Comments on: It's a Mad, Mad, World

By: The Flying Dutchman

The Flying Dutchman — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:48:02 +0000

Actually I did look at it and thought….hmmm to which theater would he be going back in time to rescue George….

I made the subtle mixed up presidential switcheroo humorous connotation but didn’t comment …..sorry ……

Someone did get it

******************
yesterday’s blog where I tried a sublime joke which as Heidi said would happen……no bugger got it. I was referring to the time machine and stopping George going to the theater…………obviously I was referring to President Lincoln

…. I dream about being able to go back in time and telling George not to go to the theatre ………..
**************

Mark
The Flying (by the seat of his pants) Dutchman

By: mjbearit

mjbearit — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:56:12 +0000

Hey John, just wanted to say “Thanks!”. I was thinking of you today while this crazy woman was standing at my desk for 15 minutes screaming at me because I could not give her an ETA on something I have nothing to do with! I just sat back and thought of you! I felt like asking her if she had been on a cruise lately, but why poke the bear in her cave?! She wouldn’t have understood anyway. I finally just looked at her and said “I am so sorry, you are right and I am wrong!” That took all the wind out of her sails and she stalked away. One of the guys I work with looked at me and couldn’t believe what he heard. Like I told him, “That cost me nothing, she’s gone, I’m still right and it is finally quiet around here! Thanks for being such an inspiration! LOL!
Mike

By: NauticalbyNature

NauticalbyNature — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:48:12 +0000

Hi John,
With the up-coming Federal elections in both the USA and Canada, I was wondering what arrangements CCL makes to ensure that crew members; who are citizens of USA or Canada, have an opportunity to vote for their new leader.
Thank you
Sean

By: Uncle Doug

Uncle Doug — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:35:15 +0000

John, our thoughts and prayers are with the people along the Texas gulf coast as they deal with the destruction of hurricane Ike. The city of Galveston which home ports the Carnival Ecstasy and Conquest will have major destruction. Like New Orleans it will take years to overcome.

By: Ruth C

Ruth C — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:31:10 +0000

Stephanie,
Just want you to know that both you and your mom are in both Jim and my prayers. I know it’s tough, my mom is also on meds for Parkinsons. Just try to remember the many good days you both still have together.

I’m sending the letter below to you with the “Urgent Reply” only because I hope John will get a chuckle out of it – if he wants to post it, that’s ok if not that’s ok also. Please be sure that that he know’s it is “tongue n cheek”, and is meant to give him a laugh like he gives us each and everyday.

Thanks for all you do to help put this “blog thingy” out for all of us to enjoy each day.

Ruth C
Ruth and Jim Cooper

Dearest John,
Now that you are finished with the Baltic cruises and are heading toward the Mediterranean I thought I would take a few minutes to write you and let you know that we will be on the Oct 17th and 29th cruises.

I have learned so very much from your blogs and thought that perhaps it would be best to write you in advance and let you know our expectation so that you can prepare.

Let me first say I have sailed on Crystal, Celebrity, RCCL and Carnival so, as Mrs. S. Nob would say, “You will need to meet and exceed my expectations.”

Here is a list to help you prepare for my husband Jim and my arrival:
1. Someone on hand to unpack our bags, and of course repack them at the end of the
cruise
2. Since we are celebrating our 43rd Anniversary (February 23), my 62nd birthday
(Sept. 11) Jim’s 72nd birthday (July and the birth of our first child (Oct. 5, 1971) I feel that this should qualify us to sit at the captain’s table each and every night.
3. We will need our deck chairs reversed between 10:30: and 12:00 each day we are at sea and will be in the pool for 15 minutes between 11:00 and 11:15 each day at sea. This information will give you time to arrange so that my hair will stay dry while I meditate.
4. Promptly after each shore talk please plan on setting aside 1 hour to discuss the shore excursions we have planned for the next day. You may pick the place that we will meet.
5. Since this is our vacation, please see that the weather will be enjoyable and that the roof will be open for our days at sea. I really don’t sunbath; however want to enjoy the lovely blue skies you will be planning.
6. I do want you to know that we have not booked any excursions that involve horses, however would like you to add one since they are one of my most favorite animals.

I’m sure that there will be other topics to address as they come up during the cruises and that you will be able to handle them with your usual grace and a basket of fruit, bottle of wine and if necessary the cruise and all shore excursions free of charge. Please be reminded that I do have the presidents of Carnivals home phone number, as well as the board of directors, on speed dial in the event that you have not meet our needs efficiently.

I’m sure letting you know of our expectations in advance we can of course avoid any unpleasant blogging. Look forward to seeing you on the 17th, please be sure that when we arrive there will be no one falling off the side of the ship and therefore delay our boarding. As I said before I have found your blogs most useful and entertaining and hope that you will take this note with the “tongue n cheek” humor it is intended.

Ruth & Jim

P. S. Since we will be in Rome I am assuming that you will arrange a private mass for all of us with the Pope to.

By: terry and danielle

terry and danielle — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:36:18 +0000

hi john and heidi- we have cruised with you several times, read the blog every day with great pleasure and commiserate with the abuse that you have to endure with a smile on your face. it is cathartic that you have this blog where you can vent a little and say the things that you wish you could say out loud. this being said however, i am not going to let you off the hook so easily! we, as canadians, really dislike the “vancouver, canada”, “toronto, canada” quotes and postings. would you be inclined to say “los angeles, usa” or chicago,usa”? it is sad to me that the world assumes that we all know in which state these cities are. we have only 10 provinces and 3 territories, most more vast than 6 states combined, and we are very province-proud. vancouver is in british columbia, toronto is in ontario, montreal is in quebec, charlottetown is in prince edward island. we love to hear these names, as all citizens of the world love to hear of their home. that is my catharsis handled for the week! just a heads-up for you: i recall that last year you received some flak about forgetting to mention the real thankgiving- the canadian one, when the north american continent was first discovered centuries before columbus- it is oct 13th this year. with the canuck population on your cruises usually second only to the americans, i am sure that a mention would be truly appreciated. thanks for your time.

By: Carol Schoenberger

Carol Schoenberger — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:33:36 +0000

Hi John & everyone,

I don’t know if you’ve seen the pictures of Hurricane Ike hitting the Texas coast, but this is one scary-looking storm. The storm surge looks like something out of a disaster movie. I read that’s because the Texas Gulf shore region is so low, the waves get really high (or something like that – correct me if I’m wrong, please). That’s why 6,000 people were killed in the early 1900′s. I hope everyone stays safe (and the ships of course) from this storm.

Have a great weekend,
Carol

By: dwa76

dwa76 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:50:03 +0000

Hi John/Heidi:
You learn something new everyday. I didn’t realize that you would have to pay $$ just to use the terms jacuzzi and whirlpool. I’m upset that i didn’t think to trademark bubble pool sooner.
Great interview with Tory and i liked the pictures as the ship left Holland.
Hope all is well and take care!
Thanks again,
David

By: Pam in VA

Pam in VA — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:39:01 +0000

Wonderful Pictures of Dover John, I understand that the Cruise Directors of carnival are alot alike but I think Skippy and Tory are to much alike at least in their food choices (Just picking on you looks like part of skippy’s interview stayed on page when you posted tory’s answers to her CD Table question) I thought it funny that they both had “Matin Luther King – I have a Dream” listed but Either way these Interviews have been great Maybe you should consider doing the ACD’s as well, or the Matre’D's It gives us all a look into the crew we would never get otherwise…Keep up the great work..Smooth sailing and all that

By: Gary & Di Coates

Gary & Di Coates — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:20:23 +0000

John, Heidi, and Stephanie

Hope this cruise is wonderful for you all and we’ll be thinking of you sailing through the Med.

John, thanks so much for the shout out to Gary and I. With all that you do it’s really touching that you would have time to remember us. We’re gonna join you on a “Funship” A.S.A.P. Also to Countess Carolyn, your words of encouragement meant so much.

So again, a heartfelt thanks and enjoy our cruise for us. If you can please post some pics, we’ll be watching!

Cheers,
Gary & Di