New Updates on the Carnival Splendor disaster / PT 1

This is a breaking news bulletin!

We have just gotten reports of communications comming from the ship from passengers as cell phone service is coming back as the ship approaches it's destination.

We have also learned that John Heald Carnival Cruise lines senior cruise director is aboard the Splendor right now as we speak.

Here's his update from his blog:

Here I Am

Posted on November 10, 2010 by John Heald

I don’t smell of roses at the best of times but as the laundry is not working and I only have two pairs of underpants I smell like Paris on a hot summer’s day………that’s Paris the city not Paris the …….person.
So here I am with a very quick hello. I am so sorry that I have not been blogging or Facebooking but we have had no internet and only now just got limited e-mail which an I/S beard has let me borrow for a few moments to say hello. Obviously it has been a challenge but let me tell you the most important facts and those are that the ship is safe, the guests are safe and that nobody was injured in what was a very difficult situation. I also want to tell you that the guests have been magnificent and have risen to the obvious challenges and difficult conditions onboard.

I am making continuous announcements from the bridge to keep them informed and sometimes when there is nothing new to tell them I just use the PA system to say hello and hope everyone is OK and try to keep some humour (spelt correctly) alive as well, which to be honest, I have no idea how that’s going over.
I have to say that the crew has been absolutely epic and I am so very proud of each and every one of them. There have been high points and low points throughout the last few days and I will tell you all about those in the days ahead. But for now the most important thing for you and the world’s press to remember is that everyone is safe and well and we will all be home soon.
There will be those who will say this has been “the cruise from hell.” However, when you see the local news reporter with the huge hair talking to Mr. Angry remember that there are many many many many more who will tell you what they have been telling me and the crew and that is that Carnival as a company have done everything they can and continue to do so to help them through this difficult situation.
One thing is for certain though……I doubt anyone onboard will ever ever want to eat a sandwich ever again.
Thanks for all your kind words and thoughts and I will write more soon.
Goodnight
Your friend
John



There you have it ,
the famous John Heald Live! from aboard the Carniva Splendor amidst what  the company declares
the worse disaster in the history of Carnival cruise lines 30+ year history.


Here are more testimonials from passengers as reports flow in.

Voices of passengers aboard Carnival Splendor

November 11, 2010 |  7:05 am

It will still be several hours before passengers aboard the Carnival Splendor ship arrives in San Diego and can get their feet on solid ground. But some stories are already emerging from cellphone and e-mail dispatches from some passengers aboard the stranded ship:
A lot of people that are in the inside cabins, it's been pitch black for several days and most of those folks have been up on the decks and a lot of them have been sleeping on the decks with their blankets and so on.... You know it gets cold, like during the night it's been pretty cold so the rooms get cold, so we've got a lot of extra blankets. It's been quite an ordeal, I have to tell you."
-- Passenger Gordon Gilbreath (to ABC News).
I have to say that the crew has been absolutely epic and I am so very proud of each and every one of them. There have been high points and low points throughout the last few days and I will tell you all about those in the days ahead. But for now the most important thing for you and the world’s press to remember is that everyone is safe and well and we will all be home soon.
There will be those who will say this has been “the cruise from hell.” However, when you see the local news reporter with the huge hair talking to Mr. Angry remember that there are many many many many more who will tell you what they have been telling me and the crew and that is that Carnival as a company have done everything they can and continue to do so to help them through this difficult situation.
One thing is for certain though ... I doubt anyone onboard will ever ever want to eat a sandwich ever again.

-- John Heald, Senior Cruise Director (on his blog).
"People getting upset by the toilet situation. They couldn't flush, and there's quite a big smell issue on the ship."

-- Passenger Danny Cole (to CBS News)
"It's nothing like anyone expected. You stand in line for two hours just to get your food because everybody goes to the same place to pick up their food. Then once you get your food, you look for something to do. People are playing cards. People are standing around, just kind of talking. They're getting to socialize."