Friday, July 3rd, 2009...8:35 pm
Steaks, Bottoms and Heidi
It’s a tough job this blogging thing and tonight it was extremely difficult as I had to force myself to go to the supper club…………..actually……..lets get one thing correct …………… we must all get used to calling them steak houses now………not supper clubs. The menu is the same and the service is still the best at sea but steak house seems to represent the product better ………………..so steak house it is then.
Anyway, armed with my corporate sail and sign card (thanks Gerry for paying) I headed up to the steak house here on the Carnival Freedom which is called The Sun King ……. Steak House…………..so I could tell you all about the experience …………… tough life eh?
I’m on a diet as you know and have been trying to avoid red meat. Occasionally, however, I get gripped by a wish to display my inherent manliness………………I am, after all………………..male, and we are expected to prefer eating steak to anything else. Did you know, by the way, that March 14 each year has been designated International Steak and Rumpy Pumpy Day?………………….. It has. There is a website for it and everything.
Anyway, I digress. Eating steak makes me feel more of a man than eating a plate of, say, tofu or quorn, and girls like it when you eat a great hunk of rib-eye. I remember, many years ago, taking a girl called Sarah out for dinner and trying to impress her with my sophistication and sensitivity by not ordering steak. She looked at my plate and said: “Salmon?………… Are you gay?” So proving to her that I was a real man I dusted my hands together, yelled “Yabadabadoo!” and slid down my pet dinosaur’s neck and ordered a steak instead.
Some people say that cooking steak requires no skill beyond what we were capable of a million years ago, when our knuckles still dragged on the floor and foreplay was a tap on the arse with a mammoth bone………..but they are wrong. Cooking the perfect steak is an art form and one that I am proud to say we have perfected in our Carnival steak houses.
How to have your steak cooked is half the battle. Many years ago I would say “well done.” This was what I was used to……………that’s how Mum had cooked our roast beef on a Sunday. But I soon realized this was terribly unfashionable, and started saying “medium.” Anyway, it almost never makes any difference to how the steak is cooked …….except at Prime 112 in Miami………….and in our steak houses on the ships.
Yep…………our steak selection is brilliant and the intense training our servers undergo means that if you order your Rib Eye medium well………it will be served medium well.
Anyway, I had crab cakes which were extraordinarily good and after my Caesar’s salad prepared at the table it was time for my Porterhouse steak cooked as I had asked ……….. and cooked as my Mum used to do……………well done.
And it tasted of proper, grass-grazed cow……………and it was a cow that did not die in vain.
I still don’t know how they do it either…………..crab cakes, lobster bisque, porterhouse steak and an unlimited choice of side dishes including the biblically brilliant wasabi mashed potatoes (an avenue closed of to me because of my diet) followed by luxurious deserts and coffee………all for $30…………let me say that bit again……………all for $30………..unbelievable. They also have other food ……fish, even ….. but I didn’t try any of that as I can still remember Sarah’s comment. The only thing I would change is the ambiance. A steak house ought to be fun. I’d change the somber classical, lovey dovey music, whack up the volume and crack out some dancing girls………. but then I guess that’s why anyone who is looking for advice on restaurants doesn’t come to me.
Cruising on a Spirit class or Conquest Class ship and not going to the Steak House is like going to Egypt and not seeing the pyramids……..you must try it……………you really must.
If you would like to request a reservation online here is Stephanie………. I mean Cocoa to slap on the link thingy.
Hi Everyone,
If you’re booked on a cruise with a steakhouse (formerly known as the Supper Club) just log on to the “My Cruise” section of www.carnival.com.
See you soon!
The original on land Stephanie
Oh by the way…………never ever order a steak in France as they will serve you leg of horse or, worse, “onglet.”…………. which tastes the same as Judge Judy’s thigh.
Time for today’s questions…………….here we go
David Asked:
John, thanks for all the information and the reply regarding the new Sign and Sail cards. Ms Laura (LadyJag) wrote to you and asked about the access to the coed sauna on the Dream and of course you came through with the answer. Well, is just happens that my wife and I are scheduled for the same room in question for a January sailing and we noticed (thanks to the schematic portion gratefully provided by Boris) that room 1201 has a bath tub or something else included. Can you shed any light as to what it is? We are also scheduled on the Dream for its second sailing in October (room –) but doubt the room steward will let us in to room 1201 for an early peek. By the way, you mentioned your desire for an Alaskan cruise, well we are booked for the Spirit in July and it will be our Milestone Cruise. Just thought I’d rub that in….
John Says:
Hello David
The Cloud Nine Spa cabins are proving very popular and are some of the best selling staterooms on your Carnival Dream. I will be happy to have my friend and yours Boris check your cabin out and tell you if that does indeed have a bath tub or a half bath ………..it may be a dressing area. Regardless, Boris will find out. However, we will need a few days as he is on your Carnival Dream as she finishes her second round of sea trials. As soon as he gets back to e mail coverage I know he will check cabin 1201 out for you and let me know and I in turn will advise you.
I would love to cruise in Alaska…………….and I wish I could be there to help you celebrate your Milestone cruise and shake your hand and say thank you for all your support.
I will write soon.
Best wishes
John
Elizabeth Asked:
Please Reply.
How about doing a Bloggers Cruise from Galveston. Maybe on the refurbished Ecstasy?
John Says:
Hello Elizabeth
Just as I have never sailed to Alaska, I have never sailed from Galveston. We certainly had a brilliant Bloggers Cruise on the Carnival Fantasy so why not the Carnival Ecstasy. We need to decide quickly now as I know many of you want to book for 2010 and I will certainly ask the powers that be to consider the Carnival Ecstasy a ship I have not been onboard since 1994 when I was handsome, skinny, dating a dancer, drinking cognac and wearing a huge diamond ring…………what was I thinking……………….the dancer was pretty though……….and I enjoyed not buying clothes with two X’s on the label…………..I loved cognac with my cigar………the ring was ridiculous though but apart from that……..I miss those days………..God I’m old.
Thanks for the recommendation Elizabeth
Best wishes
John
Lisa Asked:
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 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 Says:
Hello Lisa
Let’s start by recognizing that you have seen as have I that many people are returning to Carnival because they have realized that our brand of affordable value for money fun is the best in the cruise market. However, we are certainly not resting on our laurels and we know that we must improve in certain areas. I do know one of the places we are looking to improve in is the embarkation process which after all is the first impression of the cruise and the first representation of the Carnival product. I think it is safe to say that we have come along way here and I know our dynamic Vice President Vicky Rey is constantly working with her team to make this experience even better.
Are our lines longer than other cruise companies? Well……….I have no idea really and I am sure that others are better placed to comment. However, it doesn’t really matter as we have to be judged by our own achievements and not those of others. And so I promise you that as a share holder you should be confident in the knowledge that we will continue to get better in this and other areas……….we truly will.
If any of you have embarkation stories to share that are good or not……….we would love to read them.
Thank you Lisa and thanks also for the very kind words about the blog.
Best wishes
John
Stacey Asked:
John (Please reply),
Some talk over on Cruise Critic regarding each ship’s “90 Day Customs Inspection.” I know I for one got caught in the midst of that after our Valor cruise and it was a NIGHTMARE…people jam-packed from each floor of the stairways, outside the elevators, through the lobby and the entire length of the terminal. We ended up missing our 2:30 flight, thankfully I had my cell phone and got on with the airline and switched us to a later flight.
Anyway, my question is this…is it possible to inform passengers which sailings of which ships will be due for their 90 Day inspection? As then the people getting OFF the ship could plan accordingly and book later flights and the people getting ON the ship could plan on getting to the terminal later. It would alleviate MUCH frustration for passengers, and I’m assuming it would for staff and crew as well.
I’m wondering if you could check with Ryan on the Glory and see when their next inspection would be and if we’d be affected by that, or any other future inspections, on our 11/29/09 sailing.
Thanks,
Stacey
John Says:
Hello Stacey
I know that when the United States Customs and Border Patrol decide to do their intense inspections it can cause long lines to disembark and in extreme cases like yours, missed flights. I truly wish we could publicize when these spot checks occur but of course no cruise line can. First of all they are never on a specific date………..we never know when they are going to do these inspections until they start…………and I am guessing that even if we did and we publicized the event it would get Carnival in a whole heap of trouble. I guess my point is the whole reason to do a spot check is that it’s on the spot rather than pre advertised. I do feel for you though and as someone who has to sit in a holding room for hours on end every time I enter the United States I know how frustrating this can be. However………..they are just doing their job I guess.
My apologies to anyone who has to endure these checks but please be patient with CBP and the cruise line staff.
Best Wishes
John
Jim Eakins Asked:
John, please respond,
One of our fellow cruisers was speaking to Carnival today (Customer Service) and they said that Carnival will no longer be mailing the traditional blue envelope packet for cruises after August 31st of this year.
Is this true? If so please have them mail our tickets, for our October cruise on the Dream, before 31 Aug.
Most of the packet contents were of limited use to us since we get our documents on-line but the almost indestructible luggage tags will be greatly missed. One wonders, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, if they might be available for a fee.
Playing devils advocate, one wonders how folks who book directly with Carnival and who do not have a home computer print out their luggage tags.
The loss of the tags will not mean the end of the world but for us it will be a bit of a pain in the you-know-what since we will have to drive over 100km to find a print shop that can laminate the tags that I will now have to print. That or I will have to purchase a laminator (also a 100+km drive). Some times it really does “suck” to live in the country but happily not very often.
So, what is the skinny? Are the mailed tickets really being killed? What does the August 31 cut-off date really mean: is the last day they will be sent out, period, even for those who have booked and paid for their cruise before that date, or is this cut-off date for new cruise bookings or for cruise bookings not yet paid in full?
Or is all of this simply a bad dream that will go away just as soon as you receive this missive? That’s French because I know you love French words.
TTFN, Jim
John Says:
Hello Jim
I admit that this is the first I have heard about this and you maybe correct but I’ll have to check it out. I can tell you that we encourage people to check in online but I have not heard that we are going to do away with the paper trail all together.
My goodness……..it sounds like you really live out in the sticks and as Heidi and I know living in the countryside is wonderful but does have its drawbacks as you described.
I will find out Jim as I am sure there are many others who will want to know if this is fact or fiction and I promise to let you know the answer very soon. Merci Beacoups for bringing this to my attention………………..missive my arse
Best wishes
John
The Baers Asked:
Please Respond-
I saw that from the comments above that you are going to be the CD of the Dream come next January and that there is a possibility that Heidi and Kye might be joining you. I was wondering if Ken Byrne the Maitre d will still be on the Dream at that time? We have a surprise for you in case you didn’t see our email we sent you and Heidi separate from the blog– we finally got to adopt Lyla but wait there is more– Lyla now has a baby sister too! We were blessed last November to get to foster another little girl Laynie and we have recently adopted both girls on June 3rd!
We took a celebration cruise immediately after (6/7/09) on the Carnival Victory but it just wasn’t the same celebrating this exciting event without you, Heidi, Stephanie, and Ken there. So we are anxiously waiting to know when Heidi and Kye will be joining so that we can book a real family cruise and visit with our extended family!
As soon as you know if you could let us know we will book just to see all of you again. We also have some gifts for Kye that I will be sending on to Heidi in the next week or so.
We were considering going on the Carnival Dream in October but then noticed you weren’t going to be there but instead will be on the Legend. We are still considering it but may wait to join you in January instead since the trip to Europe with a 10 month old and a 3 year old would be a lot of work.
Or we also considering doing a back to back with you on the Freedom this summer. How do back to back cruises work? Do we have to totally pack and get off the ship and then come back on? Just wondering.
Congratulations again on Miss Kye she is truly beautiful and you and Heidi are blessed. (As is Kye to have the two of you for parents)
I will await your answers.
Thank you,
Kim, Ken, Lyla and Laynie
p.s. We saved the bottle of champagne you gave us last year on the Splendor and toasted the Heald family at the Adoption Celebration. Thank you!
John Says:
Hello Kim, Ken, Lyla and Laynie
I didn’t see an email from you so this was a wonderful surprise. I know from having seen you on the various ships how much Lyla meant to you and now that the adoption has been confirmed you must be so thrilled and Lyla and her new sister Laynie now have wonderful, caring and giving parents. Heidi and I are so very happy for you as I am sure will the bloggers be.
I really hope that Heidi and Kye will be traveling with me next year on your Carnival Dream. It is something we are still discussing and hopefully my dream of us being together will come true. Ken will be there as well. I am not sure as to when he is going on vacation but I know he will try and be with me during the time I am on board.
You asked about back to back cruises. Well, most of the time you will remain in the same cabin and you do not need to go through the check in system twice. All you need to do is go outside into the terminal and re take your sail and sign card/ship ID photo. If you do have to move cabin we will help you all the way. I do hope you will book your Carnival Dream and I will have the chance to see you all again and Laynie for the first time.
Once again congratulations
Best wishes to you and all the family
John
Bill Says:
Hello John:
John, RSVP
We have had more days at sea, confirmed some things that you know about another line in Carnival Corporation. There truly are offerings for different demographics. We had a pleasant 12 days on Rotterdam VI and found the dam ship to be first class. Really quiet after 8 PM.
We are still profoundly Carnival customers even though we had a great time in the Baltic with the other line. I thought of you during the bier and sausage mit zowerkraut Lido deck party in Warnemunde. The oompa band is still lively.
We tend to appreciate the larger ships (Conquest class, Splendor, etc.) because it appears the higher revenue supports more variety in entertainment and food service. Your ability to create a sense of community and your heartfelt “Welcome Home” when we re-board was sorely missed. We also missed the morning show and the bedtime story. There were no Littles or Woodens on board either. Well, maybe one.
But why I write is a thought I had about diabetes. There are quite a few with this metabolic disorder, and quite a few like to cruise. Since you are learning to live the diabetic lifestyle, what a contribution you could make to increase Carnival’s compliance with diabetic needs. Like sharps containers for the cabin provided from the booking.
Low carbohydrate, exercise opportunities, sugar free menu alternatives, basic diabetic supplies, why not a menu for diabetic folks? You are much more creative than I and I am sure you can think of many important things that Carnival could do to make cruises safer for folks with diabetes and at little or no cost.
My wife and I raised a child with diabetes and can’t say that the diet requirements are any more expensive than fast, fried, high carb recipes. There are many health benefits to everyone to get a healthier diet, and it can be very appealing if done well.
Anyway, Kye is beautiful, must be Heidi’s genes. You are a lucky man, and you make your own way.
All the best to you and yours, though you are apart.
Your Friend
Bill HeckWe had a trip through hell flying back from Amsterdam, to London, to the States. I can see why you may be reluctant to expose your baby to this poor treatment. My wife was actually frisked in public in a very private manner three times before we got on the 767 to jump the p0nd. She said the Dutch were the best. They were almost strip searching the little kids. After all of the carry on was scanned three or more times at various security check points, it was still required to empty everything on the table, pockets, purse, wallet, carry on luggage, shoes, jewelry, etc. And then you can’t get a drink of water or go to the restroom because the security is right at the gate at Heathrow and you would have to go through that garbage again. Mama Mia. Maybe next time we fly to Canada on Icelandic.
It is hot here in Arkansas.
John Says:
Hello Bill
Thanks mate for the great review of our friends over at HAL. They have a terrific product and there Signature of Excellence is one they should be very proud of. Your review once again highlights the brilliant diversity of Carnival Corp and as glad as I am that you enjoyed your European experience on the Rotterdam V1 I am very happy to hear that you are Carnival fans through and through.
It is so funny that you mentioned the diabetics amongst us. During recent days I have been reading comments and advice from many here on the blog thingy who are type 1 and type 2 diabetic and having read what people have written and based on my own experiences ………….we can do more for you………sorry……….us.
While sharps containers are available immediately through your stateroom steward as is refrigeration for insulin there is no doubt that the menu choices are limited………….too limited. I therefore have decided that Carnival should lead the way in providing the best menus featuring low carb and low sugar alternatives. I want the diabetics out there to know that Carnival …………more than any other line……………will have options available in their restaurants. I am working on a proposal to present to our VP of Food and Beverage and others and if and when they approve the plan I will spread the sugar free word.
Sorry to hear about your experiences in the European airports…….although you haven’t lived until you have flown into or out of Russia.
My best wishes to you and the family
John
Kate Asked:
Dear John (please reply),
I really enjoy your blog! I hope all is well with you, Heidi, and Kye. She’s adorable!
My fiancé 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 fiancé (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
John Says:
Hello Kate
There are many who are reading this who are thinking what lucky people you are spending your honeymoon on the inaugural cruise on your Carnival Dream. Being the inaugural is special itself as you will be the first to experience the Ocean Plaza, the Water Park and all the new and exciting features that we are all excited to show you. There will be special shows and events that will also make this first cruise that extra bit special and the highlight for you newly weds will be sailing into Venice………..just make sure you are out of bed to enjoy all of this.
I suggest you take our evening Gondola ride in Venice and you must…………I mean you must …………..take the Capri and Sorrento tour from Naples…………what an incomparable way to spend your vacation
A week or so before you sail please send me your details so I can send you a honey moon gift. If you have anymore questions please let me know
Best wishes and congratulations in advance
John
Jeanette Asked:
John, please tell me which ship my fave maitre’d is on. His name is Aleksandr Kazakov. He was on the Triumph a while back, but I want to know if he’ll be making my week by being on the Splendor on the Sept 13th sailing!!!!
Yes, he is very memorable! Damn good looking, and could make an 80 year old turn her head!!!
John Says:
Hello Jeanette…………or can I call you Fuzzy Peach
I know Aleksandr and I think its time you had your eyes tested as I think you will find he is quite ugly.
Seriously though I am glad he made such a difference to your last cruise. I do not see his name on my shipboard personal list which probably means he is on vacation. I will though ask Miguel the current Maitre D on the Carnival Splendor if he is due to take over from him when he goes to your Carnival Dream. I promise to let you know very soon
Best wishes and get those eyes tested
John
Donna Asked:
Hi John,
I love your blog and look forward to reading it almost every day. My goodness, you have a great sense of British humor and seem to have captured the essence of the American cruiser. I always get a good laugh.
I’ve been a widow for 11 years. I raised two children from the ages of 11 and 13 on my own. I’ve been lucky enough to cruise on the Glory twice and then I took a cruise 2 years ago on the Miracle out of Tampa and met the most wonderful man ever. It’s a story we tell everyone we meet. Yes, there is romance at departure from the dock at 4 pm! Anyway, here we are still “dating” and have just booked our 3rd cruise together. Rather sudden if I might add, 1 week before sailing. Oh, how awesome it to be spontaneous.
Here’s my question, the day we sail from Tampa on the Legend July 5, is exactly 28 days before my big,…. crap…., never thought it would be here, 50th bday and I was wondering if Carnival can assist in my celebration. My brother and his family will be with us too. How can I go about arranging something?
Kye is beautiful as is your Heidi. Isn’t it wonderful to have someone to love? I never thought it would happen again. But, here I am, another cruise with the man I love…….
Thank you John. We hope to be on the Dream in February when you’re covering for Todd.
Donna
Deborah Rosato Asked:
Hi John,
It’s great hearing about the activities on the ship and reading the guests comments again. Welcome back to the CD role!!
Please respond:
I have a request from our very large CC group who will be traveling on the TA Dream Oct 27. We are planning various activities and would like to have a Martini tasting event. I have no idea how to arrange something like this and wanted to know if you could point me in the right direction. We would love it, if Jamie could host or join us, for this sipping activity
Please give Jamie a huge hug for me and my parents (George & Anita) we absolutely adore her!! And I can’t wait to see her on the Dream!
All my best to you, Heidi & Kye,
Deborah (Debs
John Says:
Hello Deborah
Thank you so much for saying those nice words about Kye, there is an update on her coming shortly. Can you give me an idea of how many people will be in your group? This will help me approach the groups department with the right information and we can arrange something for you. We will for sure have a martini tasting and design activity on the ship for everyone to attend but if you wanted a private activity I am sure we can help you. So, let’s start by finding out how many you expect and if there is a roll call leader (maybe you) it would be useful to have their name and booking number please. October will soon be here and you will be on your Carnival Dream.
Best wishes
John
That’s all for today. There will be more questions on Sunday. There will not be a blog tomorrow as it is July 4th and most of you will be celebrating your independence from those bastard British. Anyway, have a great Saturday and tune in Sunday if you can …… oh by the way. Happy Canada Day for yesterday………we celebrated here on board but I forgot to mention it here on the blog thingy.
OK, I have been talking a lot about Alaska and my desire to cruise there one day soon. Until then I will have to depend on hearing your stories about the Last Frontier and those of my mate Chris “Bubba” Roberts who has sent this special report.
July 2nd, 2009
Well the time is flying by here in Alaska. It’s hard to believe we are already almost halfway through the season. I am already starting to think about getting ready for Hawaii and my final sign off day. I am only 14 weeks and 2 days away from that, not that I am counting. I just know that because it’s 14 weeks and 6 days till my wedding. Soon I will be having a visitor from another cruise director, Stuart Dunn. He is going to come and sail with me for a few weeks in August to prepare him for next year as he will be replacing me on the Spirit for the next Alaska season. He will spend the two weeks familiarizing himself with Alaska and the Spirit. I have already spoke to Stu a couple of times and he is very excited to be coming. After our two weeks together he will be going on a vacation, then joining the Spirit again on Sept. 28, and take over from me on October 10.
This season in Alaska, I have had a chance to meet many of the bloggers who have come up for a cruise. It has just been a wonderful season. I finally got a chance to do something here that I tried to do all last season. I finally got to go dogsledding.
This is one of the dog camps on top of the Juneau Ice Field. There are several there over the summer. All of the dogs there are owned by professional mushers who send their dogs to these camps in the off season so that they can keep training to be prepared for the next big race in the winter. At this particular camp there were over two hundred dogs. The dogs were all very excited to see people and were barking constantly. In fact they didn’t stop barking until they were pulling the sleds. It’s what they live for, they love pulling the sleds.
I even got a chance to drive one of the sleds. Of course when I say drive, I really mean just hold on. What was more interesting than seeing the dogs and experience the sledding, was getting a chance to talk with the trainers who work at the camp with the dogs. They live on the ice field with the dogs for 7 days, then they get two days to come down from the mountain, then back up again. It would definitely be an interesting summer job, but not one for me.
Also had another opportunity to try something fun in Alaska….I went fishing a few times in Ketchikan. Myself, the hotel director, the shore ex manager, & the team leader went out on our own and some how we managed to catch something.
One very large king salmon and about 12 rock fish. It was a very successful outing. We are going to try again this next Ketchikan. Hopefully we can do better on the Salmon. I have always wanted to catch one of those giant Halibuts that Alaska is known for. But we’ll have to save that story for another time.
Thanks mate…………the dog thingy looks amazing and your report has made me want to cruise Alaska even more. I have never been able to do what you have Bubba ………. I feel like more than a little jealous. In fact, I feel like an 8-year old being handed an empty shoebox and a packet of crayons for Christmas while his friend next door is given the keys to an Aston Martin and a helicopter. Although saying that I wonder about where you piss and where to take a dump when you are being dragged along by hounds…………one would think there isn’t anywhere. You just wander out onto the ice with a toilet roll and a gun in case there is still a polar bear left that my Range Rover hasn’t killed. Where do you go Bubba? There’s nothing to shelter behind, no trees, obviously, just flat ice and snow. I guess you pick a spot, drop your pants and get on with it. As for taking a piss, well I can’t even imagine. It looks very cold indeed…… and that must have a less than flattering effect on the gentleman’s area of even the most steely nerved, testosterone-filled cruise director.
Anyway……….thanks again mate and we wish you and Julie continuing happiness during the last few months you spend with us as Cruise Director.
Very quickly and just to follow up in a question about an entertainment staff member called Chicken Little…………..his real name is George Roberts and he is currently spending his 21st birthday on the Carnival Imagination.
For the many of you who would love to experience of being in a ship yard watching a new cruise vessel born I encourage you to pop on over to Holland America’s sight where you will see stunning photos of the Niew Amsterdam………………like this
There is no doubt that Holland America really love to show off their new ships during construction. I am sure many of you remember the brilliant Eurodam blog that kept us up to date daily with what was happening. And they are doing so once again with their new vessel……………here is the link if you want more.
http://www.hollandamericablog.com
And talking of new ships, here is a spectacular photo of the uber-luxurious sparkling new Seabourn Odyssey in St. Tropez.
Beautiful isn’t she? And she needs to be to fit into the St. Tropez lifestyle because it is the most bonkers town in all the world. Blue and white yachts can be seen skimming the waves with naked Latvian girls on the foredeck.
Superficially, it looks like any other Riviera resort but the people……………… bugger me. I have never seen so much expensive hair in all my life. Sure, the Russians have more oil in their hair than you’d find in a Kazakhstan well. And their wives are as orange as …….ummmm…………an orange. But mostly, the whole place is crammed with people so bewitchingly beautiful that even Angelina Jolie would feel like a zoo animal. But this being France means a woman will look like Bo Derek……….but smell like Bo Diddley.
It’s Friday……………..so here is Heidi
Hello Bloggers,
It’s been a very hot week here in the U.K. with temperatures into the 90’s.
I absolutely loved watching lots of matches at Wimbledon and I am looking forward to a weekend of more great tennis and another Williams final.
Kye is doing great, the heat is getting to her a bit so I try and keep her as cool as possible.
We both had our 6 week check up the other day and we both “passed”. Kye now weighs 9lb 8oz and she is growing every day. She smiles a lot now and I can’t wait for John to come home so he can see it for himself.
Here is another photo of her in a little summer dress.Have a great weekend!
Heidi & Kye
7 weeks old……….my daughter is seven weeks old………and yes……..I miss them both more than words can describe.
But I don’t miss comments like this.
Guest: Ms _________ Ref: 840006674A Cabin: ——- Booking#: ________ Added-Changed: 07/02/09 – 07/02/09 C- ——- – MISSING CLOTHES FROM THE CABIN Gst reported clothes missing from cabin. Description: 2 skirts – green and beige. Guest stated that her state room steward had stolen them and that she wanted him removed from work and that Carnival owed her $100 for the missing items. Guest said that they had been on the bed when she left for breakfast but not there when she came back. Ms——- was very loud and shouting at GSA.
GSA notified Security department, [7/2/2009 10:04:57 PM IRAK] 2ND ISSUE – FOUND CLOTHES IN THE CABIN GST called GSA and advised that the clothes were hanging in the closet. Guest slammed phone down on GSA
Nothing further.
I guess the stateroom steward was nice enough to hang the two skirts up in the closet ……………….after he had worn them!
And then there is old chestnut
Guest: Mrs. ————–Ref: 849006377A Cabin: ——— Booking#: ________ Added-Changed: 07/02/09 – 07/03/09 COMPLAINT ABOUT COSTUMES IN THE SHOW 10:00pm Gst came and reported that she had removed her children from the Ticket To Ride show because the costumes were not suitable for children as they were too revealing. Guest wanted to speak to John (Cruise Director) and GSA said she would ask him to contact her.
I am sure I could go back to a previous blog written from here on the Carnival Freedom in 2007 and find a similar comment. And honestly……….I personally don’t think the costumes are really that revealing. Yes, there is one tongue in cheek number ………….. OK……..that might not have been the best reference……………..lets say that there is one fun number where the dancers show a bit of bare-faced cheek……………but that’s it. I watched both shows and both received huge standing ovations and I certainly didn’t see people leaving in droves because there was a bottom or two on display…………..it would have been untreatable if it was my arse up there……………..oh well.
So I called the guest this morning and apologized. I explained that I made an announcement before the show stating that the performance did include “show girl” style costuming and that the same statement was written in the Carnival Capers. But Mrs. Nobottom said she had not heard or seen any such information……….deaf, dumb and blind……….I wanted to say………….but instead I just showed her the Carnival Capers while I continued to apologize. I asked her how old her children were and was amazed when she said 4 and 6. I mean…………..do kids of that age realize that there is an arse on stage?……………..are they thinking “Goodness me………..this number is a bit raunchy and I don’t really need to see that beautiful showgirl’s rear end…………..I think I will leave now before I am scarred for life……….come on Mummy ………..lets go to Camp Carnival and play with Fun ship Freddy…………at least his arse isn’t hanging out.”
Anyway……………I apologized and I think in the end I won her around and she left to go take her kids swimming……..on Lido Deck……….where the kids will have up close and personal views of many a sagging scrotum.
Overall I have enjoyed my first week back as cruise director. It is a job I love with a passion. I have learned once again that I miss Heidi not being here as my ACD and indeed as the boss of the department. However, Jaime has done a terrific job and has been a huge help. I hope she is learning from me as well. I can be a hard task master I know but I do this as I did with Butch, Wee Jimmy and many more because I want them to succeed and be Carnival’s best ever cruise director. I think Jaime will certainly be ready to take the big chair next year. I know also that to manage the blog and the job I need an assistant and hopefully Carnival will allow me this privilege……..I just couldn’t do both …………well.
I have also learned that I need to be a CD as much as I possibly can. While my Brand Ambassador role is one that I cherish I know that I will best serve Carnival as a cruise director and hopefully therefore the people in Miami will find a way for me to do both. So, I am going to suggest that I work a 2 month contract followed by a month at home. This way I get to be a cruise director for most of next year while still enjoying quality time at home with the family. In between I can carry out what ever Brand Ambassador jobs are required of me.
I have been thinking how long I can do this for…………..the cruise directing I mean. And the answer is………..I don’t know…………….for as long as I can is the only answer I can come up with for now. I am sure if I were to ask for an office position one would be given to me but for now………..all I want to do is entertain………oh……..and have some rumpy pumpy ………..but that’s another story.
So unless Gerry Cahill leaves to become Simon Cowell’s replacement on American Idol………and Carnival makes me president, I am afraid that you are stuck with me for a bit longer.
Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend and I will see you all on Monday.
Goodnight
Your friend
John
48 Comments
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Dear John or Stephanie, please reply
Periodically I have tried to book the supper club ( steak club) for the Dec 3rd Blogger’s Cruise.
Dan and I are celebrating our anniversary and really want to reserve on the 5th. When will the Dream go online?
Looking more forward than you could know!
Alaska is in the prelim stages….ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Soon,
Kap
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:39 pm
John Please reply,
John thanks for the info of the past guest pins and we will read you’re blog to see what you have to say once you get us an answer. I noticed that one of your guests had an issue with luggage tags and getting them lamanated. I thought I might share with you something we have now done on our past two cruises and it has worked quite well. We Print the luggage tags on to full Letter size Avery style sticker sheets. Once they are dry we trim them down to size. We then lightly score/cut the back side of the tags about an 1″ down from the top and bottom. When it comes time to leave for the pier we simply remove the backing where we scored them. Put them through the suitcase handle and push the two ends together. Making us have airline style luggage tags! It has worked quite well for us. I bet carnival would do good at this too if anything for maybe pierside check in just like at the airport! Oh john One more thing I must admit that I was disapointed today when my parents told us they were going on a cruise most likely to alaska. We were excited to hear this seeing we have allready been and told them they would love it. ….. That was till they told us what cruise line……. Yup you guessed it……. it’s the closet cabin cruise line with the hiddeous nose art. We have told them NO NO NO, you must do carnival or even Holland America these two are the best at Alaska take it from experience. I don’t know what good it will do so we have tried but are somewhat disapointed. We are still so looking forward to meeting you along with Linda and Mike on the dream hopefully in January!
Big Fans as allways,
Frank and Bridie
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:53 pm
hi john! the photo of kye is lovely heidi!
to answer some questions, as far as the costumes go, once i had my young grandson and we sat down in front and he sure got an eye full! now we know to sit further back and all is good. neither of us wanted to leave and we didn’t know what to do, it’s funny now though!
and one thing carnival can do better. the check-in in miami is wonderful but ft. lauderdale leaves A LOT to be desired. first the terminal, blech. next, the people are not nearly as friendly as miami and i am talking about carnival people. miami really knows how to do it now. the only reason we are going to ft. lauderdale again is the freedom is there and we’ll see you on the 26th!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:18 pm
John:
To the folks who print off their Documents and Luggage Tags….might I suggest that they use our “luggage tag reinforcement method”…..
clear packaging tape.
When the tags print off the computer, you are instructed to fold them in thirds, after we have properly folded them…we use the clear packaging tape to “laminate” them.
We then place luggage tags on the luggage, staple the ends together and then we put a small strip of clear packaging tape on the end of additional support.
We have not lost one yet. If we are flying however, we do not attach the luggage tags until AFTER the flight. We borrow the stapler at the hotel and carry a small roll of tape.
Personally, I love the small blue docs that come in the mail. I use them to write a travel log on every cruise…..listing the names of all the wonderful folks who made our vacation so great….as well as anything special that happened along the way.
Then we keep them. Yes, we have every single one.
Linda (Mom of your friend ~ turning 18 on Tuesday~ DJ)
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:30 pm
John, my most excellent friend… normally, I am in lock step with you on pretty much ever situation but “Anyway, I had crab cakes which were extraordinarily good and after my Caesar’s salad prepared at the table it was time for my Porterhouse steak cooked as I had asked ……….. and cooked as my Mum used to do……………well done.” WELL DONE??? Had God meant us to eat beef well done cows would come half cooked to begin with… I hang my head in shame over your transgression…
Now, for something completely different… “You just wander out onto the ice with a toilet roll and a gun in case there is still a polar bear left that my Range Rover hasn’t killed.” Did you happen to hear that the polar bear population is now HIGHER than it has been in decades? So high, in fact, that the men with beards fear that there’s not enough polar bear food to go around!! Figure that out…
So good to hear from our dear Heidi and to get to see our Friday picture of our Kye!! She gets more lovely every week!!!
Many thanks to Cocoa… nope… can’t say it… many thanks to STEPHANIE… ahhh… much better… for all she does on this blog!!!
Ciao for the moment!!
Host Mach
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:53 pm
John it amazes me how fast Kye is growing. Gosh this time last year we were praying that Heidi would get pregnant. Now here that wee little one is 7 weeks old. She is so beautiful and so alert.
Sighhhh How I wish I could hold her.
Now if you will pass this on
To Jim Eakins.
You don’t have to laminate the luggage tags , We buy the wide scotch tape that you use on shipping boxes. We tape the tag on both sides, staple the bottom of the tag several times, then put scotch tape over that so the staples do not injure the porters hands. We have never had any problem with tags being torn off.
I prefer the ones Carnival sends, lot less work and doesn’t cost us ink and paper to print them. But as a stockholder I am glad they are trying to cut corners so they don’t have to raise prices on cruises.
But I to have concerns about people who do not have computers and printers to do make the tags themselves.
Countess Carolyn headed for the Carnival Freedom
(((((((((((((((((KYE))))))))))))))) from Aunty Carolyn
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:41 pm
John ~
Still loving the blog and all the info is great!! We have not yet sailed with you but the one thing that our last cruise company DID do right was Embarktion. I think because our TA got us to port early and we were all highly encouraged to preregister with the cruise line we were on the ship within 20-25 minutes. Anyhow i feel for the couple with no printer. It’s hard when the whole world assumes that you have the internet or the whole computer set up. Don’t get me started about living in the country. It’s great for not having to deal with cramped quarters and neighbors however… getting to certain stores can be a problem. If the couple lives anywhere close to a library they can print them out there for free. What a great idea about using the packing tape for lamination. Thanks for the tip. We will be seeing you and the rest of the awesome staff you have been putting together for our Dream Cruise!! Any idea of who the piano man will be yet??
July 4th, 2009 at 12:03 am
John ( Please Reply)
Talking about steaks, I took your advice back in May when I sailed on the Carnival Imagination. I had a milkshake which I enjoyed very much. They are soooooo good. Later at dinner I had the Flat Iron Steak, and I can honestly say it was the best steak I have ever had! Could not wait to get to dinner the next night and place my order for one more.
As for embarkation, I have not had to wait in line to check in. Out of three Carnival Cruises now, two from Galveston and one from Miami, I get there a little early, get checked right in, and twice have gotten onboard without hardley any wait. Once had to wait about thirty minutes as the Ship was not ready for boarding yet, but no problem. I had a nice visit with some friendly folks and before I knew it, I was onboard.
My daughter and I were looking at the webcam last night from the Carnival Freedom. When she saw the Lido Deck all lit up she could not sit still. We are sailing on the Carnival Ecstasy again in December and can hardley wait. I would love to see a Bloggers Cruise out of Galveston on the Carnival Ecstasy. Sign me up!
Now my question. Would it be possible to order a print of the Carnival Destiny in Cozumel? I would love to have that picture framed and on my wall. I really enjoy all of the beautiful pictures and thanks for putting them on the Blog.
Thanks for all you do and I look forward to the Blog each and every day. I know you have a passion for what you do and it shows. Kye is a Beautiful little Girl and I know you miss her and Heidi very much. Hope they can join you soon as I know you would like to have them on board with you.
Doug
July 4th, 2009 at 1:03 am
Greetings John!
I loved the picture of Kye. She is really a beautiful baby! I know that both of you are very proud of her.
John, PLEASE REPLY! Who is the cruise director on the Glory? We will be on there for the July 11th sailing. I wish it were you….but…..
Just wanted to know!
So, Ken is going to the Dream. He is magnificent. His voice is truly incredible.
Well, it is late and I have to work in the bakery tomorrow. They are giving me lots of hours because people are having to cover for me while we are gone.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Ruth
July 4th, 2009 at 6:13 am
To Bonnie ,,……….. we too said we would never cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale again……….. well never say never……… it was the only way to cruise with John on the Freedom. See how much we all love you John?
I’m hoping that since we are platinum this time, debarkation might go better But we plan on being one of the first ones off of the ship. Maybe we won’t have to fight the tour buses for Don to get the truck over to get me, the luggage and my scooter (saying a prayer to the cruise Goddess) Last time the tour buses took up all of the space and there wasn’t room for people to get their cars/trucks close to pick up luggage and passengers.
Carolyn
July 4th, 2009 at 8:58 am
I have done the same as others with the package tape over the paper luggage tags and then stapled them. This last cruise on the Valor was the first time I have had a problem with them and one of them apparently was ripped off in the process of loading and moving them onto the ship. Although we later got the bag, it made me wish you could still get the others from the Carnival reps when you get to the Miami airport.
I also had the same experience taking my grandchildren to the show on the Splendor and was more prepared for it this trip and as she said, we sat in the back and it wasn’t as noticeable. But in answer to your statement John, yes a 4 and a 6 year old do notice. My 5 year old grandson started laughing and pointing saying “look, her butt is hanging out”. Men notice these things early on.
Hi to Jaime and you must be keeping her very busy since we haven’t heard a peep from her since she got to the Freedom.
Hi Heidi and great to hear from you again. Beautiful Kye is growing so quickly. It is hot here too and the poor little ones heat up much faster than we do so keeping them comfortable in this weather isn’t always easy.
Happy July 4th to all!
July 4th, 2009 at 9:04 am
John
We are glad you are having such a good time back as a CD. You love it as much as I love computers. I go bonkers when I don’t have access to one. I am the IT manager at work so luckily I always have one, even on a cruise. They like to contact me 24/7.
Kye is looking great, not at all like her dad. Hopefully we will get to meet her next year.
Speaking of being in the yards with a new ship I have done that with 2 US Navy ships. The USS Tarawa and the USS Saipan. It is a very exciting experience.
The following is a John please reply.
When Barb and Valentine were on the Carnival Pride a few weeks ago they got to meet Jamie. Since she will be the ACD on the Carnival Dream for our 10/15/09 and 10/27/09 cruises she ask Barb to email her directly so she could make arrangements for Valentine. Barb didn’t get Jamies email address and wondered if you could ask her to send it to us? She was such a big help.
My second question is about Platinum status. We are under the impression that you achieve that status while taking your 10th cruise or is it your 11th cruise. The reason we need to know is that Barb will be on her 10th Carnival cruise when we start the TA portion of our Carnival Dream back to back cruise. Since we will be on the ship for 28 days laundry is going to have to be done, because we can’t pack enough for that amount of time. If Barb gets her Platinum card on the TA it will help since one of the perks is free laundry. Too bad we don’t have time to squeeze a short cruise in early or it would be a moot point. Thanks for your help as always.
Dave, Barb and Valentine
July 4th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Hi John!
Kye is so adorable.
$30 for the meal at the Steakhouse is a steal.
Congrats on completing th week as CD. I hope you get approved for your next schedule.
Take care and have a good weekend.
Hi to Heidi/Kye!
David
July 4th, 2009 at 11:03 am
John,
Shame on that room steward for being so considerate & efficient! There’s one man I would like to pack in my suitcase & take home. So glad you’re back entertaining us with your unbelievable passenger stories.
Heidi,
Thanks for the Kye update. Hope you both find relief from the summer heat. Kiss her for her Aunt Joyce!
July 4th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Hi John, Please Respond,
Gee, thanks a lot for the supper club description….. if my drool ruins my keyboard it will be all your fault .
For Stephanie: the Dream is still not on the list of ships for the supper club reservations and we are all getting very anxious because we only have 90 very long days before our Dream cruise.
Jim
July 4th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Steak well done?!?! I can’t imagine paying all that money when you could just order pot raost
July 4th, 2009 at 11:40 am
John–When I first met DH and went to his house for dinner I discovered my MIL cooked any sort of beef until it was completely crispy and hard like a rock. He had grown up that way and then he slathered ketchup all over it like syrup on pancakes. Of course, my mom cooked to the other end of the scale–the meat was still mooing. Over the years I have brought him over to the “dark side” and he now eats it more medium or medium rare like me. To each his own, I guess. Nothing like a good steak but I, as you have, have had my cholesterol shoot up and have been advised to scale back the fats, so it’s an occasional lean cut for me.
Kye is so beautiful–she looks very long for her age!
July 4th, 2009 at 11:44 am
John….
Please Reply
Regarding the change of a supper club to a steakhouse, does this mean the intent of the FINE DINING aspect will be different, inviting families and such of all ages, eliminating dress requirements, with an emphasis of upgraded food, rather than fine dining?
July 4th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
We use self-stick laminating sheets that you can buy at any Super Walmart or office store on the printed luggage tags. We then punch a hole in the top and attach to our luggage with a plastic cable tie. We used to use the packing tape and staple method, but prefer our new method.
We also dine in the Supper Club Steakhouse on every cruise that has one, and it is definitely worth $30 per person. But, my steak must be prepared either medium-rare or medium. I do agree that the crab cakes are fabulous, and the lobster bisque is devine!
Kye is just beautiful. Our new granddaughter, Victoria, will be two months old July 6th, and we Skype every chance we get so we can see her (and the rest of the family too!).
My husband was dreaming last night of being on the Carnival Dream. He must be getting the cruising bug…again! We might just see you in January or February 2010.
Patti and Tim Kriebel
July 4th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
John, I constantly admire your ability to be intensely loyal to the Carnival brand, while still poking fun at the corporate culture and foibles. And I admire Carnival for giving you the freedom to be you, even although I’m sure at times they must wince at “sagging scrotums”, “rumpy pumpy” and your obsessions with bodily functions. Please, not matter how successful your weight loss campaign, when on stage keep your pants on and your “arse” appropriately covered. And keep up the fun blog!
Regards, Richard
July 4th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Happy 4th John!
We are glad you will be CD for many more years. It wouldn’t be the same without you or the blog!
July 4th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Hi John,
Just a comment on ‘getting on the ship’. We love Port canaveral…sailing on the Carnival Glory, which we first sailed with you (our very first cruise, is a easy experience. Staff has always been awesome. Time has never been a issue. not sure what they do right, but maybe they can give some suggestions to the other ports…
Looking forward to cruising with you on the Carnival Dream on December 3rd. BTW we still enjoy showing friends your “BedtimeStory” video
Love to Heidi and Kye….Peggy
July 4th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Loooking forward to seeing you Dec 3rd on the Carnival Dream….Comment on time spent waiting in line. We love Port Canaveral…they move things along, are very friendly and just do an awesome job! In fact on one experience we were on the ship before our copanions who were using the VIp. Maybe corporate should get some hints from the guys and gals at Port Canaveral.
Love to Heidi and Kye!…Peggy
July 4th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Dear John,
Oh and one question, where did Jamie F disappear to after Wednesday? I loved that Brit, so talented, and was wondering where he went off to!
Firstly I want to say thank you for a fantastic week this past week on the Freedom! It was our second cruise with Carnival and we were really lucky to get you as a CD. Funny, I found your blog some years ago but never payed much attention to it, till now when I recognized you! You made the cruise so memorable and we all absolutely loved your shows and comments. Bought the talent show dvd and as my family had not seen the crazy events from the bedtime story it was great to see their reactions to it. Needless to say they were laughing with tears as we all were in the victoriana on Wednesday
So again thanks for everything this past week on the Freedom, can’t wait to see you again soon!
Come relax @ Vero Beach one day!
July 4th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
We have been surprised at how “embarkation” differs so greatly at each port. Being in Florida, we have had the opportunity to try several. We have not used Miami yet. We thought Ft.Lauderdale was just a one time problem as we went on the 2 day Splendor trip when it came out last November. Lines were terrible and not nearly enough seating in the terminal that was used. Also, there were not enough signs to let you know where to park and where to go. But hearing from others, it sounds like Ft. Lauderdale is a port that really needs to be looked at. We were pleased with Pt Canveral and Jacksonville. We felt those ran smoothly enough. Our favorite was Tampa. We loved the valet parking and everything was smooth. There was a lot of seating and the way they called people by group #s to board kept the area from getting clogged up and kept us from standing in line a long time. And it gave us an idea of how long of a wait there would be as we saw each group being called. We don’t mind waiting if we have to, but there needs to be enough seating.
I also just want to comment that you have great patience. One must in a customer oriented field, but it seems you especially do as cruise director. My DH and I thought you should set up a “plank” and tell your irate customers to join you in the problem resolution area !! LOL It is amazing how people complain !
The other thing I noticed is how people are so anxious to get off the ship ! I can understand if there are urgent needs to get home, but why plan to rush to airport etc. We enjoy leisurely having our breakfast and just wait and enjoy the ship as long as we can…almost until we have to be kicked off !!
We look forward to the chance to enjoy the Freedom as we have a family cruise booked next 4/24.
July 4th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
[...] Steaks, Bottoms and Heidi It’s a tough job this blogging thing and tonight it was extremely difficult as I had to force myself to go to the [...] [...]
July 4th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Hi John,
Please respond,
I was just reading where someone asked you to do a blogger cruise out of Galveston. I just got thinking, since you have already been on that ship, why not do your cruise to Alaska first so your fans on the West Coast of America can enjoy a cruise with you first, then go to Galveston. I think it is time the West Coast had you for awhile.
BTW, I love the picture of Kye, she is getting so big and beautiful by the day. I bet she misses you as much as you miss her.
Kathy
July 4th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
John Please Reply
Thank you for getting the sugar free cakes sold from the Bon Voyage department. Now my diabetic husband can “…have his cake and eat it too!” Another sugar free question- How about offering sugar free ice cream and toppings at the Ice Cream Parlor that is open on Sea Days from 3-5 PM? I’m sure many people would enjoy that too. Wouldn’t you just love a nice sugar free ice cream sundae? Thanks John, for all of your hard work!
July 5th, 2009 at 7:51 am
John, please reply,
March 14 is Rumpy Pumpy day? I will have to remember that. March 14 is mine and Donna’s wedding anniversary. Next year March 14, 2010 will be our 25 wedding anniversary.
We are currently looking for the perfect cruise and ship to celibrate the event. Any recomedations for a Carnival sailing of 6 days or longer that does not go to the western Carribean? While we love Cozumel, we go there several times a year already. We have done the Eastern Carribean once but not the Southern Carribean.
July 5th, 2009 at 8:17 am
And I forgot, the Steak House/Supper Club is absolutely wonderful and everyone should try it at least once. The crab cakes and lobster bisque are the best.
I agree with Carolyn, I would almost do anything not to have to board a ship in Ft. Lauderdale. When we boarded the Splendor in Ft. Lauderdale in November, there were 8 or 9 ships there–and a 3 hour wait in long lines outside the building is not a good way to start your long awaited cruise vacation–especially with 3 small children. Miami was better but not by much–only because I think there is just a better layout for traffic on Dodge Island than FLL–the lines and people moving are not better in Miami. Tampa has the best and that is a credit to them since it is in the middle of downtown so if they can do it, it seems others can too. I haven’t been to Port Canaveral as yet but I’m hoping it will continue to be as good as described when then Carnival Dream home ports there.
July 5th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Good Morning John, ( PLEASE REPLY)
I’ve noticed several comments about the ease of embarkation in Port Canaveral. Our Jan. 2010 DREAM cruise leaves from there and I wondered if you had any insight into how and why this port has such a good reputation ?
We have left from both Miami and Fort Lauderdale and although Miami has a beautiful new embarkation area we have found the staff in Fort Lauderdale to be very friendly and efficient.
Our Liberty cruise in Sept. 2007 we were the “FIRST” passengers on the ship. Being Carnival Vacation club members does allow us the VIP boarding which is nice.
We have also suffered the cattle call of the embarkation lounge but the anticipation of the cruise is enough excitement to ignore any waiting time. I think that if you arrive at the port at around 10:30 am you are going to wait 1.5-2 hours so why put yourself through that stress and just bring a book or something to keep your mind occupied and the time will pass and before you know it………………you’re having a burger and a DOD on the LIDO deck and should be stress free.
Chill people…………you’re on vacation. Stop complaining about every LITTLE thing and enjoy the fact that you are NOT at work!!!
As I always say…………..”There is no such thing as a bad cruise…………..just too few of them!”
Over and out from Canada
B&D
July 5th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Hi John
You really seem to be enjoying what you are now doing, if only Heidi and Kye were with you!!!
Regarding “the ORIGINAL on land Stephanie’s ” request to book a great steakhouse meal it would appear that the Carnival Dream is not listed as yet, so no bookings for the Dream cruise?
Eat well and healthy
Regards
Des (Cape Town SA)
July 5th, 2009 at 10:35 am
John, Please reply
Is there really no way one can get the blue envelope with our tour information and luggage tags for future cruises? We will be taking our 25th cruise at the end of December and have saved every blue envelope with cruise information for our enjoyment. I can realize that Carnival will save money by not mailing items to us but making the customer pay for laminating or covering with mailing tape luggage tags and going to the bother of doing so does not seem quite fair.
On a much more positive note – Kye is beautiful and is growing so fast!
Enjoy you next week. Jeri
July 5th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Thanks for once again making me smile.
Sarah has the strangest “gaydar” I’ve ever heard of. And I just wanna know how in the world you know what Judge Judy’s thigh tastes like! Or…do I?
Be Well…..(or medium…)
July 5th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Dear John, (please reply)
My family and I just got off the Carnival Freedom and had a great time!! Your doing such a great job! My son is still laughing about you putting the pop rocks in your sisters cats kitty litter. We’re still laughing about Mr. Whopper and Dick Little. You really made our trip and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My question is, I have a friend on the Glory(RIGHT NOW) her name is Rita Marinucci and she’s a divorced woman with her two teenage kids(I hope she finds a man) anyway I was so wrappped up with my own travel plans, that I forgot to order something sent to her stateroom, is there anyway I can do that now that the ship has already set sail? Thanks in advance for your advice.
Sincerely,
Lisa Perkins
July 5th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Dear John
Reply Conquest Review
Sorry this has taken so long to get back to you on our cruise we took 5/24/09 on the Carnival Conquest. I am an avid reader of your blog and realize that if we do not tell you about our experiences on the various vessels you cannot make improvements or fix problems that may occur. Check in was just marvelous at Galveston, we arrived at 9:45 AM and unloaded our luggage and immediately were met by one of your very efficient porters and directed us to the embarkation line. My husband went and parked the van and took the parking shuttle back to the terminal in record time 10 minutes. As soon as he appeared the line started to move forward into the building. We made it through security, check-in, and ready to board the conquest in 30 minutes. We boarded the ship at 11:00 just behind the two wedding parties and was on the Lido Deck eating lunch by 11:30. This was our second cruise on the Conquest and our previous check in process was just as fast and efficient as this one. (Maybe the folks at Galveston need to write up their formula for embarkation and share with the other Ports. Ft. Lauderdale was our worst too.) Our cabin was ready by 1:30 just like they promised and our luggage began arriving shortly after 2:00. By 4:00 when we went to the dreaded Muster Drill, which we enjoy as this is the first time you get to see most of the people who will be in your immediate cabin location for the week, We were already unpacked and definitely in vacation mode. You may remember that I asked you to contact the Maitre D to get us a table, so that my mom could just ride up to the table and move from her motorized cart to the dining chair. Well Omer the Maitre D did an excellent job and we had a lovely table with a window just inside the Monet dining room on the port side, table 302. He also informed all the waiters and assistant waiters in the area that she would be arriving, because they all said ahh here comes Mum driving up in her BMW. Imagine my mothers surprise when she heard them all call her Mum and acknowledge her handicapped vehicle a BMW. They immediately made her day and every day after that too. Our waiter Elvedin was just wonderful the entire week. He was very efficient and had a wonderful sense of humor. Pavel our assistant waiter was a perfect match for Elvedin, it appeared that they had worked together often as they went about their duties and kept us entertained by their antics each evening. The Entertainment Staff and shows were just as wonderful as we have come to expect from carnival and Chris Jefferson was an awesome cruise director, we had sailed with him previously on the Valor and knew we would have a good time. However, I found another superstar on the entertainment staff it is Marcella, assistant Cruise director. Wow I have never had so much fun in the lounge during the day. It was not just your normal Trivia, Bingo, game shows and even towel folding. He had us laughing and having the best time all day long. John he truly deserves to be a Cruise Director, right up there with Todd and Chris. Our room steward Nardeau introduced him self to us the first day and made sure we had everything we needed or desired and kept our cabin impeccable throughout the entire cruise and wishing us good morning everyday and making sure we were happy. Debarkation was a little long, but that happens especially if you have a full ship and not enough custom officers. We like to eat in the dining room on debarkation days anyway, so we are not in any hurry to leave the ship. We had a great cruise and hope to be cruising again soon. Even though it has been 6 weeks ago and we are back into our normal routine again, I still miss my ship home which is any carnival cruise ship. My best to Heidi and Kye ( such a cutie and little star straight from the heavens) and I know you must miss them, but we all appreciate your sacrifice to make us bloggers and carnival customers happy by being just you. We hope we get to cruise with you soon as we never have and now that we can see whom is going to be CD’s on the ships this may be possible.
Marqueta from Oklahoma
Conquest Cruiser May 24 -31 2009
July 5th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
John,
In reading some of the blog, I am getting concerned that Todd and Jaime or Jamie (male) might not be on the Dream for our cruise of January 23 which is the main reason we booked it. Can you help? Will they (one or both) be on that cruise?If not, why? We were told on our 3/14/09 cruise on the Freedom that they would be the CD and ACD on the Dream. Also,will Captain Queirolo be the captain of the Dream?
July 5th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Just an FYI … the ship in the picture is not the new SEABOURN ODYSSEY. It’s one of the older and much smaller original Seabourn ships, perhaps SEABOURN SPIRIT.
Ernie
July 5th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
John, John, John, you are a man and how can you tell who is cute and who is not….Perhaps you are thinking of another Aleksandr Kazakov (I’ve learned that the name is a popular nmaed used at one time by the Kosack’s in Russia). The one I am referring to is 6′2″ish, bald, amazing blue eyes, and looks like he spends ours in the gym each day!!!! He’s also very very very charming…..Miguel, hmm, could he be the same Miguel that was on the Liberty last September as well?
As for email, it was my cats registered name, sadly she was put down at the age of two cuz of serious medical problems. Her name was Fluffy Angel’s Fuzzy Peach–Peaches for short…..
Kye–she is adorable, keep posting pics of her!
July 5th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Hi John
Just started reading your blog and can’t stop laughing. First off congrats on your new addition and hope all is well with everyone.
We were on the legend in April for a chartered cruise to the western Caribbean and fell in love with Carnival it’s staff and the ports we visited, we have cruised with Disney prior and must say found all the crew we encountered on the legend for that cruise fantastic and if not at par above the Disney standard . So that saying that we have decided to take our children ( 8 & 10) on the valor with us Sept 6th (shhh it’s a surprise) visiting the same ports as we did in April ( hopefully visiting Cozumel this time). As our cruise was an adult only cruise, we are a little concerned about the kids being bored. We know about camp carnival but we also realize that this is the time frame that kids go back to school. Guess our question is. During this time frame does carnival still have its fair share of family’s cruising with them and if not does camp carnival reduce the amount of activities for the children that are on board? Also are children allowed in any of the clubs on board as we would love to have the chance dancing with them.
we can’t wait to sail with carnival again..
Be safe and be well and all the best to you and your family
Bronwen
July 5th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Just back from our family 4th of July w/e with our family in St. Louis.
Thank you for including a “report” from Chris “Bubba” Roberts. Since we will be on the Spirit going to Alaska on August 5th, it was nice to see who will be the CD. We will be on our cruise one month from today. Mike is getting very excited and I am going to go with a good attitude. I find it so odd that I will cruise to some place you have never been. That worries me even more LOL.
The pictures of your precious Kye are adorable. She is truly is gorgeous. It has been so much fun reading Heidi’s remarks and the pictures of Kye she sends.
I also can see our Jaime in the “big seat” by next year. That was my first thought when I met her last year on the Splendor, she would go very far with Carnival.
We loved the Supper club, oh wait, the Steak House on the Splendor. I think for the price; it is something everyone should try.
Keep smiling John, you truly are one of the good guys.
My best to Heidi and Kye.
July 5th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Please reply…
Hi John!
Have a question about Elation’s schedule past April 2010. Just kidding!! I think your replies and my postings somehow crossed in the email universe. Thanks for the info and looking forward to booking.
But, do have a question about the current situation in Honduras. The State Dept. has advised against non-essential travel to the region. Does Carnival have any plans to suspend their calls to Roatan? I know the info I see on Cruise Critic is no (which I know is not gospel) but given the State Dept. advisory, is this something being considered or would it be on a sailing by sailing basis?
Thank you much!
Colleen
July 5th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Dear John, PLEASE REPLY!
Hi John- love looking at the pics of your beautiful Kye- she is adorable. I know you miss her but I can tell she is gonna be a daddy’s girl at heart.
Hubby and I are booked on the Carribean Princess in Sept doing the Canada cruise and I have seen something called the Chefs Table. Can you get your spys to find out what this is and how to sign up for it- sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate our 29th anniversary. Thanks, Deby(who is looking very forward to booking a cruise on the Dream next year)
July 5th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
John,
Please Read
I’m sorry to be so late posting this, but I do want to thank you for your part in making daughter’s wedding cruise so special. The newlyweds really appreciated the nice letter from Butch and treats that were delivered to their cabin.
Esther and John were married aboard Carnival Glory on May 2, and a few of us stayed aboard and sailed with them. That was right at the beginning of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico and our Western Caribbean cruise became an Eastern Caribbean cruise. This was fine with us, and one member of our group was very happy with the change as he preferred the Eastern itinerary anyway.
Butch Begovich does a great job as cruise director. He was visible and friendly, and his communications about the itinerary change were very clear. We introduced ourselves to him early in the cruise, and I was impressed that he actually remembered my name when I ran into him again a couple of days later.
Our waiters, Joel and Iketut, were very welcoming and always greeted us by name. And we enjoyed seeing the magic trick Iketut did one evening for the kids at the next table. Natalia, who I believe is an assistant to the Maitre‘d, made sure my son-in-law’s food allergies wouldn’t be a problem. She would stop by during dinner with the next evening’s menu and have John pre-order. That way they could ensure there would be no concerns with the food preparation. What a great service!
The wedding coordinator from the Carnival Wedding Experience, Carol, and the wonderful photographer, Boris, also deserve recognition. Carol made sure that the wedding went smoothly, and Boris captured some great memories. The photo book he put together is brilliant! I’m so glad Esther and John decided to have a Fun Ship wedding!
The only problem we encountered was some incredibly bad luck my stepson, Joe, had with his luggage. We had special luggage tags for debarkation because we were taking a tour, but Joe’s luggage didn’t show up with everyone else’s. A member of the debarkation staff asked the tour guide to wait for us while the tried to locate the luggage, which we greatly appreciated. However, the luggage didn’t turn up in time, and Joe decided to go on the tour and hope for the best. The luggage was eventually located, of course, but then it was stolen from the van that was taking it to Miami. Fortunately, there was nothing lost that can’t be replaced. I haven’t heard the final outcome, but I think Joe must have a luggage curse and I will never share a suitcase with him!
Congratulations to you and Heidi on the birth of your beautiful daughter!
Pat
July 5th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
John
KUDO’S to you and the staff for most recent cruise on the Freedom.If we could bottle the smiles and laughter from the cruise it would last most people a lifetime.Hope to see you real soon.Thanks again
July 5th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
John,
Please reply when able to.
Kye sure is a beauty.
I was wondering if Carnival would do a few connecting modified stateroom with another stateroom. When I cruise with my son we need a modified stateroom, and then another regular stateroom for my dad and sister, We would love to be able to stay together instead of being on different ends of the ship or on other decks. We were lucky back in May, we were only a few steps
from each other, but it would of been better if we
only had one door to go through instead of in one and out another. I hope that when they start on the Carnival Magic, that they will take in consideration more modified balcony and suites, and some with modified connecting staterooms. Thanks for the pictures of Kye, keep them coming.
Thanks for all of your time and help.
July 6th, 2009 at 2:02 am
Dear John,
please respond………..
I am in the process of booking the Dream for March. I just found out that you are scheduled to be the CD and that thrills me since I have never cruised with you before. I am traveling with my husband and two teens and I am trying to figure out if it would be better to book adjoining cove balconies or a balcony on the panorama deck with an interior across the hall…………do you have any advise? Thanks in advance………….and I have recently became a fan of your blog…………I want to congratulate you on your new daughter and continue with the updates…………please!
July 6th, 2009 at 2:53 am
Hi John (please reply)
I wrote last week but I don’;t know if you have received this yet. I asked for comments on the following:-
I am cruising for the 1st time with Carnival on the Maiden Voyage of Carnival dream on 21/09. I did the maiden on Independence of the seas as was truly disappointed in the sail away celebrations. What does Carnival do on these ocassions?. Also we were originally booked on the Freedom, then moved to the Liberty and finally to the Dream. We did received $50 per operson obc (there are 4 of us). Our travel agent called Carnival to ask if there was anything else could be offered due to the inconvenience of my husband and I having to use another days holidays to accommodate the change from 19th to 21 September and they said it would be up to Miami. This was also their comment when advised that we have previously cruised with Princess and as the back of Carnivals brochures indicate, this could mean either discount or little extras. I’m not asking for a free cruise and upgrade(if only!) but just wondered what you thought.
PS the photos of Kye are beautiful and I hope it is not too long before you get to see Heidi and her.
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