Today when the Boeing thingy lifted its wheels off the ground I fear I may have seen California for the last time. As Captain America took off from Los Angeles today, I looked out of the window and thought: “I’m 44. I’ll probably never get the chance to come back here again.” And it made me sad.
I’m also sad that, in all probability, I shall never again drive an Aston Martin or be the cruise director of the Carnival Splendor…….its Goose’s ship now. I also know I will never have rumpy pumpy in the back seat of a Ford Escort with Sally Poole. In fact, the list of things I’ve already and unwittingly done for the last time is endless.
But now a new chapter in my life is about to start as I head home to Heidi and await the Thingy to make his way into the world.
Just before I do there is just a bit of time that allows me to answer some of your questions. Here we go.
Stef aka Hockey Addict Asked:
Hi John!
(please reply whenever you get a chance. I know you’re REALLY busy right now!)Since I guess I am still considered a newbie to cruising (2nd cruise booked for September of this year) I was wondering if Carnival would ever do a tour of the Bridge again? I’ve read on Cruise Critic a bit ago where you were able to go on a tour in the past. My husband and I would LOVE to see it. We just love the behind the scenes stuff… how things work!
You’ve made a bunch of Platinum Cruisers happy I am sure! By the time I am Platinum they will probably change again! Thank you for doing EVERYTHING that you do!
I look forward to more pictures and your stories while you are in CA…. but then again I look forward to your blog every day!
Sending our best to you, your beautiful bride and the Thingy….
Stef
John Says:
Dear Stef ACKA Hockey Addict,
One of the great things about the blog is that I am able to help both experienced cruisers and those who have just discovered the bets vacation on earth. Pre 911 bridge tours were common place. We would take guests to the bridge where the captain or one of the officers would guide them through the command center. Unfortunately those days have gone and until we find some trust in each other they are not likely to return. You will find an in depth video explaining exactly how the ship is operating. Check your Carnival Capers for details on this. Please let me know if you have any further questions. I hope you have a fantastic voyage.Cheers,
John
Nancy & Doug – Columbus, GA Asked:
Hi John! (please reply when you can!)
Love, love, love the new designs on the cards! We were never really crazy about the “new” ones before and we are very happy these new “new” ones will proudly show off our VIP status! Gee, we really are vain aren’t we?!We have a question for you – we are sailing this Sept. 26th on the Triumph for the New York/Canada cruise and we noticed the 2nd day is at the port of Boston, MA. We are there from 2 pm to 10 pm – what does Carnival do for the Captain’s Cocktail Party when this happens? Many, many people will be on excursions in this port during those hours. To be honest with you – we have never encountered this problem on any of our 14 cruises with Carnival! Whatever they do – would the same thing apply to the 2nd formal night, which would be our night in Halifax, Nova Scotia? Do they just give up the formal nights altogether? We’d like to know so we can pack accordingly and yes, we do enjoy dressing up for the formal nights! That’s the great thing about a cruise – you can dress down or dress up, whichever way you feel!
By the way, we wrote to Guest Services in Miami as you suggested about the problem we had on the Liberty with their dining room staff. Sorry to say, the letter we got from them in return was rather flip. The lady who answered seemed more impressed with the compliments we gave about the rest of the cruise, than concerned with our actual problem. Live and learn – next time we will just raise more of a ruckus!
Glad to see and hear that Heidi & Thingy are doing well and we wish them both all the best! We hope that all of you will be together very very soon!
John Says:
Hello,
Calling at the Port of Boston is something I have done a few times and it has always been memorable. Having checked the itinerary you have nothing to worry about, as the elegant night/captain’s party will be held on the evening of the first sea day. We do not always hold the elegant night on the second day, as it is itinerary dependent. It’s going to be a wonderful cruise and your itinerary is one of my favorites. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Best wishes to you both,John
Aimee Asked:
John-Please reply
I found this on the cruise critic boards and it has completely mortified me! While there is a good chance that this poster did this just to get a rise from people, all I can think of is that poor guy that didnt make tips from this room of…well jerks…for lack of a safe word.I am asking you because you are the all knowing. The speculation has been (on the boards) that the steward has a responsibility to check the room, and I agree but I am really not sure. I know when I was a hotel manager that we had to check the rooms periodically to assure the safety and state of the room, even if customers request not to be “bothered”. Is that the case on a ship as well?
I guess there is no way to find out if this is true or not but if it was I don’t know about anyone else I would like to send a donation to the poor fellow that got his hard earned tips taken away due to this nasty group of kids. I guess it would take a fair deal of work to figure out enough details to do so but if its possible let me know and I will send a check!
Thanks for listening and I look forward to your reply!
Got a call from my neice last night that she was getting just off her spring break cruise today with several of her girlsfriends. They had a quad cabin, (yes there was a 25 yr old in the connecting cabin next door)
Being all age 21,they had a good time, real good time except for the room steward. Even with the do not disturb sign, he knocked a few times and was being a pain. I was told that they had the sign there the whole cruise and did not want the beds made or anything. They even exchanged the pool towels everyday for towels a few times a day.
Starting around Wednesday, the room steward knocked, they opened the door and just shut it on him. Thursday he became a little more persistent and they again just shut it and ignored him. Friday he knocked several times and the girls let him have it. He claimed he needed to check the mini bar. (It was not unlocked to begin with).
He claimed he needed to clean as it is much harder when they must turn the room around for the next cruise, he claimed a few other things he needed to check,ect.
What part of Do not disturb did he not understand.He loses a $100+ in tips when all he had to do was nothing.John Says:
Hi Aimee,
Thanks for taking the time to write. I have read all of this on cruise critic and I think wrote quiet a substantial reply a few days ago. But let me just say this, it is extremely unusual for guests to leave the do not disturb sign up for an entire voyage and it is the job of the stateroom steward to make sure that the occupants of the cabin are safe and well. If the do not disturb sign is up for a few hours or even 24 hours the stateroom stewards will compile with the request an not enter the room. However, in this particular case I am sure the stateroom steward is concerned for the weal being of the guest inside and not because of he was concerned about his tips, which the girls in question had already removed. It seems to me having read your report these young ladies were just plain rude by slamming the door in the face of someone whose only desire was to do their job. Again this is a very unusual case. I would appreciate if you could add this to the cruise critic thread.
Best Wishes,
John
Roxianne & Lon Asked:
I have searched all over the Carniva; Website to find out what the difference is between a Gold Guest and a Platinum Guest. Can you point me in the right direction? ThanksOur youngest son use to ski/snowboard. He attempted to convince me into trying it. Luck for me I always found an excuse not to go! I hate snow. If it would snow on Christmas eve and melt the day after Christmas, that would be enough for me!
John Says:
Hello,
This is a really good question and a really good observation maybe we should have this information on our website. The gold card is issued to any body on their 2nd Carnival Cruise but the big milestone is the platinum card, which is issued when you book your 10th cruise. Benefits for this are brilliant and includes priority check in and debarkation, in cabin personalized stationary, complimentary laundry and you get to drive the ship….Kidding. There are a host of other benefits and you’re absolutely right we should make this more prominent on carnival.com and I shall make it so. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Cheers,
John
Elizabeth Gwin Asked:
Please reply.
There are rumors that the Ecstasy will go into dry-dock and might come out with balconies. Is it true? I hope so!!!Elizabeth
John Says:
Hi Elizabeth,
This is a really good question and at the time of writing I don’t know the answer. I will find out and as soon as I do I will let you know. Balcony cabins have been a huge success on the Carnival Sensation so maybe her sister will receive the same. I will check first thing on Monday and let you know.Cheers,
John
Josh Asked:
Hi John (please reply),
I do not post too often, but just so you know, I am always here every day reading and looking forward to the next blog. You are awesome, and I wish you and Heidi the best of luck with the “thingy” on the way in about a month.Anyway, my question and concern is one that has been brought up here from time to time. It is regarding live music. I have stopped cruising on the rockclimbingwechargeforsteakoftheseas because of major cuts they have made – most notably, the lack of poolside live music.
There is a thread on cruisecritic describing people’s frustrations and concerns about how people are noticing the bands being either replaced by the big screen tvs, the hours noticeably reduced, and/or the bands being cut to 2 person bands (who use prerecorded music to make up for the missing band members). What’s a cruise to the Caribbean without a Caribbean deck band? We can all listen to our eyepodthingys at home, but I… we all really do look forward to this every day on a cruise.
I apologize that my blog mostly consists of a concern of mine and many others, but if this is true, I hope that you and others at Carnival see this post and the others related to this on all of the other message boards. If Carnival has to find ways to “save” or areas to “cut” please do not take away our deck bands (not 1 or 2 person singers)… something that we LOVE about Carnival and about cruising. Carnival has stood out in this department… with live entertainment and in particular, with the deck reggae bands, and please keep these bands playing on all ships… the ones with and without the poolside screens. I hope to hear some good reggae bands by the pool while sipping a pina colada on the new Dream next November, and on any other Carnival cruises.
Sorry again this is so long… anyway, one last thought related to this. We don’t need the rock walls and all that stuff… what makes a cruise a cruise is the entertainment… and in some of our cases, the deck bands really do matter – this is something we can’t see and hear back home, and this is what makes a cruise a cruise and is the reason why we cruise Carnival.
Thanks for always being hear John and listening to us. Enjoy the rest of your travels, and I cannot wait for the next blog.
-Josh from NY
John Says:
Hi Josh,
Welcome home to Carnival. I wonder did you see the question I answered a few days ago about this very subject? If not let me recap. During a recent meeting we promised to not only not reduce poolside live music but to in facet increase it. This will involve the rotation of all the bands and duos on board so that it’s not only the calypso bands that play there. Movies on the big screen will only be shown after 6 pm the rest of the day will be a mixture of live music and pool side fun and games. This will be applicable fleet wide by the end of next week. I appreciate you posting this on cruise critic and I am glad you have rediscovered the affordable value and fun that a Carnival Cruise brings. Best to you and the family,
John
Cruzlovinmom Asked:
Please reply
Hi John,
My husband & I are booked on the Dream in mid Jan 2010, (only 297 days to go, lol) and I have a few questions I hope you can answer
(As a few others have mentioned) our reservation is now showing ‘waitlisted’ with our dining time……do you happen to know why?
Also, I’ve noticed that you mentioned some of the ships now have anytime dining (along with traditional dining) and I wondered if the Dream will have this option? My husband and I prefer to eat at a table for two, and this option would make that possible.
And my last question…..is there any chance you’ll be the cruise director for our trip? If so, that would be wonderful
Thanks again for all you do. I always enjoy reading the blog, and I best wishes to you, Heidi and the baby
Lisa
John Says:
Hi Lisa,
It seems your getting very excited about your Carnival Dream cruise and she is going to be a fantastic vessel. The waitlist reply you received will be rectified near the sailing time of the vessel. The layout and configuration of the dining rooms are still under construction and once they are completed Ken and his staff can start on the table assignments. Anytime dining is working wonderfully on both Carnival Legend and Carnival Liberty and there are plans to extend this to other vessels in the fleet. This could include the Carnival Dream as giving guests a choice is something that is very important to us. Your cruise director will be Todd Whittmer and I do truly wish I could be there with you. As the cruise gets nearer I will be here to answer your questions and look out for a Carnival Dream update in the next few weeks when I visit the shipyard.Best Wishes,
John
Anonymous Asked:
Dear John,
Here is another question for you that I hope you can answer for not only me but also many on the CC boards. Is it ok to save a seat for our spouses at the theaters? Not for a row(s) of seats, but just for 1 (some wonder for small families of 2-4)? I understand that Carnival has to draw the line somewhere and that might be hard to do to make everyone happy. But for my husband to save one seat while I change clothes after our wonderful meal (into something more comfortable than a dress and high heels!). Or what about if one of us after sitting down needs a bathroom break? You may not think this is a big thing but believe me when I say it is a very ’sensitive’ issue on the CC boards! (along with chair-hogging!) So I promised in my last post to go to the top… YOU… a man, whom many including me, respect very much! Thank you for settling this question for all of us!John Says:
Hello,
You may have noticed that we are getting much stricter on seat saving both on the open decks and in the main theatres. For example, lido staff has been instructed to remove any personal items that are left by guests on a lounge chair when those guests do not return after a 30 minute period. This is working well and we will continue to try and improve. While reserving seats in the lounge is not allowed we do allow the saving of one seat for a spouse or partner. Hope this helps.Best Wishes,
JohnErin W. Asked:
Hey John – PLEASE REPLY
Its me again – Erin W. (24 days til the Glory – 25 til the big 3-0!!) I need help with my Carnival FunDay Sunday..I have not received my fun kit yet and as directed by houseparty.com – I called to report this to them. I was told that 13 of us had been accidentally moved to some other mystery list and our packages never sent (this was after 10 min of them trying to find me – On the main list I was not even listed as a host). They also said that at this point they could not guarantee that the box would make it in time. I have been calling this morning trying to get an answer but having no luck so far. I have already spent a ton on food and drinks so I will be hosting the gathering anyway but its kind of hard to promote Carnival without a Fun Kit. Anything you can do to help? As it is Wednesday and the package has not even been shipped – Im not sure what to do.
Also I am also waitlisted for early dining on the Glory (4/18 sailing) – any news of why this is happening?
Thanks – Erin
John Says:
Hi Erin,
I’m so very long that it’s take me until today to reply and it’s probably too late. With all this traveling I am really behind. I can only hope that by the time you read this you will have held your party and had a wonderful time and the problems you were concerned about with the Fun Kit were resolved. Please let me know either way. And again I’m so sorry for the late reply. Hope you have a Sunday Fun day.
Cheers,
John
That’s all for now and I will catch up with the rest on Tuesday. Remember, even though I am not on board I will continue to help you in anyway I can.
It seems the fun continues on the Carnival Splendor’s John Mayer cruise…..have a look at these great photos from Jaime.
So he’s been away for a few days but Murphy …….is back. He arrived yesterday when I had the rather embarrassing situation of having to call the front desk because I had blocked the toilet. Now, don’t worry, I am not going to gross you out with the details but let’s just say Subway would have sold it as their bigger sandwiches if you get my drift.
I flushed and flushed but the foot long refused to disappear. Panicking I headed for the closet but Murphy had hidden all the wire coat hangers and replaced them with the non detachable wooden ones. I contemplated using my toothbrush or my
razor but instead I called the front desk. …………now when they answered I should have been honest and said “I just deposited a poo the size of a Lexus in your toilet and it won’t flush”…..but instead I said “Your toilet will not flush and I need some assistance” thus putting the blame on there badly designed lavatory not on my excessively large number 2.
About ten minutes later there was a knock at the door and there stood an elderly Asian man and his tool box.
Now……..there is absolutely nowhere to hide in a room at the Westin Hotel that will shield you from the total and utter embarrassment while you wait for Mr. Lee the plumber to use his origami skills to push your aircraft carrier of a turd down the toilet. He emerged 5 minutes later looking rather pail……I thanked him and he gladly accepted the $20 I gave him. He thanked me and went hoping I would have a large dinner that night so the following morning he could earn himself another $20.
Murphy – strike 1
Strike 2 was when Stephanie, Mr. Hair the video man and I were in a taxi heading to LAX airport. The driver spoke only Spanish and had recently sacrificed a goat in his cab because it smelt no better than Mr. Lee the plumber’s right hand did the night before.
It appears that the same driving rules apply in LA as they do in Miami……meaning there aren’t any apart from “everyone else is a bastard and I am king of the road.”
Pedro Gonzalez our driver was terrible and I was sure his erratic driving would cause an accident…….and I was right.
About a mile outside of the airport Pedro stooped at a junction then for some reason he lurched forward and at the last minute realized there was las auto in front of him. He broke hard and stopped inches away from hitting the car……Unfortunately the car behind didn’t hit the breaks in time and he smashed into the back of the cab.
Bugger.
Luckily everyone was OK and as we checked we still all had our faculties Pedro was out of the cab letting the young male driver have a lesson in Spanish swear words…….and all the time the meter kept clicking over. After a few minutes he headed back to the cab but not to head on to the airport but to get a paper and pen. I asked him to turn the meter off but he looked at me as though I had
just asked him to take of his clothes and tango with me………and that was him back in the street and that was the meter ticking ever upwards.
Eventually after ten minutes we headed to the concourse and paid our $75 cab fare from the Westin hotel to LAX……..I paid him exactly $75 of which $11 was from sitting there after the accident. He looked at me and suddenly he could speak English because he said “tip?”…….now I know I shouldn’t have done but because his cab smelt like Paris…..because he had left the meter running and
had charged us an extra $11…..and because I was tired…….I have to admit I might have been a little rude although Stephanie and Mr. Hair seemed to enjoy my outburst.
He said “tip?”
I said – “Don’t crap in the toilets at the Westin……there’s a top tip for you.”………and we buggered off to catch our flight.
And so I head home. It’s been a wonderful 2 months with the brilliant memories of the Bloggers Cruise, the joy of helping rebuild a New Orleans park and of course being a cruise director again. Yes, it’s been difficult being away from Heidi and at times I was desperately lonely and that was so tough to cope with. But through it all I had the blog thingy and I had you.
As always when I go home I worry that you will stop reading the blog thingy and I hope as always that you will still read my daily musings once in a while.
I will be writing everyday starting on Tuesday and you can look forward to lots of video, photos and interviews from around the fleet. I will be visiting the Carnival Dream, flying to Baltimore, attending a double Costa naming ceremony and of course ………I will become, God willing…….a Dad.
I will share all of this and so much more with all of you…..my friends and family on the blog.
See you in the UK
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.
Hey John
Loved your interview with Barry and HOPE you get to read my book before your kids drives! You really will laugh and no doubt your book will be better but I think mine captures life working on a cruise ship.
I got email from someone on Elation saying they were reading book and now 500 crewmembers waiting to read it, good luck on your adventures, you are as funny as always and good luck on Pilates career!
Cheers
Micha
Dear John…Please reply
W just got back a few hours ago from our cruise on the Carnival Destiny…what a wonderful time we had. (We did have a couple of hiccups but I think we addressed them before we left the ship, though I will let you know what these problems were in another email just in case it helps other cruisers). I will catch up on the blogs I missed reading within the next day or so.
Anyway we are due to go on a short 3 day cruise in just 12 days time on the Carnival Paradise, but when I checked the website this morning it tells me we are “waitlisted” underneath our requested dining time of 6PM. What exactly does this mean please?
My grandson also wishes to know if he will be allowed to attend the Club O2 for the whole 3 days of this upcoming cruise as he will still be 17 years old on the first day of the cruise, but he turns 18 on the second day? I would also like to know if there is going to be any type of club organised for the 18 to 21 years olds? I think it was mentioned in one of your blogs a while back.
Thanks…and loving cruising
Irene Garner
Hi John!
What an exciting couple of months. So much ahead over these next several weeks. I look forward to following along.
Safe travels across the pond after the madness of getting to the airport today.
Hi to Heidi/Thingy!
Take care!
David
John:
Glad you and the team were ok in the fender bender.
Go home, rest up, take care of Heidi and the Wee One.
Why would we stop reading? Your life is about to become its most interesting… as you learn to juggle fatherhood and Brand Ambassadorship on top of being a Cruise Director !!!
Safe travels…
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
Good luck my friend. I along with all your blogger friend can’t wait until that beautiful day when you hear that cry showing that you and Heidi are parents. Then the excitement begins John. I can’t wait because as a father of three adults now and a grandfather of four beautiful children, I know how great it is to be a parent and I can’t wait to hear that you and Heidi feel that tremendous feeling that you will attain holding that little baby. God bless you both.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Hey John,
Safe journey and all the best to Heidi and the rest of your family. Get LOTS of sleep now because it will be a luxury once the THINGY gets here.
Looking forward to all of the updates but will miss the stories about the passenger comments. They are without a doubt my favourite part of the blog.
all the best,
B&D from Canada
( where Spring is trying hard to arrive)
Again … Que te pasa John?? I hate when you start talking about doing things for the last time. You are talking like you are 80 something… We are 44!!
Sometimes you worry me. Don’t talk like that… Sorry for the scolding. Maybe you need some of my happy pills… LOL
Never come back to LA?? God only knows how many times you are going to be back. Have you realize that you are having a child and that you are going to do everything again with that child?? You have to show him(her) many things and many places. You are just starting the adventure. I’m 44 and I still want to travel the world and see many places. I’m not ready to throw the towel at 44. the second life of your life is just starting . The possibilities are endless.
Love you!! Give a hug to Heidi and quit the negative thoughts Ok Mr . Happy?
Nanni
John
Have a safe flight, although I expect we will hear of an adventure on your trip home as Murphy is sure to make it three in a row.
Don’t worry we will read your blog…….
Good Afternoon John,
Safe trip and give Heidi and Thingy a big hug for Jack and I. Rest assured that I will continue reading your blog, whether or not you’re on a cruise ship or at home. You have become a part of my day and a part of our family. Looking forward to the BC4 in December and also to hear that you are a Daddy with a healthy, bouncing baby! Take care and see you in December
Joan
We hope you have a happy homecoming with Heidi and look forward to continue reading the blog and awaiting your precious child’s birth!
Lisa & Paul
Hi John,
I hope you make it back to California sometime in the future with Heidi and the Thingy.
Safe travels home.
John, Carnival just can’t put you up in a good hotel. First you smash a bed doing who knows what. Then you try to launch the Queens newest sub from the port of Exit Only only to get stuck in the canal before reaching the open seas.
Have a safe a Murphy less flight home and give Heidi our love and a big hug.
BIG ED
PS take a poo before you get on the plane.
Hello John
You just go home and take care of Heidi and Thingy and to get some much needed rest.
We will always be here to read the blog thingy.
Papanh
Hop to see you next year John on the Carnival Splendor. i rember you when you were on the Glory. i was on that boat 2 times
John, too funny. I can’t believe he asked for a tip!
You mentioned that Goose is the CD of the Splendor, so who will be the CD in September? Steve Kniseley from the Liberty said he’s signed up for the Splendor at that time(and it is ok for me cuz Steve is HOT and Canadian, but from Toronto…).
Please, tell me that my Sexy Aleksandr Kazakov will be on the Splendor for September 09…please, please, please…If you can pull some strings for him to be there, please please, please…I need some eye candy remember it’ll be my birthday cruise…..*BG*
Hi John,
Hope your trip home is safe and uneventful. Looking forward to hear from you and Heidi.
Love your blog thingy and all,
Mary
John, Please reply.
Hi John,
Hope you made it home safely. I know you will enjoy being home with Heidi and waiting on the birth of the baby.
I do have a question. My husband and I will be sailing on the Carnival Freedom 5/31 with stops in Key West, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. We plan on snorkeling in Grand Cayman and we would like to know if you can tell us where the Shipwreck and Reef Snorkel goes? Which reef do we go to. We have been to Grand Cayman once before and we did the Turtle Farm, Hell and Stingray City. This time we just want to snorkel.
Also, will Todd still be the CD then? When does he leave to start getting the Carnival Dream ready? Who will be the CD on the 6/28 sailing of the Freedom. Our son and and daughter-in-law will be on that cruise.
When will the summer 2010 schedule for the Fantasy from Mobile and Triumph for New Orleans be available? I am trying to plan our cruise for 2010 and since these are our two home ports, I would like to know their schedule. My first choice for 2010 is Alaska and if that doesn’t work then I would like to do Eastern Caribbean. But if that doesn’t work either, I know I can make a cruise work on either the Fantasy or the Triumph.
Thanks for all your help. Enjoy being home. And yes, we will keep reading the blog.
Cindy
John,
Have a wonderful trip home and give our love to Heidi and Thingy. We will most definately be reading your blogs. We look forward to them every day. No matter what you talk about, your stories are so interesting and funny that we can’t wait to read them! Don’t think for one minute that you will be giving up anything. You are not old John, you are simply trading one wonderful life for another, the life of a dad. What a blessing! You will still be a huge part of the Carnival family no matter what you do in the future but we hope you will still be Senior Cruise Director for a long, long time!
Mike & Lori
Hi John! I love your articulation throughout your blog thingy. Your tip to the suddedlyicanspeakenglish cabbie guy was priceless. I do the same thing when the situation warrants it. Keep up the good work!
Good luck to you and Heidi. The best days of your life indeed are ahead of you. Those memories will dwarf every port you have ever visited! Today my niece gave birth to a baby boy in Switzerland….so wish we could see him.
Love,
Kap
John,
We may be new to the blog but we arn’t new to cruising. We look forward to all the pics and information you pos on the blog. I will have to try and find you bedtime stories on youtube. From the sounds of it, you are loved and respected by the bloggers and we look forward to your next post! Enjoy “thingy” while she(he) is young, they grow up very fast!
John,
Yup. I have to agree with Nanni on this one.
As I was reading your latest entry, I had to double check to be sure I didn’t accidentally get redirected to the “Old Farts” blog on the AARP site.
John, your 44, even backwards, it’s STILL 44! What you need is a good injection of Heidi lovin’ to get you feeling yourself again!
As far as being afraid that no one will read your daily musings from home, you fail to realize that we are all anxiously waiting for the “Big Event”, which will, no doubt give you ENDLESS fodder for your future blogging, as well as being a huge source of entertainment for us, your faithful readers!
Safe travels, my friend.
Our love to you, Heidi and the “Thingy.”
Lance & Ilda
PS… Tell Murphy to bugger off!
Hi John,
Hope you have a safe and uneventful trip home. I know you’re anxious to see Heidi and see how she’s changed since you last saw her.
We just got home from the Carnival Valor and we did have a great trip even though you weren’t there. That would just have been the icing on the cake. But we did get to talk with Charlie and we think he’s a good cruise director and will get better with practice. After all not everyone can start out like you because even you’ve had a lot of experience.
Say Hi to Heidi for us and keep us informed of her progress. Can’t wait to hear if the Thingy is a boy or girl.
Safe travels!
George and Linda
safe journey john!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Hello John,
This the first time write, because we are not very
good on a computer. I have been reading your blog
for about a year and just found out how to respond.
{we hope} In 2006 was our first cruise on the Liberty with you as our CD. We had such a great time with you as the CD we have been a cruise every year , but you and the Liberty are still our favorite.
We are sailing with my brother and his wife on the Valor on April 12,2009 to celebrate both of our 40th wedding anniversaries. Ours is Sept. and theirs is in Nov. But we always go in the spring.
Carnival would not be the same without you . I’m
sorry we will miss you on the Valor. I enjoy reading your blog everyday. Give our best to Heidi and the THINGY .
The Tomlinsons
John,
I hope you had an uneventful jouney home…. and I hope this note finds you safe and happy back home with Heidi and Thingy!
We had a low key event today… our Carnvial House Party!
Not sure how to send these to you….
but if you check out this link, there are three pics of my kids all in their Carnvial Gear….
Our party was not that FUN for the KIDS… as it was “Lets Pack for our Cruise Party!” – but we made it fun later in the day with Frozen Drinks, Snacks and Cruise Tunes!
http://travel.webshots.com/album/570737198YmtQsR
Looking forward to hearing from you next week, and hopefully also get my pricing issue resolved once and for all!
Catrin
$20 to take a crap. Now I’ve heard it all.
Hi John, Thanks for the laughs. We will always read your blog. I had one of those days today. You know the kind I mean. I spent my day cleaning up other peoples messes instead of doing what I wanted to do. Finally the day is almost over, dinner is in the oven and I decide to check for a new blog. Life is good I find a new blog and forget the day I had. I am laughing and enjoying myself. Thanks my friend making me smile.
Jo
Hi John:
Have a safe and relaxing trip home to be with Heidi & the little Thingy. Rest now . . . or forever hold your “peace.”
I was one who put the “Do Not Disturb” sign up for a couple of days and I was really appreciative that the cabin steward “did” check on me and my mate as we took turns not feeling well. Everyone, for the most part, has a roommate and what we were able to do was to have our mate catch the steward outside the door and quietly exchange towels, get ice or got some lite meals without disturbing the “sick one” too much. Once you make it known to the steward what the problem is and also that there IS someone looking out for the sickie, he will comply with your wishes. I wish the ones who are disturbed remember that the stewards are not mind-readers and thank goodness that they do care if you’re all right!
Hello to Heidi. She soon should look cute when she gets to be in her “waddling” stage when she can no longer see her feet! We’re (im)patiently waiting for Thingy to arrive and we all are looking forward to the announcement . . . Love to all,
Auntie Joan
Have a great time at home! I sure enjoy reading about your time on the ships but know that you need a much deserved vacation. Thanks for making me laugh and learning to love Carnival even more!!
John, please reply…how long will Ken be aboard the Splendor? I have friends sailing on her in late August/early September and was hoping they could hear him sing and entertain in the dining room. Hope your trip home was without any more Murphy, best to Heidi and the thingy…love reading the blog, even though I don’t post often I’m checking it out every day.
I kno whow you feel John. I was in Jamaica years ago in a taxi. It was a very run down Lada. Well to make a long story short a wheel came OFF!!!!!! The driver wanted us to wait for him to try and fix it. We said thank you but no. Paid for the half mile we went and walked the rest of the way down the mountain.
Well by now you should be somewhere over the Atlantic on your way hme to Heidi and the baby. Well you had a very eventful 24 hours before your flight so I hope the flight is uneventful.
Don’t lament over “last times” since they probably won’t be and you have so many new things to look forward to–like no sleep and so much more that will really be fun even if it is sleep deprived.
Thanks to Stephanie as well as I know the jet lag takes its toll and she just keeps getting things done as usual. Thanks Steph–we notice!
Love the pictures but I always do. You know we will all read whether you are on the ship or off.
You will have more news coming from home soon than what happens on the ships anyway so we will be tuning in as usual!
Have a safe trip and love to you, Heidi and Thingy!
Hi John!
I am so glad you are on your way home to Heidi and Thingy. I am thrilled for you and know you have missed each other.
Exciting times are headed your way and we will all be waiting to hear the news that the Thingy has arrived! (Will we have to stop calling “him” Thingy?)
Many thanks to Carnival for the FunDay parties. Ours was a total success and we had such a good time!!
Best wishes to you, Heidi and Thingy,
Stitch
John Please Reply
We had our Carnival Cruise in a Box party, ok the Carnival Sunday Fun day party, yesterday. We first heard about the party while on the last blogger’s cruise. I want to tell you it was a HUGE success!
The guests enjoyed singing with the DVD and had a wonderful time trying to make towel animals. We now can fully appreciate the time and energy it takes the cabin stewards to make their towel creations! We definitely need more practice.
We also played Bingo and gave the medals out as prizes to the winners.
We just want to thank Carnival for giving us this opportunity to host a party and for sending such great gifts included in the box. The guests really enjoyed themselves, and so did we.
Thank you
Paul and Brenda Riffle
John Please Reply
John,
Is there any way you can get me a few pictures of the new Penthouse Suites with the extended balconies. Don’t worry about getting me pictures of the room, but if you could get me some pictures of the balcony that would be great. I just want to see how big it is.
Thank You,
Spencer
John, Please respond.
Elizabeth, not Lizzy or E Beth, says Hi in the link below…
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/Blog_2009/elizabeth_hi.htm
John…please video the Thingy once safely in Heidi’s arms…We all want to see “him”???Can’t wait to see what Carnival has for us at Cruise3Sixty in FLL next week…Have a safe trip and get some rest !!
Mark C from Alabama
Dear John: The day has finally arrived and before long you will be with Heidi. I know how much you have missed her. But, my friend, the best has yet to come, especially when you hold your little one for the first time. There’s nothing like it John.
We will continue to read your blog every day and wish you and Heidi the very best of luck. And as far as your little one, he/she will be so lucky to have such wonderful parents.
God Bless all of you.
Regards,
Terry
Hi ! John,
Just wanted to let you known how much we enjoy your Blog.
Our first crusie was on the Liberty and you was the CD you made
our crusie. It was spring of 2006 you got us hooked .
Best Wishes to you and Heidi on the birth of thingy.
Ronnie
Jhon hi, i am cruising on the carnival splendor on April and I was just wondering, who will be the cruise director on the splendor while it is homeported in mexico?
STOP READING THE BLOG??? Who are you trying to kid, John? We, your faithful followers, will always be here for you as you are here for us! We are all family–a large one that continues to grow and grow! But the smallest member of the family has yet to make an appearance–thingy will be the BEST member of the blogging family! Hi to Heide and her mom and to your mom and dad–I am sure they are all anxiously awaiting your arrival. Safe travels, and you know how Murphy is–he will probably strike a third time before you get home. Your luck, a Frenchman will be seated next to you for the whole flight!
Sheryl
John – don’t you realize by now that not reading your blog everyday would be like not having that first cup of coffee everyday (okay…I don’t drink coffee…but you know what I mean). We all look forward to what you write. Once that baby gets here, you will have so much to write about you won’t ever have to worry about running out of material to share. Just think about it – how many babies are lucky to have so many “family members” around the world who care about them??? Best of the best to you and Heidi – you’re in the home stretch now.
Never fear, my friend. I would no more stop reading this blog than I would stop cruising on Carnival ships. Your audience, our blogging family, are a faithful lot.
I think your tip to your cab driver was more generous than what he deserved which was a boot in the posterior.
By now you’re home, trying to cope with the near half day you lost going east. Here’s hoping that your constitution spares your loo the problems that plagued the Westin!!
As always… howdies to Heidi and the Thingy! Thank you to Stephanie and Mr. Hair for doing what’s necessary to keep this wonderful blog humming along!!
Ciao!!
Host Mach
Hi John!
Don’t even think that we wouldn’t read because you are home! We will be here reading every word!
Hopefully your flight will be uneventful and you can get some sleep before seeing your beautiful Heidi and the Thingy. I’m excited that you will once again be with her.
Thanks for the reply about the Bridge tour. I will look in our Capers for more info.
Welcome home!!
I would NEVER bugger off and stop reading your blog. It is the highlight of my day.
Have a safe trip home. Kiss Heidi like you haven’t seen her in a very long time – Oh….that shouldn’t be so hard, you HAVE NOT seen her. I suspect there will be tears of joy involved.
Best of luck to you and I look forward to your next “homey” post.
Thanks for always brightening my day.
Hugs to you and Heidi,
Lori
aka catmama
John. Of course we’ll all still continue to read the blog. Most of us seem to begin our day by sharing your experiences with you. After you become a dad things will be even more interesting. Regarding all this “last time” nonsense. Quit it! We’re in our 70s and never feel that anyplace we enjoy is the last time we’re be there. In fact, we were just considering the cruise to Venice,etc. again.
Have a great time at home and tell Heidi hello from us. Jeri & Larry
Hi John
We will be sailing on the Destiny on 4/16/09. This will be my daughter’s first cruise and her birthday is on Friday 4/17/09. I want this to be extra special for her. Elizabeth turns 12. I have ordered a cake for that day, but is there anything else you can suggest?
Thanks
Hi John (please reply) -
My wife (who proudly stated that I would never get her onto a “boat” when I first met her) and I will be taking our second cruise within a year in April. Our first cruise was on the Holiday last year, and we can’t wait to see the differences between her and the Fantasy when we board next month.
We will also be taking my parents, who have recently retired, as a congratulatory vacation for their retirement. Because the Fantasy doesn’t have a Supper Club, I would love to have an intimate setting for dinner in the Main Dining Room. Is there a way, prior to sailing, to request a private table for the four of us in the dining room?
Thanks!
Marshall
(Cabins R31 and R48 on the 4/27 Fantasy sailing)
John, enjoy your time with Heidi and the Thingy. Time will fly by even faster than a 3 day cruise. Time at home with the loved ones is never long enough. Time away is always to long.
It should be spring time in England soon. Yea, right. Maybe about June if I remember correctly.
Take care of everyone and keep us posted on everything in your world and everything that affects our cruise world.
PS, we are now less one bobble head doll as it was given away during our Carnival cruise party. Any more on Ebay lately.
Dear John…PLEASE REPLY
I am writing again as I said I would to let you know about the little things that concerned me on our recent cruise on the Carnival Destiny from Miami, March 23rd to 28th. Don’t get me wrong…99.9% of everything was perfect. We live in Calgary, Alberta so Carnival put us up for one night prior to sailing, in the Hyatt Summerfields Suites in Miami. What a beautiful hotel and a perfect start to our vacation. We had fantastic weather and the ports of call were breathtaking
The small things that bothered me were that when I requested wake-up calls we did not get them…. 2 times out of 4. The last missed wake-up call was for disembarkation day, and that meant we felt rushed instead of relaxed for the start of journey home. I called Guest Services but they told me they had passed it on to Room Service, but there was no apology from either dept.
We loved our towel animals, but the steward didn’t seem as friendly as the one we had on the Carnival Freedom last summer, and we only got our chocolates 2 times out of 5. Is there a rationing of these chocolates now?
Our snorkelling adventure was cancelled on our trip to Half Moon Cay because of mechanical problems, but that didn’t upset us, as our day spent on the beach and the barbeque the staff provided there was wonderful, except for one small thing. I drink very little alcohol so we had purchased Fountain Fun Cards, but when we asked the waiter on the beach for pop he told me that I had to go all the way back along the beach to the bar to get my own drinks. I thought that was very unfair. Just because I didn’t want alcohol I was treated differently to the other guests. I spoke to the bar staff and they asked to tell them which waiter had said this, but I couldn’t remember which one it was.
We did speak to the Excursions Director about our next concern and were reassured that steps had been taken to rectify this problem. My grandson took the excursion to Atlantis to swim with the dolphins, but unbeknownst to Carnival excursion team the times we had chosen were changed to 2:30 PM which meant that by the time the dolphin experience was over the last bus back to the ship set for 4 PM had already left. Thankfully a family had ‘adopted’ my grandson for the day and they all came back to the ship in a taxi. I just want to let other travellers know that if they get their times for this excursion changed to 2:30 PM then make sure the bus driver knows that they will be back late and he should wait for them. I spent a very anxious time waiting for my grandson to come back to the ship. I contacted Guest Services at 4:15 but was told he was not on the ship. Everyone was told to be back on board by 4:30, so by the time I went back to Guest Services at 4:30 I was in tears, but was informed that he was back on board, and I could breathe again, but that was a very worrying time.
I would just like to hear your comments on these concerns I had but I do have a question for you to answer please.
My next cruise is in just 11 days, a 3 day cruise on the Carnival Paradise to Baja Mexico. I love Carnival and was thrilled to be treated so special at the Past Guest reception on the Carnival Destiny. My question is about my daughter who travelled with me on the Carnival Freedom last summer. She and her fiance are travelling on the Carnival Spirit in September to Alaska. Will she still be treated as a past guest even though all the bookings etc were done in my name on the Carnival Freedom last year? If so, will she be able to take her fiance with her to the Past Guest Reception, if they have one on the ship. I know we had to hand in our invitations at the door, so her fiance probably won’t get one, but as she has a slight disability (walking is difficult for her) she will need to have him with her.
Thanks for your wonderful blogs. I still have to catch up with the ones I missed while we were away, so not even sure if you are answering questions right now.
All the best to you and Heidi, and for the upcoming birth of your little Thingy
Still hooked on cruising…Irene Garner
Have a great, and well deserved, time at home with Heidi.
John, at 44, you are still a kid. Wait until you are 72 like me and still trying to get out there and see the world like I am. At 44, I was starting a new career and hadn’t even started cruising yet. So, of course you’ll be back to L.A. With your new little one, you have a whole new life ahead of y0u. So, those of us who live in L.A. can hardly wait for you to come back and visit again and again. I am trying to get to your side of the world – haven’t been to England yet – my next goal, after BC4, of course.
Best of luck to you, Heidi and your bambino.
Hello John,
I have to echo what several others have said.
1. We’re not going to stop reading the blog. We love it. It makes our day!
2. Have a safe trip home. Didn’t that 2 months go quickly?
3. The story about the toilet in the Westin cracked me up, as did Big Ed’s response.
4. You are not old. 44 is not old. 84 is old. You have 40 years to go before you’re old. Have you got that? What makes you think you won’t go back to LA? You can if you want to.
5. We are all waiting for news of the birth of the Thingy, and what his or her name will be.
One of your many friends,
Cheryl D.
John,
{I am begging you to post this and respond}
I am beginning to think Carnival has locked the June 2010 schedule in a time capsule. If you can determine the location, I’ll bring the backhoe. Does ANYONE know what the June 2010 schedule looks like for New Orleans?
Melody
John Reply -
John I am looking forward to your posts and daily musings while you are at home and of course, your continued updates on Heidi and the Thingy. So happy for you both.
Back in January I made you dance around in your underpants when I told you that I canceled my Transatlantic I booked on the Nosteakforyou of the Seas after the Liberty Europe cancellations, and booked a back to back Caribbean cruise on the Valor.
Mom, nor I, could bear the thought of sailing on another line so we’ve come “home” to Carnival.
Anyway, you wanted our booking numbers closer to our cruises (4/19 & 4/26) so here they are: 53D3V3 and 59D0T1, Judy & Melissa Jurgensen.
You said these would be the best cruises ever and I certainly believe it! We’ll be turning Platinum with Carnival!
My best to you, Heidi and the Thingy. I am so glad I was able to meet you and Heidi on the Splendor and I can’t wait for pictures of the Thingy when he arrives!
Melissa
PS: I’d probably knock your knickers off if I told you that I canceled another RCL sailing and booked the Dream in October!
Hello John:
What has gotten into you with all of the last time for this and that? All the world is your oyster.
I was laughing real hard when I read your latest biology exploits. Ahem. Almost as good as the beet root story.
Someday I will tell you about my cab ride to he double l. Or how we drove past the Moat House in Birmingham four times and got on the M road for no reason other than to run up the meter. And the driver was from where they have native camels, needing soap much more than any Frenchman by a wide margin.
By the way, they say that babies in their mom can hear what is going on outside. So.
Start talking to your little thingy. They may not have much of a vocabulary, but you seem to be able to communicate with a few guests that don’t have much vocabulary either, so this will not be a big step for you.
My wife has cut off sugar and white flour, she calls it not shopping in the center of the store whatever that means. To me it is eating like a rabbit most days, and some days meat and green beans, but no pasta, or rice, or bread, or pie, or ice cream, or…. The lbs are melting off though. She wants me to live forever, and read somewhere weight had to do with it. hmmmm.
I figure you are home now, so give Heidi a hug and a kiss for me, and then another just because you can and just think how wonderful your life is!
Your Friend
Bill Heck
John, by now you should have left California (the land of assorted fruits and nuts) and are comfortably ensconced in the arms of your lovely Heidi. Contratulations, mate, on making it through another travel experience.
We just got back from the Carnival Pride’s last Mexican Riviera cruise, and it was with a mixture of sadness and hope that we bid her adieu. We will miss her naughty decor, but are looking forward to this itinerary on the Splendor in May.
We were fortunate to be on Deck 3 as Splendor approached and then passed by us headed North as we worked our way South down the coast. The excitement level was heightened as crew from every level ran to port side to return the waves of guests returning from 40+ days of sailing around the Horn. She is a marvelous vessel, and the photos I got of her were spectacular. As the two captains signaled each other with a blast of their horns, I felt my eyeballs sweating slightly(I’m a guy, I don’t cry) just being a part of that passing. I waved to Jaimie, but since she didn’t jump ship and swim to my side, I don’t think she saw me (or maybe she did, but saw my wife by my side).
Much love to Heidi and Thingy. Talk about a marvelous adventure–you only think your life has been fun! Just you wait!
Rus
Hi John , please reply. I sent a message to you a couple of days ago about the need of early dining. I am sorry but I think I may have given the wrong cabin number, our cabin number is 8422
thanks bobby
HELLO JOHN
GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE FINALLY ON YOUR WAY ACCROSS THE POND FOR MANY HUGS, TEARS, KISSES AND BELLY RUBS BETWEEN U AND HEIDI
YOU OR STEPHANIE PLEASE REPLY:
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE DVD/ VIDEO FROM THE BLOGGERS NOLA\CRUISE THAT WAS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE TO US WHO PARTICIPATED OR WANT TO BUY? i HAVEN’T SEEN ANYTHING ON IT OR MAYBE I MISSED IT?
WE WILL NEVER CEASE TO READ YOUR BLOG WETHER IT BE BRITISH, SEAFARING, CARNIVAL, MURPHY;S LAW OR BUGGER ALL, VIDEO, PHOTOGRAPHS , SHORT OR LONG..
TAKE CARE
THE TUCKERS
ELIZABETH MISSING ARNOLD
Dear John (soon to be John the dad),
I feel profound sadness yet great joy for you John. As a man, I understand how much you enjoy being a CD. I also understand how much you want to be with Heidi and the Thingy. Further you and I are at the point in our lives where we look at our age, health and future and wonder what will it all bring…
One thing I can say with certainty is that you will be a great dad! And what lucky lad or lass you will have, I can see cruise vacations for the Heald family, where dad doesn’t have to work but just can sit back enjoy like everyone else. Heidi too, what a great lady who has patiently waited for you. Here are two people who worked hard and made people smile and laugh. What better parents who have seen all types of folks and probably have a better handle on the human psyche than Freud!
Anyways we will all be here reading your blog thingy. We will see you again sometime on board soon. Life is interesting balancing act between work and home life. Unfortunately, it gets a bit more tricky when you have to be away from your family. Maybe occassionally you can bring Heidi and your son or daughter on a cruise. I am sure Carnival can spring for a suite or a family stateroom! : )
Mark Brass
I know you are on the big winged bird home at this time, and I wish you a safe journey home to see the lovely Heidi and thingy. You deserve a little R&R and so does Heidi. Just remember this one rule…..
What the pregnant lady wants, the pregnant lady gets!! Ice cream in the middle of the night, better get to Tesco as quick as possible!
Thanks for all your insights on the Splendor/Mayer cruise! It looks brilliant!
Have some Smarties for me while in UK.
June
I hope you made it home alright and gave Heidi and the thingy the biggest smooches ever!
)
Enjoy your time off. And yes, we will be reading no matter where you are
$20 for a crap. Bet the Ryanair man is wondering how he can incorporate that into his future charging plans!
I look forward to hearing within 14 days of the birth that The Thingy really is a chip off the old block as you get to grips with the business end so to speak.
Best to all
mogsta
I hope the Thingy is with a thingy and we get to read about the first unwanted shower John gets while changing a nappie.
BIG ED