It’s hard this cruise not to let the Goth group dominate my thoughts and therefore the blog. However, their sheer presence means that they have been turning the heads of both guests and crew and I feel I have no choice but to start today’s thingy by burring my teeth into this subject one more time.
I want to start my saying that I met many of the “Gothies” tonight at the Captain’s celebration and most were……………. despite the outrageousness of their attire …………. extremely lovely people despite being stared at every single minute of the day by their fellow guests……………. many non-street wise guests looked on as if it were a freak show.
Their costumes (if that is the right word – attire maybe?) ranged from corsets to long flowing dresses complete with gothic accessories. They displayed their body art with pride and while I could admire the intricate work of the tattoo artists I winched with pain and some of the body piercings. One man had a 5 inch nail through his top lip ………… while a stunningly beautiful young lady had a similar piece of ironmongery through her eye lid. Their skin was as white as a Vanilla Ice rap song.
During the Captain’s celebration I spoke to some of them about what Goth was all about. It seems it’s a way of life, a culture, a fashion and a lifestyle. I spoke to one very lovely 26 year old called Cassandra who is a graduate of Florida State University and now works as a Human Resources Director for a large and very well known computer company in St. Petersburg.
One thing I had to ask her was about the obvious link to Vampires……..and she said “Oh, Vampires are hot, they are sexy” and this was live on the video we were making of the elegant night celebrations.
Hot? Sexy? I just don’t understand. I mean this young lady was, despite her unfortunate accident with a staple gun, beautiful and the Brad Clooney’s of the world would have been knocking on her coffin for sure. Yet………..to her……….there was something about the undead that got her pulses racing. To her and her fellow Gothic’s she sees them lustful, irresistible and exciting. Since that interview I have tried to think of any vampires that would have fallen into the “hot and sexy” category……….ummm………Christopher Lee…………Peter Cushing?
I then remembered one …………ahh yes. A certain special agent………..in the Lost Boys. I know there were other chiseled male model types in that movie but it’s Keifer Sutherland who I remember. I guess then that Jack Bauer was actually a vampire before he began torturing terrorists and trying to single-handedly save the American people in 24. This may explain why Bauer never eats, drinks or takes a crap as he tracks down Mohammed El Bastard. It was a great movie……..despite Jack Bauer having a mullet.
Anyway, I found most of the Goth group absolutely charming as I am sure did every one of their fellow guests who took the time to talk to them. However………and I say this because it’s my blog and respecting the fact that they are paying guests………….I spoke with two from the group who were …….ummmmm……….absolutely bats. And I mean……..that’s what they were…….bats.
These two truly believed they were vampires. Both had fangs………not fake fangs that can be bought in a shop that sells fake dog poo and whoopee cushions………..oh no……….these were their real teeth……….that had been taken to a point and sharpened. They had also had black contact lenses in which along with their white powdered faces really made them look…….well……….like vampires. It was all quite surreal……..there I was…..in the lobby………talking to two vampires. The man……..well he had gone one step further and had bat wings sticking out of his long flowing cloak…………yep………these two guests …………were bats………….totally bats.
I left Count and Countess Wackula and watched the other non-Goth guests stare at the assembled group. Again, I felt sorry for them ……..but then again……..I guess they are used to it and…………I would hazard a guess……….that they enjoy being the center of attention. As I said………they are all lovely people ………..but having met Count and Countess Wackula…………I am glad that garlic is hanging on my cabin door.
Here are my new friends……….Count and Countess Wackula
James Sullivan Asked:
Dear John, (PLEASE REPLY)
I have been reading your blog since it started, and I have even written a couple times, the most recent I informed you of my sailing on the Carnival Freedom on 9/12 and requested your autograph picture, but obviously you were busy with the Dream, and going back to work, and needless to say, I didn’t get a picture. Not a problem though. I forgive you!I wanted to write you today and jump in on the smoking bandwagon. My Freedom cruise was my 8th Carnival cruise, 11 cruise total. I am in the process of booking two more Carnival cruises for 2010, and if I had more money, and more time off work, I would book many more cruises in 2010. I base my decision to cruise Carnival for many reasons including price, ships, on-board activities, and many other reasons factor in my addiction to Carnival cruises. Last year, the group I always travel with on cruises decided they wanted to give the “Crap of the Seas” a try, so we did. Needless to say, I wasn’t impressed, and never plan on returning to the “Crap of the Seas”. There are many reasons why I won’t sail them again, but one of the main ones is I couldn’t smoke in my cabin. Yes I smoke, I know it’s gross, I know it’s not healthy, and it’s starting to feel like a witch hunt by some people to burn the smokers down type attitude. Now I respect smoking rules, I respect people that don’t like to be around smoke, and I am a polite smoker that is very considerate of non smokers. That being said, I want to commend you on your reply to Tim regarding the smoking policy on the Dream. You handled that letter with grace, and professionalism. But… I might add that Carnival is walking a thin line as far as alienating smokers. Like I said earlier, I respect non smokers, and I have respect for them, but I also have respect for smokers, and the general thought is smokers are being shunned and pushed away (slowly) from Carnival Ships. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand and agree with the need for smoking and non smoking sections, but like you said last month on a smoking post that a few years ago, many locations that allowed smoking are now are non smoking, and the amount of smoking areas are being phased down to next to nothing. I take cruises with 10 people, twice a year, and of those 10, I am the only smoker. I am constantly asking them about “smoke in the casino”, and “smoke in the piano bar”, and not once have they said it bothered them in that area. I feel that Carnival does a fine job with ventilation, and to continue to minimize smoking areas is making the smokers feel like they aren’t welcome on Carnival ships. Maybe I am wrong, but that’s how it is starting to feel to me.
Also you commented in your reply to Tim that land based casino’s are 100% smoke free. Well that is the truth in my home state, but my home state’s casinos that were forced to go smoke free last year are all but closing because the “smoker’s” are migrating to neighboring states that have land based casino’s that weren’t stupid enough to make their casino’s smoke free. In return, my home state’s casino’s are laying off staff, minimizing hours, and losing hundreds of millions of dollars this year from taxes, because a large amount of patrons are going elsewhere so they can smoke.
Now I am not one of those pushy, hateful, aggressive smokers that only think about smoking, but I am a smoker that still enjoys lighting up a cigarette in a smoking area without wasting 15 minutes going to 3 different decks, walking half the ship to find a small area to smoke in. When it comes to that, I will return to land based vacation that still allow a larger selection of places to smoke.
Keep up the good work, and hopefully one day I will be lucky enough again to be on a ship you are the Cruise Director, and we can share a cigar together!
On a lighter note, when I found you that neither you nor Todd would be the Cruise Director on the Freedom, I asked you how Wee Jimmy was as a Cruise Director. Well after being on the Freedom, I must say that he is ‘BRILLIANT” Cruise Director. We enjoyed him so much, but everyone in our group still rate you and Todd as the best and Wee Jimmy a close second!
JamesJohn Says:
Hello JamesI am so disappointed you didn’t get the photo. I had asked Wee Jimmy to send you one. Did you get the champagne? I want thank you for that wonderfully written posting. It was full of passion and respect for others and it made for compelling reading. I am a cigar smoker myself as you may know and like you I am totally respectful towards others feelings and I truly only enjoy my cigar if I am 100% certain that it will not disturb anyone else.
I think I have said a few times here on the blog that the smoking subject is one that will fuel divided opinions and somehow Carnival has to do their best to make sure that the opinions of both non smokers and smokers are represented onboard. The world is it seems turning its back on smoking, why, even Italy, France, Spain and my local pub in the UK are all non smoking. When I was on the Carnival Splendor last year I went to a coffee shop in Amsterdam and although it was OK to smoke marijuana, I was ejected for daring to smoke a cigar.
I know that there are fewer places onboard our ships to smoke but there are still places where you can sit, have a cocktail and enjoy a cigarette or a cigar and compared to land based resorts, casinos, restaurants and bars………this it seems is a luxury.
I don’t think we can ever win here. There will always be those who want the entire ship to be smoke free and there will be those who want more places onboard to smoke. And in between is Carnival Cruise Lines………..trying to make everyone happy…………and as you can see……….that is not an easy thing to do.
I encourage more bloggers to express their opinions on this subject as the blog is read by far more important people than me and as I always say…………the comments you post on this blog influences the opinion of those at the top.
Thanks again and I am so sorry you never got your photo. Maybe one day you will cruise with me and we can have our photo taken together.
Best wishes
JohnRobert Asked:
John please reply,what, if anything for someone on anytime dining is in place for someone to say go to eat at 5:30 and then go back at 9:30 to eat again? Not saying I want to just wondering. Also I prefer the regular dining as opposed to anytime dining because I like to get to know my dining team and table mates, and in turn I would like them to get to know me.
Thanks John,
RobertJohn Says:
Hello Robert
The Anytime Dining starts at 5:45pm and continues until 9:30pm. Can you eat twice? The official company line is absolutely no! But………I bet you could if you wanted to. Just put on a fake moustache or a pair of bat wings and you are in.Anytime dining is becoming more and more popular but there are still those like yourself who prefer assigned seating. Choice……..it’s a wonderful thing.
Best wishes
JohnSheshasmomma Asked:
Dear John,
(Please reply)I had posted a few days ago but I’m stuck in Your comment is awaiting moderation world. Hope my Rumpy Pumpy and Nun talk didn’t get me into trouble…..hee heee.
Anyway I love your blog, it’s my nightly giggle well sometimes I snort but let’s keep that between us. Tonight tho I shed a little tear when you wrote about your dinner alone looking at photos of your beautiful little girl. Don’t know if I could be away from my family, my heart goes out to you.
I know this new dinning thing is great for some but not for our group 39 sailing on the Inspiration out of Tampa on Jan 2 2010. Looks like it’s going to be a really full ship. Some of us got early dinning and some are on a waiting list for early dinning. What are the odds of us all getting that early dining? We have 4 kids with sever nut allergies traveling with us. 3 people who have diabetes and then there is me with the basil allergy married into a family of Italians, you’d think I ripped out their hearts when I told them that one. With all these issues it’s just easier and a whole lot safer to tell them once and not have to explain our selves every night. You should see to looks I get when I say I’m allergic to basil. Also easier to rip my husband from the Black Jack if we have a set time, I won’t get “come on babe one more hand”….he heee…snort. We are having a family reunion of sorts; we even have some families flying in from Italy, cool right. Can’t wait to see some of them after 17 years and meet their children for the first time. I hope the staff is ready for some LOUD Italians.
Also does the Inspiration still do a Captain’s meet and greet type thing?
John you have a great night and stay safe in all your travels.
John Says:
Hello ShehasmommaSorry it took so long to get your comment posted, moderated and replied to and trust me, it had nothing to do with your rumpy pumpy comments. I am so glad you enjoy the blog so much and that it makes you giggle and thanks also for those kind words of support for me.
I think I replied to you now I come to think of it offering you help with your table assignments and help with the dietary requests. Please remember to remind one month before you sail and I will do my best to help you. There will be a Captain’s Celebration and a Fun Farewell as well. The ship is ready for you and the loud Italians and I know you will have a wonderful time.
Best wishes to you all
JohnSteveo Asked:
John, please respond at your convenienceAnother great blog, you always have me laughing…from watching you on the Carnival Dream barreling down the water slide to today’s loser comments for dining alone, I often feel that way, due to my frequent business travels, where I am always dining alone.
My question concerns the Carnival Destiny, my wife and I are anxiously awaiting our Nov. 7th cruise, just 38 days away. The Carnival website shows it as the only Destiny class ship, while reading reviews of the Carnival Destiny on Cruise Critic they state that it is one of 5 Destiny class ships. I see that the Carnival Triumph and the Carnival Victory are the same length and gross tonnage, were these once considered Destiny class at one time?
John Says:
Hello SteveoYep, dining alone is never easy although Hooters makes it a little more enjoyable.
As far as I know the Destiny class is the Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Victory. I am not sure why this has been listed as different as I cannot think of any differences in the ships at all. Does anyone else have any clue………..FROM VANCE: THE DESTINY AND TRIUMPH/VICTORY ARE ESSENTIALLY SIMILAR, HOWEVER TRIUMPH/VICTORY HAVE AN EXTRA DECK OF CABINS, HENCE THEIR CAPACITY IS 2,758 VERSUS 2,642 FOR DESTINY.
I will check with the bearded ones at Carnival but having delivered both Carnival Destiny and Carnival Triumph I am flummoxed as to why they would be listed on our website as a different class of ships. I will investigate.
Thanks for the kind words about the blog.
Best wishes
JohnStephen Smith Asked:
Please Reply
John,It has been awhile since I have posted a comment, but I continue to be an avid reader and supporter of your blog. In one of your recent postings, you stated Carnival was redoing its life boat drills. I believe you said they were to be renamed Safety …somethings. I am sorry but I can’t remember the exact term. In any case may I suggest that as part of the safety briefing the subject of kids and running around the ship be addressed? I in no way want to take away from the children having fun, but I have seen so many near misses in which kids were running blindly, oblivious to their surroundings, and nearly took out a whole bunch of other guests. I would also suggest that the parents be reminded to impress upon their kids how important it is to follow this rule. Everyone is out to have fun and while Carnival ships have excellent medical facilities I doubt anyone really wants to experience their services first hand due to a preventable accident.
One last thought. Several months ago you asked for comments regarding Carnival’s end of cruise comment cards. I responded with my thoughts and you replied indicating agreement with some of my suggestions. Are there any updates from corporate headquarters as to whether any changes are going to be made or are we going to live on with “exceeded my expectations” forever?
Stephen SmithJohn Says:
Hello StephenYes you are correct. The new title is Safety Briefing and the basic changes are that guests will no longer have to go to their staterooms and collect their life jackets for the drill. Each guest will still be required to attend and their muster station designation is now printed on the guest’s Sail and Sign Card. In fact, we will be starting this here on the Carnival Legend this coming Sunday and I will let you know how it goes. The briefing also includes some additional information about taking care of walking across the open decks which can be slippery sometimes. This water comes from people getting in and out of the pools and hot tubs and we want people to be aware of this hazard.
I personally always mention the no running law during my drill announcements and I will encourage all the CD’s to do the same. However, kids get excited and it is something that is virtually impossible to eradicate. What we must do is stop them doing it when we (the crew) see them running and we are all empowered by senior management to do this.
I had a serious conversation about comment (review) cards this morning with the Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Roberta Jacoby. It’s a coincidence therefore that you should bring this subject up again. Both of us agree that the current wording of “exceeded expectations” etc is antiquated and does not allow for a true report on what guests have experienced during their cruise. This project is ongoing and there will be changes coming…………..trust me………nobody dislikes the “exceeded thingy” more than me.
I will report back on the new Safety Briefing next week here on the blog thingy.
Best wishes
JohnLisa McGrath Asked:
John please reply:My husband and I (married 23 years) would like to participate in the newlywed game. We are travelling on the Valor on Dec 27 with our 3 children and significant others. Not sure if this can be accommodated but would love it if possible.
Thanks
LisaJohn Says:
Hello LisaPlease can you send me a reminder a few weeks before you sail and I will do my best to make you request happen.
Best wishes
JohnLaura Asked:
John (please reply if you can),Having just gotten off the Carnival Elation and enjoying my 2nd past guest party, I had a thought come to me as I was watching the beginning of the video presentation about the history of Carnival. Is it weird for you to see your face on a screen as big as the one that shows movies on the Lido Deck? Do you just fast forward through that part and give your guests the “live” show instead?
Also, I thought I read in one of your replies to a comment that you are going to be the CD on the Carnival Spirit. When will that be? I would sooo love to sail with you but you need to come here to the West Coast. Thanks!
John Says:
Hello LauraI hate watching myself on TV and to see myself on the big screen makes me realize that I am indeed one ugly sod. It’s even worse when I am on the ship and the video plays. I wish I could fast forward that bit but I have to suffer and hope the audience are vomiting.
I will indeed be on the Carnival Spirit from early November to mid December and I hope to see you and many more of my blogging friends there.
Best wishes
JohnSteve Asked:
Please Reply
John,First of all I would like to thank you for the wonderful cruise my wife and I had with you on the Carnival Freedom (July 18-26), it was our favorite cruise by miles. This was my third cruise and my wife’s fifth. The reason this was our favorite cruise was because of you, we thought you were hilarious and made every single part of that cruise perfect. This was like our honeymoon, the reason why I say “like” was we actually took one right after our wedding to Jamaica, but it rained cats and dogs all day, every single day. So we considered that cruise our honeymoon. We had a blast. Just wanted to let you know. Now to my question to you… We loved that itinerary to the eastern Caribbean, we saw that the Carnival Dream (awesome ship) was going to the same places but adding Grand Turk and dropping Nassau. The only problem is it looks like its only doing 1 sailing for this itinerary. Do you know if they will be offering any more sailings for this particular itinerary? This would be our perfect cruise if they offer more sailings. Would like to thank you again and offer our personal congrats to you and your wife on your beautiful baby.
Thank you so much
SteveJohn Says:
Hello SteveI am so glad to hear that after the soggy honeymoon you both had that the cruise on the Carnival Freedom was a special one. Thanks so much for taking the time to say so.
Carnival Dream will indeed only be doing the Eastern Caribbean cruise you mentioned one time but we have lots of other vessels in the fleet that will sail to Grand Turk. Have a look at carnival.com/funships and browse the menu of brilliant itineraries. Your Carnival Dream is a fantastic ship and regardless of her ports you really should experience her if you can.
Thanks again for all your kind words and I hope you keep reading the blog thingy.
Best wishes to you both
JohnJulie Asked:
John please reply.Hi there. My husband and I are cruising on the October 18th cruise out of Norfolk, VA to the Bahamas’ on the Triumph. We would really like to get on the Newlywed game. This is our 5th anniversary. Any help you are able to provide will be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks so much!
JulieJohn Says:
Hello JulieI have sent your request to Senior Jorge Solano the CD and I know he will do his best to help you. Have a wonderful anniversary cruise.
Best wishes
John
That’s all for today…………..50,000 plus read the blog last week and I am desperately trying to get caught up with the questions. For any new readers may I kindly inform you that if you need a question or comment answered to please mark you’re posting’s “John Please Reply?”……………and I will reply here on the blog thingy.
Let’s do the news and we start by catching up with our friend Jaime who is back on the Carnival Pride working closely with the Cruise Director Kirk Benning. Here is the news then from Baltimore in her latest Dear John letter.
October 11th, 2009
Dear John,
I have been back on board the Carnival Pride for 2 cruises now, and I could not be happier. My vacation was absolutely incredible. I spent just enough time with mother and father in California and had the chance to catch up with my closest friends in Michigan. I was able to attend a Tigers game, I laughed and giggled as my friends and I reflected on college memories, and I even made time to receive first place in a 5k! My friend Dana inspired me to sign up, and I conceded since it was for a good cause, so after months (ok fine, days) of training we arrived at the race early on a chilly Sunday Michigan morning. We ran our 3.1 miles and I received first place!!… in my age group. No one needs to know that my age group only consisted of 10 people. Nevertheless, I was quite proud; I took pictures with the Cruise Director and Assistant Cruise Director of the race with a huge smile gleaming across my face.
As wonderful as vacation was, I am so glad to be back to work. These past two cruises have reminded me just how much I love my job. I have spent a significant amount of time doing what I like best, which is hanging out in public areas just talking to the guests about where they are from, why they are here and just life in general. You hear the best stories that way! For example, at the Welcome Aboard Show, many cruise directors make a joke about couples celebrating different special occasions such as honeymoons, graduations, birthdays or a divorce… This week, I actually met a couple that WAS INDEED celebrating their divorce being final! A lady decided to share with me, not only their reason for cruising, but also that her recent ex-husband was using the same slot machine all cruise long. During the evening of the Captain’s Celebration he walked away from his machine to take a photo with the Captain. This lady sat down at his machine in order to save his spot… and just when he was out of earshot, she hit the $10,000 jackpot!!! I hope that picture with the Captain was well worth it, because now that the divorce was final, all of that $10,000 goes to the lovely ex wife!
This past week was certainly a challenge. The Carnival Pride proudly hosted the national conference for CruiseOne and CruisesInc, two of the largest travel agent corporations in the nation. Therefore, disembarking our ship today was more than 450 travel agents from across the country, as well as representatives from Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Celebrity just to name a few. On board this week also was President and CEO Gerry Cahill, in conjunction with other big wigs from Carnival’s office! It is always a pleasure to have these people on board, but to be honest; it does make the crew a little nervous.
The crew took deep breaths and did what we do best: provided a fun a memorable vacation for our guests. Overall, the voyage went extremely well. Each day the huge group had all sorts of different seminars, classes and of course cocktail parties! I was requested to conduct activities at a reception that was hosted by Norwegian cruise line. Even though I was informed not to make it “too fun” because it was Norwegian and not Carnival, this and the other gatherings were all very successful. All of the agents and corporate officials seemed extremely happy and all of the preparation that goes into hosting this group of colossal importance most definitely paid off.
It is great to be back to work, and I love sailing out of Baltimore. The guests are absolutely incredible. We have had the best fly on entertainers one could ask for. This week for example, we had Carl Strong, Dana Tison AND Kim Harrison all on board. If you ever have the chance to see any of their shows, consider yourself extremely lucky! Plus, you know it is a great itinerary when you get to see the theme parks and big scary fish at Atlantis all in the same vacation!
Right now, I am focusing on making the best vacations possible for all of our guests that come on board. In conjunction I am preparing for when Kirk goes to the cruise director conference in a few weeks, when I get to take over and sit in the “big chair”… even though I am doing that right now while typing this letter… I will have a different name tag at that time =)!
Looking forward to sailing with you soon,
All the best!
Your Friend,Jaime Deitsch
Assistant Cruise Director
Carnival Pride
Thanks Jaime. I know that you and Kirk and the rest of the Carnival Pride team are doing a wonderful job and I have seen that the guest comments are excellent and their appreciation of Carnival placing a ship in Baltimore is obvious. I hope you and Kirk are Happy and I look forward to seeing you Jaime in New York ……..as will the bloggers who I hope will come to our top secret breakfast event on November 7.
I started today’s blog at 8 am. It’s now 10:15am and here we are in beautiful Grand Cayman. The sea is calm and the sun is shining and guests are being ferried ashore in tenders because ……..blah blah……… build a bloody pier…….blah blah. Anyway, the guests are off swimming with stingrays and paying exorbitant prices for a hot dog at Seven Mile Beach. It is a fantastic destination and even though I find the locals somewhat flippant……….there is no doubt that an excursion to Stingray City is something that everyone should try and do. The very name conjures up a land-based attraction where you pay an entrance fee, fondle a few flatfish and buy an overpriced hot dog on your way out. But the city is a sandbar in the middle of Grand Cayman’s North Sound. Here, shoals of rays congregate in the knowledge that Carnival guests will come out to mingle, shake their wings and offer them finger-food.
Heidi and I went when we were on the Carnival Triumph. I remember stepping into the water and the Rays were around us within seconds, nuzzling, rubbing and probing for those bits of squid which we had paid to feed them and which they knew we must have. It is a watery kind of cocktail party, where the ocean going creatures – from the stingrays to one particular cruise director, as big as barn doors.
It was a strange sensation to be goosed like that in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. The underwater view was even more alarming, with swirling grey wings, ugly gill holes and almost human mouths searching for tit bits. Fortunately, they were used to being handled. “For one piece of squid they’ll come to you. For two, they’ll let you hold them,” I remember our guide saying…………..and they did. This is why a visit to Stingray City is a tour I promote with passion onboard. Yes, I do wish that they would build a bloody pier but, there is no doubt that Grand Cayman is a top destination and a swim with the stingrays is a top of the ladder excursion that everyone should experience.
By the way, while its beautiful weather in the Western Caribbean it’s not looking all that good in the Mexican Riviera where they are keeping a very close eye on a tropical storm. It hasn’t been great weather in Europe either and I was told that your Carnival Dream missed Monte Carlo yesterday as the port was closed due to very high winds.
It seems that the guests this week are a wonderful group. However, I do have one dilemma that I will be addressing later today. Here it is.
Before I comment on this I must point out that this is the only negative comment we have received about the group from the guests. And, I must say that although there dress sense and body art is somewhat unusual and slightly bizarre, I don’t think that they can be called devil worshippers. I certainly haven’t witnessed anyone sacrificing a goat during karaoke ………but, I can understand who they may be misconstrued. I so, I will meet with the guest and try to reassure and educate him as to what his fellow guests are all about. This may be tricky but I will do my best and………I will let you know what happens.
I had lots of letters for my first Morning Show……….and here is another one I wanted to share with you.
Needless to say I am taking extra care of this brave young man and later in the cruise I will introduce him at one of the shows and give his fellow guests a chance to thank him and say “Welcome Home.”
So yesterday I was approached by a guest who wants to propose to his girlfriend. When I say “help” I mean organize the whole bloody thing……….even buying the ring. Yep……he doesn’t have the ring or any bloody clue what he is going to do. So, in between the shows I went to the shops on board and had the Gift Shop Manager Mark help him choose a ring ………I won’t say how much he spent because that would be rude. I will say however that the guy must be hung like a Mongolian Yak……….because she ain’t going to be marrying him for his wallet.
Anyway, ring purchased I said I needed 24 hours to organize the proposal. She (I won’t name them yet in case it all goes tits up and she says “no”) has no clue that this is coming. They have been dating for only 4 months after meeting on an internet dating thingy. And so that was me, shows to host, blogs to write and a proposal to organize.
My mate Alan took his girlfriend of several years to Paris. She was desperate to get married, and he knew it. So he wined and dined her, whispered sweet nothings, then marched her to the top of the Eiffel Tower. There, he dropped to one knee and she took a very deep breath……….he tied his shoelace and marched her back down again, smirking. Such was her sense of anticipation, she burst into tears and only then, next to the souvenir stand, did he ask for her hand in marriage.
I thought about doing something similar for them……something funny…….a buildup ……….the anticipation…………..and then bugger all. But, as I don’t know them I have decided to organize something less cruel…………. tradition and beauty are what’s required here. So, he is going to take her up on deck 11 at sunset. There will be a table set up with champagne (cheap git only wanted Asti) and I suggested that he does his speech, go for a walk together around the open decks, go for a gourmet dinner at the steakhouse then brace yourself for months and months of questions about napkins and flowers and gift lists. Then my final suggestion was a couple’s massage the following morning which she will love and he will need when he realizes what a terrible mistake he has made.
I will let you know what happens.
This got me thinking. I will miss our anniversary……..bugger. I will be on the bloggers cruise from December 3-11. We got married on December 6. Oh……I am so in the doghouse. I then thought………right…………I will book a romantic pre-Christmas night in a top English country hotel complete with roaring fires, and all the trimmings. And then suddenly I remembered Kye and how antiquated we are in the UK when it comes to kids ………these hotels treat you as if you have an especially virulent form of swine flu simply because you have a baby strapped to your chest.
Oh well………….looks like it’s a Chinese takeaway and once Kye is asleep……….I will paint my face with white powder……….put my fangs in and my bat wings on and chase Heidi around the bedroom in my PVC underpants…………………..now that’s romance.
Goodnight
Your friend
Count Bollocks
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.
Laughing my arse off tonight.
You asked for feedback on the smoking issue. I like the casino but the main change I would make is smoking and nonsmoking cabins.
Of course if I had it my way I would chase the smokers around with a fire extinguisher. But since I can do that all I ask is that my cabin does not smell like smoke.
12 days and counting.
John. I’m glad you explained what Goth is. Don wanted to know and I, of course, had not a foggiest idea. But PLEASE not only watch your back but watch you neck, those sharp vampire teeth could do some drastic damage…… You are rubbing garlic on your neck and wearing a necklace of garlic aren’t you?
Vampires my arse
Have you started making plans for the BC3? I hope Al Ernst will be in the plans.
The day is drawing near. I’m sure Big Ed could tell you how many days. But all I can say it’s not soon enough. We have started making plans, reservations at motels around the port and also a get together the afternoon/night before we sail. Some of the Krewe that are going on the cruise, and also some of the ones that aren’t able to go, are getting together. Princess Elaine has made all of the arrangements. We would love it of you would join us.
Countess Carolyn………. who isn’t Goth and does not believe in Vampires
John,
I’m truly addicted. I only stumbled upon your blog thingy a few weeks ago, and now I find myself checking it every single day.
I love your writing style, and your blogs never fail to make me smile, and often laugh out loud. In fact, I’ve had to clean Diet Coke off of my desk several times because something you wrote caused me to spray like a whale spouting!!
I’m in the process of reading the entire blog archive, starting from the beginning, and I’m loving every bit of it.
Keep it coming John!!! And I’d like to add my compliments to those of everyone else…..Kye is adorable!!! Enjoy her John, and spoil her outrageously. She will grow faster than you can possibly imagine. My children are 15 and 10 now, and it seems like only yesterday…………
Fair Winds and Following Seas!!!! Hopefully we can share a cruise together in the near future. I’d be proud to buy you a drink and share a cigar.
Hi John,
Thank you for taking extra care of the Marine and his wife. I wish him a speedy recovery from his recent surgery.
Hi Jaime – Glad you had a great vacation. Thank you for the new Dear John letter. Looking forward to the next one!
Clair
A quick hello and thank you for making me laugh each and every night when I read your blog….
It was odd to read about Florida State University on your blog. I’m an alumni of the fine school. Go Seminoles!
Proposing after only 4 months?!? Goodness gracious he is a quick one.
Dear John,
First (and I hope you don’t think I’m being rude) I have to say you look GREAT in that photo with Mr. & Mrs. Wakula. Way to go on your weight loss!
Secondly, about the sting rays. I’m sure it’s a wonderful experience, but the Ray family creeps me out a bit. I’m just not a marine life kind of girl, unless you’re talking about marine mammals like dolphins. Heck, I don’t even like seafood! So I’ll just have to take your word about the wonders of Stingray City for now. I *might* have considered it for a brief moment, but you ran me off with the mention of squid. Ick!
Finally, I am sorry you will be missing your anniversary. One suggestion would be to arrange a gift to arrive each day – one gift for each year you’ve been married. (Assuming this is not your 1st anniversary, of course! LOL!) For our 9th anniversary some years ago, I got my husband 9 gifts, and each gift represented the traditional or contemporary “theme” of the year. For example, the gift for year 1, “paper” theme, was movie tickets. The “cotton” themed year was a shirt. The “copper” themed year was something copper-colored. The leather themed year…well, you get the idea!
Thanks again for another great laugh and great blog.
Also, can you please update us on Southern Dream? How is her dear Prince doing? I am thinking of and praying for them both.
Laura
Hi John!
I don’t think I will ever forget the term PVC Underpants after reading that. Hilarious!
Great letter from Jaime and I can only imagine how intimidating it must have been to have all of the executives on board from other lines. It must have been quite a strange sight.
I look forward to hearing more about the goth cruise and if you receive more comments from other guests onboard.
Thanks again for posting.
Thinking of you here in London.
Take care!
David
John (please reply),
My curiousity often gets the best of me, so I am hoping you can shed some light on a question that I have. My wife and I live in the neighborhood next to the cruise terminal in Baltimore. Every Sunday we can see the Carnival Pride from our rooftop deck (I think it may be taunting us as we go about our busy lives and it takes people on vacation). As the ship prepares to sail at 5:00, there are a series of soundings of the ship’s horn. Usually there are three sets of different lengths, starting at 5:00 and then the last when the ship seems to finally pull away from the pier. Does each of the soundings of the horn mean something specific?
Last year at this time we had the extreme good fortune of sailing with Gary Hunter in Europe. After all of the great things you’ve said about him on this blog, I was excited when I realized who the cruise director was on our family vacation (it can be good to have an overly generous mother). Now that we’ve done that, I am hopeful that next year we will get the opportunity to sail with you when you are on the Carnival Pride.
Best regards,
Gary
I would love to see non-smoking cabins. As parents of a child with asthma this would be great for us! Say, port non-smoking and starboard smoking
John- hilarious, as always. Enough said.
John,
I understand the smoking issue, and I agree that it will never be solved. On our last cruise on the Miracle we were constantly spraying room deodorizer as the smell of smoke from the cabins next door was constantly coming into our cabin. Under the walls plus we would love to be able to stand on or private balconly with out having to smell smoke. Now I understand smokers have rights and I agree but I should be able to relax in my cabin without having to smell smoke. I would be more understanding of a smoke free side of the ship when it comes to cabins. If they want to smoke on open decks thats fine as I can move away, plus we know from past cruise experiences that one side of the ship on decks are usually no smoking which works great. We just sit on the other side. However carnival should move that to include cabins also. Hey how about you dress in goth for a halloween costume john?
Big fans as allways,
Frank and Bridie
Thanks for your entry on the goth cruise folks. I discovered one of their online communities, and while not being goth myself, I have been considering attending one of their cruises in the future.
Though I’m not “goth”, I have plenty of friends who are so gothy, they bleed black. That being said, I have no trouble believing that everyone in the group are really great folks, and probably far more likely to go out of their way to help a fellow passenger in need……whether just holding the elevator door or assisting an elderly person who needed a little extra help.
Yes, they dress differently, and have interests that many may not understand or agree with. But they have the courage to be themselves amongst a couple thousand people who will point and stare, which I imagine is more than most people could manage. They also paid their money to be there like everyone else, and it sounds as though they are having a great time!
And both for the passenger who left you that note and the one who apparently left something nasty scrawled on someone’s cabin door, I would say this: “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” Unfortunately, as history has shown, it is often the case that the narrowminded and ignorant will seek to ridicule and disparage that which they do not understand.
To my mind, how someone treats those around them is a far better indicator of the worthiness of their heart than what color of clothing they happen to enjoy wearing or their musical preferences. And, as you found out yourself, the best way to understand someone else’s culture is simply to ask!
Thanks!
Andrea
My husband proposed to me on our first ever Carnival cruise. It was Halloween and the ships photographer documented the whole thing. He had purchased the ring in advance though.
Missing your anniversary…..all the more reason you should have stuck to the original bloggers dates so you might have been able to be home but instead the Nov 15th bloggers are screwed over…..
Count Bollucks,
You crack me up!! I found you a couple of months ago, and really look forward to checking my inbox to see what has happened today. Keep it coming. Looking forward to meeting you on the Dream.
Dear John, (PLEASE, OH PLEASE, REPLY)
I must say the whole Gothic thing is beyond me but whatever floats their boat, right? Cruise humor!
I read the note written on the spa paper and found myself in tears. Now I am not prone to crying at the computer, oh who am I kidding, I cry at the mention of having to go to work, on the computer. Anyway, the story was amazing and tells me again that our military persons are people who are a cut above the rest. They put their lives at risk on a daily basis just so that we can sit around in our underpants doing our bloggy thingy… sorry, I wasn’t actually talking about you….. well, not much!!!!!!
Now, my reason for asking for a reply is this. I have written before but haven’t received a response. My husband and I are cruising on the Conquest November 8-15, with my mother who is handicapped. Please don’t tell her I said that. She refers to herself as walking impaired. This is her first cruise in more than 40 years and I want everything to be wonderful. I’m afraid that embarkation will be too difficult for her. How do I go about getting expedited boarding or is it even possible? I don’t want to stand up on a chair and yell that my mother is handicapped. That might get me hit with her cane, but I also don’t want to have her try to make it through embarkation without assistance and then begin her cruise in tremendous pain. What can I do? Also, I’m a bit concerned about the muster drill. Is there an area where she can sit and listen instead of having to stand in the masses?
Knowing what a wonderful human being you are and how you love to help others, I had to write this note.
Did I put too much sugar topping on the end? Yea, I do that sometimes.
Love the bloggy thingy and hope you figure out a way to celebrate your anniversary while on a cruise without your beloved.
For someone who fears God, he should know to use a capital ‘G’.
John,
You said it best—choice, it’s a wonderful thing. Please do not allow Carnvial to remove the choice from the smokers.
Rodney
The December bloggers cruise was the first mentioned by John. Here is a link to that blog and what was said there by John. It is followed by the mentions of New York and then 2 BC.
http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/10/23/please-and-thank-you/
“We discussed a number of exciting options for you, my blogging friends, to provide even more opportunities to get together and have some fun.
Now, I know people like my mate Big Ed and others can’t fly, so for those of you who can’t then we’re looking at hosting a nine-day Bloggers Cruise on the Carnival Dream from Port Canaveral in early December 2009……. . Let me know your thoughts, please.”
First November mention by Stephanie.
http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/11/18/we-are-family-2/
Hi Everyone,
To book the official bloggers cruise on the Carnival Dream sailing from the great New York City on November 15, 2009 please be sure to book with the following fare code: PBL.
We will have a page up very soon with additional details.
Thanks!
Stephanie
If you read the comments on this post you will see were I and others in the comments asked about what happen to the December 3 bloggers cruise.
This one is the blog that announces 2 bloggers cruises
Now 2 cruises
http://johnhealdsblog.com/2008/11/19/i-hate-jet-lag/
So Rodney you will see that the December 3rd BC was the first one mentioned. In emails before the first post John and I even came up with “Christmas with Nanni” when the Carnival Dream would be in Puerto Rico on December 9th.
BIG ED
Carnival should do a survey over a period of time-maybe a year- asking the booked guest if they will be smoking on the ship. It would be good to ask this question for each guest when they complete their documents on line before boarding the ship.
This will tell you the percentage of guest who will be smoking and allow an informed decision to be made about the amount of smoking/non-smoking cabins are actually needed. If you wanted to go further, you could even ask if the smokers will smoke in their room since quite a few do not. This will also help in planning other areas.
*John, Please Reply*
Hello John,
Thank you for all the laughs! Love the stories from the Carnival Legend. Make sure you have a great gift sent to arrive on or before the day of your anniversary so you don’t arrive home to the “dog house”.
I have a question regarding the Carnival Freedom. We sail on our 25th Carnival Cruise on November 21st on the Carnival Freedom’s 8-day Cozumel, Costa Rica, and Panama itinerary. Can you please tell me when the two elegant evenings will be? We would like to make reservations for the “Steakhouse” and don’t want to miss Elegant Evenings with the rest of our group.
As for the smoking question…I would like to see one side of the ship’s cabins and balconies be non-smoking. I am thrilled that there will be non-smoking roulette and blackjack tables on the Carnival Dream. I happen to be a non-smoking gambler that has not gone near the gaming tables on cruises for a long time due to the smoke at the tables.
Thank you again for all you do for all of us out here in blogland!
Pat
John,
Heard the whole smoking and people’s rights thing put into perspective once -
Question: “Mind if I smoke?”
Reply: “Mind if I fart?”
Kind of works both ways doesn’t it?
Ken
John, please reply if you like.
I would like to thank you for allowing us to place comments out on your blog thingy regarding smoking.
I am a smoker, I do not smoke in my cabin as there will be other people staying in this cabin long after I am gone and I am respectful of that but I will smoke in the designated areas of the ship and I should not have to listen to the people who complain about it.
I was recently on the Carnival Dream and was fine with the concept and layout of the Casino. Now, I play slots all over and only smoked in the area that was designated. It did not matter, I am sitting at a slot machine with the designated “You may smoke here” sign and still getting harassed by people. Do you have to smoke, this is not good for my health. After listening to a few, I politely stated, this is a smoking area and if you do not want to be near the smoke, please move to the non-smoking area. One of the Casino Host happen to hear me and was very gracious and supported me. She explained to the lady that this area was smoking and if you wish to stay, please do but if you bother by the smoke, there are plenty of areas of the casino that is non-smoking. Now the smoking area is on one side and the machines are near the windows and really out of the main area.
Smokers can’t win. I would sit out on the Lanai at night (smoking area) and you still found someone complaining. Alot of the smokers, just said, this is the Smoking Area, go to the Non-Smoking area of the Lanai on the other side of the ship. One guy actually snapped at a lady who said something and he told her that she was “heavy” and “ugly looking” (paraphrased)
We do not ask for much. Believe me, it is detrimental to my health and well being to see some of these people who criticize smoking stuffing food down their throats as if it was their last meal or afraid that someone was going to take it. I do not say, Could you please stop eating, you are making me sick!
I am a very nice person and I do obey the rules regarding smoking on the Ships as well as other places but I believe that I an entitled to have a great vacation without worrying about someone complaining of the smoking. Carnival has done a great thing on the smoking and I abide by it.
I believe that if Carnival went to non-smoking entirely, the ships were not fill up to full capacity.
Thank you for your time.
John,
I haven’t involved myself in the smoking debate (especially on Cruise Critic). I don’t smoke but I do think smokers should have somewhere to smoke. I’ve never had a problem with my cabins yet. Since I don’t care to have my gambling $ on my S&S card (prefer to see how much I’m losing) I no longer care how smoky the casino is. When I do gamble I usually don’t take long to lose my allotment so I’m not exposed too much anyway.
Mr “God fearing” is an example of the reason I don’t like religion. It is just a way to justify judging people to your standards. You never mentioned the Goths going around trying to convert anybody. That’s better than some religions.
KathyG
John– Pleae reply:
Truly one of your best entries— I laughed out loud (I think one of my relatives could have written the Devil Worshiper letter).. and I cried (soldiers dearly touch my heart). How wonderful it must be to meet all these people from all different walks of life. So it got me thinking: What’s the wildest/most unusual thing you’ve ever seen on a cruise? (not just rumpy pumpy on an open deck.. since we’ve all made that discovery on a midnight stroll). What made you go, “well, I’ve never seen THAT before?”
Thanks again for all you do for Carnival guests. I can’t wait to meet you on the Carnival Legend in 11 days! EEK!
John,
As an fairly new, but devoted fan of your blog I am so very impressed with your tireless dedication to making sure that everyone who cruises on CCL has the best experience possible. I really love that you accept all opinions (unless coming from someone on the “werarebetterthanyoubecausewepaidmorefor lessOfTheSeas) and that you always keep the guest and their concerns as your top priority.
Recently, two very dear friends of mine took a cruise on Carnival Holiday for their first wedding anniversary. A big factor of their decision was that I’ve been telling them for years what a great time my family and I have had on our various CCL cruises, particularly on the Holiday.
Apparently my friends had a less than spectacular experience, and after hearing their side of the story, I felt that I needed to bring this to your attention.
I’ll be happy to provide all the details if you want, but perhaps that should be done privately.
The core of the problem was a lack of air conditioning in the cabin. Apparently the temprature was over 75f and the crew was unable to resolve the problem. After being told that the ship was full and no other cabins were available, they were finally moved to a diffrent cabin (R64) for the final night of the cruise.
I understand that maintanance issues cannot always be resolved but I think that what bothers me most about their story is that it seems to indicate a certain lack of ownership on the part of the customer service staff, and that, according to my friends, one of the managers actually yelled at them.
I feel badly, because I encouraged them to take this cruise. They are young people and can’t afford many vacations.
Sorry for the length of this John. I have all the details, names, dates and so on and will galdly provide them if you wish.
Keep up the great work!!
Carnival Dream in 178 days!!!!!!
John (please reply) –
What a fantastic blog thingy you have here, I am highly enjoying it!! My wife and I have been on two Carnival cruises in the past, onboard the MS Holiday and the Carnival Triumph.
We’re cruising with a group of 10 family members on the Carnival Legend next March, our daughter Sophie will celebrate her 4th birthday on the high seas (and I may get in touch with you as it gets closer about doing something special for her birthday!)
Anyway, today’s question is about connecting balconies on the Legend. Our group has three extended-balcony (Cat. 8H) cabins adjacent to each other on Deck 7. We’d love to be able to open up the partitions and combine these three balconies into one super-duper-mega-balcony!!
My questions:
(1) Is it possible to combine three balconies in this way, or is this limited to only 2 balconies?
(2) Our travel agent has told us that Carnival has a limited amount of the hardware necessary to combine these balconies on each ship, and that it is important to visit Guest Services *immediately* upon embarkation to make this request. First come, first serve and all that.
Is this true? Do you recommend that we make sure we’re among the first people onboard, and make Guest Services our first stop, if we want to request this?
(3) On some website (perhaps Cruise Critic?) I read that combining the balconies in this way causes a “slight view obstruction.” Can you explain this? Do the partitions between the balconies swing against the railing, thus obscuring the view somewhat? If so, how bad is it? I’d hate to trade three nice balconies for one less-than-great balcony!
Thanks so much.
Eric
John,
I see you’re in Cozumel today. Any chance you’ll get actual ‘chips & guacamole’ this time instead of a small picture of same???
Watch out for RCCL liners at pier!
Your Pen-Pal,
Ed
LA,CA
PS Arsenal!
John
Some years ago we were on the Jubilee with a Star Trek convention. There were Klingons and Romulans and who knows what else. They were having a great time and so were those of us who were not part of their group–and they were very nice people. I expect that is what you find with your Goths!
Hung like a Mongolian Yak!!! ROFLMAO
Regards
Roger T.
John Please Reply
My wife and I are travel agents and just got off the Carnival Conquest Oct 11. We had almost 70 people in our group and many said it was the best cruise they have ever been on .The weather was perfect and the staff outstanding. Would you please pass on to two peoples supervisors what a great job they did for us . First on the ship was our Matre”D -Ante. He was such a great help in getting all my people seated together and helped with any need we had. He also made my guset feel very special. For some they have never felt like this before. On shore is Kim Guimaraes.Buss Development Director Greater Tampa Bay Area. She helps me with all my groups . She gives me the things I need to help promote my groups and is there when ever I need her. She answers all my question and gives me new ideas for future groups. Please pass on a job well done to their boss. As always I look foward to our next cruise and to sailing with you some day .
BIG ED
THE BLOG OF 10-23-08
JOHN WANTED TO NOW WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT
ABOUT ANOTHER BC.
HE DIDN’T SAY IT WAS GOING TO BE ANOTHER
BC ON DEC. THE THIRD
John, (Please reply)
Glad to hear you had the opportunity to scope out the Dream and share some of the highlights with us. Weather is getting chilly here while my husband and I count down our days to our “Dream” vacation. As we previously shared, my husband and I did our last two cruises in Europe on the Freedom and Splendor inaugural European cruises. This year, we decided to take the inaugural Caribbean trip on the Dream. 2011, we will definitely book and be on the Miracle for an European cruise again (hoping for an Italy/Greek Island it). 2010 already booked on Alaska cruise out of Seattle. (Our PVP at Carnival always keeps us updated and informed of new itineraries).
Any event, now that the Dream is much closer, I am planning my shopping spree/wish list for our upcoming cruise on the Dream. This will be our 17th cruise on Carnival; 8 of them we were fortunate to have you as the cruise director, but I think you will have more fun hosting the bloggers cruise this time which we will be participating.
So, down to the important item — shopping. There are two specific items on my list for this trip. First, when we were on the Splendor (as we previously shared) we tried for the entire week during our trip through the Baltic’s to purchase two Cloud9 Spa robes. They were so impressive when we first saw them in our spa suite upon arrival, we contacted our room steward right away but needless to say there were no new robes available for purchase. The entire week the crew thought more were due to arrive, but at each port that never happened. So for this trip, I like to make sure we have the opportunity to purchase two new Cloud9 Spa robes. Several months ago you requested that I remind you prior to the cruise, so this is it.
Also during our most recent cruise in May 2009 on the Carnival Glory, I was unable to purchase my traditional ZamPavi clowns from the gift shop. Some of the staff thought Carnival was going to discontinue, do you know if this is true? It has long been a tradition to purchase 1 -2 clowns each cruise but was unable to on the Glory. Will the gift shop on the Dream be carrying these?
Looking forward to participating in bloggers cruise activities. Please let me know about the Cloud9 Robes and ZamPavi clowns.
Hope all is well with Heidi and Kylie. Will they be joining you soon?
Best regards,
John & Patty
Dear John,
I agree with you about the Stingray adventure. Nancy & I went on the Stingray City and Coral Gardens snorkeling excursion a few years ago and it was Nancys first time snorkeling.
It was fabulous as we went to the sandbar first (Stingray City) Nancy is quite good at photography and I had bought her an underwater disposable camera for Christmas just before we went. Great shots! The stingrays are quite used to people and like you said come right up to you and flop around trying to get the squid that we didn’t get until later.
We then took a short ride over to the Coral Gardens which are really beautiful. We got our own snorkeling gear on as they did have gear that was part of the tour but we like our own better. The best thing to do is get away from all of the beginners that tend to stay right around the boat as you won’t get kicked in the face or else where by someone that doesn’t know what they are doing. that way. While floating over a Coral formation a Stingray that had followed us came right in front of me. I got three great shots and was so excited that I had to get back to where Nancy was and tell her. All in all it was a excursion that when we go to Grand Caymen again (And we difinitely will) we will not hesitate to do again with our son and daughter.
Give it a try! You will not regret it!
The Cruzin2some
James & Nancy Enslow
John,
Wait until all the “Goth’s” get into their ‘Senior Years” and their “Tats” are around their knees !!
Good to see photos of th “Pride”, our first of four Carnival cruise ship trips .
Kathy and Paul
Dear John (Please Reply),
My first Carnival cruise was November 2004 with my family. You were the cruise director then and probably the main reason I have now cruised with Carnival six times since. I think you are awesome and I love the Carnival product. I learned about your blog thingy recently and now read it daily. I find your musings very clever and I think you are doing a wonderful service for Carnival customers/guests. I am in Marketing and I think your blog thingy is a very valuable tool for Carnival. I hope you will continue as long as possible. I love the notices you post from the Guest Relations desk. They make me laugh to no end. I think you should publish a book of just those notices. I would buy it.
I am sailing on Carnival Spirit to Alaska in June 2010. I am leaving from Carnival’s newest Port of Seattle. My question is an easy one: Seattle has two piers, (Pier 91 near Magnolia Bridge and Pier 66 near Downtown Seattle) which pier will the Spirit be using? I ask this because I would like to get a head start on hotel reservations as I will be flying up a few days before we sail away.
P.S. I am half French but I still love you
Dieu vous bénissent
Genevieve
Dear John,
Got to thinking about your dilemma with your anniversary plans..
Why can’t you get one of the Grandma’s in on the planning? Arrange everything secretly with them.
Here’s a possible plan.
1) Figure out who can stay at home with Kye and arrange to have them show up a day or two early and hide them in a hotel nearby.
2) Make the getaway arrangements.
3) Give Heidi a gift of a long spa or salon day during the time the “sitter” is in town to get her out of the house for a while. Might wanna throw in a little shopping time.
4) While she’s gone, have your helper come and pack Heidi’s bags for her and hide them…..you’ll never get it right! lol Get them back out of the house before she comes home.
5) Wake Heidi up on the day you are to depart with breakfast in bed, complete with getaway reservation info on breakfast tray delivered by Mum and you together!
Good Luck!
John,
Reading through your blogs and other’s comments, I see you are a cigar smoker. I too enjoy a nice cigar and have been known to bring some pretty good ones home from some of my cruises. I keep a humidor well stocked and try to never rush through a cigar smoking experience.
After reading that you enjoy the pleasure of a cigar, I wondered what is your favorite? Do you have one or do you try lots of different brands? I would think with your travel you have found some great ones. I will be on the Dream December 3 and am certainly looking forward to that. I hope to party with Big Ed’s krewe and also meet many of the folks I read about all the time. Who knows, maybe we can even share a drink and cigar sometime during the cruise! That would be great!! Maybe we can even swap a cigar or two. I would certainly love that. I usually do not comment on blogs, I am just a reader, but I wanted to ask you about these things. I am looking forward to meeting you on our cruise in December! Hope your family are doing well. In the meantime, Happy Cruising!
Johnny
Maribeth Kring
What a great idea. To bad Heidi most likely read it.
BIG ED
John:
As one who was raised in a family of smokers (and have seen the unfortunate results of that addiction) I completely understand that smokers must have a place to smoke.
Unfortunately (as in real life with other issues) the 90% of respectful smokers are having to deal with more and more restrictions due to the 10% of smokers who just do not care who they harm.
The last two cruises (Glory and Valor) really highlighted this problem. As you know, smoking in the casino on both ships is restricted to the carpet area. This is to prevent the exposure to children walking down the Promenade.
On both cruises, a small group of smokers who were displeased with this rule…literally stood ON the edge of the carpet and blew smoke into the Promenade at people walking by. (adults and children)
Now “technically” they were ON the carpet and were “in the right”…. but their actions will result in the casino area have MORE restrictions like you have already told us about on the Dream.
Sadly, smokers have no one but themselves to blame.
The same thing with smoking in the cabins. Smoking in the hallways is strictly forbidden, but the 10% of careless smokers prop their cabin door open (pouring smoke into the hallways) because they do not want to sit in their own waste. And it travels down the hallways and into nonsmoking cabins (especially on the Fantasy class where the doors have the extended openings at the bottom).
As sad as I am that anyone has that kind of addiction, protection of children is paramount. As long as Carnival Cruise Line promotes itself as a “family cruise line” … then the care of children must trump the addiction of an adult.
Everyone has “rights”, but the bottom line is that no one has the “right” to harm another human being and especially not a child.
Yes, perfumes and farts may stink….but they do not contain 3,000 toxins…many of which are carcinogens. Even folks who are “allergic” to some kinds of perfumes are the exception…not the rule. And you do not set the “rules” based on the exceptions. But all smoke contain the cancer causing irritants that can do real damage to children’s lungs, even with just short exposures.
Limiting the exposure to cigarette smoke is indeed the way the world is going because 20+ years of proven studies have finally told us what we have known all along.
I am glad to see Carnival working towards that goal of “having a place for all smokers to smoke” while protecting their other guests and children.
Speaking of children, Gary B. (CD on the Valor) did indeed include a comment to all parents that when their Camp Carnival aged children were not in Camp Carnival…that they were indeed the parent’s responsibility AND that they should refrain their children from running around the ship to help keep other passengers safe!
That is not an exact quote….but I can tell you he got the point across while being professional and well spoken.
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
I almost didn’t book with Carnival due to the lack of no-smoke rooms. My husband & I have asthma, & we are worried we’ll be sick from cig fumes, not to mention the stink of rooms with stale smoke. The booking agent said we can ask for a deep cleaning, but we are worried it won’t work & we’ll be miserable. This is our first cruise ever, & the first vacation in years, & we want it to be special. My husband was already a bit anxious because he has a weak leg & arm due to a head injury…he still works harder than anyone with full use of their limbs & I want so much for him to have a great time. A survey about smoking on board would be good… I would vote for a non-smoking side of the ship.. I bet most people would agree, even the considerate smokers.
Dear John,
Please reply
Reading through your blogs and other’s comments, I see you are a cigar smoker. I too enjoy a nice cigar and have been known to bring some pretty good ones home from some of my cruises. I keep a humidor well stocked and try to never rush through a cigar smoking experience.
After reading that you enjoy the pleasure of a cigar, I wondered what is your favorite? Do you have one or do you try lots of different brands? I would think with your travel you have found some great ones. I will be on the Dream December 3 and am certainly looking forward to that. I hope to party with Big Ed’s krewe and also meet many of the folks I read about all the time. Who knows, maybe we can even share a drink and cigar sometime during the cruise! That would be great!! Maybe we can even swap a cigar or two. I would certainly love that. I usually do not comment on blogs, I am just a reader, but I wanted to ask you about these things. I am looking forward to meeting you on our cruise in December! Hope your family are doing well. In the meantime, Happy
Cruising!!
Dear John
Please repley
I would like to you about the Carnival dream. My question is to ask you if the dream is going to set sail in the month of November of 2011 on a 16 day cruise to Rome,Italy. I want to go on that year for a vacation with my wife and friends. When every you get a change please let me know.
Thank you
Rickey
Dear John,
I am interested in wether or not the Dream is sailing in the year-2011. My wife and I would like to go to Rome-Italy. So, I would like a response back. I am interested in Carnival Cruise lines. I am always on the website, I am that committed to knowing a lot about Carnival. Please, re-ply.
Hi John,
John, please reply.
First let me say you are the best cruise director! We (24 of us) were on the Legend on the 10/11/09 sailing. You might remember my father-in-law – Dick Little. He was a real VIP that week. When we were leaving, he was given a DVD of his participation in the talent show, but we were disappointed to find that it did not contain the initial show of the first evening (not sure what it was called). Is there any way we would be able to get a copy of this show? If so, how? Thanks for any help you can give. It was the best show I think any of us have seen!
Hello,I love reading through your blog, I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuation. Wishing you the best of luck for all your blogging efforts