Comments on: Crying and Cougars http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/27/crying-and-cougars/ The official blog of Carnival Cruise Line's Sr. cruise director, John Heald Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:46:08 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Lisa http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/27/crying-and-cougars/#comment-59505 Lisa Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:54:55 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9586#comment-59505 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 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

]]> By: E va Bartolo http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/27/crying-and-cougars/#comment-59469 E va Bartolo Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:24:25 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9586#comment-59469 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 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

]]> By: Brian http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/27/crying-and-cougars/#comment-59452 Brian Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:33:28 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9586#comment-59452 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 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

]]> By: BIG ED KONEFE http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/27/crying-and-cougars/#comment-59450 BIG ED KONEFE Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:31:42 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9586#comment-59450 Were waiting for the first memo from the Purser saying that the guest wants to speak to the CD. BIG ED Were waiting for the first memo from the Purser saying that the guest wants to speak to the CD.

BIG ED

]]> By: Michele Maragni http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/27/crying-and-cougars/#comment-59435 Michele Maragni Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:55:15 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9586#comment-59435 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) 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)

]]> By: Cheryl K http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/27/crying-and-cougars/#comment-59434 Cheryl K Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:46:22 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9586#comment-59434 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! 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!

]]> By: Linda Hernacki http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/27/crying-and-cougars/#comment-59432 Linda Hernacki Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:20:41 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9586#comment-59432 That is definitely YOUR LITTLE GIRL! She has your smile, and nose, and cheeks. She's adorable! Linda & Mike That is definitely YOUR LITTLE GIRL! She has your smile, and nose, and cheeks. She’s adorable! Linda & Mike

]]> By: techmom http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/27/crying-and-cougars/#comment-59431 techmom Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:57:17 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9586#comment-59431 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 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

]]> By: Aneta http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/27/crying-and-cougars/#comment-59430 Aneta Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:52:41 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9586#comment-59430 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! 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!

]]> By: Alex G. http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/27/crying-and-cougars/#comment-59429 Alex G. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:20:35 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9586#comment-59429 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. 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.

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