I love the Russians and I love their devil-may-care attitude and the last few days have been so busy that I haven’t had time to mention some of their exploits here. We only have 30 something comrades sailing but they have probably provided the vessel with 30% of the onboard revenue.
The Robusto Cigar Bar this cruise has been adopted by Sergei and his mates, and we have been quick to adapt to their tastes.
What’s very strange is that three chaps have brought their own bottled water ……….. whether they bought it from one of the ports of call or from a sevenov-elenenov in Moscow I have no idea, but there they were yesterday………sitting on the table…………… phallic-shaped bottles of Voss mineral water.
I have no idea how much this water costs them but I am sure their hard earned (or possibly in the Russian case, embezzled) money has spent a fortune on what after you take away the fancy label and crystal bottle is just……………..water. Why do we let them do this?……………..Here’s why.
Fancy a bottle of Dom Pérignon for breakfast? The Russians do: a snip at $200 and just the thing to go with your Sereuga caviar ($70). By rights, we should take the water away from them but when they buy a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka rather than a glass it’s pretty hard to justify. And, it’s pretty hard for a five-foot-nothing Indonesian bar waitress to ask three ex-KGB operatives with axes tattooed on their heads not to drink the water.
You can also tell the women are from Russian before they even say “nostrovia.”
They are dressed in gold-lamé dresses, diamond-studded flip-flops and gold jewelry, as if being stuck in some weird Russian version of “The Sopranos.” Huge hulking men who never wear a shirt plod about the ship, followed by their girlfriends in sunglasses.
But, this cruise each and every one of them have been friendly and this morning as I went to Lido for a late breakfast I was inundated with photo requests………..well…………I had four ………….and each group that had a photo taken…………were all dressed in the ship’s bathrobes………..it’s the law.
St. Petersburg was a huge highlight for me this season and having the Russians onboard has been just as memorable.
Well, it’s been a very busy day…………..I knew it would be………….but I didn’t know the day would start with a haircut. Last night just as I was putting on my Miami Heat pajamas, Heidi told me she had booked an appointment at the spa from me to have a haircut. I asked Heidi if she thought I was five years old — which was the last time someone told me I was going to have a haircut, but this was met with a stony silence. Therefore, I knew that this morning I would be losing some stuff off my head.
I am not a fan of haircuts………….I don’t like the fuss and I don’t like having to chat with someone young enough to be my daughter about how good Madonna looks for someone who is 80 years old and will she get divorced from Guy Madonna and marry some baseball player called Alex.
I also hate the way they put “product” in my hair. I am sorry but anyone of the male species who puts “product” in their hair is as manly as a pair of Richard Simmons spangle-covered shorts.
There are many signs of middle age: hair growing out of your ears, a waistband that will not stop expanding no matter what you eat, and an increasing bewilderment at the noises made by today’s musicians. All of these things made me feel even older today as a pretty young 19-year-old Hairthingy called Helen shaved my head.
Helen is from the UK and her Mum she said reads the blog………………so………… hello Mum, you should be proud of Helen, she cut my hair well………..didn’t use “product” and she said how much she misses you. I am sure you miss her as well and you must be very excited about her getting married to Nuri, a Turkish waiter, and I am sure you will be able to see her when she moves to Istanbul………….oh bugger………was that supposed to be a secret?……………Sorry.
Did you see that choosing a cruise on the Carnival Sensation just got even better?
NINETY-EIGHT BALCONIES TO BE ADDED TO CARNIVAL SENSATION’S STATEROOMS DURING SCHEDULED DRY DOCK IN JANUARY 2009
New Balcony Staterooms Latest Addition to Carnival’s Popular ‘Evolutions of Fun’ Product Enhancement Initiative
MIAMI (October 15, 2008 ) – Carnival Cruise Lines will add balconies to 98 existing staterooms aboard the 2,052-passenger Carnival Sensation during a 35-day scheduled dry dock taking place in January 2009.
Ocean view staterooms will be retrofitted with new balconies that will extend from the ship and measure approximately 230 square feet. Twenty-four of the new balcony staterooms will be located mid-ship on both the port and starboard sides and 12 will be located near the stern, while the other 62 will be located within the aft section of the ship, with several of these cabins featuring extended balconies.
Additionally, a number of the Carnival Sensation’s suites will be modified to feature larger, extended balconies to create a more spacious area from which to enjoy panoramic sea views.
The stateroom modifications are just one aspect of the ship’s extensive multi-million-dollar renovation, all part of the line’s wide-ranging “Evolutions of Fun” product enhancement initiative. Carnival Sensation’s “extreme makeover” will also include a previously announced Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, Serenity adults-only area, and a redesigned tropical-themed main pool area.
Additionally, all staterooms will be completely refurbished, as well as virtually all dining, dancing and entertainment venues. Guest corridors will be renovated and a new “Circle C” facility catering to 12- to 14-year olds will be added, as well.
“These new stateroom modifications represent a significant investment in our product and, when combined with the many other ‘Evolutions of Fun’ amenities, add exciting new features and choices to an already spectacular ‘Fun Ship,’” said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival’s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience. Carnival Sensation currently operates year-round three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla. On this route, three-day cruises depart Thursdays and call at Nassau while four-day voyages depart Sundays and visit both Nassau and Freeport.
The 70,000-ton SuperLiner is part of the line’s 22-vessel “Fun Ship” fleet which operates three- to 18-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and South America. The line currently has two ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2011.
Carnival Sensation’s new and extended balcony staterooms will be open for reservations October 24, 2008.
For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
So, good afternoon and here I sit with my new haircut. Heidi is finishing the packing and I am trying to just sit here and ignore the hell that is the combination of my wife and a Samsonite. We are in Livorno, Italy, today and there was a bit of a polava this morning during tour distribution at 7 am. Apparently, the police had caught some illegal immigrants who had been hiding on a cargo ship docked in front of us and had tried to make an escape………….this meant that they closed the pier for 40 minutes, which in turn meant the tour buses couldn’t get to us. Luckily we are here until 7 pm so we are able to adjust. I explained the problem to the guests and, surprisingly, we received no comments.
I was talking to the staff captain about this today and he told me it is a huge problem in Italy with the Albanian Mafia charging huge amounts of money to bring immigrants into Italy. What are the Italian police doing to stop them (the Albanian mafia, that is)? Well, I had a good look around, and, so far as I can tell, the most important thing they have done so far is to buy themselves some really cool sunglasses.
Apart from that the day has been quiet with everyone ashore enjoying the wonders of Tuscany, Florence and the tower in Pisa. I have to admit that this blog is hard to write. It’s my last one from the Carnival Splendor and I must admit I feel quite emotional ………….. which is very unlike me because the last time I was emotional was when I heard that five Aston Martin DBS cars were written off during the making of the new Bond movie.
Before I talk about what’s happened, let’s talk about what will happen starting with some great news. I think it’s safe to say that we all love knowing what is happening on the Carnival Splendor. Therefore, I am proud to announce that entertainment staff member Jaime has agreed to send me a daily “dear John” letter telling all of us what’s happening on the ship’s last Mediterranean cruise and during the crossing.
Before I continue, let’s find out a little more about Jaime.
I originally came to work on a cruise ship because I wanted an opportunity to travel and meet people from around the world. I knew that becoming a social host would help me conquer these goals. I had sailed as a guest on the Carnival Elation with Cruise Director Jorge Solano and on the Conquest, I completed four years of college at Michigan State University, and I was ready to pay back my college loans while having the experience of a lifetime. Within these past twelve months working for Carnival, I have visited more exiting ports of call and met more interesting people than I would have ever imagined. After just one year with the company I would have never dreamed that I would be able to tell my friends back home all about Paris, Naples, Berlin, Amsterdam and Rome. In the middle of my first contract, John and Heidi came on board the Carnival Imagination for some sort of conference. It must have been a combination of my knee high red socks that I wore at deck party and my super over organized information packed binder that compelled them to invite me to be on the inaugural host team of the Carnival Splendor. Whatever it was that forced them to me to sit me down in their cabin and ask me to join them to venture throughout Europe, I am eternally grateful for! So the question exists, have my goals been achieved? Is my Carnival career complete? The answer is clearly NO WAY. I love every day of being a part of the Carnival Family and between my crewmembers smiling faces, visiting these amazing ports of call and meeting the most unique guests that I could imagine, who knows how long my addiction to cruising will last?
Working with John and Heidi these past few months has been nothing short of wonderful. Even with all of his responsibilities in the office and on board the ship John always finds time to make each and every crewmember know they are special and an asset to the team. I look forward to being able to share with you my daily experiences on board the Splendor, I am just a little nervous that my mom and dad are going to know exactly how much trouble I get myself into while I am thousands of miles away =)!All the best,
Jaime
Entertainment Staff
So, wonderful news …………during my daily blogs I will include Jaime’s Carnival Splendor updates and I know you and I will enjoy them.
And so tomorrow is my last day on the Carnival Splendor for a while. I shall really miss it all when I’m home, although I long to see my Mum and Dad.
I’m going to find a lot of things really tricky to adjust to and, of course, atop the list will be not having Heidi.
My fear is, of course, that as I am off the ship you will find no reason to read the blog thingy. As the blog grew last year I wanted it to become like an all-areas backstage pass into the world of being a cruise director. Now though the ship part is over for a while ………….so what will I be writing about?
Well, let’s start by me showing you my schedule for the next few weeks…………here it is.
Depart London – Monday, 10/20 (arrives in MIA @ 2:20 pm) oh bugger – a 9 hour flight
Depart Miami to ??? – Thursday, 10/23 (afternoon flight) can’t tell you why just yet
Depart ???? to New Orleans – Monday, 10/27 – boarding FA sailing on Carnival Fantasy
Depart Cozumel to ???? – Thursday, 10/30 can’t tell you why yet
Depart ???? to Miami – Monday, 11/3 meeting, sailing on 2 day Ruby Princess and 5 day Carnival Destiny and special function on the Carnival Splendor
Depart Miami to Boston – Sunday, 11/16 (PM) Trying out as shortstop fro the Red Sox – and a surprise
Depart Boston to Miami – Monday, 11/17 (arrives in MIA @ 9:05 pm) more meetings, including Bloggers cruise
Depart Miami to London Wednesday, 11/19 (PM flight) another 9 hour flight but this time to see Heidi and the Thingy
As you can see, I have loads of flights coming up and for those of you new to the blog thingy I look forward to flying about as much as I would look forward to a lap dance from Judge Judy.
However, aside from that I am very excited to have been asked to take part in ….. well …something I can’t tell you about just yet. However, let me promise you all something. I will blog each and every day during my journey around America as well as during my voyages on Carnival Destiny, Carnival Fantasy and the Ruby Princess.
There may be the odd occasion (like tomorrow) that you will have to forgive me for some Raspberry written blogs but I will keep writing. There will be special guest interviews and lots of videos. So, there will be daily blogs ……we have been averaging 50,000 readers a week these past months and I totally understand if some of you bugger off and look for other thingies to read.
This will be especially true when I find that all I have to write about is what I had for breakfast……….however, I hope as many of you will still stick around and read as often as you can.
I will also make a promise to answer all of your requests to “please reply.” If you need help on future cruises or have any questions or need any advice, I will help you — I promise. However, because of my travel scheduled I won’t be able to do so until Oct. 20th.
I must pause and say thank you to the captain, officers, staff and crew of the Carnival Splendor whose dedication and passion have insured a brilliant vacation for thousands of people from all over the world. I know I highlight the whimsical and the sometimes outrageous complaints but these represent a tiny fraction of our guests, most of have walked off the gangway with fantastic memories of the St, Petersburg, Berlin, Amsterdam, Venice, Istanbul, and so much more.
Talking of which………..here’s one for the road.
Guest: __________ Ref: 002805485A Owner: (SLSHEXMGR) Splendor Shore Excursion Manager
Cabin: _______ Booking#: ________ Added-Changed: 10/14/08 – 10/14/08DID NOT LIKE LUNCH ON THE TOUR
Mrs. ________ came to the desk together with Mrs. _______ of cabin _____ to leave a comment about Sorrento and Amalfi Coast Tour. Mrs. Pye said that the lunch only Italian food which neither of the guests like. Mrs._______ said that they didn’t eat pasta or lasagna and when they had asked for other items they were refused. Guest also stated that they did not have Diet Sprite which is what they drink. Mrs. _________ could not advise purser of the bus number or color. Reassigned to shore ex.
Nothing has disappointed – the Carnival Splendor was everything that I hoped she would be… and more. It’s where my Thingy was conceived during three minutes of rumpy pumpy…….and I hope you will join me for the next series of adventures as the Blog thingy continues.
I will be back, treading the stage on ships in the future and hopefully, God willing, back here in
Europe next year on the Carnival Liberty.
It has been a joy, an honor and a privilege and I wouldn’t have swapped this experience for anything……………..except an Aston Martin DBS……………… and an instant cure for hemorrhoids.
See you tomorrow
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi and the Thingy
Filed under: Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Carnival Sensation, Carnival Splendor, Italy, Livorno
As Arnold would say; Hasta la vista, baby…
Thanks so much, John, for all the fun and excitement since you’ve been aboard the Splendor and thanks for twisting Jamie’s arm to keep us up to speed on the antics of our Russian friends.
Ask the doc for some Valium or a copy of a spicy magazine to keep your mind off the interminable flight to London.
Take care!
Ciao!!
Host Mach
Wow! John, I am so glad you are going to still post to your blog, as I would really miss it! I feel like you are family, and you are! I’ll be on the Fantasy Nov. 29..so will miss you by a month…next time, though! Take care and Bon Voyage!
Deb
Have a good flight and a great weekend at home.
John:
You don’t have to be on a ship to be Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director!!!!
You will always be their spokesperson in our hearts!!
We look forward to hearing from Jamie. DJ still remembers her fondly as the lady who saved him from Funship Freddie at the Past Cruiser’s Party on the Imagination. (which we rewarded her for with Vodka!!!)
I will always remember that Imagination cruise, because it gave us the opportunity to meet.
Looks like I will just have to book the Liberty next summer to get to sail with you as a Cruise Director!!
Safe travels !!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
Hello, John
Today is a fantastic day in florida because I beleave the Eurodam is in port less then 15 miles away from my house. My grandma was supposed to sail, however foot surgery is preventing her. Nice schedule.
Please get back to me on the qe2 retirment date and if you now the 09 dry dock schedule for the conquest class ships that have not recieved the new balconies, seaside theater, and golf course.
from, JAKE S. ( :
John,
I understand, very well, your sense of melancholy. 22 months ago I sold my hotel and bar business, after being in the business for 30 years. The last day I closed the door and walked away was a very tough day. I knew I’d miss all the customers who I spent my days with; those who made me laugh, and those who frustrated me.
I had my second love, my writing for CruiseMates, and that certainly helped ease the transition.
Your at a moment where there’s so many significant changes occuring in your life I’m sure it feels very odd.
But really, with what you have ahead you’re really just stepping further into the sunshine. With great new job assignments, and a family coming. Just borrow a pair of those Russian sun glasses, and enjoy every minute of it!
We’ll most certainly be here, excitingly hanging around to hear ALL about it!
Regards,
Kuki
Oh John,
I will be on the Nov 1st sailing of the Fantasy just missing you. Lets see, the Fantasy docks in Cozumel on Oct 30th. I can see you going down to Costa Maya to report on the port opening.
If you get a chance say hello to Jimmy. He is on the Fantasy Oct 27 and Nov 1st sailing doing a B2B. He is a police officer from the city of Mobile. He definitely deserves a vacation as he has been working a bunch of overtime.
Dave
Good luck and safe travels to Heidi, the Thingy and you. I look forward to hearing about your new adventures. And a special thanks to Jaime for agreeing to keep us updated on the Splendor.
I for 1 John will be going to my Favorites and hitting My JohnBlog link every evening at 7pm Atlantic,I will be with you as long as you let us glimpse in At your life and your and Hedi’s adventures…… You make me smile…. I go tell your jokes and adventures at work and also reminese about my past Carnival Cruises(1 which you were the CD) and drive them crazy talking about the ones to come,………..See You tomorrow Same Bat Time Same Bat Place ;0
XOXOX
-Sandra
Thanks, John. I will keep reading, as I am sure plenty more will as well. Good luck on all your upcoming flights, and I hope you enjoy being in the USA, my country.
Jan
The enchanting sound of Andrea Bocelli is now in my head (the song was swimming around in there anyway since the end of your Splendor run was imminent) ….. Another chapter is drawing to a close….
but as Steve Jobs is fond of saying….
” But Wait! There’s more! ….. We’re not done yet!”
and thankfully like J. K. Rowling…you will keep on clicking and plucking away at the raspberry and computer keyboard…..
….and there was much rejoicing….
The Flying (got two empty halves of coconut and bangin’ ‘em together) Dutchman
Best of everything for both of you as your daily lives change….what will not change is me reading the blog every day and enjoying the heck out of it!
John,
You almost made me cry! You know what? I can’t believe you really think for one minute that any of us are going to stop reading your blog just because you’ll be jumping ship for awhile. Well, I guess jumping from ship to ship is more accurate. Why in the world would we care where you are as long as you are entertaining us as only you can do?!?!?!? I’m excited to learn what’s going on, and I’m sure you’ll fill us in as much as you can along the way.
Oh, I found somewhere for you and Heidi to take “Thingy” when he/she is old enough. It’s called Pennywell Farm and it’s in South Devon (I think). I keep getting really cute pictures via email of animals (a tiny baby deer who’s Mum was killed and the deer was delivered by C-section), and today a male Boxer dog who has adopted a baby goat that was kind of abandoned by it’s Mum. So I checked the web to see if these pictures were authentic and lo and behold, found Pennywell Farm. They have lots of animals, plus many, many child friendly activities and it seems to be a really nice place. I immediately thought of you and Heidi and little “Thingy” wandering the grounds, petting minature piglets and giant horses, and just had to tell you about it. Hope you’ll visit someday and let me know if it’s as pleasant as it seems.
So, once you go back to London after your whirlwind tour of the USA and various ships, you’ll be home with Heidi and Thingy until the bloggers’ cruise, is that right? Then home again until the birth. Just please, keep blogging.
Give Heidi a huge hug for me, and a tummy pat for Thingy.
Best to you all,
Your Pal, Myra
PS: Still waiting for the address to send diapers to.
Time to say goodbye to the Splendor, but HELLO to a new beginning, John…for both you and Heidi with The Thingy. All good wishes follow you all.
Duchess Sandy in GA, heading ‘Down Under’ soon!
John:
Best of luck on this new adventure. Keep us informed day by day as you can and never stop blogging. PS pray for those Red Sox.
Bob
It was splendid on the splendor’s baltic sea trip. Since you have been focusing on the Russian passengers, I enjoyed meeting some of the Russian members of the Carnival Splendor crew. Please give my regards to Anna S. from the black pearl restaurant who took our cocktail orders and gave me
some good tips on our visit in St. Pete. Tell her to email me sometime so we can continue to improve relations between different countries.
Best wishes on your upcoming flights
John,
I have been “lurking” here for a few months (since my family booked a Carnival cruise for June 2009). Your blog is always entertaining, usually hilarious, and just sentimental enough at times to make it all real.
Good luck with all your future adventures, and of course with ‘Thingy’. I will continue reading to find out what is going on with you, Heidi, your family and Carnival.
Congratulations!
Dear John, I doubt that you would ever not have something to talk about. That is as foreign to me as your love for the French LOL. With all the ???? it will take you a while to fill in the blanks for us. I am sure I can speak for all of us die hard John fans, we are not going anywhere. As long as you have something to say, we will be here to read it.
I love that your Jaime is going to do a daily account of the Splendor. She was the first, the very first staff person I met when my husband and I walked onto that glorious ship. She was the tall beauty with that huge smile that never forgot my name the entire cruise. On the last night of our cruise she came by our Stateroom with all the scores of the Football games. Mike was so happy that she had remembered. I was not surprised, I knew she would get them because she said she would. I am so happy that you asked her to be on the Splendor John. Jaime is going to go far, she wants to be a Assistant Cruise Director, but I think she should go for the big job, she would be very good at it.
Thank you John for your blog, I love reading your daily humor and the guests that you would like to strangle.
Have a good trip home with Heidi, and a wonderful visit with your Mum and Dad. We will still be here waiting for you, we are not going to go anywhere. Looking forward to hearing all about ????.
Keep smiling John, I will miss you being on the Splendor. You never fail to amuse me. My best to Heidi, I am sure she is very excited about going back home.
Dear John,
As much as I look forward to reading all about the ships colorful guest and the day-to-day ship events…I can not wait to read about your flying adventures…..yeepee!!
John, I wish you safe and incident free travel!! and as long as you blog it…I will read it..
Heidi, I wish you a very healthy pregnancy and a perfect little Thingy…I also hope you find the perfect puppy to add to your family – I’m so glad I had the chance to meet you on our Freedom cruise – God Bless you and the “Thingy”
Safe Travels to both of you and God Bless,
Debs
John: Thanks for your blog. Take care of yourself and most IMPORTANTLY your WIFE. I see you are in Boston just for a day, but let me know if you a some free time for a cigar of Diet soda.
Take care and try to relax,
Please respond.
Hi John,
Based on your schedule it looks like you will be on the Destiny sometime between 3-8 November. Am I correct?
If I am that means you will get to experience a little bit of the Cruise Critic Saints & Sinners cruise.
I hope so.
John,
I for one will always read your blog.
May Murphy not travel with you on any of your upcoming flights!
Enjoy your time at home!
May God bless you, Heidi, and John Jr. (aka thingy).
God Speed,
Princess Susan
The mystery locations…..intriguing… It will be almost like Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego .
No….. Silly rabbit….. Trix are for kids!
That’s not Carmen Sandiego!
It’s just John Heald in his Dolly dress.
Smooth sailing to you and Heidi and the Thingy!
Please let me know if our package arrives for you and Heidi. It will be from Canuck Cruiser .
Hope you like the contents.
Good health and happy days .
B&D from Canada
Hi John! Great blog today!
Maybe you are following me! I will be on the Destiny for a back to back starting 10/30!! I’d love to meet up with you but understand completely you likely will have a busy schedule!
John, several things…
I can’t believe you’re coming to Boston. I live just outside of Boston. Any chance of meeting up?
Thanks for a whole lot of entertainment over the past year and a half. I know it’s not ending, but thanks anyway.
You are the greatest cruise director of all time, and the best thing next to —–, but Jaime is WAY better looking than you! Wow!
Good luck with all of your travels!
Jeff
OMG John, as if we would ever stop reading!! We are here for the duration, and grateful every day that you share your adventures with us!!!
I am hyperventilating because I am sailing on Destiny with my Saints and Sinners (the sinnas) family from CC, on our long-awaited B2B!! We leave on 10/30 and 11/3 PLEASE tell me your visit coincides and I will pass out!!!
Love you Heidi, praying every day for you and my new niecey or nephew….and John of course, and Stephanie of course!!
Safe travels, as you begin a wondrous new chapter!!
Floatie
John, don’t think for a moment that your devoted fans will ever stop reading your blog. We have too much to keep up on…your travel adventures, your experiences on the ships fleetwide, the development of your thingy and how Heidi is coping with pregnancy….I have no doubt your blogs will continue to be as entertaining as ever. Best of luck in your upcoming travels…can’t wait to hear all about them
John,
YOU WRITE, WE WILL READ!!! You are the highlight of many of our days. Where would we be without your comments, funny exploits, stories, etc.? Take care, and DON’T fly on Easy Jet! Blog when you can.
Sheryl
Dear John as you embark on the next time span of your life.I am sure it will be just as exciting and enjoyable to read.You and Heidi go forth on a new journey of ups and downs with the little Thingy.You will feel the joys of laughter and the pains of tears of the little Thingy.This is what parenthood is all about.You are given the responsibility for a life that you learn how to care for as you go with little practical experience but you have the main ingredient for success LOVE God bless you both on your futures. Gary and Bug
John – just knowing you are out there somewhere makes me smile, so please keep writing – anything!!!. Thank you for your encouragement and support and sharing your English humor. And, congratulations again on your new “Thingy”- thankfully you finally figured out what to do with yours. Poor Heidi…..
Well John one chapter is over but yet another is just beginning. It was great to sail with you on the Splendor this past July and are looking forward to doing it again on the Liberty next year.
We’ll still be reading the blog so keep it coming even if it’s just a paragraph or two.
Good luck in your new venture.
Eva B
good luck mate enjoy
Forgot to mention I am with a CC group Saints and Sinners on this back to back…maybe you can make it to one of our meet & greets!!! Look forward to running into you…well hopefully not literally!!!
Hello John,
Of course we’ll keep reading your blog. You make us laugh and sometimes cry but your blogs are always interesting and I’m sure they will keep on being that way when you tell us about your new activities with Carnival.
Good luck and hope your travels are uneventful. Glad you get to spend some time with your mom and dad and some alone time with Heidi.
Linda
All the best as you head into another stage of your life…I am sure that you will find that the child-to-be will be the best thing you have every done. Congrats on your child and good luck on your travels. I will be reading your blog wherever you go…who could leave now when anticipating a new “Heald”? There is more to your writing than Carnival and that is part of what keeps us all glued to your blog.
Dear John: You will have lots to blog about, even if you aren’t on a cruise ship. You will have lots of adventures to tell us about in the coming weeks with all the meetings you are attending in Miami. AND then of cause you will have lots to tell us about how Heidi is doing, and I hope she emails you pictures of her expanding belly so you can share them with us all. You see, all of us mothers know how to tell the sex of the baby by how Heidi carries the baby, but then of cause once they detect it on an ultrasound you can confirm our guesses as to the sex of the child! Can’t wait! AND please don’t forget to send us the P.O. Box in the U.K. for all us aunties and uncles to send the baby lots of gifts, ok? Looking forward to hearing of all your adventures, and maybe eventually seeing pictures of the baby’s nursery too, ok? Love you both, Linda & Mike
John…
…Not read the blog thingy because you’re not on a ship??? EXCUSE ME???? Where did you EVER get that notion!!! My sweet, dear lad… It is YOU we long to hear from and about!!!
It is Alan and Heidi and Stephanie and Bubba and PA007 and Farcus and DREAM and on and on… that we long to hear about!!! Sweet silly one… we love your writing and will read directions to screw in a light bulb if you write them!!!
Now… you have plenty to keep you busy and keep us informed… so get to it and begin your new adventures!!! Give Heidi time and space each week to add her Thingy updates and her home decorating tips and new recipes she’s trying and the funny quips she hears in town… And let Stephanie spill the beans about Bloggers and fill our minds with dreams about that cruise…
Take care, God Speed… and enjoy life!!!
Lambie
John, as long as you write, I promise I will come and read the blog thingy. You have never disappointed us! Whether on a ship or at home, it has always been fun to see what you are up to. Now we will have the added adventure of your travels and parenthood. I’m in for the long haul!
Karen R.
This is so sad and happy at the same time. I will be there to read the blog thingy daily since even your description of your breakfast would be funny to me. Reading your blog always makes me smile except today as I feel your sadness of ending one part of your life but we are all anxious to be with you on the next chapter.
Thanks and bravo John and Heidi for a job well done. Thanks also for making us all smile.
I love you man…and don’t forget to post the address we can send card, gifts, help or our own children so that they will reach you!
Much love and nothing but good wishes from here.
Cheryl
Ditto to what Kuki said !!!
Best Wishes !!
Mark Amanda and Catie
John, We were very happy to see that you are going to be on the Rubby in November for two days. We hope to meet you on that cruise also.
Till then GOOD LUCK with the food cravings and Take care of yourself and your beautiful wife.
Dear John: I’ve been reading your blog from Day 1 and will continue to do so as long as you are blogging. We’ll be cruising on the Splendor on January 10, 2009. Missed you a couple of times but hopefully you will consider the Bloggers cruise for 2010 on the Dream.
Take care of Heidi and your “little one” and enjoy your time home with Mom & Dad.
Keep blogging and we’ll keep reading.
Regards,
Terry
There’s nothing new to add that everyone else hasn’t already said, but we too wish the three of you safe and happy travels as you embark on this next chapter of your lives. Believe me, us loyal blog readers aren’t going anywhere and look forward to the newest installments of the saga. Take care!
Thank you John, for making us love the Splendor, even before we travel on it. Good luck to you, Heidi, and the “Splendoriforous Thingie”. If Jaime’s blog notes are as good as her photos, she’ll be brilliant! Take care!
Hey John,
I hear you’re on Destiny 11/3…..I’ll be on the 4 day before and then the same 5 day as it’s one of our Cruisecritic groups back to back….I’m not hosting this one but traveling with the group as several in this group are in my groups and the group leader is one of my closest friends….Anyway, just giving you a heads up and you’re definitely invited to our 1-hour cocktail party…….It will be good to see you again.
Randy
John, As everyone else is telling you – we will all continue to read whatever you write in the blog. By now we all feel like family and want to hear about all your adventures – especially the ??.
It’s really nice that Jamie will continue to keep us all up to date on the Splendor.
I guess Larry and I will miss seeing you on the Splendor as we sail on Nov. 17th. Like you often say,”Bugger.”
Enjoy your time at home. Of course you will also enjoy all the flights in your future-LOL.
Best of everything to you and Heidi. Larry and Jeri
Good luck on your next adventure. Looking forward to reading about it.
Cheers!
Brad
We are all waiting to hear about your new assignments, and of course we are happy to give our opinions of things you might be considering!
Hi John,
I am planning a New Years Cruise leaving Ft. Lauderdale on the Splendor. I was wondering what, if any, special plans are being made for New Years and if I should pack anything different than for a normal cruise? i.e. extra formal wear, etc. Is it possible for you to get a detailed itinerary? I am taking my daughter (age 13) and it will be a Christmas present so I’m gonna have to do all the packing ahead of time without her knowledge. Can you please tell me who the CD will be? Also, if the piano bar will have Greg Gallello? (She flipped over him on the Conquest!) Thanks bunches,
Maribeth Kring
Don’t worry – we’ll keep reading! Your blog and lunch are the main things that get me through the workday!
Hope to join you next summer on the Liberty, airfare permitting! Best wishes,
Vicki
Hi John/Heidi:
I can’t believe how quickly time has flown. It seems just like yesterday that you got onboard and were working to getting Splendor out to see.
Looks like you’ll be racking up a lot of frequent flier miles in the near future. Lets hope your flights work out better than your most recent set of flights in the past year.
Good luck with Heidi/Thingy over the next several months and looking forward to hearing more.
Take care!
David
John & Company,
While I will miss the daily reports from the sea, I’m sure you will find many more things to inform, amuse and beguile us with. Don’t forget to sign up for frequent flyer miles. At least then you can upgrade to First Class when flying back home to see Heidi and the (soon to be) BIG Thingy!
May all your travels be pleasant. Enjoy!
Derek
Hi John,
Just catching up once again. My work schedule is slowing down now for a couple of weeks so maybe I can actually keep up for a little while.
Don’t ever think for a moment that we would quit reading your blog thingy! I think I can speak for all of us out here when I say we are looking forward to all the new adventures youhave coming up. Your schedule alone makes for interesting reading! You will be one busy man! And of course we will be looking forward to updates as to how Heidi and the precious little thingy are doing, as well as updates from Jamie and life aboard the Splendor. And I certainly hope Bubba Chris will continue to entertain us from time to time with a little hello.
So, looks to me like you have lots of stories to tell about the life of a Senior Cruise Director and his family.
Big Hugs!
Princess Barb…. the quiet one of the Evil Krewe
Or should I say Nuri’s future Mother-in-law!! We had a really good laugh at your news about Helen, I am waiting for her phone call. We sailed in July on the Splendor from Dover to Amsterdam, just to see her. We had a great time and are looking forward to crusing again in the future. Will miss your reports on our daughters home, which I have found to be very funny. Take care of yourselves and good luck for the future.
Barbara
Hi John, please reply!
I am like you in the fact I hate to fly. I would love to see Carnival doing round trip cruises to the Panama Canal like they used to do with the Tropicale. I understand the Spirit class ships will fit through the canal? If there is nothing planned perhaps you could talk them into doing a few Panama cruises a year (roundtrip) out of Florida, or even Mobile.
Hi John & Heidi,
A big thank you for sharing your life and passion of cruising with us. I will definitely will be reading your blog thingy everyday too. Best to all.
Mary