I stood with Danny as he checked his bag at the British Airways desk and I was reminded how just once when asked by the 14 year old check in girl “did you pack your own bags” I have wanted to reply “Do I look like I have a friggin butler……… you idiot?”

Then you wrote,

My wife, who as I write has started packing my suitcases, says I’m a moaner and I should wear a T-shirt that says “Grumpy Old Man” or “Born To Moan.”

So which one is it? Did you lie to security? Or do you have a butler named Heidi? Hahahaha just though I would mess with ya a little.

Hope all is well with you and your family, Look forward to cruising with you 2-22-09 Valor
Till then, Randy

Dianne and I received our tickets today for the bloggers cruse in February. Since I purchased them as retired military it does not show the CPBL fare code. I want to make sure we are with the other bloggers. Do we need to do anything additional? We can’t wait to see you again, but we will miss Heidi and Thingy.

bob

We are Canadian “Colonials” and will understand if you would prefer not to answer our request .

We are also rather new to the cruise game, with only two cruises under our belts as it were. We are, however, doing our level best to remedy this shortcoming and are booked on Splendor’s South American oddesy and on the Dream’s second Mediterranean cruise.

We very much enjoy dressing for dinner in the main dining room. We enjoy the conversation with our fellow cruises, great table service, ambience (with a view if at all possible) and, of course, great food and wine. On our first cruise we said not a word and were assigned a super table with wonderful servers. Our second cruise put us right beside the main entrance to the dining room: cold, drafty and noisy. The Maitre Di, however, was most accommodating and moved our party into an anti-room, with a fantastic window view, for the second and subsequent evenings.

My question then: “what is the best way to secure desired seating in the main dining rooms for we humbled masses who do not yet hold that special Platinum reservation perk?” I have been told it is best to head immediately to the main dining room upon boarding; check the seating plan and then “beg, whine and snivel” to secure a more desirable table. Not being particularly comfortable begging, I wonder if there is, perchance, a better and more civilized approach?

Having worked on Aussie ships (as ACD) on and off for years, I now work on the ground helping people interested in a career on ships (not internet recruitment and I don’t sell a $120 ‘this will get you a job’ book!) It’s a passion and your blog keeps me connected to the international cruise industry and opens me to what seems like the warm and welcome arms of the Carnival family.

I find your blog is always entertaining, always gives me a laugh and is inclusive. And that is a segway into what cruising is all about…I love your observations and the images you create when you write. Jellyfish who read maps and someone performing keyhole surgery on your arse after it was used as a bike parking spot are a few that spring to mind.

So John, good luck with your upcoming journeys on board, being cigarless and most importantly fatherhood. Even though I don’t know if this will successfully get to you, I look forward to more of your inspirational blogs (Honestly, how do you juggle CD, Head Office commitments, writing a blog, smoking cigars, replying to comments and following up on queries…Amazing!) Well we know 1 of those is eliminated now!!

Kind Regards,
Sean

John, another day started off with your blog thingy. I just realized you are not happy unless you’re complaining about something. Heidi’s right – you need an “I love moaning” t-shirt. And that’s because at Carnival, everything is just brilliant (to use your favorite word) and normally there is absolutely nothing to complain about. Of course, sometimes things happen, but everyone should run their business like Carnival & its wonderful staff.

Have a great day,
Carol