Conference calls are totally brilliant. I was on one yesterday and thanks to the magic mute button on my raspberry I could sit there, listen, type my blog and fart and none of the dozen or so people on the call are any the wiser. I was talking to ……….or rather not talking to………..a group of people from our Miami office. Now, for those of you who have never experienced a conference call let me explain what happens. They’re exactly like a normal meeting in that nothing happens and nothing gets done and everyone talks bollocks but you don’t have to sit there, remembering not to fall asleep and not to pick your nose in front of President Gerry Cahill.
I just poured myself another cup of tea and at one point during the call I went to the toilet for five minutes, and when I finally rejoined the conversation nobody had even noticed I’d been away.
Unfortunately, one of the problems with this is that someone from marketing is going to ask for my opinion and I won’t have any clue what they have been talking about because they were in the box and we were outside it, at the top of a flagpole seeing which way the wind was blowing.
I hate meetings but I guess I am the only one because anytime I call anyone at Carnival they are either going to a meeting, in a meeting, leaving a meeting to go to another meeting or planning tomorrow’s 39 meetings with a follow up meeting about the previous meeting.
If I was Carnival’s President I would have one rule. If I go to a meeting, only I am allowed to speak. And then something gets done.
I can’t say who but apparently one of the ladies I was on the phone with is a wild animal! Now, as I said I have to be very, very careful here but before the call started one of the chaps from the office described this person as a Tiger……………nope……….that’s not right……………..a lion…………..bugger…………no…………..hold on let me think…………….hyena……….no……….jaguar………that’s not it………….ahhhh yes…………….apparently this lady who works at Carnival is something called a cougar.
I am sure many of you out there are saying “Cougar ………….what the heck is a cougar?” And I said the same thing. Well apparently cougar is part of a new street language developed by metrosexual men with gel in their hair and Liza Minnelli on their Eye Pods. It refers to a lady over 40 who is looking for a relationship with a man of a much younger age ……….say 18 – 25…………and they are very predatory about it hence the name cougar.
Now, I am 8 years older than Heidi so I understand something about age differences but why would a lady of 40 want to be with a kid of 18? Anyway, this Carnival lady is apparently a big Cougar and she is on the hunt. She is in her mid forties and being the same age I don’t understand. If I were to go out with a younger girl – especially someone in their early twenties it would be a very traumatic experience for her. I’d be revealing all sorts of things she wasn’t prepared for.
And surely it would be the same for the poor chap who has been devoured by the 40 something Cougar. Why would a young chap want to listen to the Cougar moan about the lumps, the bumps, the wrinkles her hair going grey and not to mention the mood swings?
Anyway throughout the conference call all I could think about was that one of the ladies on it was a Cougar who later that Friday night would be stalking her Justin Trousersnake prey ready to pounce.
Me………………I’m more of a Sloth. That’s the term for older men who don’t want to leave the house and go anywhere or do anything. ………..except fart and pick their noses during pointless conference calls.
I hope the Cougar doesn’t read my blog……………………………..bugger.
Time to answer a few questions. ……………….here we go.
John & Patty Asked:
Hi John, Was hoping you could direct us and/or help us make contact with the appropriate individual to obtain a Cloud9 Spa robe on our upcoming cruise. John & I have a wonderful cruise last year through the Baltic’s on the Splendor. We enjoyed the ship, fantastic crew, service, spa and spa suite. Apparently the Cloud9 robes had been a hot item since we can’t get opportunity to purchase two. Day two our cruise we began the “quest” to purchase two robes; spoke with everyone, hotel mgr, spa mgr, room steward, but were told unfortunately there were no longer any left for purchase, but maybe they would arrive later in week at another port. Well needless to say they never arrived. When we got home we spoke with our Carnival Cruise Specialist in Miami, unfortunately he has also been unable to connect to the right person for us to purchase. Also sent a few e-mail inquiries to Carnival but no response. Well, we believe YOU are the person with all connections and can make all things possible. We will be sailing on the Dream on December 3rd. We are again booked in a Spa Suite and were hoping that we could make arrangements prior to the cruise to ensure we can purchase two robes upon our arrival (or have them shipped to us prior to the cruise). Might you be able to direct us to the appropriate individual? Who should we contact and/or e-mail to make arrangements? Looking forward to seeing you in December. Thanks! Patty
John Says:
hello Patty
Thanks for taking the time to write and I am so glad you had such an enjoyable time in the Baltic discovering St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Berlin and so much more. Congratulations on booking your Carnival Dream cruise vacation and I will continue to provide as much information, photos and video of the ship as I can here on the blog thingy. I remember just how popular these extra thick and luxurious Spa robes were on the Carnival Splendor and I am so sorry we did not have enough. I don’t think we realized just how many people would want to purchase them and hence we did not order enough. However, I promise you will be able to buy one when you sail on the Carnival Dream. I will be onboard as its the Bloggers Cruise and if you remind me via the blog a few weeks before you sail I will make sure one or two are placed aside for you to purchase. It will be great to see you on board and I know you will be flabbergasted at all your Carnival Dream will have to offer.Best wishes to you and the family
John
JP Kraus Asked:
Hi John, please reply. I have “infected” a colleague of mine with the cruise bug and now she and her husband are going on their first cruise in September (Sept 5, Liberty). As a going-away present, I’d like to buy them dinner at the supper club. Is there a voucher or gift certificate that I can buy at Carnival guest relations? There is no such item in the Bon Voyage store, but maybe there is another way to arrange this. I should point out that I’m from The Netherlands (maybe you’ve heard of it –lol), so calling Carnival USA is a bit problematic since 1-800 numbers don’t work and there’s a time difference… Anyway, I hope you can figure something out. Thank you and groeten aan Heidi en Kye. Doei!
John Says:
Hello JP
Hello to you and your family from me………….nearley a Dutch person. I have been infected with the Dutch way of life being married as I am to Heidi. I love the colour orange……….I have three pairs of orange underpants…………..I wear clogs…………..sometimes just clogs and my orange underpants and nothing else……….and I love frikendel and crochetchas mit patacyas orlock …………….mmmmmmm.Anyway, what a great idea. I have never thought about this but it is a great idea. I will now write to the office and let me see if we can get this going and by the time your friends sail on the Carnival Liberty. I will be back to you soon.
Tot zins und noo ich will poopalater
DoeeeJohn
Kenny Randolph Asked:
Dear John, (please reply) I don’t understand why you can’t visit some ports. Would you elaborate on that a bit? I would think that the ports that you visit would want as many visitors as possible. It also seems that any crew member should have no problem visiting all the ports. Only 5 days to the Inspiration! Kenny
John Says:
Hello Kenny
I think you are referring to my comment about not being allowed ashore in St. Thomas and San Juan. Well, these are rules set by U.S. Immigration and they will not allow any non US crew members to go ashore in a US port until that crew member has been through Immigration at the end of their first cruise. Tomorrow then I will be up early to go through US Immigration in Fort Lauderdale and then I will receive my I95 Immigration document meaning that I will be able to go ashore in all the US ports.
Thanks for asking and I hope you will send me a review of your Carnival Inspiration cruise when you get home.
Best wishes and have fun
John
Kathy Asked:
Hi John, Please Respond. I know you have been telling us how the Carnival Dream is coming along, but I was wondering when you are going to start doing updates about the Carnival Magic. Are these going to be the same class of ships or are they different. I do have a question, when a ship leaves the port, does Carnival leave a couple of cabins open in case something happens during the cruise that someone has to be moved from their cabin, due to things beyond anyone’s control. I was wondering how that worked. It would seem to me that they would leave one or two cabins reserved for emergencies. I would like to say that I am sorry that you could not spend your first Father’s Day with Kye, but you are going to have so many more that are going to be so memorable. I know the next time that you see your beautiful daughter; you are going to realize how much she has grown and all the little changes in her. I hope Heidi sends you videos of all the new things in life that Kye discovers. Your blogger thingy fan, Kathy
John Says:
Hello Kathy
Thanks for saying you are a blog fan and I hope you will remain so for some time to come. We are all very excited about your Carnival Dream as we will be about the Carnival Magic. There is not much to report on her just yet but as soon as I know more about the ship I will let you know. She will feature much of what you will experience on your Carnival Dream but the Carnival magic will also have many more “firsts ” for Carnival as well.
With regards to the cabins we never leave the cabins empty. It is our goal to always sail at 100% occupancy or more……….meaning not only is every cabin booked but every bed in every cabin is full. Now, sometimes we do have a few cabins that are empty due to last minute cancellations etc but we never purposely leave cabins empty based on the ” just in case ” scenario you mentioned. If an emergency arises such as a flood in a cabin etc we have teams who can quickly repair the problem .It was very hard being away from Kye on Fathers Day and I felt very guilty. I miss her and Heidi so very much but as you may have read from Heidi’s blog yesterday she has been so very supportive and understanding and that’s why I am so very lucky.
Thanks so much for the kind words of support.
Best wishes to you and the family
John
That’s all for today and I think I am all caught up so please let me know if you need my help with anything. Tomorrow there won’t be a blog as I have to move into the CD cabin and finally………………..I can be a Cruise Director once again. We will be sailing on a 6 day cruise to Key West, Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica and from Monday I will be telling you all about whose onboard, sharing their stories, telling you about the shows and whether or not I can still remember how to make people laugh. I will include interviews with the crew and include photos of this beautiful ship the Carnival Freedom and as always I hope you will join me here on the blog thingy.
Now, let’s talk about your Carnival Dream and start with two photos sent to me by Captain Carlo Queirolo who as you will see has provided us with two brilliant shots of the ship which is currently undergoing final tests in dry dock.
Great photos and there will be more from the flag ship’s master next week.
We have already met two of the Entertainment Staff chosen to be part of the start up team onboard your Carnival Dream. Now let’s meet the third.
Eli Sharplin
# 1- About Myself.
Well my name is Eli Sharplin, I am 32 years old and I was born and raised in Auckland New Zealand on a peninsula called Whangaparaoa. Don’t feel bad if you can’t say it, I was about 18 before I could spell it. It is however an incredible and beautiful place to live.
I have a younger sister and an older brother and they live in the same area as do my parents, step parents, grand parents, uncles aunties and cousins. As I was growing up, family would visit and fall in love with Whangaparaoa so would all end up moving there.I always enjoyed the out doors as a child and that only grew stronger as I grew stronger and although my family never had a lot of money, I was still blessed to grow up surrounded by parks, forests and beaches. I got my first boat (a little old row boat) when I was 8 years old. The boats have since gotten bigger.
I became interested in acting and drama when I was 11 and got a part playing Kurt in the sound of music at the local theater. This led me into film and television at the age of 12 and I continued with amateur theater through my teens and started dancing at 15. Then on to professional theater and dance at 18.
I studied graphics and design along with workshop technologies in collage and did an apprenticeship in landscaping soon after.
I started teaching at a performing arts school and at other local schools in 2005 and when I am not on a ship I travel the country teaching Art and drawing workshops for students and teachers.I still enjoy the out doors more than ever and New Zealand is the perfect place to do so.
Don’t get me wrong, I love traveling the world, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures and adventures but at the end of it all, whether you travel with or without the ruby slippers, there’s no place like home. If you don’t believe me, come visit New Zealand, your all welcome, any time.# 2 – I have traveled and experienced a lot over the last 20 years but have never been through the Mediterranean so that in itself is something I am really looking forward to but to experience that and all that the Dream has to offer with such a talented and fun group of people is going to be amazing.
# 3 – I know it might sound cheesy but it’s the people, a ship is just steel, chairs and paint. It’s the people that bring it to life.
# 4 – Q and A. It’s a chance for me to get to meet people and for them to get to know me as me and not just a voice on a mic. Many people have never met anyone from NZ before.
# 5 – I like to think I bring a lot to any team I work with but why this team. Well I had worked with Todd years ago on the Spirit when he was first made a Cruise Director. We always worked well together and had a lot of fun. We became good friends and after I left ships for a few years to build a house and do some of the things that people with normal lives might do, I returned to find Todd going strong and I couldn’t wait to work with him again. Thank you Todd, It is a huge honor. Go the dream team!
# 6 – I would have to side with a lot of crewmembers on this one and say Cozumel. There is just so much to do there.
# 7 – That’s a hard question as there is so much history. I think Venice as it is so unique and the architecture is stunning. Hay there might even be a chance for romance.
# 8 – Favorite ship – the Spirit.
Favorite movie – Dumb and Dumber ( I know, don’t judge).
Favorite show onboard – Ticket To Ride.That’s a huge question as there are so many things I still want to do but I try to do, see or experience something new every week that I have never done, seen or experienced before.
And here’s a quote from a Kiwi who loves life with a passion. “If you want to be happy, live, love and laugh every day, strive to make a difference in the lives of those who have trouble doing this and enjoy the company of those who feel the same.
Eli
Congratulations to Eli who I will have the honour of working here on the Carnival Freedom with for a few weeks. He is a total natural on the microphone and I see great things in store for him.
I want you to see this great photo of Carnival Corporation’s Chairman and CEO Mr. Micky Arison.
Now, you may be looking at this photo and thinking that Mr. Arison has just seen me and is saluting the world’s best blogging overweight Cruise Director accordingly…………….but actually he is he is looking at P& O’s Aurora which was docked behind Holland America’s Oosterdam and he is doing so from the deck of the brand new uber luxury Seabourn Odyssey……………how proud he must be.
Now, have a look also at the Holland America blog today…………..it features more great photos of the ships in Venice and…………….if you ever wondered how big a ships horn is……………….pop over to http://www.hollandamericablog.com/
Forget this summer’s metrosexual fashion of wearing sandals and anything pink, these days the accessory du jour for any man is a nice lace-trimmed hankie – proper cotton mind you, so as not to chafe his nostrils. Now, don’t get me wrong, Michael Jackson’s sudden passing was so very sad but did it need grown strapping men with thighs you could sand floors with to publicly cry their eyes out as they watched the news unfold on the Lido Deck big screen? Honestly, there were loads of them.
They are of course simply following a well-trodden path of discarded Tissues from the host of stars who have all cried in public. But when, precisely, did crying become cool? I think men now believe that women find a man who is not afraid to cry and is in touch with his emotions attractive. I blame these celebrity chefs and DIY shows that have metrosexualized man who tell us a man’s place is in the kitchen and painting the house in light pastel colors. They have turned heterosexual slobs like me into perfumed ponies.
I guess this is another sign that I am not metrosexual and that unless a Cougar bites me in the arse……………nothing is going to make me cry………………nothing!
Except……………..oh bugger……………..Heidi just sent me this photo of Kye smiling for the first time………………..and I missed it…………………..and …………..boo hoo….boo hooo………and now I am crying like a passenger on the Oasis who has realized what an idiot they were for not booking the Carnival Dream instead.
I can’t find my lace-trimmed hankie………..boo hoo, boo hoo, boo hoo…………………….my beautiful daughter smiled…………and boo hoo………boo hoo……….I guess I am metrosexual after all.
Goodnight
Your crying friend
John
Filed under: Destinations, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Caribbean, micky arison, Carnival Dream, John's Replies, Carnival Freedom, Kye, Eli, Assitant Cruise Director
Hi John,
Please respond,
Our family is having a cocktail party and I would love to be instrumental in bringing you and any other staff to join in on us. I’d love to see our family energized by such a positive spirit and bring a glow to the room. Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Time: 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Locale: 70’s Disco on Deck 5 – Promenade Deck.
I hope you can come as we sail on the first day of my 4th decade and I need all the smiles I can get.
Hi John!
Great pictures today.
Where were the cougars in my single days?
I hate meetings/conference calls. Such a waste of the day.
Good luck with your move tomorrow.
Take care!
David
Kye is absolutely adorable and she has Johns crazy smile but thank goodness most of Heidis looks.
Way to go Heidi,
Dave Myerly
Oh John:
How adorable!!! What a perfect picture of Kye!!
I don’t understand the “cougar” craze….. but
I don’t really care what women of any age do with their love life…..unless they dare mess with my 21 year old son … and then you are going to see just how quickly a Momma lion can “consume” a Cougar!
I agree the Cloud 9 Spa robes are even better than the regular Carnival robes (which I did not think was possible). And I do intend to get one on the Dream!!
I am still trying to decide between the Valor and the Liberty for September….. decisions…decisions!
Linda (Mom of your friend ~ just getting home from the Nascar race and his driver won~ DJ)
JOHN: URGENT, PLEASE REPLY!
John, I submitted this question earlier in the week, but I’m not sure you received it. My husband and I are booking an Alaskan cruise for August 2010. I wish to book in the very near future, so my question is this: Which side of the ship offers the better vistas? We are booking a balcony cabin and I would hate to spend our time in port looking at the dock. While I realize that that situation could certainly happen, I would hope that one side offered a better view than the other. Could you please check with “Bubba” Roberts as to which side may be better? We were sorry to hear that Chris is retiring after this season as we sailed with him as our CD on the Inspiration a few years ago. We also enjoyed you as our CD on the Freedom in Europe a couple of years ago…you are a hoot! Congratulations on parenthood…it suits you and Heidi.
what a smile!
bonnie and prince charlie
Loved the picture of Kye smiling. Also enjoyed Heidi’s blog yesterday.
You are going to be our CD on the Legend when we sail Oct. 18th with the Saints & Sinners5. We are looking forward to seeing you again.
Charlotte
ADORABLE!!! I can see why that brought tears to your eyes! Thanks for sharing.
Sheryl
Hi John,
Please respond,
I just had to tell you this, you really did not miss Kye smiling for the first time. Just think about all the father’s that have missed their child’s first smile and don’t even have a picture of it like you do. So really you did not miss her first smile. Don’t get me wrong, it is not the same as being there, but you are lucky, you do have the photo of that beautiful baby.
John, I have been meaning to say this for awhile, I notice that many people write to you to intervene for them when they have a problem with Carnival, but I have not seen many write back and thank you. So I want to “THANK YOU” for all the extra things you do for all of Carnivals passengers. Whether it is setting up a backstage tour, setting up special seating arrangements in the dining room or even taking care of corporate business, you go far beyond just being a Cruise Director and for that I commend you. You are one of a kind John and I admire you for that. Carnival is very lucky to have such a wonderful caring special person to work for them.
Your blog thingy fan,
Kathy M.
Hi John,
Cougar hmmm…that is a tad young but Eli is looking good!! LOL. Ask him if he has a poster I can buy..lol.
Kye has a smile that lights up the world!
Can’t wait to hear more stories from the world’s greatest CD back at work!
OK… as a VERY proud Blog uncle I have to say that Kye is the most beautiful baby in the world… end of story. Anyone who claims otherwise risks being beat to a pulp by me.
Ya’ know, I have shed tears but I don’t cry at the drop of a hat. I didn’t cry when Old Yeller died… I didn’t cry when Bambie’s dad died… I didn’t cry when Marley died. I didn’t pay much attention to Michael Jackson unless the media crammed his antics in my face, such as dangling a baby from a bridge or whatever it was… It’s a shame that he died so soon. He should have had a much longer life to do whatever it is that he did. And that’s enough of that.
Ya’ know, I could NEVER be a member of the lace hankie set. When I blow my nose it’s a seismic event. The folks at Berkley record it as a 5.2 on the Richter scale. A lacy hankie wouldn’t stand a chance.
Thanks for the link to Holland. I’ve saved the picture of the ship’s horn as folks ask questions about the most minute details about ships and I try to be able to answer!!
Is Jaime able to keep up with you? Please tell her hi for me! She’s a wonder.
I am writing this as I watch the webcam in Galveston awaiting the arrival of the Carnival Conquest, as I do every Sunday morning. I am not alone in this ritual. Dozens of members of Cruisin’ With the Crazies gather at ridiculously early hours to watch the ship we love return. In ten short weeks 300 of my best friends and I will board the Carnival Conquest and leave our mark on her forever!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!
All my best to the lovely ladies in your life and big thanks to Stephanie for the incredible number of things she does for us here on the Blog!!
Ciao!!!
Host Mach
John, with such a beautiful smile on Kye’s face Heidi must be showing her a picture of Auntie Pat and me.
If the “Cougar” doesn’t read your blog then she isn’t a very good executive. With all the input in here from all your bloggers this should be their reading to go with that first cup of coffee to get their heartbeating.
BIG ED
Kye is beautiful!! Great pic! So it’s called a cougar? I know one…Now I know how to call her. Good..
Great picture of Kye! Meeting had a great part in our decision to retire early -hated them! It will be fantastic to have you back as the CD and hear all the stories you’ll have to tell. Enjoy.
John(please reply), You have a beautiful wife and child, the pictures just keep on getting better.Ten years ago we were on the Triumph. My husband Joe said at that time we must book our Carnival cruises when you are the cruise director. As luck has it ,we missed out when schedules changed and we were dissappointed. We have had the fortune of seeing other fine CDs but Joe wanted another opportunity to see you. He just turned 60 and is thrilled you will be on our July 4th cruise on the Freedom.Our son Mike liked you when he was 6 and now at 16 can even more appreciate your sense of humor.Hope you can drop by the Cruise Critic meet and greet at the Pizzeria July 5th at 3pm.
Best to you and your family. Isabel
John please reply. Just a quick question. What happend to the azi pod system Carnival used on the new ships.
John,
That’s a beautiful smile Kye is sending us all! I can definitely see her mother in it.
Regarding cougars, I may not be actively chasing younger men, but I still enjoy looking at them. Carnival has some fine ones working for them!
I cry at the drop of a hat, so I’m not a good judge of men crying. Books, movies, babies, beautiful ships, they all make me cry. But you don’t have to, I love you anyway!
Joyce
John Please reply,
Thats is a beautiful little girl. When are we going to get her a Carnival Name tag? John we have heardt hat carnival is or is considering stoping the ship pins for past guests? Please say it isnt so? I love wearing my pins on myl anyard with my ail and Sign and will not be happy if they are cutting them. Have they possibly thought of maybe offering them for purchase in the shop?
Looking forwarding to meeting you,
Big fans as allways,
Frank and Bridie
John, Heidi and Kye,
I loved the picture of Kye! She is such a beauty. Today, though, I have to say she looks like you, John. I know….it is such a surprise that she changed her looks to favor ( favour) her Daddy, but I sure see you in her today!
Thank You for link to HAL, I really enjoyed it.
I also really love this blog. I read every one of them…although, sometimes not on the day it was posted.
Julie, South Carolina Auntie to Kye
Dear John, Heidi and Princess Kye
What a beautiful picture, The smile lite up the room. It’s Daddy’s smile and Mommys looks. Eli looks good too but I’m no Cougar! I’ll keep my big “wussy” Big Kahuna Thank You Very Much!
Imagree with you on conference calls I have one every month that usually lasts 2 hours and sometimes you just have to get up and walk away for a moment and darn thats usually the moment that shouldnt have been missed,LOL
Take Care
The Tuckers in Fla
Elizabeth
John,
What a beautiful smile the little one has, she is going to be a beauty.
Here is my take on a flooded stateroom.
You brought back a memory from my cruise last year aboard the Carnival Destiny. I was celebrating my big 50 with my sister and with my handicapped son.We decided that we would take a cruise. Everything was going excellent except for the day of my birthday. We had planned to go play bingo, go to dinner and then see the show that night, but our plans got messed up by the flood in our stateroom. We were getting ready to go play bingo when I noticed that water was running under our door from the hallway, now we are on the 8th deck and our room is a balcony at that. I said where is all the water coming from and my sister who is in the bathroom putting on her make-up, start looking for water and there is not any in there until she opens the door and see that it coming from the hallway, we started picking everything up off the floor, throwing things on the bed, on the dresser, and then we opened the door to see where the water was coming from. We were right across from where the gift shop locker room was and it was coming from there, a pipe had busted and no one had been in there for a couple of days and it was flooded. They vacuum up the water from our room and since it was late, we did not have them do that machine that takes odor out of the air until the next day, our room smelled that night, they got us a box fan to help dry the rest of the carpet and help some with the smell. The next day they did what was needed and our room was ok after that. We still laugh today about that night, my sister looking for water in the bathroom, seeing none then opening the door to see it running under our door, it was comical in a way. I have taken 2 more cruises since then and have another in December on the Carnival Dream and so far have not had anymore flooded rooms. I look at that experience as a life lesson, if life throw you lemons then make lemonade, life is not perfect and if you ever had a stateroom to get flooded just go with the flow, it could be much worse. Thanks for letting me relive that day, it is one birthday that I will never forget.
What a surprise that was.
John -
There was actually a reality show on TVLand called “The Cougar” – on the show, some 20 young men, ranging in age from 21 to 29, sought to win the affection of a 40 year-old divorcee with 4 (count them, four) children.
There are any number of celebrity cougars – to name one (and their prey), think Demi Moore (age 46) and Ashton Kutcher (age 30).
Jon
John and Heidi,
How precious is that smile but leave it up to a man to ruin the moment…Mike said it must be gas. Mike and Lynn Sagara
Phone conferencing is the spawn of the devil!!
Glad to be retired and not have to put up with it!
Please reply…
Hello John! Looks like my post never made it a few days ago so here is attempt number 2. Is there a particular reason why the Elation’s schedule is only through April of next year? I see Paradise is scheduled through 2011 but as someone who prefers Cabo, Elation would always be my first choice. Catalina and Ensenada just don’t hold much appeal for a short getaway. I also would prefer to sail out of San Diego as it is less of a headache.
Thanks!
Colleen
Argh!! I am having John Blog withdrawals. It is ok though, it just forces me to do some research on which Carnival Dream cruise I want to do with you. I hear there will be a full moon on the 2/27 cruise, that sounds almost as lovely as Kye’s smile.
Hi to Heidi and thanks for your blog. I remember when mine were young I way over packed the diaper bag, but there were certainly times it was needed. Now I just over pack for my cruise, usually not needed.
Thanks again John for the continued smiles and laughs. We are looking forward to cruising with you on the beautiful Carnival Dream. She just looks incrediable.
Bobbi
Hi John,
Three things please.
1. Thank you for the sweet picture of Kye. How very cute she is with her adorable first smile.
2. Thank you for the great Dream pictures. We met Captain Carlo Queirolo on the Freedom recently and he is a great and funny man. We spoke many times as he was around the public areas many times. He has a great personality and he was so proud soon to be Captain of the new Carnival Dream he said. He loves taking pictures with the passengers and is always smiling.
3. Please order one Cloud 9 Spa robe for me also(Geri) as we will have stayed in the Cloud 9 Spa deck cabins 5 times by the time we sail on the B2B Dream in November. I fell in love with the robes.
Thank you and keep up the good work.
BTW, I can just picture you in your orange clogs and orange underwear writing your blog….. and…. don’t know what to think. Too funny. You are almost as funny as Captain Queirolo.
Your fans,
Dear John,
Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl! I am sailing on the Splendor on July 12 to the Mexican Riviera and I can’t wait. I have a shell fish allergy and I am not sure if I need to notify anyone on the ship and if so who I should notify. Can you please let me know if I need to notify anyone and who it should be? Keep working hard on your diet, I know how difficult it can be but you can do it!!
Thank you so much for helping me.
Lynn Peterson
Hi John! (please reply)
I enjoyed Heidis blog yesterday. And Kyes first smile…she is such a cutie….don’t worry … it is okay to shed tears….how could you not? I know you must miss her terribly!
I have to say that the loss of Michael Jackson was so very sad. At first, it didn’t seem real. And then yesterday, I felt much sadness as I watched on TV and youtube so many videos….and brought back so many memories of my years spent listening to his music.
I wanted to let you know about a current thread on cruise critic. It concerns the Dream and the wraparound promenade deck. Personally, I love the wraparound promenade but I have to agree with some of the posters, it takes away from the feeling of your balcony. I like having a balcony so that whether it be day or night, I can get away from it all and enjoy the ocean and fresh air. Now, it will not be quiet on the balconies anymore during the daytime. I know there will be many opinions on this. I am sure I will have a perfect time on my Dream cruise in February. But, I must wonder, why could that wrap around deck not be extended beyond the balconies? I think the cove balconies under the promenade will become even more popular and requested than they already are.
Have a great time next week as you begin your CD duties again! Can’t wait to be onboard with you in February!
Edy
Well my friend, you are back to where you belong. The Cruise Director of the Carnival Freedom. Have a wonderful time John.
That daughter of yours gets more beautiful everytime you show us a photo of her. Kye has a sly smile in her. You and Heidi are going to enjoy that smile especially when she starts using it with you.
Cougar, amazing isn’t it weird.
See you later.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Awwww…. such a beautiful smile!!! John, I’m so nervous to mention Kye’s name. I don’t want to upset you and make you miss her more if that’s even possible!!
Do you think Heidi will write to us again? Maybe a Friday Heidi and Kye update?? It was great hearing from her and she is just like you…. so funny!!
Can’t wait for the onboard stories!!!
Stef
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John, Please Reply
Ah John, I am sorry you missed your beautiful baby girl’s first smile. Hopefully you will be home when the next first comes along. Kye really is such a beautiful baby. You and Heidi are so blessed to have her in your life. She is a very lucky baby to have the two of you as parents.
I really liked Michael Jackson in the 80’s. My daughter was a huge fan and had MTV on all the
time, so it was either like him or cover my ears. I think he was probably the most talented then, too bad he got so lost.
As I told you before Mike and I are going on the Spirit to Alaska on August 5th. Mike is getting very excited. I am going to go with a good attitude and hopefully come back home very happy that we did go. Alaska is not a place I honestly thought in terms of “cruising”. Everyone I have talked to says we are going to be amazed by the beauty of Alaska or as you have called it, The Last Frontier.
We were disappointed last September on our Splendor cruise to Europe when we arrived and found out that there would not be a Catholic Priest on board. On our two previous Carnival cruises they did have one and since we were going to Rome, I was very disappointed that there would not be one. I was wondering why you stopped asking Priests to be on the cruises? I think they really enjoyed not only having Mass every day that they could, but being on the cruise and the ports they went to. Do you see Carnival, in the future, reinstating having a Catholic Priest on board? I hope they do and I think there are others that feel the same.
I hope you are enjoying being on the Freedom. I am sure you miss your girls more that you are able to say.
Keep smiling John, you truly are one of the good guys.
My best to Heidi and your beautiful Kye.
Hi John:
One comment and two questions:
1. Kye’s precious smile. I do have printed contracts for future beaus to fill out when they start calling on her (she’s going to have a long line). You have to watch out for that ‘carriage crowd,’ ya know . . .
2. Last year, while sailing on the Glory, we had to pleasure of often meeting an ACD named David. I have never seen published as to what would be an appropriate token of appreciation to an ACD who extended themselves in friendliness. I’d like to see a piece on him – he made himself available, was not standoffish, he made going to the activities fun and didn’t treat the elderly (errr – me) with disdain but made me feel genuinely important and furthermore made me feel like a friend when we saw him over again. I hope he will be on the Glory’s 9/12 sailing so that we’ll get to enjoy his effervescent personality again.
3. Since you started blogging, I do not believe that there has been anything written concerning Religious Services.
To many of us, having services onboard is very important to us. If the sailings are from Sat. t0 Sat. we miss our religion’s requirement. If the ship sails from Sun. to Sun. that will entail missing the two services listed as in “Thou shalt keep holy . . . ”
I know that Holland America always has a cleric onboard and I am wondering why this is not possible on the Carnival fleet?
As we are sailing with 56 +/- in our group, I did attempt to recruit three clerics to travel with us but all three had prior commitments and are not in the retirement age group that would make travelling possible at this time.
We have met many clerics on Holland who were happy to use their retirement time to minister not only to passengers but to the hard-working crew who should have some entitlement to practicing their faith. I hope Carnival would give this issue some thought . . .
John,
Love the pic of Kye, such a pretty baby and a very sweet smile.
I love using my webcam and Skype, hope you can do the same, at least on FTL port days.
Regards,
Marlene
John,
Welcome back to the CD office! Hope everything goes smoothly on your first sailing as CD!
Kye’s smile is truly adorable. She’s a gem! I’ve also enjoyed Heidi’s blog recently. It’s always great hearing from her.
I look forward to your onboard stories!
Cheers,
Alex G.
Hello, John . My family and I are going on the cruise ship “Freedom” on July 4th and we have a question about on-board Masses. We are Roman Catholic and we were wondering if there would be any priest doing masses on both of our Sundays on board. If there is no official mass then maybe a Catholic priest who happen to be traveling and it would be a most great favor if you got him contacted about us.
Thank you for your time!
John (please reply),
Well, we have been busy since our cruise on the Pride. Our youngest graduated from Ohio University and moved home until he leaves for his new job in New York City. He decided to get a puppy last September who will not be going to NYC with him and I now have a dog. She is very good so we don’t mind. Now for my question. When we were on the Pride I bought Malley a cruise dog frisbee and she loves it. She is doing real well with not ripping it apart but I am sure I will need a replacement at some point. How can you buy some of the things offered in the gift shops on the ship?? Frisbee and the drink recipe book is items I am looking for. And yes, I am booked on another cruise but it is not until May.
Thanks and give Jaime a hug for me,
Karen
That is definitely YOUR LITTLE GIRL! She has your smile, and nose, and cheeks. She’s adorable! Linda & Mike
Awwwwwwwwww her first real smile–how sweet.
Great photo of Micky admiring his assets..LOL
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Jaime, Happy Birthday to you! Christopher and Paige send their birthday love too! I’m sure John got you a great present since he is in touch with his metrosexual side–maybe some “product” from the spa would be good!
Hi John,
Well they just don’t come any cuter then Kye,she looks like a Heidi mini me, with a touch of you in that cute smile!!! ha! ha! Please don’t worry, you will see many more of those precious smiles in person! My Mom and I just want to thank you for all the wonderful blogs and pictures, they really make our day! we are so looking forward to meeting you on Dec 3rd, WOW, we can’t believe how beautiful the Dream is going to be, Good Luck, with going back to your CD job, those lucky passengers!!!! Love to Heidi & Kye! Sincere Regards!!! Michele & Eleanor( Mom)
Were waiting for the first memo from the Purser saying that the guest wants to speak to the CD.
BIG ED
Hi John,
(Please reply)
I was just catching up on your latest blogs, and found it so interesting that the Holiday has been mentioned so many times lately, mainly because I just got off the wonderful ship THIS morning.
Relax, she is still the wonderful ship she has always been, and we had a simply wonderful vacation! The ship is still in great shape and the crew, WOW, the crew! We simply love them! They are the reason that we have made the Holiday and Mobile-Cozumel sailing not twice, but THREE times in the last 12 months! Yes, we could have went to Florida, or even New Orleans for a bigger ship or a different itinerary, but we have grown to love the amazing crew that Carnival has placed in Mobile. Not just on the ship, but the shoreside staff as well!
Everything from the food, stewards, entertainment and yes, even the casino, was simply wonderful. However, this leads me to the following questions:
1) When the Holiday leaves
where will her amazing crew go? Obviously the crew has played an amazing part in boosting Carnival’s success in Mobile and making the Holiday a very successful ship despite her “age” and “lack of all of the bells and whistles”. Shouldn’t Carnival try to maintain as many of the crew as possible and reposition them to the Carnival Fantasy when she makes her move into Mobile?
2) And this is not a complaint, just a “what would you do” or “what should I have done” type of question.
My family of four (well, Mother in Law included), planned to make dinner after the Captain’s Reception, however, unfortunately, I fell ill (rough seas, whiskey sours, and a vibrating balcony), so my family proceeded to dinner without me. Apparently, we were to be seated at a table for 6 with a slightly older couple. However, when my family was escorted to the table at dinnertime, they were simply told this would not work by the couple and that this is a “table for two” and that my family “could not sit there”. Needless to say, my wife was simply amazed and even the headwaiter was confused. After a short meeting with the Maitre D, my family was reseated at a table for four. However, judging from the lack of a headwaiter and the service (as my family ate their main course, everyone else was leaving the dining room, having already finished dessert) the dining room staff was not planning on using the particular table that my family was reseated at.
This did by no means ruin my family’s cruise, but the attitude and comments made by the couple did shock my wife and her mother. They did enjoy the dinner and the wonderful food, minus dessert as they did not want to be the ONLY guests left in the dining room and it was already showtime.
But again, we did very much enjoy our cruise and the Holiday and we do look forward to our next cruise with Carnival and hopefully with many of the same crew members!
Thanks John!
Brian and Katie
Heidi, thank you so much for the wonderful picture you sent John of little Kye, and which he so lovingly shared with all of us. John you’re going to be a very protective daddy when she grows up as they will be lining up the door.
Keep the kye blogs and pictures coming our way, we love them.
Eva
John, (Can you please comment or reply)
I’ve been reading some reviews from people who are trying CCL for the first time/or back from a long absence after being on other lines. The comment from them that is coming through each time is that the wait at the pier is long, over 1.5 hours.
Now, as a CCL cruiser, I didn’t think this was horrible, it just takes awhile to check everyone in. But as a CCL stockholder, I’m wondering if the other lines are doing something CCL could look into and improve on. Why are other lines wait times are shorter? Are they shorter, or or do they keep the lines moving so it seems the wait is short?
I work in the Corporate world and anything that increases efficiency and makes the customer happier is best for the bottom line. Is CCL missing out on an area that they could improve on?
Thanks!!!
Love your humor (spelled correctly) and it is great to hear you are back onboard in the job you were born for.
Lisa