In the last few years you may have noticed the odd sign around the public areas on cruise vessels. These signs mind you to “watch your step” and” mind your head” and while you are watching your head you miss your step.
Well, we live in an age of health and safety and this of course applies in all aspects of life. As I may have mentioned a few weeks ago even religion is not safe. At the last supper Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, and for 2,000 years Christians have followed suit, going to church at Easter so the vicar can move among them with a wet towel. This Easter, however, I read that the Bishop of a church in New York had to use a different towel for each member of the congregation in case he passed on a bout of athlete’s foot.
Anyway, Carnival takes health and safety very seriously so much so that they have invested lots of money in making sure the numbers of accidents decrease dramatically over the next few months. For this they have asked for the help and assistance of the Du Pont Company who are the leaders in the field and this morning myself and all the Senior Officers attended a four-hour course on helping prevent accidents onboard the ships. This was directed towards both guests and crew.
As I listened I understood exactly why Carnival must lead the way in reducing accidents onboard and how in fact we already have.
However, I couldn’t help but think how things have changed in the years I have been onboard… I thought about the ships as they were then…………for example ……..we had pillow fighting.
This would involve a large slippery pool standing about five feet high. The idea was two men or women or married couples would get on the pole and knock the crap out of each other with a pillow.
If they fell off they would do so onto a rubber mat about three inches thick. People never got hurt outside of a few bruises and the odd broken leg………..but if they did go ” Own ” that cry of pain would be followed by an even creator cry of ” where’s my solid gold plastic trophy ” and then they would get up and take part in the beer drinking contest. Of course. Pillow fighting could not happen in today’s health and safety conscious world. If it was allowed the pole would only be allowed to be 2 inches off the floor and the mats would have to be thicker than the height of the ship. The pillows would have to be made out of silk and filled with three ………only three…………duck feathers and passengers would only be able to hit each other on the elbow……….gently.
Now, I acknowledge that everyone’s safety is paramount, however I am concerned. You see, the problem is that while we weren’t looking, an insidious coup has taken over all our main institutions: vacation destinations, schools, government, television stations, the police and even the army. Yes, it’s not the high school principle or the general who’s in charge any more; it’s that quiet little man (or woman) in the high visibility jacket. ………the health and safety inspector who have a very important job to do……………I just hope it’s not at the expense of fun.
Well good morning from Helsinki, Finland where it’s a beautiful fresh and sunny Baltic day with temperatures pushing to 70 degrees. The ship is empty…….it’s 1:15pm and there are only 197 guests on board. Last night I spoke to many guests who told me of their love of St. Petersburg and their stories of their favorite stop. The hermitage is often in pole position on many peoples list and as I was talking to one guest they told me something their guide had said. If you were to stop and look at every artifact and painting in the Hermitage for three minutes it would take you seven years…………..seven years…………to see everything.
Here are today’s random photos.
Helsinki St.Michael Cathredal
Oldest hardware store in Europe
Oldest hardware store in Europe
Helsinki Porvoo Old City
Helsinki Rock Church
Helsinki Sibelius Monument
Well, tonight we have the past guest party with 1640 guests having sailed with CCL before. I will also host the show starring Penny Mathisen who is a beautiful light opera singer. The entertainment we offer is so diverse and of such a high standard ……..this week our shows include:
LIGHT OPERA SINGER
STAND UP COMEDY
MAGIC
VOCALIST TRIBUTING THE RAT PACK
VIOLIN ENTERTAINER
THREE SHOWS STARRING THE CAST OF 18 DANCERS AND SINGERS
TALENT SHOW
It’s no wonder that Carnival continues to lead the way in entertainment.
Now, entertainment of a different sort will no doubt come when I visit the table tonight of Mrs. S. Nob. As I mentioned yesterday I was awash with a huge sense of guilt yesterday when she was telling me how unhappy she was everything and everyone. I suddenly realized that she was lonely……..and probably had no friends in the world. Here she was traveling on her own and having alienated her dining companions she was even eating dinner on her own thus I believe she decided to demand to dine on her balcony. So, I arranged for her to join seven other single ladies at dinner last night and tonight I will stop by the table to see how they are doing. I was going to do it last night but with the early shows I didn’t have time. I checked with Ken the Maitre D to see if any of the ladies had walked away from the table because of her somewhat strange behavior but so far Ken reports all is well. I will let you know later.
Here are two contrasting comments from guests.
Guest: Ms ——-Ref: 002802769A
Cabin: ___Booking#: _______Added-Changed: 08/11/08 – 08/11/08_____- PASTRY PRAISE
The Carnival Cares Comment card was received as follows:
Although all the food is wonderful, the pastry chef is marvelous! All the baked goods are excellent! Chocolate melting cake is to die for. The crumb cakes taste like mama used to make.
I have to say that this guest is not the first to mention just how amazing our breads and pastries are but being a diabetic the avenue of pastries has been closed off. However, I think the guest speaks for many when they say how good the pastries are…….oh by the way. The Pastry Chef now has a range of sugar free goods at the coffee shop including Apple Pie and Banana Gateau.
Now, here is the next comment.
Guest: Mrs———Ref: 002802391A
Cabin: ____ Booking#: _____Added-Changed: 08/11/08 – 08/11/08UNHAPPY WITH GIFT
MRS.______ called the front desk to say that she had received a bottle of champagne and a photo from the Cruise Director for her anniversary. Guest said that she was expecting something more thank this as he had read her husband’s letter at his morning show. Mrs.________ said that she was expecting a free excursion or a free dinner at the Supper Club. Purser apologized and said her comments would be passed on to the Cruise Director
E-mail sent to CD
So, each morning I host a show live on TV and the Big Screen. I encourage people to write in with their dedications which include messages of love, birthday wishes and sometimes as you have seen………messages that make you laugh and some that make you cry.
I read each one and then I reply to each one sending a personalized photo of the ship signed by me with a personal greeting and when applicable these photos are accompanied by a trophy or champagne etc. On a typical day I receive and reply to 20 – 50 letters. This is the first time anyone has ever said the reply and gift was insufficient. I remember the letter which honestly was just three lines “it’s my anniversary of 33 years” etc …………and that was it. So, I called the guest and apologized that she was not happy and I explained to her exactly what I just wrote above…………she told me she expected more…………..I told her “Shh, don’t tell anyone but I will send you some chocolate covered strawberries tonight”…………..I said this in a fun way trying to bring the situation to a close and my efforts were rewarded with a blatant suggestion that I refund the dinner she had eaten two nights ago at the Supper Club.
I said that this was not possible and she made a noise like a clucking hen…………and put the phone down on me. I called back………..I shouldn’t have done………..but before I knew it I had called her number. This time the husband answered and said his wife was too upset to talk. I again explained that I send dozens of letters and photos and gifts to people who write in and I could not possibly send everyone for a free dinner or excursion. Although he was much calmer than his wife he still could not understand and honestly believed that I should have done more. The call ended amicably and here I sit ………. wondering what I did wrong.
Let’s finish the comment section on something positive with one such letter that I read out on the morning show. Do you remember Pam and Anthony whose daughter (I think I wrote son) is mentally challenged and how they had left her for the first ever time………..well here is another letter from then.
As you can see they are having blog withdrawal so I will make sure that any comments that you write having read this today will be printed and sent to them. I also sent them some gifts from all of you to them.
I wanted to thank you again for all your comments. As always I am here should you need a reply and if you do please mark your postings: “John, Please reply.”
I also have to apologize a billion times to Muffin aka one of the blogger’s who had sent me the posting from Cruise Critic I referred to yesterday. It was not written by Muffin but sent by Muffin……….I just didn’t read the address thingy properly and did not recognize the bloggers new title of “Muffin”……….the posting was actually written by someone called “Jollimont” who I send my regards to as well.
As you can tell I found the e-mail address thingy very complicated. We all tend to have a sense that if something is complicated and difficult; it is bound to be better than something that is simple and straightforward. Beethoven’s Symphony Number 5, for instance, is considered by almost everyone to be a better piece of music than the theme from the Brady Bunch.
This is also the case with acting. The critics with their beards and Mont Blanc fountain pens will tell us that performing on a TV drama is nothing more than reading out words, shouting, marrying your own sister and slamming doors. For real acting, we are directed towards Olivier in Richard III, Brando in The Godfather, and Hanks in Forrest Gump. These are the giants.
Yes, I’m sure. But actually the best piece of acting I’ve ever seen came from Martin Sheen, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, Alison Janney, Bradley Whitford and Rob Lowe; in the West Wing………their fast interplay was outstanding. Each week they simply talked politics using words most of us had never heard before. And yet you always got the gist. And you always laughed . . . right up to the very last episode, when …..We cried . . . well, I doubt you will see genius to match it in your lifetime.
And now we shall move on to food. Of course, when it’s sculptured and drizzled with jus, and it arrives on your plate with everything balanced on top of everything else, you know you are in the presence of greatness. Particularly if the waiter has revealed it to you from under a cloche with an annoying “Eh Voila.”
Best food ever? Ooh, that’d be a boned Chicken al la Blanc I had in France, or the Risotto De Billionaire I had at Harry’s in Venice, or maybe the …….Oh no, hang on a minute. I’ve just remembered the absolute best thing I’ve ever eaten was in fact the porterhouse steak at the Pinnacle Steakhouse
I had last night………In fact, come to think of it, the five best things I’ve ever eaten were not pigeon on a foie gras thingy or potatoes cooked in caviar. They were simple things: bacon and egg. My mum’s roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding. And the mozzarella and tomato I had at Sabitini’s on the Emerald Princess.
I like my artwork simple as well. Yes, you can be dazzled by Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and by Rembrandt’s attention to detail in the Nachtwacht. But the best piece of art I ever saw? That was “Dogs Playing Poker “by Peter Edwards…….it’s so real that you can actually see that the German shepherd is bluffing.
And this of course brings us nicely on to the cruise vessels of today. Today’s vessels are filled with more gadgets and gismos than Circuit City……..well………..this is all well and good but I saw something last night that shows that sometimes……..simple is best.
I had encouraged people to do this last year and started again this cruise…………it was simply to take a walk before bed……….on the open decks…… under the stars. Well, I mentioned this last night again after the show and when Heidi and I went for our walk there must have been 100 plus couples ………..hand in hand………..walking under the Baltic sky………proof positive that sometimes………….the simple things in life …………. .truly are……… the best.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Destinations, Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Carnival Splendor, Finland, Helsinki
John I cannot believe the audacity of the woman who complained about the gift of champagne and your picture. I treasure the picture and the trophy that you sent us on our last cruise. Some people are just not satisfied! We are on countdown for our August 30, 2008 cruise on the Splendor. Our friends are also very anxious to go on the cruise as they have had a rough 6 months with Rex having cardiac bypass surgery and then breaking his ankle when he slipped on the ice at their daycare. We can hardly wait to walk under the Baltic sky also. Our favorite days are often the sea days when we relax, watch some of the activities, visit the shops, art show and often reading. Can’t wait! Keep up the good work with your blog and don’t let the not pickers get your down. Bob and Cathy
dude! can you believe someone would get a GIFT and complain about it??? oh my. are manners extinct now? i am so happy i am not her! ha ha ha
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
ps: the leaves in podunk are beginning to change colors (spelled correctly! ha ha)
hi john
could you throw mrs snob over board,,
and when you do say
oooooooooolayyyyyyyyyy
I agree that “The West Wing” was one of the best sitcom’s EVER. The majority of the stuff out on TV now is plain crap.
On a different note, do you know who will be the cruise director on the Glory 10/18 sailing?
Can you give us the scoop on them?
Thanks
Lee
Please tell Pam and Anthony that I am thrilled that they have been able to spend some time in a stress free, enjoyable environment. Also, please let them know that both they and their daughters are in my prayers. Patience and love must abound in their lives. God bless them.
Again, you’ve proven to me that some people believe that they are simply better and deserving of more than are others. I find it amazing that people are so self centered. Please team Mr. and Mrs. 33rd Anniversary with Mrs. S.Nob. I think they deserve each other.
Whether one sails as a couple, a family or solo as I do, the suggestion of a late evening walk is an excellent one. The sea is dark and comforting, reflecting brilliant stars or perhaps a proud moon.
The air is salty, inviting and welcoming. Yep… the simple things are nearly always the best.
Pass along my howdies to the lovely Heidi and my thanks to the most industrious Stephanie for all she does!!
Ciao!
Host Mach
John, If you liked The West Wing, you really should check out ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’. It only ran for one series before being canned, but give it a google and you’ll see that almost everyone who isn’t a TV producer saw that as a travesty! Another gem from the pen of Aaron Sorkin, it starred many old lags from the ‘White House’, alongside people like Matthew Perry and the gorgeous Amanda Peet! Best series for years to come out of the US.
Love today’s photos – Helsinki is a place we’ve not visited yet, but Northern Europe is on our list for the next couple of years, and the wonderful pictures today just moved it up a notch as a ‘must go to’ destination. Not sure about the missus tho – the idea of me in the oldest hardware shp in the world probably puts the fear of god almighty into her…
Wishing you all the best luck in the world in your dealings with Ms S.Nob, and please can I put in a plug for my own 50th birthday in September? I’ll be in Saguenay on the Eurodam – perhaps you can arrange a bottle of champagne for me there? I promise to be really obnoxious and phone you at some ungodly hour to complain about your lack of hospitality if you manage it, and promise to book a cruise on your own ship to berate you personally and mercilessly if you don’t!
Sadly I can’t get the time away in February, but wish you and your crazies all the best.
Tim
John, your comments about pillow fighting made me remember something that happened 2years ago onboard the oriana. it was a sea day and pool games were happening. as I am sure you will know, P&O are a fairly upmarket line so what happened came as a slight surprise! they placed a large pole across the width of the pool. the aim was to knock your opponent into the pool with a large rubber pole. The last competitors were surprising. It was the cruise director against the captain!!! Now that is something I would love to see you do John!!! I can just imagine you falling into the pool!
John,
You’re so right! All the fun is being “safetyd” right out of life.
Best wishes to Anthony and Pam. Hope they really enjoyed their cruise.
You know what? Helsinki, Finland looks like more my kind of place that does St. Petersburg. What a beautiful place. (Although it does look as if autumn has already begun to set in…hardly any leaves on the trees, etc.) One more reason I love living in Florida. I know, I know, the heat and lack of “season” changes is not for everyone, but it’s just right for me! I do like to visit other places and can tolerate cold for awhile, but would never choose to live in it full time. Brrrrr!!!!
Best to you and lovely Heidi, and thanks to Stephanie for her great work.
Your Pal, Myra
To Pam and Anthony,
You are in my heart and prayers, God bless you, and give you continued strength for your care of his angel here on earth. God bless your daughter for caring for her sister, so that you both may enjoy some respite from the enormous demands on your everyday lives.
And God bless John, for letting us know you, and share in your joy on this cruise!!
Eva
John,
Honestly, I hope we can, in some small way, counteract all the crap you must absorb from these folks who need a good bop. My grandmother used to say some people wouldn’t be happy if God himself invited them to heaven at the end of a long and happy life. Sadly so true…
Since my son died I have learned a lot about how to focus on blessings, and how to hold on to gratitude for your blessings, still a work in progress sometimes lol, but this I know: if I was on a trip of a lifetime, on a ship so amazing, with the likes of you and Heidi guiding us along….well I’d be hard put to let anything waste a precious minute of it with unhappiness or griping. Cheesh!
And I cannot wait to hear about the ladies you subjected Ms S Nob on, and what their effect on her was!!! Maybe we will see a pic of EIGHT smiling ladies?? I will pray for it!
Love to you all!!!
Floatie
John
Dianne and I just booked for the bloggers cruise. Since I am retired military they didn’t use the CPBL code, hopefully we will still receive all the bloggers information. We hope to see you again in February, this time no bedtime story.
Bob
Kindess is the Languag which the Deaf can Hear and the Blind can See.
Gads…..What is up with all of these insufferable and ungrateful people these days? …..Bitter and unhappy because they didn’t get lavish gifts, free this or free that….. If anyone on BC2 complains about anything…..just alert me or various members of the Krewe and any artifact that was bestowed to them with which they are unsatisfied will subsequently either be shoved up where the sun doesn’t shine or confiscated and given to someone more deserving…..
Oh…….And when I looked at the effigy of Sibelius at the Sibelius monument I immediately thought it looks rather like Jackie Gleason…
“One of these days Alice……”
http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Jackie-Gleason-Posters_i1630580_.htm
Mark
The Flying (Right in the Kisser) Dutchman
You know….. I have no idea what that couple was complaining about!! We have a 24ct gold plated plastic ship on a stick, vessel on a tressel, from every ship we have been on, except the Fantasy!!
If it had not been for your gift for us and Mima we would of missed out this past cruise…. our trivia brains were either on vacation OR tired from all our excursions!!
Be well!!
Cheers!
Jane
continued–lost power with a current storm…the famous “Ship on a Stick”, I would be eternally grateful…:-)
John,
I am hoping that you will blog about the differince between gold and platinum card holders. I know the amount of trip parts but what do you get besides special check in at the pier and debarkation?? thanks.
I also wnat to relate a story of my last cruise on carnival. It was almost 5 years ago on my honeymoon. we sailed out of Tampa on a 7 day cruise. A little back ground first, My wife Sonja and I where paying for the wedding and the Honeymoon ourselves. I had book the cruise through my Travel Agent who I had booked the previous 22 cruises with. I had told her that it was our honymoon etc and we worked out the problems with tickets etc with the airlines and Carnival. so she knew what was going on.
well when we got to Tampa and boared the ship, everyone was really great, and congradulated us on getting married etc. we thought everything was going great. Then we got to our room. it was what I paid for and expected, except the beds where not togehther. I told my wife not to worry they probably haven’t had the chance to put them together with change over day etc….. we also did not have the room decorated or anything else that you would think that my TA would have planned. instead all we got where drink coupons and a tin of Carnival cookies. well, that night when it came time for bed, we went back to the cabin and found the beds made up seperatly… Of course. well my wife was very upset about all this, but I told her to hang on and I made a call to the pursers office and explained the situation. not 10 mins later, a crew from house keeping showed up at the door and took care of the bed and offered the apologies, ( I told them no problem I blame it on the TA for not following up because I found out later it was the TA fault, not Carnival. From that point on on te cruise everyone was fabulous, the Matrie D found out(I asume through the purser) and we not only had a wedding cake but the waite staff came and sang to us. thanks to carnival for saving my honeymoon. This is why I have cruised 23 cruises with carnival. Please tell Mrs S Nob that a little sugar and niceness goes a long way. Thank you John and to carnival for the way you make people feel special everyday. BTW I I Made sure we thaanked everyone on the comment card and by a letter to carnival after the cruise.
Please keep up hte good work,
Capt Bill
John – It sounds like you got a bunch of real winners – or should that be whiners – on this cruise. Some people just don’t know how lucky they are to be on a wonderful ship on an exciting cruise vacation.
John and Stefanie – two days in a row, all pictures came through. Don’t know what you did, but I hope you can keep it up.
We treasure the gifts and the memories you gave us, John. If someone else doesn’t feel that way, it is their loss. No need to make it yours.
Keep on keeping on, you are doing great!!!
I will never forget the champagne you sent us when we arrived on the Freedom just because we shared our lives with you on the blog, fear that we wouldn’t make that dream european trip as our son was so ill, my husbands dad in intensive care barely holding on from brain surgery. we were never so humbled you would have taken the time to find our room number and ask your staff member to seliver that gift to us…………Never forget. All I can say is, it must be a democrat. Intitaled to that free excursion/supper club, or whatever the whine or need may be. I wil on the other hand return the favor you gave to me and my family. I will give freely and openly with no expectation and will appreciate forever your kindeness and that of Carnival.
Jeff had his follow-up and was given an ok for just blood work. Dr. said no use looking under the rocks if your doing so well! John, Jeff will be sailing again soon. He begins his 2nd year of college. He’ll never forget you kindness. Let the pursers know how we feel. They get so much negative feedback!
Yours kindly,
Kap
The audacity of some people will always amaze me. These people dont realize you dont have to do the things you do. Then to throw it back in your face as being unacceptable is uncalled for.
I see the Fantasy is due to dock at the Puerta Maya pier on Aug 16 per the docking schedule on Cozumel Insider. This will be the first ship to dock there since Hurricane Wilma in Oct 2006. This will be great as it will lower the number of ships having to tender this winter. It also means we should be docking for the Blogger’s cruise.
Dave
Hey John,
Great ‘thingy’ as always. I really appreciate all the work you put into this every day.
Wanted to say to Pam & Anthony how proud I am that they took this opportunity to get away for a vacation. You will be much better parents if you are relaxed…God knows you deserve this vacation. I know it must have been hard to do, but I am so glad that you did. Thanks for writing the letter.
Jan
Is it possible that Mrs S Nob and Mr & Mrs 33rd Anniversary are related???
Tell Ray & Deb McTeague Hello from Princess Barb & Carl!
Hello Heidi…. will we have a blog from you soon?
Hi John,
When I read the beginning of your blog today, I had to laugh. Scott and I are always scratching our heads about how overboard people are getting with the safety thing.
I remember when slides were tall, steep and made of metal so that when you slid down, you would get going so fast you fly off the end and into the grass or a sand pit. Or those merry-go-round contraptions where you would sit and hold on as tight as you can while your friend got it spinning so fast that you felt like any second the centrifugal force was going to pull you right off (and sometimes it did). I can’t count the number of scraped knees, elbows and hands that I had as a child, usually from trying some stupid stunt on a swing or a bike. Band-Aids and Bactine were simply a part of growing up.
Here in Hoboken, about two years ago, in Church Square Park, they cut down 3 trees, each about 100 years old, in order to install yet another “toddler park” (there are already 3 others in this small park) consisting of rubberized safety surfacing and nothing that spins or even rocks or could be considered exciting. This was all done without any input from the public. The outcry about the trees was enough that the city planted new trees in another section of the park.
But the best part? After those new trees were planted, members of the Mommy Mafia that seems to have developed in this town, demanded that the new trees be removed because one of their little darlings might run into one of them and get hurt! Oy!
I say if you’re concerned that your child might go running into trees, you and your little darling might have bigger problems that bear looking into.
On the subject of cruise ship safety, I learned something new about Scott during our Victory cruise that I hadn’t picked up on in the 6 years we’ve been together. Scott is 6 feet 6 inches tall. He’s bald and almost always wears a baseball cap. However, as I learned on the cruise, he doesn’t wear the baseball hat out of some misguided vanity about his baldness. He wears it for protection. Apparently when you are that tall you hit your head quite a lot! And he managed to bump it several times on the Victory! LOL! Just goes to show, there’s always something new to learn about someone you know well.
Hey, if you need someone to test the head clearance on any of your ships in your quest for safety, we’d be happy to help!
Cheerios,
Laura (aka divetrash, aka Princess Laura, the sweet and compromised of Big Ed’s Evil Krewe)
John and Heidi,
Please accept my thanks again, almost one year later, for the Carnival Freedom book and champagne that you sent us. You can’t imagine the thrill to receive such a wonderful gift in exchange for the paltry Starbursts which Heidi had requested (oh and perhaps a Cuban). My Mother-in-law, who accompanied us, was tremendously impressed that you sent such gifts.
Those gifts were gratefully received and the book (the champagne is history) has pride of place in our collection. In fact, I was looking at it last nightbefore your post – getting in the mood for our Carnival Glory cruise.
One cannot ascribe attitudes to others. But it would have been churlish of me to look down upon such gifts.
Thank-you again
John Lewis
Great ending….I can’t wait to see the stars from sea…we’ll be there in one month! Simply fabulous!
Karen
JOHN PLEAE REPLY.
Based on the coments above by the aniversary couple.
I am directing a question to you as senior cruise director (and someone we’ve cruised with before on the Triumph). I wonder if as a CD you feel that people are informing you of events just to get something out of you. I ask because I am booked on the liberty on aug. 23 to the caribbean this cruise is a gift to my daughter and 2 friends all celebrating their sweet 16’s, since this is basically their gift the other girls mother and I wanted to mention this to our CD and Maitre’D so that we could celebrate a little on board since none of the 3 girls were given a party at home. In your opinion should we tell of the event once we get onboard. Unfortunately the other group of three are seated at the late dinner while my daughter and her friend and I are at the early (by choice) we wanted to try and have one dinner together in the dining room for the purpose of the celebration but we were not sure if it would be allowed any suggestions you could offer would be greatly appriciated with my sincere thanks. Pam Beneke
John:
I love the idea of the evening stroll!!!
Hubby and I do that as much as possible here at home to get our 5 miles in.
Sometimes it is on the treadmill (due to heat or bad weather)…but whenever possible…we “stroll” together!!
Glad to hear that Pam and Anthony are having an excellent cruise.
And I hope Mrs. S. Nob isn’t being to big a pill for Susan and the other ladies to swallow.
BTW, if you run out of humor material….DJ’s new thing is jokes. They are cute…but we no longer have to worry about running out of bio-fuel with all the corn in them.
How do prison inmates talk to one another?
On their “cell” phones.
How do Grizzlies survive the winter?
They “bear” it.
I don’t think Larry the Cable Guy has to worry about losing any gigs….but DJ is keeping us entertained!!
I would suggest another gift for Ms. Ungrateful….
but we are in mixed company!!
Linda (Mom of your friend ~now a comedian~ DJ)
HI
I certainly would like to know how those other Ladies got along with Mrs SNOB… if they can stand her or not!Pls keep us informed about that. And that other couple…to complain about that nice gift you sent for their anniversary,….well that’s just not right, not right at all! Oh boy, ohboy, ohboy, can’t wait till February and the Bloggers cruise***
Sue M
Hi John
We were on the last Baltic Cruise and our first with Carnival…we had a fantastic time and the destinations were wonderful.
Our comments were made on the feedback forms – the main disappointments being the on board entertainment especially on Sea Days, and having dined in the restaurant every night had no contact from the Maitre D (although we did hear him sing)
I do find it interesting that the more cruises you go on the more critical people become – when you first set out you have nothing to compare anything to and thereafter you have a benchmark. ..as many Brits probably go for other Cruise options perhaps Carnival need to think about the way they approach the market in the UK ..
Poor old Mr S Nob probably has a lifetime of stories to tell and nobody to share them with….On one of our P&O Cruises I met a lady who had complained because one of her dining companions was a man from the North (Doncaster – I think ). She thought it was terrible – I explained that we would have been even worse as we come from Northumberland !!
One of the greatest bits of any cruise has to be the wonderful people you meet – our Carnival Cruise did not disappoint. We made some great new friends who we will probably holiday with again and just to show how small the world really is – coming out of the ballet in St Petersburg I bumped into a chap I used to work with and hadn’t seen for 15 years…..it was his first cruise and he had loved every minute . ..you have return client there too.
Dear John,
Talking about dedications.
There is a nice couple from Canada onboard your ship celebrating their wedding anniversary. Their names are Tom & Robin. We’ve met them a few years ago on the Victory an we’ve stayed in occasional email contact over the years.
Would please give them our best regards and
tell them that we are very excited to see them next Sunday in Amsterdam! Happy Wedding Anniversary from Petra & Joerg from Germany!
Thank you for your time and apologize if wrong place for post!
Btw: I really enjoy reading your blog every day!
Keep cruising!
Joerg
Good morning John & Heidi,
I would be absolutely thrilled to receive an autographed photo & champagne gift. The key word is “GIFT”. Just say “Thank You”. Some people are just plain greedy.
I’m glad things are working well with Mrs. S.Nob & her new dinner companions. Maybe you’re right, she’s lonely. I’m curious about one thing – has she taken any of the ship’s shore excursions and did she comment on them?
I have about 45 days until I sail on the Miracle. I lost the list you gave us – who is the CD? and do you know what production shows they do? Do they still do “Ticket to Ride”?
The best food I’ve ever had? – well besides the warm melting chocolate cake and the anticipation of a steak in the Supper Club, I had a Tiramisu at Disney World that was absolutely the best I have ever tasted. And my Mom’s roast beef too. And the banana cake with cream cheese frosting she made for my birthdays. Boxed mixes can’t compare.
Hope all is well in the Baltics.
Love,
Carol
Can’t believe the nerve of that couple, wanting more than a signed photo and champagne. About 4 years ago we were on the Glory (the year Heidi’s dad passed away) and I got to talk with you on the morning show, and you later gave me a red rose, it was Valentine’s day. You had to leave abruptly when you got the news of his death. I never got a signed picture or a bottle of champagne, and didn’t complain, so what is with these people! PLEASE already, they sound like real winers! Wa! Wa! PLEASE JOHN, post your schedule for the rest of the year, PLEASE! Linda & Mike (your forever friends)!
John,
Last fall on the Freedom, you read my 32nd anniversary note to my husband for all to hear. That, to me, was reward enough. Imagine my surprise when we came back to our cabin later that evening and found an autographed photo and a ship on a stick. We expected nothing and received a whole lot more! I can’t imagine “expecting” a bottle of champagne! Shame on that guest, and shame on a society that expects more than it deserves.
It is amazing how many expect something for nothing. You would think she would have just been honored by you reading the letter. Last year on the Freedom I got sprayed with water at 1 am while reading on my balcony from the decks being cleaned above. I called the Purser’s to ask if this was a nightly occurence and they asked what time do I usually read. I told them and they said they would not spray the aft deck until after 2 am. I was happy. I was even more happy the next day in port when we got back in and found a plate of chocolate covered strawberries and an note of apology. I totally was not expecting that. It just made my day. But then we love Carnival and never have any complaints at all.
I am trying though to think of the most outlandish complaint I can think of to write while on board on 8/30 for you to laugh at. Something along the line of the ocean is too blue or not blue enough.
Linda from Texas
Achtung Baby!
We certainly live in a world where there are an ever increasing number of restrictions, warnings guidelines, ordinances, and laws to help protect our seemingly mentally challenged society. Disclaimers on products that any reasonable person with any shred of logic should be cognitive…..but some sue happy jerkweeds now have required that we be alerted of the fact that coffee may be hot, a knife may be sharp, and a beach ball is not a life saving device. How did the human race survive for this long without such alerts that state the obvious? I am astonished that all walls and surfaces in public spaces are not padded and coated with a bacteria/ germ impervious resin since some buffoon could bump into them causing undue pain and anguish or contract the plague due to some microbe on that surface. ….oh and we should all be wearing contact proof clothing/armor and or body condoms to avoid any possibility of touching anything
….including Howie Mandel.
Mark
The Flying (Warning! Use only under competent supervision ) Dutchman
John,
Love your blog,we are looking forward to our August 30th Cruise on the Splendor,We had the pleasure of travelling with you out of Rome two years ago and think that you are the best Cruise Director we ever had on our many cruises.
One question, what will the schedule of travel be for the cruise on the 30th,will we be spending 2 full day in Russia,thanks
Regards,
John & Kathy Hood
Hi again John,
I forgot before – I loved the West Wing too. I loved the writing & the rapid-fire interactions. Boy, would I love to see Jed Bartlett in the White House for real.
Carol
If pillow fights are beyond the pale, then why the boxing ring on a competing cruise line? Why some surf simulator in which you could fall and hit your head on something.
BRING BACK ON-BOARD PILLOW FIGHTS!!!
Hi John/Heidi:
My wife and I always make it a point to walk the decks in the evening outside. Its one of our favorite activities and we look forward to it.
Excellent blog today. I really enjoyed the pictures and the rock church is absolutely amazing.
I remember taking part in the pillow fight/beer drinking contest. Its hard to imagine how “popular” these activities were just a few years ago but now could never see that again.
Oh well. Times change.
Hope all is well and thanks again.
Take care,
David
Now John, I have a bone to pick with you! My wife and I absolutely LOVE just strolling the open deck before bed and usually have it all to ourselves. We feel like the only people on the ship! Now you are going and telling the secret everyone will be doing it! LOL!
I must give you credit for trying to make everyone happy, even the Mrs Nobs of the world! My job requires a lot of hand-holding and ruffled feather soothing as well and I have learned that sometimes, no matter what you do, some people just want to be unhappy! They want something to complain about and every issue, no matter how trivial requires escalation to the highest possible authority! I deal with those types every day, but at the end of the day, I leave them behind to seek my own peace. Tomorrow is soon enough to deal with them again!
I was just catching up on the blogs as I’ve been too busy to read them for awhile and I was happy to see Bubba is still on the Spirit. Bubba if you read this condolences on your losses. We are booked for Alaska in May and Bubba’s pics and descriptions really make me excited for May to roll around!
Hang in there John and don’t let the naysayers get to ya!
Mike
The Flying Dutchman,
I really love this one on sleeping pills “MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS”. I sure hope so or I just wasted my money. Pat and I just laugh at all those drug ads on TV. The side effects sometimes sound worse then what your taking them for in the first place.
BIG ED
“I had encouraged people to do this last year and started again this cruise…………it was simply to take a walk before bed……….on the open decks…… under the stars.”
John, you are so right! On the last night of the BC, I didn’t want it to end, so after I closed Ron Pass’ piano bar I went up on deck. The sea was phosphorescent, and there were two other cruise ships heading back to Miami with us, one on each side. So it was like we had an honor guard escorting us back home. It was such a lovely sight!
Hi John:
I have to admit, my favorite thing to do on a ship is walk the deck at night under the stars. Unfortunately being single, I have to do it alone, therefore it isn’t a romantic experience but just an affirmation to me that there is a higher power out there to create such beauty.
As always thanks for a great blog!
Sue K in Pittsburgh … (and not on a cruise!)
You were left wondering what you did wrong, John?
What you did wrong was fail to be a combination of Santa Claus and a magic genie, granting Mr. & Mrs. 33rd Anniversary’s every wish.
…..amazing…..
Take care!
Terri & Larry
John, you cute litle matchmaker!!! I don’t care that you mach single ladies to a single lady… you’re a matchmaker… it makes my heart smile to hear that there were no cmments… I pray we hear a great thank you from Ms. S. Nob!!!
The night sky… the walk about the deck… finding a dark and wonderful spot!!! Ahhhhhhh… this is the wonder of cruising!!! To see the stars meet the horizon! To feel the ship sway, the wind blow, the canopy of stars above your head!!! Ahhh… this is great!!
As OSHA and all the other protection agencies… Bah Humbug!! Our parents and grandparents and even us… we made it through with all our fun!! Yes, there are reasons and needs that must be addressed… but regulation for the mere spite of regulation… BAH HUMBUG!!!!
Bless You, Dear John!!
Lambie
Dear John. I guess you cannot please all the people all of the time or even some of the people some of the time; so just keep on doing what you do best andwe will love it. We are sailing on the Splendor on Oct 29,2008 and can’t wait: 16 whole days at sea. We sailed on the Freedom on May 13,2007 and during lifeboat drill the first day on ship some lady dropped her lifeboat jacket on the stairs in front of me and I tripped on it and injured my ankle and leg, and sorry to say she just walked over me and continued her way downstairs. I can’t say enough about the nurses down stairs in sickbay they were so good to me and Thank God for all the friends that were traveling with us that helped us get around.
we will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in April so this is our celebration cruise for that event. We have enjoyed so many good times with Carnival over the years, also Holland American and The Queen Mary II . Keep them smiling John, we love it. Eileen and Jim