I had promised in the last blog of 2009 that I would move away from talking about our new ship…..your Carnival Dream and concentrate on some of our other ships. However, it seems that this just is not going to be possible.
Over the last few days I have been reading some fantastic reviews about our flag ship plus one or two comments that seem………..well………….strange……….as in “how the heck did President Obama win the Nobel Peace Prize” kind of strange.
Here is one line from a review that I see made its way onto the cruise boards.
“We arrived at the cruise terminal at 11:45 am and check in was dreadful. After lining up at security and going through the whole check in process it was 12:40 pm before we walked on board. My husband complained to the staff in the terminal but nothing was done. This was a bad first impression as it took just 20 minutes to get on the boat when we took our last cruise”
Admittedly the review does go on to praise the food and the service and in case someone pounces on me saying that I didn’t mention the other negative comment……….yes……….these guests did not like the entertainment or having so many people on board as they felt the ship was too big.
But for now, it’s the check in time I want to comment on…..55 minutes…………that’s 55 minutes living in a world we share with some crazed individuals who want to blow us up into millions of pieces. Yes, it is easy to blame the check in time on the security issues we live with but it’s not an excuse…………it’s a fact…………and honestly, embarking 4,000 guests and with all the security procedures we have in place to keep our guests and the ship safe…………well 55 minutes does not seem that bad to me. Oh, and the fact that they complained about this makes my hemorrhoids flare up. Would they have complained to the people with the iron on badges at the airport …………….no……………absolutely not.
And it seems that the airports are only going to get worse. First we had the Mustafa Shite who tried to make a bomb out of liquids………. and that was us………….having to put our toothpaste, shampoo and Preparation H into a little plastic bag which was then placed through a scanner before it was allowed on the plane.
Then some guy called Richard……….or Dick as he is known around the world……….his a bomb in his Nike ……………..and that was us………….having to take our shoes off and then placed through a scanner before they were allowed on the plane.
And now we have Umar Abdulmutallabastard who had a bomb in his underpants……….and very soon…………..that will be us…………….having to take our Fruit of the Looms off and have them placed through a scanner before they are allowed on the plane.
However it seems just dropping our draws to make sure they don’t contain any high explosives or any oily discharge is not going to be enough. Because President Obama, Prime Minister Susan Boyle and other world leaders have said that it is time to put in place the full body scanners ….. all except President Sarkozy of France who wrote “We Surrender” on his underwear and mailed them to Al Qaeda.
Now………..full body scanners……………mmmmm……….this has me thinking. You see, what about kids…………..and specifically what about my daughter. I wrote last week that the security chap at the Santa Grotto thingy would not let me take a photo of my own child…………….yet she will have to pass through a full body scanner whilst strangers look at her.
While I understand the need for these scanners why does everyone and I mean everyone have to pass through them. Come on! You don’t need an Ivy school education to know that Kye does not have a lump of C4 hidden in her diaper. It’s the same with other people as well. My great aunty Margaret who is 88 and flied to Florida every year to see her family does not have dynamite hidden in her colostomy bag……why then does passenger have to go through these body scanners?
But it seems even without managing to ignite his underpants Umar Abdulmutallabastard and his mates have won because we are advised to arrive at the airport three hours minimum now for a trans Atlantic flight from London to the United States and once the full naked body scanner thingies are in place its going to require even more time.
So then …………..3 hours to board the aircraft or 55 minutes to board the ship……………….that surely is not worthy of a complaint………………is it?
Time for today’s questions……………away we go.
Tina Lobaugh Asked:
Hiya John, I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you yet…even after 17 cruises.. Whats the deal! LOL but I am hoping you can tell me how my best friend and I (going on the Valor 1/10/10 can get the same waiter in the MDR that we had in Oct?? LOL is this possible?? Can we request before hand, or just wait and go to MDR upon boarding and ask?BTW, I love love reading all of your blogs! And one day I will be on the “right” ship and get to meet you
John Says:
Hello TinaI hope that having taken 17 cruises and we are yet to sail together that the coming months will give us the opportunity to rectify this. I am very late with this reply and I hope that you were actually able to be with the same waiter. Once again I way behind with my replies and obviously you will be reading this when you get home so let me say that I hope you had a brilliant time and I look forward to reading your review.
Best wishes
Johnbeentravelin Asked:
Dear John, (PLEASE RESPOND),
We had a conversation some 2 1/2 months ago and you said the Stephanies has something brilliant planned for the Carnivalconnections video page and unless I missed it in another one of your postings there has been no announcements about this. There have also been no changes to the page. The last post was on Oct. 9th 2008. It featured Lawrence the production singer.I have been following the videos on here and on Carnival’s main site as well as YouTube. I just think the more places you guys can post your videos, the more people will see them. Which is always a good thing.
Here’s our conversation about 10 weeks ago.
Beentravelin Asked:
Dear John (please respond)
Do you or one of the Stephanies know why there have been no posts on the Carnival Connections page since the Carnival Splendor?
John Says:Hello Beentravelin
I checked with one of the 343 Stephanies and this is what she told me.
All of the videos we’ve been producing since the launch of the Carnival Splendor have either been posted on the blog or directly on carnival.com. But, we haven’t forgotten about the Carnival Connections video page. We are planning something very special and will be able to give the blogger’s more info next month.So, there you go and I have no idea what the Stephanie’s are planning but judging by the amount of Tofu they have been eating…………I bet it’s going to brilliant.
Rob Herrin
All I can say about the new cruise centre is……..WOW! Carnival has done a wonderful job with the completion of this project. I thought Grand Turk and Costa Maya were impressive until I saw this latest slide show of Roatan. Bravo! I see by the pictures that the climb to the top of the hill to catch non-Carnival Shore-ex’s isn’t very steep after all. Good news for the elderly.
Here are my questions: Since Carnival will have their own taxi dispatcher then I’m assuming you could give us some sort of price list to the attractions around the island, paticularly (sp) the West Bay beaches. Could you see what you could do about posting a price list for round-trip fares to some different areas around the island?Secondly and more importantly, I love the new Cabanas. Will these be available for purchase before the cruise………….. or at the shorex desk…………… or after you arrive on the private island? I would love to reserve one now as I’m sure they will go quickly.
I’ll also heard mention of a Snorkeling Area. Will this be easily accessible from the shore or will customers need to take a boat?
Thank you now for any insight you can provide into these queries.
P.S. I am very happy for you now that your home with your girls. Do keep posting regularly please!!!
Thanks again John for checking into this.
Rob HerrinJohn Says:
Hi Rob:You and many others seem very impressed with our new Mahogany Bay facilities at the island of Isla Roatan. I am very much looking forward to seeing this for myself on your Carnival Dream at the end of this month. I have sent your questions to our Shore Excursion Department and as soon as they send me the details I will of course post them here on the blog thingy. Thanks again for the great posting.
Best wishes
JohnAlison Asked:
Hi John (Please reply)Your blog has been keeping me in stitches reading about your exploits aboard Carnival Dream. My husband and I will be first time cruisers (ever) in January aboard the Carnival Splendor, and thanks to your blog “thingy” we are counting the days somewhat impatiently.
I had a question for you. As we are first time cruisers, we are not too familiar with the layout of the dining room. I have noticed in some photos that there are smaller tables amongst the larger tables. I am wondering how to get seated at one of the smaller tables. I am severely hard of hearing (almost deaf) and therefore would not be able to communicate with a large group of strangers and don’t want my husband’s meal interrupted by having to interpret to me what people are saying. (I can hear somewhat, but rely mostly on lip-reading, which is problematic in large groups).I have already requested the accessibility kit for our cabin, but could not find any information re: dining. I figured we would try it once, but probably eat at the Lido Buffet most nights, which would be a shame for my food loving husband, especially since this is a late birthday present for him.
Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.
Looking forward to our “maiden voyage”!!!
Alison C.
Cabin 1056, Jan 31 – Feb 6/10John Says:
Hello AlisonI am glad that the blog thingy keeps you laughing and I hope that this New Year it will continue to do so. I have (after reading your posting) asked the Maitre D to arrange a table for two for you so that you don’t have to worry about your hearing difficulties. I will see you on the 31st and I will do all I can to make this cruise the best vacation you have ever had.
See you soon
Best wishes
JohnTracy Asked:
Hi John. ty for getting us a booth in the dining room on the Splendor we had a great time I love the ship and the CD goose was great very nice guy. my 2nd fav ship now the Splendor #1 glory. How is the captain doing I don’t know his name but the one who was on the Splendor before my cruise? please reply. how’s the family? and ty again for the booth. tracyJohn Says:
Hello TracyYou are most welcome and I am glad that you had such a brilliant time and thank you for taking the time to say “thank you.” I think you are referring to Captain Rassello who was taken ill during your cruise. He is fine now which is great news and next month will return to work as Master of one of our fun for all ships………….thanks for asking.
I hope you continue to enjoy the blog thingy
Best wishes
JohnValerie O’Rourke Asked:
Please reply. Hi John,Loved the transatlantic Dream crossing, saw you get on buy missed the get together. Wonder if you can work your magic with this. Our party of 2 cabins both had 2 bottles of wine each sent by the TA. When they did not show up we inquired at the service desk. Told they were not ordered. Turned out they were. My TA called Carnival to report that we did not get them. Carnival said too bad since they were signed for, but Carnival does not save these signed cards.
We will sail on the Fantasy Jan. 16 out of Mobil Al. Sure wish Carnival could provide us with some wine.
Thanks,
Valerie and Thomas O’RourkeJohn Says:
Hello ValerieWell, while I don’t know the facts about the travel agent and the wine I will be happy to send you a little something. I hope you both have a fantastic cruise and I wish I could have been with you for the trans-Atlantic crossing. Maybe next time!
Best wishes
JohnJeanette Asked:
John, please replyWhat ship will you be a CD on in September of 2010?
Thanks!John Says:
Hello JeanetteWe recently posted the Cruise Director schedule for the fleet up until June 2010. However, I can tell you that in September I will be on the Carnival Pride for a while and I hope that you can come and join me.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Best wishes
Johnjordonsgrammy Asked:
Hi John:Thank-you for replying to my blog…as the nerves are starting to settle I realized I forgot to ask about a B-Day cake for Jan.8 as we have a little girl turning 11. So my question is do I talk to Butch about this or do I buy a cake in Miami and bring it on the boat what do I do? Remember if this sounds like a stupid question it’s because I am a first -timer…lol
John Says:
Hello JordansgrammyAs I said in my last posting please do not be nervous as you will have a brilliant time. As for the birthday cake these are available for purchase from the Celebrations shop on board. I recommend the chocolate cake and then ask for your dining room team to have it delivered during dinner and they will also sing their own brilliant version of “Happy Birthday.” Write Butch a letter will you please and deliver it at the Guest Services Desk when you board the ship. Just leave him a note that tells him it’s your girl’s birthday and that I promised her “something gold” and he will do the rest. Have a brilliant time and get ready to be hooked on cruising forever.
Best wishes,
JohnMike M Asked:
John, Please replyGood morning sir…I had the same question that Linda did…I have posted comments on the blog thingy, nothing insulting, or demeaning to anybody…My first was about the experience we had, or didn’t have, on the Goth cruise with you..The second was some questions about the Dream, which I am considering going on next October. I have never seen any reply…Am I doing something wrong? Maybe they did get lost in outer space somewhere…
We hope to see you very soon.Our best holiday wishes to you and your lovely family at this special time of the year.
MikeJohn Says:
Hello Mike MYou really are not doing anything wrong and did in fact reply to your posting a few blogs ago as I remember the Goth cruise subject well. Sometimes it takes a few days to post the comments as they are moderated by a team of 343 Stephanies who have many comments every day to read. I am very strict about posting the bad ones as well as the good ones……….I won’t have it any other way and unless they are personally insulting to another blogger or an employee we will post them all…….eventually.
So, I hope you saw my response and once again my apologies for the very late reply.
Please let me know if there is anything else you need
Best wishes
JohnKyle Green Asked:
Reply neededI guess you leave me no choice but to have you arrange a table for 4 NOT A BOOTH for my family cruise on the Valor on the 24th of January. I have been reading on Cruise Critic that you arrange this for your so called fans. This leaves the rest of us not able to get what we want when we do it the usual way by telling the dining room head manager on the first afternoon.
Here are my details and as we are a larger family please guarantee that we will not be seated in a booth on the early seating.
Will you confirm this by e mail?
KyleJohn Says:
Hello KyleThank you for taking the time to write and I am sure you are excited about your coming family vacation on the Carnival Valor. I have asked the Maitre D to do as you requested and he will certainly do his best to assist you. I will not be able to confirm this by e mail but I am sure all will be well. I hope that like the many thousands of people who read this blog every week that you too become “a fan.”
Best wishes
JohnKathy M. Asked:
Dear John, Please Reply.I sent you a email a few months ago asking if you were going to be on the Carnival Spirit during the week of 10/27/10 and you replied yes, because I told you I wanted to book a cruise that I knew you were going to be the CD on, then today 12/11/09 you write this:
My brand ambassador role is important and one I relish but my in my heart I am still a CD and as I doubt I will be a CD for too many more years I want to use as much time as I can doing what I love the most………entertaining. I hope that some of you will be joining me on your Carnival Dream, the Conquest, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Pride and hopefully the Carnival Spirit.
So now you might not be on the Carnival Spirit, so what gives?
Could you possibly send me Chris P’s address so that I may write to him? I think it is terrible that as the Brand Ambassador for Carnival you have never sailed the West Coast. I think that it is about time that you showed us the same courtesy that you show the East Coast.
Same with the bloggers cruise, you have already done three of them on the East Coast, do one on the West Coast before you are sent back to Europe full time (don’t get me wrong, I think you should be closer to Heidi and Kye) but if this is the last year that you might be in the States, then I think you should show some of your famous Brand Ambassadorship to the West Coast for a change.
Give my love to Heidi and Kye.
From your #1 Bloggy Thingy Fan
Kathy M.John Says:
Hello Kathy MI know how passionate you are about both Carnival and the blog thingy and how disappointed you are that I am rarely on the West Coast. The only reason I wrote “maybe on the Carnival Spirit” is that it is nearly a year away and of course a lot can change then. Chris Prideaux has nothing to do with my Brand Ambassador role and quite honestly I hope that I can be on the Carnival Spirit as that certainly is the plan and I truly hope nothing changes and we can cruise together.
Best wishes
John
That’s all for today. Thank you so much for all the happy New Year comments for Heidi, Kye and I which we once again return to you and your families. I will of course be replying to more questions tomorrow.
Talking of the New Year, while my family and I had a very quiet celebration the parties on our ships were in full swing. The fleet featured champagne, live music, balloon drops, the big count down and of course a fun for all atmosphere.
I have hosted many of these myself although actually, thinking about it, the last time I did so was onboard the Carnival Triumph for the Millennium party. It’s really hard to put into words the atmosphere that we create on board during this event and so rather than me waffle on let’s ask Radu to use his camera to show you how the party was celebrated on board your Carnival Dream.
As I said these celebrations were fleet wide from the Carnival Fantasy to your Carnival Dream. It was also a very special party on the Carnival Glory as you will see in a few days time on a special video made by Ryan Fitzgerald the CD and Zed the AV Manager and of course Anuj the Hotel Director. They are busy downupsideways loading it to the 343 Stephanies and as soon as it’s ready I will be posting it here on the blog thingy. For now though, here are more great photos of guests ringing in the New Year onboard the Carnival Glory. But before we post these in one of those slide show thingies, let’s have a few words from my great friend and the Master with the red glasses………………Captain Cutugno
Dear All,
Here I am again to give to all of you, devoted and faithful Bloggers a special and unique happy and health 2010 with a hope that the next year will be also a year with a great peace around the world.Yesterday Dec. 31, 2009 we set sail from Roatan (Honduras) to Grand Cayman at 03:00pm after a beautiful sunny day spent at the beach right close to where we dock just a few minutes away or if you like you can reach it by taking the sky lift just out of the terminal and together with the beautiful view that you get you can reach this nice beautiful and very fine white sand beach, like you are walking on top of the loose powder.
During the all entire day we set up all the outside Lido Deck Areas for the night event, inside the main atrium lobby we set up a net and during the entire day, guest and/or crew blow up his own balloon (I just did 4 myself) with a personal written Wish for the New Year.
Well you can imagine what happens all night long, I can say we had one of the Best New Year Eve Party, Just look how the crowd get on the open decks and the one on the atrium main lobby waiting for the balloons rain coming straight from the sky bringing a written wish for the coming year on each one of them.
In one of these Pictures you can also see how during the all event we took a few second of Our Time to have a Group Picture with the family.
Taking this opportunity once again I would like to wish all of you and yours,
myself and all the Glory team BEST WISHES FOR A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Warmest Regards
The Red Glasses Captain
Giovanni Cutugno
Well, I am sure that many of you who have never experienced the absolute joyous thrill of welcoming in the New Year on one of our fun for all ships and having seen those photos will now be anxious to do so………go on………….book it now…….2011 is just around the corner. Who needs to hob knob with the rich and tanned on Miami Beach or the Bahamas. Who needs to be surrounded by loads of naked Latvian women when you can celebrate on a Carnival ship?
I started today’s blog writing again about your Carnival Dream. It seems that there are still a few comments floating around the cruise boards that are not based on fact. I won’t bother going into detail again as I have addressed these many times here on the blog and we still do have one or two challenges that I promise we are working on. However, most of the ones mentioned on the boards have been rectified and while opinion the world such a brilliant place it is always good to remember that these are opinions which obviously everyone is entitled to. It does seem though that some of you are suggesting that there may be something a bit fishy about some of these reviews…………..see what I mean.
bhudda Asked:
What is up with all the poor reviews for our Carnival Dream on CC? There seems to be a conspiracy of sorts and lots are recommending that other line at the ends of their reviews. We have been on Norwegian, Princess and Carnival and have always had the best cruises on Carnival. I will find out soon since its 13 days to our Carnival Dream. Thanks for making me laugh all year and the best to you and yours.John Says:
Well Bhudda (which is what I look like when I wear Speedos); I know you will have a fantastic time just as a chap did recently. I was sent a full review by Host Mach our great friend at Cruise Critic. The review can be read on their boards and it gives an honest opinion of his time onboard and tells us what is brilliant and areas we can improve on. Honest opinions. However, there is one part of the review that I asked Host Mach for his permission to post here on the blog thingy…………and here it is.
“And this is what I want to say about the whole line ‘issue’…I wish I had never read any of the reviews of this ship before I went on it! I feel as though it tainted me. Had no one ever said anything to me about lines/crowds, I never would have thought anything about it in comparison to past cruises.”
A very honest review and I ask anyone who is cruising on your Carnival Dream to please have a read of the full report which I will ask Host Mach to provide a link to when he posts his next comment.
It compares his previous two cruises with on the Somethings of the Seas and their food and ours etc. As I said, it also has some areas in which he feels we can do better and he is right we can and we will. I just felt that it was important once again to remind everyone that you can’t always believe what you read. I love the French and want to live in Paris!………see what I mean.
While we have all been enjoying the holidays Jim Berra and our Marketing department have been hard at work producing our new TV commercials. And, here is a first look at what I think will be our best spots ever. First of all, here is our good mate Vance from public relations to slap on the official press thingy and contained therein you will see the link to the commercial. This is the one we are sending out to the press and the industry people and you will hear a voice over from someone you may recognize when it is played on TV. Anyway, have a read and have a look.
Carnival Cruise Lines Launches New TV Advertising Campaign
So, watch TV tonight and over the next few days and please tell us what you think. Jim and the rest of the men and women in our marketing department will be anxiously scratching their beards waiting for your opinion.
Personally……………I think they are absolutely superb.
Well, the New Year has begun and I am sure many of you have resolutions to be fitter, happier and thinner. My diet is still going well and I intend to continue this throughout 2011 and I know that just dieting is not enough………I need to exercise. This means of course that by the end of January I will be totally pissed off with myself when I realize the only exercise I have done is walking to the cupboard to get new batteries for the remote control. So, I have decided not to make any new years resolutions and although I will try and continue my diet for me and for my family….. I shall not get stressed out about it because…..after all…….happiness is more important than thinness.
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and Kye
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.
John, Glad you had a wonderful new year and we are excitied for 2010. We are counting down the days as we get to meet you soon.
Also are cruise is getting closer and we are happy to say we have booked are shore tours. I agree with you on the people upset about the embarkation process. 55 minutes is not the end of the world. It doesnt matter it seems what we hear or see on a cruise there is allways someone unhappy about something. Change the toilet paper and someone will be in the pursers (sorry) customer service desk demanding a refund!
See ya on the 23rd,
Big fans as Allways,
Frank and Bridie
Im so excited formy upcoming Dream Cruise in 4 months. I feed off of dream info and im always left craving for more. I guess i wont be fully satisfied until i actually get on the cruise. Then after that id book another carnival cruise and the cylce repeats itself. But id love to learn more about the food on the dream… and circle C and club o2 activities. Well, thats all for now!
John- We take our family every other year on a Carnival cruise-spent New Years on the Carnival Glory and had such a good time. This year we will all be with you on Carnival Dream in February and we are all so looking forward to that! We had the pleasure of meeting with you on Carnival Freedom last year-so of course expect to meet the whole Ord clan next month. Happy New Year to you and yours. Laverne Ord
Hello John,
I would like to nominate for the 2009 awards:
1. Favorite Carnival ship – Carnival Legend
2. Favorite Carib. Port – St. Thomas
3. Favorite non-carib. port-Honolulu, with Skagway a close second
4. Port never visited but want to – St. Petersburg
5. Crew member of the year- Jogi, maitre d’ on the Carnival Triumph
6. Favorite cruise memory of 2009 – meeting John Heald on the NOLA Blogger’s cruise in Feb, and volunteering at the park in NOLA.
7. Cruise wish for 2010 – To go on another cruise out of New Orleans, or one that goes to Key West.
Hello, John!!!
As you asked, here’s the link to the review that I sent you and you quoted in the blog today:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1112736
As I said in my email to you, it’s an honest appraisal, an honest opinion of someone who has sailed both Carnival and RCCL with direct comparisons of the our Carnival Dream and the Liberty of the Seas. This individual has no dog in the fight… just calls it as he sees it.
On another note, there’s one other review I’d like you to see and here’s the link:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1113745
Hope you, Heidi and Kye had a fantastic time over the holidays!!
All the best, my friend!!!
Ciao!
Host Mach
John, I have compared your picture that was taken with Don and me on the BC2 ,with the one taken on the BC3, You have really loss weight, especially in your face and chest. We’re really proud of you. The weight was not put on overnight, nor will it come off that way.
Keep up the good work, we’re proud of you.
Carolyn and Don
John,
Please reply.
Hope you are enjoying this time with your lovely girls.
We had an ok holiday here. I’m looking forward to my cruise next month.
I’m cruising on board the Carnival Imagination the first of February.
Let see what you can do for me hmmmmmmmmmmm, can’t think of anything, its all cover, got my dinning time, don’t care where I sit, my stateroom is more than what I usually get, can’t wait to see it, got vip boarding, wow make me wish I was on a cruise ship now. The only problem I have is deciding what new clothes to take.
Oh now I know why I was writing to you, need to know if there been anything said about bumper stickers, window clings, and etc. I’m still waiting, hope they don’t keep us waiting to long.
I love this blog, your humor keep me laughing, crying and a smile on my face, it makes my day. Thanks.
John,
Four families from Canada and the U.S. that sailed on the Glory two years ago just repeated on the Dream for the holiday week. Embarkation was highly organized, swift, well staffed and a pleasure. We completed the entire process in under 20 minutes from the time we stepped in the cruise terminal to stepping on board ship. With a ship full of 3,000 guests ( it was reported 2,700 were past carnival guests!) all families reported a great time! The on deck New Years Celebration was nothing short of incredible! the band, the count down, the light show, the energy…WOW!.
I observed two dedicated employees that I believe deserve recognition. What is the best way to make this happen? One was a hard working and kind pool employee and another was working New Years Eve. This employee stopped to do what others working would not. Sometimes it is the silent and dedicated employees that get the customers attention and this is truely the case.
This was our 10th cruise with Carnival and we will be back!
Thanks, and Happy New Years
Dear John,
Good job on the commercial spot beardies. I am sure to embarass my kids on our upcoming family cruise. Can’t wait!!!
Rough Holiday season at my house.
Christmas Day started off with an $800.00 visit to the vet. Followed by trip to my mother-in-laws house. OUCH!!! Then the wife had to have her car repaired $600.00 Cha-Ching! Later we had to cancel plans for new years as my wife’s uncle passed away and now my Step Mom is on life support! Now to top it off I found out that I have Jury Duty on January 7th.
Carnival (Not Calgon) … Take Me Away!
John, I will stand in line for fifty-five (55) minutes on my head to get on a CCL ship. I will not complain either, but be happy to be there!
The Cruzin2some
James & Nancy Enslow
John,
55 min’s!!!… those of us who have been around for a long time can tell you 55 mins is nothing… I remember standing in line for several hours (back before computer check in, when everything was paper)… and hen waiting another 1/2 hour to get on becuase you had to get your room key, etc …. I think people really need chill out, forget the lines they are going on vacation….. another tip want to avoid the lines? go on a Fantasy class ship.. My Favorate
Take care your friend,
Capt Bill
Hey John, my boyfriend and I are *hopefully* going on a cruise this summer on the Fantasy when you’re the CD. I’m just waiting on my boyfriend to earn and save up some money for it because unfortunately we have to have jobs that aren’t on ships and that are in places like software companies and pharmaceutical plans. I’m an avid runner so if you want some exercise, just let me know, haha. We can pound the pavement on the ship’s walking track, lol.
Dear John,
You are a very patient and gracious man, my friend! All I could do after reading KYLE GREEN’s (a relative of Ruth G, perhaps?) comment is sigh and roll my eyes! I mean…seriously, dude?!?
If only my life were so uncomplicated that I could spend my time worrying about whether I was going to get the “right” table/NOT A BOOTH on a Carnival cruise! Even if I DID have the luxury of making such a ridiculous thing my mission in life, I’d at least be polite about it!
Sigh! You would think that something that sends someone into such an apoplectic shock would warrant a “please” and “thank you” at the very least, but then I guess I’m just old school that way.
Re: the TV commercials – I LOVE the new campaign! I used to work for an advertising agency as a freelance copywriter, and from time to time I come across an ad or commercial that makes me think “Man, I wish I wrote that!” The new Carnival commercials fall into that category. So kudos to the advertising and marketing team!
Laura
Dear John,
Please reply,
John, I am so sorry for the way that I have treated you in the last few weeks about a bloggers cruise on the West Coast. In 2008, I was diagnosed with Cancer, I went through all of the chemo and radiation, well when I was going through all of that, my two brothers asked me what I have always wanted to do and I told them to go on a cruise like we did as kids, but not on a dutch freighter, a real cruise ship. So my two loving brothers and their wives paid for a 7 day cruise on the Carnival Pride for me. I never had so much fun in all of my life, like I have written to you the crew was fantastic, but then I got another surprise when my younger brother and his wife took me on my 2nd cruise on the Carnival Paradise, now I was definitely hooked. As Christmas present my brothers once again have paid for my cruise next week Jan 10, but, about 6 weeks ago, I started feeling bad again and at first they could not find out what was causing it, but long and behold my nemesis was back in full fury. So when you said that you might do the bloggers cruise on the West Coast I thought that since I don’t have much time left on this world, I was at least going to be able to do one of John’s (my older brother’s name as well and a good Irish name it is) famous bloggers cruise. So with hearing that I am now terminal and then hearing that you would not be doing the bloggers on the west coast, it was just more than I could handle and I took it out on you and I feel like a fool for doing that. After reading my post to you today 01/04/10, please accept my sincere apology for the way that I treated you and talked to you. I know it is not up to you as to where you are assigned and I should have never asked for Chris P’s address. I promise I will drop this and we will get back to having fun on your blog.
Please give my love to Heidi and Kye,
Your #1 Bloggy Thinggy Fan
Kathy M.
Happy New Year John,
I wanted to thank you for reserving my room for me for our cruise on the 14th. We are all meeting tomorrow to talk about the cruise and decide on the car pooling to Galveston. Everyone is very excited. It will be nice to get to some place where it is warm. We are in Port Aransas TX for the winter but it has been a bit chilly the last few days. But since it is 15 below zero at home, I will take “a bit chilly”.
I have had both of my knee replaced and when I get to the airport/Carnival Ship/any place in Washington DC, it takes a long time to scan me, pat me down and any other things they can think of to do to me. I have been taken to the “back” of an airport and had it done. I am sure because of me and thousands like me with metal in their knees/hips/wherever else, we do hold up the line and take someone away from security to take care of us. But I am so very grateful that when I go through security that the machine does go off because when it goes off because of my knees I would pray it would go off when terrorists want to get on, they can not. So what if it takes time, live with it and remember what could happen if they did not do what they do ~~9/11~~. Are there problems, you bet but hopefully they will be taken care of.
Keep smiling John, you truly are one of the good guys.
My best to Heidi and Kye.
Thanks, John for making me laugh all last year. Love your sense of humor (spelled correctly!) and your dedication to the everyday blog. Happy New Year to you, Heidi & Kye.
Jan in Michigan
The added security measures are a total nightmare for Canadian travellers going to the US. We need to be at the airport THREE hours early, AND we are limited to NO CARRY ON at all other than purse, camera bag, laptop bag, briefcase, diaper bag, and the usual medical items like canes, and such. Each item specific bag can’t be used for other purose. My question is if you have a laptop bag and are trvelling solo (and a woman) does that mean you have to check your wallet and such because it isn’t meant to go in a laptop bag or do you check your very valuable laptop and hope to hell some baggage handler doesn’t get sticky fingers….
nautraully they will probably allow personal ID/belongings in a laptop bag, but what of cameras in a purse? I have no one to give my cameras to get them through security and I am not checking a video camera that I paid $1000 for and two cameras that are worth aroud $1000 as well….Not to mention lithium batteries that are not allowed in the belly of the plane….
I have a flight at 6:45am on the Jan 15, but the ticket counter doesn’t open until 5am, but still, I need to be there and waiting in line by 4:30am. Yes, that means a 3am wake up call and off to the airport by 3:45.
Canadians are subject to specific carry ons only, but all other international flights to the US allowed ONE modestly sized carry on..Hell, I could live with a modestly sized carry on…it beats a purse the size of a sheet of paper that I am limited to!!!!
John, I will glady wait 55 minutes to check in and get on board the ship…waiting three hours of a flight is crazy!!!!!!!! What makes it worse is I CAN’T BRING A BOOK THROUGH SECURITY!!!!!! A novel, a paperback novel is Not allowed!!! those bastards!
John (please reply) So sorry to bother with a question that you have answered. I have tried to find the answer on my own and can’t locate it. But I think I heard you mention that you would be CD on the Conquest..if this is correct,could you give me the dates as my husband and I would like to join you as we have not been on the Conquest. When you asked about our favorite Carnival ship, it’s always the one that we just departed. We were on the TA Carnival Dream and just loved it. Of course meeting you was the icing on the cake. Then a month later we were on the Ecstasy for the 4th time and had a fabulous time…..We send our best wishes to the Heald family for 2010 to bring you much happiness and good health..A&W
The pictures from the deck on the Carnival Dream look like Time Square on New Years Eve.
I hope you are having a wonderful time at home with your girls.
Happy New Year!
Roxi
Dear John, (Please Reply)
I have had the pleasure of meeting you on the Carnival Freedom on June 20, 2009 and love reading your blog thingy. My family is thinking about taking a cruise this September or October and since we live in Maryland are considering the Carnival Pride. I would love to be able to be able to cruise with you again so I was wondering how long you will be the Cruise Director on the Carnival Pride?
Best wishes to you, Heidi and Kye!
Shenika
HAPPY NEW YEARS JOHN, HEIDI,KYE AND ALL THE BLOGGERS
We have returned to a balmy florida(32 degrees) from the Carolinas(14 degrees this am)The New Year’s parties look great on the ships. Of course the Carnival Dream had the lasers going.
I like so many others hate the fact that flying is going to become more restrictive for people going to more places and ports,Truthfully as my sons would say “It SUX” (not spelled correctly)
Keep Warm
Take Care
The Tuckers
Elizabeth & Arnold
John,
So glad you are back, but also happy you got some much deserved down time with your precious girls.
I am so looking forward to seeing you in 53 days. Enjoy the rest of your time at home.
Bobbi
Stephanie,
In this following blog, Alison asked John to arrange a table for 2 on the Splendor. I think John read too fast and thought she said the Dream as he responded that he will see her on the 31st.
Would you please bring this to his attention so he won’t arrange the table for the wrong ship?
Thanks
Alison Asked:
Hi John (Please reply)
Your blog has been keeping me in stitches reading about your exploits aboard Carnival Dream. My husband and I will be first time cruisers (ever) in January aboard the Carnival Splendor, and thanks to your blog “thingy” we are counting the days somewhat impatiently.
I had a question for you. As we are first time cruisers, we are not too familiar with the layout of the dining room. I have noticed in some photos that there are smaller tables amongst the larger tables. I am wondering how to get seated at one of the smaller tables. I am severely hard of hearing (almost deaf) and therefore would not be able to communicate with a large group of strangers and don’t want my husband’s meal interrupted by having to interpret to me what people are saying. (I can hear somewhat, but rely mostly on lip-reading, which is problematic in large groups).
I have already requested the accessibility kit for our cabin, but could not find any information re: dining. I figured we would try it once, but probably eat at the Lido Buffet most nights, which would be a shame for my food loving husband, especially since this is a late birthday present for him.
Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.
Looking forward to our “maiden voyage”!!!
Alison C.
Cabin 1056, Jan 31 – Feb 6/10
John Says:
Hello Alison
I am glad that the blog thingy keeps you laughing and I hope that this New Year it will continue to do so. I have (after reading your posting) asked the Maitre D to arrange a table for two for you so that you don’t have to worry about your hearing difficulties. I will see you on the 31st and I will do all I can to make this cruise the best vacation you have ever had.
See you soon
Best wishes
John
John, Thanks for another great blog. I do have one thing to say though, and it concerns the new commercials for Carnival. I had hoped that the powers that be would have listened and made the ships horn sound for a longer period of time at the end of the commercial. Instead, it sounds like something that would come out of a remote controlled fart machine. The commercial itself, though, is GREAT.
Thanks for listening~
Sheryl
Hi John,
Please reply,
John you will be surprised how much exercise you get by walking around those big ships. Get yourself a pedometer and it will show you exactly how much walking you are really doing without realizing it. If you walked the promenade just a couple of time and with all the other walking you do, I think you will be surprise at how much of the best exercise you are really getting. Maybe even set up a daily passenger walk-a-thon, I know I would do it if I was onboard any ship that offered something like that. I know when I worked in the hospital I did not think I was walking that much until I got a pedometer and I was amazed, I use to walk maybe 2 1/2 to 3 miles a day. Hope this helps to make you feel like you are more exercise then you realize.
Give my love to Heidi and Kye!
From your #1 Bloggy Thinggy Fan!
Kathy M.
John please reply!! Sailing Jan 22
Happy New Year John – how fun it would be to celebrate New Years on a ship with you! Until then, we are sailing on the Spirit Jan 22. I’m hoping you can help – we are sailing with two other families who we have met on previous cruises. We have sailed Princess before and used anytime dining and were able to eat together. When we booked on the Spirit, your time dining wasn’t offered yet so we all have late dining, but obviously not linked together with our bookings – how do we get a table or two together? Can you help us? Silly question, I know of course you can “King” John…I have faith LOL. Hope you see this in time.
We also have a meet and greet planned – can you give the cruise director fair warning…we’re on our way!
Donna Bulington
I have been trying to acess the new cruise director schedule for 2010, but can’t get it to open. My family and I would like to plan our cruises for next year and would like to pick our ships based on the cruise directors. Is there a way you can fix this?
Just wanted to say that sadly, we do need to screen the children. I deal with people everyday who use their child’s stroller to hide the clothing that they have stolen (with the child in it)! I also have seen on many occasions, a child’s diaper used to hide narcotics. So, unfortunately, if we cannot trust our neighbors not to use their children for criminal activity, we cannot trust terrorists not to use their childen to carry explosives.
I will happily wait for whatever screenings Carnival or airports or courthouses want to put in place – it is for our protection.
Thanks to you and Host Mach. Like all cruisers I know each is what you make of it. Plan on an excellent Carnival Cruise as always. The reviews linked to are great.I still think theres a conspiracy issue with some of the reviews.
Ok, 55 minutes and these people were upset? They should have been there when we were in line to check in on the Splendor on 1-31-09 and were the next to get to check in and the building was evacuated! We were then outside for an hour and then moved to the terminal across the street for 6 hours with no access to food or water. This was NOT the fault of Carnival but was port security and later the FBI. Carnival sent trays of sandwiches, coffee and drinks as soon as they were allowed to bring it from the ship. We finally boarded at 9:45 PM and had no dinner that night but we were happy to finally be on the ship where we could finally sit down in a comfortable chair instead of on the concrete floor. We met a lot of really nice people there that day and some of the crew that was stuck there as well. In today’s world you have to be prepared for anything and 55 minutes is nothing!
Happy New Year!
John, for the Carnival Dream bloggers cruise embarkation took just about 20 minutes. Debarkation was so fast I still don’t believe it. We didn’t use self assist and we still were off the ship and on our way home in 10 minutes. That’s from the time our number was called, getting off, finding luggage, going through customs and out and in our shuttle. It was 7:10am and still dark outside. Now that really “Exceeded My Expectations”.
BIG Ed
Hi John, Thanks for mentioning the Carnival Glory….I could hardly wait for our Feb 21 cruise on her already and now I’m even more keen to go! Looking forward to Roatan especially. And we’ll just put up with whatever the new regs at the airport are!! Happy New Year to you, your family and all the 343 Stephanies! Gloria
Dear John,
Just a thought for the 343 Stephanies. I have noticed that the same question keeps coming up. Please change the “LEAVE A REPLY” to for LEAVE A REPLY FOR JOHN TO ANSWER MARK “JOHN PLEASE REPLY” or add another box from them to check.
This will keep you from having to add this to your blog every once in awhile. Remember not everyone knows how things work here and the simplier it is the better. When I write instruction here at work I try and get it down to the six grade level and use as many pictures to demonstrate how to perform the operations. Easy works best!
The Cruzin2some
James & Nancy Enslow
Welcome back John, (reply if you wish).
I also listened to the clip of the Carnival ad and have to agree with the flipflipqueen: Instead, it sounds like something that would come out of a remote controlled fart machine.
I as well as others certainly enjoy the sound of the ships horn and would like to hear more of it. I do realize maybe the beards think the horn doesn’t promote Carnival, but maybe if it was before the commercial started it would get peoples attention to watch the commercial!!!
Hi John
I am taking my 14th cruise with Carnival on
the Dream April. 17th- This is my retirement
cruise, and am taking my Sister with me. Can
you tell me who the cruise director will be?
Was hoping it was going to be you. Have had you
3 other times, on the Fantasy and Ecstasy. I tried
pulling the new 2010 Cruise director schedule up,
but it did not work.
Thank you
Beverly Curtiss
Hi John!
I hope you have a happy new year and looking forward to you getting back onboard.
Loved the pictures from all of the events onboard. Looked like the people had a great time!
I think with the internet that people will post whatever they wish regardless if its fact or not, and its a shame that the truth gets muddied up sometimes.
Good luck and have fun.
Take care!
David
Dear John;
You asked us in a bloggers meeting to give a honest review of our Dec 3 Cruise on the DREAM.
It was without a doubt the best Cruise we have EVER taken. We were able to get into the Aft Ext. Balcony room early. It was pleasant to find these rooms were larger than we have had on previous Cruises. The Bloggers were a great bunch and I enjoyed putting faces to names, We were so glad to have head waiter Katerina and Laslo as our Dining room team. She is positively the greatest. On the first night she asked our first names and from then on it was Miss Linda and Mr Mike. I really miss her.
The ship was wonderful, the Shows had such professional presentation. You did have to get there early for a seat. The Burgandy room comedy also had to be an early trip. Deck 5 was amazing, to be able to go all the way around the ship was something. Our Room steward Indie and his helper kept it spotless and Ice bucket full. I enjoyed the shore excursion with the Bloggers, and all the Excursions. Had a great tour of Grand Turk with a taxi driver that had lifetime experience on the Island and showed the whole island well.
Food was the best on any Cruise. Ken Byrne was a friend to our tablemates and recommended several great entrees. Our tablemates have become friends and we correspond since the cruise. We ate early Breakfast on Lido and never had a wait. Lunch was also good on Lido as long as you got there early. Early at Deli when shore excursions were early. Lunch at Scarlet was good, We asked for Katerina and had her Personel best again. The WOK was worth the wait.
My only problem was that this ship is much bigger than other Carnival ships yet had the same amount of elevators. We had to wait as long as 15 min. to go to or come from Scarlet. Often people would not make room for others or Elec scooters and wheelchairs tookup the whole elevator.
I entered a blog on Cruise Critic with the name GIFFORDSNOBIRD. I cannot believe the negative posts on Cruise Critic. Its like they were on a different ship. Every Carnival employee we encountered was friendly and helpful. We really enjoyed the Bloggers and gifts from you. The ship was spotless as it should be. Food was perfect, The Steakhouse could not have been better. Again Many thanks for what you do for Carnival Cruisers.
Mike & Linda Rhone
To bhudda…
There’s plenty of sour grapes out there about the Carnival Dream and I simply don’t understand it.
The topic was brought up on Cruise Critic and I have to admit that having sailed on the Dream I can hardly believe that these folks were even on the same ship… perhaps they weren’t.
Our Carnival Dream is a lovely ship and wonderfully new. As with ANY new vessel there are issues that can not be foreseen without a full compliment of passengers. What few problems exist are being addressed and corrected.
The nay sayers will be eating crow as the glowing reviews increase in number and frequency and the complaints drop to nil.
John, forgive me for not addressing it, on the subject of time to board… 55 minutes? 55 minutes!!! Has this person really ever been on another cruise ship?? I’d be thrilled if I got on a ship in 55 minutes with VIP embarkation! We waited for nearly three hours to board the Carnival Dream, near five hours to board the Conquest when we sailed out of Houston’s Bayport cruise terminal after Hurricane Ike.
Some people just don’t know how to appreciate life. Cretins…
Ciao!
Host Mach
John,
I was on the Carnival Triumph this past New Year’s and had a great time with my friends like I’ve had the past 3 cruises I have taken with you. This trip we had the privilege of talking and hearing Dean Gaines stand up. We absolutely loved him, but forgot to get his information about tour dates and how to purchase his cd at the end of the night. Is there anyway you can put us in contact with him (email, website, etc.), or someone that would have that information?
Thanks and Happy New Years!
Heather
John
We are just off of our Carnival Dream and it EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS in every way.
Love the new TV commercial.
Thanks for all you and the 343 Stephanies do.
John,
I loved the new commercial except for one thing…the girl blowing a bubble. I’ve seen that done and overdone on commercials before. We all knew it was going to pop at the end of the commercial. Now that I think about it didn’t you do a blog some years ago about how you hate gum and what cruisers have done with gum?
That couple should thank their lucky stars that they were able to embark so early considering the documents say embarkation is not until 1230
Taken from the FAQs on your site. “Embarkation Hours:
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Mobile, Galveston, Tampa, Port Canaveral, New Orleans and San Diego – 12:30 P.M.”
Happy New Year John, Heidi andKye,
Our landmark cruise on the Carnival Dream was wonderful. How can anyone criticize this ship? It is beautiful and well planned. Regarding embarkation – we boarded in record time and were there so quickly it felt like it was too early to eat lunch! At lunch if the first dining area on the Lido deck had long lines we simply walked on back and found shorter lines. No problem! We tried “Your Time Dining” and really enjoyed it and never had to wait at all.
Elevators? Never a problem -maybe the guests on our cruise were nicer and more polite. We had a cabin on 10 so we used the elevators a lot!
We also booked the “Behing the Fun” tour and are so glad we did. It was fascinating and a great experience.
The shows were marvelous and the audience all seemed to enjoy them a great deal.
The New Year’s Eve celebration was fabulous. We watched the countdown and balloon drop at eleven o’clock in the Atrium and then went on the Lido deck for the the countdown to 2010.
I’m sure I sound like a PR person for Carnival but I’m just an ordinary cruiser who had a great time on the new ship the Carnival Dream.
Now for a “Please Reply” comment:
Todd did a great job of mentioning us on the morning show – at your request. All during the cruise people would come and say that they heard about us and congratulate us on our 53rd anniversary. We saw Todd at one of the ship parties and thanked him. He then said we would also get a bottle of champagne delivered to our cabin. That did not happen! We are not compaining as there was plenty of free champagne on New Year’s Eve, but thought you might need to know this.
Thank you for all you do for all of us! Jeri and Larry
John:
Just catching up after returning from our wonderful cruise on the Triumph.
Just a note to folks whose posts get “lost”….
there is a countdown at the bottom of your computer and then it says DONE …. when you submit your post.
MAKE SURE you do not close the page until the countdown says DONE.
Sometimes it is quickly….sometimes it takes awhile (depending on factors that only men with beards understand)….but IF someone leaves the page BEFORE it says DONE…their post is lost.
It has happened to me before I figured this out.
Happy New Year….
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
Hello John,
You probably will not have time to reply, but that’s fine. We are sailing on OUR CARNIVAL DREAM on 1/23/10 and I would just like to meet you. I have a pic of you (not in your underwear) that I am hoping to have you sign.
I have been a member of cruise critic since 2004 and the Dream is our 8th Carnival cruise. Beware of a middle aged woman with dark red hair stalking you. She is usually seen in the company of a fine looking man with a 3 foot braid of hair, except that he spends more time in the casino than I do. If you do happen to see this man, please say, “Hi Wess!” I do this to him on every cruise, since he does not post on CC.
Looking forward to Our Dream,
SallyB & Wess.
Just wanted to leave a belated thank you to the MDR staff on our Spirit sailing of November 3, 2009. My DH had just bought a larger electric wheelchair which is more suited to his needs. We were concerned that eating in the MDR might pose a space problem for our tablemates. Checking on our table that afternoon, I saw ours was already prepared, close to the doors with one chair removed in readiness for him and plenty or room allotted for his new chair. In addition, although we have always had wonderful service on Carnival, our waiters were absolutely impeccable and deserving of extra note. Thank you for taking such good care of us and being so attentive to your disabled passengers.