I’m tired.
I just finished a two and a half hour lunch with a group of people who spoke very little English and were determined to enjoy the hospitality of the ship.
Good Evening one and all. We have just left Malaga, Spain and after the usual plaque ceremony I hosted a lunch for various dignitaries and VIP’s……………..a two and a half hour lunch…………..in a suit………..and a tie…………and if you want to know the menu you could have just looked at my shirt because the jovial man next to me catapulted most of his French Onion Soup, Spinach salad and Gnocchi Al Pesto over me.
It was hard because most of the time they spoke Spanish with our multi-lingual Captain and I just sat there trying not to fall asleep while at the same time dodging bits of supersonic pasta. At one point I was so bored I even counted the number of peas on my plate…………56.
Anyway, these Spanish……….like the Italians………..love their lunch and they are to be praised …………not criticized for this.
In the olden days, people used to go to the canteen on the dot of one to unwind with mates over a plate of something big……with fries. Now everyone gets their lunch from the Grab ’n’ Go shop.
Do they have Grab ’n’ Go shops in Italy? I have never seen one. Over there, they’re still downing a couple of bottles of wine at lunchtime, and then sleeping it off until six.
These days in North America and the UK if we do go out for lunch its usually an excuse to get some more work done. And so is dinner, and so, increasingly, is breakfast. In fact, we’re running out of meals over which we can do deals. Soon, people will be buying and selling products over the midnight buffet………….unless your one of the poor buggers who work for Lehman Brothers who will now be serving the meals……………another 40,000 job losses in a UK bank was announced today…………..you have to feel so sorry for the people who just went to work, did the filling or the human resources, answered the telephone or cleaned the offices…………these people are the human face of the credit crunch thingy.
Anyway, I digress.
Back to the lunches and the Spanish today who went through a whole cellar of wine. My mate Alan told me that when he was working in the city of London nobody drinks at lunchtime as it’s as taboo as admitting that after work you put on stockings and suspenders and work as a cabaret act called Alicia……………right Alan?
But the no drinking thing is just part of how things used to be. We worked to live now we live to work.
A few years ago you finished at 5:00 pm regardless of what was happening. Shops were closed on Sundays. You always took your vacations and would never finish the year with your company owing you holiday days………….and if you sneezed ………you went to bed for a month without fear of having to get a signed paper from the Center for Disease Control to prove that you were ill.
Things are a bit different now though. People go to work even if they were just attacked by a shark.
If you catch Ebola, you must get the deal done before your skin turns purple and your ears fall off.
We go out at night with Borg-style mobile phone headset attachments in case the office wants to get in touch, and of course even if we are in throws of making mad passionate love to Angelina Jolie and Catherine Zeta Jones is waiting outside for her turn………if the Blackberry goes off………Angelina and Catherine will be playing Monopoly for the rest of the evening.
Yep, the Spanish and Italians have it right………..3-hour, 4-course lunches washed down with gallons of wine followed by a 3-hour nap………and………..if they must………a few hours in the office before dinner…………but never………never on the weekends.
The guests had a wonderful day in Malaga. I know this because I just spent the last hour talking too many of them at our Past Guest Party. They did though say that it was very muggy outside. There was a lot of low cloud and no breeze and with a temperature of 84 degrees, I can understand that it might have felt unpleasant. I didn’t get to leave the ship again today which has promoted a visit to the doghouse for me. ………..I may have got away with it but I failed to tell Heidi that her hair looked nice yesterday after a visit to the Spa. Now, how the heck am I supposed to know that she has had her haircut? I mean it looked the same. If she had come back with a mohawk or a red stripe down the center or a Britney Spears slap-head cut then I would have said something………..but to me………….it looked exactly the bloody same.
I would like you to meet the first of today’s guest stars Mr. Robert Cotton from New Hampshire, U.S.A.
Robert was with me on stage and as you can see he was dressed very smartly. ………and of course it will come as no surprise as well that he is an ex-military man having served in the Army for 38 years. What was different about Robert’s service was that he was an Army Minister for all those years and saw service in the first Gulf War and until his retirement was stationed at a base in South or North Carolina …..I forget which. I forgot that the armed forces have their own Chaplains and that these men or women go where the troops go. Anyway, I had met Robert previously and had asked him to come on stage with me. You see, I had received a letter from some friends of his who were traveling with him. I called them and they told me what else was special about Robert.
This man travels the States attending every funeral for the men and women who gave their lives in the service of their country. …………..and as he said to all of us………..that’s far too many. He is here with his high school reunion group who wanted to acknowledge his service and his compassion………….so today…………..we did…………..it was a very special moment.
Now, here is the first of today’s amazing photos taken by our brilliant Photo Manager Adrian………it’s of the Carnival Splendor passing ……….but only just………..under the bride in Lisbon’s harbor.
Here are a few letters from today’s In Their Own Words Section.
And now some very exciting news. Last year I met the Cruise Director of the Queen Victoria, industry legend Alistair Greener. We spoke briefly about the blog and I casually hinted that it would be marvelous if he could write one.
And, here we are, a few months later and I am proud to invite you all to sample life onboard a Cunard liner. Every Thursday Alistair will share the incomparable journeys he and his passengers enjoy and we will go behind the scenes with him as we meet some of them. So……….ladies and gentlemen……….please click over to www.wearecunard.com………I will see you there and congratulations on a brilliant blog.
And now, I would like to talk about the after effects of Hurricane Bastard…………sorry………….Ike.
First of all I just want to say a few words about the blog. During the last few days I have tried my very best to provide everyone with as much information as I can. It’s not been easy with the 6-hour time difference and doing my other job as Cruise Director. I have posted the information late at night my time and I hope it has been helpful.
Nobody can know what it must be like to lose your home and return to a scene of utter devastation. I certainly am not gifted enough to even try and describe the emotions you must be feeling. I do want to say this though to Rita, Paula and Renee and the others who sent me comments. Our blog thingy is many things and if it can be a sounding board to the people at the top at Carnival, then let it be so. But, I do ask that you bear in mind that I am a long way away and there will be a time lapse from when you send in your comments to the time they are posted, read by me and replied to. I know many, many people had nothing but exuberant praise for the way this very trying situation has been handled so far by the shipboard and shoreside personnel.
However, I have received one or two comments that have suggested that I don’t answer or reply to negative postings.
Here is one of those from today
Rita
Why won’t you post my first comment, because it was honest and negative about carnival? All you post is positive, and you probably made that up anyway.
——————
Rita
Wow so glad you have information up for people going out and you sound so excited.
Do you think you could do the same and get more information up for those of us who just came back through New Orleans and our cars are in Galveston.
Also could you guys who sit comfy in the Corporate office please explain why nobody told us when we were boarding that Galveston was under Mandatory Evacuation and give us a choice to continue to sail or get our money back. YOU GUYS DIDN’T CARE ABOUT US AND THE HOW THE RETURN WOULD WORK OUT. You had us on board, got our money, and then lied for days that you didn’t know the outcome of the cars in the parking lots, when FEMA had information, with pictures up as early as September 14, I left the ship with your stupid letters saying you were still unsure. Well Thanks Carnival you promised a memorable cruise, and believe me it was.
Rita. First of all can I apologize for the late posting and answers. As I said, I am in Europe being a Cruise Director. It’s now 10 pm and I have half an hour before the next show but I wanted to make sure I reply as I do to each and every comment……..marked “please reply ” that is positive or, on the rare occasion, negative………and no I am not as you suggested making that up.
Let’s start with the facts as I have been told them:
The decision to proceed with the voyage was made because we determined that we would be able to operate it safely and canceling the cruise would have pulled the plug on the vacation plans of many people. And, as with all storms, there were no concrete assurances as to exactly where the most severe impact would be and what level of damage it would cause. Unfortunately, Galveston and surrounding areas were substantially impacted by Hurricane Ike and this in turn impacted our guests who were on our Galveston-based ships operating during that period. We apologize to all of those guests for the huge inconvenience the situation caused and especially those whose cars have been damaged while parked at the port. We will ask the Port of Galveston to explore alternate parking arrangements in the future for the type of situation.
I’ve also been hearing from people who have property damage and are scheduled to sail on upcoming voyages. In that situation, Carnival will definitely give each case a personal review and will consider exceptions to the cancellation policy if the guests can simply provide some basic supporting documentation that indicates they were affected by the storm (for example, a copy of your drivers license or a copy of a utility bill or something along those lines). To request a review, just send a letter with whatever supporting documentation you can to Carnival Cruise Lines, Reservations Administration Dept., 3655 NW 87th Avenue, Miami, FL 33165. Or you can call the main office at 800-438-6744 and ask for the reservations administration department.
Now, on a personal note I just wanted to say to everyone who wrote to me that I hope you, your family and your property are all OK and please know that you are all in my thoughts and those of the thousands and thousands of people who read this blog thingy each and every day.
As requested by many, here then is the latest information about parking in Houston.
NOTICE TO PORT OF GALVESTON PARKING LOT CUSTOMERS
September 17, 2008The Port of Galveston’s Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Port staff sincerely hope that the passengers and their families had a great cruise. The Port understands that the passengers, crew and other cruise ship workers are concerned about their vehicles that may have been parked at the Port’s parking lots or other parking locations on Galveston Island during Hurricane Ike.
To the best of our knowledge the parking lots could have had over 7 feet of salt water in them, which would have placed most engines underwater. Many vehicles floated around in the parking lots. Therefore, most of the vehicles will probably not be in drivable condition.
At this time, only emergency personnel and work crews are allowed on Galveston Island, because most of the Island, including the Port’s property, does not have utilities. In spite of not having utilities on the Island, Port personnel, who are off the Island, are able to receive telephone calls and e-mails through offsite connections.
You are respectfully, requested to e-mail parking@portofgalveston.com or call Sharon Fox at 409-739-1344 with the following information:
Name:
Phone Number(s):
e-mail Address(es):
Vehicle model, color and license tag:The Port is not responsible for any damage that may have occurred to your vehicle while parked in the Port’s parking lots. A vehicle owner should contact his/her insurance carrier to report a damage claim. Claims adjusters may e-mail or call the Port’s 888 telephone number if they are on the Island and need to see a vehicle.
Sincerely,
Port Management
The life of the fly on entertainer is a tough one. Living out of a suitcase, flying three or four times a week and in this case flying into uncertain territory. Take my mate Al Ernst, Carnival’s 344th best comedian.
Al has been out of action recently as he pulled the ligaments in his ankle representing the State of Georgia in the National Over 40′s Yoga and Pie eating contest.
Anyway, when the going gets tough………we get Al ……….for two reasons………..he is very, very funny…………and ..he’s cheap.
Thanks Al and if you ever see Al’s name in the Carnival Capers or a comedy club billing……………….bring a book.
Seriously, Al is our best and not just on stage. He will wander the corridors and lounges until the wee small hours of the morning looking for guests ( and food ) to talk to and if you do see his name in lights or in the Capers…………go to his show…………and bring a box of tissues to wipe away the tears of laughter. Nobody delivers other peoples jokes like Al !……………………ok, that’s enough………….don’t miss him and I hope you get to see he and I work together some time……..it’s one of my favorite things to do.
Anyway, Al went to both Carnival Conquest and carnival Ecstasy where in some rather challenging conditions………..he had them laughing hystericaly. There are few who could do this and Al is one of them. Thanks mate.
For more of the Industries BEST COMEDIAN go to www.alernst.com or www.pimpmycomedian.org
Thanks Al……….for all you do.
Now, before I go to bed, here are two videos from last night’s talent show. These two gentlemen are wonderful examples of why we should have talent shows.
And finally, a message to all those who are about to cruise on the Carnival Ecstasy or Carnival Conquest. I can promise you all one thing with absolute certainty. Once you walk up that gangway of the ship you chose for your vacation, regardless of what problems or concerns are waiting for you when you get home……. for those four, five or seven days …………you will have the time of your life and that the experience will rejuvenate you for the challenges ahead.
Bon Voyage.
Your friends
John and Heidi
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
Exellent blog.
Dear John,
I just wanted to say Thank You for taking the time out of your very busy day to respond to my question about the debark time and flight information when leaving the ship in Rome. As I told you I am booking the Dream for the inagaural voyage and even though you will not be the cruise director I look forward to seeing you around the ship.
Thanks again for all you do.
Valerie
Wow….what some talented guests on the Splendor!
My thoughts are with all the people in the Galveston/Houston area for the hard ship and hope everyone remembers to look for the light at the end of the tunnel…IT WILL COME!!
Dave from Colorado
so whos on the pride right now?
I am about to go on a Princess cruise and I have chosen not to pack a suit due to the added expense of extra luggage.
Will I get into formal night? I have no idea
will I argue with staff? I have no idea
Will I reduce my automatic tips by $50 to $100? I have no idea
Will I book with NCL in the future? I hope not, but we will see.
Please relax or get rid of formal night. A lot of us do not like it on vacation and see no reason to waste $50 on an extra bag that we could use at the casino.
Aptly named this guest……It appears that Hurricane Rita (circa 2005) has reformed in the shape of a viciously angered and irrational human female…… OK so the lady is upset that her car may have been damaged while sitting in a parking lot or structure… I wasn’t aware that Carnival or the Port of Galveston would be responsible for cars in the lot….
Many people lost much much more than a car.
If her prized Bentley errrrrr Buick Century…. was that important to her perhaps she should have alerted some friends or loved ones or perchance a towing service to haul that hunk of metal and plastic out of harms way whilst she basked in sunshine on Lido deck sipping her cocktail…
Insurance …..perhaps she should explore this arcane concept. Nice going Rita……. blame the world and everyone else for whatever befalls you………everyone seems to love doing that these days.
If the storm would have veered slightly and missed Galveston I’m sure the fine lady would have been A.OK with mass devastation to other parts of the country……just as long as it didn’t happen to her……
For the love of Pete……
The Flying Dutchman
Greetings Heidi and John,
First time writer, long time reader. Like many others here, I enjoy your blog daily. I just recieved my Oct copy of Porthole and I wanted to send my congratulations. I also wanted to try an encourage you not to take those comments from our friends affected by the Hurricanes too personally. People need a release valve. With your position, personality and blog thingy, you seem to be a good choice. It is not your culpability people seek, I think it’s more your strength and warmth that is needed.
I do however have a question if you would kindly indulge at your leisure(If that still exists). Are you aware of any plans to have either Flight of the Conchords or The Dan Band on any of the Carnival family of ships? I know, minor compared to the scope of questions you receive daily.
Ok, I wanted you and Carnival to know that we have been cruising for a few years now. We have become avid cruisers but have not been on a Carnival Cruise ship. And truth be told, had no intentions of trying one. But now, because of you, and only because of you (Listening Carnival?) we will be on a Carnival ship as soon as our schedule permits and we can find the ship/itinery that you will be on. Again, it’s the warmth…oh..and that sense of humour too.
We would also like to take a moment to say hi to the one that makes it all possible! Hi Heidi !! Much respect and thanks for sharin John!
Thank you both, again, for your positive impact daily, on our lives, and many others.
Your Friends,
Glen & Melynda
Thank God John that you had those last two singers at the end of your blog especially the last one. I thought he sang professionally. He was great. They made me feel so good especially since after Rita made me feel so angry. I know that she probably experienced a negative feeling after Hurricane Ike, but I thought that her reactions towards you and the crew were uncalled for. That gave me a pit in my stomach reading it. So thank you once again with the two great singers that left me feeling so positive. Thank you my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
The Flying Dutchman
When you said “If the storm would have veered slightly and missed Galveston I’m sure the fine lady would have been A.OK with mass devastation to other parts of the country……just as long as it didn’t happen to her……” it made me think of something along the same line. All those “GREEN” people that want CLEAN power like windmills but heaven forbid you try to put them near their backyard. They would be yelling NOT IN MY BACKYARD so fast as they drove off to court in their HUMMER
BIG ED.
John:
Unfortunately, the path of hurricanes can not be predicted. Ike could have just as easily turned West at the last minute and wiped out Brownsville.
I am assuming Rita sailed on the Ecstasy, since when the Conquest sailed on Sunday…Ike was something that “might” hit in a week “somewhere” and Galveston was not anywhere near an absolute target.
When the Ecstasy sailed, Galveston had ordered a mandatory evacuation for that Thursday at 2PM.
I agree that Carnival should have given people the option to cancel if they wanted. But at the same time, I understand why Carnival did not. People already HAD the option to cancel for a full refund….without Carnival offering it.
Since it was a mandatory evacuation, travel insurance would have covered anyone who elected to cancel and get a full refund. It was their choice to continue on with the cruise.
Secondly, I hate to sound insensitive but again….where is the cruiser’s personal responsibility in all this.
Carnival is not the one who parked their automobile on a low flat lot with a hurricane coming…Rita did.
Carnival nor the Port of Galveston have an “official” (you must park here) cruise parking lot. Since Rita wants to blast Carnival for “having all this information and not using it”…why didn’t she? She had all the same information!
There is a multi-level parking garage across the street from the port. Why did she not park there?
Her car would not have been flooded and probably not even received any wind damage. If she was still not comfortable doing that….why not park it in a parking garage in Houston and take a shuttle to the port?
And please…I certainly don’t want to hear “I did not buy travel insurance.” If someone books a cruise during the PEAK of hurricane season and can not afford to self-insure (absorbing any additional costs that comes their way) … there is NO excuse for not purchasing travel insurance.
So as sorry as I am for Rita….she could have cancelled and gotten a full refund from her travel insurance. And if she did not purchase travel insurance, then she has no one but herself to blame. And where she parked her car was also no one’s decision but hers.
But then it is just easier to be mad at the big ole’ mean cruise company…than accepting personal responsibility for their own choices.
Sadly we here in America have developed being a “victim” to an artform.
BTW, Sorry Rita no one lied to you. I stayed on the computer from the day Ike hit looking for pictures and info on the parking garage and no way the general public had pictures by Sept 14th.
FEMA may have had them…but they were to busy with other things , like saving people’s lives, to worry about sending pictures to a cruise ship.
We finally got NOAA pictures Tuesday.
The general media was not even reporting about that side of the island….everything was beachside.
I even contacted CNN and MSNBC and asked for help in obtaining information about the cars at the port…but they were obviously chasing more important stories about people dying.
Unfortunately, most of the times on the boards … all we hear from are the “Ritas” of the world with all their complaints. Rarely do we hear from the VAST MAJORITY of cruisers who understand and appreciate everything Carnival did to assist them in the event.
Linda
It’s good to hear about Robert Cotton, a fellow New Hampshirite, and a great military man. God bless the military and New Hampshire!
Jeff
John: By the way…the NOAA picture was not even taken until September 15th…..
but then I am guessing Rita won’t be interested in a little thing called facts.
Linda
Hi John,
Carl and I have been on vacation for the last couple of weeks (visiting family and friends in Maine), so we are now playing catch up. I can’t believe how busy you have been, with your job as a cruise director and the blog and then trying to keep everyone up to date with the hurricane information as well. I have said it before… I don’t know how you do it. Do you ever really sleep? And when do you and Heidi ever get alone time… besides on those walks, she has to make you go on!!! You know, as much as we bloggers love reading your blogs, not a one of us would be grudge you a day off from blogging to spend time with your lovely wife. You certainly deserve it with all the time and energy you put into your job and the blog.
I sure enjoyed the video clips of the wonderful entertainment! Thank you for sharing!
As far as Rita goes…. All I can say is “Get a Life” and think about the other people who lost homes, property and even some who lost loved ones. You can replace a car…. and no one forced you to park it there. Take some responsibility for your own actions. You could watch the weather reports as well as anyone else.
Hugs to you and Heidi!
Princess Barb
Hello to John and all fellow bloggers….did not appreciate the Rita story…We were hit hard where I live,have been without power for a week and don’t know when we’ll be up and running, but our house is fine, my family is fine and the rest will be fixed in time. My daughter found a friend who has power so we’re camped out for a few hours to get some air conditioning and do laundry and watch TV to see what’s been going on. Then I asked “where is your computer????” So here I am getting caught up. But then I’ll go back to my dark house and thank God for keeping us safe. Regards from a fellow cruiser in Houston.
God bless Mr. Robert Cotton. I’m sure that He will. Folks like him are far too few and too far between.
I love the photo of the Splendor’s funnel passing beneath the bridge in Lisbon’s harbor. It reminds me of sailing under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge coming out of Tampa Bay.
The events of last weekend are over. I know that there are quite a few folks who believe that this or that should have been done or this or that should have been said. No system is perfect but I have to believe that everyone did their best in a terribly difficult situation. I wasn’t there. I can’t comment beyond that.
You were graced with a great deal of talent on board for this sailing John!!! What lovely voices!!! How many bottles of champagne did you give away???
Thanks for taking care of us… and caring about us.
Ciao, my friend…
Host Mach
John,
The last paragraph of this blog entry is truly awesome.
Hi John,
It’s me, Penny B from New Orleans. I still have a heavy heart for the people of Texas and especially the Galvaston area. Many areas in Louisiana also were affected – actually twice with Gustav and then Ike. Yes, people are entitled to grip and complain about what they lost, whose at fault, etc,etc, and it sometimes feels better to be unhappy but…everyone has to get up and get going to make things better. Do what you can to help yourself or even better help someone else. Volunteer somewhere, donate something needed, cook some food or send cold drinks to the workers. Even as Katrina evacuees, my husband & I volunteered in Lafayette & helped those less fortunate. Yes, you feel perhaps someone let you down or gave you bad info but it’s done and it was not done to purposely hurt anyone or their property. We can make our own destiny and make the future good for everyone. I can get off my soap box now.
I’m still the wrinkled lady heading for the Freedom in 13 days and joining you in Feb. on Fantasy.
Penny B for New Orleans
I forgot this funny addition – my SIL had a sailboat docked in Kemah, TX. (Between Galvaston & Houston) It actually was one of 20 in the marina that survived Katrina when it was docked in New Orleans. After repairs and moving it to another Louisiana spot, he moved it to Kemah 4 months ago. Guess what – it made it through another hurricane because they had a floating dock at the marina he picked. Can boats have nine lives?
I was on the sailing from Galveston on the Carnival Ecstasy. The decision was MINE to make and I CHOSE to sail. Yes, I was worried about my home and my cars, but I CHOSE to sail. Had I decided to cancel because of the hurricane I would not have cared about the money I spent on the cruise. I would have worried about that after the storm. After the storm had passed, I asked about my car and the pursers office told me that the Port Authority had no answers since the mission at hand was SEACH AND RESCUE. Human life people, human life, not material things. I was very satisfied with that response. I think Carnival handled this situation very, very well. Thank you Carnival! I have seen the rumor mill get started on Cruise Critic, no there was no tasering of guests by security ridiculous!
We chose to cruise with Carnival, as we have done 9 other times. This time there was a hurricane, no one can control the WEATHER. I will continue to cruise, and my cruise line of choice s Carnival!
Oh, and by the way. Our cars did not survive, thank God for insurance.
John i believe someone else asked about this before so i am posting this if needed, if you have already announced, my apologizes, this is in regards to my upcoming sailing of the 22:
September 17, 2008
Dear Carnival Guest:
Due to the damage in Grand Turk from the recent tropical weather systems, we want to advise you that we will replace the scheduled call in Grand Turk with a visit to Tortola on your cruise.
We sincerely apologize for this itinerary change. We know how important the ports of call are in your vacation plans. We hope that you will enjoy the call in Tortola.
Most importantly, we want to thank you for choosing Carnival for your vacation. We look forward to welcoming you aboard the Carnival Miracle.
Sincerely,
Lynn C. Torrent
Senior Vice President — Sales and Guest Service
Good morning John,
You are so right about the way we live our lives now. And you can add working coffee breaks to the mix, along with daytime meetings with meals brought in. At least in my company, weekends are still free (unless there’s a major emergency that needs engineers).
I loved Brian’s letter – Happy Birthday Patti.
Paul said it – Rita’s letter made me angry. How can she possibly blame you for what happened? And I can’t say it any better than Linda did. Great comments.
I hope to see Al one day on a cruise.
I know you’re many, many miles away & really busy, but I have a week left. Any word on the CD on the Miracle while Brent is away??????? (Again – no I’m not complaining that you don’t answer questions or make up the answers – just kidding).
Hugs,
Carol
John,
THANK YOU!!! You know I’m your biggest cheerleader and LOVER OF CARNIVAL ships!!! But even I was angry and frustrated and anxious over the Ecstasy and Conquest delays, cancellations, and uncertaintanty…
That said, I NEVER LOST HOPE!! I cried and worried… But I KNEW CARNIVAL WOULD DO ITS BEST!!!
Both as a cruiser and a stock holder I trust that you (Carnival) would never do anything to put lives or property in harm’s way. It’s just not something the history and culture of Carnival would do!! The proof is in the past cruises and hospitality and caring that you can statistically prove!!!
Yes, I’m a lucky one, I still have my upcoming, Sunday’s cruise! I have luck of cruise date on my side. Yes, I’m an optimist and Pollyanna, and always look for the positive and good in things and people. Yes, I am a community volunteer and always pitch in to help and make better. Yes, I’ve had hard times and devastation in my life already. Yes I have family in Port Arthur and Houston and Ike’s pathway (and friends on that very Conquest at sea during this storm.). But that aside, Carnival did a FANTASTIC job in the environment it was dealt.
OK… I’ll hop down from my Carnival soapbox… but I truly know in my soul and trust in my heart, that Carnival has it’s guests as their number one priority!!!!
Lambie
Loved your talent show performers. John, keep up the great work you do with your blog. It always makes my day.
Our cruise on the Spendor this past summer (July 25th) about wiped out our retirement fund, but my husband has pledged to keep working so we can afford many more cruises, especially if you are the cd.
Mary Lou
Hello John
WOW very good blog.
we cant wait for the next bloggers bash.
keep up your outstanding work,
we all love you,and all you do for others.
as for RITA get a life you jackass…..
your florida freinds
tom & jane
John -
On my many cruises I have never seen Al but after hearing of him on your blog he did a show at The Comedy Zone here in town and boy is he funny – a true must see.
Keep up the great blogs.
May God comtinur to bless Mr. Robert Cotton and give strength to those in Texas.
Regarding Rita. Another Florida friend agrees with Tom & Jane. She needs to control herself and consider how much Carnival does for all of us.
Jeri
John,
I want to thank you for your entertaining blogs,and for all the info that you have given for the Galveston/Houston area in respect to the changes and updates for the Carnival cruise line agenda. My wife and I will be on the Ecstasy this October and even though we live in the Houston area effected by Ike,we delighted that the Port of Houston as agreed to harbor the two ships from Galveston until repairs to the port are completed. I also want to let you know that we were one of many couples who cruised on Carnival during the Katrina/Rita season. Katrina caused a delay in our schedule due to the fact that Carnival was so gracious as to lend a ship, the Elation, to the New Orleans victims for alternate housing so we rescheduled for the next available booking on the Ecstasy which sailed on a Saturday when Rita was still in the Caribbean and eventually made her way to southeast Texas. Even though we were delayed for a few days ( how can this be bad, extra days in Mexico, go figure)and were possibly going to have to divert to an alternate port, the crew and Captain were in constant communications with corporate and the Port of Galveston as to the status of the port. When the news of the port closing when we arrived in Playa de Carmen, there were were some passengers that wanted to leave and get back to Houston for flights to their home before the storm hit. CNN was no help in the matter with coverage that over dramatized of the effects the storm MIGHT have had. I drift….my point is to say that you guys are fantastic in what you do and I have enjoyed every cruise that we have taken on the Ecstasy, Elation, Jubilee, Conquest and Fantasy ships, storm or no storm. Thanks for all that you do.
B Simmons
Houston, Texas
Jessica:
Thank you for your post. I hope you can get your car situation settled as fast as possible.
Sadly that is why Cruise Critic has been jokingly called the “dark side”. It only takes one or two who come on with all the negatives and then anyone who hates Carnival piles on. And if you dare to point out the facts that are positive, you are ridiculed and mocked.
How sad.
So glad you are safe and hope everything else is restored soon.
Linda
Hi John/Heidi:
Great blog today.
I can understand why passengers are worried about what’s going on in Galveston but its hard to blame you for not giving info. With a minimum 6-hour time delay, its going to be very difficult to get everyone the right answer.
In addition, I feel that you’ve done a very good job of presenting the current situation with what is going on down there.
Great videos from the talent show.
Thanks for posting and hope everything else is going well.
Take care!
David
Hi john and heidi hope your well. Just want to say a couple of things:) rita and company back off the man has a lot on. I agree with one reply from a lady life is a lot more important than a car that can be replace. By the way i do exist and this a real comment. 2 Please please please do not give up formal nights i love to get dressed up and pretend to be a princess going to a ball and meet p charming or j bond even if its only for an evening. To the guy who didnt pack his outfit because of excess luggage 1 your boring and 2 what are you packing the kitchen sink. You cant possible wear all that. I always have space to bring back things to remind me of the places i visit and other things you know like the cabin steward and the waiters ect ( only joking john thats wasnt me honest
cough) i also managed to bring three formal dresses. The only thing i would say to make the cruise even better which is hard to do. Is take out 99% of the smokers bars you really only need one and the casino. Its not fair on the non smokers. The problem is that you can still smell it and breath it in the non smokers part like the shops and there might be only one or two smokers in the place and my hair stinks of smoke and the back of you throat sore. Just being honest. Anyway keep up the excellent work carnival staff you all do a fantastic job. John your blogg is very informing and its excellent information on what is going on in places. Oh and still puts a smile on my face with the jokes. But i also would like to say we are thinking about all the people effected by the hurracanes you are in our hearts keep looking forward you will get there. Jess