There have been many very different comments to the notice that we are going to make the piano bar here on the Carnival Splendor non-smoking. Some have jumped for joy, some have said that they aren’t bothered, and some have been close to angry.
I will discuss this further, but it’s amazing isn’t it how different people have different reactions to one simple thing.
Let me give you an example. Prince William has recently landed a helicopter in his girlfriend Kate Middleton’s backyard. Oooh, there was a lot of complaining and writing of letters to newspapers by people with beards – why? The man’s a prince. All he did was borrow one of his grandmother’s helicopters to drop in on the on his girl who was obviously very impressed.
My mate Alan once rented a BMW for the day to guarantee himself some rumpy pumpy with a girl we nicknamed “crater face”…..imagine what old Will got when Kate saw him landing a bloody helicopter next to her rose bush……… by the way…. Alan got nothing.
Look at our members of Parliament, senators and governors, etc. They are bunch of people who go to bed at 10, only drink diet Dr Pepper, never try to look up their secretary’s skirts and have to resign if they even think about looking at some Latvian women on the Internet… in short, we’re going to be governed by bores and failures. Why is this good idea? No one says of their friends, “I chose them because they are all so kind to animals and they do good works.” We like people who like to laugh, to have fun, to break the rules once in a while
Trouble is, it’s hard to find people like that any more . . . you see, times are changing and we have to change with them.
Today, whenever I go to the cigar bar for something that has been rolled on the thigh of a voluptuous Cuban lady, I get looks of pure hatred and utter amazement from guests as though I am sitting there naked…… doing some basket weaving ……… henceforth ……I now never smoke in the cigar bar unless it is very, very late at night and nobody is there.
And this brings me to my hero.
Imagine if we had someone like Winston Churchill in power today. A cigar smoker. A big, big drinker. A man given to Herculean bouts of depression. Under a hailstorm of criticism, he wouldn’t last a week.
It’s the same for all of us. You can be ostracized by your neighbors for putting your refuse in the wrong-colored trash can, you can have your car vandalized if it has four-wheel drive, and slapping the back of your kid’s legs if after he has super-glued his sister’s face to the mail box and painted the family dog blue.
As a cruise director, I have to not smoke in public, sit up straight, watch what joke I say in case I offend anyone of any age, any sex, any religion, any creed, any color, any nationality, any height, any weight, of any……well……..thing . It’s hard. That’s why when I am on vacation, I smoke a cigar 24 hours and tell all the jokes I could never tell on the ship to my Mum and Dad…….they particularly like the one about the nun and the elephant.
I fear for our future. I worry that bad behavior is being erased from society, and that unless the trend can be reversed, somehow we’ll all have to go through life like those Stepford Wives………..robotic and all programmed to do the right thing all the time.
I yearn sometimes when I encounter man with perfect hair…..you know………the local news reader-type who has spent hours in front of the mirror maneuvering each hair into place like a drill sergeant before going on air to tell the viewers about a skateboarding hamster……………….
I just want to creep up behind him and go “woohoo” and using both my hands mess hair up so badly it looks like he has just rented a moped. You see, I don’t have perfect hair. My hair has a life of its own — last night I found it watching a movie on Lido deck drinking a pina colada.
And so we come back full circle to smoking and like it or not………..we have to follow the way of the world and limit the number of places you can smoke. However, for now, unlike hotels, bars, restaurants and vacation resorts, cruise ships still offer something for everyone………and that, these days, is something special.
By the way, I went ashore today in Cannes and, even though I was sitting in an open air part of the restaurant, I was told that although smoking cigarettes was allowed cigar smoking was not. Apparently though it was OK for my waiter not have had a shower since March……..2005.
So, let’s see what happens and I will let you know the honest feedback of our guests this coming cruise.
OK, I need to go meet with someone from Saudi Arabia…………….Mustafa Poo ……………. so while I do that you look at some great photos.
Entertainment Staff members on the tender ride over
Where the Cannes Film Festival is held
Pictures of the Shoreline
Oh, how French!
The French Flag
Thanks to Jaime for those great photos …………except the first one 
Now, out of my window I see Ocean Village 2. This ship which is part of Carnival Corporation is full of British guests, some of whom I saw having a wonderful time ashore. They have a brilliant slogan…………”Ocean Village………..Cruises for people who don’t like cruises.” I have no idea about what happens onboard but their product is obviously massively popular and I will have to investigate some more and maybe pop onboard sometime.
Now, I am in Cannes, France, and that’s what I can see out of my office window.
Let’s have a look at what Chris “Bubba” Roberts can see out of his over there in Alaska.
That of course got a huge aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh from everyone so here is a photo that won’t
Good, now unless any of you need to be sick……………lets continue.
Good evening from Cannes, South of France where we tendered 3,000 guests to and from the ship today. The tendering operation here is very smooth, although there were a few delays because of the weather. When we arrived at 7:30 am it was raining very, very hard………still, I couldn’t complain because if God has decided that France needs a shower — who am I to disagree?
Anyway, the weather made the steps down to the floating platforms by which the tenders dock alongside very slippery and, regardless of how many times we wiped them, etc., they were hazardous. So, I decided to stop the operation and have them carpeted ………. yep ……………instantly carpeted and, thanks to our wonderful deck department, within 15 minutes the steps on both gangway were finished and the operation could continue.
The other fact that slowed things down a bit was because we could not use the upper open decks of the tenders. This reduced the capacity by up to 100 people. However, things went well and as is usual here in the Med by 11 am, the sun was shining again and everyone was enjoying their tours and exploration of this beautiful part of the world…………..well……………nearly everyone.
MISSED TOUR
Mr. ________ came to the desk asking to speak to cruise director. Purser
informed that Mr. ________ can leave a note at the desk and we will pass it
on to the cruise director. Mr. ________ said he wanted to speak to him now.
Purser informed that the cruise director was dealing with the tender
process at the moment on the bridge. Purser offered assistance. Mr. ________ said that they were supposed to go on The Colors of the French Riviera tour and they had overslept yet nobody had called their cabin. Purser explained that we cannot call every cabin if guests do not show for the tour. Guest became very angry and said that we should have a list on the shore to see who is not there.
Note: Guest came to the desk at 11:05 am and their tour had left at 8 am
Purser sent file record to the cruise director and the Shore Excursion
Manager.
Now, I am very sorry that they missed their tour and we did offer to send them on another one instead …………but…………to expect us to wake them up because they slept in ………. ummm……….well, that’s a little strange don’t you think? So, as demanded, I just met with the guest and explained that we have to send the tours on time and we can’t be responsible for waking guests up. I explained that the cabin has a wake-up call system from the telephone of they can ask for a call from room service.
Well, I think they sort of understood and all was well until he asked for a free tour to Florence tomorrow. I told him that I did not see that the circumstances allowed for this and I was treated to a man who despite getting an extra three hours of sleep ………was very, very cranky. Let’s see if a bottle of champagne helps his mood improve at dinner tonight.
Next week I hope to go and visit the Carnival Dream. I will be in Venice and she will be about two hours away in the shipyard. So, me and my camera will be off to see Carnival’s biggest ever vessel and until then, have a look at the new photos on
The Carnival Dream Media Gallery and dream a little Dream with me.
Next year is a very exciting one for Carnival Corporation. Not only do we have the Carnival Dream but also the Ruby Princess (due the end of this year), the AIDALuna ….. love that name……..and there are probably others I have forgotten, as well.
There is, of course, one other we must mention and that will be the Bugatti Veron and theBurj Al Arab Hotel of cruise vessels, a ship that James Bond would take Pussy Galore on to celebrate saving the world………..the Seabourn Odyssey. Here she is one year away from completion.
What a great photo and I have invited myself on the inaugural cruise. I will be the poorest, ugliest person there………….but I shall report back to all of you on what will be the most luxurious cruising event the world has seen for a long time………………..me on the Seabourn Odyssey……….that’s a bit like mixing Bailey’s with prune juice.
Before I go though a touch of seriousness is required. I want to say thank you to all of you for your support following the bad few days of last week. I have decided never to let the few get me down and as so many of you said I will listen to the masses and continue to blog……………and continue to enjoy life. With that in mind I am going to spend the next hour doing things I have never done before……….I am going to have a power hour of fun.
I am going to walk out on stage tonight for the show still dressed in my Dolly Parton costume …………….if someone doesn’t laugh at my joke, I am going to put their head between my voluptuous breasts and go ” bwwwwwwwwwwww” until they do.
Sorry the blog was a bit short tonight and tomorrow I will be featuring a great interview with a man who is a cruise director’s cruise director. See you then.
Goodnight
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.
John, I laughed and grinned ’til my face ached!! How wonderful to hear our friend John back in form. I can read the smile in your words.
Great pictures, wonderful stories, a bit of philosophy that I completely agree on and one cranky passenger!!
All is right with the world!!
By the way, 180 extremely happy members of Cruise Critic sailed on the Conquest today. From the text messages and emails I got the party on the Lido Deck was epic and everyone praised the crew highly. All went well at Bayport. The passengers I heard from were highly complimentary of both the Carnival employees and those of the port. Bravo!!
The Seabourn Odyssey!!! Can I get a job swabbing the deck?? I suspect that’s the ONLY way I’d ever get on that ship!! Lucky, lucky you!!
I’m looking forward to the interview tomorrow as they are always fascinating!!
Howdies to Heidi and Stephanie and my undying gratitude to you all…
Ciao…
Host Mach
Glad to see you got off the ship in Cannes. Did you and Heidi have lunch there? I think you look so adorable in your Dolly Parton dress. I want a copy of that picture to frame! HA! Seriously, I do! I am glad you got over feeling sorry for yourself where it comes to all the jerks that want to rub you the wrong way! And am glad you will continue with the blog! We APPRECIATE you and that is all that matters, right? Hope you and Heidi are having a nice Sunday today! Ciao, Linda & Mike
John, I must demand that you stop with the XXX size pictures on this blog. That picture of that blond fluzzy letting a COWboy massage her XXX size utters is just to much. I demand that you refund all the money I’ve spent on electricty reading this XXX size post. You can refund it in the form of a XXX size cruise.
XXXXX Size BIG ED
PS, What are those ugly pale knobby thingys sticking out the bottom of that dress
John:
I slept through my appointment to go purchase an Aston Martin. Since it is all Carnival’s fault, would you please have one delivered tomorrow?
Thanks~!!!~
I have to admit that since I live in karaoke every night (and it is smokefree woo hoo) I don’t get to go into the Piano Bar as much….so the smoking in there was not as big an issue for me.
Perhaps the real Dream would be an air filtration system that truly “flushes” the air (not recycles it) so that all the places like the Casino, Piano Bar, Sports Bar and Disco….could be enjoyed by all!!!
I must admit though I am so excited about my Spa Balcony with no smoking in the cabins!!!! I can’t wait!!!!
Glad you are feeling better and that we had a small part in making it a better day!!!!
Tell Jamie the pictures were beautiful. What a view!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
Wake him up?? Excuse me but Eso son pantalones!!!!
Hi John!
It has been a long time since I checked the blog.
Loved the pictures especially the Dolly Parton pictures! Cannes looks beautiful-we will get there one day. How unreasonable to think that your shore excursion staff would actually check off people as they arrived for the tours. It is their responsibility-not yours!
Take care and hang in there!
Ruth
John,
I’ve got it figured out. When I finally get to cruise with you again next year, I am going to do something stupid that is clearly my fault every day for two weeks so I can get free stuff each day.
Jeff
John,
I agree with all of the above! You are a valued asset to the Carnival line and should not be taken lightly. However, since you are passing out champagne and I’m sailing on the Victory Saturday…. (hint, hint!)
Really, Don’t let the little people get you down. Just send us their e-mail addresses and we’ll take care of the rest. You can rest assured that “the Thingy” group will be here for you always!
Cheers!
The pictures from Jaime are fantastic!!! And thank goodness your going to keep up the blog. I know that a lot of us would be lost without it.
Love Grandma
John, thanks for the link to the construction of the Dream.The way the ship is constructed just fascinates me.
John, have fun, walk with Heidi on the deck at night, get off of that ship and have dinner with her at the ports.Life is too short to not have some fun. Before you know it you will be as old as dirt…..just like me.
So enjoy yourself while you can.
I’ll get off of my soapbox and say I wish you, Heidi and all of the Krewe were going to be sailing with us on the Holiday tomorrow.
We’re going to go have some fun and enjoy the cruise
Don and Carolyn
Hi John,
Enjoyed the pictures…. especially the ones of the Dolly Parton impersonator…. Mybe I could get an autographed copy??? Those brought back some great memories from our cruises with you!
Glad you got off the ship today. You really needed to unwind. Don’t feel bad about a short blog… take the time for yourself when you can.
BTW… I am all for a smoke free Piano bar. Unless of course Carnival can find a way to filter the air so all can enjoy it.
Glad to have you back to your old self…. and Hello to Heidi and Stephanie!
Hugs!
Princess Barb
PS… Carl says Hello!
Hey John,
I am so glad to see you are back in a good mood! I agree with your lovely bride that you need more time off the ship!! I can’t even imagine asking anyone for the special treatment that some “guests” ask for & then get champagne, it’s too much & I would be so embarassed if my husband acted in that way…not that he would, but you know what I mean.
Loved the picture of you in Dolly mode! Plus the other pics were great as well. Thanks for sending them our way.
Jan
Since the Piano Bar and Smoking is still an issue, I would like to comment: There are many behaviors that peope have that we can’t stand, find obnoxious, offensive, or inappropriate. But most of those are not unhealthful to everyone around that behavior. That is the difference. I walked into the piano bar several times on the Splendor and had to leave. Just for the pleasure of the smokers in there (due to the nature of air circulation) everyone in that room was being treated to one or more people’s smoke. This just isn’t true of other habits, so analogies cannot/shouldn’t be made of other personal rights that individuals have. People have the right to behave in all sorts of ways, unless it affects other’s health.
Hi John, it is good to be home again in Iowa and to laugh at your blog. You look great as a woman. You will quickly find out how difficult it is for a full figured woman to find a good fitting bra that is comfortable. Just wanted to thank you for your kindness when we were on the Splendour from 8-30-08-9-11-08. Thank you for the gifts and your time that you gave us for the blogger’s party. It was great to meet with you and to have you answer our questions. Keep up the good work! I always know that if I need a laugh or cheering up that I can check out your blog and laugh throughout the day thinking of something that you wrote. Thanks again! Catherine Ebert
John, glad to hear today was a better day. Must have been the cyber-hug I sent you.
Regarding the short blog — long, short, it’s all good!
Hi John,
Please let Ken Byrne know how many people on Cruise Critic have voted for him being their favorite Maitre’D! There is a thread going today on the Carnival board and if he doesn’t have a chance to read it, please let him know how appreciated he is!
Regards to him from me, and to you and Heidi too!
you have breasts!! OMG LOL
John i am leaving tomorrow for my trip, you have a great 8 days without me….. i will play catch up to the daily postings when I get back
bobbyfk
John,
You’ve just reminded me of one of my favourite jokes – What’s impossible? – Dolly Parton falling flat on her face.
Lovely pictures of Cannes – I was there in July on a Something of the Seas. Lovely town, I have a set of family pictures in identical poses to yours, but I’m afraid we don’t quite match up to the charisma of your Ents team.
Donal
Dearest John & Heidi,
Just finished reading the blogs from the weekend. I may be a little late, but please don’t give up the blog thingy. You start my days off with a smile and if there’s a new one before I leave, that’s how I end my day. You are my link to Carnival Cruises and my memories of past cruises and cruises to come. Don’t let all those nasty buggers get you down – they may be spies from that other cruise line posting negative comments on purpose.
anyway, thanks again for being who you are and what you do, along with Heidi, Stephanie and the rest of Carnival.
Love,
Carol
Loved the pictures. They brought back fond memories of Cannes. When we were there it was some French holiday so most of the stores were closed. Larry thought that was great timing! We did enjoy the lunch and wine at a small cafe.
Stay in a good mood and enjoy all the fun things and ignore the weirdness of some people. By the way, could you stop rewarding rude, ignorant behavior? Jeri
ATTENTION ALL BLOGGERS
THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF PORTHOLE CRUISE MAGAZINE IS NOW ON THE NEWS STANDS. IN THIS ISSUE OF PORTHOLE CRUISE MAGAZINE IS AN ARTICLE ABOUT JOHN AND THE BLOG. IF YOU ARE NOT SUBSCRIBED TO PORTHOLE CRUISE MAGAZINE OR CAN’T FIND A COPY IN YOUR TOWN YOU CAN GO TO MY BLOG TO READ THE ARTICLE.
http://ekonefe.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/porthole-cruise-magazine/
BIG ED KONEFE
PS; TO SUBSCRIBE TO PORTHOLE CRUISE MAGAZINE GO HERE;
http://www.porthole.com/html/subscribe.htm
John – you’ve misread the newspapers a bit.
According to the first newspaper reports, it was actually Kate Middleton herself who complained about Prince William landing his helicopter on her lawn.
Kate later denied that she had complained – she merely remarked to a friend that every time she opened her bedroom curtains she saw Prince Andrew’s chopper.
fnarrr fnarrr !
Glad you are back in the swing. We love your blog thingy.
About smoking…I am a reformed smoker (a year now) and still think that smoker’s should have areas too. I read that all deck areas are non smoking on the Splendor, wow…I would have had a hard time a year ago. I don’t like being inside during the day, no matter what the weather. As for the Piano Bar. That is my nightly spot and I say let them smoke. It is a BAR for pete’s sake. Another area of political correctness, you are right…what happen to all the FUN people?
See you soon (39 days)
Stacy from Florida
Hi John,
While I wouldn’t mind if Carnival may the cigar bars non-smoking, I understand some people might be a little upset.
So unfortunately, if I want to enjoy the live music in the cigar bar after dinner, I have to endure the cigar smoke.
Same for the piano bar. Too much smoke!
Surely there are some commercial ventilation systems that can clean the air, more bettah?
Perhaps something from here:
http://www.smokeeaters.org/
The staterooms rarely, if ever, smell of smoke. Any chance of ventilation like that for the public smoking venues?
Perhaps too late for Dream, but maybe for Magic some sort of open air venue for at least one of the live music venues?
69 days till my next cruise. That’s just too long!
bill
Stacy Flanagan
Your so right it is a PIANO BAR, Not a piano concert. If they just want to listen to piano music go to the piano in the lobby. It’s non-smoking there. I bet those that are against the smoking are also not drinking alcohol. Leave the SMALL piano BAR a BAR and allow smoking and I wont smoke in the VERY LARGE Main, non-smoking, Lounges, which I don’t do.
Non-smokers have the same rights I do. I don’t have to go where I can’t smoke. Thus they don’t have to go where there is smoking. When I’m in a non-smoking area and I want a smoke I get up a walk out. Well they can also get up and walk out of a smoking area.
BIG ED
BIG ED
I think you have an unconscious George Michael fetish….
Jitterbug into my brain
Goes a bang-bang-bang ’til my feet do the same
But something’s bugging you
Something ain’t right
.
.
.
guilty feet have got no rhythm……
Though it’s easy to pretend
I know you’re not a fool.
Ok enough of George….. In today’s world wether it is not waking up in time for an excursion on a cruise ship or….the management of the financial markets……the ongoing notion seems to be:
I can’t be held responsible
…
I won’t be held responsible
…
For the life of me I cannot remember
What made us think that we were wise and
We’d never compromise
For the life of me I cannot believe
We’d ever die for these sins
We were merely freshmen
Mark
The Flying (Leveraged Buyout) Dutchman
Please wake me up each morning with complementary Champagne on my next cruise leaving Nov. 1st. because:
1. I wanted to go on the Carnival Conquest but only had time to go on the Carnival Ecstasy.
2. It will leave from Bayport and I wanted to drive farther to go to Galveston.
3. I know I will overeat the great food on board ship each night.
4. Neither you nor Goose will be the CD.
5. I will need a drink the morning of debarkation since I can’t sleep in.
It is a shame it is only a 5 day cruise; I know I could think up some more reasons for free champagne!
Wait, I am booked on the Bloggers Cruise too in February and you have not posted an official hotel yet, and, after all of those promises. Better order extra champagne for that crusie too!
John, it’s been awhile since I could read your blog. I finally had sinus surgery. An x smoker who could vote for a night of no smoke in the piano bar, or leave if it gets to me! In catching up I was stunned by the people who continue to take no responsibility for their own actions, or vent vehemently instead of turning the other cheek, walking away,living their own lives. Can’t people arrange their own fun now and then? So was pleased to read on that you will still seek fun and include us in on it. “Madison is a good name for the baby!, John doesn’t bring girly girl to mind, except as Dolly, and that scares me!” Hope to book a Dream soon. Yours, Kathie
John:
We miss your jokes in the blog. You’ve never offended me.
John
I was so relieved to read you would be sticking around. Thank you. Your pictures today are priceless. Oh, and the article in Porthole magazine is wonderful!!! Just another reminder of how great you are! And to our leader, Big Ed….Bravo!!!!
Hugs,
Lori
I don’t usually read blogs. Never found anything that got my interest long enough to come back a second time. I was looking up dreams about my next cruise, Splendor, 11/29/08 when I happened across your blog, Sept 11th, Mr. Murphy. I have been so hooked I look it up every day at work and read it. If I don’t get a chance to read it at work, I read it when I get home. I am traveling with 3 other friends and we are in a group of 60+ from the Chattanooga Area. This will be my 8th cruise 6th with Carnival. I was wondering if you could have dinner with us one night or stop by our table for just a min at dinner to talk a little. You sound like our type of people, FUN.
Looking forward to dinner in 68 days
Devious TN
P.S. For some reason the shore excursions are not showing up online after the Splendor reaches the US.
John,
Thank-you for blogging.
It is a lot of work and your effort shows with every posting. At some point, you may want to give it up. Let the timing be your choice and we will respect it.
Keep up the great work.
John
Hi John/Heidi:
Great pictures from Cannes. Its almost like we are there with you.
I look forward to reading about your Seabourne voyage next year as well as a visit to the Dream. That’s going to be very exciting.
Hope everything else is going well.
Take care and keep your head up.
Thanks!
David
Great to have you back on form and happy, John.
We’re less than 4 weeks away from sailing on P&O’s Aurora and I really appreciate all the complaints you keep publishing. I’ve made a collection of all the really good ones and will be using them as appropriate on our forthcoming trip to ensure that our table is fully serviced with wine, champagne, the Captain and sundry minor dignitaries as appropriate. Ha!
I will, of course, enhance all of these issues by stating “and John Heald gave a bottle of xxxx when he received a similar complaint”
Keep up the blogs please, really enjoy reading these each day, even though you are a Southerner
I was a part of that CC survey and discussion re smoking in the piano bar…and still think that there has to be a middle ground somewhere, that there is one bar with smoking and another one non smoking, I’ve read where many people have tried to go to the piano bar and with eyes watering had to leave, that the casinos are very smokey, good I’ll spend less money, times are changing, and for my next cruise I am going to skip cruising for a year to save and pay to go on a cruise line that does not allow smoking in any inside area. Someone mentioned that smokers are the fun people well a lot of those “fun people” have stopped smoking and are still “fun”..however from the responses on that thread I am now thinking of cancelling my cruise, even with penalty, I don’t want to spend all my time on my balcony, or avoiding smoke in my face.. I want to be in the bars, in the casino, having fun too, not only being able to spend a half hour or so because the smoke drives you out …why not have one bar for smokers and one for non.
It seems to be working just fine in the Casinos in Canada, and the bars, oh at first everyone complained that’s what happens with change, but it all settled down, and I do sympathise with people who either lost business because of it, but bottom line the world is changing it’s views about smoking it’s about time the cruise lines did too and took a stand..
Everyone has the right to choose a smoker has the right to smoker and a non smoker has the right to a smoke free enviroment..lets do both..
We are going on our first ever Carnival cruise and I remember thinking My GAWD they are going to allow me to smoke somewhere that has drinks and entertainment without being relegated to the back row over in the dark corner … but then I thought about it and realized that in real life ( ie not on a cruise) I am pretty used to excusing myself and going outside (and how can outside be any better than on the deck of a ship ?) to smoke .. so I just figure I will do the same and not rock the ship as it were.
As long as they still have places that smokers are allowed, it will all be good
I did so miss reading this blog–you definitely have a way with words. Psst, this is something the “other” company is doing with smoking. “They” are having several smoke free nights in the casino for a few hours and you could do the same with the piano bar and the casino. I also quit less than a year ago so I do understand both sides but just getting off the mini mall of the seas, this did seem to work and satisfy to some extent most people–can’t make all of the people happy all of the time…
mmmmm Bailey’s but prune juice doesn’t seem go sound too good–you have great analogies. What a wonderful opportunity for you.
Great photos–I did love that port on the Liberty.
John,
I’m not sure what you thought might be wrong with that first picture. It looked pretty scenic to me.
Pat
InMN253
Hi John,
re smoking
I’ve thought about this a little bit more. Obama is going to win the election this year. That is indisputable. Once the Democrats control both the Presidency and Congress, perhaps we will finally get a national health policy. I have mixed feelings on this. It means I will have to subsidize treatment of the multitude of illnesses that are caused by smoking.
It also means that smokers will have to subsidize treatment of any second hand smoke illness that impact me.
If only they raise the taxes on tobacco products to cover all of the associated illnesses, perhaps it will be a wash and my taxes won’t increase because of smokers.
At least the subsidies to tobacco farmers ended, or did they?
Ya think?
After seeing cigarette butts extinguished in all sorts of inappropriate places, including a couple on the mini-golf turf, I’m ready to ban smoking ship wide.
If only the smokers would police themselves, perhaps the smoking police wouldn’t have to?
Glad to see your back as usual. Don’t let the few get you down. I’ve been reading since the beginning and have cruised 4 times since the first blog. I thoroughly enjoy all of your blogs, sense of humor and opinions….. Heidi’s shoes sound awsome- wish you had described them more…The pics are always great and you do a fantastic job of entertaining us. A smoke free bar would be nice, I noticed the smoke around those clubs on the Conquest and had to walk by because of the smoke. It will be hard to please everyone, but Carnival tries hard. Keep the blogs coming- we all love you
John,
I really enjoyed piano man Ron Pass on theVictory in 2003. For Ron’s well being & the other piano bar people, I wish smoking would be prohibited. I really feel for the casino workers. My opinion is that is the worse job on the cruise ship, is dealing cards surrounded by cigarette smoke. Some of those poor people will probably come down with cancer by breathing second hand smoke.
Gary