I just want to say………I am straight. I am so straight you could grow blackberrys up me. If you put oil in my bellybutton you could use me as a spirit level.
Now, don’t get me wrong……….I am in no way shape or form homophobic either. If I found a man in my bath, I wouldn’t jump on the toilet seat and call in a desperate panic for Heidi to come and deal with the huge, hairy thing. Now let me explain why I wrote that.
OK, before I continue I want to make sure the entire world knows (especially my Mum) that I am not “family,” as the letter states, and I was totally paranoid as to what I had said or done to make this nice man think I am.
To me that particular ummmm….thingy…….is a far and distant place of which I know nothing. I have never been to a gay bar. Oh, don’t get me wrong………….I have no illusions that gay men want to worship at the temple of my body, trust me……….I know that………not on drugs, not for money, not remotely. I know that I am not God’s gift to gay men. I am not God’s gift to women, either. In fact, I am not God’s gift to anyone, except perhaps Colonel Sanders.
And so it was that wondering why Mr Paul Williams would think of me as someone who was a mate of old Dorothy’s ……….So I gave him a call.
After the usual pleasantries I asked him straight…….pardon the pun…………..”What makes you think I am gay?”……………there was a slight pause………….then he said……….”Aren’t you?”………”No, I am married,” I replied…………..”to a girl”………….”no to Bob,” I wanted to reply but I said, “Yes, she works onboard”………”I am so sorry,” he said ……….. ”It’s just I watched you on TV this morning and I thought you were gay.”
I nearly fainted.
In 21 years at sea, I have never had anyone think that — or if they did they have never asked me. I don’t like the Village People, I don’t have a burning desire to collect Lladro or sing show tunes in the shower.
I was about to explain all of this when suddenly Paul started to giggle and then laugh ……I suddenly realised this was a joke and someone was having fun at my butch expense.
That someone was George Solano, my cruise director friend from the Carnival Destiny……….he had met Paul and his partner, Alan, on a recent Carnival Imagination cruise and as payback for the many tricks I played on him.
So last night I met Paul and Alan and their friends Cliff and Nicholas and we all had a drink in the cigar bar. ………….and what fabulous people.
They are from a place called Belfair in Washington State where Paul is a music teacher and that’s where he met Alan. Anyway, I have arranged a Friends of Dorothy Meeting for the next sea day and…….as an honorary family member…….I shall be going along to toast all my new
friends…………by the way, they showed me photos of Washington State and it looks stunning.
Thanks then to Paul and Alan who are reading this I am sure as they are both bloggers and will be joining us on the 2009 bloggers cruise………..I can’t wait.
So, why did George Solano arrange this little surprise? Well, if the truth be told, I was a little cruel to him back in the day when he was a fly-on entertainer doing his or someone else’s stand up comedy show. George is a very, very, very funny man and I miss the days when we worked together………….he may not, though. He are my top three jokes I played on George during his shows when I was CD and he was the headliner act. ………I would set these up during the bingo game before the show.
3. George’s mentions that he has a body like a god…….”Buddah“……….so I had primed the audience that when he said the word “Buddah“ they should all hold both hands up in the air and start chanting….so he said the magic word and 1,000 people all started chanting………..the look on his face was priceless.
2. Then there was the time that I had told the audience that after George’s first joke that they should all stand up and start to walk out, as if they had already made their minds up that George was not funny. So out he goes…tells his first joke…….and 1,000 people all stood up …………and walked out. The look on his face was priceless.
1. However, the pinnacle of my series of fun and games with George was something that went much further than I had thought……..oops.
George refers to the game show The Price is Right in his show and uses the catch phrase “Come On Down“ ……so, I had primed the audience that when he said those famous words that the female members of the audience would come running onto the stage and give him a hug. Well, I had expected a dozen or so ladies to do this but when he said “Come on Down,” at least 100 ladies rushed the stage. They all tried to hug him and one lady — who had obviously been enjoying the delights of our bar department — ripped his shirt open popping off every button leaving George’s torso exposed and it took 2 or 3 minutes to clear the stage. The look on his face was priceless…..the look on my face was ……… oh bugger.
Like the professional he is, though, George carried on and as usual received the ovation of the crowd.
He always promised to get even with me and even though it has taken many years……….I guess he did.
Let’s pause for some photos from Livorno and the fabulous entertainment technician team, dancers and musical director having fun in Pisa.
I am still so annoyed at myself about my Naples error………Heidi says it’s an easy mistake to make especially since I have been going for five months without a day off………..but to me…..there is no excuse…….I told them the weather forecast in Florida instead of Italy ………..if I had one more brain cell I would be an amoeba. I have been battling with myself and Heidi over the subject of me telling the guests ………..or not. …………..and as I write this I still don’t know if I should or not………bugger.
You know, I just realized that I have not yet said Good morning….Good morning, or in this case, good evening, from one of the most beautiful places in the world …..Dubrovnik, Croatia. I know many of you had the pleasure of exploring its medieval old town with its ramparts providing spectacular views…………..like this.
And here is todays “In Their Own Words” letters:
The weather was stunning again today with 70 degrees of sunshine. Of course, I have stayed away from verbally giving weather forecasts and have decided to cut and slap the actual report from the internet into the Capers…….I feel such an idiot for making such a rookie mistake.
And so we leave Dubrovnik and head now for Venice, where on Sunday I will leave the ship very early to go and visit the Carnival Dream. I will be taking the camera, of course, and the video thingy as well so you can all share my first look at our leviathan.
So, as we are talking about the Carnival Dream I would like to announce who will have the proud privilege of being her cruise director.
Now, I could have just told you his name but instead I wanted him to explain just how thrilled and honored he is to be the cruise director of this illustrious vessel……………so ladies and gentlemen, please give a huge welcome to the cruise director of the Carnival Dream……………..Mr. Todd Wittmer.
1. So, you are going to be the Cruise Director of the Carnival Dream our largest vessel to date…………how do you feel?
For once, I am speechless (which is actually a Dream for all those that know me). So many thoughts running through my head, I wouldn’t know where to begin. I am just glad I have some time to let the news settle and really appreciate the significance of this amazing opportunity.
To sum it up in the only way I can at the moment is the analogy of a quarterback knowing that he is getting an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl…….sorry John – I meant to say a goalkeeper knowing he is about to play in the World Cup final.
2. What are you most looking forward to?
The Carnival Dream will begin a new era of “Fun Ship” cruising. I have seen the press releases and ship’s layout and, without a doubt, this ship will be amazing. I personally am excited to help develop and utilize a new concept in entertainment called The Piazza which will be a combination of an indoor/outdoor café and live music venue. The opportunities for activities, music and overall entertainment will be endless. The new open-air promenade encircling the ship on Deck 5 will be special, as well, giving even the most seasoned Carnival guest the feeling and excitement of their first “Fun Ship” cruise. I look forward to creating an atmosphere of energy, enjoyment and FUN from morning until night for all of our guests. This ship will truly have something special and unique to offer for everyone onboard, both guests and team members. A Dream comes true!
3. This is going to be a hard question to answer…….especially as I know you hate blowing your own trumpet. But, why do you think you were chosen, what are your strengths that makes you an industry leader………don’t be shy……blow that trumpet.
I think what makes me continually strive to be one of the best is that I try to not take anything for granted…..meaning never being too comfortable or confident – there are 22 ships in Carnival Cruise Lines’ fleet with the best cruise directors in the industry, all more than worthy of this opportunity. I allow the friendly competition we as cruise directors have for the ships we are on and the passions we share for our jobs help me to keep pushing myself to improve. I love trying new things, accepting new challenges and learning from successes, as well as obstacles! I didn’t grow up with the idea of being an entertainer, which helps me to put myself in the position of our guests and get equally excited for each memory they experience. Most importantly, at the end of the day, we are all people! Guests, officers, staff and crew — we all have a vital part to play in our experiences together, none more important than the other. If you truly love what you do — and you love who you are around — then there is a feeling inside and a magic no one can take away from you. Sure, sometimes we get tired or down, may take a comment the wrong way or just don’t feel like getting out of bed, but we all go through that. Just recognizing that in someone else — and doing your best to let them know that it is OK — makes all the difference in the world. People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Life is way to short and we all want to join in the celebration as much as possible – I just have a way to make people know they are invited to that celebration and it wouldn’t be the same without them. I also like having as many celebrations each cruise as possible. The people that work for Carnival Cruise Lines have made me into the person I am today and for that — I owe them everything! Thank you!
4. Who would your Dream Godmother be for the Carnival Dream?Angelina Jolie (I know that’s what you would have wanted!)
5. I will be there to blog on the inaugural cruise. I would like a suite, chocolate-covered strawberries, dinner with the captain, Mr. Arison and Winston Churchill. I want the ship moved to the left and I want you to personally unpack my suitcase and do my laundry. Can you arrange this?
Hmmmm, let me think? The ship is called the Carnival Dream not the Carnival Magic – that actually comes out in 2011 …… although I will have your strawberries and sugar-free jellybeans ready for you ….. Dinner I can do, however, I only have enough pull to get you a seat with me at the kiddies table (hot dogs and chicken wings)! Actually, now that you mention it, can you get me a seat at your table with the captain and Mr. Arison? I will have to respectfully say no to unpacking your suitcase and doing your laundry as I will be completely committed to and focused on the other 3,645 guests.
However, I should actually do it since I have known you for years and after reading your countless blogs — and hearing of your endless adventures — your suitcase probably holds more secrets and answers than the Di Vinci Code. P.S. Winston Churchill will always be with us and here are some of my favorite quotes:
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.
Bessie Braddock: “Sir, you are drunk.”
Churchill: “Madam, you are ugly. In the morning, I shall be sober.”
Nancy Astor: “Sir, if you were my husband, I would give you poison.”
Churchill: “If I were your husband I would take it.”
A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.
If you are going to go through hell, keep going.
You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.
The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.
I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the ordeal of meeting me is another matter.
The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is.
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.
Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.
Everyone has his day and some days last longer than others.
Thank you John – and thank you to Carnival Cruise Lines for this wonderful Opportunity!
Please join me in congratulating Todd. I know he will do a wonderful job and I hope all of you have booked your dream vacation……….Bloggers 2010………….Carnival Dream ……………… maybe. Well done mate, I am very, very proud of you.
As I write Heidi is drinking something from a very unusual bottle. I asked her what it was and she replied, “Vitamin Water.”………………….. “Oh,” I said. So, had to admit I had no idea what Vitamin Water was…………so I asked Heidi to explain. Apparently it’s water with added zest, energy, beauty, goodness, orgasms, intelligence, integrity, celebrity, stardust and immortality. Vitamin Water is according to my wife……….. the big thing.
Coca-Cola has just bought Vitamin Water for millions of dollars. And, they’re the people who knew that Tab Clear was going to be the next big thing and, of course, who said the New Coke was going to revolutionize the soft drinks world…………problem was ……… it tasted like rat urine.
Electric cars have been the next big thing at least three times and so was a rock climbing wall on a cruise ship……………….I have never seen anyone using either of them.
OK, off to the show………I will be right back.
Here I am…………..and I did it.
Just before I went to the show and, between the dinner sittings, I made an announcement apologizing that I had given information to the guests…………..for Naples……………..you know……….the one in Florida. I said sorry to those guests who had gone ashore in raincoats looking like they had been filming an episode of The Deadliest Catch. I said sorry to those who had to walk around Pompeii wearing fleece-lined coats in 80 degree temperatures and I said sorry to those who arrived on the sun-kissed island of Capri ……… holding an umbrella.
I have not heard any direct feedback but that’s probably because after the show I came straight back to my cabin.
A couple of weeks ago I had to apologize to Captain Rude for saying President Eisenhower sat down with Churchill and Stalin when it was of course President Truman. And that made the munchkin very mad. But, you know what, it didn’t bother me. …………. this is different.
I’m overwhelmed with a new emotion. Guilt: deep, tail-between-the-legs, nose-crinkling, hide-under-the-bed-and-call-out-for-mummy embarrassment and, as I go to the second show, my walk around afterwards and tomorrow when I greet 1,000 people at the past guest party……………….I will feel like people are looking at me knowing I had not checked my facts and that I gave them wrong information……..it will be the same as if I am standing at the door with a telltale wet patch on the front of my trousers.
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.
If you had done the Naples FL/Italy error, I might have smiled a little. But I wouldn’t have “held it against you”. Nobody except our Hulk Hogan look alike would have. You goofed. You’re human.
Big deal…
First… nonsense… EVERYONE makes mistakes. I even made on once. I sailed on NCL… So, enough of that.
Next, congratulations to Todd Wittmer!!! I’ve got a group forming for a Cruise Critic group sailing on the Dream in the Fall of 2010!! How fortunate that Todd will be our cruise director!!
The pictures from Pisa and Dubrovnik are wonderful! Well, the pictures from Dubrovnik are wonderful… the pictures from Pisa are a bit corny but everyone takes those pictures, I did as well so I’m corny too!!!
I’ve got to say that George Solano did an EXCELLENT job of getting even. Remind me to not cross George!!!
Thanks so much for another wonderful blog!!
Sunday, I’ll be sailing from the new Bayport Cruise Terminal on the Conquest! I’ll have my trusty laptop with me and I’ll blog my impressions of the Conquest and Ecstasy’s new temporary home!!
Ciao!!!
Host Mach
John, when you go to the “Friends of Dorthy” meeting why don’t you wear your best Dolly Parton dress. I’m sure they will then never believe anything you say about being straight.
You really got me worried now. It looks like you take this getting even to serious. I think I better double my security staff for the 2009 Bloggers Cruise just in case you plan to get even for all my evil.
BIG ED
King of the EVIL KREWE
boy… you are hard on yourself when you make mistakes. Lighten up… mistakes happen and passengers who take advantage of that … are perfect I guess LOL.
Stefani
John -
Carnival could not have selected a better Cruise Director for the Carnival Dream than Todd Wittmer. Having sailed with him twice, I can honestly say that he is great at his job, is constantly visible around the ship, and generally a very nice guy.
I guess now the wife and I will have to figure out how to get to Europe for a “DREAM” vacation.
Jon
Hi John ,
Great blog today.
Especially the news about the DREAM and TODD.
Please convey our congratulations to Todd and wish him all the best on his new venture. Donna and I are sure he will be a big success. He made our cruise a memorable one last Sept.
Payback is a real B–ch isn’t it John? Your buddy got you good didn’t he?
Donna found that out when Todd got us on stage for the Newlywed game last year. Took me 12 years to come up with that little piece of revenge for a surprise party that she planned for my 39th birthday. It was a great party and I vowed to repay her someday and that was how I did it. …………..along with yours and Todd’s assistance. Thanks again for that great memory.
That’s all for now.
Keep blogging my friend,
B &D from Canada
Congratulations to Todd–what an honor! Does honor have a u like colour John? You are really upset over this Naples thingy–well I don’t think its a big deal–that’s what windows and balconies are for. Besides, they should have brought the rain gear anyway. I always have a poncho and umbrella in my luggage when I travel–Girl Scouts I guess, be prepared! I know on this past cruise I read it every night but we always went out on the balcony in the morning to see what we thought and I do know that everyone is not lucky enough to have a balcony though.
Those photos of Dubrovnik do bring back the memories of my Liberty cruise and it was the same type beautiful day that we were there and I have similar pictures. That cruise was so good (and not just because of you John), the weather, the ports, the people. I truly believe there will not be one to top that one for being perfect in every way but I’m going to continue trying to find one!
BTW, looking at the pictures from Pisa, talk about feeling stupid, we must have taken a thousand pictures there and kept looking at them trying to figure out why we didn’t look like we were holding it up, we ran from one side to the other–duh–we were in the totally wrong place and nobody told us so we will have to go back and try again–bummer or bugger as the case may be!!! (not)
Have a great weekend all–if I can find a place to get gas tomorrow (Atlanta is in a terrible shortage and people are not happy or nice about it anymore), I will take the grandkids to the North GA State Fair on a beautiful fall Saturday.
Congratulations Todd!!
John, don’t worry about the weather mistake. You made an honest mistake, you apologized. We learn from our mistakes. Now you will check carefully you have checked the weather for the correct city and country. Don’t worry about it. Besides, how often is the weather incorrect anyways? How often do we leave the house with no mention of rain, only to get wet at some point in the day because it decided to rain? Better to be prepared and dry than unprepared and wet!
Have a good day.
congratuation to todd on becoming cd for carnival dream, todd a nice guy good luck. To my fellow bloggers and friends I just got out of hosptial since last saturday had bad case of Pneumonia and my heart was skipping a beat due to fact i was unable to get my breath, but we are now doing good feeling lot better and catching up on the blog for the best week. It was a tough week for me and my wife suzann.
I love the stories with George. You are as funny and caring as when my family traveled with you on the Carnival Triumph Christmas cruise in 2001. At that time, as you remember, people were looking for levity, and you knew when and how to best make us all laugh.
John,
Don’t worry about the Naples FL/Italy mistake. There are so many cities with the same name all over the world. On the Glory we wore our t-shirts from St. Petersburg – Russia that is, and we got a lot of comments asking us if we lived in St. Petersburg, FL.
Glad to hear we have the name of the Dream CD. We’ve never sailed with Todd and so we look forward to meeting him.
PLEASE – PLEASE have the 2010 blogger’s cruise on the Dream on the Valentine’s Day cruise – 2/13/10. If you don’t have a date in mind, please consider that one.
Thank you,
Linda
Your blogs are always funny, but this is one of the funniest blogs I’ve read in a while!!!
Thanks,
Cindy
Jorge ONE
John ZERO
Now John…time to get even!!!! LOL
About the weather…you made an oops…you were upfront about it to us and everyone on the ship..
time to move on.
I mean here we have Joe Biden (current Vice Presidential Candidate) that just told America about President Franklin Roosevelt going on TV to give Americans the facts when the stock market crashed in 1929.
Guess what, Roosevelt wasn’t the President when the market crashed…Herbert Hoover was. And there was NO TV back then!!!
Now…don’t you feel better!!!!! LOL
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
Hey John,
I think you need a day off! You are too hard on yourself and it is not good for your sugar levels!
No harm was done to anybody and all it cost you was the price of one lady’s raincoat and a bit of embarrasment. You’re forgiven.
…and muchly loved!
John,
First Lets me congradulate Todd, Having sailed with him several times also (Yes I admitt to sailing wih someone other than John) and have always found him funny. I think he will do a great job.
As for Payback……. I was on one of those cruises and he deffently owed you big time. Its funny to read someone actually got you…. LOL. I winder John do you still pick some poor sap ou of the aduiance and give him a special word that anytime he hears that word that he has to do something weird???
My kids like the water you talked about, but I am like you, I never liked the new coke either.
Have fun on the Dream, say hi to Heidi
Your friend
Capt bill
John,
Those perspective photos with the Leaning Tower were awesome. Haha, tried convincing my mind of the illusion to change my perception of the photo, but it didn’t work. Now I have a headache…
And congrats to Todd for being named the cruise director of the Dream!
Hi John,
It’s me, PennyB from New Orleans(Louisiana), also home to many of Dorthy’s family. The joke they played on you was really funny but it is also great that you met them and enjoyed their company.
I’m very happy for Todd to have gotten the Dream – just so he is not in dreamland while we’re with him on the Freedom. Only two nights to sleep and we are crossing the pond – I think that’s what people say. I noticed the webcam is still out on Freedom. Can’t you use some pull and get it fixed??? I’ve settled for watching Splendor as you are traveling some of our same route.
Ciao for now -
PennyB
Dear John: So happy to hear that Todd Wittmer will be the CD on the Dream. He’s a very nice guy. And best of all, you are considering the 2010 Blogger’s cruise on the Dream. That’s fantastic. I hope I can make this cruise. My best to Heidi.
Regards,
Terry
John, I think it’s time for you to think of Coco Chanel … apparently on every outfit she made she left off a sequin, or left two or three stitches undone, or made some other mistake, because, she said “The imperfection of the part makes one realise the perfection of the whole”
Thus it is with you, my friend – don’t feel ashamed of your weather report, just focus on what the rest of us consider your perfection!
Todd,
Congratulations are in order. We sailed with you on the maiden transAtlantic voyage of the Carnival Freedom last October. That’s when and where we met a wonderful couple, Jon & Kathy (lookingforward…). We wish we could again sail with you on the Dream, we mean in reality aboard the Carnival Dream.
Quite a few fellow bloggers think that John needs a break and need to relax so he may keep on blogging rather than allow negative comments get to him.
Amor
John,
Please keep posting those beautiful pictures. Thanks.
Amor
Naples, Fl vs Naples, Italy…..having just sailed with you I would have laughed so much thinking it was another one of your jokes on us. Not to worry, vacations are for fun….and expecting the worse and getting the best makes us all the more appreciative!
Karen
People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Life is way to short
You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.
Love the Quotes!!
Im using them,:0)
-Love from NB Canada
As a professional photographer, I have to say, those photos were really well done and creative.
Next time the ship goe to Athens, give them the weather for Athens… Georgia. You should make it your new thing. Come on, it’d be funny!
Jeff
Todd, I am sure you read John’s blog. Congratulations , you deserve Carnival’s #1 ship. I have written on this blog a couple of times, my wife & I never had as much fun on a cruise as when you were cruise director of the Carnival Miracle.
Gary
John:
Btw, could you ask Todd if he was on the Conquest for its first New Year’s Eve Cruise? (I think it sailed around 12/29/02). Was he a Social Host that got stuck doing karaoke (since this was before the times of dedicated karaoke hosts). He would have been sailing with Corey Schmidt as Cruise Director.
Inquiring minds (well actually ONE inquiring mind) wants to know. LOL
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
John,
Great news about Todd and the Dream. I’ve sailed with him before and can’t wait until Mach’s CC group cruise is lined up for 2010. Sorry you won’t be with us though.
I will be sailing with you again on the Bloggers cruise in 2009 and look forward to seeing you again (I was on the inaugural voyage of the Freedom from Venice last year)
I really wanted to drop you a note and say thanks so much for the special recognition that you gave my friend Cathy and her dad who are on the Splendor with you now……..I’m sure that they are feeling very special………thanks again.
According to Cathy’s itinerary that she left me I guess it’s Saturday evening aboard the Splendor and you are in Venice, this was my favorite part of our Med cruise and I know that Cathy was really looking forward to it………I love living vicariously through all my cruising friends……
Janey
Well John you made a mistake, I guess your human just like the rest of us. Love the pictures.
Bob
“Somewhere over the rainbow….” George gotcha good!!!
Congrats to Todd. Hopefully we’ll get to meet him on the Dream someday since she’ll be sailing from Canaveral, just down the pike. I, too, think the 2010 Blogger’s Cruise should be on the Dream.
And finally, you remind me of me, hanging on to that guilt. I have to remember that most people are too busy thinking of themselves to waste time analyzing my goofups. In other words, what we think is life shaking is soon forgotten by other folks! Now, what’s the weather for…oh, sorry, just kidding.
You’re a good man, John. Keep your chin up and continue entertaining us.
My best to Heidi!
Your Pal, Myra
Great news that Todd has been chosen for the Carnival Dream, and that maybe……..the blogger’s cruise ’09 will be on her.
Love the photos of the Pisa perspectives.
John you are a long way away from being a “Weather terrorist” which I affectionately call our “weather people”.
How’s the fuel for Cruise ships these days? We are running out here in Georgia………
Stay sweet,
Kap
Congradulations Todd!!!
Paul’s joke, on behalf of George Solano, is laugh out loud funny. Can’t wait to meet him in February!
Ann
John,
To funny on the prank they pulled on you. At the end of the day its about having fun and apparently from what you mentioned, you had it coming. A few things to pass on, first hope the 2010 Bloggers cruise is on 20 Feb, we are reserved on the “Dream” for the Western Caribbean route. We could not go on the bloggers cruise in 2009 since we were already scheduled on the Freedom on the 28th of Feb. Based on our schedule we have the Splendor for a couple of days in November then the Freedom in February, then the Dream in 2010 (Feb). I wanted you to pass on to Todd our congratulations. I cruised with him in early December 2007 on the Freedom and we had a great time. There was one time I asked him something and he responded kind of rudely that even my wife was a little shocked, But he redeemed himself when he mentioned here in your blog that “sometimes he is tired or comments are taken the wrong way” and I respect and people are allowed that and we move on. Well Todd you have a couple of cruises to redeem yourself. You have us based on the schedule you mentioned, on the Freedom in Feb 2009 and now on the Dream in 2010. So again congratulations Todd, safe sailings and fair winds my friend and see you soon.
Luis & Maria Torres
Tampa, FL
Hello John and Congratulations Todd! Wonderful news that Todd will be cruise director of the Carnival Dream. I’m sure he will do a superb job.
The Dream will be perfect for the 2010 Bloggers Cruise! Make it happen John!
Hello to Heidi!
Hugs!
Princess Barb
Congratulations Todd on the Dream assignment.
Trying to think of something appropriate to comment…
Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high.
There’s a land that I heard of Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue.
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops, Away above the chimney tops.
That’s where you’ll find me.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow,
Why then – oh, why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow,
Why, oh, why can’t I?
The Flying (over the rainbow?!?!) Dutchman
Hi John/Heidi:
Great pictures from Croatia and the Tower of Pisa. Thanks for posting.
Congrats to Todd on the CD assignemnt for the Dream. Sounds like a wonderful opportunity.
I guess we learn something new about you everyday John. I had no idea that we could tell “which side you’re on” based on how you look.
On that note, I hope things are going well.
Take care and stay warm.
Thanks!
David
Dear John,
First I have a question I hope you will take a second to answer.. Are you by any chance going to be the cruise director on the Trimph the week of valentiens day this year??? My husband John and I were one the one with you last year and you make it a wonderful time.. It was our 5th carnival cruise and our 40 anniversury.. John and I have 2 grown children and we loved the cruise so much that for Christmas this year we got our son Shon his wife Christy and our daughter Shannon and her husband Mike and of course John and I tickets to hopefully cruise with you again.. Please let me know this will be our kids first cruise and I think I am more excited for them than me.. If you are please wish them a Merry Christmas for us and thank you again for making our last cruise so special and oh yea thanks for the Champagne. Hope to see you in 6 weeks. Lou