So, my journey to Genoa begins and for now I have said goodbye to the Carnival Dream. Before I do I want to pay tribute to the men and women of Fincantieri who are turning our Dream into reality. The shipyard really is an amazing place to see and when you look at the history of the Carnival Dream and her development you’ll discover it’s rather more than just another ship.
It all started when Micky Arison, who has done more for the industry then he is ever given credit for, told his team of advisors and men with beards that he wanted to design a new generation of Carnival ships.
“This,” he said, “is what the next Carnival ship should look like.” And then, he handed over a drawing he had doodled during half time at a Miami Heat game
And so it began and some two years later the Carnival Dream is nearly ready for her life at sea to begin.
I cannot tell you how good this ship is. I just don’t have the vocabulary yet and need to get home and lock myself in the writing room to compose myself. I tried to tell someone back in the Miami office how beautiful she is but I end up stammering and dribbling and talking wide-eyed bollocks.
The ship cannot be judged in the same way that we judge other Carnival ships. It is technically a Carnival ship. And yet it just isn’t. It is a ship that will allow us to think outside of the box as they say in marketing talk and allow us to serve and entertain you in ways we have never been able to do before.
It is a triumph for Micky, Gerry and all the Carnival shipboard and shoreside employees and a triumph for Carnival Corporation over absolutely every other cruise company …….. in the world.
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,
Still waiting for MAGIC and getting a Carnival Ship back to Europe!!
Want to do the Baltic cruise on Canival you beeing CD.
Hi John, I am sitting here drooling. I want more to Dream about. Go home. Go to your room.
Jo
I am so excited about the Dream and can’t wait to see all the festivities involved in her naming, etc.
Sorry about your missing items in your luggage and hope you were able to find more tidy whities.
Bravo and thank you to Micky Arison for making his… and our… Dream come true.
Ciao!
Host Mach
John:
Can’t to see Micky Arison’s doodle.
(well that did not sound right…did it??) LOL
You know what I mean…
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
Mr. Heald thank you for a very entertaining blog. I’ve heard about you for years but just stumbled upon your blog. Congrats on your baby, she is truly beautiful. Again, thanks and safe travels.
John,
(please respond if you can find a spare moment)
The Dream looks absolutely beautiful and we are so looking forward to our October 3rd sailing. We were originally booked for a B2B on the Liberty in October but were disappointed when it was cancelled. Hopefully Carnival will be back in Europe in the near future – would absolutely love to do the Baltic or Greece/Turkey itinerary again. We are loyal Carnival cruisers (the Dream will be #24) and don’t really want to cruise with another line, so PLEASE try your best to convince Carnival management to look to Europe again soon.
In 2000 when we were on the Inspiration, the Captain was Mattia Manzi and Staff Captain was Antonio Allegretti. It was a real pleasure meeting them as they were both so nice. Would you be able to find out which ship they are currently on if they are still with Carnival?
All the best wishes for you, Heidi and your beautiful little Kye! Please post some more pictures.
Monica
John, keep bringing it on…can’t wait to enjoy all the Dream has to offer once she is open for business.
Been four days now…are you homesick yet? sorry
Cheers, Ray & Deb
John, PLEASE RESPOND,
Congratulations to you and Heidi on your beautiful baby girl Kye. Kye is such a lucky little girl to have you and Heidi for parents. Many blessings to you and your family. You have taken to being a daddy very well. Spoiling Kye seems to be a very easy thing to do
Sounds like you are having a wonderful time in Italy, one of my favorite countries. The Dream sounds fabulous.
My husband said last year that since I was “dragging” him to Europe for our 45th anniversary cruise on the Splendor last September; that in 2010 I had to go with him on an Alaskan cruise. Our neighbors were going to go with us and we got to talking on Tuesday night that since the prices were so good right now as was the air fare we should check out what was available. My TA got us an amazing cruise and post land tour on the Spirit for the August 5th sailing to Alaska. We never book this late, so it really seems even more exciting since it is only two months away.
Can you tell me who the CD will be on the Spirit? Since we are taking a 5 day/4 night train from Anchorage to Fairbanks, what will we see and or do that we won’t do on the cruise? I do not want to do something on the cruise that we may be doing on our land trip. Any information you can give us would be appreciated.
Thanks John, you truly are one of the good guys and the best CD we have ever had.
Hi John! (please answer) Thanks for the update on our Dream… I will be celebrating my sixtieth birthday (old broad that I am, so never let anyone say Carnival is just for young people!) on the inaugural sailing September 21. I have always dreamed of spending my birthday in Italy and this was too perfect. I was wondering if you will at least be making a guest appearance on the first sailing?
In the meantime, waiting for more photos of Miss Kye and her lovely mommy… what a bright child to have selected SO well from here gene pool… my best to the family
Hi John,
It takes a vision and it looks like its coming true for everyone.
Hats off to their hard efforts and thank you for building a Dream vessel.
Take care!
David