And so it is with a heavy heart and a heavy stomach thanks to the huge Chicken Curry I had for dinner last night that I start my last cruise on the Carnival Splendor and I will reminisce about this later.
However, there is still much work to be done and let’s start by telling you about an unfortunate incident last night.
Firstly, we had a show. Normally, on the last night of the 12-day cruise onboard the Carnival Freedom and Carnival Splendor we do not have a full show. This is because obviously everyone is very tired and the ship is very quiet by 10:00am. However we run a full schedule of activities and music.
Anyway, last night was a little different as we did in fact have a performer to provide a show. This was the juggler /comedian who was due to board the vessel in Cannes but as we missed the port obviously he couldn’t. Anyway, I wanted the guests to see Steve Rawlings as he is absolutely brilliant. So, I arranged for him to join the ship yesterday in Livorno.
Now we have to talk about a guest who had sailed with me on the Carnival Freedom where one of the entertainers had missed the ship, this time due to a flight cancellation. …………and if I remember correctly I actually wrote about this in a blog thingy last year. Well, I remember the guest very well because he felt that as the entertainer missed the ship and we had to fill the gap with audience participation in the form of the Talent Show that he and his fellow guests should receive monitory compensation. Well……………..guess who the entertainer was…………..yep ………Steve Rawlings…………..and when I announced that it happened again this man went totally and utterly ballistic. I explained………….as I had on the Carnival Freedom that the entertainers do not live on the ship and that they ……….like us all……….are dependent on the airlines and if they miss their flight or it is canceled……………..well, they can’t get here. I also explained that audience participation is sometimes the only way to fill the gap when this happens along with movies and activities etc. Well, he was not having any of that and has said that he will be writing a letter of complaint as he did last time about this situation.
Anyway, last night I held the show at 7:30pm, which is in between the two dinner sittings. The lounge was half full which after a day in Florence and Pisa was better than I could have expected. I really hoped that Mr. Noshow was in the audience…………I really wanted him to see this great performer.
Well, he wasn’t because this morning just after I started debarkation he came to the Information Desk wanting to speak to me. I did………….he went to the Supper Club and missed the show………and wanted to know why I didn’t put the show on at 10:45pm as normal. I explained that we only had half a lounge at 7:30pm………..maybe 500 people and that if I had done a show at 10:45pm there would have been nobody there. Well, of he went on his rampage and apparently I now owe him 2 days refund of his cruise………..that’s for the two nights he didn’t see a show. My apology was not accepted and I encouraged him to talk to our Guest Relations Department and I am sure he will.
I have learnt one thing though and that we should have a show on the last night of the cruise and now we have gone from the four dinner seating’s to just two there is that magic window at 7:30pm where we can hold a show. It would be futile to hold one as normal at 10:45pm as the performer would be entertaining empty seats………but having an entertainer by default perform on the last night has shown it can be done and I will be asking for this to be included on the Carnival Liberty next year.
On a lighter note I had a photo taken last night with two young brothers from Australia………Callum and James. They are aged 12 and 14 and have decided that they want to be cruise Directors when they grow up. They have been to every show and event and I even let them come and watch the morning show live. As I was taking my photo they both were laughing and joking and telling me jokes and reenacting the bedtime story……….it was very funny. I then spoke to their Mum who told me that the first few days of the cruise had been difficult because there were not many others of their age…………we only had 20 kids or so onboard. Mum then said that they started to come to the shows and activities and laughed and laughed and how wonderful it was to see. That’s because they lost their Dad to cancer last year…………he was only 44 years old.
There are times when words just won’t be enough so I just held her hand, gave her a hug and told Callum and James a joke about elephant poo.
It also had me thinking that I am going to be a Dad to a thingy at 44 years old…………..am I too old?
While I think about that lets have a look at some photos of the place where we are going tomorrow …………Messina.
And some more letters
So, we start another cruise and this time it’s our first one to Greece and Turkey, which means more new schedules, and Capers. This is also a cruise where we have a changed itinerary. This is because it was not possible to call at Naples due to heavy traffic and we would have had to tender guests ashore and from a long distance away. So, we decided to move Naples down the itinerary…………replacing it with Messina, Sicily and then calling at Naples a little later in the cruise. The problem now though is that we have had to cancel Katakolon, Greece although I am sure that given the choice guests would prefer Naples and the area to Katakolon. Anyway, I will explain all of this afternoon at my Welcome Aboard Talk. Here is the new itinerary.
Now, lets see who is sailing. We have 3037 guests onboard all of which are from the United States except the following.
As you can see we have lots of guests from Australia again and the UK as well as lots of Canadians and a big groupo de Venezuela. ………..and only 23 Russians, which is not good for Bathrobe sales.
Right. Time to say a huge congratulations to our friends at Holland America whose www.Eurodamnews.com site just passed one million hits………..that’s just fantastic. I think the reason it is so popular is that it started life while the ship was under construction and people have been able to follow the ship’s life right from the start. It is also constantly updated and the commentary is varied and well written………..the photos are brilliant as well. So, congratulations to Holland America and the Eurodam for this wonderful site that everyone who loves cursing should visit.
Lets see what Chris “Bubba” Roberts is up to now on the Carnival Spirit.
The Hawaii Reposition – Maui Day 1 & Day 2
Sailing from Nawiliwili we headed east and then to the south to go to Kahului. Had a nice evening with the comedy of Merl Hobbs for the show.
We arrived in Kahului early in the morning. This port is very industrial. So there is not much right where we dock, but I will take docking in a place like this, over tendering into a port. The other port in Maui is Lahaina which has a bit more near where the ship pulls in, but does not have a pier so you have to tender. By docking in Kahului, you can walk ashore and then take a cab over to Lahaina if you wanted to.
Today was a “normal” day for me a Julie. We only had plans to take care of a few shopping needs & to have a nice day together. In the early afternoon we walked out of the port area to a small mall area called the Maui Mall. In it there is a tiny Thai restaurant where loads of the crew go. We had a very nice lunch and then checked out the movie theater to see what was playing as we were hoping to go to the movies later that night.
From lunch we jumped on a shuttle over to the Kmart. We needed to pick up some things for being in Hawaii & Mexico, plus we needed to fill up our snack cupboard. While we were in the Kmart, I had guests coming up to me left, right & center….”they let you off the ship….you shop at Kmart….why aren’t you back on board…”etc..etc…My question to them is, you are on vacation, why are you at Kmart?
After our shopping outing, came back to the ship as Julie had to work at 3:30pm. A little while after she went to work, she called me in the cabin asking me about the 2nd formal night schedule. I told her that the 2nd formal night was supposed to be on Hilo evening. She said that the caper for our 2nd day in Maui says that it’s supposed to be formal night. Sure enough I open the caper for tomorrow, and it’s written twice….small print…but there.
So I send an e-mail to everyone who it might effect and see what I will need to do…let the 2nd maui day be formal, or keep it as Hilo. How this came to be, was originally we were supposed to have it on maui, but I wanted to change it to hilo because of the show. The maui night we have a hypnotist, and on Hilo night we have the Singing with the Big Band, which is one of our production shows.
Julie finished work around 8:30pm and when she came home we went off the ship to catch a movie. Kirk, my ACD, hosted the show for me that night so that I could have a “date night.” We had a nice evening together…it’s wonderful to have a chance to go out in the evening together. We just don’t have that kind of opportunities working on the ship.
The next day I was up early as I was going to go on the Wonders of Haleakala Tour. I checked my e-mail to see if anyone responded to my e-mail about the formal night. There was no response. That was to be expected since we were overnight and I am sure most have not checked their e-mail as of yet. Julie called me from the purser desk asking about the formal night again and what we were going to do. Seems that all week at the desk they had been telling everyone that the 2nd formal was the 2nd maui day. I called the spa, and they too had been booked up for the 2nd maui. So rather than rearrange everything, decided to keep the mistake, and have the formal night be as it is in the caper. I called the photo manager to let him know of the change….he wasn’t too thrilled but agreed to do the change. So in the end, it all worked out.
By the time I finished sorting out the formal night scheduling I ran off the ship to find I had missed the tour by a matter of minutes. I was disappointed but will be able to do the tour on our next call. Tomorrow we are in Hilo and I am going on the “land of frozen fire” tour.
Last night some of our staff went on the Maui Luau…here’s some pics….
Julie & I on our walk in Nawiliwili
I hope that tomorrow will be less eventful, and that I will be able to get out and enjoy the tour. From what I have seen of the photos from my travel talk, it looks pretty cool. Will check back in again afterwards.
How nice to see that Mr. and Mrs. Bubba had a ” date night ” and as he said finding down time to spend with your partner is never easy on a ship. I am glad they did though……….surprised he didn’t take her to a Waffle House.
More from Bubba tomorrow.
Well, Mr. ABCNBCCBSFOX is no doubt happy his vacation is over and tomorrow he will be home encamped in front of his TV. Lets see what the other guests are like so here I go off to the travel talk.
I will leave you looking at my friend and Senior Hotel Director Dennis Dearborn whose favorite pastime………well……….one of them …………is fishing. Here he is with a catch from the shores of Alaska.
OK, I am back. Well, I can tell you that the majority of the 800 plus Canadians are Chinese Canadians and I can also tell you the audience were very, very tired and understandably so after long flights.
Tomorrow I will post a video from the talk today, which will feature the guests I interviewed at the talk.
On tomorrow’s video you see an old friend of mine………..John, from New York. John is a Platinum Member and travels with his “companion” who is here to look after him but history tells me that I will be doing most of the looking after. John is blind in one eye and has very little sight in his other and has other issues as well. He is a really lovely man but does tend to get very excited and I need to keep a close watch on him. You see, he likes to touch ladies hair……….not in a sinister way but more in as a compliment. Now, while some ladies find this ok and can handle the situation many find it very uncomfortable. John also loves to take photos and will probably everyone’s photos onboard. However, there is one big concern and that is John likes to walk onto the stage and will do so during all the shows. This is particularly dangerous during the production shows with the orchestra pit down……….John being blind well; it’s an accident waiting to happen. And of course it’s dangerous to the other performers as well. So, at each show I will have to either sit with him or have a staff member do so. I have spoken to his “companion” who honestly doesn’t seem to….well……..care. Anyway, we will do the caring and make sure John has a great time. I am sure I will have more to report on his antics later in the cruise.
This will be the last blog I write on a debarkation morning on the Carnival Splendor… ever. I can’t believe that it’s been six months already although when I looked in the mirror this morning naked and saw Jabba the Hut looking back at me……….well I knew it was maybe time for those four days at home…….and more dieting……and have my hair dyed……..and to trim the national park which was growing out of my nose………and my ears……….and never……..ever…….to eat curry before going to bed ever again.
There have been other warning signs that I am indeed getting old. I don’t recognize any of the music played on the radio, I have started making weird “old man” noises when I get up from sitting down………..why am I doing that………..I stand up and hear myself go” umphhhhhh “…….what’s that all about?
I am, however, still on my first marriage, haven’t actually lost too much hair yet, I still get excited when I see a Bentley Continental GTC or an Aston Martin although it is a worry that I get more excited about the cars then I do looking at ladies bottoms ………..bugger………….still I’m fit enough not to need a stair lift – so things aren’t all bad.
Someone really annoying told me that when you turned 40 you had to take a really hard look at your life and if you hadn’t got your act together, now was the time. When you get to 50, he said, if you still hadn’t got your act together it’s too late. So I’ve started writing a sort of five-year plan.
Personally I’m determined to get my act together. First I want loads of money by the time I’m 50. It’s not that I think money will automatically make me happy but, in the words of Woody Allen, “Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons”.
I’m going to make this huge amount of money by either moving to the States and turning the blog into a TV series, remain in the UK and become President of Carnival Universal which will be our new brand selling cruises to the Moon, Mars and Uranus or selling those photos I’ve got of Brad Pitt having rumpy pumpy with Judge Judy in a Hot Tub. I need to think about the options, so I’ll let you know what I decide.
I guess I am actually middle-aged so I’m also due a midlife crisis. This normally involves dressing like a teenager so for the Welcome aboard travel talk today I shall be wearing my trousers below my underpants.
The last option is to have an affair with a younger lady but the half a tube of super glue in the refrigerator tells me not to do that and besides……..I am very tired so if I did get ” excited ” I would probably just lean on it.
I don’t actually mind getting old at all… honest. It’s just the comfy middle-aged part that worries me. When I get properly old, I’ll love it – I can urinate at bus stops, refuse to pay for anything, and shout random abuse at strangers to whom I take a mild dislike.
You just can’t do that sort of thing at 43, sadly. There’s still too much at stake.
I’m joking – I’ve got quite a good feeling about my next 10 years, everything’s going to be fine… it’s only the halfway point of my life with no going back, time’s winged chariot, the inexorable approach of death…bugger……. maybe I’m not as OK as I thought.
All I want is to be able to do exactly what I want. But with a thingy on the way that might not be possible and in the years ahead I will have to find the energy from somewhere to play soccer with the thingy and go to the park with the thingy and………oh I hope it’s a girl……….playing with dolls and colouring in pictures of elephants……………… sounds like heaven.
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and the thingy.
Filed under: Destinations, Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Hawaii, Messina
You are too young to be old. And that little thingy on that is on the way? will keep you young for years and years.
John,
If your thingy is a girl I have one word for you to learn…BARBIE…she will eat off of Barbie dishes, dress in Barbie clothes, and you will be saying bugger so many times from stepping on Barbie shoes (which will feel like little knifes). Hmmm…maybe you can become rich by making a pink Aston Martin for Barbie and Ken.
Princess Susan
How’s Heidi feeling??
Hi Stephanie!
Dear John:
You are not going to be the youngest father but definitely not the oldest. Don’t worry!! The most important thing now is health. Get some rest and continue the diet. Forget about dyed the hair. You are not going to like it and it’s a lifetime sentence take it from someone that has to do it (dyed hair ) every 3 weeks and the hair is going to start falling then!! My hair is white John just like yours but it doesn’t look as good in a 43 year old woman. I have been talking with my husband and we think the baby is going to be a girl from the begining. Last week we were at the airport and Eugenio saw a little girl with blond hair just like Heidi’s and he told me that when you had a baby it was going to be just like that little girl and at that time we didn’t knew.
SO…. moving to the States and do a TV series about the blog??
Great pictures of Messina. I never got as good a picture of the bell tower with all the working little figures–those are really good.
Doing anything for the first or last time is always emotional. But moving on to bigger and better things is always exciting. You will have lots of exciting changes that will keep you young and on your toes and just remember…we will be with you every step of the way with all this great, free advice! How good does it get?
Sleep well…
John,
You will be a wonderful father whether the thingy is a girl or a boy. It’s amazing how much energy you can find for a child. Even when the grandchildren come for a visit or we go there, somehow I always find the energy to play with them. And patience that I never thought I had.
So sad that this is your last sailing on the splendor, but I can’t wait to read about your new adventures…. any clues??? Will we hear from Heidi soon???
Hugs!
Auntie Princess Barb
PS… enjoyed Bubba’s blog today too!
Daddy John, How I would love to be 43 y/o. Remember I just had a birthday while on the Holiday cruising and I turned…. mmmmmmmmm cough …. well…. ummmm I’m 3 years younger than Don and he is 71 y/o. So I’ll let you figure it out.
But just think in 7 more years you can join AARP. And some places you might get the senior citizens discount.. snicker . See getting older has it’s perks. Honestly John I have 2 children a few years older than you. You’ll meet my son on the BC2 and he is 48y/o …… so John ….. Old ………..you? NOT
Countess Carolyn……….. as old as good top soil as Big Ed says…
John,
Amen to the performer on the last night… my one “complaint” – well, internal whine, has been how the last night on a cruise always seems to have the feel of giving in to the end of vacation.
I understand you guys need to turn the ship around quickly, but having something to go see, such as a show, would be a great addition.
Although I guess I can’t complain – last cruise we killed time in the Casino for the last night and ended up wiping out most of our Sail & Sign tab
- Ryan
Like Nanni, I too am white (hair that is), and she is right if you start dying your hair now it becomes a lifetime committment. By the way becoming a dad at 44 isn’t half bad, just think when you are 65 and retired your 21 year old child can support you! Ha! Ha! Dream on……………. Seriously though I know you and Heidi will make great parents, and I am sure the baby will have Heidi’s blonde hair, and not your grey hair! HA! Hope it is a little girl, but a John Jr. would be nice too! Wow! Your last cruise on the Splendor as it’s CD, it almost sounds like you might be changing careers and not being a CD anymore? I hope that isn’t true, because you are so good at what you do, but I can understand it also, becoming a parent you want to be with your wife and child. Whatever your life brings, I just hope you will continue with the BLOG, you are our lifeline John to your CCL world! Best to you Mate, and to Heidi as well! And the soon to be little Heald! Your friends, Linda & Mike
John,
You are not too old to be a father. A senator here in SC had kids up until his 80’s! You will make a great father. I see the love and care you show to all the passengers and crew on the ships. The little thingy will be very blessed to have you and Heidi as parents.
Besides…I am 45 and a mother….so if 44 makes you old…then what am I??? Ancient???? Granted I am not a new mother, but just the same I am a mother.
You are getting a case of the jitters…wondering if you will be a good parent. You will be the best ( aside from my hubby of course!! LOL!)
A thingy changes lots of things, but a thingy is the most precious gift one could be given. All my best to Heidi. Rub her tummy for all of us Aunties out here in blog thingy land.
PS that is a nice Halibut Dennis has there…YUMMY!
John,
You and Heidi will make wonderful parents. Just keep that sense of humor (it can only help)! lol
As a 44 year old Mom of 7 (our youngest is 3) trust me when I say that nothing keeps you as young as seeing life through the eyes of a child
Lisa
I’m just catching up on some of the past blogs. When I read that Heidi was pregnant, I was so thrilled for you. My daughter was born on May 15 — 35 years ago!! Get plenty of rest, Heidi. What wonderful news! Congratulations.
“I am, however, still on my first marriage, haven’t actually lost too much hair yet, I still get excited when I see a Bentley Continental GTC or an Aston Martin although it is a worry that I get more excited about the cars then I do looking at ladies bottoms ………..bugger………….still I’m fit enough not to need a stair lift – so things aren’t all bad.”
John, fear not. You have a lovely lady’s bottom to look at so not being overly excited about other ladies’ bottoms isn’t terribly surprising. I, on the other hand, am not attached so ladies’ bottoms are a thing for wonder to me… in addition to all the other nice bits!!!
Regardless of what you do when you leave the Splendor you MUST promise that we’ll know where you are and that you’ll be spending a great deal of time on board Carnival ships. Carnival without John Heald on board just would not be the same.
Ciao, my friend.
Host Mach
John, look at the bright side… you will be both the thingy’s father AND grandfather! HAHAHA!
Papa John, age is just a number. You and Heidi will be wonderful parents. I can’t wait to hear all about your adventure.
Hugs,
Lori
John,
Welcome to the joys of parenting. You will spend the rest of your life second-guessing every action you take–and loving it.
We were 44 and 45 when our little surprise, Mark, came into the picture. Were we ready? Nope–never are. We had just been told that our daughter was getting married for the first time, and now Nina had to find a mother-of-the bride dress with a formal burp cloth attached! Our daughter called her Nana to tell her she was engaged, and then said–”If you think that’s great, wait until you hear about my Mama!”
You are about to find untapped energy resources that you never knew you had. Having a child at this age keeps you young. And if it’s a girl, be prepared, because from the moment a little girl is born, she has the amazing ability to wrap Daddy around her little finger–and Daddy LOVES IT!
I have always said that a little girl is God’s way of showing just how wonderful He is–and a little boy is His way of getting back at you for everything you ever did to your own father. I suspect, considering what a little Georgie Porgie you were, that it will be a boy–and that will be fun, too, just in a different way. Just raise him up so that in your future old age, he can support you in the manner to which you want to become accustomed.
Heidi, our prayers and congratulations go out to you–you already have experienced motherhood just trying to raise John. You will be a wonderful mother, and I would love to have a photo for our family album with you nuzzling the cheek of that wonderful bundle of joy.
Our best to both; we remain as always, your friends,
Rus & Nina Franklin
John,
You are not too old to be a father because you are just a kid at heart. And don’t think that having a girl will mean easy times for you, nowadays girls can be just as rowdy and athletic as boys. Try not to have preconceived ideas about what the thingy “should be” or “will not be” because I guarantee you, you’ll be in for a shock. My hubby was expecting our daughter to be a dainty princess, but she likes wall climbing, biking, painting, Barbie (well when she was 7), rock music (15 years old now) and making websites. Hang in there John, all we 3,000,000 aunties and uncles and rooting for you!
Risa
John and Heidi:
Mom and 47 when I was born…Dad was 51. I was the last child of six. Needless to say, I was a “surprise”. Three of my siblings were married with children, when I was born. One sister and one sister-in-law were pregnant the same time Mom was with me.
Mom always said I was the child that kept her young.
Enjoy this new adventure…
personally and professionally.
Linda ( Mom of your friend DJ)
Hi John and Heidi:
Congratualtions to both of you. I am catching up with the blog and just read that Heidi is expecting in May. That is when my little one was born and it is a great time of year to have a baby when the weather starts to get nice and you can take “her” for stroller walks
Now I did some calculations, and I finally figured out why the ship was “rocking “so much on my cruise on the baltic sea in August. LOL I like to think that we brought some luck to you both from New Jersey.
You both are going to make such great parents. These months will fly by and before you know it you will be holding your baby. I wish the best for all of you.
Pam and Tony (cruise date August 6th)
Hi John i just got home from sailing on The Splendor. It was a wonderful cruise. I never got a chance to meet you, but you did read my letter on your morning show. Thank you for the gift. I just caught up reading your blogs, so i was so excited to hear the news that you and Heidi are expecting. Congratulations. Our whole experience on the Splendor was great. The staff was wonderful. There were a few that stood out above the rest. I mentioned there names on the comment cards. I am happy to be home, post cuise depression has not set in yet, that will probably come when I go back to work tommmorow. I will just have to book another, we are actually considering the Splendor again, out of L.A. Thanks for a great cruise.
Sheila Mungo
John, you must quickly purchase the large, soft teddy bear as recommended by another blogger and present it to Heidi as Baby Heald’s first gift frm Daddy that you could not resist purchasing. After that, remember she is your Queen and giving you the greatest treasure you will share. I know you will keep that in mind.
Bloggers, I wish we were going to New Orleans with you, but…rather than have baby gifts shipped back to John and Heidi in England, maybe a Bloggers Baby Shower on board would let John and Heidi receive your best wishes, but the actual goods could be donated to less-fortunate babies in one of the ports you’ll be visiting?
Auntie Janet in Orlando
Dear John,
Just keep enjoying each day as it comes. You never know what life will throw at you.
I emailed you some months ago to let you know how much I appreciated your blog. You may remember my story, my husband had a stroke at 53 (not from the usual set of circumstances) and this blog was a much needed source of enjoyment and stress relief.
Today, I’m sitting in a Starbucks a mile from his office. He returned to work, part-time, several mornings a week starting last week. I drive him in, he doesn’t have the stamina yet for a 45-minute commute each way, and then “work” via WiFi from Starbucks for the morning. To be at this point 6 1/2 months after he was so dibilitated by the stroke is miraculous.
So, enjoy every day you have on or off a ship, enjoy Heidi’s hormones over the next few months, and most of all enjoy every moment of being a parent and husband. You just never know what might happen – you could have TWINS!
Regards,
Anne
John!
Finally I have read every single blog I missed while traveling….hmmmmm….
Last time on the Splendor?? hmmmmm….
The Blog thingy on TV?? hmmmmm…..will we get to be extras…..?? Dare we DREAM….
You are sailing on DESTINY??? Oh please say it will be the 10/30 or 11/3 sailing as I will be on her at that time for my very first ever B2B!!!
Whatever you do, I pray you will always be able to continue to take us all with you!!!
God bless Heidi and our new niecey or nephew thingy, and you too of course, you lovely Daddy thingy you!!! You are still a child at heart John, and you will be a tremendous Daddy!!
Loving the Bubba updates, Bubba!!! Hold on to those date nights, they are precious!!
Love you all!!!
Aunt Floatie
Congratulations on the impending “thingy”! Lovely, lovely news for you and Heidi.
Quick question, would love answer please…will Bubba be CD on the Spirit in January 2009? Will be on ship with friends, starting a year full of celebrations re: turning 65! Thanks John, best to Heidi.
Hey, Papa John! (Whoops, that sounds like a pizza, eh?)
Just wanted to comment on the “options” you outlined for your future wealth generating. Of the three you listed, only the “moving to the States and turning the blog into a TV series” rings true since you have presented this tantalizing possibility in the past. Personally, if we get to vote, I think that’s a great idea!!! Can I babysit?
BTW, you are not too old to be a father. By virtue of your chronological maturity and the nature of your jobs, you have experienced enough of life to have a good “handle” on all the ups and downs, the do’s and don’ts, the good and bad, to carry out the responsibilities of parenthood in an admirable fashion. Plus, you’ve dealt with every character known to man and will be able to see right through any sneaky stuff the thingy may ever attempt. And anyway, Heidi can deal efficiently with you both!
It’s gonna be great, you betcha! And I, for one, look forward to hearing all about the journey.
Your Pal, Myra
PS: Extra hugs to Heidi. And kudos to Stephanie for her great work.
This phase (circa Splendor) of your journey is nearly over. ……Soon the torch will be passed to another CD…..but alas brighter things are on your horizon….In honour of the near culmination of your tenure on the magnificent vessel
And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
Ill state my case, of which I’m certain.
I’ve lived a life that’s full.
I’ve traveled each and every highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried.
I’ve had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that;
And may I say – not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!
The Flying Dutchman
Just saw this Press Release :
>>>Carnival Creates New “Fun Ship Experience” Department
Carnival Cruise Lines has created a new department focusing solely on developing innovative new on-board “product opportunities” and enhancing existing aspects of the “Fun Ship” vacation experience<<<
Guess we now know the top secret project you’re joining. Sound like it should be very interesting and fun. Congrats again!
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
Good Afternoon John,
Just got back from being out of town for a bit. Are congratulations in order???? If so CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Well I need to finish 10 days of your blog so I will close for now.
Take care,
Joan
PS……did you hear?? Pistons beat the Heat 95-91 in OT. Hmmmmm is this a repeat of last year. I really hope not because I really want “My Boys” to take the Championship. I think the Shock (women’s team) should maybe coach them a bit. They won the WNBA Championship last night
Hi John/Heidi:
My how quickly time flies. I can’t believe its already been 6 months.
Nice pictures from Messina and its great to hear from Bubba.
Seems like Date Night would be in high demand so its nice to see that he got to spend some time with his fiance.
Great to hear from you and hold your head up.
Take care,
David
I have a picture in my head of the poor young man that comes to call on the thingy (if it is a girl thingy) and has to get by Papa John…. he will be muttering “bugger” under his breath for weeks!!
What a wonderful new experience you are about to embark on .. I wish you ALL the joys of parenthood … when the thingy is a teen .. just keep saying over and over and over again .. they will grow up ..
Hair, what hair? I’m bald and loving it. As far as you looking old, one question to ask is, How do I feel? Knowing that you are going to be a daddy, I think you must feel very young at the moment. Once the little one arrives, you will feel young or young at heart. I’ve noticed that when my little grandchildren come to visit, I really perk up. That is when you will feel young. Just you wait and see. Has Heidi eaten any unusual types of food? If not, she will. I’ve always enjoyed the time when my wife was pregnant. It was confusing at times what never dull. To be honest John, I loved it. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Hello John,
Ralph and I had the pleasure of sailing on the Freedom in May 2007 with you and Heidi. We met you in the special bloggers meeting. There weren’t as many of us as there are now. I hope we will get to go on another cruise with you as cruise director. I don’t think I have ever laughed as hard as the audience participation night with Yu Poo(h) and John from Mt. Holly. Priceless memories.
And now you and Heidi will have a whole different kind of priceless memories. May everything be smooth sailing for you both and I hope we get to meet again.
You’re going to be a wonderful dad! My dad was 40 when I was born. Last summer on our Med cruise he and I (ages 66 and 26) climbed to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and walked the entire wall around Dubrovnik (while mom was shopping both times, of course). As he always says, “Age is just a number, and it sure as heck beats the alternative!” Of course he also likes to point out that every gray hair on his head came after I was born….I’m not so sure about that…..
John…
The pictures you post are always wonderful!!! Thank you…
I can never see enough of the funnel and your guests and crew find the greatest angles!!! THANK YOU!!!
And your blog is always 100%!!! TY!!!
Love to Mum-Heidi and the little one, too!!
Lambie
Forget about that age stuff. The new little one will keep you young and you will truly enjoy the experience of being a daddy. You cn’t feel old or even middle aged when holding your first newborn. Enjoy! Larry and Jeri
Dear John
Just returned home from the Carnival Splendor cruise… our first. We loved the experience and you were a great It will go in the scrapbook.
Was the complainer about Steve Rawlings’ show named Salmon? Unbelievable!!
Congratulations on the good news for you and Heidi. Hope to see you agian on another cruise.
John,
We adopted our youngest daughter when we were in our 40’s. What a blessing! We were not ready at a younger age and we have enjoyed every moment with her. She keeps us young. She doesn’t mind a bit having older parents. So, don’t worry about the age thing. After all, you are only as old as you feel!
I want to share an incident with you that happened when we were on the Destiny a couple of weeks ago. It shows how rediculous people can be sometimes. When we docked in Grand Cayman, we had to take tender boats to shore. The Capers said you had to go to the lounge to get a ticket and then proceed to the boats when your number was announced. That morning wasn’t busy at all so when we arrived, we were told we didn’t need to wait and we could go and board the tender boat right away. Can you believe that some people were actually getting ugly and mad because they said the Capers lied to them? What idiots! The staff members who were patiently explaining the situation (with big smiles I might add) only got yelled at time and time again. Still, they were so patient and kind. We praised them and told them what a great job they were doing. You could tell the rude people were getting to them though. Why would anyone complain because things were going smoothly and they didn’t have to wait for an hour? I guess you guys must see and hear it all. Just want to say that Carnival is doing a great job of training their staff to be patient and kind to it’s customers. A special thank you goes out to the Destiny staff!
Mike & Lori
John,
You and Heidi are about to experience the most wonderful times of your life. Cherish the moment you hold your “1st” and realize it is the result of your love for each other and God’s most precious of all gifts.
John,
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our first cruise on the Splendor. Thanks for your part in making it a memorable celebration of our retirement.
Now where is that recipe for the Warm Melting Chocolate Cake? I really must have it and I was told it was on your blog.