CHOCOLATE MELTING CAKE WITH A DOLLOP OF LIBERTY AND A HUGE SERVING OF CALVYN
September 27, 2011 -
John Heald
I know the first part of today’s blog has nothing to do with cruising but I hope you will excuse me for writing my feelings here. You see, I felt such a total and utter bastard last night. Let me explain. We took Kye to the doctor yesterday as her nose continues to flow freely. And while she is fine in herself, happy and content, her breathing is laboured and at night she snores like a drunken elephant.
So the doc gave her some antibiotics and gave me a huge bollocking because I didn’t bring her in to see him earlier. Yep, despite Heidi thinking we should I went by the old adage of “everything will be alright in the morning,” something which most British people suffer from. My Mum for instance still believes that gangrene and gastro-illness can be immediately cured by putting the kettle on and making a nice cup of tea. So there I sat last night. My daughter sitting on my knee playing with Heidi’s Eyepad and I felt awful. Awful that I had given Kye my cold that had caused her to have a sinus infection and caused her to have her first antibiotics and a nose that looked like LeBron James had thrown her the ball. Yep, I was feeling pretty awful and then suddenly………I wasn’t anymore.
I am sure you are aware that once again there is a brutal famine in east Africa and certainly here it seems to be all over the news and of course there are the usual charity appeals. Back at home we all sit on our sofas feeling awful but the compassion is buried under the blanket of our own comforts and conveniences. The fact of the matter is that Africa’s leaders are the most corrupt in the world and so much of the money and food that gets there is not given to the people who really need it, which is a crying shame. Please don’t judge me here but I went to see Live Aid with my mate Alan. I can’t remember how much we paid for our tickets but they were not cheap. And we both paid for these tickets not only because we wanted to help the starving people of Africa but also because we really wanted to see Queen and The Who. I would like to think that the money went to those poor people who were indeed starving not toward paying for some African dicktator (spelt correctly) to have a new armoured-plated Mercedes. I am not the brightest bulb on the tree but you would think there would be something, anything that could be done to make sure these bastards allow the real help to get to the people who need the most
So there I was feeling sorry for Kye and then suddenly a pair of eyes not much older than Kye’s was on the screen. A pair of empty eyes just staring, all hope gone. And then suddenly on the screen there were hundreds more just like her. I had been self absorbed in worrying about me and Kye and feeling sorry for myself and then there they were….children who had nothing to look forward to. And so I picked up the phone and gave all I could in the hope that the little girl I had seen on the television would be one of those who would be saved.
Time for some Q and A………let’s crack on.
Brenda Gaugler asked:
Dear John,Another rumor running around CC. True or false……are all Carnival ships going smokeless after Jan.1? Thanks for the time you put into this blog!!!
John says:
Hello Brenda,Yes indeed this is true in the same way that it’s true that one of the activities on the next Bloggers Cruise will be naked Twister. Seriously, no it’s not true in any way. Thanks for taking the time to write and for those kind words.
Best wishes.
John
Elaine Heaton asked:
Hi John,I want to say that I am on the Carnival Ecstasy as I type this and I am not a happy person! I had asked you in an email a while back to please do something nice for my sons’ birthday but nothing has been set up, we are in cabins R151, R149 and R147. Sadly I’ve had to set up a cake, etc by myself, I am disappointed! Another thing is that this ship is sadly in need of repair and updating! And the front desk is very rude, and I have to tell you John that I am usually very upbeat and not a complainer. So maybe you can call someone quickly and see what’s up with this ship! Standing in line for 20 minutes and being ignored is not the way a PLATINUM cruiser should be treated.
Hope your day is going better than mine!
Elaine Heaton
John says:
Hello Elaine,I am so sorry that your children did not receive the gifts I had asked to be sent although I certainly have never promised anyone that I would send a birthday cake. Normally I ask for the cruise director to send children a trophy and medallion and I guess in this case my request was not followed up on for which I sincerely apologize. The ship is currently in dry dock and will come away looking fantastic and I am sure she will look in top shape once again. Obviously you are home now and I have missed the chance to send the kids something which I will do the next time. I hope your cruise got better and my apologies once again.
Best wishes.
John
MiLB Cruiser asked:
Just not good enough Heald. You write that Carnival Liberty is going to get lots of upgrades and then don’t tell us what. I guess Carnival controls you and you are what many believe you to be and that’s Gerry Cahill’s puppet. There are lots of people who want to book the ship and more who are booked as me and my DW are in November and have the right to know what we can expect on the ship which we have paid to cruise on. The world’s most read cruise site agrees
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1408978
289 angry comments about you not telling us the information shows you that not informing your customers is a Heald size mistake! NCL always releases their dry dock and upgrade information. I only hope that when you do tell us it is worth all this hype because if not expect to be keelhauled on Cruise Critic.
John says:
Hello MiLB Cruiser,I actually had your comment to answer in my list of questions yesterday but as it was on the nasty side I deleted it. However I have rescued you from the trash can which you were sharing with a quickly deleted photo of a Latvian lady wearing only lipstick and a smile (Heidi was heard coming up the stairs) and an email offering of a larger thingy. I have resurrected you because I am sure amongst the link you posted which by the way I didn’t open are some very nice people and those who while frustrated that we haven’t told anyone about the dry dock plans understand that these new features take time and planning. As for me being a puppet for Gerry Cahill……well as much as I respect him and as much as I think he is leading the company into exciting times ahead and as much as I always do what he asks of me, this is my blog and nobody is going to put their hand up my bottom ……. except Doctor Longfinger of course……….the bastard. Will it be worth it……..yes……and I will give off a few hints in a moment as to why. Until then I hope you have a wonderful time on the Carnival Liberty and despite your less than pleasant threats of being keelhauled, I offer you the chance to let me know if there is anything I can do to make your cruise more enjoyable by contacting me here on the blog or on Facebook.
Best wishes.
John
Diana Louis asked:
John,Do you know who the CD was in Oct 2005 on the Victory? I need to know.
John says:
Hello Diana Louis,Yes indeed I do, it was George Solano who has recently retired from cruise directing. I hope this helps.
Best wishes.
John
Norman S asked:
There are far too many reasons for me to list why my last cruise on the Carnival Splendor was the best of my 19 but one of them is Miguel the maitre d. I was travelling with my 81 year old mother who suffers from Parkinsons and other health problems. Each and every night he would help her walk to her table and after seeing the difficulties she had in cutting up her food and the somewhat embarrassing experience of other guests watching me cut it for her he made sure that when the food was served it was already cut up for her. This along with the constant care and consideration he gave her made her cruise so wonderful. Please John as we didn’t get a comment card can you send this to Miguel and let the beards see it as well. They have a true gem in Miguel.
Thank you so much and we will see you on the Breeze.
John says:
Hello Norman S,This does not surprise me at all because I know Miguel to be exactly as you describe him. I am thrilled that his actions made sure that Mum had the very best of times and I will make sure that all the right people see this. Thanks for taking the time to write and I hope indeed that we see each other on the Carnival Breeze.
Best wishes to you both.
John
Colleen’s Mum Kathy asked:
On Saturday 10/1 my family and I will be embarking on our first cruise with Carnival on the Carnival Dream. On 10/4 it will be my daughter’s birthday. She recently graduated high school valedictorian and will be spending a year serving in the Peace Corps before attending the University of Oklahoma and she deserves to be made to feel special. I would like her cabin (2412) decorated and I think it would be good if the ship could acknowledge her during a show and for her to be presented with something by the boats captain. I was told this would be the place to get these things accomplished.
John says:
Hello Colleen’s Mum Kathy,It seems that you have every right to be a very proud Mum and congratulations to Colleen on all her achievements so far and I wish her safe travels as she spends time helping others in the Peace Corps. You can indeed get your room decorated and even though you are sailing this Saturday it is not too late. Please go to www.carnival.com/bonvoyage and you can arrange this online. Now while I can’t promise that the captain will present her with something I will indeed send her something to say congratulations………by the way I had to ask Uncle Google what valedictorian was so I can see she has achieved a lot. I wish you all a wonderful cruise and I hope it will be the first of many.
Best wishes.
John
Tom Stellison asked:
John,I have cruised with you twice and have to tell you I find your humor annoying. Sorry, that’s just the way it is. We were on the Carnival Splendor with you two weeks before the fire broke out and this was the second time we had seen you. I am going to be on the Carnival Dream over Christmas and wanted to see if you are going to be there as well and if not (of which I am hopeful) who the director will be.
Thanks.
John says:
Hello Tom Stellison,I am fully aware that my humour is not for everyone and you will be glad to know that you won’t have to put up with me on the Carnival Dream. Your CD will be the brilliant Butch Begovitch who I have no doubts that you will truly enjoy. I wish you a wonderful cruise and if there is anything I can do for you please let me know.
Best wishes.
John
Tileman asked:
John,This is a dining question. I know lots of passengers enjoy the songs and dances and parades there are many more who do not and find them intrusive to the dining experience and embarrassing for the waiters to have to dance like performing chimps. Can I ask that on my cruise in January 29 on Carnival Magic to be seated as far away as possible from all of this so that my family and I can continue our conversation and not be forced into having to clap our hands and stamp our feet. Our stateroom numbers are 7339 and 7357. Thank you for your consideration.
John says:
Hello Tileman,It is very rare actually that I see comments that state they do not like the parades and I must if you will allow me to promise you that for the most part the staff have a lot of fun performing them. However I can understand that some guests prefer not be involved in them of course and I will certainly ask the maitre d to put you on the upper level in an area where you won’t have these performances so up close. You will still hear the music of course and see the other guests enjoying them but they will be over very quickly. Please can I ask that you remind me about this here on the blog six weeks before you sail or a week before on Facebook. I am sure you will have a brilliant cruise and please let me know if I can help in any other way.
Best wishes.
John
Brandon Campbell asked:
John,I have written you several times and really enjoy your blog thingy. I just returned from my eighth cruise with Carnival and have to say it was the worst yet. My family sailed on the Carnival Conquest out of Galveston on August 7. While there were plenty of highlights there were far too many lowlights which is something I have not experienced on any ship. First I would like to compliment the people who did do a good job.
Starting with the entertainment staff we played many of the various games that were offered throughout the week and they all did a wonderful job. Secondly I would like to thank Kim the Karaoke DJ. He made me laugh on multiple occasions and he is a fun addition to your crew.
Now on to the things that did not go well. First it was warm in every area of the ship. We received a letter on the third night saying that one of the circuits had been fried that night and that the AC had been messed up temporarily. However, it remained hot the entire cruise. At dinner it could not have been less than 80 a couple of nights. Next, the food was not nearly as good as any of the other cruises I have been on. My wife ordered some sort of fish every night and they all came back dry and overcooked. Our waiter Young was very good and he continually tried to help us get good dishes just nothing seemed to be cooked right. Next, our wait staff in the dining room was very rude. The food there was divine though so that at least was a positive. All in all we had fun but that was more due to our group’s ability to make fun out of anything than the cruise lines. I love Carnival and I have always spoken highly of them always had fun and enjoyed the food. This one just seemed cheap. It was like
Carnival and spared nothing in its attempt to save a few dollars. Nothing seemed fresh or new or clean just old, unclassey, and boring. I will travel Carnival again, and I hope its better. I still love cruising and will do it for the rest of my life. I just don’t want Carnival to turn into the Motel 8 of cruising.
Thanks for listening. Hope all is well.
John says:
Hello Brandon Campbell,Thanks so much for taking the time to write this review which I have sent to the ship and the shore side beards as well. I was aware that there had been an air conditioning problem for a short time and that really is something that I can understand must have been very uncomfortable and for which I sincerely apologise. I am confused about the food which you describe both as “divine” and also stated it wasn’t very good. You also stated your waiter Young was very good but then said “Our wait staff in the dining room was very rude.” Please can you clarify this for me as rudeness is something we will not tolerate so I would be grateful if you could clear this bit up please. Obviously we can do better though and we will I promise and I hope that you will come and sail with us again. I have sent this also to our guest service department who will be in touch. Thanks again for writing and I hope to hear from you again very soon.
Best wishes
John
Helen Molby asked:
John,Can you tell me if there are beach wheelchairs on Half Moon Cay that we can rent. I heard that there were but I called my PVP and she didn’t know and suggested I write to you. Thanks for all you do.
John says:
Hello Helen Molby,I see you posted this on August 22 and I hope that you haven’t sailed already. There are indeed beach wheelchairs available free of charge on Half Moon Cay and as you disembark the tender you need to tell one of the staff that you require on and they will assist you. Please let me know if I can help further.
Best wishes.
John
And that’s your 10 questions for today and in a few minutes I will be off to see a specialist about my arm that last night hurt so much I thought one of Sigourney Weaver’s Aliens was going to come bursting out.
As you can see I answered another question about the Carnival Liberty which included being keelhauled if the announcement wasn’t exciting enough. Well, let’s see what happens on October 3 shall we when in front of the industry’s most influential press types I introduce Gerry Cahill who will let everyone know what is going to happen. Oh by the way, myself and Gerry Cahill may not be the only people you recognise. Once I have introduced Gerry I will post live on Facebook exactly what is going to happen and then sit back and see if I have survived a Cruise Critic keelhauling. I have no doubts that I will.
Today I sent another 109 Chef’s table reservations to the fleet .This event continues to be so popular. Carnival Magic has a different menu to the rest of the fleet and it includes something called Wagu beef which is apparently a cow that has been dining on caviar and had its udders tickled by a Latvian cow before ending up on our guest’s dinner plate. It is extraordinary though and the comments that the chef received on this dish were incredible and there are plans to add the Wagu beef to The Chef’s Tables soon. Please remember that you can book Chef’s Table spots at anytime via this link thingy and we are now taking them for the Carnival Breeze as well.
OK, I have to go to the doctors and I want to leave you with two things.
First of all this.
Hector Garcia asked:
John,Thank you for arranging our family table on the Carnival Fantasy which made our cruise. Everything was so good and the kids loved everything but they especially loved the chocolate melting desert cake which our waitress Salena always served with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and say “One is never enough.” This is something our kids are still saying now and I wondered if you could post the recipe for the chocolate heaven. This would make Roberto and Luci very happy indeed.
Thanks John, you are one of a kind.
John says:
Hello Hector Garcia,What a brilliant advert for the Carnival Fantasy and of course the now massively famous Chocolate Melting Cake. I will pass on your thanks to Salena and she will be thrilled to see her name in writing. So rather than post the recipe I thought I would re post this video that I made a year or so ago which shows the Chef making the CMC in person. I hope you enjoy it and I hope we will see you again on another cruise.
Best wishes to all.
John
I miss the Carnival Magic a lot, especially her crew and of course my soon to be executive assistant (a self imposed title) Calvyn Champagne Martens.
Here he is reporting from the ship:
A Lonesome Melody
Last night I sat down and I listened to one of my favorite depressing songs: “Somewhere Out There” from the soundtrack to the movie: “Fivel – An American Tail.” Why am I depressed? Both Melody and John have left for 41.5 days and counting. I think that ‘depressed’ is being slightly over dramatic, and don’t get me wrong, I am happy for the break of having to dodge a 100 degree “lukewarm” coffee coming at my head, or red sharpies being thrown in my direction every time I make direct eye contact at “The Heald.” However, I have to say I miss the little guy. As well as missing John, I have to say that I am also missing Melody, his PA. Being 31 and in the position of entertainment staff is actually quite rare as my colleagues are folks in their really early 20’s. Now I’m not saying that this is a bad thing, it’s just that it is so… well let’s just say that they have a way of making life seem more complicated. I feel as if I’m living in the soap opera “The Days of our Lives” except we are at sea, so “The Waves of our Lives.” I sketch you this scenario so I can express how much I am already missing Melody. Because she is in her very early 30’s like me and I feel that we have a special connection because of it. For instance, when Melody is drinking a can of Coke, I can look at her and say “Drink your juice, Shelby” and have her rolling with fits of laughter because she understands my reference. If I said “Drink your juice, Shelby” to another member of our team they would never understand that I am referencing one of the greatest movies ever to have been made: Steel Magnolias!
And as my two friends are gone for 41.25 days I have come up with the five things I will miss most about them:
1) Having John call Melody and I to come up and finish our game of naked Twister
2) Late night calls at the RedFrog Pub when I should be sleeping… I mean hello, it’s 10pm!
3) Licking a piece of fruit from “The Heald’s” fruit basket so he is forced to give it to me. (this one drives him insane – he hates sharing his fruit basket)
4) Our morning show pow-wow’s
5) Laughing together.
And in the same spirit, here is a list of the five things I will not miss about Melody and “The Heald”:
1) My left hand on blue while Johns right foot is on red
2) Having John and Melody ask if I showered… I mean hello, I went in the hot tub which is basically the same thing
3) Trying to buy cheese for John – Picture it: Melody and I standing in front of the massive cheese section with hundreds of foreign cheeses stressing out with sweat pouring off of us asking each other the same question over and over again “will he like this one?”
4) Painstakingly taking out all of the green colored sugar free JellyBelly jelly beans that guests buy John because he says that the green ones talk to him. (Okay I made up that up, they don’t talk to him, he just doesn’t like that particular shade of green).
5) Two words: Back waxing.
In John’s absence, the Carnival Magic is definitely missing a presence, however, I have to say that James is carrying the torch and bringing a new flavor to the ship. He signs off every morning show, every announcement, and every talk with the word ‘Cheerio.’ I don’t get it. He must really like Cheerio’s. So in kind, I have started to sign off with my favorite cereal: “My name is Calvyn from Canada, thank you for watching, Fruit Loops.” James says it’s not the same, I beg to differ.
One thing that James is doing that John would never allow is letting the team earn points in order to use his bathtub. There are very few crew cabins with bathtubs and the cruise director’s cabin is one of the lucky ones. I am not sure how you go about earning bathtub points, but I will find out because I can imagine the horror on John’s face when he finds out I have had a bath in the tub he has to use again in November. I was disappointed he doesn’t have a bidet and instead I had to do what John does, a handstand in the shower. He also left some hemorrhoid cream which I have used on the wrinkles around my eyes.
All in all I am looking forward to the return of ‘The Heald’ and Melody in 41 days. Till then I will be earning bathing points and listening to ‘Somewhere out there’ as I play Twister all by myself.
For reference I have typed out the lyrics to my favorite song sung by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram:
Somewhere out there,
Beneath the pale blue night,
Someone’s thinking of me,
And loving me tonight.
Somewhere out there,
Someone’s saying a prayer,
That we’ll find one another,
In that big somewhere out there.
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing
On the same bright star,
And when the night will start to sing
A lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we’re sleeping underneath the
Same big sky.
Somewhere out there,
Beneath the pale blue night,
Someone’s thinking of me,
And loving me tonight.
Somewhere out there,
Someone’s saying a prayer,
That we’ll find one another,
In that big somewhere out there
Somewhere out there,
If love can see us through
Then we’ll be together,
Somewhere out there, out where dreams come true.Goodnight.
Your friend,
Calvyn Champagne Martens
Executive Assistant to Big Daddy John Heald
Oh FFS………..I have created a monster.
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.
John, I’m looking forward to the Naked Twister. Any chance we c an have that go fleetwide earlier than the first of the year? LOL
Thanks John for the chuckles in today’s blog!!! I for one cannot wait to hear what has been done to Liberty post-dry dock, and for those who cannot wait, tough luck!
As for Calvyn, yes, you HAVE created a monster!!! But then again you knew what you were getting into with him! Please send him our regards – Jumbo misses his you and the rest of the Magic crew!!!
John,
The secret is out of the bag about the Liberty… I’ve already announced it on cruise critic!! You are guys putting in a giant set of Wipeout style Big Balls!!!!
(seriously though, that would be AMAZING!)
I post on that thread on CC btw, and it hasn’t been nasty.. just impatience, excitement and frustration. Sorry you feel that way….
Looking forward to the announcement because we will be on the Liberty in December!!!
I’m sorry to hear about Kye and I hope the medicine makes her better soon…
Thanks for another great blog!!!!
Another blog…and another bunch of NUTBALLS!! People that whine, insult and demand. Just another day in your world!! I don’t know how you keep from ripping someone’s esophagus out…and shoving down their big mouth!! You’re a patient man!!
Ralph, you took the words right out of my mouth. Blows me away how many people think that they “deserve” something from John. We all pay for our cruises and celebrate different occasions while cruising, but that doesn’t entitle us to free stuff!!!
I so agree!! Why do these people think they deserve all this stuff from John?
John has much more patience that I ever would with all these demands.
Hello John:
Gosh, so many negative people. They remind me of a cat we had when I was a kid. She was cross, hissed and spit at you, and if you weren’t careful, she would claw you and it hurt.
My dad taught me a lesson. He took the cat to the animal shelter. What was the lesson? To be polite, to be civil, and to act like a gentleman. Or you get sent to the shelter.
We got a new cat, he was nice, grew up big and good looking, purred all of the time, and rubbed up against you. He did go out and fight a lot, so sometimes we had to get him patched up, and then we had his bollocks removed and he still went out and got in fights, no one told him he was castrato and he still brought female cats into the back yard for some rumpy pumpy. He was my hero.
So, hope you get some comments from the cats that purr, and less from the ones that hiss and spit.
Your friend
Bill Heck
ps, the story about the Maitre D getting the food cut before it was brought to the table is the level of service we get, and expect from Carnival on every cruise we take. Not that my food is cut, but we get caring service. There are some wonderful people in the world, just wish there was some kind of test you could put on the blog to weed out the scratchers. If you look down in the dirt, you see dirt. Two prisoners looked out through prison bars, one saw mud, one saw stars.
Oh Bill, you castrato cat story really made me laugh so hard! thanks for the chuckle
MiLB Cruise’s comment “The world’s most read cruise site agrees” referring to cruise critic is comedic! That site only pertains to about 1% of the cruisers out there! Mention the site to anyone and they’ll say “who???” Once again the people on that site show their true colors as being demanding, nasty and obnoxious! No wonder every cruiseline cringes when someone mentions “I’m a cruise critic member”!
Please don’t lump us all in the same group as the malcontents.
Amen sistah!!! Amen indeed!
I sooo agree with you. CC wasn’t always like that. I was a member for about 5 years and found it a great place to go if you had questions or needed info on ports, or specialty travel, etc. For the past 2 years of my membership, it became filled with knucklheaded malcontents who thought a 199.00 3 nighter in an inside cabin meant you should have your rear end kissed. They became nastier and nastier, complained about everything from the weather to missed ports, food to shore excursions…but the main topic was how to smuggle booze…or complaining about getting caught and having your booze confiscated.
I finally quit… Being a fully matured adult with a brain and an intellect, well traveled for over 30 years, I couldn’t hang out with the Boobs from Podunk anymore.
Well in one way MiLB is pretty much correct about the site being the most read (I don’t agree at all with her views regarding John), the site has 754,955 members as of today 9/29/11 (not sure how many other cruise sites are close to this membership number)
LOL unless you mention the site to one of the 754,955 CC members.
Happy Cruising
Also if my math is right (little rusty) and CC represents only 1% of the cruiser out there, in this case 1% represent 754,995 members, then 100% would be 75499500, I am sure the cruising industry would love for you to be right about that numbers
Calvyn sounds like my kind of people! Thanks for sharing!
Great “Steel Magnolias” quote!
Thank you for putting it all in perspective. I have been upset and worrying all day because my husband is about to take a huge paycut. As I worry I am sitting in my Air Conditioning, with food in the kitchen, and roof over my head. I guess we are going to be alright.
Elaine Heaton, all I can say is WOW! You feel entitled to receive a free cake and free decorations because you are “PLATINUM cruiser”, amazing! When my son celebrated his Birthday on a ship, we ORDERED a cake and decorations. What’s next, a free cruise just because you’re PLATINUM??? This has to be a fake story, because if it’s not, it’s really, really SAD!
Why was she standing in line for 20 minutes?Didn’t she know as a Platinum member she could have just walked to the Platinum desk?
Thanks for the Laugh! I would love to sail with you and Calvyn!
Colleen’s Mum Kathy,
I hope you daughter as “valedictorian” learned a couple words in high school that I think you were never taught, PLEASE and THANK YOU PLEASE and THANK YOU, PLEASE and THANK YOU, PLEASE and THANK YOU, PLEASE and THANK YOU, PLEASE and THANK YOU. Please keep repeating this you just may get it because it works a lot better than “I would like”.
BIG Ed
Big Ed,
I can’t help but feel like you are trying to get a point across to people who won’t get it!
THANK YOU for reading this!!
Just wanted to give a pat on the back to Eric, Wilson and Martin in the Chic dining
Room(upper) on the Freedom and Ni Wayan – jr. Hostess in the lido deck buffet on our 9.10/11 cruise. They all made our trip memorable and enjoyable and so special for our aunt’s 89th birthday cruise. My husband and my 7th Carnival cruise and one of our best
John, if you arrange seating for Tileman on Lido, there won’t be any dancing to distract them.
OMGOODNESS the nerve of some people. I don’t know how you stand it John. Miss Elaine demanding you decorate a cabin and send a cake!!!! Really!!!! and others and their smart mouths, I just don’t think I could be as nice as you are.
We are sailing on the Liberty in Feb 2012, we sailed on her in 2010, so excited to see the changes but am not getting mad cause you are holding the secret close to your chest. People you booked as is, whatever upgrades they do will be a bonus!! Get over it!!
I love to read you on FB and your blog!! Keep up the good work!!
Hi John,
I’d like to start by saying that I enjoy your blog. Being Canadian, I certainly appreciate your sense of humour (spelled correctly). Keep up the great work!
I have a few posts on the thread in question, and I can tell you that there hasn’t been any angry comments (in my estimation). Tongue-in-cheek fun, yes. Frustration, yes. Speculation, yes. Many of us are sailing the Liberty soon, and the changes to her are bound to be exciting.
Please don’t give center stage to individuals who appear to speak for the masses on CC. MiLB certainly did not represent my thoughts or my feelings.
I enjoy reading the great reviews, awesome photos, and the wealth of knowledge which has made my cruising experience more fun.
Warmest regards,
Sharon
Wonderful…more BS about what is likely to be a disappointment of an announcement of whatever the heck will happen to the Liberty. That is the way it usually works out when something is hyped so much. I’m tired of this krap and all the cheerleading and pooping and whatever other tasteless stuff you do on here and Facebook, and seeing ole Bill calling everybody who posts true concerns a “whiner”. That idiot should go back to cruise critic where he belongs. So goodbye my friend, I must defriend you. I know everyone will post that it is my loss, and it is, but one can only take so much poop. Maybe in December or so, I will find a reliable source to find out what actually happened on the Liberty. By then, I’ll be ready for another cruise, probably on NCL, as my concerns about the food on Carnival ships get ignored and get me labeled a “whiner”. Maybe if I am still Platinum after whatever changes are made to the incentive program, if you ever bother to announce them, I’ll be back. I won’t be holding my breath. Bon Voyage!
KTHXBAI!
bye!
How can you call yourself “Carnival Fan” with the comments you just posted?
Sounds like you need a good poop too, Carnival Fan. People get really snarky when they’re backed up!
OMG, Boo Hoo idiot, go book a cruise on NCL, have fun with that, I can tell you one thing you wont be missed on Carnival! And the sooner you go on your NCL cruise the sooner you can start whining on someone elses blog about them. Heres a thought, get a job, volunteer etc… use your time more wisely and in a positive manner. Most of us check in here once a week see whats happening and get a chuckle. You have apparently dedicated your life to righting the wrongs of Carnival and John. Defriending John….wow he’ll be crushed. I bet you dont share your toys well either! lol
Hi John,
The questions section of your blog today was upsetting to me. It seems as though no one can do anything but complain and demand when it comes to you. I, personally, love Carnival, cruising, your blog, your comments and your sense of humor and commend you for the witty replies to the sometimes downright nasty comments of the “guests”. People need to lighten up and take the sticks out of their arses…Cheers!
Great Blog Big Daddy,
I see cruise critic is still giving you fits, sorry you have to put up with them.
John
I want you to know that I am a past cruiser and have been following you on FB. I totally appreciate the time you take and the information you share. I will be sailing on Oct 29th with a large singles group on Liberty. I love Carnival and I am always disappointed when I choose to cruise with another line. There is NO other cruise line like Carnival. Please keep up the good work!
John,
very good blog… I am amazed that not one request has either a “Thank you or please” and people demanding as if you owe them. Your patience and the way you handle them is absolutely amazing and a lesson for others on how to handle and deal with difficult people. Please keep up the good work…
Please get yourself a good ergonomic keyboard it will help your hand tremendously.
Calvyn has a great sense of humor John! I hope to sail with him one day, as well as with you.
It’s appalling the demands of some people. Get over yourselves.
Dear John,
Another great blog but I have to say Calvyn does give you a run for your money with the writing. He’s hysterical! So many rude and annoying people on the questions today John, I really don’t know how you do it and stay so positive. I want to pull my hair out and it doesn’t even concern me. I hope Kye is feeling better soon, poor little monkey. If it makes you feel any better my son once broke his little finger and both me and my husband told him to shake it off and toughen up. When he was still complaining three days later we took him to the doctor and discovered it was truly broken. Yep, we felt like the worst parents in the world. It happens, we get over it, and move on.
OMG! Sharon, I did the exact same thing to my son!! Except I sent him to baseball practice (he said he wanted to go) and then had to be contacted by the school nurse the next day to “suggest” a trip to the doctor.
Over the years there have been ear aches, sore throats and other aches and pains that I told my kids “take this Motrin, you’ll feel better in the morning” and then it turns out is was ear infections, strep throat or a sprained something.
Since children did not come with a manual, we do the best we can.
dont feel to guilty about Kye. At the age of 6-7 I gave my dad the mumps who gave them to my brother who gave them to my grandmother. I am not sure how my mother survived thos 6 wks. She and my grandfather served a lot of chicken soup and popcycles during that time. Be rest assured there will come a day when she will bring home a simular germ and share it with you.
I was just on the Liberty, the week of Sept. 17th. I had posts about the dry dock Liberty will have. How can people have the NERVE to complain that they don’t get the particulars of what is going to be changed. I loved the ship.It did look a little sad here and there, but it did not take away the enjoyment of the cruise. What Carnival does is Carnival’s choice, and like you say, all the complainers should be told to ‘bugger off’
As far as that DR. chiding you for not taking your daughter into seeing her before, that was very rude, and unprofessional of him. He should know you feel bad enough seeing your daughter sick. Another person who should be told to ‘bugger off’.
My son used to get ear infections all the time, I tried a decongestant for children at the first sign of a sniffle, it worked!!!
All the best
Melanie
need to serve thirtsy frog red at past guest and fun farewell . . afterall it is your flagship beer and as me and hubby observed (lol) on our b2b miracle . . . it is truly a magnificent beer . . . need it during the freebies too!!!
John:
I remember clearly the feeling in my gut when we got DJ’s diagnosis of Ataxia.
The pediatric neurologist explained what lay ahead. The years of physical therapy to teach him how to sit up, roll over and crawl. The leg braces he wore to teach him how to walk. Then more years of occupational and speech therapy.
I have to admit that I was as low as I have ever been……until we walked into DJ’s first physical therapy session to teach him how to sit up …. and saw what real courage was. Young children who would never walk, speak or leave the wheelchairs that literally held them in place…..but who gave it 150% every session to be the strongest they could be.
And I learned right then to appreciate all that DJ could do.
I met such a young man on the Triumph last week. His name was Kevin. Kevin had a motorized scooter which used a joy stick to control.
And while he could not speak verbally…. the joy in his eyes as we enjoyed the piano bar, raising money for St Jude on Lido or me singing to him in karaoke was as clear as any audible words ever heard.
Hope the family is all well soon.
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
God Bless you Linda, and DJ and Kevin too.
I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man that had no feet.
I cried because I had no one at home, until I met a family living in the street.
Thanks for your experiences Linda, helps us learn.
Hi John!!! Keep up the great work. I love your blog and read it every day
I was hoping you could try to help us with a nice seat for three near a window. We are very excited to be cruising Oct 23rd on the Conquest. We are especially looking forward to this because 1 week before our cruise last year on Conquest Halloween cruise my Aunt Ruth Johnson had a stroke so we had to cancel. Instead of cruising I flew to Texas and we spent our week helping her recover. (oh and just to make that week better I broke my leg while I was there) This is our girls cruise my Aunt Ruth cousin Avis Johnson and myself look forward to every year! Ruthie is in her 80′s and we love her soooo much. Three years ago she was a star of the ship after she was selected to be Jane and rub Tarzan’s chest! Everyone talked to her the whole cruise after that and she loved being a Carnival Star!!! We never know how long she will be well enough to cruise so really want this to be special! We also look foward to meeting you on the bloggers cruise March 4th Magic! Hey maybe she will get selected again to be Jane and be the star. My cousin was mortified but Ruthie her audience and I were hysterical. We love Carnival for all our wonderful memories.
Thanks for all you do! We are in OS room 7322 booking number 34X2B3.
Hugs to your wonderful family. I love that you really understand the importance of family!
Dear John,
my mistress just got done reading today’s bloggy thingy out loud to me including the letters from such horrible, rude humans who do nothing but rudely complain and others who seem so GRRRReedy. Carnival has been nothing but wonderful to us, esp. to me. I can’t deny that I have been slipped a treat here and there by wonderful Carnival human-types. Though I won’t be traveling on Carnival’s Splendor until next April 22nd, just send me a list of any of these unGRRRateful repeaters that may be traveling when I am and I will be more than happy to leave a surprise on their doorstep. Or I can just growl at them under my breath for although I am a studly Doberman, I am, after all, a service dog and will come under no suspicion…
I await your list.
Sincerely, and with GRRRReat fondness,
Duncan
I do not understand the big deal with the upgrades on the Liberty. What difference does it make? Does it affect whether they sail on her or not? Get a grip people!
The rude and selfish comments from unhappy passengers is so old. She had to take care of the cake herself! Poor thing!
But then we have Calvyn an absolutely crazy, hilarious and brilliantly intertaining little person. You have indeed created a monster. LOVE that you are back. Waiting to hear what the Doctor says about your arm. Praying for poor baby Kye and Mum Heidi.
Yes you have created a monster, but he is funny!
I am Platinum, I expect nothing, but I do enjoy expidited embarkation, debarkation.
I wish all ships were non-smoking.
I don’t want special gifts or seating.
I have enjoyed you as CD.”Sorry, That’s the way it is”
Been on Dream with Butch, He is great!
My family and I love the after dinner Hoopala in the dining room, keep it up.
Regards, John
P.S.What is Keelhauled?
What is FSS?
Hi (the other) John,
FFS = For F**k’s Sake
Keelhauling was a particularly horrific punishment done to sailors. Two ropes were tied to the poor man, one to each arm. Half the crew held one rope, and half the other. Then he was thrown off one end of the ship and the crew would haul on the ropes to pull him under the keel of the ship to the other end. They would pull as fast as they could to try to keep him from drowning, but he would end up being scraped against all the barnacles down there. Needless to say, surviving it was highly doubtful.
Quite simply this blog is only difficult to read when Cruise Critic cronies invade the blog here instead of staying on their own board. Today’s comments are truly beyond the extreme.
A request for the cc commenters. I have tolerated you aboard ship, in the deck chair next to mine, writing your flaming reviews, trying to come up with a snappy line while sharing a soda card among 8 people. You are not Frommer’s, you are not the USA Today, you are just a single customer. If you prefer another line THAN SAIL WITH THEM AND LEAVE US TO ACTUALLY ENJOY A CRUISE!
And John a request for you please… On my next cruise (Conquest in 2 weeks) can you please arrange a meet and greet for Cruise Critic members… and after they are inside have security LOCK THE DOOR!
Just a thought…
which comment was extreme??
Hey John, you shouldn’t put yourself down about the fact that Kye is sick and you may have given it to her. As parents we worry a great deal about our children and when they are sick we are devastated because there isn’t anything that we really can do but we want to. My children are in their 20′s and 30′s and when they are ill or worse, it affects me a great deal. I want to help them but I have to realize that I don’t have the abilities to help. I just have to believe in the doctors that are helping them. It’s hard I know but just be the best parent that you are. Kye will get better and you’ll be able to breathe again. I know because I’ve breathed again many times in my life.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Glad to see the blog back!!
I was missing you while you took some much needed time away from work and blog. As usual great job and enjoy the rest of your time off.
John, PLEASE RESPOND IF POSSIBLE. You have indeed created a monster, but I hope to meet you both one day! Calvyn cracks me up.
Anyway here I am two weeks from sailing on Carnival Paradise and hoping I’m not too late for you to send my hubby a little something on our cruise, please. It’s our 28th anniversary and what he deserves for putting up with me for all that time is a lifetime cruise pass to anywhere Carnival sails, but since I know Mr. Cahill would probably disapprove of such a gift, a short hello from you will do. You see I read the blog everyday and often share out loud with him, and it never ceases to make him laugh, so I know he would enjoy a “shout out” so to speak.
I would be ever so grateful if you can accomplish this, I realise I have made it a difficult task by putting it off for so long. I will keep my fingers crossed you see this soon enough. He really is a wonderful man and super husband and would do anything for me. So thank-you very much if you can.
He is the monster I have created with respect to cruising, he never wanted to go until last year, NOW he is hooked! I am ever so grateful to Carnival for that.
Well hope Kye is on the mend with her antibiotics. So will always love her Daddy, no matter where her germs come from!
Your Friend, Jodi
As a member of CC I do not think that the way CC members are being represented on this blog and your fb page is fair or mature.
There are always a few malcontents in any large group. But, these daily negative comments about CC is causing some to lump all CC users into one rude group. Who knows, maybe some of the negative posters at CC are trolls who are enjoying creating conflict?
Please remember that a good percentage of CC members sail on Carnival. I am one of them. I am beginning to resent the way we over at CC are being portrayed.
Please man up, you are better than this.
Post 32 on this blog is a good example of what I am speaking of.
What do you mean? I said nothing abouy CC.
“Please man up, you are better than this.”
Shhhh, your cruiseCRITICAL is showing. Man Up? Dearie, the rude is rubbin off on ya from that site.
John knows there are good people there, unfortunately he doesn’t hear from them. He hears from those that are rude and lacking in people skills.
Really KatyAnn, show some ovaries, leave that bad neighborhood and join us on the positive side of town!
John;
I share your hesitation to contribute when the atrocities of greed flip the pence back in your face. Happily, people know people and as I found you are not that far away from someone who actually performs heroic acts of kindness. By donating to the organization that continually cares you can rest assured money is well spent. The humility of these humanitarians preclude a direct contribution, but sometimes the ‘gifts’ get a warm welcome.
Sincerely Yours, Richard
This was another great blog entry. It made me laugh and wish my next cruise was closer. I do wonder though if Calvyn will be on Magic for the 1/22/2012 cruise. He’s definitely my kind of people.
John – instead of rewriting my letter of praise – I’m copying the letter I wrote to my Personal Vacation Planner, Eric Antus. Let me first say that he is the BEST!
“To: Antus, Eric (CCL)
Subject: Freedom Cruise
Hi Eric,
This Freedom cruise we just took was FABULOUS! We had so much fun. First, before I forget, since we don’t get survey cards any longer, can you please let the “beards” (as John Heald calls management), about our wait staff.
We were in the Posh dining room at the 8:15 dinner. We were at table 530. Our team of Waiters were Erasmos, (head waiter), Maynard (assistant) and Jose (assistant in training). They were so good! They were friendly, efficient, always called us by name. We NEVER missed a show which has happened on other cruises because the service was so slow. My 10th cruise and I’ve only had service like this 3 times. My first cruise on the Glory in 2004, My 2nd Valor Cruise in 2009 and the Freedom Cruise last week. We did let the floor manager Valentina know but these guys went above and beyond. I know that sometimes if they get really good “report cards”, they get a day off or get recognized in some way. I can’t say enough good things about them. I’ve attached a picture of them and me, and one of them and all the cruisers from our table. (I’m not sure who the female wait staff is in the picture, but she was Phillippino and friendly with our table mates as they were Phillippino too. ) (Especially) Erasmos and Maynard deserved to be formally recognized.
Jacques DeLange was a great Cruise Director. I always believe that humor needs to be top notch with a CD and he was. He spoke with us when he approached us one day on Promenade. Nice guy too. AND the Assistant CD, George, I knew him from a my Dream Cruise. It was great to see him again (picture attached). I recognized one of the male dancers from a previous cruise as well and when I saw Neil at the deck party on Lido I asked what ship he came from because I had seen him dance before. He said the Pride…….. so yes, I did see him last March. He was so happy I recognized him. Nice guy too! Speaking of Dancers, the shows on this cruise were phenominal! I don’t know who the choreographer was, but it was the best I’ve ever seen. The Beatles show, Ticket to Ride, I think was our favorite and the new tribute to New Orleans was terrific as well. Kudos to the performers and the choreographer.
The food was also very good on the Freedom. I know there was a near riot on John’s FB page because the menu’s were changing and they were taking shrimp cocktail off of the menu every night. It was on there 1 or 2 times and personally, I didn’t miss it. I guess I should tell John, lol. the menus are fine.
I have never spent much time in the Piano Bars. Well that changed on the Freedom. The Piano Man, Marty was the best!!!! We had the best time “closing the joint” every night. Carnival needs to keep him as long as he’ll stay. I would pick a ship because of him.
And Platinum status…….it was great. I am very proud of getting to that level. We embarked thru the VIP section, no line and we were on the ship before 11:30 I think. Hor d’oeuvres delivered to our stateroom one night and Petit Fours another night. And the fanny pack type bag with Carnival on it – that was nice too. I will use it. The last night of the cruise I needed 3 more #1 debarkation luggage tags and went to Customer Service. Do you know what Customer Service is the night before getting off of the ship???????? then I remembered there was a VIP/Platinum line. That was nice too… walking right up to that line with no one there. I hope to one day be the enhanced platinum.
I have NO complaints about this cruise. It was fabulous. I gave your name to the folks that dined with us as they want to cruise again but didn’t have a fun time booking thru hotwire. Camille emailed me this morning for your information for someone she works with. My son wants to take me on a cruise in the spring so I told him when he saves the $500 for the deposit, we will call you. We are not doing the Breeze, but will be doing a Southern Caribbean cruise in the fall so will reach out to you when we are ready.
Thanks for all you do for us Eric!
Fondest regards,
Sari”
He signs off every morning show, every announcement, and every talk with the word ‘Cheerio.’ I don’t get it. He must really like Cheerio’s.
The Above line did having my laughing out loud.
Cheerio and Wheaties!
As much as I hate to admit it, John, my favorite part of your daily blog is reading the inane, ludicrous comments from people who feel they’re special. Today, September 28, your blog contained a number of letters from entitled passengers complaining about this or that. You made my day! Thus, I’d like to provide my own responses to their complaints if you will allow it:
To Elaine, who expected a birthday cake to be set up for her poor son and didn’t get it: WAH! WAH! I quickly grow sick and tired of people like her who, just because she’s a Platinum cruiser, thinks she’s entitled to toss orders around and expect her every wish to be granted, or else. Elaine, get off your lazy arse and take care of your own birthday celebration. Don’t expect others to do for you. I’ll just bet you embarrassed the hell out of your son on the cruise.
To MiLB Cruiser, who accuses you of being a talking head for Gerry Cahill and who demands that you provide him with every detail of the Liberty’s upcoming dry dock: Get over yourself! What makes you think you have the right to make demands of any sort on others? People like you make me crazy – so spoiled if you aren’t first in line, you throw a tizzy fit. Hey, if you don’t like being “kept in the dark,” try another cruise line. In fact, please, please book on another cruise line. We’ll enjoy not having your whiny voice and attitude around.
To Colleen’s Mum Kathy, who pretty much expects you to let her valedictorian daughter drive the boat on her next cruise, because she’s special. Yo, Kathy, get a life! Being named valedictorian is a nice thing – you have a right to be proud of her. So get off your arse and do something for her yourself. Stop expecting others to take care of your kid. Hey, she’s 18 years old. Tell you what; when she’s my age and she’s served this country in war, has gone through two careers, each lasting over 20 years, has raised to wonderful children, and who still wakes up every morning wondering how she managed to marry such a wonderful person, then she’ll be entitled. Until then, stop teaching her how to be selfish. You do enough of that for the both of you.
To Tileman, who whines about the dancing, singing and other festivities in the MDR, and who wants a table far from the entertainment. Your wish is granted. Your special table has been set up on deck 0, aft, just in front of the engine room. I guarantee you will not hear any music or laughter or any other sound that signals that a lot of folks are having fun on their vacation. You sound like my old father in law. He hated going on vacations – he said they were a waste of a good day and it was better if people just stayed home and tended to their own affairs. Enjoy your private table.
To Brandon Campbell, who aside from some fine karaoke, had a horrible experience on his Galveston cruise. How old are you, Brandon? You sound like my spoiled next door neighbor’s son. He whines about everything like you. It’s too hot, it’s too cold, there’s nothing on the menu I like, my fish smells like . . . fish. Oh waiter, be a good lad and hustle up to the private steakhouse and bring me back a porterhouse, medium rare, would you, and do it quickly, I need to be in the casino in an hour. Oh waiter, we’d like a different table – I can hear the conversation at the next table. Oh waiter, I asked for ranch dressing. This does not taste like the ranch dressing I make. Please bring more and ensure it tastes like the dressing I make at home. Hey, give it a rest! Have you ever heard of the saying, “When you’re handed lemons, make lemonade?” In case you’re wondering, it means, make the best of the situation you find yourself in at the moment. Instead of whining and complaining, think positive. I was on a cruise once and the air conditioning went out in our cabin. Know what we did? My spouse and I set up on our balcony and spent the night on the balcony. It was fun – kind of like camping. The breeze was wonderful, the sea air fresh. Make lemonade, Brandon, make lemonade.
And to Tom Stellison, who doesn’t like John’s brand of humor: What do you like, Tom? Seems to me that on a ship that provides a multitude of entertainment possibilities, you could find something you like and not have to listen to the CD, or anyone else for that matter. I was on the Legend a year ago. I didn’t care for one of the entertainment staff on that cruise. But I don’t recall writing to John to complain about him. He simply wasn’t my cup of tea. I’m sure others thought him hilarious. It’s a matter of taste and style. May I suggest the next time you cruise, you do it with Brandon Campbell? You can cling together, feeling sorry for each other.
And finally to Norman S, who couldn’t say enough good things about Miguel, his maitre ‘d: you the man, Norm. I’ll cruise with you anyday, pal.
Carry on, John.
Bravo!!
This is for #42…BRAVO
I also think this “bloggy thing” is wonderful. I cruise with an open mind and have fun anyway I can get it. If you can’t have fun on a cruise…stay home!
Well said, indeed, Richard. You said everything I wanted to. We are living in such an age of entitlement, it scares me. Bet those people were the bullies in school who felt entitled to “your lunch money” or your sneakers. They grow up to think the world (i.e., John in this case) OWE them anything. Maybe if they had to work for each and every thing they received in their pitiful lives, they would appreciate things more. I feel sorry for them.
EXCELLENT POST!!!!
Hahahahaha, that Calvyn’s a riot! Can’t wait to cruise with him.
Suzanne
John: just a suggestion: I think if anyone has petty complaints about anything you should offer to give them a refund and not allow them on any Carnival ships! Why book Carnival if you don’t like the CD, food, smoking policy etc etc? I just do not get it. We have been on 12 Carnival cruises in just 4 years and absolutely love them and enjoy them. If people think they are too good then they should pay twice as much and use a cruiseline they think they will be happy with…some people just can’t get over their champagne tastes with a beer budget!
John, You continue to amaze me with your kindness and grace in answering some of the MOST rude people I have ever heard. They are demanding and ungrateful and so many other words that might not make it through your monitoring system
I hope the family is on the mend from their colds and you get some help with your arm.
Take care and please know that there are people out there that DO appreciate all that you do for us.
Another Awesome blog John.
Would you pass on to Calvyn that I got the Steel Magnolias reference and I’m 21. And he is correct, it is one of the greatest movies ever made
Good to have you back on the blog John.
Sorry to ask again John, but is there any easy way of finding that video or recipe of the CMC (chocolate melting cake)? I’ve been looking forever and can’t seem to find it. It’s the 2nd guarantee of me coming back to Carnival – the 1st, of course, is you! Thanks bunches…a Platinum Cruiser
I have never posted here before, but I just can’t take it anymore. What is wrong with people?!?!?! What gives some people (Elaine Heaton & Colleen’s Mum Kathy) the right to feel all high and mighty and to be pissed off when you didn’t get something for free? or you had to order a cake yourself? or your room wasn’t decorated for you child like you told John to have it done? John doesn’t have to do any of these things and never guarantees anything, he tries to help, and if it doesn’t get done, then get over it, and act like an adult that can say please and thank you. Also, why do you feel that your child is the only person that should be recognized? Stop telling people what you think should be done for her and do something yourself. Like the Captain doesn’t have anything better to do than to give something to your daughter. Oh FFS!!!
Hi John. My husband and I will be sailing on the Magic TA cruise in Oct. I wrote to you a few weeks ago.but have not heard from you, I have a few questions. My husband has trouble getting around, I would like to know if we can get a wheel chair to use on board and on shore. You set up the chefs table for us but we did not get a comfirmation we are so looking forward for it. Is there a way we can be in Ken the singing Maitre D dinning room. Last we will celebrate our 43rd Anniversary on the cruise is there any thing you can do for us. We will be in cabin 9355 We are sad you will not be sailing with us. Thank you Deborah Schwab
Yippeeeeee!!! I’m looking forward to Naked Twister! That’s right down my alley. Which night will that be on?
Bob
Memories of Naked Fanny
OMG! I love Calvyn. xoxo
MiLB Cruiser:
The problem with hanging out with the same crowd all the time, listening to the same propaganda over and over, never seeking new information it this:
You begin to believe the rhetoric…..
As of March 2011, CC had a little over 679,000 members. There are about 29 MILLION posts on a couple thousand threads….. Considering about 10 MILLION people from the USA cruise each year, CC represents a very small minority of cruisers….
Here are some quotes from the grown up Cruise member websites. So many have left CC because of the rancor and nastiness:
“I also don’t think there is a “typical” CC or CM poster or that the personality of a cruise line’s board is representative of the on-board passengers.
The danger of a board is that it becomes taken over by a few posters who dictate a particular culture or norms that are inconsistent with the purpose of the board. I’m sure it’s a challenge for a moderator to police these issues. On CC, there seems to be an excessive & irrational use of deleting posts & expelling members as a way of policing the board. It isn’t working.”
“If you can’t tell already, I have just jumped ship from CC. I guess what I’m asking is if CM’s members are the ones I go out of my way to avoid while on a Seabourn cruise or whether they are the ones that make the trips memorable to me. Wrong or right, I truly believe there seems to be two types of cruisers.”
I left that sight after 5 years being a member because of people like you..and the others who have never been out of Podunk and complain about everything from weather to missed ports. It used to be a place to go for good cruise information and to exchange ideas. Now it’s filled with people who pay 199.00 for a 3 night cruise in an inside cabin and expect to be treated like Elizabeth Regina.
John won’t say it, so I will: Bugger off.
Holding your cards close to your chest over the “Liberty” developments must have a deeper significance……Are we to discover in a later blog that Liberty is YOUR posting for next season? Are you amenable to a bribe to accept such a posting? If so I’ll stand you a lemonade (sasspirillo) next July if that’s the case!
Hi John, just wanted to say hi,no problems, no special requests, no grips about service, or moaning about the the menu. The only compliant is I have too long to go before I get back on a ship, ground bound until Feb.26 2012 Miracle. I hope I can wait that long.
reply if you want, just venting, best to you heidi and kye
Love reading your blogy thingy all the time, especially in the morning when I am still in my nightgown. My laughing wakes up everybody in the house. Living just 30 miles from the Canadian border, I appreciate Calvyn’s humor (spelled correctly). I hope our our upcoming cruise on the Legend, the cruise director is just as funny. I hear his name is Weeeeee Jimmy. With a name like that, he’s got to be good. Hope Kye is feeling better and take care of your arm, John, too!
John,
Sailed with you once a few years ago when ‘wee Jimmy” was your co-cruise Director. We had a very enjoyable time and look forward to cruising with you again someday. I am headed on my 17th. cruise (1st. one in 1965)on the carnival Valor 13/12/11. I hope our cruise Director is as much fun as you were as I am bring my girlfriend on her first cruise.
Take care of that arm!
I have a request.
Please stop posting anything about Cruise Critic on the blog.
It’s not your job to respond to every wild rumor and comment made on Cruise Critic.
If the CC folks really don’t like the Carnival product then cruise NCL, RCI or the S. S. Minnow.
BTW I think this blog is probably read by more people then still bother to read the Cruise Critic boards.
Isn’t that Host Machs (pronounced mock) job? To respond to each and every question?
There’s no longer a need for anyone else to comment!
More Calvyn! More Calvyn! Please
Dear John (in care of the Beards)
Will we WestCoasters ever see new itineraries? We love sailing with Carnival, but you can only go to Mexico so many times! Also, longer cruises wanted!!! We always sail 10+ days, preferably 14, which means we have to do back to backs, and we have to now pay for flights on top of cruise fare. We’d cruise more often if we didn’t have to fly to go somewhere other than Mexico. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve really enjoyed our time there, but what about a few extra itineraries for our WestCoasters? Also, has there been any talk to revamp the Suite perks onboard? We would absolutely find a way to front the money if it offered perks like the full in room menus, afternoon tea service in room, and/or free laundry service. We thoroughly enjoyed these perks on Princess but have much more fun on Carnival, what’s the scoop?
Sincerely yours
Val
Hello John!
And I wanted to thank you, too, for the lovely gifts — we enjoyed them all!
I posted something about this on FB, but you were on hols, so not sure you saw it and I didn’t want that to be the case. First off, my husband and I had a fantastic time on the Pride (Sept 11 sailing). Some large swells from TS Maria made for great fun in the pools– sort of like wave pools at no cost! We dined in David’s and, boy, was it worth that measly $30 pp. What a meal! What service! Outstanding. I am sure we will try the specialty restaurants again. We did get a survey, so I made sure to compliment our Normandie team (late seating), lead by Richard, and our room steward and her team. Both groups made sure our every wish was granted. (OK, well not the lottery winning wish, but those that were cruise related
This was our 9th cruise and our 4th on the Pride– we love cruising from the Port of Baltimore– they get more and more streamlined every time. It is quite painless! We are already planning next Sept’s cruise and hope to take a group with us.
Thanks so much,
Debbie (and Greg) Moore
He John,
My wife and I are booked on the Splendor Feb 5th out of Los Angeles, this is our platinum cruise,and have booked cabin 9202. Can you tell me who our CD will be?
I really enjoy reading your blog.
Thanks for all the information
Gary H.
Dear John,
I’ve been reading your blog for several months now and you’ve brought me many moments of laughter. I was just reading your blog this evening and am amazed at how mean spirited and rude some of the posters are! You are nothing less than a gentleman and a much better person than I would be if I had to answer some of these messages.
I’ve never sailed with you although I hope to someday. You do a great job from what I can tell, don’t let the people that just love to complain and be miserable get you down!
Can you please tell me who the CD will be on the Pride sailing on October 21 of 2012?
Thank,
Sharon H.
To Colleens Mum Kathy….it is great that your daughter is so accomplished and i’m sure you are very proud of her, but WHY do you think that she should be “recognized” by the captain? Do you realize that not ONCE in your letter to John did you say please or thank you?? I took my 3 year old grandson on a cruise several years ago, and not ONCE did i think that we deserved anything from the ship….other than just the regular fun time? Your daughter sounds very dedicated, but i hope she has learned to say please and thank you….
John,
Please pass on a reservation to the Carnival Liberty for the Chef’s Table for 4 people. Mark and Mary Similey and Chris and Jan Kennedy. And trust me you will not be keelhauled over the Liberty issue. I am one who is looking forward to sailing aboard the Liberty. We have already sailed once and thought it was one of the most beautiful ships Carnival has to offer. Like a cross between Carnival and Princess. We are looking forward to the new stuff and waiting to see what that will be. Ooops almost forgot to tell you our sailing date. We will be aboard the Liberty on the 26th of November and our booking number is 743CK2. I do not remember the Kennedy’s booking number but our PVP is Marianne Ward. By the way SHE IS THE BEST PVP on the planet!