On Friday I opened my e mails to find out that along with the offer of a bigger penis that I had received an e-mail from a very generous chap in Nigeria asking if I could help him transfer £28 million from his late father’s account into a bank in my home town of Southend On Sea. I’d get £200,000 for helping, which seemed really generous of him. All I have to do is send him £22,000 to set up the transfer. Obviously this is a scam as one of my best mates has experienced firsthand. There is though more chance of me having rumpy pumpy with Judge Judy in a huge vat of Jell-O while Tom Jones sings It’s Not Unusual ……….than me sending money to Mr. Ugabuga.
However…………I think it is time though for me to come up with my own money making schemes. I have realized that although money can’t buy happiness, it can buy a big house with an indoor swimming pool for Kye to enjoy, a convertible Aston Martin DBS, a villa on Lake Como, dinner at Harry’s Bar in Venice and the attention of fake breasted Latvian women who only want me for my money. Which……and some bloggers may call me shallow…………… would make me happy.
So I have decided I want to be rich. The only question remaining is: “How?” Hmm.
Plan A is to invent something like…….ummmm…………..ummmmm………..bugger. The trouble is everything I think of has already been invented the self twirling pasta fork for the non-Italians of this world and the key finder thingy where you whistle and it beeps. I think I have come up (pardon the pun) with a cheap alternative to Viagra which I am told is very expensive. I am going to print out large poster size photos of Megan Fox’s bottom and sell them to men who, if the buy it will receive complimentary blue tack which can be used to stick the poster to the bedroom wall as and when its rumpy pumpy time. I will sell it for $4.99 which is considerably cheaper than a Viagra pill and doesn’t have any side effects………….apart from a kick in the bollocks from the wife.
OK…………maybe there are some flaws to that idea…………….so:
Plan B: I’ll become a dotcom millionaire and build an internet game called “Fun Ship Freddy: Call of Duty ” in which Freddy is armed to the teeth and hunts down Osama Bin Laden. Teenagers with low slung pants have become dotcom millionaires so it can’t be hard. I just need to know how to build a website.
Plan C: Advertise on my blog thingy. Yep, with nearly 6 million hits I am sure advertisers would be crying out to get their brands advertised on my thingy. I am thinking Preparation H, Gas X and Haynes would jump at the chance as would any company I am sure……..except maybe the French Bureau of Tourism……..that might not be a good idea.
Plan D: I’ll establish my 8 month old daughter as a child prodigy in the art world, and sell 50 of her works for $50,000 each. Then, I’ll push her into the world of tennis and she becomes the new Serena Williams……with slightly less muscles and no Adams apple.
Plan F, and I’ll be honest, I’m getting a little desperate here……..robbing the casino. I am formulating a plan with some chaps from Entertainment and others in the Miami office. There is me, Chris Prideaux, Roger Blum and PA 007. We are calling ourselves Oceans 4 and our plan is to run around the casino grabbing as many $100 chips as we can. I mean, they are right there on the table tops. All we have to do is push the dealers out of the way and starting grabbing handfuls of chips. Now they may catch some of us………….but hey ………….that’s gambling.
I guess my plans are total bollocks and if I really want that Aston Martin DBS …………….I suppose I’ll have to help that nice chap from Nigeria after all.
Time for today’s questions …………away we go.
Tom Asked:
PLEASE RESPONDJohn, I wanted to chime in on your music topic. I have been on 19 Carnival cruises and love the product.
I notice in all the dining rooms they seem to have pianos but no one is ever playing them. Why don’t they have the piano player from the band play during dinner?
Seems a waste of resources not to use the piano.
Thanks for everything.
TomJohn Says:
Hello TomThat is a great point indeed. Up until recently we would always have live music in the dining rooms. This usually consisted of a piano player or a classic trio. However, we noticed that most guests were unsuited and could not actually see that it was live music and not recorded music. Also, we found that lively conversation and fun seemed to drown out the performers and so it was decided we could better utilize them in other areas of the ship. We do have live music though in the dining rooms during the Tea Times. I do though have to say that the music we sometimes play in the dining rooms is boring. Yesterday I noticed that it was that damn spa music that was playing again and so this week I have a project to provide all the various areas of the ship (lido, dining rooms and Steakhouse) with appropriate music. This means fun, well know songs and not music you would expect to hear in an elevator.
Thanks for taking the time to write and best wishes .
JohnKaren pee Asked:
Reply pleaseWe are heading our March 1 on the Carnival Triumph. Can’t wait.
Regarding music–I like music during dinner but I too hate loud music. I like classical and jazz for the most part, but any would be for we all have our likes and dislikes but no music should intrude on our conversationability with each other or our wait staff.
We got a Cat 11 for our cruise. Hope we will be happy up there. Got any hints for the cruise.
Karen peeJohn Says:
Hello Karen PeeYou are my number one blogger……….get it………..Pee………..number one? Sorry, couldn’t resist. Classical music has a part to play on some ships but honestly I don’t see a place for it on the fun for all ships. Don’t get me wrong, I love classical music and Dvorak’s Cello Concerto number 2 and his appropriately named Carnival Overture were pieces that I was listening to just this morning. Jazz certainly does have a place here and included in the music I am preparing for the Steak House here on your Carnival Dream is music by Miles Davis, Harry Connick Jr. and Michael Buble.
You will love your suite and enjoy morning coffee on the balcony and a late night glass of something special there. The Carnival Triumph has always been one of my top three ships and I am positive it will be your best cruise ever.
Please let me know if you need anything else.
Best wishes
JohnJoAnn Belmonte Asked:
Please ReplyWe are platinum on Carnival. My husband spent $2500.00 for a balcony cabin on the 9 night sailing of the Dream out of Port Canaveral. It was its first sailing out of this port. He booked the cruise because it had a port stop in San Juan, where all of his family lives. The ship was unable to dock there due to the design of the ship. Duh! Shouldn’t someone have known this ahead of time! This ship is the same design of the Carnival Glory. Just more cabins, but no more passenger space. A big disappointment. Our refrig quit working the 2nd nite out and they had no replacements. We could hear deck chairs being pushed around on the deck above even late into the evening. All in all a big disappointment. The ship is no better than the Glory and cost much more…..Beware!!!! Look for it to be renamed the Carnival Nightmare.
John Says:
Hello Jo Ann BelmonteFirst of all let me again apologize for the disappointment you and 4,000 other guests experienced by your Carnival Dream not docking in San Juan. I have said many times here on the blog thingy that there are no excuses although respectfully you are incorrect when you say the ship is the same design as the Carnival Glory because it is not. Let me explain. Your Carnival Dream is longer, wider and has the life boats positioned differently to any of our other ships. And this was the problem. The pier had a huge metal cable there and docking there would have meant that the cable would have seriously damaged the life boats which indeed could have meant the end to the cruise right there and then.
I also am sorry to hear that you had some disappointment with the sound of the deck chairs being dragged across the deck. I have already informed the housekeeping manager about this and many thanks for letting me know.
I respectfully have to disagree with you renaming of this brilliant ship and I many, many other guests have said the same. However, please accept my apologies and I truly hope you will join us again on one of our fun for all ships. Your loyalty to Carnival is amazing as you have shown by achieving Platinum status and therefore it is absolutely imperative that we do all we can to make sure we make your next cruise the best you have ever had. Please let me know how I can make this happen.
best wishes to you both
Johnlaurie sullivan Asked:
Dear John,I am going on the Victory – 2/14/09 room 6424 and would like to know if you could help me get a table for two for the 8:15 seating. This is a very special vacation for my husband and I and I prefer to sit alone. Any help would be appreciated. Thank-Laurie Sullivan
John Says:
Hello Laurie SullivanI would be happy to try and honour (spelt correctly) your request and have contacted the Maitre D accordingly.
Have a great cruise
Best wishes
JohnJeri Green Asked:
Happy New Year John, Heidi and Kye,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 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 complaining 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 Says:
Hello Jeri and LarryHaving just replied to a blogger above who called my Carnival Dream a “nightmare” I was thrilled to read your review and I have already taken the time to send it along to the ship’s management here. It sounds like Todd and his staff gave you a New Year’s celebration to remember. Now, in answer to your question I also have to say how disappointed I was that you didn’t receive the bottle of champagne. That is simply not good enough and I will make sure the next time we are together that I send you what you are owed.
Thanks again for the great review and congratulations on 53 super years together and here’s to the next 53.
Best wishes to you both
JohnLeigh from Missouri Asked:
Please ReplyHey John! Enjoy reading your blog. My husband and I are “Cruise Virgins” and are going on our first cruise in Feb. 2010 to Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.
We heard that the time we will be in port at Cozumel is during their Carnival Festivities. Are you familiar with that, if so, what’s to be expected??
John Says:
Hello Leigh from MissouriCongratulations on booking your first ever cruise. I am sure you must be very excited and I am sure this will not be your last. There are indeed the Carnival celebrations throughout February in Cozumel. I am not sure what day in February you are sailing but I thought you might like to look at this web site which will tell you more about what is happening and when.
http://www.cozumelinsider.com/CarnavalCal
I have seen the Cozumel Carnival many times and it is very colourful and loads of fun.
Have a brilliant time and let me know your impressions of your first fun for all Carnival cruise.
Best wishes
JohnCarmen S Asked:
John, (please reply)I have been on 4 Carnival cruises and loved all of them. Also went on a cruise with my mom that was on another line and did not enjoy it. I’ll never stray again.
I’ve been reading your blog faithfully for several months now and enjoy every minute of it. I’m so glad to have found this. I hope you continue to provide this for some time.
I am currently booked on the Carnival Dream on Jan 23rd for my 30th birthday. I can’t wait to go. Having trouble with the prospect of turning 30, I decided that being in Cozumel was a million times better than facing my family/friends. Since you are no longer my CD (as I originally thought) I was hoping that I might still see you around on our cruise during the activities and such. And maybe, just maybe you could do us the honour of being able to see your Bedtime Story in person. Surely Todd would enjoy a little break one night.
Can’t wait till the 23rd!!! See ya there and let’s just pretend I’m still 29 when I disembark. After all if you can’t remember your birthday it didn’t happen, right???
John Says:
Hello Carmen SI am so pleased to read that your straying days are over and thanks so very much for your kind words. I will try and keep writing as many blogs as I can and hope you continue to enjoy them. I met a lot of people this last week and I hope one of them was you. Did we meet? I think we did and I also hope you had a brilliant time despite missing Costa Maya due to the weather.
I did ask to do the Bedtime Story but unfortunately Todd had a full entertainment schedule. Maybe next time you sail I will have the chance to do this for you.
Anyway, I truly hope you had fun
best wishes and a belated happy birthday
Johnrobtx100 Asked:
Hi John, (Please Respond)We met you at the big ball drop in Dallas. I’m happy to say that we will be sailing January 31st on the Conquest and have finally made it to Platinum with this cruise. We love Carnival because of the great service we receive and the great staff and crew. This is our first cruise without being involved in a group and we are looking forward to the alone time. (I know, going on a cruise for alone time???) Anywho, on to my ? We have confirmed early dining and requested a table for two. The Carnival resi website shows confirmed, Is this Confirmed early or Confirmed table for two?
Also, long shot here, many of us have much loved pets we leave behind while we cruise. Any chance during refurbishments that we could get kennels added much like the QM2 has to bring the pets along? I already spend a large amount to board them with day play added (usually $64/day). Might be a good money making idea for Carnival. Not to have them roam the ship, but confined for the duration in a small area with a potty patch and walking area like on QM2. Mine already have doggy passports.
Thanks for taking the time,
RRJohn Says:
Hello Robtx100Dallas and the big beach ball was lots of fun and thanks for coming down to support us. And many congratulations on reaching Platinum status and I am sure your cruise which is already underway is the best ever. I have sent this to the Maitre D and asked him to do his best for you with regard to the table for two. I know the Queen Mary 2 has tremendous facilities for dogs during their voyages however I don’t expect to see Cocker Spaniels and Shitzus (spelt correctly) on the poop decks of our ships. We don’t have the facilities here although I understand how hard it is for owners to leave their dogs at home. I hope you have a great time and please send me your review.
Best wishes to everyone with two and four legs.
JohnSamuel R Asked:
John – reply to this question neededHow much do you pay your service staff such as cabin boys and waiters? I heard you don’t pay them anything and rely on your passengers to pay them. Is this true?
Samuel RJohn Says:
Hello Samuel RI am sure you understand that I am not at liberty to discuss salaries here on the blog and I am sure if I asked you how much you earn that you would be reluctant to disclose that information as well. However, I can tell you that while gratuities are added to guests’ onboard Sail & Sign card that each and every Carnival employee is paid a salary and that includes the dining room staff and the stateroom stewards. I hope this helps answer your question.
Best wishes
Johndianecruzin2 Asked:
John…Please replyI was just wondering why Carnival did not tender passengers ashore in San Juan when it was discovered the Dream could not dock.
Thanks,
DianeJohn Says:
Hello Dianecruzin2Well that’s a good question. The answer is that although we had four tenders we could have used to do this the port of San Juan had no tenders to offer us and so it would have been impossible to tender 4,000 guests ashore. Also, the channel there is buys with commercial traffic and I am not sure I have ever seen any ship tender guests ashore in this port. Once again please allow me to apologize to all who missed the call due to bad planning on our part.
Best wishes
John
That’s all for today. I am still some 2 weeks behind and once again can I thank you for your patience as I continue to answer them as quickly as I can.
I received a link thingy to a thread thingy from our friend Host Mach at Cruise Critic which I wanted to share with you. It has 40 or so comments about Carnival and well …………..have a read for yourself. I think that like me you will find this very interesting.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1131993
Thanks Mach for sharing this thread thingy with us and I don’t think I need to add anything else to this subject as the words that people have written speak loud and clear for themselves.
So here I am back in the big chair again and it’s just super to be here. I haven’t been a Cruise Director since November and they say that’s it’s just like riding a bike and they are of course right………….it is………….except I wasn’t dressed in elbow pads, thigh pads, knee pads and a helmet like kids today who look like they are going cycling in Afghanistan.
Anyway, my first job was moving from my guest cabin to the CD cabin which has, since the ship came out, been occupied by Todd Wittmer. This means the cabin smells like a bottle of Dolce and Armani for men and that the bathroom cabinet has more creams and products in it than Paris Hilton’s. Luckily I have decided this contract not to over pack and so once I had hung up my suits and blazer and shirts and put away my two pairs of underwear I was ready to go.
Every Cruise Director………and I mean every Cruise Director will come onboard and say “I am not going to make any changes.” This is of course total and utter bollocks because even if a ship is running perfectly and has guest comment card ratings higher than Lindsey Lohan on a Saturday night…….the incoming Cruise Director will always feel that they can do better. And I include myself in that. That’s why I have had Craig, my brilliant but ugly assistant, prepare new Carnival Capers and add activities that are ones that I hope will enhance the ship even more and allow me to put my own personality into the vessel. Before I tell you about those let’s have a look at who is sailing with us this week.
TOTAL GUESTS – 3,915
NON US AND CANADIAN – 384 with the largest group being from the UK (88) and from Germany (31).
KID COUNT
AGE GROUP TOTALS
Under 2 Years 12
2-5 Years 65
6-8 Years 49
9-11 Years 67
12-14 Years 53
15-17 Years 53
18-20 Years 37
PAST GUESTS – 2,241………..yep……………..2,241
We also have a group of 220 pole dancers with us this cruise……… oops……. sorry ……… that should have been 220 POLKA dancers and not POLE dancers. That was wishful thinking on my part. They have private functions throughout the week and I guess will be Polkaring up a storm these next 5 days. I see from their schedule that they have private dances every night which are scheduled at the same time as our shows. I hope they get to see some of them. It would be a shame to come all this way and do what they probably do every week at home anyway…….and miss everything onboard. Regardless, I hope they have fun.
Just a quick note to apologize to Linda, Frank and Bridi who were meant to visit me today. Unfortunately we had a surprise safety inspection and that meant I was tied up most of the day. Hopefully I will see you soon.
So, on Saturday my day started with a travel and fun talk about Nassau and I have to be honest……..I was a little apprehensive as I haven’t done this in awhile. I wouldn’t say I was nervous but there was a little flutter in my stomach before I walked on stage although that could have been the fried eggs I had for breakfast. But once on stage the words seemed to flow and I was somewhat back in the groove. I always start with a quick wander around the audience to have a chat with one or two people to see who is onboard. One of the people I introduced to the audience was Lillian from Montreal………..just my luck I thought…………a Frenchie.
However, the reason I choose her was because she had four drink umbrellas stuck in her hair. I asked her why………….and she told me that she would continue to do this every time she had her favourite drink which was a frozen margarita. Now, considering she had only been on the ship two hours and already had four umbrellas sticking out of her head I think by the end of seven days she will probably run out of room.
Here is a photo of Lillian (from the back) and one of me shaking hands at my 2:30pm travel talk with a chap called Dennis who is on his 68th Carnival cruise.
I promoted the Chef’s table at my travel talk and soon after both nights were sold out and I got this nice e mail from the F and B Manager.
From: DREAM STEAKHOUSE
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 9:50 PM
To: DREAM CRUISE DIRECTOR
Cc: DREAM F&B MANAGER; DREAM HOTEL DIRECTOR
Subject: RE: Chef’s table – Sold out!!!This is a record that it got sold out on the first day!
It is pretty easy to sell something you truly believe in and this experience of sitting with the Chef, in the galley, eating an exclusive menu prepared for them by the Executive Chef will be something that they never forget. There are products and departments that as a Cruise Director I enjoy promoting and there are one or two that I do not. And for obvious reasons I can’t mention them here on the blog thingy……..not today anyway.
And then there was the Welcome Aboard Show. This is, to me, the most important show of the week for me personally. It gives me a chance to set the tone for the cruise and most importantly make starts of some of the guests. Obviously, this being my first week the ship had to push its way through 40 knots of wind making it a little bumpy. However, I met some great characters and even though my timing was a little rusty ………..judging by the laughter ……….I think it went well. I hopefully made stars out of the 6 guests I had on stage as well as Lucas………..this wonderful 5 year old lad who came on stage with me to win a prize. I asked him where his Mum and Dad were and in the cutest little voice he said “I don’t know.” Well, they were not at the show and Lucas was there with his “big sister.” I asked him how old his big sister was and Lucas told me she was 12.
I gave Lucas his prize and then told him that as his parents were not at the show that he might get another prize in 9 months time!
Here he is.
One of the things I like to share with you here on the blog thingy are the comments made by guests. These are either to me directly or made at the Guest Services Desk which are then listed in our daily incident report. Now, before I share these with you during the next few weeks I want to kindly remind any new readers to the blog thingy of a few parameters that are involved. Obviously I never include the guests name or cabin number and I also protect the name of any crew member as well. All the comments are 100%. I also wanted to mention that I will be also talking about, when appropriate, the things that we could do better and any mistakes I make because for sure……….I will make them.
Well, here is the first such guest comment and while my first two days onboard have been brilliant and the guests in great spirits , as always, some seem to have found things they don’t like already………….as you will see here.
Guest: Mrs.————Ref: 846002940A
Cabin: ——– Booking#: _____Added-Changed: 01/31/10 – 01/31/10C – - CABIN TOO CLOSE TO THE WATER
Guest came to the GSD saying that she had been unable to sleep because she had been scared that the sea would come into her cabin. Mrs. _____ is in a cove balcony. Guest said that she had expected deck 2 to be higher and not so close to the water. Guest requested a balcony cabin on a higher deck but was told the ship is full. Guest said that she would be writing a letter to Carnival because she should have been told deck 2 was close to the water.
Note: Guest has left a letter for Captain Marino which has now been delivered.
There isn’t much I can say about that except on the Carnival Magic deck 2 will be one deck below deck 9.
But that aside I have to say again what a great ship this is and as I walked around these last two days talking to guests I am inundated with positive comments and many of these comments are from past guests. Yes, a few have mentioned the lines on lido although most have said that while there are lines that they were not as long as some of the posts on the cruise boards and on the blog thingy had made out. With that in mind I will be heavily promoting the brunch menu in the dining room this lunch time and I will let you know how it goes.
I see that my good friend Anita Dunham Potter has placed a video on her website. I should warn viewers that this video contains graphic scenes of ugliness and two young brats being paid much more at the age of sodding eight than I will be paid in my entire life.
I am not sure why Anita put this on her website but revenge will be mine….. so… look out for a video of her dancing a tango with USA Today’s Gene Sloan (… http://www.usatoday.com/travel/cruises/blog.aspx)…… wearing only a smile.
The Cruise Director’s cabin here on my Carnival Dream is the same pretty much as the cabin on the Carnival Splendor…..but with one huge difference and one that I completely forgot about until it was too late. You see, on my Carnival Dream guests and crew can walk around the entire outside of the ship on deck 5. My cabin is on deck 5. During the sunshine of the day the glass is tinted and guests can’t see in. At night they can see everything as I discovered when I walked from the bedroom to the office as naked as the day I was born…..and bent over to get a bottle of water out of the refrigerator……… and realized as I stood up that a guest was looking right at me. His face showed the horrors of someone who had just seen me naked, bending over and as I closed the curtains in true panic I knew that his cruise………..indeed his life……….would never be the same again.
Goodnight
Your friend
John
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.
So he got an eyefull huh? I guess you will be sure to keep the curtains closed from now on!
John Pls. respond: I wrote you yesterday about 2/27-visiting Big Ed, Pat, Heidi, Kye and You of cause, any chance this can happen? Need to know very soon so everyone can make arrangements for babysitters, taking off work, etc. Please respond ASAP! Linda & Mike
Hi John,
I can’t think of any comment to make regarding deck 2 being too close to the water. Where did she think deck 2 was? On the Lido?
I keep saying that some people are too dumb to travel and this confirms it.
See you soon – right after Heidi and Kye get here.
Linda & George
Hi John! (Please Reply)
You should have told the lady who complained about the cove balcony that you would have a staff member drain some of the water out of the sea ASAP! I’m sure this would have made her happy
haha… Thanks so much for the help with the Roatan cabana’s… We will be on the Dream in 5 days for the Super Bowl which leads me to my question/statement… PLEASE show the Super Bowl in full audio! Also… will you be showing the Super Bowl in full audio on the lido? Can’t wait to meet you! Hopefully you won’t be bent over nude when we do meet!
Thanks John… I’ll never get that image out of my mind now… So you have scared more than one poor soul for life…. I’ll try to remember not to look in the windows when we sail on the Dream in June… its just too risky.
Also wanted to give you a late “Happy Birthday!” I read your blogs when you were saying how old you feel… well, I just wanted to let you know you are not alone… i too will hit 45 years on the 4th of February.. many of the same problems you stated are mine also, so don’t worry so much about it.
hi john, i wanted to mention that i have been looking at the ads for the new iPad (eyepad?) and no, it is not a feminine product. anyway one of the things it is raving about is that it would be perfect for a cruise director. i agree. and i must have one too. enjoy your cruise! wish i was still there…
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Wow John, someone complained that the sea was close to their Stateroom. I hope she has a dry voyage but if a huge wave does decide to plant on top of her….. I am pretty sure she will not melt.
I love it when you are back on a ship, right where you belong. I know how much you must miss your girls but hopefully you will all be together once again.
Keep smiling John; you truly are one of the good guys.
My best to Heidi and Kye.
John – please reply.
John – it was good to see you last week and I hope you are enjoying being “back in the saddle” as CD. We had a great time on the Carnival Dream despite the high winds and missed port. The ship is beautiful and we really enjoyed the new shoes and the Comedy Club. The food was great, as usual, and every staff member we came in contact with was extremely friendly and courteous. Once we got home yesterday, I was catching up on all your blogs I had missed while on the ship. Being an Indianapolis Colts fan, I just wanted to add my “two cents” about the playoff games on the Seaside Theatre screen. The reason people were upset about their being no sound was because it was advertised in the Capers that it would be shown on the big screen but it didn’t state there would be no sound. That deck was extremely crowded with people showing up 2-3 hours early in order to get a seat to watch the games. The Capers failed to mention that there would be no sound for the first part of the game – it was only announced just prior to the game starting that this would occur. I think if it had been written in the Capers that there wouldn’t be sound, then people would have made other arrangements to watch the game elsewhere or at least wouldn’t have been so upset. That still does not excuse anyone approaching a staff member and taking their frustration out on them. There was absolutely no excuse for that and I am appalled that this happened. One question for you: Do you happen to know if the 2 girls who missed the ship in Cozumel and were supposed to catch up with the ship in Costa Maya ever made it back to the ship somehow since we had to miss that port????
Hi John,
This is my first time ever posting on a blog but I have heard wonderful things about your site. My husband and I went on our first cruise on December 18th, 2009; we celebrated our 20 year anniversary. We never had a chance to have a honeymoon or even a vacation without the kids, so we were excited. I want to start by saying that even though we had minor troubles between guest services, our waitress, and cabin steward, we had a blast! For our first vacation, it is the best (granted we have nothing to compare it to, lol) All the workers were very pleasant and we enjoyed almost every port we stopped at. We did not enjoy Belize , but that is our own fault, istead of “winging it” we should have booked an excursion, our first learning experience. I have to say the only complaints, which are fairly minor, is that the waitress in fine dining kept mixing our food up with our dinner mates. Eh, we can get over that. Our cabin steward never put in pool towels which we can get over since we packed our own. My main concern was that we prepaid our tips just so we can get that expense out of the way because I was told that we can adjust it to our liking depending on the service we recieved. I will NEVER make that mistake again. When we tried to change the allocation, we we told that we couldn’t because it was prepaid and that their was nothing that they could do, this really upset me because I felt that our cabin steward should receive more than our waitress. However, we have booked another cruise with our children on Jan. 8, 2011 because, other than those issues, we had a blast. And we were excited to find out Camp Carnival is free during day hours, so I still get time away from the kids! Can’t beat that!
Dear John,
Yes curtains were invented for people like us that have had their six pack abs turn into a keg. Do you think a fruit basket will help or the sight of a banana send him reeling and running around the Lanai holding his hands over his face, screaming “MY EYES, MY EYES!” And forget about him every eating sticky buns again as long as he lives.
The Cruzin2some
James & Nancy Enslow
John, I’m sure you remember the CTN from New York. Stitch and I had one of the brilliant Cove Balcony cabins (that I trumpet on Cruise Critic ever time I get a chance…) and if we didn’t have seas coming into our cabin on that voyage I’m pretty sure that your guests have little to fear.
God bless little Lucas for being such a wonderful young lad and you for being so good to him.
Stitch and I will be enjoying the Chef’s Table on the Carnival Ecstasy in three weeks and I promise to report to our blogging family about the experience.
How do I get a Craig? I could use an assistant.
All the best to Heidi, Kye, the 8791 Stephanies and all of the associated Hairs.
Ciao!
Host Mach
Hi John,
We have sailed on Princess, Carnival (the Most) and once, and once for a reason RCI. Sailing on RCI was the biggest disapointment of our cruising experience (8). I told friends simply that it was like driving a Ford when all of your life you had driven a Chevrolet (which was probably a little too generalized, however there still is not a “bad” cruise). What we liked least was the hearding. While many of their shows although short (too short) were exeptional, we felt like they were hearding us to them, meanwhile there was nothing else to do if you did not choose what they wanted you to do. We love that Carnival and Princess have so many options in the evening of things to do. We love Carnival and Princess!
John, We still hope to see you while your here. Can we work out another date??? We hope???
Next time we expect you to block the gangway holding a pair of your underwear if the coast guard tries to come aboard?
Big Fans as Allways,
Frank and Bridie
Hi John!
I haven’t posted in quite a while but today’s blog with the complaint about the cabins on deck 2 being too close to the water still has me laughing! People amaze me sometimes. The blog is my daily escape from the freezing cold and snow right now where I can imagine I am at sea in warm tropical waters on a beautiful Carnival ship. We had a foot of snow last weekend with more on the way and I could use a cruise now!
I did notice you made mention today that you didn’t think classical music had a place on a Carnival ship. Why not? One of things I love about Carnival is that it has something for everyone entertainment wise. I am one of those that really misses the classical trios along with the larger bands on Lido and the larger show band. You can still be the Fun Ships and have some classical music in spots. I still remember stepping into the atrium on our first cruise to the classical trio playing and it was a magical feeling. add to that an incredible rock band, a wonderful reggae group, the piano bar – it hooked me from the start and I miss all of it. Our last few cruises the lido band has just been a duo with a drum machine and no classical.
I also like the calm music on Lido overnight and in the early mornings. Sitting by the window early in the morning sipping coffee and watching the sea go by is heaven to me. By all means make it more upbeat at other times of the day but relaxing has it’s place, too. One of the things I love about Carnival is that it attracts cruisers of all ages and from all walks of life without being pretentious and I think classical music can still have it’s place along with all the other great entertainment. It’s really perfect in the atrium and for tea time. But maybe I have an unusual perspective as I was a music major in college and love all types of music. I don’t mean this as a complaint – just want to let you know that some of us fun cruisers still like classical music.
Keep up the wonderful blogs and while I know you are enjoying being back at sea you must also be missing your girls terribly and hopefully the wait won’t be too long until they are with you.
REPLY PLEASE JOHN
Well John, MaryLou and I have returned to old Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada after having a wonderful cruise on our Carnival Dream.( Jan. 23rd – Jan. 30th 2010 ) I want to thank you, Captain Marino and all the wonderful workers on the Carnival Dream for giving us such a fantastic vacation.
I’ve been a very lucky man to have had a chance to spend last year before we left on our cruise on the Carnival Valor with you and this time on the Carnival Dream again having an opportunity to spend some time again with you. I hope that you enjoyed our birthday gifts and we totally enjoyed the gifts we received in our cabin. We will never forget the time we’ve had on this wonderful ship. I’m already planning another cruise next year on the Carnival Miracle and I know that we will probably never see each other again but I just want to say that Carnival has the best representative for the company in you, John Heald, Cruise Director and Ambassador for Carnival. Thank you once again for showing me how cruising is the one best way for having a great vacation. Say Hi to Heidi and give Kye a great big kiss from me.
Paul and MaryLou Pietrangelo
Amherstburg, Ontario
Canada
Dear Mr. P., Hey! I’m wondering if it’s really you? My Grade. 7 teacher (very fondly remembered) at St. Bernard’s Elementary school in A’burg, oh, about 1974 (errrrr) ? If it Is you, well, hello, hope you & yours are well, and I was wondering if you ever unearthed that time capsule our class buried oh so many moons ago? My e-mail is jampab@live.ca if you can find a moment in that cruising-carousing lifestyle ya’ got goin’ (undoubtably deserved for your service as an educator par excellence!), most sincerely, Jo-Ann Pieber
JOHN – Please Reply
>>>At night they can see everything as I discovered when I walked from the bedroom to the office as naked as the day I was born…..and bent over to get a bottle of water out of the refrigerator……… and realized as I stood up that a guest was looking right at me. His face showed the horrors of someone who had just seen me naked, bending over and as I closed the curtains in true panic I knew that his cruise………..indeed his life……….would never be the same again.
Where do I send the psychotherapy invoices for payment? I may never get this scene out of my mind.
Too funny!
..a man wandering about on a ship deck at night …should expect to see the moon!!!
take care …and keep the curtains closed!
Oh my, John, the CD cabin is on Deck 5..wow…so your not at or below the waterline!!!!! As for being seen naked–Perhaps he’ll see you in a different way now…heh…..
I have made my mind up for my 41st birthday cruise. I am in the hunt for that hot Lithuanian, and feel a need to go back to Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk. Thus, I will be jumping on board the Liberty Sept 18 (my birthday) with the hopes my hot lithuanian is onboard. I will also be Plantinum as it will be cruise #10!!!! I haven’t booked it yet, but I’ll be calling the PVP’s on the weekend to book. I can only hope the Canadian dollar goes up a few cents by the weekend!
Money making schemes–buy a lotto ticket subscription, you might win the lotto….I sure keep trying….
Hi John,
Love your blog, as always! Again, I miss the Dream! The lady who called it “Nightmare” is full of bullocks (whatever bulloks are…).
Just a quick comment. If Karen Pee is your number one blogger, I guess we know whi is number two…Winnie the Poo. Get it?, Number 2…poo? Ahem.
I’d have to say, I am loyal to Carnival. I’ve never sailed with any other line, (o.k. NCL when I was a kid, on a short cruise to the Bahamas from Miami) and, I’m not interested! Why pay more, for equal to or even less service and most assuredly, less FUN!
Speaking of fun, have FUN on your current contract and enjoy that amazingly beautiful new ship (with that “new ship smell”).
Marty & Jeanne
Here is a link to the full story that Anita Dunham Potter posted on her web site. Be sure to scroll down to read the whole post.
http://www.expertcruiser.com/blog/cruise-directors-movie-star-past-comes-back-to-haunt-him/
BIG ED
Hi John: what a hoot!!! Ha,ha! I think we all need an episode in our lives where our pride takes a dive! And trust me, I’ve had a few. And the lady that thought her cabin was too close to the water?!! Honestly! Did she think deck 2 was really under deck 9 (as you suggested it will be on the Magic). Totally looking forward to our cruise in a few days. The Dream Feb 13th
Hi John,
You have a wonderful gift that God gave you, so no matter how long of a vacation you take, when you get back into that Cruise Director’s chair, it will feel like you had never left it. Kind of like me when I was in Nursing, I took 14 years off to be a caretaker for both of my parents, well I was scared to death going back to the only work I knew, but once I got working, it was like I had never left it at all, everything just started flowing. So my friend, I would never worry about you losing that GIFT, because it is part of that big heart you have.
Give my love to Heidi and Kye,
From your #1 Bloggy Thinggy Fan
Kathy M.
From the day you started this blog you encouraged guests to walk around the deck at night, enjoy the salt air, the sea, the stars and the moon. You’ve just redefined the moon part of that experience.
Hello John,
We just booked our 2nd carnival cruise. We sailed last November 29, on Splendor and loved it, even with our late start (that was a story to tell). And are now booked on Spirit for the same week, November 28th 2010, many are saying we will be disappointed with the Spirit after being spoiled on the Splendor. I hope they are wrong, But I heard from a little bird that you will be the Cruise Director on this sailing, is that true? If so I think we will have an even better time, not that Goose wasn’t great, but your the best, right?
Hope to be sailing with you soon!!!
Deborah Pitones
Hi John, ( Please Reply)
Remember me Michele, from the Bloggers cruise! First let me say,Mom and I enjoyed every minute we spent with you! Oh John , I better rephrase that! ha! ha! Mom and I enjoyed being with you!, Oh shucks, forget that too! ha! ha! (if Heidi reads this what will she think?) ha! ha!( thank god Mom is 81, ha! ha!) Ok let me start again, Mom and I are so happy for you, that your two beautiful ladies will be joining you soon! , wish Mom and I could be there also!, hopefully we will make it to another of your Blogger Cruises! and hopefully with my Best friends Linda & Mike, which may I ad, I am so very excited Linda,( my Best friend in the whole world!) & I will finally be cruising together on the Carnival Miracle in Dec. Now my question, I will be cruising on the Carnival Liberty, April 24th, with a special friend, whom I help take care of, she will be 86 yrs old, she is from Australia, her name is Sybil, and this is her first cruise! I was wondering if it possible, to send her a little Birthday gift, she is so wonderful, and would be so supprised!I am not the type to ask for things, but I know, how excited she would be! Thank You so much John! Love to You Heidi & Kye
Hi John,
Hee hee. I cannot take credit for finding that video – it was Big Ed’s big find!
Best
Anita
Hi John!!
(Please Reply)
I’m glad to see you are getting back into the swing of things. While you are great at doing all the “Brand Ambassador” stuff, it seems you are forever the consumate CD.
Now that the “Brown Nosing” is done, on to my reason for writing today.
Marie and I have two really close friends sailing with you on your Febuary 20th voyage.
They are Kim Raguso & Ann Raguso. They have really been good to us, and Ann has known Marie since she was a baby. They have been there when we really needed a good friend. They, like you, know what friendship really means.
Kim is a Platinum Cruiser with Carnival, and Ann (her mother) is getting close.
They have cruised with you before on a European run, but that was a while ago.
I was telling Kim how much of a good guy you are and how you have been such a great friend to Marie and me, even though you really don’t know us.
I told Kim, “You’ve got to meet this man!”. So, if you have time, and I know you may not. Please send them a personal note of welcome.
I do not know their Booking Number or Cabin Number, but Kim is on the VIP Listing.
Thank you for doing this if you get the chance, and thanks for your Kindness.
Peace,
Jay
Good morning
Mr.John,well your blog is very good for make some body know all about Carnival and also much learn by your work experience,once again thanks Mr.John and always waiting all your info
John, Please Reply
We are going on our 8th Carnival Cruise on the Miracle on April 5, 2010. (This will be my 10 year old’s 6th Carnival Cruise). Our Cruise Director is listed as Josh Waitzman on the Cruise Director schedule. I cannot find that you have done an interview with him and Cruise Critic is essentially absent of any information on him. (All I found was one small posting where someone said he made too many announcements about the days events, and a the writer alluded to his name being Josh “Big Sexy” Waitzman). The announcements don’t bother me, because I appreciate the announcements. I’m going to remain as neutral as possible on the “Big Sexy” part…..:<)
What can you tell us about him?
P.S. My son is still telling people about the awesome 10th birthday he had on the Carnival Spirit thanks to you and the Spirit crew. Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello John!
Please reply
Love your blog. It’s a hoot! The reason I’m writing is that the family and I are departing on the Carnival Dream March 6. We’re all very excited, in particular my oldest son. We will be sailing on his 12th birthday and the Mrs. is saying good-bye to the 30’s. Do you have any suggestions that could really make this a memorable cruise for both of them?
Looking forward to your reply!
Bruce
Anita Dunham-Potter
Thanks Anita now John will have more reason to get even with me. We sail on the Carnival Dream with John in just 25 more days. I hope you next article is not a man overboard story, LOL.
Big Ed
Ps, John it was my son Chad that sent it to me.
The movie didn’t come out in 1985, but in 1995. If you google it, here’s what you’ll find: The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley: The Case of the Mystery Cruise (1995).
My girls were very much into the Mary Kate and Ashley movies in the 90′s, so we have that one and I watched it the other night. (thanks, Big Ed!) That’s the only scene John is in, but he gets a credit as “Talent Show MC” at the end of the movie.
It was filmed aboard the Sensation, and there are a lot of shots of the ship, both inside as well as out on deck.
Missing daily comments from Linda (DJ’s mom). I hope her surgery went well and she’s getting better now.
Laurie F.
John, thanks for posting that link thingy from Cruise Critic with all the positive postings about Carnival. I have to admit, I used to be a Carnival snob, and I believed all that stuff about Carnival just being for partiers. I’ve always cruised Disney and RCCL. However, I’ve decided to ignore all the naysayers and have booked a back-to-back cruise on “my” Carnival Dream for this April. Not only that, but I’ve booked a 12-night cruise on the Carnival Magic for June of 2011!
I can’t wait until I have my first Carnival cruise under my belt and I can tell all my friends how wonderful Carnival is!
P.S. – I love your blog and read it every single day.
Angela J.
John,
Thank you for all that you do! Really enjoy the blog thingy. Me, my wife, and 7 year old son will all be PLATIMUN cruisers on the Truimph on February 13th! We will be celebrating my son’s 8th birthday as well.
I’ve been reading the blog thingy for a while now and this is my first request and only request. We would like to have a particular server in the dining room. The only reason I ask you is that I did ask the Maitre’d on our last cruise and our request was not granted, in fact, we were never even contacted (not complaining, just explaining). I am hoping that you will be able to pull of few strings. We are in cabin 7382 and would love to have a small booth type table with Team Head Waiter Tommy Malang during early seating. We had him on our Thanksgiving cruise and he and his assistant (Rudi) were the best we have ever had. I would appreciate your help if you can.
Hopefully, we will have the honour (yes spelled correctly) of sailing with you one day soon!
Shawn
New Orleans
Dear Deborah Pitone,
Don’t worry! Our first cruise ever was on the Spirit and she is a marvelous ship. The Atrium is very special as it goes all the way to the top of the ship where the Supper Club, Steakhouse is located and is encased in rose colored glass to match the Carnival Funnel. You will see what I mean once onboard. A suggestion is to make sure you go to the Steakhouse one night as it was the best meal we have had any where on land or sea. The Theatre is beautiful. The entry has several King Tut Statues and the inside is absolutely the most stunning in the fleet. The Main Dining room is called the Empire Dining Room and is two stories tall and decorated in the style of the Roman Empire. The painting on the ceiling and the etched glass surrounding the Upper level is very smart and the whole staff onboard the Spirit is wonderful. We celebrated our 25th Anniversary onboard and it was the most magical vacation we have ever been on. We went to Mexico and saw Humpback whales breaching in the Bay at Puerta Vallarta and Dolphins followed us out of that port as well. I hope you have as wonderful cruise as we did and I know that you will not be let down with the Spirit and it may be that like us the Spirit Class ships become a favorite as there was never a crowd anywhere, and many times it seemed to us that we had the ship to ourselves.
Smooth sailings and fair skies to you on your cruise.
The Cruzin2some
James & Nancy Enslow
Hi John,
(please reply)
I’ve been trying to find out, but havent had a solid answer for the Carnival Liberty.
My wife and I had a welcome addition to our family in July of 09, he will be 10 months old on our cruise on the Liberty on May 8. I was wondering if we will need to arrange for high chairs / pack n play pens for him to sleep in or will they just kind of magically be there?
Any help is greatly appreciated. We were engaged on the Valor, married on the Valor, had our honeymoon on the Valor so we figured we should try a new ship for our first family cruise. Cant wait to see the Liberty
Thanks again.
John,
Thanks so much for your story about the “window incident”!!! I really needed a laugh this morning!
As an……..ummmmm…….”generously-sized” over 40 man I can perhaps appreciate the view the guest had better than most.
Keep it up John! Your blog and it’s humour (hopefully spelled correctly) is very often the highlight of my day. You are a gifted writer and your sense of humour is perfectly in line with mine!!
I only wish that you were still going to be CD on Carnival Dream for our upcoming April 10th cruise. I’d like nothing better than to finally meet you in person and shake your hand.
Hi John,
My parents and I are sailing on the Carnival Dream with you on Feb 13, 2010. We cannot wait for the cruise,as it seems to be the highlight of our year. I was wonder if you knew by chance if the olympics will be aired on the tv’s in cabin? It would be great to know so i can try and record any events if i cannot see them while we are on the ship. Thanks so much, we look forward to seeing you very soon
Jen M
please,, tell me in august 2010 where are you going to be cruising ,, I want to do a cruise and I LOVED WHEN WE WENT AROUND EUROPE IN THE FREEDOM IN SUMMER 2007,, THANKS
the cd schedrule only goes to june will u be a cruise director in nov/dec? if yes what ship? please reply
Dear John,
My family and I just returned Sat. Jan. 30th from a 7 day cruise on the Dream. I just wanted to let you and everyone else know that we had a great time! We book our Carnival cruise a day after we return from our Disney cruise last year. We are Disney freaks and cruise freaks so we thought the perfect vacation would be of course a Disney cruise, besides we had 4 kids under the age of 8 traveling with us. Oh boy were we surprised, we had a good time but it did not compare to our past cruises on Carnival ships. We were so home sick for carnival the second we walked in the door from our vacation we were on the computer booking our Jan.23-30 cruise on the Dream. About a month before we left we started reading bad reviews about the ship(my sister read the reviews 1st and hope I would not find out, which I discovered a few days later). I just wanted to say that I don’t understand why everyone is so disappointed with the ship? The lines were no longer them anyother ship and the sewer smell was just in passing here and there(we are on a ship in the middle of the ocean, what do you expect?). The shows were really crowded but if you showed up early enough you could get a seat(It’s not like we had somewhere to go, like a Dr.appointment or something). I just don’t want people who are sailing on the Dream in the futher to read all the bad reviews and be worried about it. We had a great time and loved every second. The kids had the best time ever and said they loved this cruise way better then the Disney Wonder. We decided that we would leave disney for a on land vacation and leave our cruises up to the ones who know how to do it best, Carnival!!!!
Thanks for a great family vacation Carnival!
Traci LeMaster
Oh my gosh! I always count on you to give me my laugh of the day!
I can’t wait to cruise on our Carnival Dream in July!
Hi John!
You’re famous again with the video. I think you should add it to the side of the blog here for all the readers on a permanent basis
Welcome back to the CD chair.
I look forward to reading more as you get settled once again.
Thanks for posting!
David
Can anyone tell me about the tender used at Grand Cayman? I have arthritis in my knees and am wondering whether the ramp is steady enough that my knee won’t give way from the sideways motion. I’d hate to cause my hubby to miss the island – he refuses to go if I can’t. Wish it was in the trip descriptions where you had to tender ashore. I found out reading comments from previous passengers.
John,
Celebrating 20th anniversary on Liberty 4/10 and my son wants to propose to his girlfriend also. Any ideas you romantic devil?
Hi John,
Just checking to see is you recieved my letter and phtos of Diana, who loves her “Carnival Dream”; it is on her bureau where she can see it from any spot in her room. You also made her Grandmother very happy, as the pictures were forwarded to her. I have only this blog as I do not have your e-mail address. My e-mail address is listed above. Let me know, or have one of the “343 Stephanie’s” let me know…
Am going to be meeting with Diana’s caregiver as she wants to take her on her first cruise…of course I will try to get them on a Carnival ship…Thank you for making this sweet girl so happy!!!
Peggy
Oh John!
You did it again, you made me laugh till I cried!
As for the woman who wanted a higher deck, most people cruise to be near the ocean. duh! She got what she paid for!
I am look forward to Dream in July…I love Carnival, I travel with an older child with some disabilities and have found Carnival has gone above a beyond for him…on every cruise…everything to knowing his name, and his favorite Virgin Pina Coladas always waiting for him at dinner.
I am sure this will be the same on the Beautiful Carnival. See you all soon!
Dear Jacquelyn Powell,
The tenders are all from the island. They vary in size and shape. They pull up alongside the ship and they always have someone there to help you get onto the tender. Should be no problem. Then they pull away from the ship and go to the dockside. Once again they tie up to the dock and they have someone there to help passengers get on and off the tender boat. I was fifty-six when we went there and it was not difficult for me to get on and off the tenders with my herniated disc in my back. Grand Caymen is beautiful and has the best visability in the water of any port we have been to. Usually a hundred feet or more. Seven Mile Beach is great and if you get the chance to go and feed the Stingrays it is a little harder to get on and off the boat at the sandbar, so I don’t suggest you try that. It is a lot of fun though. The shopping in Grand Caymen is really good too!
Hope this helps! HAVE A GREAT CRUISE!!!
The Cruzin2some
James & Nancy Enslow
Thank you for posting the Mary Kate and Ashley video. I didnt know you were such a movie star, John! That was great!
Deborah Pitone,
Randall and I too were on the Beautiful Carnival Spirit for our 25th wedding anniversary in 2006 on our 1st cruise. We went to Alaska. We loved the Carnival Spirit. She hooked us on Cruising. We are now getting ready to go our Carnival Dream September 18th. This will be my 9th Carnival cruise since May 2006 and Randall’s 8th Carnival Cruise. We have sailed on the beautiful Carnival Splendor as well. We love all the Carnival ships. You will have a blast on the Carnival Spirit. Enjoy!
John,
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. I will be on the Dream for the Feb 13th sailing along with 20 others. Our group cruises at least once a year. This will be the first on Carnival for most, however a few of us have been on Carnival before. We’ll have 11 kids ages 6 to 11 with us. Do you you have any idea how many kids will be on that sailing? If you get a chance we liked to know. We are all very excited to go on the Dream. Your blog has been great. We can’t wait to meet you in person.
Thanks
Norman Bestoso
You are always soooo entertaining, I really feel that you should write a book on your experiences as the world’s best CD. I would love to hear more of your terrific stories.
John:
I am so tired of hearing about the Dream not stopping at San Juan. I (as well as many others) have written a full and complete EXPLANATION. Not an excuse….a REASON this happened.
The only advice I can give to JoAnn Belmonte and her husband is to stop being a bus rider.
I was on that cruise as well. I have never been to San Juan as a port and had plans just like everyone else. But I a traveler. I realize that things happen.
RCCL didn’t even realize the artwork was going to be a problem for them, too and THEY are the ones that paid for the silly thing.
The bottom line is that the Dream is a cruise ship….not a bus.
If someone needs to be at any particular port, buy and ticket and fly there. Oh wait….they don’t….. because the round trip tickets for the airfare alone would be as much or more than a 9 day cruise.
And spending all that money on airline tickets would not get them 8 additional days of a wonderful cruise.
Btw, people need to learn that a nightmare is the death of a loved one … not a refrigerator that doesn’t work. THAT is an inconvenience.
Proof once again that just because someone has traveled a lot…does not make them a traveler.
I sincerely hope that your cruise this week is void of any bus riders!!!! Oops…to late….I just read the complaint about the cove balcony. Oh well…we can always hope for next cruise!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend~thrilled that Nascar will soon be back~ DJ)
i love to play different internet games during my idle times at work ;;