Good morning everyone. Here is a Sunday Dear John letter from Jaime the world’s best Assistant Cruise Director called Jaime.
I will be back with a very full and busy blog tomorrow
Dear Bloggers (not Dear John, because I see him everyday and he already knows all of the following),
Working with John has been absolutely great, been somewhat what of a challenge, not completely sucked. Yes, Cheryl I have been kept extremely busy, but such is the life of a potentially future cruise director. Plus, being busy has given me the incredible opportunity to save money; something that my wonderful parents can tell you has never been one of my areas of strength. I am so fortunate to have the immense pleasure of working with one of the top 784 cruise directors in the industry. and when I say “working with” I use that term loosely because our relationship can more accurately be described as me getting harassed and ridiculed about nearly everything I say. Not technically everything — more accurately I have been ridiculed mostly about my clothing, my speech patterns, my love life and my inability to concentrate on less than 4 things at one time.
I have learned a lot in the past few cruises, it is not easy jumping onto a new ship… (I probably should not use ship and jumping in the same sentence), getting used to an unfamiliar itinerary, making relationships and getting to know 1,200 new crew members, while simultaneously attempting to soak in as much as possible about John’s brilliant style of entertainment and scheduling. I am doing the best I can, undoubtedly making mistakes along the way but graciously accepting tips on how to improve, be a good leader and focus on one thing rather than taking on 12 projects simultaneously.
After spending the first few cruises on board attempting to wrap my head about exactly what I was doing here, I finally had the opportunity to get off in one of my all time favorite ports of call – Cozumel. This was such a treat because I had not visited this area since my first contract on the Carnival Imagination a year and a half ago. Plus, the ship had not been to Cozumel for over two months because of the whole piggy, ET Phone Home thingy.
I remember this location well, I close my eyes and can envision Cozumel as a gorgeous sunny paradise with beautiful turquoise oceans and small rivers of La Choza sauce abundantly flowing. As I disembarked the ship and set foot on the gangway my heart leaped with anticipation and excitement, finally having the opportunity to experience the positive memories of Cozumel once again, and creating new ones because I may have forgotten some of them for one reason or another …. It was just like how I had remembered it, except for more nick naks and less English speakers.
One of the most challenging parts of my job is becoming familiarized with the tours that the guests are offered so that if I have to do a travel talk, or if a guest asks me for an opinion on a certain excursion I can give an accurate and honest assessment of what they will experience. So even though it was my time to get off and enjoy the day, I instead opted to dedicate time to my craft and travel to the beautiful resort of Playa Mia. Making the ultimate sacrifice of enjoying the delicious endless buffets of food, sampling the complimentary drinks and enjoying the pool and beach chairs that are all included in this wonderful tour… I would describe it as moderately painful at best. Well, in all honesty, it was actually quite enjoyable. Until of course I returned to the ship and my skin matched the lobster that was being served for dinner. The day was simply amazing, I even had the chance to try the wave runners, experience the exhilarating parasailing and have some fun with the snorkeling options that were all available at the resort. I learned an important strategy when snorkeling… always bring two things with you whenever you snorkel. #1) a snorkeling buddy #2) a knife… that way if you ever see a shark, you stab your buddy and SWIM AWAY as fast as you can. Fortunately, no sharks were seen this day. Falling off wave runners, getting bruises that are pretty shades of purple and blue then being hurled 500 feet into the air attached to a rainbow colored parachute and string thingy while overlooking gorgeous waters and spotting the Carnival Freedom docked in the distance sounds like my idea of a perfect day. It was nice to be back in Cozumel.
In our next port of call, Costa Rica, I didn’t need any lavish excursions to experience my thrills. After a full day of office work, I was sitting in the main lounge watching the Talent Show Rehearsal, when the dance captain Mark rushed over to inform me that one of the dancers noticed grayish black smoke pouring out from under my cabin door. I ran down three flights of stairs to deck 0 as fast as I possibly could, my heart was pounding, mostly because I had just run down 3 flights of stairs, and I have not been going to the gym as much as I used to. I found the fire patrol officials in my cabin, saving the day as always. All of my belongings smelled worse than Istanbul but thankfully my pictures, clothes and important memories all remained entirely intact. Although I may have had a minor heart attack when Mark informed about the fire, all of the proper procedures were followed according to plan and this electrical issue was extinguished before it could become a problem. Apparently the smoke detector went off, the bridge and fire patrol was notified, they rushed to the scene and saved the day. I must confirm for you that all of my hair appliances were indeed unplugged! The electrical officer and chief of refrigeration ended up taking my fridge in case that was the source of the problem. Now, even though my sugar free vanilla pudding is ruined, I am incredibly thankful that myself, the ship and my brand new iPhone are all safe and sound. All thanks to our heroes that live and work on board the Carnival Freedom.
In conclusion, I am having a great time here on board the new ship. I am looking forward to exploring and experiencing these brilliant new ports next time we do this run as well as learning more from John. Time to head off to one of my favorite activities of the cruise our Fun Hop and Rockin’ Under the Stars Deck Party.
I love my porthole!!!
Hope to see you on the Bloggers Cruises on the Carnival Dream!
The Carnival Freedom docked in Cozumel
Parasailing!
The onboard fire patrol saving the day
=) Jaime D
Asst. Cruise Director
Carnival Freedom
Thanks to all
J
Filed under: Bloggers Cruise, Caribbean, Destinations, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Caribbean, Carnival Dream, Carnival Freedom, Cozumel, parasailing
Love , love, love your blog Jaime!! Brilliant!
I can imagine how your life with the best CD at sea is. I guess it’s a lot of work but full of laughter. It’s must be so different to work in something that you love and on top of that work but such a wonderful boss. An adventure.. The people going on the Freedom with you two are so lucky!! What a team.I hope I can see you again next Monday when you come back to Puerto Rico. Did you see our pic on my blog? Please continue to write you do this like the master
Muchos huggos
Nanni
So glad everyone is ok and that there is no more smoke. Where was it coming from?Glad to know there is a fire patrol on board.
What a great post! Love your sense of humor (perhaps you have been around John too long?!?!) And, I am glad nothing of importance was lost – well except for the sugar free vanilla pudding.
hi jaime! we’ll be there on the 26th, hope to see you again!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Hey Jaime, we are tired, but we have had a wonderful time on the cruise with you and John. I’m so glad we got to meet you and we look forward to seeing you on the BC4 on the Dream in Dec.
Bloggers take it from me , Jaime is a great Cruise Director in the making.
Countess Carolyn and Don ………..630 miles and 9 hours from home
OMG Jamie…I am so glad everything is ok! Thank Goodness for smoke detectors! Thanks for the pic of the porthole cabin. Tell John to be nice to you!!
Hey Jaime,
What’s with you and fires?!! First the Pride (the May 10th sailing-we were on with you) and now the Freedom?
Lynn and Dennis
Jamie,
We’re very glad it wasn’t too serious and your stuff wasn’t damaged too much.
Jaime, that really sucks getting your cabin smoked up. If they determine the cause, will you please post and let us know.
You are very brave, indeed, making wise cracks about your boss. Of course, I sincerely believe he expects you to be one of the best CDs that Carnival has.
I knew that when I first met you on the TA on the Splendor. Some people have it and some don’t, but is was so obvious to me that you were special.
Keep up the good work.
Doc
Hello, dear Jaime!!
It’s always a pleasure to see a letter from you! You’re going to be a BRILLIANT cruise director and you tell John I said so!
Also, tell him he better not badger you TOO much or I’ll sick the Crazies on him!!!
All the best!!!
Host Mach
Jaime,
I think John has some competition in you… Your writing was funny and made me laugh just like John does.
I especially liked the ship and jumping in the same sentence and the) a snorkeling buddy #2) a knife… that way if you ever see a shark, you stab your buddy and SWIM AWAY as fast as you can. Very funny indeed.
Glad noone was hurt and everything was spared in the fire. Thnx for our Sunday update… Great Job.
Jaime, You can do the blog any day you want. I thought of you sitting by a computer dressed in just……ummmm…… well it’s better then John in his underwear.
If they didn’t find the source of the smoke if I was you I would watch John better and not let him out of your sight. After you saying “I am so fortunate to have the immense pleasure of working with one of the top 784 cruise directors in the industry” John may use something more then a smoke bomb the next time.
John, why would you have a fire patrol drill in Jaime’s cabin when you could of had it in Carolyn’s cabin.
BIG ED
Jaime,
It was great meeting you. Thank you so much for everything. We had a wonderful time!!
MC, Bryan and Terry
Jaime!!!
So glad to hear everything turned out ok in your cabin.
Having sailed with you many times….I know you will be a brilliant ACD and (one day) CD!!!
Keep up the great work!
Linda (Mom of DJ)
Jaime,
Glad that no one was hurt in the fire. Your blogs are always fun to read!
Clair
Hey Jamie,
So great to read your blog. Sounds like your have a great time learning under John. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Something I have always wanted to do was Para sailing…but never had the nerve. Well a little over 100 days we will get a chance to share a beverage of your choice on the Dream. can’t wait to see you again. Sorry to hear about the fire
Glad to know your things are good, especially your iPhone. 
and your cloths.
My Mom and Dad send their Hello’s – take care and see you soon.
All my best – Deborah
Hi Jaime!!
Thanks for your blog today! You are too funny…. I know you will make a wonderful CD!
JOHN, give this girl a promotion already!!!
I am so glad to hear that all of your stuff was saved from the fire. As I read the first line I gasped! I’m also so happy it didn’t happen when you were sleeping!
I hope to hear from you again! I love the Jaime blogs as much as John’s!!!
Have a good week!!
Stef
Hi John,
I just caught up on several blogs hence a few disjointed comments:
1) We went to Costa Maya once on one of our Carnival cruises. We rented a golf cart and went to the little town and decided to have some lunch on the beach across from the main street (or I should say dirt road). I ordered a hamburger which was NOT very good. I could only eat 1 or 2 bites. When the waiter came back and saw I didn’t eat it, he said “If I was in the United States I wouldn’t order burritos…you probably shouldn’t have ordered a hamburger here”. I thought that was pretty funny and pretty accurate…of course, I wish he would have told me that before I ordered the burger.
2) Kye is gorgeous…what an adorable picture of her.
3) Loved the James Taylor video…think you should get him for a blogger’s cruise.
4) I would LOVE for the 2010 blogger’s cruise to be an Alaskan one…the prices for Alaska cruises are amazing right now AND we can pick up the ship in Seattle. However, I saw where someone suggested a West Coast blogger’s cruise. I think that would be a great idea as well…would definitely be different.
5) A few weeks back someone on the blog asked how Celebrity Blogger Chef Kevin’s restaurant was doing since the fire in Feb. George and I had the pleasure of visiting said restaurant last night. The place is gorgeous. The decor is warm and inviting. The staff was friendly and accommodating. And, most importantly, the food was phenomenal. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we tried. I strongly suggest that anyone who happens to be near the Bellmore area in Long Island, NY stop at Piccolo Restaurant for a great meal and ambiance. Oh, and I almost forgot the really most important thing…we had the opportunity to visit with Chef Kevin and had a delightful time. He’s a gem of a host.
Take care John,
Lisa and George Kilmartin
Jaime-
We are so glad that you are OK and there was no harm to the ship. We might be reading between the lines but we have a feeling John can be a real task master with a big heart. Take care of yourself. We are looking forward to seeing you on BC4. Lynn and Mike Sagara
Hey John, my family and I enjoyed the cruise it was the best vacation ever. We just got off the boat today 7-12-09. I waited to ask if there was anyway I could get the pic of my grandson I left in my room 6234 in the mirror part, I hope it was still there. If they could mail it back to me that would be great. Just email me and let me know if it was still there. I love the ship some much and me and my daughter cried after we left. It was so very hard leaving and coming back to the real world again. You made the cruise very special, as did Eli, Jamie, Liz, and Ann, they were all great. Our housekeeping was amazing and Joseph and Suse in the Dining Area were the best ever.
Thanks to all
Mary Thompson
Hi John,
Please reply,
I had sent you an email asking about the schedule of the Carnival Elation for the year 2010 and you responded that it is posted. Well, it is not on the Carnival website as of the evening of July 12,2009. Could you find out why it is not posted on the INTERNET yet, I would like to book a cruise on the Elation for my family next year around Mother’s day. Thank you for all of your help, I appreciate it and I know many others appreciate your help as well.
Your bloggy thingy fan,
Kathy
Morning John,
Hi Jaime – love your blogs and can’t wait to see you again on BC3.
John, it seems like there’s still a lot of confusion about the drinks/Captains Party, etc. I think I understood your information – but from one of the comments I don’t think everyone did. Also – no food being served?
I agree with you about the Russians being the worst passengers, from my own experience. Especially when they start flashing their money around and start being obnoxious to crew members. It’s funny about all these Russian “millionaires”. Russia is having just a bad a recession as we are, if not worse, so where did these people get all their money from?
John, that photo of Kye is so cute. They change so much so fast. I hope Heidi keeps showing her your photo so she will know her Daddy when she see you again.
Hugs,
Carol
Excellent Blog Jaime, you are sure learning a lot from John, even his writing abilities, you are a very good writer! Loved your blog! Enjoy working every minute you can with John, he is the BEST teacher in the world! You will make an excellent CD! Linda
John please reply.
I am very disturbed that Carnival will no longer have exclusive cocktail parties for their past guests. I am loyal to Carnival but now I feel that Carnival is not being loyal to me and the fact that I am a past guest does not matter anymore. I always loved my special recognition as a past guest at the party and will greatly miss it.
No more complimentary past guest pins…. The Past Guest Rate is much higher than the Early Saver rate… No more past guest parties…I am just very concerned that this is a sign that past guest perks are gradually being eroded and our loyalty isn’t truly appreciated anymore. Will my shareholder on board credit be the next victim? Are charges coming for steaks in the main dining room?
Is this a politically correct move so as to now “hurt anyone’s feelings” because they are excluded from a past guest function because are not a past guest?
In this economy, special recognition for being a past guest and especially a VIP is necessary. Other cruise lines have special parties for their VIPs only; will Carnival not consider doing this instead of a special party for all past guests?
Please don’t think that I am writing because I am concerned about not getting free drinks anymore; it is not that at all. It’s more about being made to feel special because I choose to spend my hard earned money with Carnival instead of another cruise line.
Disappointing and taking perks away from past guests is not a way to ensure brand loyalty and to keep people coming back.
Melissa
jamie,
so glad everyone is ok and nothing too valuable was lost. great blog! keep writing. carnival has the best staff ever!
mike & lori
Hey there..
What a great letter from Jaime even though her fridge, tv, etc. or some other crazy item literally almost set the ship aflame.
Gotta be careful.
These are great letters and i hope Jaime continues writing.
Thanks for posting and have a nice week.
Take care!
David
Please Reply
. Our booking # is 60K8P0. We would truly appreciate anything you could do for us. Thanks so much and we are counting the days to see you and take our annual summer cruise. Can’t wait to see more pictures of Kye while on the cruise also. I love your blog and Fridays have become my favorite day, because of the Kye updates!
Hi John,
I am so excited to tell you that Dave and I just booked a cruise on the FREEDOM with you on August 9th. We were going to skip this summer…finances are tight, but the bug bite and we couldn’t resist. (We have cruised Carnival in August for the last 5 summers) The final decision was made when Dave found out you would be the cruise director. He got to meet you when we came to Philadelphia to see you and the world’s biggest Piñata. (I’ll bring you pictures). I am writing to ask if you could help us get a “table for two” at the late dinner seating. We love meeting people and having breakfast and lunch with others, but Dave and I REALLY enjoys our quiet time at dinner. We are both teachers and live really busy lives and enjoy a few days together to reconnect on our cruises
Thanks so much in advance,
Ellen Schonbach
P.S. Will there be a “walk for the cure” on the August 9th Cruise?
Dear Jaime,
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Cozumel.
Wish we were there with you and that Fluffy Guy!
The skies look blue and that is a lot different than when we were onboard the Freedom during the first Blogger’s Cruise. We had a great time there in spite of the weather. Your day however sounded tip top.
The Cruzin2some
James & Nancy
John PLEASE REPLY
After reading Lisa K comment I had a light bulb go on in my head. Since BC3 is leaving from New York why don’t you go to Chef Kevin’s restaurant while in port and have lunch with the bloggers in that part of the country. I’m sure you will have a better meal there then we had in New Orleans the night Kevin got the call about his restaurants fire.
The Evil Crew is meeting in Port Canaveral at FISHLIPS the night before BC4 to meet with some of the Crew from Florida that wont be going on the bloggers cruise.
BIG ED
143 days to BC4
Brilliant Jamie! You are during a fanatstic job under the John’s hand or is it the other way. You both work well together and by listening to John, you will definitely become a CD a lot sooner . You have a very beautiful smile. John is very lucky working with you and so are all the other men onboard. Ha,ha,ha. Well done.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
[...] Dear John- From Jaime Good morning everyone. Here is a Sunday Dear John letter from Jaime the world’s best Assistant Cruise Director [...] [...]
Hi Jaime! Guess who? Glad to hear that you are fine and keeping busy. Happy to hear that the incident in your cabin was a non-event. We are all well. Need to get back to work soon, so we can then cruise with you. Love and miss you much xoxox Mom, Dad, David & Grandma p.s. Great blog, keep up the great work!
Jaime, another great blog. John, she is a tremendous protegee!
Gary and I would like to come over to Fishlips and meet with the BC4 cruisers the night before sailing. Big Ed is the organizer, I think. Big Ed! Can you add 2 more? I wish we could go with you, but it just didn’t work out. Janet
Hi Jaime! If i read correctly you will be sailing on the “Dream”? We will be onboard February 2010. (hope they have all the bugs out by then) This will be my 2nd Carnival cruise, but the first was in like 1990, so I imagine things have changed abit. LOL! Anyways, the reason I felt compelled to write is because I saw that you were from Farmington MI and I not only don’t remember ANY Americans working on our last ship, BUT…we are neighbors!! I’m from West Bloomfield! I thought that was so cool, and I can’t wait to meet you (where would I find you??) Looking forward to it!!
“See you ‘next year”
Kathy
Hi John,
Jaime Deitsch – Assistant Cruise Director
I was looking at the staff info for our Transalantic cruise on The Carnival Dream in 71 Days! I noticed that Jamie is from Farmington Hills, Mi. That is where I live and work as a Recreation Supervisor for the City of Farmington Hills. If Jamie wants anything brought from her family or FH tell her to let me know. You can give her my email.
I have been on many cruises but this is my first Carnival cruise. Traveling with my parents who have sailed on Carnival before. The new ship and the spa cabins sold me.
Hope to here from you or Jamie. Thanks for all the great arnival Dream updates and pictures.
Cathy