Monday, November 3rd, 2008...5:44 pm
Helloween, Pinata’s and Captain America
With everything that has been happening, I haven’t had time to tell you about the huge success of our “Fun Ship” Halloween parties. The guests took part with great vigor and reports are telling me that some of the costumes were outrageous ……………………….the place to spend Halloween it seems is onboard one of our ships.
For me though…………it’s a little different…………………..Halloween… Hell-oween if you ask me. I used to completely ignore this American import, but then, of course, I crossed the pond and entered a world where the celebration of the dead is almost as popular as Thanksgiving and dare I say it………….Christmas
Bugger me you all take it so seriously. First it’s the ritual carving of the pumpkins, followed by days on end of pumpkin-based recipes until the dreaded day itself dawns. I always thought that you were supposed to dress as Dracula or Frankenstein. However, in the States they don’t all dress up as witches and skeletons – they wear all sorts of things that are not necessarily ghoul-based. According to Wee Jimmy on the Carnival Conquest and Stewart on the Carnival Elation, the most popular costume onboard this year is the “Sarah Palin” and I am sure there are some Democrats who would say that in fact these people did dress as a Witch……. the wicked Witch of the North.
A few years ago, I am sure kids used to be sent out into the chilly night to go trick-or-treating on their own. Now, in our terrified, paranoid new world, the kids have to be accompanied by groups of parents who all huddle at the gate armed with baseball bats should the trick or treating kids encounter someone who tells the kids to bugger off. I suppose it’s fair enough – after all, we spend our days warning them about “stranger danger” and not accepting candy from them, and then we send our children off to do exactly that. It’s like Christmas, when all the rules about sitting on weird old men’s laps are thrown out the window.
Obviously I have yet to experience the phenomenon of taking your child trick or treating but I will soon though with the pending arrival of the Thingy.
I was home last year, though, during Helloween armed with a massive bowl of sweets with which to pay off the local groups of trainee burglars.
I may have mentioned this in a blog thingy last year but let me remind you of my experience. Heidi takes it very seriously and had bought two pumpkins and placed them with the obligatory candle burning inside by the gate to our house.
The thought of having to open the door constantly to lots of very small ghosts and Batmen during my soccer game was unthinkable so as soon as Heidi wasn’t looking I would rush out and extinguish any pumpkins and I hung a huge hand made sign on the gate saying “Beware of The Huge Attack Dog That Hasn’t Been Fed In A Week.”
I wanted to write “There is no candy here because I am diabetic so bugger off”………but I didn’t think that would go down to well with the neighbors. It worked……………and to this day I don’t think Heidi quite understands why nobody knocked on our door.
My sister will tell you though that the previous year was much worse. Heidi insisted that I accompany my niece and nephew on their scavenging rounds. It soon became very clear that we each had very different hopes for the evening. They were obviously after the “treats” and hoped to fill their buckets with goodies. I, on the other hand, had adopted the role of “the Terminator.” Unknown to Heidi and Suedrip my sister, I had a bag of old eggs with me that I was going to use on the less generous houses. The first couple handed out some candy as did the second. At the third house we were met with bemused expressions and bugger all candy for Buzz Light Year and Sleeping Beauty/Cinderella/Princess thingy.
I immediately got my eggs out and started pelting the house with them. The kids were howling with laughter and Heidi, red with embarrassment, beat a hasty retreat threatening me with divorce and the removal of my genitals with a chain saw. As my fourth egg hit the target, the front door of the house opened and a huge and very frightening man came out swearing and making straight for me. He was huge and could have ripped my head off with just one finger. Halloween had turned into a real nightmare as Buzz, Sleeping Beauty, Heidi and Suedrip all ran for their lives. I brought up the rear, of course, to protect my family…………not you understand because I was overweight and unable to keep up with two kids and two women in their thirties.
We turned and ran, disappearing into the darkness and eventually hiding behind some cars. The kids were crying, and kept crying for hours……………and my poor attempt at saying that Halloween was supposed to be scary was met with a huge bollocking and the remainder of the eggs being broken over my head.
Well, I am back from Philadelphia. Did you see the USA Today newspaper today that highlighted the Carnival breaking a new world record by making the world’s largest piñata? I should also mention that the representative from the Guinness World Records said that only 3% of attempted world records succeed……………now considering that Carnival has broken two in the last week……………well, that’s pretty good.
Now, the local Philadelphia TV stations have run some footage of the event and, of course, they included some interviews with local people who, quite rightly, were disappointed about not seeing the piñata broken and therefore receiving some free candy.
Let me explain again what happened.
Philadelphia.
And so here I sit on the plane heading back to Miami and my hotel. I wanted to write about what happened today. First, the good news. The Funville tent was a huge success. Everyone enjoyed the brilliant entertainment, music, dancing and food. However, the problems began when, by 11 am, there were hundreds and hundreds of local people lining up to enter Funville and those hundreds and hundreds of people quickly turned into thousands and thousands……..and by the time it came to break the piñata there was anywhere from 5,000 – 7,000 people.
Many had come with empty bags and boxes…….ready to scoop up the candy …….one man…….and I kid you not……………had a shovel. Can you imagine thousands of people surging forward all at the same time to grab as much candy as possible…….and among the audience were hundreds of small children? The film crew and event staff were working hard to keep things orderly…………..but, in the interest of safety, the Philadelphia Police Department told the film crew that they would under no circumstances allow us to break open the piñata……….and………that was that.
A female police officer took a bull horn and told the crowd that the event was canceled for the safety of those present. I doubt too many of the 5,000-plus strong crowd heard but word soon spread ……..and some were very upset. There was some booing and suddenly the knowledge that there was no free candy turned what had been a pleasant and fun day into avery disappointing situation.
The police had called in reinforcements and had people began to leave, some telling us what they thought, most left just disappointed.
And so, here I sit mulling over what happened. We knew that offering anything for free was going to draw large crowds. However, none of us ever expected the numbers who showed up………….we offered free fun……..and the people of Philly responded. Many had come just for the free candy and didn’t necessarily care if was being offered by a cruise line ……….it was free and so they came.
Yes, it was the police who canceled the event. But, I agreed with that decision wholeheartedly. I know without doubt that the sheer number of guests and their exuberant and determined mood to get as much candy as possible………would have meant someone could have been injured.
Ultimately, it’s our fault. We are to blame and, personally, I am at fault as much as anyone. It is therefore that I say sorry………sorry to each and every one of you who lined up for a long time………..sorry to each and every child who stared in amazement at the piñata hoping for candy to come pouring out…………sorry to my blogger friends who drove from Philly and 600 miles away from Michigan, Tennessee and beyond. I wish I could have spent more time with you……….and I will make it up I promise.
I have lots of comments to answer and I will tomorrow…….except the one that said the next time I come to Philadelphia me and my colleagues will be killed………..you are getting bugger all.
I have lots more to tell you and I will be writing a full and normal blog tomorrow as there is much to tell. Until then…………sorry for the disappointment…………I guess Carnival style fun really was too popular today.
Goodnight
Your friend
John
The commercials will be brilliant and I will let you know when they will be broadcast soon. I was asked to open and close each one and even if my attempts of being a TV star end up on the cutting room floor along with most of Madonna’s attempts at acting then so be it. Just to be asked by Big Dawg Pete and to be directed by Noam Murro who directed Smart People the huge movie hit starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Dennis Quaid.……. mmmmmm………..Dennis Quaid………….and then John Heald………..that’s like driving an Aston Martin and driving a VW Beetle with two flat tires.
Oh well, it was an experience I will never forget and that I hope applied to all of you who drove from places near and afar to see me, experience the Fun For All and take part in the commercials in Dallas and Philadelphia.
The fact that so many of you did is extraordinary and I am totally flabbergasted by you doing so. It shows the love you have for Carnival Cruise Lines and it shows once again that the community have built here on the blog thingy is unique and jaw droppingly brilliant.
In a few hours I will be answering all the outstanding comments so look out for a “John Replies” section very soon.
Let’s check in with Jaime as the Carnival Splendor continues her voyage across the Atlantic. Here are her latest two Dear John letters and as always we say thanks to her for doing this.
November 1, 2008
Dear John,
Today we are docked in the beautiful port of Palma de Mallorca in Spain. At tours this morning I was in charge of making sure the guests got off in time for their excursion. While I was speaking on the microphone, releasing groups from the lounge, one guest raised his hand to ask a question. He was curious why the shuttle bus which is run by the government has a five-euro charge at this port, when the shuttle was free yesterday in Barcelona. He went on to explain to me that the government should be encouraging tourists to travel into their city in order to boost the economy and he was very upset that this was not the case. Keep in mind, this gentleman was going on a full day tour and he was not going to take advantage of the non-existent complimentary shuttle bus. Besides this occurrence, everything else ran smoothly as always.
The ship never returns to this Spanish city and to be honest, I thought about just staying on board today. I am so grateful that I got off. The port is absolutely beautiful, and the weather matched… finally! This was our first day with nice weather. The port was simply stunning there is no way I can describe to you just how relaxing, peaceful, and great it was. OK fine, I will try… The air was filled with the smell of saltwater, which we sea-people have learned to love. The sun was shining, it was 75 degrees and the cool wind took course every so often just to bring a slight chill to the air. A man sat strumming soft Spanish music in the distance, wrapped warmly in his traditional Spanish blanket. The only other sound was the laughter of the young children playing on the playground. This made me remember just how much I miss kids. One of my jobs before working for Carnival was working as the assistant director of a children’s theater camp in Michigan. I went to join these kids by swinging on the swings with them, and the serenity continued… Until all of a sudden I remembered how many of their boogery fingers had touched those bars on the sides of the swing set. I then decided it might be best to continue my walk =).
I continued on to explore the Gothic City and the Cathedral. Today was a national holiday in Spain, so the roads were clear of people and several of the shops were closed. Even the streets were clean and polished. The sides of the streets were lined there were many tiny trash compactors that looked like gold plated R2D2s. They were marked organic and commercial/inorganic so the garbage separation is a natural element within daily life. I saw the beautiful cathedral with so much detailed artisan work that would never be found on a modern building. The sky was perfect and this made for excellent photographs of the quaint little town. Lawrence and I combined our pictures and got some great shots, see below.
Another highlight of the day was seeing the “Dunkin Coffee” shop, which is the same menu and décor as “Dunkin Donuts” in the States. Did I mention I am looking forward to being back home!? Seeing this store reminded me of my childhood. My mother and I would stop at the donut shop to buy treats for my class on the way off to school. I went into the shop to use the bathroom and remembered the only phrase I learned in 6th grade Spanish class, “Peudro ir al bano?” Good thing I remembered something!
Upon returning to the ship, I headed back to work and to have dinner, hit the gym, not figuratively but literally and play some big bingo games before tonight’s show. Another action-packed sea day is in store for tomorrow I wonder what adventures await!
View from the stern
The view facing the aft of the ship
Palma de Mallorca
The cathedral in the center of the town
All the best,
Jaime =)
November 2, 2008
Dear John,
Day five of our sixteen day transatlantic journey and I can really see the unification of guests beginning to form. Kind spirits and friendly faces permeate the ship. This morning, one guest offered to lead a non-denominational Christian worship service for her fellow passengers. An award winning author offered to conduct a de-stressification seminar on one of the five consecutive sea days that begin later in the week. Everyone sharing their area of expertise with one another most definitely leads to a more rewarding and exciting cruise. These offers of productive seminars that guests are willing to lead remind me of my favorite life lesson from my former voice teacher and mentor. At camp, we would always teach the campers about the “five love languages”, and how generally people most appreciate the love language that they communicate in. The love languages are (in no particular order): 1) Words of affirmation 2) Acts of Service 3) Quality Time 4) Physical Touch and 5) Giving Gifts. I am definitely acts of service, meaning I go out of my way to do people favors and follow through with promises =). I promise I will talk about something more interesting…
Not to be too preachy, but I had a rough sea day, not just because of the choppy waters but also because I was faced with a guest who was extremely rude to me. At the intro of the hairy chest contest today, I introduced DJ Owen as the next possible US President. If you see the photos below, you will notice how easily Owen could be mistaken for Obama. Apparently a guest was extremely offended, and thought I was acting morally wrong for supporting a political group in a public environment. I spoke with him and informed him that I was not supporting/negating the candidate or his abilities, just simply stating that Owen and Obama do indeed share a strong physical resemblance. Too bad the election is in two days and I do not think I will greatly influence the vote of the many Americans that will be in the middle of the Atlantic on Election Day! Unfortunately, we do not have a polling location set up on the ship. This gentleman informed me he had been on 54 cruises and he knew the head of Carnival, and I would be fired within the near future. Thank goodness that lady is offering that de-stress seminar in the next couple days!
For the time being I had the support of my co-workers in the office to help me get through the stresses of dealing with this particularly callous man. My team on the Splendor is very important to me. They are all incredible at their jobs. I am lucky to be on the flagship with such competent co-workers. On this cruise elegant evening, I am heading off to go tell them just how they great they are and spend some time with them. More about Steph, Adele, Lauren, Owen and Kevin tomorrow =)
The day was beautiful and I managed to capture a few pictures of the sunset to share with you. I remember Gary, one of our former entertainment hosts telling me he got some pictures from the crossing last year and everyone enjoyed that so I was hoping to share them once again.
Enjoy the photos. We will be in Malaga tomorrow.
See the resemblance?
=) ::stress-free smiles::
Jaime
So, today, I am here in the entertainment offices of Carnival Cruise Lines. I am currently sitting at Kerry Stables’ desk blogging to you. Kerry is in the conference room designing what will surely be another award-winning show on the Carnival Dream. I will try and get you an insight as to what the shows’ theme will be very soon. I hope Kerry doesn’t mind me using her office and I hope she doesn’t mind the fact that I just broke her chair. Kerry weighs the same as an acorn while I weigh the same as the whole bloody tree and therefore her chair was not ready for my large bottom and henceforth it is now listing to port……………..bugger……………..oh…………and Kerry………….if you are reading this………….I wouldn’t recommend sniffing the chair cushion either.
As I said, later today I will be meeting with Stephanie who will assist me in answering all your comments. Then tomorrow I have a free day………..the first in a long time. I have no idea what I am going to do but I will hopefully relax a little. Then on Wednesday I will be filming a video for the “Onboard with Carnival” series with our Senior Vice President of Sales and Guest Services Lynn Torrent. We will post the subsequent video here for you as well. Also on Wednesday I will be going to see the Miami Heat play the Philadelphia 79ers. I am very excited to do this and will report on my game experiences, of course.
Then on Thursday I will be joining the Ruby Princess for a two-day cruise. I will be telling you all about this spectacular new ship that Princess Cruises have added to their brilliant fleet. I understand there is a special “romantic” theme to this voyage and a huge marriage renewal planned for everyone on deck………..as Heidi won’t be with me I guess I will be holding my own hand and……………….well…………..never mind.
Anyway, I can’t wait to see the ship and share my experiences with all of you.
Then on November 11 I will be flying (boo) to Grand Cayman to join the Carnival Destiny. She has just returned home to Miami after a dry dock session in which a Seaside Theatre big screen was added as well as other upgrades. I will be sharing my Destiny experience with you, as well.
After that I have one more flight to Boston for a meeting with my friends from the Arnold advertising agency and then………………I fly home to see Heidi and the Thingy. In between all of this I will be putting the final touches to the Bloggers Cruise on the Carnival Fantasy and looking at different blogging ideas for Carnival Dream. And of course …blogging each and every day…………or until you tell me to bugger off.
So, my flight from Philadelphia to Miami was pretty uneventful as far as my fellow passengers were concerned. The man who sat next to me didn’t say one word and spent the whole time reading magazines about X Playboxstation games and yes……………he had a beard. On the aisle next to me were two middle-aged men who went through the usual pre flight ritual of phoning their wives to say they were taking off before they bowed their heads in prayer………..actually they were both using their blackberries but from where I was sitting it looked like they were praying. During the flight they drank gallons of wine getting slowly pissed on Chateau American Airlines ………in fact, one of them was so “happy“ he offered all those around him a handful of nuts from this bag of mixed stuff he had.
However, the real entertainment came from the captain of the plane which had been due to take off at 6:15 pm……………….it didn’t. This is why……….and is pretty much word for word what he said on his first announcement.
“Ladies and gentlemen this is your captain and welcome aboard flight 438 to Miami. It’s a beautiful evening here in Philadelphia and I am surprised therefore that so many planes want to take off and leave. Traffic control seems surprised as I am and have informed me that we will not be able to take off for another 30 minutes.”
Traffic control and captain America……………..were surprised?………………why were they surprised…………….I mean it’s a bloody airport…………..it’s going to have lots of big planes on the runway…………why was this a surprise……………what did they expect to find on the runway………….hundreds of tap-dancing nuns……and what happened to “slot times” or were they making the airlines play rock, paper , scissors to decide who gets to take off first.
Obviously this news was met with much resentment from my fellow passengers, however, they were a bit happier when moments the later Captain America came back and said “Ladies and Gentlemen I see that we are now third in line and that means we should be taking off in 10 minutes.”
“Hoorah”………….we all said.
Then just moments later he was back…………”Sorry folks, I can’t count………we are actually tenth in line to leave.”
“Bugger”……….we all said
Can’t count…………basic math is something that you hope the man who is flying your plane across the eastern seaboard has mastered………….and if he can’t even count past three…………..well………….that just left me feeling pretty nervous and by the end of the flight my arse looked like a chewed orange.
Knowing you have a captain who can’t count and then admitting he can’t over the planes PA system is like finding out Stevie Wonder is your hairdresser.
Still, we landed safely, albeit one hour late and I was glad to see that the cabin attendant went to the same school as the Captain America. As we all stood up to leave she said this over the PA system……….. “Would the guest who requested a wheelchair……..please remain seated.”
It’s good that she said that because I am sure if she hadn’t the poor passenger who couldn’t walk would have slithered all the way down the aisle of plane.
Goodnight
Your friend
John
44 Comments
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Hi John!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m sorry the Philly thing didn’t turn out as planned. Don’t worry about the bloggers who drove down there. I know they were very happy just seeing you and each other. Meanwhile I was at Old San Juan meeting bloggers Sally and Michael Holland who came on the Victory. We went for lunch to Mojito’s and had a great time. Thank you John for bringing all of us together. You would have been happy just seeing how much we enjoyed each other company. It was a celebration. You can read all about it in my blog.
Hang in there soon you are going to be home. When is the sonogram??
Jaime:
Great pics!! I hope to see you walking around Old San Juan.
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:12 pm
John:
There is an old saying…when running in a group from danger or mischief…you don’t have to be the fastest runner.
You simply have to be faster than the slowest!!!
And yes, I can believe the shovel. One of our Bloggers reported a woman (holding 6 ~ count them 6 ~ hotdogs and 2 smoozies….complaining because there would be no candy for her children.
Sorry, you just can’t please folks like that!!
Things happen, if people can’t deal with it…we don’t want them on a Carnival cruise with us!!
Dallas (same size as Philly) was a wonderful event….I suggest you bring any other records you want broken back to the SOUTH!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:12 pm
John, Please do not feel responsible for what happened in Philly. You were the perfect host and all the bloggers had a ball. It was a super fun day. Did they ever break open the piñata? I showed my students all the pictures we took and they thought I was the luckiest person alive
I think I am too because my husband and I got to spend the day with you.
Have a great day.
Ellen
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:18 pm
So John, did you smack the donkey with the wrecking ball or not?
I wondered how you were going to get it done with the crowd there and not have a few wounded.
If you did it with your familiar gusto, pieces of candy would probably rain down across the Delaware river!
USA Today has a local news clip on the internet, said it was a technical glitch.
http://cbs3.com/local/pinata.south.philadelphia.2.854594.html
Cheers Mate
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Hi John!
Even though the big man came out, you were like the coolest uncle ever for egging the house. I think its hilarious while others may disagree.
Did they ever break the pinata? Impressive setting 2 records in a week.
Great posts and pictures from Jaime. Are the American employees able to mail in ballots during the election? How does corporate handle that?
Enjoy the day off tomorrow and the NBA game this week. It should be a great game.
That pilot is unbelievable. I would have been livid.
Glad you are doing well and talk to you soon.
Take care!
David
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
John: Please Reply
I had sent you a note during your live Q & A last week asking if you could find a set of deck plans for the Festivle and Tropical. You asked me to send a comment on the blog today so here I am.
I would like to find a set to complete the books we have about these cruises al these many years ago. Hopefully you can help out.
Thanks
Dennis
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:54 pm
John,
I just wanted to say kudos to the Carnival embarkation team and disbarkation team. I have just gotten home from a cruise on the Carnival Imagination and we have never had such a smooth embarkation AND disbarkation. It was wonderful! And I would like to say thank you to Eva at the airport and JP at the terminal. He took such good care of me making sure I was treated right when I was loaded into the van for the airport transfer. He stayed with me until we left. He watched the driver with an evil eye. I really appreciated JP….what a wonderful employee!
Princess Susan
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Oh boy! I’d like to say that I’m surprised about the death threats but I’m not. Just Google “Mitch Williams”. It took 15 years for him to be “off the hook”. Those from Philly will know what I mean.
Anyway, John…as much as we were disappointed I was still very happy to meet you and happy to see Josh again. The atmosphere was great, especially before noon but things went downhill after that. I sensed bad things could happen so I split a few minutes before the announcement was made.
I hope you’ll come back to Philly again sometime…when it’s safe!!! :-0
By the way, any chance on getting a list of who won the free cruises? I know it wasn’t me because I never win anything but I wouldn’t mind seeing who the lucky people are
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Hi John: So, what did they do with all the pinata candy? Is it still in the pinata? If so, where is the pinata now? Inquiring minds want to know! HA! I am glad you are back in Miami safe and sound. Glad “ROCKY” didn’t come looking for you! HA! Did you ever get a philly cheesesteak sandwich? I know everyone of us bloggers and other friends were just glad to see YOU and that is probably why most of them showed up! Can’t wait to see all the commercial’s, I will make sure to tape them if you are in them! Won’t be long and you will be home with Heidi and the wee little one to-be. Linda
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Love the blog 2day John!!My daily laugh you paint a picture with your words,Love Jaime’s addition of cruise vu’s ,just a smashing read!!
………….not
-Sandra from the great white Canadian North,I can see Russia from my doorstep
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Just curious if this comment will appear. My comment yesterday was polite, mentioned fun and dissapointment but was never posted-adding to my dismay.
My kids are still checking to see “when” the pinata will be broken.no care of candy-just wana see a smash.
At least the ice cream was good.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Hi John, I just have one comment to make about the Philly thingy. We’re talking about people that were so unruly, they destroyed a car, set things on fire and looted, and all because they won the World Series. What can they expect the police to do when they start acting unruly just because there is going to be free candy??????????
Sorry we didn’t get to tell you and our blogger friends goodbye, but we thought it best to leave before anything happened. But we will CYA on the BCv2.
Our tickets for the 11/29 sailing on the Splendor were waiting in our mail when we got home today. WOHOOO
Will Jaime still be on the ship when we sail?
Countess Carolyn and Don
Hi Heidi, John says we won’t know what that sweet little one is….a boy or girl, until it’s born.
Please Don’t throw me over ship lol John
Big Ed’s Pat says it is definitely a boy. But we are all wishing for a boy for John and a girl for you..yeap TWINS.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
John -
Please let us know if you were able to finish the commercial shoot either yesterday or today.
Jon
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
John,
My sons, age 9 and 6, joined me at your event on Sunday in Philadelphia. They are both Cruise and Caribbean veterans. My oldest loves the Guinness Book of World Records so your event combined his two favorite things. I told both boys before we left the house to not even think about the candy. We were fortunate enough to be in the group who was able to particpate in the commercial. It was fun, but when that crowd was brought in – you could sense in the air, the mood changed. I positioned us with an easy escape if it was necessary and the firefighter with his daughter complimented me on my on the spot planning. I know the crowd thought there was money and car keys and free cruise tickets in the pinata along with the candy that only added to the chaos. Cancelling the candy drop was the right call and I only wish we could have finished our “staring roles” in your commercial. If you ever need well behaved partipants – give us a ring.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Well, you made it back to Miami and you have a free day and get the see the Heat play–sound like things are going your way for a change.
Poor Jaime, so sorry that she had to take that and hopefully the guy was bluffing about having her fired–please don’t let that happen. Interesting that he has been on 54 cruises and knows everyone in authority there and I travel with some that have been on over 70 and don’t know anybody in the presidential office at Carnival.
You are looking forward to getting home to Heidi and Thingy and I’m counting the days until my Splendor cruise–18 more and we will be there!
Sweet dreams and enjoy your day off!
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
It’s scary to think that these are the people who will be helping you get off the plane if there is an emergency.
Enjoy your days off, you deserve some.
Love
CruisingGrandma
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I’m actually appaled by the way that Carnival executed this “commercial”. It is mentioned on radio stations in a metropolis that has a large population and you don’t expect or plan for 7,000 people…please! I waited for 2 hours with my 4 children for the “big event”, which never happened. My children “collected” candy because there was nothing else to do. I’ve been on several cruise lines…never Carnival and I can only hope that you cruises are no where near as dull as this event. Next time, plan better for an urban enviroment….unless of course you don’t us “Urban People” ever participating in one of your trips!
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
John,
I just stumbled on Carnival Towel Animal theater. ABSOLUTLEY FANTASTIC, Good Job to those that thought that up, not to take away from the beach ball. Made my day a bit brighter.
daytonadan
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
John, I feel very bad for you.
As the most visible Carnival employee there, you seem to be getting a lot of the blame for what happened (or didn’t) in Philadelphia. As those of us who follow your blog every day well know, you were doing a completely different job up until about two weeks ago and therefore you obviously were NOT involved in any of the detailed planning that goes along with putting on an event of this magnitude.
All my best wishes go out to you tonight John.
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
leave a reply
I hope some day to meet you. I enjoyed every minute of the day in Philly and wish you would do one in Chicago so that I could gather my gf group friends for a day out there. You won’t be sorry at all. Oh well, that may not happen, but some day, some time in the future I will have a chance to meet you.
Out of curiosity – where did all the candy go that was in the pinata… to CHOP, St. Christopher’s, to the neighborhood children who may not have tricker or treated due to the craziness in Philly on Halloween aka the Phillies’ victory parade!!!
Have a great time on Destiny. I love the assistant CD guy from Canada – he’s the best. Find out why they don’t have a repeat cruisers party though and find out why we didn’t get pins on the October 16th voyage. I cruise this ship again May 14th and that’s just six and a half months away!!! Don’t pack a lot of clothes at all; this was the most laidback cruise I’d ever done and I loved it even if it was with my husband and granddaughter. Give Jacque and Emina hugs from Faith for me. Faith (and Cole and Maya too) miss them. I’m still playing CC at home!
Don’t get too sunburned and how lucky those Destiny cruisers are to have you coming onboard….
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Hi, John
The thing that I was most pleased to read today, is that you will have a day off on Wednesday! You have been hitting it so hard, for too many days, now.
I’m sorry that the Philadelphia event didn’t work out as planned. The masses do tend to go crazy when they think they will get “something for nothing!” Even if it is just candy. Kudos to all concerned for canceling the event.
Jaime, I know you come across every kind of individual, when working in direct contact with the public, but I’m sorry you have to listen to such garbage. I know it is just one opinion, but don’t take it personally….. the man is a jerk! I loved the pics, especially the one of the funnel and the moon. What a great pic!
John, thanks for taking us along with you, each day. Get some rest!
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:04 pm
John, We got home safely from Philly. Sunday was worth everyone of the 600 miles I drove to get to Philly. Seeing you, some of the Krewe and bloggers that I never meet before just coming up to say “Hi Big Ed” made the day. I sure hope that ARNOLD got to get a shot of the Pinata being broke for the commercial today.
Yes, Pat did say it would be a boy. Pat also said your better have a doctor on call 24/7 because your going to keep that poor kid in stitches.
BIG ED
PS; if anybody finds my voice laying around there in Philly please return it to me.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:09 pm
John<
you have my email!!!! post my comment!!!!!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:14 pm
moderation by who??? please a blog is a blog..a comment at 8:29 is approved but none of
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:18 pm
know what….next Friday I’m going to let the unedumicaed from Fishtown and Port Richmond read all the comments about Philly(Which I already copied and will send to other cruise lines!!)
DON’T under estimate PHILLY!!!!!!!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I absolutely agree that the mood changed when the gates were opened (who’s idea was that anyway??). I even heard people in the crowd working out a strategy to get to the front. And it was not going to be polite! The poor person in front of the mob was trying hard to maintain order and asking that they stop throwing candy and quiet down. She was then pummeled with candy. And the crowd thought it was a good and funny thing to do. That’s when I decided I needed to be somewhere else.
Other than that, I thought the event went well. Before we left to go to the set, it seemed that everyone was smiling and having a good time. I know I was. I enjoyed the food, the Carnival staff as always was great, and I thought it would be a great event.
IT WAS! Just not the way it should have been.
If you ever need a bunch of helpful, interesting and entertaining “extras”, just call on the Bloggers! Just feed us and we’ll be happy!
Cheers!
Derek
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:32 pm
I’m sorry that the crowds in Philly had to cause such problems. You should have come to Atlantic City. We south jerseyites are much more polite. I still look forward to someday meeting you in person. Enjoy the basketball game but please note it is the Philadelphia 76ers (not the 79ers).
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Hi John,
Enjoyed the blog today. I always look forward to a few laughs when I read your blog and you never let me down.
Even if there were some disappointed people yesterday, I still wish I could have been there. It looked for the most part like a good time was had by the majority. It’s just a shame that there has to be a few greedy people out there that have to upset things for the people who just want to have a good time. But, I am curious, did the pinata ever get broken? What happened to all the candy?
Jaime sure had some great photos today. I do enjoy reading her entries to your blog. She has a great sense of humor too. Maybe it goes with the job or is it that she is just trying to follow in your footsteps?
Looking forward to tomorrows blog…. and don’t hold your breath waiting for your loyal readers to say “Bugger-off” to your blogging. Because we will keep reading as long as you keep entertaining us.
Hello to Heidi and the Thingy! BTW…. how is she doing???
Hugs!
Princess Barb
PS…. To “Sho”
go back and look at yesterdays comments… yours was number 4.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Dear John
Your lil one not even born yet and you are begaining to think like a father. Where it come to Halloween safety. you will make a great dad and i will bet the thingy will know all about Carnival before he/she make 5 years old. and be doing the CD job be for he or she make 10. I watch the party on sunday via the internet and wish i was there . i know you was disapointed that you was not able to brake the pinata but the safely of those there came first. i am looking forward to see what you do next to set yet another record. tell Heidi and the lil thingy hello and we are counting the days till the Dream in 09
your friend Dave and Diana
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I’m a Philadelphia local that showed up to watch the smashing of the piñata. My children and friends were more interested in seeing the destruction by wrecking ball and then seeing what 8000 pounds of candy looked like than getting any candy, so we stood outside the fences as did most of the crowd.
It certainly did get old waiting for 3 hours without knowing what was going on, without satisfaction, and ultimately without consolation.
Rumors had it that the piñata was to be destroyed today (Monday). Did that happen? Is there footage?
@Carol and Don re: unruly people in Philadelphia
I think that is an unfair characterization. The incidents you refer to involved a small group of people at 1:30 in the morning. More than a million people showed up two days later at the celebration parade without *any* major incidents. The thousands of families that showed up to see the piñata are hardly those people you describe.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:46 pm
John,
I just wanted to tell you that a picture taken of the giant pinata, and a short blurb about it, and Carnival breaking the world record, appeared in our local paper—The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, out of Santa Rosa, California. I hope you were finally able to break open the pinata with a much smaller crowd so you could finish the commercial.
Take care,
Sheryl
November 4th, 2008 at 3:28 am
The postponing of the breaking of the Pinata was definetely the right decision, John, no matter who made it. My kids (Thomas and Becky, who you met in Philly yesterday) said that there was some pushing, and shoving, and really “not nice behavior” by some of the participants. People definetely would have been hurt, if that Pinata had been broken (I think that there were more than 7,000 people there, it seemed like more!) Also my kids thought that you were cool and Ted and I were thrilled to finally meet you!!! We missed the Big Grp picture though
November 4th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Hi All =)
Glad I can share with you what’s going on around here.
I just wanted to answer for you some of the comments that pertained to my posts.
David –
As far as voting from the ship, if we do want to mail in an absentee ballot that is most certainly an option. It is somewhat of a challenge since we have been in Europe since June, BUT we do have an address where our families can help us by sending us the ballot and we can return it home. They certainly don’t make it easy but since this is such an important issue, it is worth the hassle!
Carolyn and Don-
I am leaving on November 29th, so I will not be here when you arrive… maybe I will see you on the pier though =). The rest of the team is wonderful and I am sure you will love Lauren, Adele, Kevin and Owen who will all still be here!
Have a good day =)
Jaime
November 4th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Did the pinata get smashed?
Where did all the candy go?
How on earth did Captain America get his pilot license?
I cant bear the suspense John!!!!
November 4th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Hi John,
Welcome back to Sunny Miami.
Jaime great photos.
John, don’t blame yourself for what happened in Philly. You’re not the Police, you didn’t cancel the event, you didn’t even set it up. You’re just one of many Carnival people who tried to give everyone a good time.
Say hi to Heidi for me. Enjoy your days on the Ruby Princess, the Destiny (say hi to Jorge for me) and the Heat game.
Can’t wait for the next installment of “Travels with John”.
Hugs.
Carol
November 4th, 2008 at 8:45 am
John…
Helloween… How silly!!! You are a man out to have fun!! Thank goodness you share that with all of us!!! (But keep those eggs to yourself…) I always feel blessed to come to your blog thingy and get refreshed with smiles and laughter…
CARNIVAL was wonderful… You were wonderful!!! The police did their job… It was the right thing and it was disappointing, too…
I can’t wait to see the commercials!! OOoooo…
Carnival is FUN!!! Carnival is the procreator of FUN and the renewer of FUN… Thank goodness I found y’all and I’m NEVER LEAVING!!!!
You’re a busy busy man… thank you for your time for us!!!
Stephanie…. Oh, the live blog was GREAT!!! Thank you for keep John on track and keeping us informed!!!
GOD BLESS CARNIVAL!!!
LONG LIVE CARNIVAL!!!
Lambie
November 4th, 2008 at 10:25 am
John:
I have a suggestion for the guy that threatened to get Jaime fired….put him on the Carnival ‘NO CRUISE LIST’ !!!! Our way of firing HIM!!!!
(and would someone please slip him this Blog address, so that he can read for himself what a jack@ss he is!)
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
November 4th, 2008 at 11:42 am
John, I’m sorry that you had to cancel part of the event on Sunday and that a small, unruly group caused so much disappointment to so many people. I know there were some problems with underestimating the expected crowd, but if the entire crowd had been cooperative, I’m sure something could have been worked out. It is always going to be easier to manage a large, cooperative crowd than a small mob. There was no other choice than to disappoint most everyone in order to disburse what was becoming a small mob.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:45 am
John
It was a great time on Sunday and it was great to meet other bloggers. being from the Philly area I kind of expected some unruliness but not as bad as it was. I am sure glad us bloggers were able to get in early beings it was so crowded later. I think the best decision was made to cancel and continue another day. We were very grateful to you to let us stand off to the side to ensure we were safe. I am also glad that you made sure we were able to be let back into the funville tent so I could retreive my mother. Thanks for the daily blog and I look forward to seeing you on the bloggers cruise in February.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Hi John.. I totally think that post poning the smashing of the pinata was the right choice.. imagine if it would have been smashed and some small children got hurt because some greedy adults trampled them trying to get free candy.. (seriously.. a man with a shovel??) People would be complaining even more!! You can never make everyone happy all the time.. the best decision was made for everyones safety.
ps – love the blog!! I try to read it everyday, but this is my first time commenting.. Enjoy the Heat game tomorrow..
Hugs to Heidi and the Thingy <– Congratulations by the way!!
Vanessa
November 4th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Jaime,
Thanks for answering my question.
That was very sweet of you to do that as busy as you are.
I had always been curious as to how Americans vote overseas and now you added the color I was looking for.
Thanks again and good luck with the rest of the crossing.
Take care!
David
November 4th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
RUBY PRINCESS HAS ARIVVED!!!!!
November 4th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
pinata + crowd= trouble. I’ve been at kiddie birthday parties where someone always gets hurt so who came up with the idea to have a GIANT pinata and thousands of people??? We came down to the festivities and decided not to bother waiting in the LONG line. Instead we went out to lunch at Ted’s and came back to witness the pinata smashing only to hear it was cancelled after waiting about an hour. We didn’t see any “mobs” only heard a few boos which is expected after waiting hours only to be disappointed. I think it was all a bad plan and to blame the police or the people isn’t fair.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Welcome to Philadelphia, John! I think PHL airport is one of the top 3 major airports in the terms of late departures. The FAA always tries to do something about, but the lobby in the suburbs always shuts them down due to environmental concerns.
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