I have, these past few weeks started a new ritual involving my morning coffee. You see, for the first few months here on the Carnival Magic, my lovely assistant Mel (who I’ll speak more about later) would at 9 am sharp bring my skim milk cappuccino, extra hot with two Splendas to my cabin. I would drink it, go through the mail and the business of the day and then sit down to continue my blog or, if I had been a lazy sod and slept in until 8 am, actually start my blog. This would mean that on a port day, of which on the Carnival Magic there are many, I wouldn’t do anything but work and sit staring at Mr. Dell trying to think of something worthwhile to write to you about. And so a few weeks ago, I forced myself to go to the coffee shop myself so I could walk a little and say good morning to a few guests along the way.
And so it was yesterday and while going to get my frothy coffee, I met a guest who I knew instantly was not happy. Funny isn’t it that after all these years doing this I can tell straight away who isn’t going to want to give me a big hug and say, “This is the best thing I have ever done.” So, what can I tell you about this chap? Well, he’s British and lives in a place called Guernsey, which is a small island off the southwest coast of the UK and a beautiful place it is. This was his 17th cruise and his first with Carnival. And while he thought the crew was friendly, he hated the decor of the ship and was disappointed that we didn’t provide more European historic lectures. He also did not like the fact the ship was so big and he didn’t care for the people he and his wife were seated at with at dinner.
I asked him for his cruise history and basically he has cruises with Cunard many times and with P&O but only on their small ships and so I had to ask “Why are you here, then?” His answer was simple, “The price.” He had seen the cruise advertised in one of the British newspapers and couldn’t believe how much this nine-day cruise was and so very last minute, he booked it.
But even taking the brilliant value for money into the equation and having heard his list of previous cruises it was obvious that quite simply Carnival wasn’t for him. Sometimes certain people feel comfortable doing, eating, sailing on and wearing different things. I mean, would Her Majesty The Queen ever be found playing Zombie Death Race on her Playstationxbox? Would a pregnant Beeyonce turn up for the MTV awards wearing a full length tweed skirt and a cardigan knitted by her Great Aunt Jennifer? Can you imagine Calvyn as a cruise director on Cunard walking around the open decks as he does on the Carnival Magic……wearing his mankini?
People tend to know what suits them……..and what doesn’t. It is rare to find someone who has just finished reading The Complete Works of Shakespeare and has now picked up a copy of Cruise Confidential. So value for money is what brought this chap to Carnival but even that wasn’t enough to put a smile on his face.
And while I am talking about dissatisfied guests, I might as well tell you about this letter I received for my morning show last cruise. I haven’t had time to write about it yet what with hurricanes and stuff but it fits nicely into the start of the blog today. You may remember that last cruise we had some issues with people thinking we were in Venice for two days when it was only one day and so we changed it to an early arrival which made everyone very happy indeed. But that aside there was very little that didn’t go perfectly from the weather to the operation onboard. And so I was surprised when I go this letter.
The cruise from hell? The worst vacation of their lives? Have this family never had massive arguments because nobody remembered to pack the Monopoly? Have their children not get air sick and vomited all over a flight attendant? Did they all remember their passports? Was their luggage never lost? Did none of them ever eat some bad shellfish that gave them two days of diarrhea? Are none of the children so embarrassed by Dad wearing the briefest of Speedos on the beach? Is the air-conditioning working perfectly in every hotel bedroom they have stayed in? Did nobody get lazy about the sun cream because it was a bit cloudy and then blister like purple bubble wrap? Has dad never drunk a few too many pina coladas and spent rather too long talking to the Russian with the huge breasts. Surely a camera has been lost? Or a cell phone dropped in a pool.….or maybe because of the aforementioned shellfish you never made it out of the pool? No problems because Mum and Dad want some rumpy pumpy in the tiny hotel room just for once you little bastards, it isn’t all that much to ask, can’t you just go and play on your own for a bit like other children? And despite the fact that Carnival Magic has a huge water park with monster slides, a ropes course, outdoor video games, a basketball court, movies on a giant screen, swimming pools, an all day and late into the night kids activity centre called Camp Carnival ………oh and free sodding ice cream……….the kids are bored.
I guess my point is this……..In the same way as having your nipple pierced isn’t for everyone, occasionally you are going to meet someone who doesn’t have a great time no matter what you do and in the case of the two people I have written about today it’s safe to say that Carnival and moreover cruising just wasn’t for them, just as vacationing in Paris isn’t right for me or indeed for anyone with a good sense of smell.
Time for today’s Q and A……………..here we go.
Tom Barrick Asked:
There is a question being asked on the CC boards that I thought you should be aware of and help us with your thoughts. The question is how much should we “tip” the maître d? Many are saying that they earn a big salary and if that’s true how much do they earn john as this would help many of us decide if we tip or we don’t. A few Cruise Critic members feel that the maitre d should be tipped regardless of the above as they make things happen in the restaurants.John Says:
Hello Tom BarrickThe maitre d’s are indeed, like many of Carnival’s shipboard employees, paid a salary by the company, and tips for the maitre d’ are totally at the discretion of you, the guest. Now I am not obviously going to say how much they earn and I am sure you understand why I can’t. Tipping the maitre d is standard practice within the industry and I think the only guideline I can offer is that if you do not think that he or she made a difference to your dining room experience, then you should not tip. If, however, you had maitre d’s like Ken, Manuel, Miguel, Desi or one of our other excellent dining room managers, then I am sure that you will want to give them something. How much? Well, whenever I am asked this, I always say that $5 per couple is an average amount but at the end of the day, it’s up to you. I am sorry that it has taken me almost a month to reply to this but hopefully the subject is still “live” on Cruise Critic and you can post my answer there.
Best wishes
JohnTracie Gower Asked:
JohnMy family will be sailing with me on a big reunion cruise on the Carnival Splendor on September 18. We have multiple celebrations. It will be my 50th birthday, my husband’s birthday and our anniversary. Then we have my sister’s birthday and my other sister and brother-in-law will also be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. The other celebration is of my parents’ 48th wedding anniversary and my father-in-law has his 70th birthday just before the cruise starts. Please can you leave something in our cabins as a thank you for sailing with Carnival and to help us with our mass celebrations. The cabin numbers are:
6227 Tracie and Grant Gower
2311 Tina and Bill Rojenski
2390 Tania and Steven Allatt
6335 Mary and Grant Gower SR
6373 Justine and Frank Daniels
Please note that my parents (6373) do not drink so do not send alcoholic gift. We are all looking forward to a great time.
John Says:
Hello Tracie GowerIt’s great to see that you are all spending these wonderful celebrations together with us on the Carnival Splendor and we are honoured that you are. I will send something nice to your cabin Tracie which I hope you will be able to share with the family. I wish you all a brilliant time.
Best wishes.
JohnGreg Dolezal Asked:
Hi John,This is more of a personal compliment than a question. I just wanted to thank you for your blog and sharing the experience on the Carnival Splendor. A friend of mine pointed me to your blog last year and when it came time for me to book a vacation to celebrate my parents 35th anniversary on this summer, I chose a Carnival cruise. I am taking 11 people on this trip and am most excited. I was so impressed with how Carnival handled themselves during this challenge, and more specifically, your blog and sense of humor and professionalism through the ordeal.
I am looking forward to my first cruise in 20 years, and have no doubt it will be a great trip since we are going with Carnival!
John Says:
Hello Greg DolezalThank you so very much for those very kind words. I realise that the Carnival Splendor incident put the ship and the company very much in the public eye and thanks to the calmness and understanding of the guests and the brilliant dedication and tireless hard work of the crew; it was a story with a happy(ish) ending. I am very humbled by your words and I hope you will let me know if there is anything I can do for you before you cruise with us. I wish you the very best of times and thanks once again for writing to me.
Best wishes.
JohnNicole Y Asked:
Hey there John,I have been reading a lot on your blog thingy and Facebook pages lately. You really make me want to sail with you, but until then, I have to keep to my close to home sailings. I am sailing October 15 on Carnival Triumph, I am in room 1039. I contacted you earlier about The Chef’s Table but I have heard that you love to take care of other passengers so I have a small request for you. I see there are several suites open on our cruise still. As I am a returning passenger, I was wondering if you would be able to upgrade me. I have never had the luxury of a suite but would LOVE to experience it! Whatever you can do would be appreciated.
Nicole
John Says:
Hello Nicole YYou will have a great time on the Carnival Triumph and I checked with the ship and your Chef’s Table reservation is confirmed and they had advised me that the confirmation email was indeed sent. Sometimes, though, it ends up in that wonderful spam box. Anyway you are all set and I wish you a great Chef’s Table experience and hope that one day we get to sail together. The bad news is that I have no say over who gets an upgrade so I am sorry that I wasn’t able to help you with that. Have a brilliant cruise.
Best wishes.
JohnAndrew Du Pree Asked:
Can you explain to me why I had to wait an average of 10 to 20 minutes on five nights out of our seven on the Carnival Dream for anytime dining? This is not acceptable. I am a gold member of NCL’s Latitudes Club and I see no reason why if they can get their freestyle dining right with no wait time, then so can you. We have another cruise booked on Carnival Miracle from our home city of New York and I trust there will be no similar wait this time.John Says:
Hello Andrew Du PreeI am very sorry that on five occasions the dining team on Carnival Dream was not able to seat you immediately. Your Time Dining is becoming more and more popular and there are certain times during the 5:45pm – 9:30pm schedule that it does get a bit busy and guests do have to wait sometimes. Hopefully during the time you had to wait you were invited to relax in one of the ship’s lounges and given a beeper thingy so you knew when your table was ready. I do hope that you are enjoying the convenience of having a ship homeport in New York and that you have a wonderful cruise. My apologies again for the delay.
Best wishes.
JohnDarren Asked:
Hey John,My brother is 14 and has special needs he has autistic so can he go to Circle C place when we get on the fantasy ship. I like your blog.
John Says:
Hello DarrenThanks for writing to me mate and I am so glad that you did. Yes, of course, your brother can use the Circle “C” club. Our staff is used to helping kids like your brother and I know he will have a fun time. Please can you show your parents this so they know, too? Thanks again Darren for the kind words and for being a loving brother. I hope you all have the most fun ever.
Best wishes.
JohnMichole Schneider Asked:
Hi John,I have been following your blog for the last seven months when my first cruise was booked for me and my best friend/roommate Dawn and our daughters Brittoni and Mystie. This is a celebration cruise for us, as just over a year ago my friend nearly died. What kept her motivated to recover (and it has been a long road) was the fact that her mom (also on the cruise with us) promised her that we would go on an all girls cruise as soon as she was recovered and able to travel. We added our daughters (18 and 20) as part of the celebration to celebrate their graduations and birthdays. I would love it (and I am sure they would too) if you could please send them a little something if you have the time. We sail on Carnival Inspiration September 19 and we are in room V10 the girls are in V12. Thank you for your time, and thanks for all you do.
John Says:
Hello Michole SchneiderI am glad your friend made a full recovery and that you are all able to cruise together. I will send you something and wish you all the most wonderful time. Thanks for the vey kind words.
Best wishes to all.
JohnHazel K Asked:
Hi John,Thank you so much for the great news that Carnival is coming to Boston. We booked straight away and have four cabins on her first cruise. I wish you could be there John. We love your blog and sailed with you on the cruise where the rude drunk girl came on stage and made rude signs behind your back and tried to take her clothes off. Love the blog and love love love Carnival for coming to Boston.
John Says:
Hello Hazel KThe last time I was on a ship in Boston there was something called a “big dig” going on. Is that finished yet? I had a wonderful time there on Carnival Triumph and we are so glad that we are able to have Carnival Glory there as well. I remember the cruise you are talking about well and that young lady was so drunk that she remembered nothing and was so embarrassed when she saw herself on TV. I think I may have written about her in the blog as well. I wish you a wonderful cruise and hope we sail together out of Boston. Have a wonderful cruise.
Best wishes.
JohnMary Ann Benedict Asked:
Hi John:This was our sixth cruise and you are the best. After debarking from Carnival Magic, my family asked if I bought the DVD of the cruise. I, of course, did not and now would like to. Is that still possible? More importantly my family and I would like to purchase a copy of all the shows you hosted. The first day, welcome show, second meeting on Thursday about shore excursions and the change in ports, but most of all your morning shows with Calvyn. We had so much fun watching and really want to share with our relatives that have never been on a cruise so they can see how much fun it is. (We won’t tell them that not every cruise is that much fun as you can’t be on every ship.) Please, please let me know if these requests are possible, I very much regret not asking while on board. Thank you and look forward to cruising with you again. P.S. take good care of Calvyn he deserves it.
John Says:
Hello Mary Ann BenedictWhat a wonderful post and both Calvyn and I are honoured (spelt correctly) to read this. He is truly one of a kind and I love hosting the shows with him. The sad news is that we don’t have the master copies of the shows anymore. I am so sorry. I do hope though that you will come back with us again soon and bring your friends and we will do our best to make you laugh and give you the best cruise ever. Thanks again, you just made Calvyn’s day.
Best wishes.
JohnMr. Fletcher Asked:
Can you tell me if Ken the Singing Maitre d will be on Carnival Magic’s TA as I want his dining room. If he is I am in cabin 1384 last name Fletcher. I am a single passenger and was on the TA with him on Carnival Splendor and Carnival Liberty. I like to sit with single ladies as I am an entertainer by profession.John Says:
Hello Mr. FletcherKen will indeed be the maitre d on the Carnival Magic’s trans-Atlantic crossing and I have sent this to him to make sure you are seated in his dining room for 16 days. I am sure he will do his best to find you some lucky ladies to…..ummmm……..entertain. Best wishes and have a brilliant voyage.
John
That’s all for today.
Let’s take a break as we have some more comments to digest in a moment and while I go to the bathroom and leave Ketut a little something, why don’t you enjoy some brilliant photos of Florence from Mr. Radu who I am happy to say will be working on a calendar for 2012.
As you know Hurricane Bastard affected many of our ships’ itineraries last week and thousands of cruise ship guests on Carnival and other cruise lines had their vacations disrupted. As I reported in the blog on Monday, our shoreside staff and the shipboard teams all worked diligently to ensure the guests had the best possible time, missed ports were replaced when possible with alternative destinations and most importantly the ships and those on board were kept safe. Strange then how two people from the same voyage can have such different opinions which are brilliantly highlighted by these two comments.
Monika Kieca Says:
John Heald and the Beards!I just got back from the best vacation that I’ve ever been on!! I was on the Carnival Victory from Aug. 21-28. When we got to our room on Aug. 21, there was an announcement made that we cannot leave the ship, due to the weather conditions. We were a little upset because we had planned on going to CVS to get some bottled water and then doing some major shopping in Old San Juan. Soon there was another announcement stating that we will be leaving San Juan hours earlier than scheduled because a hurricane was on its way to the area. We then went to the Caribbean Lounge where Matt, the CD, told us that we will be having two days at sea and not going to St. Thomas, as planned. “Oh, great!” we thought. What a terrible way to start our vacation! We were very, very wrong!!!!!!I cannot tell you how many times the captain and the cruise director apologized for this change in schedule. They made sure that everyone on board was happy despite this issue. They gave us updates on the situation, constantly. How can anyone possibly be mad about this? It was out of their hands and they went above and beyond to apologize and thank everyone for their understanding. Aside from the hurricane, there was also a medical emergency onboard. Again, we thought, what else can go wrong on our vacation?? And again, we were wrong. I would like to tell you why.We came on board Carnival Victory excited about the ports of call, the food, and the sun. As the days went on, those things became less and less important. What really mattered to us were the people that we met – the crew. I would like to give the people that went above and beyond their jobs some credit, as it is well deserved!!Katerina, from Macedonia – She was working at the casino on the first night of the cruise. She was very friendly and helpful. And brought us delicious drinks, of course! When we saw her working in the Caribbean Lounge the next night, we made sure to sit by her. She remembered us and seemed just as happy to see us as we did to see her! She was absolutely amazing through the entire cruise – very nice, funny, friendly. She is someone that I would be friends with at home.Stanislav, from Bulgaria- He was working at the pool on the days at sea. He always made sure that we had our drinks and were happy and having a good time. He was very nice and just seemed like a warm, genuine person. We constantly had questions for him (about the drinks, the ship, what has going on that day, etc. etc.) and he answered them all with a smile on his face! (If he was annoyed by us, we never knew!) When we didn’t see him for the next few days, we were sad! We really missed him! We finally saw him working at the past guest party, and we literally screamed because we were so happy to see him!
Raymond, from the Philippines (I think?)- He was working on the Lido deck when we first met him. Not only is he absolutely adorable, but he is the funniest person that we met!! He is very animated and entertaining! And very sweet and kind! We would often be walking around the boat and hear our names, and turn around to see Raymond smiling and waving at us.
Luisito and Astawa, from Philippines (I think?) – They were our waiters in the main dining room. They were both always happy and helpful. They always asked how our day has been. If they saw us outside of the dining, they would always check in on us to make sure we were happy and having a good time. I actually cried when saying bye to them!! PS- Astawa is a great dancer!
The people that I have just listed were the super stars of our cruise, but there were a few others that were pretty amazing, too!
Marion, from Romania – He was the maitre d in our dining room. I have been on two cruises before this one, and on those cruises, I had no idea who my maitre d was. This time, I knew him and I liked him!! He was very nice – greeted us when we got in, went around to every table every night to see how things were, and said goodbye when we left. He also participated in the entertainment that the waiters did, which I thought was really cool. Every maitre d should be like Marion!
Jan, from Poland- He was the hotel director and we had to meet him because we are Polish too! What a great guy! Also very nice and friendly (I’m seeing a pattern here!) I’m sure that he is one of the busiest (if not, THE busiest) person on Carnival Victory, but he still took the time to talk to us. We really appreciated this!
Donkey, Turkey, and Sparkles – They were the entertainment crew and boy did they entertain! Again, they were nice and friendly and absolutely hilarious!! There were many times that we would be laughing so hard, we would be crying! They really made the cruise memorable. And what I really liked about them is that they were approachable. We would see them randomly through the cruise and would almost always stop them and chat or take a picture and they didn’t seem to mind.
Matt from England – He was the cruise director and from my understanding he was filling in for Karl. Matt was the best cruise director that I have had. The others were good, but he was just better!! He is very cute and very funny. Just like the others in the entertainment crew, we stopped Matt on several occasions to chat and take pictures, and he seemed happy to do so. Also, what I liked about Matt was that he (like Marion) joined in on whatever the entertainment crew was doing. He danced and played games too. I think this is why everyone on-board loved him – from young kids to grandmas!
Thank you for reading this, and sorry it was so long. I just wanted to let you know that this cruise was what it was (amazing) because of the people working on it. If I had seven sea days, it honestly wouldn’t have mattered to me, because I was so happy meeting all of the people that I told you about. And if I could take time off of work, I would book this same cruise right now! And I would go on it soon, so that the same crew is still on it!! I wish everyone the best. And I really hope to see them again in the future!
And then there is this one…………from the same ship and the same cruise.
Rob Buchan Says:
I have just arrived home from my cruise with my wife on Carnival Victory. This was supposed to be a special cruise to celebrate my retirement after 30 years as an educator but what it in fact became was a badly managed cruise that did not deliver what was promised in our cruise contract. I know Carnival cannot control the weather but the way things were handled by the people on the boat was inexcusable. We suddenly found that we were leaving the port of San Juan at 6 pm. No announcement was made until we were all told to go to a lecture by a young man who seemed very nervous and unprepared telling us that the ship had to leave early as the captain was worried about the hurricane coming. The way he said this made everyone think that the hurricane was heading toward us and all the passengers were anxious and some downright scared. We were also told that the port of St. Thomas was canceled and we would have two days at sea. This is not what I paid for. Knowing that the hurricane was in the area, Carnival should have canceled the cruise and given everyone a refund plus maybe a discount off a further cruise. I have been reading that this what other cruise lines did but Carnival did not. They put their passengers in danger and did not provide the ports they promised. On board the crew was miserable and obtuse and information about what was happening was impossible to find. I am so disgusted with what happened and I can tell you that Carnival can expect to hear many more such complaints as I heard similar dissatisfaction from hundreds of passengers who like me were trapped onboard. I expect to hear favorably from you in regard to this seven day farce.
So there you go. Mr. Buchan, in case you are reading this, I have passed your comments to our guest services team in Miami. I want to apologise that we had to cancel St. Thomas and I am sorry to read that you did not have fun. Obviously as you correctly said, Carnival cannot control the weather and unfortunately we were forced to cancel a port of call and spend an extra day at sea. Thank you for your 30 years as a teacher (which I hope is what educator means) and someone will be in touch very soon. I do hope that when you look back on what happened you will remember that there were some good times and that Carnival and the ship’s captain changed the itinerary in the interest of keeping you and the other guests safe. Best wishes and enjoy your retirement.
And a huge thank you to you Monica for this brilliant review that shows how you think the situation was handled and that your disappointment in missing St. Thomas quickly turned into the realisation that the ship was putting safety first and that you sat back and let the brilliant crew serve and entertain you. I have sent your words of praise to the captain and hotel director and they will make sure those mentioned get to see just what a difference they mad to your cruise. Thanks so much for taking the time to write and your understanding. Your spirited response to this situation is to be applauded.
Opinions, everyone has them and they continue to be fascinating to read. We started out with two guests here on the Carnival Magic who simply are not suited to our product and finished with two opinions about the same cruise both as different as comparing Megan Fox’s bottom clad in a Chanel G-string and my bottom clad in a pair of XXXXL underpants from Wal-Mart. Some people may wonder still why I post negative comments about the company I work for and indeed negative posts about me and my beach ball stomach. I always thought that the danger would be that I would make this blog a bit self-pandering and right from the start I promised myself that if I was going to continue that I would always post the good the bad and in my case the ugly.
And finally today it’s time for a horror show. Faithful bloggers, do you remember the bathtub scene in the movie Fatal Attraction where you think Glenn Close is dead but then she pops up again even more crazed than before? Well, when I woke up this morning and read my emails I felt like Michael Douglas trapped in that bathroom. Here is the email that our shoreside staff received this week at CCL HQ.
From: —————(CCL)
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 11:39 PM
To: MAGIC CRUISE DIRECTORCC: MAGIC GUEST SERVICES MANAGER
Subject: Mrs__________Hello John
Mrs.____ contacted us with a bizarre claim stating that you gave the guest the wrong weather information and the heavy rain damaged and ruined her clothes. She also has attached medical documentation that alleges she caught “walking pneumonia” because of the wrong information you provided. Do you remember this guest and if so please provide me with any documentation you may have regarding her time on board. I have copied the guest services manager as well.
Thanks and Kind regards
Yep, this is the lady who thrust her wet clothes into my chest and demanded I laundered them. It’s also the same lady who may have and I have no idea how, have accidently received her laundry back with a pair of my underpants in the bag. I had thought Rain Woman was no more and yet, lo, here she was risen again. Sorry but there really is nothing else to say here but to finish the blog with a simple……..Oh FFS!
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.
Wow, you’re also a meteorologist??
John:
Reviews are generally written by two kinds of people…. honest ones and starfish.
Honest people will tell you the disappointments and the successes with great detail. It is balanced….and usually right on the mark.
The Starfish are equally easy to spot. Just look for the word ALL. Anytime I see a Starfish review, I simply discard it to File 13.
(Starfish, btw, is a term that I coined years ago while reading reviews on Cruise Critic.
A Starfish is a passenger that uses exaggerations (like using the term ALL), uses generalizations (never giving specific incidents of their complaints) and generally acts like someone with a starfish up their arse!)
Today you gave an great example of each….and anyone with the IQ of a gnat can tell which one the starfish is.
Sorry you got starfished today….
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
: )
Great analogy, through some of these people more like have a spiny sea urchin up their arse.
Its sad you have nothing better to do but schill for this bottom of the heap cruise line. YOU don’t know other people’s issues on board any ship. You claim to be a stockholder that has to watch for other people wanting something for free. You are pathetic. I own GE stock but I don’t check on the companies that buy their jet engines. SMALL.
After reading some of the comments you receive, I am further convinced that with some people, you can’t live with them and you can’t kill them. What a shame
As I read John’s blog I am amazed at all the people who ask for something from John/Carnival for taking the cruise. Most don’t even say please or thankyou, just give it to me or to all my reletives cruising w/me.
I agree, I cannot even begin got imagine where they get the idea that something should be sent to their cabin…? I have cruised for anniversaries and milestone birthdays and never once did it occur to me to ask the CD to send something to me or my friends/family!
I simply do not have words for Rain Woman and Rob Buchan. I do however have to say that me and Monika Kieca would get along brilliantly as I could go on a cruise and miss every port and be perfectly happy because I am on a cruise! I’m a firm believer in you get out what you put in, so if you want a good cruise have a good attitude and it will happen. If you let every little thing bother you, guess what you will have a crappy time and probably deserve it.
Great John and once again a huge thank you to Mr. Radu for sharing his talent. I so hope to meet the man one day, he is an inspiration!
thanks, sharon! let’s go! : )
Count me in too! Love my sea days. I get too exhausted with too many ports. Also, love a sea day the last day. Time to relax, pack and still have an enjoyable day.
I would have to completely agree with Monika as well. I was on the very same cruise (too bad I never got to meet her, she sounds like a blast!) and mi familia and I had, yet again, another fabulous vacation with Carnival. Yes we were given an extra day at sea that was unexpected but heck I say it’s another day to R-E-L-A-X, and who in their right minds would turn down a chance to lounge about and play the whole day!!??? We were always informed and most of all we were kept safe. And let’s not forget that we did get to St. Thomas after all, Rob (how quickly we forget- from an educator to another, I know that we’ve faced a lot more in the classrooms that are more devastating than a cancelled port of call). It was a fab, fun time if you looked on the bright side of the whole experience—> you’re on a great ship for 7 days being catered to at every moment without having to work…therein is your silver lining, folks.
Monika, you said it wonderfully!
thanks!! too bad we didnt meet up!!!
So very true I was an a cruise w/another brand and it was a NASTY trip from Boston to Bermuda with a spring storm. My whole fam & many other were sea sick. Me, I had a great time, I went to crafts, bingo, read in a comfty chair on one of the inner decks and had a blast. Met many great ppl & had an all around great time. I could have sat sulking because it was raining and we cound not be outside swimming/sunning or enjoying family time.
exactly! you’re on vacation. have fun!
I agree. I select my cruises based on only 2 criteria: price (as a solo cruiser who must have a balcony, price is critical) and how many sea days….the more the better.
Rarely do I bother getting off the ship except to have lunch at Pancho’s in Cozumel or buy perfume in Cayman…or lunch at my favorite jerk shack in Ocho Rios, take the car to Paradise Point in St. Thomas, etc.
I love lolling around on my balcony watching absolutely nothing but the sea, or reading…love meeting new people at trivia or on Lido….
I become a slug on a cruise…which is the whole point.
me too
FYI: Reading on my Android device I can’t read the image of someone’s note.
Otherwise another great blog. Perhaps a FB thread asking guests for some Boston tips is in order for the new cruise.
I have not commented in awhile but the shear absurdity has forced me into asking questions that many may think but may not say..
To Mr Buchan~ As an educator surely Hurricane “Season” must have crossed your mind in the past 30 years as it offers so much relavence to so many subjects; it can be a science subject, a current events/History topic, a math subject, so unless you taught something other than that I just do not get it. By the way in completing you Check in Process Inapproprietly named “FunPass” did you by chance read the cruise ticket contract that I know you signed. Law Class!
Be glad you did not go with Royal Caribbean. Earning a bad grade in any class! (bum out of Luck)
Laundry Lady~ Walking pneumonia is not contracted because of weather conditions. WEBMD states: Viruses, bacteria, or (in rare cases) parasites or other organisms cause pneumonia. So the fact that your do not “have enough sense to get out of the rain” (My Granny every spring 1978-1992)didn’t earn you the right to be rude and assault John with you bag of rags nor does it earn you the right for repayment FOR ANYTHING….
John as always thanks for a great blog and for the opportunity to allow little ole me to speak my mind. (Speech Class) Cannot wait to call the Carnival Dream home in a couple of weeks. If I have to wait a whopping 20 minutes to eat than so be it. I am not in a hurry, ship doesn’t stop before 8 am on any morning.
PJ
Very well said!!!! At home waiting 20 minutes is nothing at the local resturants, and in that time you can have a nice pre dinner beverage and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.
I wrote the first review and I honestly don’t know what rob is talking about! I never saw anyone- a passenger or a crew member- so noticeably upset by this situation! And yeah, I thought it was weird! I was kind of expecting to see PO’ed people, but I didn’t!! (I guess I never ran into rob.)And of course matt seemed nervous about telling us the news! Hello? Do you think that’s an easy thing to tell a room full of people? Especially since he’s not even normally the CD? And the fact that “no announcement was made before the lecture” from the CD is a downright lie!! I’m shocked!! Announcement were made over the PA system thing constantly!! Whatever, dude! I had the best time. And so did everyone else that I encountered. Carnival, I’ve got your back!!
Wonderful blog John, I have to say you are a very kind and patient man. I think I would be swinging from the whale tail by now in my over sized granny panties and support hose and hopefully a bra if I remembered it singing the Beatles tune “Let It Be” at the top of my lungs.. You do so much for people and wow do they come at you from all sides. Rain woman what a trip… I truly cannot wait to see the kind of calendar you will have with all the beautifully stunning photos Radu takes. Thank you so much for helping me through my days and I look forward to the time I can sail with you. I know it won’t be next year but maybe the following of the Breeze.
Damn, I thought you were rid of RainMamm for good. It looks like she is going to haunt you in your dreams!
Saw this article on CNN today about the cruise industry’s response to Hurricane Bastard. Sounds like Carnival handled it much better than another cruise line, and the writer of the article was quite impressed. ANother gold start for Carnival! http://www.cnn.com/2011/08/31/travel/hurricane-season-cruising/index.html?hpt=hp_bn12
Um…that should say gold star! Yikes!
Im sorry but anyone who thinks having to wait for 10 to 20 minutes for a seat at anytime dining must be the type that only eats at McDonalds when at home. 10 to 20 minutes is actually very good. I have waited almost an hour in very nice restaurants before and was not bothered by it
Normally I wouldn’t wish bad things on people. But really…. blaming John for the rain, acting rude as a bitch on board, and then claiming that she got sick because of John…. well, “Rain M’am” — I hope your walking pneumonia walks right into your digestive system, and causes the most explosive diarrhea and vomiting possible…. for a week…. no… a month. Stop blaming other people for your miserable life.
John, who’d have ever dreamt that being the ‘director of fun’ could be so stressful? No way I’d trade jobs with you! I do want to let you know that unlike the above guest, if I ever request a gift, feel free to send alcohol! I’ll even invite you for a drink. And as for Mr. Toogoodfortherestofus, I personally enjoy mingling with the ‘little people’, lol!
My mother always told us that being bored showed a lack of imagination.
I agree.
At 71, I’ve never been bored in my life…
My siblings and I weren’t allowed to be bored. If we even LOOKED bored, our mother would stick a book in our hands or some embroidery thread (yes, even the boys), point us towards the push mower or to the kitchen where there was always something that needed to be done.
Auntie Mame said “Life is a banquet and most suckers are starving to death”.
Stop degrading yourself and calling yourself ugly. You are a beautiful person inside and OUT, do stop with that behavior right away. Sorry about stupid laundry lady but she sure does make some good story telling.
OMG…no Kidding FFS!!!!!!How do these people function in the real world? Can you imagine the local news station getting in trouble from her for being wrong? what about the butcher who said her steak would be tender? her dentist that didn’t tell her the right way to brush???? etc! These kind of people need to learn to take some responsibility for their own lives. I am sure she goes through live blaming EVERYBODY in her life for her problems. Let me guess, she isnt married? If she is god bless the bastard!! All we can hope for is that she reads this blog and sees how many people think she is a complete NUTCASE!!!! and she goes to see the doctor that gave her the “documentation” and gets the meds she so rightfully needs!!!!!!
I guess the same goes with opinions, everyone has one and they think they have the right one. But when it comes to a Carnival cruise I am going to go with the 1st one, that is what happened and that is the way it was.
The pictures of Florence by Radu are amazing, he is so incredibly talented. I will buy that calender he is working on.
I am sure you are itching to get on your holiday to see your precious Kye and Heidi. I suppose it is best that you are so busy with so much to do that it makes the days go very fast.
I am still waiting for my “Ask John” letter to be answered, hopefully before we leave on September 22nd.
Keep smiling John; you truly are one of the good guys.
My best to Heidi and Kye.
John,
Both my Husband and I love your blog. I have you as a FB friend, so I catch you there also. We are leaving this Sunday on a 4 day out of Port Canaveral on the Sensation. We are so happy one of our favorite Piano men Barry will be entertaining us every night. Keep up the good work, you can’t make everyone happy , but I know you try. Take care of yourself, your family needs you!
John,
I’m sorry you have to deal with these idiots. I’m really glad that the “edcator” retired because idiots do not belong in the classroom. I’m sure he would have had a lot of fun in St. Thomas with the wind blowing so hard you can’t stand up and the rain coming down in buckets instead of being at sea with the warm weather and sunshine. If you travel during hurricane season, especially during August and September, then you have to be prepared for changes. As far as cancelling the entire cruise, that is really stupid. What about the other passengers that had a great time? I hope he doesn’t cruise with Carnival, or any other cruise line, again.
I too was hoping that the rained on lady was gone. If you’re too stupid to watch the weather yourself and be prepared against the rain, or heat, or whatever it is, then you deserve whatever you encounter.
I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again -some people are too stupid to cruise – or maybe even be alive.
Take a deep breath and know that not everyone is like the people on your blog.
Linda & George
As a Milestone cruiser, I’ve had cruises where it rained all week and cruises where ports were cancelled. I’ve also had cruises with perfect weather but how much I enjoyed the cruises was not dictated by the weather. I believe if you go on vacation looking for things to complain about, you’ll find them. If you go expecting to have a great time, you generally will. The two very different notes you posted about the same cruise reinforces this. The cruise didn’t turn out the way either cruiser expected, but one had a great time and the other said it was horrible. Attitude is everything!
WELL SAID, Carolyn!!
John – PLEASE REPLY ON THE BLOG
Given the recent shenanigans of Hurricane Bastard (as you so correctly refer to her), I thought I would relay to you our experience with another hurricane.
Back in 2004, we were disappointed to hear that Carnival had made the decision to move the smokefree Paradise to Los Angeles and eliminate the smokefree from its “name”. As you already know (you think my screen name is too obvious?), we loved the smokefree environment, so much so that we took three cruises in 18 months.
Anyway, we decided that we would take the last Caribbean cruise of the smokefree Paradise to remember her so fondly. We booked a TBA cabin and eagerly awaited the cruise.
As we left for Miami to board the boat, it became obvious that the cruise could be impacted by a mischievous lady named Frances – at the time of our departure, she was in the southern Atlantic heading towards our cherished port of St. Thomas.
We arrived on the boat, discovered that we had been upgraded to a cat 12 balcony suite and found a note on the bed which basically stated “we are keeping abreast of the latest position of Hurricane Frances and will keep you advised of any itinerary changes required.” Good communication, even if it likely meant that we would not enjoy the Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruise that I had booked.
Upon departure, we traveled to Nassau and enjoyed the port. When we returned to the cabin, we found a new letter advising us that, for the safety of the passengers, Carnival had made the decision to sail a western Caribbean itinerary and that we would be calling at Cozumel and Grand Cayman, instead of the Dominican Republic and St. Thomas.
Of course, I was bummed that we would not be going to St. Thomas, which is a port that we love. What I was not bummed about was missing St. Thomas on the same day that Frances was visiting.
We had a wonderful cruise, during which we were constantly kept abreast of what was going on with Hurricane Frances. On Friday night (it was a Sunday to Sunday cruise), we were advised that we would be leaving Cozumel that night, but we would not sail beyond a certain point until it was deemed safe to sail into Miami and the port was prepared to receive us. Yes, the mischievous Frances was headed dead on into the Miami area, just three weeks after himmicane Charley visited the same area.
We ended up getting a bonus day on the cruise – what was a seven day cruise became an eight day cruise. We campaigned for the ship to have the surf and turf menu on the extra day, but, buggers, they only repeated the Sunday first night menu all over again.
It has taken me seven years to realize that I was never properly compensated by Carnival for the bothers of Hurricane Frances. All I got was great communication, great service by the crew, a wonderful Captain who absolutely had the best interests of the passengers in mind, and an extra sea day. No refunds, no credits, no replacement cruises.
Can you please arrange for the wife and I to have a replacement cruise? Since we got a cat 12 balcony suite upgrade, I would request the same again. Let’s see – as much as I like the Eastern Caribbean itinerary, I think I would better enjoy European ports, so why doesn’t Carnival also pay to fly the wife and I to Barcelona to pick up the Carnival Magic and we can sail on the Transatlantic cruise, Also, I would like seating in Ken’s dining room, reserved seats for all the shows and a guaranteed winning entry into the slot tournament. What else can I ask for? How about excursions in each port of call – I will let you choose them, subject to my approval.
Too much? Then, give Heidi and Kye a kiss from me and I will call us even.
Your friend in cruising,
STILLmissingthesmokefreeparadise
I swear some people dream up some of their experiences. No announcements? How did you know to go to the lounge. Carnival not know they had to leave port until to do so by the Coast Guard which had not happened from what I have read before. No other cruiseline cancelled their cruises and it is only done in exteme case. If the gentleman was so educated, then he should have done research about sailing in hurricane season.
Then you have the dreamer with the cell phone. I am pretty sure the time difference was only an hour so how you could still miss your excursion is beyond me. Why anyone would leave their cell phone on an incur the roaming charges is silly. Sounds like an excuse to me.
The trend I notice is that the people that yack the most are the ones that needed to take more responsibilty for what happened to them.
John, the Rainlady is back, I wonder if there will be yet another appearance of the Baglady?
right? how did he know to go to the lounge then? exactly! it really bothers me that he said that! it was even a joke to me as to how many times they DID say it! like, “oh no, here they go again!” if you drank every time someone made an announcement, you would have been wasted before you got to the lounge!
He was an educator but definitely not educated.
OH FFS!! Rain Woman, go AWAY, don’t come again anothr day!! lol Geez! Now she wants CCL to pay her “compensation” I’m sure for her “pnuemonia.” You might find this helpful: http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/pneumonia-cause Notice that none of the causes listed are “singing in the rain” ROFL What a huge myth that is.
I read the 2 reviews of the Victory with great interest having just sailed on her in last month. I know from first hand experience the review that was complimentary of the crew is the more factual review. The crew on the Victory was nothing short of friendly, helpful, funny and caring. The Victory ship, crew and itenerary was so good we are planning on going again.
John,
I think Rain Mame and Mr. Buchan both deserve Future Cruise Credits- On NCL!
WOW! $5 for the Maitre D per couple per cruise. With an average 2000 couples on a Magic 10 day cruise that comes to over $350000 per year. No wonder Ken is singing.
Ray -
On a 4,000 passenger ship, you probably have less than 1,000 couples. The rest are singles travelling together and families.
In addition, the passengers are split between two dining rooms, so cut your number in half.
Still, I agree that it is a pretty haul that the maitre d’s are making, even if only half the passengers decide to tip them.
let me enlighten you on the maitred tipping concerns…first of all they are only two 4000 people capacity ships where they are two dining rooms with two maitreds definitely there are no more than 500 couples at once on a big cruise ship like that the rest are big groups families and other categories of people where about 700 guest ate on the your time dining thing from where we were probably the only other couple who left an envelope …because maybe only 20% of the people on a cruise leave a tip for a maitred who actually does a lot more than a CD has to schedule an army of waiters do all the seating arrangements train on daily basis their staff and not to mention supervise their restaurants and listen to a lot of crap from some of us …and accommodate all kind of requests ..i do think they have a salary but it must be a modic one like the waiters who told me that they get an oficial 75 $per month from carnival .Considering that they are working 7days out 7 an average of 12-14hours a day for like 8 months or so and they are not pay in their work breaks so i think that even if a couple would leave 20$ not 5$like Jhon britshly cheaply reccomanded would still not be enough for the kind of work they do .
But last cruise I had a table by the entrance with a clear view on their desk and on the early seating the maitred must have received about 30-40 envelopes the most and that’s more like 200 $ x 2 seatings seems about 400 $ on 7 day cruise …your mathematics is poor or we all went mad thinking that all the guest show some class and leaves a tipp…ha-ha that’s funny like we don’t live in the states were most of us we are cheap so cheap…on the other hand I heard that a Cruise director makes around 10-12 thousand dolars a month is that true …maybe Jhon or maybe since you are the Cd of all the cd’s you make even more?
I dont mine tiping the wait staft But when it comes to the maitre D NO I have been on [7] cruises and only once has the maitre D come by and said hi. I even saked for the meitre D to come to my table and he never show up if he need the tips then he should get a part time JOB //AND i dont like to hear the C D crying for people to give the maitre D money
My family and I have been cruising on Carnival since day one and have never had a bad experience. We are sailing on Sept 11th on the Victory out of San Juan and can’t wait.Carnival inspired us to become travel agents and we recommend Carnival to all our friends, family and clients. You are treated like kings and queens no matter if you are in an inside cabin or a suite. Congratulations to all those individuals who work so hard to give us all the best vacations ever!!!! See you soon…
How is the best way to order some 2012 calendars of Radu’s amazing photography?
Dear John,
I am very unhappy because after four cruises since November 2010 including the wonderful Carnival Magic with you on the 22nd May, a not very nice cruise on that humungous leviathan of a ship with the initials NE (where monetary survival was an Epic effort) and two other cruises, I have run out of money.
Now here is what I want you to do. Will you please organise a free cruise for us, preferably to Europe or to America (to make up for the fact that we have to fly such a long way at great expense to join the cruise from Australia). I also expect you to have a fresh bowl of fruit in our cabin EVERY day. I also want your cell phone number so that you can be at my beck and call should I need anything else during the cruise, because I insist that YOU be the CD. A free bottle of champagne on arrival is, of course, a requisite. Any whinging passengers are to be thrown overboard to save the rest of us, including yourself, the embarrassment of putting up with their puerile nonsense. Your current correspondent is exempt from this rule. By the way, is the Captain’s Suite available for our exclusive use? I am sure he would not mind being downgraded for just one cruise. Complimentary tours of both the ship and shore excursions will be gratefully accepted. Free laundry and shoeshine goes without saying. If you do not accede to my demands, I will cut off your supply of free Vegemite.
I remain sir, your obedient servant,
The Poorest Australian
lol this is one of the funniest things i’ve seen on here today
You forgot to say “thank you.” Oh… wait… what…?
John I think you are in a no win situation because of your clientel and the silly desire to make everyone happy. There are those who have been brought up by the “pay me something when I perceive something has not gone right, in my opinion”, or “please give me something because I am gracing Carnival with my presence” on a 5 or 7 day cruise.
Stop doing it.
We had the adventure of being machine gunned at midnight by pirates in the Indian Ocean, then protected by a Spanish warship that could not match our cruising speed. We had to cancel tours to Egypt so we could back to Italy to end our voyage on time. No one demanded $$$$ compensation or carried on like your delicate 1% of irrational passengers, sorry guests. We were not happy but what else could we do.
If the 1% are such a pain in the backside why not tell them to go elsewhere for the sake of us passengers who are having a good time. These people are like a virius on a cruise trying to drag others down to their level of unhappiness. Sometimes they succeed. Yor Mr Rob Buchan no doubt would have done the world a favour and jumped over board to educate and depress the pirates before our 22 day voyage was over.
Good morning! I always enjoy reading your blog and I swear, some people just don’t know how to have a good time.
I know you sometimes post recipes for the dishes that are served on the ship, and I was hoping that you might be able to do so for one of my favorites. Could you please post the recipe for the Cinnamon Pumpkin, Squash, Yam, and Cheddar Cheese Pie?
I’m not a vegetarian, but I LOVE this dish. I highly recommend it to anyone who might be partial to the ingredients.
I am a true believer that everything in life is what you make of it. People who go on vacation and feel that they are on a “vacation from hell” most likely were themselves a big part of the reason it was so. Most of your readers can remember what happened on the Carnival Splendor. The media were all there when the ship arrived….waiting to hear horror stories but for the most part we only heard stories of people who made the best of it. We can all certainly learn something from their example.
Regardless of how crazy Rainlady is, it may help John out if anyone who was on the same cruise could let him know your recollections of what happened during that trip weather forecast wise.
@ Andrew Du Pree…..geez….really?? You had to wait a few minutes? The HORROR!! What in the WORLD do you have to do when you go grocery shopping? Have your own private check out lane?? Welcome to reality…sometimes when other people are around, you MIGHT have to wait your turn…i teach that to my young grandchildren all the time…perhaps you were never taught that??
Hi John,
I just want to say that we have been on several cruises where the itineraries have changed do to the weather and we have always had a great time no matter what!! A vacation is what you make it no matter where you go or how you get there!!
John, the only thing left to do for rain woman is going to shitsenders.com and send her some steamy camel or elephant dung! for that matter maybe lemurcat may want a pile as well. . .
Thank you John for a great blog! I would just like to say I have worked in customer service (retail) for many years. In reference to “Rain Woman” I would like to say that those of us who live in the real world know that pneumonia is caused by virus or germs and not weather. If it were possible to get money for a bad weather forecast, we people in Seattle would all be rich–I mean RICH!! But, those of us in customer service know that not everyone lives in the “real world” and there are alternate realities for the chosen few. Thank you for your honesty and we are currently planning our next Carnival cruise.
RE: The cruise from Hell.
Once again the ugly American rears his ugly head and makes us all look bad. “Some are not American and do not speak English” Seriously? Man, I could of sworn you were traveling in Europe, not the US! For crissake, stop expecting the world to cater to YOU! Also, it appears that your children may be inheriting your Debbie Downer attitude. My kids have been cruising since the age of 4. Not once have they EVER complained about being bored! Fun, like life, is what you make of it!
Although, Carnival is my favorite line to cruise with, I also sail on other lines. NCL being one of them. I can tell you that what Andrew Du Pree claims, is not necessarily true. I have been given a beeper on NCL to alert us when our table was ready. Sometimes the wait has been upwards of 30 mins. Go with traditional dining if you prefer not to wait.
Funny that Mr. Buchan specifically mentions the cruise contract where it clearly mentions the possibility of missing ports.
Ok, off my soapbox now.
Hi John,
I have scheduled my first cruise and we sail on 9/22/11. I’m really excited about the whole thing, especially the food and chefs table. Besides that Im even more excited to spend so much time with my new girlfriend. I was wondering if you can leave a gift in our state room so she will know just how special she really is. We sail on the Ecstasy and our room # is E146. sail date is 9/22/11
Thanks for the help,
Vincent
vjohn05@gmail.com
Vincent,
I am sick and tired of you and others treating John H. as a vending machine (and I only have read a handful of blogs so far).
if you want your girl friend to know how special she is, you should go ahead and buy something special for her. Is a free trinket really going to make your girl friend feel special or will it point to the character flaw in you (being cheap)? Think about it, you don’t want to end up with no girlfriend at the end of the cruise.
Cheers,
Valerie
You just have to realize that if certain types of people were at the hangin on the cross they would have complained about Jesus bleedin’ all over the place and takin’ too long to die.
Then there’s the rest of us who know HappiNeSS is a ChoiCe!
But where is the underwear? (and blouse?)
Now that you have found the Hardware with software! Are you sure they have looked everywhere? Just kidding. Maybe they went to the wrong floor/deck and looked in the wrong dryer. Everything will come out in the end. He-he-he get it “end”. Hey this too will have a happy ending like the ipod-thingy.
The Home Office had it right when they said a “bizarre claim” made by Rain- mam. And since you (must) have one, can you look into your crystal ball and let me know what the weather will be like when we go out on the Triumph Sept. 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep up the good work!
Kristine – we will be with you on this cruise! Don’t worry, I am certain John will have the weather fixed by then! After all, rain would cause us all to sicken and possibly die! Carnival should just give us back our money now and throw in all the port excursions and free bars for the entire cruise! I also expect a crew member to hold my umbrella just in case!
John…
Talk about different reviews of the same experience… I’m on the CARNIVAL ECSTASY right now, and I’ve heard so many different reviews of the same Piano Bar or DID’JA menu or Karaoke Experience or WEATHER!!! Yes, we’re even having weather in the Gulf, on our way home… We’ll be back in Galveston on Saturday…
So let me comment… and I’ve been kidding about this everytime I hear a comment…
… the sink was slow to drain … Please John, I deserve a free cruise…
… the DID’JA menus are terrible… I have nothing at all I can eat… I’ll starve… FREE CRUISE!!!
… my roommate/husband/wife/sweetie snores… YOUR FAULT again!!! At least a 50% discount off the next cruise…
… the weather, the Captain is just trying to save fuel, he won’t go around anything… ruined the whole cruise… MONEY BACK?
… The Deck Party last night was in STRIPES (because of rain… RAIN), but the Mexican buffet stayed on the Lido deck. Why didn’t they move the buffet to Stripes, too?… I want my money back!!!
John, your shoulders are so GIANT!!! FIX IT ALL!!! Make the world perfect!!!
Hugs!!! …and I’ll give you 58 days to FIX EVERYTHING… I’ll be back on the CONQUEST for Halloween.
Love ya!
Lambie
Just wanted you to know that you are on my bucket list of things to do. We will take a Carnival Cruise with you as the cruise director. I think it would be a blast. One of these days, which will be next year, we’ll see you on board. Thanks so much for working with Carnival.
John dont let that letter get to you or anybody.. when i cruised on august 14th i had the time of my life .. especially in circle c meeting some friends and stuff
If you look at both reviews, I think I see the issue…. Review #1: Drinks! Drinks! Drinks! Review #2: No Drinks?? So to help your attitude get adjusted, have a DOD, or many and realize you are on a vacation and that does not mean a perfect environment created just for you! It is a ship in the water, outside, with weather. Try to plan a wedding with 4,000 guests and have not a single person with an issue. Really! These people just need to get over themselves!!!
i laughed at this comment because i wrote the first review and now feel like an alcoholic. ahaha! i didnt really drink that much! i promise!
I have to admit I am behind this week, with planning for my cruise in just a few weeks.. so I read several bloggy things in one sitting, so if this doesn’t apply, sorry.
OMG!!!! If I read one more comment about the *#($)Bread baskets I would scream! I am a normal rational person and don’t scream at my desk in reaction to idiots – usually! BREAD BASKETS???? I am paying a LOT to go to Europe and am going to be bothered by BREAD BASKETS???????? Buy a bag of rolls and throw them at the people waiting like seals at Sea World!! Really???
Hi John, I like your blog very much, read every new article. I was working in the travelindustrie and I think: There is a cruiseline for every person – but not every cruiseline is for everyone….
I am not sure, if carnival is the one for me (have to try it, since today there was not the itinerary that fit our needs) – but this poor man from Guernsey unfortunatly booked via internet and didn ´t received recommendations at a travel agency….
Every cruiseline has a key point, depending on the target audience…. it is helpful, if the customer is clear about his own key point…
I have no kids and enjoy a more quite cruise – so I avoid extremly family oriented cruiselines during holidays…
Wish you a peaceful journey… Wendy
John, RE: Mr and Mrs Cunard/P&O Cruisers.
I retired from 32 years in the travel industry as owner, manager, trainer, groups specialist, cruise specialist and was a Tour Director/Cruise host for 10 wonderful years subcontracting out to major travel and tour companies to lead their clients around the world and, hopefully, enhancing their experience.
I “feel” for MM Cunard, etc.
In this day when so many people make their own travel arrangements online, dissatisfaction is high in many cases. They blithely go their merry way choosing and typing away in unknown territory without doing any research at all…and finding themselves up a rope when the vacation begins…
A professional brick and mortar travel counselor is as valuable as a diamond.It takes YEARS to become a competent travel agent. Years of experience, traveling, looking around, becoming familiar with the product that is out there. MM Cunard needs to find one. Any moderately trained travel agent would have steered him in another direction, knowing their cruise experience.
So many “do-it-yourself’ers” find themselves in deep doo-doo once they realize the trip they have chosen…and paid a lot of money for…is not what they expected.
They have no one to blame but themselves–thinking they have the immediate expertise to find the perfect vacation. They are, for the most part, clueless.
Tipping the Maitre’d
Here’s what I do. If the Maitre’d has done something special for me (changing tables, arranging a cake, honoring a table size requesit, etc) I tip.
I NEVER have reduced tips to crew, waitstaff, room stewards or anyone else..and usually tip extra to each on the last day..and, tip bartenders a little more also. These people work their fannies off to enhance my vacation and deserve much more than what they get.
There have been several Maitre’d whom I have tipped …. can’t recall all of them over the 30+ years of cruising but one sticks out in my mind…brilliantly…because I have him on video…
Was on Liberty a few years back with my brother and his wife. The Maitre’d in our dining room was known as “Mr. V, the Maitre’d” and what a joy he was. He did nothing for us personally but, let me tell you…he was everywhere, all the time…circulated around the tables all during dinner, and when the music started for the dancing (which I thoroughly enjoy)..Mr. V. joined in, did the dances with everyone else, hopped on a table or two, sang his lungs out, clapped and danced around the room..and it was clear he was having a wonderful time.
Every night, he was wonderful He made each meal a joy and a unique experience. We tipped him very well…even my brother, who is known as “Mr. Tightpockets” was generous….
Shame on you, John. You missed the boat big time on tipping the maitre d. First, it doesn’t matter whether they get a salary or not. Tipping is for performance. And, sometimes that performance is NEVER seen by the guest. The maitre d coordinates so many things on the ship that the guest is never aware of and has no clue. Tell the truth, John. The maitre d’s salary on CCL is less than any American’s salary. To set an amount of $5 per couple for a seven day cruise is typical of someone from the European cultures who is not used to tipping for service. I have done over 100 cruises and I can say that a better figure is $20 for a couple per week. One must remember that these people work a four to ten month contract, at sea, away from family and kids and deserve something extra for the hard work they do. They are not earning anywhere near an American salary for the 70+ hours per week they work. Those tips make the difference between whether the good ones stay or leave to work their magic somewhere else. Tipping has become a bigger issue during the bad economy world wide. And, this is not the time to set a ridiculously low figure for a guideline. I would imagine there are a number of really upset md’s out there who would like to cheerfully drown you at this moment. And, for those who question the value of the service they get, I would challenge them to find an all-inclusive resort who can give them multiple ports and the services for the same per day rate. Let’s think these things through a bit better next time, John. You have done both the cruising public and the maitre d’s a huge disservice on this one.
Hello, I was recently on the carnival Inspiration on March 16-19, our cruise director was Matt from England. He made our cruise so much more enjoyable. I’ve managed to locate our other hosts through twitter and facebook. Do you happen to have Matt’s last name, would love to locate him. Thanks