Comments on: Back on the Job http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/29/back-on-the-job/ The official blog of Carnival Cruise Line's Sr. cruise director, John Heald Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:46:39 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Grant&Sandy http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/29/back-on-the-job/#comment-60016 Grant&Sandy Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:06:26 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9597#comment-60016 Hi John, We are Platinum guests and cruise every month. Carnival isn't the only way to cruise but it should be. We love Carnival you guys are awesome! We are on the Carnival Freedom August 29th will you be our Cruise Director? It would be such an honor to meet you. Thank you for all of hard work you guys are the best. Hi John, We are Platinum guests and cruise every month. Carnival isn’t the only way to cruise but it should be. We love Carnival you guys are awesome! We are on the Carnival Freedom August 29th will you be our Cruise Director? It would be such an honor to meet you. Thank you for all of hard work you guys are the best.

]]> By: Daniel http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/29/back-on-the-job/#comment-59987 Daniel Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:40:59 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9597#comment-59987 Dear John, I am a fourteen year old boy and i attended the Carnival Freedom from June 28-July 4. i must say i had a blast. Ive been on another Carnival Cruise and really enjoyed the fact that there was a special ceremony for us. You were extremely funny and i went to most of your shows with the new friends i made on the cruise. but now im back in New York and wishing i was on the ship. but i definitely have to say thank you for everything and you cracked me up with all the jokes. i will always have Dick little, and the Talent Show in my mind thanks to you. Anyways thank you once again and well enjoy your life ! BEST CRUISE DIRECTOR EVER! - Daniel Dear John,
I am a fourteen year old boy and i attended the Carnival Freedom from June 28-July 4. i must say i had a blast. Ive been on another Carnival Cruise and really enjoyed the fact that there was a special ceremony for us. You were extremely funny and i went to most of your shows with the new friends i made on the cruise. but now im back in New York and wishing i was on the ship. but i definitely have to say thank you for everything and you cracked me up with all the jokes. i will always have Dick little, and the Talent Show in my mind thanks to you. Anyways thank you once again and well enjoy your life ! BEST CRUISE DIRECTOR EVER!
- Daniel

]]> By: Elaine A. http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/29/back-on-the-job/#comment-59819 Elaine A. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:49:37 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9597#comment-59819 John, By the way I love the blog. On the Triumph we met you, and we see why my sister said you are the best cruise director. John,
By the way I love the blog. On the Triumph we met you, and we see why my sister said you are the best cruise director.

]]> By: Elaine A. http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/29/back-on-the-job/#comment-59818 Elaine A. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:47:04 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9597#comment-59818 John, I Had a horrible spa expierence, won 50% off massage on Sunday at the Spa drawing. I booked the Aromatherapy, seaweed wrap at 195.00, with 50% off, I booked this for 2:00pm Monday 06/29/09. (Winning the 50% off would have allowed me to book a hair cut and manicure, in addition to two other spa treatments. - I was thrilled with the win!!) I had a nice massage on Monday but they overcharged me, which I did not realize untill I looked at the bill. (When I arrived, I was told on you're here, apparently I was booked for a massage at 1:30pm- 3:00pm, while the appointment card said 2:00pm. I had to give the card to the front desk for the discount, and of course the card mysteriously disappeared and was lost.) I went back upstairs to speak to the spa manager, with my husband, after making us wait 30 minutes, someone told us the spa manager was busy and could not resolve this isssue. After the show, when we get back to our there is a message saying I had a $295.00 Seaweed wrap and massage (with 25 extra massage minutes) & 50% off was the price I was charged, what kind of scam am I trying to pull. Now really if this was true I would have happily paid the price I was charged, since I love Aromatherapy Massages. And after the massage I purchased a 61.00 bottle of Elemis massage oil. Really if this was a "scam" would I have purchased a 61.00 bottle of massage oil? I did not get the longer treatment, and the fact that the spa possibly made a booking error is not my fault. I went down to guest services, asked to speak to someone in charge and told them of the situation, and that the Spa mamager she refused to refund difference, and that this is not a scam. The fact we had to get guest services invloved, which required and made me wait two days for the difference of the massage - credited to my charge card, is unbelievable to me. On the phone when she called me two days later, the spa manager said and I am quoting "I do not belive you that you did not have the $295.00 treatment, and that is what you was charged with 50% off! However since you complaining about this to Guest services, and since Guest service said you want a credit I give you a credit, but I think you are scamming the spa" I reminded the spa Manager, I purchased a 61.00 bottle of Elemis, would you think someone running a scam would have purchased that? She said you get your credit, okay goodbye. What in the heck is that? I was so angry I did not book the hair cut, and manicure, I wanted to get for formal night, and did not book any other spa treatments! I am a past guest this was our 5th and possibly our last cruise with Carnival. I can not belive Carnival spa manager called me a liar, this from a cruise line who prides itself on customer service. Obviously she has no customer service skills. 06/28/2009 Carnival Valor 06/29/2008 Carnival Triumph 10/6/2002 Carnival Victory 10/6/2001 Carnival Triumph 06/02/1996 Carnival Sensation John,
I Had a horrible spa expierence, won 50% off massage on Sunday at the Spa drawing. I booked the Aromatherapy, seaweed wrap at 195.00, with 50% off, I booked this for 2:00pm Monday 06/29/09. (Winning the 50% off would have allowed me to book a hair cut and manicure, in addition to two other spa treatments. – I was thrilled with the win!!) I had a nice massage on Monday but they overcharged me, which I did not realize untill I looked at the bill. (When I arrived, I was told on you’re here, apparently I was booked for a massage at 1:30pm- 3:00pm, while the appointment card said 2:00pm. I had to give the card to the front desk for the discount, and of course the card mysteriously disappeared and was lost.) I went back upstairs to speak to the spa manager, with my husband, after making us wait 30 minutes, someone told us the spa manager was busy and could not resolve this isssue. After the show, when we get back to our there is a message saying I had a $295.00 Seaweed wrap and massage (with 25 extra massage minutes) & 50% off was the price I was charged, what kind of scam am I trying to pull. Now really if this was true I would have happily paid the price I was charged, since I love Aromatherapy Massages. And after the massage I purchased a 61.00 bottle of Elemis massage oil. Really if this was a “scam” would I have purchased a 61.00 bottle of massage oil? I did not get the longer treatment, and the fact that the spa possibly made a booking error is not my fault. I went down to guest services, asked to speak to someone in charge and told them of the situation, and that the Spa mamager she refused to refund difference, and that this is not a scam. The fact we had to get guest services invloved, which required and made me wait two days for the difference of the massage – credited to my charge card, is unbelievable to me. On the phone when she called me two days later, the spa manager said and I am quoting “I do not belive you that you did not have the $295.00 treatment, and that is what you was charged with 50% off! However since you complaining about this to Guest services, and since Guest service said you want a credit I give you a credit, but I think you are scamming the spa” I reminded the spa Manager, I purchased a 61.00 bottle of Elemis, would you think someone running a scam would have purchased that? She said you get your credit, okay goodbye.
What in the heck is that?
I was so angry I did not book the hair cut, and manicure, I wanted to get for formal night, and did not book any other spa treatments!
I am a past guest this was our 5th and possibly our last cruise with Carnival. I can not belive Carnival spa manager called me a liar, this from a cruise line who prides itself on customer service. Obviously she has no customer service skills.

06/28/2009 Carnival Valor
06/29/2008 Carnival Triumph
10/6/2002 Carnival Victory
10/6/2001 Carnival Triumph
06/02/1996 Carnival Sensation

]]> By: Diane http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/29/back-on-the-job/#comment-59771 Diane Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:20:26 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9597#comment-59771 Hi John, was referred to your site by a friend. My family and I are taking our first cruise on the Dream's 2nd voyage (Oct 3). We will be celebrating my husband's recent promotion, and our son's 30th birthday. Could you tell me if there is something special we can have done for them on the ship during our cruise? And, if there is someone specific I should speak to regarding this? I wasn't sure if I could get a small cake made, or have "Happy Birthday" sung to our son, etc. Since it's our 1st cruise, we aren't sure what type of special request to even ask for that would be considered feasible. Hope you can give me some tips. Diane Hi John, was referred to your site by a friend. My family and I are taking our first cruise on the Dream’s 2nd voyage (Oct 3). We will be celebrating my husband’s recent promotion, and our son’s 30th birthday. Could you tell me if there is something special we can have done for them on the ship during our cruise? And, if there is someone specific I should speak to regarding this? I wasn’t sure if I could get a small cake made, or have “Happy Birthday” sung to our son, etc. Since it’s our 1st cruise, we aren’t sure what type of special request to even ask for that would be considered feasible. Hope you can give me some tips.
Diane

]]> By: Jrmende63( Julie Mendenhall http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/29/back-on-the-job/#comment-59590 Jrmende63( Julie Mendenhall Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:59:53 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9597#comment-59590 John, Randall and I would love to do a bloggers cruise on the other brands. I agree though with Countess Carolyn, once I reach platinum next year, I want the other family lines to recognize it too. The picture of the Carnival Destiny in Cozumel at Sunset is Stunning!! Julie John,
Randall and I would love to do a bloggers cruise on the other brands. I agree though with Countess Carolyn, once I reach platinum next year, I want the other family lines to recognize it too.
The picture of the Carnival Destiny in Cozumel at Sunset is Stunning!!
Julie

]]> By: Greg Carpenter http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/29/back-on-the-job/#comment-59576 Greg Carpenter Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:59:51 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9597#comment-59576 I just wanted to inform you that our cruise didn't go well at all. First of all we went on the Highlights and Shopping tour in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and we almost got robbed by street people. We asked if it was safe to walk over to the water to take pictures about 110 yards from the Flee Market which was the last stop on the tour. The lady tells us sure Mon, No Problem. As soon as we got down to the corner to cross Scott who traveled with us almost got run over by a bus while we crossed the road which the bus speeded up and to do this. We had 3 teenagers with us at the time as 3 men approached us and started tying these bracelets around our wrists and begging for money. While this was going on they were trying to get the teenagers to buy marijuana from them. Scott handed one of the guys 5 bucks and I handed one of the others 5 bucks and they started saying that they wanted more money than that. By then my daughter was in tears and my wife and Annelise started a verbal screaming match with the one that wanted more money and as they saw the scene turn south we started to all run on my que and they saw that they had attracted alot of attention down our way as their local police watched us running and told us we should have never gone over there. We made it back to the bus and we said something to our tour guide with the answer No problem Mon, You no hurt? The next two days went alot better in the Grand Caymans and Cozumel. Then hear it starts again. In between 2 and 3 Friday morning I feel water dripping on me from the the ceiling. I got a bucket and trash bin to collect water. Got on the phone and got housekeeping up to assess the situation. They come up and I will say were very apologetic and helped as much as they could. I had to wake up my kids and pack up our room at 3:00AM and move my family to 2 separate rooms on 2 completely different floors. Since our kids are 15 and 13 they were not permitted to stay in a room without adult supervision my wife stayed in the room with my daughter on the 1st floor and my son and I went to the 6th floor where we were put as it got my wife and myself into a heated argument because of all the disarray and drama over the whole situation. They called my wife at 9:00AM and told her that the room would be ready to move back into by 11:00AM. I went down at6 11:00AM and they knew nothing about who called or anything. I asked to speak to whoever was in charge or a manager. She came back and told me that they would call me as soon as it was ready. I went down and had another verbal lashing with my wife and turned around and went back down to the front desk to see what they were going to do for us for all the inconvenience. The lady I talked to was from Romania or Croatia and I told her again that I wanted to speak to a manager. On the way down to the desk I went back to the room with the water leak and nobody had done anything to the room at all. Half the ceiling was torn out the carpet was still wet and there were no blowers in the room trying to dry the floors or anything? So she comes out and tells me that for all the inconvenience that they had put me through that they would give me a $117.00 credit on-board and a letter that would give us 15% off our next cruise, when at that point to date I had spent right at $5000.00 dollars total to date for this trip. She went on to tell me that basically Shit happens and that's all they can do for me. After another argument with my wife I went back to the front desk after waiting in my room for them to call to let me know the room was ready till almost 5:00PM. On the way I checked the room again and the ceiling was put in and rothing else had been done to the room. I saw a guy in housekeeping and asked if he knew where our cabin stewart was and he said he came back on at 6:00PM. At the front desk I finally was able to speak to a manager after the 3rd attempt. I told him that I had spent quite a bit of money for all this and he basically copped an attitude with me and told me he would give me some free drink coupons and that was all he could do for me in his foreign I'm better than you attitude. Before I got to talk to that manager I saw a guy in Dress White Uniform and asked what he did on the ship and he said he was with Housekeeping so I proceeded to tell him what was going on with our room and he said he knew nothing about it and walked off and left me and my son sitting at the main elevators in the lobby talking to ourselves. We went back and found the Stewart (Ivan) and he had just come on and he would have our room ready by 7:00PM. Went back to the cabin we were camped out in and showered and got ready for dinner. We called and said that we needed a luggage valet at 7:00PM to move back to the room. At 7:10 I called to see where they were and they hadn't sent anyone yet. at 7:30PM Ivan showed up at the door and with another housekeeper and proceeded to move everything by hand because no one bothered to tell them what they were ever doing. I asked Ivan about the guy with housekeeping and he told me he was with Guest Services. I have to say that Ivan did nothing wrong and did everything in his power to do us right and should be commended for the service he provided for us. We were at table 229 in the Renoir Dining Room and our wait staff Aldoberto and Stevie also went above and beyond the call of duty to make our dining experience a memorable on and even bringing us a recipe on how to make one of the deserts that was to die for. We had the letter in our box for 15% off the next cruise but has to be redeemed within 18 months. as you might not know we saved for 2 years to go on this trip and will probably won't be able to afford another trip before 18 months. We have already sent another e-mail through the carnival website but could not put down the whole story due to the e-mail could only be 1000 characters. I am not happy with what happened on this trip and the service and all the I DON'T CARE ATTITUDE from the management that I encountered. When we disembarked off the ship and picked up the luggage they had completely ripped the wheels off one of the rolling suitcases that we borrowed from my mother in law that we will also be replacing so we don't have to here about that for the rest of our lives. I think something should be done to compensate us or I will start to forward this to news agencies national and local to get our story out there to warn other people about the hospitality we were shown by Carnival Cruise Lines and the risks that Carnival Cruise Lines are taking by dealing with these 3rd world countries putting passengers in danger on their shore excursions because of no quality control and lack of security. I'll be waiting to here back from you. Can you see that this gets in the right hands. I can be reached @ Cellxxxxxxxxxx or Hmxxxxxxxxxx . Thank you Greg Carpenter This is a copy of my letter back to Carnival. Someone told me about this site and said I should share my letter with the blogging community. I just wanted to inform you that our cruise didn’t go well at all. First of all we went on the Highlights and Shopping tour in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and we almost got robbed by street people. We asked if it was safe to walk over to the water to take pictures about 110 yards from the Flee Market which was the last stop on the tour. The lady tells us sure Mon, No Problem. As soon as we got down to the corner to cross Scott who traveled with us almost got run over by a bus while we crossed the road which the bus speeded up and to do this. We had 3 teenagers with us at the time as 3 men approached us and started tying these bracelets around our wrists and begging for money. While this was going on they were trying to get the teenagers to buy marijuana from them. Scott handed one of the guys 5 bucks and I handed one of the others 5 bucks and they started saying that they wanted more money than that. By then my daughter was in tears and my wife and Annelise started a verbal screaming match with the one that wanted more money and as they saw the scene turn south we started to all run on my que and they saw that they had attracted alot of attention down our way as their local police watched us running and told us we should have never gone over there. We made it back to the bus and we said something to our tour guide with the answer No problem Mon, You no hurt? The next two days went alot better in the Grand Caymans and Cozumel. Then hear it starts again. In between 2 and 3 Friday morning I feel water dripping on me from the the ceiling. I got a bucket and trash bin to collect water. Got on the phone and got housekeeping up to assess the situation. They come up and I will say were very apologetic and helped as much as they could. I had to wake up my kids and pack up our room at 3:00AM and move my family to 2 separate rooms on 2 completely different floors. Since our kids are 15 and 13 they were not permitted to stay in a room without adult supervision my wife stayed in the room with my daughter on the 1st floor and my son and I went to the 6th floor where we were put as it got my wife and myself into a heated argument because of all the disarray and drama over the whole situation. They called my wife at 9:00AM and told her that the room would be ready to move back into by 11:00AM. I went down at6 11:00AM and they knew nothing about who called or anything. I asked to speak to whoever was in charge or a manager. She came back and told me that they would call me as soon as it was ready. I went down and had another verbal lashing with my wife and turned around and went back down to the front desk to see what they were going to do for us for all the inconvenience. The lady I talked to was from Romania or Croatia and I told her again that I wanted to speak to a manager. On the way down to the desk I went back to the room with the water leak and nobody had done anything to the room at all. Half the ceiling was torn out the carpet was still wet and there were no blowers in the room trying to dry the floors or anything? So she comes out and tells me that for all the inconvenience that they had put me through that they would give me a $117.00 credit on-board and a letter that would give us 15% off our next cruise, when at that point to date I had spent right at $5000.00 dollars total to date for this trip. She went on to tell me that basically Shit happens and that’s all they can do for me. After another argument with my wife I went back to the front desk after waiting in my room for them to call to let me know the room was ready till almost 5:00PM. On the way I checked the room again and the ceiling was put in and rothing else had been done to the room. I saw a guy in housekeeping and asked if he knew where our cabin stewart was and he said he came back on at 6:00PM. At the front desk I finally was able to speak to a manager after the 3rd attempt. I told him that I had spent quite a bit of money for all this and he basically copped an attitude with me and told me he would give me some free drink coupons and that was all he could do for me in his foreign I’m better than you attitude. Before I got to talk to that manager I saw a guy in Dress White Uniform and asked what he did on the ship and he said he was with Housekeeping so I proceeded to tell him what was going on with our room and he said he knew nothing about it and walked off and left me and my son sitting at the main elevators in the lobby talking to ourselves. We went back and found the Stewart (Ivan) and he had just come on and he would have our room ready by 7:00PM. Went back to the cabin we were camped out in and showered and got ready for dinner. We called and said that we needed a luggage valet at 7:00PM to move back to the room. At 7:10 I called to see where they were and they hadn’t sent anyone yet. at 7:30PM Ivan showed up at the door and with another housekeeper and proceeded to move everything by hand because no one bothered to tell them what they were ever doing. I asked Ivan about the guy with housekeeping and he told me he was with Guest Services. I have to say that Ivan did nothing wrong and did everything in his power to do us right and should be commended for the service he provided for us. We were at table 229 in the Renoir Dining Room and our wait staff Aldoberto and Stevie also went above and beyond the call of duty to make our dining experience a memorable on and even bringing us a recipe on how to make one of the deserts that was to die for. We had the letter in our box for 15% off the next cruise but has to be redeemed within 18 months. as you might not know we saved for 2 years to go on this trip and will probably won’t be able to afford another trip before 18 months. We have already sent another e-mail through the carnival website but could not put down the whole story due to the e-mail could only be 1000 characters. I am not happy with what happened on this trip and the service and all the I DON’T CARE ATTITUDE from the management that I encountered. When we disembarked off the ship and picked up the luggage they had completely ripped the wheels off one of the rolling suitcases that we borrowed from my mother in law that we will also be replacing so we don’t have to here about that for the rest of our lives. I think something should be done to compensate us or I will start to forward this to news agencies national and local to get our story out there to warn other people about the hospitality we were shown by Carnival Cruise Lines and the risks that Carnival Cruise Lines are taking by dealing with these 3rd world countries putting passengers in danger on their shore excursions because of no quality control and lack of security. I’ll be waiting to here back from you. Can you see that this gets in the right hands. I can be reached @ Cellxxxxxxxxxx or Hmxxxxxxxxxx .

Thank you
Greg Carpenter
This is a copy of my letter back to Carnival. Someone told me about this site and said I should share my letter with the blogging community.

]]> By: joe http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/29/back-on-the-job/#comment-59572 joe Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:40:47 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9597#comment-59572 turds!! lol turds!! lol

]]> By: Timoneer http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/29/back-on-the-job/#comment-59543 Timoneer Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:46:40 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9597#comment-59543 Great blog - glad that you are back as a CD (although I know that it comes at the cost of being apart from Heidi & Kye). I think that it is a great idea to have some of the Bloggers cruises on other lines that are part of the Carnival Corp. family. Great blog – glad that you are back as a CD (although I know that it comes at the cost of being apart from Heidi & Kye).

I think that it is a great idea to have some of the Bloggers cruises on other lines that are part of the Carnival Corp. family.

]]> By: Kate http://johnhealdsblog.com/2009/06/29/back-on-the-job/#comment-59529 Kate Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:27:16 +0000 http://johnhealdsblog.com/?p=9597#comment-59529 Dear John (please reply), I really enjoy your blog! I hope all is well with you, Heidi, and Kye. She's adorable! My fiance and I will be getting married on 9/19/09 and very shortly thereafter will be spending our honeymoon in Europe on the Dream Inaugural Cruise. I have a couple of questions... 1) Are there any plans to do any special events for this cruise since it is the Dream's Inaugural? 2) I would really like to surprise my fiance (then husband) with something special on the cruise... are there any special tours or events or anything I could set up for him before we sail? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks so much. I look forward to all the stories you put up in this blog, especially the ones from your experiences as CD! Hope you have a wonderful summer. Kate Dear John (please reply),

I really enjoy your blog! I hope all is well with you, Heidi, and Kye. She’s adorable!

My fiance and I will be getting married on 9/19/09 and very shortly thereafter will be spending our honeymoon in Europe on the Dream Inaugural Cruise. I have a couple of questions…

1) Are there any plans to do any special events for this cruise since it is the Dream’s Inaugural?

2) I would really like to surprise my fiance (then husband) with something special on the cruise… are there any special tours or events or anything I could set up for him before we sail? Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks so much. I look forward to all the stories you put up in this blog, especially the ones from your experiences as CD!

Hope you have a wonderful summer.

Kate

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