The Future
May 13, 2008
Aloha everyone,
I’m in las Vegas enjoying the last two weeks of my vacation before I return to the ship. I have some very important questions for you. I need to figure out a few things before I go back to the ship.
1. Would you like me to continue the blog about working on the cruise ship?
2. Would you like me to continue answering things on cruise critic and emails?
PLEASE leave a comment with your thoughts so I can decide what I should do.
Thanks,
James
Hi James! We love the blog and hope you decide to keep it. This would be a big blow to the online cruise community if you leave.
Would love to see you keep the blog and posts going. I can just imagine how difficult it must be attempting to keep up with your very busy job and entertain all of us at the same time. Whatever you choose, best of everything and thanks for all you have done so far.
James,
The blogs have been great and you have so much information to bring everyone about the sometimes complicated world of cruising..
I am 26 and will be sailing on my 14th cruise this July on the Dawn. I hope you decide to keep things going. You never know where it might take you..
Jaime-
Love what you do! Keep up the good work! I enjoy reading your blog and knowing that when you respond on Cruise Critic, it’s not speculation!
Absolutely, James. You are an asset both to the message board as well as through your blog.
1. yes
2. most definitely yes!
james we enjoy your blogs and your input on
cruise critic. keep doing your thing.take care
and keep on cruising.
I love starting my day by checking your blog. When there are new interesting or funny stories it just makes my day. With the time difference the updates are generally during the night for me. Every so often you throw me off by updating during my day. That means a late dinner for my family.
It also seems to me that you’ve made some friends who share your love of the industry such as the recent story you told of chatting with Chris I think the name was.
You were so helpful when I planned my trip on the Aloha, even though it wasn’t your ship.
I guess the question is how much happiness do get from doing this versus the cost? I do know I’ll miss it very much if you stop posting.
1. Would you like me to continue the blog about working on the cruise ship? *duh* Of course!!!
2. Would you like me to continue answering things on cruise critic and emails?
*see above answer*
please please please please continue doing what you do. I always look for your posts and updates, and even though I’ve never left a comment or responded before, I always enjoy your insight. I’m sure there are plenty of people on both sites who enjoy your blog/posts who like me, just don’t tend to post messages
James
What you do, you should keep doing it only because you love it.
It goes without saying that everyone here will respond with a big YES!.
Mate, if you want to keep entertaining us, we will be happy to keep visiting.
If you are finding it too hard or too expensive, I would understand if you stop posting so often.
That being said I totally agree w/ cruizinwithkids. I am always checkin to see whats new in your world and I would probably miss it if it wasn’t there !
Cheers
Leashy
hi james!!
you have to do what your heart tells you. i hope ncl gives you the opportunity to do both.
you need to travel and gives us the updates on all the ships and also the life of their cruise
personnel. each ship is alittle different. and your honesty and thoughts are very valuable to all of us trying to adventure out of our everyday lives. we need input on all the ships,adventures and life on each. good luck in all you do. its your life and we all support you.
I agree with everyone else. You are an asset to NCL. I enjoy reading your blog every day and also your responses to the Cruise Critic boards. I am sailing on the POAM on May 24 and hope to see you.
Keep up the good work!
I like your style, and hope you continue with your blog.
Even if you don’t, I’m sure NCL will find someone else to continue it. They would be foolish to let this resource evaporate.
Yes please, we love reading your blog and your comments. However I know it must be time consuming and expensive, so of course you have to weigh that up. However please be assured that I’m sure many others have your site , like me , in their “Favourites” and we check every day. Thank you for all the pleasure you have given us.
James. I enjoy your blog very much and hope that you will be able to continue posting about life at sea. Is there no way that NCL can assist you with the costs of the blog? I realize that yours is a personal blog but you also serve as a great spokesperson (albeit, unofficially) for NCL. Whatever you decide, I wish you good luck and happy sailing!
YES YE YES is all I cna say. You are such a marvel at talking cruiseship lingo getting people familiar with it. As a fellow Clevelander I am very rpoud of you & all you are doing to promote NCL. You give them more than any ad can do & they know it, so they spoiled you to keep you with them. That was quitesmart of them.
F3 will be the biggie next to POA in Hawaii. We may see you when we miss HI. Only 9 months since we sold Embassy Vacation Resort Oceanview on Maui so not long enough. If we do sail with you it will be February when the whale’s calves are over 2 months old & learning breaching, swimming at high speed, etc. That was a great hobby with the free whale watching trips we did from Pier 1 in Lahaina. I would talk whales in exchange.
Yes, of course, I’d like you to continue posting on your blog and answering questions on CC. Is there is a way we can help (maybe you can set up a PayPal account) to defray your expenses?
Hi james,
Your blog has been a valuable resource for me. I’m about to go on my first contract. I’m just waiting for a start date. Since I was offered the position I’ve been looking for info on what it is like to be a cruise ship crew member. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and it’s upped my confidence about going. So, keep it going and maybe in a few months you can read my blog and see how a different cruise company works‼ Cheers
James – another vote for continuing your blog. I had never considered NCL for a cruise before reading you blog and I would now. While I don’t read you very often on Cruise Critic (I usually hang out on the Princess boards) I look forward to your blog postings and find them enjoyable and informative.
Yes! Definetely keep the blog going! As a music performance major about to enter college, the cruise industry is one of my biggest interests and goals, and I look for any scrap of info on it I can find, your blog included!
James,
Please continue your blog and posting on cruise critic. Your website and your postings have been so helpful in planning our upcoming cruise. We will be sailing with you on May 31st and your comments were a big part of our decision to choose a Hawaiian cruise and your ship. Keep up the great work! There are many of us who really appreciate you!
Keep on blogging. I enjoy reading your everyday life onboard a cruise ship with ignorant passengers onboard to make fools of themselves. I also enjoy reading the places that you’ve been to and the sights that you see.
james
AS I SAID BEFORE TO YOU, YOU BLOW THEM ALL OUT OF THE WATER, YOU DO NCL A GREAT SERVICE!!!
AND WE ALL APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO FOR US. THANKS. YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO!!! IT ALL COMES EASY TO YOU.
Keep going James, everyone loves your blogs and I have personally taken 6 NCL cruises because of you. NCL has a tremendous asset and they should realize this before another cruise ship company garners your energy and offers you a position in management which you deserve. NCl should pay you handsomely for all the assistance that you have given fellow cruisers like myself. I know with me I booked direct and you acted my travel agent thereby saving NCL commissions.
Had it not been for you, I would have probably continued with Royal. Good Luck and set up a paypal account so if NCL doesn;t appreciate your loyality, we all can and you can get the renumeration that you deserve
PS I shall hope they are not sending you back to the buffet as you are too valuable
I would be sad if you chose not to blog, I do have you on my Favorites, and look forward everyday to seeing what you say. I hope you do!
I am a travel agent, and always find it interesting with the “behind the scenes” of cruiseship living!
Deb
Please continue to write both. I so look foward to reading what you have to say and can hardly wait for new stuff to appear. Maybe all of your fans should e-mail NCL and suggest a helping hand from them. After all, you are giving them FREE ADVERTISING….
James keep doing your thing. the info you provide is very helpful.
Hi James,
I would love to see you continue your blogging here and on cruise critic. I think if NCL takes a look at the incredible fanbase you have created they would be more than willing to encourage you to continue as well. Good luck in whatever decision you make. Go with your heart and best of luck to you!
Mark
James, I love your passion and enjoy reading/watching everything that you create, no matter the location. You are marked in my favorites folder and I look for you on CC. Follow your heart and know that many are cheering you on no matter what you choose. We just want the best for you, especially after everything you have given to us.
you just must!!!!
James~ I have very much enjoyed your blog. My vote is a yes on both of your questions. Keep up the good work! & Thanks for your time & efforts.
James, I know I would personally miss your blog. I probably would have cancelled my POAM cruise if you hadn’t been such a good example of what I can expect (especially since they pulled POH and POA) I was getting pretty nervous…now I have 2 weeks to go and am looking forward to meeting you in person.
I know the life of a cruise ship worker is really hectic, so I appreciate everything you’ve done. I know you will make the right decision for you!
PLEASE!!! Keep writing. We are anxiously waiting for our Nov 8 sail date, and hope to meet you sometime that week…
James,
Your blog is in my favorites. I truly enjoy reading about all of your adventures and appreciate the correct and up to date information that you share with all of us. I hope you will continue, but be sure to do what is best for you at this time. Thanks for all of your efforts!
James – you have shared yourself with us, and that’s the best any human being has to give. If the blog is too much, just do it once a week or every two weeks. My whole family will be on POA in June. Looking forward to seeing you.
I know writing a blog takes a LOT of work, particularly if you blog something everyday, and, unlike Carnival’s John Heald, don’t have a lot of support people to help you . . . plus I know that Internet from ship is expensive even with crew rates . . . but I think the concept is good. That being said, I think you could do a lot more with it . . .
Captain Albert’s HAL log gives some real insight into what a Captain actually does. I had no idea! I recently travelled as a “ship’s escort” on an 18 hour tour (!!!) and about 10 hours of it was on a train in the dining car with the other escort crew members, all regular crew. Wow! What an earful! It would make a neat TV show . . . who was sleeping with whom . . . crazy crew stories . . . crazy guest stories . . . Since you’re not a Captain or Cruise Director, maybe you have to be a little more cautious what you say about “the company”, but there is a lot else you could do . . .
Maybe some Interviews with other crew – canned questions like John uses, but you can throw in the Interviews when you don’t have time to blog.
Keep it up!
hi james
I think Mr. detrich has the right idea. Your whole concept would be a great reality T.V. show, NCL TODAY, we all have seen commericals
of different cruise lines, but a reality show would get better results. bring the whole cruise
adventure out into the open, some don’t know how
exciting it really is. this would be the edge for NCL. they need to get it out there. and your the guy to do it. happy travels(:
Hello James–I just stumbled upon your blog about 4 months ago and have enjoyed it SO much. I actually have never cruised but am booked on an Alaskan trip in June with NCL! So excited and reading your blog has helped me learn so much, and appreciate the job the crew do as well. My whole family has been blessed by your hard work, so THANK YOU.
That being said, for selfish purposes, I hope you do continue. However, if I think about you and what is best for you I am not sure what you should do! Your enthusiasm and commitment to the industry is obvious and commendable. You are a firecracker! I wish NCL would just make you a job in their higher offices, pay for your blog and the time you take to write it, and move you along in their company. You are obviously a tremendous asset to them and all the cruising community.
It seems the bottom line is what is best for you to spend your time on when considering the building of your career. Does NCL or other employers look for an advanced degree? I have no idea what cruise companies administrators are looking for when it comes to qualifications and promotability. Should you spend time and money on college courses?
Or, maybe you should write a book! Your “voice” is excellent and, with the proper editor, I think it would be tremendous! What about travel articles for a magazine? Wouldn’t it be cool if you could get paid for a regular feature in a travel publication?
Obviously, my thoughts are all over the place–just brainstorming. Your blog is WONDERFUL and your presence on Cruise Critic is WONDERFUL, but you are not on this earth just to take care of all of us trip planners, right? You have to plan what you want for your life’s goals, how to make a living, and (one day!) provide for a family (who will travel extensively I’m sure!). =) I respect your needs and pray you’ll have wisdom about what is best for you.
(((HUGS))) and thanks! I would love to come on your ship one day and meet you! I wish you MUCH SUCCESS whatever you decide. =)
James -
I’m new to your blog, and have really enjoyed reading about your trip to Europe. I’m especially looking forward to seeing more of the 2.0 menus!
I hope that if the blog proves too expensive (money & time), that you’ll still continue to post on CC!
Thanks – Lisa
I guess you can see that we all enjoy your blog and your information on cruise critic. Just do what makes you happy. We will be waiting and watching your future unfold.
James – your blog is fantastic. Every day I try to have a look on your blog. Please continue it!!! Greetz from Germany, Alex
Hi James,
It is your choice, although you do have a lot of fans !
You did promise to upload menus of the Jade cruise. We are going on the Jade on 30th May and would have loved to have seen them.
Good luck
Bob
James,
Absolutely you should continue the blog.
Keep ‘em coming if you can James,,,you have a lot more fans out here than you think!!
I’m new to your blog, and I know that doing it is a big time commitment. Your blog is both informative and entertaining. Please keep it going.