I made it to Friday……..I had one day to go and it would have been an entire cruise without me posting a single guest complaint or negative comment. I had decided to not to do so just because I felt like I was concentrating on the one or two negative comments and therefore I had promised myself that this week there would be none. And it hasn’t been too much of a struggle. There have been no outrageous claims or demands and so far…….nobody has taken a crap in the swimming pool. So…….all was going well until yesterday evening when the Guest Services Desk sent me this charming e mail.
From: FREEDOM GUEST SERVICES SUPERVISOR
Sent: THURSDAY, JULY 30TH, 2009 7:32 PM
To: FREEDOM CRUISE DIRECTOR
Subject: PERSONAL MESSAGE FOR CRUISE DIRECTOR FROM CABIN NUMBER 6324
Importance: NORMAL
John
Mrs. ______ came to the desk and asked to speak to you. I tried calling but you were at the repeaters party. The guest insists on speaking to you as she says that she wants to help you with your weight problem. I am so sorry John I feel embarrassed about writing this but the lady was very rude to me because I would not give her your telephone number. She says she can help you lose lots of weight. Can you call her please?
Sorry again
When I first read this I suffered mixed emotions. I was angry, embarrassed for the guest services lady who had to write the e mail and disappointed because I have actually been doing well with my diet and lost weigh………OK……not enough and I have a long, long way to go but I felt …..Until tonight………..that I was on the right track.
I also felt offended that this lady felt it was within her rights as a guest to insist on having my phone number so she can tell me I am fat………..thanks………I had no idea…….although the two X’s in the back of my underpants were a clue.
At first I had no intention of calling her but after thinking for a moment and knowing that she would be persistent and continue to hassle the pursers (can’t get used to not calling them that) I decided to get in touch with her.
And so, after the first show I met her in the lobby and spent 20 minutes of my life that I will never get back listening to a this lady tell me about a book she wrote. Now, I have decided not to post the name of the book for obvious reasons but I can tell you that it’s about food and peace and how we nourish ourselves as individuals and as a society……I quoted that from her business card by the way.
So, she sat there and to summarize what she told me is easy. I’m fat……I’m going to die……..I must never eat meat ever again…….and I must learn to love the vegetable……oh……and she wants to do a lecture onboard for all the “overweight guests” and she has books and recipe cards to sell.
She told me I had an eating disorder. I wanted to tell her is that in my opinion vegetarianism is an eating disorder. It’s a better eating disorder than many others, because at least it doesn’t make you fat. But it does make you pale, and flaky, and unbelievably boring……but I didn’t……..I just sat there……………and looked thankful.
I may sound cruel when I say that her motives seemed to be more about me allowing her to host a seminar and sell her books than shaving a few pounds off me…….and if I am wrong then well ……I’m sorry. But it takes an awfully confident person to feel they have the right to tell a stranger what’s wrong with them.
Time for today’s questions…………oh hold on…………….just give me a moment to munch on a carrot, kick of my sandals and listen to the Carpenters……….OK, let’s go.
Robert Kruczek Asked:
John please reply,
I am leaving this Monday and was wondering if there is any way I could reserve a table for 2 by the window for late seating, I know this is short notice and I apologize in advance, this cruise is for me and pop who usually try to cruise CCL once a year if able to (this is our 3rd)..Thanks for everything you do and if unable to fulfill this request I thank you for taking the time to read this
Booking #: ******
Thanks John and your daughter is really beautiful.
BobbyfkJohn Says:
Hello RobertThanks for writing Robert and I will do all I can to make this happen for you. I am guessing you are going on the Carnival Fascination but let me check your booking number just to make sure and I will ask the Maitre D to do what he can.
Have a wonderful cruise. Best wishes.
JohnLinda Hartwick Asked:
Hi John, please respond. I have been cruising on carnival for the past two and a half months. I wished you came on the Paradise. I have to ask you have you met Felipe Couto? He was filling in for Jeff on this ship. He is a great guy so funny and does an outstanding job filling in for a cruise director. I have cruised on 12 ships with carnival in the past two months. My goal is to hit number 25 on the dream; will you be on the dream from Italy to New York? My good friend Ken from Ireland told me you are a great guy, I do hope to meet you soon, take care…..Linda Hartwick
John Says:
Hello LindaI have indeed met our young Brazilian friend Felipe. In fact he was part of the Social Host training college that Heidi ran a few years ago and he has proven to be one of our rising stars. I couldn’t believe it when I read that you have cruised 12 times in the past two months……..that is extraordinary and we are all applauding your loyalty to this great company. I am not sure yet about the TA on your Carnival Dream. I am thinking that there may be a chance to join the ship in Bermuda and sail her into New York. I am hoping this is so for many reasons and one of those is so I can meet you. Ken is a great guy and I am sure you will have an exceptional crossing with him and the great crew of your Carnival Dream……..what a way to celebrate must what be one of the fastest recorded times to reach our Milestone reward. Please keep us appraised of your adventures and on behalf of all of us………..congratulations
Best wishes
JohnJP Kraus Asked:
John, please reply. It’s JP from Holland again. A couple of weeks ago I asked about buying my friends a “Bon Voyage” gift certificate for the Steakhouse (Supper Club). You would pass it on to the people at Miami HQ. Have you heard anything from them?
Doei, JPJohn Says:
Hello JPQuier Morga
Ich hept ein e mail schriefer ………….I had better stick to English i think. I did indeed ask the Miami office as I think this was a brilliant idea. I have yet to receive an answer from them but I will chase them up today. I promise to let you know as soon as I hear anything. Hope all is well in Holland and ich will ein frickandel speciale mit potakyers orlock.Doeeeee
JohnJimC Asked:
John Please Reply-
Hi John! I don’t write in to the blog much but have been reading it for a very long time. I moderate for Cruise Chat and watch in great interest the attention that Cruise Critic bloggers get (which is fine as they are a much bigger forum than us but thought I would let you know about us too)However, the reason I am writing to you is that I wanted to ask you a favor. We are loyal Carnival cruisers and we talked my sister and brother in law on a Valor cruise at the end of September. This would be their first cruise on Carnival. They are new to cruising and have tried “Oursshipshavegraffitionthem” and “Behemothshipswithmountainsonthemisallwebuildnowoftheseas” and I want to show here that Carnival ships are top notch vessels that will show her a great time and make this cruise special. She asked where we would be seated in the dining room and if we could “request” a window table. I told her that Carnival doesn’t take requests for tables because then…well everyone would be asking for window tables.
Is it possible for you to pull some strings for me? Or do something else to make her cruise special?
We are sailing on the Valor Sept 27th, 2009 cabins 6219 and 6215.
John Says:
Hello Junkbucket – great name by the wayI am so sorry that I don’t mention your site much because to be honest, just now was the first time I had a look at …….and it is excellent and I encourage the readers to pop over to have a look for themselves……..here is the link thingy http://cruise-chat.com
Thank you so much for persuading your family to try the Fun Ships of Carnival and I promise they will not be disappointed. I will speak to my Maitre D friends and I am sure we can sort something out for you. May I kindly ask that you remind me two weeks before you sail. Please may I invite your readers to pop over here should they need anything at all and thanks so much for all you do.
Don’t forget to write. Best wishes.
JohnJackie Asked:
Hi John and Stephanies, Please reply
I posted a comment about Carnival gift certificates over a week ago. You responded on July 13th and said I would be contacted within 7 working days. I still have not heard from anyone. Thought you would want to know.John Says:
Hello JackieThank you for letting me know. I will ask Stephanie to peruse this again. If you hear nothing by the middle of next week please contact me again. Please accept my apologies for the delay and I will do all I can to help.
Best wishes
JohnAnnette Kamps Asked:
Hi John (reply appreciated)
You may recall that I wrote you a LONG message which you posted with a reply on your June 30th blog.
To recap quickly, I wrote about the conflicting information given out regarding the certificates that can be purchased on some ships and how based on the information given I did not purchase and now realize that I could have and should have.
My comment here was more of a request that maybe Carnival should train all of their PVP’s and sales people so that they all have the same info.
My second point was about purchasing early saver fares and a group cruise. I was annoyed that I am now booked in a group with an early saver rate that is not the true early saver rate. I have all of the restrictions of early saver but I did not receive the full benefit of a lesser rate. Based on the early saver rate posted at this time, the difference between that and my rate is about $50. The difference at the time I did the booking was about $70 – which would go a long way toward a spa treatment.
You were kind enough to respond and tell me that you had passed this information on and that I should be receiving a call from a Carnival representative and to let you know if I did not receive this call.
Well, I think they may have called about a week ago but did not leave a message. My call display showed a number with a 305 area code, which I think is a Florida #. So, that may have been them or it may not have, I’m not sure, but they did not call back again.
I’m hoping you can give them a little nudge again and ask that they call me and leave a message if I am not home. I will also give you my cell number at the end of this note. I know I don’t have to say this but, please do not publish the cell number
Thank-you very much! Hope all is going well on the Freedom and best wishes to you and Heidi and of course, the precious schat, Kye!
Annette
John Says:
Hello AnnetteIt seems that you were contacted and missed the call but I am surprised my colleagues have not called back. I will send this to someone at VP level and make sure someone contacts you to discuss your concerns. Please stay in touch and let me know if nobody has called by the middle of next week. Once again my apologies for the delay and thank you so much for your kind words.
Best wishes
JohnSallie Asked:
Hi John, (Please Reply)
I always knew you were a ladies’ man.
I have a question about the Anytime Dining and ordering wine.
Since there is no assigned seating with AT, if I order a bottle of wine the first night and do not drink it all will I have to take it with me and bring it the next night or will the wait staff take it and keep it as they do if you are in assigned seating?
I love Berenger and just my luck Carnival serves it but I really don’t want to be lugging a bottle to and from dinner each night.
My Pride cruise is getting real close now and I am starting to think of all the little things.
Thanks for helping out with this and so many other things you do for us.
Princess Sallie of Big Ed’s Evil Krewe
(The one that is sad because she won’t be on the Dream in December.
)
John Says:
Hello SallieThat’s a great question. First of all let me say that the ships that have the anytime dining options on them are reporting that the guests that are taking this option are all enjoy it very much. It will continue across the fleet throughout the rest of the year. So, as for the wine……….well the answer to your question is a simple yes. You can purchase a bottle of wine and if you do not drink it all you just need to tell your team head waiter that you wish it kept in the wine cellar until the following night’s dinner. He or she will label it with your stateroom number and it will be available the next night for you to continue to enjoy.
If you can think of any other “little things” please let me know and I will do my best to help you.
Best wishes and don’t be sad……your Carnival Pride cruise will be brilliant.
John
Jack & Geri Asked:
Hello John,
We are sailing on the Carnival Dream B2B cruises this Nov 13 and the Bloggers cruise right after. We see on the CC site for the Nov. 13th cruise that the Official launch will be in New York on Nov. 12. We are coming from Canada and staying the night in NYC. Is there any way that we could attend the Inauguration or part thereof of this great ship as we board the very next day? We are celebrating our 51st Anniversary and what a thrill that would be for us if this is at all possible. We are staying right across the street from the Dream on the 12th of Nov. Please let us know if there is any chance.
Take care and best wishes to your beautiful family.
Your friends and soon platinum friends,
Geri & Jack
John Says:
Hello Gerri and JackYou are correct that the naming ceremony will be conducted in New York but that’s the only details that have been released so far. I am hoping that I will have an insight as to what exactly is going to happen soon and when I do I can let all of you know. I have been asked to host the ceremony which is a great honor but as far as what form it will take and who will be invited…..I truly have no idea…….yet.
Please keep reading the blog and as soon as I know what’s happening I will let you all know about it. Your back-to-back Carnival Dream cruises will soon be here and I am very excited for you to see your wonderful new ship.
Best wishes to you both
JohnMike Ceglio Asked:
John, don’t know if this is the proper place to ask you a question but here goes. I tried to send it 2 weeks ago, but don’t know if you received it. We will be on the Glory on Oct. 31, 2009. We are very big fans of anytime dining. As of now, it states that the glory will be implementing this in December. I have heard, (but I don’t know from whom), that some ships will be starting up the anytime dining before the scheduled date. Do you know if this is true? And, if it is, would the Glory have it by 10/31. Thanks very much for your answer, as I love reading your blog, and hope to sail with you in the near future. Please reply in your column if you can. Mike Ceglio
John Says:
Hello MikeI apologize if I missed your comment the last time so I am very pleased that you took the time to write again. As I just mentioned the anytime dining is proving very popular and I see that you are also a fan. Unfortunately I checked and the Carnival Glory will indeed start this option in December as you stated so you will just miss it this time. If you need any help with seating for your cruise I would be happy to help.
Please continue to keep reading the blog thingy and I remain at your service.
Best wishes to all
JohnGina Asked:
Hi John – please reply.
My husband and I had the pleasure of cruising with you on the Ecstasy in 1992 (my first cruise) for our honeymoon. We thoroughly enjoyed you back then, and I was thrilled to find your blog! I have since cruised 5 times, all on Carnival. My question has to do with my most recent trip, April 16 – 20th on the Destiny, which had stops in Key West and Cozumel. My 9 year old son and I contracted the dreaded H1N1 (swine flu) – however, my husband and 7 year old son, also on the same cruise did not. It was honestly a mild form of flu – I have had worse! I assume that Carnival was contacted by the CDC, because I had to give a timeline of where we were, etc. I was wondering if there was a way to find out if anyone else on the ship came down with it. Again, it was just a flu, I am not pointing fingers or plotting lawsuits, just morbidly curious. Thanks and I look forward to reading more of your blogging!
John Says:
Hello Gina
My goodness…..1992…..I was such a hunk back then. I am glad you have found the blog and if you were to cruise with me again you would find that I have not changed at all since 1992. …… OK ……….maybe a bit.
The cruise industry follows very strict guidelines that are put forth by the Centers For Disease Control and the World Health Organization. The health and well being of our guests and crew is our top priority – nothing else even comes close – and we follow these guidelines to make sure that we provide a safe and healthy environment for everyone on board. I’m going to have to look into your question about your particular situation and let you know.
Not to make light of this but I read something extraordinary about Swine Flu the other day. H1N1 parties are sweeping the world like, well, swine flu. The idea is that if you catch it now, when it is relatively mild, you might be immune in the future. A bit like chicken pox.
Anyway, I am so sorry that you and your son were unwell and if you wish any further information or have a follow up question to this please let me know.Best wishes
JohnStef aka Hockey Addict Asked:
Hi John!! (Please reply)
First of all… CONGRATS STEPH! I wish you the best of luck with your new duties!
Secondly… I FREAKED out when I started to read about the bridge and engine room tour! We want to do this SO BAD…. BUT… we can’t take 7 day or longer cruises! Why can’t you offer them to all of the cruises? We are limited to 5 days! With work there is no way possible for us regular Joe Schmo’s to take a 7 day cruise… oh how we would love to though! I’m bummed… please tell the powers that be to reconsider!
Thanks again to Heidi for the Heidi & Kye update. They are beautiful… you are a lucky man!
Stef
John says:
Hello StefThanks so much for congratulation Stephanie on her well deserved promotion……she has already started growing a beard. The Behind the Fun Tour does feature the engine control room as you mentioned and it is also correct to say at this time that the tour is taking place on seven day or longer voyages and we are planning to introduce them on three- to six-day cruises in the future.
Thanks for all your very kind words and my best wishes to you and the family.
John
That’s all for today and if time permits I will answer more questions over the weekend as I am really behind. I promise to try my best to catch up as quickly as I can and as always thanks for your patience.
Let’s take a break from the photos of your Carnival Dream and instead have a look at one of our most popular shore excursion destinations in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. This is the stunning Chukka Cover river tubing tour which the Shore Excursion Manager Magda and the Musical Director Alan took today………..they both described it as the most relaxing and visually stunning tour they had ever been on……………….have a look for yourself.
Here’s some exciting news………..within the next two weeks I will be launching the first ever Bloggers Cruise Grand Prize Contest …………no………..I am not going to give you any details yet………….but I will tell you the prize is very special.
Hello all bloggers, Steph here. Just another followup on the fare code for the Dream Bloggers Cruise coming up.
If you have already booked your DREAM cruise and did not use the bloggers fare code…email socialnetworking@carnival.com with your name and booking information. Make sure that the subject line of your email says: Bloggers Fare Code so that the email can easily be identified and not get lost in email cyberspace.
We want to make sure that ALL of our very important blogger guests are included in all the FUN activities as well as receive the really cool gifts we have in store for you.
Now for the very very very important part.
The deadline is now August 10th.
Sorry there are no exceptions. After this date you will be required to enter the bloggers fare code when making your DREAM reservations. If you need help or have any questions please feel free to let me know.
Thanks to Lorraine and Mum Susan for posting the video of Jim Royale of the BBC sitcom The Royale Family which highlights one of the great British sayings…………..”my arse.” I grew up listening to my Dad and my Uncle Norman say this and I have kept the family tradition going and I hope you all teach it to your kids as well.
Many of you have been commenting on how the upgrades on the Fantasy class ships have rejuvenated this already brilliant class of ships. I saw this for myself when I visited the Carnival Fantasy for the Bloggers Cruise this year. Well, the next ship to go into dry dock and receive some evolution of fun additions is the Carnival Ecstasy. She heads into dry dock on September 19 – October 17 and will come out of dry dock with the fantastic Carnival WaterWorks, Adults Only Deck, Serenity, a new resort style pool, Circle C entertainment and activity area for the 12 – 14 year olds, our massively popular Mongolian Wok and Rotisserie. In addition 98 cabins will be converted into balcony staterooms and eight penthouse suites will have their balconies extended……………and anytime dining will be available in the aft dining room.
So, once again we are spending lots of money to make sure that all of you who prefer the shorter cruises continue to do so but with many of the superb facilities offered on newer ships and on longer itineraries.
Time for Heidi and Kye to say hello.
I am sitting here (no, not in my underpants….) in the living room and it smells lovely.
I just realized it smells of lavender….My mum, always the creative one, made 2 bouquets yesterday from flowers and branches from the garden only. I won’t moan about the fact that the kitchen floor was just cleaned and we now have little creepy crawlers living in the sink, the creations she made are worth it.
My look on tidyness has changed a bit in the last 11 weeks I suppose. Where as before I couldn’t leave the house without the cushions being in the right place on the sofas, I don’t think about that anymore. Now I am thinking “Do I have enough nappies and a clean set of clothes for Kye with me?”.
How life changes, for the better, especially for John as I would drive him mad with my “obsessive tydiness”. But, I think I reached the point of admitting it, isn’t that a good step? He will probably fall of his chair (in his underpants) when he reads this.
It’s Friday again and Kye is 11 weeks old today and getting more fun every day.
She is having her morning nap at the moment holding her rabbit as if to say “You are not going anywhere!!”.
I had her weighed last Tuesday and she now weighs 11lb 4oz which was a good result, the Nurse said.She smiles more every day and tries to “talk” in her own funny way.
The other day I called my friend Emma to ask if it was normal that babies don’t do a “number two” for a few days. Yes, she said, perfectly normal, some don’t go for a week. That was me satisfied with a few days of just wet nappies, no problem. Well, at baby massage we learned a new skill to massage the baby’s tummy to relie ve them from wind. (getting John’s attention now!) That night, I took Kye upstairs to have her bath and when I unbuttoned her …………..Muuuuuuuuuuummmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Moooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmm! for Americans…:)) )I didn’t know where to start, she had her number two EVERYWHERE……..So, she ended up having 2 baths that night, one to rinse it all off and one just to enjoy and chill afterwards. Kye smiled through the whole process……any guesses who her Daddy is??
The weather is getting better again so we are outdoors a lot, visiting the pier and the lifeboat station the other day but Kye got told off by John’s friend and Coastguard Commander Alan for parking in the wrong spot…..(see photo).
Thank you once again for all the cards and presents we are still receiving, I am sending Thank You cards to all and hope you have and will receive them.
We wish you all a great weekend and till next week.
Heidi and Kye
I am not going to say I miss them anymore as I think you all know that. Instead I am going to concentrate on the fact that I will see them in 24 days time and how proud I am of my wife and the way she is raising Kye……….I want her first words to be “my arse”………..is that wrong?
I was shocked to read about Heidi not caring if the pillows were plumped up enough or if the magazines were stacked in date order on the coffee table……..of course none of this matters to me either because quite frankly apart from seeing my girls again…..all is care about is rumpy pumpy.
Back before Kye arrived in Heidi’s tummy, rumpy pumpy was a magical thing. When we worked on ships together there were port days and evenings and once, even a lunchtime to indulge ourselves for four blissful minutes before I hosted the Marriage Show. But when the stork arrived ………I was buggered. The windows of opportunity for any rumpy pumpy decreased immediately, and eventually stopped all together.
I have no doubt that even though I will be raring to go the moment I walk in through the door that I will end up with nothing as we will be forced into stopping every few minutes because we think we heard Kye crying……….bugger.
This has been a fantastic cruise and I am confident that the comment card ratings will be very high. The comments I have received both written and verbal have been extraordinary and the audience have been amazing at the shows………..yep, it was a great cruise.
Well, we never found the youths that stole Southerndreams’ (Empress Bee’s) motor scooter and damaged it badly. I had the upholsterer and the electrician do their best to make it drivable again and of course Bee has been so wonderful about this terrible situation. What kind of idiot would steal and then purposely damage an electric scooter…………what kind of low life scum does that?
Then, talking of kids, look at this letter.
Cheeky little sod…………absent……oh you mean apart from:
The welcome aboard show
The marriage show
The travel talk
The newlywed game
The debarkation talk
Hosting three shows
The talent show
The bedtime story
2 elegant night parties where I shook hands with over a 1,000 people
3 morning shows
One afternoon show
OK, I admit I wasn’t playing with my Wee Wee at Circle C but come on……absent. And not only do I get a bollocking from this 13-year-old….. She then demands I give her Mum the microphone because she wants to be a cruise director………….unbelievable. Anyway, I read her letter out and apologized for being “absent” and sent her Mum a gift ……………bloody hell ………what a day.
I guess I have not gotten over the vegetarian bollocking I got yesterday.
The beginning and middle of the conversation was bad enough as I described above…however, at the end of the conversation she really made the hairs on my arse stand on end. She sat there in her long flowing tie dye dress, all high and mighty and told me that me being overweight was “a sign of weakness” and that my overeating “was a cry for help,”…….it took every ounce of control not to lose my temper……..but I managed……and sat there ……..and smiled………looking thankful ……..secretly wondering how loud her cry for help would be if I shoved a raw Porterhouse steak down her knickers.
Goodnight
Your cuddly friend
John
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
Thanks John for our Heidi and Kye fix. Kye is getting cuter every week. Now. This is an order. Get off the ship even if it is only a hour walk about. Land will do wonders for you.
Jo
John:
I am pleased to see your link to Cruise-Chat. I chat on there as well as about 9 other cruise forums.
Anyway, I am excited to say that JimC (aka junkbucket) will be sailing with us on the Valor Sept 27th and I have “talked” him into being a Pip for my Gladys Knight “Midnight Train to Georgia” song!! And I hope to include other members of his traveling family in this karaoke fun. If there is video…I will post it on Y0u-tube!!
I hate to burst little Ms. “Iwroteabook”… but it is just as unhealthy to be to thin as it is to be to heavy. It isn’t the “size”… but the fact of whether someone is healthy or not.
We are currently working on helping DJ gain weight. We had him up to 107 (he is 18 years old and almost 6′ tall)…but lost 8 pounds several months back…so we are working to get those pounds back on. We currently have him at 100 pounds.
He isn’t a big fan of doctors….so these medical visits are not on his favorite “to do” list.
Just keep doing what you are doing to be healthy. That is the goal…not some “number”.
Kye is beautiful and we are all thrilled to know that her Dad is coming home soon!!!
I can completely relate with Heidi’s discovery of how life changes after the arrival of children. Before kids…it was all about me. Two hours to get ready…hair and makeup perfect etc etc etc .
After kids…I was doing good to be dressed!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend~still drying out~DJ)
I love Kye Days and she is just getting cuter by the week. Thanks to Heidi for keeping us posted on her progress and the beautiful photos.
So sorry there are those that feel the need to tell people they don’t know what the consider to be “wrong” with them. You are the “King of Composure” and I doubt anyone but you could have handled that situation as well as you did. I am just amazed that there are people that presume to know what is best for us because they are so perfect. Very sad and I’m sorry she put you in that position. I remember last year it was a guy that did almost the same thing.
Well, at least nobody pooped in the pool…
John,
If you have my kind of luck, when you get home, the fun house will be closed for monthly renovations.
As least the lady didnt try to treat your cold also.
Dave
Hi John,
Thank you for speaking with Jorge re the marriage game for us on our past Triumph cruise. As it turned out, Dad was not feeling very well and there was a couple celebrating 57 years! WOW what an accomplishment that must be.
My folks got a kick out of the Lady (sorry I didn’t get her name nor department) coming out looking for me and giving the table the bottle of Champagne.
Thank you from the bottom of (all of our) hearts,
Melenie
hi john awww kye is cute getting older. got a question for u on the 7 day cruise i read their is formal nite and elagant nite when did they start elagant nite? and can u rent ball gown on the ship? and that lady had no rite to say u were fat and u had to lose weight. i think some people are so rude.please reply.i think she just wanted to make some money. glad heidi and kye r doing good. 1 of theses years id like to sail with u again. tracy
Kye we know you weren’t the one that was guilty of parking in an unapproved spot for prams. You don’t even have you drivers license yet……..
I bet all Kye had to do was give him that beautiful smile and all was forgiven…… Right Heidi?
Gosh how she’s growing. It’s hard to believe she is almost 3 months old. Before you know it she’ll be crawling. Is she rolling around trying to get to her toys?
I put a quilt in the middle of the floor when my kids were little and put their toys just out of their reach so that had to roll. crawl etc to get to them.
It doesn’t take lomg for them to learn.
Oh how I wish I could hold her. sighhhhhhh
Hugs (((((((KYE)))))))) from granny Carolyn
jetskier
Dave, I liked the “the fun house will be closed for monthly renovations”. I think after all this time John would just become a plumber and plug the leak.
Stephanie (Cocoa),
I would like to wish you a very Happy Birthday.
BIG ED
John, Heidi and Kye,
Thanks for the pictures. As always they are amazing. Once again John, you are amazing in how well you compose yourself. Thanks again for all you do and thanks Heidi for giving us our Kye fix. She is beautiful, just like her mum and dad.
John,
I forgot to add… I use the word bugger a lot now when talking/chatting with my daughter Bethany. She and her husband, Geoff are cruising with us on the Carnival Conquest on September 6, where she will be celebrating her birthday and it appears we are cruising with an awesome Cruise Critic group. She just laughs at me and says LOL you sound like John. I have gotten her addicted to you too.
Thanks for the laughs.
John how about telling that lady you’ll buy her book when she washes you’re underpants? Bloddy hell is right you have been doing so good on her diet and how dare she tell you what to do. We love you just the way you are.
!!!!!
Big Fans as allways,
Frank and Bridie
Hi John,
Please Reply,
I know exactly what you went through with that rude lady about the weight problem. I used to weigh almost 425 lbs and decided I wanted to lose weight. I knew that I could not follow a diet per say, so I just started cutting my portions in half and I did this for about 3 months, then I cut those portions in half again, so now I am eating about 1/4th of what I was then and I have lost just over 200 lbs in 13 months. I still eat my meat, I still have goodies once in a while (as a treat not a reward). People used to be on my arse (I love that word) all the time about how my weight was going to kill me, how I was going to get diabetes, blah blah blah. I have come to realize that an overweight person will realize when it is time to lose that excess weight and they will lose it, but to be nagged by other people only makes a person want to eat more. After reading your whole story, all she was interested in was selling her books and items. She did not really care about you, she was only interested in what could go into her pocket book. I applaud you for keeping your cool, I don’t think I could have been so nice for so long, but I have come to realize that you, my friend have the patience of a Saint.
I want to say Congratulations on your weight loss and keep up the good work. I don’t know if you know this, but some diabetics that I have known, once they got their weight down they were able to quit the insulin and the pills, so maybe that can happen to you also.
I loved the picture of Kye, she is getting prettier and prettier everyday. She is going to be excited to see her daddy, just like you are going to be excited to see her and Heidi as well.
Best Wishes from your bloggy thinggy fan,
Kathy
Sorry, I wanted to share this with you and couldn’t figure out how to.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=173946&id=1175047720&saved#/photo.php?pid=665950&id=1175047720
Thank you again John and hi to Heidi and Kye
Melenie
Dear John (please respond),
I have written this comment twice before, but never made it out of moderation, so my apologies if this is in fact the third time you (or a Stephanie) has seen it.
My husband and I will be joining Chris Roberts on the Spirit for the 8/19/09 cruise. It will be our 10th anniversary, and our first vacation without kids or visiting family since our honeymoon ten years ago! I was wondering what kind of fun, romantic, couple-y type events on the ship might be great for two second honeymooners (who don’t drink!)
Second, my husband is, unfortunately, of the vegetarian persuasion, no matter how much I try to convince him otherwise. We have reservations for the steakhouse on the night of our anniversary (8/21!), and I was wondering what kind of vegetarian options there might be.
Thanks,
Robin
John,
I’ve been thinking about what you said a couple of blogs ago….how you have no friends. Well, just remember every member of Big Ed’s Evil Crew is your friend! Why else would we go to so much trouble for a surprise birthday party on the BC1? I will NEVER forget the look on your face!
Heidi,
Thanks for the new picture of Kye. I really look forward to Friday’s now. I just had an idea. Maybe you should start a scrap book of Kye with the pictures you have posted so John could take it with him the next time he has to leave you two behind. John knows all about scrap booking now…cut and paste…LOL
Hi John! Just tell Mrs. “Iwroteabook” that you can always lose weight, but stupid lasts forever~! That also applies to ugly and tie-dye!
As always, our best to you, Heidi and Kye. I love reading the weekly updates!
Hey John,
As always, love the blog . . . . but I have to plead you – please don’t permanently stop posting the guest complaints / negative comments!
First, many of these stories are just hysterical – I still chuckle every time I see a reference to ‘mahjong’ thanks to your early blogs. Second, although some might think you are ridiculing people who complain, your opinions are almost always what most sensible people are thinking, and you’re brave enough to say it out loud – Bravo for that!
Third, as for folks who think you’re being overly negative – nah, you’re not; you’re just telling us the stories that the majority of people would find interesting. Where I work (I’m a Customer Service Manager), we like to say that “95% of guests are good PEOPLE . . . . the other 5% are good STORIES”.
Thanks for sharing the good stories!
All the best!
Michael
Heidi, I believe Kye is the best dressed baby in the world. She always has on the most stylish clothes. I also love her stroller; was that an umbrella attached to it?
John, please reply.
Hello John, is Juan and Maria Santana, we were in the Freedom with you recently….about that lady that gave you 20 minutes of Poo speech about loosing weight……tell her…that FAT IS BEAUTIFUL…..can you picture a JOHN HEALD, slender……ufffff…he won’t be funny, will have a sad face, bccause of food depravation,etc…it will a disaster….kisses for Kye and Heide….Juan and Maria
John,
I am sorry to bother you. I need a suggestion. I am sailing on the Spirit on 9/28-to 9/10. This is Bubbas (cruise director)last cruise, I think he is retirng and getting married? I sailed with him to Alaska last year and enjoyed it so much we even booked the same room for Hawaii. Wanted to send him off in a good way. Is there any plans for a send off? Any gift suggestions would be great. Thank you!
Ms. “I know everything” should mind her own business. She was rude, condescending and very hurtful. One day she will get hers when someone says something to her as bad as she said to you. I am truly sorry that you had to loose 20 minutes of your life with this horrible person.
The pictures of your Kye are adorable. She is a beauty John. It won’t be long and you will be with your girls.
I am starting to get packed for our cruise to Alaska. Since Bill posted his pictures; I can now see what everyone has been talking about. This cruise is going to be a lot of fun. Thank you John for all the information for this cruise.
Keep smiling John, you truly are one of the good guys.
My best to Heidi and Kye.
Dear John,
Love all the pictures that Heidi sends of little Kye! She is just beautiful and she not only has Heidi’s looks, but has some of your handsome features as well!
As to the lady with the book, she has no idea how difficult it is for people with weight issues! No one needs to have some skinny person who has never had a weight issue to tell them how serious it is to be overweight! We all know or we wouldn’t be trying to lose the weight!
As to your efforts to lose weight – I have noticed through the pictures you have displayed of yourself , that you ARE losing weight. I especially noticed around your face! That’s where I usually show it first too! Keep up the good work and don’t let her harsh words discourage you!
Your fan and supporter!
Linda
Hi John,
First, keep the the negative comments. Being a travel agent, I laugh so hard at some of these comments!! Sometimes I keep a list of the best ones and tell them to friends so we all get a good laugh.
Second, the woman who “wrote a book” and put you through that….I am SO sorry. I am not a thin person either and let me tell you, stuff like that is just not nice and it hurts. She should realize that she was causing embarrassment and bad feelings and not the “peace” she claims to preach. Keep up the good work with your diet and exercise and do the best you can.
Third, Kye is SO cute!!!
Thanks for all the stories!!
- Nancy D’Andrea
Topsail Cruises
John – PLEASE REPLY-
John,
I just read your comments about the Ecstasy getting her upgrades to include the balcony cabins! I know everyone in Galveston must be VERY EXCITED to be getting an upgraded Fantasy class ship!
Now, according to carnival.com , 4 of the 8 Fantasy class ships have received the upgrades already, but only the Carnival Sensation has received the additional balconies. When the Ecstasy completes dry dock, that will make 2 of the 5 that have already received the upgrades that included balconies.
The reason I mention this, is Mobile is my “home port”. Yes, my family and I are super excited about the arrival of the Carnival Fantasy in November and are planning on one of the new 7 day cruises for July of 2010- but with some of the Fantasy class receiving the balconies and most of them (so it seems) NOT getting them- maybe we are feeling a little “left out” if you will?
I could understand NOT adding balconies to some of the Fantasy class of ships if their home port is shared with another newer Carnival ship that has more balconies- but maybe adding the balconies to ships that are not sharing their port would be a wise move? True, the suites do have balconies, but sometimes the additional 4-700 per 1st and 2nd pax can be a bit of a turn off (granted you do get a wonderful suite).
And I do realize that Mobile is already getting an increase from just 10 suites with the Holiday to 48 suites with the arrival of the Carnival Fantasy, so maybe an additional 98 balconies might seem like a huge jump in numbers- but I know I would love to have the opportunity to sail in a CAT 8 cabin from Mobile.
So, for the question:
Does corporate plan on adding the balconies to the rest of the Fantasy class ships at a later date- even if they have already been into dry dock for the other wonderful upgrades- or is it dependent on whether or not the ship is located close to another port that has the additional balconies?
In the case of the Gulf Coast, New Orleans (Carnival Triumph) or Galveston (which by the way has 2 ships with additional balconies- the Carnival Ecstasy post dry dock and the Carnival Conquest) would be the alternatives; Florida has a lot of other ships to choose from; and the west coast has the Carnival Splendor and Carnival Spirit.
Any information would be appreciated John- and again, we can’t wait to sail Carnival again!
Thanks,
Brian and Katie
I would have shoved my foot up her arse! I would have lost my temper and I would have walked away from her. You are a better person then I am…. I’m sorry you had to deal with that! Unelievable…. geeesh
We love ya the way you are…. please don’t take to heart what she said!
John, Kye is so cute and adorable!!!! You should think about bringing her onboard so when you get attacked verbally by arrogant people who want to improve your health….she can tell them that her Daddy is HOT!!! HOT!!!! HOT!!!!!
dear john:
thank you for the PERFECT cruise. we had so much fun, truly we did. and as for the stolen and recovered (twice) scooters, carnival fixed them to perfection, they are as good as new. carnival is so caring when it comes to the comfort and well being of the guests.
we decided not to ever cruise again without the handicapped cabin where we can easily get them inside every time we go in the cabin instead of leaving them in the hallway during the day for short times. it was just that we wanted to cruise with you again and there were none left so we decided to try to make a go of it. remember how you used to say “um-na-bavored”? or however you spell it? well, that’s how i feel, i’m not bothered.
sorry for the horrible person that wrote that book, what a dirtbag. let it roll off you my friend. her loss, not yours.
and heidi, thanks for the new kai photo, it is lovely!
jaime: you are ready to be a cd honey, you have the sweetest personality!!! you are sharp, funny, cute, you’re a star in the making!!!
that’s it from me. we are home now. this cruise is but a lovely memory. hope to see y’all again soon!
bonnie and prince charlie
John,
Tell Heidi thank you again for the update of Kye. She grows prettier by the day.
As for Mrs. Iwroteabook, she probably hasn’t been able to sell many of her books in the bookstores, that is why she wants a seminar on the ship to sell them. Don’t mind her, we love you just the way you are.
80 more days and we will be seeing you on the Legend.
He found his place in the sun, yes John Heald found the perfect place and way to spend his life. How many people drag themselves out in the morning to start another miserable day at some job they hate.
Not John, no sir, not that I have had the opportunity to watch him spring out of his bed in the morning but I am sure that is what happens.
I have been on many cruise ships, and I have experienced many Cruise Directors, but none can measure up to my friend John. We have been on several cruises with John and have never been disappointed. One has to love what he is doing to reach the level of professionalism he demonstrates.
He is also a lucky man, he as a lovely wife and and new child the love him like his fans do, what more could a man hope to accomplish in his life.
Thanks John and Jaime for another wonderful experience we had last week on the Carnival Freedom. You guy as pros at what you do, you have created another wonder memory for me and The Empress Bee of the High Sea.
Prince Charlie
Ahhh…little Kye is so cute! Thanks for the newest pictures! She is darling!
I think you handled the situation with the book lady well, kudos to you!!
John, please respond..do not post
Afer reading the blog thingy.. Its appears you may be leaving the ship the day we sail Aug 23. I am sooo disappointed to read this as we plan this itinerey because you were the CD. We so enjoyed the cruise we did with you back in the late 90′s an have missed you on the past cruise’s we have taken.This will be # 17 with Carnival . We still remenber that cruise as the best . Well we hope to see you on board but if not… I know you are missing Kye an Hedi very much. If its not to much trouble will you please request for us to have a table for two we are celebrating our 25 wedding anniversary this cruise. Our booking # is ****** Hope to see you soon Gale an Danny
John, please reply
Hi John,
I am sailing on the Carnival Inspiration on 9-7-09 and I want free stuff.
Ok, I don’t want free stuff, I actually want to offer you the chance to request something. Anything you would like to know about or get a special report on. This will be my second time on the Carnival Inspiration and looking forward to seeing how Skippy does as CD, he was the ACD on my Carnival Spirit cruise in ’03 and as I recall he was always out and about and high energy. I will give you a full review when I return.
Re: Loyalty Program. I agree with a earlier blogger who said maybe adding bonus for longer cruises atc. but don’t change the 10 cruises milestone. I think the people who take short cruises just to get to platnium faster are few and far between. I take what ever cruise I can, and the shorter cruises I am usually solo, so pay a premium for those. This next cruise will be my 6th, three 5 day, one 8 day and two 7 day. I have paid the single penalty 3 times, and also had 2 suites. SO, for me it all comes out in the wash.
Re: Ship pins, I like them, I collect them. Free is better, but I would (and have) paid for them when available.
Re: rude passengers. When I started nursing school I worked at Walmart, and one night I had a particulary rude customer, who at one point stated “the customer is always right”. I replied that “That is true, but there is never an excuse for rudeness.” She thought about it for a moment and then appologized.
I tried so hard to get on the Carnival Legend while you are CD, just couldn’t swing it, I am determined to sail with you one of these days. Thanks for all you do with this blog thingy and the 1001 Stephanies who support your efforts. And, all my best to Heidi and Kye.
Cheers,
Ron(cruising in 37 days)RN
John Please Reply
Im so glad to see from yesterdays blog and others that you have not given up your Cigars .In one of your early blogs you said you thought you might be giving them up .A skinny, none smoking John might be just to hard to be around .You know how X smokers can not stand you if you still smoke and skinny people make me bugger mad .Does that make since bugger mad .Im from the USA and all the bugger stuff, im not to up on .Ok the Question .I Cruise the Western Caribbean alot. Jamaica, Grand Cayman ,Cozumell ,Progreso etc. Can you recomend a good place to by Cuban Cigars at one or several of these ports . Some place that sells the real Cuban Cigars not the fake ones . Also is there any way to tell if they are selling me a real Cuban or just some roll up brown paper made by a guy named Cuba. Thanks for any help in this area . Im a travel agent and have 70 people in my group counting myself and my wife headed to the Western Caribbean in Oct 2009 on the Conquest. I also just wrote a article in my travel agency news paper praising Carnival and advising new agents that Carnival is my cruise line of choice and I would recomend they do the same .I try to book all my groups with Carnival .Keep up the good work .I read your blog every day .It helps me make it till the next cruise where I know I will have a bugger great time .
john please reply
hi my name is mike hendrie i will be sailing on the freedom on aug 15th and am looking forward to seeing you in action as i have heard nothing but great reviews from others on this blog and on other message boards.this will be my first cruise in over 10 years and i am taking my mother with me and had a request.eventhough im aware that most people are social butterflies i am not and i would really enjoy my cruise better if i could somehow have a table for 2?i dont really have a preference to time or location just as long as i can eat my dinner in peace,i know some will think this isnt the way to enjoy life or i should share my experiences with others but its just not for me.i thank you in advance for any help you can offer me,and please let me know if you need any other information and i look forward to your directed cruise…
John & Heidi,
That’s one gorgeous little girl! Thanks so much for the update.
My best,
Melissa
Hi John–did you miss me? I am back from my cruise to Alaska, which was wonderful. I also want to post here to any bloggers who hail from Seattle that your city is one of the most wonderful I have ever been to–picturesque, friendly and polite. I just scanned all of your blogs quickly and the pictures of Kye are just adorable. My, she is growing up fast. Our neighbors are also of Dutch hertiage and their grandkids call them Oma and Opa. I know they are a cruising partner of yours–Star Princess had some wonderful attributes but I have to say I enjoyed Carnival more. Also, something about an Alaska cruise does not lend itself too much to a party atmosphere, at least while out and about on decks–pina coladas and reggae music just would have not fit and things tended to be very quiet. Perhaps they should have had the sounds of whales and dolphins playing in the background!
John,
PLEASE REPLY
You asked me to remind you a week before we sailed on our family reunion cruise. We leave on the Fantasy August 8th and our cabins are: M141, M149 and M298. There are 10 of us and we were hoping to all be at the same table for dinner. Please and thank you very much for your help in making this time so very special to us.
We will be traveling with mixed emotions. If you remember, unfortunately my mother passed away in April. This was going to be our first family vacation ever. I always told my mother when I was growing up that I would take her on a cruise, and Michelle and I gave the entire family this gift last Christmas. Anyways, the rest of the family will honor Nana’s memory by having the best vacation ever!!!!!
Thanks again and hope to sail with you again someday.
Mike Richardson
Hi John
I’m new at this but the stupid person who decided she had the power to make you lose weight only made me more angry as a similar stupid person (maybe the same one!) attending a dinner party at my home in front of the other guests informed me I should lose weight to be more healthy, followed that with extreme rude behavior but the most fun was watching her make a big deal out trying to slice a very tough pork chop (made that way on purpose, boiled it) and so on, the evening was criminal but I have survived as you will always with your terrific sense of humar.
I’ll blog in about our cruises later, just wanted to share my experience with you.
Thanks for you, Heide n the wee one
Mugwump303
Good evening John. That picture of Kye was lovely and the note from Heidi was enjoyable. You are a very lucky man my friend. Most people don’t really know what you did for my friends Empress Bee and Prince Charlie but I do. You bent over backwards to assist them after those little criminals stole and broke their scooters. You and Carnival shouild be given an applause for helping. Applause, applause, applause. How great you are John.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Hello John. I just wanted to tell you what a wonderful time my husband and I had on the Freedom this past week. This was the best cruise we have ever taken. Ya’ll (the whole crew) made it wonderful!! (haha… thought you might like that word, remember me from the Afternoon Show?)
We hope to come back and cruise again soon -we’re already planning an Alaskan cruise for next summer!
John…
I am on my way home now , I just left the Freedom and i must say that me and the family had a wonderful time . Argie in the players bar is wonderful and we had many laughs . The ship and all the workers are great too. Thank you for a wonderful time as we will be returning soon . Thanks for everything Tim
Hi John, Please Reply,
I have been looking back at all the pictures of Kye and I just have to say this, she has the prettiest eyes in a baby that I have seen in a long time. I would say they are perfect in every way. When she gets older, she will have a great pair of eyes to flirt with her daddy to get whatever she wants, I can see it coming. She is going to just turn those eyes just right and you are going to melt John.
Give my love to Heidi and Kye.
Your Bloggy Thinggy fan always,
Kathy
Please respond John:
Hey There John ….
Shawn here you ask me to get back to you closer to my cruise date this year… So I hope this might help you… My Chap & I are sailing the Splendor on the Oct. 18th 2009 Sailing to Baja Mexico Cruise… My Chap will be celebrating his 31st birthday on Monday the 19th of Oct. we are in cabin 7202 Empress Deck and I would like to ask you to do me a favor… help me out to surprise him with a Happy Birthday wish from you on letter head or something please…. he is always getting me or please see that Goose gets the information to say Happy Birthday to him on the cruise … Our booking number is ******, This would be a great surprise from me to him to my chap of a friend.
Thanks John,
Shawn
Chicago Heights IL.
Hi John,
Would you please reply.
A while back you mentioned that the new schedule for the Carnival Elation would be out for 2010, well as of today it still has not been posted on the Carnival Website, so I was wondering if you have heard of any new updates on it.
I have one other question, is it true that Carnival Stockholders get special treatment, kind of like the VIP treatment. If this is true, how many pieces of stock do you have to own to get this extra special treatment.
John, I want to let you know how much I appreciate the information and all the extras that you do for the Carnival passengers. If was not for employees like you, I don’t think that I would be so loyal to this wonderful and exciting company.
Thank you for the time in answering my questions and BTW, you have not said how your cold is doing, so an update would be nice, since I have been keeping you in my prayers.
Best Wishes to you, Heidi and the beautiful little Kye.
Kathy M.
Being a plump person all my life, I understand the weight thing. How many times I heard “but you have such a beautify face, if you would just lose weight”, this is from strangers, the first time you meet them. With your job it has to be even harder, I always gain a few pounds on a cruise.
Dear John,
My hubby and I were on the Legend inaugural (B2B Baltic and Transatlantic sailing) just before you started this marvelous bloggy thing. I wrote to you then predicting you would become a victim of your own success. So here I am today saying “I told you so” (but in a good way and with tremendous appreciation for the work not only you and the other CDs undertake but for all Carnival staff and crew). I believe that Kye is your reward for all the years of good and patience that you demonstrate on a daily basis. P.S. Friday is now called Kyeday in our house!
My husband and I continue to read the blog daily and, while we don’t often write, blog points are often the subject of lively discussions. We are huge Carnival fans. The Carnival Legend was actually our first Carnival cruise. We had been cruising since 1976 but usually on that other “rockclimbingchargingforroomserviceandperhapssteak” line. We chose the Legend back in 2002 because of the itinerary and have never looked back. We are now both platinum members, have converted my 80 year old mother over from HAL, have family members working on Carnival and are walking-talking ambassadors for the line. Yes, it is true Carnival is good value for money but for us it is more than that – it is the Carnival family (both staff and crew as well as loyal passengers – insert group hug here!)
Keep up the “exceeding expectation” work and look forward to seeing you December 3 on the Dream.
Danielle and Terry
Prince Edward Island (Canada!)
John, It is impossible to send you email, so my comments about last week’s Freedom cruise are here: http://www.akaplan.com/blog/?p=337
John No need to reply–just read
Junbucket is my email address (as in a place for the junk email to be deposited) JimC is my member name on cruise-chat.
Thank you for mentioning cruise chat, we have already gained a few new members from your blog and some folks that post on both cruise critic and now cruise chat (seems some people can’t get enough cruise discussion
)
Wanted to let you know that I just booked aDream cruise for June (as soon as I could since the wife’s a school teacher and my girls are still in school) I can’t wait to see the ship, the pictures make her look truly awe inspiring.
I will definitely send you a reminder 2 weeks before we sail! Thank you very much!
JimC
Dear John – PLEASE REPLY
First off, we have just returned from a 5-day cruise on the Carnival Fantasy on which our son was married on board. Sue (20 cruises CCL) and I (19 cruises CCL) are also stockholders and we enjoy the on board credit we receive each cruise. We traveled in a group of 23, of which 19 were first time cruisers, GROUP # 62D9Q3. I wish we had a dollar for every person we have turned on to cruising with CCL! HAHA.
THANK YOU for having the additional rooms ready on board when we arrived. We had requested that from you prior to the wedding and I wanted to let you know that it was taken care of successfully.
Please pass on the following compliments to the people that need to know what a great job your staff has been providing.
Karla Mueller – She is our Carnival PVP. She is always there to assist and answer our questions. She was instrumental in getting the wedding cruise organized and a reality. Unfortunately she had to transfer us over to the Groups Dept because of our size. We have dealt with her for years and are very pleased.
Suzette – She is the on-shore Wedding Planner for Carnival in New Orleans. She took care of everything! She made the day stress free and successful. She was very attentive to the details while not being overbearing. She was great! The wedding was held in the Universe Lounge and the reception was in the Electricity Disco and both venues were perfect and the staff was excellent and took care of everything.
Julie – Carnival Fantasy Group Liaison. She was a lifesaver. One of Sue’s shoes broke just prior to the wedding. Julie was there and found some heavy duty glue to repair the shoe immediately thus avoiding what could have been a disaster.
Plamena – Formalities Shop. She was able to provide socks to 2 of the groomsmen who had pack their socks in their checked luggage – oops! She also had shoes on standby for my wife should she have needed them. She also assisted us throughout the entire cruise.
Corina – Anytime Dining Hostess. Very efficient! We LOVE the Anytime Dining option!! She took care of seating no matter what size group went to dinner together – groups raged from 2, 6, 8, and 23. She always addressed us and the newlyweds by name and cabin #. Jogi was also excellent as our Matri’de in the Celebration Dining room. He was always receptive as we arrived in the dining room and made rounds about our table.
Ankur – Photographer. Simply the best! He put together a group of pictures that everyone is talking about – beautiful. We are very impressed with his work. He took the bride and groom under his wing and made the whole wedding photo experience enjoyable and stress free. The photo package shopping experience was stress free. His personality is great for the job that he has. In addition the wedding video was very well done also. I apologize that I did not remember the videographers name.
Zoltan – Head Waiter. He is from Hungary and that is where my grandfather immigrated from many years ago. We enjoyed educational information on the homeland and he even gave us a history of the Szush name and old world pronunciation. On top of that, he was also an excellent waiter that took care of everything along with a sense of humor. My 19th cruise and I just learned that I could get mashed potatos every night in the dining room.
Needless to say, we were all pleased that the Carnival Wedding Cruise experience exceeded our expectations. The wedding ceremony was very personable and the vows selected were meaningful and made the day all the more special. Everyone commented on how wonderful the wedding and reception were. By the way, my brother overslept and arrived just prior to the wedding time. He told me that it only took 23 minutes from the time he parked his car till the time he was sitting in the Universe Lounge at the wedding. Upon arrival at the port, he explained to the parking attendant that he was late for a wedding that was about to start. She gave him a ride to the entrance and radioed ahead the situation. He was then escorted to the front of each line and all the way to the ceremony and walked in just as the wedding started. We are forever grateful to everyone involved in this task.
My son and his bride were so impressed that wherever they went on board, all of the staff knew that they had been married on the ship. Even the casino dealers knew and throughout the cruise, everywhere they went, they were addressed by their names before showing their Sail and Sign card. One of the girls in the wedding ceremony is engaged and they are seriously considering an onboard wedding in the future also.
On top of all the other positives mentioned, my mother, who attended the on board wedding but not the cruise, informed us last evening that she and dad would like to take a cruise in late 2010 for their 60th Wedding Anniversary and re-new their wedding vows! This is a woman who does not like the water and has always said “NO!”, when asked to come on a cruise with us. Miracles do happen!
My only question / concern is this. Can Carnival consider providing an option to purchase a CD of all the photos taken without having to spend $1500 on the entire photo package? The wedding photo packages under $1500 only allows you to get a CD of the hard copy photos that you purchased. That means that even though we spent over $1000 on the Wedding Photo package, we only received a CD with the copies of the 60 pictures that were purchased in hard copy form. There were many more pictures that we could not afford to purchase in hard copy form and thus were not included on the disc provided and lost forever. I understand that CCL needs to make money (as a stockholder, I am all for that). It would just be nice to be able to purchase a disc of ALL the pictures taken for a reasonable additional fee. We are hoping something can be done for the Renewal Wedding Vows Cruise in 2010.
Thanks for your consideration in this matter and more importantly, please make sure the individuals recognized are given their due compliments. Again, Carnival has exceeded our expectations which is why we have three more cruises booked within the next 16 months with another being planned as we work towards Milestone Level!
Louisiana Joe & Sue
John please reply.
Hi, John! As other past guests have already expressed to you on the blog their disagreement about the way Carnival awards points to past guests for 12 or + day cruises, we join them by saying that we feel 100% the same way. We feel that whenever a guest completes a cruise of 12 or more days, that should be counted as two points and not one point. Would you please bring this subject to the big bosses’ attention? Other cruise lines do it, so why not Carnival? We would appreciate it very much. Thanking you in advance for your efforts in our behalf.
The Santanas of Miami Beach
John, please reply
Dear John
This is a combination message, as we’ve been away, celebrating (my own)John’s birthday in a suitably cheap manner – we’re busy saving for our next “Carnival Experiences”. Because we have to travel from Australia to catch a Carnival ship, it costs us between US$4000 and US$5000 just to get to the embarkation port and back. Consequently, we don’t travel on long cruises, and we prefer to travel b2b. This year we sailed around South America on the wonderful Splendor – 3 cruises, 49 days. Next year we hope to sail on the Freedom to Alaska, then b2b to Hawaii, then b2b Hawaii to Mexico – another 31 days. Under the current Platinum scheme, that would give us 6 points for a total of 80 days! Yes, we ARE loyal, but we can’t just hop a 3-day cruise any time we like! Maybe there shouldn’t be a point for every day, but somehow 80 days should earn more points than 6 x 3 days = 18 days!
The other reason for combining two messages is to tell you and Heidi (you lucky, lucky parents!) that this week’s photo is the best yet – Kye is BEAUTIFUL!
When will we hear from Jaime again? We miss her!
SallyOwl
John
The nerve of some people. I too have constantly battled with my weight my entire life. If I had a dime for all the different diets I have tried to lose weight I would be very rich. I have seen friends go through the gastric bipass and the lapbelt surgeries and some have taken Alli. All of that last as long as they can continue to eat very small portions of the right foods. I myself made a promise to me that if I could not do it the good old way of watching calories and exercising then I would just have to be happy with the way I
John,
Just read a fantastic review of your 8 day to Cozumel, Panama and Costa Rica. It is very long and detailed, Wonderful review.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1027676
She did mention that you were fantastic, so she must be a bit daft. If you get a change, I can only imagine how busy you are, I urge you to read this.
She also included a link of her husband on a zip line, I believe in Costa Rica, John you and I need to keep up the diets so we can both do this together some day.
Please Reply,
I had asked about a week back, for some reason my comment is still waiting moderation, oh well no rush.
I was wondering if the behind the scenes tour will be available on the Sept 29th cruise on the Carnival Freedom, also was wondering if there will be a chance to book prior to the cruise.
Also Thank you to Linda Mom of DJ for her response to my question a few weeks back.
John keep up the fantastic work you do.
oh one more thing, you need to get off the ship and see dry land before your tour is over, I am sure most will agree that it will be worth it for you even if it means missing a blogging day.
John Be well and almost time to see your ladies.
Thank You
Fraser
Hi John,
Please reply:
I e-mailed you a couple of months ago about flight times for our trip to Europe. You probably don’t remember as I am sure you get a lot of e-mails. But first I just want to say a big congratulations on the birth of your daughter. She is absoulutely beautiful. You should be very proud as I am sure that you are. We were on the Liberty with you on the inaugaral season and we are sailing on the Dream on the inaugaral sailing on 9/21/09. I want to book the supper club for six people for four nights but I don’t want to book on the formal nights and I don’t wan’t to book on the night the dining room is serving lobster. My husband really enjoys the food and doesn’t want to miss the really good nights. Do you know where I can see the menus for the cruise so I can book the supper club or can you tell me what nights you think are best to book the supper club. Also, I am booking tours for all the stops in Europe, is there a favorite of yours that you can tell me about keeping in mind that I have been on this same cruise with you a few years ago. Lastly, I just want to say Thank You for all the work that that you do keeping this sight going, I know that it must take many hours of out of your day. I guess from what I am reading here that you will not be on the inaugaral sailing. I am sorry, we will miss you. Thank you again for all you do. Valerie
Hi John,
First, Heidi – Kye is looking just beautiful and so alert. I love Friday Kye-days.
John, I can’t believe the nerve of that woman. She’s just trying to sell her book, but she is so rude. You’re a better person than I am – I would have really told her off, or given her my famous frozen face stare with a look in my eyes that could kill. Don’t you dare feel dejected – you are doing wonderfully on your diet. It takes time and you are doing it the right way. Give me a steak, chicken or fish over veggies anytime. Well maybe a few veggies.
And Robin just echoed what my sister said after also coming back from the Star Princess. Carnival is much better.
I’ll check back to see if anything’s new later. And I’m very curious about this new Blogger’s contest. Hmmmm.
Hugs,
Carol
Hi John!! Your blog is just as hilarious as you are in person, I’m excited to read through it!
I just wanted to say thank you for an amazing cruise. This was our first cruise (I came with my husband) and it was more than we could have asked for. Your shows were wonderful, and I will NEVER get over the bedtime story. I had to buy the DVD so I can watch it over and over! You are a wonderful cruise director. I hope to be on another of your cruises sometime in the future!
Thanks again,
Jessica
Hello John
Please Reply if able
Good Morning
I have been regularing reading your blog as we prepare for our September 26 cruise on the Freedom booking # 54GD97. We have been cruising with Carnival since our honeymoon in 1988. Our first cruise was on the Carnivale ship. We loved it and have been cruising ever since. We have been on a few sailings with you and have always looked forward to seeing you again each time. So you can guess our disappointment when we saw you are getting off the ship a week before we get on. We always enjoyed your audience participation shows like Newly Wed and The Bed Time Story.
So…We are traveling on the Freedom the end of September and are looking for alittle help. We are intrested in eating at the Steak house at least one night is there a better night to reserve. Would it be better on a sea day or on a day we were in Port?
Also recently I have seen people talking about requesting a table for two in the dinning room. If you could let me know how to request that we would appreciate it. We have main seating dinning. We occasionally have been seated on the main floor of the dining room in the center and have really enjoyed that.
Thanks again for all of the great entertainmet on board and on the Blog.
Mark and Donna boyer
John Please Reply…
John, I just sailed on the Freedom July26-Aug1, and I will never forget Willie Banger… what a great time I had and you were a wonderful spirit during the talent night..especially when you were pushed to the floor and then were rode upon… what a great sport… I do however have a question for you…I purchased the talent night cd… is there any way that I can purchase the first night cd?
Lisa
Hi John,
I wanted to comment that nobody used the pool as a toilet once during the past cruise? Hmph…how disappointing! It was only closed…what, 3x?…during our voyage the previous week. I guess this group just didn’t know how to have a good time!
Kirsten
P.S. I avoided the kid-friendly Lido pools on the Freedom and lived in the Solarium.
Hello John,
First let me echo the others who say the pictures of Kye are beautiful. And thanks to Heidi for giving us the updates.
I also have struggled all my life with my weight, so I feel your pain. It never ceases to amaze me how insensitive some people can be. She really thought she was doing you a favor?! When my friend Julie was six months pregnant with her daughter, a woman cornered her in the supermarket and told her all about Overeaters’ Anonymous. (At least she wasn’t trying to make money off her!) Still, Julie was so upset afterwards, she didn’t leave the house for two days. People should be more respectful of others’ feelings.
I hope we get to sail with you again sometime. The Bloggers’ cruise was great.
Your Friend,
Cheryl D.
John (please reply),
I know you say a lot in the blog that you’d like to be kept informed as to likes and dislikes regarding Carnival itself, John. That’s why I’m writing this particular time.
I was kind of sad to see the demise of paper docs, but understand the logic. That is, until I’ve been attempting to print the edocs off the Carnival website.
I cannot tell you the LITERAL hours it’s taken me to fight with the website, on several different days, in order to view and be able to download/print my docs (and those of my family members who don’t have access to a computer). It has been the source of massive frustration for me for days now.
I have cruised, and love, Carnival in the past. But it makes me wonder about the impression it’s giving to first time Carnival guests. I have to say, if it were me, I wouldn’t want one of the first impressions of my guests to be that of frustration in just trying to print simple documents. The additional cost of paper docs might be worth the potential loss of revenue if people continue to be so frustrated.
And this isn’t the first time me, or other cruisers (as evidence by many complaints on Cruise Critic) have had with the website. It seems to me that considering Carnival is in the hospitality industry, and as large of a company it is, they could find someone more suitable to run the website so that it is reliable, runs smoothly and reliably. I understand only too well in the world of internet and technology, there will be some hiccups. But honestly…this is getting ridiculous.
Thanks,
Stacey
Hi John,
I continue to enjoy your blog and am looking forward to meeting you on the Dec. 3 sailing of the Carnival Dream. What a fabulous sail that will be — my third with Carnival this year!! We simply cannot wait and the excitement grows daily, particularly as you post new photos. She will be a beauty, that is for sure!!
Although some of us will be landlocked until December for our next voyage, I have a friend from our “Dream” group (gaylensgigi on Cruise Critic) who is also sailing on the Carnival Fascination on Aug. 17. (Her cabin# is U161 in the name of Bonnie Boatner.) Although she is nearly Platinum with Carnival, this will be the first sailing for her grandson, Gaylen, who tells her almost daily that he “can’t wait to get on the BIG BOAT!!!”. I notice on your blog all the time where people are making requests of you and you typically tell them to write back within a couple weeks of the sailing as a reminder. I am already within that time frame. I think you get a kick out of things like this and it puts a smile on your face as well as theirs, so if you would be so kind to arrange some kind of a surprise for the grandson that would be magnificent!!
I know it will make Gaylen feel extra special, and although he is only eight years old, once he sails with Carnival for the first time, he will be “hooked” like the rest of us!
Best wishes to you and to Heidi and Kye, too. You have two very special girls in your life!
–Vickie
Hi John (Please Reply)
I just discovered your blog recently, and absolutely love it. I do hope that one day we get to cruise with you as the CD…your blog is hysterical, which makes me believe that you are even more so in person.
I have a question regarding the upgrades to the Fantasy class ships, as well as the adults only areas on the new ships….I am wondering why it appears as if there are no longer adults only pools, and only hot tubs in the adults only areas? I might be mistaken about this, but from what I have read, it seems as if the Dream (which we are booked on for Sept. 2010) has this amazing adults only serenity area, yet, there is no pool? Is there a way to find out why the decision was made to not offer an adults only pool?
Also, it appears that the aft of the Dream is quite different from the other Carnival ships. We are booked into our first aft wrap (yeah!), however in looking at the photos you have been posting (thanks for those, by the way), we are wondering what the new design means to the view from the aft cabins.
Will the balcony dividers still be able to be removed on the Dream cabins? We have quite a few cabins booked on different decks on the Dream, and are hoping to remove the dividers so we can all have some VERY large balconies!!
Thanks for all you do….the information and assistance you provide through this blog thingy is invaluable, and much appreciated!
I look forward to hearing from you, and to hopefully sailing with you one day soon!
Best wishes to you and your family (especially your adorable daughter Kye….she is an absolute gem!)
…Jenn
Dear John,
I was just noticing how much royalty we have her on the blog. We have several Princesses and a Empress and a Prince. What other job could you have chossen and had the opertunity to hob nob with royalty and low lifes at the same time.
James & Nancy
The Cruzin2some
Hi John!
Unbelievable what you have to deal with sometimes. What a terrible way to start the weekend when you are clearly making progress on your own.
What a shame.
What great news about upgrades on the Carnival Ecstacy. Very exciting.
Cute picture of Kye!
Thanks for posting and take care!
David
John, Please reply;
John, two months ago I was asked by my peers in a club I belong to, to organize a club cruise. They knew that my wife and I were avid cruisers (one cruise from platinum status ) so I obliged and as of today we have booked 25 rooms on the Inspiration sailing from Tampa on February 18, 2010.
My reason for writing is that after I contacted you via the blog you gave me Stephanie Leavitt’s name and the socialnetworking e-mail address which I contacted twice. I wrote her about promotional material, so that I can provide the club members with some visual aids in hopes of selling more cabins. Stephanie replied to me, however after two months, I have never received a thing. In spite of the fact that 25 cabins have been booked, I feel I could have done a lot better had I been provided some promo items. Don’t get me wrong, I am not looking for freebie stuff, but instead a promotional DVD, brochures, flyers, heck even balloons would have been good to generate some excitement and possibly book even more rooms than we had. Our two month price guarantee has now expired, but I wanted to let you know, that there was a lapse somewhere, which ultimately will only affect me, as organizer, as I am sure the cruise will eventually sell out anyway. As requested I will let you know a couple of weeks prior to sailing. In the meantime I will see you on the Dream 12/3/09.
Mike
Hi gang, my comment from Saturday about 6 pm still has not been posted, just says “Your comment is awaiting moderation.”
has it been lost in cyberspace? should I re submit my question and comments? you can send me an e-mail if I need to re submit. Thanks for all your hard work.
RonRN
I just wanted to drop a note to say…
#1- Kye is Gorgeous. Well done.
#2- the last prejudice is that against fat people. You cannot walk up to an ugly person and say ” I think you ought to have a nose job, I had a nose job and it really helped.”
Everyone and their mother can tell you how to lose weight. I know how to lose weight. I have read all books, I have tried all the teas, pills and bars there are. I know how. I don’t need your help.
Whew! That felt good. Of course if you see me on a ship and begin to tell me how I am fat and need to lose weight, I will smile and say thank you for your concern for me and I hope you have a blessed day. And then I will head for the Chocolate melty cake. It WILL make me feel better. About myself for a moment.
You pontificating WILL not.
Thanks for the Blog, John.
Thanks to VidiMom for her UNDYING support.
Later, Kim Harrison
Fly-on Entertainer and CH.