Saturday, October 4th, 2008...6:56 pm
A New Fantasy & More Bubba….Sponsored by Ray Ban Sunglasses
Good Morning from Livorno and, after an unexpected day at sea yesterday, the guests seemed very happy to touch land and off they went touring beautiful Tuscany, gorgeous Florence and historic Pisa and its tower.
As I said yesterday, even though we missed a port most guests were understanding with the exception of Mr. ABCNBCCBSFOX and Mr. Bucket. However, there were a few who I think took their frustrations out on other areas.
Have a read of this………..breaking news.
From: SPLENDOR PURSERS
Sent: Friday, October 04, 2008 5:59 PM
To: SPLENDOR GIFT SHOP MANAGER
Cc: SPLENDOR PURSERS; SPLENDOR CHIEF PURSER; SPLENDOR HOTEL DIRECTOR
Subject: Comment for John- 1428Good evening,
Please be advised of the following comments as an FYI.
Comment for John
Mrs. ________ dropped off a Carnival Cares card for you John which says We bought ‘Ray-Ban’ sunglasses for 30 euros from a street trader while on the Pisa tour, only to find out from other people on the tour that they were fake. You should have warned us about this.
Brilliant. Well, before I comment on this I should point out that it is illegal for the street sellers in Italy to sell anything counterfeit and, “officially,” it is illegal for anyone to buy it. Honestly, though, the only place I have seen this law upheld these last few years is in Venice. We have had a few guests who have been fined for buying a fake purse or belt ………and I do, in fact, warn guests about this.
However, Mrs. Rayban is obviously someone who did not hear me or has never bought a pair of good sunglasses before. I just got off the phone with her and I knew immediately that she just wanted me to be her “pin cushion” as the glass had fallen out of her pair of specs on the way back from Pisa……….and she was annoyed at herself, I think……………. so I let her tell me what an idiot I was for not letting her know that the six-foot gentlemen selling sunglasses from a garbage bag whilst always looking over their shoulder in case Officer Gucci was on patrol…………maybe actually not selling the real thing.
I apologized and thanked her for the advice and assured her I would use her experience to prevent it happening to others. This seemed to make her a bit happier and Mrs. Rayban and I departed in an amicable fashion.
Fake goods are everywhere in Europe these days but not just the usual suspects. My friend Adolfo who is from Naples told me popular brands being copied include Dove soap and the most popular scam at the moment are fake packs of Duracell batteries and Gillette razors.
This last call in Naples I learned of a crew member who purchased a laptop computer from a street seller. It probably was the real thing but we will never know ………because when the crew member got it back to the ship and unpacked the box……….it was full of sand………..they had switched it on him while he was paying. I doubt that the street seller is going to be there again — and certainly the crew member will be on the hunt for him — but I have a feeling he won’t be found. We now have warning signs in the crew areas.
So, this cruise has been mostly good and, of course, tomorrow will be my last one before the new journey begins. There will be lots of time to get sentimental so instead let’s welcome the first of the Carnival Splendor’s new cruise directors. Now, obviously we have to have someone who can not only do the job but who is available — and available now. This is because that cruise director needed to arrive today in Livorno so that they can watch the entire cruise which is nearly a carbon copy of the one they will be hosting on the 17th.
Let me explain. The cruise director for the trans-Atlantic crossing will be Goose (Gustav Neumann) who will arrive on the 17th. Why not have him come here now I here you cry?……Ahh….good question. Well, Goose is currently on the familiarization trip in South America preparing for the Carnival Splendor’s voyage to Brazil, Argentina and beyond. So it was important that he be there. So, myself and the chaps from entertainment, Chris Prideaux and Roger Blum, had to find someone who could arrive here today …………… someone who if they did come would not leave another ship short a cruise director ……… and, of course, someone who we all felt was capable of being here for what is quite honestly………a bit of a challenge.
And so it was decided that Jen Baxter…the young lady so loudly applauded for her efforts on the Carnival Conquest during Hurricane Ike. She arrived today after a long flight and she looks absolutely thrilled to be here. I will be chatting with her later and throughout this final cruise I will spend some time posting her thoughts. So, let me give you the timeline.
TODDAY - OCTOBER 4TH - JEN BAXTER ARRIVES
OCTOBER 16TH - JOHN AND HEIDI LEAVE
OCTOBER 17TH - JEN BAXTER TAKES OVER AS CD
OCTOBER 17TH - GOOSE ARRIVES
OCTOBER 29TH - JEN LEAVES AND GOOSE BECOMES PERMANENT CD OF THE CARNIVAL SPLENDOR
So, there you have it and I don’t mind telling you I feel quite guilty for leaving the ship. Not only will I miss so many people who have been looking forward to sailing with me but I am leaving both Jen and Goose with challenging cruises to face. Oh, don’t get me wrong, they are both more than capable of grasping the challenges ahead and making everyone’s cruise vacation the best ever………….it’s just………well………..I just feel guilty.
So, while I sit here and feel guilty why don’t you have a look at some more photos? Again, I am a little behind so let’s start with these of Verona which is a beautiful town we visit during our stay in Venice.
Castle on the way to Verona
The Gate into Verona
The Famous Balcony where Romeo called up to Juliet
Home of the Capulo’s (where the name “Capulet” in Shakespeare’s story comes from)
Juliet’s Statue
Lamberti - The highest tower in Verona. Used as a guard tower.
The Arena Theater in downtown Verona - 3rd largest theater in Rome with 30,000 seats.
Here is a letter from a guest who did something very different in Venice
What a wonderful letter.
OK, let’s check in with Chris “Bubba” Roberts. You know, Chris volunteers to do this and it’s something he seems to enjoy, so if you get chance drop him a comment and let him know how much we appreciate his blogs. Here is the latest then from the Carnival Spirit
The Hawaii Reposition – SD5 & Nawiliwili
Well the final sea day has been the best so far. The wind finally died down, the ship stopped rocking and we had a perfect sea day. People were out on the deck sunning themselves. We had lots of fun activities like Alligator Wrestling, the hairy chest contest, the on the deck for the cure walk and much more.
My day started with 2 hours worth of meetings. 2 different meetings, both and hour in length, back to back. First we had our monthly safety committee meeting where I serve as a subcommittee chairman for the Guest Safety Focus Initiative. In this meeting we discuss the accidents of the previous month, what caused them, and what can we do to improve and prevent accidents from happening in the future. We look at both guests & crew with this.
Then the second meeting was our weekly senior management meeting. The only difference between one meeting and the other was 2 different staff. Two people got up at the end of the Safety meeting, and then two more people joined us for the senior management meeting. In the senior manage meeting, we also discuss the previous weeks accidents, what caused them, and what can we do in the future to prevent accidents from happening in the future. We also talk about maintainence, intinerary, environmental matters and more.
Finally once I got out of there, it was almost lunch time. Then I could get back to checking on the day. I hosted a cribbage session in the afternoon, as well as the past guest party. My theory on less people would come if the party was done earlier in the day was proved to be very incorrect as I think all 1100 people who were past guests turned up to the party.
The evening was our 2nd revue show & then we had our deck party to make up from the previous night because of the bad weather. All went extremely well and as I said before, it was the best day of the entire crossing.
This morning we arrive in Nawiliwili ahead of schedule. The ship was cleared by the local authorities by 7:40am and people were heading ashore. The weather looked wet this morning, but as I sit here and type, it’s getting better. I have done all of my paperwork for this morning, called home, called friends, written part of this blog and am now ready to GET OFF THE SHIP!!!! It’s been over 7 days since I last got off. I don’t care what I do, so long as it involves being away for a while.
The plan so far today is waiting for Julie(my fiancé) to get done with work around 10am. We are then going to meet our Housekeeping Manager Marcela and her mother and aunt who are sailing. All of these ladies, including Julie, are from the Czech Republic. We are going to see if we can get on some kind of flight, helicopter or fixed wing, over Waimea Canyon, which is like the mini green Grand Canyon of the pacific. Hopefully there will be some availability………………………..
……………..Well I am back after a fantastic day in Kauai!!! Met up with the Housekeeping manager Marcela & her family and we went out on a short walk to where the Helicopter Tour people have their office. Turns out since we had enough to fill the helicopter so they were able to book us in for a 2:30pm flight. The company is called Blue Hawaii Helicopters and they are the same tour company which does flights for our shore excursion program. It was about 11am when we were all booked in so we had a couple of hours before we had to be back for our safety briefing. Marcela and her family went to do a little shopping and Julie and I headed over to the beach for a walk and to take some pictures. While we were walking Julie found a nice flower that she wanted to put in her hair. She asked me which side it’s supposed to go on since I mention that kind of thing in the travel talk. I tell her the left….the left means you are taken….wear it on the right means you are as free as a bird. If you wear it in the middle, means you are thinking about it. ☺
The Spirit docked in Nawiliwili harbor.
Feeling the heat! First time in the sun in a while!
Post card perfect day!So after a nice walk on the beach and some lunch we headed back to the Helicopter office. We were given a short safety briefing and then taken over to the heliport.
The helicopters were big and spacious. Room for 6 plus the pilot. But more room than other helicopters that I have been in the past. After boarding we met our pilot named Mike who is originally from Wisconsin, but has lived in Kauai for the last 18 years. We lifted off and spent about an hour of flight time seeing some amazing sights. Famous landmarks, movie sight locations, extinct volcanos & incredible coast lines were just some of the things that we saw. Our pilot also told us stories of famous movie stars who he has flown in the past to remote locations that can only be reached by helicopter. People like Harrison Ford, Jack Black & Ben Stiller were just some of the people he had flown. We saw the famous waterfall from the movie Jurasic Park & more. The pictures are fabulous.
It was such a great day I didn’t want it to end. By the time we got back to the Helicopter Office it was after 3:30pm. Did a little browsing in some of the shops and had to head back as Julie and I had to get ready for work. We got back on around 4:30pm and sailing was at 6pm. Took a 30 minute power nap had a shower and got ready for the show. We have 2 shows tonight….the very funny Merl Hobbs. We do the shows early on here when we can because most of the guest like to retire early on these longer cruises. So I’ll be done for the night around 10pm and then a quick walkaround and get ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be in Kahului on the island of Maui. We stay overnight in Maui so all of the crew are looking forward to it. During our stay I will be visiting Haleakala Crater which is one of the highest points in the islands. Nasa sent the lunar landing crews there to practice before they went to moon because of the surface being so similar to the Moon.
Mahalo for reading….back with more later.
P.S. For Jamie’s mom & dad……Squishy!
Great photos mate, loved the “Let the Fun Begin” towel on the beach and the photo of the Carnival Spirit. Thanks again mate, I am sure guests who have taken and will take a cruise to Hawaii find this absolutely brilliant.
So, as I mentioned Heidi has a bun in the oven and we are both staggered at the 100-plus comments from you all expressing your happiness and joy at the news. …….I have said this before ………this blog has become so many things and one of the most important is the sense of family that has emerged. We are truly grateful for all your beautiful words and please……….please ………..send diapers………..for Heidi as I have no intention of going down that end.
Unfortunately, this means that Heidi will not be joining us on the Bloggers Cruise. I just can’t have her flying nine hours in her condition. I am sure through the use of web cam thingies we can stay in touch and we can all say hello……….to them both.
I wish I could give you more details on the initiatives that I will be involved in but for now they are top secret. I can tell you that it is a huge undertaking for Carnival and, of course, it is a huge honor for me to be involved in this. I can tell you that I will be sailing on the Carnival Fantasy and the Carnival Destiny to write about the addition of Evolutions of Fun on the Fantasy and the upgrades to the Carnival Destiny. Maybe…….some of you will be with me. I hope so.
Meanwhile ….talking about the Carnival Fantasy. A long time ago, I joined the Carnivale as cruise director. I was met there by the most fearsome sight in the industry………….Chief Purser………….Mark Hoffman.
Mark is from New York and does not suffer fools gladly…………and considering I was going to be the cruise director on his ship…………considering I was the first cruise director with no act…….considering I was replacing Cruise Director Kenny Day………who was a legend……..considering I had the entertainment skills of lump of coal…………I was a fool.
But, Mark was fair and honest and helped through those first few weeks and, thanks to him, I survived. I wish you could meet him. He is a character and this business needs more characters like him. In those days it was not unusual to see him behind his office desk at 6 am in his bathrobe and often when I was called to his cabin to check the Capers for the following day……….he would be …………….as I am right now………….sitting there just in his underpants. Mark was the first chief purser now hotel director I worked with as CD and he will be with us for the bloggers cruise and my cruise in November.
Onboard right now is my great friend and Senior Hotel Director Mr. Dennis Dearborn. Many of you will have sailed with the mustached God of Hotel Directors. Nobody ………and I mean nobody… has a better eye for the hotel services side of the business than Dennis. I miss working with him as most of his time is spent in dry dock……….I mean on ships that are in dry dock………..not that he is dry dock……….making sure the work is carried out as it should be. I asked Dennis some questions about the work that is being carried out. Here are his answers.
1. Can you tell us about your career and life at sea?
I really don’t want my personal life all over the Internet read my millions, due to your extreme popularity to blog readers. Who knows what could come back to haunt me from my nefarious past? Basically I am now just trying to oversee hotel refurbishment works and logistics to try to get all the projects finished on time and to our satisfaction.
2. Can you tell us what’s happening onboard the Carnival Fantasy right now?We are now four days out from having to take on guests. Works are still in progress and we now have to start thinking about cleaning up the ship in preparation for leaving the dry dock and sailing for New Orleans.
Extensive work is going on all over the ship in relation to our “Evolutions of Fun” project. These are all refurbishments to make our Fantasy class ships more attractive and compelling to our guests. They are as follows:
All guest cabin hallways: new carpet, wall paneling, and lighting.
Verandah deck demi-suite-new design and refurbishment of all furniture and fixtures, (except for bathrooms, which were already done.)Upper deck suites: same as above, including bathrooms and new Jacuzzi bathtubs.
Both guest dining rooms: complete refurbishment, table lay-out design, new flooring, material, chairs, lighting, curtains, etc.Redesign of the gift shops with improved displays, lighting, lay-out, etc, giving the shops a more “upscale” overall look.
Installation of new “Circle C” club for our cruisers in the 12-14 yr age bracket. This will give them their own exclusive “space” for playing video games, big screen TV’s, lighting and sound systems, seating, etc.
Serenity area: promenade aft outside deck has been redesigned with two new Jacuzzi’s, new seating with large cushions, umbrellas, both covered and open areas, all exclusive for “adults only.”
Lido deck aft restaurant: this has been completely redesigned with a whole new theme using new colors, wall treatments, seating with polished granite table tops, both inside and outside, new flooring, lighting, and window treatments. The use of teak louvers over the windows should give a cool, slanted light effect impression when entering from the warmer open deck spaces.
Lido deck main pool area: this is one of the more aggressive projects to convert the original main pool/slide area into a space that resembles a more upscale Caribbean beach resort pool area. This is being done by removing the original pool slide and changing the décor using richly colored teak woods, faux thatch ceiling trims, faux palm trees, new lighting and sound systems, new LCD TV’s around both of the bar areas, new spiral staircase towers to get to verandah deck above, new tile work around all pools, Jacuzzi’s, bars and service lines. The effect almost makes you feel as though you are sitting on a beach in the Caribbean while you are sailing at sea. All deck chairs are being replaced with a new, more upscale lounge style.
Lido outside food service line: this was included in the new design décor and new rotisserie chicken and Mongolian grill outlets were added to provide our guests with yet more varied selections from our lido restaurant food service options.
Verandah deck aft WaterWorks Water Park: this is probably the biggest undertaking of the dry dock period in the guest areas. The water park includes a much larger and exciting pool slide which starts high above deck 12 and twists and turns to end up in the catch basins of the park floor. In addition, there are two side by side speed slides that run from deck 12 down to deck 11 of the water park. And then there are a variety of “water toys,” which provide a diversity of water sprays, fountains, waterfall effects, etc. this outlet is extremely popular with our younger cruisers, who find a multitude of ways to enjoy the water features and entertain themselves. Of course, many times you will see the adults jumping in and joining in the fun. This is a great family entertainment feature.
Public area bathrooms: these are all being completely rebuilt with a sleek European look, using new floor and wall tiles, new granite counter tops, fixtures, dark and light wood stall paneling, ceilings, etc.
Disco: this too is also being completely re-designed with new furniture, fixtures, lighting, seating, window and wall treatments, counter tops, polished granite flooring, carpet, and sound systems. My first impression is that it is starting to resemble a trendier northwest martini bar.
Camp Carnival: this is getting a facelift with some new flooring, new color scheme, bathrooms, and additional audio video equipment.
There is also the more technical projects going on such as the bottom painting, the name change (where the word Carnival is being added before Fantasy), AC refurbishment upgrades, painting, new carpets, IT improvements, new cell phone installation, lighting upgrades, replacement of piping, new main stage flooring, upholstery, and the list never seems to end.
(We completely redesigned and upgraded the penthouse suites. They will look great, much better than the original. I assume you will request one of them to entertain loyal blogger participants?)
There are 901 crew onboard and 494 techs/contractors onboard.The main challenge in living conditions is the lack of AC. When the systems have to be shut down, it can get pretty warm onboard. Luckily, they plan the work such that the AC is turned back on at night for sleeping, but sometimes it is just not possible to do so. The water can be turned off for certain periods of the day so pipes can be replaced. (Such times as 8am-11am/1pm-4pm/10:30pm-6:30am are an example.) We have also had to change dining rooms and galleys during the period so work can be alternated between various areas. Luckily for us, the weather has been warm and sunny during our entire dry dock period.
The day usually starts around 7am and at the morning meeting at 8:30 am. The meeting is very important, as all aspects of the dry dock projects are discussed and problems brought up, with both the shipyard personnel and the project contractors. I spend the day monitoring the various hotel projects as they progress. If I see discrepancies in the work or the design, then I try to bring it up with the contractor or our project/ship manager. I also try to liaison with the housekeeping dept and staff captain to keep the trash being generated moving off the ship and the new items coming on as quickly as possible. The clean-up at the end of the dry dock is a big challenge. We usually have to be at least 12 miles out at sea before we can really start using water to hose down the open decks and sometimes you have to look for missing material, containers, or purchase missing items that may be crucial to finish a job. The variety of problems and challenges of a dry dock is what interests me as well as the actual projects themselves.
I really like the lido main pool area upgrade and the water park. These are the biggest challenges and most intricate.
Can you tell us your favorites from this list please and fill in the blanks.
My favorite Caribbean port is St. Maarten.
My favorite non-Caribbean port is Vancouver, B.C.
My favorite ship is the Carnival Spirit.
My favorite lounge area is the Spirit class supper club bar.
My favorite cruise director (apart from you) was Bill Panoff (or Gary Hunter)
My proudest moment: buying my first house.
Roughest seas: m/s Tropicale off west coast of Mexico in hurricane.
If you were stranded on a desert island what articles would you want with you:
Book- “The Grandmaster”
Movie- any “Star Wars”
Someone to serve you drinks and food and be your servant - Mark Hoffman
A beautiful lady - Natalie Portman would do.
Thanks, Dennis, and in a few days we will be seeing some photos of all the work that has been completed.
So, there you are. I just mentioned Carnival’s two most senior Hotel Directors with 60 years service between them………..and as many broken hearts behind them.
I just can’t read women. Heidi is nine weeks pregnant and someone said to me “Did you get her a congratulations present?”………..bugger, I had no idea I was supposed to.
So I asked her.
“I don’t want a present. You got me lots of nice stuff at Christmas and we are going home soon and we need a new sofa.”
That’s what she said. So, I don’t get her a present.
Not bad, I thought……… that saved me some money.
Today one of the staff members bought her some special cream stuff for rubbing in to avoid something called stretchy marks………she was delighted.
But I could also tell something was wrong.
What’s wrong I asked
“I wish you had gotten me something that I could keep for ever to remember this moment. It’s just me being greedy,” she said with sad eyes. “When I get over it, I’ll realize that just having you here is all I need.”
This was an Oscar-winning performance and an Oscar-winning speech which made Halle Berry’s look happy….. and made me feel like a total bastard.
I just can’t play games of this sort. If someone asks me to come round for dinner at eight, I’m there… at eight. Apparently I should be there at 8:30 pm. Well, bloody tell me to be there at 8.30 then. The same people will also tell you “not to bring anything…” So you don’t. Then they stare at you all evening for being a cheap git for not bringing a bottle of wine……… or a plant.
When I met Heidi there was none of this not-phoning-for-three-days-to-show-that-you-weren’t-too-desperate type stuff. We just met, got on and got on with it. That’s how I like life to be – really uncomplicated. Sadly, Heidi has become a lot more cryptic in her declining years. Now, “no” means “yes,” although “bugger off and leave me alone” ……………..still means exactly that.
I do try and do the right thing. Heidi bought me the entire seven-season series of West Wing and six series of the Sopranos for Christmas (because that’s what I asked for) and I’ve watched them all – sometimes for eight, nine hours a day just to prove to her how much I love it and her for buying it for me.
But bugger me, she got really angry that I was spending so much time watching these TV masterpieces proving my love for her, and yet I remember how furious she was when I didn’t wear the lovely red and blue sweater with white snowmen frolicking on the front.
I’m just trying not to repeat my mistakes. Sadly the snowman jumper was lost during the packing process from leaving the house to coming to the ship…….I am saddened by its loss.
I suppose that what I’m saying is that I try my best to be a good husband, but seem to be repeatedly failing. It’s one of the reasons that I will travel around the Caribbean and the States this next month on my own. I’m keen to study other cultures and pick up as many tips as possible from them as to how to become a better husband.
For example. While I am in the United States I will go to see the Miami Heat play and then eat a huge steak with extra fries. This will give me time to reflect on how lucky I am and just what a wonderful wife I have.
Cigars are a new point of dissent in my marriage. Heidi gave me a wonderful new humidor, cutter and lighter for my birthday this year (because I asked for them), but ever since she did she does nothing but moan about the fact that I have them in the house. I don’t smoke cigars in the house and now with the thingy on the way I won’t be smoking my monthly cigar within the same hemisphere as my wife……….no……she moans that I have the humidor in the cabin and then in the house.
What did she expect me to do with them? I actually intended to give up completely but now I keep them in the cabin and in the house just to show her how much I appreciated her present and how much I love her.
Women just don’t get this stuff.
The worst of the celebrations though has to be Valentines Day ………….it’s a minefield.
In the old days it was a time when Alan and I could legally stalk single women for a day, sending the objects of our affections, slightly creepy, unsigned cards.
Now you have to ask the person you’re married to “to be my Valentine”…And me sending Gabby the Italian limo driver a little hand-drawn card is, apparently, a total no-no.
And, of course, now she is with child and that has brought on a whole other level of non understanding. Why for example was I banished from the cabin yesterday for eating my lunch………….a simple cheese and onion sandwich? Well, apparently the smell of onions was making the trouble and strife (that’s cockney rhyming slang for wife) and the thingy feel nauseous and I was told to leave the cabin immediately and me and my sandwich buggered off to the office.
Yet, a few days ago I found Heidi eating a pastrami sandwich smothered……….I mean smothered in ketchup …………Heidi hates ketchup…………apparently the thingy loves it and why for the 12 years we have been manacled together have I never heard the smallest little burp or belch from Heidi but since she became pregnant I suddenly find myself living with the belch monster.
This is, I am told, normal behavior for someone who is in the family way. However, help is on hand because a few days ago Heidi presented me with something that she said would help me understand and that had been written especially for me. It’s called ……………Pregnancy for Dummies.
There are 200-plus pages in this book and I have been told I have to read each and every page………………when Heidi gave it to me she said………”Here you go……it’s time for someone else to be a child.”
So, tonight, I will start at page one and in a flash my life will change. Of course, being a man I went straight to the bit about having rumpy pumpy ………..but after thinking about it I have decided that I will close off that particular avenue of pleasure…………just in case the thingy………….. Already has teeth.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
55 Comments
October 4th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
John,
Mr. Cheap wanted me to inform you that although you are in trouble for having the humidor, cutter, and lighter….you will be in bigger trouble if you don’t hand out cigars when John Jr. is born. But be forewarned, you are not to smoke the cigars, you must save the box for her to put baby keepsakes in…
Yes, Mr. Cheap almost threw the cigar box away that said “IT’S A GIRL” all over it. And to think, he kept the earlier ones that said “IT’S A BOY all over it. I asked him why…and he said…being a guy…they still had cigars in them. MEN…geez…
Now about the ketchup….just be glad you don’t have to make Heidi what Mr. Cheap had to make me when I was in a family way…..chocolate chip cheese pizza! Oh it is sooooo good.
Princess Susan
Hi Heidi, little thingy (baby that is) and Stephanie!
October 4th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
don’t shut down Pleasure Ave. yet John, the teeth will come soon enough!
Thank you for the beautiful pictures that you have been posting on here, it takes me to places that I am sure I will never see in my lifetime!
Can’t wait to see the new Fantasy! She was my first ship and I am looking forward to cruising on her again!
Congrats on your little baby and remember to take it easy on Heidi! Pregnancy does strange things to us women. Sometimes we get a little moody.
Might I suggest a gift for her….a precious moments figurine for the new baby….I am sure she would love it!
Edy
October 4th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
John,
This post was just amazing…from start to finish you had me grinning ear to ear. But the last part just cracked me up because it is soooooooooooo true!!! Women can be brutal when PG. Hormones do create monsters and men are ALWAYS the victims. Just always say “Yes, dear” and hang in there for the duration. The final result…a cute little thingy…will be well worth whatever you must endure for the next seven months. And never forget that “releasing” the thingy into the world is what Heidi has to look forward to. I certainly hope you are not faint of heart!!! Men do frequently pass out during childbirth!!! And I’m sure you intend to be in the delivery room with Heidi, right??? You jolly well better be or you’ll never hear the last of it. Actually, I liked the “old” days when I had my girls. I got drugs, slept through the whole thing, and as far as I can tell they haven’t suffered for it.
I’m seriously curious about what you’re going to be doing for the next few months. When can you tell us? Will it just be doled out via the blog? It sounds really exciting. Must be to pull you away from the job you love.
Give Heidi lots of hugs, and let me know where to send the diapers!
Your Pal, Myra
October 4th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
OH MY!! You sound just my hubby!!Don’t worry bout the rumpy pumpy,the little one has no teeth and like I told my hubby do not flatter yourself you cant hurt any….thingy,……….wink wink
-XOXOX to both of you!!!
October 4th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Johnny Johnny Johnny, Now you now what all of us men with wives and kids have gone through. For nine months no matter what you do or say it will be just the oppisite of what you should have did or said. Go buy yourself a wig to wear. That way when you start pulling out you hair it will come from the wig first. But this too will pass.
Loved the interview with Senior Hotel Director Mr. Dennis Dearborn on the CARNIVAL FANTASY. Just can’t wait to see it all during the 2009 Bloggers Cruise. We live in Allen Park,Michigan which is right next to Dearborn, Michigan.
Heidi, don’t hold anything back make John go through 9 months of torture like all us fathers did.
I know John you will get even with me.
BIG ED
October 4th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Poor John:
Men just don’t get it, and, they never will, which is exactly how we women like it. After 46 years of marriage my husband still responds just as you do with confusion. I think it is great that you boys keep on trying. We ladies are confusing, but, we do love the attention even if it is misdirected.
Please keep the onions out of the cabin though.
Marie
October 4th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I could read this blog forever….you just never know what to expect.
Keep smiling….I am.
David
October 4th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
John - Great blog as always !!!
October 4th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
John and Heidi,
All the very very best from your friends in Cooper City Florida. We are so pleased to hear about the forthcoming blessed event and only hope that you will have as much joy with your new addition as we have had with each of our 3 cold -duck babies . We almost named them huey , louie, and dewey because of the most amazing co-incidence 9 months later after overindulging on cold duck of their arrivals on this earth. But common sense prevailed and we named them Lisa, Kevin, and Mark although I must say that we decided to name Kevin after the last street name sign we saw on the way to the hospital.By the way do you know when you will be on the Destiny as Joanne and I wiil be cruising on her early next year to celebrate Joanne,s retirement.
Once again congratulations and all of the best from you friends in Cooper City,Florida.
October 4th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Oh just wait John, it gets better. Next will be the “you did this to me” statements. Also dont get caught looking at another woman. The reaction will be faster than Lorena Bobbit’s knife. (but you already have the superglue handy just in case)
27 more days and I will be able to checkout the work done to the Fantasy. My two daughters are getting excited. I have countdown calendars on their doors.
Dave
October 4th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
John
You are truly my soul brother. Your ruminations remind me of the time my sister in law suggested we leave the kids with her for a day or two. One night, my wife came home, and I said “Good news, I’ve called ****** and asked of she’ll take the kids on Monday and Tuesday, we can head away for a short break.”
She looked at me aghast. “You WHAT?”
I told her again, reminding her of *******’s offer.
“You didn’t think she MEANT it?” was her somewhat incredulous response.
Well, actually………….
We still got away though, so the moral of the story is “Don’t say something to Donal to be polite, he’ll bloody well take you up on it”.
Which means that assuming you are on Liberty for the June 26th sailing, I will be taking you up on that offer of a pint!
Donal.
October 4th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Dear John,
Sorry love, but pregnant hormones make us do weird things and you will be the brunt of some of it. Bill Cosby said in one of routines that during labor his wife told everyone in the delivery room that his parents were never married-meaning she called him a bastard. It’s not really about you, it’s about the thingy. Be calm and patient. I got a lovely piece of jewelry for each of the babies, and it’s not too late for you to make the gesture as a surprise.
Larry and I were thrilled to read Bubba’s guest blog about Nawilwili and the helicoptor flight. We will be doing that very thing this coming Wednesday. I e-mailed Blue Hawaii tours for advice for first time fliers, and They (I think it was Mike) said to wear dark clothing. This is to avoid reflections if we want to take pictures. He said they will gladly tape the flight for us for only $25! The pictures were incredible, inspiring Larry to run down to the store and pick up a third disk for the camera. Bubba, see you on the next cruise! Pat
October 4th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Dear John the Blog was great as always the pictures were marvelous.The interviews these men are stellar at their jobs and a credit to the Carnival moniker and well by gosh!! I can’t wait to see My old Fantasy with a new do.John the fun has just begun you will now witness a side of Heidi you will not believe,Woman’s emotions can and will change faster than a rabbit can well you know?? Pumpy Rumpy.Then after nine months of mind boggling exasperation.The beloved day arrives and you hold the little Thingy and all is right with the world.Then the fun really begins.Best wishes Gary and Bug
October 4th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
John -
So you blew it by not getting Heidi a “yay, you’re knocked up” gift. Now you have to redeem yourself.
You need to get the thingy a “hey, you’re on the way gift”. So this is what you need to do:
(Heidi, stop reading here)
Go to a bookstore and get your favorite childhood book. Write an inscription in it to your child…make it something heartfelt and sappy. Wrap it up and give it to Heidi. Explain that it’s for the thingy but since she is carrying it for now, she’ll have to open it. When she reads the inscription, she’ll melt.
I still melt when I read the inscription that my husband wrote to our future child…and that future child is now 7 years old. He did the book thing after he failed to get me a gift for Mother’s Day when I was pregnant with the 7 year old.
October 4th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
John, just a hint from someone who had the hormones really bad when I was pregnant (I cried two days because I broke a coffee mug), you really should think hard about what would make Heidi happy on the day your baby is born. We were very poor when our daughter was born but my husband sent me a dozen yellow roses and also had a dozen sent to our baby. We’ve been married 38 years and I still tell him what a great gift that was. Put your thinking cap on now and you will do something just as thoughtful. Congratulations!
October 4th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Daddy John and Mama Heidi, I am so excited for you. I’m still grinning ear to ear.
We have all prayed for so long for the two of you to become parents.
Thank you, God, for answering our prayers. Please watch over Heidi and that precious little one, that will be so loved by it’s parents and all of us bloggers. Please keep them healthy. Amen.
Countess Carolyn
PS And God when you have time please help John keep his sanity thru this pregnancy, he may need your help.
Congratulations…Mum and Daddy.. You’re going to be Grandmother and Grandfather again. What do you want to be called? nanny, granny, grandmama?
October 4th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Get used to it John, it’s the hormones, they are all out of whack during pregnancy. Figured Heidi wouldn’t be on the Bloggers 2nd cruise, too close to her due date! Yes, get her a special gift before you leave on your “secret mission” after you both leave the Splendor later on this month. Hope she isn’t having too much morning sickness. Congrats again to you both! Empress Bee & Prince Charlie are on the Fantasy this week, as Sarge is in the poker tournament. When will you be on the Destiny? Take care to both of you and to “Wee Johnny”. Linda & Mike
October 4th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
All I can say is you have only just begun….these are both wonderful and trying times as we tend to make everything that happens from this point on your fault! You will make it and it will all be worth it when the little thingy arrives.
Ok, since Goose is going to be the CD, you need to give us some updates on what he is finding out about South America since I will be doing B2B on that first cruise as well as the Thanksgiving cruise so a total of 41 days on the Splendor and you and Heidi won’t be there! So you aren’t doing any reviews on South America and I guess I will need to wait until you reveal the next parts of the “new job” to see where we can see you next. It’s ok though because you need to prepare for the baby and you are right, Heidi doesn’t need to be traveling long periods anymore and she needs you to be home with her. She needs to stay healthy and take care of herself.
Pregnancy for Dummies is a good start and the Pampers thingys are in the mail!
October 4th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
John:
Oddly enough, if anyone has an old bottle of men’s cologne “Grey Flannel”…..it can produce instant “ill tummy feelings”.
That was the men’s “cologne of choice” back with I was pregnant with my oldest son Josh (20 years ago) and even today … even a cologne that smells even close to it will make me ill. Thankfully, it is no longer popular.
The Splendor will be in “splendid” hands.
We sailed with Jen in May on the Legend and Goose last month on the Ecstasy and we look forward to seeing him again in November.
We also look forward to seeing the wonderful job done on the Fantasy on THURSDAY!! woo hoo!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
October 5th, 2008 at 12:04 am
John and Heidi - Congratulations!
From reading this blog for the past year and a half I know how much you two are looking forward to that bundle of Joy!
Heidi, be extra gentle for the next few months with John as no matter what he does it will be wrong.
And John, keep a bottle of ketchup near by so those late night trips to get Heidi a snack will be so much easier.
October 5th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Thank you for the memories of Mr Hoffman as Ch Purser in his bathrobe and the very famous Dennis Dearborn (gosh I remember him from the Tropicale)….now if you could just find a pic of Dennis and his ’stache and Mark and that long flowing mane of dark hair (or…current version would be fine too) the vision would be complete!
October 5th, 2008 at 12:20 am
John
Please don’t get my room mixed up with ed’s I don’t want the attack happening to me.I am very happy for both of you. Kevin Heald has a good ring to it
Can’t wait to see the fanasty in feb for the bc. And even more excited to hear about the hotel. Seems like carnival followed the evil krewe with this one.Sad I won’t get to finally meet heidi but I completly understand.wondering if your travels will happen to bring you. To ny.
If the do let me know.
Best to you both
Kevin t to ny
October 5th, 2008 at 12:40 am
I am a wee bit curious why Fantasy is still tied up at the dock in New Orleans instead of approaching the mouth of the Mississippi.
I really wanted to take some pictures of the sail away, but that will have to wait for another day.
Here are some pictures from the dock, with some gratuitous food pictures thrown in for the helluva it.
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/fant/fant.htm
October 5th, 2008 at 12:43 am
John,
Sorry to say I’ve had to cancel the Blogger’s Cruise. I was only coming to see Heidi!
Ok, so we didn’t really cancel. We know you’ll have much more time for the bloggers now since rumpy pumpy will officially be something you used to do a lonnnnng time ago.
And an educational note…. the only thing you need to know to please a woman is to say I Love You!……… well, that and a high limit credit card.
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
October 5th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Oh John, get used to it now. Hormones rule during pregnancy. The weird food cravings (that once she is not pregnant again will repulse her), the never being right, the always walking on pins and needles. Just wait til she wishes you could share morning sickness and even worse, the labor pains.
But once the little bambino/bambina is born, I hate to say it, but the hormones get worse for awhile before leveling off.
You and Heidi are going to be awesome parents!
I am looking forward to meeting all these people you talk about on the Bloggers Cruise.
And I have to say that the first pic from Bubba from the helicopter was just awesome! And that his pilot was a fellow cheesehead from Wisconsin is even more great.
October 5th, 2008 at 6:55 am
John,
Looking at those Hawaii pix brought back such vivid memories, having done that ten years ago on the Jubilee, while my daughter was just a bun in the oven. Chris did good!
Have always wanted to go back, avec bun, but will have to wait for the 12 days to fall right around the Easter holidays.
Best wishes to you and Heidi.
And you may find that you may clean the “other end” of someone that is yours.
October 5th, 2008 at 7:11 am
John & Heidi,
Im just catching up on your thingy only to discover you have a bundle of joy thingy on the way.
Huge congratulations, all those Thursday nights finally paid off
Mondays child is fair of face,
Tuesdays child is full of grace,
Wednesdays child is full of woe,
Thursdays child has far to go,
Fridays child is loving and giving,
Saturdays child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.
Being a parent brings a whole new level of responsibility which you & Heidi will be fabulous at, just remember to act like a child and jump in puddles occasionally.
On the downside the Aston Martin will have to take a back seat for now as a recent survey showed the cost of raising a child is £186,000.
The best present you can give to Heidi (imo) is your love, support and doing your fair share of nappy changing & night feeds, oh and book a long weekend for Heidi at the best spa in your area as she needs lots of pampering and spoiling.:)
PS if your in the Midlands (Castle Donnington) area on Oct 19th I can sort you out with a ride in an Aston Martin race car!!!!!
Thinking of you three
Love & best wishes
Lorraine & Mom Susan
October 5th, 2008 at 8:26 am
John and Heidi,
It is the weekend, so I am catching up. Oh my gosh, I had no idea Heidi was expecting. Congratulations! That is quite an announcement. I must tell you, your lives will never be the same again. There will be a new dimension added to your lives.
I really hate the fact that I have to try to catch up on the blog on weekends. I feel like I am always behind and often wonder if you even see my comments because they are so late. I can not seem to get to the blog on a daily basis at home. Maybe I can work on this some.
Congratulations again. Take care of yourselves.
Ruth
October 5th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Hi Ruth,
Have you tried subscribing to the blog? You can get the daily blogs delivered to your email. You can’t comment on the blog that way, but at least you’ll be able to know what’s going on everyday. The subscribe button is on the right hand side below the “search” box.
Stephanie
October 5th, 2008 at 8:47 am
What a blessing Baby Heald is gonna be! Congratulations to you both, and to the proud grandparents. Oh what fun you’ll have…
Hugs all around,
Auntie Sandy and Uncle Dick in GA
October 5th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Bubba, Your blogs have been fantastic. Thanks for the great helicopter pics…it’s something I’ll never be able to do as I have a tremendous fear of heights! I’m enjoying every moment of your reposition and Hawaiian cruise as we intend to do the same in a few years when we can be gone for longer! John and Heidi, totally hilarious. Brought back funny pregnancy memories…I hate KFC for years after since the chicken made me so nauseous during pregnancy! Just try to keep strong smells away John…and there’s still quite alot of time left for rumpy-pumpy! It’s actually harder AFTER the child appears! Gloria
October 5th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Dear John and Heidi, Congratulations…..so exciting to read your good news….together you have a splendid future ahead…..and I can’t wait to hear more about the new baby-naming contest (cruise for 3?) as well as your upcoming top secret career responsibilities!
Karen
October 5th, 2008 at 11:52 am
John -
There honestly is only one thing you can do to resolve this problem. Get a penthouse suite in the Doghouse Resort for the duration.
Seriously - your life will never, ever be the same again. First, there is the issue of Heidi’s hormones during the pregnancy. Then, there are the changes that come with having a child in the house.
BTW - PLEASE REPLY. Have you made a decision as to whether or not you two want to know the sex of the baby? To me, the answer is no - I would prefer to be suprised, more than anything else, but that is just me.
Now, onto names. There is always Benjamin Bradbury, so you can call him your baby BB.
Or you can name the baby UP, so when s/he is recorded in the register, it will appear as HEALD, UP.
I’ll stop now before I get banned for good.
God bless the baby, Heidi and may he look after you as you muddle your way (as do all males) through the next seven months.
Jon and Kathy
October 5th, 2008 at 11:57 am
hi john
love the blogs,
are you still on for the 01/25/2009
caribbean cruise on the Legend ?
we still want to drive over and meet you that day, if its ok with you
regards
tom & jane
love to heidi and baby
October 5th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
John, John, John…………………………
You gotta understand that Heidi’s hormones are zipping & zapping around all over the place. Please be extremely patient & understanding with her. Having a baby is a wonderful thing, but I sometimes wish that men could have babies, just so they would completely understand what a woman goes through.
Can’t wait to hear about your new job. I hope that Carnival gave you a sizeable increase in salary. I mention this because one of the comments posted mentioned that the Blogger’s Cruise would be the world’s largest baby shower. Given that international shipping rates are totally outrageous, you’ll need a hunk of change to get all the goodies shipped back to the UK.
October 5th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Hello John,
Congrats to you and Heidi on the future addition to your family.
All the best to both of you.
Now…………..lesson one!
Your new mantra for the next 30-40 years is “YES DEAR”
Repeat it , remember it, live it!
No matter what you’ve done, said or are about to do or say………it is the magical phrase that saves the day.
Remember also…..lesson two!
Happy wife………………………..Happy life. The end.
You are in for a wonderful ride on the hormone express and as long as you realize this…………things will go MUCH smoother.
Watch in the mail for a little gift for Heidi from us. Tell her the gift is from you and you will score BIG points. A little hint…they will make her legs feel better during the pregnancy.
That’s all for now. Smooth sailing to all.
B&D from Canada
October 5th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
We sailed with Jen a few weeks back on the Destiny. She has so much energy, we got tired just watching her do her thing. We know she’ll do a great job for you.
And… since I didn’t get a chance before - Congrats to you and Heidi
October 5th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Hi John,
Just remember to let Heidi know how much you love her and how beautiful she is, even though she thinks shes a Hippotamus! And all will go well. You two are going to be wonderful parents!
Heidi, so sorry you will miss the Bloggers Cruise, but we certainly understand, and wouldn’t want you to be any more uncomfortable than you have to be. Besides, we want to besure that little bundle of joy is safe and healthy. We will miss you! But I am sure John will keep us posted as to your well being and share pictures!
Loved Bubba’s blog today. And the pictures and description of his helicopter flight brought back vivid memories of the time Carl and I were in Hawaii. We so enjoyed the helecopitor tour and also bought the DVD of our flight. I still enjoy watching it. Can’t wait to see more photos from Bubba and read more about his time in Hawaii!
Hugs!
Auntie Princess Barb
October 5th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
John - Mary and I are so happy about your good news!!! God’s richest blessings to you. You need not worry about being a failure as a husband, you are not. But no matter what you do, they will keep you humble!!! Enjoy the greatest ride in the world!!! Give our best to Heidi.
October 5th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
John,
We have always wanted to go to Italy and now we have through your wonderful pictures! Thanks so much for sharing with all us bloggers. Your baby is going to be so blessed to have you and Heidi for parents. When the baby is born, neither of you will remember the difficult times, only the joy you feel at holding your precious baby!
We just sailed the Destiny. She is a great ship. I don’t know if George Salano will still be working on her when you sail, but it would be so much fun having you two together. We had such a great time and it’s because of fantastic CD’s like you and George that we are now planning our 6th cruise on Carnival. Keep up the good work and hopefully we can sail with you on a Carnival ship soon!
Lori & Mike Drew
October 5th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Congratulations John and Heidi! I’m sorry Heidi will miss the Blogger’s Cruise. I know the krewe was looking forward to seeing both of you. Anyway, enjoy this beautiful time together. It will only get better.
Big hugs,
Lori
October 5th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
John watch out for the teeth, they can can get real long …….. LOL. My Friend If I where you, I would go to the gift store of Poss. a gift store ashore (if you can’t get there maybe someone can for you) and get a big soft stuffed bear or somehting along those lines. it will help, trust me. As for how to read women, well when you find out write it down and publish it, you will never have to work again for the rest of your life. we men have been trying to figure out women since the dawn of time. I have been married for 5 yrs and been with my wife for 4 years before that. and I still wind up in the dog house. as a matter of fact I am still there……
I wish you lots of luck and pleasure on your travels, ans please remember if you come to Boston, please let me know even if it is just to meet you at your plane and drop you off somewhere. it will be my pleasure.
This week here in the Port of Boston, Carnival corp has had a great showing, we have had several Princess cruise ships here this week including the Sea Princess today. (Sunday) as well as an AIDA ship in this week too. the onlyy one I missed this week was the Victory. she was here last Sunday but not this week. we even had the Massadam here on her everyother week vist (home port for the sumer). Now that Oct is here the cruise ships are slowing down as they head for warmer waters and we take our boats to the dry dock for the winter. I long for the spring to see them come back. I hope for the day that Carnival will once again station a cruise ship (Carnival of course) in Boston. and John you will be the crusie director.
Take care John and whtch out for the Mood swings that are sure to follow.
Heidi take care of the old sod also. Your friend
Capt Bill
October 5th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Good luck John! You’re going to need it for the next several months. Say goodbye to logic, say hello to a storm of illogic and a roller coaster of emotions that you were NEVER meant to understand. This is going to make PMS seem like Heaven!
Jeff
October 5th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Dear Heidi and John,
What joyous news of your pregnancy. You will both make incredible parents with so much love to give to your much wanted baby. May your next few months of extreme change in both your lifestyles be full of joy and excitement.
Rick and Joan
October 5th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Hi John,
Its Dave from Scotland. I have a story to share with you. I live in Inverclyde on the River Clyde, the home of the QE2. She made her final call today, what a day this town had. Arriving at noon, she was escorted upriver by around 300 small boats, including six military ships, including aircraft carrier Arc Royal. After docking, public access to the quayside was available, and a day long event held for both passengers and visitors, with tonnes of stalls and activities going on. The day finished off as the ships horn marked the start of a 20minute firework display (predominantly red and white fireworks!) as she pulled from the dock. Heading downriver, i have never seen anything like it. Cars continually honking their horns, houses setting off fireworks, all acknowledged by the Queens horn! There was one point where she passes quite close to the shore, and the cars suddenly came to a stop in both directions. Engines/lights off as people left their car, to stand outside one last time. 11pm and unable to hear the person next to you due to the car horns, ships horns and fireworks. All this being an hour after she departed, and 15 miles downriver from the dock!
It really was one of those “cruise” moments. I never thought one could be experienced without being on it! Amazing. It would have made the perfect “We are Cunard” video.
I’d love to share some photos with you, just not to sure where to send them!
All the best,
Dave
October 5th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Good evening Mr.Daddy. I sit here laughing with just some of the things that will take place with Heidi being pregnant. You are going to realize that you as a man can do no good. Remember just to show Heidi all the love as a husband and knew father and everything else will fall into place. Your life will never go back to what it was. It only can get better. One of the most important aspects of being a husband when his wife is pregnant is letting her know that she is the most beautiful woman in the world even though she won’t feel like it. I always thought a pregnant woman was the most beautiful woman in the world. It was the glow of motherhood that I saw. It was great and you will see it also. Need any help my friend, I’m here, Remember, I had three children and four grandchildren and survived. It’s not that bad, in fact it’s fantastic. Ciao John and beautiful mother - to - be, Heidi.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
October 5th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Dear Mum and Daddy:
Congratulations to the three of you!!! Our prayers have been answered. May your future days be blessed with smooth sailings, calm stomachs, and wonderful anticipation for him/her. I often look back each and every day to count my “blessings” for my 5 kids and say, “By George - I think we’ve done it.!” Remember John: “Whatever Heidi wants . . . Heidi gets!!!
I highly recommend watching Bill Cosby’s video about Pregnancy if you haven’t seen it already. John, I also congratulate you on your mysterious new assignment. Incidentally, I was supposed to have been a ‘John” but bugger - they had to change it at the last moment by getting the “h” out of there.
Auntie Joan
October 5th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
John, hang in there. When I was pregnant, I remember being so reasonable, but my husband doesn’t remember it quite the same way. Just remember when none of it makes sense, she can’t help it!
Bubba! Thanks for the blog. I really enjoy the blog-within-a-blog. I sure wish I were in Hawaii, too. Be sure to have one of those little rum drinks served in a coconut, with an umbrella, and toast this Texas Girl. I know you were glad to find the warm sunshine and walk along the beach. Also the helicoptor tour looked wonderful! Waimea Canyon is impressive.
A special thanks to Dennis for sharing what all is involved in the dry dock process. It is amazing how much is done in such a short time. I can’t wait to see it for myself!
One last thought, you and Heidi will have so much fun being parents. I can just visualize the look Heidi will have after the first time she hears her precious child say “Bugger!”
October 5th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
your world will never be the same now!
and you thought people complaining about sunglasses were bad…….
oh just wait until you have that child!
congrats!
I’d be happy to lend you my daughter for a day…. she’s 3 and a half going on 16. Eeek.
October 5th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Oh, John, you don’t ask her if she wants a gift, you just buy it and present her with it.
The Willow Tree Cherish 26082 figurine would be a good choice.
Ann
October 5th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Hello, my friend!!!
I’m back from a fantastic week on board the Conquest. I can’t think of a thing the staff could have done better. Bravo for them.
Well, there is one thing… allow me to pitch the aggravating passengers overboard. One VERY rude gentleman accused Allison (one of the entertainment staff…) of not being aggressive enough with CBP. He wanted Allison to force CBP to change their procedures. I’m sure Allison has that particular power but just refuses to employ it. What a twit that guy was…
So, I also discover that our beloved Heidi is with child. Congratulations to the both of you. That will be on very lucky youngster… Heidi’s good looks and your… ummm… uhhhh… WIT!! Yep!! Wit!!!
Last but not least, you’re playing Houdini on me!! Vanishing from my cruise on the Splendor in November!!! I suspect that I’ll now be forced to sit alone and enjoy my cigar as opposed to enjoying my cigar and your company. As you would say… bugger…
Thank you so much for the presents. Both of them were delicious!!!
Tell Heidi that I think she will be a perfect mom and you, sir, will be a perfect dad.
Congratulations.
Host Mach
October 6th, 2008 at 9:51 am
John,
Let me add my CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am tearing out my hair because I’m trying to catch up with the blog, and I just had to jump in and wish you and Heidi the all the best! One nice gift idea is for you to start a charm bracelet, with a special charm for each special occasion. Don’t be terrorized by all the hormone horror stories, just go with the flow, and be as understanding and supportive as possible, have the shoulder to cry on handy. When I was pregnant with my first, I cried during the Disney movie “Beauty and the Beast”, so my eldest is now called Belle.
Heidi, hugs and kisses to you, may you have an easy pregnancy without morning sickness and other difficulties. I will be sending my prayers for your safe delivery.
Best wishes, Risa
October 6th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
WARNING, John:
October 18 is Sweetest Day. That’s a Valentine-like holiday that we celebrate here in the U.S. where you are required by the card companies to purchase a gift of love for your significant other.
All my best to Heidi and the baby!
October 6th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Hi John/Heidi:
So the diets are changing? Good luck!
Great blog today. The pictures from Europe continue to be outstanding and I loved Bubba’s pictures from Hawaii. Makes me want to take a helicopter tour.
Thanks for another great blog and looking forward to hearing more about your exciting announcement.
Hope all is well and congrats again!
David
October 10th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Dear John,
I have to relate a typically funny Carnival story.
I took my two girls on a weeks cruise to Barbados, Martinique, St.Maarten, St. Thomas, & Dominica, from San Juan; All islands they had never seen before. (Each time I get divorced, they get a trip; it eases the guilt! Last time they got Disneyworld)
The food on Carnival has vastly improved; It used to have a reputation of not being so good. Well my 17 yr old wants a HAMBURGER and French Fries EVERY NIGHT for dinner! I told her “Try the Lobster, Filet Minion, Chateau Briand”. No, she wanted burger and fries. She asks for KETCHUP to go with the fries the first night. Well there is no KETCHUP on the Table: Fine Linnen, Crystal, Flowers…Our waiter went into the kitchen, and came back with a bottle of ketchup, which he presented to her like a bottle of fine wine: Towel over the elbow, down on 1 knee, showed her the label, uncorked it for her, placed it in a WINE HOLDER. She approved of HEINZ 57 (a good YEAR for ketchup, I presume?) The entire Dining hall went hysterical. This is TYPICAL CARNIVAL FUN!
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