Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008...3:18 pm
The Sound Of?
I truly believe that life now, at the precise second I am writing this blog thingy, is better than it was a moment ago. But not quite as good as it will be in a minute.
Obviously, this doesn’t apply if you’ve just been caught by your wife having rumpy pumpy with the next-door neighbor or if you’ve just been wrongly accused of trying to assisinate Kim Jong Il. And are, therefore, about to have your nipples blow torched.
But for the vast majority, life for human kind just keeps getting better and better. We live longer, we have more food, we can travel more easily and our children are less likely to die of the plague. Yes, there is a credit crunch but things will get better……and, of course, taking a cruise has never been more affordable.
However, in one important area, we are going ever so slightly backwards. I’m talking about the simple art of watching television.
Do you remember, in the old days, your television always worked flawlessly? Not any more. Not since it went digital. Now, I am not sure if in North America the digital age is there yet but by January 1 here in the UK any TV that is not digital will cease to function ………… and mine …….which costs about the same as the Carnival Splendor….is about as reliable as a French plumber.
Now, every so often and for no apparent reason, the lip synch goes all screwy. You’re looking at my mate Kevin on Grey’s Anatomy but you’re hearing Judge Judy bollock someone for eating their girlfriend’s dog.
Then occasionally, you turn on the television — usually just before your favorite show — and it says, for no obvious reason, that no satellite signal is being received.
“Oh,” says the woman on the end of the phone when you call to find out why. “You need to unplug the set, take the card out, tap it on your teeth, wait until your favorite show is over and then re-boot the system.”
Aaaaaaaaaaaaargh. This never used to happen.
Sure, a tube-powered television would often burn your house to the ground, but when it wasn’t on fire it was totally reliable.
Then there’s the question of watching a film. When we had video players, you put a cassette in the slot and that was that. Now we are forced to sit through all the health and safety messages, the warnings about what will happen if you buy a pirated movie and where you may and may not show the film. And, if you do show the film in the wrong place at the wrong time, then a SWAT team will come bursting through the door and shoot you in the face. Then, you get told that the views of the interviewees do not necessarily represent the views of the studio.
By the time all this is over, you are 400 years old and it’s time for bed. Mind you, I am assuming your DVD player will actually play the films you rent. Mine won’t. What I then have to do is play the film in the PlayStation.
Ever tried this? It’s a bit like trying to navigate the Queen Mary 2 through the straits of Gibraltar. Only more complicated. And if you are lucky enough to figure out which button does what, the film will begin at a volume not heard on earth since Vesuvius erupted or Heidi discovered my underwear on the bathroom floor……again.
Now, I know that I am as technically gifted as a sloth but I am positive that none of the stuff designed to make our lives better………. actually works.
Often, when you get in a modern car, you are asked if you’d like to connect your telephone, via Blueteeth, to a speaking woman in the dashboard. “Mmmm, that would be good,” you think.
But it is impossible. And this is because Blueteeth attempts to connect things using the air. That doesn’t work. If you want to join something to something else, you need a screw, or a nail, or some wire. And, because Blueteeth uses air to connect you there are going to be things in the air to stop that happening. For example, for some strange reason the Blueteeth connection never works after I have had a curry……….I wonder why?
Then there’s satellite navigation. When it’s not sending 18-wheeler trucks down roads only just wide enough for a Smart car it’s advising you of traffic jams that exist only in its stupid electronic mind. Time and again, I’ve driven an extra 300 miles or more to avoid a snarl-up that wasn’t there.
Out of the car, it gets worse.
The adverts for my Raspberry say it can access the interweb but it can’t. The self check-in consoles at airports ask a million impertinent questions then tell you to bugger off to see a human at the end of a six-mile queue.
The machines that answer phone calls in Bombay haven’t a clue what you’re on about.
And I gave myself an ice-cold enema when trying to use a computerized bog in Hong Kong.
What makes all this so hard to stomach is that technology designed to make our lives worse performs flawlessly. If you drive too fast, as I did a few weeks ago, a camera will take a picture of your number plate, compare the image to a computerized database and that’s it……..you are screwed.
How can it do this massively complicated job flawlessly when the digital camera I own takes a picture about two years after I press the shutter button? My photograph album these days is full of snaps of chairs, taken after the person who was sitting there has got up, gone home and died.
Then you have the computers that work out the fine you have to pay and make sure that the fine is sent to you immediately. They never break down. They never get it wrong.
And why doesn’t the computer they use go all blue and frozen as often as the Dell I’m using to write this?
Today, you have a video iPod and a wafer-thin television set. You have a portable satellite navigation system, Tivo, a digital camera, a widescreen laptop, a rampant rabbit, automatic sprinklers on your lawn and a mobile phone that plays the theme from 24 when anyone calls.
I even have a coffee machine that is programmed to deliver a hardcore XXX slug of caffeine in the morning, a mellower blend in the afternoon and big cup of girly-no-caf after six in the evening. How cool is that? …….except you have to have a degree in astrophysics to just get it out of the box.
All of these things have created a new type of person. The gadget freak. And he is every bit as important to the world of consumerism as the last great marketing invention ………. the teenager.
Of course, to keep him happy, many new and useless things were invented. The home cinema. The La-Z-boy electric recliner. The computerized barometer. Along with phones that take pictures, cameras that access the Internet and even, I’m told, material that will be able to store and display information from the Internet. This means that if, for some reason, you don’t want to read The New York Times in newspaper form, or on the computer, or the television, or on your mobile phone, you can – and I’m not joking – read it on your own underpants.
Before buying any electrical good these days, ask yourself a question. “Is this product designed to make my life nicer?” If the answer is yes: Walk away…………..go to a travel agent and book yourself a cruise instead.
Yesterday, a blogger friend called Bill asked me the difference between a cruise ship and an ocean liner……….well, it was a great question that needed a proper answer……………and so…….here it is, compliments of our friend and chief reporter……..Carnival UK’s very own Peter Shanks.
John
There are four things that make an ocean liner;
1) The sleek and long design of the bow - as seen on QE2 and QM2 – designed to better take the ship through more challenging waters and the ship sits much steadier in the water.
2) The grandeur of the internal spaces of the ship - bringing back the emotive designs of liners in the past. This is very much in evidence on QM2, Queen Victoria and will be on Queen Elizabeth. A lot of double height spaces, impressive rooms and art deco designs.
3) Ships that regularly cross oceans - like the regular 24 crossings made by QM2 across the Atlantic Ocean every year.
4) The most important one by a country mile - only Cunard has ocean liners - absolutely everybody else has cruise ships.
Peter
So, there you go and always we thank Peter for his help….hey, just had a thought ………..Peter, can you come on the bloggers cruise……….I am sure everyone would love to meet you and you can join in the Q&A sessions……………what do you think?
Over at www.bestblogsatsea.com there is lots going on. There is a great blog from James Cusick about the refit of P&O’s beautiful ship Arcadia. It includes some great photos and is written in James’s own great style. Then we have Captain Mercer’s latest log blog from the beautiful Eurodam. He talks about a day in San Juan where the crew went through a 90-day crew immigration check………he explains that this is not always a straightforward operation and gives us the reader a wonderful view from the bridge.
Over at Seabourn’s blog we get to share in the latest news on what will be the world’s most deeply luxurious vessel……the Seabourn Odyssey…..have you seen the new photos?
Alistair, the cruise director of the Queen Victoria, is home now and his blog about the last part of his contract and there is also more great writing from our friend Peter Shanks.
There are also more great photos and events on the AIDA and Costa blogs so I invite you to enjoy a good read of these superb entries.
Well, on January 8 I will walk onboard the Carnival Destiny for the first time since 1997. I have been thinking about those days on what was then the world’s largest ship. I remember so many things. The flood in the Onyx Cigar Bar when a major pipe broke causing two feet of water to cover the lounge. We waded through the water wondering if we could ever get this taken care of before the arrival in New York………….of course, thanks to our brilliant crew ………..we did.
I remember how rough the crossing was and how the cables of the lobbies glass elevators banged against the infrastructure causing such a loud noise that I could hear it all the way on deck 5 forward. I remember how, because of the rough weather the cast had to cancel their rehearsals………..it was just too rough. I remember the grand gala dinner where I met Kathie Lee Gifford, Marvin Hamlisch and a very moody Regis Philbin.
I remember someone on the inaugural cruise asking me to make an announcement for “swingers” to meet. I thought they were people who liked swing music not people who liked to have rumpy pumpy with anything and everything……so I made the announcement and was met with much rebuke from other guests and had to publicly apologize for doing so.
I remember arriving in New York and the police were pulling a body out of the Hudson River. I remember Captain Giovanni Gallo trying to dock the ship in New York with no less than 20 press and camera crews surrounding him as he docked the world’s largest cruise ship. I remember a quiet unassuming man ….sitting on a stool on the bridge surveying all around him…….and that quiet unassuming man was Carnival’s founder Ted Arison…….how proud he must have been.
I wonder what new memories await me as I return.
Well, today was a day of days and one I shall always remember. Heidi and I went to the doctor’s for her pregnancy check-up. All is well. Her blood pressure and all her tests were just brilliant. Our doctor was very happy and he told us all about what was going to happen in the future………..I tried to pay attention but that was not wasy as the nurse who was also in the room had walked straight from a Victoria’s Secret catalogue.
Anyway, we discussed lots of things including one that surprised me. Did we want the Thingy born in a hospital…………….or at home………….at home? Was he having a laugh? Did he really think that this was an option? Heidi having the baby in the kitchen while make me a bowl of chili. I want doctors……hundreds of them by her bedside………I want machines that go “ping” and I want loads of those epidoodle drug thingies should it all get too much …….for me…………..at home…………what a load of bollocks.
We have though, decided after much discussion not to know before the Thingy is born if it is a female Thingy or a male Thingy. It was a tough choice and I have to admit that I did want to know but……Heidi does not. Since she will be doing most of the work, I will comply with her wishes.
However, I think I know what it is.
Today, I got to hear my Thingy’s heartbeat. It was jaw droppingly astonishing and a sound I never thought I would hear. But hear it…………I did. It was healthy and strong and as the beautiful 20-year-old nurse who was dressed in a short white uniform got closer to my Thingy……..its heartbeat got faster and faster………oh yes………it’s a boy.
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and the Thingy
42 Comments
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Congratulations, John and Heidi!!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Hey John,
How is Stephanie doing? I hope she is well.
Sarah-
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
“Today, I got to hear my Thingy’s heartbeat. It was jaw droppingly astonishing and a sound I never thought I would hear. But hear it…………I did. It was healthy and strong and as the beautiful 20-year-old nurse who was dressed in a short white uniform got closer to my Thingy……..its heartbeat got faster and faster………oh yes………it’s a boy.”
I hope the nurse only got close to Thingy/Desk, and not your thingy! After all, I’d hate to hear that you would miss Thingy/Desk’s birth because you were firmly locked in the doghouse…
I’m glad to hear that all continues to be well for Heidi and Thingy/Desk. Hopefully all is well with Stephanie as well.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:46 pm
John,
Why do you keep ignoring the fuel supplement issue? We are going on the Carnival Spirit to Mexico in a few days and it looks like the fuel supplement money will not be refunded. With oil now under $50 per barrel and still dropping I feel like we are getting robbed. I don’t like that feeling, so although I plan to enjoy the trip thoroughly, it will likely be the last Carnival cruise for me. There are too many choices available for travel and vacations for me to contemplate giving a company that robbed me my future business.
I think the cruise industry is being extremely short sighted and greedy by not returning the money in a timely manner.
Thanks,
Keith
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
We are very happy that everything is perfect with Heidi and Thingy but we have always thought it is a girl. Yes a girl.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I did miss reading your blogs–you are just too funny for words! So happy to hear all is well with Heidi and Baby Thingy and for the first time you actually got the chance to see and hear the baby! Congratulations! That’s such an exciting time and a very loving time between you and Heidi. The time goes by so fast that you won’t believe it so enjoy every minute–even if she is chewing your arse out! I was looking at my oldest granddaughter getting her photo taken on the Splendor in her gown on Elegant Night last week and thinking it was only 7 years ago I was holding her in my arms and rocking her to sleep. Its amazing how fast it goes by!
Wow, that’s a lot of memories on the Destiny and I’m sure you will have more to add this time around. I agree–the electronics are out of control–we go digital TV here in February I think. I don’t have any of the new fangled stuff but since I have cable apparently it doesn’t matter. Oh well, I will be on the Splendor and they have flat screens so I don’t need them at home–I’m rarely ever there!
Hope Stephanie is doing ok–best wishes to her. Goodnight John, Heidi and Baby…
Cheryl
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
A BOY!
The world is not ready for another male Heald. May HE be on his first cruise soon.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Hi John,
I remember the Destiny too in 1997. For me it was October from Florida - probably just missed you. Greg Kneale was the CD. That is one of my 3 favorite ships - the Jubilee, the Miracle & the Destiny - and will always be special.
I haven’t been able to spend much time reading the blog thingy these past few days - I’ll try & catch up tomorrow.
Stephanie - how are you? Please get well soon.
John, Hugs to you & Heidi
Carol
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Hi John/Stephanie,
Thanks for the SA Visa info.
I’m currently on Carnival Freedom. Todd is a great CD, and will do great on Carnival Dream.
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/free_08/index.htm
Elizabeth was invited to the Captain’s table last night and enjoyed it very much.
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/free_08/Tues/IMG_3330.JPG
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to short cruises again - this one is flying by.
bill
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Stunning to hear that first heartbeat! Congratulations!
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Hey John,
Great news! I just booked the Carnival Splendor for January 17th out of Fort Lauderdale. Can you tell me who the cruise director is and any other recommendations? I hope he’s half as good as you.(I booked this cruise in spite of the fact that you aren’t the cruise director, as January in New Hampshire is a pretty good reason to go to the Caribbean!)
Thanks for the laughs as always.
Jeff
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Dear John modernization of man and the introduction of medications to cope with these marvels.A person can have a stroke just trying to figure these marvels of someones imagination out.Then again your problems will be solved in a few years when the little thingy gets about four years old he or she will be able to master all of these electro gizmo’s at the drop of a hat.So just hang in there help is on the way.My grandsons have been my little problem solvers.Best wishes to Heidi and the Little Thingy P.S. How is the fantastic Stephanie doing? Our prayers are with her.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
LOVE BEST BLOGS AT SEA!!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Hey John,
Birth of a child is a wonderous thing, the pregnancy part not so cool towards the end. Keep your good sense of humor :-).
Jan
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Email, voicemail, Blackberries, texting, camera phones, i-Pod thingies, wearable interfaces….. it is technology overload for some people….but as time marches on new gadgets will astound and mesmerize the geekophiles out there.
(sheepishly acknowledging I regularly visit sites like…. http://www.engadget.com & http://www.arstechnica.com )
But occasionally peace and quiet appeal to me…
If I cried out loud
over sorrows I’ve Known
And the secrets I’ve heard
It would ease my mind
Someone sharing the load
But I won’t breathe a word
We’re two of a kind
Silence and I
We need a chance to talk things over
Two of a kind
Silence and I
We’ll find a way to work it out
The Flying (Technophile) Dutchman
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:57 pm
John, Heidi, and dare I say John Jr……
Wonderful news!!
John & Susan from Frisco, Tx.
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:55 pm
John:
That’s good news from the docs. Every week your getting closer to the big day.
How about getting one of your friends over at Princess to start a blog? We’re going to be on Coral in 3 weeks.
Bob in CT
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
PLEASE REPLY
Oh you are funny John. Congratulations to the listening of the heart of Thingy. Wait till you feel him( her ) start kicking and you can feel the kick. Now that is amazing. I’m so happy that everyone is healthy including you my friend.
I have a question John about the Valor. As you know I’ll be in the Valor on the 25th of January. I read that there is some problems trying to go from the fron t to the back of the ship on the 3rd and 4th decks. Couild you explain to me what problems I would have trying to move from front to back of the ship on those decks. I’ve heard nothing about good words about this ship. A friend said it was one of the better ships he had been on. Last year on the Freedom was great and I thoroughly enjoyed the Freedom. I hope I’ll enjoy the Valor also. Ciao my friend and say hi to Heidi from me. Hey John, has Heidi shown that glow I said about pregnant women. It is the best thing to notice about your wife when she is with child. I saw it three times when my wife had our three children. Of course any pregnant woman I think has the glow of life.See you.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
John,
I’m totally with you on the gadgets. I like plain old stuff that does just what I want it to with very little effort on my part, physical or mental. Guess you have to be really young to appreciate all the new “improved” stuff out there. Oh well.
Oh, and it’s no longer Bombay you know…it’s Mumbai…the latest terror target. Why do they keep changing the names of cities? Do they think it will make them different places?
Glad Heidi is doing so well, and you’re right. Home is not the place for having a baby. What if something should happen and special equipment or such should be needed. Besides, Heidi needs to be where she can rest a while after delivering your boy Thingy Desk. With two guys in her life, she’s gonna need all the help she can get, eh?
Funny stuff today!
Best to you all,
Your Pal, Myra
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Ah yes, the sexy nurse test - works everytime.
BTW - make sure you have a female’s name picked out just in case you get a surprise.
He who had the first first-born girl in his family in five generations
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
John and Heidi,
Congrats on the baby. When he is a teenage he will tell you how these gadjets work.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Glad all went well at the checkup!
Love to Heidi and the Thingy.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:10 pm
John Please reply.
John your becoming a dirty old man.. Did I say becomming.. Sorry you always have spoken your mind. Di and I will be on Carnivals Freedom (notice I gave the whole name) in less that two weeks. Anything special you want us to tell the current CD on board? One more question have you seen Ruby Princess’s CD yet? (I’m terrible with names) He has a gift for you from us that we missed giving to you when we met you on the Ruby princess in November.
Tim and Di
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Congratulations on your son or daughter. There is something sweet about being born at home, but I’m with you on this one.
Why was Regis porky? From my experience, he is not particularly nice generally, but I always found Kathie Lee to be quite gracious.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Hi John/Heidi:
Congrats that all is well with Thingy. Time is flying by.
Great story about ocean liners. He makes some great points.
Technology is only going to get worse. Watch out 5 years from now.
Thanks for writing after one of your big milestone days.
Take care!
David
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Hi John/Heidi:
Congrats that all is well with Thingy. Time is flying by.
Great story about ocean liners. He makes some great points.
Technology is only going to get worse. Watch out 5 years from now.
Thanks for writing after one of your big milestone days.
Take care!
David
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Hi John & Heidi: Glad your doc appointment went well and I can really identify with you on all the “time saving” devices we have in this world. We are both technically challenged in this house. Have to call the grandson to walk me through all the set ups and instructions on how to do anything on the computer. Lee was ready to throw out one of our tv’s in the bedroom. He thought it was broken, but the grandson found a loose connection and it is now fine.
Love your blog, hope you will answer by questions soon. Have a good night!
Mary Lou
December 4th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Hi John and Heidi! The day you walk on the Destiny John, is the day we walk on the Miracle. I have a special fondness for the Destiny though as that was my first Carnival ship. I know it will be very hard leaving Heidi and Thingy behind, but know the Destiny will be in such capable hands. We may even pass you along the way!
As always, our best to the three of you!
December 4th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Hi John,
Wasn’t that visit to the doctor’s office amazing? Now that you’ve heard his/her heartbeat, it’s time to stop calling him/her a thingy. That’s a very real little human hiding in there. I admit that I’m disappointed that we won’t know if he/she is a boy or girl until the birth but as you said, it should be Heidi’s call. How about we have a “Guess The Sex”
poll here on the blog?????
December 4th, 2008 at 11:19 am
John:
The one bright and shining star of the modern world of electronics is that we get to hear from you every day!!
That makes all the other aggreviation from electronics worth it.
I am still “resting up” from our B2B2B on the Splendor and Freedom. Yes, I always have to come home to rest up from the cruise, because I am singing all night… every night…when cruising.
I never see the pillow before 2AM. (4 hours past my usual bedtime)
I even managed to find a karaoke bar in Costa Rica (imagine that!!) We had a blast.
On the Splendor, it was like coming home. We had just sailed with Goose in September, Jaime and Melvin in January, Kevin on the Legend in May, Jessen on the Legend in May and of course, one of my favorite memories…James (now ACD).
We sailed with James on the Conquest, when he was a Social Host, and had the joyful job of karaoke one night. This was before the days of karaoke hosts.
James, Todd and Chris Jefferson all participated.
James ran karaoke the first night….Todd did it the rest of the nights, except for one when Todd had to run a crew party …. so Chris ran karaoke.
I will never forget walking into karaoke and seeing just how “thrilled” James was to be there. He sat on the edge of the stage with a look on his face that screamed….”dear heavens why me?” So glad I got the chance to sail with him again, he is precious.
This was also the cruise where I got to know Todd and predicted that he would rocket to Cruise Director stardom.
It was so good to see him again on the Freedom and see that my prediction was spot on.
The Freedom was short a karaoke host ….so the “Entertainment Staff” (they are no longer called Social Hosts) were taking turns. It was the Conquest all over again.
Steve (married to the Production Singer Chelsea)
had never done karaoke before and did a brilliant job. We had a ship full of great singers…so he can’t understand why all the long faces about having to “do karaoke”.
TJ (from South Africa) was also brilliant. He handled the Legends Show. I did not do it on this cruise since I have done it 3 times this year. All the ladies had never done the Legends Show before (most were first time cruisers) …. so I only thought it fitting that they have a shot at it.
TJ ended up with a brilliant group and they did a remarkable job.
For those going on the Splendor, Greg in the Piano Bar is BRILLIANT and a cutie pie. He had the place packed every night.
Goose and Jaime attended our Cruise Critic Meet and Greet on the Splendor and Goose was brave enough to ask for suggestions for improvement.
The very first suggestion…. CLONE JAIME!!!!!!
She could teach the energizer bunny a thing or two!
She is home now enjoying a MUCH earned vacation.
We are so thrilled to hear everything is going well with your Wee One. As a wife whose husband is traveling most of the time, you are blessed that you are married to a strong lady who can handle things when you are away.
Can’t wait for January 1st!!!!
Back to Back on the Fantasy with my Cat 12 Penthouse Suite on the second leg!! woo hoo!!!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
December 4th, 2008 at 11:37 am
WITH OR WITHOUT A THINGY
Go to OPEN POLL PAGE on my blog and cast your vote for BOY or GIRL.
http://ekonefe.wordpress.com/open-poll-page/
Or just click on my name at the top of this comment
BIG ED
December 4th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Ah John,
You brought back so many memories. When I first heard my first born’s heartbeat (just over 27 years ago), I also heard him talking to me. It seemed he kept repeating…….
All Mommy wanted was a backrub! All Mommy wanted was a backrub! All Mommy wanted was a backrub! You will pay!!
Who could know that I was capable of fathering a prophet.
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com
December 4th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
“………I want machines that go “ping” and…”
Love the Monty Python reference! From The Meaning of Life, right? hehehe. Just remember, that machine costs extra!
December 4th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Hi John Please reply
First of all Congrats again on the baby I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH>It is an amazing time for sure. Now a question about the bloggers cruise. Do we have any information on what the bloggers will be doing in Cozmel for a bloggers excursion? Will there also be a bloggers excursion in Progresso, Mike is getting anxious and wanting to book excursions. Do we have a list of what the bloggers may be doing together on the cruise? Can you tell we are excited? Thanks John, Blessings to You, Heidi and baby thingy.
December 4th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Hi John
A very entertaining read! I’m with you 100% on the whole gadget thing! Thanks for the comments on the refit here on Arcadia too - it’s fun taking the pictures. James is lucky enough to be on leave for refit - I don’t think he’s escaped the snow though! I’m just ‘babysitting’ for him - he’s a hard act to follow and your humour is impossible to beat so I’ll stick to the photos!
Take care
Ian
December 4th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Hi John,
Thanks for the incredibly fast response on the fuel supplement issue. repealing it is the right thing to do. I wish it was effective immediately so that we would get our money back, but at least those leaving in a couple of weeks will get theirs back….
Your blog is great, keep it up!!
Two days to go before we sail on the Carnival Spirit! Can’t wait…
Keith
December 4th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
First of all, how is Stephanie?
Warning Warning Warning …. Getting caught watching that nurse may get you in more trouble than dropping your underwear on the bath room floor. Remember pregnant hormones are female hormones in overdrive!
John I will quote you “we British loaned you Americans the language and now I can barely recognize it” I now think when I heard you say this to me last year it may not have been the first time you have said that after reading your blog today “I remember someone on the inaugural cruise asking me to make an announcement for “swingers” to meet. It would be fun for you to list a lot of one liners you have heard that mean very different things to friends across the pond.
Gotta go, I know it will not matter if Thingy is a male or female; I predict Thingy will be prettier than a polecat stretched out on a cedar post! Now I am fixin to drive down the feeder road and have a bite of dinner since I have a hankerin for some BBQ.
December 4th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Hey John-Heidi-and little precious Thingy,
We just got back from the Thanksgiving cruise out of Jacksonville on the Fasination and it was the MOST wonderful cruise we have done. I can’t tell you how different this was from last April’s on the Freedom. The crew on this ship was incredible! There were many standouts, I would love to mention a few so they can get the kudos they most deserve. Allison bartender in the Cigar Bar–Tayna bartender in the dining room Imagination 6:00 serving–Dehelia–our fabulous room steward–All the dining room staff–and Mikeal in the piano bar. There were 7 of us and not a complaint at all. We had 4 rooms and all were perfect. I mention the Freedom with a bit of sadness as we weren’t impressed with the staff at all..and if it wasn’t for this blog thingy I wouldn’t have given Carnival another try. We have cruised about 8 times and all with Carnival but one and I was so dissapointed after last April I was going to try another line BUT am so very glad we didn’t. So much so that we have booked the Miracle out of NYC in April.
I read the blog thingy everyday but have never posted but I wanted you to know how proud you at Carnival should be of everyone on the Fasination!
John–you are a treasure and the bright spot of my work day with the blog thingy..Heidi–I cried the day John told everyone you were pregnant as I knew how much you wanted a child. My prayers and good wishes are with all 3 of you & Stephanie also.
Susi
December 4th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I am sure you are aware of this but I thought it was gread news today. From Carinval Cruise News:
Carnival Cruise Lines to Suspend Fuel Supplement Effective Dec. 17
December 4, 2008 at 3:52 pm | In Blogroll, Press Room, news |
Tags: carnival cruise lines, Fuel Supplement
As fuel prices continue to decline, six brands from Carnival Corporation & plc, including Carnival Cruise Lines, have announced that they will suspend fuel supplements effective for all voyages departing on or after December 17, 2008.
In addition to Carnival, the fuel supplement suspension applies to Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn.
A refund of the fuel supplement will be made in the form of a shipboard credit for all bookings within the final payment period for departures on or after December 17, 2008. All bookings outside of the final payment period for departures on or after December 17, 2008 will be adjusted to remove the fuel supplement and guests will be provided with a revised final payment amount.
The company cautioned that the fuel supplement could be re-instated if oil prices increase significantly.
The company reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day should the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) increase above $70 per barrel.
The fuel supplement for five of the six Carnival Corporation & plc brands is currently $9 per person per day for the first and second guest (not to exceed $126 per person per voyage) and $4 per person per day for third, fourth and fifth guests (not to exceed $56 per person per voyage). Seabourn’s fuel supplement is $15 per person per day for the first and second guest (not to exceed $210 per person per voyage) and $4 per person per day for third and fourth guests (not to exceed $56 per person per voyage).
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia operating 88 ships in service 17 new ships scheduled to debut between March 2009 and June 2012.
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December 4th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Joe & the Polecat;
Ya’ll must be from Texas! Nobody else calls it a feeder. You should see the looks I get when I call it that, since moving to Arkansas. LOL
John;
There is nothing in the world like hearing and/or seeing the heartbeat of your unborn child for the first time. You will remember that day forever. It especially helps to remember that day when they become teenagers. : )
Heidi;
So happy that you are doing so well. You are glowing. Enjoy this time, it is precious and goes so quickly. Although while you are going through it, it doesn’t seem that way. Looking back later, you will see how fast it went. Hugs to Thingy/Desk.
Stephanie;
Glad you are doing better. Take your time recovering.
Little Nan
December 5th, 2008 at 7:35 am
John,
We just sailed the Destiny and you will again love this ship! The ship, crew, and cast are all amazing! Wish we were sailing with you. What a fun and crazy time that would be. Anyone sailing her is in for a great time. Hello to Heidi and Stephanie.
Mike & Lori
December 5th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
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