Kristie Asked:
John
I was at Sunday’s Beach Ball event and you told me to listen because you would be offering cruise specials. I waited and waited and heard nothing. I later saw you and asked you about this, you told me to wait 15 min and that there would be some coupons being passed around, or if we did not want to wait we could just go to the website and click on I WAS THERE. Well I did both, and found NOTHING! I would like to find the deal that you told me about so that I can book another cruise! Could you PLEASE help me!
Thanks,
Kristie
John Says:
Hi Kristie,
I’m so glad you wrote as I lost you in the crowd can you tell me what ship you’re interested in and I will check out the latest specials and get right back to you.
Cheers,
John
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Janet Asked:
Please reply
Hi John,
We just heard that the Liberty European cruises for 2009 have been cancelled. Does this mean you’ll be CD on the Dream for the Grand Med fall of 2009 cruises?? Thanks. Janet
John Says:
Hi Janet,
While my 2009 schedule is still uncertain I will definitely be sailing on the inaugural Carnival Dream sailing and hopefully hosting a blogger’s cruise and also a Caribbean cruise in December. I will not be the cruise director on these voyages that would be Todd Wittmer. However I will be there to write for the blog and hopefully bump into you. Thanks for reading the blog and my best to you and your family.
Cheers,
John
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Jennifer Hammond Asked:
Urgent please reply: Danny thought you were going to be building a room for a school instead of picking up things and planting trees. What happened? I know you are going to have a lot of peaple but couldn,t both be done?
Thanks, Jennifer
John Says:
Hi Jennifer,
As of yet it has not been confirmed by the charity exactly what we will be doing. Whatever we are asked to do there will def. be enough work for everyone and with my building skills it will probably be better for the kids that I plant a tree; it will probably stay up longer than the school. Thanks for your kind concern hope to see you soon.
Cheers,
John
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wes and liz,manchester england Asked:
John Please reply
Hi John, not been online for a couple of days and imagine my shock /horror to find through this blogthat the Liberty will not be sailing in europe next year. We had booked on the 6th September out of Dover as we fancied a different start to our cruise with a train trip down from Manchester followed by couple of days in London and taking in a show, then pop down to Dover and board ship. All very relaxed instead of mad dash through airport, missing luggage and just about getting to the ship before she sails. Que serra serra…… I see you recieved some stick on the live Q&A … Not heard anything from out TA yet as we booked throughthe U.S.So will be toll free calling tonight when I get home from work to see what alternatives there are.
Can you confirm if the Dreams first cruise out of Rome is 18th/20th or 21st September as I hav eseen three differentdates on different sites and forums as we may try this one even though its the same itinerary we did with you on the Freedom last year. Also do you know yet if you will be the CD on that cruise……..
Regards.
Wes and Liz
John Says:
Hi Wes and Liz,
At the time of writing the Carnival Dream’s inaugural is set for the 21st of Sept. Actually, I should have started this reply with an apology that you had not been informed previously about the cancellation of the Carnival Liberty’s European run. I will not be the cruise director however I will be onboard many of the cruises including the inaugural, writing for the blog and hosting blogger’s cruises. The cruise director will be Todd Wittmer who is a wonderfully talented man. Are you considering a Carnival Dream cruise hope to hear from you soon.
Cheers,
John
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Tim and Diane Asked:
John. Please reply
Didn’t you mean the Ruby Princess on November 6 – 8? I hope so I have a slightly used replacement cigar cutter packed to replace the one that TSA removed from your baggage.
John Says:
Hi Tim and Diane,
I am very excited that I will not only get to meet a fellow cigar smoker but it looks like I will replace my lost cutter. It should be a wonderful 2 days see you in the cigar bar after dinner.
Cheers,
John
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Spencer Asked:
JOHN PLEASE REPLY
Isn’t it costing Carnival more money to refund all these cruises, airfare, hotels, and all the other expenses then it would be to just keep the cruises in Europe? I was reading your Q & A and a lot of people are not booking on Carnival Corp. cruises again becuase of the Liberty cruises. So isn’t that loosing Carnival more money too?
Thank You,
Spencer
John Says:
Hi Spencer,
There is no doubt Spencer that it is costing Carnival a lot of money in refunds. However, the vast majority of people have been very understanding although obviously disappointed. Carnival’s bread and butter is the Caribbean and bookings next year are very strong. The simple reason for the Liberty leaving is the interest was not as strong as in previous years. We will be back and I will continue to help everyone I can who’s vacation has been disrupted by this change. Thanks for your kind comments and for speaking your mind I appreciate it very much.
John
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Brandy Walter
bwalter2002@verizon.net
John,
I was just wondering if the cruise you were talking about with the woman riding you like a bunking bronc and your pants falling down was Liberty in February 2006? If I am not mistaken, that was the woman that was sleeping during your show and you scared the wits out of her when you woke her up. That would also be the cruise with Willy and Anita Banger and Mr Cinninatti (I am sure that is not spelled correctly). Please respond. Thanks.
Brandy
John Says:
Hi Brandy,
It seems your memory is very good Brandy, which is what I needed after that show a large brandy. I hope moments like that are ones you will treasure forever.. I still keep in contact with Mr. Ohio who is actually an avid blog reader. I hope to sail with you again soon so we can have some more fun together.
Cheers,
John
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Nanetteali Asked:
Please reply ( If you can)
John:
My husband and I are very curious. In all this Europe thing you have mention as alternatives only HAL and Princess. What about Costa? I know that people are a little afraid of languages and even other cultures (BTW they shouldn’t be, knowing a second language gave me the chance of getting to know wonderful people like you and the other bloggers) but they are so similar in many ways. As you know I been in most cruise lines and had the change to compare and I can tell you that my favorites are Carnival and Costa. Why?? They both give me what I really want. Fun and the personal touch. The caring, the heart. Think about it. Why not?? I don’t understand. Why not give Costa a chance? Go in one of the ships John. Report about the entertainment and the people. After the Freedom my foundest memories are on Costa.
John Says:
Hi Nanni,
First of all it was great to talk to you on the phone in Dallas. Obviously you are very correct about Costa and all their programs are translated into English, Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. The only reason I haven’t mentioned them is that they are not cruising the Baltic and I think although a brilliant product there are more similarities between Carnival and Princess. Saying that you are absolutely correct everybody should learn a second language. We our course have our own language, Spanglish. So, muchos huggoes para usted and todo el sombreros.
Youro amigo,
John
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Eric T. Asked:
Hi John,
It’s been a while since I last emailed. My wife and I are booked on the Carnival Valor again for Jan 18th to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary (even though the actual anniversary date was this past Oct 10), and even bought some of those Carnival fun-tees (anniversary) to wear on embarkation day. One question, I miss those “whole body” showers, (you know, the ones that have five shower nozzles) that were in the locker rooms on the Fantasy class ships. I never saw them again since I started sailing the larger Carnival ships. Do the Fantasy ships still have them? Why don’t the larger ships have them?
Eric
John Says:
Hi Eric,
Congratulations, just in case I forget in January happy anniversary. I know exactly which shower heads you’re talking about as we have them on the Carnival Splendor in the Cloud 9 Spa. Fantasy class still has them and I had no idea they were not on the valor, I wonder why. A good idea….why not treat you and your wife to a relaxing couples massage, a great way to start your anniversary celebrations. Thanks for writing and I hope to read another comment from you soon,
Cheers,
John
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hemnms Asked:
please reply
first time asking a Q…John will you be on the Oct 3rd , 2009 Dream sailing? We were originally on the Freedom and then switched to the Liberty and had switched to the Dream prior to the Liberty being pulled. I have been an avid admirer of your humor and have just missed you on a previous sailing. Saw you will be on the inaugural and TA so kinda hoping you will be on the two sailings in the middle!!!
Mel..originally from Bournemouth and now NJ
John Says:
Hi Mel,
First of all thank you for the kind words. I know my humour is a little off beat, so I’m glad someone is laughing. There is a good chance I will be with you on the Carnival Dream. I will know my confirmed 2009 schedule at the end of this year. I’m glad you took the time to write in and I truly hope we can be together soon.
Cheers,
John
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Stephen Smith Asked:
Please Reply
John,
I am sailing on the Conquest over New Years, more specifically New Years Eve. Will there be special festivities for the evening outside the activities normally offered? Also I went to book some excursions on line. However I realized only a small perecentage were actually available to book in advance. Are the rest already sold out or not available to book in advance or am I doing something wrong? ( a distinct possibility)
Last, but not least I am new to reading your blogs and all I can say is I wish I had discovered them sooner. They are obviously written from the heart as the writings are funny, honest and entertaining. Thank you for bringing them to all your loyal readers.
Stephen Smith
John Says:
Hi Stephen,
New Years Eve onboard a ship is a very special occasion. There will be a huge party countdown and music and dancing all night long. In regard to the shore excursions I’m sure they just haven’t been updated yet and I am positive nothing will be sold out. Why not wait until you are onboard and then you can book what you want. I would recommend you see Dunns River Falls while in Jamaica. Let me know if there is anything else you need and thank you for being so kind regarding your comments about the blog.
Cheers,
John
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jspirit Asked:
John or Stephanie- please respond ( off the blog):
Hope you don’t mind me asking again- haven’t received any reply from you so maybe it got lost.
Are you able to find out if the ” cruise elegant ” nite on the Miracle Dec. 23 -31 sailing will be the 24 or 25th? I am trying to make reservations in the supper club but don’t want to miss elegant night in the dining room. I was thinking that maybe Christmas Eve would be the Tom Turkey night and elegant would be moved to the 25th which is the second sea day in a row. Any way of finding out?
Thanks. Hope Heidi is coping well!
John Says:
Hi Judy,
It’s strange I remember replying to this one so vividly. It must be floating around in thingy space. The elegant night will be on the first sea day, however on the 25th there will be an extra elegant night as most people tend to dress this way for Christmas dinner. I would suggest that you book your supper club experience on a port day evening or the 26th. Did you know you could book online in the my reservations section of carnival.com? Anyway sorry for the delay hopefully this will reach you loud and clear,
Cheers,
John
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Dan Polulak Asked:
John, Please Reply!
With all these new commercial tapings out there, will any of them be in the Southwest Florida area? I was curious because if so I would really like participate in this event. I am a Carnival employee and take much pride in our company and would love to help out if there is anything in Florida.
Look forward to hearing from you,
Dan Polulak
Club O2 Director
John Says:
Hi Dan,
It’s always great to hear from our crew and congratulations to you and all your fellow Club O2 directors who provide wonderful and fun cruise experiences for our 15-17 year olds. At this time there are no plans for a commercial shoot in Southwest Florida, however there very well may be in the future and if so we would love you to help. Thanks mate enjoy your contract,
Cheers,
John
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Dayna Newton Asked:
funny how all of the nice comments make it to your page. you are unbelievable. these people are all morons for giving you money. i can’t believe you’re actually blaming it on the patient crowd that stood and froze waiting for you to get your head out of your ass for three hours.
thanks for addressing my first email, i will now be taking this issue to the newspapers to be sure my concerns are addressed
John Says:
Hello Dayna,
I understand how disappointed you were however when you address what happened with the newspapers as you state you will. I kindly remind you that it was your own police department who refused to allow us permission to break the piñata… A decision everyone on site agreed with for the sake of the children. Hope to hear from you soon John,
Cheers,
John
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Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
Hi John,
No comments – just hello.
Carol
For next reply session, please reply.
HI John,
I was just curiose if you knew why the paradise, elation, and Spirirt class are the only ships in the carnival fleet whith Azipod’s. I’m not sure if the other ships have rudders, but if soI thought that azipod’s made the ship easier to manuver. As you know I would like to become a captain one day, so i would like to learn,.
thanks, JAKE S.
Hi John,
It was great to meet you and Big Sexy in Phila. Can you help me? I did the email in the tent and received a card that said to go to the carnivalfunhouse.com site and then put in the number on my card to retrieve my video email. Well, when I go to the site, there is nowhere to put in the number…..it seems to be a site to refer you to other sites. I tried some of the other sites, but cannot find where to retrieve my video! Help!
Had fun with you in Phila. I think breaking the pinata with that a large of a crowd would have been very unsafe. Did it get broken open later?
ummmm…still…ahhh…..
Love you John!! BTW I love Princess also but it’s different. It is just another environment, atmosphere. Cruising is the passion of this family and we could be talking about it for hours, so I will just stop it. 
Another point here is value. Did you know that we paid 1,000 more for 3 people on our Princess Med cruise than for 4 on Carnival Freedom? That’s another thing to think about. It is already expensive to go to Europe. Costa it’s another great value. Ok Ok ok. Discussion for another day. BTW Costa does some Baltic. Not exactly the same but if the price is right… Think about it. The thing is to go. Ok maybe is just me that I’m latin. Fun, heart, good price, that does it to me. I don’t care how many languages. Do a Costa cruise
Love you John!!
Hi John!
Hope you’re enjoying your day off (besides doing the Q&A/replies section).
Are there any pictures from them finally breaking open the pinata?
Glad to hear from you and take care!
Enjoy the basketball game.
Your friend,
David
John -
I am pleased to see that you included Dayna’s comment, proving once again that you are willing to address both the favorable and unfavorable comments.
Having said that, I have to answer Dayna – it did not take 3 hours to make the decision once the impatient crowd showed its nature. I was one of those engaged in the commercial shoot when about 300 – 400 individuals rushed the set, despite repeated instructions to the contrary.
Carnival brought this event to Philadelphia to promote fun. I never imagined that over 7,000 people would turn out for this kind of an event and neither did Carnival. Despite their best efforts at crowd control, the crowd did not cooperate and, yes, the crowd is to blame, in part, for the cancellation of the event.
Now, as to the issue of people “freezing”, your comment is far from the truth. I, myself, was in a short sleeve shirt for the entire event. The weather was in the fifties and sunny. If that weather is freezing, let me suggest that you visit northern New England in the middle of winter to find out what freezing is.
Jon
Just popped in to say hello.
Looks like I did so on a wild blog day.
Have a great week. Send my best to your bride…
(Loisoutcampinginhercaravanski)
I too have to say that Dayna is WAY off.
So while the Philly police shut things down, things at the pinata were looking crazy way before that. I hope people don’t blame the police but rather a combination of poor planning on the part of the ad agency (in my opinion), a larger turnout than expected, and some people just acting like idiots.
I’m sorry but I always thought the pinata was a bad idea. Anyone been to a kid’s birthday party with a pinata. Once that things broken it’s chaos and that’s with 15 kids. Whoever thought this one up must not have kids. Sounds good in concept but not so hot in reality. Thanks for trying though. Please come to Atlanta and bring the world’s largest Pina Colada with you.
Cheers!
Brad
Patient crowds??? The only patient crowds were the ones that had the correct wristbands and had been through the Funville Tent. The rest of the “patient crowds”, Dayna refers to, rushed the piñata, would not listen to the people from the film company, would not stop throwing candy and were generally uncooperative. And calling people “morons” because we stand up for what happened instead of what you think you deserved is childish and should be ignored.
Carnival is a great company, that tried to bring fun into the world and they did the best they could under the circumstances.
By the way, John, did you see that today in Peru they unveiled the world’s biggest PANTS! And everyone was seated in chairs, politely applauding. I guess they weren’t giving out candy.
Cheers!
Derek
I was at the Pinata event, because I really just wanted to see this thing smashed. I’m not an unruly person looking for candy – I’m a 30 yr old nurse who was fascinated by this. Bottom line – The people at this event would have followed directions if we could HEAR anything. This has been said in other blogs – but do you really expect people to stay behind randomly placed cones? Try some fencing or police tape. That parking lot was HUGE – there was plenty of room for everyone to be in the parking lot, but safely behind a fence. Though this whole thing, though, we had NO IDEA what was going on. There were very few announcements, and the ones that did make it to some kind of PA system, we could barely hear. We saw the wrecking ball move slowly over to the pinata – but there were people standing under the pinata (for the commercial I guess).
This event was so, so poorly planned and so riDICulously boring. It really could have been amazing.
Dearest John…Please don’t fall to Dayna Newton’s level and give her ink space on your blog? If she is so hungry for candy that it ruins her day when she does not get a free piece, give me her address and I promise I will send her a “Bitt(er)-o-Honey”
ATTENTION ALL
If you want to see some more pictures of the Pinata event and FUNVILLE just click on my name above to go to my blog and see them.
BIG ED
John:
DJ wanted to shout out a hello to DAN. He was a Club O2 director on one of DJ’s cruises.
Sorry I can’t remember which one (Holiday in Dec. 06…..I think). SUPER nice guy that DJ still talks about.
And to Dayna….you need to know that this very same event in a city the same size as Philly was
pulled off without a hitch last weekend.
And there probably would not have been 7,000 (or however many) folks there if YOUR radio DJ’s had not been lying about the event saying there were car keys the Pinata etc.
Carnival can not predict or control stupidity; which YOUR city dished out in abundance!!!
For every person like you that wants to put egg on Carnival’s face for this….there are 100′s who know the real score ….Carnival 100…Philly 0 !!
Linda
John
I did not attend the Philly event, but I have read the blogs and just can’t sit here quietly anymore.
I feel terrible that the whole thing got canceled, but it sounds (from my Krewe friends that were there and the blog) that it was not Carnival that caused the cancellation, but the 7,000 morons that showed up with shovels and such and created havoc. It is best that their police halted the breaking of the pinata. They apparently didn’t want to have to identify the bodies of their local idiots in the stampede. If the city of Philly can’t celebrate the winning of the World Series without tearing up the city, they surely can’t act right for a piece of candy.
Please don’t let the few get to you. There are plenty of avid Carnival cruisers behind you. We support your every decision even if you wanted to hang your underwear from the rock climbing wall, we will be there for you. In fact, I personally would climb the wall and proudly place them at the top!!
Give my best to Heidi and hi to Stephanie!!
Anxiously awaiting my next 4 cruises aboard a Carnival Funship!!
Gloria aka Sue
Are you kidding me? Seriously, where did you read that 7,000 morons showed up with shovels? I was there and I certainly did NOT have a shovel! I read that 1 person ( I repeat 1 person) had a shovel! Yes – I think that is nuts but do not classify everyone that showed up as a moron and having a shovel!!! I was well behaved and stood in line and did not do a thing wrong. I am sure some of the crowd was to blame but that is what happened when there is no crowd control or communication. Again, I do not know who planned this event but why would they NOT expect a lot of people?? It was advertised heavily, giving away free things, chances to win a free cruise plus seeing the world’s biggest pinata? Sure, I guess they should have only expected a handful of people to attend – makes sense. I do think that the blame should be put on everyone but the root of the problem is that they did not expect that many people and were NOT prepared properly.
P. S. It may have NOT been freezing but it was cold standing in the shadow of a building and I was pretty darn cold during the day.
P. S. S. I in no way, shape or form blame John Heald for this and I do feel bad for what happened and I am sure he feels pretty bad himself!
I think we all should consider that Dayna is reacting to a generalization in the same way some of the supportive bloggers are. Clearly she was without information or some communication on what was happening, what was causing the delay, or what might be the problem, and she was disappointed. (Dayna – why personalize this to John? He didn’t plan it or run it; he’s just visible. You can make your points without insulting him.)
John, why not send these comments over to the event planners and make sure that someone realizes that communication to the people waiting can solve so many problems.
these people are all morons for giving you money. i can’t believe you’re actually blaming it on the patient crowd that stood and froze waiting for you to get your head out of your ass for three hours.
thanks for addressing my first email, i will now be taking this issue to the newspapers to be sure my concerns are addressed
WOW this has been blown out of proportion.
To Just me: The reason the company did not expect that many people because they counted on people having common manners and decency to not take advantage of a situation of Carnival doing something nice for the community of Philadelphia. They held a similar event in Dallas a week before and did not have but a few hundred show up. I was at the event and witnessed the situation first hand and the crowd was not ever cooperating even when they were outside the fence. To make the assumption that there was no crowd control is crazy. If everyone was being cooperative as you say then why was there any need for crowd control. I was in the funville tent and saw people taking handfuls of hotdogs only to go to the back of the line to start again. The only mistake Carnival made was to expect the people in this part of the country to act as humans and not be greedy. It is things like this that give people in this area a bad name. I know it is easy to blame Carnival but as I saw it they did not turna anyone away from the funville tent until it reached its maximum people. I left after 4:00 and they were still giving out “FREE” hot dogs and ice cream and smoothies and so forth. I do not hear any of the people stating that fact. They also gave candy out to the people in the crowd and in true fashion the people started to throw the candy at the event staff.
John I would not worry any more about the people who are complaining as they are not the kind of people who would go on a cruise unless they received it for free. These are the same people that if you gave them a million dollars they would wonder why it was not a million and one dollars.
Thanks for a wonderful time and I look forward to future events but I understand if you do not come back to this part of the country to do it.
Rodney
What do they say? No good deed goes unpunished??
Come to the West Coast – we need to break some Guinness records.
Looking forward to meeting you one of these days. Take care and stay safe. Good luck to you, Heidi and the “thingy” – lucky kid.
All I know is that I thoroughly enjoyed myself on an east coast typical fall November day, actually a nice one. For the ad agency though, boo hoo. This event should have taken place at a larger venue such as Lincoln Field or Citizens Bank Park or even the parking lots there, away from residential areas. Had it been at a central location, with adequate parking, the attendance by Carnival past guests probably would have been spectacular. Too bad The Apprentice wasn’t being taped, what a great event this would have been for the contestants to have put together.
I think Carnival SHOULD continue to do these events in different parts of the country to break up otherwise dreary fall winter days or gorgeous summer days at the Jersey shore, Florida beaches, California beaches, large university campuses, etc. etc. but give past guests the option of attending with a guest!!
Like I’ve previously suggested, I hope Carnival considers doing something in Chicago…. Boston…. Minneapolis….Phoenix…..Charlotte…..even if it’s just a replica of a ship showing mock-ups of the different venues. Give the laypeople a chance to experience all the activities and personalities of the Carnival crew members firsthand!
I didn’t get to shake your hand in Philly but some day I will!
John,
My mom and I were reminicing about our first cruise with Carnival in 1983 and what a wonderful time we had. It was a 3 day Miami to Nassau and believe it was on the Carnivale (?). I met the Italian First Mate our first night on board and he was my guardian angel through the trip. Believe his name is Marc. At 15 I was destined to get into trouble and he seemed to always be there to steer me clear. It is amazing how little things can make such a big difference in someone’s life and go unappreciated. This is not the case here. Realize it is not a lot of info to go on, but I wondered if he is still with Carnival and hope he is well.
Thanks much,
Amy
John,
Our first cruise was on the Valor, in September 2006. The CD was a very funny Englishman who went under the name of “Dangerous Brian”.
Whatever happened to him?
Regards
David