Sometimes you get to witness something extraordinary – today was my lucky day. I was fortunate enough to watch loyal followers of John Heald and his blog throw a party in his honor. The 70-plus member group is known as “Big Ed’s Evil Crewe” and boy did they make the normally loquacious Heald speechless. The celebration was part baby shower (Heald and his wife Heidi are expecting their first child in May) and overall appreciation of John.

The group showered John with speeches of genuine affection and gifts that ranged from hilarious (thong and bobble head statue) to truly amazing – a custom-made quilt with photos of the “crewe” lovingly sewn amongst photos of John and Heidi along with patches with joke sayings. Needless to say, things became a bit emotional and some tears were shed – I among them. It’s clear that John means a lot to all these terrific people.

But what transpired afterwards showed the feeling was mutual. John relayed some surprising news – he had given his notice to Carnival two years ago. He had decided to quit after twenty years at sea. John says he and Heidi hit a “rough patch” and decided it would be best to live a “normal” life on land. “Living on a ship is not the real world,” said Heald. The decision came after a particularly hectic year of launching numerous new ships for Carnival. “I was burned out.” After he gave his notice Carnival approached him about doing a blog. An intrigued Heald thought it would be a bit of fun before leaving the high seas. He was unprepared for what happened.

“Two years later who would have thought of this.” He was referring to the blog’s popularity and bloggers’ cruises. In doing the blog Heald discovered a whole new way to be creative. “The blog gave me a new lease on life.” He discovered he didn’t want to stop being a cruise director and decided to stay onboard with Carnival.

(click photos to view larger images)

It’s a sea day and I am at the Bistro café on Fantasy’s Promenade Deck sipping a café mocha and chatting with Ray from Texas. Ray is a rancher and loves to cruise; in fact, this cruise is his 49th with Carnival and he’s staying aboard for the next sailing – which will make it 50 voyages onboard the “Fun Ships”. He cruises so much that his barber is in Cozumel!  He’s an avid reader of John Heald’s blog, and he has his own blog about cruises. He started the blog because he had so many notes and information about his cruises. It’s a must read if you cruise the “Texaribbean” – visit Snoozeman’s Cruise Blog.

One thing I learned today – never, ever miss a John Heald Blogger Cruise event. You would think writing a blog entry would be good excuse for missing last night’s cocktail party. But, noooooo. I am now officially the butt of many ‘late’ jokes from John. I’ve been warned the mocking will continue for the duration of the cruise. I’ll get him back, though, so watch out.

John had a Q & A session in the lounge this morning that turned out to be very informative. Carnival recently brought in a marketing expert from Starwood Hotels that was in charge of their award-winning loyalty program. Now Carnival is making changes to their loyalty program. Past passengers that have cruised 2-9 times are “Gold” cruisers and receive pins and an onboard cocktail party. Passengers that have cruised 10-plus voyages are called “Platinum” and receive perks like VIP Lounge check-in, VIP line at the Purser’s Desk, logo gifts, free laundry service, personalized stationary, evening canapés delivered to stateroom, guaranteed dining times, priority tender boarding, free entry to the blackjack tournament and priority embarkation and disembarkation. There will be a level above Platinum that has yet to be named. “Maybe we’ll have a black card like American Express,” he said. Changes like new gifts and dinner with the captain will be added. There are hundreds of platinum cruisers onboard and they were very excited by the changes.

Heald also told the audience that Carnival may return to Europe for the 2010 season and that the decision would be made prior to the end of the cruise on Thursday. Stay tuned for more news from John Heald’s Bloggers Cruise.

After a long day of flying it was a relief to land in New Orleans. It didn’t hurt that the transition from airport to ship was hilarious. Bus driver and self-professed captain/cook/bartender Joey made the ride to the ship a laugh fest with his mother-in-law jokes and his contagious motto: “It’s all good!” Indeed it is as we get ready to embark the Carnival Fantasy for John Heald’s Bloggers’ Cruise.

After a painless embarkation process it was off to tour the improved Fantasy. I’ll sum it up in one word –impressive. It has been two years since I’ve been on one of Carnival’s Fantasy-class vessels and I have to say what a difference a makeover makes.

When the Fantasy was launched in 1990, it was the first of Carnival’s ‘Superliner’ ships, followed by the Ecstasy, Sensation, Fascination, Imagination, Inspiration, Elation and Paradise. Then, as now, the flashy interior delights guests. But today’s Fantasy is not the 1990 version.

As part of Carnival’s $250 million “Evolutions of Fun” ship refurbishment program the Fantasy now has a new expansive aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long water slide, an exclusive adults-only area, and a totally redesigned “resort-style” main pool. The result is nothing short of stunning.

I’ve only been on a few hours and can tell the passengers are eating it up. Speaking of eating it up it’s amazing that Carnival offers some of the best food of any cruise line. How does this mainstream cruise line do it? How do they offer first-rate cuisine at a budget price? Stay tuned in an upcoming blog.

Off to dinner and a show!

Today Carnival Cruise Lines popular senior cruise director, John Heald and 100 of his faithful bloggers are helping to beautify New Orleans. The group is volunteering with the city’s Beacon of Hope Resource Center to clear debris and plant trees, along with helping to spruce up a neighborhood in New Orleans that sustained significant damage from Hurricane Katrina. “We look forward to working with the Beacon of Hope Resource Center in helping to beautify this magnificent city,” Heald said.

After the cleanup the group will board the newly refurbished Carnival Fantasy tomorrow for Heald’s 2009 Bloggers’ Cruise. ExpertCruiser will be blogging onboard the Fantasy throughout the 5-day voyage. Stay tuned…