Comments on: School Daze and Jamie Part 2 http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/10/18/school-daze-and-jamie-part-2/ The official blog of Carnival Cruise Line's Sr. cruise director, John Heald Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:52:46 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: dwa76 http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/10/18/school-daze-and-jamie-part-2/#comment-45254 dwa76 Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:48:29 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=6793#comment-45254 Hi John/Heidi: Your bullying stories bring up some unpleasant memories from my youth. We've all been there. Still can't believe you're going to be in my city this coming weekend. Haven't heard anything about the weather report quite yet, but its currently in the mid-7os here. Great pictures from Rome. Brings back a lot of memories. Its pretty exciting that you (and Heidi) are finally able to spend some time at your house in England since you have been away for quite some time. Thanks again for another great blog. Take care! David Hi John/Heidi:
Your bullying stories bring up some unpleasant memories from my youth. We’ve all been there.
Still can’t believe you’re going to be in my city this coming weekend. Haven’t heard anything about the weather report quite yet, but its currently in the mid-7os here.
Great pictures from Rome. Brings back a lot of memories.
Its pretty exciting that you (and Heidi) are finally able to spend some time at your house in England since you have been away for quite some time.
Thanks again for another great blog.
Take care!
David

]]> By: Jim & Mary http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/10/18/school-daze-and-jamie-part-2/#comment-45245 Jim & Mary Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:29:19 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=6793#comment-45245 John, Yes being a Dad is a wonderful thing. Like many Dad's I have a cat story. My eldest daughter when she was in her early teens had a kitten. She played with the kitten and trained the kitten to chase her around. Now this training became her absolute problem. You see when she was older she would quietly sneak into the house and while trying to get to her bedroom without wakeing my wife and I. Almost immediately we would hear her saying "no, no, stop it". Of course this awakened us! Well the cat was doing exactly what she trained it to do. What a security cat. Jim John, Yes being a Dad is a wonderful thing. Like many Dad’s I have a cat story. My eldest daughter when she was in her early teens had a kitten. She played with the kitten and trained the kitten to chase her around. Now this training became her absolute problem. You see when she was older she would quietly sneak into the house and while trying to get to her bedroom without wakeing my wife and I. Almost immediately we would hear her saying “no, no, stop it”. Of course this awakened us! Well the cat was doing exactly what she trained it to do. What a security cat.

Jim

]]> By: Bryan http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/10/18/school-daze-and-jamie-part-2/#comment-45217 Bryan Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:41:03 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=6793#comment-45217 Hi John, Your sister's cat shares the same exact name as my dog. Crazy coincidence; now I miss my dog, haha... Anyway, your government's attempt to stop bullying seems half-hearted. Won't solve anything with the way kids think; there's always a way to bend the rules. Either way, hope you've enjoyed your weekend. Hi John,

Your sister’s cat shares the same exact name as my dog. Crazy coincidence; now I miss my dog, haha…

Anyway, your government’s attempt to stop bullying seems half-hearted. Won’t solve anything with the way kids think; there’s always a way to bend the rules. Either way, hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend.

]]> By: Lynn in VA http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/10/18/school-daze-and-jamie-part-2/#comment-45215 Lynn in VA Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:48:06 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=6793#comment-45215 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 Sorry if this is a repeat. I’m resubmitting this because my original comment (I submitted it in Freedom and Splendor in Bella Napoli) is still sitting in moderation (it’s been over 24 hours) and more recent comments have been posted. I’m guessing mine fell into a technical glitch!? Congratulations on baby Thingy!! 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

Sorry if this is a repeat. I’m resubmitting this because my original comment (I submitted it in Freedom and Splendor in Bella Napoli) is still sitting in moderation (it’s been over 24 hours) and more recent comments have been posted. I’m guessing mine fell into a technical glitch!?

Congratulations on baby Thingy!!

]]> By: Robin in New York http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/10/18/school-daze-and-jamie-part-2/#comment-45212 Robin in New York Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:39:52 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=6793#comment-45212 John--I too was bullied as a child. I empathize with you--even the memory of it, at age 51, still disturbs me. I was little, developed late for my age, and was educationally smarter than everyone else--which made me a huge target. On the other had, regarding the cursing--I could teach you some good Yiddish ones I heard while growing up. However, if Heidi has any knowledge of German, they might be too close to that that they would be understood! John–I too was bullied as a child. I empathize with you–even the memory of it, at age 51, still disturbs me. I was little, developed late for my age, and was educationally smarter than everyone else–which made me a huge target.

On the other had, regarding the cursing–I could teach you some good Yiddish ones I heard while growing up. However, if Heidi has any knowledge of German, they might be too close to that that they would be understood!

]]> By: Patricia http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/10/18/school-daze-and-jamie-part-2/#comment-45211 Patricia Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:25:26 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=6793#comment-45211 Dear John, as a prospective parent, please check ourt Aninta Renfroe's "Momisms", also found under William Tell Overture". She has condensed all the things a parent says to a child in a 24 hour period into 2 1/2 minutes and sung to the tune of the William Tell Overture. All the things I vowed never to say to my children, but did anyway-stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about-don't make me come down there- are you wearing that? and more. Hawaii was delightful, Bubba was amazing, the Spirit exceeded every anticipated desire, and I want to go back straight away. But it's good to be home, where I can make a huge pot of vegetable soup with veggies we canned from our garden, and have all the diet Coke I want! Patricia Dear John, as a prospective parent, please check ourt Aninta Renfroe’s “Momisms”, also found under William Tell Overture”. She has condensed all the things a parent says to a child in a 24 hour period into 2 1/2 minutes and sung to the tune of the William Tell Overture. All the things I vowed never to say to my children, but did anyway-stop crying or I’ll give you something real to cry about-don’t make me come down there- are you wearing that? and more.
Hawaii was delightful, Bubba was amazing, the Spirit exceeded every anticipated desire, and I want to go back straight away. But it’s good to be home, where I can make a huge pot of vegetable soup with veggies we canned from our garden, and have all the diet Coke I want! Patricia

]]> By: Princess Susan http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/10/18/school-daze-and-jamie-part-2/#comment-45210 Princess Susan Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:51:19 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=6793#comment-45210 John, There was one more thing I want to tell you. You said you are going to become a dad and you don't feel any different. Well, when you hold YOUR baby (not thingy) in your arms for the first time, your life will never be the same. You will discover love you never knew you had inside you, you will learn you are not nearly as smart as you think you are, and you will discover such joy and pride that you think you are going to burst. Heidi and John enjoy every minute, every laugh, every hug, and yes, every dirty diaper because it will be over before you know it. The years will fly by. Princess Susan John,
There was one more thing I want to tell you. You said you are going to become a dad and you don’t feel any different. Well, when you hold YOUR baby (not thingy) in your arms for the first time, your life will never be the same. You will discover love you never knew you had inside you, you will learn you are not nearly as smart as you think you are, and you will discover such joy and pride that you think you are going to burst.
Heidi and John enjoy every minute, every laugh, every hug, and yes, every dirty diaper because it will be over before you know it. The years will fly by.
Princess Susan

]]> By: Maribeth Kring http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/10/18/school-daze-and-jamie-part-2/#comment-45208 Maribeth Kring Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:08:30 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=6793#comment-45208 Hi John, I'm so looking forward to the polls. What a wonderful idea to get passenger input for the future of Carnival! I've been on 5 Carnival cruises and my daughter (age 13) has been on 4. (My first was my honeymoon so no kid allowed lol) We've both had a great time with only one exception. The activities for her age group seem just a little too close to the 9-11 group and not close enough to the 15+ group. Her complaint was that many of the kids in her age group will be high schoolers soon and they felt like their activities/parties should be a bit more "grown up". For instance, when they have a dance, the bar could at least serve sodas and chips or something. Every one she went to on the Ecstasy and the Conquest, they had to go out of the club to get something to drink and in most cases, they weren't told that. Also she said maybe they could have their own hang-out like the 15+ kids. (I've heard that some of the ships do, but not certain) Of course, our next cruise will be on the Splendor over New Years Eve because she thinks Greg Gallello in the Piano Bar is the best. Since he facebooked us that he'll be on that ship during her Christmas break we booked right away and we'll probably spend most evenings in there! By the way, I hate to break it to you, but the whole hormone thing with Heidi and the Thingy is just getting started. Hang on, Dad! Remember, you've got a huge support group to talk to here and get your questions (fears) answered! Hi John,

I’m so looking forward to the polls. What a wonderful idea to get passenger input for the future of Carnival! I’ve been on 5 Carnival cruises and my daughter (age 13) has been on 4. (My first was my honeymoon so no kid allowed lol) We’ve both had a great time with only one exception.

The activities for her age group seem just a little too close to the 9-11 group and not close enough to the 15+ group. Her complaint was that many of the kids in her age group will be high schoolers soon and they felt like their activities/parties should be a bit more “grown up”. For instance, when they have a dance, the bar could at least serve sodas and chips or something. Every one she went to on the Ecstasy and the Conquest, they had to go out of the club to get something to drink and in most cases, they weren’t told that.

Also she said maybe they could have their own hang-out like the 15+ kids. (I’ve heard that some of the ships do, but not certain)

Of course, our next cruise will be on the Splendor over New Years Eve because she thinks Greg Gallello in the Piano Bar is the best. Since he facebooked us that he’ll be on that ship during her Christmas break we booked right away and we’ll probably spend most evenings in there!

By the way, I hate to break it to you, but the whole hormone thing with Heidi and the Thingy is just getting started. Hang on, Dad! Remember, you’ve got a huge support group to talk to here and get your questions (fears) answered!

]]> By: Mike Lipman http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/10/18/school-daze-and-jamie-part-2/#comment-45206 Mike Lipman Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:43:58 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=6793#comment-45206 Hi John, Just want to say what a fabulous cruise we had, and we are priviledged to have been on your last voyage. Congratulations to you and Heidi on your impending parenthood. Is Willie Banger on the shortlist for godparent? Hi John,
Just want to say what a fabulous cruise we had,
and we are priviledged to have been on your last
voyage. Congratulations to you and Heidi on your
impending parenthood. Is Willie Banger on the
shortlist for godparent?

]]> By: Brandy Walter http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/10/18/school-daze-and-jamie-part-2/#comment-45204 Brandy Walter Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:49:33 +0000 http://johnheald.wordpress.com/?p=6793#comment-45204 John, We live about 75 miles north of Dallas. In my opinion this is about the best time to visit this area. The days are pleasant and the nights are cool. Most of the things in the air that cause terrible allergies are gone - thank goodness! The days usually range from 73-78 degrees and nights are 50-55 degrees. Let us know where you are going to be in Dallas and maybe we can make a road trip. Thanks for replying to my questions last week. Have a safe trip, but most of all enjoy your time off with Heidi and the thingy. Brandy John,

We live about 75 miles north of Dallas. In my opinion this is about the best time to visit this area. The days are pleasant and the nights are cool. Most of the things in the air that cause terrible allergies are gone – thank goodness! The days usually range from 73-78 degrees and nights are 50-55 degrees. Let us know where you are going to be in Dallas and maybe we can make a road trip. Thanks for replying to my questions last week. Have a safe trip, but most of all enjoy your time off with Heidi and the thingy.

Brandy

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