John -
Love your sense of humor. As a lifelong fan of American football, I began officiating at the high school level this past season. I’d love to share with you how weird I am.

I decided to become an official because:
* I love the game and am too old, fat and frail to play it.
* I really want to coach, but it takes way too much time and commitment. This way I get to do some coaching on the field without any of the prep work (endless meetings, film study, etc.).
* I want to give back to the game what it gave me. That is, a sense and appreciation of honor, camaraderie, sportsmanship, respect, hard work, fair play, and excellence.

I teach young men to treat others with respect, practice self-control, try their hardest within the limits of the rules and never, ever quit.

I always thought Officials were weird, too – figured they were trying to make up for an anatomical shortcoming.

Now that I am a husband and father of three I have discovered that pursuing your passion – no matter how socially marginalized it may make you – is incredibly important.

Hope to see you on Splendor this coming March. I’m happy to help out any of your dear staff with the likes of A. Bastard. It may take a village to raise a child, but it only takes one man (or woman) of courage to shame a bully. We should all stand up and cry “foul!” when people behave like he did.

I love the cigar bars on the Destiny and Conquest class ships. They’re a wonderful place to kick back and enjoy some relaxation time. Surely the internet cafe can be moved instead?

A cruise line that builds simply for a title or to be boastful, and ends up isolating more than half of their market holds no interest to me or the majority of vacationers who cruise to be on the ocean (the ones that blah-blah-blah-of-the-seas will likely abandon in the near future). They can have their second-rate amusment park… Their loss is Carnival’s gain. They can say whatever they want, because in the end Carnival will be laughing all the way to the bank.

I read your comments where you never met a referee or umpire. I’m an Arbitrator, which is a sort of referee. I hear labor disputes,and your correct about having 50% of participants upset with decisions issued. Having a thick skin is helpful, same as in your position.
My wife and I have sailed with Princess many times and enjoy the line, but Princess is geared to older folks. I intend to take my wife, two daughters and four grandchildren on a cruise with Carnival next July out of Baltimore. I hope to accomodate everyone in three cabins. My inquiry
Does the Carnival Pride have inside Cabins that will accomodate 3 people? I intend to reserve one suite and two inside cabins, if possible. I.m making this reservation due to all the positive comments about Carnival I’ve read on your blog.

Thanx
Jim

Jerry and I were on the 10-31-09 sailing of the Glory (rm. 8455). What a great time we had! Just want you to know the Ryan is a fantastic CD. He was everywhere including walking the first lap of the “On Deck for the Cure” in winds that could almost pick you up and carry you away. Out of approximately 14 cruises (most on “thingy of the seas”) Ryan is the only CD’s name that we remember. Kudos also to his staff. The Glory is a great ship. We hope you can work out something about the cigar bar – we know that you will try.

Our best to you and your family.
Irma Moore and Jerry Bowden

Dear John,

Hope you will be able to spend some time at home with Heidi & Kye over the holidays.

And speaking about your home, when will we find out about Carnival’s plans for Europe ? There is a group of us that met on the Splendor ,( you were there !), who had booked the Liberty in Europe, as you know we didn’t make that cruise together, now we are hoping that Carnival will again sail in Europe. We are ready to make our 2011 plans. It would be nice if we could give ourselves a wonderful Christmas present by booking a Carnival European Cruise !!!

Take care John,and
our best to Heidi & Kye

Terry

Here is a picture of John being kissed by two lovely ladies. I promise Heidi will never find out:
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/CarnivalDream/TA/16SeaDay9/last/P1100133.JPG

More with John and some fun seas here:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1089904

and tons of pictures of Carnival Dream, including food, ports, capers, menus, etc. here:

http://www.zydecocruiser.com/CarnivalDream/GrandMed/index.htm

and here

http://www.zydecocruiser.com/CarnivalDream/TA/index.htm