So the flight was delayed once again. Apparently it was still a surprise to American Airlines that there were other planes taking off and landing and so we sat on the runway for 40 minutes waiting to take off. It would have been nice to pass that time by talking to the lady next to me but she already had one of those Zorro masks over her eyes and had her head buried in a “travel pillow”……..she had a American Airlines standard issue red blanket wrapped around her ……..and all that was missing was a “Do Not Disturb Sign” hanging from her nipple.
Eventually we landed and after a marathon walk from gate 51, I arrived at the taxi stand to take a cab back to the hotel. ……………I am not sure if the driver had been practicing voodoo in the cab because it smelt like freshly sacrificed goat in the taxi………………I was tired………..I was irritable………….I was fed up with packing and unpacking……..I was in a cab that smelt like a slaughterhouse…………and I had been wearing the same underwear since 6 am the day before……………………yes………………I had forgotten to pack spare underwear……………….bugger. I have a medical when I get home and my doctor will no doubt ask for a blood, urine and stool sample………………I shall just give him my underwear…………….should save some time.
Anyway, I was pretty grumpy by the time I arrived at the hotel and all I could think about was a shower and bed. When I got there…………….I knew that wasn’t going to be.
The parking lot was full, which is always a bad sign, and there was a huge banner hung across the entrance that said “The Intercontinental Welcomes the NRA Leaders Convention.” Now, I have no idea what the NRA are leaders of but I do know that last night they had a big party on the pool deck thingy which, of course, my room overlooks. The gentle thump of the music was manageable but then at midnight…..the fireworks started.
I know I sound like a bit of grumpy old sod, but I really do feel that, as a rule, once you’ve seen one fireworks display you’ve seen them all.
There just doesn’t seem to have been much progress in the world of the firework. In other areas of life things seem to take huge leaps forward. Cruise ship entertainment ………. cellular communication…………and hemorrhoid treatment.
But, since I was a kid, I can’t remember being in awe of any new, exciting firework. Occasionally you get a particularly big one that makes an almighty noise, but essentially it still just blows up and lets off a colored circle of sparks. ……………but that’s it.
And so I listened to the bangs and the weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssss and the fizzies for 30 minutes mindful that the hotel is in the flight path of Miami International Airport ……………I wonder if they got permission?
This also reminded me of the Carnival Destiny. It was 1996 and we were on our way to Boston. The ship was the largest cruise vessel in the world and there was much excitement. I was on the bridge as we sailed up the river to our docking area. Suddenly, the Boston pilot ordered Captain Gallo to bring the ship to a sudden stop ………..he, of course, complied. ……………..what was the problem?
Well, the problem was that our course took us up river and past the Boston Airport. The pilot was concerned that the ship was so tall that the planes on a landing approach may …………ummmmm………clip our smokestack………………..oops.
So, as the pilot contacted the air traffic control and after confirming that it was safe for us to continue………..we did…………….all was well.
The other day I was at the basketball game watching the Miami Heat beat the Philadelphia 49ers. I noticed during one of the time-out thingies that there………..on the screens ………….was our Towel Animal Theatre shorts. Have you seen them?
If not…………..here is the first
They have already had over 200,000 views and are proving very popular. Did you know that the towel animals were first started by a young Jamaican cabin steward? His name was Alva Ellis and his design was so popular back on the Mardi Gras that he taught all the cabin stewards how to make them. This then became an iconic feature on all our ships and although the stateroom stewards have standard animals they are taught to create, many of these great men and women come up with their own exotic creations. I know many of you have your favorite……………what was yours?
Time for a Dear John letter from Jaime.
November 8, 2008
Dear John,
This morning, Goose did his morning show from the bridge. He interviewed officers and discussed the ship’s navigational system and backup safety systems. I was on lido deck during this show just watching the guests completely captivated by this new information. I think some of the spectators were in amazement with the ship’s components.
For our third of five sea days in a row, we are having more and more guests come forth to contribute ideas about group meetings and classes. Over 50 guests attended a Shabbat service we had on board and they were all pleased to come together to share traditions and stories. It is funny how in that type of environment the six degrees of separation rule holds true.
In other holiday news, the cast began rehearsing for the ever so popular Christmas Show today. Being on the flagship is a definite advantage in this case because many of the cast members have done this show 10 or more times. It is just a matter of refreshing their memories and re-staging the much anticipated holiday performance. One of the most difficult parts of working on ships is consistently being apart from one’s family for the holidays. I remember last year at Thanksgiving, I was the only American crew member at my dinner table. I still held to tradition and asked everyone what they were thankful for. With the holidays just around the corner, it is refreshing that these cast members have been working together since April, so if they are unable to being their families back home, at least they have a close knit group of friends to celebrate with. Of course we are forced to make due with different decorating traditions than on land since no candles or
light bulbs can be used in this process due to safety regulations =). Good thing we are the creative ones!Today I had a chance to speak with our Safety Officer Cresenzo Palomba
who is extremely busy preparing for the upcoming US Coast Guard inspection. Here’s what he had to say:“We are not waiting for coast guard to be safe, we are always safe. It is part of daily preparedness. We are always ready because you never know when emergency may happen.
This is the first time for the Carnival Splendor has visited the States so it is a very extensive inspection. They are going to check everything in regard to safety – such as life saving appliances, fire fighting equipment as well as the training of the crew. In order to check these areas of knowledge, we will simulate a fire in some part of the ship and they will see how the crew members are trained to fight the fire. In addition, they are going to check fire screen doors, and the bridges’ responses to this type of emergency. They inspect all the equipment in the lifeboat as well to ensure these boats are adequately prepared for an emergency.
We also perform the lifeboat saving drill with the entire crew. It shows what happens when guests reach their assigned muster stations. The Coast Guard will see crew members moving from crew muster station to embarkation stations. In addition, they will see how the crew inflate and prepare the life rafts, how they pick it up with crane and inflate it for an emergency.
The Coast Guard will question crew members to see if they know the procedure of what to do in the real emergency. To prepare for this a lot of training is involved to review necessary information.
After that, they go around the ship to make a spot check. Typically they check the remarks of the previous Coast Guard inspection. In this case, the ship was in Genoa so they will be sure to comply with the opening remarks made from the ship yard.
When they are happy with these responses they will give us the Coast Guard certificate that is valid for six months. This inspection will be more in depth since this is the first time in the States for this ship.
We are also preparing for the VIP sailing when we first arrive in the states. We have evacuation plan for when in port as well.”
Thank you Enzo!!
The fact that I was able to sit him down for five minutes is a miracle within itself!
Our days are so busy, packed with activities for all. Two down, two to go. The weather has been beautiful the past few days so we can finally enjoy the sunshine!
The cast hard at work preparing for the Christmas show
Safety Officer Cresenzo
Jaime driving a life boat during training last yearMore to come =)
Jaime
Thanks, Jaime, and you really have a talent for writing.
Even though we have been invaded by aliens from the planet Credit Crunch I suppose all of us will be out and about before Christmas, abusing our credit cards.
We all know that this has already happened and as a result, the economy is teetering on the brink of collapse and little old ladies are having to sell their cats for medical experiments.
But there’s a darker side to credit cards. A sinister world that is rarely talked about. I’m talking about the misery of not having the right one.
I mentioned the other day that I had been having problems with one of mine and that continued yesterday in Philadelphia…………..but in a different way.
We’ve all been there. Dinner is over, the check has arrived and everyone is chucking their plastic onto the saucer. It’s a sea of platinum and gold. One chap has produced something with a Giant Panda on the front while another has a card with a Carnival ship on it.
And then it’s your turn. And all you’ve got is your plain old VISA card. Socially speaking, you are about to die. Or are you? A couple of years ago I read an interview with some chap who’d got a fist full of cards in his pocket and claimed that the more shiny examples, specifically the much-coveted Platinum American Express, gave him “certain privileges.”
Obviously, I had to have one. So I lied about my salary, handed over loads of money for the privilege, and there it was, in a leatherette box, presented like a Cartier watch. My very own passport to the high life.
So, yesterday at Philadelphia airport with two hours to spare before the flight was due to leave I found myself with nowhere to sit and nothing to do. After a while I remembered the platinum “key” in my wallet and recalled a bit in the booklet that said it opened the door to airline lounges around the world.
So, I waddled over to American Airlines Flagship Lounge with my cattle-class boarding ticket. “I’m afraid not,” said the woman cheerfully. “Aha,” I countered, “but I have a Platinum American Express card which affords me certain privileges.” It actually gave me bugger all privileges so that was me…….sitting in McDonalds nursing a Diet Coke and a McWhopper.
Then I arrived back at the hotel where I have become very well known having spent the last month. …………ahhh………I thought……….they know me, plus I have a Platinum Amex card………..I bet these two qualities will get me an upgrade to the concierge level ………. bigger room…………hors d’ oeuvres at 5 pm and Latvian women on tap
Joy of joys, it did. All I had to do was check into one of the Sultan suites at $1 million a night and I would be automatically upgraded to a Presidential Suite at no extra cost. So, that was me………..off to the economy room………………………bugger
During the last year or so I have been producing the jet set, Platinum Amex and the result was pretty much always the same. “Non.” “Nein.” And in Miami: “Que?”
I have therefore decided that having a Platinum Amex is not like having a big house. That’s better than living in a cardboard box. And it’s not like having a Bentley. That’s more comfortable than SMART car. The Platinum Amex and the even rarer black card exists, solely, to impress. It has no other function.
As a result, I shall be getting rid of it. This will help the world’s economy in a small way. But more importantly, it will do wonders for my self-esteem.
I am feeling guilty on two counts today.
Firstly……Heidi went for a scan today and although her Mum was with her ……… it should have been me. Anyway, she has seen the baby now and it’s the size of her index finger. She is 14 weeks pregnant and all is well so far. We have been arguing a lot about if we should know the sex of the baby. Heidi wants to wait but I want to know. So, at the next scan which I will be there for, I will ask Doctor Longfinger to write the sex of the baby down and put in a sealed envelope.
We will then go home and find the right time to open it together and see what we are having. I really need to know……….it will help me prepare for what is going to happen. ………….I still feel guilty about not being there today. Heidi though is very understanding. She realizes that I have a job to do and is brilliantly supportive. By the way, on Friday I have a meeting with the top CCL people about some exciting future plans. We will discuss what role I can play to keep Carnival at the top of the cruise industry.
I have no idea what they have in store but I promise you two things. I will tell you all straight away………and that the blog thingy will keep going ……………I will write each and every day until as with all good things…………it comes to an end……………I wonder when that will be?
The second reason I feel guilty is with regard to the conversation/argument I overheard at the airport. ………..you know…………the one about Celebrity vs. Carnival. What I feel guilty about is that I should have jumped into the conversation and told Mr Celebrity to bugger off. ………but I didn’t. He had me thinking though because Mr. Celebrity’s closing statement was “Not everyone loves Carnival.”………….and that’s where I should have jumped in and said………”Yep, not everyone loves Carnival………….but that’s because not everyone has taken a cruise with us.” The new course we are on simply means that everyone should come and sail with us. There really is fun for all and in today’s poo-filled world………….we all need some fun.
Oh, one last thing. I was watching NBCMSFOXCNN news this morning and despite the hurricane, the tragedy in Haiti, and a suicide bombing in Iraq, the news was dominated by the future of Sarah Palin. Will she stay in politics or will she become the new Lara Croft?
One thing that I did learn was something that may help Heidi and I out as we face the challenge of naming our thingy. It appears that Sarah Palin named all her children after the places they were conceived. This therefore is what Heidi and I will name our Thingy after……….the place where it was conceived………………..and so I am happy and honored to tell you all the name of our Thingy…………..will be…………Desk.
Goodnight
Your friend
John
Filed under: Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Carnival Splendor, Jaime's post, Towel Animals, Funville
My favorite towel animal is a monkey that hangs from the light thingy. Cute little fellow. We have only received one once, in about 80 evenings on board, so they must be hard to make.
Tell me, is Desk a male or female name, or both?
If you cabin was anything like the ones we have seen on this blog, there wasn’t much room on the bunks, and the desk is understandable. So, the closet fell on the desk. hmmmmmm.
I’m glad Heidi and the baby are doing good.
We are moving from thingy to desk ? Thingy is ok then. I thought it was going to be Splendor.
Splendor Desk Heald
OMG!
Hello John, Heidi, and Desk?
Great blog today and sorry about your flying nightmare from yesterday. At least you were able to get back to Florida safely without too much delay. I really enjoyed the video from yesterday as well so thanks for posting.
Pretty impressive that CCL is giving you the platinum Amex card, though evidently you have proven that its not worth very much unless you spend the uber-$. Thanks for the heads up.
Great to hear from Jaime. Hard to believe that they are almost across the pond on the TA voyage.
Thanks for another great blog today and keep ‘em coming.
Good luck!
David
“Desk”?? Are you sure?
I thought (hoped?) thast it might be something more creative, like “Lido Deck” or “Bridge”… LOL B-)
I would say I’m sorry that Mr. Murphy has chosen to travel with you yet again, but then we might not have these amusing tales to enjoy.
We’ll be looking forward to hearing your future role!
Hi to Heidi, Thingy and Stephanie, and thanks to Jaime for her continued updates!
dude! desk? i guess that’s better than kitchen table! ha ha ha
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
John:
That video is a HOOT!!
I am glad you will be there for Heidi’s next ultrasound. They really are amazing. I know her Mom is beyond thrilled, as well.
Yes, I used to have a Platinum American Express.
Personally, I prefer to spend the $300.00 a year on my Platinum Carnival Sail and Sign card (with the Milestone Rewards Insignia….which we are hoping will be changed to a BLACK ELITE card…hint hint hint hint.) LOL
That way I can “flash” anyone who dares to put down Carnival.
I actually have no problem with someone for whom Carnival is not a good fit. Everyone has different wants and needs. However, just because one cruise line is “different” than another….does not mean it is better or worse. It simply means different.
As an aging cruiser, I am not one who wants to be on a “party barge” with loud, drunk patrons loudly running the halls at 2 AM!! That’s just not my thing. But if that is what a particular cruiser does want, good for them. It does not mean I am better than they are.
It simply means I like a different atmosphere. I will go on the cruise line that provides me with the cruise experience that I want. I wish them well as they go on the cruise line that provides them with the cruise experience that they want.
What amazed me are people who act like that have to much “class” to sail on Carnival….when the essense of true class is “acceptance and grace, not judgment”!!
Hi to Heidi and Wee One….
Linda (Mom of your friend~ who loves fireworks, but not the noise~ DJ)
I think you should name the baby Miracle! After all you got the miracle you have been praying for, for so long. YES, PLEASE talk Heidi into allowing you to tell us all the sex of the baby so we can start shopping, ok? Where are you off to now John? When do you go back to the U.K. I am assuming before Thanksgiving, right? When you have your schedule for 2009 please let us know, especially the week of 1/25/09. Don’t forget to pack your undies next time! HA! HA! Linda & Mike
John,
Desk???????? I dont think so…even you in your most heartless and grumpiest of moods would ever name a child that way,besides my money would be on Heidi giving you the old heave hoo if you tried to do that.my bet would be a TKO in the first round LOL sorry mate …
remember the cure for Mr. Murphy.. 5 cloves of fresh garlic hanging around your neck. Niether Mr. Murphy or anybody else for that matter will ever bother you.
Glad to hear that you got back safe and sound however we did hear that NASA was tracking your plane due to it emitting some mysterious VAPOR TRAIL… Note to file…remember to take fresh undies from now on…lol
Cindy’s fav towel critter is the stingray and I wont go into why as we try to keep the blog “G” rated lol
Be Safe
Semper Fi
John,
We just got off the Conquest, and we remembered to give Ralph your message (first formal/elegant evening).
He laughed, and made us repeat it to the Captain. He asked us where we had met you, and was amazed that you had been in Dallas.
Our favorite towel animal is the Monkey…we love it!
Back in the olden days before people knew the sex of their babies beforehand, there was an old country doctor who would tell the parents-to-be what they were having and he never missed.
As he was telling them they were having a “boy” he would be writing “girl” down on a slip of paper and then put it into a sealed envelope, having the parents-to-be initial it over the flap so it could not be disturbed without “evidence.”
When “he/she” would arrive if he was correct–it was a “boy”, the happy parents would tell him how great he was. If it was a girl, he would scratch his head and say “are you sure I told you that?” Then he would open the sealed envelope and, of course, it would say “girl” on the slip.
Tucker in Texas
Dear John
I had the same problem i wanted to know and my wife did not want to know so when the doctor knew what we were having i ask him to tell me and he did and that help me out alot and when my wife was ready to know i told her and if she didn’t want to know that was fine to but at least i knew and i could be ready but we were
both happy to know what we were having and it was a girl and we got lot’s of girl thingys for her which help out alot knowing what we were having good luck
Denver Hartman
Desk Heald – sounds like a secret agent.
My name is Heald, Desk Heald.
John .. I have now taken my first Carnival cruise .. and it was far from wonderful .. but I had to take a moment to reflect that every line can have and off cruise once in awhile ..and I took a deep breath and said to myself .. don’t never cruise Carnival again .. just think of this as a fluke ..
Your blog keeps me excited to be on a Carnival cruise that is as you and other Carnival cruisers describe !!!!
OK… there will be NO talk or discussion about the end of this blog. Ending this blog would cut me off from the extended community that I have become a part of. So, there it is. You are forbidden from even thinking about ending this blog. There… I feel much better.
Please tell Goose and Jaime to take good care of the Splendor as they are coming to pick me up Saturday.
I LOVE the towel animal short!! How brilliant is that!! I was thrilled to see some how-to-build-em towel animal instructions at the end of my Voyage Video from the Conquest!! Now I can turn my home into a sanctuary for wayward cotton critters!!
Please tell Heidi and Thingy (Desk??) I said hello and, as always, pass along my thanks to the lovely Stephanie for her hard work.
Ciao!!
Host Mach
dear john give my best to hidi desk u got to be kidding lol i like the monkey and elaphant.i been on 3 4th one soon only saw the monkey 2 times and elaphant a few times also. if its a boy christopher lol thats my sons name.yes please let us know ur 09 schedrule.and congrats i loved the ultra sounds but i had many of them. and yes like to know the sex of the baby. tracy
Desk? Very nice. If more were to adopt that naming convention people may get a slightly different impression of the parents.
Very good point…there are some that do not love Carnival. Perhaps as you said they simply have not tried or perhaps the proverbial square peg simply does not fit in the round hole….they could be to uppity and think everything and everyone on the ship is beneath them .
Since you are missing Heidi on this Blue Monday…. Hence this two-ply lyrical fusion…..
Blue Savannah song
Oh it`s a blue Savannah song
…
Home is where the heart is
Sweet to surrender to you only
I send my love to you
.
.
.
Blue
Oh, so lonesome for you
Tears fill my eyes ’till I can’t see
3 o’clock in the mornin, here am I
Sitting here so lonely, so lonesome I could cry
The Flying (Simmons Beauty Rest) Dutchman
John,
Desk?? That sounds like a male name…maybe deskette if it’s a girl???
I don’t even want to ask what you are thinking for a middle name…
I loved the video…I must add that the monkey is my favorite, but this last cruise on the Carnival Imagination I got a frog for the first time. It was really cute.
Thanks Jami for the blog. My daughter was all over the picture of the dancers. She so wants to dance for Carnival. She asked me an interesting question. Do you have a height requirement to be a dancer? She’s a little short like her mum.
Princess Susan
Hi Heidi, thingy, and Stephanie
John, thank goodness the wee little thing won’t be named “shower” anyway. I have laughed at your blog until you got me to coughing and now I have a headache…. Don it’s all his fault………snicker
We all wanna know the sex of the baby. So if Heidi won’t let you open the envelope, just send it to Big Ed. He can pass the news around on his blog. Good idea Ed?
Now for towels my favorite is the monkey and we have only had it one time. Can we request our animal?
19 days until Don and I along with Gloria aka Sue and Larry board the Carnival Splendor for our cruise. But unfortunately neither you nor Jaime will on board to welcome us………… sigh
When do you go home to Heidi and the wee little one?
Countess Carolyn………….. who needs to know the sex of Desk?
Hi Heidi, I’m so glad all is going well.
Hi Stephanie, Mum, Dad and sister Suze.
I hope all of you have missed this virus thingy that is going around
John –
I have to say that I LOVE the Towel Animal Theater! I keep watching the over and over and they make me laugh every time. I have even started quoting them…I will refrain from doing so now! Please pass along to the powers that be to make more! They are awesome!
As always looking forward to the WeeJimmy interview. Also will Jamie still be on board for the Nov 29th sailing on the Splendor?
Take Care
Ashley
I’m sorry you missed the first ultrasound but so glad mom and baby are doing fine. If you are like me you will need to take their word for it about the sex anyway. You can tell its a baby but other than that I couldn’t see the detail that they did. But whatever you do, please don’t name the thingy Desk!
Sorry your Platinum card didn’t get you anything–I love mine and get into the airline lounges all the time so why didn’t you? As long as you show the card and your boarding pass with that airline, you are good to go and I do enjoy it when I have a long time to wait like you did.
Great job by Jaime again and I can’t believe that I will get to be on the Splendor a week from Friday. Its very exciting getting this close to a cruise.
John, I’m sure glad it was on the desk and not on the crapper. The shower would have made a good name but like you I know that would have been mission impossible on a cruise ship. At least for you and me. Those showers are not “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” either
BIG ED
Hi John,
I’m not sure where you got your Platinum Amex card, but mine gets me into airport lounges for Delta, American Continental, and Northwest. It probably doesn’t work for the Flagship clubs, but does for the regular ones.
At least it did last July when I flew out of Heathrow after the Carnival Splendor B2B2B.
I’ll try it again in Santiago waiting for an 11:15pm flight after Carnival Splendor ‘Round the Horn. If not, I also have Diner’s Club which should work in a different club.
The clubs aren’t what they used to be, but are still comfortable and have clean bathrooms.
I like the monkey too!
Desk…please go to your desk. Desk, put your thingy in your desk…..nah…..think Desk might not be a good name!
Hope you are heading home soon! Did Heidi send you the sonogram picture? When she shows you…just say yes honey, I see the thingy! The first one is really hard to see, IMHO!
HOST MACH:
The word is “US”…Goose and Jaime are coming to pick US up on Saturday!!!! LOL
*He keeps leaving us out!!!
Linda (Mom of DJ)
John you are a wonderful person and such a pleasant writer!!
Love the Thingy’s name!!
Hi John,
Another funny blog today.
We just booked our next cruise, and it will be on the Carnival Splendor. We have to wait until May when she’s out here in Southern California, but it will be worth the wait. It will be my husbands first Carnival cruise!
Let Jaime know that her updates have been fabulous.
John:
I know you are fretting over not being with Heidi when she had her first ultrasound…but, hey, aren’t you glad it was you that was with her when it counted most — at the desk??
Terri
Best wishes to both you and Heidi on building a new “desk”. Working in maternity I have seen some stranger names than that. Sometimes we have to wonder what the parents are thinking.
I hope both you and Heidi are able to enjoy this time to the fullest.
My favorite animal is always the first as it confirms I am on a Carnival cruise again and by the end of the cruise I have a little zoo if they let me.
Kitt
John, I can’t help but wonder… did your parents, umm, also follow that naming rule? D’OH!
Jeff
I’m sure “Desk” will be a beautiful baby and I agree that knowing the sex of the baby helps prepare….big time! I needed to know it before I gave birth, so it’s really good that you are going to find out! I know you will be a really great father and I hope that you will be home more so that you don’t miss much as the baby grows!
John…
When I read fireworks, midnight, bed… I was thinking Heidi came over to visit… Sorry there wasn’t a different reason you couldn’t sleep…
Towel animals… I have never seen a Lambie one… If you ever do, would you please let me know!! I think I like the ones that hang from the ceiling… they are the ones that surprise me. I feel all disappointed that I didn’t get an animal, then I look around and up and VOILA… there he is!!! But the one… was it here in your blog… the life sized person in bed!!! BRILLIANT!!!!
And when the cabin stewards add our stuffed animals we bring to the grouping… and our sunglasses… OUTSTANDING!!!
I will add the origin of towel animals to our CRAZIES TRIVIA… Only the Bloggin’ CRAZIES will be able to answer this one!!! hee hee hee…
****TRIVIA ALERT****
And NEVER, NEVER EVER speak of the end of your blog thingy… I’m very sorry… it just won’t EVER happen… EVER!!!! Our lives, our sustenance, our mental health… all hinges on this blog. Do you feel the pressure and responsibility??? It is true!!! Time off, vacations, visiting bloggers for a day or three… sure… but then at least a Raspberry blog to give us our fix!!!
God Bless your immortal blog and you and Heidi and Stephanie… (I was just looking at BEACH BALL SUNDAY photos and posting some yesterday… they still make me smile!!! I have one of you and Stephanie and the gang in the tent… in your natural state… BLOGGING!!!
Thank you!!!
Lambie
John,
You could give thingy the middle name of ‘Top’.
Have managed to talk our best firends who are both cruise virgins to join us next year on the Dream’s inaugrual cruise. We were already looking forward to it, now even more so.
Now we are booked I am trying to make sure I read the blog everyday in case I miss something new about the Dream, especially the fact that the construction will come in on time !!!
Glad to see the candy situation was finally resolved.
By the way Liz’s favourite towel animal is the hanging monkey, seems alot of people agree. Only had it a couple of times so it must be hard to do.
All the best.
Wes and Liz
John,
Hope you get over the grumps soon, living in a hotel and out of a suitcase can get you down like that.
Naming a child after where they were conceived is a very dangerous thing luckily I was called Lorraine and not Morris Oxford Backseat, although if I was a boy my Mom was going to call me “Clifford”, yuk!
Love to Heidi and Desk
Desk as a name for the thingy? How about Lifeboat, or Lido or even Spa. I am sure all of those locations have been tried by guests.
John, does that mean you were concieved and named after a …… err a John.
John
PLease don’t end the blog; I look forward to your
witty comments everyday; I guess if you have a weekly sit com on US TV that would suffice. Keep up the good work and hello to Heidi. I know Heidi misses you.
Well, I think Desk is a delightful name. It sure beats Roof.
Hi John,
You always manage to crack me up! Desk? Hmmmmmmm. I don’t know. I’m sorry you couldn’t be with Heidi for the scan but the next one will be even better. Did they give her a picture? I have 3 kids and I didn’t know what sex any of them was. I kinda like the mystery of it. But if you need to know to help you plan better, I like the plan you came up with. I don’t own an amex card but after your story, I think I’ll just stick with the good old Visa. I love the monkey too but my favorite is the elephant because we had a great cabin stuard that made one for us. We came back from a show and he was standing on the table in Geoffs shoes and my sunglasses. It was so cute. Blogging is in your future for a very long time my friend. I don’t know what I’d do with out my daily laugh from John. Love to Heidi and Desk thingy!
Leasa
You can’t end the blog till “Wee little one” goes off to College, by that time you will be ready to retire. HA! Linda
John:
Something tells me that DJ would not have been thrilled with the name….Italy!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend~still DJ)
You should complain!!! You should’ve had access to the one in the Philly airport.
I think Desk has a nice ring to it!
John–LOVE the video. Tried to go to the movies to see something today, but the lines were HUGE with little kids wanting to see High School Musical 3–Bruce and I gave up and went home.
Nice Name–Desk Thingy Heald. Sounds like something Gwnyeth Paltrow would come up with!
John~
They can handle it. I wish you both all the best! I’ve left Carnival and got my job back flying for Delta. (Trolly Dolly).. I still miss cruising and I cruise only Carnival 3-4 times a year now. I have many pax and crew on my flights. I’m always excited to chat with them and hear all about their adventures at sea. I had the pleasure of taking care of JP from food a bevarage in my first class 2 wks ago. He and I chatted about the good ol’ little ships, Cele, Trop, and MGra and Jub.. LOL.. Whenever I start missing ship life I read your blog and it really tunes me into the ship info again. I want to thank you for that… And as far as names I think Carnie and Freddy would be appropriate. Hope to see you agian on a funship or one of my fun flights.. CHEERS~ Dee Dee Majewski
Hey John it’s me Freddy from the Liberty06/07. Anyway, I’m sooo happy to hear the news on Heidi. Hey, what’s one more kid for Camp Carnival?
Hubby and I are just back from C. Valor cruise and had horrible weather but a wonderful cruise. We booked for the trans-Atlantic next year on the C. Dream. Who will be the cruise director ( or did I miss this) We have been on 13 Carnival cruises and enjoy the many off-beat humors they have to offer…thooooo..no one compares to you, we had the joy of enjoying you on the C. Imagination and the C. Victory. I do hope you can do a guest spot!!!!
Hi There =)
Princess Susan: Your daughter will be happy to know here is no height minimum or maximum for dancers. I have worked with girls who are as small as 4 foot 9, and we have boys in our current cast that are 6 foot 8! Hope to see her in a dance cast soon =)
Ashley –
I will be leaving to go home on November 29th, but I will look for you on the pier… I will be the girl with 200 pounds of luggage =)
Have a good day!
Jaime =)
John,
( You can reply if you wish. )
I just wanted to say thank you for all that you did in getting the surprise photo for my wife on our cruise on the Carnival Triumph. We left on Nov. 2nd out of Miami, and had a great time. Ryan was great, He personally called our cabin and spoke to Carrie, welcoming her aboard, and just giving that extra personal service. If you could please pass to him our thanks, and we are already looking at booking another cruise very soon. Carrie and I will get you a photo of us on our anniversary. I just need to know where you would like it sent.
Again Thanks to you and Ryan F. for everything you truly made it a wonderful experience.
Gary and Carrie Williams.
I love the commerical!!! You might like this cute video about cruising:
http://www.bofads.com/stories/cruise.htm