Comments on: A Pirate Copy of the Blog http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/01/13/a-pirate-copy-of-the-blog/ The official blog of Carnival Cruise Line's Sr. cruise director, John Heald Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:46:08 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Kelly B http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/01/13/a-pirate-copy-of-the-blog/#comment-49465 Kelly B Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:01:32 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=7694#comment-49465 I've visited the spas on 4 ships now, and the only time I didn't have someone try to upsell me, either to a more expensive treatment or for "product" was the first - on the Carnival Holiday in 1994 or 1996 (ish). The treatments are nice enough, but not worth the premium price, and I no longer trust the spa staff - they led my 13 year old daughter believe the products were all included in her treatment price and she ended up inadvertently signing for about $500 worth of stuff that has not been used to this day (she's 19 now). On my most recent cruise, the woman doing my in-port special facial was actually very insulting about the condition of my skin in an effort to make me buy her snake oil. I will not go back to a shipboard spa. I’ve visited the spas on 4 ships now, and the only time I didn’t have someone try to upsell me, either to a more expensive treatment or for “product” was the first – on the Carnival Holiday in 1994 or 1996 (ish).

The treatments are nice enough, but not worth the premium price, and I no longer trust the spa staff – they led my 13 year old daughter believe the products were all included in her treatment price and she ended up inadvertently signing for about $500 worth of stuff that has not been used to this day (she’s 19 now).

On my most recent cruise, the woman doing my in-port special facial was actually very insulting about the condition of my skin in an effort to make me buy her snake oil.

I will not go back to a shipboard spa.

]]> By: Stitch http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/01/13/a-pirate-copy-of-the-blog/#comment-49447 Stitch Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:44:53 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=7694#comment-49447 So glad Heidi found some humor in the amnio process. Cute little comeback! Thank you for the condolences for the loss of my mum. I will still be on the Fantasy. Wouldn't miss it and mum would kick my behind if I even thought of cancelling. Best wishes to you, Heidi and Thingy. So glad Heidi found some humor in the amnio process. Cute little comeback!

Thank you for the condolences for the loss of my mum. I will still be on the Fantasy. Wouldn’t miss it and mum would kick my behind if I even thought of cancelling.

Best wishes to you, Heidi and Thingy.

]]> By: jerry calvert http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/01/13/a-pirate-copy-of-the-blog/#comment-49442 jerry calvert Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:42:53 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=7694#comment-49442 Regarding the Carn. Miracle propulsion problem: Booked on feb 1 8 day-- Website and all says going to grand Cayman, not Roatan as per the press release in your blog. Which is correct??? Regarding the Carn. Miracle propulsion problem:
Booked on feb 1 8 day–

Website and all says going to grand Cayman, not Roatan as per the press release in your blog.
Which is correct???

]]> By: Jean http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/01/13/a-pirate-copy-of-the-blog/#comment-49411 Jean Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:54:41 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=7694#comment-49411 I booked a cruise on the Splendor because of the thermal suite and thasso pool and the new delux spa. I wasn't disapointed but got fed up with the sales push to buy product. Some of the treatments were a bit on the expensive side & I thought that if a person booked a few treatments perhaps there should be some discounts. There was a discount if you booked the 12 day pass to the thaso pool which I purchased. All the Therapist were very friendly and well trained. The main grip (of which I wrote a dear John letter while on board) relates to the bath robes in each cabin and the "ONE SIZE FITS ALL" They are just to small for some guests, me included, and it was unbelieveable that there are no XXXL robes on board. All delux spa's keep a few under the desks so that the larger customers can wear them while using the spa facilities............. This needs to be sorted for future cruises! I booked a cruise on the Splendor because of the thermal suite and thasso pool and the new delux spa. I wasn’t disapointed but got fed up with the sales push to buy product. Some of the treatments were a bit on the expensive side & I thought that if a person booked a few treatments perhaps there should be some discounts. There was a discount if you booked the 12 day pass to the thaso pool which I purchased. All the Therapist were very friendly and well trained.
The main grip (of which I wrote a dear John letter while on board) relates to the bath robes in each cabin and the “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” They are just to small for some guests, me included, and it was unbelieveable that there are no XXXL robes on board. All delux spa’s keep a few under the desks so that the larger customers can wear them while using the spa facilities…………. This needs to be sorted for future cruises!

]]> By: Christian http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/01/13/a-pirate-copy-of-the-blog/#comment-49410 Christian Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:23:50 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=7694#comment-49410 Hi John, I loved Cloud 9 Spa on the Splendor but it would be even better if part of the Serenity area was reserved for Spa Pass holders. On our transatlantic sailing, those nice chairs were always taken by our Dutch neighbours :-( Daisy & Christian Belgium Hi John,

I loved Cloud 9 Spa on the Splendor but it would be even better if part of the Serenity area was reserved for Spa Pass holders. On our transatlantic sailing, those nice chairs were always taken by our Dutch neighbours :-(

Daisy & Christian
Belgium

]]> By: millionbells http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/01/13/a-pirate-copy-of-the-blog/#comment-49399 millionbells Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:39:52 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=7694#comment-49399 Hi, Spa. I love the spa. I'm not too crazy about the staff. They give great service, but the constant solicitation attempts are a bit much. I mean I walk in there obviously using bargin health and beauty products and they try and sell me something that costs a fortune. I'd actually be more inclined to get more treatments, if at the end of it all, my stress levels didn't go back up by trying to convince them that no, I don't want to buy their products. That said, they do need to label their manicure/pedicure package a little more distinctly. I thought I had bought a massage package for my poor abused digits. Hi,

Spa. I love the spa. I’m not too crazy about the staff. They give great service, but the constant solicitation attempts are a bit much. I mean I walk in there obviously using bargin health and beauty products and they try and sell me something that costs a fortune. I’d actually be more inclined to get more treatments, if at the end of it all, my stress levels didn’t go back up by trying to convince them that no, I don’t want to buy their products.

That said, they do need to label their manicure/pedicure package a little more distinctly. I thought I had bought a massage package for my poor abused digits.

]]> By: cheryl http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/01/13/a-pirate-copy-of-the-blog/#comment-49398 cheryl Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:22:42 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=7694#comment-49398 John I have to write back, I agree with the many here. The sales tactics are very RUDE. Also the prices are very high. Just my opinion. I believe they don't need to be as high as they are . The last one I went on was Spirit in September. I had one of those special pkg. well, she almost put that oil in my pocket, saying I saved so much for the special I had to get the oil. I SAID OH NO I DON'T THINK SO!!! So ya the sales pitches are very PUSHY. John I have to write back, I agree with the many here. The sales tactics are very RUDE. Also the prices are very high. Just my opinion. I believe they don’t need to be as high as they are . The last one I went on was Spirit in September. I had one of those special pkg. well, she almost put that oil in my pocket, saying I saved so much for the special I had to get the oil. I SAID OH NO I DON’T THINK SO!!! So ya the sales pitches are very PUSHY.

]]> By: Jadamdrake http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/01/13/a-pirate-copy-of-the-blog/#comment-49397 Jadamdrake Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:14:30 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=7694#comment-49397 John (please reply if you have time), Best of luck to you and Heidi! I know that amino thing can be difficult. My wife is due in April and things here are interesting to day the least. So from one little prick to another, try not to worry about it. We are looking at perhaps another cruise on the Liberty in summer/fall 2010. We were on the Triumph in May 2007 and I was on the Pride June 2002. Both were wonderful ships with wonderful crew. (We actually turned the Martini Bar to a Shots Bar after a few nights on the Triumph. Wonderful Bartender named Boonthip!) Anyhoo, the spas (sauna/steam/shower) have played a rather large part for me in the choosing of the ship. My formal night ritual it to go to the spa area and relax in the steam/sauna rooms then followed by perhaps a soak in the hot tub and a wonderful shower. Of course this happens while my wife is trying to get herself ready in the cabin. I leave for an hour and come back about the same time she is "putting on her face." This always is great, by the time I am done with my tie, we are both ready for the photos and dinner. Looking forward to more updates about the dream. Given the opportunity to sail either the Dream or the Liberty (since the destinations are relativly the same & cost is not too bad since it is the off season) which would you pick? I am little concerned about feeling lost on a ship that is too big for my own good. We chose the Triumph last time beacuse it was smaller than the Conquest class. Hey, at least I am not a rock wall climber! Again My best to you Heidi and the Thingy! Thanks! Adam Drake - Fayetteville, GA USA John (please reply if you have time),
Best of luck to you and Heidi! I know that amino thing can be difficult. My wife is due in April and things here are interesting to day the least. So from one little prick to another, try not to worry about it.

We are looking at perhaps another cruise on the Liberty in summer/fall 2010. We were on the Triumph in May 2007 and I was on the Pride June 2002. Both were wonderful ships with wonderful crew. (We actually turned the Martini Bar to a Shots Bar after a few nights on the Triumph. Wonderful Bartender named Boonthip!) Anyhoo, the spas (sauna/steam/shower) have played a rather large part for me in the choosing of the ship. My formal night ritual it to go to the spa area and relax in the steam/sauna rooms then followed by perhaps a soak in the hot tub and a wonderful shower. Of course this happens while my wife is trying to get herself ready in the cabin. I leave for an hour and come back about the same time she is “putting on her face.” This always is great, by the time I am done with my tie, we are both ready for the photos and dinner.

Looking forward to more updates about the dream. Given the opportunity to sail either the Dream or the Liberty (since the destinations are relativly the same & cost is not too bad since it is the off season) which would you pick? I am little concerned about feeling lost on a ship that is too big for my own good. We chose the Triumph last time beacuse it was smaller than the Conquest class. Hey, at least I am not a rock wall climber!

Again My best to you Heidi and the Thingy!

Thanks!
Adam Drake – Fayetteville, GA USA

]]> By: The Bears - Barb & Carl http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/01/13/a-pirate-copy-of-the-blog/#comment-49396 The Bears - Barb & Carl Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:25:49 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=7694#comment-49396 Hi John, Thanks for taking the time to answer yesterdays question. All I can say about the spa is, you haven't lived until you have had a massage with hot rocks!!! It's heavenly! We will be thinking of you, Heidi and especially the little Thingy tomorrow! Please let us know how things go! Hugs! Princess Barb Hi John,
Thanks for taking the time to answer yesterdays question.

All I can say about the spa is, you haven’t lived until you have had a massage with hot rocks!!! It’s heavenly!

We will be thinking of you, Heidi and especially the little Thingy tomorrow! Please let us know how things go!

Hugs!
Princess Barb

]]> By: Gary Chartrand http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/01/13/a-pirate-copy-of-the-blog/#comment-49395 Gary Chartrand Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:14:22 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=7694#comment-49395 Dear John, The TA we have used for the better part of 15 years has retired. I have went to a new TA and she seems reluctant to go with CCL, aand is recommending RCL. We have been on CCl the last 3 times we ahve cruised and have had a wonderful time on all. What do they make for pushing one cruiose line over another. We are still looking t Carnival and need to find a TA that is willing to work with them. Thanks. Gary Dear John,
The TA we have used for the better part of 15 years has retired. I have went to a new TA and she seems reluctant to go with CCL, aand is recommending RCL. We have been on CCl the last 3 times we ahve cruised and have had a wonderful time on all. What do they make for pushing one cruiose line over another. We are still looking t Carnival and need to find a TA that is willing to work with them.
Thanks. Gary

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