From: BREEZE GUEST SERVICES
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:31 PM
To: BREEZE CRUISE DIRECTOR
Cc: BREEZE ASSISTANT CRUISE DIRECTOR; BREEZE GUEST SERVICES MANAGER; BREEZE GUEST SERVICES; BREEZE GUEST SERVICES SUPERVISOR
Subject: 10*** – Meeting with JohnGood afternoon John,
Mr. and Mrs. _______ from cabin 10*** are asking to speak to you. They still have no luggage which was lost by Iberia. We have tried to work with the airline but so far they have not found it. Guests are very angry and upset and are blaming us even though they booked the flight independent to Carnival. They have no insurance and really are upset. Not sure what you can say, John, but maybe you can call them.
Thank you and best regards,
Guest Services Associate, Carnival Breeze
Let me start by saying that I have nothing but sympathy for these guests and they, along with 11 other cabins here on Carnival Breeze, have had the misfortune of the airlines losing luggage. Obviously, we try and help but I have to mention again that we really don’t have to. If flights are booked independently to Carnival, which most are, why is it our fault? The answer of course is it isn’t and it is frustration and anger that causes guests to blame the guest services ladies and gents. Can you imagine doing this on land? Can you imagine if you went to the desk at the Marriotthyattintercontinentallwestern and said, “My name is H82SEAUGO and I have just flown in from San Francisco and American lost my luggage, you had better get it back soon or I will be writing on www.thebastardslostmyluggage.com.
I make light of it but the reality is that the front desk at your hotel most likely would not help because…well…it’s not their problem. But we make it our problem by trying to help and that is what sets the cruise industry aside from the hotel industry, I think.
I met with the guests. They are very upset and who can blame them? Their clothes and essentials for a 12-day cruise are God knows where and I ignored the fact that are seriously blaming us and concentrated on seeing what I could do for them. They wanted compensation in the form of hundreds of dollars’ worth of clothes from the onboard shops which we could not do. We have given them lost luggage toiletry kits and, that aside, all we can do is continue to work with the airline to find their luggage. Obviously, I feel sorry for them, really sorry for them, but I also am surprised that this middle aged couple from Boston travelled with no insurance.
Doesn’t everyone have insurance these days? When I travel for Carnival every part of me is insured…except of course my underpants.
But when Heidi and I travel outside of Carnival’s embrace, things are a little more complicated. I think you are supposed to compare various policies then choose the one that suits you best, buy it and then read all 497 pages of the policy booklet thingy so that you completely understand all the terms and conditions. That’s what you’re supposed to do. But if you’re like me (I don’t mean a fat British chap with hemorrhoids, I mean when it comes to insurance), you remember at the airport that you haven’t got any. You then spend the next three hours calling your local insurance place which is actually in India while you try and explain to Mr. Patel that you want simple, basic travel insurance and you don’t want a life insurance policy for your pet hamster.
That’s me. Or knowing many of my blogger family out there I expect you to do everything you’re supposed to do, so you click “Yes — I would like travel insurance” just like on the Carnival website or wherever you are booking your journey from months in advance of your trip–smart bloggers that you are.
In either case, when the 497 page policy booklet turns up in the mail a few days later, most of us just glance through it. Frankly, short of watching ballet or two sloths having rumpy pumpy, it is the most boring thing in the world.
Now I know nothing about insurance so I don’t know if my friends with lost luggage would have been covered, would they? Obviously, you should take insurance out when you cruise as you never know (touch wood) what’s going to happen. I asked one of our Carnival beardies for their advice and she said, “As with all insurance policies, guests must read and understand the level of cover provided to ensure it meets their requirements, before they purchase. It is common for travel insurance policies, in respect of curtailment, to provide cover in case of injury or illness occurring during the vacation.”
Ummmm…good…that clears that up then.
I guess the simple thing to say is take insurance, the best policy you can afford. Ask your travel agent, your PVP or a Carnival help person for advice. I wish these guests whose luggage is probably in Botswana had taken insurance because right now, all I can offer them is sympathy, a fruit basket and a spare pair of my underpants.
Time for today’s Q and A.
Delroy Chambers asked:
My wife was very angry when we were told on the Fascination that there were no people in the hair salon that could manage and style African American hair and that the makeover special did not include make up for black people. This is discrimination and we did have fun on the boat but spoiled by this. Why is this?
John says:
Hello Delroy ChambersThanks so much for getting in touch with me here on the blog. The makeover concern is simply something that should not happen and we should have the products to do this. I must admit that this is not a comment I have heard before which leads me to think we may have had a staff shortage and a product shortage as well but that is no excuse and I have sent your comments to someone who will make sure this does not get repeated. My sincere apologies and my thanks also for bringing this to my attention and I hope we see you both soon.
Best wishes.
John
Linda Earl asked:
We have cruised many times with Carnival but are considering a British Isles, Norway, France cruise on the Legend Sept. 12, 2013. Any info you can provide us (pros or cons) would be of great help.
John says:
Hello Linda EarlI am really looking forward to these cruises on Carnival Legend. In 2002, we did a one off British cruise with stops in Scotland and Ireland and it was fantastic. We make sure we have local entertainment on board and offer some brilliant excursions as well. I have never done the Norway portion but have heard the Fjords are stunning. I hope you come and join me and I will be providing more news on these cruises in the weeks and months ahead.
Best wishes.
John
David Mossman asked:
Can you get me a special table for two? I should explain that my wife and I will be celebrating our 21st wedding anniversary when we cruise on the Dream 7/7/12. We have never had a good table in nine cruises so on this, our Platinum, I hope you will do us right!!!
John says:
Hello David MossmanThanks for your loyalty and I wish you a wonderful anniversary cruise. I have asked the maître d’ to assist you as best he can. Have a wonderful time.
Best wishes.
John
Joanna Duncan asked:
Since Mt. Etna is apparently erupting frequently, how does this impact the tours? How difficult is it to get to a place to see the flowing lava?
Thanks,
Joanna (Jay)
John says:
Hello Joanna DuncanObviously, we have to monitor this carefully and if there is any kind of eruption, we don’t send the tours there. However, it is an active volcano and our excursions there give a brilliant view of how the eruptions have created a path down the mountain side. I hope you get to see it in person one day soon.
Best wishes.
John
David Beal asked:
John,I do hate bothering you again. However, my wife and I are booked for a B2B on the Liberty sailing this Sept 23rd and 30th. My question is, can you point me in the direction to whom I need to speak to about organizing a “Cigars Under the Stars” event? After reading your blog, I thought this would be something fun to organize on our cruise. I really appreciate your assistance and all you do for Carnival. Keep up the great work you do, and no matter what others may say, there are those of us who really enjoy your sense of humor and your ability to handle your job with your wit and humor.
Thanks again.
Dave
John says:
Hello David BealeNo bother at all and I will be sure to mention this to the CD. I am hoping to have news in July that this event will be standard across the fleet and I am working on the procedures for this at the moment. Thanks for the kind words and if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.
Best wishes.
John
Bernie Charles asked:
I am taking my family on the Thanksgiving cruise on the Pride and need to know if there will be a service and will Carnival have a Thanksgiving dinner?
John says:
Hello Bernie CharlesThe good news is that the ship will have a full Thanksgiving dinner and while there will be no religious services, it will be a wonderful day for you and your family and indeed a fantastic cruise.
Best wishes to all.
John
Joleen Koprucki asked:
Hi JohnJoleen here and I’ll start off by apologizing for what I fear may be a long email, but I’m so excited I had to share this with you (although, it’s possible you’ve already heard it). First off, let me start by saying I was on the Carnival Fascination (Stateroom M15) last week (April 14-April 19) and had a GREAT TIME! I want to say a special thank you to our room steward Gerald who was terrific. Our bathroom door squeaked and he had someone there within five minutes. My roommate brought a bottle of wine with her and asked if she could get a wine glass in the room and he was knocking on the door a few minutes later, glass in hand.
But the main reason I’m writing is to tell you about THE HIGHLIGHT of my trip. (First, though, a bit of background – I’ve been subscribed to your blog for about three months now and LOVE IT! Always laugh my arse off (hope I spelled that right). One of my favorites were the video clips from the Bloggers cruise that you did and I laughed all the way through them and I loved your comic side-kick, Calvyn). Anyway, the first day at sea, I’m waiting for the hairy man’s chest contest to start (I love those) and the CD’s were talking about stuff going on the next few hours and all I heard after that was that Calvyn would be doing… All I could think was…NO WAY…What are the odds that Calvyn is on this ship? I looked over the railing & there he was…I went running down the steps & up on the stage by the pool. He was talking to someone & one of the guys asked if he could help me and of course I asked if I could talk to Calvyn and he laughed and said, “What did he do now?” by this time, Calvyn asked if he could help me and I asked him if I could hug him. He got a strange look on his face, but said sure. So after I hugged him, I told him I couldn’t believe he was on this cruise. He asked if we’d met before & I told him how I loved your blogs and how much I enjoyed the Bloggers cruise videos and that I couldn’t believe he was on this cruise and that I had to meet him and then I hugged him again. So that was the HIGHLIGHT of my trip…but there’s more (told you this was gonna be long) he sent chocolate covered strawberries to my stateroom and my roommate and I had two each for the rest of the cruise…yummy. And there’s more…Jen was our CD on this cruise – loved her – she’s great! Anyway, early evening I talked to her (dress up night – love her outfits) and had just started to tell her about meeting Calvyn and mid sentence she stopped me and said, “So, you’re the lady!” and she told me how Calvyn went running into her stateroom after I met him to let her know he’d been recognized. Guess it kinda made his day too – at least that’s the impression I got. ANYWAY, again, it was a GREAT CRUISE…I already have another one booked in Oct and paid the $100 on board toward another cruise after that.
Keep the blogs coming and tell Calvyn I said, “Hi.”
John says:
Hello Joleen KopruckiWhat a wonderful post and Calvyn has indeed become a bit of a sensation, hasn’t he? He is so funny, in fact, I would say that he is naturally one of the funniest people I have ever met. I am thrilled that he made your cruise special and I hope one day that we get to cruise all together. I will make sure both Calvyn and Jen see this and they will both be very happy indeed. So thanks for taking the time to write and if there is anything I can ever do for you please, let me know.
Best wishes.
John
Corvettegal 123 asked:
Your constant flaming of Cruise Critic members is both unprofessional and obtuse. Cruise Critic is a genuine source of information. You keep mentioning H82SEAUGO who is a multi time Carnival cruiser and respected member of Cruise Critic so I suggest if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen, Heald!!!
John says:
Hello Corvettegal 123If Mr. or Mrs. H82SEAUGO ever wrote to me asking for help or if he or she ever walked on a ship I was on, I would treat them with respect and do all I could to make their cruise the best ever. Until then based on what I have read and some of what is said by the minority about me and the company I love, I shall continue to have a bit of fun with them or indeed ignore them in the same way I would ignore a Corvette if it was parked next to an Aston Martin.
Best wishes.
John
Anna Schwering asked:
My husband and I are going on our 9th cruise Sept 30 (Hawaii-Australia) on Carnival Spirit. Do you have any idea when the shore excursions will be available to look at? I like to plan in advance as much as possible.
Have a great day.
Anna
John says:
Hello Anna SchweringI am told that in the next two weeks (by the end of June), we will have all the details for you on the excursions, Anna. I hope you find something you like and please let me know if you have any questions.
Best wishes.
John
Randy Hebert asked:
Why can’t I buy a Carnival cruise T-shirt on the ship in anything bigger than 2XL? I’m a 6XL or 7XL, but have friends I would buy 3XL for, and I’m told sometimes we get 3XL.
John says:
Hello Randy HebertI feel your frustration and I will again bring this to the attention of the right people. We certainly need bigger sizes for sure. Thanks for the reminder and I will see what we can do to get past the 3XL which is currently the largest we sell.
Best wishes.
John
That’s all for today. Thanks to you all for all the great comments and questions.
We are reaching the end of our second cruise and obviously Facebook readers will know about the strike that meant today in Venice has not been easy. The entire public sector workers union went on strike to demand more money, better benefits, better pensions and the right to wear red pants with yellow shirts and a demand that every second Friday, they all go home to Mama’s house for lunch.
If this had happened in any other Italian port, we would have been OK as our excursions are not affected, but in Venice the only way to get to the island is by a vaporetto which is a bus on water and they are on strike. There are Il Buggero all running. Yes, guests could take a water taxi but they are like water based limousines and cost around 100 euros per boat which is very expensive for a 20-minute trip to St. Mark’s Square. So what we have done is organised five private boats, each carrying 200 guests, to run all day from next to the ship to St. Mark’s Square. The cost of a vaporetto ticket is $6.50 each way and so we are charging guests the same and Carnival is absorbing the rest of the cost. All the excursions are running as normal but at least we now have a way of getting the guests to St. Marks Square which, if we had not have done would have meant walking…for an hour…over 14 bridges.
So far today it seems to be going well although there have been some long lines but no different if guests were to be getting these tickets at the vaporetto station.
So what else is going on? Oh, yes, some of you may have heard that we have a new loyalty program…he said with tongue firmly in cheek. One of the things we have not spoken about yet is the new Past Guest Party. There have been some beards and shipboard folks who have been working on this and one of those has been Cruise Director Butch Begovich who I asked to summarise what is happening.
Hi John-
As a part of our new VIFP loyalty program, the dated past guest party will be transformed into the new and improved Gold, Platinum and Diamond Celebration. Cocktails during this section of the party will be served from the original Mardi Gras drink menu, complimentary. The party will then transition into a celebration of our present with new interaction of our loyal guests with the captain and senior officers. Guests who are transitioning from levels of the VIFP program will also be recognized. We will then end the party with a celebration of our future featuring interactive dances from our new 2.0 deck parties, food offerings from the taste bar menu, and cocktails from 2.0 branded spaces. The new celebration will be a big departure from our old format, but will really celebrate the loyalty of our guests who brought us where we are today and where we are going as a company in the future.
Kind regards,
Butch Begovich
The new menu for this event took inspiration from our existing restaurants and will be served on all the ships for their past guest party.
Cucina del Capitano, shall be represented by Focaccia Pizzeti-Rucola & Mozzarella Focaccia Pizzeti–Rucola, Mozzarella & Prosciutto
Steakhouse, shall be represented by Braised Short Ribs on Potato Cream & Fried Onions
Comfort Kitchen, shall be represented by Pop Corn Chicken
And to drink? Well, we will serve complimentary beverages, of course, and all the ships at their past guest parties will serve two signature cocktails also on a complimentary basis and they are The Fun Ship Special and the Red’s Remedy.
It’s going to be fun, really fun! Obviously, I have to say that I know there are some who are reading this who under the new loyalty program may not be attending this and I feel slightly guilty for mentioning this and I hope that soon you will be Gold or above and will be able to join us.
Let’s change course, shall we?
As you may have seen on my Facebook page recently, we will have another full ship charter from our friends at Bare Necessities which, as the name suggests, is a naturist or nudist charter. Yep, everyone is naked as the day they were born. So yesterday I was contacted by someone who is going to be on the cruise requesting, urging, nearly demanding that I be the cruise director for this December 2012 voyage. As honoured as I was by this request, the answer is no. And as much as we are grateful to them for their business, there is more chance of me winning the Cruise Critic Board Readers Man of the Year Award than me being on this cruise. And let me tell you why.
You see, I know from previous CD’s who have been on these cruises that there is a certain amount of expectation for the master of fun, i.e., the cruise director, toward the end of the cruise to come out on stage and in tribute to the 1,500 naked people in the audience, remove his clothes as well. And I am not kidding here either, it has been done, twice. Once by a CD no longer with us and once by one who certainly is still working for us and by someone who seemed to truly love getting naked on stage. So, would I like to do this too?
Mmm, let’s see. Would I like to parade my gentleman’s sausage before the wonderful guests of the Carnival Freedom? Will I expose my my man breasts and flaccid lily white thighs to the passengers and no doubt the poor staff and crew? Yes, I’m up for that. In the same way I’m up for having H82SEAUGO (sorry, Corvettegal) tattooed on my arse. While the passengers would leave at the end of the cruise, I could never order a Diet Coke from Putu, the bar waiter, again as I would know he would take my order with a polite smile, head back to the bar and tell JoJo the bartender, ” Mr. Small Thingy wants a diet coke. Ha ha ha ha.”
Look, I am a fairly unshakable, modern kind of chap. I’m mostly undisgusted by the human form because I see myself naked most days in the mirror but this is different. Well, look. I’ve got no problem with public nakedness in small quantities, in a Latvian Lap Dancing Club, for example. It’s when it’s en masse, with 3,000 guests thinking, “Hey, so what?” about it while pretending not to clock each others’ dangly bits, this is a different story.
I would imagine that on naked cruises, it’s not the dangly bits themselves that are hilarious, but the polite exclamations of two female guests saying “How are you!” as if it is normal to stand at the Mongolian Wok with their lady gardens on view. And how difficult is it for the crew? I mean, it can’t be easy for a crew member to give directions to the piano bar when they are at eye level with your scrotum.
I am sure it will be a fun cruise and I am sure there will be stories to tell but it’s not for me…although…I would like to know the following. Where do they keep their sail and sign cards? Do we allow people to sit naked around the ship after they have eaten at the Indian Tandoor?
And on elegant night, do the gentlemen guests wear bow ties, nothing else, just bow ties? Oh, and one more thing, while I can handle the thought of them doing many of our activities unclothed…morning naked yoga on deck…is not one of them.
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.
@David Beal…Check your dates. If you show up on the 23rd of September for the Liberty cruise, you’ll be a day late.
OMG – the naked cruise post nearly had me in stitches! You are a funny, funny man.
Oh I hope they are going to super clean the ship after that cruise! EWWWWWW !
Beside the fact that nudist always sit on towells, I am quite sure they want to make sure it is as clean if not cleaner than you, because if by chance they were to sit on something without a towells, they wouldn’t want their bare dangly bits on someone else’s dirt/germs.
Scott, Thanks for the answer. Ignorance (mine) is what causes prejudice. Next time I read about another lifestyle, I will do a google search to learn a little more about it.
Well said, Scott. Thank you for being well informed. The Freedom will be my 6th BN cruise, and once you try it, it’ll be your favoured way to cruise… and no kids.
Hey John!!!
Just thru reading this blog and would like to know if Calvin is going to be on MY ship in Oct? We are sailing out of Jax on the Fascination Oct 27 thru 31. I WOULD LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to look up/down/sideways and see Calvin, since I already know that I won’t be seeing you…….=(
Please ASSure me that Carnival goes to EXTRA length to clean the ship after naked cruises?!!?
As usual, you had me rolling. I too am very disappointed though by the first comment about the Carnival hair salon (I won’t go back because when I pay for a $100 massage, I expect to be relaxed. And someone selling me to try to buy products and telling me all my faults and how the product will make them better is not my idea of relaxation).
And I can TOTALLY identify with Joleen – when you (or some beard?!) replied to my Facebook comment about you being my CD on the Dec 2 Breeze sailing, I nearly crapped my pants!!!
It seems to me there MUST be a polite way to let the staff and therapist know before your massage, that because you have paid a fair price for a service, you don’t expect to hear a commercial? Of course, in a diplomatic way? Hmmm….
I had one infomercial massage on the Carnival Holiday years ago. After that I just say in advance I’m just having the massage for relaxation and am not looking to buy any product. Have never had a problem since.
Corvettegal 123,
Some members of Cruise Critic have a warped sense of reality …when it comes to the importance of Cruise Critic. It’s a cruising website…nothing more!! Unfortunately….a few members don’t know how to treat ANYONE with respect…so they deserve to get flamed!! Don’t worrty about H82SEAUGO…he loves the attention..it feeds his huge ego!!
I agree!
A portion of them think they are special or deserve special treatment from the cruiselines and other CC members.
When in reality they represent such a small portion of the cruising population.
John, I love your blogs, your writing style and your sense of humour! Don’t ever change, don’t let the whiners win! <3
Last September my sister and I were going on the Splendor. We had a simple 1 hour flight and when we got to LAX her luggage did not. We waited as late as we could till we had to leave for the ship.She was so upset as she had nothing with her. As soon as we got to the ship we went to Customer Service. As the ship was leaving she got a call from Southwest her bag was found and will be sent to PV the next stop 3 DAYS AWAY. She was devastated all her new clothes, bathing suits, even her book. We had insurance but it did no good in your gift stores as the clothes are for Size 0. She was able to get some t shirts and a nice top, that’s it. Anyhow Guest Service was the BEST, they called to see how she was doing, they sent her Carnival shirts, toiletries gave her free laundry and kept telling her how sorry they were although she never blamed them. When we docked in PV we went to Guest Svs to ask how we get to the Airport to pick up her bag. They stayed in contact with the Airlines the entire time. Then they actually sent someone there and got it!!! The CS young lady prayed it was my sisters bag as it was sitting there alone with NO TAG. They even lost her Baggage Tags with her information on it. Thankfully it was!!! This was her first Carnival Cruise and she was so impressed with the service and the caring on the ship The Cabin Steward was so nice and felt so bad, everyone was just unbelievable. We had a blast on that wonderful ship but to her it was the Service that made it so special for her. She felt so valued and felt like they truly cared about her and did all they could to help. How could she blame Carnival when we purchased the air ticket? That is common sense. BUT the gift store needs to have some things in there that are for those of us that are not tiny. The bathing suits and shorts are all small sizes.
Maybe loosing the label was the reason of missplacing the luggage?
But yes, i agree. The sizes they sell in the onboard shops are to small… I would love to own a cruiseline shirt that is made for women!
My wife and myself and daughter and her family sailed on the Freedom June second. This was my wife and daughters tenth and my son in law and mine eighth. This time was different because of a year long hip problem my wife has fought. Since getting home they found the cause and a fix is soon to come. While on the ship my wife was in a wheel chair. EVERY BODY went way above and beyond what was the norm. This also included the terminal employees. I can’t explain how impressed we were by everyone and our cabin steward Huston was a prince. Please make sure the beards see this. The Freedom crew is to be praised. We set a future cruise in March before getting off the ship and another when we got home. Love you on face book. May God bless you and your family. Sincerely, Rich and Mary McQuillen
boy do i have a story for you. after 18 cruises we bought insurance for our 19th on the dream this past april never having bought insurance before our ta urged us to get some as my husband had 4 stents placed in january, and i agreed. well the day before the cruise i wake up with vertigo, it’s like when yhou were a kid and you turned around and around until you were sick to your stomach, only this time i ended up in the hospital for two days. missing our trip felt worse than anything ever , really. the up side was that three weeks later a check came in the mail for the entire cost of the cruise
never leave home withour it folks take my word for it. and to book, my fcc is still good for my next cruise in the fall. who knew your friend kathy
Does this mean we will not be able to applaud for the ships we have been on during the movie at the current Past Guest Party? That’s the reason I go!
Oh No! I hadn’t thought about that! I hope we still get to cheer! I have a special place for the Holiday, our first cruise.
Do the nudists sit on the dining room chairs in the nude??????
No
To add further to “no”: a cover of some sort is required at all times in the dining room. Towels are not allowed. While on our cruise, we have five theme nights planned, so many of us, will be in costumes for Valentines, Mardi Gras, Oscar Night, Moustache and Captain’s Night.
Come on board the “Clothes Freedom” Fun Ship and have a blast!
My experience is that when eating in a “fine dining” establishment they most often, if not always dress for the occasion.
Also for the most part when sitting anywhere they will be sitting on a towel. Don’t want to put their dangly bits down on a surface where who knows what was there before them.
Hi John.. I am going on the Glory July 12th, just got off on the 14th of June and would like to somehow be able to sit at a round table in the middle of the dining room. I was only lucky to do this once and that was on the Triumph when you were the Cruise Director! Also, I am on early dining wait list, but am platinum can I get a guaranteed seat for early dining. I hope you get this before I sail!
oops forgot to mention I was in the Platinum dining room!
Platinum?? What happened to using PLEASE in your request?
John I have been on several Bare Necessities charters and will be on the Freedom in February 2013. They are indeed brilliant but not for everyone. To answer your questions:
1. On lanyards of course, courtesy of the casino.
2. Sure why not? Of course all the well-mannered nudists always place a towel between themselves and any furniture. Carnival thoughtfully provides literally tons of clean towels everywhere you look.
3. The dress code for Elegant Nights and indeed every night in the main dining rooms is simple: Be dressed. Just a bow tie won’t cut it. Some gentlemen like to get their Scot on and wear kilts but otherwise we look like everyone else.
I understand why you won’t join us but I hope I do get to meet you on what we respectfully refer to as “textile” cruises.
OK–this is my third try–I didn’t really want to publish this, but at this point, I will do anything to get a reply from you. Can we please reserve a table for two on the 6/27/12 sailing of the Carnival Breeze. We are Barry and Amy Pollack. I had more to my request but don’t want it published, so I guess I have to forget about the rest. Please, please respond.
Thank you. We are sailing in honor of our 30th wedding anniversary.
5 days out so it will not happen. He has a lot of irons in the fire. I posted him in late March (and no I wasn’t asking for something) it show up on here last week.
Once we had a piece of luggage miss the ship (fault of airline). We let Customer Svc know. They tracked it for us and we got it at our first port. The suitcase has my husband’s ties,shoes and swimsuits in it. The formal shop on board loaned him a pair of shoes for Elegant Night (which was before we got the suitcase). He purchased a swimsuit and flip flops in the gift shop and the airline reimbursed him. We appreciated Carnival’s help but would never have expected to be compensated by Carnival. Luckily we did get some of our bags. I feel sorry for your guests that didn’t get bags but it still isn’t Carnival’s fault.
Is there still only one party? Love the idea of a culinary showcase, Other featured drinks of the day could be sampled here as well which should increase sales as well. It works for Sams Club and Target, the samples sell food and drink. Dear Cruise Critic members…YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL! YOU HAVE EARNED NO EXTRA ANYTHINGS! GET OVER YOURSELVES! WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF YOUR WHINING, ABUSE, and THREATS. If pickpocketoftheseas is such a great line cruise IT! I think both ships should issue super soaker squirt guns and have a broadside battle in Nassau!
I would suggest that when you book a cruise to get insurance also, I’m learning the hard way about not getting insurance. I have already rescheduled my cruise twice which cost me an additional 300.00 did the ES rate, now it looks like I will have to reschedule our Carnival Breeze cruise or lose the deposit. I could not afford the insurance when I first booked, now I wished that I had waited to book with insurance. I did not know that hubby would lose his job, we would lose our home and that hubby would have to have triple by-pass surgery this year. We need a vacation, but can’t afford it at this time, hoping that something will happen between now and Oct. when final deposit is due for cruise. So please people get insurance, you never know what will happen between now and your cruise, better to be safe than sorry.
May I humbly suggest that with his exuberance and natural flair the perfect person to be CD for the Bare Necessities cruise (and the chance to do his first CD gig) would be none other than….
CALVYN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John, I always say to each their own (the nudists) I just hope ALL the furniture in the entire ship is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after that cruise…tandoor curry or not! Now for the new past guest celebrations! I think they sound fun, different, and quite a nice change. I only have one complaint…they are always too short because I never want to leave! Thanks for sharing the news with us!
John,
My wife and I will be sailing on the Conquest on 07-08-12, and will have 28 sailing days with Carnival at the end of the cruise. I see if you graduate to the next level (gold) you will be promoted at the beginning of the cruise (crossover cruise). A Carnival rep told me that since I have only 21 sail days I won’t be promoted to gold until the next cruise.
I think it is Carnival’s duty to look after the missing luggage as a service to the guest mostly because when you are on a ship at sea it is not easy ($$$) to try to keep calling and bugging the airline to find the lost luggage. Carnival agents at the home port can do this way better. But on the other hand what is this guy thinking!!! How can Carnival be resposible for luggage lost by the airline?
John,
Thanks for one of your very best blogs! Your sense of humor in the midst of massive doses of human idiocy is a model for us all. And as far as Calvyn being a naturally funny comedian, you’re not so bad yourself at seeing things through the eyes of humor. Keep up the good work, love your blogs!
What is a reds remedy? Sounds yummy!! I do hope the pics of the ships are shown at the PG party. We love cheering for our past sailings!
Oh John I am so bummed. For my 55th birthday I decided on a cruise with 16 friends and family (5 which our new and 11 which have more than 4 carnival cruises – I have 2 past). I decided on the victory thinking we could use the past guest party and the farewell party to celebrate since the victory has no steakhouse/brunch etc…seems all my friends will be celebrating my b-day at the past guest party without me and my family (the 5 new) and I will just have make do. Im a planaholic and with these changes it really has put a damper on my cruise. Wish I would have known before I decided on this cruise I would have picked a ship that offers more.
Janet, maybe I am missing something but, If your family is new to Carival and this is their first cruise. How were they going to be at the past guest party anyway under the old system?
The 5 that are new werent. We were all going to do the farewell party. Which I found out not to long ago was no longer going to happen. Then it was going to be the past guest party with my friends and my 5 immediate family members and I would just celebrate at dinner with a cake…then I found out that I was demoted to red and would not be invited to the past guest party with my friends. Like I said the Victory doesnt have a steakhouse where we could all celebrate etc and I would have chosen a different ship had I known. It by no means will spoil the cruise just that I talked my family members out of RC by telling them all about my 2 past cruises (including the past guest party and farewell party – and how we could all celebrate at that event)and now we cant.
About that insurance thingy.
John, I retired after 32 years in the travel industry (not by choice…I was outsourced). For 8 years, I owned my own place, spent the next several years as manager of agencies from “mom and pop” to super giants. The balance of my time, I was a Tour Director/Cruise Host subcontracting to some of the biggest “group” agencies in the USA…including AARP.
Trying to sell insurance to someone who has just spent thousands of dollars on a vacation is like selling sand to the Sahara. Inspite of reviewing the “terms and conditions” of every single part of their trip; or reading the airline contracts to them re; luggage and everything else, it is almost impossible to convince them that without insurance, they risk losing the entire amount of money they have spent. I used to make them sign a disclaimer “I have read and understand that……” outlining every cancellation issue, lost luggage and most every possible scenario.
Then, when things go awry…my phone starts ringing…most calls coming in “collect” with some angry passenger somewhere who has missed a flight or whose luggage is in Siberia and they are in Oshkosh.
It’s a losing battle. When offering insurance, I was told that “you are only trying to make more money on the deal” or “My credit card has insurance (if they do, it;’s not comprehensive), or “my homeowners will handle it” (mostly, they don’t). Same with medical insurance.
Like you, I spent much time assisting where I could, handled the airline thingy or otherwise tried to assist….but, usually, to no avail. I was always held responsible for everything from missed flights to lost luggage to general strikes in Italy!
When you have just spent 10,000.00 on a 21 day trip to Scandinavia and Russia…what’s a couple hundred more to ensure your “stuff” is protected or your money can be refunded?
I don’t know….it’s a losing battle.
My sympathies with you, for sure.
I would never buy insurance for a domestic vacation or cruise. I always handle my own airfare at far less than the cruise line prices (example my August Alaska cruise – LAX to Vancouver $109pp on Air Canada and Anchorage to LAX $143pp on Alaska Air – about 40% of the line, Princess in this case). I do however ALWAYS arrive in the port city a full day in advance of the cruise. When it comes to international travel I definetely buy the insurance as to many things can happen.
Yes, I know Vancouver is International…but not really…it’s just part of America’s cap!
Don, never really? I for one think that is just crazy or foolhardy. There have been any number of posts on here saying why they did or didn’t and then what happened when they couldn’t go. Yes I agree with you about going a day early IF we are flying to a city to go on a cruise. But I still get insurance on the plane trip and the cruise. There is still weather or a death in our family or illness that can and will stop a trip. No matter how well it’s planned. No insurance no money back period!
Hi, John. I have a complaint, not. I want something for free, not. Peppa Pig is on TV in the US and I’ve watched it, not. Going on my first cruise on the Elation out of The Big Easy, New Orleans, July 23. Can’t wait. I love your blog and your humour. I love reading about people whining about little things on a cruise. I look at all the fun things to do on a cruise and wonder why people nitpik. I plan on having a great cruise and if I have a problem I’ll let the correct people know about it and then go out and have more fun. Don’t worry, be happy.
John,
In answer to “corvettegal”, I have this to say.
I was a longtime member of the Cruise Critic forum. I found it interesting, informative, loved the info on ports, ships, the reviews, the good tips from others and loved contributing what I could. About 5 years I was a member.
Then, about 3/4 years ago, that forum changed. Honestly. It went from a forum for newbies looking for information and professionals and other well traveled people to a gigantic bitch-fest filled with complainers and bashers. They bashed Carnival so bad with such nonsense. The continued search for “freebies” or hundreds of “ideas” about how to smuggle booze onboard and complaints about missed ports, demanding “compensation” for every imagined slight simply got the best of me.
I determined it was a bunch of fools who rarely travel and have no idea about the rest of the world. Anonymity provided the cowards a way of expressing their low self esteem and fear of the unknown.
Long story short, I quit that forum forever. I have not missed it ONE day.
It has become a place for Boobus Americanus to go to play with other children…..
To Bernie Charles, who asked about Thanksgiving Dinner and a religious service –
Over this past Easter, I enjoyed a 6-night cruise on the Carnival Fantasy out of Charleston, SC.
On the day we sailed, I recall an announcement from the CD Risa Barnes asking if there were any clergy on board who might like to lead a non-denominational Easter sunrise service for the crew and guests.
So while there may not be formal plans for a religious service over the Thanksgiving holiday, there might be clergy aboard who would share their blessings.
We did not attend the service, but I believe it was offered poolside.
Our luggage was lost once by British air and we found ourselves on a cruise ship in the Aegean with only the clothes we were wearing. We became known as the “Seattle people without clothes.” More importantly we were told by – now good friends – a couple we met on the ship and who befriended us then because “You didn’t act like the typical American.” We didn’t scream, rant, rave or threaten anyone. Other guests offered to loan us clothes, we bought some along the way in Croatia. Our suitcases arrived on day 7 of the 8 day cruise — we ‘scrubbed up’ and were applauded when we finally appeared wearing a different outfit. And to this day it remains the best cruise we’ve taken! Life is short — these people need to remember that.
John,
Today is June 23, 2012 and the Cruise Director Schedule that appears after clicking on your link still reflects a CD schedule only through the end of this month. When will the new CD schedule appear ? And I’ve noticed that the posting of the CD schedule always seems to be very tardy. Do you know why ?
Also, even the current CD schedule seems to be incorrect in at least one instance that I am aware of. We are sailing on the Pride in early July. The current CD Schedule reflects that “Brent” was to be onboard beginning on May 20; however, based on reviews, it seems that Jaime D. is back on the Pride.
Finally, you mention the Assistant CD Schedule, but I have never been able to find the Asst. CD schedule anywhere on the Carnival Website – or any other online location.
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.
Greg Ecklund
Hello, being you spoke of request for statements I will do so and leave mine as it is. Over the pastyears I have listened to many family speakof their own cruises yet after hearing it all my desire to take one was oe enforced. Being my father retired from Navy yes I wanted to experience just a taste of sailing. Now, me being disabled I saved and saved what I could over a year and finally aquired enough. As a gift fore my wife I surprised her with a Cruise to Jamaica. We had our choice as to where we would enjoy stepping foot on ground and choose the Falls, Nowhere in the brochure did it say any hiking would be necessary. At first when off boarding it appeared a delight yet when finally arriving to falls my wife stumbled in the rocks and injured herself resulting in anend toour off board tour. I will say the Jamacian persons are very very friendly. Unfortunately our year long savings was “tossed into the river” and I am wishing somehow we could be reimbursed for its land off boarding.
??
Now I’m more confused than ever about the new past guest party! Does this mean that only gold, platinum, & diamond cruisers attend? Are they lumped together in one party? Is this a three phase occasion? Are there special drinks for this party only? Then comes the special food samples? Then a deck party? The most important question I have is, Will Calvyn be there?? Guess I’ll find out when we sail on our next cruise as new diamond members!
JoyceG
Hi John! I was just wondering carnival’s rational behind charging children under 2 the same fare as adult. I understand the concept of the 3rd or 4 th passenger in cabin discounts and the necessity of port charges and government fees. But if you really think about it. The concept is absurd. A infant/ toddler would not be eating from the menus nor participating in any camp carnival activities. They would be sleeping in the cabin with their parents not requiring their own cabin. I can not figure out why you would charge the same for baby Jackson who is passenger #3 in his parents cabin and BIG bubba who is #3 in his buddies cabin. (did i tell you that ole bubba enjoys himself the buffets and causes huge water displacement when he belly flops in the pool?) please explain this to me!! we really want to stay with carnival but “others” seem to charge less and offer more for little cruisers..
We were disembarked off the Epic,in March,and my husband spent 4 days in a St. Thomas hopsital. Without our travel insurance I don’t know what we would have done. For, the extreme, as we used it for, or for trip interruption, & baggage loss, don’t leave home without it. It’s the best peace of mind you can buy.
John,
I must say how things have changed on board. Many years ago on a cruise ( i think you where the CD but I can’t remember) I had a bag go on a different trip than mine… thanks to the airlines. well as soon as I found out the bag did not make it, I told the carnival rep (at the airport) who escorted me to the lost baggage claim at the airport. This is where I filled out paperwork for the missing bag. After all that was done the nice person from the cruise lines was waiting for me to escort me to the bus to the ship.
When I got to the ship I was instructed to go directly to the purser’s office (hate guest relations name) and told them about the lost bag. Well the nice lady from the airport had already called the ship and told them and them where ready to assist me when I got there.
Well after a couple of days my bag was found in Aruba, and I was on the western cruise… they told me it would arrive in Grand Cayman. I said great, problem was it had all my dress clothes, when the Matra D found out he made a couple of calls to the CD and the head of the hotel dept (can’t remember the title now) and got me a rental tux for free (did not really fit that well, but i was not going to complain because I love formal nights and love getting dressed up. the employees fo carnival really made the difference for me on this cruise. (by the way this was cruise 3 or 4 for me when this happened) I now have 23 cruises in carnival, and because of their kindness and help I have never forgotten. I did at the time write a nice letter to the beards, I wish I still had a copy of it, but that was back in the 90′s and before computers where around like today.
Please keep up the good work
Capt Bill
On my recent cruise, the airline lost our luggage. We were very lucky that they did find it and deliver it to our hotel the morning we sailed (thank goodness for the hotel overnighters for those of us who travel a long distance to the ports!) But if the airline had not found the bags, we wouldn’t have expected Carnival to compensate us. We would have asked them to be liason between us and the airline, since we wouldn’t have had any way to contact them. Even tho’ Carnival booked our flights and hotel rooms, we didn’t fly Air Carnival — and it wouldn’t have occurred to us to look to them for compensation. Oh – and always, always keep your valuables, toiletries, and change of undies in a carry on bag, just in case!
I fully agree with Randy Hebert about the need for larger sized apparel items. But it does not stop with just a T-shirt. As the poor folk John mentioned at the top of the post today, if my husbands luggage was lost he would either have to wear one of the two spare causal outfits and swim suit he alwasy carries in his carry on every day and miss out all the formal nights or be like the Bare Necessities cruisers and go naked, because Carnival seems to refuse to recognize that large people do pay to be on their ships for vacations. Thankfully loosing luggage has never happened to us but I know Carnival does not carry even a size 3X pair of shorts in their shops, jacket or tuxedo in their Formalities store. We had inquired on our first cruise and were told they can only accommodate those sizes if ordered and paid for at least 3 weeks before sailing.
John we always do pay for Carnivals insurance, but what would the meger $100 per suitcase buy us in the Carnival shops? Not very much, and nothing for him and you do not even carry under garments! I guess all those poor cruisers that lost their luggage will have to go Comando for the first part of the cruise until they get to a port where hopefully they have money to buy something to wear. On our second cruise I genously donated a set (3 pack) of new (still in the package) ladies underware to a young lady who had her suitcase lost on the ship. They know it made it on to the ship because they drove to Mobile like we did and had given it to a porter. But the suitcase never made it to the cabin. It was not found until our arrival where it was discovered with all the other luggage coming off the ship. Obviously it had been delivered to the wrong cabin and had been stowed away and never turned over to anyone. I guess besides doing a cabin to cabin search no one can blame Carnival right? It was mentioned over and over for passangers to please check their rooms and if found call or bring to guest services but if it was discovered I guess they were scared or something. This poor girl lived in a bathing suit for most of the cruise that I saw her. And at least she was young and small and had freinds and family to loan and buy her things to fit. I hope all those cruisers can get some items somewhere to wear so they can injoy at least some of thier trip.
I was sailing on Carnival about 14 years ago…and bought a package (Carnival T shirts, etc.). Someone on our ship lost their luggage…and I generously sent them BRAND new Carnival items. T shirts, etc. THEY DID NOT EVEN THANK ME! How pathetic. Seriously. They failed to do a simple thank you. Makes me feel VERY foolish for my generosity. But do take something in your carry on…and always take important stuff.
In this NUDE cruise is nudity optional or mandatory…?
Bare Necessities is a “clothing optional” tour company. Reality is that you’ll most likely see naked people on the sun decks, but throughout the ship, people will usually be covered, or wearing what ever makes the individual comfortable. You have to be covered in the dining room at all times, while docked in port or if the Captain instructs us to be. Some people dress in theme attire for dinner and for evening activities having a fun time. Costumes can be a little risque, since we’re all adults and nudist friendly.
Hi John,
I am travelling with my Family on the breeze on 2nd August, I have read a few comments from cruisers of films starting on the ship, showing most of the film and then ending it with 15 minutes still to run. I am hoping this is just an early teething trouble and this wont be repeated when we are on the ship. I look a good film around the pool and would be really upset if that happened to us when we were on the ship. Can you also confirm that areas of the Lanai are non smoking, given the really strict laws in Europe for smoking in Public places I was surprised to see how much of the public space seemed to be available for smoking, I am hoping that we wont be subject to smoke whereever we are on the lanai area?
Really looking forward to our cruise , she looks like a lovely ship but you could allay the couple of little worries I do have by a repsonse.
John,
We are going to have our 4th SALUTE TO VETERANS CRUISE aboard the Freedom departing on 4 May 2013. We had our first 2 on Carnival and had to move to another line due to interest from the group and scheduling. We are back to Carnival and couldn’t be happier.
How can I get the message out to all interested parties? We are not only for Veterans, but are open to their families, friends and anyone that suppport Veterans. We welcom all Veterans no matter which conflict or their countries of origin.
Is it too early to find out who the cruise director will be on this trip?
Thanks for any help you can give us.
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