Introducing SeaTrade Insider's Seagoing Employee of the Year…..John Duffy….And Some Other Stuff
March 4, 2009 -
John Heald
The great thing about having your own blog is that I can pretty much use it to say what I want. Of course, if I was to out one of our vice presidents as a secret member of the Judge Judy Appreciation Society or suggest that all the cruise directors perform their shows naked……well I am sure the PR folks would take issue with this and edit it out.
However, they give me a lot of room to express my feelings and occasionally I take the opportunity to do so even though it has bugger all to do with my job or this great industry that I love more than the thought of eating strawberries and cream out of Angelina Jolie’s belly button.
Today…………is one of those times.
As I may have mentioned before, my economics teacher Mr. Puddick never used to shake himself properly and instead of listening to his expert advice on the world’s economy, I sat transfixed by the yellow stain on the front of his cream-colored corduroy pants. If I had of paid attention then maybe I would have heard him say never invest all the money you have saved up in a pension fund with AIG because later in life they will piss it all away on huge bonuses and bad investments.
I left his classes presuming he had said “When times are good, put your savings in property, and when times are bad, put them in a high interest account in a bank.” Unfortunately it seems entrusting all the money I had saved up for Heidi and I and the Thingy to the men in braces is more dangerous than investing in a soap factory in France. And here’s the thing.
I have shared my anger with you before but now my cup runneth over because having spent all my savings they went with cap in hand to the government and got a check for hundreds of millions of dollars………….oh great……………you lost millions and millions of dollars…………..we must punish you………..so here’s some more.
So, I have started saving all over again as honestly my savings have totally disappeared thanks to the amoebas who squandered it all. What do I invest in now? Gold has been the traditional recourse of the terminally scared but that’s expensive at the moment. So’s art. Someone recently paid £17m for painting something that looked like a naked Rosanne Barr on a sofa so I am not going to get much more than a Hallmark greetings card with what little savings I have left.
I should go and protest outside their HQ as many others have done. I have to admit though that I am not very good at protesting in fact the word “no” is never really easy for me to say.
I actually did make a protest march once but for all the wrong reasons. It was a protest against nuclear weapons and my mate Alan and I were only on it because the owner of our local pub, The Shorehouse, paid us 10 pounds to hand out leaflets in our local shopping street during a protest he had organized. As we marched through the town centre, a man in a shirt and tie came to an office window and shouted “Get back to Russia!”
“Get back to f***ing work!” a marcher with a beard and desert boots shouted in response. He then turned to me. “Doesn’t that idiot know we’re marching for his life and for the life of his children?” he said.
“Exactly,” I said …………and buggered off to spend my 10 pounds on fish and chips and five pints of beer.
I have, therefore, been thinking about what can be done, and I’m delighted to say, the answer is very enjoyable. If we continue to with this great economic turmoil with bankers hurling themselves out of the Empire State Building and stockbrokers selling their children for medical experiments, money will become worthless. So you may as well spend it now on things that will make you happy………like a cruise. As for me………..well,
I am never going to put any more money in a bank. I want a place that is safe and secure and where nobody else would ever want to go……….so if there are any AIG people reading this, any bankers or would-be thieves……my money is wrapped in my used underwear………..there may be no interest there …………..but it’s the safest place on earth.
Meanwhile…………..back on the good ship Carnival Valor.
Guest: Mrs __________ Ref: 836205400A
Cabin: ______ Booking#: ______ Added-Changed: 03/02/09 – 03/02/09WINE WAS SPOILED
report from Maitre D Martin – guest had ordered a bottle of Wolf Blass red wine and had drunk over half the bottle with a friend at table 237 main sitting. Guest then told the waiter the wine was bad and he wanted a refund. Waiter mentioned that he had already drunk half the bottle and that both glasses were not having any wine in them and guest then became abusive and angry. After visiting the table I refunded the $33 for the wine and asked the guest to stop raising their voices or they would be asked to leave the dining room. Note: Sommelier Boris tasted the wine and confirmed there was nothing incorrect about it.
No further action.
I have seen this one before, in fact I have seen it up close and personal when I was a wine steward back in the late eighties. It’s an old trick however it does take a lot of courage to try it. Many of us (myself included) would rather sit and drink a disgusting bottle of wine than risk asking for a replacement. They are more frightened of being humiliated by a waiter than of the consequences of consuming gut-wrenching vinegar. “Darling, the wine tastes like cat’s pee.” “Never mind – I’ve got a really good bottle of Pepto-Bismol at home. I’ve been keeping it for a special occasion.”
What do you imagine the waiter will do when you tell him his Chianti tastes as though the Miami Heat players have used it to wash their armpits and other bits in before straining it back into the bottle through a freshly skinned yak rectum? How do you think he will react when you point out that the cork has been inserted into a flatulent baboon?
Will he say, “Sorry – I’ll bring you another one,” or is it more likely that a single spotlight will pick out your table as the waiter assumes a fake French accent and launches into a triad of abuse so terrifying that you order another bottle of the same wine and one for every table in the restaurant. When I was a wine steward I always hoped that one day someone would send a bottle back because it tasted bad……………but you know what ………….I don’t think they ever did. As I said, I have seen the “Oh the wine tastes bad and we noticed this after out third glass” thing before and it’s a real shame that people try this one on. Ever heard of anyone who sent back empty plates to the chef, saying that the food was vile and they refuse to pay?
On cruise ships though it seems to be the law that if some people find anything wrong at all they expect the world in return. “My fork has a speck of food on it. I haven’t had an apology from the captain, I expect a complimentary bottle of champagne, and a spa treatment and the ship moved to the left.”
However, these sorts of complaints are in the minority. Most of the complaints we receive are indeed valid and the brilliant and dedicated crew will do whatever they can to rectify the issue and have the guests smiling once more. However, as I have shown on this blog these past two years we do occasionally get the sort of people who have been effortlessly complaining with every other breath since they could send their mother’s breast milk back.
On a happier note I want you to see some amazing photos. Yesterday I mentioned about the ship’s tendering into Spot Bay in Grand Cayman. Well, I asked the entertainment staff to spend the day on the pier keeping the guests happy and considering at one point there were at least 1,000 people between the three ships standing in line waiting to return to the vessels…….this was not an easy task. One of the staff I asked to help was Geo from Mexico. He is a brilliant young man full of energy and a love of life…….and as you will see now he is also a brilliant amateur photographer. Here are his shots taken from Spots Bay yesterday in Cayman.
Wow……….how about that? Please help thank Geo for sharing those outstanding photos …………….they are breathtaking aren’t they?
I would like now to introduce you to John Duffy from Cunard Line and the proud and deserved winner of the Seatrade Insider Employee of the Year award. I asked John to answer a few questions about his long and illustrious career. The attached photo shows John Duffy (centre) with Chris Hayman (Publisher, Seatrade) and Carol Marlow recently receiving the Seatrade “Seagoing Employee of the Year Award.”
1. John, you have had an illustrious career to date. Can you tell us about your journey so far?
Having spent the early days of my career in junior capacities as such well know vessels, as Queen Elizabeth, Carinthia, Franconia Carmania, etc., the company approached me in l980 whilst I was Hotel Manager onboard Cunard Princess and told me they would like me to take over QE2 when the incumbent retired in l98l. At the time I was the youngest Hotel Manager in the history of the company and therefore honoured and delighted to accept…I subsequently took over the QE2 on April l l981 – the April Fool Joke has lasted for a very long time!
2. When you first became a Hotel Director I am sure there were many differences from the job today. Can you tell us about some of the responsibilities and are there any that you miss that have fallen by the wayside.
I think in today’s world, a Hotel Director can be more involved in overall company business, which is a good thing as you are operating one of the units within the Company. On some vessels the involvement on a day-to-day basis with passengers is not so prevalent. However within Cunard Line we have maintained this very close relationship with our guests, which I think is very important bearing in mind the positive effect on repeat business.
3. What are your fondest memories of the Queen Elizabeth 2?
The twenty-seven and a half years as Hotel Manager of the QE2 is indeed one long fond memory. The ship had the reputation of being the Greatest Ocean Liner in the World. And to be involved in making her thus and maintaining thus will be forever memorable…. To categorize individual memories is most difficult there have been so many. but to give a few examples, the visits from Her Majesty the Queen, Queen Mother and most members of the Royal family, Nelson Mandela’s voyage on board and the beautiful personal letter he wrote to me after the trip, leaving Yokohama in the early eighties with an estimated one million people watching our departure, the first visit to Liverpool in l990 when again one million people witnessed the Great Lady sail up the River Mersey, into my home port, being the centerpiece in the Hudson River Celebrating the Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty and the wonderful welcome received in Sydney each year on the World Cruise. These are but a few of literally thousands upon thousands of astoundingly memorable occasions.
4. Today’s Cunard fleet is the youngest in the industry. What are your favourite areas of the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria?
These are two outstanding vessels which continue the wonderful traditions of their predecessors, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary and QE2. As I have yet to sail on either vessel it is difficult to discuss various areas of these ships, but I am sure after joining Queen Mary 2 next month, I will no doubt be in a position to answer your question.
5. There are a special group of people called Cunarders. Who are they?This can be categorized on two ways…….probably of all shipping companies, Cunard have maintained a loyal clientele who continue to travel, hence the high “repeat factor,” secondly crew members have traditionally stayed with the company for many many years, and after a long period of service they are known as “true Cunarders.”
6. During your career you must have met many interesting and famous people. Amongst the many who are the ones who made the greatest impression on you?
Yes over the years there have been hundreds of famous people including royalty from various countries, movie stars, pop stars, politicians, outstanding sportsmen, etc., etc., amongst those who have left lasting impressions are the Queen on several occasions. HM the Queen Mother, the late Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela, the Beirut hostage Terry Waite, Princess Christina of the Netherlands, the Romanoff Family, who remained our family friends also. From the world of show business, Dean Martin, Elizabeth Taylor, Julia Andrews, Richard Burton, George C. Scott, Rod Stewart, Tommy Steele and one of the many Authors I have outstanding memories of is Carl Bernstein the co-author of “All the Presidents Men” who traveled regularly on the North Atlantic. For personal reasons, that being I have always been a Beatles fan, meeting George Harrison and Ringo Starr will remain a great memory.
7. Of all the voyages you have been aboard for what are your top three itineraries.
Easy…..Transatlantic, followed by the World Cruise and the Mediterranean Cruises.
8. We are Cunard is something the blog readers are becoming very familiar with. What’s your definition of those three incomparable words?
High standards through White Star Service, delivered with Elegance and Pride?
9. I would like to congratulate you on winning the Seatrade Crew Member of the Year Award. You must be very proud. This question goes to Maria your wife. Why did he win it, tell us about this special man.
Where do I begin? He is indeed a special man, apart from being a wonderful human being, a devoted father adored by his proud son and a cherished husband, testimony of which is our 35-year marriage which is as strong as the day we had our honeymoon aboard QE2, John won the Seatrade Crew Member Of the Year Award because of his obvious great capabilities, warmth, integrity, fair-mindedness, high moral principles and a loyalty beyond compare, to his passengers, crew and his family, nothing to do with him being one of the greatest Evertonians ever to live!
10. Finally, let’s find out about you. Can you fill I’m the blanks.
Your Favourite Book - Johnny We Hardly New Ye……by Kenny O’Donnell and David Powers…………..Tribute to John F. Kennedy
Your Favourite Movie – All The Presidents Men
Your Favourite Food – Anything cooked by my wife
And, hosting a table on the Queen Victoria who would you invite - I think this should be the Queen Mary 2!
Someone from the cruise industry – John Heald!
Your favourite actress - Angie Dickinson
Someone to make you laugh – Peter Ustinov (who incidentally I had the pleasure of hosting on Board QE2)
Someone from history you wish you had met – modern day history John F Kennedy.
What an amazing career. All the people and places he met and visited and I am sure you will all join me in congratulating this very special man whose years of service have been recognized with this special award. I truly hope to shake his hand one day soon.
Time to answer some more questions marked for my reply…………………here we go
Andrea Asked:
Hello John (Please respond)
I have been reading your blog for a year now and find it very enjoyable. I have shared many of your stories with family and friends. Thanks to your comments about the Carnival fleet I am booking a cruise on board the Carnival Paradise next year for my hubby’s and mine 25th anniversary. I have cruised with one of the other lines before, but was not completely happy with it. From what I have read and seem Carnival is the way to go. Who is the CD on the Paradise and any suggestions as to what to see when we sail? I hope that Heidi is doing well. Keep up the good work,John Says:
Hello Andrea
Thank you so very much for the kind words. I am so thrilled that reading the blog thingy has prompted you to book your first-ever Carnival cruise. You will love the Carnival Paradise and her ports of call. I won’t know who the cruise director is until later in the year but I will promise to do so as soon as I know. You must see all the shows and take part in all the fun activities and most importantly you will enjoy our iconic crew who will show you that you are indeed correct…….Carnival is the way to go. Please keep reading the blog and if you have any questions about the excursions or onboard activities please let me know. Best wishes to you and your husband
JohnRositer11-Carnival lifer Asked:
Please reply- you could just email me directly
John you said a while back the 2010 schedule was done any word when we may see a peek. Also you said you were looking into how much Carnival will charge for a baby, just curious.John Says:
Hello Rositer
Well, at this point much of the fleet will remain where it is. The Carnival Glory will spend some summer months sailing out of New York before heading down to Miami and the Carnival Dream will make Port Canaveral her home. However, there may be more changes down the road and soon as any changes occur I will let my blogging friends like you know. Hope this answers your question and if you have any ship specific ones I will be here if you need me.
Best wishes
JohnAilene G. Statler Asked:
Hi nice post, I read your blog from time to time but I was wondering something. I also run a blog on a similar topic, but I get 1,000’s of spam comments and emails every day does that happen to you… Any ideas to stop it? I currently have commenting disabled but I want to turn it back on… Thanks!John Says:
Ailene
I love Spam, especially with chips and tomato ketchup. This was very much part of my school dinner diet along with Shepherds Pie, Jam Roly Poly and Spotted Dick …oh hang on…….I think you mean the other kind of Spam don’t you? In that case I will hand things over to Stephanie who manages this blog so brilliantly and maybe she can advise you as unfortunately I know very little about anything. Thanks for taking the time to read the blog and I wish you much success with yours.Hi Ailene,
WordPress, which hosts John’s blog has spam filters built in, and it usually does an excellent job of catching spam comments. However, we do occasionally still receive spam comments, so we have all comments set to require moderation. It does add some work on our end as someone (usually me) reads each and every comment before it gets approved. Although it’s time consuming it does allow you to really know what’s going on with your blog and its readers. You can also set up email alerts so you’re notified each time someone submits a comment. If you have any more questions please feel free to email me at socialnetworking@carnival.com.Good luck!
StephanieErin W. Asked:
Dear John – Please Reply,
As I’ve told you before I am going on the April 18 sailing of the Glory – This will be my third time on this ship with Butch and the Glory gang in an 8 month time period! I will also be celebrating my 30th birthday on the 19th of that sailing (which by my calculation should be the Captains dinner!). As I have been in such a short time span I have made several friends on the crew and hope they will still be there this time!
Anyway my question is this: Butch has made my last two sailings amazing and I would like to bring him a little something – Any suggestions of what he may enjoy? Also do you know his T-shirt size? There is also a social host (Amy) that is quite amazing and her birthday happens to be a few days after mine – my question here is: What is her shirt size if you can find it? And are they allowed the drink coupons or other gifts from Bon Voyage?
Thanks John,
ErinJohn Says:
Hello Erin
How wonderful that you think of the crew so much and the fact that this will be your third cruise on the Carnival Glory in eight months is simply brilliant. Butch wears size large…….the skinny git……..and my spies tell me she would be a medium. Now Butch loves hats……..baseball caps and any kind of headgear so I am sure a hat would be a great surprise gift for him. I wish I could be with you for this special birthday cruise and you can expect a little something from Butch and I, as well. Have fun and please tell Butch to do the funny walk for you.
Cheers
JohnSusan Asked:
Hi John,
Just discovered and LOVE your humorous blog! I have some free time today and look forward to reading more!
My fiancé and I are getting married on the Miracle sailing Nov 4 from Ft Lauderdale. We have 10 guests sailing with us.
We very much hope that we can have our ceremony on the second day at sea (though we understand there are lots of other festivities to schedule on a cruise!)
We also want to treat our guests to the Supper Club that night…but how can we reserve if we don’t know the exact date of our wedding yet?
I’d be disappointed if we could not have our wedding dinner in the restaurant!
Thanks John…I am curious about how other brides have handled this?
Susan
Toronto, ONJohn Says:
Hello Susan
Congratulations on your big day which will be here before you know it. Please don’t worry; I will be here to help you through it. Now……can you tell me if you booked the wedding through Carnival? If you did the wedding will most likely on the day you join the vessel unless you specifically asked for it to be held in one of the ports of call. Please let me know and I will follow up and nearer the time ………say………one month before just contact me via the blog and I will reserve the supper club for you. It will be a wonderful day and a brilliant cruise.
Best Wishes
John
Big Z Asked:
Hey John,
I am sailing with you on the Elation on April 16, 2009 to Ensenada, Mexico and I am proposing to my girlfriend, I want to make it special and unforgettable….I overheard her and her friends talking about how they wanted to be proposed to and she wants it to be public…so John is there anything you can do for me, this is our first time sailing, I got the ring and I got the girl, I want to be with for the rest of my life….what can John and Carnival do for us, to make this the most special moment ever?Big Z
John Says:
Hello Big Z
Of course mate. Tell you what. Please remind me one week before you sail via the blog thingy and I will arrange for this to happen in a very special way. I will need both your names and your cabin number and we shall have you down on one knee in front of the whole ship……hope she says yes. Look forward to hearing from you in a few weeks
Cheers
JohnTina Tano Asked:
John Please Reply:
My family and I are cruising with friends that have never cruised before on the Caribbean Princess April 5 out of San Juan and recently realized that they are part of the Carnival extended family. Can you tell me how Princess compares to Carnival because I love Carnival and I am hoping we will have at least a similar experience aboard Princess? I know it won’t be the same without you as our CD.John Says:
Hello Tina
Great question and let me see if I can do it justice. You know, if you were to line up the guests on the Caribbean Princess and the guests on say the Carnival Valor where I am now it would be impossible to tell them apart………unless of course everyone was wearing a Princess or Carnival T-shirt ………anyway, Princess have great shows, wonderful music and a relaxed and easy going atmosphere onboard. You may find a difference in ship lay out and design but overall I know you will have a great time. You must try Sabatini’s which is their family-style Italian restaurant where food never stops coming…………..it’s a personal favorite of mine. Also, treat yourself to day at sea in the Sanctuary. This costs $10 I believe and is the private adults-only deck with huge doublewide sun beds, massages and brilliant personal service. So, have fun and I would really like to know what you thought of your Princess experience when you get home so please write and let us all know.
Have a great time and my best to all the familyJohn
Bill Vogel Asked:
How do I get a REAL person to help me plan my 3/16 cruise for my wheelchair bound 12 year old? I can’t find anyone at Carnival that knows how to answer my questions about the accessibility of the excursions. I call the 800 numbers and wait for an average of 30-45 minutes. When I get someone on the phone, they have an attitude that they are doing me a favor by (halfheartedly) answering my questions. Do you know of someone with knowledge and the recognition that it is customers like me paying for space on the ship that allows for them to have a job? I simply want someone from Customer SERVICE rather than Customer Prison to help me. Any thoughts?John Says:
Hello Bill
My apologies that so far you have not received the help you require to make your cruise a brilliant one. That’s about to change. Please send me a list of your concerns and questions and a will be here to help you as and when you need it. Again, my apologies and I hope to hear from you soon
Best Wishes
JohnGary Asked:
So what I want to know is a I have heard that sometimes they show the Rocky Horror Picture Show on the big screen any chance of us seeing it on our trip on the Valor on April 5th to 12th?John Says:
Hello Gary
It seems that this is very popular on the big screen although I must admit I have my concerns about showing it due to its adult nature. However, as it is so popular I will order this for the Carnival Valor as you and many others have requested it. Do you know?…… I have never actually seen the film myself but have read some reports that it’s as bit “racy”……….anyway, I will have it hear for April
Cheers
John
I have lots more to answer and will promise to catch up with all the rest of your questions tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s blog will feature a fantastic Dear John letter from a Chile Jaime so please look out for that.
Here are a few letters I received on board for today’s In Their Own Words Section
Now, many of you have been asking about the Carnival Pride and her Panama Canal voyage to Baltimore. It appears from your correspondence that there is still no information on two of the ports of call as far as the shore excursions are concerned. So, I asked my friend and department manager Bobby what was happening……here is his reply
Two ports on the above cruise, Puntarenas in Costa Rica and Cartagena in Colombia, are currently not loaded in the Web due to some behind the scene technical issues. We are hoping to have them for sale on the Web by 3/10. I apologize very much for this and as soon as they are ready I will tell John and he will let you all know. Once again my apologies.
Thanks Robert………who by the way used to work on board with me as a chief purser and I am very proud of his success…….I owe him $40 so hopefully that statement will keep him happy for a few more weeks until I have sold a few more bobble heads on eBay.
So, here we are in Roatan, Honduras, and the weather is a mixture of cloud and sun. I was at this point going to post the comments of the two people who demanded monetary compensation because we didn’t go to George Town yesterday and therefore they had to pay $6 cab fare……..but I couldn’t be bothered. That’s two people out of 3,200 guests who wanted their $6 per person cab fare returned………you don’t need me to say anything else really do you? The guests are all having a fantastic time and the mood on the ship is excellent. I walked around last night between shows and shook hands and hugged ladies and the spirit of fun that everyone at Carnival preaches was alive and well.
Anyway, I was talking to a group of spring breakers last night by the coffee shop. They were a fun bunch from a university called Brown………..at least that’s what I think they said unless it’s a nickname and colleges are now being called after colours.
Anyway………as I was talking to them I asked what they were doing in Roatan and Belize and while the girls said the usual beach and snorkeling stuff, the two guys said something different……they were going to go running and swimming to train for something called an Iron Man contest. They told me it is a three-day event with not much time off. In it they run, cycle, swim and hack their way through thick jungle in unbearable heat wearing little more than some sort of glorified thong. As they explained this to me, the college girls all swooned and pouted their lips. I can’t help but be impressed by the fact that they doe this but I also can’t help hating them for it.
There’s no rational reason for doing this sort of activity except to show off and to make people like me feel inadequate. Let me explain. The two guys are studying law at a university. So…….unless they intend to represent a hideous dictatorship who if they lose the case will imprison them in a ultra-hellish prison camp that they then have to escape from and survive until they reach freedom, there is no logical reason for training or competing in this sort of event.
It’s really all about machismo and bragging rights – something I totally understand – just don’t have access to… people who do Iron Man events and such are always the annoying types who wander into a situation when you are trying to impress a woman and you suddenly find yourself sitting alone in the corner munching on a large consolatory cheeseburger.
I may have mentioned before about Alison Sergeant who I was very keen on at school, and was making fairly good headway until an old “friend” turned up in town out of the blue. He was a physically imposing looking guy anyway but it soon turned out (because he wasted little time in telling us) that he had just completed the local marathon and won. He had photographs, then video footage and we had to listen to hours and hours of this bollocks. It was only at the end of the evening when my target girl disappeared off with this robo-athlete that I realised how attractive this sort of thing is to the opposite sex.
So I listened as they described what they were going to do and all the while I knew that our lives were very different. They would be having rumpy pumpy with a college girl and then taking their tanned and hard-as-iron bodies for a run in the jungle while would be ordering a BLT with cheese and taking my cuddly body to bed alone. They asked me if the Roatan jungles were safe to go running in………I, of course, said yes telling them that its fluffy place full of doe-eyed deer and baby birds and that nothing nasty ever happens there……but……I forgot to tell them about the snakes, poisonous frogs, Hummer-sized spiders and oh yes…….the cougars …… oops ……..Iron Man my arse.
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.
John:
You will be happy to know that your savings are going to good use. After getting the first of many TARP (government hand outs) … AIG held an extraordinary event at a posh resort and it was enjoyed by all…so thank you!
And AIG actually did you a favor…..because the US is printing money at such a rate now … that soon, it will be worthless anyway!!!
Loved the pictures of Grand Cayman. This photographer certainly has an “eye”.
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
John please reply:
My husband and I will be on the Valor sailing 4/5. I was wondering the best way to request to be seated for dinner with a few other couples. Last year we sailed on the Triumph around the same time and while trying to celebrate our 10th anniversary we were sat with an annoying newlywed couple we had nothing in common with – bleh! We really enjoy meeting new people on our cruise but would love to sit with someone we actually might have something in common with. Help! We have requested the late dinner seating.
John,
My wife and I are sorry that you will not be with us on the Valor on the March 29th sailing. We had the pleasure of sailing with you this summer on the Splendor on the 2nd time around the Baltic. It was our 20th anniversary cruise and you really helped make it great. I am sure Carnival will have a great replacement but none with your sense of humor. I am sure we will travel with you again.
Rooms 1003 AND 1044……
No we are not in separate rooms, we are bringing our sons along on this trip.
Jay and Dawn Gallman
Dear John,
I spent last night wide awake…thinking only of how my retirement has been destroyed. I’m 62 and not optimistic that I’ll ever see the hundred thousand dollars that I worked so hard for for over 34yrs. We saved and we budgeted. We were taught that the stock market was a resonably safe place for investing our funds. Never did I think that I would find that over 50% has evaporated.
It seems that there are many to blame, but my pain is in thinking that I should have been more skeptical of the investment strategists that I pay to advise me. I don’t take any comfort in thinking of your similar losses….only about the day that some of those greedy bankers/real estate loan scammers/rating agency personnel bast___s face a jury.
David
Hey john “PLEASE REPLY , nice pictures of Grand Cayman, i was wanting to know who the cruise director will be for the valor on May 31. i wish that u will stay on there, we had u for a cruise director on the triumph back in 2001, your really good at what u do please reply
sincerely
Bobby
Dear John,
One more comment from California.
In reference to your “tainted” wine story…… I witnessed a woman return a ham bone to the local Von’s (large chain in SoCal affiliated with Safeway) grocery store. She stated that the ham was unedible.
She was offered a new ham by the store manager.
David
hey john, PLEASE REPLY, i don’t know if u will get this, but i was wanting to know who the cruise director will be for the valor in May 31, i was hoping it was you. you are good at what u do
John ,
I am just curious. Will the European shore excursions for the Dream be able to be purchased in advance eventually like all other shore excursions?
I notice when I look at them they all say “sold on board only”. I don’t want to spend half my cruise standing in the shore excursion line to book them. Ha, ha. Especially because the day after the ship sets sail from Civitavecchia it arrives in Naples and I don’t want to have to wait around to book an excursion right after checking in at Civitavecchia for Naples.
Thanks!!
Melissa
JOHN PLEASE REPLY.
John, welcome back to sea – glad you’re enjoying your return to what you love doing best and remember, a day alongside is a day wasted! I have a question – down here in Australia, cruising is booming as people realise what excellent value for money a cruise holiday represents. Sydney is expected to host something like 25 cruise ships this month alone; Fremantle (over here on the West Coast and twenty minutes from our house) is host to double figures this year, as well. Unfortunately, none of them feature the big beautiful red whale tail funnel; fortunately, around eighteen of these vessels belong to the Carnival Australia lines (Princess, P&O Australia, and sundry others).
Is there a reason that these vessels don’t count towards our Platinum status with Carnival as a whole? Lex and I love Carnival, you are our line of choice for cruising and we’re halfway towards the ten cruise total, but at the moment airfares to the States for us cost considerably more than the cruise itself (it can double or more the price of the whole trip), meaning we can really only board a Carnival vessel every two years or so. If, however, the Princess ships (two of which are homeporting in Fremantle for part of the year, meaning no airfares) counted towards Platinum status for us in the Colonies, we’d be sailing twice a year. Any thoughts on making this a reality, at least until we see a “Spirit”-class ship making her way through Sydney heads towards the Opera house?
Thanks again to the crew on Splendor for making our 24 days around Europe last September so wonderful – sounds like Jaime and company are having a ball rounding the Horn. Best to you and Heidi, and good luck when you finally become a dad – you’re gonna need it, mate, that’s when teh work really starts!
Cheers,
Mal
JOHN PLEASE REPLY.
John, welcome back to sea – glad you’re enjoying your return to what you love doing best and remember, a day alongside is a day wasted! I have a question – down here in Australia, cruising is booming as people realise what excellent value for money a cruise holiday represents. Sydney is expected to host something like 25 cruise ships this month alone; Fremantle (over here on the West Coast and twenty minutes from our house) is host to double figures this year, as well. Unfortunately, none of them feature the big beautiful red whale tail funnel; fortunately, around eighteen of these vessels belong to the Carnival Australia lines (Princess, P&O Australia, and sundry others).
Is there a reason that these vessels don’t count towards our Platinum status with Carnival as a whole? Lex and I love Carnival, you are our line of choice for cruising and we’re halfway towards the ten cruise total, but at the moment airfares to the States for us cost considerably more than the cruise itself (it can double or more the price of the whole trip), meaning we can really only board a Carnival vessel every two years or so. If, however, the Princess ships (two of which are homeporting in Fremantle for part of the year, meaning no airfares) counted towards Platinum status for us in the Colonies, we’d be sailing twice a year. Any thoughts on making this a reality, at least until we see a “Spirit”-class ship making her way through Sydney heads towards the Opera house?
Thanks again to the crew on Splendor for making our 24 days around Europe last September so wonderful – sounds like Jaime and company are having a ball rounding the Horn. Best to you and Heidi, and good luck when you finally become a dad – you’re gonna need it, mate, that’s when the work really starts!
Cheers,
Mal
Dear John,
though the ‘yanks’ I work with are learning real English just fine.
We (me hubby, my mum and dad) will be sailing on the Valor on the 22nd, its all of our first cruise and a family reunion as I now live in California. We chose Carnival Valor (rooms 8252/8256 hope that they are good ones, we have no idea how to choose rooms) because I remembed seeing you on TV, though for the life of me I cant remember what in, I just remembered that you made me laugh (funny men are sexy) and wanted the opportunity to meet you. Sadly I wont be now due to your change in plans or should I say Carnivals change in plans for you, so I wanted to wish you Heidi all the very best for a safe and easy baby arrival, and say that I am sorry I will be missing you but if I like cruising (sure I will) I will make it a point of attempting to catch you on the next cruise we take. Its always special to me to hear another English accent and speak to someone who understands real words
Safe travels
Susan
My thoughts on Rocky Horror – if you thought you had problems with parents on showing a PG-13 movie, I would show Rocky Horror somewhere else other than the Lido deck. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a fun movie (and improves with increased servings of rum punch – I have a somewhat fuzzy recollection of dancing on a chair to “Time Warp” when I saw it in college 30 years ago), and it would be great to watch on the big screen, but it’s not appropriate for the under-17 set and there’s no way to control their access to the Lido deck. Todd Wittmer did a midnight Rocky Horror showing on Conquest when we sailed in 2005 – he showed it in one of the lounges (and he dressed in drag as well), admission limited to 18 and over.
Another wonderful blog!! Geo’s lovely pictures… the great interview with John Duffy and a pair of cretins who conspired to screw Carnival out of $33… bastards…
I’m having Jaime withdrawal! I need a Dear John letter!!!
By the way… the wonderful drifts that the blog takes are part of it’s attraction. Not only do we get insights into the world of a cruise director but we get to know you and so many other folks. It makes so many of us feel like we’ve known you our entire lives even if some of us have never met you.
Please pass along my howdies to Heidi and the Thingy and my thanks to all the wonderful folks who help put this blog thingy together!!
Ciao!
Host Mach
John….great ending to suck a great blog! Once again, you have made my night and (if possible) made me more and more of a Carnival nut!!
What great pictures today from Geo!!
Dave from Florida
Hi John – Please replay.
We have a great group on Cruise Critic that will be sailing on the Carnival Dream TA – Oct 27. We were wondering how we can reserve a group reservation at the Supper Club. I know its way early, but we are a very active and pre-planning group.
I loved the pictures – thanks for sharing.
I use to have a 401K plan, then a 201K, then a 101K, now I have a 0.50K plan that is still going down. I’m with you – keeping my cash at home until this mess is fixed.
All my best to you Heidi and Thingy!
Debs
Dear John (please respond) ,
I have booked cruise for my self, my husband, our three children (one of which is autistic) and my in-laws on the Conquest April 12th. I am trying to make plans for everyone, but I am having a hard time getting info from the special needs guest services. She is on a special diet, and we have heard that if you bring food on to other cruise lines, they can perpare them for you. Does Carnival do that as well, or will we just have to make do with what is served int he dining room. I am also having a hard time getting info on the activities in Circle C. Where can i find this info?
Also, I am so excited for my husband and son to see the conquest. i have been on it once before and from the first minute I stepped on it, I knew I had to bring them on it someday. /They are both art history buffs and I know they will love evry room on the ship. Do you know if there are any tours or books on the artwork on the ship? I think they would enjoy this.
Thanks for all the info you give out on your blog. I read it everyday.
Hey John – Thanks for the suggestions for Butch and the gang – Turns out the blog thingy didnt eat my question so no need to answer it the second time I sent it! Cant wait for the Glory – Erin
John – Please Reply
Thank you for the great pictures from the Valor. I share them with the family and it makes us even more excited about our upcoming trip.
Now an invite – the Cruise Critic roll call for the March 15 Valor sailing is going to have a “meet and greet” right after the Muster Drill on the Lido deck rear bar (sorry I don’t know all the ship lingo or the aft from the stern). Our time with you is limited and we would love to have an opportunity to meet you. We plan on wearing green beads so hopefully we will be easy to spot.
Hi John,
Back from the Carnival Legend on 3/1 and thought I would give you a quick report. I love the Spirit Class ships, and this was my first aft wrap around balcony, great room.
Embarkation and debarkation were the best I have experienced in my 5 cruises. Debarkation in port and 2 tender ports was also well handled. The staff were friendly and very attentive.
Thank you for your recomendation of the Myan ruins at Tulum from Cozumel, My dad and I had a great day exploring history together.
Belize was cold and raining and when given the chance to cancel my snorkeling trip, I took it, so I have an excuse to do this itenerary again.
Isla Roatan was amazing, this may become my favorite destination.
Now, the bad, I had 2 complaints. First was Open Dining, We had asked for late dining, but upon arrival we were assigned Open Dining. I was going to go get it changed, but we decided to give it a try. Big mistake, Open Dining was terrible. First night of the cruise we were tired and had a lite dinner on Lido (great job on the Lido deck BTW). Second night was the Captain’s dinner, went down at 7:30..and waited about 15-20 minutes for a table.
Once seated and given a menu, we waited … another 15-20 minutes before we were given bread, water and our order was taken. Good thing we got drinks while waiting for a table, never saw our drink server (start of a theme). the waitstaff never introduced themselves, were rushed and forgot to return when asked for something. Looking around this seemed to be happening throughout the open dining, lots of rushing about. The food was great, service was not. I was done, I never went back to the dining room, I enjoyed great meals on the Lido deck. My folks tried the dining room once more, no wait for a table, but, they reported service was worse the second time.
I like knowing I have a table waiting for me at a certain time, with staff I enjoy getting to know, waiting there with a smile and a kind word.
It doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing, Carnival does dining right, forget Open Dining, besides Lido deck and all the specialty venues provides Total Choice Dining. I, for one, want nothing to do with Open Dining again.
My second complaint was with drink service. Now, I’m not much of a drinker anymore, it is rare that I have a drink or a beer. But, on a cruise I have a couple of Blue Margaritas and maybe a Miami Vice each day with dinner and the show, or maybe a nice adult beverage while playing the slots. I think I was asked if I wanted a drink in the casino twice, and I was there enough to rack up 500 points playing nickle and penny slots. At the first production show, I had to flag down a server to get a drink, after no one came and asked. The second production show I sat front row, stage right, across the isle from the CD and ACD. Not only did I sit through an hour long show and not get asked if I wanted a drink, I tried to flag down a server 3 times and still could not get a drink. The first 4 rows of the center section had 3 different servers check on them twice each (start to notice these things when you are thirsty) and I could not get their attention. I showered, had clean clothes on and do not look like that Quasi- moto dude and had not had a drink all day, I was at a loss.
Overall I had a great vacation. Legend is a beautiful ship and worth checking out. 4 ports in 4 days is quite alot, I do enjoy the sea days, but Isla Roatan is worth checking out.
Sorry this ran long, but I know you want to hear of our experiences onboard. If you get bored on Isla Roatan, go see the monkeys, great excursion.
All the best to Heidi and the thingy.
Ron(need another cruise)RN
Hi John,
PLEASE REPLY
Sorry to give you another problem, but please look at the following thread on Cruise Critic.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=935391
I know you are very active & very concerned about Carnival’s image. As much as I love Carnival cruises & the services onboard, the customer service department in Miami leaves a lot to be desired. Actually, in my opinion, you need to make time in your busy schedule to conduct training sessions with them. Ok, I know you don’t have the time, but you get the point. At one time I had a problem & I firmly believe that your intervention was the only thing that brought about a resolution. It’s hard for me to understand how a company that has the absolute best cruises in the world can be so lacking in home office customer service.
I’ve rambled on long enough, but I think this Cruise Critic thread deserves your attention. There is a Carnival customer who really needs a resolution to their problem. Whether this problem originated with Carnival or is some kind of scam perpetrated by crooks, it needs to be addressed.
Please give my best to Heidi & Thingy. By the way, I sure will be glad when Thingy gets here & gets a real name.
John,
Funny, all the references to Rocky Horror Picture Show, in The Legend show “Take II” they do “The Time Warp”.
I love Rocky Horror and it would be great on the Big Screen, unfortunatley I find it hard to believe you would not get a complaint. Lots of corsets, stockings and garters… and that is just the men.
Cheers
RonRN
John please reply
I always have a great time cruising with Carnival. I currectly have three cruises planned the first being on the Victory march 22 and I will have my 10th cruise on the Spirit on June 3. My question Is. On my last three cruises I could never get a steak cooked the way I wanted. So How do you order to get it cooked the way I ordered it.I know that I could send it back but then I will be eating alone by the time they returned it. I know this is a corny comment but I have made it a mission to find a way to order my steak.
Congratulations John Duffy on winning the Seagoing Employee of the Year Award.
BIG ED
We are all in the same boat so to speak on the retirement funds, pun intended. I have also seen my 401K shrink to 50% of what it was this time last year. We will and always have continued to travel as long as we are able. My co-workers have thought me kinda crazy for taking so many full vacations a year and not saving more for retirement. Now their savings have also evaporated but they have no vacation memories with family and friends to look back on.
Currently we have 3 Carnival cruises booked for travel within the next year and will be taking most of the grandkids with us at different times. I know the current cruise rates are a reflection of the times and will not stay this low for ever so I will continue to look for some great cruise rates.
Our motto has always been to live cheap and travel well.
Uncle Doug:
LOVE YOUR MOTTO!!!!!!
May I have your permission to adopt it!!!
Linda (Mom of DJ)
I love the pictures. It makes me want to be on a cruise ship right now. I cannot wait until the December 3rd bloggers cruise. December seems such a long way away.
John:
Graet pictures from Grand Cayman! Thanks and well done to Geo!
I love the postings of guest complaints! The half-empty bottle of wine was bad. Hmmm… I think the bottle I’ll be getting at the end of this month on the Miracle might taste a bit odd (but only after it’s empty). Just kidding!
A couple of quick questions about our upcoming Miracle trip: First, what can you tell me about our CD to be, Malcolm? Second, what activities should we consider in St. Kitts? We’re families traveling with kids ranging from ages 12 down to 7, and enjoy active excursions. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Best to Heidi and Thingy (I’m glad they’re doing well, even in the face of Carpal Tunnel and severe cravings for your presence), and thanks to Stephanie & the crew in Miami for keeping the blog thingy up & running!
Rick H.
ps: Jaime’s been doing a great job with the SA updates.
John,
Hi Jaime – keep up the great Splendor blogs. We spoke as we left the ship
Hello to all our new Cruise Critic friends still aboard the Splendor.
Hugs to Martina and Peter our BEST EVER Gold Pearl Table 437 waiters.
A big hug to my Harem at table 437 from Sultan Dave to Rascal Rider Ruth, Grace, Donna, June, Joan, Ezria, and Marie.
Thanks to our favorite photographer couple and friends Flavius and Delia from Romania who again assisted with our many photography needs.
Thanks to NyiNyi and Sakte our great room stewards for Cabin 7400
We arrived home in snowy & very cold New Jersey about noon after the overnight LAN Air flight from Santiago. It took about 2 hours to drive from JFK NY Airport to the NJ side of the George Washington Bridge and another Hour+ to get home to Denville, NJ. Flight time from Miami to Newark, NJ would take about the same time.
We had a great time on the Splendor this trip. This was our 5th time On the Splendor in the last 4 months. Two Cruises b/b Baltic & Med, 2 Cruises b/b Caribbean, and this one to South America. We appreciated trying some new items on the dining room menu and as always enjoy hearing our friend Ken Byrne, Sr. Maitre D, sing in the Gold Pearl. Of course we had friends Martina and Peter again as waiters. They are still the best ever.
Weather was not as hot in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Valparaiso and Santiago as expected, only 70-75, and not as cold as anticipated in southern ports of Port Madryn, Ushuaia, and Port Montt, only 50, and because of high winds, some over 90mph, we waited in Ushuaia and left 7 hours later and did not arrive at Port Arenas at 2 PM the next day which was too late to be cleared to visit the City. Seas were fairly calm for most of the trip except for a stretch through the Chilean
Fiords where we had 90 mph, hurricane force winds. Captain Pagano, The Officers and crew and Chilean Pilots did a fantastic job winding
through the tight channel from Ushuaia to Port Arenas and to Port Montt.
Many individuals experienced medical needs during the cruise. Some had severe sinus and cold like symptoms that lingered a week or so and
was still going around the ship as we left. We heard it referred to as the Carnival Cough. It was something more then a common cold and
bordered on a flu like condition. Some were unlucky enough to trip or falls that resulted in sprains and splints etc. Our condolences to families of several who passed away during the cruise. The ship and medical staff handled each with care, compassion and understanding.
The following item bears particular mention because of the outstanding coordination and our commendation to all who were involved in putting
this together and making it work so well.
Jo Ellen and I have traveled the world and this is the first we have run into this.
The handling of the luggage leaving the ship.
Usually when you disembark a cruise you pack your bags the night before and put them outside your cabin by midnight and they are collected and taken away by the Carnival crew. It is taken off as soon as the ship arrives in port and put in a warehouse by tag color or number.
The next morning, usually 7:30 to 9 when your number is called, you leave the ship, go in the terminal warehouse and wonder around to find
your pieces of luggage arranged in a large pile by color or number, put it on a trolley and proceed through customs and immigration, then put
it on a bus to leave for your airport.
We packed, put our luggage outside our stateroom by 8:30 PM and it was taken away by 10 PM. We were told not to expect to see it again until we got to the airport in Santiago. We were skeptical.
We disembarked the ship Tuesday morning at 8 AM for an all day bus tour of Valparaiso, Veno De Mar, a horse ranch for snack, Santiago City tour and lunch before being taken to the Santiago airport for our 10:45 PM flight to JFK in NY. The tour was great. Busses were Comfortable, our tour guide was funny, knowledgeable and took great
care of us.
I believe about 700+ people left the ship for flights from Santiago. When we arrived in Santiago we were taken to the Intercontinental Hotel, a very nice place, to wait before being taken to the airport
30 minutes away, 3 hours before flight times. They provided large tables, chairs, water, and a large hospitality room. A lady checked everyone through, answered questions and gave out stickers so everyone knew what time to board a bus. The busses were the same we had for tours that day. People were on a dozen flights between 6 and 11PM to US cities. The lady who was the Intercontinental guest coordinator at the hospitality room did a wonderful job and should be commended. We were on a bus at 7PM and at the airport at 7:30PM.
When we arrived at the airport we experienced something we have never before seen and were amazed at how well we were treated.
The bus stopped in front of an entrance and sitting along the curb, were about 150 luggage trolleys, lined up in 3 rows abreast, like they were ready to start a race. Each was loaded with luggage and
as we got off the bus a Carnival employee (Jorge with a Gold Carnival badge) directed us to go with a porter who would help us locate our luggage. Our porter ask what color and number our tour
tag and bag tags were and took us right to the trolley which had all our luggage pre loaded. That was so simple and amazing. Then he took the luggage trolley and escorted us into the airport to our check in line for American Airlines/LAN Chile. From the time we left the bus until we were in the correct check in was 5 minutes. We were AMAZED and EXTREMELY HAPPY with how well we
were treated with this service. CARNIVAL could use this model to make certain ALL disembarkation points (ESPECIALLY FT.
LAUDERDALE) could move more people quicker and leave every guest with a very positive lasting customer impression. It was a first class operation and very impressive.
We hope everyone still on board the Splendor has a great cruise for the remainder of the 50 day voyage. It was well worth our time and effort to be a part of it. Until we board the Carnival Dream next year, for the bloggers cruise,
Bon-Voyage mia amigos.
Dave and Jo Myerly
Frequent and Platinum Carnival Cruisers
Denville, New Jersey
THANK YOU ROBERTO
I just received an email from Roberto reminding the Evil Crew that yesterday was the 2 Year Anniversary of John’s Blog. How could I forget this.
John, Congratulations on your 2 years of a wonderful blog that was only supposed to last a month. Did you ever think when you started this blog with Roberto 2 years ago you would still be hammering out posts to this day. I would like to thank you personally for this wonderful family you have given Pat and I. Through you we started as bloggers then we became friends now we are a true family.
Pat and I Love you, Heidi, Thingy and all the Family.
BIG ED
Hi John,
Please reply
Loved the blog today!
In your blog of March 2nd you posted
“I will be returning to the States on 24 April to host the special events in Baltimore to mark the arrival of the Carnival Pride.”
I am so excited to see the Pride coming here and even more excited that you will also be here. The one question I have though is that the 24th is a Friday. Is this a definite date? Will the general public be allowed to join in on the fun?? I hope so.
Please pass on my best to Heidi and little Thingy.
All the best to Steph & Steph.
Sallie
Hi John!
What an amazing set of pictures. Love seeing all the water/ships out there. Just looks so peaceful and wonderful.
The AIG situation is just awful and it makes me sad thinking about how many fortunes have been wiped out while the management of these companies just got wealthier and wealthier. I hope in due time that these greedy people get what they deserved.
The IronMan is an amazing accomplishment and it just blows me away watching these people push their bodies to the limits.
Thanks for another great blog today and take care.
Say Hi to Heidi/Thingy!
David
John,
The young man’s pictures were fabulous. I have also done Triathlons but not the Ironman type. To much bother. My nephew-in law has done them though and last year he had to have surgery on his legs due to all the training he had done so these guys will pay for all the Rumpy Pumpy they are getting now.
Regards!
James & Nancy
The Cruzin2some
John,
Again rewarding Mrs —- for nothing. Still have to learn to say NO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last year in April on Freedom we had to go to Spot Bay as well. No Problem. Only Freedom us the only ship over there. Next time just do cancell the port of call and do refund the port fees to avoid 2 complaints and instead getting 2000.
Reading some of the blog posts (Larry/Connie and Catrin, some advice (John do not listen). Me beeing booked on TA Dream i made my final payment, requesting to remove the fuel supplement, they told me not able doing this. I insisted just to put my cabin on hold cancell my reservation, rebook without fuel surcharge ending up with a much lower price than only deducting the fuel surcharge. The time me asking adding ground transportation, cruise price beeing even lower and i did get it. Still out of the “no charge cancellation period” even after full payment, which is the deadline, getting better prices after full payment is possible.
Do use a decent travel agent!!
All the Best to Heidi and Thingy
as well to you
Ralf
Hi John,
Please respond at your leisure directly – Does Carnival publish a Captain’s schedule? I have known their best for many years and don’t want yo lose touch. Any assistance would be appreciated!
Debbie
Linda (great mom of DJ by they way)
Please do use my motto “to live cheap and travel well”.
Sometimes we do take it very serious. We built our first house, as in drove every nail. Spent about $20k, in 1990 dollars. Raised 3 kids in the house. Our daughter and 3 grandkids now live in the home. Had our downsized retirement home “built” last year on our 12 acre farm next door to the older home. Hired a framing crew to dry it in then finished out the inside ourselves. Total price about $40k in 2008 dollars.
Being frugal is not always rat holing away every penny. With 6 weeks vacation we plan on spending plenty of time each year seeing the great sites of the US and world.
Great blog as usual John. Congrats on 2 years of great blogs…..I’ve been enjoying them immensely! Thank you for the great pics Geo….loved Grand Cayman when we were there on our first Carnival Cruise! Hello to Heidi and thingy! Gloria
John,
Saw this new Aston and thought of you.
http://www.foxnews.com/photoessay/0,4644,6716,00.html#2_0
Its beautiful.
Take care!
David
John Please Reply,
I was wondering since a lot of people are kind of parinoid about travel to foriegn countries, why no cruise companies have tried sailing to all west coast cities in the US? Start at San Diego, Ca. and sail to Catalina Island then to Los Angeles (Long Beach) then on to San Fransisco and on up the coast ending in Seattle, Washington. Then offer a rail package that comes back to San Diego for a round trip. This could be done in reverse for a trip that started in Seattle. I know the Spirit goes from the 8 day Mexican Riveria to the Alaska cruises and this would be an ideal repositioning type cruise. Just a crazy thought. What do you think?
James & Nancy
The Cruzin2some
Hi John! We are going on our 7th Carnival cruise in October, once again on the Glory. Is our old buddy Butch (Ja!) going to be our CD then?
p.s. – I know 7 doesn’t sound like many…but we are thrilled!!
Hi John, Cruised with you on the Holiday back in the eighties.Was unable to cruise with you on the last bloggers cruise because I was traveling with my in laws who live in Tampa and was easier for them to leave from there cruise port.Meet you at Playa Mia that day while the group was there, and enjoyed all the activities that was going on that day, and met alot of people from the cruise critic blog. Had a great time.Just want to say how great it was to meet you again. You were extremely pleasant to me,and took time out of your day to talk to me for awhile.We discused the next bloggers cruise. and how I would try to make it.I have seen the dates for the next cruise to occur on November 15, 2009 and prices, but I don,t see any groups scheduling anything yet.Nothing noted on cruise critic yet. I know it is kind of early and you are really busy,but do you know of any groups discussing any plans yet Checked cruise critic and cruisemates and nothing seen.Thanks again for being so nice to me even though I traveled to cozumel on RCI enjoying the activities of the day and you told me My Casa is your Casa.Thats why you are the best Thanks again.Just let me know if anything is planned yet because I live in Conneticut and will definitely attend.
JOHN – Please Reply
After giving it considerable thought (almost 18 months), I have decided that my transatlantic cruise on the Carnival Splendor was not to my high standards and I therefore demand a complete refund, including all monies spent in the Casino.
As an alternative, I will accept Category 12 accommodations, including airfare for the Carnival Dream transatlantic crossing, with a substantial on-board credit to sooth my savage breast.
Jon
John,
It’s hard to believe that 2 years ago we were on a cruise that marked 2 huge moments in our lives–our first trip to Europe, and our first cruise with a plucky Brit CD who made our vacation when he called me “Dastardly.” I guess you could actually say 3 moments, because in March of 2007, your blog began, and we became immersed in this family that evolved. Since then, we have experienced with you and them all the joys and pain of a real family, with joys far exceeding everything else. Through you we came to become a part of the Evil Krewe, and fell in love with Ed and Pat, and so many others that we can’t name them all (without driving Stephanie crazy).
Many thanks, John, for guiding us on a marvelous journey. The economy may rise and fall, and it always will, but one thing remains constant–our love of the sea, and all things Carnival.
Much love to you and your beautiful Heidi, and pray that the Thingy is a girl, as there aren’t enough Bobbies in all of the UK to handle another like you running all over the countryside.
Dear John:
As you well know, the cruise experience means different things to different cruisers. For me, above the chocolate thingy for dessert, I have to say that the most important thing for me is the Cruise Director.
I am wondering whether it would be possible for Carnival to keep a list of the CD’s on the Carnival site for our perusal. (Need you ask who is our favorite???)
Our next cruise will be on the Glory on Sept. 12th, sailing with 56-60 friends and also celebrating our 50th anniversary. Would you possibly know yet who the CD will be?
Of course, in the future, it would be an utter delight to cruise with the “little thingy.” Regards to Heidi and the little one . . .
Auntie Joan
Hi John,
Was wondering if you had time to check about my March 5 question on a Captain’s schedule – I have known one of their finest Master Donato since he was first officer back in the days of the Festivale, Mardi Gras and a few others (most of which are scrap now) – My Mom and I were able to see him recently and he should be back from Italy and I was curious to find out what ship he is on. Any help you can give would be apprecaited!
son of norma milligan