Friday, November 27th, 2009...4:12 pm
Merry Christmas…Already?
Whilst getting dressed this morning I turned on the TV and as I was flicking through the channels in my underpants I came across ESPN2 which at 7 am had decided not to show basketball, football, handball or even the Latvian synchronized swimming championships but instead had chosen to show the sport of…………… whispering.
The whispering was being done by two “Rambo” type guys who apparently were hiding in a bush, all came up and wearing special forces camouflage and armed with huge pump action death rifles. At first I thought these were members of Delta Force and that ESPN were showing the sport of hunting Bin Laden………or the HBL as its known in the sports world…………….but I was wrong………..because this was a shooting a deer in the head show.
It seems to me that in North America everyone wants to be a part of the great outdoors. They like the idea of cutting down trees and shooting critters in the head. Even the Armani suit wearing lawyers of Washington are able and willing to slip out of their Gucci loafers at a moment’s notice and into a hairy shirt for a weekend under canvas in the woods whispering to other lawyers as they try to hit a deer with a rocket propelled grenade.
This got me thinking. While I think it is every animal’s divine right to end up on my dinner plate surrounded by roasted potatoes and sprouts I don’t think I could actually stalk one through the forest and shoot it. Take the turkey I had last night for Thanksgiving dinner. The Captain and I ate in the guest dining room and we all enjoyed our turkey………despite the fact that I think it’s a boring mostly tasteless meat…………..but could I have gone up to old Tom and snapped its neck………..nope……..I don’t think I could. Heidi though not only comes from a family of butchers and for her beheading a chicken is as normal as ordering a bucket of Colonel Sanders and she, like most Dutch students was taught how to cook, clean and gut poor old Colin the Cockerel.
In the UK we had these classes as well……I remember the scene with our teacher saying “Right, now gather round everyone………you put the chicken on its back and stand on its outstretched wings. Now pull the legs firmly…”…….and that’s how animals get from their natural habitat into your Mum’s casserole.
These days even kids are not taught this anymore and I wonder how many of the 900 kids we have onboard actually understand where the turkey they munched on last night comes from. I am sure if a live turkey would be brought into a school and shown how it becomes Thanksgiving dinner there class there would be hell to pay…….nope…….this way, the little munchkins will continue to believe that burgers grow on trees and that Coca-Cola comes from natural springs in Montana.
I remember an episode of Survivor a few years ago. The starving contestants were given some chickens but couldn’t bring themselves to kill and pluck them. They’re chickens, for God’s sake. And chickens are basically vegetables. We’re talking here about a bird which is so daft that it can operate normally with no head. Anyway, while they were deliberating about what should be done the birds were eaten by a couple of monitor lizards.
I am sure there are one or two people who read this and may be vegetablists who are a bit upset about the subject matter here and I apologize if that’s the case but I guess if ESPN are showing hunting as a sport then it’s worth talking about.
Out there in the real world away from the 21st-century supermarket/freezer/microwave chain of catering, there are insects which eat their partners after rumpy pumpy there are snakes that will vomit on you when threatened and there are leopard seals that play aquatic tennis, using penguins as the ball.
Anyway, last night’s dinner was very well received and I thought you might like to see the menu our guests were offered this Thanksgiving Day.
Happy Thanksgiving Menu
November 26, 2009The Captain, His Officers and Crew Wish Each of You a Very Happy Thanksgiving.
APPETIZERS
Freshly Fried Tempura Shrimps
Served with Ponzu-Miso Dip
Duet of Cured Norwegian Salmon and Ahi Tuna
Citrus Compote, Watercress, Banana and Walnut Toast
Panko Crusted Mushrooms Stuffed with Ricotta Cheese
Baked Tomato and Polenta
Thanksgiving Salad
Romaine Lettuce with Cranberries, Tomatoes, Blue Cheese and Sweet Ginger
Served with Shallot Dressing
Chilled Tomato Soup with Wild Berry Salad
Double Cheese and Yukon Gold Potato Soup
Garnished Bacon Bits and Chives
Pumpkin Bisque
Enhanced with Turkey and Walnut Dumpling
Carnival Classics
Fresh Fruit Cocktail
Black Tiger Shrimp Cocktail
American Cocktail Sauce
California Spring Mix and Cherry Tomatoes
Choice of Blue Cheese, Thousand Island, Ranch, Balsamic Vinaigrette, or French DressingThese Items are Lower in Calories, Sodium, Cholesterol and Fat. Salads are prepared with
Diet Dressing. Calorie Count and Fat Content can vary up to 10%.Charred Broccoli and Cauliflower Tortellini Served in Slow Cooked Tomato Broth
[190 Calories, 4 grams of Fat, 0 grams of Trans-Fat]California Spring Mix Tossed with Fat Free Italian Dressing
[25 Calories, 0 grams of Fat, 0 grams of Trans-Fat]
Grilled Red Snapper Fillet on Gazpacho Juice Served with Pumpkin and Scallion Hash, Green Beans
[240 Calories, 6 grams of Fat, 0 grams of Trans-Fat]MAIN COURSES
The Chef Recommends
Slow Cooked Fillet of Chilean Sea Bass
Green Peas Mash, Potato and Cured Tomato Croquette
Chardonnay, Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma 33
Grilled Black Tiger Jumbo Shrimps
Fava Bean Salad, Garlic and Herb Butter
Fume Blanc, Robert Mondavi, Napa Valley 36
Aged New York Strip Steak from American Choice Beef
Potato Croquettes, Roasted Beets, Mustard Sauce
Merlot, Columbia Crest, Grand Estate, Columbia Valley 33
Slowly Roasted Tom Turkey with our Thanksgiving Stuffing
Sweet Potato Gratin, Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Relish
Pinot Noir, Jekel, Monterey 36
Zucchini Fritters
Stuffed with Manchego Cheese and Eggplant
Carnival Classics
Broiled Fillet of Mahi Mahi
Served with Vegetables of the Day
Grilled Breast of Corn Fed Chicken
Served with Vegetables of the Day
Grilled Flat Iron Steak from American Choice Beef
Served with Vegetables of the Day and Red Bliss Potatoes
Baked Idaho Potatoes, French Fries or Steamed White Rice
Assorted Steamed VegetablesDESSERTS
Spiced Pumpkin and Chocolate Pâté
Figs Melt and Wild Berries
Warm Chocolate Melting Cake
Served with Vanilla Ice Cream
Vanilla – Chocolate – Strawberry – Butter Pecan
Orange – Pineapple – Lime
Port Salut – Brie – Gouda – Imported Swiss – Danish Bleu
The Chef told me that we used 96 (25-pound) turkeys last night although it surprised me when the Chef said that the New York steak was just as popular with the guests as turkey. Anyway, everyone had a great time and congratulations to the Chef and his kitchen crew for another successful Thanksgiving dinner.
By the way, just before I start today’s questions………..what is it about met makes grown men want to sit next to me and fall asleep. It’s 9:45am and there is another one snoring his morning away …………..time for a quick sneaky photo with the raspberry camera.
Good grief…………he sounds like someone has replaced his face with my arse……..time for today’s questions…………away we go…
Zannett Asked:
John, PLEASE REPLY.I was reading a few reviews of the Carnival Dream and had a question regarding the food served on European sailings compared to Caribbean sailings. We have sailed with CCL several times and have always enjoyed the food tremendously (especially the Steakhouse). There were more than a few negative comments regarding the food on the European sailings on the Dream and I was wondering if the food is different since it isn’t purchased in the US (USDA) or if it’s just the difference in culture and their expectations. I plan to sail in Europe within the next year or two and would like to know if there is truly that much of a discrepancy or just personal tastes????
I hope you are making the best of all the festivities and getting a little rest before our Bloggers Cruise. I truly can’t wait to sail with you in just 3 short weeks! Any chances of getting a beautiful surprise onboard (maybe Kye and Heidi)??? Sure do miss seeing her growing, although it’s completely understandable…try to join our CC meet and greet and bring pics!
John Says:
Hello ZannettThanks for taking the time to write and I must admit to not have seeing any negative comments about the food on your Carnival Dream. Obviously when our ships are in Europe we do stock the ship with more European items than ones from the United States. However, the menus are basically the same in the dining room on a European cruise as they are on a Caribbean cruise. Maybe if you were to tell me what the negative comments pertained to I may be able to comment further. However, you are right of course when you say this could be personal choice comments.
I wish Heidi and Kye would be with me next week for the Bloggers Cruise but they are patiently waiting for me to return home on the 12th. I will have photos with me and I look forward to sharing them with you all very soon.
Kathy M. Asked:
Hi John, Please answer.I read on Cruise Critic that Carnival is not selling the Monkey Head Drink Cups/Banks anymore. Is there any truth to that, since there are so many of us that belong to the Carnival MonkeyHead Group. I will be devastated if I can’t get my MonkeyHead on my next cruise. I have one for each of my cruises and each one is a little different.
Send my love to Heidi and Kye.
From your #1 Bloggy Thingy Fan
KathyJohn Says:
Hello KathyNope, just like the cancellation of the iced tea, the past guest party, the solid gold plastic trophy and that I weigh 140 pounds….this Cruise Critic rumor is not correct. The monkey head cups are very popular and still be sold onboard our ships.
Thanks for allowing me the chance to correct this incorrect information.
Best wishes
JohnErnie Asked:
John: (Please either you or Stephanie reply)I about laughed my bottom off at your description of your eye watering story of hot sauce.
I was wondering what is the name of the Captain of our Carnival Dream.
Best to you, Heidi and Kye. We will be sailing on the Carnival Dream December 3rd.
ERNIEJohn Says:
Hello ErnieI am glad you are enjoying the blogs and that hot sauce was pure evil. I hope your bottom has recovered from laughing so hard. The Captain for your Carnival Dream cruise will be Captain Carlo Queirolo who is a wonderful man and whom all the bloggers will have a chance to meet and greet.
See you soon
Best wishes
JohnAllie H Asked:
John – please reply.Hi John, Thanks for the updates on the fun in NYC for the Dream launch/welcome/thing.
The video showed “Dream Pennies” – you know the smashed pennies that cost 50 cents?
Are those available anywhere else (on the ship, via begging, etc.)? I collect them, and would love to add that one to my collection.
Many thanks!
AllieJohn Says:
Hello AllieI have to admit that at first I had no idea as to what you were talking about and had to ask one of the 343 Stephanies for help. They then explained what you meant. I have sent an e mail to the man with a beard who arranged this to see if he has one or two of these pennies left over and if he does I will send you one. I will be in touch as soon as I know.
Best wishes
JohnDeby Asked:
John [please reply]I loved the video from the plaza. It looks like a fun day. I am so glad you had Four2Five there. They are a great and very talented group of guys. I hope you can find a way to use them on a cruise or two. Cannot wait to hear all about the naming ceremony. Deby
John Says:
Hello DebyWe had so much fun in New York and the event was I think a huge success. The singing group you mentioned were brilliant and the fact they sing all their songs Acapulco ………. Sorry ………….acapella is truly extraordinary. We did indeed speak to them about working with us again and I hope that very soon they will feature onboard one of our ships.
Thanks for the kind words
Best wishes
JohnLinda Asked:
John, Please reply:Just returned from Carnival Triumph cruise from Charleston to Bahamas. As always a great trip, this time made even more special because our wait team (Georgi & Yanthi) and wine steward I Ketut were looking for me as Sandra and I had been with them on the Carnival Triumph out of NYC to New England and Canada earlier this year. What fun to be enthusiastically welcomed back (as you say, “Welcome home”)! And Jorge made my first time cruising friend Judy feels as special as if she were the new Carnival godmother. Dario had also been gracious enough to arrange a primo table for us so that she could see all the dining fun and Jogi kept us all entertained and well taken care of. Finally a special salute (and a heads up to you guys!) for entertainment team member Sophia. She reminds me of Jamie a few years back; great personality and totally guest centered.
Now, John, two questions. First, I’m delighted that Charleston is now becoming a homeport, but PLEASE tell me that the terminal is scheduled for renovations and expansion! It became such a bottleneck and backed up the entire boarding process because it is just too small. Secondly, Sandra and I are headed back out in February on the Carnival Victory but the cruise director schedule only goes through December, 2009. When will at least the first half of 2010 be posted?
(And as always, we hope to cruise with you in 2011 on the Carnival Magic to the Greek Isles!!) Linda
John Says:
Hello LindaWhat a fabulous review of your cruise and the words of praise you shared about all the great staff and crew you met will be passed along to the them and their direct supervisors. It once again shows that the crew is the most important icon of the fun ship experience and I am proud to work alongside them.
We are very excited to be cruising out of Charleston and I know Charleston and the area are equally excited that they have been chosen to be the latest home port for one of the Carnival ships. We are all aware that the port facilities are in need of an upgrade at the moment and we know that we will have to make improvements along the way and we will. However, we didn’t want to wait any longer as we felt now was the right time to place a ship there. I will ask all the guests who are boarding the ship in Charleston to have a wee dollop of patience during the boarding process and hopefully the fact that they have been able to drive to the port rather than drive or fly to Florida will make up for the extra time it may take to board. We will improve as we go along and I am already certain that like Galveston and Mobile that Charleston will become a huge success as a home port.
The Cruise Director schedule is almost ready and before I head to the UK I will be posting it here on the blog thingy.
Best wishes and thanks again for the great comments.
JohnDanny Stout Asked:
Dear John – Please Respond.First, thank you for being a pioneer for exemplary customer service. Your kindness amazes me! And thanks to the 343 Stephanies for helping out along the way.
I wouldn’t have emailed this request before the recent exchange with the poo poo guy about your willingness to make special requests a reality. Now however, I’m giving it a shot. I’m also willing to give you a treat in return though.
I’m sailing on my second ever cruise, the Carnival Liberty, departing Miami on January 29th, 2010. The Carnival Legend hooked us on cruising and Carnival a couple of years ago. My request is this. I would really love to have a table for two close to a window. Our underpants are of the XXL and XXXL variety so a larger table would be amazing as well…but that’s pushing it, I know! Any assistance or advice you could give would be much appreciated. That cabin may be upgraded to a Suite in the next month though!
Your treat you ask? I’d be glad to force feed a Frenchman a fine English ripper and would joyfully, accidentally, push a Mr. or Mrs. Moaner off a tender or port of your choice. I’d still like the fruit basket for that though.
Thanks again for all the help you give us. While I’ve just been enjoying your blog for the past couple of months, it’s now a website I enjoy checking daily.
Regards,
DannyJohn Says:
Hello DannyI have stopped worrying about what others think about me helping those who ask. I know that it’s just one or two people who seem disturbed by this and although I certainly don’t want to upset them I have decided therefore………………. to forget about it.
There is then no need to force-feed anyone called Pierre and I will send your request to the Maitre D onboard the Carnival Liberty and I am sure he will do all he can in order to accommodate you and your underpants.
If there is anything else I can do for you please let me know.
Best wishes
JohnTracy Albright Asked:
John, please replyMy partner and I are a lesbian couple and wondered if your cruise line has gay and lesbian events. We cruised on another line last year and found that there were organized events for lesbian and gay couples. We are considering a cruise in February on your ship Splendor and while researching this I discovered your blog. Please let us know if there are any events we can look forward to should we decide to book.
Thanks
Tracy and DonnaJohn Says:
Hello Tracy and DonnaThanks for considering the Carnival Splendor for your vacation and I promise you will love everything about this brilliant ship. Every Carnival vessel has daily get together for lesbian and gay passengers who want to meet new friends. These are listed in our onboard program which is called the Carnival Capers and in that daily program you will find a note saying “Friends of Dorothy BLT meet.” The ship has extraordinary entertainment, superb food options and fun ports of call and I hope therefore you book the cruise and enjoy your first of what I am sure will be many Carnival cruises. Please let me know if I can help further.
Best wishes to you both
JohnAmy Gardener Asked:
John, reply pleaseCan you tell me why Carnival has stopped the gold trophy (ship on a stick) as the prize given to passengers? Many people on Cruise Critic are upset about this as we all try to get one from every ship we go on. What has replaced them and why did you stop
AmyJohn Says:
Hello AmyThe trophies have indeed been replaced and the new prize to any guest who wins one of our events will be a photo of me doing a handstand in the shower………kidding.
I truly have no idea where and why these rumors start but I can promise you that we have no intention of stopping the trophies as prizes and each and every ship in the fleet will continue to award them. I answered a similar question a few days ago so I wondered if you or someone could slap this comment on the thread thingy where this started and let everyone know their solid gold plastic trophies are safe and sound.
Best wishes
John
That’s all for today and I will be answering more from your Carnival Dream on Monday.
Just a quick follow up regarding a question about your Carnival Dream. There was a comment about the ship having signs offering the book on board $100 certificate and that we actually were not offering this. And so I asked the Guest Services Manager and here is his reply.
They are referring to the plasma screens and the Loyalty Cruise Program that is still being advertised all over the ship and TV”s. This was a mistake as the program does not start until we arrive in Port Canaveral. Our sincere apologies.
So, there you go and I must say that this was a glaring mistake and something we should have caught as we certainly should not be advertising something that we didn’t offer. Anyway, please accept my apologies to anyone who wanted to buy this certificate and then discovered the program was not onboard.
Let’s have a look at what’s happening down under and a great video made by the Entertainment Manager of P&O Australia Brett Annable who takes us through the brilliant…….or “bonza” as they say in Australia…….entertainment that will thrill guests when the ship arrives in Australia following her refit in Singapore. One of the things Brett will show you is the new Ariel show that they will perform.
Here is the video thingy.
I mentioned the incident in the lobby the other day and how some very silly people were throwing items such as ice and plastic glasses from a high floor. I had suggested that an announcement be made and it was and since then there have been no further incidents. It seems that the threat of being disembarked and spanked with my Dad’s old slipper worked and that’s good news and I think we should adopt this action more. Letting the guests know that we are taking action and making sure that we keep everyone informed is so important …………. obviously the perfect scenario would be to catch the little buggers but that is easier said than done on the big ships of today.
Good news for the pin lovers because all the gift shops now have the pins available for purchase and the Platinum guests will get theirs complimentary. The pins themselves are of a slightly different design and a little larger so I would appreciate your comments when you see them.
I want to thank everyone here on the Carnival Glory for their wonderful hospitality this past week. Tomorrow the ship will say goodbye to Port Canaveral for the last time and I will sail with her to her new homeport of Miami. The ship will look forward to her dry dock and all the upgrades and rejuvenation that comes with it but it has been easy to see just why so many of you are such fans of the Carnival Glory. Her crew is some of the very best I have seen and the new name recognition program where guests are recognized and called by name by as many of the crew as possible is really being championed here.
It was great to see so many friends who I have not seen for a long time and a special thank you to Ryan the Cruise Director who despite being metro sexual………..liking boy band music …… wearing trousers that are two sizes too small…………..and putting product in his hair and moisturizer on his thingy……..is a fantastic Cruise Director. He has started lots of new activities and events and has rejuvenated the somewhat tired Carnival Colours (spelt correctly) event. His energy is everlasting and oh yes………make sure you take part in his murder mystery event which is a massive favorite with the guests.
It was also great to see Karlynn and Kelly again. These two gorgeous young dancers were with Heidi and I when we delivered the Carnival Freedom and we became great friends. Their talent on stage and their care of the guests off stage is a true example to all……..and Heidi and I wish them both continuing happiness.
You see, that’s one of the negatives about working on the ships. The company is so big these days that you never know if and when you are going to see the friends you make ever again. Friendships on a ship happen quickly and are more intense than ones on land and it’s a shame to say that many are friendships that fade once you leave the ship life thingy. However, thanks to Facespace and Mybook the new generation of cruise ship crew has more chance of staying in touch.
Anyway, congratulations to the crew of the Carnival Glory………….for a job well done.
On Wednesday I wrote that the music we played in the elevators here on the Carnival Glory was the toe curling compositions of Kenny G. I had mentioned this to the people here and they listened because this morning Kenny G had buggered off and had been replaced by some Beach Boys who as I rode from deck 2 to deck 9 were telling me how they wish all girls were from California…….that’s more like it.
I guess many of us are not aware of the background music we encounter in our lives but for me it has always been something that gets on my nerves.
As you know, I hate massages and massage therapists hate me and my arse………..for new comers to the blog thingy I had a massage once and let out a huge ripper of a fart which was as you can imagine highly embarrassing for me, the therapist and the Hazmat team who had to go in afterwards and sanitize the treatment room. So, for that reason I have never been back but there are other reasons as well, one of them being the music they play. I mean why do they have to play such awful music in there. This is not a church……… it’s a treatment room. We are the only two people in the room.
Why is it that the average spa’s music system playlist is firmly stuck in the new age. Why do we always get massaged to the bleating bollocks of Enya and Enigma and those bloody awful, Peruvian sodding panpipes? Why don’t they see that it’s a man lying face down on the upholstered slab and give us some AC/DC, Clapton or Elton John?
I am talking about massages again because in a meeting I had onboard today with Ryan the CD and all the department heads the Spa Manager told me that male guests use the massage facilities as much as our female guests………sometimes more.
I know I am in a minority here but I just don’t get it. I don’t want to lie on a bed for an hour, with no trousers on, basted like a Thanksgiving turkey, bloody Enya simpering away in my ear, while some a girl called Chanel rhythmically tickles away at my flabby parts as if petting a hamster.
I don’t think women have this sort of trouble when they spa. They just change into the provided dressing gown before wafting through into the warm womb of planet pamper beyond.
I mean, our spas are fantastic and the treatments they offer are massively popular with our guests ………but I just can’t relax. If it’s a massage that I am in for, I am concentrating so intently on not farting or making sure my thingy doesn’t suddenly wake up …………that relaxed …………. is the last thing I am.
So tomorrow we will sail as I said to Miami where I will disembark the ship and fly to New York early on Monday morning. I will spend Sunday and Monday night in hotels in both Miami and the Big Apple before joining your Carnival Dream early Tuesday morning. Joining me there will be Stephanie Meads and Craig Johnston who will be helping me throughout the bloggers cruise. We will be preparing everything during the two day sail to Port Canaveral. Now, Monday is a travel day for me but I will find time to post a blog and there will also be a Dear John letter from Jaime, I really wanted her to join me for BC3 but she is needed on the Carnival Pride and we will miss her being there.
Well, Christmas has come to our ships and the trees are decorated and the holly and the ivy adorn the Promenade Deck. The fleets decorations were not though decorated by the crew but by “Professional Christmas Decorators” who have beards and sandals and……. who make a living by decorating other people’s Christmas trees.
Don’t you find that amazing? That someone has persuaded a bank that there is a demand for such a thing, let alone such a volume of demand that it would overcome the extremely seasonal nature of the business? I can only presume that they charge Carnival a huge amount of money and although the decorations look good ………..it is surely something the crew of each ship could do themselves ………….and probably make it look good…………and having fun doing so.
I don’t want to sound all bar humbugish but these decorations went up on November 21 ………. is it me or is that too early? When I was a kid the decorations went up in our house the week before and of course Christmas shopping started in December ……….not July. And tomorrow the ship will start blending in the Christmas music through its Musak system and the elevators will be filled with the sound of Kenny G’s version of Silent Night…………..bugger!
One last thing as we are talking about music and that’s the subject of Susan Boyle. I watched the other day on the Today show and even though her hair looked like she had washed in beetroot soup and her thick Scottish accent remains hard for many to decipher, and she has a tendency to turn bright red, gurn madly and say odd things when she’s embarrassed and despite the fact that she looks like our Prime Minister Gordon Brown………she has a magnificent heaven sent voice and as that voice sang “ I Dreamed a Dream” on the Today show I couldn’t help but think that she would have been so absolutely perfect to sing at the naming ceremony of your Carnival Dream.
Oh and finally I understand that Megan Fox and her bottom were on Jay Leno last night ………. what a lucky sod the big chinned one is. While he was talking to the most beautiful buttocks in the world I was trying to sooth mine with the help of Preparation H………..double bugger.
See you in New York.
Goodnight
Your friend
John
40 Comments
November 27th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
John (Please reply)
I agree with you totally that Susan Boyle would have been great at the Naming Ceremony for Carnival Dream. The song fits.
Will you please be able to mail the ornaments & nametag & maybe the ship on a stick from Todd, before you leave for the UK.?
Be safe in your travels. looking forward to the Carnival Fantasy being in Charleston. Only a 15 min drive for us.
Hope to hear from you real soon
Cheri
November 27th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Hi John,
I just had to say, that my first cruise was last November (the week before Thanksgiving) and we were on the Carnival Valor which was already decorated for Christmas. I LOVED IT! Of course, growing up in MT (speaking of, enjoyed your Coke/MT reference today!), I had a hard time believing it could be that time of year when we were in sunny, beautiful St. Thomas in 90 degree weather.
And my best friend would leave her tree up year round if she could, she usually puts it up around Halloween….serious!
As always, love the blog! Have a good weekend!
November 27th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
John, Nov 21 is way too early for a tree or decoration to go up! My tree isn’t even going up again this year! I too put it up the Friday before Xmas, my day off, but now that those bast.., er idiots I work for say I can’t take my day off, the tree doesn’t go up and I’ll have no idea of what the last four ship ornanments (and others I bought) will look like on my tree….
Chickens–I have spent time on a small working farm and yes, I remember being under 10 and being told to hold the turkey ort chickens legs while someone else chopped it’s head off!!!! I remember not being good as it cuz when the hatchet came down I tended to react and let go of the bird……Ya, and it is NOT a good idea to wear good clothes when relieving a chicken/turkey of it’s head…it’s a bloody mess when they flop around….
November 27th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Hi John (Please reply)
Regrettably we missed you at the cocktail party when boarding the Carnival Dream in New York on the 15 November due to embarkation delays. We did however leave a special “bloggers wall hanger” thingy for you at the guest services counter. Did you ever get it??…….if not please investigate as it was in a letter size white envelope marked for your attention.
Best wishes/regards
Des & Carol (Cape Town)
November 27th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Trees were decorated just before Christmas because the trees were real, not plastic or some other “phony” material. Christmas shopping started the day after Thanksgiving and stores were decorated until then, not after Halloween as it is now. I guess that just goes to show how “mature” I am. Christmas meant Santa, school plays, mince pie and all the other foods.
I was raised on a farm and know where roast chickens etc came from. Nowadays “fresh” meat comes wrapped in plastic and on styrofoam trays, vegetables comes in cans, milk in plastic jugs or cardboard cartons etc.
Our best to you, Kye & Heidi, we’ll see you on the 3rd of December on our Carnival Dream.
ERNIE
November 27th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
http://santa.sympatico.ca/home/
The link is just as much fun a a holiday Carnival Cruise..but requires some input from the parents.
Would be great to pass along to the blogers..and Even more fun if John revived a ‘Naughty Letter’ from Santa Himself. Fun For all ages.
Sean
November 27th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
We had people in our neighbourhood that had their Christmas trees up in mid-November which is far too EARLY in my opinion. When I was a child, we put our tree up around the middle of December but started our Christmas shopping in November. Radio stations in Toronto, ON, Canada are already playing Christmas music 24/7. Let’s not forget why we celebrate Christmas. It isn’t just about presents and Santa Clause. We are celebrating the birth of our Lord.
I wish I was going on the bloggers cruise but unfortunately I wasn’t able to this year. Hopefully I will be able to come on the next cruise. Have a wonderful time everyone and John I wish you a safe return to your girls next month.
Cindy
November 27th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Hi John, I just wanted to let you know that I posted on cruise critic your reply the other day regarding the gold plastic ship on a stick things. Apparently the question was asked before I posted your answer on CC, or the person never saw it.
)
But thanks again for your reply.
I really really laughed hard about your reasons for not being able to relax during a massage! My husband has told me the exact same thing!!
Janet Sammons
November 28th, 2009 at 12:17 am
John : (please reply)
I just finished the November 15-23 sailing on my Carnival Dream and what a great experince it was. As for the person that asked about the quality of the food, I can say that the food was second to none. This was my second (of many many more to come) Carnival cruises (sailing on the Carnival Pride last November). With today’s economy and companies looking to trim a dollar anywhere they can, I was thinking that the food choices or quality might be a little less than last year. I was very wrong about this. The food was even better (and I really didn’t think that possible) than last trip. There were steak and beef choices every night, as well as lobster on formal night. On more than 1 night my excellent waiter Jorge and his assistant treated myself and my brother to more than 1 helping and there was not 1 thing that was of substandard quality. I also have to give compliments to Kenny the maitre D and the entire dining room staff for learning a complete new set of performances from my last cruise. I was expecting the same performances and just about every one was new. Great job all around the dining room!
I also loved the layout of this ship. The lido deck with the big screen and the water slides was a big hit. The laser shows at night were incredable, and not 1 but 2 late night deck parties were both great. My 1 criticism of the first deck party was that the lounge chairs were left out (I guess so people could enjoy the laser show) which left almost no room to dance. This was corrected in time for the second party which made it much more fun for everyone.
Deck 5 was another big hit on this ship and Ocean Plaza was full from early morning to late night just about every day. I loved the Dancing in the Street show, that could be on Broadway it was so good. I also loved the “mini shows” that followed the main show in the atrium. What a great idea that is to have a quick stop in the lobby for a little more entertainment on the way to dinner. The fun force break dancers were unbelievable, how can they do those things on a moving ship without hurting themselves? Simply Amazing. Todd and his staff did a great job keeping us busy all day and night, and James looked like he was having a blast filling in in the big chair for a few days while Todd was with you at the conference.
I would like to mention a few crew members who stood out and deserve special recognition. Social host Amy was very nice and took the time to have a conversation about life on the ship. I have to send out a “Whoo Hoo! Excelante!” to Mouna the karaoke host. She was always full of energy and took the time to greet every guest that walked in or by her shows, and also gave a big smile and hello every time she walked past me in the halls. “Mr. Magic” the strolling magacian was great doing tricks for the young and old, and taking time to talk about his life experiences. Vince Strong had the piano bar hopping every night. What a great piano player and overall entertainer he is. Now…drumroll please… the number 1 star on the ship was piano bar bartender Zolan, nicknamed “Doctor Z”. What a great asset he is to the Carnival name, greeting everyone my name, and doing a dance while mixing every drink. There wasn’t a night that went by, including Vinces night off, that I didn’t stop by for a drink and a laugh from Dr Z. On the last night of the cruise, I handed him an envelope to show him my apreciation of his service, and he came around the bar and gave me a big hug and told me I was the best. What a great way to end a cruise.
My only 2 negative comments would be embarkation and disembarkation. The New York terminal is just not well equipped to handle 4000 guests and arriving before noon and not getting aboard until 3:30 was tough to deal with. Carnival, however was TOO efficeint with disembarkation. I was in zone 26 (of 32) and was off the ship by 9 AM. I was hoping that disembarkation would take days to complete, so I could spend more time on my Carnival Dream. I can’t wait to book another Carnival cruise, hopefully with a cruise director as good as Mark Price was on the Carnival Pride and Todd Wittmer was on my Carnival Dream…possibly Carnival’s senior cruise director? Thank you John for this blog thingy and all you do to keep everyone happy. You, too, truly symbolize the Carnival name. Stay healthy and travel safely.
November 28th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Hi John! I understand from the Charleston news (we live about an hour away) that the city of Charleston will start a complete renovation of the port in time to be completed for the arrival of the Carnival Fantasy!
I agree with you about the Carnival Glory – she is a wonderful ship full of great people, and we did love Ryan! We will miss her sailing from Port Canaveral!
November 28th, 2009 at 10:22 am
John, I know where chicken and turkeys come from.I watched my Mom wring the neck off off them many times, plus put them in a wash tub and pour scalding hot water on them to pluck the feathers off. Mother canned a lot of our veggie as we had a ice box. The ice man came around ever so often and Mother put a sign in the front window so he would know if we needed ice. So there wasn’t a freezer to freeze our veggies or meat. I still can some of our fresh veggies, which we grow some summers.
Our outdoor lights have been up ever since we got back from Indiana the middle of Nov. We went to Indiana so Don could deer hunt and yes my deer hunter bagged an 8 point buck that weighed around 140 pounds. The meat is being processed. We will freeze it and DON will eat it, not me. I don’t like the wild meat taste.
Normally the lights would not be up until after Thanskgiving but since we are going on the BC3 I wanted to have some extra time to enjoy them . Indoor lights won’t go up until we get back.
I would love to see Kye’s reaction to her first Christmas tree and Santa Claus.
CYA soon
Carolyn and Don
November 28th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Do you have any information on the Carnival Magic
Thanks
November 28th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Hi John,
I thought of you when I saw Megan Fox on the Leno Show. You would have been jealous of the sailor who escorted her down the steps. She even mentioned my hometown (lots of the Transformer movie was shot at the Air Force base). My husband has some pictures of a set near where he works.
Looks like lots of bloggers are out shopping or getting ready for the bloggers cruise.
have fun
KathyG
November 28th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
John:
Just a quick note from our hotel’s free computer business office….
we spent the day in Gatlingburg, Tn after spending a SPLENDID night with Countess Carolyn (or Nascar Granny as DJ calls her ) and Don at Bristol Nascar tracks “Christmas Lights”.
DJ got to ride ON the Bristol track in our full size conversion van (which I have to say DOES NOT take the 36% incline very well)….WAY top heavy.
This was a lifetime memory for DJ that we would not have known was even available without Countess Carolyn and Don. They met us there and DJ jumped out of the van to give Nascar Granny a hug. (which he won’t even do for me)
We followed Nascar Granny and Don in their car through the course of lights….down the drag strip and then onto the actual Bristol track.
DJ’s highlight was us driving our van across the actual start/finish line ON the track.
What a thrill. And it was made all the more special to have Countess Carolyn and Don there to share it with. They drove a great distance to experience it with DJ.
This morning when we arrived in Gatlinburg, DJ was again thrilled to learn that Enos (of Dukes of Hazard) was making personal appearances. For folks familiar with the show…Enos was the goffy Deputy that had a crush on Daisy Duke,
DJ got his picture made with him and we had a nice long conversation. DJ is in heaven. He LOVES Dukes of Hazard.
This week of pre-cruise activities has been EXCELLENT….we look forward to our cruise to cap off a wonderful vacation.
Linda (Mom of your friend ~ in Nascar and Dukes of Hazard heaven~ DJ)
November 28th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
John, Please respond:
Yes, I agree John Susan Boyle should have been at the christening and sang “I dreamed a dream” – that would have made it all that much more special. A lot of us bloggers have written you for months saying she should’ve been the godmother. It is funny that you cannot understand her, when I as an american understand her so perfectly, she is a beautiful lady in her own rite. Who cares what her hair looks like, or how she dresses, it is what comes from the heart that matters most, and with a voice like hers how can you help but love her! She is magnificent in my eyes. WOW! The bloggers cruise will be here in 5 days, my friend Michele will be there with her mom. I told her today to make sure and get a picture with you John, (2 of my favorite people in the world). BTW: Did Heidi get the package I sent for you guys for Christmas? I mailed it extra early, and by now she should have it. Can’t wait to see you on Jan. 23rd. Only 4 weeks from today Mike and I will be on the DREAM! On facebook, the port canaveral sail-a bration website had a picture of Mike with his Carnival hat and all his pins. He can’t wait to get the new bigger Dream pin. He hopes that Carnival will also take his suggestion and have Funship Freddie pins for sale in the gift shop. Any chance that might happen someday? We have 3 cruises to look forward to. The Dream in late Dec., and in late May, and the Miracle to Aruba and Curacau in Dec. 2010! WOO! HOO! Sure wish you were gonna be on the Dream in May. When will the 2010 CD schedule be out? Take good care of my friend Michele Maragni, she is a great friend, and you will just adore her too. Tell her to show you her “ANGEL” tattoos on her legs, ankles, and hands. Her brother just died recently so she needs this cruise as a pick me up. Make her laugh with your humor (spelled correctly)! HA! HA! Your friends, Linda and Mike
November 28th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
We are looking forward to our cruise next week on Carnival Legend to see how pretty the decorations are. We have only been on Carnival Imagination after Thanksgiving. Can’t wait
November 28th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Hi John..this is long over due. Our TA on the Dream is now just a dream. Again we would like to thank you for all you did for us and for your time. I couldn’t believe all the people who line up to have a few words with you and you give each and everyone your time with no rush. You are indeed one special person and I am honored to call you “FRIEND”..Now we are looking forward to our 5 day cruise on the Ecstasy to help my brother over come his fear of being sea sick. Hope it works out so my brother and I can have more cruises together. We leave Dec 7th out of Galveston. Please send good thoughts over the seas for my brother to have a wonderful cruise…Thanks again for all you do..Regards from Houston…A&W
November 28th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Hello!
I love the blog!!
A while ago, you posted the cruise director schedual. Could you maybee do it again!
You cruise-directed me in inorgural Freedom, and I refered friends to the blog ever since!!!!
I love it once again! Best place on the world wide web!!!
Cheers!!!
Zack
Fan-
The blog
The best site on the www!!!
November 28th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Hey John,
We had a great criuse on the Carnival Dream, bar a couple of isolated incidents. We missed you and the Bloggers and wish we could be with you and the Big Ed and the Evil Krewe on BC3 and all the other Carnival Crazies who are going to help you deal with all the folks who I am sure that are going to have a DREAM of a time on the Carnival Dream. Have a wonderful cruise! I hope you can get some rest between the flights and preparation for BC3. Get some rest on the cruise from NY to Port Canaveral.
Mike & Loretta Brown
November 28th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Dear John,
Just today as my husband and I were setting up our Christmas tree (and yes, it’s a REAL one as opposed to one you take out of a box), we started thinking how it has been almost one year since we took our first cruise on board the Carnival Sensation. I remember that the ship looked beautiful decorated for Christmas but did not know that Carnival actually hires outside people to do it for them (just figured that the crew knew what they were doing!).
Anyway, looking forward to my next cruise in May and getting a chance to experience any and all changes that were discussed at the CD conference
November 28th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
STEPHANIE – could you please forward to Jaime on the Carnival Pride?
Jaime -
At the moment, we are looking at taking the Dec 13th cruise on the Carnival Pride. My wife is allergic to smoke, but we love to ballroom dance, so we are obviously concerned about the smoking policy on board.
Could you please let me know what lounges are smoking and which lounges are smoke free? I am hoping that either (or both) Beauties and the Jazz Club are smoke free, as both sound like wonderful places for us to enjoy ourselves.
I look forward to actually meeting you soon -
Missingthesmokefreeparadise (aka Jon)
November 29th, 2009 at 12:45 am
You mentioned that the chef used 96 Turkeys for Thanksgiving Dinner. What happens to leftover food on board? What if 96 turkeys had been cooked but the guests only ordered 80 birds worth of turkey?
November 29th, 2009 at 2:14 am
JOHN – PLEASE REPLY
The Mrs & I have decided to take the December 13th sailing of the Carnival Pride out of Baltimore.
1. What can you tell us about the cruise director? I know that Jaime is on the ship, but don’t know the CD.
2. Any suggestions on excursions? The Mrs. wants to do Atlantis in Nassau, as well as Cable Beach. I am thinking about the Kennedy Space Center while in Port Canaveral.
The cruiser formerly known as MTSFP
November 29th, 2009 at 3:05 am
Hi John,
Please reply,
I have noticed that you no longer put the cards of complaints or the letters from passengers on the cruise ship that you are on. I know I used to enjoy reading the complaint cards (like the one where the lady wanted Carnival to pay for the Doctor checking the Mosquito bite that she got onboard). Could you please start posting them again when you have more time.
Please send my love to Heidi and Little Kye,
From your #1 Bloggy Thinggy Fan,
Kathy M.
November 29th, 2009 at 5:26 am
STEPHANIE!!
This is a repeat but since I haven’t heard from you communications must have broken down somewhere along the line. So that I can send John information he requested on a specific date please send me an e-mail address I can use. Thanks.
Ken Stevenson
November 29th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Hey John,
Just got off the conquest this morning. Great Cruise!! Thanks for asking Chris Jefferson for his help on the Marriage Game. He did as asked.
November 29th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Last year we were on the Carnival Splendor on Thanksgiving and it wasn’t decorated that week but they were playing Kenny G. I did sail once a few years ago when the ship was decorated and there was nothing prettier than looking up from the lobby and seeing all that garland, bows and lights! I like it. Glad your Thanksgiving was nice too and I’m sad that I will be missing the bloggers cruise..sniff, sniff.
November 29th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Dear John
I wrote you several months ago and you graciously said you would help do something special for my inlaws on our cruise on the carnival Miracle leaving FLL 12/14. I know you get a million requests so i understand if you are unable to help at this time I have copied you on the previous correspondence. I imagine you are very busy as this is the holiday season, but thought I would give it a shot. Have a very Happy Christmas in the UK, pop a cracker or two for me. We were stationed there for 10 years and I miss it everyday. Nothing like a cup of PG Tips to wake you up in the afternoon!
John
Please reply….
I have booked my immediate family and some friends as well as my in laws on the Miracle Western Caribbean departing 12/14/09. Here is my problem, my in-laws have always sailed Royal Caribbean. They live eat and breathe everything Royal Caribbean! The mistake they made was letting me plan our cruise! I love Carnival, I love the service the food and the value. My father in law was a self made man who is very very talented and interesting to talk to. But he does sometimes set his mind that he is right. I really wanted to impress him with Carnival and I was wondering if there is any way we could get seated at the Captains Table or Officers Table one night. This is a very special cruise for me as my husband recently retired from the US Air Force and we never had a honeymoon. We will be renewing our vows on this cruise and if my in laws are unhappy it will take away from the experience. I know a million requests come to you but I hope you will be able to help me.
Best regards
Kim
Ps I love love love your blog, We were stationed in England for 10 years and miss it terribly.
John Says:
Hello Kim
This is a bit like The Miami Heat vs. The New York Knicks or England vs. Australia at cricket or Tyson vs. Holyfield or the French vs. Everyone who hates them which is of course everyone who isn’t French. Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean…you vs. the in- laws ……….a titanic struggle where only one will survive.
Joking aside, there is nothing to worry about because the amazing value for money that a Carnival cruise provides along with the brilliant service and never-ending fun will for sure bring the in laws over from the dark side.
I will do my best with your request but the captain’s table is never easy to influence. However, I would ask that you remind me two weeks before your cruise and I will do whatever I can to make sure your father in law has an amazing experience and that the Carnival Empire will strike back.
Don’t worry Kimberlee…………if he starts talking about climbing walls just remember ……. use the fun Kimberlee…………use the fun.
Best wishes
Obee One Johnobe
Kimberlee
Drayton
November 29th, 2009 at 10:35 am
When I was a little girl living in San Antonio, which I admit was a very long time ago, Christmas came to the stores the day after Thanksgiving, not a moment before. This was before the big malls so you actually had to go downtown and do your shopping. I can remember my Mother taking me to Joskeys every year to visit Santa and see the beautiful decorations. Times have certainly changed and even for my family. We have already had our Christmas, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Since some of our children are scattered all over the country and Mike and I leave for the Texas Gulf Coast for The winter, we have our Christmas when as many of our family can be with us. Of course our grandchildren like it then, they get to open there Christmas presents early and the parents get the cash they can spend on their Christmas. So, it works for everyone. Is Christmas different for us, yes, but we are all together at that time and for me that is the only thing want, my family together.
Keep smiling John, you truly are one of the good guys.
My best to Heidi and Kye.
November 29th, 2009 at 11:25 am
John, please reply….
Hi, John! We just returned early this a.m. (Sun., 11/29) from the 8-day Freedom cruise visiting Cozumel, Limon & Colon. Magnificent cruise! We had a super wonderful time with Wee Jimmy (it was the 1st time we met him) and once again we were so lucky to have the talented Jamie Frasier performing onboard! We took pictures of Wee Jimmy (& also the 2 of us with him) and have to tell you that he is one of Carnival’s best cruise directors. You are the “God of the CD’s” and he is a close second.
Jamie Frasier has such a wonderful voice and style… plus he is a great comedian too. We know that he is on line to become a Cruise Director… It was also a pleasure to once again sail with Capt. D’Aita, who we consider one of the bests Carnival Captains…..
Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day, was also my Birthday (Maria) and Adrian Perez, our Carnival travel rep. sent me a delicious cake. It was so very nice of him! I didn’t need the extra calories, because, as always, I splurged every day on the magnificent cheese cakes that the Lido Buffet serves every day! We take this opportunity to once again tell you that we consider the Lido Buffet – in all the Carnival ships – excellent and in fact, we eat most our meals there.
God willing, on Dec. 11 we are driving from Mia. Bch. to Cocoa Beach, we’ll spend the night there and on Dec. 12 we’ll be onboard the Dream sailing for a wk. to Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan Island & Belize. We are hooked on cruises, are we not?
Regards to you and Heidi & big kisses to Princess Kye.
The Santanas of Miami Beach
November 29th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I knw where chickens and Turkeys come from too! Iceland! (At least that’s where I get mine
) (I’m sure John will explain that joke for any non British readers out there 
)
November 29th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Hey John: Carnival Glory was our first and second cruise and we absolutely love her! She will always be a special lady in our lives. And yes, you did spell colour correctly!!
Cheers to all
Can’t wait to be a Crus’in Canuck on Feb. 13th on the Dream
November 30th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Hi John!
Spent Nov 21-Nov 26 on board the Carnival Fantasy (my Platinum Cruise!) with my family and my siblings/nephews. It was a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving Week!
Ship-on-a-Stick; The 24k gold plastic trophies WERE given as awards but were we told the Fantasy CD has instructed all crew that they are no longer “Ships-on-a-Stick” but that guests could call them what we wanted (it was all very funny and lighthearted). My guess is that one or two guests out of a gazillion must’ve been offened by the moniker so we all must suffer (LOL).
On a serious note, debarkation (yuck) was quite a zoo. The ship and crew (including debarkation staff at the terminal) did a wonderful job-it was the passengers on this trip. The whole “Self-Assist” thing took 1 1/2 hours-folks pulling 70lb suitcases up/down the stairs and families traveling with muliple small children & strollers AND 70 lb suitcases-somebody is going to get hurt (not to mention that is NOT what Self-Assist was designed for). Are there plans to reevaluate the Self-Assist Debarkation program?
BTW-the luggage fairies picked my bags up between 10-11pm the final evening. The bags were waiting for me patiently before customs. Yeah!!!!!
November 30th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Hi John!
Good luck getting to NY today. Fly safely.
I hope your journey to Miami went ok.
I can’t believe that Xmas directions are already up. It seems like this year is just flying by.
I’m a fan of the massage in the spa myself, but I can’t see doing it every single day. Therefore, I believe that a lot more male passengers are using the services.
Have a good day and look forward to reading more.
Take care!
David
November 30th, 2009 at 11:30 am
John Please Reply
With the new (Famous Smoke Stack) as the new logo. I thought t might be time for some Smoke Stack history .Can you find out which ship was the first one to have it .The old pictures of the first carnival ships dont have this fomous smoke stack .Also who’s idea it was and was it purpose to be so recognizable or was it just a way to get exhaust of the ship better .Thanks
November 30th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Hello John and the Bloggers,
Been away for a funeral and of coarse the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Malls have the decorations up right after Halloween any more and it just shows that the stores see Christmas as the saviour of their business rather than the Saviour being Christmas. Black Friday as they call it had several fights break out at the ToysRus store as the adults were fighting over the last toy on the shelf. Shame on them all.
To all of the lucky Bloggers that are going on BC3 I hope you have a great time and the seas are smooth and the skies are clear.
The Cruzin2some
James & Nancy Enslow
November 30th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Please reply: Hi John: my post for “Scattering of the Seas” has not been posted and there was a reply to it. Just wondering if it was lost in cyber space??? Thanks,Angela Guptill
November 30th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
John:
I love to travel when the ships are decorated for Christmas!
Although I don’t actually believe in astrology, I am one who enjoys reading my horoscope, and I usually share a weekly one that I get online, with a dear friend. Mine this week was:
“Travel has been on the back of your mind lately, but suddenly it’s all you can think about on Monday. The idea of going somewhere faraway is intensely appealing, and it would be good for you in ways you couldn’t possibly realize. Even if you don’t have the resources to plan a major trip right now, plan a minor one, possibly for midweek or week’s end. Plan a trip to another town nearby for dinner. Be inventive. This week is all about meeting new people and doing new things. The more of that kind of stuff you do, the better, especially over the weekend. People love having you around. ”
Boy! Did that one hit the nail on the head! Our upcoming cruise (this coming Saturday, Dec. 5th) is suddenly just about all I can think of! I have printed out our Funpasses and documents, and luggage tags! I even made sure I sent them to a color printed so I could enjoy the bright fuschia color on the luggage tags and the golden elipse around the “VIP” on the Funpass! Yes, it is going to be difficult to concentrate on work this week!
Great blog, as usual….love to you, Heidi and Kye!
Terri & Larry
November 30th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
John,
I had the pleasure of sailing on Glory with you this week. I had the additional pleasure of watching you and Ryan serenading my wife ALA Marilyn Monroe during the morning show. Thanks for the memories !! It will never be forgotten!
Consider me a fan of the decorations being up already. We have sailed the past two T-Giving weeks and they weren’t up on the Valor last year, but were up last week, and I thought it was nice!
By the way, I really enjoy the heck you give Ryan, and I thought he took it like the champion that he is!
December 1st, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Hi John (PLEASE REPLY),
I am a little flabbergasted right now because I keep trying to post blog comments and they never end up in the comment section (they always says “your comment is awaiting moderation” and then I never see them appear in the actual comments section). I hope that this works finally and maybe one of the 343 Stephanie’s can tell me what I might have been / am doing wrong!
I am a long time reader of your blog thingy but I just began posting (or at least trying to post) recently and I cannot even begin to tell you how much joy it brings me to read your blog everyday. I wake up in the morning and the first thing I do (while I am still in my underwear of course) is check my email to see if you have posted a new blog for the day yet!
My family and I sailed with you on the Carnival Freedom a couple years ago and out of the 6 Carnival cruises (we would never dream of sailing on a different cruise line) the Freedom cruise was by far the best. We have been trying to schedule a time to sail with you again however, we usually have to sail at specific times of the year in order to work around our schedules and since our Freedom cruise our schedules never seem to coincide with your schedule as cruise director however, I am sure it will happen again, hopefully sooner as opposed to later!
I think it should be noted however, that the passion, joy, commitment, and dedication that you bring to the position of cruise director is absolutely amazing. For example, when we sailed with you on the Freedom, a certain Mr. Bells Palsy had visited you and despite that you did not miss one show or one joke and I cannot begin to commend you enough for a job exceptionally well done!
The menu you have listed here looks absolutely heavenly, I am extremely jealous of the people who are cruising on Thanksgiving this year! As for the people falling asleep around you, maybe they are readers of your blog thingy and have seen your previous pictures of men sleeping next to you (not in your cabin of course
and they want to be some of the privileged few who make a cameo on your blog!
On to more pressing issues
I had a favor to ask of you. My family and I are once again cruising on the Carnival Freedom sailing on January 2nd 2010 from Ft. Lauderdale FL. There are six of us traveling as a group and this is our 6th Carnival cruise together, our experiences on Carnival always surpass what we expect however one thing always leaves us wanting more and that is our dining experience.
We always choose and get late seating as we never want to miss time at the ports of call or dinner in the dining room and we always are seated simply with our party of 6! These aspects of our dining are always wonderful and we hope that they will continue again this year however our table assignment in the dining room and our dining staff have been somewhat disappointing.
You see John, we always seem to be seated in the way back of the dining room where we can never see the entertainment and excitement that is happening in the main area of the dining room and out of our 6 cruises, we have never actually laid eyes on our Maitre D! This is disappointing to us because we hear all the fun that others are having in the dining room and we feel like we are simply being stuffed back in the back of the dining room with dining staff who seem about as happy to be there as we are. I have seen other dining team members dancing on tables, singing, and even dancing with some of their diner guests but our dining staff never seem to be as exciting as many of the others. We always leave the dining room (with full, satisfied tummies of course) but feeling like we have missed a vital and exciting part of our experience. So, I was wondering if it might be possible for you to help us be seated with our party of 6 at a table in the center of all the action this year so that we do not miss a beat.
I hate to ask you for favors John, as I know that they take up your time and I would rather you be spending it talking to Heidi and Kye as opposed to helping me with my silly request but I knew that if anyone could help enhance our dining room experience then it would be you John and more importantly, I knew that if you knew this was how we felt about our dining experience then you would WANT to help!
I look forward to your response and I hope that you know how much you are appreciate, respected, and looked up to as not only a cruise director and brand ambassador, but also as a person, father, husband and friend and I think I speak for more than myself when I say THANK YOU JOHN, from the bottom of my heart for all you do everyday!
I look forward to your response (as long as my comment actually posts this time)!
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Kathy Roxo
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