Like Superman, Batman is a superhero but he is different from the others. He doesn’t have any superpowers built in but instead uses gadgets and a secret cave, a bit like James Bond in Lycra. Most superheroes have something wrong with them. Peter Parker was bitten in the bollocks by a radioactive spider and acquired its thingies to become your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
He moaned at the time but he could have just as easily been bitten by a radioactive dung beetle, thus merely inheriting the power of floating on the surface of a pond or borrowing into a huge pile of elephant poo…….and in a fight with the Green Goblin that is next to useless.
I have often wondered what it must be like to be a super hero and how wonderful that must be………. but in truth I am far too selfish to cope with superpowers.
Think about it. Let’s say I am just sitting down to a wonderful meal with Heidi……..at ….ummmm……say…..Prime 112, my favorite shoreside steakhouse located on Ocean Drive, Miami (bit of free advertising may get me a free steak.) I am all romantic, Kye is asleep in her stroller and all is wonderful in the world………..but suddenly……………..just as my cowboy steak and sprouts arrive, your super senses start tingling because there’s a bus full of nuns hanging off a nearby bridge. What do you do? Hmmm. On the one hand perilous nuns, but on the other, well, that steak looks tempting and is cooked to perfection.
Sod it, you think, they’re only nuns. And that steak is a work of art.
You can’t hold down a proper job and be a superhero. That’s why Spider-Man and Superman both worked for newspapers. I like to imagine that Gene Sloan the brilliant cruise columnist for the USA Today is a superhero who has been bitten in the arse by a radioactive chameleon that gives him the power to morph into the shape of Anita Dunham Potter.
For this reason I keep clear of radiation, unless you count that which supposedly comes off my raspberry. Perhaps I’ll inherit its powers. It would mean I could mentally control Bluetooth and send e-mails with just a quick push of one of my hemorrhoids. But now I’m letting my imagination run away. Anyway, remember – with great power comes great responsibility………. and lets see the reason I am writing about super heroes and meet some real ones from my marriage show.
On the right of me are Mr. and Mrs. Soletski – married 61 years and both survivors as children of the concentration camps.
On the left of me are Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell – married 59 years and Mr. Mitchell was a Green Beret in WWII
Heroes………true heroes.
There is no time to loose today so let’s get straight into a double dose of questions……..here we go.
Tom Asked:
Hi John -
I was looking into doing something special for my sister on my upcoming cruise this weekend on the Victory. We’re celebrating her birthday a few weeks early and I can’t find the website to buy things for our cabin. Do I need to wait and buy stuff onboard in Formalities? Thanks for any information. (I hate the new website…I can’t find anything)Tom Perron, Carnival Victory, August 23, Cabin **** Booking Number ******
Also, is Wee Jimmy our CD? We had him as a Social Host along with Karl with a K back on the Miracle and thought it was great reading online how many of my past favorite social hosts are getting promoted. Good for them!
John Says:
Hello Tom
Sorry that you were having trouble seeing the website page that contains the bon voyage gifts. I hope you get to read this before you sail tomorrow. If you do please yes…..go to Formalities and they will be able to help you organize a surprise or two. Maybe you should consider having the cabin decorated with birthday greetings and order some chocolate covered strawberries and champagne to make the evening even more special. Carnival has over the years promoted the majority of its cruise directors from the position of entertainment staff and or assistant cruise director. Wee Jimmy is actually here with me and on Sunday will take over as the cruise director of the Carnival Freedom and it has been a lot of fun having him here with me. I think that the Cruise Director Wee Jimmy is so very talented, and has a wonderful personally…what a great character. Your CD will be long time veteran Lenny Halliday who is an old school CD meaning you will see a lot of him on stage and he still performs his own fantastic show. I hope you have fun and my apologies for the late reply so look out for a little gift from me.
Best wishes
JohnAmy Fowler Asked:
Dear John— please reply
My fiancé and I will be sailing the Legend out of Tampa for our Honeymoon. I can’t wait! He… well, he is having cruiser remorse. He’s starting to regret booking the trip because we have cruised together twice before. He feels like our honeymoon won’t be special enough because it will be like a repeat vacation.I’ve spent some time over on CruiseCritic.com, researching ways to make this trip special. We will certainly be sitting front row for the Newly Wed / Not-so-Newly Wed Game (that is a souvenir not to be missed if we can make it on the show). We also have a balcony booked for the very first time. I’m looking for other ideas to make this his dream honeymoon.
I basically begged to go on a cruise, and now I feel guilty because I think he is going to be disappointed.
Any suggestions on how to make this trip different than the others??? So he doesn’t feel like he’s missing out or repeating the other vacations?
Thanks in advance– and thank you for your wonderful blog!
AmyJohn Says:
Hello Amy
Edible underwear.
Best wishes
JohnJoking.
Hello Amy
Sorry……couldn’t resist the edible underwear joke. I bought Heidi a pair once but I ate them before I got home. Anyway…….I am sure that the staff of the Carnival Legend will make this a honeymoon you will never ever forget. Please book a meal in the steakhouse and that night take a walk on the deck, under the stars and remind yourselves just how much you love each other. The balcony will be perfect for a morning cup of coffee and a late night glass of champagne which if you remind me two weeks before you sail I will send you and…..I can’t promise……….but I will do my best to get you in the newly wed game which will be followed by divorce court.
Hope to hear from you soon
Best wishes to you both
JohnSheryl Asked:
John please reply
Hi John,
Just a quick question-
Can you tell me if any of the “Music….” bands will be on the Carnival Pride the week of 8/29/09? Would love to see my favorites, Music Boardwalk again. If not them, then who will it be?
Thanks for finding out for me!John Says:
Hello Sheryl
The bands whose names start with “Music” are all from the Filipinos and are wonderful 4 piece groups that play a whole cross section of music. The band currently on the Carnival Pride is called Jafar Curry, a brand new American band who from what Danny the CD tells me are absolutely fantastic.By the way………..Music Boardwalk are currently on the Carnival Destiny.
Let me know if you need anything else
Best wishes
JohnRobert asked:
John Please Reply,
Not really a question but I comment I hope will not going overlooked so I am marking as please reply
if you want to find out who gave out your e-mail and started the John for Carnival President thread’s have Host Mach or another mod over there run an IP check of the user name (of who ever posted that info) and that way we can at least narrow down what city/state they are from and go from there….just a though
Hope all is well with the Family and yourself John,
RobertJohn Says:
Hello Robert
Thanks for the information mate. I have considered doing this but honestly it only gets me tense. I don’t mind the John for President one …….in fact that’s quite flattering but about as probable as finding Judge Judy coming out with her own perfume. It did upset me though when someone posted my e-mail address and the consequent flood of e-mails I received, most of which asked for a free gift. But…………life is too short to worry about such things so I will just move on and spend my time taking care of my blogging friends like you mate.
Thanks again for your concern.
Best wishes
JohnKathy Asked:
Hi John,
Please Reply.
This is concerning the past guest pins. Carnival came up with another good marketing scheme and that is, they will sell more pins in the gift shops then by giving them to Platinum guests. If they sell 200 pins on a cruise and only give out let’s say 50 on each cruise, then they have made a profit on those pins.
KathyJohn Says:
Hello Kathy
That’s correct Kathy. We will make a small profit on the pins by selling them in the gift shop however we will be as you said giving them to our Platinum guests. I hope that you will soon be a Platinum guest and although we are selling the pins we are also selling our cruises and astonishing value which I am sure you will agree is far more important.Please let me know if you have a follow up to this and my apologies if this decision has upset you. I remain at your service.
Best wishes
JohnMichael Cornett Asked:
John please reply:
Good Early Morning John,
John a couple of days ago you was asked about the elegant nights on the Carnival Dreams inaugural voyage. You not only helped that person out but you also helped me out. As we will be on the OCT 3 sailing of the Carnival Dream. So thank you very much about putting my mind to rest about when we booked the steakhouse. During your answer to the question you also posted your favorite shore excursions for the Grand Mediterranean. I was overjoyed to see your pick for Dubrovnik. My wife and myself had already book the “County home in Konavle” but I have a few questions. John, can you please tell me about this shore excursion not what the Carnival web site says but someone who has been there, done that, and considers it their favorite. My second question is where I come from it is a required courtesy to bring some type of gift when someone opens up their home to you. What kind of gift should we bring to this family? My third and final questions are about tipping. Do you tip on this shore excursion? Are the tips included in the price? Since this is a family home I don’t want to just leave money on the table. How do I show this family appreciation for a great time without insulting them?
Thank you for all that you do for us. May God continue to Bless you and yours.
MichaelJohn Says:
Hello Micahel
Ahhhh the Country Home Tour in Knovale. This was always one of Heidi and my favorite tours….anywhere. It is a pure example of how they used to live and how they live now…..and you will see that there is very little difference. The home is situated deep in the heart of the Croatian countryside and has seen five generations live there. They have seen good times and bad times and the bedtimes of course meaning the early 90’s when civil war saw many thousands perish. The family were forced to run to the hills and the Bosnian forces actually overtook their home and it was only when the war ended that they were able to return. The family are virtually self sufficient as they have always been and they will show you how they grow their own vegetables and still use donkey power to press the olive oil that is made there.After a tour of the countryside and gardens and the house itself you will sit down as a family and enjoy a traditional Croatian lunch remembering everything…and I mean everything is grown or raised right there. The family is also musicians and ……… well …………. actually ………hold on……….I am going to stop there because I don’t want to spoil the surprises. Let me just say this………..you will never forget this trip and the families’ amazing hospitality. It is so nice to offer to bring a gift but it really is not needed. Just the fact that you are visiting them and of course the money they take from us when you buy the excursion is more than thank you enough. Take a photo with them or just shake their hand. They have been through so much yet as you will see…….they are a family united ……….and oh yes………watch out for grandma and her bottle of potato vodka!
Enjoy the excursion and enjoy your Carnival Dream cruise
Best wishes
JohnLorraine Beggs Asked:
Hi John (Please reply)
Firstly, thanks for your reply on my previous message. I know you are a very busy man.
Some time ago I wrote asking about the celebrations of the maiden voyage of Carnival Dream (full name) and also if anything could be offered because we had to move ships 3 times. You asked for my thoughts. Here goes – perhaps a band playing on the pier as we sail away, fireworks(on the pier), being greeted with a glass of sparkling wine on entry to the ship. It’s not a lot but it was missing on Independence. I will say that as we checked in, all passengers received a backpack and there were gifts/goodies left in your stateroom every night (not complaining about these). It was purely the leaving that was flat.I know you ask any other bloggers for their views but I have not seen any yet. You also said you would pass on my comments to head office about the extra day’s holidays we had to take. I just wondered if you had heard yet. I appreciate the offer of a bon voyage gift but I’m not sure that you would be able to track us down as we have booked both cabins as guaranteed outside category 6. Our names are Beggs and Brisbane.
I know you asked me to get back to you a couple of weeks before the cruise but given the amount of comments you are receiving I thought it might take a while to get to this. Also I know you will be on the ship on 21/09 but wondered, if there was somewhere bloggers could meet you before you leave. I am addicted to this blog and spend the first 1/2 hour every morning reading and giggling at it. I also think the videos on the website are a great idea and actually found myself quite emotional watching “The Dream becomes a reality”. Regardless of the outcome of this message I’m truly excited about being on this ship.
Look forward to seeing Kye’s next blog which I thought was brilliant. All the best.
John Says:
Hello Lorraine
Thanks for the suggestions and we are currently looking at what we can do to make an already special cruise even more so. I don’t have any details yet but as soon as I do I will let you know and I will forward yours on to the people at the top of the Carnival tree.I am trying to arrange a meeting before the ship sails of all the bloggers and although I have to disembark before the ship sails I hope that we can do this sometime ion the mid afternoon. Again, I will let you all know what the arrangements are. I would like to send you that bon voyage gift but as neither Todd nor the staff is there yet please may I ask that you once again remind me on September 15. I will let you know what’s happening and thanks again for the suggestions and for your very kind words.
Best wishes
JohnEllen Asked:
John please reply
I have enjoyed your blog thingy so much. I read it as soon as it pops into my inbox everyday and it always makes me smile.I have a question – I, and a group of Cruise Critic members are sailing on the Triumph out of NYC to New England and Canada on September 19th (booking # 69KJ78) and would like to arrange a meet and greet on Sunday the 20th at around 10:00 AM. How do I go about arranging a place to hold this? Should I wait until we board or is this something that could be reserved prior?
Any help you could give me would be most appreciated.
Also, I wanted to tell you that Kye is such a beautiful baby and I’m sure you miss her terribly. I’m so glad you’ll be seeing them both soon.
Take care and thank you again for this blog thingy and all the help you provide.
EllenJohn Says:
Hello Ellen
I am so glad that the blog makes you smile and I will continue to do my best to make that happen as often as I can. I will be happy to arrange this for you and please look out in the Carnival Capers where you will find the words “Cruise Critic meet” in the Today at a Glance section. I am sure you will all have a wonderful time and please send everyone on your roll call my best regards.I do miss my girls very much and Monday will be a very special day.
Thanks so much for all the kind thoughts
Best wishes
JohnKevinandPatty Asked:
msn
John
Please reply
I was glad to read that the past guest pins will be available again. I do understand that the platinum guest should be able to get them as a “perk”, and those that are not platinum will have to purchase them…that’s fine. We sail on the Carnival Freedom on 09/12/09 for our 9th cruise and is there another way to get the pins????
KevinJohn Says:
Hello Kevin and Patty
The pins will be for sale in the Gift Shops. I have thought about saying that I will get people who read the blog a pin but I am concerned that this will result in people contacting me only to get one and that’s something I don’t want to happen. However, I am sure if you were to mention to the CD onboard that you have 9 cruises with Carnival that he or she may be able to put one in your cabin.
I will alert wee Jimmy
Best wishes to you both
JohnTom-n-Cheryl Asked:
(Please Reply)
Hello again there John! We are looking forward to our repeat encounter with you on the 12/3/09 Dream sailing… can’t wait!I would like to say, as I have before, that I enjoy reading your blog – you never cease to amaze me. Having said that, I must admit that I only read it periodically – thus my following question may have already been addressed. Nonetheless, here it goes:
I’m fully aware that Carnival has a new fellow devoted to refining the past guest program, and no doubt there’s not a shortage of “suggestions” from folks like yours truly! One thing which I have read time and time again on Cruise Critic is the desire among Platinum cruisers for a “Platinum Past Guest Party” – or similar get together. Any chance that something such as that, which to me at least appears an “easy” addition, is coming down the pike?
THANKS!
TomJohn Says:
Hello Tom
I understand that my ramblings are not an everyday read for everyone. In fact I still continue to be amazed that any bugger reads them at all. I also have been told in person by many guests that they would love a Platinum Guests only get together. I can tell you that this option is something that is being considered and its something that I believe should happen and happen as soon as possible. I am on your side Tom and will put all my weight behind making it happen……was going to do a weight joke there but it was too obvious.
I will keep you informed
Best wishes
JohnCapt Fred Asked:
John Please Reply
I got to thinking. If you someday decide to go stuff shirt and join the suits in Miami (Along time from now I hope) who, if it happen today, would become Senior Cruise Director .Does it go to the next senior person behind you or is it a position that you must be appointed to .I guess what I’m asking is who is your Vice Senior Cruise Director.John Says:
Hello Captain
That’s a great question. First of all I am not sure that I will ever join “the suits” in Miami although if the chap on Cruise Critic is to be believed I am the company’s next President. I may one day go to work for one of the UK corporations so I can be based in the UK and when and if that happens I guess the next Senior CD would be……. ummmm……. actually, I have no idea. I don’t have a vice……….apart from Megan Fox’s bottom……… but if I did I guess it would be Todd Wittmer. Tell you what…….who do you and the bloggers think is deserving of that title?
Thanks for posing the question Captain, let’s see what everyone thinks
Best wishes
JohnCaryn Meltz Asked:
John – reply if you wish
I think your blog has run its course and you should stop. I come to it occasionally for information to cross reference what I read on Cruise Critic but it is now based on ridiculous non funny humor and therefore my advice is for you to stop before you lose all your readers. The general feeling on Cruise Critic is that the blog is not the vessel of information it needs to be.
CarynJohn Says:
Hello Caryn
I thank you for your opinion and while I respect it I can only point out that the viewing figures for the blog thingy have continued to rise with current readership around 50,000 plus per week. I do my very best to provide a mixture of fun and information but it is not something that is going to suit everyone. I understand if you are going to stop reading and if you decide to return with a question I will be here for you.
Best wishes
JohnLouisiana Joe & Sue Asked:
John – Please pass on compliments.
We recently wrote thanking you and Carnival for the superb cruise we had when our son was married on the Carnival Fantasy. I am writing again because we are also in the “service industry” and believe that when someone does a good job they deserve positive feedback. And no, we are not buttering you up for a favor (that would be a sight I bet HAHA) and we don’t have any special request for a gift. Congrats on your dedication to improve your health.Upon returning from our cruise July 30, we contacted our PVP Karla Mueller to book the November 10, 2020 cruise on the Carnival Glory out of New York. At the same time, we were submitting final payment on our Nov 10th cruise on the Fantasy, Booking #******. Since the original booking, we had upgraded and changed cabins twice. In the process, and in going over the events and paperwork we had received from Carnival, we discovered that there had been a miscommunication in the price of the cruise. I thought I had a $205 balance and was told that we had a $665 balance. The actual price of the cruise was the question. With that price difference, we were considering cancelling the cruise.
To make a long story short, Karla did her research and I provided the paperwork I had received from Carnival and we still had questions. Supervisor Sheila Laman became involved and we still had unanswered questions. After only a short period of time, we were able to come to an agreeable solution and we will be on the cruise. I want you to know that I was treated with great respect in all of our conversations and we are very pleased with the solution. While we started out the conversation in a disagreement of facts, your staff was attentive to my details and looking for a solution the entire time and speaking with kindness and solution oriented. In the end, we feel our cabin is better than we originally had at the agreed upon price.
Understand that the ship is almost sold out and your staff could have easily said for us to simply cancel the cruise because they could probably sell the cabin at a higher price now due to the demand.
We are very pleased with the outcome and more pleased to know that Carnival values their customers and truly believe in customer service and “Service First” with a smile.In conclusion, thank you for fighting for the ship pins. We have our collection from 8 different Carnival ships and proudly display them. We are happy that the Platinum guests will continue to receive them. Thank you!
John Says:
Hello Joe and Sue
What a wonderful song of praise. It was truly a joy to read. We are doing everything we can to improve our guest service departments and I thank you for taking the time to write about them. I will make sure that their boss our VP Vicky Rey gets to read this and I know she will be just as thrilled and I am sure she will pass on her words of congratulations to all those involved.I will continue to act as a go between for such issues and let me also say that I am glad that in a small way the pins were able to return to Platinum guests like yourself and ……….I will continue the battle to get them returned to everyone……eventually.
Thanks for your loyal support and I remain at your service
Best wishes to you both
JohnJinna White Asked:
John,
Please reply
My family and I sailed recently on the Freedom July 12th and like I mentioned in an earlier blog to you–it was by far one of our best vacations! It started out a little shaky when we arrived in our cabin but after that first day it was amazing! Since we returned I get up every morning with a cup of coffee and read your blog. I just want to say we thought you were amazing and some of the comments you get on this blog are ridiculous! They must pay you “big bucks” to put up with some of the “abuse” you get on here! I am sorry to disappoint you because I am not going to complain about the food or about the shows but I just have one “measly” question for you–We are planning another cruise next year and not sure where we want to go yet so I was wondering if you could give me your opinion on your favorite itinerary? I would like to thank you again for making our cruise as well as many many others’ cruises unforgettable!!! I look forward to hearing from you soon! Best Wishes, Jinna (Whitefamily)John Says:
Hello Jinna
Thanks ……..I needed that………because someone just told me how much they disliked the blog so it was wonderful to hear how much you like it with your coffee. I am so glad that you had a brilliant time a few weeks ago here on the Carnival Freedom and let me try and answer your question on my favorite itinerary. It’s not that easy to answer because I have so many. You did a 6-day to Key West, Cayman and Jamaica. You there fore have to do a 7 days or longer voyage this time.
I want therefore to give you three options.
1. CARNIVAL LIBERTY
Miami, FL
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas;
Fun Day at Sea;
St. Thomas, USVI;
San Juan, Puerto Rico;
Grand Turk
Fun Day at Sea;
Miami, FL2. CARNIVAL DREAM
Port Canaveral
Nassau;
Sea Day
St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.;
St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
Sea Day
Sea Day3. CARNIVAL SPIRIT
Seattle, WA;
Fun Day at Sea;
Cruise Tracy Arm Fjord;
Skagway, AK;
Juneau, AK;
Ketchikan, AK;
Victoria, BC, Canada;
Seattle, WAThere you go. Three very different but equally brilliant itineraries and ones I hope excite you and your family. Have a think and of course if you have any questions please let me know
Best wishes to you and all the family
JohnBarry Asked:
John, please reply.
Will the cruise director list for 2010 be out any time soon? I am booked on the Carnival Liberty for a Feb 27, 2010 sailing and really need to talk to the CD. I will be hosting a group of martial artists who will practicing with sticks (a Filipino art called Arnis or Escrima). I would like to make the CD aware of this so 1) people don’t freak out, 2) see if the CD can recommend the best place for us to do this, and 3) ask if the CD can post an announcement in case there are other martial artists on board who would like to join us. I am also posting announcements about this on martial arts sites because the person who will be leading it is one of the top masters in the world and well known in the martial arts community.Thanks and we’re all looking forward to the cruise. I have four first-time cruisers with me and I expect they will be suitable impressed with the Carnival experience
John Says:
Hello Barry
We are currently working on the 2010 cruise director schedule but please don’t worry about that because we can take care of your concerns way before the day of your cruise. Your group sounds fascinating and I am sure we can find somewhere for you to practice but as it involves weapons I think we need to have a word with a few people first. I am going to ask someone from our groups department to contact you so we can pre-arrange a lounge for this to happen. Depending on how many in the group I may suggest that you have the conference room or indeed the main lounge stage if and when it is available. So, please stand by and I will have someone take care of your requests and clear you all to bring this weapon on board.
Best wishes
JohnBIG ED KONEFE Asked:
John, PLEASE REPLY
I’m already platinum so thanks for the future pins. I had this idea for Carnival to think about. When a guest reaches Platinum their first Platinum gift for becoming Platinum should be the pins for their 9 previous cruises. The pins could be sent by Hdgt in Miami right to their home. This way the ships would not have to carry a supply to do this. All you would get in your cabin is a letter from Cahill thanking them for becoming Platinum and telling them they will be receiving their back pins at home soon.
BIG EDJohn Says:
Hello Big Ed
You have given me many great suggestions over the years and apart from the one which said that you and I should start our synchronized swimming team …….they have all been brilliant. I am currently working on the bumper sticker idea. This one is also another brain wave and the pins would I know be very popular with the Platinum guests and to have them sent to their homes accompanied by a letter from Mr. Cahill would really be something.So, I shall steal this idea like I do all of yours and claim it as my own.
Seriously, I will be sending this immediately up the line……….thanks mate and my best as always to you and Pat.
JohnSteve P Asked:
Good Afternoon John:
Just a quick question regarding anytime dining. We have traveled with Carnival on 4 previous cruises and have always been slightly unhappy with the dining times offered. 6:15 was just slightly too early, for me and the 8:15 dining time simply ran too late for my wifes tastes (Picky picky… I know. ) So we ate far too many meals in the Lido deck. We have recently booked our first short cruise (5 days on the Fascination over Thanksgiving week). I was told by my PVP that the early seating for dinner was waitlisted, but no any worries, the Fascination would have anytime dining by then. So she left us as “unassigned by request”. Everything I have read since has stated that the Fascination would not have anytime dining until sometime in 2010? What should I believe? Can you shed any light on the matter? If anytime dining is NOT available what happens to those of us who are unassigned?
Thanks for your time, and thanks for the blog! Oh, and I apologize if I posted this in the wrong place.John Says:
Hello Steve
Anytime dining does indeed give you the opportunity to eat when you want and for people who find 6 pm too early and 8:15 pm too late then the anytime option is perfect. Anytime dining is indeed expected to be placed on the Carnival Fascination at the start of November so it will be in place by the time Thanksgiving comes around. This means that you will be able to take that option if you wish. Please let me know if you need anything else and thanks for the kind words about the blog……..oh and yes……..you did post the question in the correct place.
Best wishes
JohnChristina Asked:
(Please reply)Hello there! As always so good to read your blog. It has kept me in stitches many a time, as I sat in my underpants late at night. (I picture you on the other side of the screen sans pants)
I enjoy reading all of the info that comes from the questions of other passengers. It has helped me so much in planning our first family cruise. So I really want to applaud your efforts and going above and beyond the call of duty. And kudos for listening to Throbbing Gristle in a previous blog. Or did you not know that is a real band? You may remember them by the hit “Detachable P***s” I didn’t want to type the real word but it has to do with a little friend of yours.But I digress. I tried to find the info on here but with no luck I come to you. I know there is a form I can fill out pertaining to special needs guests. But I do not have a printer or fax. My son is mildly autistic and does not do well in some situations. If avoided you would never know the difference. It was with much trepidation that we planned the cruise, but hearing how well Carnival did with its special needs passengers we choose this line. I will also be with my grandfather who has one leg. Seriously. Well he has a faux one. One with a running shoe and his water proof one. But he will need some help getting aboard too. I am sooo sorry for this long letter. But as time draws near (11-14-09) to leave, I realized that I have done nothing to prepare. Outside of booking 7 rooms and planning a wedding that is. So I feel awful that I have not addressed those needs first. If you could please help me figure out what can be done for them I would be forever in your debt. I do have some photos of Meghan Fox that might interest you. And I also do tattoos, so maybe I could do one for you. I was thinking of a cruise ship on your tummy. Much love and luck to you and yours.-C
John Says:
Hello Christina
Here I am again Christina in my underpants writing to you and everyone and I am happy to hear the blog brings you such joy. Its good to hear that you do find some information in the blog because as you may have read above it seems some feel its time to have the blog put down because there isn’t enough information and there is too much underpants humor…………I feel like saying “am I bothered though”………….but I won’t.Please don’t worry. I am going to give your e-mail to our special needs department (I think they have a new name now but I can’t remember what) and ask them to contact you so you can get the help you need. I am sure your son will be just fine and you may want to chat with Linda, Mum of DJ who I know will be happy to give you any advice for your son to have a great cruise…..she is a champion.
Planning a wedding and a cruise must be very hectic so again, please don’t worry, all will be well and someone will be in touch very soon. Please though stay in touch with me here on the blog thingy as well.
A tattoo of a Carnival ship ……….on my tummy………now there’s a thought………you could fit the entire fleet there.
Best wishes to you and all the family
JohnAmanda B Asked:
Dear Julio, [please reply)]
I traveled on the Carnival Freedom last week (8/1-8/9) and you were our wonderful cruise director. I just wanted to let you know that I had a blast on this vacation and I will never forget it. Although you and I never met face to face we had a great phone conversation on your afternoon show on sea day number four. Now do you remember me? I traveled with my Aunt (ant) and my cousin (Kayla-with a K). Anyways I just wanted to let you know that I was very disappointed that Jamie Frasier never came to my stateroom to sing to me, or my special gift never came either. Really, it is not a big deal but my youngest cousin that was traveling with us wanted me to inform you. It would have been cool to be serenaded by Jamie though… Anyways I just wanted to thank you for making my cruise awesome and allowing me time to speak to you on your show. It added a lot more memories for us as a family, and I hope to see you again in the future on Carnival ships.
-thank you, AmandaJohn Says:
Hello Amanda
Thanks so much for the kind words and I am glad that you had such a fun time. The loud scream you are hearing is Jaime Frasier, our resident crooner, hitting a higher note than he usually does as my foot enters his bottom for not serenading you. My apologies on his behalf.I am so glad that you had fun Amanda and I truly hope we will be all sailing together again very soon
Best wishes to you all
John
That’s all for today. I am still behind but I am sure I will be able to catch up a bit when I am home. However, please allow me a few days to reply to your questions and please make sure you mark them JOHN PLEASE REPLY.
Now……..a little later than scheduled…………..here is Heidi and Kye.
Hello Everyone,Another week over and one with enormous heat (90degrees) and little Kye getting more injections.
It is hot in the UK and when it gets hot in the UK people start moaning and it’s getting on my nerves……..”Oh, this heat is terrible, I can’t wait for some rain and the temperature to go down 10 degrees”. Shush!
Last year, the winter here was so cold, there was so much snow that we couldn’t cope. There wasn’t enough sand to spray on the road, schools were closed, roads were closed, people could take a day off work (unpaid) if they couldn’t make it to work by public transport, the whole country came to a stand still. Even a documentary was made ” The Big Freeze”……please!
Now, I might be mistaken but I remember growing up with winters like that EVERY year and I never got a day off school.
We went and had fun on the way, throwing snowballs at the teachers and eachother. Ice skating you were taught by an older sibling (in my case my brother, who just gave me an old wooden chair, put me behind it and said “Of you go!”.)
Winter was terrific! What had changed???
Everybody was praying for a nice summer, at least, and here we have it, a summer better than it has been for years and still it’s not good enough.
Am I winding myself up over this? I think since Kye arrived I am more laid back and take things as they come.
Anyway, poor Kye had to have 2 more injections this week and once again she screamed the place down and then fell asleep for hours. She had a temperature and rosie cheeks and wasn’t her usual smiley self.
I would leave the room and she’d cry, I would put her down and she would cry but today she is back to being Kye.So, as it is her 14 weeks birthday, I bought her a Kick & Play gym. This is a mat with 2 arches above, squeeky bits, bells, music, lights etc. etc. and no, it doesn’t fit in with our neutral colour scheme but I don’t care.
I want one for myself! it’s so cool.
Luckily, Kye likes it too. After being a little overwhelmed at first she now starts to explore and makes funny noises doing it.So here we are, Friday afternoon. I am happy with my cup of decaf coffee and biscuit and Kye in her new play gym, life can’t get any better….well, maybe on Monday morning when John returns home….
As you can see in the photo, I told Kye her Daddy is coming home soon and this is how she reacted.Have a great weekend.
Heidi & Kye
And so I will be home with me girls on Monday morning. I have been told that I will be babysitting on Tuesday as Heidi is going to take a yoga class…..it was either baby-sit or……take a class with her. They do say that yoga is therapeutic and that putting one leg behind your ear and sticking your arse in the air relives stress…..well…..I have never done yoga or tried to get in the crapping dog position and doubt I ever could ………… and even if I did manage to get one of my legs behind my ear and thrust my arse out like a demented baboon…….. I doubt that the person behind me would appreciate the obvious effects that the strain of achieving this would have on my bottom.
Anyway……I can’t wait to see them again. I will admit that it’s been hard……probably harder than I have told you ………to be away from them. Its fine when I am busy on stage doing what I love….making people laugh. But coming home to an empty cabin …………. well that’s been very difficult indeed and there have been times when I felt truly lonely. But I must not and cannot complain. This is the life I have chosen and one which for the most part I love nearly as much as Megan Fox’s bottom.
And I will miss doing things like this
I want to thank you for staying with me while I have been here on the Carnival Freedom. Knowing that you have thousands of people reading your silly mutterings every day does help when I am feeling down…….so once again a huge thank you for your support.
Here is my schedule for the next month or so
AUGUST 23RD – FLY HOME ON AMERICAN AIRLINES ECONOMY CLASS TO LONDON HEATHROW
SEPTEMBER 7TH – TAKE FERRY TO HOLLAND TO SHOW HEIDI’S FAMILY KYE
SEPTEMBER 10TH – BACK IN THE UK
SEPTEMBER 15TH – FLY TO TRIESTE TO BOARD YOUR CARNIVAL DREAM
SEPTEMBER 17TH – HAND OVER CEREMONY AND SAIL TO CIVITAVECHIA (NO GUESTS – JUST CREW)
SEPTEMBER 17TH – FLY HOME TO UK
SEPTEMBER 23RD – FLY TO MIAMI AND THEN TO TAMPA TO JOIN CARNIVAL LEGEND
I will be on the Carnival Legend for three weeks and then……well…..not sure but will give you my complete schedule for the rest of the year soon. I will be joined on the Carnival Dream by Stephanie and Peter and we will be filming some exclusive video for the blog and for carnival.com…….as we take a first look on film of your Carnival Dream.
And so, its time to ask that I hope you will stay with me as I continue to blog from home. There will questions answered everyday and as well as me telling you what’s happening in the world of Carnival there will be lots of stories about…..well……life itself. So, I hope some of you will join me and remember if you need anything at all to continue to please let me know.
I have learnt lots of things these past seven weeks I have been here. I know that I cannot be a CD and a blogger and not have an assistant to help me. Jaime has done well but she still has her regular assistant CD duties to do as well and it has been hard on her. That’s something I will need to address.
However…..one thing stands out from these past few weeks and that’s the fact that I have the best job in the world and there is nothing…..nothing that could make my job any more enjoyable…..except maybe a Bentley….oh and a raise…..oh and Megan Fox to be godmother of the Carnival Dream…..oh and for Carnival to provide me with new underpants to blog in…..they could give me a pair with the name of one of the ship’s on the front….I could have a pair that says “Conquest”…..or a pair that says “Pride”…..or even ” Magic”……but if I am realistic mine would say “Holiday” because that’s the smallest ship in the fleet…….but it doesn’t matter because I am going home…… and that means it’s time to take the thingy out of dry dock as Heidi and I embark……. on a three-minute cruise.
It’s been fun and I will see you on Tuesday.
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and Kye
John
Filed under: Destinations, Heidi's Post, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: carnival capers, Carnival Destiny, Carnival Dream, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, Cruise Critic, Past Guest Pins
Bless you, John, Heidi and Kye !! John, you have done your job – Heidi, you have more than done yours – Kye has been the usual cute-as-a-button. Safe travels, John, and enjoy your family. May disembarkation go smoothly in the morning and may your flight home contain no screaming children or adults (except for you, should you so choose). I so enjoy every blog and thank you for sharing so much of yourselves.
To Michael Cornett….If you don’t mind me putting my 2 cents worth in, the country home tour in Dubrovnik is fantastic!! It’s a can’t miss. You will love it!! There will also be an opportunity to leave a tip or gift at the end of the tour.
Diane
Man you are funny John, ” take it out of drydock…..three minute cruise “. I hope you have a fireboat drill first. I wouldn’t it to sink before your cruise. HA,HA,HA. I pretty sure that your family is waiting for your love and of course your gifts. Being serious for a moment John. Enjoy the time you’ll being spending with your beautiful wife and daughter. Since you’ve become a father you now know the excitment of bring with them and how bad you feel when you are away from them. Love them, be with them, enjoy them but remember to allow your being to also rest for they are the ones that you are there for. Have a very happy, relaxful and loving time with your family my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Hi John (Reply please)
I so enjoyed the picture of Kye and note from Heidi. I know you miss your girls. You will soon be home and I think you will be amazed at how big Kye has gotten.
To respond to Caryn, who thinks you should quit blogging. Maybe she should just not read it, because all your blog junkies would go into withdrawals without your blog. (At least I know I would).
You responded to a reader that Lenny Halliday will be the CD on the Carnival Victory for the August 23rd sailing. I am cruising on the Carnival Victory on August 30th. Is it true that Lenny will be CD? He was the CD on the Mardi Gras on the first cruise I ever went on.
Also, another positive comment for CCL, the upgrade fairy got me for that sailing. Mom and me were booked in a lower category cabin. I got the call and was offered a 6 category upgrade at no additional cost. What other company would make this change in advance and without the customer asking? I am Platinum (44 cruises on Carnival ships) and I do appreciated the pins. I have all of them on my hat and I use my husband’s for my mascot bear, Bubba. He has cruised with me over 30 times….I think he deserves them on his hat as well. Thank you for keeping the blog going and keeping us informed on day to day survival on the ships.
Give my best to Kye and Heidi. Have a safe trip home, relax and enjoy your vacation. I will be waiting for your next blog on Tuesday!!
Gloria aka Sue
wow, kye is more beautiful than before if that is possible, hurry home to those girls my friend…
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Hi John,
Glad to hear that you recommend the Country home in Konavle tour. Elizabeth and I are signed up for that one on our Oct 15th Carnival Dream sailing.
Always, I will be posting way too many pictures, sort of almost live, for others to enjoy.
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/CarnivalDream/GrandMed/index.htm
Regards,
bill
John, first let me just say again how adorable Kye is, and we so appreciate you sharing the weekly photos with us!
I know you will get many posts like this, but I must register my adamant disagreement with Caryn Meltz’s suggestion that your blog has “run its course and you should stop.” Readership numbers also seem to disagree with her. But the beauty of it all is that if it has run its course with Caryn she can make it stop instantly by simply not continuing to read the blog! Voila! Meanwhile, the rest of us that find the blog informative, interesting, and humourous (spelt correctly) can continue to enjoy it!
Give Heidi and Kye a hug for us!
Terri & Larry
Hello John,
Please ignore the comment that asked you to stop your blog. A lot of people like it, as we do, and we want you to continue. I haven’t read anything on Cruise Critic that says the blog isn’t informative or entertaining. We are anxious to read your blogs from home and. You don’t have a lot of time at home but we hope you make the best of it.
Hi Heidi!
George and Linda
Hi John!
Safe travels across the pond. Be careful and good luck.
Relax and enjoy your time with Heidi and Kye.
Take care!
David
CHRISTINA:
If you will email me at musicalcruiser@hotmail.com…
I have a copy of the Guest Access form that you can fill out.
You can also email specialneeds@carnival.com.
I can also send you an post I have written for several of the cruise forums about cruising with a special needs child.
The one thing I always stress is that Carnival can not provide one on one care and they obviously can not have a child that is aggressive to other children….but we have found that just about everything else is “doable” . (Is that a word??) LOL
I look forward to hearing from you and sharing any experience that may be beneficial.
There is also a Travel Agency called “Autism of the Seas” that specializes in bookings for children with Autism. We have not used him yet, because we have so much experience with Carnival…but when we branch out to sister cruiselines …. we look forward to booking through him. Since he is a TA, there is no fee for his services. He simply makes the commission from the cruise line like any other TA.
John:
I have received an email from Tanya about her son with AS. Her son has another cruise coming up in October with his Grandmother on the Paradise. I hope the information I gave her will be helpful.
There is no way to adequately express what cruising has done for DJ. David and I were just talking today about how DJ never got to go to “summer camps” (like David and I did growing up)…so cruises have been like DJ’s summer camps.
A day does not go by that DJ does not make a comment about something he did on a cruise.
If the American Medical Association is correct, 1 in 150 children are affected to some degree by Autism. (1 in 90 boys)
While the past 10+ years with DJ and cruising has been a learning experience by trial and error….Carnival has made it possible by being willing to listen to this parent. And while I have always been realistic in my expectations….I can say that Carnival has not only met but exceeded those expectations on every cruise.
I hope that any parent with a special needs child will not hesitate to email me, if there is any way that I can be of assistance to them by sharing our experiences.
Linda (Mom of your friend ~ who is talking about how at the age of 18 a person can drink beer in Mexico….oh great (sigh) ~ DJ)
John,
I have been reading your blog ever since I first learned about it, but I have never commented before. I felt like today was the day. I can’t believe someone would tell you to stop your blog! The things you deal with sometimes; the storms, unruly people, etc…..and you are an amazing person to handle them so well! I look forward to an update from you, I learn alot from the things you say and can always use a laugh! My best friend took her first cruise with you on the Carnival Freedom last March, and loved it so much she “drug” me on my first cruise last November. She got me hooked and I’ve been on 2 cruises now. I hope that my next cruise can be with you, because to this day my friend still talks about you and how hilarious you were! Your daughter is beautiful, I can’t wait for Fridays to see a new picture of her. Enjoy your time with her and your wife! And thank you for what you do!!
April
Dear John,
please reply when you get a chance.
First, I just want to say how happy I am that you are finally getting to go home to see your girls. I have such great respect for you to be able to get up and do your crazy job everyday and to be so patient with all of the irritable people you deal with and have to be away from your loves……you are the best!
I just want to say also, that I love the blog. Please do not listen to one person who says that you should stop. You have thousands of usout here who use this blog to have a laugh for the day or simply get an idea of what it is like to live on a cruise ship……something a lot of us love to fantasize about and to get answers to pressing questions.
I am looking forward to also following your blog while you are home. We are all so excited to hear about your reunion with Heidi and Kye and what the rest of your year has in store.
Now my question…………..
What is the best excursion in St Maarten for a family….with a teenage son?I understand most of the beaches are clothing optional. Even though I am sure he would enjoy it………….it would be a little awkward for me.
Best wishes from a blog thingy fan!
Lisa
Ah, John. Once again you’ve made me laugh and cry all within a few minutes time! I love reading your blog–I read it out loud to my husband every day. It give me a reason to talk and he actually listens!
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you and to wish you well while you’re at home with Heidi and Kye. That baby is one adorable little girl! I can see that she looks like both you and Heidi–which makes her uniquely Kye.
We’ll be on the Carnival Valor on 9/13/2009, but we’ll be thinking of you and most likely missing the blog! We’re also starting to plan our 35th anniversary cruise for April next year. We want it to be special and think it would be great to sail with you as CD! Can’t wait to find out where you’ll be–with our luck, though, you’ll be home!
Thanks, again, for all you do.
Cheryl & Bill
John, I am one of those who follow your blog daily, but I never post. I suppose that makes me a stalker!
I want to let you know how much I enjoy “talking” with you every day…I feel as though you are a dear friend even though we have never met! I am heading on my 7th Carnival cruise in October–one of these days I hope to be lucky enough to sail with you. For now, Thank you for sharing your life with us. I can only imagine how difficult these past weeks have been without your family and I appreciate you making the world a little brighter for the rest of us. Godspeed, my friend!
John,
God speed and a safe return to your lovely girls.
We will be looking forward to your blog from back home in the UK.
MaryC
John, (PLEASE REPLY)
I found the blog after a fantastic spring break voyage on the Carnival Freedom in March and have been reading it daily ever since! I really enjoy when you share some insider cruise info and shipboard stories! I’m looking forward to my next cruise (onboard the HAL Eurodam later this year). I am also planning my next Carnival cruise and had a question for you. I am looking at another cruise over spring break and noticed that the Carnival Valor and Carnival Glory are sailing what seems to be the exact same itinerary on the exact same days (Mar 7, 2010 sailings). Is this an error, am I reading it right? And if its true, is there any reason these two ships are doing the exact same itinerary for the week, visiting the same ports on the same days? Thanks for your help!
John,
Have a safe trip home and a wonderful visit with your beautiful girls! Best wishes to you all and hugs all around.
Julie
Wonderful blog Heidi! Thank you so much and for always including the latest picture of adorable Kye!!! She has grown so much, and gets cuter with each picture. It is so sweet of you to keep all her grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles informed about her progress.
John, I am so glad that you are flying on American Airlines. I hope Murphy is on Easy Jet, and therefore can’t find you as you travel home to your girls! Have a wonderful time, and don’t worry about doing daily blogs while home. We will all understand!
Sheryl
Dear John,
Yay, you, and I hope you have a safe journey home. Wow, that little Kye of yours is a cutie pie! LOVE the photo!
Enjoy your time at home with your girls.
Bless,
Laura
embark on a three minute cruise… you crack me up! Fly safe and have fun with the family!
Hi John,
Poor Caryn Meltz! It must be awful to be as negative and miserable as she is. If you can not say anything nice, say nothing at all. Who is she to decide if you blog is appreciated or not. We regular readers love our daily “fix” and if she does not then simply stop logging on. I would like to bet that she reads this just to see what controvosy she has caused, thus negating her entire comment! Have agreat trip home with the girls.
Bon Voyage John,
All the best to Heidi and Kye.
Travel safely and enjoy your time off.
PS…………ignore the CC member who said that she thinks the blog has run its course. What does she know?
B&D from Canada.
John, thank you so much for taking so much time to interact with your customers. I know this takes alot of time out of your day. My wife and I sail on Victory in 1 week and the information I have read here has been valuable in our planning, as well as entertaining. It is obvious you love what you do, and this is NOT a job for you but a passion. Well done mate, keep up the good work
I’m so happy that you will be home with your girls by tomorrow morning! Have a safe trip and remember to return your seat back to the most upright and uncomfortable position when you see Heathrow out the window.
Thanks Heidi for the photos as well…she is beautiful and has a beautiful smile.
Hi, John,
A comment for Heidi: I think perhaps you were too long away from the “real world” where people gripe and complain as a way of life it seems. When you’ve been onboard ships where everyday is a holiday (for the passengers at least) folks probably tend for the most part to be much more appreciative of life in general. May be part of John’s great love for his job and I’m sure he’d be content to never leave the ship if you and Kye were always with him. Have a wonderful time together while John is home. You are a beautiful family!
Your Pal, Myra
John,
Kye is cuter every time we see her.
Enjoy your time with your “girls”. I’m sure they missed you as much as you missed them.
Charlotte
It still amazes me how rude some people are. What makes one person (Caryn-in this case) think that because they don’t care for something, that no one else would enjoy it either???? You know, to follow the blog takes a little effort and if you don’t enjoy it…well, bugger off! I happen to LOVE Carnival and LOVE joining John when I can’t be relaxing on a day at sea.
John, I hope you take a few days to be with your family and then return to the blog. They deserve a few days with you to themselves! That little lady is more gorgeous with each post.
John, (Please reply)
Wow, I have to say that Caryn Metz is totally wrong. I, too, belong to Cruise Critic and I don’ t see what she sees. I do know people were talking about others asking you for things, but in no way did I get the impression people wanted you to stop blogging.
I totally enjoy your blog and look forward to it every morning. I can see where you would need an assistant as the blog does take up time and you have your other duties to perform as CD. It would be nice if you were able to get off the ship in ports every week instead of the one time you were able to for the last few months. Everyone needs some down time and it seems as though you don’t get much.
Your last picture of Kye is so beautiful. I know you are going to enjoy every minute you have with her and babysitting for her while Heidi does her yoga, will give you some quality time with Kye. Lucky you!
Once again, I wanted to tell you to keep up the good work, ignore people that are rude and try to put you down or question what you do or why you do it. You are a great human being and many of us owe you a lot of thanks.
Gerri & Frank
Dear John,
Please reply.
We will be sailing on The Dream March 27,2010.
I have read that you will be the cruise director until the end of March. Does this mean you will be our cruise director, being we sail through April 3, 2010? Or do you leave the Dream as we are boarding?
Also,
Will the Dream have Luggage Express service as we had on the Valor?
It was so convienent and hope to be able to use this service again.
We are a group of ten with two being new to cruising.
I am sure that they will be hooked on cruising as well.
Any information regarding the Dream will be appreciated.
John
Have a great vacation and enjoy your time off with Heidi and Kye, she’s getting so cute.
Suzann
John, Please Reply…
John,
A couple months ago I wrote to you regarding my upcoming trip on the Carnival Freedom. When I found out that neither you nor Todd would be the Cruise Director, I was sent into a deep depression. Ok ok. Not a deep depression, but we were so looking forward to sailing with either your or Todd. But the show must go on, so we are still excited about the cruise.
I also have noticed the constant requests for “free gifts”, and the posts on Cruise Critic on why so many people just contact you for free gifts.
Back in May when I sent you a question, I simply wanted an autographed picture of yourself, or whatever you give people that are in your “fan club”.
This will be our 8th cruise with Carnvial, and simply can’t wait to hit the 20 cruise mark. We consider every Carnival ship like home, and look so foward twice a year to “going home” on them.
So if you find it in your heart to rummage around and find a picture of yourself with your autograph on it, great, if not, not biggy. I am not one of those people wanting free things, I am just a HUGE fan of Carnival, and of John Heald.
Thank you, and enjoy your upcoming time off with Heidi and Kye!
James Sullivan
Carnival Freedom 9/12/09
Cabin 6381
John, Thank you for your enjoyable blog, it’s a great way for me to start my day. Enjoy your little holiday with your beautifuly family. Your daughter gets prettier each time you post her pictures. Boy, are you going to have your hands full beating off the suitors for that one. Again, thank you and enjoy your time with your beautiful family. Relax.
Hi John:
I’m awfully confused. Your answer to ‘Tom’ about Wee Jimmy being the CD of the Freedom after you leave does not correspond to the CD list on your blog. My daughter is sailing on Carnival’s Freedom on 9/12 and we’ll be on Carnival’s Glory on 9/12. I think on one of your previous blogs you said that Wee Jimmy was to be on the Glory on that date.
Now I’m reading on the CD list on your blog that Ryan Fitzgerald is listed for the Glory and Ralph Valente on Carnival’s Freedom – both for Sept. 12th. Could you tell us if the CD list needs an updating?
John -
So happy that you are getting the chance to return home to the girls of your life – I know that they will be happy to see you. So happy that Kye will probably spit up all over you
Enjoy your time off and stop thinking about Megan Fox’s derriere!!
Jon
Another great blog John. I can tell how excited you are about finally going home to your family. The picture of Kye is adorable, she has the sweetest smile. She is just gorgeous.
You have such a busy schedule, I honestly do not know how you get everything done.
Safe travels John. I hope you have a good flight back home to your girls. Get some rest.
Keep smiling John, you truly are one of the good guys.
My best to Heidi and Kye.
Have a safe flight home John. Kiss Kye for all her American Aunties!
Have a blast on your 3 minute cruise! ( Sorry I could not resist!!! Ha, ha)
hi john just to let you know, we won the ashes.
safe trip home
Dear John:
I am one of the many that scroll down the page on Friday to see Kye’s picture first and then read the blog. Each Friday is the same reaction ahhhhhh!! Que bella!! She gets more beautiful every week. I’m very happy that you are going to see her tomorrow.
Enjoy your time at home with your girls and rest. It’s fair that Heidi gets some time for her now. Great blog as usual…:) Muchos besitos a Kye
Nanni
John, Reply requested (sometime when you’re free).
First, Great pic of Kye!! I see you’re very proud!!
Next, looking forward to you blogs on the inaugural Carnival Dream cruise!! We can’t wait to “go Dreamin’ ” in January. If fact we’re gonna go again in May!! And it looks like we’ll be crusing under both you and Todd as CDs. Wow!!
My wife, Kathryn, and her sister, Karen are “Spa Queens”. They love the spas on Carnival ships and can’t wait to explore the one on the Carnival Dream. And are on the edge of their computer seats awaiting pictures from fellow cruisers of these facilities. Me? I just flap about in the water in a long skinny boat so when I’m at sea, I’m a bit of a gym rat/rowing machine hog! But I might turn into a hammock hog on the Serenity deck
!
So my question/request is when you get a chance to ask someone or see it for yourself, can you post a list of the type of equipment that’ll be in the gym? Number of treadmills, stairmasters, bikes, rowers, etc. . Or perhaps direct me to the site where these items are listed. A few pictures of the Serenity deck “in action” would be a nice touch.
And even if this request is a bit overboard, I’m hanging on the davots on all your Carnival Dream blogging!
Best and don’t forget to pack the Kye pictures to show everyone .
Stephen Tabb
Hey John,
Now I don’t know if Gene would agree on morphing into me — maybe Megan Fox, but not me. Oddly,there is some ‘diva’ who thinks it’s the other way around — me morphing into Gene. LOL
OMG, why are you flying economy home? Are they trying to kill you?
Go home to your beautiful ladies and enjoy some much deserved time off — give Heidi and Kye big hugs from the Potter girls.
BTW, we’re having a great time on the Carnival Pride. The seas are less rocky today and we are looking forward to our first port – Grand Turk.
Safe flight home and hope you get upgraded!!!
Best,
Anita
OMG AA economy !
Ok if you do end up heading out to LA, try and get on a Virgin flight and let me know the details, I shall be rude (kind of) and say, for guys our size economy does not work, however a nice flat bed does, let me know if you can get it sorted.
Another great read, John. Thanks for taking the time to do this day in and day out. Any chance you’ll be the CD on the Glory in November? LOL We’d love to sail with you.
Have a safe and enjoyable trip home!
Stacey
Hi John,
Please Reply.
I hope that you have made it home safely and that you are having a great time getting reacquainted with Kye and Heidi. I know they missed you dearly.
I know you have said that you would like to do a West Coast cruise as well as one out of Galveston. Well I have been thinking about this. Since you have already been to the ports that the ships go to from Galveston, why not do your West Coast cruise first so your faithful fans of the West Coast can enjoy you before you head back to Europe. I just have a feeling that when you head back to Europe you probably will not becoming back to the US before you retire. As I have told you before, I have a cruise booked for January 2010 on the Carnival Splendor and I am willing to change that booking to one that you are doing on the West Coast, but to be honest with you, I am unable to travel to the East Coast, that is why I am asking that before you return to Europe to PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE, do a couple of weeks on the West Coast so your fans can say “We got to cruise with the Best Cruise Director that there ever has was!!!”
Please give a hug to Kye from one of her American Aunties and enjoy your time at home with your family, you sure have earned every minute of it and more. Take Care my friend.
Your Bloggy Thinggy friend,
Kathy
Have an awesome break!!!!
Hey John,
We sailed with you on your last cruise with the Freedom that ended today. It was my sixth cruise, and it certainly had a different tone to it than the others.
My first was with Royal Caribbean six years ago- the Grandeur of the Seas I believe. We then took three on Princess, which we were happy with, and then the last two with Carnival- last year was the Pride.
Then came this cruise. When I saw the first show in the capers was just the Cruise Director interacting with the audience, I pictures a typical CD-audience interaction show that was prepared and scripted, and basically what i’d seen many many times before. I also pictured a Cruise Director who wasn’t able to secure an act for the first show. Heh, I was wrong.
You have a talent. You are able to take any person, absolutely anyone, and make humor with them. It doesn’t matter if they’re young, if they’re old, if they’re outgoing or shy. You simply pull humor out of the air, especially with other people around you. I think that’s a really special skill. (Of course it also helps when someone happens to have a name like Dick Little).
The first show was perhaps the highlight of my cruise. I wish you had done more audience participation shows; I honestly don’t think it would get the least bit old.
Anyway, thanks for the cruise- for both the organization you did as CD, and your personal humor that made this cruise unlike the others i’d been on.
T’was fun,
-Dave
Hi John,
Thanks for sharing the beautiful photo of Kye and the message from Heidi. Have a safe trip home and give Kye a little squeeze from her auntie, please.
Oh, and when you and Heidi embark on that 3 minute cruise, I’m hoping you get lost a sea for a least another 3 minutes! LOL
Hugs!
Princess Barb
John, PLEASE REPLY
Do you know if there are Carnival “Bath Ships” available in the gift shops? I don’t recall seeing them. Most kids like bath boats, and it would be great to be able to bring back a “Bath Ship” as a gift or as a souvenir.
I love your blog. Thanks for sticking with it. Enjoy your time at home with your girls!
Pat
InMN253
Hi John,
I just wanted to thank you for our entire cruise experience. We really appreciated you sending the gift to our room, and your humor made the cruise hilarious. Keep up the great work, and hopefully our next cruise will include you as our cruise director.
Take care, and enjoy the time with your family.
Phil and April
Hi Jon: I am so happy that I found info on this blog. I have enjoyed reading it daily for the past two weeks. My question is: How do I arrange a tour of the ship for me and my husband? We will be cruising on Nov. 1. This will be my 6th cruise and I’d love to have a tour. We have already booked our Dec. 4, 2010 cruise. I am so sorry to read that you will not be our CD in 2010. Many thanks.
Hey John!!!!
My husband and I just got back home today (insert the groan of reality slapping us in the face, here) from our wonderful 8 day cruise on the Freedom. We loved the trip (it was to celebrate our first anniversary) and we will definitely miss the relaxation, the fun, the food, the sun, and more importantly you as our cruise director!
Your sense of humor is the best- you are down to Earth, you find humor in the most common situations, you are witty and you are soo much fun- all great qualities of a perfect cruise director. You alone had us both in tears numerous times. We would literally watch your show and then turn right around and look for the re-run in our room later in the day. They never lost their charm.
And we clearly loved the Honeymooner Show- we were laughing hysterically… especially when you told the husband that he had to move over because you were going to get in bed with them when he was supposed to propose to his wife again. Even better, you gave them no time, you literally dropped on the floor and scooted your way in. Classic! My husband and I were literally in pain laughing so hard.
More seriously though, we wanted to let you know that although this was the first cruise that we have had with you as our cruise director- we had a blast, you were great, you made the cruise and we were glad that we were able to share in your last cruise on the Freedom.
We wish you the best of luck- and hope to be able to see you on another one of our cruises… (oh, and by the way, if you want to give us the heads up on what your next ship is, please feel free to email us- you have my email). LOL
Thank you for the wonderful cruise experience!
Jennifer & Jerry Franklin
First, have a great vacation with your girls. Then, as you asked, Todd W. for next Senior CD. Third, can’t wait to see you in January. And finally, don’t give up the blog. I love it, as so many of us do. Phoo on the minority who say to stop. Or , poo on them.
Paula
Have a safe trip home without Murphy.
Kye is an absolute doll…..she is prettier every week. She looks a lot like Heidi but I still you in her, John!
Enjoy your time home with your family….
Cindy
Great blog by both John & Heidi with even a cover girl photo. Enjoy your time at home. Forget about things for a few days and just chill out.
Sounds like the UK needs to chill out also. When I was there many years ago (40 years ago) anything over 85 F had them passing out in the streets.
With any luck the under pants they send you will say Carnival on the back and Dream on the front.
Hi John or Julio,
My Husband Tim and I were on the freedom on Aug 1. We never had a honeymoon so we said we need time for us. It was our first cruise and will not be our last. We are going to be booking one for next year on the Dream on Aug.14th. We are taking our Boy’s. I know they will love it. Our cruise was the best.I have never seen such caring people in my life and who really care to make your stay as wonderful as possiable. You were so wonderful we watched your morning show and laughed so much what a great way to start your day. Your Daughter is the cutest. you and Heidi have been blessed. I just wanted to say Thank you to all of you!
God bless to you and your family
Julie Collins
John, I just wanted to say that this blog is great. I took my first cruise on the Carnival Paradise to Ensenada with a group for a bachelor party at the beginning of this month and now I’m only three weeks away from a much needed real vacation on the Carnival Splendor sipping the DOD on the balcony. A co-worker of mine is a big Carnival cheerleader and turned me on to Cruise Critic which is how I ended up here checking the updates every day for the last week. After seeing Jeff on the Carnival Paradise and reading your blog for the last week I really don’t know how you find the time to answer everyone’s questions and write such great write ups on the cruise life so I just wanted to let you know that we appreciate the time you spend on this blog thing. I found myself fascinated with the ship and researched Azipod’s when I got back to land which is why I’m glad to read about the behind the scenes tours offered on the boat. Anyway, just dropping you a line to say thank you and enjoy your time with your family, you deserve it.
Hey John,
By now you must be home or nearly home. We know you will have so much fun with Kye as well as she with you. Give our love and hugs to both Kye and Heidi. We love you all.
John (PLEASE REPLY!)
A while back we sent a request for information on a team waitress we had on the Glory. Forgive us please, if you have answered our question or if we have not given you enough time to answer but we have not seen it on your blog yet. We know you are behind and just don’t want to miss the answer so, if it’s ok, we will ask again. Her name is Eka Widiastari ID# 263742. She is from Bali, Indonesia. She should be a head waitress by now. Can you tell us if she is still with Carnival and which ship she is on? How can we contact her? We would love to see her again. She was such a great waitress and did an outstanding job of filling in for the head waiter who had to leave because of illness. Thank you John for any info you can give us. As always Carnival has the best employees to be found anywhere!
Thanks,
Mike & Lori
Three minute cruise~!!!!! That was great. Any way, it’s Monday. Hope you made it home safely and are secure in Heidi’s arms and snuggling with Kye!!! Enjoy my friend!
Hugs to you and your family,
Lori
John,
Long Time reader of your blog but first time poster.
Just wanted to say , Thank you for a very entertaing
blog . And to thank hedi and kye for sharing you w/ us. NOW GO HOME !!! and enjoy the time w/ your beautiful ladies. Let the blog go for a few days and
take some time off. We will be here when you get back.
Dear John
PLease Reply
My question is How come once you have booked a cruise they stop sending you email specials???
Last year on our return from our trip on Carnival Liberty we had such a great time we booked a B2b for jan 30 2010 and Feb 7 2010 on the Freedom…well I had to wait another year to cruise (no way was this going to work) so as a great wife I talked my husband into doing a cruise this Sept 6 2009 on the Legend (ok I pouted until he said yes) I wish I would still get emails about specials because all the cruises are paid in full but what will I do when we get home from September cruise……..I will be looking for a nice little deal for maybe April……. I have just started reading your blogs and what a great posotive attitude you have….I am looking forward to reading all the back blogs to help pass the time until I can get my next carnival fix………
John,
I saw that you mentioned the chocolate melting cake the other day. I had some people over a couple of weeks ago and we decided to bake this for everyone and they all LOVED it!! It came out exactly the same way they make it on the Fun Ships. There were some people who never cruised before and now they have sampled some of the great desserts that Carnival has to offer.
Anyway, great blog as always. I’ll be sticking around along with many loyal bloggers who won’t bugger off either, just because they can’t get a free gift… The nerve some people have!! (Now you have me saying bugger and I never use that word!) Always great to hear from Heidi as well as Kye. Very cute photos! Enjoy your time with your girls. How about a video of Kye soon?? I’m sure many of us would love to see that!
Take care and have fun!!
Cheers,
Alex G.
John, (PLEASE REPLY)
I tried posted this the other day but it doesn’t seem to have made it to the comments. I just started reading your blog after my awesome Carnival Freedom spring break cruise in March and have been reading ever since. I am already planning another Carnival cruise for March 2010 and had a question regarding an itinerary. It seems the Carnival Valor and the Carnival Glory sail the exact same itinerary, on the same days, on their March 7, 2010 sailing. Am I reading this correct? Is it strange for two ships to have the same exact ports of call all week from the same departure port and everything?? Thanks mate!
John, I’ve been reading the blog from the beginning and still enjoy every one! Don’t let one “sorehead ” discourage you. The rest of us love you and the blog.
Kye just keeps getting cuter and cuter. What a doll. Enjoy you time home with your girls.
PS: My son’s girl friend made the chocolate metling cake last evening as a surprise for us. It was fantastic and made us even more eager for our cruise in December!
John, I hope that 3 minute cruise does not have to wait till the ship is out of the Red Sea.
Give Kye a BIG huggo for Pat and I.
BIG ED
John, Thanks so much for making our 1st cruise so wonderful. We just got home from the 8/15 sailing on the Freedom.. ya know, the Mystery Cruise! Had such a wonderful time. I wanted to thank you for turning my very busy life around and giving me some R&R. My husband and I work for a college, and I tend to work way too much,.. We decided to celebrate our 15th Anniversary with you on the Freedom and we can’t wait to book again. My husband and I sent you a note the last day of the cruise with some ship name suggestions… we were kidding on most, but I really think the “Constellation” has some promise (“The ship where we reach for the stars, or the ship where you are the star!) Anyway, you asked for suggestions and we obeyed. My husband and I are from NY, and my husband is originally from Long Island, NY. He loves your mobster imitation… which by the way, looks just like our car dealership owner! Please let us know if you will be Spendor or the Dream next August.
Again, thanks so much for being part of what makes us the newest “Cruisers” !
Armando and I just finished our 8 day cruise with you on the Freedom. It was our honeymoon and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. Do you remember me? The girl with the pajamas on the morning show. Sometimes you just have to do things for love. We are back in New York wishing we were still on the cruise ship. I have to say that I never expected to have such a wonderful time. I absolutely loved the Ticket to Ride show. I loved the Beatles and it was so nice to see the cast sing and dance along to it. Thank you for your wonderful autograph, we are going to frame it and hang it on the wall (lol=laughing out loud). P.S: you still owe us that Theraflu but we did get the wine and have it in our refrigerator waiting. Thank you for making our honeymoon a special one. We hope you enjoy the new Carnival ship. I had a great experience with your guest service as well as your excursion desk.
Hey John,
Armando and I just finished our 8 day cruise with you on the Freedom. It was our honeymoon and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. Do you remember me? The girl with the pajamas on the morning show. Sometimes you just have to do things for love. We are back in New York wishing we were still on the cruise ship. I have to say that I never expected to have such a wonderful time. I absolutely loved the Ticket to Ride show. I loved the Beatles and it was so nice to see the cast sing and dance along to it. Thank you for your wonderful autograph, we are going to frame it and hang it on the wall (lol=laughing out loud). P.S: you still owe us that Theraflu but we did get the wine and have it in our refrigerator waiting. Thank you for making our honeymoon a special one. We hope you enjoy the new Carnival ship. If we ever cruise again I hope that we get you as a cruise ship director since I don’t know if anyone can top your humor. I just wanted to add how wonderful most of your staff was. I had a great experience with your guest service as well as your excursion desk.
From your honeymoon guests Armando and Valerie
John, I was very upset to read the post telling you that you should stop blogging.
This person claimed to be speaking for Cruise Critic members!!! Of all the nerve!!!
You know that you are often read and well respected on the CC boards, many of us read you periodically and others regularly like a religion.
Your humor and absolute sweet disposition makes some of us that are less tolerant wonder how you can put up with such trash without blowing a gasket or even making a sarcastic comment, but you always tend to be a bright spot in the clouds even with difficult people.
Please believe me when I say that you are well respected and loved on the CC boards, I am not arrogant enough to propose to speak for everyone on that board, but I have seen lovely comments about you, never have I read one bad one.
Please keep blogging your information and advice is a bright spot for many folks, and your jokes are wonderful stress relievers!!!
Keep it coming!!!
Carole
John,
Enjoy being with your your girls when you’re home and relax too. I very much enjoy reading your blog as it is informative and entertaining. Give your underpants a bit of a rest and don’t worry to much about the blog. You deserve a vacation from everything. We’ll be here upon your return! My girls will be on the Dream in October for the European cruise and I will miss them greatly, but I’m comforted knowing they’ll be in good hands with Carnival.
Kindest Regards,
Mike J.
Dear John,
Well done! It’s now time to head home and enjoy what you work for. Although I had someone tell me once that if you find a job you love you will never have to work a day in your life. It is very obvious to those of us who actually read the blog daily that you not only love it but inform us with all kinds of inside information that for me makes the future cruises all the better. As for the Royal Champions that would like you to stop the blog I have another famous line from the FONZ.
Caryn Meltz, “SIT ON IT!”
The Cruzin2some
James & Nancy
John:
Hope the trip back home was Murphy-free! I’ve got to tell you again how much I appreciate the Blog Thingy. Whether you are ship-board or shore-side, I love the insights we get, along with your humor! I hope the higher-ups agree that you need help and provide for you accordingly. It’s well worth it in exchange for the goodwill you generate on behalf of Carnival and cruising.
Enjoy the time with your family.
Best to you, Heidi, Kye, and the Blog crew,
Rick H.
John if you ever do move on up .I vote for Big Tex as next Senior CD.We love us some Big [now smaller .Tx
Hi John,
I just got settled after being on the Carnival Freedom for the last 8 wonderful days. The ship was amazing, and the crew was just wonderful. I will say though, that even though the ship was great, you definitely made the trip worthwhile. I loved watching your morning show every day, and I especially loved the show you did on the first night with Holland and Dick Little. We laughed about that all week. I’m sure the Freedom was sad to see you go, but I know you are ready to go home. But I feel honored that we got to have you as a cruise director because I can’t imagine anyone better. So thanks again for making a wonderful cruise even better, and be sure that I will be spreading the good word about you wherever I go! I hope you had a safe trip home!
Best Regards,
-Kaylin G.
Hahaha your blog makes me laugh a lot. You were the most awesome cruise director ever :] I was on the cruise on the Carnival Freedom last week. I got home last night and I’m already going through cruise withdrawals haha. I woke up this morning expecting to hear your voice telling us the activities of the day
Thanks again for an awesome cruise!
-Sara (the 16 year old whose letter you read on your last show)
Christina:
I posted a note to you on here several days ago and it is still showing as being in “moderation” ….
so I will try again.
Please email me at musicalcruiser@hotmail.com.
I would be happy to assist you in any way possible.
Linda (Mom of DJ)
Sooooo, I was reading your blog post today and WHAM. There’s a picture of Michael & I on the floor with YOU! How awesome is that! Were in your blog! Thanks for a wonderful Honeymoon once again, and making it special. We will never forget being in your honeymoon show and being “in bed” with the cruise director! Priceless!