now, I have highlighted this before so I am not going to rehash everything but I do want to chat with people who will be cruising in the next few weeks and next year on the Carnival Liberty and whom have or will have private tours NOT booked through Carnival.
Let’s set the scene with this comment from Cruise Critic and someone called Muffin.
“Heald will try to scare you about not taking Carnival excursions but I urge you not to listen to him. He said drivers in Russia were crazy and to stay with your Carnival tour guide. They are no crazier than Italians. He said Russian customs were nasty. They were polite and stern, but they gave us no grief. Heald said private tours might get off last and blamed it on Russian immigration, that was ludicrous because as far as the Russians are concerned, they don’t care who your tour operator is – it’s Carnival that makes the line longer for private tours than Carnival tours.”
Well, lets start with reminding this kind person that I have a first name ……….anyway, that aside I have to defend myself. At no point do I mention Russian drivers except when I talk about crossing the road ……..which yes, like in parts of Italy………..is a life changing experience. I do not………..I repeat not………..mention that the inspectors are rude…….that Mrs. Muffin is not true…………simply not true and I am sure other bloggers who have sailed recently will say the same.
And as you will see, the fact is that it is not Carnival that separates the lines. The facts are as follows.
There are two feeder lines into the eight Immigration booths and these lines are set up and ordained by Russian Immigration. Now, once inside there are eight booths……5 for Carnival tours and three for non-Carnival tours………again, this ordained by Russian Immigration. This means the 2,500 guests on Carnival tours have 5 inspectors and the 500 or so non-Carnival tours have three. The problem though is that the Carnival tour line does move quicker than the private tour line. This is because the Inspectors see guests with Carnival tickets and they know that contains the visa rights and they pass through quickly.
Meanwhile, guests on private tours have to show the authorities their proof of privately booked tours and this does take time so henceforth yes, the guest is correct the lines do move slower. Please do not think I am trying to dissuade anyone from taking a private tour……..far from it. We allow guests on private tours to disembark at the same time as ours and show no discrimination to those who have not booked onboard……you just need a large dollop of patience.
Anyway, I truly do not want you to think that I am being negative about this port ………… it’s amazingly jaw droppingly magnificent on a biblical scale…………it’s just that you have to endure the plutocratic stuff first.
Now, if nothing else this blog should be a tool to pass on live and current information so I would like to ask that Host Mac and Host Kuki put this on the Cruise Critic and Cruise Mates boards. Cruise Critic and Cruise Mates are our friends and always will be but I will not sit by and read comments by Mrs. Muffin that are so ridiculously wrong and untrue.
So, please allow me to write, one more time this kind reminder.
1. Guests on Private Tours and Carnival Tours will disembark at the same time
2. There may be a small delay for guests on Private tours as Russian Immigration need to see proof that a tour has been purchased
3. All guests need their passports and one copy of a passport. If you do not have one, we will provide one onboard.
4. Guests on Carnival tours need their tour tickets in their hands
5. Guests on private tours need a letter or proof showing the name of the company providing the tour.
While I expect and encourage people to write on the boards their thoughts and opinions I hope you all respect my right to answer.
Oh, and if you think that it may not be worth all this hassle……………well…………..here is proof that despite the slings and arrows you face getting ashore that a cruise to St. Petersburg should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Peterhof
Peterhof
Peterhof
Well, it’s now 7:05 pm and I just returned from a wander around the ship………….via the coffee shop to make myself a cup of monkey tea (P.G.Tips.) I spoke to many guests and although there were a few grumbles about the lines yesterday……………today was perfect by the way as guests already have their passports stamped so the line moves rapidly ……………everyone told me that they were thrilled to have visited the city formerly known as Leningrad. I had my photo taken and also was told that our Hot Chocolate was to “watery.”…………and then I met………..Mrs. S. Nob………………double bugger.
I am going to try and describe her as best I can. She is in her 60’s………5-foot bugger all…………….immaculately dressed and with enough jewelry on her fingers to open her own store in St. Thomas. She has perfect blonde hair which tonight for some reason had a chopstick sticking in it, which according to Heidi is something called fashion………if you are 21 and a supermodel………………not 61, mad as a bat and likely to use the chopstick as a weapon should she not get her way. When she saw me she changed direction quicker than a handbrake turn in a Ferrari and headed towards me at warp speed……………….as Captain James T Kirk would say………..”Shields Up.”
She arrived…………and then kept on coming and was just inches from my face as she started her barrage. The subject this time was basically that she was more important than anyone else in the universe and therefore she should have private debarkation in the ports, dinner with the Captain and………I can’t remember the rest as my mind was absorbed with stopping myself from emptying a pack of Tic Tacs down her throat………she certainly needed them.
Anyway, the result of the conversation was that I am now gently trying to persuade the captain to invite her to his table on the next Elegant night………….we shall see what happens. I left Mrs. S. Nob who for some bizarre reason headed to the Sushi bar……….now I understood why she had a chopstick in her head. You know, I think if you cut through all this ladies bravado she is just suffering from a simple yet dreadful disorder ………….I think she is lonely……….I think she is using her misgivings as an excuse just to find people to talk to. So, I have made it my goal to make this lady happy and it starts with me having her join the table of single ladies I told you about yesterday who befriended Susan Brock…………..I just did this and tonight I will stop by the table and see how they all are. ………loneliness………….It’s a terrible thing.
I decided to do early shows tonight. This means that late sitting guests who eat dinner at 8:30 pm will tonight…….see the show at 7:30 pm before dinner. Early sitting see theirs at 9 pm. I do this tonight only as after two long days in port I am always concerned that a 10:45 pm show will be not very well attended and tonight’s show featuring our great cast is called Fiesta Latina…………I really want them to see it.
Oh yes, last night I gave a call to a group of friends from Cruise Critic. They had gathered in Texas to have a pre cruise party and barbecue in 110 degrees of dry heat. I called Host Mac who then put me on speakerphone where I chatted with all these wonderful people.
I will let Host Mac tell you on his posting who everyone is but it was a true honour to speak to everyone even if it was 12:30am here 
As I said, the folks of Cruise Critic are priceless and if I came across as defensive earlier I apologize but…..well, sometimes you just have to set the record straight.
Here are some photos of the Cruise Crazies from Cruise Critic.
You know, I was just watching the news and I truly hope this awful situation in Georgia improves quickly. As always in a war like this it is the civilians that suffer most. The people of Russia (including the Immigration Officers) are good people and have been through enough over the years………….lets all hope this is resolved immediately.
Anyway, I was watching the TV and an interview with George Bush who had just finished worshiping in a Chinese church. He was speaking and there was his wife by his side as usual. Now, I know that I could not do this job without Heidi and I wonder if George feels the same about Laura who keeps from what I can see a low profile.
There is a low profile and then there is our prime minister’s wife.
Sarah Brown, the wife of our prime minister, is a complete mystery. For all I know, she breeds rabbits, is a qualified bricklayer, and was an extra in a Steven Segal movie. You never had this problem with Margret Thatcher’s wife………Dennis.
Anyway, I was thinking this when later in the news program we went for a report to Italy.
Things are very different there where Silvio Berlusconi has filled his entire cabinet with ex-glamour models some of which have even allegedly starred in rumpy pumpy movies ………one called Saving Ryan’s Privates.
And naturally, this brings me on to France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Unlike anyone in British or American politics, he attained the office of president and responded immediately by replacing his wife with the almost impossibly gorgeous Carla Bruni. Her mother is a concert pianist, her sister an actress and film director, and she’s an heiress to an Italian tire fortune.
It’s also amazing and dare I say typically French that the general public has accepted her into their hearts with no love or compassion for poor old Mrs. Ex Sarkozy who is living in a cardboard box under the Eifel tower.
Can you imagine Senator Barrack Obama getting into office, divorcing his wife and marrying Beyonce or Senator Macain winning the Presidency and marrying Catherine Zeta Jones……..OK………she likes older men…..bad example but you get my point ……….. the voting public would not have accepted it.
This as I said could only happen in France………….as could other things only happen there. Take the oyster as an example. I have no idea who first cracked one open, peered at the snot inside and thought: “Mmm. I’m going to put that in my mouth.” But I bet he was French.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Destinations, Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Carnival Splendor, Russia, St. Petersburg
John,
Oysters are both good and good for you. Ask Heidi!
A suggestion for Carnival.com. There seems to be a calendar that can be used to keep track of your cruises. What about an option to download that calendar to Outlook. Some of the airlines allow this and it is a timesaver and also improves accuracy. Especially for frequent cruisers.
John:
As someone who has WAY to many posts on Cruise Critic (12,000+)…. I agree that while I love that website ….. sometimes you just have to correct bad information.
If I am certain about something, I will say so.
For example, I am certain that a 11 year old will not be allowed into Club O2.
If I am “almost certain”… I will say things like “I believe” or ” as far as I know” but I will give some indication that I am not absolutely positive about it.
….if I don’t know for certain…I will tell people “this is not gospel, but I think…” but I let them know this is just my opinion…nothing more.
And I particularly get irritated at people who post “opinion” as FACT. These kinds of people seem to forget that opinions are like “behinds”… everyone has one and they all stink!
Thankfully, the Ms. Muffins of the world are few and far between. 99% of the time people are looking for solid information and folks on Cruise Critic are kind enough to provide just that. And then there are Host Mach and the other wonderful Hosts who are there to handle the other 1%!!!
Never the less, rest assured that correcting errors is allowed!!!
As for Mrs. S.Nob….I think she needs to get
“a boyfriend”.
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
John,
I’ll be pleased to post your rebuttal on CruiseMates. When we had a group from CruiseMates on the Freedom last spring we arranged several private group tours, as well as private transfers to Rome post cruise.
The ship did nothing to inhibit or delay our private tours, and in fact coordinated with me to be certain everyone on our private transfer had the same disembarkation luggage tags, and let me off early to watch for those in our group coming through the luggage area.
I haven’t done St. Petersburg with Carnival, but have been there a couple of times (one of my favorite ports of call). We did private tours there as well, and I have to say they were fabulous. But once again, the ships we were on did nothing to impede our tours or debarkation.
Maybe there are some lines who discourage private tours, but I believe the vast majority, like Carnival, just take it all in stride, and do their best to accomodate everyone’s plans. The kicker comes when people don’t research, and just assume they can walk off the ship and explore in Russia. THEY CAN’T!! And unless they are fluent in Russian, I don’t think most would want to, even if they got visas… once they find out what awaits them. The signs are not in English, and most of the citizens do not speak English.
As for Mrs. Nob (spelled correctly.. lol) I think I’d take a different approach…. I wouldn’t arrange any special treatment for her, or dinner with the Captain (why ruin his night). If someone has legitimate complaints they should be dealt with, but those who think they are “entitled” should be brushed aside. By bowing to her “pressure” all you’re going to do is reinforce her actions to continue and do it again to others. I’d just send her a complimentary bottle of vinegar, and a plate of lemons, with a note to the sour pus.
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
John, I hope to heavens you have not put Mrs S. Nob at the table with the single ladies and made them very unhappy. I don’t think there is anyone alive that can tolerate her or make her happy. I don’t know who she is or how much wealth she has, but she is no better than anyone else on board that ship or off of it for that matter.
I pray she doesn’t upset Sarah and her new friends.
It would not do for her to be on a cruise with us and show her temper, I’m afraid my American-German-Indian-French/Canadian temper would really get with her……….. and believe you me, given the right opportunity is shows it”s evil face…..lol
Enough of that. The pictures as usual are so pretty. I should print them and make a book of them so I can enjoy them at my leisure as I will never see them in person. You do such a terrific job on the pictures from the different ports.
Thanks so much for making them available for us to see.
Countess Carolyn
PS Hi Heidi, how about coming on the blog and at least saying hello
Hi John/Heidi:
Now that you mention it, I bet you are right about Mrs. S.nob. What a shame. I’m sorry that she has to portray all of this negativity upon everyone else. OH well. Life’s too short to be bogged down like that.
Gorgeous pics from St. Petersburg. My guess is with proper notification people won’t complain about the process since they know ahead of time what they are walking into.
Thanks for another great blog and looking forward to hearing more
Take care!
David
John,
Here’s a note, suggestion, for you and all those who are going to sail on Bloggers 2 (We at CruiseMates are calling it BLOG2Nola).
We’ve been put in touch with a teacher at school in the 9th ward in New Orleans, who reports that her area is desperately short on books for the school library since Katrina.
We’re making it a project of those booked into the BLOG2Nola group, and asking everyone in the group to bring a book, and we’ll pass them all on to this teacher to take back to the kids in her school. It would be GREAT if we could encourage everyone on Bloggers 2 to bring a book along for the kids as well! If bloggers want more info on this project they can email me at Kuki -at -cruisemates.com
CruiseMates is also working on a wonderful surprise and honor for John…that will occur pre cruise. Once we have everything finalized, we’ll post so that any bloggers who might want to join the BLOG2Nola cruisemates for this “event” will be able to join in.
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
Hi John,
I think it is a shame that you have to defend yourself again for one person’s opinion on the trips in St. Petersburg. Lovely photos, by the way. Definitely makes the wait worthwhile.
In reference to Mrs. S.Nob, as Capt. Picard said to Lt. Worf, “Fire Photon Torpedos”. Why do you want to be nice to her? She certainly doesn’t deserve it. I know, I know – you want everyone to be happy. But I don’t think it will work in her case. She keeps insisting she’s important – did anyone ask why? Who is she? Why should she get special treatment?
I agree, I don’t think you should put her with Susan and her new mates – why make them miserable?
Have a good night,
Hugs,
Carol
John, I agree with several other bloggers that bad behavior should not be rewarded. Trying to find companions for Mrs. S. Nob is one thing, but in my opinion working to get her an invitation to the Captain’s table if not a good idea. Much better to try to have Ms. Brock and little Victoria and her parents be at the Captain’s table.
Thanks for more of the great St. Petersburg pictures. And those of the Conquest Crazies – they seem like a fun-loving group.
Dear John;
I know that your intentions are good but….come on poor Susan! Don’t do that to a bunch of nice ladies. NOOO Captain table for Mrs Snob WHY??
Nanni
John, my friend… I’ll be linking your response to Muffin, along with a paragraph or two setting the scene for those who are not familiar with what has transpired to this point.
Thanks so much for taking the time to call us at our gathering. Everyone was thrilled to hear from you and to get a chance to chat with you for a few seconds.
You’ve just gotta love that banner! It was HAND PAINTED by a member of our group, Walter.
Those pictured are only a very small portion of the total number of folk who will be sailing with us. Our group is currently at about 270 and we’re all pretty harmless!
Here’s the breakdown of who is in the picture:
In the dress by the sign, Princess/Beth… sign…. Pechez/Mary; texgen/Ginnie and DH Walter (maker of the sign!!) Pirate/Dread/Rob kneeling, XTEACH/Susan and her DH Bill, Rob – DH of Cindy, Mach, Blaster/Dave, TexmanAl/Al. Mark reclining into his wife’s lap,
Becca/CruisingBabyGirl, Lambie, Floatie, Cindy/callen, and TEXASGAL/Sherry!!
Everyone had a fantastic time despite the heat in Austin!!
Thanks again, the call was greatly appreciated!!
Host Mach
Good afternoon John.
I did read Ms. Muffin’s post and since I do not know what happened, I did not reply to said post. When you encounter someone witchy like that, it is better to just back off. I was pretty sure she was as wrong as wrong can be BUT, knew that had I said anything I would have been bashed. One reason, because I did not go on that cruise, and two they knew I did not really know anything. I am glad that you defended yourself here, sorry you even had to do that. Had Ms. Muffin bothered to do her homework she may have found out why she needed the correct information instead of thinking she knew everything there was to know.
I so hope that Mrs. S.nob did not spoil either the Captains dinner or your very special friends. It was so kind of you John to think she was lonely but I would bet good money she is just a very unhappy person that thinks the world revolves around them and when it doesn’t, she makes everyone around her feel like they wish murder was legal.
Keep smiling John, you are one of the good guys, just remember that, just ask the millions of others that post on your blog and sail on your ships.
Having just returned from the July 25 sailing of the Splendor I can attest that all John says is true. We had a private tour organized and had absolutely no problem getting off the ship in time and with everyone else. I can even applaud his assistant Gary who had to try and control the overly ambitious ones on the stairwells who were wanting to be first out the door. Duty I wouldn’t want, but he handled it very well. When we reached the immigration trailer, there were no real lines so we went in the first empty one which read Carnival Tours and the officers didn’t blink an eye. It was very easy. I even lost my little card they give you (I know, I don’t know HOW I managed to do that) and the officer simply gave me a annoyed look and handed me a new one. Russians are people too.
St. Petersburg was an amazing city of contrasts that I won’t forget, plus it made America look so much better to me upon return.
Home again, it has been fun to go back and read your blog as to what happened last week on our cruise. It has helped me to relive it! Thanks for being such a fun cruise director.
Deb
dude! since i am known as “muffin53″ i sure hope no one thought that horrible person that said that was me! yikes!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Dear John Being a Cruise Critic blogger there are as with any group some you can’t make happy with cake and ice cream.They would want chocolate or vanilla kumquat or some such flavor of the month.So we just let them carp and grouse and hopefully they’ll get tired and go away.As for Mrs. Snob I find those types are lacking in something in there lives. Maybe just a good arse kicking,but I have tried to make a game of people and I use that word loosely here.I try to kill them with kindness it is hard at times. Sometimes the lips get a little sore from grinning and gnashing of teeth,but I walk away knowing I was the better man for it.Just food for thought. Best wishes to you and Heidi from Gary and Bug
Hello John & Heidi,
I had to write my 2 cents about Mrs. S.Nob. First of all, they really shouldn’t allow people on the ship without their medication. Secondly, she needs more fiber in her diet. Next, I wouldn’t spoil the Captain’s dinner by asking him to invite her. Besides, they always say that when a child is throwing a temper tantrum, you should ignore her. Finally, I know why you invited her to join those other ladies. If she annoys them enough, they can pick her up and toss her overboard!
Whew. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
Please reply
John
First I wanted to say thanks for your words about Cruise Critic. I have been a member on the boards since 2003. I really do love those boards & find so many helpful points & meet so many new friends. I know there is a lot on the Freedom 11/30/08 1st leg of our back to back.
I found that you will be in San Juan on the Splendor the same time we are in San Juan on the Freedom. Would love to meet you. We are just going to be walking around Old San Juan & to the forts.
BY the way. What did you think of Michael’s tattoo of Freddy?
Take care hope to see you soon
Cheri
John!!!
“Saving Ryan’s Privates.” Is that a real R/P movie? Hilarious.
The only other thing I really want to comment on is Mrs. S.Nob. You may be right, but I (like many others have said) hope she doesn’t ruin it for Susan and her new friends. And I’m not sure she should be rewarded with dinner at the Captains table just because she insists it’s her lot in life. Suppose everyone onboard decided they were due that privilege? The captain would have to stay on the bridge or in his cabin the entire cruise. But, again, you may be right. You seem a pretty bright fellow. What does Heidi think? Do let us know how it all turns out. What a great episode this would be of the TV series that we’ve heard nothing about for a long time. Is it still a possible, or did it fall by the wayside?
Also, is the Blogger’s cruise full?
Your Pal, Myra
John – So why does Mrs. Snob think she is such a VIP. She obviously is not a Platinum member. Does she own a boat load of Carnival stock. Even that would not be sufficient reason to be such a pain in the ass.
Geez, another really fun day in the life of a cruise director. I’m glad you love your job. I know you want everyone to be happy, but sometimes it just can’t be so. I believe that Ms. Nob will be miserable regardless of how much you do for her.
Beautiful photos and it does appear the hassle of immigration is worth it and I hope to do that someday. Considering the time difference your day should be over and I hope tomorrow is better.
Some pitiful people simply demand to always be pampered. I say do it!!! …..run right out and buy a jumbo box of pampers for MrS. Nob. No more saggy diapers that leak …. She wants to sit with the captain…..give her a Huggie….. She whines that she wants to have dinner served on here balcony….. show her some Luvs…..
She utterly detests the way the riff-raff clientele dress…..so soon she will be parading around Lido Deck in her very own line of Emperor’s New Clothes….brought to you today by Proctor and Gamble and Kimberly-Clark….
Mark The Flying Dutchman…..
Not affiliated with the aforementioned diaper conglomerates. I am void where prohibited and must be accompanied by an adult. Whiners and pompous fuddy dutties that obtain special diaper presentations agree to present themselves in a professional manner and abide by all the rules governing this bestowment or will subsequently relinquish the diaper and be forced to parade around buck-ass nekkid . All decisions are final. Any manner deemed disruptive, abusive, threatening, harassing, or fitting of a chronic whiner may result in immediate ejection from the ship sans a life vest.
John,
We are sailing on the 18th with you. We have booked a Russia tour with Carnival, but we are curious about the private Russia tours. Do the private Russian tours include a Visa or do you have to apply for one on your own?
Hi John,
Conquest Crazie Floatie here….you are AWESOME to call us, it made our day that much more special!!! Thank you Mach, for making it happen, you da man!!!:>)
We also have more crazies booking with the Blogger Krewe by the week!! WOOO HOOO!!!
Only you would see that woman as sad, and I think you are right, mean almost always hides pain…not so sure about inflicting her on the Captain, much less those lovely ladies!!! If anyone can break that barrier of nasty, it’s you!!!
The pics have been breathtaking all week yikes, so much beauty!!! Thanks to you and Bubba!!!
I love you all!!
Eva…aka Floatie!!
Are you telling me that to get what I want is to keep whinning? Then I can get dinner with the captain and perhaps even get to impose on a group of kind hearted ladies? I agree that Ms. S Nob may be lonely. But you should not get what you want by having a fit. If you ever have a child would you give them what they want by having a tantrum?
JOHN AND STEPHANIE – whatever you did is great. All pictures came through today perfectly and quickly. Sure makes this much more enjoyable.
I’m with you, John. Whoever thought that oysters should be eaten should be shot!!! And I do think Mrs. S.Nob is lonely, but perhaps for a reason. And you will probably catch holy h___ for identifying who are the pushiest folks in line, but don’t back down. You are so right!!!
Hi John, Great blogs over the past couple of days.
I really hate to see you reward bad demanding behavior by giving Mrs. S. Nob exactly what she is demanding. Where I do alot of my business it seems the squeekiest wheel (loudest most obnoxious yeller) gets his way, while those of us who are a little more easy going don’t. Just wanted to give my 2 cents, and I hate to see such a demanding person rewarded for making such a fuss!!!
Have an awesome day….I have 28 days until I set foot on the Inspiration. This will be my second trip on her but first after the upgrades!!!
John,
I have to agree with the other posters here in reguards to Mrs. S. Nob. I would not cow tow to her at all. I am like you, I belive in the customer comming first and there happiness first and fore most. however, this lady has got to be told that there are 3000 other people on the ship and they also deserve the same treatment. if she wants the type of treatment she is demanding then tell her to take a cruise on one of carnivals other ships such as the ones you bolged about the other day.
good luck dealing with her, maybe she will have a change of heart… then again….. maybe I will hit the lottery too……
Please take care of yourself and don’t fret over this lady, you don’t want to, pop a cork so to speak, you have enough other things to worry about. like us platnum (sp?) cruisers.
take care your friend
capt bill
John,
Our party of four just got back from Alaska and is already booked on Liberty for next July. Is there some information available — or could you put some together — to help travelers in planning their packing for the Baltic Sea cruise? We were reasonably prepared for Alaska but really have no clue as to how to prepare a list.
Among topics, I am sure we are not the only Americans who would like to know things like:
1. What should we expect for temperature in summer on the 12-day? Will we expect much rain or exceptionally cold weather?
2. How many formal nights are scheduled on the 12-day cruise? Are the rest ’smart casual’?
3. Do men and women wear jeans, khakis, shorts on the tours? Tee shirts, golf shirts?
4. Do men and women wear sport/running shoes, sandals, walking shoes on the tours?
5. Will we have need to exchange money on our tours? If so, does the ship provide any such service?
6. Are the casino opening times consistent with other cruises, or are times more restricted?
These are just the ones that came off the top of my head. You are in a perfect position to put a few things together for future travelers and I assume you would know better than I do what else I should have asked. Perhaps you will get a good idea for a blog post on some otherwise-quiet day.
One more question: Will you be on Liberty in the Baltic in 2009? You were our CD on one of our first cruises a few years ago and you are still the best we have ever had by far. We would love to see you again!
Rick Beato
Suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, USA
John…. Please don’t inflict Mrs S Nob on those nice ladies!!! Or on the Captain either!!! On second thought…. maybe if he got a dose of her, he might make her walk the plank! LOL
Hey John,
How about an update on Costa Maya? Surely someone from Carnival can provide some recent pictures of the cruise port and town reconstruction efforts?
Thanks,
bill
Hi, John,
It’s not fair that you treat someone nice when she is so mean. You should just ignore her for her bad behavior.
P.S. I agree with Mr. Bill, oysters are good for you!
John,
Why didn’t tha woman use Carnivals Vacation Gty? Let her get off at the first port and good bye !!
Kuki…If you need books the Evil Krewe can surely help..I’ll get with “Big Ed” and we’ll “git-r-done”
John I tried to book more group space and it’s gone…almost a SOLD OUT SHIP !!!!Way to go.
Stephanie we want more details !!!
Mark “the Evil Frog from Alabama”
John
Let me start my note, since I am one of those in that CRAZIES photo, with a public THANK YOU for your phone call. We are a group of BEST FRIENDS who we’ve NEVER MET, and we’ll be cruising together in September of 2009. We’ve only ’spoken’ via the Cruise Critic thread… and because of our love for each person in this new family we’ve created, our thread has already become the longest on CC!!! (With 13 more months left before we cruise, who knows how much we’ll say!!!) You made our day!!!!
You TRULY THRILLED ME!!!!
The flag I held says “Prepare to be Boarded” and that’s exactly what I’m saying to the CONQUEST… PREPARE for 260+ of us CRAZIES!! We are coming for fun and we’ll take not take ‘No’ for an answer!! Where ever we go, we assure that EVERYONE HAS FUN with us…
In fact… Tell Mrs. S. Nob to book the 9/20/09 cruise… She won’t know what hit her, but she’ll have the time of her life!!! I can guarantee it!!! We’ll sweep her in with us and there will be no turning back!!!
I’ll make her my personal challenge!!!
Turning to other news… The Russian climate has been office conversation. In fact we’ve been taking about the ships who are porting there… the fact that it’s still SAFE… and what fun it would be to see! A great part of our history comes from her soil and heritage. How important it is to learn and experience it!!
Bubba continues in my prayers, as does Alan, and all the friends you share with us! John, your life is a gift to me and all of us who read and get to know you! My wishes and prayers for you and Heidi also… And Stephanie, too, who keeps us all coordinated and informed!!!
Greatest Regards!!!
Lambie
John, You say you don’t like oysters and I say I’ve never eaten raw oysters. So I challenge you to a raw oyster eating contest on the Lido deck at high noon on the 2009 Bloggers Cruise. Not how many we can eat but how fast we can eat a dozen of them. If what they say about raw oyster is true Heidi and Pat may like this idea, well maybe not Pat.
BIG ED
Burp, Burp, Burp
Hey John,
Love your blogs, laugh at each and every one.. just have a question. Is there a place on the web to see what ships I’ve been on and when? I can’t remember them all except to say I’ve enjoyed evryone and have many albums filled with photos. Alas they are still packed away from a recent move. I think a past cruisers with that info would be cool.
We are scheduled to go on the Pride in Sept and are truley looking forward to it.
Thanks ahead for your answer to my question.
I look forward to reading your blog every day. But it is even more addictive now with Mrs S Nob’s various “exploits”.
Do not drive yourself nuts trying to make her happy. I get the sense that she is “happiest” when she can complain about something.
John, I must agree with many others. Don’t reward Mrs. S. Nob for her nasty behavior. Why punish Susan and the Captain? You will never make that lady? happy so try to ignore her. Jeri
Kuki and CruiseMates have a great idea and no reason why Carnival and Fantasy can’t adopt it.
I know on Carnival Splendor the library was low on stock and CD John would ask those disembarking to donate any books they no longer wanted. to help stock it.
Every cruise is bound to have hundreds or more passengers that could donate a book or two.
How about Carnival Fantasy starting a book drive to collect the books that might otherwise just be thrown away after each cruise? I bet they could collect many thousands. Credit could certainly be given to Kuki and CruiseMates for the idea.
Whatdaya think?
Yikes! Just spent about an hour dredging through CC and finally found the post, verbatim. It’s not by a “muffin”… actually by an American expat living in (of all places) France. The entire review seethes with slag towards John, as it seems you snub this person, mate. Can’t see why they’d be so put out, you’re a busy man on a new sailing having to deal with issues. And it seems they were completely incorrect in that there WAS a Blogger M&G… Zydeco was on the same bloody sailing and reported it… WITH PICTURES.
Some people, I tell you. >:(
Besides that, I agree with everyone: Mrs. Nob should not be afforded any further special treatment, it will just make her even more expectant. Everyone is a VIP on Carnival and everyone should be treated equally (which is already done really well!). And don’t make those ladies suffer her company, please!
OK, back to “work.”
Hi John,
Maybe you’ve addressed this before, but how do a couple of single women meet a couple of single men on a cruise?
My friend (late 20s) and I (early 50s) are taking our second cruise on the Glory just after Christmas.
We plan to have a great time whether we meet anyone or not, but having someone to dance with on New Year’s Eve would be fabulous.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Joan
John and Heidi:
Just a short note to let you guys know we arrived safe and sound back in Orlando, and are both back at work!! Bummer!!
We all had a FANTASTIC time on our cruise, and enjoyed it, loved all the excursions, and the ports of call. Carnival is TOPS in our book for vacations!!
The times we stood in line were nothing and your staff should be commended for moving that many people that quick!!
Lyla had a tough time adjusting to day care and misses all the attention she got from all the staff on the Splendor!!, especially Ken in the Gold Dining Room. I now have to sing Frank Sinatra songs after every meal to Lyla!!
One comment about your oriental quests on the cruise..we experienced a similar trait..very few from that part of the world understand the use of an elevator or the proper manners on an elevator. ..When one wants to get on an elevator…one should let off the people who want to exit the elevator first..that makes for a sensible, orlderly flow of passengers…this process does not seem to be part of the education in that part of the world!!!
John, keep up that great sence of humor and we appreciate all that you do for your quests…we are looking forward to our next cruise.
Ken, Kim, and Lyla
Hey John,
Keep telling people that St. Petersburg is worth it. The first time I was there in 1993, I flew in. And trust me, it was a far worse experience than I had on the Splendor last cruise!!! It is a fabulous city. My husband and I had a great time with you on the last cruise.
By the way – how many Japanese and Hong Kong did we have on the last trip? A lot, I know.
And – for what it’s wroth – the hot chocolate is EXTREMELY watery, but I didn’t find a need to complain about it. Life is too short and the cruise was too great!!
Love you and Heidi,
Gail and Harold from Tennessee
Kuki,
My Evil Krewe are willing to join in on your book drive for that New Orleans school. We will be watching for more info on this worthwhile project.
King BIG ED
of the EVIL KREWE
An interesting view of the automotive industry. Where do you see the future of the industry, will it ever recover or will there be major casulties?