I got the taxi driver today………..you know………the one who likes to talk……….and he only wanted to talk about one subject……….his beloved New Orleans. It was my fault really as it was me that asked the question “How close is the city to getting back to normal?”………he replied, “The tourist areas are coming back nicely but there is still much work to be done” and then for the next 15 minutes he told me all about Hurricane Katrina and how if he ever met George Bush he would have something to say. Honestly, though, his account of Katrina and its aftermath were morbidly fascinating. He showed me the water lines on some of the buildings and explained how large portions of the outskirts of the city are still uninhabited. He says the government still has not done enough to help and now with the credit crunch many of the projects are on holdYep, the city has a vibrant French Quarter and history dating back to the bluebloods of the 18th century and now New Orleans now has a more macabre tourist attraction – a Hurricane Katrina disaster tour. The taxi driver actually offered me the full tour if I wanted it for only $69………….information he said was in the back of the seat pocket thingy. And indeed it was. The brochure offered to take me on a three-hour journey around a number of flooded neighborhoods, including one called Lakeview. Other landmarks to be visited include the Superdome stadium where thousands of evacuees were housed for days in appalling conditions.
The history of the Mississippi River, the levee system and the region’s oil and gas industries are to be discussed during the tour, but tourists will not be allowed off the bus to take photographs in the abandoned neighborhoods visited……..because it was not completely safe to do so my driver told me.
I sat in the taxi asking myself if the tour was an insensitive means of exploiting a disaster. And why………three years or more from when the hurricane hit, parts of the city are not yet completely repaired.
How different then to the program I watched on the Discovery Channel last night which showed the gigantic $40 billion Three Gorge Dam which is has just been completed on the Yangtze River in China.
This is a truly immense project: 18,000 people have been employed to build what they’re calling the new Great Wall — harnessing the power of the world’s third longest river which takes snow water from the Tibetan plateau to the Pacific Ocean 3,900 miles away. And dealing with the trillion tons of crap that the dam will jam every year.
When it’s completed this enormous wall will be 610 feet high and 1.3 miles from side to side. It’s twice the size of the world’s current biggest dam and makes the Hoover look as if it was built by beavers.
Not only will it generate the same amount of electricity as 15 nuclear power stations, it will also enable 10,000-ton (100,000 tons?) ships to reach the interior of China and, as a bonus, prevent the flooding which in recent years has claimed 300,000 lives. It is a marvel, a triumph and something about which mankind should be proud.
However the program also featured interviews with people who had beards. They say 1 million people will have to be evicted when their homes are submerged and that compensation earmarked for farmers whose land will disappear under the 400-mile-long reservoir is being “appropriated” by local officials. But are we surprised that local communist officials are stealing money? The opponents of this project had to do better than this. So they got themselves a dolphin.
This is the last resort of the bearded ones.
So, knowing that the western world loves nothing more than an endangered species, the protesters in China found Qi Qi, one of only 100 white-finned freshwater dolphins in the world. (What is it about Chinese wildlife? Why can’t it mate properly?) Qi Qi’s pointy little face was held aloft for all the world to see and we were told that if the dam went ahead he would lose his home and die.
In the West this would have brought every housewife for miles around onto the streets. Marine biologists would have been flown in from California. Work would have been halted and costs would have spiraled as the infernal creature would have been airlifted to safety in a specially converted Russian transport plane. QiQi, by the way, currently lives in a tank in China and entertains passersby.
This of course has little to do with my taxi driver friend who when I told him about a group of ordinary people from all over North America coming to his city to do their bit to make it a better place he thanked me most sincerely..
Let’s change the subject but not before I say a huge thank you to those people who are taking the time to come and help.
Well, here I am in New Orleans and meanwhile our friend and Executive Chief Purser of the P & O Arcadia James Cusick is in Thailand…………..here is an extract from his blog
Greetings from Thailand,
I love it here, the agents, officials and local are so friendly and gracious. They smile and bow all the time and appear to be so happy. The terminal is a dream DREAM to operate – and so clean and smart. It makes is all so easy and welcoming for our passengers. Beautiful morning here – hot and sunny and all set to dispatch our tours to Bangkok – there is an excitement on mornings like this that you only get in the big tour ports, like Italy, Egypt, The Holy Land, etc. It is a shame that none of our ships visit the Holy Land at present. Hopefully we can return in the future to visit our good friends in Haifa and operate some of the most inspirational tours imaginable…………………
Want to read more?………………then go to www.bestblogsatsea.com and click on his blog.
Last year I was honored to win the Seatrade Insider’s Sea Going Employee of the Year. This year the award has stayed within Carnival Corporation and has been awarded to Mr. John Duffy, hotel director for Cunard. Have a read of this
Cunard’s John Duffy Receives Prestigious Seatrade Insider Award for “Seagoing Employee of the Year”
February 3, 2009 – Cunard’s longest-serving four-stripe officer, Hotel Manager John Duffy, has received the prestigious Seatrade Insider Cruise Award “Seagoing Employee of the Year 2008” in recognition of his long and distinguished service with the company and his service on board Queen Elizabeth 2.
“This award is well deserved by John who has served Cunard with distinction since joining the company in 1965. He played a key role in making QE2 the best-loved ship in the world and we look forward to his joining our flagship Queen Mary 2 in March 2009,” said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line.
Chris Hayman, publisher of Seatrade, said, “This award is given to special people who have performed magnificently over the years and I can think of no better person than Cunard’s John Duffy to have received this recognition during the final year of QE2’s service.”
John Duffy was born in Aintree, Liverpool in 1944 and received his secondary education at St Francis Xavier’s College, Liverpool. He also attended Cornell University’s Hotel Management School in New York.
Duffy joined Cunard in 1965, being posted first to Queen Elizabeth and subsequently to Carinthia on the Liverpool to Montreal route. Other ships he has served on include Carmania, Franconia, Cunard Adventurer, Cunard Ambassador and Cunard Princess. In 1978, he became the company’s youngest hotel manager when, at the age of 33, he took over that position on Cunard Princess.
Subsequently, Duffy became QE2’s youngest hotel manager in April 1981 and remained in that post longer than any other up to her retirement in November 2008. In 2008 he was presented with the Merchant Navy Medal for long and distinguished service. Duffy will join Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 in March 2009.
Married with one son, John Duffy currently lives in Liverpool.
For more information and to book a voyage aboard Queen Mary 2, consult your Travel Professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com.
Please join me in saying congratulations to John and I will be hoping to post an interview with him very soon…
Time for Jaime’s third Dear John letter and as you will see the Carnival Splendor has reached her first port of call.
February 3, 2009
Dear John,
Today we visited the first of several ports during our trip en route to South America. Our stop was none other than Dominica – a beautiful Caribbean island filled with long windy roadways, lush green hillsides and a breathtaking rainforest that would not believe!
Before arriving in port (on time as the captain promised), we had a wonderful morning on board. After some Famous Faces Trivia, much needed gym time and disembarking half of the Splendor guests, I was released to enjoy this amazing port of call. At first, I was not quite sure what I was going to attempt to visit. I ran into (not literally but figuratively) many of the entertainment department members on the gangway who planned on visiting the “Trafalgar Falls.” I was not quite sure what this entailed, but they assured me it was a great place, and I trusted Christina and Jeremy since they have visited this port before while working on previous ships.
Today we were in port with two other cruise ships. We were able to catch a glimpse of both the Carnival Victory, and the Pacific Princess – which is only exciting to me because I know that this was the original Love Boat, and I have heard more “Julie” comparisons that you would believe… in fact I am thinking about changing my name…
Around 1 pm the 20 members of the entertainment team disembarked the ship, broke into a sweat because of the extreme humidity, and piled into a small van (we don’t mind getting close), to head to the falls. Along the way, our knowledgeable guide, Kastor, told us all about Dominica: their environment, cultural details, education system, etc. etc…
During our trip to the falls, while periodically holding my head out the window to take pictures to share, I overheard some facts about this Caribbean island. In a nutshell, we learned: Trafalgar falls is also known as the Mama and Papa falls. Mama drops about 75 feet where as the enormous Papa reaches about 150 feet. Now this is quite impressive, but definitely does not rival Niagara =). Dominica has over 40 acres of flourishing botanical gardens… which we were fortunate enough to pass through. The capital city is called “Rousseau,” this area is home to 40,000 of the 69,000 of the islands inhabitants.
Dominica was donated from the British in 1903, which is one reason they still follow many British customs – such as driving on the WRONG side of the road! Cricket and soccer are their main sports. Although, they do not have a traveling team. They simply play versus other local islands. Kastor told us that they did try to go to the Olympics once, but they lost… bad… not like the bobsled team, obviously! Another highlight our guide was sure to point out was the Subway and KFC that the locals enjoy regularly. They have yet to acquire a McDonalds, but are hoping for its arrival within the next five to 10 years.
After finally reaching our destination, Christina, our talented Carnival Splendor dancer who had visited this port before, double checked with Kastor that we were headed to the pool area that lay near the bottom of the falls. Kastor informed us that this pool area that she referred to no longer existed due to a massive hurricane that attacked the island within the past few years. This location where swimming was once a common occurrence now was home to massive rocks that have been shifted to block access to this area. Kastor said it is possible to climb these rocks, but it could be tricky. As you can imagine, being a bunch of 20-something year olds, a challenge like that was motivation enough to change our days plans and turn away… if you believe that this would scare us away, I laugh because it was at that point the cast made it their mission to attack the treacherous rocks of Trafalgar Falls! Muahahah! This venture to the top of the tall, tall mountain was certainly exhilarating and extremely rewarding. The people who made it to the top screamed with excitement as they overlooked the simply magnificent rainforest and current that were below.
After mission “Put Your Life and your Career in Danger by Falling All Over Mossy, Slippery Rocks” was complete, and waiting 30 minutes for our late returning co-workers, we still managed to stop for a photo opportunity at the boiling springs as well as drive along the coastline of the botanical gardens as we headed back to the ship.
This was a beautiful port and I wish we were returning so I could further explore the natural wonder that is Dominica. At first glance, the city seems like any other Caribbean island, but with further exploration, the wildlife and countryside was indescribable, even though I did try my best to explain!
More tomorrow from Barbados!
The Carnival Splendor docked in Dominica
Some entertainment team members on their venture over the huge rocks to the top of mamma fall
The Boiling Springs
The Lush Green CountrysideHave a Splendid day!
Jaime =)
Thanks Jaime. We are starting a “find Jaime a boyfriend” mission here on the blog. So, if there are any single male bloggers aged 18 – 88, please post a comment on the blog with a little information about yourself. She needs to find love.
Stephanie Leavitt is working on some new and exciting ventures in the world of blogging. We have been speaking about TWITTING and in preparation for me possibly doing the same I have been looking at some of the rich and tanned who are Twitting as we speak. You know Twitter has hit the mainstream when, one by one, the world’s sporting stars, some real, some fake, adopt the micro-blog as part of their busy lives.
Widely regarded as one of basketball’s living legends, Shaq has been involved in something of a twitter scandal in recent months. The seven-foot former Miami Heater was so disgusted when someone began tweeting under his name that he decided to start his own authentic twitter, under the name “The Real Shaq.” Just like watching him on the court, it’s never dull. Here is an extract from his Twitter thingy. “Good morning everyone. Let me give you all a hint on how to relate to me, Shaquille O’Neal I have a sense of humor I am very quotations I am super intelligent …” So, I may soon be Twitting just like Shaq who can be found on twitter.com/THE_REAL_SHAQ
I wonder if Shaq ever read the book I have by my bedside right now. I bought this book after listening to Coach Riley at the recent Carnival Executive Forum a few weeks ago… I have, in the past, always switched off when I have been forced to listen to someone tell me how my life could be better if I pay just $49.99 plus shipping and handling for a set of three DVD’s plus if I order now I get a free George Foreman Grill……..nope……….I always told those people to bugger off.
However, Pat Riley’s The Winner Within is all about “motivation, selfishness, teamwork, complacency, winning and choking.” A self-help manual for sealing championships and something I have found not only a brilliant read but actually useful in every day life ………..yes ladies and gentlemen………a book that really gives you some actual plain and simple advice on how to be a winner and not the usual bollocks full of long words and meaningless sentences. Buy a copy ……….it’s a great read and it will help……….go figure……….a self-help book that actually helps……………now there’s a first.
I was talking to a mate of ours via e-mail……….the one and only Chris “Bubba” Roberts who is back home on the Carnival Spirit. Do you know, I have never been to Alaska and therefore I just made an executive decision? This summer I am going to take a cruise on the Carnival Spirit and write about Alaska for the blog. I want to experience the last frontier and what better way than to take a cruise with our friend Bubba. You know, someone once said to me that you haven’t really cruised until you have done so in Alaska. ………..I think its time I found out if that statement is true. Anyone want to join me?
So, today some of the bloggers start to arrive as do Stephanie, Tom and Tony from the Carnival office. I went to the Maison St Charles Hotel today to check on the room we are using for the cocktail reception. I have to admit, it’s a bit bland……….but once we fill it with bloggers it will be a vibrant place full of friendship and fun……….a two-hour open bar will help, as well.
I just wanted to tell you a quick story about the hotel I am in. This morning, I went all the way to the room to discover that my key card thingy would not work ……….and that was me going all the way down again. I stood in line waiting for the one person who was working.
Eventually, I got there, told her had happened and she then asked me very curtly for some ID. I told her that my ID was in the room as I had just come down to the lobby for breakfast……………she then made some sort of ……….well I can’t describe the noise ………..it was like a sucking in of the lips noise ………she then moved her head from side to side like an Egyptian dancer and at the same time she told me she would have to get a manager. With that she left the desk……..I guess phoning for a manager was out of the question. I stood and waited and as I did a line of people formed behind me. Now ……. remember ………this is at a metropolitan business hotel and its 9:20 am………and there is only one person serving.
Eventually she waddled back and extending her arm she pointed and said “Wait over there.”…………….I could not believe how rude she was and so I said “Thank you, Mrs. Rude”……she either didn’t hear me or pretended not to and started to assist another unlucky sod.
Someone had definitely pissed in her cornflakes. I waited, patiently for ten minutes……..and then when the line had disappeared I dared to ask “is someone coming”………….she didn’t look at me but just went “mmmm mmmm.” Biologically, the receptionist at my hotel may have been female but aesthetically she was a tractor. Had I taken her out for a drink, she’d have a pint of diesel.
Eventually a security guard escorted me to my room, let me in with a master key and then asked to see my ID. I showed him and expected him to give me my key. He didn’t …… and that was me and my new boyfriend going back down to see Mrs. Rude.
It made me wonder, though………….why wasn’t there a line of people complaining at the desk about her attitude? If she had been behind one of our guest services people at the purser’s desk she would have been walking off the gangway………..while we were still at sea. I guess my point is that complaining seems to be an accepted thing on a cruise ship. Let me just ask this in closing. How many of you have ever been at hotel reception and heard someone complaining viciously about the hotel or its service?……….and now ……….. how many of you have been at the pursers desk on any cruise line and heard someone complain?
I already know the answer to this but for the life of me I just don’t know why. You know, I was talking to a hotel director who has been with the company for a long time. He started behind the pursers desk on the Mardi Gras. As we spoke he told me back then there were many genuine concerns. Plumbing, floods, non-flushing toilets and an air conditioning system that was provided by an asthmatic hamster sitting in the ceiling breathing through a straw.
The food was average at best and yet said the HD “complaints were few and far between.” Today, that’s changed. There are of course some complaints that are totally justified but I know you have read some of the ones I have posted over the last two years that are……….well………..astonishing. Have we in the industry created our own problem?
Do people know that if they complain about a leaky facet on the Ruby Princess or a piece of steak that wasn’t cooked to their liking on the Costa Concordia or a joke that the CD told on the Carnival Splendor that they will get some kind of compensation? I don’t know the answer. I do know that I didn’t complain about Mrs. Rude today and neither did any of the other guests she dealt with……….I would appreciate your comments on this.
To finish with today I want to go back to my situation with Mrs. Rude. So, having waited for 10 minutes to get a key, I was met by Mrs. Rude’s husband and he and I held hands and went back to my room. After showing him my passport he told me that I would have to go back down to see Mrs. Rude with him so he could confirm that I was John Heald of room 2221 and not someone looking to steal something the M&M’s from the minibar. I asked if the key could be delivered now I was in the room………I even suggested that I would tip the chap who did the delivering…………
Now at this point I should mention that my Grande Cappuccino and eggs Benedict had built an immediate road through me and I was desperate to speak to the Arabs ……….. Mustafa Shite………..but my request was denied immediately by Mr. Rude because I had to “sign” for another key. It was like trying to negotiate with a donkey ………I told Mr. Rude that common sense would have meant that he had brought the spare key up with him when he escorted me to the room ……….and this is exactly I swear what he said……..“Sir,” he said, “you don’t need common sense when you’ve got laws.”
That, I think, probably says it all
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and the Thingy
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
ahhhh, new orleans. i’ll shut up now!
have a lovely day my friend!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Good Afternoon John,
In answer to your question about whether or not you should complain…..the answer is a big YES!
When Jack and I book a cruise, usually in January or February, we always come in a day early due to Michigan’s questionable weather. On this one trip for a cruise we were booked into a hotel, that we had stayed at numerous times, and a young lady (good manners dictates that I call her that but..) checked us in. She was rude and crude, to mention a few words that come to mind. When we came back home I emailed the Hotel Manager describing our check in and her attitude and suggesting she be enrolled in a class for proper customer relations. The HM apologized and replied he would take care of the situation and requested that the next time we came to Fort Lauderdale our stay at his hotel would be on the house. I emailed him back that we would come to his hotel again but that I did not complain to receive a free night nor to be responsible for the receptionist losing her job, she just needed a bit more training in customer service. He reponded that he understood and his employee would be “talked” to and retrained.
John in most cases like this management will not be aware of a problem unless someone brings it to his attention. Please do the management and the receptionist at your hotel a favor and report this. You would want to know if any Carnival staff wasn’t doing his/her job.
You take care and give BIG ED and the EVIL KREWE a hello from me…..wish we were there but we will see you in December (sigh).
Joan
The process you went through to get your key card replaced is actually common in the hotel industry. I had a similar experience in a large Miami hotel a couple years ago.
John enjoy your last day of rest. You’ll soon be dealing with 400 bloger’s or more. Sounds better that Mrs. Rude doesn’t it?
I can hardly wait to see you, Stephanie, and all of the Evil Krewe.
Heidi you will definitely be missed.
Hope you are warm and comfortable with all of the bad weather you are having. Take care of yourself, the wee little one and your Mum…
Countess Carolyn
Hi John,
Someone was asking about grilled cheese sandwiches and Konstantin.
I can’t help with the grilled cheese sandwich, but here is a picture of Konstantin (and Fabiana):
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/splendor/sea2/IMG_5910.JPG
mr bill
The lower your prices, the more demanding your customers become. I call it the 49 Cent Hamburger Problem.
Go someplace like a McDonald’s (or whatever grease trap you can stand) where there’s some big special on a regular menu item — hamburgers for 49 cents, for example — and observe the ordering patterns. People ordering the cheap meat will, seven out of ten times, ask for every little variation and modification you can think of. They’ll also usually bring it back to the counter “because it wasn’t done right” and complain loudly and dramatically in the hopes of getting a freebie or a refund. People ordering from the regular price menu seem less likely to request special orders, and don’t seem to complain as much.
Cruise lines need their ships to sail full and as ships get bigger, they pack in more people by dramatically lowering prices, thus creating their own version of the 49 Cent Hamburger.
And, yes, people know that if they make a complaint about certain things on a cruise they will get compensation of some kind. Certain cruise boards seem to foster a culture of complainers who, through reports and encouragement, know exactly which things to say in order to get free stuff.
I can hardly blame the cruise lines for wanting to make their passengers feel special and wanted (or for making prices so affordable the likes of me can cruise once or twice a year)… but yeah, I think the industry has contributed greatly to the problem.
As for why people don’t complain when they get people like Mrs. Rude at the front desk, I have no idea. I’m thinking it’s because they simply can’t find someone who’ll listen — from what you wrote, the manager seems to be hiding in his office and not answering the phone. It would certainly be worth contacting their corporate offices about, though.
Well John we live in a place where tourism means people coming to our small part of the world , we need those people to come here to go home and to spread the world that our corner of the worlld is the best , with the cleanest beaches , the cleanest roadsides, wonderful restaurants , best food and THAT THE SERVICE ALWAYS COMES WITH A SMILE . I have certainly not had that happen in many of the places we have traveled – one being the AIR CANADA baggage department and a few aircanada flights , and the Miami Airport and the Montreal Airport ( where they will make you remove your shoes socks and yes your wig if you wear one . I think that one thing is for sure if people want people to come back again they treat the customer with thats how I want to be treated if I was traveling attitude . But sometimes when you treat staff who are rude to you they get worse and really some people just do not give a bleep. So we kind of thought maybe a trip to New Orleans and taking the Carnival from that port would be a nice trip , but fromt he sounds of things they are not much for hospitality – at least in that hotel . Maybe you can send me an email as to avoid that one . I am sure you will be much happier once you are on board where the staff are so awesome . I have never had anything bad to say sbout the staff of the Carnival . the liberty staff were so happy and helpful . When we took our trip last year they were always happy , never had a problem talking to anyof us and we loved having a chance to talk with Carnival staff- its so cool that they come from all over the world , and if people who are cruising get a chance to talk to them they realize that the staff enjoy their jobs are grateful to have the jobs and we felt they cared about the passengers – maybe inside they were saying keep smiling , but we felt everyone we encountered actually were being honest and wanted to talk to us. Many evenings we would finish up dancing , or having a late night snack and would end up chatting with staff – we got to hear about where they came from , what they thought of working for Carnival – Many were honest – its a hard job , lots of work , but the pay and the work was worth it to them , room for advancement and they felt they were treated really well on board . We were very impressed – unitl we left the capable hands of Carnival and ended up at the airport in FortLauderdale – Air Canada could take lessons . As we talked about before .
I hope that everyone has a great time on the cruise – wish we could be meeting all of you fine bloggers – we shall hope for fine weather and better hotel service till then .
well back to the shoveling we got 20 cm of snow last night – I think it will be June before we see green grass .
John,
What’s delayed the rebuidling of New Orleans is a scandal. I’ve seen many people in the United States asking why Baghdad is being rebuilt, but not New Orleans.
To the question of why people complain on cruise ships, and they wouldn’t in hotels (or about/to airlines) is one of my HUGE pet peeves!….. it’s because you guys send them a bottle of champagne, or dinner in the supper club, for the smallest of complaints.
Real problems do occur on board, and they should be remedied as quickly as possible, with an apology. But when “any complaint” garners a “reward” you’ve set the table. You’ve established the “rules” for the game.
It makes me even Kukier, when the loud complaintant gets rewarded to quiet them down… when the quieter person, with a more real or serious problem often is left without quick resolution because they are yelling loud enough to garner attention.
Regards,
Kuki
CruiseMates.com << who’s really aggravated because it’s not tomorrow yet, and he’s still at home! Who can fix this??????
It’s an interesting question, my wife and I were in Disneyworld for a friends wedding and some of the other people in the party were complaining about something, one of the wives said, “Let’s go to the concierge, I bet if we complain loud enough, they’ll give us something for free.” Not “get this problem fixed” mind you, but “something for free”.
Then there’s the flip side, same trip, I ordered an entree that I thought should have come with fries, it didn’t. I asked a kid who was cleaning the tables if I should have gotten fries, very politely I might add, and after he acknowledged the mistake came out with fries… and two desserts which he gave us for free.
Disney calls it guest service recovery, and it goes a long way to making you feel special, and as well as quieting your anger, but I can see how it would open them up for abuse.
Wow… amazing… Remind me to NEVER stay at the Omni in NOLA!!!
I’m almost packed and almost gone!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!
Jaime… WONDERFUL job!!! I love the pictures with the exception of the fella over on the left who seems to have lost all his clothes!!!
Now, back to work for me as I have a TON of things to get done before I leave tomorrow morning!!!
See y’all soon!!!
Host Mach
Dear John
Interesting Chap your taxi driver.
Great Pictures from Jamie.
I bet (hope) the people at the Maison St Charles Hotel aren’t so Rude, and if they are they will have to deal with a whole lot of us bloggers..
We leave tomorrow
see you soon
Take Care
The Tuckers
Elizabeth & Arnold
Hi John,
I know what it means to miss New Orleans. I also know what it would mean to lose New Orleans.
As you mentioned, the tourist areas are all fine. There are lots of hotels, the Superdome and Convention Center has been restored, there are more restaurants open in New Orleans today than before Katrina. Tourists, conventions, and even cruise ships (!) have returned, although more is obviously better.
It is a different story for much of the residential areas – although a number are ok now and some weren’t even damaged. 100,000 homes (or whatever the number was) don’t get rebuilt overnight. The levees still haven’t been restored fully but there have been improvements. They have started filling in the Mississippi river Gulf Outlet (Yea!), which was basically a hurricane highway for the storm surge to make its way to the city.
There are some mixed feelings on the Katrina tours. I personally think they are great. People need to know the job still isn’t done.
Tourists and conventions can come and visit and never see any of the damage that remains, or work that still needs to be done, and that is ok. If some want to see it, geaux for it.
As for pictures, if you want some, and have some time, I can take you around – or can do it in a nutshell here.
My sister’s house was in Lakeview and it went under water. My mother’s was/is in Lakewood South, though she doesn’t live there anymore. Her house was only partially submerged and has been beautifully rebuilt by the new owners.
Anyway, here are some of my pictures from after Katrina, no charge:
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/katrina/index.htm
{mom’s house before and after, sister’s house after, where the 17th Street Canal levee was breached, some pictures from the lakefront/West End area which is the general area where the Blogger’s will be, some pictures from NYE 2005 and 2007 in New Orleans, and, of course, some food pictures} oops, and a link to some pictures from Mississippi…
As for the West End pictures – they were from Dec 2005, and no, boats are NOT still parked in the street, and lots of work has been done.
Regards,
mr bill
Please report the rudeness to someone – manager, owner, CEO, someone! Such rudeness should not be accepted! Hope your day got much better.
John,
You stumbled on another of those creatures who
“walk among us” just like they were human.
Dave
Absolutely say something, but not to the desk receptionist. Ask to speak to the manager on duty, or better yet the General Manager. These folks (especially the GM) want to know about customer service issues. In my experience working in the conference planning industry, the GM would often seek me out and ask about how my groups were treated by his/her hotel staff. They were appreciative to know what issues existed.
The key, as you already know from your first hand experience on the receiving end of a complaint, is to do so in a respectful manner. That is what so many people (Americans?) have trouble understanding. Very rarely does confrontation get you what you want. Being nice and understanding always goes farther, in my experience.
Dear John hope you can get everyone in N’awlins straightened out before we arrive in 23 hours.I do hope the Maison St.Charles has a better working team.I have read some good reviews of the Carnival Fantasy this week.So I’m sure she is in good shape.We shall see you soon. Best wishes to all Gary and Bug
Hi John,
In regards to the Omni, this might be a good place to post a comment:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60864-d89115-Reviews-Omni_Royal_Orleans-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html
It might be a faster way to find a manager? It seems one hangs out there.
John:
Of all the wonderful perks we get as Platinum members….now that we are a Milestone Rewards Family….David has said one of the perks he wished he could get is the opportunity to sit behind the Purser’s Desk and “listen”.
He said he thought that would be very entertaining!!
As for folks who do complain … there are three types.
1. There are those folks who have a valid complaint and express themselves appropriately.
2..There are those folks who “may have” a valid complaint…but they express themselves so inappropriately that they shoot themselves in the foot.
3. Lastly, we have the “starfish”. This a term I coined years ago on Cruise Critic about folks who do not have a valid complaint and act like someone has deposited a “starfish” “you know where”.
And usually the “starfish” are the ones who are truly looking for something for nothing.
They are at the hotel trying to get a free room because the hotel did not look exactly like the picture on the Internet.
They are on the cruise ship removing all their tips and trying to think of “something” horrible to blame it on…when in reality, they could not afford the cruise to begin with. Or they “don’t believe in tipping” because that means more money to spend on themselves.
They are in the restaurants taking up a table for 2 1/2 hours for 3 cups of coffee, while they “visit” and complain constantly about the coffee being tepid…..and of course….leave no tip.
Sadly, you are correct. Our society is cursed with a percentage that should not be allowed to leave the house. And the Internet unfortunately is partly to blame for contributing to this problem.
As much as I love Cruise Critic, Cruisemates, Expert Cruiser and the 10 other cruise forums I am on….the down side is that they are used “for evil” as well as for good.
Thankfully, mostly good…even great….but the “evil” side is where people have learned that they can “remove their tips”…” etc.
I predict that in the future, all cruise lines will have to simply charge an automatic “service surcharge” and do away with tipping….to protect the hardworking crew.
Are there valid complaints? Yes. But IF the valid complaint is addressed and corrected…..then (as long as there was no harm to personal property, bodily harm or loss of life)…we as consumers need to be realistic in our expectations.
Hope Heidi and her Mom are doing well and warming up…
See you tomorrow!!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
Hi John,
Looky what will be arriving in New Orleans tomorrow – The World!
http://www.aboardtheworld.com/
5 Feb 2009 to 8 Feb 2009 New Orleans, Louisiana
Hi John (please reply),
You’ve gotta love the sorry excuse for customer service you get at most places nowadays. We get complaints filed against us at work all the time because we don’t have the answer that the caller wanted. It makes me smile to imagine what these people’s employers would think if we actually filed complaints on these people for how rude they are on the phone to us! We have taped lines here and it always amazes the supervisors when they take a listen and see how their employees talked to us. Not many of the complaints go further.
I just have a small question about the Splendor. My Fiancee and I are getting married on board on April 26/09 and we just found out that we didn’t get to have a first dance with the reception package that we paid for so we booked the DJ (the reception will be in the Red Carpet Dance club now). Everythings cool there but the girl that it trying to help me with the booking isn’t technologically inclined. I need to know if we can have our music on an MP3 player or whether it has to be a CD (for ceremony & reception). If it’s a CD can it be in an MP3 format or does it have to be a regular old audio CD? She doesn’t know the difference and I’d really like to get it sorted out so we can get our music ready. Thank you so much for the help John!
All the best to Heidi and the Thingy! Hope the time goes by quickly until you see them again!
~Andrea
For the mission to find Jamie a boyfriend, is she into middle aged overweight married guys?
Hi John,
As far as your plans go to see Alaska all I can say is yes, yes, and yes. My daughters and I have done the inside passage twice and it is spectacular. Meanwhile here I sit in Nova Scotia envying all those going on the bloggers cruise as we suffer winter storm after storm counting down the days to my next cuise on May 8th on the Miracle.
Debbie
Do Alaska!!! John, we’ve done 9 cruises and our favorite is Alaska – followed closely by the Mediterranean – but none the less, Alaska is first. Tell us more about your plans. We have been talking about doing it again. Our best to Heidi and “Thingy”.
Hi John!
What a lovely story about your day with Mrs. Rude. One would think she would have a better attitude for her company, but I guess her job is a bother. If you say something to ”the manager”, who knows what will get resolved.
Great letter/pics from Jaime. Sounds so beautiful.
Good luck with the arrival of bloggers.
Take care!
David
Hi John,
What wonderful news about you cruising Alaska this summer! We went two years ago, and I cannot wait to go back. Alaska is a beautiful state.
Yes, you should have complained or at least talked with the front desk manager, manager on duty, or general manager about the way in which Ms. Rude treated you. Maybe no one has ever complained about her before, so the manager is not aware and she goes on thinking that it is acceptable to treated guests that way.
In general, I think there’s a segment of our population that thinks if they complain, they will get something for free, and unfortunately, more times than not when someone on a cruise ship complains, they usually are rewarded in the form of a free bottle “of this or that” or a credit to their account, etc. If cruise ships in general, were to note the complaint, fix it and thank the guest for bringing it to their attention, I think that the perception of “If I complain on my next cruse, I will get….” will come to a stop or at least be reduced.
John please reply
I am on the group cruising on the Miracle on Feb 17 and you said
John Says:
Hello Ed
I will advise the ship accordingly
Have a wonderful cruise
Cheers
John
does this mean Brent the Cd will be contacting me cabin 7300
best to Heidi and thingy
Papanh
cabin
Hi John… please reply when you get time.. I know you will be busy… it’s no big hurry…
First of all let me say a big THANK YOU to Jaime for her letters and pictures! I enjoy her updates and would like to thank her for doing it for us!
Second, yes… Mrs. Rude should definatly be reported. I hate when we get service like that. It’s almost as if you are bugging her! I agree… talk to a General Manager or higher if the GM isn’t available!
Finally… Congrats to Mr. Duffy on his award!
OK… now my question….
I am getting confused. First I read that we must have a passport for sailing after June 1, 2009. Now I am reading that if you are doing an “loop” cruise you can just use your birth certificates. Meaning, if you leave from a US port and return to a US port you can just use your birth certificate. Could you please clarify this? I would hate to get to port and be told that we couldn’t board because we didn’t have a passport. I would FREAK out if that happened!!!!
Thanks again for your wonderful blog entries. Have fun on the Bloggers cruise. Hopefully one day I can join you guys! I’m looking forward to reading all about your trip!
Your new fan….
Stef
John, John, John,
As my favourite comedian Ron White says,
” You just can’t fix Stupid!”
This describes your encounter with the hotel staff.
You wonder some days how these people can even get out of bed and make a decision let alone think on their own. Your comment just confused the poor sod and now he’ll be trying to figure out how you came up with the idea of bringing along the proper key and saving you and the desk clerk even more time.
If I didn’t know better these hotel staffers could have been former government workers. LOL
Keep these stories coming John………….makes the rest of the sane people laughing.
All the best,
Down to 5 days until we leave on the MIRACLE!
B&D from Canada
Mr Bill – Those photos are heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing.
Cheers
Lyndal
I’m afraid to say that I have received cold service from a Carnival Purser on one of the cruises I’ve been on. It wasn’t outright bad, and I got what I needed taken care of, but I certainly didn’t feel welcome. The way I was spoken to felt like I was wasting the purser’s time, and I felt that this purser didn’t want to speak to me.
Overall, though, Carnival’s service has generally been pretty good.
a open letter to mrs rude,
from the omni !
may a big buzzard take a BIG POOP
in your oatmeal.
hey john
was that a-hole mrs.RUDE from FRANCE ?
John, have a wonderful time with all the Blogger’s over the next week…we are certainly going to miss all the fun…look forward to some great stories on the thingy each day.
Cheers, Ray & Deb
Dear John,
PLEASE REPLY
I recently wrote to you to ask whether the shore excursion we wanted to take on our upcoming three day Mexican Cruise in April “City Tour and Mexican Fiesta” was going to be available at a later date as it was not in the list for us to choose from. You told me to look for something else to celebrate my grandson’s 18th birthday, as that excursion was no longer available. I have just checked the page, out of curiosity and the excursion is now listed and I have already booked something else. I am going to phone Carnival right now to see if I can exchange our booking, but I just wanted you to be aware that they are not giving you the right information.
Thanks….Irene Garner
It’s amazing how rude people can be. But not on Carnival’s ships. After visiting with you John on the Valor my wife and I later went to see if our luggages was there At six o’clock they weren’t still there so I went to the Pursors station. I eventually found them in the far corner with other pieces of luggages. We had put 4 types of name tags on both pieces of luggages, a totally of eight name tags and all had been torn off of both pieces of luggages. I found that unusual and inquired about it. Two members of the Pursors office were polite and treated me with respect but of course were unable to explain the situation. My steward, George, a fantastic young man brought them up to us with a smile and sort of felt bad about the situation. Now nice it was of him to feel for us and yet it wasn’t his fault at all.That lady at your hotel desk should have been fired for being so rude. No respect at all. George would have taught her how to behave when dealing with people. Well have a great time John. But you know, I still wondered how can two pieces of luggages with 8 name tags attached suddenly disappear? I can see one, maybe two but all eight?
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Your finally going to Alaska! You’ll love it there, believe me.
John,
We would love to join you in Alaska. But we would also like to join you in December dreaming on Carnivals Dream blogger cruise.
Don’t let those rude people push you around.
Tim and Diane
Hi John
I agree with the others that you should say something about Ms. Rude. If nothing is said, then nothing will be done and we as paying customers deserve to be treated with respect.
I also agree that people complain on ships just to get something free. I personally know of someone that books and pays for one of the lower priced cabins, only to get on the ship and complain. She usually gets moved to a suite. Only, last time, she complained about the air conditioning and wanted the penthouse, and they only gave her a box fan for her interior cabin!! I hope the cruise line is onto her and they remedy it by a quick fix rather than a suite upgrade….lol
We are on our way to NOLA. We fly from NC at 11:20am tomorrow and arrive there at 2:30pm. We are participating in the charity event, so we will see you, Stephanie and the others at 8am on Friday. Looking forward to the week with Big Ed and the rest of the Evil Krewe….and of course you, Stephanie and the rest of the fabulous crew on the Carnival Fantasy. Take care and see you soon.
Give my best to Heidi and Thingy!!!
Gloria aka Sue
Hi John,
I know it’s not in your nature to complain as your job requires you to listen to them all of the time, but where would the service of Carnival be today if no one ever complained when something was wrong. It’s the same with any other business. If no one tells them there’s a problem, the only clue they will get is a diminishing clientele and, more often than not, what the problem may be eludes them!
Whenever you have a problem that doesn’t get resolved (if it can be), complain! Maybe the manager doesn’t know. She’s probably super nice when he or she is around.
Many congratulations to John Duffy on his award and Carnival Corp for keeping it in the family again this year.
John, you should let the manager know what is going on, if no one says anything then he/she won’t know there is a problem.
Jamie, thanks for another great blog.
Ann
From all of us webcam minders, blog readers, board posters and podcasters, we all wish you a great cruise and we really really wish, that it was us instead of you. Take care of all the bloggers and the crazies as well.
Great story and interesting question.
I would cut Mrs Rude some slack, briefly anyway. If she is rude again next time then it is a different story.
We all have bad days, it could be one of those. I know in the years I had working in entertainment departments on board ships that I have had the odd day. It was rare, but they were there! It is the one negative experience (even though you had 1000 positive experiences with guests before that) which sticks with the guest and possibly ruins thier cruise.
Given the nature of our industry we are afforded the luxury of righting the wrong. I always got to explain to that customer and apologise during the cruise.
So was Mrs Rudes behaviour a one off, an aboration, a bad day or is she just a cranky so & so everyday.
I think hotels spoon feed their guests just as much as cruise ships. I don’t think there would be many hotels that would not offer gifts or reimbursement to secure loyalty and to offer apologies when service is not of standard.
I think the environment on a ship lends itself more to complaining than hotels. The same number of people, for the same amount of time, in the same situation. People can tend to work in packs and follow each other – ‘We are all in this together’. Wereas in a hotel, it is everyman for themselves and I am only here for one night so I will put up with it.
I am hoping that Mrs Rude turns into Mrs Angel and you see sun shining from you know where!
Have fun the New Orleans
Sean
I agree with Kuki and your other reponders. Over the years, cruise guests who have complained have been consistently rewarded. This “behavior” has evolved into an art form. Many years ago on the first day of a 5 day Carnival Triumph sailing from NY, I sat on the Lido deck with my morning cup of coffee. Just next to me were four guests drafting a letter describing their many complaints…..
Need I say more?
David
Dear John:
After reading your blog for almost an entire year, today I finally feel I must respond. I have never had the desire to take a cruise. Why not, you may say. Well, there are three compelling reasons:
1) Dislike of cold/damp weather
2) Fear of water
3) Fear of heights
So, why then am I going to Alaska……….on a cruise ship……………..booked in a balcony cabin…………….?
Because, John Heald, IT IS ALL YOUR FAULT!!!!!!!!!!!
Reading your blog has made me want to experience the fun of cruising.
That being said, I think it’s only fair that you sail on the Spirit for the northbound cruise from Vancouver on June 24th, 2009.
You can miss me. I’ll be the one with quivering knees, clamped on to my husband, but having fun!!!!
Dear John,….please reply.
I have managed to change my shore excursion on our 3 day cruise to Mexico starting April 10th, to the one we really wanted in the first place, so I am very happy about that.
I am wondering about the entertainment on board the ship on the 3 day cruises. Is there likely to be a show in the theatre, or maybe some kind of entertainment on the lido deck on the Saturday evening? This would really round off a great 18th birthday for my grandson.
Thanks….Irene Garner (hooked on cruising)
Dear John…..Please reply
Sorry I have another question. Do the 3 day cruises count towards the 10 you have to take to reach platinum status?
Thanks again…Irene Garner
John,
You asked if Carnival has made their own bed with the rude people gettin free upgrades and discounts on next cruises, etc. Nancy & I ran into a person on the Carnival Spirit on our first cruise. He was really rude and obnoxious while seated at our table for breakfast. He was telling the group of people that he always complained about everything as that was how he would get discounts on the next cruise, or a little something extra on this cruise. I asked him if it was worth it to make everone around him miserable just to get a discount that he didn’t really deserve. He just laughed and said that “that is how it’s done.” Carnival made every effort to make sure that we had a wonderful time and had every thing that we needed so why would I lie about something just to get a discount. Carnival already gives return guests a better deal anyway. I guess some people think that they are being clever doing this but they are just being as my grandmother called it “Turd Wackers.”
James & Nancy from the Left Coast
John,
I wish we could join you on the Carnival Spirit but we just booked last week on the Coral Princess for the end of August! We had decided Alaska was too expensive but the prices had dropped significantly. So one item on my bucket list is about to be checked off. Maybe we’ll see you in port though.
Have fun with all the bloggers!
KathyG
Hi John,
I might have missed some of the rude behaving hotel staff (lack of language). Me almost 10 years in age ahead of you I only complained two times on very very many travels all around the world.
No 1. : London Hotel. 4 Star, we did not have enough containers as the roof ain`t been waterproof. We did get another room.
No 2.: Carnival Imagination Nov 08. Port of Cozumel the Pilot decided to push the Pier out of the way. Gusty winds while docking and Imagination got a hit. Off the ship and out of the piers security line some security personell getting rude us not taking any pictures.
This until now has been my very first and only thing i had to complain on a Carnival cruise.
Last Saturday me and my neighbour went to a computer store buying some hardware setting up his new internet connection. Me addressing the salesperson in a decent way he told us we beeing the very first customers adressing him properly!
I could not believe it.
I do think there are too many people not to treat others like they want to be treated themselves.
I am reading the blog from the very beginning.
My opinion you just do have to kick some of these
complaining guests at a very bottom spot , but not to encourage them getting rewarded for their bad behaviour.
Sometimes I like sitting sunshading in the lobby just reading a book and as i am not deaf hearing shouting from the pursers desk from some a…..
John, have fun in New Orleans
Jaime thanks for your blog. See you on DREAM??
I got as wet in Rome last year like you did
ralf
John,
I agree with Joan. If management does not know that there is a problem, nothing will be done to fix it. Mrs. Rude definitely needs some training on customer service. Do you want others to continue to receive the same kind of rude service that you received?
Like Joan, I also would complain so 1) management is aware that there is a problem and 2) to take action so the problem does not arise again. We do not bring problems to get someone fired or to get compensation.
Remember your own motto as a CD…….If we don’t know there is a problem, we can’t fix it!
JOHN!!!!!
I’m very happy that all of you are having a great time. My friends sound veryyyyy happy. Miss you all!!
Vivi couldn’t resist to talk to you in French she knows a lot now.
We will be there in December it’s a deal.
Looking forward to seeing you sooner.
Give muchos huggos to all from me ok??
Nanni
WOW! Alaska. My favorite destination.
Much as I wish everyone to experience Alaska, John I think you should wait until you can take the “family” along. Heidi and ‘desk’ need to see this wonderful state as well.
That being said, if you do decide to go, try to go in May or June as the rainy season will not have begun and the “state bird”, the Mosquito, will not be as bad. Also the temperatures will be moderate. Any time you go you will need to dress for any type of weather. From heat to cold. I’ve had 80′s to icebox in one cruise. Also if possible, sail Northbound as the “drama” increases as you sail north. You will start with the warmth of Vancouver, then a glorious day of smooth sailing on the inside passage. Then the wonderful ports where you can ride dogsleds, trains, horse drawn carriages and DUCKS. And then the drama builds as you approach the beautiful glaciers with their mysterious blue ice! Amazing! Finally you cross the Gulf of Alaska to College Fjord where numerous glaciers are lined up in a row for your enjoyment. I’m excited to go again, so when you know your dates, let us know. Maybe we can do a mini Bloggers cruise.
Happy 50th Birthday Alaska!
Cheers!
Derek
I have a complaint about the black widow. All she seems to do is cruise and spend. Is she hunting down her next victim?
John Love the blogs. We really Love the blogs from Jamie. Especially since we are stuck in cold cold -5 degrees with over a foot of snow Ohio. My wife and I will def join you on an Alaskan cruise.
Carnival lifer