Saturday, November 22nd, 2008...6:58 pm
A Winter’s Day
So, I spoke to my mate Ken the maitre d yesterday……….well……………..when I say spoke we, of course, used the e mail thingy but we had a good conversation. We have been friends for many years and I like to think we are very, very similar. We are both are very close to our families and have an unrivaled passion when it comes to Carnival Cruise Lines. We both always put the guests first and always do everything we can to make sure the guest has what they desire…………sometimes though that is not possible and what they ask for is something that cannot be done.
Ken was telling me about the two-day cruise recently finished on the Carnival Splendor. The guests had fun and were brilliantly responsive to all the activities, shows and events and, of course, the service and fun provided by Ken and his staff in the dining rooms.
However, Ken told me that one man wanted a table for 15…………..Ken explained that the largest table we have in the dining room was 12 …………that’s the Captain’s table and even offered him that with a smaller table close by. Now, not only was the guest not happy with this but he swore, screamed and threatened Ken with violence……………Now Ken, being Ken, managed to calm the situation down because he is the best at what he does. However, there are many who would not have been able to handle that situation and, of course………………should never have to.
However, this brings up a sensitive point……..let me explain.
Many years ago, when aircraft were made from canvas and the skies were full of angry Germans, it was a very good idea to brief the passengers on what they might do if the plane were to start crashing.
Today, though, it’s a complete waste of time. In the whole history of civil aviation, not one single life has been saved by a lifejacket. So why bother telling us where it is and how to put it on? In fact, why bother telling us anything because either the plane is going to reach its destination, or it is going to plunge into a mountain at 500 mph and explode into a million pieces. Either way, you will not be needing a “whistle for attracting attention.” And yes, we know that we are not allowed cigarettes. We also know the lavatories are fitted with sensitive smoke detectors, we know that the nearest exit might be behind us and we know that all planes are different these days.
However, if we point out any of this to the airline staff — or worse, ask why they don’t supply parachutes or why we have to pay a billion dollars for a Diet Coke — we risk being accused of air rage and thrown off the plane. It’s the same story at the check-in desk. Or at a car hire desk. Or in Walgreens. It’s the same story everywhere. React, and you will be thrown out, kicked off or a burly security guard has arrived and you’re lying on the sidewalk with a broken spleen.
But not a cruise ship.
And this drives me crazy. Yes, there is a certain level we all must adhere to and sometimes guests have a reason to get angry. However, threaten a crew member …………. any crewmember…………..with violence……………then that guest must be disembarked in the next port. This I believe should be an industry wide policy. Now, I may not be speaking for Carnival Cruise Lines here but that’s my opinion and one that I have to say that most of the time Carnival are excellent with but word needs to spread ……………. threaten a crew member and you will have a choice……..be nice…or….be thrown off the ship.
On a lighter note last night we went out for dinner with Alan and his wife Alison. We decided to eat at a 17th century country hotel. This used to be a summer residence of some Duke or something and is pretty spectacular on the outside but the inside was a different story………….This place presented me one of those “oh this is great for the blog thingy” moments.
The dining room, for instance, featured an altar — and, on the far wall, some curtains, behind which, I can only presume, there was an oven. So when the older guests, so prevalent here on the south coast of the UK, drop dead in the potato and leek soup, they can be cremated on site. “You check in. We check you out.” Maybe that’s the hotel’s motto.
I must also mention our waitress. She was a pretty little thing who laughed, and I mean like a drunk hyena, whenever anyone spoke to her.
After dinner she took me into a broom cupboard — I felt a Boris Becker moment coming on but sadly it was not to be. She needed to explain, she said, that she was joyful because she has Jesus Christ our saviour inside her. Lucky old Jesus. ……………and that the tip I had given her would be sent to her sister who was a missionary in the Congo…………..I gave her another £10………………it was a very, very strange place
The bar was full of dead pensioners, a group of men all wearing dark suits with dark shirts and looked like the baddies from a Die Hard movie.
I therefore went to the lounge and guess what I found? If it had been a Roman orgy I wouldn’t have been surprised, but in fact there were 30 old age British pensioners ……………all wearing jeans and cowboy hats with blue denim shirts proclaiming they were members of the British Country Line Dance Association.
Oh, one last thing …………..the food was good except I ordered an old British favorite as an appetizer…………..liver and bacon……………it’s a major delicacy here in the UK but unfortunately the smell of the Liver made my Thingy feel sick and Heidi had to leave the table until I had eaten it………….and that was me in the doghouse…………………..I was going to order the roasted pheasant for main course but being the good husband I am and not wanting to be covered in vomit…………….I had the chicken.
Here’s another guest blog from my friend Big Tex on the Carnival Fantasy.
11/21/08
Here at Carnival we’re always try to make our guests feel special and today I decided to something extra special for a couple aboard the Fantasy.
I’m not sure where we’ve gone wrong as a society, but I am genuinely shocked at the way some people react to these random acts of kindness. Most guests get excited and it shows. But there is a small minority of people who, well…for lack of a better description, just don’t trust us. They’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Mainly, by performing these random acts of kindness, we’re just showing folks that there are people out there who have no ill-will or ulterior motive. We are here to do our job and make sure that you are treated like an individual. We are here to make sure that, if for no other reason than “just because,” something nice happens for you. We are here, because we love what we do and we care about you, not only as a customer, but as a person. We are here because we believe in one simple principle, fun for all and all for fun.
Just yesterday, I called a random guest cabin and said “Hello, this is your Cruise Director, Big Tex, and just for the fun of it, I wanted to see how your day was going and if there is anything I can help you with.”
The response wasn’t quite what I’d hoped for.
“Who…are you that guy from the TV? What are you calling for, whatever it is, we don’t want it.”
CLICK!
I was a bit shocked to say the least. First of all, I was just trying to be nice. Second of all, I’m a lot more than the guy on TV. I’m also the guy who hosts the shows, activities, talks to the guests, gives the important information and a whole lot more.
Who did this guy think he was, talking to me like that?
I decided that instead of letting it get the best of me, I would do something about it.
Seeing that Johnny Hang-Up was traveling with a female companion, I showed up at his dinner table with a bottle of champagne and a plate of strawberries for the two of them.
I said “Hi, I’m Big Tex, we spoke earlier today and I just wanted to find out how your day was going and if I could do anything for you. You didn’t seem to be in a mood to talk this afternoon,” with just a little bit of sarcasm for effect.
He said, “Hi, I’m Tom, this is my new wife Amy. We’re on our honeymoon. I’m really sorry if I was rude on the phone today, but we…well, we…we were…you know…kind of…in the middle of something…”
That sentence hung there for about 30 seconds, just enough time for me to turn six shades of red, set the gift on the table, remove my foot from my mouth and scuttle off into the night.
So the next time you’re in the middle of…well…you know…something private, don’t answer the phone, it might be me.
As requested some photos of me in my football gear:
As a junior in high school…
…and a freshman in college.Until tomorrow,
Tex
I received some e-mail saying that having heard that I would be sailing as Cruise Director on the Carnival Valor that you have booked a cruise to be with me. So thanks to the Cohen family and Randy who will be joining me. I am really looking forward to sailing on a ship I have never been on before and the ports of call sound brilliant …………….I will be talking about them very soon. Let me know if you will be sailing with me this year so I can make it even more of a special cruise.
The credit crunch may still be here but from all the press I have been reading the cruise industry continues to stay strong. The building surge of the past few years has put the cruise industry at the cutting edge of design and innovation, creating an enormous variety of ships from Carnival, Costa, P&O, as well as Holland America’s, AIDA’s Princess’s gigantic and magnificent super liners to the incomparable ocean liners of Cunard and the smaller uba luxury vessels modelled on millionaires’ private yachts that is Seabourn. There really is something for everyone…….pass the word to your friends………it’s time to take a cruise.
It’s a beautiful day today here in Essex. It’s just a bit on the chilly side, the skies are tanzanite blue and it felt really good to walk down my local high street this morning ……………………..however, I noticed something quite disturbing…….and I am sure it’s not just here in my hometown.
Go out in to the street and look at your fellow human beings. Any street. See how they walk, and how different it is from the way we used to walk around 15 years ago.
No one takes advantage of a crisp winter day to look at the changing leaves or the bottom of the super model-type walking her poodle. No one nods, or flirts, or even looks at anyone else. Everyone has the same drugged, internal, abstracted look: and why?
Because we are all on our cell phone. We are either making a call – a call that could almost certainly wait until we get to a landline – and have the tool glued to our sweaty ear. Or else we have it in our hands.
See how we cuddle and hug it. Watch how we stroke its smooth skin and wonder what use to make of it next. Shall we dial a number and disconnect? Shall we send a text, a photo, or look up the nearest shop that sells hemmeroid cream on the web thingy?
I walked from the newspaper shop back to the car……………that’s a 10-minute walk and guess how many people I counted just on my side of the pavement on the phone this Saturday morning……………go on……….have a guess ……… nope ……… 28……..how sad is that………..and at least half were teenagers.
When I was a teenager, there was no internet, so on a beautiful winter’s day like this we had to make do with sitting on park benches drinking cheap beer and smoking cheap cigarettes, and it never did us any harm. But the government and the media thought the 21st-century teen was doing far too much of this, so now they have to stay at home in darkened rooms, developing sinister, unintelligible languages with friends in chat rooms (sample: “she iz well fit!! lolcat! rofl!!”). When my Thingy is born, I know which I’d rather have him/her do, and it’s the option that involves lashings of Carlsberg.
I am all for the Internet, in principle: I suppose it is very good for finding www.bestblogsatsea.com and for watching videos of young men damaging their genitals during skateboarding accidents. But in practice it is like a vortex that sucks you in, and before you know it you have spent five hours stalking your ex girlfriend online or joining a Gothic cult.
During a Morning Show on the Carnival Splendor I remember a guest writing me a letter which told me about her addiction to a dating website: she suddenly realized the reason she was single when she found herself logging on for the 17th time in one day. “The Internet wasn’t helping my life,” she wailed,
“It was ruining it.”
Even when you go outside and into the real world, you are in for a surprise. Heidi just got back from a huge American-style shopping mall called Bluewater. She needed some new clothes as apparently she is putting on weight. ……..now, I know some of you are thinking I should have gone with her but as much as I love her I would rather family of rats take up home in my underpants than walk around a mall looking for women’s clothes.
Anyway Heidi came back and was able to add to the them of this part of the blog thingy.
She was confused to find that, in the store of a major clothing company, there were no cash registers. You had to go up to the very young and highly stapled staff in brightly colored T-shirts and they would swipe your credit card purchase there and then on the shop floor.
“But what if I wanted to pay with cash?”
“Then you’re in for a long wait,” said the girl with staples in her nose.
Apparently, the Government wants to encourage consumers to use their cards. Now, would you like me to e-mail you the receipt? “Um, is this not the same government preaching sensible spending?” Or are big retailers using them as an excuse for their own dubious intentions? Whatever the answer, I am sure that it’s the consumer, as usual, who fails to benefit from it.
In America, dozens of women are suing the lingerie firm Victoria’s Secret, claiming that their bras have made them ill and given them warts and boils. Which raises the question: do you think I could sue the company for making me walk into a Smoothie Stand and bruise my ankle because they had a beautiful life size photo of Heidi Klum in stockings and suspenders in their window…………………….probably not.
Have a great weekend and thanks so very, very much for allowing me a day off tomorrow. I have a special blog ready for Monday so see you then.
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
42 Comments
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Enjoy your day off with Heidi. You deserve it!
Jennifer
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Dear John Its great to be back among the living.When reading big Tex’s comments I thought it is a sad state of affairs when a persons good gesture is taken with such skepticism.In the old days it was just a routine thing for people to bless you with there kindness and you would assimilate the same to others.I think the plank walking should apply to unruly and downright obnoxious guest.But Bug says I’m turning into and old grump anyway.God bless Heidi and the Little Thingy Gary and Bug Hope to see you in February
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I think I met that twit on the Splendor, John. There were a few, VERY few, who believed that Carnival owed them the entire ship… and a redesigned ship at that.
I’m sure you recall the incident when Capt. Marino put that very unpleasant gentleman off the ship in Grand Cayman for essentially inciting a riot. I, and virtually all of my Cruise Critic friends, applauded his action. My only comment is that he should have put him off sooner… in a raft.
The crew should not take threats lightly. Look at all the instances of school shootings that had warning signs that weren’t heeded… Put them off the ship and don’t refund the cost of the cruise.
Shopping malls are one of the great ills of our time. At least on a ship when you get thousands of people gathered together a significant percentage of the time is spent in the open air.
Are you writing with a nom de plume of Big Tex?? His sense of humor is just like yours. I like him already.
All the best to the very lovely Heidi and the very unknown Thingy!!! Stephanie… you’re the best!!
Ciao!!!
Host Mach
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Enjoy your day off tomorrow! And I completely agree – threatening staff is not only rude & uncalled for, but they should be accused of cruise rage & be made to debark ASAP!
As for Heidi & Desk, it sounds like all is going well! Continued wishes for a healthy & happy pregnancy.
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
We too will be sailing with you aboard the Valor…April 4th…thoroughly looking forward to it.
Tina + 5
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Dear John and Heidi,
I guess it’s been awhile since I’ve posted a comment on the blog, even though I do read it regularly! Interesting that you mention how folks these days are completely immersed in their own virtual world. There was a study conducted recently about the disconnection people are developing from their constant cell phone use. The man in the market that appears to be having a conversation with the cans of tomato sauce in aisle 3. The woman who is checking out while yaking incessantly on her cell phone, all the while completely ignoring the cashier and process of the check-out itself. The legions of drivers who are so involved in their own animated discussions about “nothing that can’t wait ’till I get home”, that make you wonder whether or not they even acknowledge your presence on the road. Well, the study that was conducted found that people are now actually living in two different worlds. The actual world, in which we function on a daily basis, and the virtual world, which with every stroke of the clock, is slowly gaining presence. Most of us now occupy two completely distinct worlds. Unfortunately, the cyber world is quickly gaining ground because of the seduction of anonimity. It is insidous, but at the same time, very seductive. I agree with you that the internet with its wealth of information (both real and false) can be beneficial. The downside of all of this technology is that we have become so completely enamored with it, that it is quickly becoming the “realm” of choice. We want to be there, instead of here. Should be interesting to see where this will put us 20 or 30 years from now. The attack of the Cyber Zombies! So glad to hear that all is well with Heidi and the “Thingy.” I loved the story from “Big Tex!” It is funny how people expect so much when on a cruise. I totally agree with you John that obnoxious people should be dealt with in the same manner with which they are on other modes of transportation. It would be a breath of fresh air to the millions of cruisers who are completely turned off by obnoxious people who should have never stepped foot on a cruise ship to begin with. Perhaps they’d be much happier talking to the cans of tomato sauce on aisle 3!
Your friends,
Lance & Ilda.
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Yes, make them walk the plank and a
short one at that. I have been on many a cruise where I have “overheard” an employee taking
abuse from a passenger. Please , sign me up for the
“off with their heads” review board. Word will spread and cruising will return to the tranquil vacation it was meant to be.
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Have a wonderful day off tomorrow John! Yes, more than ever, people communicate less with eachother due to the internet, cell, phones, etc. I spent a little over 1 year in my last home and discovered that 2 neighbors within 50 feet of my home that I never did meet them or even find out their names. Most we ever got was an almost polite nod! My new neighborhood was much better although, after over a week without power after hurricane Ike, my daughter discovered 3 other kids that went to her school nearby. She had no clue they lived that close because no one “goes out” anymore. Also all the adult neighbors here who thought we knew everything found many more things in common with eachother since we had several block parties to cook up the rapidly thawing freezer food!
Every family (or neighborhood if they even sorta know eachother) should pick a couple of days a month to turn off all electrical except for maybe heat, lights, and cooking, and just spend time together. What a better world!
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
John, what happened to the ” Heidi is cooking a chicken stir-fry” for dinner with Alan. Did you eat it all before they arrived?
Big Tex, with every post of your’s I just can’t wait to meet you on the bloggers cruise. Between you and John I think we are going to need more Med staff to remove all the stitches the two of you will have us in.
BIG ED
Don’t forget DEC 6th
November 22nd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Good evening John and Heidi and the approahing little Heald. About Ken the maitre’ d, I found Ken most professional,courteous and friendliest person around. This man can not only sing with a lovely powerful voice, he was very courteous to me. I found it very shocking that any human being would act and talk to Ken in that manner. How ignorant that man must have been. My final breakfast on the Freedom I happen to walk in the Lido deck for breakfast and Ken and another gentleman happen to be seated having a coffee. Since I wasn’t going to get a photo of you, John, I thought I would get one of Ken. But I thought this man is resting, having a coffee and talking with another friend that I wouldn’t bother him. But I asked anyway He was so nice of a guy and I was just going to take a picture of him but he said no you and me in the picture and the other person would take the photo. That photo is just one of many that I took on my cruise but he and I, well I still think it as one very special photo. So John, if you talk to him again, just let him know that I as just one person on that ship and he made me feel special. Thanks Ken. Now John I want a photo of you and Heidi. PLEASE? As a former football player, both offensive and defensive linesman, I was very impressed with Tex’s football prowess. What college did he play for? Time to go now. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
November 22nd, 2008 at 10:40 pm
First, cell phones I thoroughly despise especially in the workplace. As for, more importantly, cruisers who threaten cruise staff …how can a cruiser even think of threatening a person who makes them laugh, waits on them hand and foot, turns down their bed at night, makes towel animals, intervenes to diffuse an intense family discussion (kudos to a Triumph asst female cd when I saw the great way she gave a friend of mine a hug when she needed it most the most stressful night of any cruise – the night before debarkation), who when you’re traveling with a toddler cruiser tells you how well-behaved she was, to the very smart table arranger in the dining room who had the foresight to know that we were traveling for the first time with this said toddler, and we were assigned a table of our own (Destiny – mid-October 2008). Our dinners were so enjoyable because of this. I myself have done random acts of kindness locally when everything else in my life seems to be going wrong. It just makes a person feel good, be it the giver or the receiver! Have a wonderful day off with Heidi. I wish I could bet you a few British pounds that you won’t be able not to blog! Time will tell!
November 22nd, 2008 at 10:51 pm
John –
Cruise lines don’t have the market cornered on People tromping on the employees. Years ago (years and years) I used to work at Disneyland in California. Some guests that paid their admission, figured that since we were famous for being nice, they didn’t need to be and in fact were exactly the opposite. But in a way they were right. We HAD to be nice or we were fired. Just when you wanted to tell someone to bugger off, you thought of your job and you said it to yourself.
As we go through life, we have to realize that there are two types of people. The ones that enjoy life and the ones that don’t. I do, and always will. That’s why I cruise.
Enjoy your day off and all the best to You, Heidi, Splendid Desk Thingy Heald and of course Stephanie.
Off to look for a Valor cruise…
Cheers!
Derek
November 22nd, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Hi John,
When we were on the Triumph a couple of years ago, we asked for a table for 12 for our group. Unfortunately they were not able to accomodate us at that time. But asked if they could work out something else for us. They were able to give us 3 tables for 4 all next to each other, which actually worked out very well. We were still able to converse amongst us, and the staff was more than accomodating! There is no reason for people to act immature, when the staff cannot fill thier request as they wish. Carnival’s staff always goes above and beyond to do the best to accomodate a persons request to the best of thier ability.
Enjoyed Tex’s letter and great photo’s!
Sounds like your dinner with Alan and Alison was quite interesting!
Enjoy your day with Heidi tomorrow!
Hugs!
Princess Barb
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
John – Please Respond.
You stated that you would be CD on the Valor till mid April. I’m looking at the 19april sailing (for my birthday). Will you still be on the Valor??(baring a change in your schedule, which can’t be helped). Looking forward to seeing you “do your thing” on board.
Cheers!
Derek
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Hi John and Tex,
I just returned Thursday from the 5-day cruise on the Carnival Fantasy and had a great time. It was me and my husband’s first cruise and our first time away together since the birth of our 17 month old son.
Thanks to Tex and the crew, we had an absolutely wonderful time!
I am a fellow blogger, so, of course, had to check out your blog when I read about it on our debarkation info sheet. I am going to add it to my blogroll.
Thanks again and we will be back soon.
Sara
http://www.newsfromnola.blogspot.com
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Hello Big John,
Enjoy the well deserved day off…. i am sure that you and Heidi will enjoy the time.
One of the comments noted above (retirementman) made what i though was a great request.
How about a picture of you and the lovely mom to be… yes together (lol) sorry the devil made me say it ……
Look forward to seening you soon
Semper Fi
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Hey Big Tex (well, maybe not so big anymore),
Just wanted to say how much I’m enjoying your daily additions to the blog. We sailed on the Miracle out of Baltimore a few years ago with Todd as the CD. You were part of his team…we LOVED that cruise…it is definitely in the top 3.
Looking forward to seeing you and enjoying you as a full fledged CD on the Bloggers’s Cruise in February.
John,
Glad you were able to share wome quality time with Alan…nice to hear he’s doing so well.
Also, nice to hear Heidi’s doing great.
We’re off to sail the Valor tomorrow. Looking forward to a wonderful Thanksgiving week.
Take care,
Lisa and George Kilmartin
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 am
Hi John
I am sort of writing a note to all that reads your blog. I have noticed that there seems to be several readers that will be on the Splendor November 29th. I will be there along with my hubby, and Carolyn and Don. I was just thinking that it may be nice if any or all want to get together someplace on the ship. Maybe Goose could help out if any are interested. If anyone is interested in meeting any other blog readers, please send a note to me, Gloria Frey, in cabin 9266. I will be anxious to meet any other blog addict like myself…lol
Thanks all
Gloria aka Sue
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:51 am
John,
Terrific blog today. I am a huge fan of Big Tex. We sailed with him this past January on the Fantasy and he was an amazing CD. Even when the ship hit a gale force wind and went a little tipsy with people having the “Oh no…Holly mackerel it’s Poseidon all over again” look on their faces, Big Tex was on the ship wide intercom calming us down and telling us things would be alright. I especially thought that him (Big Tex) standing at the door as we were departing back in New Orleans, wishing everyone a great trip home was wonderful. Can’t wait to cruise with him again!
Please send my best to Heidi and Desk. I am so happy that you are taking this time to relax and be with your family fore in the hugs spectrum of life, family is what counts.
See you soon.
Sallie
Wanna be Thong Princess of King Ed’s Evil Krewe.
November 23rd, 2008 at 8:55 am
I should be studying for an exam but I find myself needing a good laugh or two and as always you provide it, along with some thought provoking commentary on life in these times. Thank you.
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:42 am
Hi John,
I just returned from the Splendor trans-atlantic cruise & it was absolutely wonderful! However, I was suffering from cruise withdrawal which is extremely painful. I solved that problem by booking the Dream Bloggers Cruise out of New York. For the next 350 days I’ll be dreaming of the Dream. Looking forward to seeing you then.
November 23rd, 2008 at 10:07 am
Tex -
The true moral of the story is that, when having rumpy pumpy with your new bride, what the heck are you doing answering the telephone. Was this guy just dumb? There is a new technology called voice mail – USE IT.
John -
What landline? I gave it up several years ago, when I realized I was paying $300 per year to receive three calls a month, two of which were unsolicited sales calls.
Jon
November 23rd, 2008 at 10:10 am
Dear John, Heidi & The Thingy!
John, I have not written in a very long time but I have continued to read the blog daily.
Just wanted to let you know our faimly just got home last week from our Transatlantic cruise that we booked over a year and a half ago. There were 12 of us on this cruise and from the minute I phoned Carnival until the minute we got off the ship EVERYONE at Carnival went above and beyond to make this a trip of a lifetime for our family and friends. We booked our airfare, hotel and all transfers through Carnival and the service that we received from each and every department was outstanding! Once we boarded the ship again the staff went above and beyond, Juan our cabin stewart was amazing as was our wait staff Katrina & Laz in the Golden Pearl.
Ken was actually our maitre d and he was awesome. We were very fortunate to have our table right in the front of the dinning room and Ken made a point of every night coming and talking to our family! He actually gave me a message to forward on to you he said to tell you NO SURENDER! lol (yes he did tell us the story behind the saying but I promise I wont tell)!
Anyway I just wanted to let you know how wonderful everything was and thank you to Carnival for making this a trip of a lifetime for our family. My husband and I have booked the Hawaii cruise to Vancouver in April 2010 and I can’t wait to start planning this trip!
Kellie O’Leary
November 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 am
It’s too bad those guests can’t simply be thrown over the side in the middle of the night. Problem solved!
Jeff
November 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 am
Hi John!
What is great is that they want you to use your credit card for more debt. Isn’t cash supposed to be king?
Winter has come early for you and I bet you missed seeing some snow at your house. Maube build a little dust snowman?
Great to hear how well Alan is doing.
Thanks for posting and enjoy your day.
Take care and hi to Heidi/Thingy!
David
November 23rd, 2008 at 11:57 am
Hi John
Enjoy a well deserved break. After being sick in bed for a few days my lovely husband decided to take me to dinner at John’s Pass, a lovely beach town close to were we live. The evening was cool, crisp and clear. The attendants at the parking garage were this lovely older couple, we exchanged pleasantries and wished them a good evening. After dinner we went for a walk around this cute
shopping area and business being so slow these days we struck up conversations at every shop. Funny, the topic was the same everywhere, the fact that people just don’ stop to be civil with each other anymore, no more good days, or evenings and you can forget thank you and you are welcome, or for that matter HAPPY HOLIDAYS. So sad a comentary for our society. Anyway we had a wonderfull evening and met some very lovely people, when we returned to the parking garage the attendant thanked us and told us that not one customer had bothered to speak with her. Our time on this planet is too short, we need to use it wisely. Talk to you on Monday. Can’t wait for the Splendor on Nov. 29th. Say hi to Heidi, don’t forget to talk to the Thingy. LOL.
Maria
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Hi John,
I forgot to send a message to Gloria, aka, Sue. We are in cabin 7257 and would love to get together. Awesome idea.
Maria
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:10 pm
SUNDAY SUNDAY
Enjoy your day of rest and a lot of Heidi and Thingy watching.
BIG ED
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
hi john,heidi,and thingy. when will you know what the baby is? also.. i think i have been to that pub you went to when i was in europe! lol anita
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I just got home from sailing on the Splendor for 6 nights and had a wonderful time..You are so right about Ken,he is the very best at what he does..I was also very excited to meeet DJs Mom Linda because reading all her comments on here I feel like I know her..Anyhow she is a true sweetheart and great singer by the way as well..I am excited to hear that there is a bloggers cruise on Nov 15 on the Dream as I am already booked on this ship for this date..So John I hope you will be on this sailing..Goose was great but he was not you..Keep writing and I will keep reading..Best Regards Ann..
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Great blog today. Reminds me of when I worked as an usher of a theater here in the L.A. area. They were doing Man of La Mancha. No one could be seated the first 10 minutes or so but a couple came in and got really beligerant. But we had to keep them out. When we finally admitted them, they had to go in one door, wait for it to close, then go through the second door – no light to bleed into the theater – and the woman tried to shove me through the wall because I had to make her wait. Fortunately, I had backup and they went looking for her, but she was smart enough to leave the theater before we found her. I ushered for quite a few years and had a few really awful experiences, but I did it because I loved working with the theater and the patrons. One bad apple didn’t ruin the whole basket for me – but a house manager did so I don’t do it any more. I say, dispose of those god-awful passengers as quickly as possible. Crew is not there to be abused.
I love my cruises and am so looking forward to both the Triumph and the Dream next year. Take care of yourselves and Desk. Thanks for bringing us the crew’s side of cruising. Puts a whole different aspect in the business.
God bless and take care. See you next December.
November 23rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Dear John,
I hope you are having a great day off, you deserve it.
I will never understand why people who are on vacation, on a fabulous cruise to places that makes me just smile, would be a a$$ and be mean to the staff. Why can’t they just leave that crappy attitude at home, or not have one at all? It truly boggles the mind. I told my husband when we were on the Splendor in September, you will go with a good attitude, you will have a smile on your face and you will have a good time and of course he did all three
.
Keep smiling John, my best to Heidi.
November 23rd, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Hope you slept in today John,
Love reading your blog..only found it recently but reading every day…the British slant to your vocabulary is great-reminds me of my relatives in East Anglia..enjoy your well deserved day off. We sail on the Miracle at Christmas…can’t wait..were on the Miracle on our first cruise and loved it..do you know who our CD will be?
Cheers
Sean L
November 23rd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Hello John, Well I am back from my first cruise, my first smokey piano bar Sam’s, my first Nick & Nora’s my first aft balcony..my first everything, I bloody loved it…I loved the ocean, day and night, I thought I would be scared I wasn’t..I loved getting my sea legs, I did not get seasick even though I kept taking my ginger..so here it is my review from the eyes of a first timer about smokey piano bars, when I first went into Sam’s (Carnival Miracle) there were about 10 people some smoking, that was around 7:30, of course I ordered a couple of drinks I had research to do, around 9 p.m there were about 25 people, around 10:30 and another round of drinks there were around 35 people..we had such a good time, it was smokey, and even the people I was travelling with were smokers, but not to the point where I would complain or leave..although my clothing did smell so bad to me I had to seal it up in a bag the next day.. maybe the trick is to have a few drinks join the party..The worst part for smoke was coming out of our cabin everyday and smelling old stale smoke in the hallways, we were two doors down from a couple of heavy smokers, and that was worse than anything any bar could throw at you, I’m glad we brought some bounce sheets with us, which kept the cabin fresh, wish I could have kept the hallway fresh, I think they should have smoking decks and non smoking decks and see which ones fill up first (if Carnival use this idea they owe me a cruise LOL..I’ll do anything to cruise again..I think there is a name for that anyway I digress..) Sam’s piano bar was kept so clean everyday and there was no trace of smoke anywhere not on the ceilings or furniture, I think they did such an excellent job of cleaning Sam’s that you would not smell the smoke when you first went in..and if you smoke you know that it leaves a sticky yellow film on things if it’s not kept up.. I had to go back several times to Sam’s just to get a fresh perspective every other day..and would go back there in a heartbeat and if I could play the piano, and sing I might have asked for a job application..I am an ex smoker, a lung Cancer survivor, I used to smoke a pack a day..and am now very sensitive to smoke, I only go to pubs at home very occasionally and would go to any bar on the ship any time…I like the mix of smokers and non in a perfect world I would like a couple of bars to be non smoking, but I don’t drink enough anymore probably since I stopped smoking, to have it be profitable for Carnival to do that, and by the end of the evening if it gets to be too smokey for me that’s my cue to leave, I was happy that the dinning room, theater, and a lot of public areas were non smoking…bottom line it was not that bad..and would cruise again in a heartbeat…even if they don’t change a thing..
Cheers,
Suzanne
November 24th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Good Mooring John!!!
I find myself reading the blog a day late… And this being a holiday week in America… our office is squeezing five days of work into three and eve leaving the stock market unattended on Friday… well, we are leaving someone to answer phones and direct buys and sells to home office… Anyway, I expect our wek to be hectic and full!!!
You mention walking on a crisp autumn’s day… LOVE IT!!! DO IT!!! How can someone not love the freshness of the air and the beauty of the autumn?? And you describe it EXACTLY as I do… it’s CRISP!!!
I love strolling on the ship in the dark and quiet of night (wishing more of the lights wer turned off, but I find those dark and wonderful places…), and many times find myself on the bow, through one of those “secret doors” where the winds tosses my hair in every direction but out of my face… and it bites at my face in such a loving and pleasing manner… I can feel it!!
Big Tex… Your photos, football, WONDERFUL!!! I’m in love now!! But why do you keep going of to the sea?? No, come see me!!! Or better still, stow me away in your cabin…
John, hello to your mates Alan and Alison!! What a wonderful evening!! My regards and love to Heidi… I remember the fake smell of lemon in cleaners did me in when I was pregnant… But Liverwurst and Mint Chip ice cream were my cravngs…
I’m off to start the first day ofmy three day week!!!
Bless you and God Love you!!!
Lambie
November 24th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
***** John, Please Respond *****
John,
Glad to hear Ken will be on Splendor for the South America sailings. I’ll only be able to make the 2nd leg for the Around the Horn bit, since I can’t miss the Carnival Fantasy Bloggers Cruise out of New Orleans.
Accurate information about what visas/payments are necessary for US citizens on the South America cruises seems to be lacking. I do understand there are some reciprocity fees that US citizens are charged, since that is what the US charges for their visas.
For example, Chile has a reciprocity fee and it seems Argentina is going to implement one before the Splendor South America cruise.
One question I have is: Are these/will these be applicable to cruise ship passengers, and if so, is there a way to avoid a log jam of passengers trying to disembark in a port having to stop to pay a fee?
The next questions are obviously How Much and What Forms of Payment, When and Where?
I’m sure others on the 1st and 3rd legs will have the same or similar questions.
If you can find out and answer on the blog, that would be great! Also, if the information could be made available on Carnival.Com and kept up to date?
Thanks John!
Regards to Heidi, and Little John Thingy. See you in February!
bill
***** John, Please Respond *****
November 25th, 2008 at 1:27 am
John, one thing I forgot on my comment about cruising and smoking was the casino, my word that was the worst casino I’ve ever been in..I’m happy though, I had a budget of over 1000..no lectures, for the casino and because of the smoke, I just couldn’t stay, I brought it all but 50. dollars home with me..now I have a spanking new computer…so I have to wonder how many dollars Carnival are loosing by not putting in a ventilation system that works in there. I could only find 4 slot machines where you could not smoke but big deal the person sitting behind me was smoking like a chimney..so if this cruise had a strike against it the casino would win for sure…
November 25th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Yep John, Having sailed the Med on the Carnival Splendor with Ken as our Maitre’D I’d have to say he’s the dog’s bollix!!! Up the Dubs……………
November 25th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Hi John! I just wanted to let you know that I’ve been reading the blog since day one and it’s fantastic. I just booked the valor on 3/8/09 and I’m very excited to sail with you!
November 26th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Hi John,
We are so excited to find out that you will be the CD on the Carnival Valor in March. My sisters and I were on the Freedom with you last March for our spring break and had the best time we have ever had on a cruise. Since hearing you are going to be on the ship our excitement has grown 150% – March 8 can not come soon enough for us!! See you soon!!!!
November 26th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Ken will bend over backwards to please a passenger. It urks me to think how rudely he has been treated.
Regards to my fav M’D!
November 26th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Dear John and Heidi,
First off let me tell you I enjoy your blog. You do not sugar coat things because they are what they are. Maria and I recently returned from the very same two day Splendor to Bahamas and had I been anywhere near when Ken was threatened I would have warned the gentlemen that he was threatening me as well. Better yet my cop instincts might have kicked in. That individuals attitude is totally unacceptable. As you state had that happened in our post 9-11 era this individual would have been brought up on charges by the FAA and U.S. Marshalls. I agree with you that the same should be on cruise lines many folks come on board and do nothing but get intoxicated and get violent if you let them. I would not even wait for the next port, I would steer the cruise ship to the next civilized port regardless of country of origin and drop the folks that act like wild animals. On a different note we had a great time even though it was very short trip (looking forward to the Freedom in February). Ken even took care of my spouse and I on a table for two and our hostess (Bianca) was great as well. We have not had one bad cruise yet. The embarkation could have been smoother but it all was a wash once we got on the ship. So let Ken know we appreciated his hospitality and his entire staff. Had a chance to see one of the crew members that was on the Freedom in December 2007. Anyway, take care and a Happy Thanksgiving to you and Heidi.
Luis & Maria Torres
P.S. John if you go to my facebook I have a video of Ken singing on the Splendor trip.
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