Let me set the scene for part one of today’s blog thingy with a true story……….and yep…………it’s a true story. Heidi and I were in the car a few years ago. We were sitting behind a car at a stop light and I noticed that it had a bumper sticker that read “Honk if you support British Troops.” So as I did……… I honked the horn and we were very surprised when the driver of the car got out and yelled, “The light is still red, you ar%^hole!.” He then proceeded to get back into the car and drove off through the light, which had just turned green.
And that’s how I feel this morning. You think you are doing something that is good and then you suddenly find out that it was perceived in a very different way.
I had received a letter from a guest. Here it is.
So, as I do with all “Dear John” letters I receive I read this out on the morning show and included some words of sympathy and encouragement. I also sent Betty a fruit basket and a signed photo of the ship with some words of sympathy.
Well, last night I received this.
Guest: ————Ref: 002715247A
Cabin: _____ Booking#: _______ Added-Changed: 10/07/08 – 10/07/08WANTS TO SPEAK TO CRUISE DIRECTOR UNHAPPY WITH SHOW
Mrs._______ came to the desk to ask to speak to cruise director. Guest said that he had upset her mother during the show and she was crying. Purser called cruise director who was at the show. Purser arranged a meeting after the show at the cruise director’s request. Guest left the desk. Tasked to cruise director.
I had no idea what had upset the lady, I thought it may have been a joke or something I had said at the welcome aboard show. I had no idea that it was in reference to the letter I had read out that morning……..but it was.
So, after the show I met with the guest who is the daughter of the lady who wrote the note to me about “her John.” She told me how upset her mother was because of what I had said. Not that I had read the letter out……..but that I had said “I am sure you miss him very much and that we should all be as lucky to be together with the one we love for 62 years and that we will be thinking of Betty today.”
Those were my exact words……I know this because I just watched the re-run on the TV. Well, Betty found these words upsetting and had been crying all day and now her daughter was upset at me…..and for the life of me I couldn’t understand what I had done wrong.
But, that didn’t matter and I needed to fix the problem so I asked her daughter if I could meet with Betty. And I did.
We sat in the lobby and she told me that it was the first time that she had been on vacation without him and that my words made it sound like “she should forget about him.” I realised that my words had nothing………nothing to do with what I said………it was simply………that she missed him.
So, I sat with Betty fro 30 minutes and she told me about “her John” and how he had served in the US Army for 18 years and had then worked as a civil engineer. She told me they had raised four children and how he loved to listen to jazz music. ………….she cried again…………as I held her hand.
Anyway, we left as friends and I asked Betty if I could pay tribute to “her John “on my blog. She didn’t understand what that was so I explained and assured her that her story was one that she should share and that the more people who new about “her John” and she agreed. And so I apology to Betty for upsetting her and, at her request, I pay tribute to “her John” who I am sure right now is watching over her.
What a beautiful day and if you didn’t know what port we were in and I asked you to look outside and guess I am positive you would never guess Turkey. Maramaris is as “western” as you could get.
There isn’t a mosque in sight and looking at the modern red-topped buildings and five-star hotels, you would think you were nestled in a little French Riviera port like St. Tropez or Cannes. There are huge private yachts bobbing in the harbor where the rich and tanned have just awoken for breakfast…………at 1 pm. Trying to imagine what life for them must be like is as pointless as an investment banker ironing five shirts on a Sunday evening.
Anyway, the locals seem very pleased to see us and are handing out roses to every lady as they disembark. There is also a musician providing local music. Now, he probably didn’t expect anyone to be dancing with him this morning but the Chinese Canadian guests who will dance to anything…….really……….they love to dance – and they have even been known to dance to the music in our elevators – and decided to have a little dance on the pier this morning.
Anyway, I snapped a few photos this morning including some of the pier, a ship coming in close to our stern and the beautiful harbor of Marmaris, Turkey
Now meet Mr and Mrs. Demel…………..honeymooners and very much in love. I met them last night and Florence proudly showed me her new diamond wedding ring. She met Bill only four months ago and, after a few weeks of a whirlwind romance, they were married. Here they are on their honeymoon.
Here is a photo of Florence showing me her ring and one of her and her new love Bill. …….oh, Bill is 84 and Florence is 82……….and……………..they are precious beyond words.
OK, let’s say hello one last time to Chris “Bubba” Roberts. Here is his final Hawaiian report.
The Hawaii Reposition – Kona, Honolulu Day 1 & the End for now…
Morning came quickly as I we arrived into Kona. We were dropping the anchor around 7 am this morning, and had tenders ready to go about 7:30 am. We had a very smooth tender operation for the morning. More smooth than I have seen in a long time. I think most people maybe had to wait about 10 – 15 minutes from when they collected their tender sticker to when they were called for boarding. The Carnival Spirit uses its own tenders in the ports of call because most of the places we go do not have a local tender service. At around 10:30 am I made a general clearance announcement as we had about 1,500 guests off the ship and little less that 700 still on board.
I was not able to go ashore today as I had a meeting and I needed to finish working on the Capers for the next Hawaii cruise. Perhaps on the next voyage I will be able to go out in Kona.
After an uneventful day in the office, I made my final preparations for the debarkation talk. We do the talk at 7:30 pm on this night as everyone is on board (some folks leave us the first day in Honolulu, and some leave on the second day). So it’s best to get everyone ready in advance.
The talk was well attended. Although a quiet audience during the talk, they did give the crew a standing ovation at the end. I kept my promise of 30 minutes or less for the talk and there weren’t too many questions — only a lot of praise for the trip.
Made my brief appearance in the show on this night…..Legends. So I put on my dress and did my dance.
The next day was our first day in Honolulu. I decided that I wanted to see the Dole pineapple plantation. Love pineapple, and thought it would be fun. So my assistant cruise director Kirk and entertainment hosts Katie and Izzy joined me for the adventure.
Inside the facility they had all things pineapple. In one of the corners they were doing a carving demonstration of pineapples. As we went out the back of the main building, we found there were two major things to do. One, was to ride the “Pineapple Express” and the other was to go into their “world’s largest garden maze.”
On this miniature train we had about a 20-minute ride through the plantation to see how they plant and harvest the pineapple. We also learned about Mr. Dole who founded the company and how it progressed in history. From the train ride we went over to the garden maze and had a go at finding the eight secret areas of the maze. We only found one before calling it quits. But it was still fun.
After the plantation we made a stop over on the North Shore in order to check out the Banzai pipeline surfers, but, unfortunately, there were no big waves today, just beautiful beaches. So made the trip back to the ship and now I am back on board checking on what’s going on with our last day of this cruise. I will probably go out to Waikiki later tonight, but we will see what happens. Tomorrow morning we will have the turnaround day where these folks will debark and will get our new guests.
It’s been fun and hopefully I have given you all a good idea on what it’s like to do one of our Hawaiian cruises. If I do anything cool on the next voyage, I will drop John a line. Thanks again and see you around… Mahalo.
Please join me in thanking Chris for taking the time to write those wonderful reports. I didn’t ask him to do it he just volunteered and that is one of the many reasons that make Chris such a great chap and a great friend. Thanks, Bubba, and next time I see you lunch at the Waffle House is on me.
Yesterday I showed you some amazing photos of the Queen Elizabeth 2. These were sent in by a blogger and by Ms. Carol Marlow.
Now our good friend Peter Shanks has sent me these two incredible photos. Here they are with commentary from Peter.
Now that is what you call a ship – pictures taken in recent days by Royal Navy who came to pay their respects.
Best Regards
Peter
Thanks Peter for those everlasting memories.
Well, I didn’t get to go ashore today; in fact, I can’t remember the last time I did. I am still awash with guilt that I am leaving the ship. Jen Baxter is here and quite honestly she reminds me of …well…………me…………15 years ago. She is full of energy, stays up late and gets up early and is going to do a great job for the 12 days she is here.
I am making sure she knows everything and has everything she needs. She is very confident although I think she sees the task of holding her travel talks is a big one ………… as she said today……….”There’s a big difference to talking about a snorkel tour in Nassau and a tour to Ephesus.”
Anyway, I know she will do brilliantly. Meanwhile, I am preparing the schedules and ground work for Swan…………sorry Duck………..I mean Goose……. who will be here for the trans-Atlantic crossing. I know he will also be fabulous and I just want to make sure I have helped both Jen and Flamingo……bugger…..Goose ……..as much as I can.
This pregnancy thing is very strange. I find myself telling Heidi what to do and what to eat. I told her today that eating a spring roll may not be good for the thingy……..she replied that wobbly-bellied men who have never eaten a lentil in their life should say bugger all.
Then this morning Heidi felt nauseous and had a little sickness. I told her it may not be morning sickness but caffeine withdrawal and in the middle of cluster bombing the toilet she told me ………in Dutch……….to “boil in hell.”
It’s not just us, it’s others. Today, I had an e-mail from a colleague back in Miami who asked how the baby was……….this is probably a normal question and probably meant is everyone healthy…..but to me it seemed a crazy one to ask. ……..I wanted to write back “How the hell do I know? I don’t wear X-ray specs and I don’t have an ultrasound scanner on my desk. For all I know, the thingy could be mutating into a ninja turtle”. …………but I just wrote back that all was well.
Anyway, I see that some of you are asking if you can send cards and stuff for the thingy. I am going to give you a P.O. Box in the UK soon………..you really don’t have to send anything………your thoughts and kind wishes are more than enough………unless you want to hire me a Bentley or Aston Martin……..the thingy would like that.
Not to keep going on about this credit crunch thingy but I have to add one more thing then I promise to bugger off and not talk about if for at least two days. So today, a little concerned I decided to call my Barclays bank branch to get some assurance that my 39 pounds worth of savings was safe.
So, I dialed the number in the UK and for some reason I must have gone into a trance when I called because instead of getting Sonia from the Southend branch I got Bimal from the Bombay branch
I was then put on hold and had to listen to a four-year-old playing a piano, punctuated with a sinisterly smooth voice telling me they’re doing ALL they can to answer my call, although the one method they never quite get round to trying is to pick up the sodding phone. How the hell are they going to solve the world’s credit problems when they haven’t even learnt how to answer a bloody phone?
The other day I spoke about a couple I was talking to who had cruised on many other lines but never with Carnival. This was because they had heard that we were a company designed for party people……….people who would spend the days drinking and the night drinking even more. The food was dreadful and their tablemates at dinner would be likely to vomit all over you while their heads spun 360 degrees. They were wrong………and they regretted listening to others.
So did Megan.
John -
I went on my first cruise eight years ago. It was on RCCL’s Sovereign of the Seas. I was told that I had to go on RCCL as Carnival was a “party boat” full of college kids and trashy types. I was young (26) and didn’t know any better. The food was terrible, the cabin was tiny and the average age of my fellow cruisers was at least 30 years older than me. I had a nice time but wasn’t hooked on cruising, and it’s probably easy to see why. I figured all cabins we small and the food was a quantity not quality type of thing.
Fast forward 7.5 years and I decide to try another cruise for our extended family of 18. A friend of mine had recently sailed on Carnival and she recommended it highly. I was surprised. She’s older than me and she doesn’t seem like a partier or trashy. So I asked my travel agent and she said Carnival had a reputation years ago for being a “party ship” but it really wasn’t warranted. She had a lot of positive things to say so, while leery, I booked a Carnival cruise.
As I’ve mentioned before, I stepped off the Miracle six days ago and I regret it…stepping off that is. I should have stowed away in lifeboat 24 like Big Sexy told me to. I had a wonderful time, the room was spacious for my husband, our two little girls and me and the food was wonderful.
I’m sure I’m not the only person that has heard in the past about Carnival’s reputation of being a “party ship” (like that’s a bad thing!). I really think that Carnival should get the message out there that some preconceived notions that people have about the Fun Ships are just plain wrong. And I will tell you that some travel agents are perpetuating the myth.
I am in the midst of planning another cruise with Carnival. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to do it the first time and I wish I hadn’t listening to someone else’s stuffy opinion. But I think you should know that those opinions are out there, and sadly, probably more than you think. And definitely more than Carnival deserves.
Megan…………..I want to say thank you for this wonderful comment. You know, I never thought I would like sushi. My friends told me it tasted like eating a dead fish from a marathon runners sock. I listened to them………..for years…….and eventually I tried a piece. And he was right……….it’s disgusting and I would sooner eat fried baboon poo ….on toast…………than sushi.
But the point is that people aren’t always right and all I ask is that people make up their own minds before commenting. I have no idea how, or why this RCI is better than Carnival thingy happened. I have been at sea for 21 years. I have docked next to the “whatever of the Seas” and looked at the people walking of their gangways. They are exactly the same as you and I…………line 200 hundred people up on the pier in Cozumel and choose who is on the “Something Of The Seas” or the “Carnival Something” and I guarantee you won’t be able to tell. OK, the Carnival guests may be smiling more because they have not had to pay for a steak at dinner but apart from that……..there is no difference. I am sure many people who have cruised with us have cruised with them.
So, if someone says to you “Don’t cruise with Carnival because they are this or they are that”………….don’t listen to them…………try it for yourself……….give us a chance and I promise……..I mean, I personally promise…….you will not regret it. Today’s Carnival is better than ever and I have a chance these next few weeks to make sure that tomorrow’s Carnival…………is even better.
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and Thingy
Filed under: Destinations, Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Carnival Splendor, Chris Roberts, Hawaii, Turkey
it’s what I tell my customers after trying my first Carnival cruise in January… “try it, you’ll like it”. I am a travel agent and have fallen in love with Carnival cruises.
I was once told a cruise is only as good as the passengers it has aboard. I have to agree I have been on many different lines and I always come back to carnival going on number 8 with carnival in nov.You will not find a better mix of passengers as you do on a carnival cruise. Carnival is in a class of its own. No other I have found can compare.
OMG, I would have never guessed those pictures were from Turkey! Wow, another preconceived idea I guess I always associated it with desert and similar to the pictures we see from Iraq. That could be one of the prettiest ports I have seen.
Sorry the lady got upset about your reading her note but I think her daughter could have explained it to her as well. Alls well that ends well.
I love your description of calling your bank and very true here in the states as well. Very frustrating not to be able to reach a human even in the Bombay branch!
You will have to get used to everyone wanting to know how the Heald thingy is doing. Perhaps you should invest in an ultrasound machine for your home like Tom Cruise did so you can view the thingy when you want and give knowledgeable updates…:-)
You must give us some info on Duck, Chicken, Swan, Flamingo no, Goose so those of us that will be on the Splendor with him will have some inside info to use to keep him on his toes. Glad Jen is doing well.
I have heard many, many times that Carnival is just for “white trash” so I guess I’m white trash, because I’ve always been so pleased with my experiences with Carnival.
I called another cruise line to inquire about a cruise and when I asked if I had cruised before I said “only with Carnival.” The woman with the other cruise line immediately got a condescending attitude and made me feel like I had basically been cruising around in a rusty garbage can eating leftover Army rations. After that phone conversation I decided that Carnival would be the ONLY cruise line I ever sail with.
Already looking forward to the Liberty next year.
Melissa
As you might guess I’m unabashedly in love with Carnival. I’ve sailed NCL and that very nearly put me off cruising… and growing old.
Carnival is a different kind of beast… ready and willing to accommodate the most ardent partier and at the same time making a quiet reflective journey a simple reality.
Carnival is not all things to all people but it very nearly is.
You know how I feel about Carnival Cruise Lines so more of this is merely preaching to the choir.
Carnival is brilliant… just brilliant…
Host Mach
John:
You can EASILY tell which people are on the “Dingbat of the Seas” on the pier. Just look for the ones with their snooty little noses up in the air!!!!! Oh, and their pockets will be empty because of all they”extras” they have to pay for onboard……..
By the way, a little marketing idea for each of the ships…..Since Carnival has won some very coveted awards from various travel magazines/organizations for their Cuisine in the Main Dining Room (amongst others) these past couple of years, I would suggest some sort of “display” for these awards outside each dining room (or other strategic locations). Toot your own horn a bit and let, in particular, the first time Carnival Cruisers take that info home with them. (I used to do a bit of Marketing in my day, and that just struck me as something that might pay off.) Got to go pack for our cruise on the Glory this coming weekend….so would be interested in your thoughts. Reply if you have time….Regards ….Tim
I have sailed on 7 Carnival cruises and 1 something of the Seas We did the …of the Seas out of Baltimore because Carnival was sold out in 2004. (Carnival had the better itinerary) Anyway, I travel with my parents who are now 79 and 80. They did not like ..of the Seas because it was a much older reserved crowd. They love Carnival because its more fun with better food and better entertainment and the guests are wonderful, especially our Cruise Critic friends! We are always blown away by the big production shows. I have to say my favorite production show was the Ticket To Ride Show on the Freedom -it was awesome.
“Debs”..Go Steelers!!
Good evening John, Heidi and Thingy. Hey John, I’m getting a little tired of writing thingy. It’s a child for God sake. I’m very glad that my travel agent mentioned about Carnival as I was thinking to spend a week on an island. She said, Paul, why don’t you take a cruise? I always wanted to take a cruise but was always frightened. I really didn’t know why but i did. She showed me about Carnival and we decided to take one and I was so happy for the choice. We are preparing for our third cruise and in my mind I’m preparing my fourth, fifth and sixth and of course it will be with Carnival. Carnival and you John and especially my travel agent Nancy are the ones who have made me feel for great about cruising and for that I thank you all. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Hi John and Heidi!
Surprise….. it is not the weekend and I am not catching up. Gosh, can you imagine that. Anyway, I wanted to say a word about RCI vs. Carnival. Jim and I used to go with RCI but the first time our daughter convinced us to give Carnival a try…I fell in love with the cruise line. The service is wonderful and the food is incredible. The program for children is truly the best I have ever seen. I mean, the children are kept entertained and they are well cared for. It makes it a lot easier for me knowing that they are happy and we can enjoy our cruise. It is not endless babysitting. The people who work on the Carnival ships are always willing to go the extra mile. RCI really does not take the personal interest in seeing that guests are happy.
The cruise directors on Carnival have always been extremely informed about the ports. I can not say that about cruise directors on other lines. I can not imagine cruise directors on other lines taking time to sit and talk with passengers just to iron out problems.
I can not say enough about Carnival. It is a top of the line organization and I hope it will continue to provide excellent service.
Ruth
John – We have cruised with Carnival 14 times – including twice with you – once on the Triumph and once on the Glory. Our first Carnival cruise was on the Festivale in 1986.
We have also cruised on RCCL 22 times. When all is said and done, both lines do a great job. That is obvious by the 12+ million people who will take a cruise this year.
But yes, CCL and RCCL are definitely different. CCL has much more spacious cabins and a less formal, more fun oriented atmosphere. And those deli sandwiches from the New York Deli on the Destiny and Conquest class ships are simply the best on any cruise line. So yes, everyone who likes to cruise should at least try one Carnival cruise – they never know – they just might like it and become a repeat passenger.
Since I’ll be on the Freedom’s transatlantic crossing, I just got my absentee ballot for the United States Presidential election. If I “write in” our name, will that be OK with you.
I just want to make sure you’ll accept the demotion from Cruise Director to President
Like Stefani, I too am a travel agent. I’ve heard other agents talk of Carnival like a second class and I am quick to the defense! And I’ve had to dispell the myths when clients scrunch up their noses at the recommendation based on what a friend of a friend said about Carnival.
In my opinion, Carnival is the most well rounded cruise line out there. Considering price point alone you won’t find better value!!! From eastern Canada, a week long carnival cruise including air and gratuities is quite often cheaper than some upper resorts in the sun! This point was proven when my hubby came to me a few months ago and asked that I research a getaway for the two of us. He didn’t care if it was land or sea – just cheapest. I looked at pretty much every option and I’m very pleased and excited to say that we’re setting sail on the Glory on 15 Nov! Is Carnival for everyone? No it isn’t…because I’d rather send the Mrs Snottys and Mr NBCFOXABCs of the world somewhere else!
Dot Loves Carnival!!
John -
Interesting picture of the jump deck on a British aircraft carrier. Which carrier was it? Or would you have to kill me for telling me?
Jon
John,
I am a former travel agency manager (retired) from the Los Angeles, California area, my first cruise was on Carnival, and I fell in love with the line, the kindness of their employees, plus the general cruising style. We have completed over twenty cruises since our first cruise with Carnival, on many different lines. I did notice that for a time Carnival was unfairly put down in comparison to other cruise companies, but not any longer!
We are planning on “The Cruise of Our Lifetime” which will depart on October 17th (cabin #8428)from Rome and continue on the transatlantic cruise on October 29th. We hope to be able to meet you and your lovely wife. You have made all of our months of waiting until the cruise “come alive” with your fantastic blog. You have no idea of how you have brightened our day with your humor and great attitude.
My husband and I are very hard of hearing and it is difficult to be at a table with other guests when you cannot hear what they are saying. Is there a chance that you might be able to help us reserve a table for two.
Thank you for your fabulous blog.
Dori
Dear John I loved the pictures.The one of the Splendor looks fabulous.I hear that about Carnival being for heavy drinkers and wild parties a lot.I tell them that they are the fun ships good family fun for all ages.Chris has done a great job giving us a glimpse of a Hawaiian cruise.I am sure Jen and Goose will perform their duties equally well in the Carnival style.Best wishes to the newlyweds Mr.and Mrs. Demel and all of you Gary and Bug
John,
)
This is my first time to post, but I have been reading for quiet a while. My husband and I have been on 7 Carnival Cruises in the 6 years we have been together. I’m writing you as I wait for my 4 week old to wake up for another feeding. To let both Heidi and you know from very recent experience people will ask you the strangest things while you are expecting. Tell Heidi if she doesn’t want random people touching her belly, to just touch theirs and when they act surprised, tell them that she thought it was ok since they were touching her. It’s great for a laugh. Good luck on the cravings; I had most of mine in the first trimester. If the sickness gets rough try ginger or look for preggie pops online. My last cruise I was 2 months pregnant and thank goodness for ginger ale. Good luck with the “thingy,” he/ she will have a name soon
Hi John and Heidi! I’m afraid that I too fall into the category that listened to travel agents and steered clear of Carnival for many years. When I was doing group travel for seniors, the TA I worked with completely badmouthed Carnival and their reputation. This was back in the mid to late 90’s. It wasn’t until I married into a Carnival cruising family that I discovered what fun and value I’d been missing! Thank goodness I saw the light…!
As always, our best to you both or should I say the three of you?! Hang in there!
John,
Having worked on the Internet for almost 12 year, between Cruise Critic and then CruiseMates, I can tell you this is misperception we see all the time. And it does get my lamb… er horse … er goat.
Perhaps the oddest thing about it is the comments often come from no one who has been on a Carnival ship EVER. They’ve always heard from…………
You’d think they would eventually choose smarter friends.
We certainy try to counter all the misinformation with current information, telling about the areas of Carnival that we find appealing.
I often post on the message boards, and have in fact wrote articles on just this topic.
I read a review on our site today from someone complaining about the food on a something of the seas. I wrote back explaining their agent who advised them RCI food was top drawer should be sent out for a ride on a Camel through the Grand Canyon.
The past several years I myself have noted in cruise reviews that IMHO RCI food had dropped to the bottom of the barrel for ratings on their food dept. compared to the other mass market lines.
Hopefully it will improve if we keep up at telling the truth to kill the myth.
I think some in the cruise industry give the same type of advise the economy has been getting from the investment banks.
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
Good Morning John and Heidi, I loved the pictures of Marmaris, Turkey. They do indeed look like a French resort, maybe Cannes one of the ports we were at and became my favorite. Who knew Turkey could be so beautiful?
I always talk up Carnival. I would never cruise with another line. I am so looking forward to the many cruises we will be taking in the future. Being retired does have advantages. Even with the stock market plunge, I am still going to travel and cruising has always been my favorite way to do so.
Keep smiling John, good things for you and Heidi will be coming, you can count on that. I hope you are enjoying this last cruise on the Splendor. You will have many more cruises in your future, I so hope we can meet again on one of them. You truly are the best CD Carnival has.
Interesting….. The Royal Caribbean hate mongers have propagated cantankerous, disparaging and entirely disingenuous perceptions of Carnival …
Mud smearing to the extreme ……sounds something akin to political campaigns and a Karl Rove playbook.
Lies are spread and gullible people believe them wholly and without question. The fabrication is ingrained to the point where you even if you adorn pigments, oils, waxes, and emollients to a member of the Genus Sus, you are still left with an inferior product….and people will lap it up like a parched cat drinking milk.
When you take a Carnival Cruise there’s plenty of things to do
Ride the slide then relax at the spa
Let the craps dealer know who you are
After dinner be a Karaoke star
Don’t forget the piano bar
Party all night in the club
Dancing to music you love
When you take a Carnival Cruise there’s plenty of things to do
But remember…..
I really must say cruises are so fun won’t want to go home.
….
I may regret this little ditty….but the more I think about it….it seems apropos…
Kiss you off my lips
I don’t need another tube of that dime store lipstick
Well I think I’m gonna buy me a brand new shade of man
Kiss you off my lips
It’s standing room only for a piece of my pigment
So excuse me a minute while I supply demand
Kiss you off these lips of mine
Kiss you off for a custom shine
Pissed yours truly off this time
It’s why I ain’t just kissin’ you I’m kissin’ you off
The Flying Dutchman
I have cruised on Disney, Royal & Carnival and I must say Carnival is my all time favorite by far.
Keep up the great writting I love your blog!!!!
John, the blog from Bubba has been a terrific glimpse into itineraries we’ve not traveled on yet, just like your blog. Very intriguing, especially with the pictures he took time to send. Thank you Bubba – you went out of your way to do that.
Best wishes to Heidi and Mini-Me. Referring to hmi/her as Thingy, for heaven’s sake! Auntie Janet
Gee, I noticed you capitalized “Thingy” in your signature–did you listen to me???
To clarify:
In my earlier comment ….. In no way, shape, or form was I referring to this cruise line…..
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/04iMekk08y03B/610x.jpg
http://flickr.com/photos/rashbre/2558191959/sizes/l/
(with the imaginative graffiti motif that connotation theoretically could easily be reached)
Death Star of the Seas and its overt and unjust propaganda spewing minions were the assertive forces to which I was alluding.
Hi John/Heidi:
Great pictures out of Turkey today and i can’t believe how close that boat was to the ship. It almost looks like its right on top of her. Scary!
The pictures of QE from the Navy are so cool. The fact that they get it “out at sea” is really unique.
Nice catching up with Bubba and it seems like he’s having a nice time in Hawaii.
Thanks for another great blog and my best wishes on Thingy’s progress.
Take care!
David
[...] “My John” And One Last Bubba Let me set the scene for part one of today’s blog thingy with a true story……….and [...] [...]
Have spent what little free time I’ve had, since returning from our Vancouver/Hawaii cruise on the Spirit, catching up on your blog thingies, John.
Very nice to read Bubba’s “diary” of our cruise! the cruise was great, and Larry & I confirmed what we suspected — we LOVE the “fun days at sea”! We would be happy with a 12-day cruise that had 5 sea days at the beginning, two ports in the middle, and another 5 sea days!
Congratulations on your new bun-in-the-oven “thingy”!! Sounds as if there are many changes, projects and adventures ahead for you and Heidi.
Terri & Larry (Sinatra, again, this time on the Spirit’s Legends show!)
Hi John,
Playing catch up with the blogs again…. work…. work…. work and no play these days. Feel like I need a cruise. February can’t come soon enough.
It was good to finally hear from Heidi. She is going to enjoy her well deserved time off to be a full time mum! Heidi just make sure you do lots of things for yourself before the little Thingy comes along. Pamper yourself. And sleep late, when you can. But most of all enjoy every moment once that little one arrives, they grow so quickly!
I have really enjoyed Bubba Chris’ blogs. Thank you so much Chris! Can’t wait to read more, and maybe when you and John go to the Waffle House you can write us about that too!
John the pictures today were fabulous. I especially enjoyed Turkey when we did the Med cruise. The people are so friendly and it truley is a beautiful and historic country. So, much to see. And the food is wonderful! Of course you have your own memories of Turkey….. and Fatima!
Hugs!
Auntie Princess Barb
Good Morning John,
I just have to comment about Megan and preconceived “notions”. In 1999 my wonderful Father in Law, for Christmas, paid a deposit for his kids and spouses to go on a family cruise. I agreed but I wasn’t excited about cruising. I just “knew” we would be “forced” to have dinner with people we had nothing in common with. Stay in a cabin you would need a shoe horn to get into and be crowded when out and about on the ship!! So I went on this cruise “kicking and screaming”.
Oh and yes I knew we would be stepping over passed out drunks all over the ship. Yes I had heard about Carnival “Party Ships”. Well let me tell you, we boarded the brand new Carnival Elation and my jaw dropped! I was hooked from hello. When we got to our cabin I was amazed at the room we had and the friendliness of the crew. That was the best cruise and it is remembered with very fond memories. Were there passed out drunks, nope, matter of fact in all our cruises with Carnival I don’t think I can say I have seen anyone sloppy drunk or obnoxious to others. So almost 10 years later and 10 cruises later I still get excited when booking, planning and cruising! You will never guess that I am the biggest cruise junkie in the family but yes I am. I love Carnival, the crews, the shows, the food and most of all it’s a wonderful relaxing vacation where you meet and make friends with the most amazing people!!!
Take care,
Joan
I think Tom Cruise is such a stud. I asked my mom if she liked Tom Cruise and she said he was mighty fine haha. A divine gift from God descended on earth like Adonis. My favorite dream was once when I imagined he took of his shirt while standing at the foot of my bed lol.