Good morning everyone.
I will tell you where I am in a moment but first let me tell you about the verbal fight I witnessed yesterday afternoon.
It was Saturday and that meant the airport was packed with passengers returning from cruises.
So there I was sitting in the waiting area munching on a chicken Cesar wrap which by the way tasted of nothing but garlic………..I would be safe if there were any vampires on the plane.
Anyway, as I munched away I heard a conversation developing around me. …………and before I tell you what the subject was I feel I have to say that its one of those occasions where I have to swear on all I love that the following is true………………it was as if both parties new I have a blog and had decided to give me some material.
The two parties involves were a couple in their 60’s and a younger couple with two children who were using their cute little carry on bags as battering rams, each one determined to break the others legs.
Meanwhile the conversation was getting heated and the subject…………………Carnival vs. Celebrity. Now it is probably a safe bet that most of you are thinking that the younger couple were on Carnival’s side and Mr. and Mrs. 60’s were celebrating the wonders of Celebrity……..nope………….it was the other way round. Mr. and Mrs. Celebrity who were completely ignoring the fact that their kids had abandoned their battering rams and were now wrestling with each other ……..the younger one had the older one in a full headlock and even his yelps of pain were being ignored.
Dad was saying that Carnival’s food was bad and that it was full of ” drunk college kids”……….Mr. Sixty asked what Carnival ship he had sailed on………….I already new the answer………….yep………here it comes………they had NEVER been on a Carnival cruise.
This really upset Mr. Sixty who then said that he had no right to express an opinion Dad just said, ” well, I have spoken to many who have sailed and they hated it.”
Mr. Sixty then told Dad that they had been on 11 Carnival Cruises and had just finished another one today…………and reminded Dad that Carnival was the most popular cruise line in the world. I thought things were going to get ugly when Dad’s attention was taken by the younger kid who was screaming and crying ……….which was probably due to the fact that his ear was as red as a Baboon’s bottom because his brother had been twisting it 360 degrees.
Anyway, the battle of words finished with Mr. Sixty clearly having won on points.
I was wondering if Mr. Sixty and his wife had ever cruised we me before but so far they had not recognized me. ……….So, I leant forward and said ” I am a big Carnival fan as well ” just loud enough for Mr. Dad to hear………I wasn’t worried about him…….his two kids……….well that’s another story.
Mr. Sixty just smiled and nodded and we spoke a bit about our favourite ships ……….his is the Carnival Legend. And so we chatted for a few minutes but the subject changed from how much we love Carnival to how much we hate flying when they announced that due to fog at our destination the flight would be delayed by 1 hour………..bugger.
The flight itself was uneventful besides leaving one hour and ten minutes late and me sitting next to a man who sniffed huge rasping snorting sniffs every 5 minutes. I could even hear him with my headphones in……….at one point he sniffed so hard he sucked three pieces of carry on luggage, one flight attendant and a chicken sandwich up his huge bulbous nose………….animal.
But, here I am………….where…………Hawaii………….kidding……………I am as I am sure many of you Sherlock Holmes bloggers out there will have guessed………..in Philadelphia.
Yep, Philadelphia.
Let me explain why I couldn’t tell you…………and you know how much I hate that.
Obviously we had some unfinished business following the postponement of the breaking of the world’s largest record-breaking piñata.
The Philadelphia police force had asked us not to break open this huge monster due to the enormous crowd of thousands had gathered to collect the candy that would pour out of its belly.
This was the right choice……..the safety of the people was the primary concern.
But we needed to break it open to complete the national TV commercial.
We got permission to do this but only if we do not publicise the event in anyway, shape or form. Therefore they stated that we could not inform any local media…….and that meant I was not allowed to mention it on my blog thingy.
To show how serious they are about not having a repeat of last time we have been instructed to cover the areas fencing so nobody can see in.
So, what will happen?
Well, the TV Company making the commercials closing shot have hired 400 extras and they will be there as the Piñata is broken.
Then………..I will be presenting all of the 8000 pounds of candy to various Philadelphian charities. I will be filming the break and other events of the day and we will post them later tonight.
Please except my apologies for not telling you about this but I was under orders not to.
I fly back to Miami tonight and will send in a full report on Monday.
I am sitting here in the Sheraton Hotel and missing Heidi more and more and as I sit here watching War stories on Fox news a commercial has just come on for Viagra……………and that’s funny because I was just thinking that all this flying, packing and unpacking has given me…………..a stiff neck.
Sorry for all the spelling errors, this was done on my raspberry.
Look out for an update around noon.
Cheers
Your friend
John
Filed under: Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Carnival Cruise Lines, Pinata
I knew it! Hope it all goes well.
Most of the people who speak about Carnival haven’t been on a Carnival cruise. That’s the truth and it makes me mad. You should have tell them who you are. I wonder how the kids behave on the Celebrity cruise…..Interesting. Couple of days and you are going back to Heidi. How is she?? We been on a Celebrity cruise and at that time the food was very good but I have read this has changed a lot. It’s been a long time since they were mentioned as the best food at sea. My mother in law invited Eugenio to go with her on a Celebrity cruise in a few weeks. Let’s see.
John, I can fill in the blanks now.
John, good luck in …(PHILLY)… . I hope everything FALLS in place in …(PHILLY)… . Be sure to send videos from …(PHILLY)……. . Made sure it includes THE END. Last weekends videos never had THE END.
BIG ED
PS. I hope all goes well today.
Hi John!
Can’t say that I’m too surprised about you being back in Philly. Good luck filming the rest of the commercial and giving the candy to charity.
At least you were able to witness the fight since you have intimate knowledge of the subject.
Gotta love people whose opinions are based on what others tell them.
Thanks for posting and good luck.
Take care!
David
dwa76
You said “Gotta love people whose opinions are based on what others tell them.” Didn’t we see that last week Tuesday, LOL.
BIG ED
Heh – after I sent a post to Stephanie and then read your blog yesterday I figured you’d be coming here. I hope you don’t have any trouble down there. If you read my post to Stephanie then you know that local media already has already reported that there’s a chance the pinata is meeting it’s demise today.
Best of luck!
John:
I certainly hope the sixty year old couple did not change “Dad’s” (in parenthesis because he is obviously not a Dad but a genetic contributor)
mind.
The last thing we want on Carnival are ignorant parents who do not make their children behave.
Celebrity can have them!!!!
There is a difference between parents and genetic contributors….anyone can “produce” a child…only a parent can raise one properly!!
Btw, I guess right….I told David you were going back to Philly…what do I win???? LOL
PS: HUGE HUGE HUGE KUDOS to JAIME.
She is a brilliant jewel in Carnival’s crown!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend~thrilled the Gators won~ DJ)
Hi John! We figured out that you were completing unfinished business. It is really too bad that it is costing Carnival so much more $$ to finish the commercial, just because of the rude and selfish actions of the people of Philadelphia, who have rightfully earned the reputation that they have. I, for one, will not be making another trip to the “City of Brotherly Love” anytime soon.
On another note, I am so happy the candy is going to worthy charities. Good Luck with today’s events!
Linda and Kate
I thought you had been awful quiet on the Piñata subject from last week. I think a lot of us guessed, you would have to make a return visit to the “City of Brotherly Love.” I just hope that everything goes off without a hitch and you can wrap this up. I must say that I have gotten a lot of mileage out of telling the story of Paris the Pinata’s Party of Pandemonium .
Carnival vs. Celebrity…. Hmmmm. Having sailed both I would certainly give the advantage to Carnival. At the time Celebrity had the Cirque du Soleil on the ship performing and that was amazing, but the rest of the trip was kinda boring and the ship was not run nearly as efficiently as the Carnival ship.
Looking forward to any info on the Bloggers Dream Cruise in December of 2009.
Cheers!
Derek
My friend… here’s hoping that all goes smoothly today. I really want to see that commercial!!!
All the secrecy is totally understandable. I’d hate to see that fence breeched by thousands more shovel carrying, goodie bag toting candy fiends!!!
I’ll be waiting patiently for the clips.
Regarding the X vs. Carnival controversy… It doesn’t surprise me in the least that the older folks were Carnival fans. As we mature we (often) begin to understand that there’s a big difference between perception and reality. The reality is that Carnival provides the best value for the dollar for ANY age group. One cruise on a Carnival ship is all that’s needed to prove that.
All my best to Heidi, the Thingy and the wonderful Stephanie!!!
Ciao!!!
Host Mach
John Please Reply
I just wanted to let you know that I am a huge fan of the blog thingy. I discovered your blog only 3 months ago when my wife and I booked our 5th Carnival cruise. We were perusing the Carnival website looking at different itineraries, when I noticed the link to your blog. I immediately recognized who you were. You were the fellow that was the cruise director on our first Carnival cruise aboard the Imagination in October 1995. At the time, the Imagination was the newest ship in the fleet, and we thought you were a hoot. I had always hoped you would be the cruise director on our subsequent cruises, but alas, you were not.
My wife and I sail on the Carnival Valor the 14th of December. We are flying into Miami the evening of the 12th and will be staying at the Intercontinental hotel for 2 nights. Knowing that you must get tired of eating room service, and dining alone, we would love to take you to dinner, if you are still in Miami. Afterwards we could have a cigar, and I could then scare the crap out of you telling you stories about our 4 Thingy’s (2 boys and 2 girls). Please let us know if you would be available. Give our best to Heidi.
Regards,
Dan & Tanya
Hi John
I hope all goes well today. Hi big Ed, long time no post for me. I did post on last Tuesdays blog because I just got so tired of the whining from some people. John, I’m glad Carnival will be donating the candy to children that can enjoy it. In case you didn’t see the post I did last week, I’m so happy for you and Heidi. May your little thingy bring you great happiness. Oh, by the way, be glad you put The Happening back because it was a really bad movie. At least that’s what I heard! Hahahaha! Have a fun day.
Leasa
John,
I am going to e-mail Heidi. First thing you need to do when you get home is to get your hearing checked. I do believe that all this flying has effected your hearing.The reason i say this is that this morning i was 10 feet away from you as you were walking down washington Ave and you did not hear me. you disappeared behing the tip top secret fence ..lol
Well matbe next time once you get your new hearing aids we will get to talk..
Be Safe
Semper Fi
Good afternoon John,
When ever anyone talks about cruising, I always say good things about it and Carnival of course. But to say you do not like a cruise line because of something someone else told them, well that makes no sense at all. Why would anyone rely on anything anyone else says before they try it?
I am sorry you are missing your Heidi more and more. You will be back home before you know it. The month has gone by so fast.
I hope your Philly visit goes well and the candy is taken care of and everyone will be finally happy with what has taken place.
Keep smiling John, my best to Heidi.
To John. No need to reply.
I was just reading some back issues of the blog (looking for the origin of rumpy pumpy) and I came across the one about your hardest moment as a Cruise Director. That day was rough for everyone. I worked at a travel agency then and had to get our clients home – somehow!! Boy did we get creative! Our business clients did not want to stay where they were and our leisure clients wanted to go on vacation! We even went so far as to book rental cars for people to drive themselves home – across the country. What a mess.
I actually was heading to a cruise ship (the one with mouse ears) on the 14th that was in Florida and I was in California. I got there, but had to get to the airport about 5 hours early and wait in a line for miles. At the welcome aboard show, they asked where everyone was from… I was the only one from California!
The point?? I just wanted to tell you that reading your description of that day, brought tears to my eyes. I felt your anguish. But I’m so glad that you let all of the activities go ahead as planned. You were right… they would have won.
I’m so glad to have found your blog and becoming addicted to it is a small price to pay to count you among the people I respect the most.
Thanks,
Cheers!
Derek
Hey Kate…I was at the Philly event last weekend and I was not rude or selfish. Yes, a lot of people were, but not everyone. I happened to cut out early because the whole thing was entirely too unorganized and SOME people started acting like jerks.
Please don’t lump everyone into the “rude and selfish” group. Many of us we patient and reasonable. And the failure of the organizers to be prepared deserves just as much blame as the people who acted like idiots.
Honestly John, I have a confession to make…I was very similar to the couple that said Carnival is a party cruise line before I experienced my first Carnival cruise on the Freedom. We are very avid cruisers and have always avoided Carnival and Disney for similar reasons. However, all has changed because now, I try to only book on Carnival first before considering others.
Why Carnival has such a bad rep regarding that is unknown. However, we were told by travel agents and friends early on that Carnival is for college, young drinking crowds, etc. Untrue! Untrue! Untrue! Untrue!!!!!!!! We love Carnival!
Leasa
Glad to see you back in here. Missed your humour from the dark side. I’m sure even you could have seen the problem with a Pinata full of candy and 10,000 screaming hungry people in Philly.
BIG ED
ATTENTION ALL
ONLY 90 DAYS LEFT TILL THE 2009 BC.
Are you booked yet? You don’t want to miss all the fun in New Orleans and on the CARNIVAL FANTASY. My Evil Krewe is deep into planning even more Evil (good evil) for John. Plus you don’t want to miss John and I modeling the new line of “THESE FIT THE REST” size robes. John also mentioned something about “Speedo” for us too. That would be worth the price of a cruise to see.
So I hope to see you all there.
BIG ED
Dear John:
Having just returned from sailing on the Emerald Princess, I just had to go back and reread the posts that you made about being on this marvelous ship. Isn’t it funny how we just can’t help making comparisons?
Although I have been on many different lines on 46 cruises, I just couldn’t help making comparison with – why Carnival FUNships! I have to say first off – thank goodness for variety – for if every ship or line were the same – well, how boring.
I try to only make comments on things that absolutely stun me – unfortunately this time it was with the absence of . . . top sheets.
Well I could hardly believe it with the concern with health issues and such. I was mostly upset because for one day I had contracted chills and a fever (with the accompanying sweats). I shudder to think of the next person having to sleep under the same quilt. I know somebody is going to say “oh, but they are changed weekly.”
Well, no way Jose!” After leaving my cabin on the last morning, I needed to go right back and lo and behold, my bed was already made AND rearranged. I took a quick look at the pillowcases and I saw evidence that they were not changed out either. This is scary business in light of how fast epidemics can progress through a ship.
As I said in the beginning – I happen to be one who also makes comparisons but have NEVER experienced this with any of the “FUNships.” John – do you have any influence with the powers-that-be over at Princess???
Now I assure you I am not looking for any freebies (cruises, dinners, wine etc.) Also, I am not looking to get anyone in trouble as I do know how hard-working staff is. I do have many, many favorable cuodos about the ship and staff which I post elsewhere – what a great time was had by all . . . Sorry for using you to vent . . . Sometimes I feel that you are the only one that can get things done.
Joko Joan (alias Auntie Joan)
John:
Forgot to add…thank you for motivating me to lose weight.
I am ONE POUND away from the 20 pounds I wanted to loose. woo hoo!!!! It took 5 months, but it was worth it!!!
THANKS!!!!!!!
Linda ( “skinner” Mom of your friend DJ)
Hey John, are you still going to be in Boston this coming weekend?
Jeff
Megan, you are right, not everyone was selfish and rude – but from what I saw, you were in the minority. I apologize to you and anyone else who I offended. It is the rude and selfish people who caused the police to be called and for us to fear for our safety. After reading some of the comments in the newspapers and on the newspaper website, it just burns me that Carnival is getting slammed so badly. The way I figure it, there was 8000 pounds of candy and 7000 people. That is over a pound per person.
Linda
John,
You share so much with us on your thingy, I saw this & thought of you.
Taken from Jamie Oliver himself
My Mums Spottier Dick
This is a proper ‘blokes’ pudding ? loads of custard, a little warmed syrup over the top, and even some cream. Superb!
4 ounces (115 grams) suet
4 1/2 ounces (120 grams) dried apricots, chopped
8 ounces (240 grams) raisins or sultanas
1 orange, zested
4 1/2 ounces (120 grams) plain flour
4 1/2 ounces (120 grams) sugar
4 1/2 ounces (120 grams) bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated ginger (or to taste)
Pinch grated nutmeg
Pinch salt
1 egg, beaten
1 pint (140 millilitres) milk
Grease a 3-pint (1 liter) pudding basin. Mix all the ingredients together, except the egg and milk. Add the beaten egg and milk and mix well. (I do this in a mixer but you can do it by hand, no problem).
Put the mixture in the basin, cover with tin foil or a cloth, and put the basin in a pan with water half-way up the sides of the basin. Bring the water to a boil, put on a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 3 hours, remembering to top up with (add more) boiling water now and then.
Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Give me a call when its ready & I’ll bring the custard
I’ve cruised Carnival many times and loved it–but I am sorry you chose Philly for your pinata. The whole idea was a bad plan and I do not believe it would have worked anywhere. I’ve seen small children trampled at birthday parties when a pinata was involved so how could anyone expect it to work okay with thousands of people. I was there that day–Carnival could have limited the number of people allowed in the pinata area and I didn’t see any “mobs” just heard the boos of many disappointed people. And to Kate–glad to hear you won’t be visiting anytime soon.
John, I just wanted to put in a last minute idea for the bloggers cruse from NOLA .
COSTA MAYA!
Big Ed and I guessed right. We knew y0u were going to Philly. I sure hope the news media didn’t leak the news and 10,000 nuts disn’t show up to get the candy.
Now big question is when do you get to go home to Heidi and the wee little baby?
Just think no more smiley sticks any more………. Job was successful, now no pressure, just having fun! woooohhooo.
Countess Carolyn…. 20 days until the cruise to see Nanni
John…
Ahhhhh, you get to finish the commercial. I have worried about that! I just want to see all that candy fall and bounce and fly!!! How SPECTACULAR it will be!!!!
But it appears they aren’t letting you post snippets either… I was waiting for them…
I love the agruement… I think it’s amazing how we love or hate something or another… and how we are experts, even when we have never tried it!!!
(Why does that remind me of kids who hate spinach, when they’ve never tried it!!??? — or I think of my daughter who hated crab, until her first taste…. now she savours it and LOVES it!!)
But I’m awaiting this ‘discussion’ next month on the Carnival Ecstasy with my roomie who is a RCCL devotee… But I KNOW who will win here… hee heeee heeeeee!!!
John, I’m looking forward to video swatches… I know these will make me smile!!! It’s just a HAPPY THING to see a HUGE BEACH BALL or HUGE PINATA and ALL THAT CANDY!!!
And I know the commercial will bring FUN FUN FUN to each and everyone who views it!!!!
Lambie
Hello Stephanie, too!!! I’m sure you’re tired and worn out from all the flights, too!!!
My daughter & I went to the pinata event last week too. There were thousands of people and guess what….they were mostly very well behaved despite the huge lines and freezing cold weather. We couldn’t even get near the tents. That line stretched around the corner, 10 people deep, as far as you could see. No sense in even standing in the line.
So, we headed across the street to get a good view of the pinata. We stood there for at least two hours waiting for the wrecking ball to do it’s job. But, as we watched and waited it became apparent that this event was horribly planned. We figured that with the way there were no barriers keeping people back far enough from the pinata that someone was going to be killed. Really! This thing was built of hard plastic and steel. I couldn’t imagine that anyone would even think of allowing kids to run on broken pieces of hard plastic in pursuit of free candy. And once the ball hit the pinata, did anyone consider how far the plastic pieces were going to spray? We thought we were going to see some people get squished by the falling head of the pinata. We were relieved when the calvary came roaring in on their motorcycles. At least someone had the common sense to stop this.
Now, were people saying that they would never cruise Carnival…Yup! I was wearing a Carnival sweatshirt…I was going to cover up the logo. lol. You couldn’t blame them for saying that. If you were there to see the massive confusion, lack of communication, and lack of organization, you would definitely think twice too. The day reflected poorly on Carnival…hate to say it.
Just for the record, I love Carnival. I’ve been on several of the ships and am planning my next cruise for Europe 2010 as a college graduation trip for my daughter. Stockholder too!
I wanted to respond to these blogs about the Philly people….not true….
Hi John! Am glad you got to finish the pinata commerical! Am curious to see how the pinata held up since we had rain a few days this week!
I am always amazed when I hear people speak badly about Carnival yet have never sailed on a Carnival ship. How foolish! But then again, I don’t know if I want those fools sailing with me!
Oh well…sorry I missed you today! The site for the videos we did in Phila is now working….so I was able to retrieve my video….pretty cool! Safe trip back to Florida!
Hello John,
Oddly enough I have found the only ones to have any bad to say about Carnival or cruises have never been on Carnival and most of the time the story start wit a friend of a friends, friend 20 + years ago went on one….. And though I have been on 3 Carnival Cruises I have never been on a plane… I am in no rush…. and if I ever do I’ll remember to wear slip on shoes….. and bring a book or MP3 player……
Glad you finaly got that candy set free, I am sure there will be a lot of happy children …. and a few happy dentists too.
the one
and only 1
Heidi-Beth
i’m sorry but royal caribbean is the best…. with the royal promenade flowrider, and everything is so new and clean. Carnival ships are old and gross. I was just on freedom of the seas and WOW. it is huge. the theater is state of the art, and the cruise director richard spacey is funny. sorry carnival
John – I have cruised on both Carnival and Celebrity and believe me, I will take Carnival any day over Celebrity. The crew is much nicer on every Carnival ship. Celebrity’s polished and refined service is really just rude and stuffy. The crews on Celebrity are just there doing a job while the people on Carnival are there to have a good time with their guests. It is all just a matter of attitude.
Cheryl – I could not have said it any better.
Why would thousands not show up for free food, entertainment, a chance to win cruises and the biggest pinata in the world?? Why would thousands of people NOT show up? Okay – whoever planned the event was NOT prepared for the thousands to show up. Does this excuse bad behavior? Of course not! But with no direction – what do you think the people are going to do? The only crowd control around the pinata were a few orange cones. I wish people would stop slamming the people of Philly for this. There is no reason for it. We all should not be bad mouthed for a few bad apples!
John – I am sorry that things did not go well for this event! Hopefully, this is a lesson well learned for future events. I am sure it is! I can’t wait to sail with Carnival again! Thanks so much for keeping us updated with the pinata and I am sure that the kids are going to LOVE the candy they will receive!
Hey John! This thing really was kept secret as I didn’t even realize it happened until a couple days ago. Anyway, I just have a question. Is there any chance Carnival will sail out of Philly? Now that you guys did this in Philadelphia and you got a glimpse of this great city, is there any chance you’ll start sailing out of here?
We’re stuck in the middle of Baltimore and NYC and would like a closer port to sail out of. I know some other cruise lines have sailed out of here previously. Right now only NCL sails out of here, and, well, I know I’m not sailing with them any time soon…
From what I’ve heard, size contraints limit the ships that can sail out of here, but a Fantasy-class ship couldn’t be put in here just to test the waters (no pun intended).
It would be greatly appreciated if you’d pass our request along to the higher-ups at Carnival. I’d love to see a Fun Ship call Philadelphia home!
Thanks John!