Comments on: You Can Call On Al

By: Jess (the swimmer)

Jess (the swimmer) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:58:12 +0000

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

By: dwa76

dwa76 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:01:52 +0000

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

By: Linda (Mom of DJ)

Linda (Mom of DJ) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:57:48 +0000

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

By: Bill Simmons

Bill Simmons — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:26:19 +0000

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

By: Jeri R Green

Jeri R Green — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:24:05 +0000

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

By: tjones

tjones — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:55:02 +0000

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.

By: tom&jane

tom&jane — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:06:35 +0000

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

By: Mary Lou & Lee Lovelace

Mary Lou & Lee Lovelace — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:57:08 +0000

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

By: LambKnuckles

LambKnuckles — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:27:52 +0000

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

By: Carol Schoenberger

Carol Schoenberger — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:27:45 +0000

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