I’m sorry I will miss the Blogger’s Breakfast on Saturday, but I will be in Baltimore for the “Fun For All Weekend” travel agent thingy.

My husband and I were on the Carnival Triumph Oct. 10th sailing with a small group. Everyone had a great time. One lady loved Jorge’s debarkation talk so much she watched it 3 more times on the in-cabin TV! Last night I received a surprise in the mail. It was a Carnival Triumph pin! I had been disappointed that I didn’t get one when I was on the ship. Now I know. They send you the pin, on a card thanking you for your loyalty to Carnival. I was so happy. I felt like I had “triumphed.”
Your Friend,
Cheryl D.

I sent copies of e-mail messages I had attempted to relay to you unsuccessfully, together with a covering letter & copies of old style Carnival Capers that included Rand Woodbury & yourself, by surface mail on 30 August 2009 to your PO Box address in Southend-on-Sea.
I do realise that you have had a hectic schedule over the last 2 months & that you are missing Heidi & Kye & have priorities keeping in touch with both your girls in any “free time” you may have. However, I would appreciate if you could confirm whether my correspondence was ever received.
Your comments on the latest Blogs reduced me to tears as I recalled some happy memories (I appreciate that this sounds like a contradiction in terms). Between your heart rending tribute to an esteemed senior member of CCL & your description of leaving ports & watching other sister ships or coastlines disappear, I can truly say that my last night on the ocean waves on all of my my 17 Carnival cruises have been very emotional. I have enjoyed my time aboard every cruise so much that I hate to desert nature & Fun & return to the rat race in the UK (in particular Scotland) where the weather resembles your overblown underpants.
I am sailing solo BtoB on Victory in May 2010 immediately following a milestone birthday & love to mix with people who love the fun & hospitality that is associated with Carnival. Cruising the Caribbean with CCL has been the realisation of my Dream vacations for so many years despite the long hours & costs involved in travelling to & from the ports of embarkation/debarkation.
You were my CD on my BtoB cruises on Destiny in 1998 & I hope to meet you again.

I just cruised on the Carnival Legend on October 25 and here are my thoughts on the cruise. I know it is long but I tried to cover everything.
• Embarkation was quick and the staff was very friendly. The only suggestion is that it would be helpful if you had a station set up strictly for the handicapped (based on the criteria used by Carnival to bring them to the front of the line that is in queue) since this would make it easier for them and would keep the regular line moving.
• The food was wonderful and most of it was even better than on most of the other ships (except for the greasy bacon on the lido deck—sorry, I do not like bacon greasy).
• The “new” Captain’s Reception was nice and gave you more of an opportunity to speak with the ships staff. The “new” Farewell Party was very good with the band playing with the singers for the entire party.
• On Deck 2, to get from the front to the back of the ship, you must pass through the casino which is filled with smoke so this is an area for improvement. The other pass through options are Deck 3 which is crowded at the Photo Gallery or the Lido (Deck 9) which is a bit far to go.
• Also, when I asked for my Platinum Past Guest Pin, I was told that they were out and it was only suppose to be while supplies lasted. I thought this was to be an ongoing perk.
• Our Room Stewart Aldo Morales was extremely nice and full of personality, our team waitress Kobkarn was very sweet and helpful, and our head waitress Valentina was probably one of the hardest working people on the boat because she also ran the lido food area and was constantly on the run.
• All of the staff was extremely friendly in all of the departments so I can see why they were voted the best ship. I was also on the Carnival Legend last October and this was not the case (they were fine but not like this time).
• Debarkation at the ports and in Tampa was also well organized even with the tenders in Grand Cayman and Belize.
• Your assistant, Craig, did a good job on the events that he hosted so I am sure one day he will make a good Cruise Director.
• Your explanation of the comment cards was clearer that the other Cruise Directors—you simply said that the only passing grade is exceeded expectations.
• Please do not stop the chocolates on the bed because that is the first thing that my grandchildren wanted, even before the gifts.
• The Cruise Director (John Heald) was the worst I have ever seen——just kidding, you know that you are the best. I was disappointed that you did not do the Talent Show and the Bedtime Story but I had assumed there just was not enough time because it was a very busy week (and reading the blog now I do see that was indeed the case). I also want to thank you for what you sent me which was very thoughtful and I am sorry we did not get to have tea but maybe next time. If anyone has never cruised with John as the Cruise Director, you need to because what you see of his personality in the blog is magnified on stage, in his announcements, and with his on board television show. He is unique with his sense of humor and his own special touches that you will never see from other Cruise Directors. With your busy schedule changing, I have missed you actually as the Cruise Director except for one time before, so this time I waited to the last minute to book to assure you would be the Cruise Director and even verified it with one of the 343 Stephanie’s. You were great on the Blogger’s Cruise but everyone needs to experience you as the actual Cruise Director. I am confused though on how it was your birthday on this cruise because I thought your birthday was January 22 (the same as my daughter-in-law’s and the day after mine) but maybe this is just part of your show. I was sorry to read on the blog that you were not feeling well and I thought that might be the case but it certainly did not keep you from the well deserved title as being the Best Cruise Director. My favorite ship was always the Carnival Triumph because you were the Cruise Director and made it so much fun but now I might have to add the Carnival Legend to that list. I did hear a lot of comments from fellow guest that you were different and better than other Cruise Directors they had before. Thanks for making it a wonderful cruise for everyone on the ship.

Please reply,

WOW, what a schedule you will have for the next two months, I hope you earn flight miles for all the traveling you do on the airlines (To bad Carnival did not give you a bonus for all the miles you have logged, do you know who many you have logged).

The reason I am writing is, where can someone get that cute bobble head of you, I just love it. I had never seen it before (I saw it on Bill (Zydecocruiser) from ZydecoCruiser.com pictures on the Splendor). I bet if you sold them through your blog you would make enough to get that Austin Martin car that you want (I know I did not spell it right, but you know which one I mean, your dream car).

Also have you heard yet when the Bloggers cruise will be in 2010, I am hoping it will be while you are on the Carnival Spirit (I keep praying everyday).

Please send my love to Heidi and Kye.
From your #1 Bloggy Thinggy Fan
Kathy M.

We hope to cruise with you again!

Steve & Rose from Chicago!
“da Bears”

Just wanted to THANK YOU once again for the great time that Susan and I had this past week on the LEGEND and also for the bottle of “Halloween Birthday” champaigne and autographed picture you gave us. The Legend was incredible and you made the cruise spectacular. Even though we are not from “Philadelphia” we too had a Yaba-Daba-Doo-Time too!!

Thanks again and God Bless!

My wife and I have decided to celebrate her 30th birthday with our first cruise on the Carnival Dream (Jan 30 – Feb 6). We are more than excited to explore the ship and also the ports of call.

Any ideas/tips to make a special b-day ever more special on the Dream?

Thanks