As some of you may know I have been sending regular updates and encouraging hearty and fun banter on my Facebook thingy. Well on Thursday Facebook’s main computer woke up thinking it was a cauliflower and that meant I couldn’t post much at all. At first I thought it was my computer that was at fault and so I shouted at it and gave it a beating with the toilet brush. I then heard that it was the Facebook computer that was causing the problem so I apologized and sent it a fruit basket.
But then on Friday I couldn’t get on the thing again……..and this time it was my computer’s fault ……..that’s the last time I ever send it a fruit basket …..The ungrateful bastard.
I will explain what happened in a moment but my continuing battle against machines has caused me to think what it must have been like to live way back when before …….well……..anything was invented. Imagine if I had wanted to wash my underpants which back then would have been made out of a scratchy piece of sack cloth. This would have meant that I would have to walk to and from my crap shack carrying a pail of water back from the village well. And that’s before you’ve tackled the laundering process itself, which consists of hours scrubbing my soiled garments against a washboard and wringing it out. By the time I would have finished ……it’s dinner time…….so after a quick rat on toast it’s time for bed.
Yes, life was simpler back then and stress was a word that wouldn’t be invented for hundreds of years to come, despite the threat of dying of the plague. But in many ways living back then would have provide a better quality of life than today.
Yes……….computers have helped us on the one hand, but introduced an equal amount of stress with the other.
These days we all do everything online, from booking your next Carnival cruise, locating a Latvian who is prepared to show you her everything for a small price to writing on a message board how much you hate big fat bent-toothed cigar-smoking Brit cruise directors. Tasks that would have taken years to do can now be accomplished in the swift movement of a mouse thingy.
Or would be, if you could remember your password. But you can’t remember your password. You can’t remember it because you chose it so very long, long ago……maybe the day before. In the intervening period you’ve had to dream up another seven passwords for another seven websites…..which is why I couldn’t get on my Facebook thingy because I had been told to change my password on my laptop computer….I did…and I couldn’t remember the sodding thing.
In this age of rampant identity theft, where it’s just a matter of time before someone works out a way to steal the way you look and use it to have rumpy pumpy with your wife and empty the bank account, we’re told only a total idiot would use the same password for everything……….well I wish I was an idiot and then I wouldn’t have been locked out of my computer. Passwords are for spies. “Ahhh Mr Gallagher, the sun shines brightly on the arse of a pigeon in Red Square.” “Yes Yuri, your wife has breasts the size of the Kremlin and I want to use them as a trampoline” …………..those were passwords.
So anyway, my laptop had demanded that I get her a new password…………yes…………..my laptop is definitely female. Having demanded a brand new password from you for the 79th time this month, My Royal Highness proceeds to bollock my efforts……..just like a woman who isn’t satisfied with the gift you bought her or your ability in the bedroom. Less than six letters? No numbers? Access denied. Bollocks. OK. There are rules. So start again. And this time: no recognizable words.
No punctuation marks. Pass the qualifying round and it gets bloody worse.
She started grading my efforts. I couldn’t think what to write.
Kye’s name……too obvious……..fat bastard……..too depressing…………my thingy………too short.
But as I went along getting my passwords rejected I found myself wanting Miss Dell to love me and to tell me I was a good guy. I wanted her to give me a solid gold plastic trophy for creating the best password in the world……ever.
So I tried bold made-up words like Meganfoxesbottominavatofcustard$&$#1……….and then I got a “Very Strong”……….her highest accolade………she loved me.
Happy and contented I tried my new password for the first time, typing it into the control alternate bastard delete lock thingy. With a soft click…….she granted me access.
But today I couldn’t remember what my password was. It was simply too complex……… and so I had to call someone with a beard. My password is now Iloveyoukye1…….it may be weak…..but I will never forget it.
Time for today’s questions………..off we go.
Katiel53 Asked:
John, (Please reply)I think both Sam and Helen Parker were very rude in their requests of you. I guess both feel that they are so important that you should just jump up and take care of them immediately.
Sam, there is no reason for you to post as nastily as you did. You only make yourself look foolish.
Helen,
The fact that John helps people by doing their reservations should please you, but instead you complain. Your post makes you sound like an ingrate. If you felt you HAD to post that it took longer than you expected to get a reply, you could have posted that info in a much nicer manner. Shame on you!
John Says:
Hello Katiel53Just wanted to say thank you for your support. I have realized that I need to grow skin as thick as an elephant’s bottom since starting this blog thingy. I truly appreciate you taking the time to write and as always I am here at your service.
Best wishes
JohnAubrey Asked:
PLEASE REPLYHello John,
I just sailed with you and the amazing Carnival crew from August 15th to the 22nd on board the Splendor. My family and I had an absolutely incredible experience.
I wish I could have stayed on board for a couple more days, 7 were simply not enough, but since that wasn’t possible I was hoping you could help keep some of the Carnival magic alive for us by doing a few small little Q & As with some of the crew members who were so incredibly kind and helpful to my family and I.
They were:
Carlos -Our Jamaican waiter from the Black Pearl Restaurant
Mario- The Croatian Pool and Deck Supervisor
Olga- The Russian Karaoke Queen
These three people made our cruise experience exceptionally greater and we honestly miss them a lot. Our family is still talking about the jokes and good times these 3 created for us. Truthfully, these 3 as well as the rest of the Carnival team really made the Splendor feel like home and as soon as we disembarked I felt homesick for ship and more importantly its crew.
So we would really appreciate it if you could do an interview with them, it honestly doesn’t need to be lengthy, Q&A like the one you did with Amy the Cruise Nurse and Jack the Assistant CD is absolutely great. And if you could, maybe add a little picture of the 3. We just want something to remember them by
Thank you so much for this and an incredible cruise experience!!!
Hope to see you & your team again,
Aubrey.John Says:
Hello AubreyWhat a wonderful review and I am so glad that you had so much fun here on the Carnival Splendor and your words of praise for Carlos, Mario and Olga are a joy to read. I will certainly make sure that I highlight them soon here on the blog thingy and that they get to read how much you enjoyed their service. I hope it is not long before we see you again. Until then I send my best wishes to you and the family.
John
Brian C Asked:
Hi John, Please ReplyFirst, just want to say I love the blog and all of your humor.
My wife and I will be sailing on the Sensation, November 21, 2010. We were able to talk her parents and her sister and brother-in-law to go on board as well, for their first cruise. YAY!
My sister and brother-in-law are cruising for the first time and are celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary, any chance we could have something waiting for them? They are in cabin U164 and their names are Brittney and Bill.
Also, there are 7 of us in total. Is there any way to get a table for just the 7 of us? We really do not want to worry about other passengers; one of our party has some anxiety issues. Do I need to wait until we get on board to speak with the Maitre D or could you pass along our info to him.
Cabins U164, U154, and U152.
Thank you so much for your time!
BrianJohn Says:
Hello Brian CI think it’s so great when families cruise together and thanks for introducing your sister and brother in law to the world of Carnival. I will be happy to do as you requested so please can I ask you to resend this on October 15 so I don’t forget. I am sure the maitre d will do his best to assist so I look forward to getting the reminder then.
Best wishes to you all
JohnJoe (blog thingy junky) Asked:
John Please replyI’m a John Heald blog thingy junkie, but I have finally reached the point that I can’t just sit here in my corner and quietly listen to the critics complain about how you run your blog. I don’t mind that you have been called a duck and a pancake, I even held my back when you were blamed for the BP oil spill, however complaining about you granting requests for your bloggers is going too far! This is the John Heald Blog Thingy and you can do whatever pleases you and the critics can go take a hike. Carnival provides a number of different forums http://www.carnival.com/funville/ to address other issues and your blog should address what you want. Sorry for running on, but I felt it needed to be said.
On a much happier note (for me anyway) we a sailing on the Dream Oct. 2 (#14) and know we will have a great time. We are trying one of the new cove cabins, we have had every other outside cabin the Carnival offers and have never been disappointed. I understand that Josh Waitzman will be our CD and after reading his bio on your blog thingy I can’t wait. On a previous post a stated that I didn’t have any special needs, but you asked that I give you our cabin number so here it is 2298.
Thanks for all that you do.
Joe (the blog thingy junky) BarkerJohn Says:
Hello Joe (blog thingy junky)Thanks mate for those kind words. I know there are some who despise my blog and what I do but that their choice and as long as I don’t let them get to me……which I think I did a little bit in the past……then all will be well. I enjoy helping people if I can and of course I enjoy sharing my life stories with you all. It is great to know that the majority of people who read the blog have fun with it which has always been my number one priority. Yep, it’s supposed to be fun and hopefully the negative trend that seems to have been omnipresent here these past few weeks will disapissatate (spelt correctly) and the fun can continue.
You will love the cove balcony cabin and I always joke that guests should take a fishing pole with them as the balconies are that close to the water. Have a fantastic time and look out for one of Carnival’s very, very best CDs…….Butch. Please send him my best regards and ask him to do his “Barcelona Walk” for you.
Have a brilliant cruise.
Best wishes
JohnJen van Leeuwen Asked:
Hello John, (Please reply)Thank you for your response to my questions on August 27th.
I have forwarded you my Chef Table Reservations for my husband and myself. Thanks!
We also look forward to being contacted by the Special Needs department so that our friends Strawberry Allergy can be documented on her booking. We REALLY appreciate this!!
The only other outstanding issue are the shore excursions in Ixtapa. There are still only 2 available to be booked for our sailing but on the main shore excursion page all but three are stating “inventory pending”. So this seems to be an issue not just for our sailing but for all excursions in Ixtapa.
Can you please have someone look into this? We have been given numerous reasons, from possible change of port, supplier issues in Ixtapa to lack of staff to program these excursions by Carnival Customer Service Department. No one seems to know the reason why.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Here is the link to the carnival site that shows this issue.
Thanks again for all you do,
Jen from CanadaJohn Says:
Hello Jen van LeeuwenThanks for writing again and I just checked the link and the allotments for all the excursions are there now so hopefully as I am three weeks behind in answering questions, you will have seen this and been able to book the excursion you wanted. If though you have had any problems ore need my help deciding what to do please let me know.
You should also have had your confirmation back for The Chef’s Table and that is something I know that you will truly love. My apologies that we were a bit slow in sorting out the shore excursions and once again please let me know if I can help further.
Best wishes
JohnTMC MASS Asked:
reply okJohn mar big shot.
stop saying you have had 7 million readers on this blog site. You haven’t and it’s BS that you say you have. You have had 7million views but not separate hits from 7 million individuals you moron.
John Says:
Hello TMC MASSI don’t think I have ever said that I have 7 million different readers but always called it 7 million hits or slaps but then again…….I know about as much about websites as you do about manners.
Best wishes
JohnWill Johnson Asked:
Hello Stephanie: Please ReplyI am trying to book The Steakhouse on Carnival Dream sailing 5th March 2011 but the web site will only accept booking 2008, 2009 or 2010. Do you know when 2011 will be added?
Thanks
John Says:
Hello Will JohnsonPlease don’t worry as I hear the ships should start accepting reservations for 2011 in earlier December. If you have any difficulties please let me know and I will make sure you get the reservation you need.
Best wishes
JohnAmanda Asked:
Dear John, (Please reply)We just returned home from a wonderful week in Alaska on the Carnival Spirit! The staff & crew were fantastic. I’m already counting the days until next year’s vacation on the Miracle.
My question is regarding the category 6J (formerly 6E) Family Staterooms with the floor to ceiling windows. I understand they have been removed from all ships except the Liberty. We stayed in one on a previous cruise and it was my ALL TIME favorite cabin. (I just did not feel comfortable in a balcony cabin with 2 small children and only 1 adult. I can’t even shower without worrying!) I wonder why Carnival has removed them all? And is there any plan to get rid of them on the Liberty? That would have been an awesome cabin to have in Alaska! I’m hoping I can snag one of these cabins one last time before they are gone forever.
Keep up the good writing and your girls are beautiful!
John Says:
Hello AmandaEvery time I read a review about the Carnival Spirit and her crew it glows with praise about the Alaska experience and the crew of the ship. Do you know, as I sit here, in my underpants I don’t know the answer to this and I will need to ask someone? I didn’t know we had removed them so please allow me 48 hours to check into this and I will get back to you. Once again I am so glad to hear you had a brilliant cruise and thanks for the kind words.
Best wishes
JohnJack Whittaker Asked:
(Please Reply)I am going on the Freedom in December for the Xmas sailing and wanted to know if I can tell my kids that Santa will be there or not. Do you serve turkey as tradition for dinners in Tennessee or is it a normal menu. We are all very excited. My wife and me have a new tradition before bedtime and let me just say it involves you being in bed with us. We love your blog.
Thanks so much
Jack and Sue and Cassidy and TylerJohn Says:
Hello Jack WhittakerPlease tell your kids that I spoke to one of Santa’s little helpers, a tiny little thing called Ralph Valente. He told me that yes, Santa will be making a stop on the Carnival Freedom and he will have a gift for all the good boys and girls. We do indeed serve carved turkey and all the trimmings on Christmas Day and I hope you all have the most wonderful family Christmas cruise.
Best wishes to you all
JohnMrPete Asked:
John…Please respond.I just was reading that some ships no longer have the 11:30 buffet in the Lido restaurant.
Is this true? Is it false? Is it only certain ships?
Are you really taking my midnight dinner away from me having to resort to pizza, calzones, and Caesar salad?
John Says:
Hello MrPeteIt is good to hear from you and I know that others have told me that you are a prolific writer over on Cruise Critic which I commend you for. The old style buffet has gone had has been replaced by what we call the midnight snack which offers different kinds of grille items, etc. Also don’t forget we serve the fantastic Jamaican Patties in the casinos from midnight to 1 am, as well as 24-hour pizza and room service. But with today’s eating habits lavish late night meals have gone and I will be honest with you……I miss them……..and I know a lot of our guests do to.
Best wishes
JohnLisa F Asked:
JOHN PLEASE REPLYCarnival has a problem with its ice tea because I just sailed on the Miracle and it was not drinkable and made me gag. I want you to see that your passengers are writing on cruise critic about how they agree and what they do to make sure it is something they can enjoy. I suggest you pass this on immediately to the people who decide the recipe for this. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1276253&page=2
Lisa
John Says:
Hello LisaI know that you only sent me this question a few days ago but please note I have moved this question to the front of the queue because I don’t want to spend the next few weeks answering the same question. It seems the ice tea thing is a big subject on CC and therefore I will certainly bring this to the attention of those in charge and then see what they have to say. So please Lisa let it be known over there that I am aware of the questions about the ice tea and that I promise to look into it for you all.
Best wishes
John
And that’s all for today.
On Saturday I had to act as a referee between in the red corner A Breast Feeding Mum On Lido Deck and in the Blue Corner a Lady Who Told Her to Face The Corner While She Was Doing It. Yep, apparently on Friday during Lido lunch a lady was breastfeeding her son when the lady on the next table over told her that “She was trying to eat” and told her to face away from the table.
Both had a good old cat fight……one wrote me a letter (the one who didn’t have her breast on display) and one went to the guest services desk to complain. Both demanded an apology and the lady who didn’t have a baby clamped to her boob is angry also because she feels we should enforce a policy that precludes breastfeeding in public. Now, obviously there was no way I was putting these ladies in the same room together, not without serious back up from Delta Force or a SWAT team so I dealt with each one separately.
It had been a trying day because I had already been screamed at by a man whose wife had been stung by a jelly fish in Cabo and just as I was expected to have removed all the spiders in PV a few weeks ago, apparently I am now Jacques Sodding Cousteau and expected to harvest all the jelly fish in the ocean. I felt very sorry for the lady in question because I am sure a jelly fish sting must……well…..sting but hardly my fault is it. I will say it once again…….there are some very interesting people in California!
Anyway, back to the boobie story. By the way, the breast feeder was from California and the non- breastfeeder was as well………not sure why I am telling you this but it seems like I should. Now, I had previous to my meeting with the complainant asked my Facebook friends what they thought and I think it was a pretty unanimous result…….breast feeding is OK……although some did mention that they felt the breast must be covered as much as possible.
So before I met with the upset guest I asked the breast feeding lady if she had been covered ……. I was very embarrassed by doing this and explained that it wasn’t my business if she was or wasn’t ……I just wanted to have my facts straight before I spoke to her. She told me she was wearing a breastfeeding top, so that only a bit of bosom was visible as she nursed her baby, Nevertheless, she said, “The lady demanded that I face the wall.”
I remember of course when Heidi was breast feeding Kye and she always used a shawl thingy to cover her then ample breast…….oh how I miss those ample breasts. Although she spent a year breastfeeding in restaurants on land and on her Carnival Dream I am quite prepared to accept that it’s a strange thing to do in public. I can imagine that it is strange for most ladies as well. Most would never dream of going topless on the beach, yet suddenly they are getting their breasts out next to a Mongolian Wok.
Anyway, armed with the evidence of what happened I made ready to meet the upset anti-breast feeding guest. I was sort of understanding that breastfeeding can get people’s backs up because it puts everyone else in the awkward position of pretending not to look. But in the end none of this mattered because I had been an idiot and in my defense, the breastfeeding lady forgot to mention something very important as well.
Because when I met the lady (taking one of the female guest service associates with me) I knew straight away that nothing I was going to say would appease this lady because her objections were religious based. She is a devout Muslim and therefore I could understand why she was so upset. And so we listened and explained that we had no rules against this and I even asked her if she didn’t see this all the time on land in California. She told me that most restaurants would never allow this. Anyway, I apologized again and really there was little else I could do but sit there, listen and be sympathetic. Now, just before people start posting on cruise boards that Carnival is banning breast feeding and taking polls to decide if we should or not or if power strips should be allowed to be attached to breasts…….we aren’t and we most probably never ever will.
Over all it was a great week and despite the bad weather at the start and the fog that we had on Saturday the weather was amazing in all 3 ports of call.
So that was the week that was and let’s see who is sailing this week on voyage SL7092610
GUESTS 3387
NON US 403 188 Canadians – 71 Mexico
PAST GUESTS 1401
| Under 2 Years | 26 |
| 2-5 Years (Camp Carnival) | 88 |
| 6-8 Years (Camp Carnival) | 61 |
| 9-11 Years (Camp Carnival) | 92 |
| 12-14 Years (Circle “C”) | 93 |
| 15-17 Years (Club 02) | 81 |
| 18-20 Years | 64 |
We have a 124 strong church group from Anaheim, California this cruise. They have prayer meetings called “knee drills” every morning at 7 am. Then we have a group of hearing impaired guests who are being looked after by 3 interpreters who will be signing at all the shows and events. As always I have the utmost respect for the amazing work they do.
And the best news of all is that there will be nobody telling me I am a fat bastard and the only way for me to keep on living would be to drink some tea. I cannot believe how forward a few of these ladies were and not just to me but to other crew as well. Surprisingly I didn’t hear of any comments from guests, maybe they left them alone.
Oh yes, and here is a first for me….we have a group of 55 spoon collectors…… yep….. spoons. I can’t think of anything amusing to write about spoons so I will just say …….. wow ……. spoons.
I met so many great guests last week including Linda and Bob who brought Kye a gift and me root beer and many others who said that they had cruised here on the Carnival Splendor many times and how much they had enjoyed me as their CD. I say that not to self congratulate myself but to say that I was right to come out here as the product is excellent and despite the many “characters” I have met I am certainly making lots of new friends.
Obviously the common complaint is that the guests want to go to new destinations from California but they are as you know limited to Mexican ports. However, the ship did the Victoria route during the sneezing pig scare and I wonder if any of the blog readers did this run and if so what they thought about it. I am wondering if we should maybe offer a few of those a year if they were popular. Each week I get people asking me for new places as I said so before I speak to the beards I thought I would ask you your opinion on this…….did any of you do this run?
Well yesterday was a busy day and I will tell you about what happened during our boat drill/safety briefing in a moment. First of all though just as I was getting ready for the Welcome Aboard Show I heard the phone ring. Normally I don’t answer the phone while I am in the shower because Ketut doesn’t like it when I drip water over the carpet and second of all the phone is in the bedroom part of my cabin and sits on the dressing table behind which is wall mirror. It is therefore very difficult to have a conversation with someone while you are looking at yourself naked and realizing that indeed………all men are not created equal.
Yet when the phone rang this time something told me this was a call I should answer despite being naked because 30 minutes before that I had heard a page for “Sierra Team” which is the call for the stretcher team. I had not heard anyone make a “bright star” page which is the call for the entire medical team to rush to a location so I hoped I was wrong…..I wasn’t. It was the captain asking me to come to the bridge immediately. Well…..it wasn’t going to be immediately because I was naked and had soap cascading down my elephant man bits. If I had gone to the bridge immediately there would have been more than one medical emergency.
So I rinsed off quickly making sure I washed under my “awning” and then threw some clothes on and ran up to the bridge……..well…….ran in the sense of I waited for the elevator. So it is now 10:05 pm and the show was due to start at 10:30 pm. The captain confirmed that we needed to get someone off the ship as soon as possible because they needed immediate and urgent medical help. Now the captain, myself and one of the ship’s doctor’s were speaking to Coast Guard San Diego about what they wanted to do. Were they going to send a cutter or a helicopter? At 10:25pm that decision had not been made and I had to go host the show.
So, I had one of the entertainment staff, Robin, come to the bridge with the specific instructions. He was to wait until the decision on how we were going to get this poor chap off the ship and write it down and hand me the note during the Welcome Aboard Show on stage. Now experience taught me that if it was a boat that was coming, it would take at least an hour and a half or maybe more considering how far we were from San Diego but if it was a helicopter rescue………well that would be immediate.
The reason of course I needed to know was because I had to let the guests know, even though it was quite late. These days seeing a big helicopter hovering over the ship with no explanation could be quite worrying. Anyway, I started the show at normal pace and then at 10:45pm Robin stood by the steps of the stage holding the note. While still telling some silly joke I grabbed the paper and saw that it simply said “Helicopter, 11:15pm – 11:30pm.”
Now before I continue, some of you may be thinking that surely nobody would leave the show to see a sick person being hoisted up to a helicopter. Well……. ummmm……. yes ………. absolutely yes. In today’s reality YouTube world we live in ………..that is an absolute definite.
That said, I knew we had to get the timing right with this announcement. I didn’t want to tell the guests straight away, as it would create a distraction for those guests who may want to stay for the Welcome Aboard Show.
So, I made the decision to proceed with the show but speed things up a bit, putting a 40-minute show into just a half hour. Now that doesn’t sound like a lot of difference but in stage time it is a long, long period of time. Well, the characters I had on stage were superb and very funny and I will show you some video footage later this week. But then it was time to tell the guests and after 45 minutes of laughter and fun………that’s not an easy segue.
I then went and used the PA system and repeated the announcement in the guest areas and corridors. Ten minutes later the helicopter arrived and performed the extraordinary maneuver of hovering over a ship that is still making 22 knots. It is easy to forget the amazing work that the men and women of USCG do each and every day and it is good that I have a chance here to honour them. This is how the operation went.
11:30PM HELICOPTER ARRIVES
11:35PM PARAMEDIC LOWERED TO DECK 11 MIDSHIP – DISCUSSES PATIENT SYMPTOMS WITH SHIP’S MEDICAL STAFF
11:45PM BASKET LOWERED FROM THE HELICOPTER TO THE DECK
11:50PM SHIP’S NURSE HOISTED IN THE BASKET TO THE HELICOPTER Note: due to the seriousness of the patient’s condition USCG had asked for a nurse to travel with them
11:55pm PATIENT HOISTED IN THE BASKET INTO THE HELICOPTER
MIDNIGHT PARAMEDIC RETRIVED AND THE HELICOPTER HEADED OFF TO SAN DIEGO
A brilliant job done by all and today we are awaiting news on the patient’s condition. I will let the guests know and you as well of course as soon as I know.
Now, this chap wasn’t the only person to be disembarked because earlier we had disembarked a man and his girlfriend. Why………well because during the life boat drill one of the entertainment staff asked a very loud and obnoxious 55 year old man to please stop talking loudly because other guests were trying to listen to the information on how to save their lives. His response ……… he punched the entertainment staff member full on with force in the stomach. Security was called immediately and 30 minutes later as we sailed away …….he stood on the pier with his girlfriend and his suitcases and watched his vacation sail away without him. Personally …….. I hope his girlfriend kicks him full on and with force……right in the bollocks for ruining her vacation as well.
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.
I hope the sick passenger makes a full recovery. It’s so sad when things like that happen.
Good call on disembarking the guy disrupting muster drill. The punishment that his girlfriend will dish out for missing her vacation will be much worse than anything else you could have done onboard!
Oh, and I happen to like the iced tea so please don’t change it!
John, What a Idiot for punching a staff member. Over the boat drill OH GOOD LORD! I am so glad you kicked him off the boat! Was he drunk?
Sounds like you handled the feeding issues quite well. Its actually legal here in florida. We’ve had a few times its come into the news where various places/business have kicked people out over it and then men with beards must apoligize and say thats not our policy etc etc. You could have just tried to calm the lady down that complained with… Yup try and sell her some Herbal Life that would get her thinking different???
Big Fans As Allways,
Frank And Bridie
Victoria BC,
YES YES YES
Even if you send the smaller ship up there (either one) I think it would sell out. In fact the best itinerary would be one port that being Victoria. All others sea days.
Having that full day (8 am to 10 pm, I think) was FABULOUS! The time allowed us to visit with friends who live on their yacht in Brentwood Bay – behind Butchart Gardens! They picked us up at 9 am at the Empress Hotel. We went to the Butchart Gardens, the Castle, drove around the countryside and had lunch at a funky Cajun restaurant on the bay. Got back to the ship in time for dinner and our friends were allowed to board the ship and dine with us!
John
God bless the USCG, the paramedic and your C. Splendor Nurse for risking their lives to save the life of another. Exceptional people!!!
Regards,
Rogger T.
Hi John ~
Well, I really don’t know what to say about the guest who apparently thinks it’s ok to punch people. I sure hope he was escorted to the police station.
As for special sailings from the West Coast, I am all for it! Unfortunately, we were on C. Splendor when the CDC issued their travel warning so we ended up at the Mexican Riviera port of San Francisco. Being a West Coast cruiser, I’ve come to accept that new ports will pretty much always involve flying East. But, it would be awesome to have the option to sail up north.
Here’s to hoping our upcoming C. Splendor sailing makes to the Mexcian ports this time…See you soon!
Colleen
should have been in handcuffs on the pier, what a JERK!
Will be praying for the passenger and family that all goes well. Judy and John
OMG! That was awful what that rude guest did to a social staff member when they were supposed to be listening to lifeboat drill info!!! I am glad that they take it serious and will boot their ass off.
Breastfeeding–as long as the mom is discrete, such as a shawl.blanket, then all is well……..
Hi John, I am glad you asked about Canada. Yes last summer Dave and I did the Canada run. We saw it advertised after the Mexican trips were cancelled. We had been to the ports before and knew we liked them. We had a wonderful time going back. We visited with old friends and had a great time returning to Canada. Love Canada. We went to Mexico on the Splendor a few weeks ago. Didn’t like Mexico much. Loved seeing you and Heidi and meeting Kye. Best part of the trip. Go back to Canada. A stop in Portland, Oregon would be a good addition to the cruise.
Jo
Time to fire TMC Mass….how rude!!!
I agree. Show some decent manners or get off “our blog”.
John we will be sailing on Carnival Dream on November 13,2010 there will be 17 of us and out of the 17 there is 8 of them that has never cruised before this will be my 7th cruise, my kids 4th cruise and my new husband of only 2 years his 1st cruise and he is very nervous about it. This is a belated honeymoon for us we are looking forward to it. By the way did I mention that one of the couples going on this cruise with us is my ex husband and his girlfriend. ( We was just wondering if the cruise director that we will be having is as good as you are some of us was on a cruise where you was cruise director and thought you were very good we are hoping for the same results on this cruise.Thank You
John,
We were on the LA to Victoria / Vancover cruise last year and loved it. I suggest the beards make it a permanent cruise about once a month and expand it to include Seattle and Portland.
Dave
We were on the same cruise as Dave & agree. Once a month would be great option!
Dear John,
Way to Go USCG!
Now as to the other options for California Cruisers. I think that there would be a large group that would be interested in doing a cruise that started and ended in the US. I know that normally they would end such a cruise in a place like Vancouver but there is those who would rather not deal with the travel from a foriegn country even if it as friendly as Canada. It would be great for the people who in this day and age that don’t want to go to any foriegn country. A cruise going from LA or San Diego to San Fransisco, Astoria, Vancouver and then end in Seattle Washington would be great. I know they would have to go to Vancouver due to the Jones Act. Personnally I love going to new places like this but I know people like my mother-in-law simply refuse to travel outside the US.
The Cruzin2some
Dear John,
A while back you mentioned a hotel in Barcelona that you said was very nice. Can you give me the name again because I am making reservations for our Carnival Magic cruise next year and I like to do these things early and have everything booked.
Looking forward to seeing you again, I can’t remember how many times I have sailed with you but it was quite a few and we loved every sailing.
Thanks a bunch.
John:
As much as I love today’s conveniences….I have to say that there are some things that I could do without in today’s modern technology.
TMC MASS is a perfect example. Modern technology gives an anonymous avenue to every nut job that can sneak past his mommy to get on the computer.
Glad the Coast Guard was there and even better news, this doesn’t cost the patient one red cent. Hope this patient recovers quickly and completely.
I hope the rough start to this cruise means that things will so smoothly the rest of the week.
Btw, DJ wanted me to tell you that we got to drive on the Nascar Talladega Speedway yesterday. I learned one important lesson…if you are going to drive a full size conversion van on a track with a 33 percent grade…you had better be VERY CAREFUL!! We were and had a wonderful time.
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
Linda, Several years ago we drove our motor home around the speedway at Talladaga and it was quite an experience. Our son, a cerw member,, said “Don’t make any eye contact and act like you know what you’re doing.” Fun!!
Holy moly Big Johnny,
Was the man smoking too? He should ina jail sucking on ?
Good for youse, glad you are losing weight.
Hi John,
I was reading your breast feeding story and until you mentioned that the complainer was Muslim didn’t think it was out of the ordinary for this type of interaction, one way or the other.
However during my 7 years in the Middle East I saw plenty of highly visible breasts attached to infants. Never did see what the owners looked like as they were fully veiled.
Go figure.
Cheers
John, The things that happened to you, you really just can not make up this stuff. A book is in you John, you know it is.
I hope the pax that was ill will be well soon and will be able to go on another cruise.
I do not think it was fair that the idiot’s girlfriend had to get off the ship too, what did she do? I would have left his sorry A$$ the second they got off the ship. What an idiot.
I see no problem with breast feeding anywhere/anytime. If you do not like it, then do not look, go some place else. As far as the woman that did not like it, well that is just to bad, this is America and Mum’s can and will feed their infants when and where they want. As long as they are covered, they have every right to breast feed.
Keep smiling John; you truly are one of the good guys.
My best to Heidi and Kye.
Peg Dunbar
Please Reply,
Hi John. Just got back from a 7 day on the Carnival Valor. Did I miss something??? We didn’t get the usual comment cards to fill out at the end of the cruise??
Anyway, Here’s what I thought.
-This was my 12th Carnival Cruise (my wife’s 10th) and I believe the service was the best that we have ever received.
-The new Comedy Club concept was great, we attended many of them and were glad to see that the first was at 1930hrs, as we do not stay up late.
-Loved the new show (can’t remember the name but it was an 1980s theme show in the main theater). I had actually stopped going to see the shows because I had seen them all before so I was glad and happy to see a new and really good show!
-Although I like the Carnival Splendor very much, I was glad to be able to run on the Valor’s cork track rather than the hard running track on the Splendor (will the new Carnivals Dream and Magic have cork tracks?
-I was very surprised to see the dinning room not packed to the brim as usual. I did notice that in the other dining room, they had part of it as “anytime dining”. Is that were all of the guests were???
-We were very dissappointed that we were not able to partake in the chocolate deserts offered on the last full day. For some reason, they were serving each customer individually, which backed the line up for miles. We did not want to spend another 20 min in the Lido waiting for desert so we left. Why don’t they pre-cut the desserts like they normally do???
-Loved the Valor’s attention to schedule. All events, start times, were right on the money, if not early. We loved that the Washington restaurant openned 5 min early on most nights. I used to hate it when on other ships, they were 5 min late!!!
-Wish HLN on the Seaside theater started at 0600hrs rather than 0800hrs.
John, I would appreciate your feedback to any of this and would you please forward to Carnival, as like I said, we did not get comment cards.
Also, still awaiting a repy/feedback from you on past questions.
-Will Carnival every get an Orange County Choppers Motorcycle?
-Will Carnival every develop some type of Carnival museum??
Eric
Eric:
Carnival has gone to electronic comment cards. You should get an email shortly.
Glad you had a good time.
Linda (Mom of DJ)
Thank you, I hadn’t heard this.
First, TMC Mass… response from you was just perfect.
Breastfeeding…hmmm I believe that women should breastfeed but I also believe that discretion should be used when doing so in public. Most women are modest enough to use something to cover themselves as you described Heidi using and my daughter did as well.
Too bad that guests find it necessary to photograph situations that endanger not only the Coast Guard personnel but the life of the patient. I do hope the passenger recovers.
I’m proud that the passenger that punched the crew member was put ashore. He so deserved that plus prosecution for assault!
John,
Good on you and the entire staff for kicking that moron off the boat. I hope the staff member was OK! It is amazing how some people don’t respect your staff and crew. They may be fun people, but when it is time to work, it is time to work!
My prayers for the guest removed by helicopter.
Jennifer
I wonder why that guy wasn’t arrested for assault?
I have done two northern cruises from LA and would not book them. The seas are rough. The weather is too cold to sit by the pool All activities were done inside. Not my idea of fun.
Oh, my! Such an eventful start to the cruise this week! My prayers go the man airlifted and his family! And my prayers also go to the girlfriend of the rude, crude and socially unacceptable man — may she wise up and leave him!
Have a wonderful day John!
John (please reply),
I’ve tried writing a few times with my review of my last cruise, but for some reason it doesn’t seem to get to you. Oh well.
The most important part was that I wanted to thank you for the wonderful table you arranged for my parents and I last year. It was perfect, allowing a one step transfer for my mother into a chair from her scooter.
I’d like to ask a favor again, we are sailing on 10/24/10 on the Carnival Legend. This time there are 4 of us in two cabins. I’d like to ask for you to try and arrange a similar table for us, please.
My mother needs to get within 5 feet of the table with her scooter. Additionally, all 4 of us are “extra medium” so a table with chairs is better than a booth.
As far as others, we love meeting others at dinner, but know that sometimes the more accessible tables are for 4 only, so whichever is fine with us.
Our cabins are supposed to be linked as I made all the arrangements and all. we are in cabins 4205 & 4207 (booking #s 39SL78 & 39SL98).
Thank you for any assistance you can give us, we really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Julie Anne Husbands
Well it sounds like were off to another week of great blogs from the west coast.
Sorry John we flipped the coin and it came up tails.
Tails = bad week for John good week for blog reading
heads = good week for John bad week for blog reading
BIG Ed
Thank you John for telling us what happened to the two people you put off of the ship. Was wondering.
Do hope the guy that was airlifted is ok. Never want to go thru that. And out CG really does a good job.
Thanks again,
Kate
Wow, what an adventure filled day. Was the gentleman traveling alone are with a significant other/spouse? Just wondering cause there was no mention of another person hoisted into the helicopter. In reference to the 55 yr old man, serves him right. The gall of some people.
Sounds like you’ve had an adventurous time onboard these last couple of days! hopefully the person who was evacuated is in better health.
Please add me to your list of cruisers that would love to see a British Columbia itinerary. We’ve gone to Mexico so many times, that we don’t even get off of the ship anymore. The Swine Flu reroute to Astoria, Victoria and Vancouver was a refreshing change. There is nothing like sailing through Puget Sound! If given a choice, maybe San Francisco, Seattle or another B.C. port instead of Astoria? The Splendor practically dwarfed that town. It was certainly a site to see! I hope that the beards agree with offering us an alternate West Coast itinerary!
Happy Cruising!
Hi John (please reply),
Continue to enjoy your blogs as usual. George and I are sailing the Liberty on 11/13 and would like to respectfully ask for your assistance with dining. We’d like to request a table for 2 (no booth please) in the forward dining room if at all possible.
Thanks, as always, for all you do.
We aren’t sure yet if we’ll be able to join the Blogger’s Cruise in Feb, but we are making every effort to make it work. Look forward to seeing you again soon we hope!
All our best to you and your family.
Lisa and George Kilmartin
Wow! You have certainly had an eventful couple of days John. This entry clearly shows that it’s not all ‘fun and games’ in the life of a CD (even though you add that wonderful layer of wit to it). I am hoping for the best for the passenger who had to be air-lifted off the ship. As for the insolent jerk who punch a crew member – that’s instant karma baby!
With respect to your question about cruising to British Columbia, yes please! I have family there (as I am sure many U.S. residents do) and to be able to combine a family visit with a cruise (and not have to fly back) would be fabulous. The only caveat is the weather isn’t so great between October and April, so the demand would be lower in those months. Nonetheless, there are plenty of beautiful places to stop in BC. If you want some suggestions let me know!
Me! Me!! Me!!! I was on Carnival Splendor for two Mexi-not cruises a B2B. They were such a bargain, and was speeding toward platinum…But I really enjoyed those cruises to Canada, and I think Carnival should do a couple or three every summer…Maybe for those who can’t quite afford Alaska. CJ
Hey John,
First time I’ve commented on this wonderful blog — but I’ve been reading lots of your humerous, great posts for a while.
That’s pretty much it, and I’m going to be commenting much more now!
PS – I’ve been on Carnival Sensation this year on March 4th. It was awesome.
Curtis
John, although you have a stressful job, its never boring, and God bless, you are loved and well thought of. Keep up the brilliant work sweetie pie.
Theresa Martin-Taylor
Hi John,
DH and I were on the Carnival Splendor in May 2009 when, thanks for the piggy swine flu, we sailed north instead of south to Mexico. Being southern California residents we have sailed the Mexico cruises plenty of times and will continue to do so however it would be wonderful if Carnival could also offer a few sailings north. The variety would be most welcomed.
Clair
Reply only if you wish,
Wow, what a way to start a cruise. You are just great! I just wanted to let you know what a great job you are doing, and the blog thingie is so fun to read and at times educational. I thought I would share an experience I had with the customer service via email on the Carnival website. As I read your blog I am always seeing people asking for dining room assistance. Well, all of a sudden it dawned upon me that in about 42 days 7 of us are sailing on Carnival Triumph. I realized about assigned seating, talked with my husband that we might be sitting with strangers and not all our travel partners. So, he sort of didn’t like that for several reasons, so I got on the website, did the contact us thing, and gave them our booking numbers, and in just a short time I was reassured that our dining request had been met, and at embarkation we would be assigned our dining room. It is a very easy step to do, and maybe someone that sees this could do it themselves, too. Just wanted to pass this along and maybe there might be one less request you have to do. I understand you love helping people, and I just thought I’d try to help you for a change.
Your girls are darling, and you make a lovely family. Keep up all your good work, and thank you for making me laugh.
Hugs to you and the Carnival Family,
Terri
John, I did the Victoria cruise from San Francisco on another line. We stopped in Monterrey, Astoria, Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria (and maybe one other port). It was great – we really liked it. We went in April, and it wasn’t too chilly. I would do it again, but it’s like the NE/Canada cruises – it’s not necessarily going to appeal to the people who love the Caribbean.
Also, I would never defend the impolite boors, but if you changed the word “readers” at the top of your masthead, to “viiews” or “visits,” I think you’d get fewer people making that annoying point.
Good for Carnival. A punch to the stomach (or anywhere else) is uncalled for IMHO.
John I am so glad that Carnival is not going to be attaching power strips to breasts.
As to the helicopter rescue I am amazed at the skill of both the Coast Guard piolot and the ships officers in coordinating the crafts and safely evacuating the patient.
I was on board the Destiny when some one was airlifted off and stood in awe of the manuvers required.
Great blog as always John!
To TMC MASS:
Not sure what your problem is, Open your own damn Blog and see if you can get 7 million hits. As a former Navy Chief, I sure hope TMC doesn’t stand for what I think it might.
Kindly keep your rude and boorish comments to yourself.
Thank you Mike K.
john get roboform it rembers up to 10 passwords. or u can pay a 1 time fee and get mamny more passwords saved and u can also put it on another pc or laptop. and breast feeding is ok with me i breast fed my son. i hate to say it but shes not in her country shes in the us.hope the guy who got lifted to the helacopter is ok. and hope ur enjoying ur visit with the girls. wow kye is getting so big.
Just because she is Muslim does not necessarily mean she is not also an American. Muslim is a religion, not a nationality.
You’re so right.
to TMC MASS:
You are a MEGA arsehole! learn some manners!
ahhhh.. I feel so much better!
John (please reply Part 2),
My apologies…I forgot to include some important information in my last post requesting a table for 2 in the forward dining room if possible. We are confirmed for early seating and are in cabin 6201.
Thanks as always,
Lisa and George Kilmartin
I laughed when I read the story about the woman breastfeeding. I work in a small retail store. I was working one day, and had only one customer in the store. I finished ringing up her purchase, and rather than exiting the store, she went and sat in the chairs in front of our fitting rooms. Because it is my job to assist customers as long as they’re in the store, I started to approach her to see if she needed any additional help, but stopped once I realized she was breastfeeding (and she did NOT have a shawl or anything). It was very awkward for my manager and I to stand there in silence and wait for her to finish and leave. Luckily no other customers came in, so we did not have to deal with the potential complaints.
What I don’t understand is that the fitting rooms were all open, and just a mere 3 steps in front of her. With the opportunity of privacy, wouldn’t she want some?
A week later, the woman across the aisle from me on the train breastfed her child in front of us all (at least she tried to cover up a little bit), right after she had fed him solid food. If your kid CAN eat solid food, and you have solid food that your kid WILL eat with you, can’t you keep your shirt closed and feed your kid solid food?
Sorry John, I don’t understand what’s wrong with people watching an airlift?
How is it disrespectful to the casualty?
If watching those skilful pilots perform a spectacular transfer inspires just one kid to grow up and do the same then I am all for it.
It is ridiculous to think that anyone fascinated by the spectacle of a ship to helicopter medivac doesn’t have thoughts for the poor soul needing them.
Phil,
The problem was not with the watching. It was with people using flash on their cameras. It would be right in the pilots eyes as he was looking down. John had made an announcement to please not use flash for that reason and some people still did use it.
Ed, I think he said he made TWO announcements and people still took pics with the flash on.
Hi John, We were on the Carnival Splendor last year on our cruise to Victoria and Vancouver B.C and love the cruise. We enjoyed the ports and would do this again. The seas were a little rough, the air cool, the retractable roof never got retracted and we seemed to be the only people on board that had not rescheduled another date and therefore had paid a whole lot more for the cruise than most on board, but that aside, a great cruise.
Hi John,
We were on a sneezing pig rerouting on the very pink Carnival Splendor last May. We had booked the cruise many months before as a Mexican Riviera itinerary and stuck with the sailing when it changed, mainly because we were sailing to celebrate my birthday and wanted to cruise. This was hands down our favorite cruise until our sailing two weeks ago to Alaska on the Carnival Spirit. We even had “Canadian Riviera” T-Shirts made for our roll call (through the former Carnival Connections site, the other CC!) by Carnival’s vendor; they were so much fun to wear and I could have sold 200 of them onboard!
We were lucky enough to have three port visits, unlike some of the earlier sneezing pig reroutings that got two. We had Astoria, Oregon, which was a real bummer of a stop due to our 3:30 PM arrival and the fact that much of the town decided to close so as not to deal with 3,000+ tourists. The stops of Victoria and Vancouver were brilliant!
We have been BEGGING for alternatives to our tired Mexican ports, and would sign up for a northern itinerary in a hearbeat! Perhaps an 8-day 3-port itinerary would work best, with the first stop being San Francisco or Seattle instead of tiny Astoria. (For those who don’t realize it, it takes two full days and a couple of hours to make it from Los Angeles to Seattle, it’s not a short distance!).
The only negative to the northern sailings is that you start the cruise sailing against the California Current, which can be strong and thus makes the ship rock a bit and will upset more than a few people. You sail against this same current when sailing back home from Mexico but by then most people are less susceptible to the ship’s movement.
OK, see the excitement in the post above? You’ll easily fill any ship with a northern sailing out of California!
On a different topic, I went to Guest Services on the Carnival Spirit to ask why we didn’t get any comment cards, and was surprised to learn then they were discontinued. It’s now been two weeks since the cruise ended and we have yet to see the promised survey mail. There are crew members onboard that deserve to be recognized!
Matt Mendenhall
aka MattInSoCal
I agree with the breastfeeding issue that it’s okay in public as long as a woman is covered, but I’ve seen women flip their breasts out fully exposed and begin breastfeeding without any cover at all. I think this is very awkward for some people to be around. This is always going to be a debatable subject – just like the smoking vs non-smoking issue! So glad you put that moron off the ship for accosting a crew member. I am ever amazed at the behavior of some people. By the way, I thought you weren’t going to print any nasty comments anymore like the one from TMC Mass????
I breast fed for an entire year in public (when needed). I was always discrete and never had a problem. What is wrong with people? Who cares??? I am morally offended by loud obnoxious opinionated people, but I just avoid them.
That passenger absolutely positively without a doubt needed to not only be escorted off the ship, but it should have been in handcuffs… How dare anyone attack a Crew Member, especially while he was doing his job…
I certainly hope that this wasn’t the Crew Member that was airlifted off the ship later that night… I only hope that that Crew Member, whoever it might be, is doing better….
John,
If Mexico out of California is growing old, how about north to Portland, Oregon, and / or Seattle, Washington, then on to Victoria? Seattle is available now as the Alaska runs are finished for the seaon. So much to see and do there, and Portland is such a delightful artist town….
Patty from Oh-hi-a
Dear Jon,
I think it is perfectly OK for the lady to breast feed in public. As long as it wasn’t her husband.
The Cruzin2some
I was on the Splendor on the Seattle, San Fran, and Victoria run. I was very sad not going to Mexico…. but we ended up loving that trip! Yes it should be offered.
Hi John, Heidi and Kye: we’re back from the Carnival Legend and had a wonderful week. Thank you for connecting us to Maitre’D Ken: what a voice, what a gracious man! He admitted that you have him roped into bringing out the Carnival Magic.
Reff and Kelbert in the MDR and Richards as our room steward were high points of the cruise’s service.
I fell getting out of a Jeep on a Carnival excursion and Shore Excursions Manager Adam helped so much with the excursion that followed. He knew the physical requirements for tendering at the next port, as well as for the excursion we had planned, and we discussed whether I could still do them.
The information about physical requirements is VERY helpful. It was very upsetting to see the Carnival Legend’s tender door at the base of a flight of stairs. Becoming mobility-impaired while off the ship in Grand Cayman made me wonder what I would have done if I could not have eased gently up the stairs to Deck A and then taken the elevator. Accessibility is very important!
Gary won a medal for Sports Trivia, but ships on a stick were almost non-existent. A shipment missed the delivery date for us I think. Loved the new Punchliners Comedy Club intensive schedule, and Marcus Anthony was fantastic.
Loved the presentation of the rhythm section of the band with lead singers at various times in the lounge next to the MDR. What talent they have, and to see them at times other than the shows let them demonstrate all their skills.
The layout is fabulous, lots of comfy seats to watch the ocean and the ports. Hope to be on the Carnival Dream in December! Janet
For shame on anyone yelling at, nonetheless punching or shoving a crew member – permanent ban from any ship would be my punishment.
Can’t wait for #6 cruise on the Conquest!!! 89 days and counting….. We are taking the Dec 26 New Year’s Eve cruise with a few family members and it is g-baby #1′s first cruise – he will be 21 months old and will be learning his MiMi’s favorite pastime – cruising of course.
Looking forward to the Magic coming to Galveston and many memorable sails aboard her.
Thanks for your interesting, witty, and honest blog, we will continue to follow…..
John (please reply)
Thank you so much for your time and caring for everyone involed in Carnival.
Just returned from sailing on the Legend,(sail date 9/19/10) our 5th cruise, 1st time for the Caribbean. All others have been from So Cal, last year we were on the Splendor.
As always everything was perfect. We were offered an upgrade to a suite, which we took as my Mother always sails with us, and it was great. I don’t think we can ever go back to just a balcony room again.
Just want to make sure that a few of the crew the members that made our trip get the reconition that they deserve.
First our room steward Frernades (cabin #6185) was wonderful. When we had leak on the floor, he had a plummer in to fix it in no time.
Frenando and Armondo in the dining room (late dining),were delightful. Frenando told us that he was leaving to bring out the Magic. I hope that Armondo gets a promtion, how ever that works in your world. (LoL). Also Singing Ken was the best, comming by and making sure that all was well, and if there was anything more that could be done for us.
I booked pedicures for my husband and myself in the Spa (his 1st one ever). It was the best pedi I’ve ever had. Rondha (assist spa Manger) said she was moving to LA in a couple of weeks, and hoping for a promotion, she deserves this if you have any input.
Next and probably the most inportant to my Husband was Utamea (? the spelling), on the Lido deck. He was always there rembering his bucket of beer, and smiling.
I hope that this gets to the right people and again thank you and everyone from Carnival, for making sure that our vacation was perfect.
We are already booked for next year on the Liberty out of Miami, Sept., 2011. (Nothing like planning ahead, and wishing your life away, until your next cruise).
Don’t change a thing about your blog or your love of life and people. Even if we are from So Cal. (LoL)
Thank you for your time,
Bobby & Donna Clelland
What a wonderful B-2-B cruise opportunity! I’d love to go to Mexico and Canada.
I wish there were more options when sailing from Galveston. Once a month the Conquest goes to the Bahamas but there must be more. Is there a way to find it? I have done all of Carnival’s itens from Galveston. And I want MORE!
elizabeth
That is awful that person would hit a crew member. That was the right thing to do to disembark them. I was wondering however, what if someone stayed in their cabin during the lifeboat drills. Would you all know that someone is missing or are they able to decide if they want to hear the life boat drills? I wonder for those who cruise often, if they have to hear the same drills over and over? Thanks for answering I have wondered.
steph
No you MUST go to the drills. They then go cabin to cabin checking them. These people where found out on their balcony hiding.
No matter how many times you have cruised, you still need to go the muster drill and it really isn’t a choice for anyone. Even if it’s the same instructions, there can always be changes to procedure and you have to know how to get to your muster station for that particular cruise.
John,
Throw more people off the boat that act like idiots. There is nothing better, for the reputation of Carnival. Throwing people off the ship sends the message that idiots will not be tolerated. I think most normal people would appreciate that fact, ZERO TOLERANCE.
John, Please let that patient know that he is in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks your staff’s quick thinking and action on dealing with the air evac. I know that was not an easy task period, but combining a bunch of curious onlookers, it was amazing.
Bravo to your staff, and the USCG for keeping his best interests at heart.
Hi John (PLEASE REPLY CRUISE IN 3 DAYS),
We are so excited we cruise in 3 days Oct 2-9 Dream!
Anyway, I posted on Sept. 14, but now I think about it, I never asked you any specific questions. There is a big group of us (13) and we all will be celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. Our stateroom is 8283 and my parents are 8279. My mom will be having her birthday on Oct. 2nd. If you can do anything special for us that would be great. Thanks so much
Please see my post below from Sept 14th:
Hi John,
It has been awesome reading your blog. We have been so excited for our upcoming cruise Oct. 2nd on the Dream! I wish you were our CD, however I am sure we will have a blast. My Husband Ernie (Navy War Veteran), and our three little girls 11,6, and 4 will be traveling with us. It has been quite some time since we had a long vacation. We will be celebrating our 10th Anniversary and celebrating how we met. We both use to work for CARNIVAL AIRLINES!! I was a Flight Attendent and he was a Mechanic! We both lost our jobs when the company went bankrupt and back then you could cruise on Carnival for free and we never had the chance. The Carnival name means ALOT to us, we are soooo excited! My parents are traveling with us too. Since we couldn’t afford a cabin for five, we purchased two cabins side by side. We have our little one in my parent’s cabin. I just want to thank you so much for your informative blog!! We have just 18 more days!!!!
Hint for passwords – I use characters from books. I started w/Harry Potter and I am working my way thru the books.
John,
Please Reply
Hello there from Oklahoma! If Oklahoma had a cruise port you could guarantee that we would be just as loyal as all of the other port states, but alas no such luck there.
I am hoping and praying for the best for the crew member that was air lifted off the ship.
I thoroughly enjoy your blog despite the trolls.
We had hoped that you would be joining us from Key West for the “Crazies Cruise” last September, my husband was really looking forward to meeting and cruising you as was I.
The reason I am writing to you today is that even though my husband and I have taken 3 cruises, I am still at a loss as to what to do for him to make this trip extra special. I was hoping you could help me with that.
We have sailed 3 times out of Galveston on the Carnival Conquest (2 times on the Western Itinerary and once on the Eastern).
On our second cruise we were canceled due to Ike making landfall on sailing day…
But we were able to reschedule and even though it wasn’t on my birthday as originally planned we had a fabulous time as always!
This time we are sailing out of Port Canaveral, FL. We have never flown together in our 7.5 years of marriage so we are extra excited, not to mention we will set sail on the Carnival Dream on November 6th, 2010! We are in cabin # 7289.
Please let me know of any special places that should not be missed on this cruise.
Thanks!
Aundrea
Yes to both questions. The cabins are thoroughly searched,,,,,including closete and showere.
Hi John! I sailed Splendor in May 2009 to Astoria, Victoria and Vancouver. We loved it! The weather wasn’t stifling, and the ports were great!
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If you really do have issues remembering passwords I have a suggestion. RoboForm. It manages passwords and create unique passwords for all the various sites that you log into. There is a free version and a paid version. The information is all stored in an encrypted form on your computer and you simply need to remember one master password and you are go to go.
BTW, I am simply a happy customer (just like I am with Carnival) and don’t work for the company.
Hey John passwords used to be a real pain for me too until I found a little program called roboform. It stores all of your passwords for you. You secure it with one master password and then after that you store all of your passwords within that file. When you go to a site that needs a password for the first time you enter your info and roboform saves it for you. Next time you go to that site you click on the roboform toolbar and it fills it in and submits it for you.
A great little program to load onto your machine and it saves so much time and frustration. Google for it. Roboform.
Message to TMC MASS
Just to tick you off, I am going to click on John’s Blog 1 MILLION TIMES then we can brag about how we have 8 million slaps.
How many do you have?
My wife & I took the rerouted cruise on the Splinder & loved every minute of it…I think we got the last balcony room on the whole ship.
You handeled the feeding & drill problems great..Geeze if you dont want to see breast feeding !! don’t look.
Does Carnival still publish the Currents Mag.??
Hi John,
I am re-sending this to you. No need to respond this time.
My sister and brother-in-law are cruising for the first time and are celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary, any chance we could have something waiting for them? They are in cabin U164 and their names are Brittney and Bill.
Also, there are 7 of us in total. Is there any way to get a table for just the 7 of us? We really do not want to worry about other passengers; one of our party has some anxiety issues. Do I need to wait until we get on board to speak with the Maitre D or could you pass along our info to him.
Cabins U164, U154, and U152.
Thank you so much for your time!
Brian