I have a busy day today……..the last day of this six-day cruise. Here is my schedule:

6:45am – alarm sounds to start blogging
9:00am – 10:30am – Captain and senior officers meeting
10:30 am - Photo with a family whose 12-year-old is here as part of the Make a Wish foundation
11:00am – 11:30am – Debarkation talk
11:30am – 12:00pm – Q and A
12:00pm – 1:00pm – Production team Meeting (this is with the dance captain, musical director and all the entertainment technicians to discuss the shows etc)
1:30pm – Capers and schedule planning for my first eight-day western Caribbean run
2:30pm – Newlywed game
3:30pm – Wedding renewal
5:00pm – Afternoon show
8:30pm and 10:30pm – Host show

This of course does not take into consideration the phone calls and other distractions and it also does not take into consideration the time I will spend on the toilet either.
(more…)

Hello Everyone.

It’s Heidi here. I thought I would write to you to wish you all a very happy new year as I am sure John will forget in tomorrow’s blog. My tummy is getting bigger and the Thingy feels like a flock of butterflies live in there with the Thingy especially at night. It is a wonderful feeling though. I wanted to thank all of you who sent Christmas cards and baby gifts. I have sent you all cards, as well, so I hope you get them soon. I read the comments you write on the blog everyday and so many contain such kind words for John and I so thank you so very very much.

John has a cold or if you listen to him he is “extremely ill.” He has a runny nose, a sore throat, a bit of a cough and every few minutes his eyes fill with water: He is currently in bed telling me and anyone else who will listen that he has the flu. He does not have the flu. He has a cold. The same cold that I have had and hundreds of thousands of other people here in the UK have had. John refuses to say that he has a cold because that is not manly enough. So John says he has the flu because that makes him sound less of a wimp. Is that how you spell wimp or is it whimp? In Dutch we would say “zeurpiet.” It is also an excuse for him to stay in bed, watch re-runs of the Sopranos and West Wing and for me and the Thingy to feed him poached eggs and chicken soup all day.
(more…)

Honestly, you would think you are in the Caribbean heading for the Virgin Islands. But we are not ………we are heading to Marmaris, Turkey, and with 80 degrees of sunshine and tanzanite blue water it certainly could be the Caribbean Sea. It’s been a long time since I have seen a totally perfect day like this and if we were carrying anyone under the age of 70, I am sure the water slide and splash parks would be very popular. As it is though many are playing bridge, trivia and, of course, bingo………because that’s the law.

The Lido roof is open, the bands are playing and this afternoon there was the very strange site of my Asian friends from Canada………dancing………..or should I say………ballroom dancing on the Lido ………..in shorts, T-shirts and swimwear. Whereas the duo on Lido usually get requests for Jimmy Buffet, country and light pop music, today they were inundated with requests for “standards” that gave people the chance to foxtrot and the other stuff.

(more…)

Rules — there are lots of them in the world today.

You can’t land unless the tray table is up, you can’t smack your children, you can’t smoke in a pub, you can’t take shampoo on a plane, you can’t climb a ladder unless three other people are holding it, you can’t eat more than six grams of salt a day, you can’t talk on the phone or eat an apple while driving, you can’t sell food unless you explain on the packet precisely what’s in it and where it came from, you can’t go to work unless you have a highly visibility yellow jacket, you can’t bring a German WWII officer’s pistol or a dagger on board a cruise ship. Most people accept these rules and abide by them……………..some do not.
(more…)

This morning as I wandered with Heidi to host the morning show we passed a herd of deck hands washing and cleaning and polishing the lifeboats. This seemed strange to me……..we hopefully never have to use them and if we do I am sure nobody is going to refuse to get in one if its a bit on the dirty side or has a bit of bird poo on the bow. I said these very words to Heidi and as soon as I did I knew I had immediately relegated myself to the doghouse………because one of Heidi’s favorite things to bollock me about is washing things…..especially our car.

Now, I love cars, I love the feel of the leather steering wheel as I open the window and listen to the orchestral sounds of the engine……….but one thing I don’t care about is if its clean or dirty. In the UK and I am sure around the world part of the Saturday and Sunday ritual is washing the car…………………..What a meaningless way of passing the time. You don’t wash your vacuum cleaner or your television set, you have a machine to wash the dishes and you employ a man to clean your windows. So how much do you have to hate the sight of your wife and children before you think, “I’d rather go outside into the cold and spend a couple of hours polishing my wheel nuts?”

(more…)

It has been a while………I couldn’t not wait any longer…..

I had to write to you all after reading your comments and birthday wishes.

I have never before received over 100 birthday wishes in English, Spanish and even my own language.  A poem, songs and so much more.

Thank you!

(more…)

It’s Tuesday morning.

John and I went over the plans for the rest of the day after he had his haircut. There is nothing he likes more than having his hair cut…..not. Fussing is not one of his favorite things, so the quicker it gets done the better. The lady in the spa did a nice job, so I am happy (which is most important anyway, right girls?)

It was really busy with guests on tour this morning, their spirits were a bit down as the weather hasn’t been too great the last few days and today it has been raining almost non-stop. The guests came in with raincoats and umbrella’s in hand ready to go and explore Mount Etna, Taormina and, of course, Messina itself. Everything just looks so much nicer if the weather is better…

I have started to throw things in bin liners and separated “garbage” from “let’s give this away.”

(more…)

[First part written earlier by John] . . . Good Afternoon from Napoli ….it feels like I have said that a lot this last few months but anyway……here we are again and the start of another wonderful Carnival Freedom vacation. It has been a busy but oh so enjoyable day and I, as always, would like to take you along for the ride.Let’s start with this morning where we sent 2100 people on tour, the most ever this season and that included 700 plus to Capri. The first morning is always very confusing with guests not totally understanding what is happening, where they are supposed to be and sometimes who with………….by that I mean ………”where is my wife”………..”have you seen my family”……….”Is this where we meet”………. “what tour am I on”……………..”do I need my tickets”……………”what do you mean I need a Sail and Sign Card to get off the vessel”…………”do you speak Russian”………….”Who am I”…………..etc, etc.

All of the above is understandable as it can be a little confusing the first time and, as much as I explain in my talk, over the PA system and in the Carnival Capers, there are always a few people who do not know what to do.

One thing is for certain. The ship was designed to put so many people through its lounges for tour distribution. The lounges are entertainment spaces and no matter how organized we are (and we are) there are always going to be lines when you move that amount of people at the same time. Today, was no exception and yes, there were lines, but I still think we could do better……I will not be happy until I discover a better system.

I wanted to let you know that some people are a little ……ummmmmmm confused, some do like a good moan and then there are those who are just plain nasty……….now that is not a word you have ever heard me use in this blog before but this applies to the guest, who when asked by a dancer to put on their life jacket, she was treated to “what are you, the Gestapo”………no further words are necessary.

We are still in Naples awaiting 400 people who were supposed to be back from their tours but due to a landslide on the road to Sorrento they will not be back until 6:30pm……….30 minutes late. I am now making sure we keep the dining room informed so anyone on the early sitting dinners will be able to go straight to dinner if they want to or, of course, our dining options on Lido Deck.

The guests have just arrived 45 minutes late back to the ship and off we go, sailing to Dubrovnik.

Anyway, back to today in Naples and I will tell you what Heidi and I did a little later.

So, as you saw from the press release that I was sent by PA 007, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall will be dedicating the Queen Victoria……………this now has me thinking about the Carnival Splendor and her Godmother. I started this blog thingy wishing that Angelina Jolie would fulfill that role but as the days and weeks went on this became more and more unlikely. So, that now that leaves me with Catherine Zeta Jones as first choice………………..hold on a moment……….who I am kidding……..it is not like it is my choice…………in fact it isn’t………….at all………….but maybe……….just maybe I, sorry, we can influence my friends in Miami to consider her for this role. My quest will start in earnest in the weeks to come…………..I hope I have your support.

I have seen lots of bloggers this cruise wearing the bloggers t-shirts, which is great to see…….although a little strange in the fact that it makes me feel a little inadequate and I hope I live up to their expectations.

The KZST Radio group seems a lot of fun and they certainly were enjoying all the bars and lounges last night…..especially the Disco where we played lots of their kind of music…….70′s and rock and roll etc. The group leader asked if I would come to their private party tomorrow which I of course will do………I hope they don’t ask me to dance.

I hate dancing. I am rubbish. I look like a drunk flamingo as I faff around hopping on one leg to another. Many years ago when Roger Blum and I worked together on the Carnival Sensation we used to have lots of Quincinera….Quincinyera………Quincinears…….anyway, 15-year-old young ladies from Latin America and Cuba who were celebrating their coming of age with a cruise along with their whole family…………..when I came of age I had a pint of Bitter and a Pork Pie but that’s another story.

Anyway, the girls look stunning in their gorgeous wedding style dresses and the ceremony that took place in the main lounge was wonderful and oozed tradition. The final part of the ceremony would involve the daughters dancing with their fathers to the Blue Danube Waltz by Strauss. Then, Roger and I would go on stage and propose a toast to all the young ladies and then it was time for the 30 minute disco party……….and that was me and Roger hiding in the bar pantry behind cases of Heineken as the young ladies and, worse still, the mothers looked for that handsome man in uniform and the Cruise Director to dance with………we still laugh about that today……………I should have danced since, if there is one worse dancer than me………..it’s Roger.

Here are some photos for you which Heidi took two nights ago as we sailed from Livorno……….it’s a beautiful Tuscan sunset and one of the Carnival Freedom.

Here is a photo of me and some of the dancers from 1992, Christmas in Cozumel……………what the heck is that shirt!

Here are the letters for today’s In Their Own Words Section:

I am very excited that tomorrow I will be able to promote the ON DECK FOR THE CURE walk. I have decided to hold this on the second sea day at 4:00pm. We will take a group photo on deck before the walk itself………..we have 400 shirts to give for a $10 donation and if people want to donate more, they can…………I know I will.

Lets do some Q and A.

LAUREN – Nobody……………nobody………….needs to see me in a dress…………….it ain’t pretty.
MR.VANQUISH – I am not certain as to why the insurance company would be trying to work out whose fault it is that your Aston Martin is now well and truly knackered. I had a nightmare about that last night and I hope that things get resolved quickly so you can consider buying yourself another example of Beauty, Passion and Soul. Please keep me informed mate and hang in there mate.

Well, that didn’t last long did it? Time has escaped me and now I am off to the Welcome Aboard Show, see you tomorrow.

Good morning. It’s 8:18am and I thought I would sit and use my two fingers to continue the Q and A before my Morning Show at 9:30am. I feel very tired this morning and I have ignored the urge to have a coffee so I am having tea instead and just made myself a big mug (LA Lakers …………..don’t tell anyone at the Miami Heat organization) that I am drinking from this………hold on………am I an idiot?……….yes is the answer…..like Shaq and the boys are reading the blog and are now mad because I am drinking from a Lakers Mug!……………can you tell I am tired……..I am waffling today.

Come on John, snap out of it and get back to the Q and A.

Just in case you are reading…………Hello Shaq, stay injury free this season, use the pick and roll more and win that trophy again.

John

Yes

You need help

I know

I need someone to slap me

Thank you, Heidi.

KATHIE – More beautiful words Kathie. Thank you for recognizing your travel agent Jeannie Castro (I wonder if she is any relation to Roberto?). I will certainly make sure that her boss gets to see your words of praise and I am sure she will be thrilled. Carnival Cruise Lines is where it is today thanks to the hard work and dedication of thousands and thousands of people who devote themselves to making sure that people like you and millions of others have the best vacation ever.
Thank you Kathie for mentioning just one of them and you will be happy to know that my computer is behaving so far and following my threat to spank it with a large stick I expect it to stay that way. I am glad you are still laughing at and enjoying the blog so much and thank you again for such kind words.
KAZ – OK, here we go. For those who read KAZ’s posting you will obviously notice she knows a little about me and that’s because she is a stalker! Just kidding, actually we have never met but I used to ummmmm……….well……….lets just say her sister Helen and I were friends…………….you know ……………we…………kissed once which, for me was a huge achievement. Anyway Kaz, please tell Helen I still love Jethro Tull and as for the other incidents I have deleted those from my memory banks. My Mum and Dad send their best to all of you and if Helen would like another trombone lesson I will be happy to oblige.
Now, lets chat about your WORLD CRUISE ON THE QUEEN VICTORIA. Did you see that the Duchess of Cornwall will be the Godmother? You must be so excited about this cruise of a lifetime and I was wondering which portion you are looking forward to the most, is there one country you are most excited about seeing?
Please keep writing and tell Helen I will be round for tea. Oh, I thought you might like to see this photo of the Queen Victoria returning to the shipyard after her successful sea trials.

A CRUISE BY ANY OTHER NAME – Thank you for the great link thingy for Ephesus and you are correct that it is well written and gave me some new facts that I can use. I am sorry to hear that you have canceled your cruise but I understand the reasons and following your trip Down Under I hope we will see you on the next Bloggers Cruise. I have been trying to get Heidi to go to Australia but with her fear of spiders I am sure that is never going to happen. As for Fatima and her pipes………I don’t know where they come from. I just know where they are never going………..again.
It was great to see a posting from you and I hope that you continue to read the blog thingy.
CATHERINE EBERT – My fall from grace on the pier in Livorno bruised my ego more than anything. I am constantly warning the guests about the danger of the raised rails on the pier so what a complete prat (good English word for idiot) I looked when I tripped over………….at least I provided some pierside entertainment while the guests were waiting for the shuttle buses.
I never saw the man who dropped his phone overboard again but he really was heartbroken that it contained the last photo he had taken of his beloved dog and best friend. I am glad that you are excited about sailing on the Carnival Splendor and Russia, as you mentioned, will be a highlight. Later in the year I will start slapping on some port information which I hope will help.
Thanks for your posting and my best to you and your husband.
MRS MISSINGTHESMOKEFREEPARADISE – What are the RED ARROWS, I hear you ask? Well, this is in reference to the naming ceremony of the Queen Victoria in England on December 10th. The Red Arrows are the world’s foremost jet aerobatic team and part of the British Royal Air Force. They are often to be found at Royal events and their display is flabbergasting. The garden program you are referring to is called Ground Force and the brass band music is played the Black Dyke Mills Band who are part of a big mining corporation in the UK and probably the most famous brass band in the UK along with Chelmsford Citadel. Anyway, my dad still plays his cornet but I sadly have not picked up a trombone in years…. I really miss it but my neighbours do not. Thanks for the hug and one big one right back at you.
BOB MEANS – hello Bob and I am so happy that you continue to enjoy the blog thingy. What a lift your posting gave me and I appreciate that during your words of congratulations you also mention Heidi, Roberto and PA 007. These three people are pivotal in the blog’s success so thanks again for those rewarding words. The blog is getting bigger every day and I wish I could write more every day but I still have a job to do here and that of course is the most important thing. So far, I am managing both and I hope I will be able to continue to do so. Anyway, must go as I am off to my travel talk but not before I say thanks again mate and we all wish you and your family well.

OK, AS MENTIONED I AM OFF TO THE TRAVEL TALK TO CHAT ABOUT DUBROVNIK (YIPEEEEEEE NO TENDERS), VENICE AND MESSINA AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TO LAUNCH……………THE ON THE DECK FOR A CURE WALK………….BACK SOON.

Here I am back again and lots to tell but first the Q and A continues.

BIG ED – I thought we were friends and then I see you slap on a photo of me in a dress. Right, the gloves are off and I am determined that on the Bloggers Cruise, somehow I will have you in one too!…………when I say have you I mean that you will be wearing one not that I want to have ……anyway, watch out …………can I borrow one of Mrs Big Ed’s dresses?
I loved your photos of the holiday home. Alan asked me if you rent it out and if he can join you ……….he likes a bit of camping does Alan. I am sure Wendy’s will miss you and it won’t be long to January and you in that dress.
GREG AND CINDY COURINGTON – When you arrive onboard just go to the Chic Dining Room and see Dino the Maitre D between 2:00pm and 4:00pm and he will assist you with your dining room change. Now, as for a restaurant recommendation in Venice, it depends if you want a traditional trattoria or something a bit more up market. If money is not an object then you have to try Harry’s Bar. The place is full of tradition and the menu, although ultra expensive, is exquisite………they recently changed the Risotto recipe but it wasn’t as good, and a famous food critic had them change it back……..it is extraodinary.
If you are looking for something a bit cheaper, I suggest Il Piscatore a small pizzeria and fish restaurant which I know you will love. So, the choice is yours and wherever you decide to eat, I know you will have a wonderful time in Venice. Please let me know if I can help further.
LTTNSFCF – It’s Heidi here………It is now 7:20pm and as the Captain’s Cocktail Parties are going on, the guests are having lovely drinks and hors d’oeuvres, are dancing, having dinner and getting ready for the show…… my husband is in bed.
He is sick and let me put it this way, I have done a lot of cleaning in the last few hours……and I will leave it at that.

So, I saw he only just started the Q & A and didn’t get very far yet.

Most of you who have cruised before know what a busy day the first day at sea / formal night is for all of us.

There are 13 pages of comments on the desk and I am afraid they have to wait until Sir is better.

I thought I would just tell you about the highlight of my day………..

We (Carnival Cruise Lines) participate together with Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn in something called “On Deck For The Cure.”

Today, myself and other Entertainment Staff Members gave the guests the opportunity to donate to this wonderful cause.

It didn’t take long before all the boxes with t-shirts and wristbands were empty. I spoke to a few guests who told me they were breast cancer survivors and to some guests who had a sister, mother or other family member with breast cancer. I was thinking about my Auntie Aartje, a breast cancer survivor. How strong she was and what she had to go through.

There were a few tears from guests and a lot of smiles but all had the same thought, what a great opportunity it was to join in and walk on the deck together for this great cause. What a better place to do this, at sea on a beautiful ship like the Carnival Freedom on her way to Messina, Italy.

I suppose as a good wife, I need to get away from the desk now and look after my husband and make sure that the festivities along the Promenade Deck are going well.

He feels so bad that he can’t write to you and I told him to stop moaning…….this is one of the very very few times that he has ever been sick on the ship and wasn’t able to do his job. I really need to go, I am so sorry…but he needs me.

We’ll be back soon.

Your friends,

John & Heidi

Well, it’s been a while and I want to apologize for not writing to you sooner.Normally, John and I always take our laptop to the ship with us, but this time I didn’t think I would need it…..silly me.

Who could ever have known that John would be asked to write a blog and who could ever have imagined it would turn out to be such a success?

Now the blog has gone “Corporate” it’s even busier than ever.

So, before I write any more words, I would like to just say that I am so very proud of my husband. How he juggles his every day job with all its challenges and the blog is beyond me. Of course, I do help him here and there, but I can’t look inside his head (well, not always) and see how he comes up with everything he writes in his blogs. It can’t be easy to tell a different story almost every day.  So many things happen every day and we get to meet so many different people amongst our guests, but which person do you highlight and how do you tell his or her story?

“Petje af,” we say in Holland, which translates to “I take my hat off for you”.

So here to John, my husband, my best friend.

OK, don’t cry, he can be super annoying as well and sometimes he deserves the Fatima treatment ………….I am sorry if I just ruined the big pink heart shaped balloon for everybody….:)))

So, what’s been going on in Heidi land for the last few weeks?

Well, my biggest problem is that I don’t get much time on the computer in our cabin…..

We do have an Entertainment Staff office on board with 2 computers for me to use, but unlike John, I need to have peace and quiet around me to be able to concentrate, sometimes he forgets that English is not my first language……

For me to concentrate with other staff members coming in and out telling me things and asking me things is very hard, so its best to use the computer in our cabin. It’s times like this that I miss my laptop that is sitting at home feeling lonely…..

One of the main reasons was also that flying from a U.K. airport is anything but pleasant these days and you are only allowed 1 piece of hand luggage per person, so what do I do with my Chanel bag if I bring the laptop in its bag??? What’s a girl to do?? Any tips?

Some of you might say, well, John can carry the laptop. Well, that’s were you go wrong. John has his own carry on…..yes ladies, he does! It contains books, magazines, DVDs and his portable DVD player, so no room for a laptop. Sir doesn’t put his DVDs he just bought in his luggage, what if my suitcase gets lost??? Well, I suppose he has a point.

So, laptop stayed at home this time.

What I am trying to say, in a very long roundabout way, is that I just don’t get the time to use the PC in the cabin. (well, apart from doing the Capers and the schedules for the cruise and answer the necessary e-mails)

But here I am, it’s 10:53pm, John is doing the Welcome Aboard Show and I took my chance……I feel I owe it to all of you as you have been sending so many lovely comments for and about me.

Thank you to all and once again my apologies for not writing sooner. I do read all the comments, so they don’t get lost in cyberspace.

Well, I have been busy outside the job with starting to work out again. I run on the track, work my arms with weights, so much so, that some days I have a hard time walking or picking up a pen I dropped on the floor. The reason why I run on the track is because I need the wind in my hair when I work out. It may sound strange, but I use bottles of water (the 1.5 liter ones) as weights for my arms. I am not a big fan of the gym, never have been. I used to play tennis 4 times a week, played competition on Sundays and never needed to go to the gym, I was just always fit. When I played tennis a little less, I played basketball 2 times a week and competition on Saturdays. I still never had to worry about my figure or if I could run up stairs without being out of  breath for half an hour…..Unfortunately, since I have been working on the ship, playing sports just hasn’t been possible. I tried to keep up playing tennis in the beginning, but a blonde, fair skinned Dutch girl just isn’t made to play tennis in 100 degrees in St. Thomas…..I used to play and would be dizzy after 20 minutes and could only think on how I could get in the sea as quick as possible. So here I am, in need of running and there is no better time to start again as the present and get ready for the On Deck For The Cure Charity Walk.

We have been meeting many bloggers in the last couple of cruises and have received numerous wonderful gifts by mail. THANK YOU!!!!!

As I have the chance to write a bit myself now, I would like to also take the opportunity to thank “Nanci Nurse” for the box she sent me with Bath & Bodyworks products.

Nanci, I haven’t seen you on the blog lately, I am sure you are busy, but I didn’t want you to think that I didn’t receive the box with all your goodies. Thank you!

A special thank you also to The Bears and all the people who have my favorite candy.

While I am writing this, I have some Dutch music playing (rather loud) and sing along in between lines. Oh, I have some other exciting news. My mum is coming to cruise on September 22. I booked tickets for her and my Auntie a long time ago, but both ladies have had to visit the hospital a few times between them and now my mum is doing much better and she told me today that she is definitely coming to sail. Not sure about my Auntie yet. Let’s hope she will be OK. They have sailed together 3 times before and love being waited on and not having to clean up after themselves or having to think what to have for dinner every night (oh, and seeing John and myself of course…..)

I choose the last Turkey/Greece cruise for them and it will also be a bit cooler by then at daytime.

Not much else to report that John hasn’t already told you all.

I have hidden his bags of Sugar Free Jelly Beans while he is away….can’t take it anymore……I will get shares in Oust (Johnsons) soon…..sorry dear bloggers who have sent him these “treats.”

This will have to be it for now, it’s a busy sea day tomorrow so time for bed soon. Keep the comments and questions coming; don’t worry about John’s two fingers,  my 10 assist him where and when I can…..

And as my last note, I will attach a photo of myself running in Olympia, the reason for this is that I like to ask you all to spare a thought for the people in Greece (Athens and the surrounding areas) during all the wild fires at the moment. Let’s hope they catch those who have started these fires and let’s hope a wonderful town like Katakolon and a beautiful historical sight as Olympia will be spared……

Good night!

Your friend,

Heidi

As John writes about our daily adventures during the cruise, there is not much for me left to say about that, he covers just about everything….So, I thought I share some of my favorite memories with you…

As I am working closely with the Shore Excursion Department on board, I thought I share 2 of my favorite tours with you, but the other side of the world instead of Europe.

1. Swimming with the dolphins……
For anyone who has ever done this, you know exactly what I am talking about. It’s an experience of a lifetime. I swam with dolphins in Cozumel, in Playa del Carmen and in Ocho Rios and every time it was just wonderful. The dolphins are so sensitive and careful that you feel very relaxed when you get out of the water. For any cruisers who read this and think about doing this, most of the time we also offer “Dolphin Experience” tours, where you stand on a platform and touch the dolphins and get educated about them, but I think it’s worth paying the extra money and actually get in the water and play with them while you feed them, hold on to their fins while they pull you through the water or even let them push through the water with their noses on your feet.
They normally take photos as well, which of course you can’t leave without.
2. Horseback riding in St. Lucia….
On our Millennium cruise on board the Carnival Triumph, John’s mum and dad and his sister Suzanne and her husband Paul were on board with us. The Millennium party was amazing. It all took place on the Lido deck with the band playing and John emceeing the whole evening.
There was not a place on deck where guests were not dancing, it was a fantastic party! Someone in our family (I won’t tell who) had the bright idea to book the horseback riding tour in St. Lucia THE DAY AFTER…..
This tour departed from the pier at 8:00am!!!!!!
Now, do I need to say more??? I absolutely LOVE horses and grew up with my own Shetland Pony, but that morning through some strange reason, my head felt different than any other morning and all I wanted to do was hug the horse and go to sleep on his back….Anyway, the sights were beautiful and we went through the water and once again, it was a day I will never forget.
I won’t tell you about my horseback riding experience in Jamaica, although I love this country with all my heart….the spiders there HAVE TO GO……can someone arrange that for me????
3. A personal (not CCL) tour….
My first time to the city of New York……
Sailing on what was at the time biggest ship in the world, the Carnival Destiny, in 1996 we arrived in New York and I was in awe of everything. What a way to arrive to the U.S.A for the first time in your life….
I remember standing on deck with my friend Denny, who was the Youth Director at the time, covered in thick clothes as it was COLD!
The sky was blue and the sun was out and the photos I took that day are amazing, as you can understand. In our home, we have a blown up photo of John and myself on the bow of the ship with the Statue Of Liberty behind us and of course we have one with the Twin Towers on the background…..a photo that has more meaning now than ever.
Well, we arrived at the pier and as we pulled up I saw a police car on the pier and a few men pulling something out of the water….it was a body.
I could not believe my eyes. It was then covered by some sort of plastic blanket. Wow, Welcome To America!!!

There are so many more great memories, after all it’s been over 10 years that I have been working for Carnival Cruise Lines, I started in November of 1996. I will save some for another time.

Now, over to the comments:

HEIDI’S REACTIONS TO THE COMMENTS
HEIDI-BETH (AND KEVIN)
It’s always nice to hear from you (two) and your name obviously catches my eye when reading the comments. You will absolutely love Wee Jimmy.
Ask him how Mr. Robinson is doing when you see him, he might even let you meet him (his teddy bear, and while I am writing this, I know he will probably never speak to me again….) Enjoy your cruise!
BIG ED
Hello Ed. With regards to the wedding photo, I am sure John’s mum taught him to sit up straight…… especially as we were sitting on the exact same chairs that my Queen and her fiancé were sitting on their wedding day. The hotel “The Grand” used to be Amsterdam’s town hall, before it was a hotel and the top table and chairs are still the same as then…..
Then
 Now
Council Chamber:
Restored to its majestic glory from when it was the Council Chamber of the former City Hall, with wood paneling and glimpses of the city’s illustrious past evident throughout the chamber. The same table the Aldermen and the Burgomaster already used in 1926 is now used as the head table for any function. The chamber was the setting for the marriage of Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands who was married here in 1966.

The whole room has a special “feel” to it, the carpet and floor creek and you feel special just walking through the door.
MRS. MISSINGTHESMOKEFREEPARADISE
If you would like to take a tour from Cannes to the Southend pier, I will personally arrange that for you…now problem
MARK TWAIN AND A HALF
Hello Mark. I will start my blog with announcing that it’s me from now on. I am not allowed to make any more refrigerator comments, so I won’t as otherwise I will be in the dog house myself….Don’t bother going to Southend to walk on the pier right now, summer has not yet arrived in the U.K. It breaks my heart to see those poor people on the news, knee high in the water with all their belongings floating around them. Maybe I should send some Dutch engineers over to help built dykes and dams……
LINDA HERNACKI
Thank you for the comments on my wedding gown. To tell you the truth, I had to drop 2 sizes to fit the dress. I saw it in a magazine, probably a year before the wedding, of course when I went to the store to see if they actually had it, the lady made numerous phone calls and she had it sent over from a store on the other side of Holland. It was the collection of the year before, so she wasn’t able to order my size. When it arrived, it was a size 36 and at the time, I was closer to a 40…so…..she urged me to try on other dresses, but I only wanted that one and got it, against my mum’s and sister in law Sandra’s advice… I lost the weight and it fit me perfectly on the day. It is still hanging in my wardrobe at home and when I look at it, it still puts a smile on my face.
When we worked on the Glory, Wee Jimmy was one of the Social Hosts, I now work with another Asst. Cruise Director. Her name is Stephanie and she is great. We have worked together since the Glory as well and she came to this ship as a newly promoted Asst. Cruise Director. There is so much to do on this ship that we share the responsibilities and where I work closely with John, she looks after the activities along with the Social Hosts. It works out well that way.
No news yet on AJ as Godmother…….we’ll keep you posted.
Congratulations are in order as you became a Grandma again, to Joshua Daniel. What beautiful names. I hope mum and son are doing well.
Keep writing, but I understand if you are busy with the new arrival in the family…
E. MERTZ
Hello Ethel. Thank you for your nice comments re the blog. I hope you like the photos I have attached this time. Keep reading!
DORRHE CALIMBAS
I am glad you like the little “inside” information there. Our wedding album is really amazing, but has the size of a wall paper book….so, not easy to travel with. It’s safely kept at my mum’s.
Thank you for reading my blog thingy too.
AUSSIECHIC
Hello Aussie Chic! Of course I reply to your comment, even though you won’t be offended…..   :) Hope to meet you one day, so we can talk about Aussie land.
NANCI NURSE
While I am writing this, you are in the process of traveling to the ship.
Can’t wait to meet you. ……….Just called you in your cabin and THANK YOU AGAIN (you will probably read this when you will be home again) for the root beer. You have no idea how happy you made John
PAUL F. PIETRANGELO
Hello Sir! Thank you for all your nice words. You asked if we ever have any real private time for ourselves. I will be honest to you, not much…
But, that’s the job and therefore, when we go home (on vacation) we don’t do much, but see family and just relax. We can then spend a whole Sunday with just the newspapers around us (ALL of them, as John goes and gets them all and every single gossip magazine for me) and not talk for hours. It’s nice sometimes not to “have” to say anything. It might sound strange to you, but if you work on the ship you are always “on.”
Our time we spend together is when we go ashore in the ports and have a bite to eat or watch some of our favorite T.V. series. We both love 24 and The Sopranos and John absolutely loves The West Wing.
The real “us time” will have to wait until we get home… I like your slang term for going to bed by the way!
ESMEE K
What a shame Esmee to hear that you cancelled your cruise…..It would have been great to have met you after all those years. Remind us closer to the time of your group’s name and we will definitely “show them some love.” John and I will be on the Splendor next year, so maybe you can book a cruise for next year! I know some great places in Amsterdam…..will I be able to persuade you??? Keep reading the blog.
GLORIA
Our Cabin Steward is wonderful. He is from Indonesia and used to work in a hotel there that was run by a Dutch couple, so he speaks a bit of Dutch too. He definitely has his job cut out for him, with John leaving all his stuff laying around.
BONNIE AND PRINCE CHARLIE
Stephanie is sitting next to me at the moment and she had to explain “sitting here in Podunk,” but now I know what that means….learn something every day. I will arrange for grass seeds to be put on the stage the cruise before you get on, so you can watch grass grow while waiting for me to call your number. Deal?
VIKKI AND MAT TILL
Hello Vikki. I bet I will still be looking at my wedding photos as well in 17 years. It’s just such a nice memory. I am happy to share John with ya’ll!
CAROL SCHOENBERGER
Thank you for your nice words. It is busy, but we do it together, and as I say myself…we are a good team! John probably looked as if he was in shock at the wedding photo as the lady was reading out some things we had told her about the other. We both wrote a little something about one another and about our “witnesses.” In Holland you don’t have bridesmaids and a best man, etc. but you need two witnesses each to be able to get married. John had Alan and his dad and I had my brother Piet and my dad. We then had to write a little something about them all and the lady who married us read that out in Dutch and in English, which was quite emotional as you probably understand. We had left the Carnival Destiny by October 1997. I think we left in September of that year, so your Cruise Director would have been Greg Kneale. He is British as well, but no longer works for the company. Keep reading the blog thingy!
NANCY LIEDEL
Hello Nancy. My dad always told me, you can do anything you want, as long as you put your mind to it. Believe me, when I held a microphone in my hand for the first time with over a thousand people in the room, I had to really think hard of him telling me that and did the job. And every time you do something of which you thought that you never could, it makes you feel great and motivates to go on. Having John always telling me the same helps too, I supports me 200% in anything I do, which makes me a very lucky girl.
CARL HARMON
Hello Bear Friends. Talking about bears, did you ever get to see the baby polar bear called KNUT?? He was born in the Berlin Zoo. Now I have to attach a photo …….sorry, can’t resist…. He even made the front cover of Vanity Fair… Until we meet on the Spendor…keep reading the blog!


Born at the “Zoologischer Garten Berlin” on 5 December 2006  is a captive-born polar bear that was the subject of international popularity and controversy. After being rejected by his mother at birth, he was raised by zoo keepers and has since become a popular tourist attraction and commercial success.
LONGIN2CRUISE
Wow!
The Baltic Inaugural AND the 2^nd leg of the South America Cruise AND your favorite cabin. I always wonder which deck our guests prefer.
Close to the restaurant, close to the pool, close to the show lounge….
Can you tell me your cabin number and why you chose that one?
I am just interested. Thank you for reading my blog thingies.
ESSEXMAN
Thank you for your nice words Bill. The summer is dreadful in the UK, isn’t it? You might have been right, it might have been July or August when I did that walk when my ears almost fell of from the cold….
Luckily the floods don’t come down to Southend, let’s spare a thought for all the Brits without water and electricity or without their home at the moment.
BIG ED
Hello Mr. Big Ed. The ship’s launderette is at the aft of the ship on deck 8. (opposite cabin 8351) Your cabin is closer to the front on the port side, so you need to walk aft on the starboard side opposite cabin number………..
TERRI910
Hello Terri and Larry. If you stay on board in port there will be water in the pool:), the bars will be open, but the casino and the gifts shops will be closed. I am not sure what activities are being done on the ship as every ship has it’s own activity program, but I am sure you don’t have to be bored whilst on board in the port. Enjoy your cruise!
KATHY KROLL
Kathy and Paul, thank you for your lovely comments. It’s too funny that everyone has commented on the way John looks on that photo. Maybe I should have chosen another one. Congratulations on 35 years this December! We’ll celebrate 4 years this December…
TOM & JANE RACHFORD
Of course we will meet on the Bloggers Cruise. We’ll do all sorts of fun stuff and definitely get time to have a coffee!! See you in January.
PAUL ZATZ
Hello Paul. Yes, we have dominos on board along with all kinds of other games. We even have MAH JONG….  :)  :) (COULDN’T RESIST)
See you and your wife in October.

Well, that’s it for now from me. Another cruise has started and many bloggers are on board and brought us all kinds of treats which is very exciting. Thank you from me, for all your lovely words, presents, comments and for reading our stories….

Heidi