I would rather blow torch my nipples off then work in a bank ….but it looks like they may have got their act together…..so yippee for that and now, hopefully, we can start leading normal lives again and start worrying about SARS, Bird Flu, North Korea, Iran, whether to cruise on the Carnival Spirit to Alaska or the newly renovated Carnival Fantasy…..oh yes……and hemorrhoids………one should always worry about those nasty little buggers.
However, it is good news with the markets closing way up and my Carnival shares looking as healthy as Cameron Diaz in a string bikini holding a sign saying “Wanted: Cuddly cruise director for fun, friendship and occasional rumpy pumpy.”
Good morning then from Naples and I hope all of you are well. Sorry about the missing bit of the blog last night. It seems I must have deleted it when using spell check ………. yes…………I have just found spell check and was totally my fault and not Stephanie’s. It was a good thing that I saw it was missing because otherwise it made no sense ………… especially saying that you have to have a drink to have a good time……….and there’s me not having had a drink for 12 years …………
Anyway, Mick Jagger really got up my nose with that comment so I am glad I had the chance to respond………….even though there is more chance of me being voted “rear of the year” than Mr. Jagger reading the blog thingy.
So, as I said, here we are in Naples and as you will see from these photos ……… we had a friend docked next to us.
Yep, the Carnival Freedom was docked next to us and what a thrill to see the two ships side by side. That meant that today, Naples was hosting 6,000 Carnival guests — what a wonderful advert for the world’s most popular cruise line as we fly the flag here in Europe.
Of course, it’s a thrill for the crew only, many of which have colleagues, friends and in one case, family onboard. There is an engineer here on the Carnival Splendor whose brother is a deck officer on the Carnival Freedom. They have not seen each other for nine months. This is because they are on different ships, of course, but also because they are on vacation at different times….I hope they had a great reunion.
As for Heidi and I, we went to say goodbye to Adolfo our friendly tour operator here in Naples and also to say hello to our old friends from the Carnival Freedom’s shore excursion staff, Filip and Miguel. We spent seven months together and it was nice to see this lovely couple again.
I have a huge love-hate relationship with Italy as I may have mentioned before. I love the beauty, the easy “am I bovered, though” way of life and, of course….I love the food.
However, Italy always has me wanting to put on a costume ……a gorilla, perhaps, or a priest— these seem like a brilliant plan for self-improvement.
I tell myself I’m a great person, and that looks aren’t important. I tell myself beauty comes from within, and that happiness and confidence are the most attractive thingies of all.
But walking around Naples today in my sweat pants and t-shirt, I knew that was bollocks. And now here I was in a country that really understood beauty — in men and women, in architecture and cars, and in life itself. Italian men are obsessed by beauty. Or rather, they’re obsessed by femininity. And femininity is not hard to achieve in Italy….the waiter kissed Heidi’s hand today after she ordered her meal…..and we were in McDonald’s.
Italian men still have an image of themselves as superior thingies who are born to run the world and to be admired for making a bella figura. And the reason is simple ……………….. Their “mamas “tell them so.
The main focus now is of course packing. With Heidi’s hormones now, our Thingy inside of her is already acting like a herd of marauding bulls and, put that together with the packing scenario and you can imagine how my life is at the moment. I am seriously considering becoming a monk …………I mean, I am getting no rumpy pumpy, have been told to be silent and say nothing at all ……………all that’s missing is one of those brown sack things and a long piece of string to hold it together.
As I write, Heidi is on the phone again this time having a chat with a friend about whether she can eat Philadelphia cream cheese and if it’s safe for our Thingy. I have no idea what the answer is because we have gone from there onto countless other subjects none of which have anything to do with cheese or the fact that she is on her cell phone calling the UK from Italy and in a few moments we will be broke.
I think you should only use a telephone if you are drifting in the ocean, it’s the middle of the night and you are surrounded by Somali pirates.
The notion that it can be used “for a chat” is as ridiculous as the notion that cuddling is in some way a replacement for rumpy pumpy.
Yesterday was a very special day as we held our On the Deck for the Cure. I am happy to tell you that in just two hours we raised $3,000 which I hope will help the ongoing battle to find a cure for breast cancer.
At 4:30 pm we all gathered on Lido Deck to take a group photo and listen to a lady called Barbara. She is a survivor of the terrible disease and her words of encouragement were so appreciated by all, especially those who are sitting on the front row in this photo ………… all are recent survivors and two are currently fighting the fight.
It was an afternoon of mixed emotion as there was laughter and tears and, once again, I was proud to meet each and every one of them.
However, this cruise I half expected there to be a negative comment about what we were doing…………as I mentioned before, it’s been a difficult cruise with a tiny minority of people being so vocal and complaining about things that are sometimes……………beyond imagination………………like this.
Guest: Ms__________ Ref: 001505479A
Cabin: ______ Booking#: _________ Added-Changed: 10/13/08 – 10/13/08WAS DISTURBED BY CHARITY PHOTO
Ms __________ came to the desk to say that she found the request to donate to charity onboard very unprofessional. Guest said that she is always asked at home and work to give money to charity and she finds it bad that we ask to do the same onboard. Guest asked to speak to Cruise Director and Purser promised to pass on her comments.
Note: Guest Mr ________ was at the desk at the same time for another matter and started to argue with Ms_______ saying that she was wrong to make a complaint.
Comments forwarded to cruise director and hotel director
I have to admit that this comment came in yesterday and, now as I sit here at 4 pm, I have yet to call the guest. I mean……..what I am going to say? Three hundred people gave the $10 for the shirts………….I could have sold many, many more but we had none left …………some still gave despite there being no more shirts. I understand charity is not for everyone but to take the time to complain is, quite honestly, beyond me. I mentioned the event at my Travel Talk and in the Capers….that was it…..no hard sell……….just a polite invitation to take part.
So, I have to admit that I have decided not to call the guest………I have nothing really to say………….I will apologize to any guest that I upset or that is unhappy with anything that I do………………but asking for donations to help fight breast cancer is not one of them.
On a very much happier note, I did meet with a big group from Venezuela last night. There are 146 guests from Caracas and they had a big Latin party in the disco yesterday evening. Now, I went there in fear and trepidation of being asked to dance which, as many of you know, is something that not only I hate to do but something I am unable to do. And, the thought of me having to salsa was enough to make me feel physically sick.
However, luckily, I was not expected to dance but instead I had been asked to present three awards. The group was made up of sales people from a company that makes air conditioning units and I was to present the Sales Person of the Year, Employee of the Year and the bizarrely named “From Zero to Hero” award………….that was the translation from Spanish to English. Luckily I was not asked to read out the names but just hand over the beautiful Waterford crystal bowls to the winners…………but, oh boy, it was a tense 20 minutes as the nominees were read out.
There’s a moment in all award ceremonies when the nominations have been read out and you’re sitting there waiting to find out whether you’ve won or lost. My advice having seen these awards yesterday, should you ever find yourself in this spot, think only about what face you’re going to put on when the envelope is opened and the winner revealed.
You’ve got to look proud, a little bit startled, coy and happy, but not air-punchingly delirious. That’s a hard one to pull off, even if you’re Halle Berry, which, presumably, is why she usually stands there sobbing. It’s easy for the actors the Oscar ceremony, because grinning is what they do for a living.
And because they’ve been nominated for the biggest grinning prize of them all, we can assume they’re very good at it………….
However Jose, Miguel and Maria were not and one nominee for the Employee of the Year who did not win……stood up ……….waved his hands in the air as if he was doing the Venezuelan version of YMCA ……..and after stormed out. I just stood there looking at my shoes but the chairman/CEO chap next to me just laughed and carried on……I wonder today if the man who lost apologized or is there now a vacancy at Las Coolo Airo?
Here are more photos of Greece and, despite the problems with the taxi drivers and the comments we received because areas of the center were closed because of the cycle race, Athens is stunning and is a must see city.
Here are a few photos of the Corinth Canal tour taken by our Dance Captain Claire.
In two days time the ship will have a brand new management team. We already have a new captain in Claudio Cupisiti and on Thursday we will also say goodbye to the staff captain, staff chief engineer, housekeeping manager, chief purser, chief security and food and beverage manager. All of these gentlemen have been a huge part of the massive success that this ship has enjoyed and I wish them all a wonderful vacation.
Heidi has begun to reminisce. Whatever the future holds for me, tomorrow, will be her last ever-working day on a Carnival Cruise Lines ship. She started in 1996 when she came onboard the Carnival Destiny in Malaga, Spain, to sail to New York on what was then the world’s largest cruise ship. The crossing was as rough as I can ever remember with huge waves pounding the mighty ship for much of our voyage.
We had a camera crew onboard filming something new. It was called “reality TV” and back then the “All At Sea” program for Channel 4 UK was groundbreaking. Yet with all this going on you ask Heidi what she remembers most and she will say the jaw droppingly awesome experience of sailing into New York…………….it is something anyone who has been lucky enough to do this will know exactly how she felt and anyone who has not done it…………well………….you must………….maybe on the Carnival Dream or Carnival Triumph in 2009.
This was also the time that she experienced her first real brush with death …………. something else she will never forget. As the ship sailed through the Hudson and as helicopters buzzed overhead and the tugboats fired their water jets high into the air …………right next to where we docking, members of the NYPD were pulling a body out of the river. As Heidi and other crew who were standing on the bow will tell you…………it wasn’t very pleasant.
I have to tell you, it took her ages to get this image out of her head and for days she would fret about it. On one occasion she awoke from a terrible nightmare. Who was he? What had he said to his wife that morning? What was he planning to do later that day? Or at work the following week? Did he have a family and why was he in the river?
However, it was that crystal morning in New York as we sailed past the Statue of Liberty and as the sun glistened on the Twin Towers we realized we were part of history. Here was Heidi, on the largest and newest cruise ship in the world, sailing into the most exciting city in the world………….she was a very proud young lady as was I………..well obviously I was not a proud young lady………..I was………well, you know.
Since then Heidi has been a groups coordinator, an international rep and, of course, an assistant cruise director. She has delivered the Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Legend, Carnival Glory, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Splendor. She has been a massive asset to the company –and in two days time her 11-year career will come to an end.
She will leave without fanfare, no party or farewell speeches. …………but I thank her so very much for 11 years of total and utter dedication and it goes without saying that without her I would never, ever been able to do what I do.
So thanks Heidi…………….for everything
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and the Thingy.
Filed under: Destinations, Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Carnival Freedom, Carnival Splendor, Naples
John,
That was a lovely tribute to Heidi and she deserves all of it. We wish you both all the best as you prepare to depart and are looking forward to all the future adventures you Heidi and the thingy have. Don’t forget please to post that PO Box on the blog for us.
Suzanne & Lisa (Downunder)
Dear Heidi;
Wishing you the best on this new adventure you are about to begin. Prepare for the best and most rewarding days of your life. Leave that ship happy that you did your best.
Many blessings friend!!!
Love you
Nanni
Ola JOHN!!
ohhhhhhh How I wish to be on that Naples pier again. Such strong emotions when I see it. Love Italy!! Did someone take a picture of you in Italy today today?? Maybe you look even more handsome 
It was funny how you talked about beauty in Italy. I agree 100% I even look better when I’m in Italy. When I look at my pictures of my day in Naples I always say WOW! I want to be that one. I don’t know why I look much better. Were did I stay??
oh heidi, you have been a wonderful asset to carnival on every cruise i sailed with you. may you enjoy your next adventure even more!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Heidi, let me just say thank you for all you have done for all of us who have cruised with you and John.
I hope you will still put on a little blog to let us know what is happening in the next 7 months.
Enjoy your retirement and take care of the thingy, John can take care of himself:) I think.
Papanh
Congradulations Heidi on your long and successful carear on Carnival. Best wishes as you embark on your new carear as a Mother. This will be the most challenging yet most rewarding job ever. Be sure to drop us a line every now and then.
Heidi, First of all CONGRATULATIONS on your retirement from CARNIVAL. I’m sure your new career as a mommy will more they make up for all the sadness you may feel leaving the ship. CARNIVAL and all those friends you have made over the years will really miss you.
When and if you find the time post up a little blog on John’s thingy and let us know how everything is going. Be sure to send us pictures maybe even a Demi Moore type one of the Thingy to be, LOL.
You will be missed very much by all the Bloggers at the 2009 Bloggers Cruise but we do understand. Maybe John and Stephanie can set up a live feed between you and the ship.
We will miss you till we maybe see you and the “THINGY” on 2010 BCIII.
Pat and Ed Konefe
Dear John and Heidi and Thingy
What a wonderful blog and tribute to Heidi, we have had the privlige to have sailed with her 3 times and she has been a jewel in the crown for Carnival and they should be sad for losing her, She has done them and you proud. You and she are like Salt and Pepper You just cannot imagine one without the other. Loved the pictures of the Splendor & Freedom together, Shame on that passenger for criticizing the Cruise for a Cure. Well Done on your $3000.00
Take Care
The Tuckers
Elizabeth & Arnold
*waving to Heidi*
Seems as though there should at least be a little going-away party……
Hugs and best wishes to Heidi as she turns a page in the book of life….We’re counting on you, John, to give us the Cliff Notes!!!
Terri
John,
What a very sweet tribute you gave to Heidi. I’m sure you brought a tear to her eye. You’re so blessed to have found each other.
The pictures of the Freedom and the Splendor docked together were magnificent! How cool, to have them together like that. Hey, you didn’t pick up any confused guests from the Freedom did you? Wouldn’t that be wild…folks boarding the wrong ship!?!?!?!?
You’re right! New York IS an exciting city. I’ve only been a few times, but it’s totally invigorating…so much to do, so little time!
Did you get my poem? Hope you like it.
Hugs to you, Heidi and “Thingy,”
Your Pal, Myra
PS: Just had a call from “Wayne” with CCL (marketing, I guess) asking if he could help me with a cruise. I’d been looking at the blogger’s cruise, and I guess since I didn’t book, it’s part of his job to follow up and see if he can talk me into it. Told him I was still thinking about it, thanks to you, and if I decide to do it, will give him a call. Thought you’d like to know they’re “on the job!”
John… You have my vote for rear of the year.
Heidi
You have to know I and all your other fans will most CERTAINLY miss you on the ships of Carnival. BUT, at the same time we’re ECSTATIC that “the thingy” is growing in your tummy, and your dreams are about to come true.
In many ways I know you’ll miss being on the ship with all of us who sail Carnival as much as we will miss you. We’ll be watching the blog even more closely after May for pics of Thingy, and stories of his/her exploits.
Know that it’s not just John who loves you, but all of us who’ve sailed with you.
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
No fond farewell/company appreciation party?!?!? What’s up with that?
Note to Carnival powers that be…..Fix this.
John’s appreciative and loving tribute to Heidi sparked yet another ditty from the confines of the consciousness known as TFD….(aka me)
And without further ado ….. From John’s blog thingy accolades to Heidi
Lady, I’m your knight in shining armor and I love you
You have made me what I am and I am yours
My love, there’s so many ways I want to say I love you
Let me hold you in my arms forever more
You have gone and made me such a fool
I’m so lost in your love
And oh, we belong together
Wont you believe in my song?
Lady, for so many years I thought I’d never find you
You have come into my life and made me whole
Forever let me wake to see you each and every morning
Let me hear you whisper softly in my ear
In my eyes I see no one else but you
There’s no other love like our love
And yes, oh yes, I’ll always want you near me
I’ve waited for you for so long
Lady, your loves the only love I need
And beside me is where I want you to be
cause, my love, there’s somethin I want you to know
You’re the love of my life, you’re my lady!
The Flying Dutchman
Please let me add my thanks to Heidi for all she has done for Carnival in her career. Not only has she been a highly valuable member of the Carnival team she has been behind you, encouraging you and keeping you focused.
We all owe Heidi a debt of gratitude for sharing what little free time you both have with us.
Heidi, we love you.
The pictures of the Freedom and Splendor in Naples are beautiful Two gorgeous Carnival ladies side by side. I was witness to a similar sight a couple weeks ago when we, on the Conquest, shared the Punta Langosta pier with the Valor. What a lovely picture they made.
I’ll say a prayer tonight that the WOMAN who was disturbed by the mention of donating to breast cancer research never has to face that disease but, karma being what it is…
Thanks for another wonderful blog and thanks for sharing Heidi with us since the beginning…
Ciao…
Host Mach
I am sorry John that your last cruise on the Splendor has not been the best. There are just some people in the world that thinks the world revolves around them and they demand that they be paid attention to.
I will always be grateful that you were the CD on my 9/11 cruise. You truly did make it a trip of a lifetime for Mike and me. You set the tone to the cruise at the Welcome Aboard show, and you did not disappoint for the rest of the cruise. I have such fond memories of my cruise in Europe, my very first time there. I so hope that one day in the so not distant future we will meet once again on another cruise.
Thank you Heidi for your devotion to Carnival these past eleven years. It was truly an honor meeting you in September. Your professionalism and thoughtfulness to the guests shined through. I hope these next few months are easy for you and your pregnancy goes well and at the end of your pregnancy you have a healthy baby. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as these months go by. I hope you are able to post on John’s blog, you would be so missed if you do not.
Keep smiling John, you and Heidi are truly a lovely couple.
John,
You may have inadvertantly answered a query I was about to send in. A recent Cruise Critic feature on the “On Deck for the Cure” project gave the impression it was not run on sailings out of the UK (or that could have been me misreading the piece, which wouldn’t be the first time that happened). I’m hoping it will run on Liberty next year, not least because I had cancer myself in 2006 – A relatively minor one I hasten to add, and nowhere near as serious as the pain and worry people like Barbara have been through. Coincidentally, I had my 2.5 year scan last month, and the letter came today confirming no evidence of spread or recurrance, so happy days.
Of course, here in Ireland, talking about “the cure” has totally different connotations, which I suspect you as a neighbour will already be aware of!!!!
My best regards to Heidi, whom I’ve never met but feel like I know. She may be leaving the paid employment of Carnival, but I suspect she’ll be stuck with a severe case of what I call Hotel California syndrome – “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave”.
Regards,
Donal.
Yes, what a lovely tribute to Heidi! You two are really a great couple!
Lisa & Paul
thanks heidi for everything amazing how time does fly by, enjoy your retirement and mainly we wish you good luck and good health take care
All I have to say is that in Nine years with the company having the opportunity to meet the Team of Heidi and John on a ship is a great experience. You not only know how to take care of your team but truly care about the final products that are recieved to everyone. As Heidi Leaves I hope that even though she didnt get a party that Carnival Would not be the Same. As for John I know your almost done and that new things are coming your way, But the day you leave is the Day Carnival will Cry. We can’t afford to lose another pioneer. Heidi I wish you all the best in your journeys and you and John Will be great parents. After all the years on Ship I know you have the experience. You will both be missed. I am so fortunate to say that I have finally had the opportunity to work with you.
Thanks
John, if I were a gambling man (oh wait a minute, I am), I would bet there will be some kind of surprise party for Heidi. Just a hunch. And Heidi, congratulations on your retirement. I wish I could have retired at your age. Heck, I wish I could retire now! But definitely by John’s age! HAHA! And John, when I win the Powerball jackpot here in the states. I’ll buy you an Aston Martin!
Jeff
John and Heidi:
I know this is an emotional time for both of you, but, I would like to say you are the greatest assets to Carnival. I am sure they will like you miss Heidi, but, she is now going to be Master of your family ship. Congratulations and best wishes to you.
I would also like to thank you and all the people who have helped in the Breast cancer awareness walks. Every penny is going to the great cause of helping many women. As I am a 16 year breast cancer survivor I was thrilled to see the picture you posted today. God Bless all of the people who walked for the cause. God Bless You and Heidi and little Thingie too!
Marie
Hello Heidi,
We’re glad we got to sail with you and John on the Freedom last year and the Splendor in July (Swedish fish). I’m sure Carnival will miss all the work you’ve done for them. Even though you were busy all the time on the ship I’m sure you’ll have many good memories of those years. Now it’s time for you to go to work at being a mom and raising your Thingy. At least you’ll be able to watch the progress year after year and be proud of what he or she is growing up to be.
John – good luck to you too in your new adventures both with Carnival and in your new role as a father.
Another plea for the 2/13/10 Valentine’s Day on the Dream as a Bloggers’ cruise.
Hope to see you both again someday.
George and Linda
Heidi
Have a safe trip home. John just thinks the phone bill is large now, just wait as he will soon be on the other end of the phone. You will be missed on the Blogger’s cruise in February but you will be in everyone’s thoughts and hearts.
Dave
John, please respond… I have a picture I need to send you. Where do I send it?
Jeff
Dear John I would like to wish your lovely wife all the best as she partakes a new and equally exciting time in her life.She will be greatly missed I’m sure as she embodies what Carnival stands for fulfilling peoples pleasures on board there fantasy escapes.I am sure she will nurture this little Thingy through all the stages of his or her life to be as wonderful and witty as you both are.May the good lord bless you all..Gary and Bug
I can attest to sailing into NYC – what an awesome sight! I have been to NYC many times but there is nothing like cruising past Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, Ground Zero…and ducking your head as you pass under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge as you wonder whether the funnel will make it under:-)
Congratulations to Heidi as you start this new chapter of your life.
Heidi, I know it must be with mixed feelings you end this chapter in your life. But can I say, Motherhood is an amazing journey! You have traveled the world and have awesome memories. Motherhood will give you a whole other set of awesome memories! The best to you as you move on. Keep us up to date on the progress of “Thingy”!
Karen
Heidi, thanks for your years of hard work and dedication to Carnival and to John! You’ll have your hands full with your ‘two’ children (one very short one, and one OLD kid), so your retirement will be short lived!
May you be blessed with good health. Do keep in touch with your followers.
Hugs,
Duchess Sandy in GA
Heidi and John,
Congratulations on your retirement Heidi. There is no better promotion than that of motherhood. Don’t know if anyone has told John yet, but that also makes you the captain of the household ship.
We thought you two made a great team. Unfortunately I am not sure how John will handle those troublesome guests without you by his side. We sailed with you two on the Freedom and know you were part of his inspiration and pressure release, but then this is Big John we are talking about he will find a way to cope. It still will just not be the same without you there by his side.
For the selfish person that complained about the opportunity to buy a $10 t-shirt; go kiss the south end of a north bound Texas Longhorn!
These are GREAT! I was in the back of the Freedom in November. I love the comparison and contrast.
THE FUNNEL IS SHORTER! I have been working on the difference between the height of the Freedom’s and Splendor’s funnel for weeks. Thanks so much for the pictures tho help solve that puzzle, and dream of the next-ship-before-the-Dream!
Congratulations, Heidi, on your retirement from Carnival. You are embarking on a new career that has no retirement, no days off and no paid holidays, but benefits galore. I am so happy that you are going to be a Mommy. You and John will make the best parents.
John thanks for having the Breast Cancer , On the Deck for the Cure. It will soon be my 16th year in remission I hope the lady that complained doesn’t ever walk have to walk in the shoes that so many of us have walked in and so many have died from……. that as a breast cancer patient.
Countess Carolyn and Don
Heidi:
Thank you for your years of service to make the cruise line we love the best it can be. We look forward to hearing all about this new chapter in your life.
John:
We returned from the Fantasy yesterday and we had a BLAST!!!
Love your Blog today about the Splendor and the Freedom, because they are our next two cruises next month!!!!
We look forward to getting to see Goose again. We had a great time with he and Brad on the Ecstasy last month. But DJ did say if a hurricane hits this time (we were on the Gustav sailing)….
he and Goose are going to “have a talk”!!!
I am sooo excited about my Spa Balcony on the Splendor….thank you Upgrade Fairy!!!!!! (Mr. Tightwad won’t let me get a balcony…so Carnival handled it!! woo hoo)
The Splendor and Freedom will be cruise number 6 and 7 this year for us. That is the most we have ever cruised in one year. I have a sneaky feeling we will be breaking that number next year!!!
The Splendor also will be the cruise where DJ (at the ripe old age of 17) will become a Milestone Rewards Member. He is SOOO excited about getting that little insignia on his Sail and Sign card!!! (Personally I am looking forward to spending his 25% On Board Credit!!!) LOL
I have quickly read through the Blogs I missed while on our cruise. Hope the passenger that had the life threatening illness is ok. Sorry to hear that the world still has stupid people in it and they are on your cruise.
Glad Heidi is having morning sickness. Yes, I said I was glad. Because that means that the little “thingy” is attaching and growing properly. The chemicals released when the pregnancy is going well….causes the nausea.
Karaoke ROCKED on the Fantasy. Kim S. was the karaoke host and he was excellent. He and I discovered that we had a mutual best friend from the Phillipines ( it is a small world after all) and that made it all the more special.
Rob C in the piano bar was AWESOME as was Michael in the Atrium bar. I really like the soloists they are using in the Atrium bars now on the Fantasy class.
Iman (Club O2 Director from Tennessee) was terrific with DJ in Club O2. He had such a good time.
DJ just walked in and said “I need a cruise”.
We just got off the ship yesterday???? Am I raising him right or what!!!!!
DJ’s Joke of the Day:
Why did the Goodyears fall off the car?
They were tired.
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
THANK YOU HEIDI FOR YOUR HARD WORK OVER THE YEARS!!!!!!
I hope you have a beautiful baby that looks like you. Sorry John.
Jennifer
Heidi,
What can I say? You will be missed!! John will not be the same without you there by his side at all times. He talks about you calling your friends for a “chat”–I am sure he will be burning up your cell phone minutes once you are not there with him!
I will always remember you signing us up for the very 1st, On Board Walk For The Cure, on the Freedom last September. You sold out of shirts in no time at all, and still there were folks donating money and walking. What a wonderful experience that was for all of us that were involved!
Being a labor and delivery nurse, I can never hear enough about a woman’s experience while she is pregnant. A child is the most precious gift you will ever receive!!! As tough as John portrays himself to be, I bet he will be a crying like a baby at the birth. It is such a miracle!! I can’t wait for you to send Stephanie your own blogs from home to keep all of us aunties and uncles posted on how you are doing. Please be sure to include photos of you so we can all see your rumpy pumpy bumpy as the thingy grows.
Thank you again for sharing John with all of us! I know that all the time he spends blogging, could be time spent with you. However, just know that we all love both of you and without you, John wouldn’t be the wonderful man he is today.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
Sheryl
John,
I have only recently found your blog and am loving it. I have gone back and was reading some old post when I came across a name that made me laugh out loud. We were on Liberty in February (February 4-12) of 2006, and had the honor of sailing with Willy and Anita Banger and Mr. Cinncinati (sp?). That was our very first cruise – my sister in law actually got married on the ship before we set sail. We have been on two more since then – Ecstasy and Legend. I have to say we were spoiled – having the best cruise director and the newest ship at the time. The other two cruises were great, but they do not compare to the first one. And finally to my questions – Is your wife Heidi, the same Heidi that was with you on Liberty in 2006? What ship is Stephanie (with hair died like a skunk) on now? When are you going to be on another ship sailing out of the US? I can not get my husband to sail across the ocean – no European cruises for him. He enjoys Mexico and the Caribbean cruises.
Congratulations on the “thingy!” I understand how frustrating it can be. We have been trying and have had no luck with a thingy of our own.
If you get an opportunity, please respond. Thanks and hopefully we will get to sail with you again.
Brandy Walter
John,
What a wonderful tribute to Heidi! The two of you are a great couple and will be wonderful parents. She is simply going to the next adventure in her life and you will be joining her. Parenthood is wonderful – crazy at times – but wonderful…. Cherish your times together and the time that you have spent with Carnival, but greater times are yet in store for both of you. Blessings to all three of you.
PS: Please give that baby a name and quit calling it “thingy”. He/she will develop a complex….
Sandra from North Carolina
Heidi,
Wishing yo all the best on your new adventure…your next 18 years are going to be phenomenal – enjoy every second!
Steph Martin
Good morning Mommy & Daddy-to-be,
First of all, Heidi, my best to you. I’m sorry we have never met, but who knows, maybe someday I will be on a cruise and you & John will be there along with all the little Healds. You have been John’s right-hand, his muse and everything else good in this world. You will be missed. Maybe it’s a good thing John will be working at Corporate after all – probably couldn’t run the ship without you (sorry John).
John, you are so right – there is nothing like coming into NY Harbor. Since I just experienced this for the first time – it is totally awesome – and I’m a New Yorker! The best photo I took of my entire cruise was the last one I took from my balcony – the Statue of Liberty with the Staten Island Ferry sailing past in the morning sunlight.
I wanted to let you know that tomorrow New York will say goodbye to the QE2. The QM2 will also be here and a goodbye is being planned. Too bad I’ll have to wait to see it on the news.
Nanni, I hope Hurricane Omar doesn’t do too much damage – it was very impressive sailing into San Juan Harbor. I forget how beautiful the city is.
Stay safe.
Hugs to all,
Carol
Heidi
I wish you nothing but happiness, you have been a big asset to John and to Carnival for many years. Enjoy life on land, you will definately be missed not only by me and Robert but the many friends that you have made over the years.
Keep in touch.
Love,
Suzann
John,
Why is it and what is that makes me smile when I see a Farcus Funnel??? It’s like seeing home, I guess. Seeing happiness and comfort… seeing peace and goodtimes… The photos of the two ships side by side, two funnels proudly stand out and just send smiles to everyone!!! Is there something subliminal about them??? I don’t know, but they’re family and home to me!!!
Heidi, THANK YOU!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!! GOD SPEED!!! You are such an integral part of this blog thingy… and your new job of Mum to our soon to be born Thingy… that I know we will continue to hear from you and feel your presence in John’s blogs… But that said, I will miss your day to day efforts in keeping John’s spirits high, giving him the time and permission to keep going, and just loving him through his day!!!
Promise us, Heidi, that you will add to the blog on a weekly or more frequent basis!! Let us know how you are and how family life is going!
God Bless you all!!! John, Heidi, and Thingy! And thank you and bless you Stephanie — you’re our connector, our life line!!
Lambie
Heidi
You will be missed not only by Carnival but by the many passengers that have had the privilege of sailing with you and John.
Good luck and congratulations again to you, John and the thingy.
Oh come on John, you have to have a farewell party for Heidi! How long will you spend with Heidi at home? I feel like I am saying goodbye to a dear friend, and I haven’t even had the pleasure of meeting Heidi yet. And, I will really miss you too John, I hope someday our paths cross again on a Carnival ship somewhere. In the meantime please continue blogging, and keep us informed of Heidi’s life at home, and getting ready for the new baby. I hope when she has the ultrasound that will tell the baby’s sex that you will share that with us. Also, please do not forget to post the P.O. Box we can send baby gifts to. I know it is a while till May, but don’t forget ok? And Heidi, I hope you will blog once in awhile too, would love to hear how you are doing. It will be such fun decorating the nursery too! God Bless you both my Dear friends, Love, Hugs and all the best, Linda & Mike
Heidi, We will all miss you on Carnival cruises but are happly that you can retire and enjoy the new addition to your family. Best wishes from Larry and Jeri.
John, Yea! You aren’t giving anything to the nasty woman who objected to the “Walk for the Cure.” I have always hated to see people get rewarded for bing selfish, stupid, and demanding. We have taken part in the walk on the Legend and will continue to do so on future cruises. Hope the last days on this cruise go much better. Jeri
John:
Another “box of tissue” needed blog! What a lovely tribute to Heidi. Best wishes to her in her (and your)new adventure of parenthood – the best job in the world! On another note, how sad someone would object to the “On Deck for the Cure”. I was fortunate to be one of those on the Freedom in 2007 that took part in this and it was one of the greatest experiences ever. Keep up the good work!
Sue K (in Pittsburgh)
Heidi,
I’m sure this is a bittersweet time for you as you begin your new journey. You’ll forever have the wonderful memories of your time w/Carnival but have so much to look forward to. This new adventure will surely be even more rewarding. Wishing you all the best as you get settled at home and start preparing for the arrival of your bundle of joy.
Thanks for continuing to share John with us and allowing his to share so much of you.
We’ll miss you on the Blogger’s Cruise in February, but we’ll be looking forward to hearing from you on the blog occasionally and, of course, seeing pics of the baby when he/she arrives.
Take care,
Lisa and George Kilmartin
John:
I am so glad you did not apologize to that passenger. You apologize too much, and appear to be too nice to some really horrible people. I know that is part of the job, but thanks for standing your ground.
Heidi we wish you the very best. Please take good care of yourself and the “thingy” and we look forward to that blessed day.
Jim
Heidi…Thank You for always helping us on our Carnival Cruises…You ALWAYS made us feel like VIP’s and we will miss seeing you in charge and most recently helping John…..We look forward to getting Thingy updates and hearing about life at home on land….. See you soon John !!
Mark
Hello to all my Evil Crew members too !!!
John,
A wonderful blog as always.
Heidi,
John has makde jokes and shared things that you may not have been thrilled with, but all in all you and he have become part of many lives. I have enjoyed all…. most that has been shared. I started posting in part because we share a name, here in the US it is not very common and I have only met a very few other Heidi’s, we also seem to be close in age, and I conside now as I have 2 sons 14 and 12 that you and John are just starting out in a whole new world of love, laughter, and doghouses. I wish you the best and to leave after 11 years to raise to child I say wonderful!!! I have learned that is is hard as you want to see the best for your family and you want it all now…. well I did, to both of you I say enjoy each part of life as it comes. Right now I refer to you carring your first child it will be like nothing else you have expireanced, with good band and weird. As the baby ….. yes tell John it is a BABY not a thingy!!!…. as the baby grows enjoy each part of thier growth and don’t push as all things will come in time. I look at my now teens and I am glad I charished each age with them right from the begining. Well I am sure I have gone on and this coming from the other side of the planet from a stranger…. friend… maybe both in the end. Will be praying for the 3 of you.
Ha my turn to play with the count!!!!
the one
and only 1
Heidi-Beth
*so I have 2 first names ;P
Heidi-
Have fun in your next adventure. The rewards of motherhood are unsurpassed by anything else out there.
P.S. Only hard cheeses, no soft cheeses according to my doctor
Heidi, I am so happy for you and wish you the best as you start your new adventure. Motherhood is the greatest career and you will certainly enjoy it. I know the grandparents-to-be are thrilled. I have ten grandchildren from 16 years down to 7 and wish I could persuade one of my four children to have another child. There is nothing in the world as precious as a baby.
I know you have been an asset to Carnival (we met briefly on Freedom in March when I gave you a “Climb This” shirt for John) and will be greatly missed, but you have such a wonderful adventure ahead. I hope your family has every joy that life can give. Shirley
Ahhhhhh, now I have tears. You are trying for the boss of the year award as well as the husband of the year???
Bravo Heidi, perfecto. A job well done. You will be even better at motherhood. Best wishes on this next chapter in your life!! I would have given you a party…
Wonderful tribute to Heidi! We have sailed with you twice and enjoyed it so much! Enjoy your new adventures in life and may God bless you and your family!
John & Heidi,
Thank you so much for everything the two of you do for all your guests and for Carnival. I boarded the Freedom this year about a week after you left it. We went to the same ports as we did on the Valor in 2007, but the difference was HUGE. The organization on the ship, and with tendering was amazing, and I know it was you guys who organized such a smooth system.
Heidi, congrats on your 11 years with Carnival. I know as this chapter ends it will be sad, but cheer up. You have many days of joy ahead of you. Time will fly by and before you know it, you will be playing and enjoying the time you spend with your child.
Hope all goes well for you and John as you prepare to leave the Carnival Splendor. Please do update us via blog on how things go for you inthis new, exiting chapter of your life!
Heidi:
)
I’m wishing you all the best in your new “career”. Please don’t be a stranger and write a post from time to time.
Have a safe trip home
Fantastic pics in Naples- brought back warm, fond memories when I was there last Aug/Sept on the Freedom. I am so glad to have met both of you, John & Heidi. The blogs seem so much warmer having met you both. We all will miss you, Heidi, but have the best wishes in the new world you’ll be in. How will John function without you at his side?? We all love you both and I have read the blog since the first one and know what time it takes from your lives together. Very appreciated !!
Hope to continue to hear about your pregnacy and all of John’s new travels will be anxiously awaited.
Best wishes from my sisters & myself to both of you and I know the blogs will be interesting and different from now on…. Ciao
I am so excited for you both!!! A new little thingy. After trying and trying….you are being blessed with an amazing gift. Heidi, have a safe trip home and enjoy this phase of your life…you deserve it. The best is truly yet to come. John, seriously…..you must be joking about no party for Heidi. After such a moving written tribute to your wonderful wife and partner…NO PARTY??? I’m thinking you are planning something, but didn’t want her to know. I’ll be looking for updates; oh, and that P.O. Box. Best wishes and big hugs to you both.
Lori
John,
I’m so sorry your last cruise has so many “whiners”. As an 8 year survivor of breast cancer, I agree with Carolyn. May that woman never have to walk in the shoes I’ve walked in.
What a lovely tribute to Heidi. You have once again outdone yourself.
Heidi,
One chapter of your life closes and another one opens. I believe this part of your journey in life will be the best ever.
Wishing you both much happiness.
Princess Elaine
awwww John your tribute to Heidi brought tears to my eyes.
Heidi Congratulations on your retirement and your new blessing.
Hi John/Heidi:
Congrats Heidi as you sail away towards retirement. Hard to believe how quickly 11 years passes but good luck as you start the next chapter of your life with Thingy, Big Thingy, and everything else.
So cool to see pics of Freedom and Splendor side-by-side. That would be a great picture for the company since its rare to see 2 Carnival ships next to each other in Europe (that is part of the Carnival brand).
I think what you’re doing with the On the Deck Cure is amazing. Don’t let one person’s small complaint ruin what has turned out to be an amazing charitable endeavor.
Looking forward to hearing more and stay positive.
Thanks again!
David
Heidi,
Wishing you years of happiness and joy.
have a safe journey home.
Thank you for making our cruises such a wonderful experience, we have enjoyed sailing with you. You will be missed.
Look forward to hearing all the news.
Take care
love Michellex
Heidi,
What you have done for Carnival and for John is remarkable. For 11 years you have worked hard, very hard to make other people happy. You have earned the reward of a lifetime, and that will be when you hold your precious baby in your arms for the first time! God bless you Heidi! Thank you for sharing John with us. We will miss you!
Princess Susan
Hi John and Stephanie
Heidi–as you go off into the sun to celebrate your next “career” as a mother, you should be well congratulated on your devoted career with Carnival. I think John should buy you some sort of trinket in the onboard Jewelry (or as you sould say, Jewellery) shop as a thank you and so that in essence, Thingy receives it too.
I am glad the walk for the cure went so well. One of my dearest friends just had a mastectomy and is battling the disease. This is something every ship on every cruise line should be doing!
Lovely blog today!
All the best to you both…personally and professionally.
Congratulations Heidi!
Wishing you nothing but happiness in the future.
Julie Gantt
[...] Freedom and Splendor in Bella Napoli I would rather blow torch my nipples off then work in a bank ….but it looks like they may have got their act [...] [...]
Well done Heidi, congratultions on 11 years of dedication to Carnival and us passengers. Best of luck on your new career, motherhood is definitely a 24/7 job so you should have no problem adjusting!!!
Please do give us a P.O. Box number where we can send our gifts. This baby is going to be one spoilt kid with so many aunts and uncles hovering over.
Take care and God bless.
Eva B
Congratulations Heidi! I know you leave with mixed emotions, but truely wonderful things lie ahead for you and John and Thingy.
John,
thanks for posting the pics of my next two ships! I loved seeing them side by side…the next time I see that I will be aboard them! ( Freedom x 6 days and Splendor x 7 days! ) 45 Days away!!! WHOO HOO
Heidi
Congratulations on your retirement from Carnival. You are getting ready to take on the best job in your life. There is no job like the work it takes being a mommy. I know you will be able to fulfill that task greatly. Thank you for all you have done while at Carnival. I feel honored to have met you the few times I have. I always will remember our meeting on the Med. Cruise last year on the Freedom. Thank you also for sharing John with us. I know your time together is limited with the schedules you have. Enjoy your time together. Hopefully, we will get to meet again someday, even the little bundle of joy. We will miss you on the blogger cruise, but you will be with us in thought. Please take care and give a blog now and then, and keep us updated on how the thingy is growing.
John
A beautiful tribute to Heidi. I know you will miss her when you are working. Keep up the blogs and don’t let the simpletons get you down.
My best to both of you
Gloria aka Sue
Best wishes to Heidi in her new career – make no mistake it will be an adventure. You are a part of Carnival’s success and now you have an opportunity to shape the experiences of your family. Safe journey home!
John, I was happy to hear that another passenger began arguing with the On Deck for the Cure opposer. I notice she was not there protesting announcements to donate to Bingo – only to opportunities to be kind to so many women – and men – who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Yes, men can have it too. No one is exempt and this is an area where money, invested in research, is critical. The cure is close!
Thank you Carnival for supporting this cause. Friday 10/17 is Pinktober Friday, dress in pink to salute breast cancer survivors and remember those who did not survive.
John,
We wish both you and Heidi the best! It must be hard to give it all up after 11 years but the baby will be worth it. Keep us informed.
Mike & Lori
Hi John,
Please reply.
I know this sounds silly (my husband thinks it is), but…when you stated that a lot of the management team was leaving it made me nervous as we are doing the transatlantic crossing. I know from your interviews with several of these people that they were senior level and I felt comfortable that they would be there during the crossing. We’ve never been to Europe and I must admit I’m a little nervous about that, plus the actual crossing (especially after hearing about Heidi’s rough crossing to New York). Do you know the people that are replacing those leaving on vacation?
Do you happen to know if the major US credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express) are accepted there?
I’m disappointed that you will not be with us, but I hope that you enjoy your new position. You deserve a rest from all the complaining passengers I’ve been reading about for months!
Lynn