The problem with living here in the UK is that I only get to watch my beloved Miami Heat play at 2 am if their game is shown live or on highlight shows, which are random at best. This is because compared to soccer, basketball is as popular as on your cruise having to pay for a steak at dinner and finding out that if you wake up with the munchies at 1 am …………you have to pay to be fed, as well.
It was while I was waiting for Channel 5 to show the Heat beat Vince Crapper and the New Jersey Nets that I got to witness a program called “Brits ……Are We the Worst Tourists?” Now, this was one of those cheap programs full of shots of people from various countries acting like complete idiots……..however, I did compare what the program was saying to what I have seen myself over the last 21 years.
We have a cheery notion that Britain and its people is a shining beacon of hope and goodness to the world. We assume that when our glorious island nation is mentioned, people all over the world imagine us going to work in bowler hats in the rain and the fog and eating crumpets with lashings of cucumber sandwiches with the crust cut off… When they think of us, they think of someone who speaks like the Queen reading the news on the BBC before going home for tea.
Ummm……..nope………..not according to hotel owners from places like Spain, Canada and the Caribbean who were interviewed in this program last night. It turns out that mostly, they think we’re arrogant, badly dressed, untidy, loud, drunk and nowhere near as much fun to have around as the Japanese. It turns out that hotel staff in Corfu, one of the Greek islands, don’t like it when we do the conga through reception at two in the morning and then go skinny dipping in the pool before catching Chlamydia with one another.
The program also reveals that while we spend quite a lot of money while we’re on vacation………sorry……. holiday…….. it’s mostly on beer, burgers and counterfeit goods such as Guci, Raybon, Padra and Rolax..
However, this opinion may be based on jealousy. They have to live in a country where the wine’s made from fermented goat poo, the women don’t shave their armpits and you need to bribe the plumber with something from Faberge to get him to mend your dishwasher.
Anyway, while some Brits may be bad abroad we are not the worst and everyone knows full well that on any international league table of bad behavior, we are a long, long way from the bottom.
Interestingly, the Americans come tenth in the poll, behind the Japanese. You were billed as polite, interested in new cultures and good at tipping. I agree, as I did with what one Canadian hotelier who said that the American tourists’ most annoying habit was talking to their friends as though they are 500 yards apart.
The winner though……and no……I am not making this up…….the winners were ….. my old mates La French. Apparently, they are the worst holidaymakers.
Hello everyone……………how are you? I am OK now and for the first time in days I actually feel OK. Tomorrow I have my diabetic check up which includes peeing in a cup or, in this case, a test tube before I go, which will insure the white marble tiles in our bathroom will have a nice yellow tint to them. I will also have my blood pressure checked. I know this will be high…….I am not taking any medication for this because I know I suffer from white coat syndrome.
Let me explain. The last time I had my monthly blood pressure taken it was 148 over 100…..yet after the doctors visit I asked the ship’s doctor to pop over to my cabin with a machine and take it while we talked about soccer and cheeseburgers. And in that relaxed state my blood pressure was 130 over 87. So certain was I that my blood pressure readings in hospitals and doctors surgeries were higher due to the fact that I hate them with a passion that I spent a fortune on a professional blood pressure machine to use at home.
I took mine just now and it was 125 over 88 yet tomorrow when I am sitting in front of Dr Ramitin I know it will be higher……..yep……I definitely suffer from white coat syndrome. I also know that Dr. Ramitin will give me a bollocking about losing weight but the difference this time is that I will. Hopefully, though he will be happy with my sugar levels and won’t want to exercise his middle finger inside my bottom.
Last week I had a nasty cold but of course, being a man, it wasn’t a cold at all. It was flu, well, when I say flu it was a sort of leprosy. In fact, what I actually had was bird flu and leprosy, with a light dusting of Ebola. Had the chap from the Guinness Book Of World Records been there, he would have verified that I was the illest person in the world who wasn’t actually dead.
To make matters worse, a cruel Arctic wind was blowing in from Canada and the police were advising motorists to stay at home unless their journey was absolutely necessary. The people who believe the world’s polar bears are up at the North Pole sipping pina coladas should come here now…..global warming my arse.
Well, my journey was very necessary because I needed a coat. The red one you saw me wear in the Carnival Dream videos is only a wind breaker and in the current artic conditions it can’t even protect me from my own wind caused by excessive Brussels sprouts over Christmas. Happily, I live only 45 minutes from London, which is the world’s 18th biggest city and the largest shopping center in Europe. So you might imagine it would be easy to buy such a thing. But where? I needed a big coat and therefore Heidi suggested I go to London’s big shop called Seldfridges……so that was me this afternoon mincing over to Oxford Street with my credit card and sticky-out nipples. I was freezing.
Initially, the first floor looked hopeful. It’s the size, apparently, of four football pitches, or maybe two double-decker buses. Or Idaho.
Anyway, it’s huge and rammed with every designer label I’d ever heard of, and about a million I hadn’t. All of which were selling T-shirts.
I’m not joking. Issey & Gabbana, Alexander Saint Laurent, Tommy Farhi, Madeyes of Monte Carlo, Viven Bitchwood and Vera Wong. One was all green and I couldn’t get out of the damn thing. Another was full of string.
“We’ve got this,” said one cheerful woman, holding up something that travel agents advise you to pack for those chilly evenings you might encounter during a Med cruise to Venice in July. …..but the only size they had was medium….so I buggered off. Eventually I found a coat at a ski shop. It was thick and warm and best of all it fit……….yes, it was expensive but Heidi would never know so I told the 12-year-old shop assistant not to pack it and that I would wear it home. I got the train home snug and content and not thinking about the £155 I had just spent. The train was packed with commuters on the journey home and their sad and tired faces showed that the return to work this Monday had not been a pleasant one.
I arrived home and was welcomed by Heidi who admired my coat saying how good it looked on me and how warm it must be underneath it……..however she then said “£155 is a lot to spend isn’t it.”…..I stopped in my tracks…….how had she known how much I had spent……did my wife have special ESPN powers ……. ummm………. nope …….because she then reached behind me and pulled off a huge red and white tag that said
£199 REDUCED TO CLEAR £155
SIZE XXXL
I had walked the streets of London telling the world I was a fat bastard who had just spent £155 on a coat……………double bugger.
Some of you may have been privileged to take a voyage on a Cunard liner and sat in the Queens Room and enjoyed the perfect English teatime. Your cup of Earl Grey will probably have been served in a china cup made by a company called Wedgwood. The Queen herself probably gets up in the morning, puts on her slippers and bathrobe before heading to the kitchen to put the kettle to make a mug of tea for her and Philip …….and her mugs will no doubt be Wedgwood. Well, it is a sad sign of the times that Wedgwood and their partner company, Waterford Crystal, today have gone into administration.
In North American terms, this means they have filed for bankruptcy and unless a buyer is found immediately these iconic brands will cease to exist and 6,000 people will lose their jobs. Let us hope that does not happen….it’s not just the banks and car companies that need to survive this huge economic downturn but also small companies like Wedgwood who I hope continue to provide Cunard and Lizzy with china for many more years to come.
Well, thanks for all the kind words and comments. Tomorrow (Tuesday) I will answer any outstanding questions. A special thank you from Heidi for the support and best wishes you continue to send her and the Thingy. And a special mention to all of you who took the time to remember in your thoughts and prayers our crew member who was lost at sea. Once again the community spirit that this blog has is astonishing.
There have been lots of comments as well about our new TV commercials and so I thought it was time for an expert to chat with you about this and so much more. I first met this quite unassuming young man in November and we became instant friends. I was so impressed by not only his huge knowledge base but also his sense of humor and fun. Ladies and gentlemen please give a warm welcome to Carnival’s Chief Marketing Officer Mr. James Berra……….or just Jim.
1. Firstly Jim, welcome to the blog thingy and welcome to the Carnival family. Can I start by asking you to tell us about your career so far and the journey that brought you to Carnival, where you are from and where you went to school and what other jobs you held before joining us.
Jim: I’ll spare everyone the unabridged version – I grew up in Minnesota (land of ten thousands lakes and countless mosquitoes) and went to college at Northwestern University. After graduation, I tried law school and quickly realized that it wasn’t for me. I spent the next few months waiting tables (would you like fries with that?) and interviewing and was lucky enough to find employment with Hyatt Hotels in Chicago, working in their resort and corporate marketing groups. After three years at Hyatt, I joined Starwood Hotels where I worked on the launch of their loyalty program – Preferred Guest. I spent seven plus years at Starwood and had a chance to build and manage a strong program and team that oversaw loyalty programs, strategic alliance and database marketing. In the summer of 2005, I joined Rodale, Inc. which is the publisher of several health and fitness related magazines and books (Men’s Health, Runner’s World, Prevention and South Beach Diet to name a few). I worked across the brands and lines of business to help build marketing and product plans. In particular, I worked on developing their digital strategy and Web sites.
2.Had you ever been on a cruise before you joined us and what were your thoughts about the industryJim: Having had access to free or close to free hotel rooms for most of my adult years, I had not been on a cruise prior to joining Carnival. I did spend a fair amount of my time at Hyatt and Starwood working on the resort/leisure side of the business, so I had some knowledge of the industry. In markets like the Caribbean, we typically viewed the industry as competitive, and I was always envious of the cruise industry’s ability to seamlessly provide multiple destinations and experiences within a single vacation. Tough to beat.
3. So as our Chief Marketing Officer what are your responsibilities.Jim: I’m really lucky and am like the new coach who inherits a great team, so most of my job involves staying out of the way and letting the team run. The marketing team at Carnival oversees all of the brand’s advertising, public relations and marketing communications. We’re also are responsible for the content and user experience on carnival.com. We’ve got a lot on our plates in terms of helping to further strengthen the brand, launch new products and innovations and drive consumer demand.
4.You have joined us at a very exciting and also a very challenging time with the economic downturn hovering over all of us. What will Carnival,s message be in 2009 to encourage people to experience a brilliant Carnival cruiseJim: Carnival is actually in a very envious position. If we were creating a brand from scratch and were deciding on what promises we’d like our new brand to own, you would be hard-pressed to come up with two better promises than Fun and Value.
The key to our marketing, both in this market or any other for that matter, is to clearly define what these promises mean in a way that is engaging, believable and memorable. Our brand of fun is social, gregarious and inclusive. It isn’t overly planned or scripted. And Value doesn’t mean cheap or tacky, it means getting a fantastic experience for the money.
5. One of the ways we are getting our message out is with the new TV commercials. Many seem to like them while some are not so sure. So……can you tell us what they are all about and the thinking behind themJim: Absolutely. I’ve read through the feedback and most of all am so appreciative of everyone taking the time to comment and share their thoughts (including the tough feedback).
Stepping back for a minute, the Fun Crowd TV spots, Pinata and Beach Ball, are designed to disrupt and get people talking/thinking about Carnival. The imagery and music should evoke our brand of fun, but do so in a way that is unexpected and therefore creates a bit of a disruption. In the age of Tivo, we also wanted the ads to standout and be something memorable. Whether we’ve hit the mark or not, we’ll know as the brand research rolls in and as we monitor Web traffic and consumer comments.
The Fun Crowd spots are running for five weeks only as it is important, as many people have correctly pointed out, that we tie the message back directly to the guest experience. Beginning in late January, you will start seeing ads filmed onboard begin to run and I’d love to come back and talk about them and answer questions. We’re very excited about the work and can’t wait to share it.
6. I know that there are new top secret commercials due in February and beyond. Can you open that secret door and let us know something about them and when and where they will be seen.
Jim: The door is ajar. We’ll let everyone know the air dates once we lock down on the media plan.
7. I know that your were responsible for the hugely successful loyalty program at Starwood hotels. Our loyalty program here at Carnival is also very important and therefore I wondered what your thoughts were about CCL’s program and what you may have planned for it’s future.
Jim: I have a ton of passion for this area and have seen what it can mean for both brands and members. I definitely need to start doing my homework on the current program and see what steps we can take to improve it. I have yet to see where a smart investment in how you communicate, recognize and reward your most loyal guests hasn’t paid off in terms of improving loyalty and attracting new guests through positive word of mouth. Can’t promise what this will mean just yet, but can promise that we will look very closely at it.
8.What other initiatives will be your focus this new year.
Jim: The soup is very thick. Let the record state that this is the first time in this interview that I’ve used marketing speak:) We’re going to put even more energy into .com and digital marketing, expand our local marketing efforts (including our debut in Baltimore), continue to invest heavily in building the Carnival brand, explore new partnerships and introduce The Dream this fall – just to name a few items.
9. This blog is a small part of Carnival’s internet program. How important is the internet in today’s world of marketing and will Carnival continue to invest in this area
Jim: The internet was/is/and will continue to be game-changing for the travel industry. The two most important and related aspects of my job are to effectively and profitably build the brand and grow our presence online, full stop.By the way, your blog is an absolutely critical part of both goals. I would have killed to have had something 50% as strong at Starwood.
10. Finally, and as we jave always done with executive interviews its time to find out about the real Jim.
Please fill in the blanksFavourite Movie: The Godfather (also partial to The Shawshank Redemption)
Favourite Music: U2, Radiohead and Frank Sinatra (not necessarily in that order)
If you were stranded on a desert island which of these would you choose as a companionAngelina Jolie
Bill Clinton
Madonna
Simon Cowell
Lassie
Assuming that I have to play by the rules and select from the above (otherwise I would clearly choose my wife Serena), I would have to go with Angelina (sans the posse of children of course)
Favourite Sport: Love baseball, football (the version that allows you to tackle the other guy without getting carded) and am addicted to golf.Favourite way to relax: Golf followed by 19th hole libation
If you were invisible for a day what would you do: Sneak out for 36 holes on Augusta National
Thanks, Jim. I am sure I speak for many when I say how excited we are that you have joined us and I know that the bloggers will want me to follow up with you in the months ahead about the new commercials and the very important loyalty program. Please join me in posting your comments about this interview…….your feedback is priceless and this is one of those blogs where I am going to kindly ask that you provide it.
It’s going to be a great year for Carnival and with Gerry, Ruben, Jim and the other top executives at the helm it’s going to be a great year for you as well.
It’s time to put the garbage bags out as the refuse collectors are coming in the morning. It’s minus 4 degrees tonight, its snowing again and according to the British Met Office, December 2008 was the coldest in 31 years……..the people with beards who believe the world’s polar bears are up at the North Pole slapping on some factor five should visit us in the UK now… oh………bring a coat and don’t forget to take the bloody label off first.
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and the Thingy
Filed under: Caribbean, Destinations, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Baltimore, Beach Balls, Canada, Caribbean, Carnival Dream, Jim Berra, Pinata, Spain, TV Commerc, TV Commercials
For John – please reply….
What are your thoughts on that? I thought you might find it interesting from a vacationer’s (holidayer’s?) point of view. If not, no problem.
Since I’m going to be on the Splendor next Saturday (the 17th), I was thinking of blogging about the cruise and supplying photos (being an actual photographer). I wouldn’t actually post the blogs until the following week, since I wouldn’t be able to download the photos from my camera, and I really don’t feel like paying the internet rates on the ship.
Jeff
So the Brits are arrogant, badly dressed, untidy, loud, drunk. They said the same things(and a few others) about us so welcome to the club. I try not to read this things.They always made me mad or sad. Judging everyone because a few don’t know how to behave.
Now John, high blood pressure is serious even if they are just episodes. It happens to me also. Last time the doctor put me on meds, low dose but it did make a difference. Due to the nature of our jobs we really don’t know how many times we are having those episodes so now I’m covered. Losing weight is going to do you good. Do it for Thingy. Funny blog today friend. I can imagine you in the train with the red tag.
People are talking about the commercial so I guess that is good. Can’t wait to see the others.
John: I just saw your friend the hot army doctor on the Ellen de Generes show. Cute! He and his dogs. HA! You never said anything did you get to see him??
Hi John, Just found your blog & will now read it everyday! We met in 2004 when my husband & I sang with Sing Live on The Glory. What a cruise that was, singing ‘ Lean on Me’ was memorable to say the least! We have just come back to this cold from singing on ‘The Valor’ & cannot wait to cruise Carnival again. Take care glad I found the blog
Mags xx
Hi John/Heidi:
Good luck at the doc tomorrow. I usually have the same issue with White Coat fever. Its pretty strange.
I really enjoyed Jim’s interview. He has great comments and I look forward to watching him put his goals/desires for the company into action.
That’s a funny story about your coat. At least you’re warm now.
Glad you’re feeling better.
Take care and have fun!
Thanks..
David
John: (Please Reply if you see fit).
Since the Carnival Loyalty Program is begining to surface as a topic and will be under review I’d like to offer a few suggestions. Wife and I have cruised 20 times on Carnival, out of four Ports of call, Port Canaveral, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and Tampa, so we are loyal to the brand. Here are my suggestions for improvement in order of our priorities:
1. Priority Debarkation – This is sometimes handled well, but for the most part it doesn’t live up to the benefit as stated in Carnival’s literature. In too many cases, Platinum folks must wait until all self assist depart the ship. That is unsatisfactory. Carnival needs to look at Port Canaveral as the Model for this, in particular the Glory. On Glory, all Platinum gather in the lobby at 7:15 AM, the CD or assistant leads them FIRST off of the vessel. Have cruised Glory 6 times and every time the debarkation is excellent. Miami, which used to be the worst has improved. Tampa and Ft. Lauderdale are miserable. I’ve even been in a situation where we were told to meet in a certain place, where a Carnival Rep would meet us and lead us off the ship only to have no Carnival Rep show up. Too many times I hear the excuse that Customs & Immigration is the problem. I frankly don’t believe it. Why has Miami improved and Port Canaveral been consistently outstanding? Seems to me Carnival could fix this by working closely with all who are involved.
2. Carnival provides a nice gift for each Platinum cruiser in the cabin. Thanks, it is appreciated, but consider rotating the gift at least quarterly. Some of your loyal passengers cruise 4 times a year…so it would make sense to vary/rotate the appreciated gift. By the way, we have ten Tote Bags and ten Thermos’s….interested in buying some???
3. Suggest a separate past guest party for Platinum guests. Platinum Sign & Sail card required for entry. This should be easy to provide since there are probably an average of 40 such folks on a cruise….and would be more intimate than the traditional past guest party which has to be held in the main showroom on most cruises. It would also be a great opportunity to provide info and get direct feedback from your more loyal guests. Could also be a special occasion to celebrate some member’s 25 th Cruise, 50th, etc. Good PR I would say. We don’t generally attend the current past guest party because they don’t really make us feel very special.
Other than these things we really appreciate the Platinum status and the benefits provided.
Regards,
Tim Kriebel, MCPO, USN Retired.
John,
I have to parrot something that Jim said about the commercials and the Beach Ball commercial in particular. They’re both visually exciting being focused on things outlandishly large and people having equally large fun but the beach ball connection to the vacation experience is impossible to miss. I LOVE the ‘Fun for all’ and ‘All for fun’ slogan. The capper is the ship’s whistle at the end. That, as much as anything, puts a smile on my face.
Jim is a VERY luck man mainly because he has not only been able to sail in Carnival ships but will be helping shape our experiences in the next few years.
Loyalty… VERY important to my friends at Cruise Critic. Many suggest that there should be additional steps in the progress, for example, some level at five cruises with some perks or perhaps cross line loyalty allowing cruises on Princess or Cunard count. I’m sure that Jim is a very bright man and will come up with a plan that will make at least the majority of folks happy.
And, finally, this: “Our brand of fun is social, gregarious and inclusive. It isn’t overly planned or scripted. And Value doesn’t mean cheap or tacky, it means getting a fantastic experience for the money.” Here is where I can tell, without doubt, that Jim has broken the code. I often hear people compare Carnival to WalMart and there is certainly some good there but I believe that Jim diverges from the Carnival/WalMart comparison and I, for one, am THRILLED to hear it!!
Stay bundled up and consider moving to a warmer climate… like Antartica…
Please tell Heidi and the ever larger Thingy I said howdy and tell Stephanie that she is a Super Woman!!!
Ciao!
Host Mach
Hi John! You are a riot! I always laugh when I read your blogs. How much in US $ is $155 lbs? See if you were in the caribbean now you wouldn’t be freezing your arse off! HA! Well, you will be on a cruise ship somewhere on your birthday so hope it is a happy one! Glad you are feeling better, and give “wee little one” a hug from Aunt Linda and Uncle Mike ok? Watch your blood pressure too! AND of cause your glucose levels!
John, Heidi & Thingy!
I have only met wonderful people from the UK over the years! Now the French are another group that should be at the very top!
John glad to hear you splurged on yourself for a change. Don’t worry about the tag thing, at least you didn’t still have the security tag on there and set off alarms!
Wonderful interview with Jim! Sometimes a new person will bring all kinds of wonderful ideas to the company and I am sure Jim will do just that!
Hope you and Heidi are enjoying your time together!
John, AKA Minnie Pearl,
John, if you don’t know who Minnie Pearl was, google her–she was a comedian, famous for having a price tag hanging from her hats. Great blog today–loved Dr. Ramitin! Your blood pressure elevation with the “white coats” is very common. Just ask the nurse to re-take it after you have been there for a while–preferably prior to any exit only spots are visited by the MD. I am going to tell you a little story I received today. Don’t know if you will be able to print it or not, but here goes. It is titled “RUBBER GLOVES”
A doctor noticed that his next patient, a little old lady, was nervous, so he decided to tell her a little joke as he put on his gloves. “Do you know how they make these gloves?,” he asked. “No, I don’t,” she replied. “Well,” he spoofed, “there is a building in Canada with a big tank of latex, and workers of all hand sizes walk up to the tank, dip in their hands, let them dry, then peel off the gloves and throw them into boxes of the right size.” The patient didn’t crack a smile. “Oh, well. I tried,” the doctor thought. But five minutes later, during a delicate portion of the procedure, she burst out laughing. “What’s so funny?” he asked. “I was just envisioning how condoms are made!” Gotta watch those little old ladies! Their minds are always working!!! The moral of the story is. . . Start each day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Live well, love much and above all, laugh often!
Good luck tomorrow!
Sheryl
John,
I think everybody has white coat fever. If there isn’t anything wrong with you when you go in…they will find something wrong before you leave!
After reading Jim’s interview, I can see why Carnival did those commercials. It did work, we did talk about Carnival after the commercials, but it was mostly about trying to figure out how iit related to Carnival ships. I really wish you could find a clever way to tell people who have never cruised that Carnival isn’t bad like they think it is! I have converted many, many friends to Carnival! Even my mom and dad.
Will be saying my prayers for you that the white coats don’t find anything tomorrow.
OMG the new coat story is too funny! I needed that tonight too since I also caught this cold/flu thing. At least you found one that is warm.
Good luck tomorrow with the white coat syndrome.
Good interview with Jim–glad to hear he is looking at the loyalty program since that is important to everyone to know that the company appreciates your business. I guess since I will be on the Splendor all of February I will miss the next set of commercials unless they are shown on ship TV. I do get the beachball but the pinata not so much but in all cases love the horn!
Big Ed was right, the new Pepsi commercial I thought was Carnival when I saw it.
Nice interview and sounds like Carnival is going to continue to set the bar high for cruising. I enjoy the beach ball the best and love the slogan “Fun for all” and “All for fun”.
Loyalty program needs to be improved to encourage staying within the Carnival Family. I am a Carnival Cruise fan but when I am compelled to cruise another line there is no incentive/recognition to stay within the Carnival Family.
John, I laughed when you spoke about the blood pressure testing. I remember many times rushing to the doctor late, trying to find a parking space and the first thing he would do is check my blood pressure. It was always 150/ 300 or something awful. He figured it out after while and always took it again toward the end of the visit you know five minutes later. These guys have on heck of an hourly rate. Carole and I look forward to meeting you in person on the NOLA Blog cruise. After ten cruises you will be the first CD I have actual met. The best to you and Heidi and the little one. Take care, Mike
Hi John & Heidi
Great Blog
So Sorry to hear about Waterford & Wedgewood. It’s getting so sad this state of recession.
The good news it that you got a wonderful coat to keep yourself warm, wearing the tag sounds like something that I would do!
“White coat Syndrome “is something that I suffered from everyday and my B/P raised 10%, even though I am a Nurse, Go Figure. So you are NOT alone.
Great interview with Mr. Berra. He looks like a friend of ours Jim Yates.
Take Care
The Tuckers
Elizabeth & Arnold
FEEDBACK for JIM…
Hi John,
Loved the interview with Jim. It was very interesting. I have two pieces of feedback to share with him.
1. We CAN’T wait for your debut in Baltimore, our hometown. When the Miracle sailed out of Baltimore, it was our best cruise ever. We were so sad when she left after a few months. Are there any events planned in Baltimore for the debut?
2. 2 suggestions for the loyalty program…allow cruises on sister brands to count. We want to try Princess and we’ve already sailed Costa, but we’re platinum on Carnival so hate to not continue getting cruise credits. Also, the Platinum gifts are nice, but in 2008 we did 3 cruises and received 3 sets of thermoses. There is only so much hot soup and hot cocoa one can take with them.
It would be nice to have a choice of logo items to choose from to prevent ending up with a huge collection of any one thing. Please don’t take this wrong…I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. Gifts are always nice.
Thanks for another great blog.
The Kilmartins
Good evening John, Heidi & Thingy. I enjoyed the interview with Jim. He sounds like a very intelligent but fun loving individual. I saw that my comments on the last blog wasn’t shown. I hope I didn’t say something wrong or get Stephanie upset.My blood pressureseems to stay the same except if I start gaining too much weight. So I do have to watch a little. I think all your blogger friends would like to see Heidi more and also you
even though Heidi is better looking. I will no longer end my comments to you with the word ciao. How about Buona notte or Buona sera or Arrivederci or just bye? You have to remember that I come from Italian heritage. There are only 19 days till my cruise on the Valor. Excitement is abound. See you my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
John, please reply
I enjoyed the interview with Jim. I did like the beach ball commercial better than the pinata. At least it had something to do with water! I am looking forward to the new commercials though!
Good for you! That coat should keep you from freezing your arse off! You won’t be needing it soon though, when you are with us on the Fantasy on the blogger cruise!!!
I have two cabins booked. One for myself and my bf and one for my daughter and her bf. We would love a table for ten but we also want to make sure that we are seated together. Is there anyway to get our dining reservations linked so that we are at the same table??
Thanks again for everything you do!
Also, after reading that the excursion is going to be on Passion Island, I have also been reading that several people are considering not going because of the clothing optional thing. My daughter said let me know if you are going naked Mom, because if you are, I am not going! Well…she doesn’t have to worry about that! I am also considering going to a different beach. But, really hate to miss the Bloggers party!
Cruzn
John good luck on with the doctor’s visit tomorrow. Please don’t leave the yellow stain on the floor. Heidi is getting to big with child to clean up after you.
Jim, you’re going to have to show me the connection of a pinata and the fun on a cruise ship.
I haven’t figured it out yet.
Countess Carolyn and Don… who will finally be platinum on John’s bloggers cruise…woooooooooooohooooooooo
Hi John,
Glad you now have a warm coat. The Midwest in the US is also having a very cold, snowy winter that started very early and shows no signs of stopping. That’s why we spend most of our time in Florida now. It was in the 80’s today and will be tomorrow also.
I’d like to add my two cents for the loyalty program. Since we are Platinum on Carnival we hate to leave to try another cruise line. We sailed on Princess once but would like to try the other lines too. I also would like to see the way cruises are counted to include numbers of days sailed instead of the number of cruises. Somehow it doesn’t seem right to count a 12 day cruise the same as a 2 day cruise.
Try to stay warm and say Hi to Heidi for us.
George and Linda
Dear John:
Red coat, white coat, no matter what coat, you make it fun reading. I know doctor feel good will find you in great shape tomorrow.
I just loved the new commercials, especially the beach ball. I wish I were there as it looks so fun.
Great for Carnival.
Love to Heidi and Thingie too!
Marie
Hey John.
Yesturday we just got back from another amazing Carnival cruise. We took the Carnival Legend to Grand Cayman, Cozumel Mexico, Belize City, Belize, and Isla Roatan, Handuras. This was an outstanding New Years Trip for us. Especially since we have never been away during December break or New Years. It was great to get out of the bitter cold of New Jersey for a while. Spending New Years away on a “Fun Ship” was a great idea, and if people reading this have never been away for New Years I think that going on a Carnival Cruise would be a great idea. The Lido Deck was packed with I’ve 2,200 people from our ship, and the entertainment staff did a great job hosting the party. Not to mention the deserts were outstanding.
That’s all for now.
Daniel
Thank you for the interview with Jim. It was informative and helped give us background on the beach ball and pinata commercials. It will be interesting to see the next set of commercials come out.
I have another suggestion for the loyalty program. Can the length of the cruise be determined in deciding the number of cruises we have gone on? It doesnt seem quite right to have a 3 day cruise count the same as a 12 day cruise.
Hi John, I have a huge favor to ask. When we did the two Baltic cruises this fall we really appreciated reading the blogs in the library. We were on the Splendor this and Novenber the blogs weren’t in the library. Is there any chance the blogs could be in the library on the South American cruises? We are going to be on the Splendor for the 14 day middle segment. It would be great to be able to read the blog. Thanks, Jo
John –
Several comments – replies are optional.
1. There is no such thing as white coat syndrome. There are, however, good looking nurses who take my blood pressure, who I always blame for the higher numbers. Seriously, your diastolic numbers (87 or 88) are still too high. Better they should be in the low to mid seventies.
2. I, too, am distressed at the potential demise of the Waterford Crystal/Wedgewood China empire. Would be a loss of tremendous proportion to the cultured world. I pray a savior will be found.
3. Irony of ironies – I will be staying at a Starwood Hotel Tuesday and Wednesday nights. I am off for a job interview in Bangor ME. I will let Mr. Berra know what I think of his former employer.
4. Speaking of Mr. Berra, any chance he has a relative name Lawrence Peter Berra? You might know him better as the great American philosopher, and member of the Baseball Writers Hall of Fame, Yogi Berra. The purveyor of such notable quotes as “It’s Deja Vu all over again” and “When you come to a fork in the road, take it”.
I will tune in again on Thursday. Hopefully, by then, you will have found the test tube.
JustJon
Jim,
Just found your blog today, so 1st time contributor. I was Very sorry to hear about Wedgewood and Waterford Crystal! This will be a sad loss to the world, not just to the United Kingdom, should no come forward and guide these companies through the rough economic shoals of our time (nautically speaking).
I live in Texas and have not only seen first-hand but have been affected first-hand with the demise of our economy: we lost our home to foreclosure. Sad, but true.
Still, I peruse the cruise webpages and save a little here and there, as many who cruise your ships do. I have finally convinced my husband that he would enjoy a cruise and that it isn’t, as his brother-in-law said recently, “just like spending a week at the mall”.
I had the pleasure to go on a 5-day with about 500 lovely Red Hat Society members in Dec ‘06 and would very much like to go again, but this time with my husband. Does your Loyalty Program extend to discounts for repeat customers?
Thank you for introducing Jim to your blog. He sounds like he’s got some good ideas. While reading the preceding emails to you, I saw where one reader speaks of Loyalty rewards: I have never seen anything mentioned about this (ever) on the website…(hint to Jim!). I would think this should be a front page component to your website. As we speak, my mother (a repeat cruiser) left the Galveston harbor today and is picking up the tab for my 3 oldest sons, a girlfriend, a wife and herself on a 5-Day, out of Galveston. They get back on the 10th. As often as my mother cruises, she should be able to parley that into some kind of Premium Gift.
I’d also like to make a suggestion on the Find Your Cruise portion of the website. I determine when I’m going by the best price I can find on any of the several discount cruise services to which I subscribe (or I wouldn’t be able to go at all). I don’t use the calendar – it is irrelevant. If I find a good price 3 or more weeks away, I can put in time with my company and be able to take off at that time. Retirees usually have the freedom to go when they want. Workers usually need to schedule their time away, based on when their personal calendar says they can go, not on when their company says they may go. And while I have your ear: has anyone explored making a 3 Day trip out of Galveston available? I know that I and my husband could plan for a shorter vacation much more easily than a 4+ day cruise.
Haven’t seen the Carnival commercials, yet, but they sound like fun. Welcome aboard, Jim.
John, I’m thinking that Thingy is your child. If so, how did your poor child get stuck with that moniker?
Thanks Y’all!
Bree
John,
Thanks for a great interview with Jim. I look forward to his ideas on improving the loyalty program, and seeing the new ads. I have 47 days till my cruise on the Legend, my fifth cruise and all with Carnival. It is always nice to be appreciated for loyalty.
One marketing thing I never really understood was the discontinuation of e-mails when you have a cruise booked. I never heard an offical reason, but irregardless, I usually have one cruise booked and I am always looking for a good deal on a last minute getaway…I miss the e-mails and I am sure I have missed a couple of oportunities for cruises as well, as I live near Tampa and can drive to at least 4 ports.
Good luck at thr Doc’s. I completely understand the White Coat Syndrome, I see it all the time in the ER.
All the best to Heidi and the thingy.
Ron(cruisin’ in ‘09)RN
John – for the loyalty program – how about adding an additional “perk” for each additional 5 cruise credits after you reach Platinum? For example, at 15, you add free internet access and 2 drink coupons, then at 20 you add another couple of things. It’s wonderful that Carnival offers Platinum status perks but I’m not sure it’s right to count a 3 night cruise the same as a 7 night cruise. If someone takes 10, 3 night cruises (30 sailing days), that hardly compares to someone who takes 10, 7 night cruises (70 sailing days) and then they both receive the same perks. Any thoughts on updating that program???
Hi John & Heidi,
Good luck at the doctor and I fully understand the white coat fever – especially with blood pressure. My doctor once told me it was normal for it to be elevated at the doctor’s office – high anxiety about what they’ll find.
I totally agree with Lisa about a choice of items for Platinum guests. Just how many tote bags and thermoses can I give away?
I have never come across any British tourists that were described on this list. I love listening to the accent, and I’d much rather be with them than other rude people – French (of course), Japanese & newly-rich Russians.
I also heard about Waterford/Wedgewood yesterday and it saddened me. A few of my favorite possessions are Waterford crystal frames that I have to keep away from the cats because I am afraid they will chase each other onto the wall unit and break them. I would love to own a complete dinner service of Wedgewood or Spode (also in receivership) fine china, but it would never last in 1 piece in my house – plus it’s not in my budget right now. What I didn’t know was that the majority of Waterford is made in places outside of Ireland. So much for tradition.
I loved the interview with Joe Farcus and I can’t wait to see what he’s done with the Dream. By the way, is it too late, or is there still a possibility of easy stair access into the pools?
Have a great day to you both,
Carol
HAPPY EPIPHANY JOHN, HEIDI, AND THINGY!!!
Tonight I celebrate with Roast Beef, Yourshire Pudding, roasted brussel sprouts, potatoes, and King’s Cake with the sixpence baked into it!!!
Thank you Jim!!! The commercials are DELIGHTFUL!!! FUN FUN FUN… I expect you’ll win awards!! Truly. Growing up with an Ad Exec for a Daddy… BRANDING FUN FUN FUN to CARNIVAL is outstanding!!!
John… Truly have a SPLENDID day!!!
Bless you,
Lambie
PS… Sissie-Dear from Holland arrives here next week… Then we celebrate the holidays all over again!!!
Hello John,
We will have the pleasure of you being our CD on Valor Feb22. I have just caught up reading your blogs. Which are hilarious.
First congrats to you and Heidi on the “thingy”. We were told with our first child about a sign of Downs on the ultrasound ( enlarged kidneys), started to worry, but turned out the baby just had to pee. Good Luck.
The coat story is great. I have, numerous times, walked around with the XL sticker left on my new t-shirts.
As I was reading this blog and watching the morning news I seen at the bottom of the television ( that scrolling line of info). Burger king has come out with a cologne!!! I started thinking about how you said the doc wants you to lose weight and came up with this idea. I am thinking of trying this out as a diet to try and curb my appetite. Ill keep you posted how it goes and how much weight I lose. Or if I just end up with flame broiled lines across my chest.
I will keep in my prayers the family and friends of the overboard employee.
Thanks John
ideas for jim (about loyalty programs)
1. enough already with the thermoses (we now have 14)
2. count sea days instead of cruises, it is much more fair
3. tell them to stop delivering the canapes after dinner!
4. things that are free mean alot! like treatment on arrival. we get the same as suite passengers on their first cruise. we are not the same. we are the LOYAL ones. maybe our cabins could be ready earlier? or something like that that costs carnival nothing but makes us feed good.
thanks for listening!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
John, good luck on your weight loss. As we get older it is harder to loose and begins to affect our health more. Some of my health issues the past couple of years are directly related to being overweight. I did manage to loose 20 pounds last year and have another 100 to go. I have refocused again on my weight loss with the new year.
Why not have Big Tex discuss how he was successful in loosing so much weight. It will be great to see the not so Big Tex on the bloggers cruise next month.
Being on a cruise ship 24/7 has to be very difficult to someone trying to loose weight. I know that when I cruise it is a chore just to not gain weight. We try to take the stairs more often to counter the great food.
Walking about whilst still wearing labels on clothing items….. been there done that….Bugger!
The Flying (channeling Minnie Pearl) Dutchman
Carnival’s Chief Marketing Officer Mr. James Berra
I agree with southerndreams about the VIP. A loyalty program VIP should get something more then a first time cruiser in a suite. I like the early cabin entry. It would be so easy and not cost anything to red flag these cabins for early cleaning and allow entry to them right away. I loved the days when we could go right to our cabins and if done go into it. I even like that I could tip/bribe my steward to do my cabin next if it wasn’t already done.
BIG ED
PS. The old way if your room was not done you could at least put your carry-ons in the cabin and not have to carry them all over the Lido deck while you wait for your cabin or as now approx 1 PM.
Hello John, Heidi, and Thingy,
I loved the blog today. I understand the “white coat syndrome” because it actually happened to me. I got really angry because I waited almost an hour past my appointment time, and then they used this weird automated BP cuff that cut off the circulation in my arm. I think smoke was coming out of my ears, I was so annoyed. Then they informed me that it was some astronomical number, which made me more angry. “That’s impossible!” I snapped. Then the doctor appeared, and was very nice, and calmed me down immediately. (I was on my lunch hour, and would have to make up the time. That’s why I was so upset.)
The interview with Jim was really interesting, and also encouraging. The Blogger’s Cruise next month will be our 9th, so we will finally be Platinum on our next Carnival cruise after that! BTW, the Blogger’s Cruise will be our shortest CCL cruise, so I agree with everyone who said they should factor in the length of the cruise. This is done on Holland America and Princess, why not on Carnival? I also know that Princess has a tiered loyalty program, so that you start getting perks after your 5th cruise. You don’t have to wait until your 10th. As a travel agent who has passed all of the necessary courses to be a Princess Commodore, I can tell you that their Elite level is amazing! Free laundry, dry cleaning, and shoe polishing, a generous amount of free internet, afternoon tea served in your stateroom if you want, priority embarkation and debarkation, AND one free minibar setup per cruise, including the beer and booze! These are a few of my favorite things that the Elites get.
I was very sad to hear about Waterford and Wedgewood. Like the others, I’m praying that they can avert that sad fate.
Cheryl D.
Hey, John!
So much for “global warming!” Loved the coat/tag story.
See, if you moved to Florida you’d be warm without a coat and close to The Heat (go to games…which I know you love to do…instead of watching on TV). Plus, you’d have lots of “homes away from home” to visit in your “spare” time.
Take care of the blood pressure if the doctor says…you must not fall victim to anything you can control. Good luck on the diet.
Sorry to hear about Wedgewood and Waterford who both evoke all sorts of glamorous images. Hopefully, someone will come to their rescue.
Give my best wishes, and a hug, to Heidi and Thingy.
Your Pal, Myra
PS: Thanks to you, and Jim, for the interview.
John…so funny you wandered the streets with the price tag on your coat. Sounds like something I would do.
I have to say this–I saw both the Beach Ball and Pinata on my actual 37″ flat screen plasma TV in my den yesterday, and they did come across much better than as a little box on my computer.
Good luck with the doctor. Regarding the VIP situation: The gifts are nice and appreciated but when it’s known that you cruise often why keep giving the same gift? I will admit the thermos bottles make nice gifts for whoever took care of your house while you were gone. I can’t resist making another comment: It seems that over half of the passengers now use “self assist” to disembark which takes away any real advantage to the VIP status. On our last cruise we could hardly get through the mob and the luggage to get to our assigned meeting area. Then we waited and waited. Surely the VIP people could go ahead as they use a different gangplank. Just a thought.