Super Shopper kicked off Elation last week???

[jimcald]

We were on Elation last week and at one point during the week the cruise director said that the Super Shopper (I think that is what this person was called) was asked to leave the ship in Cozumel and would not be replaced before Belize. It seems kind of drastic that a staff member (is that person a staff member???) would be kicked off the ship in the middle of the cruise like that and I was wondering if any one else might have heard why.

Just curious...

Jim...


Adventure of the Seas - Thanksgiving Cruise 2004
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;11;21;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500

Carnival Elation - Easter Cruise 2004
RCI Explorer of the Seas - Feb 2003
Carnival Inspiration - Feb 2002
NCL Seaward (AKA Norwegian Sea) - June 1992
USS Dale (CG-19) - 1990
USS Coontz (DDG-40) - 1988

[tef43]

I haven't heard about this. It should be a great story.

Agan, pure speculation, but I'd guess it would have to be some egregious violation of policy for them to toss him/her off the ship, but yet not *so* bad thay they didn't lock him/her up in the brig and hand over to authorities.

If it was the same guy who was the Super Shopper on the Paradise last October, then I wouldn't be surprised in the least. He was the quintessential sleazebag.

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

http://www.curlingzone.com/forums/images/imgcommentary_hackstone.jpg

http://sympatico.animfactory.com/animations/music/misc/bagpiper_piping_md_wht.gif

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[CruiseFever]

What mean "super shopper"?

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com)

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Carnival Victory 12/19/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[SUSANITA]

Never heard of a "super shopper" on any of my cruises. What the heck is it? I want to be a super shopper on a cruise ship, sounds like the perfect job!

Suep366394@aol.com
http://www.bigotis.com/Glory/woodstock-28.gif
NEXT UP~SENSATION 5/6/04!
MARINER~ 9/19! MIRACLE~FEB 13,2005!
http://www.bigotis.com/Sensation.gif
http://www.bigotis.com/royalsmallwide.gif
http://www.bigotis.com/Miracle.gif
http://community.webshots.com/user/upstatedon OUR CRUISE PICS!

[tef43]

Chris,

Back in the day, this was part of the CD's job, and on some ships still is (John Heald for example). Other ships have a separate individual to handle the port/shopping/excursion talks. Carnival calls this person the "Super Shopper."

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

http://www.curlingzone.com/forums/images/imgcommentary_hackstone.jpg

http://sympatico.animfactory.com/animations/music/misc/bagpiper_piping_md_wht.gif

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[tlmlb]

pretty easy to speculate on this....

It is obvious that the shopper did not kick enough $$ "up the line". They got greedy, simple as that.

[cruisingator2]

We had one on the Fantasy last year. Guy was a joke. Needless to say he did not draw large crowds at his port shopping shows that he held on board ship.

Gordon

http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator

NCL Starward-86, Starship Atlantic-91, Caribe-92, Seabreeze-93, Fantasy-93, Norway-94, Celebration-94, Sensation-95, Imagination-96, Destiny-97, Celebration-98, Triumph-99, Victory-00, Majesty of the Seas-01, Fascination-01, Carnival Pride-02, Majesty of the Seas-02, Carnival Legend-02, Fantasy 7-03, Glory 9-03, Fantasy 11-03, Triumph 3/04.

Navigator of the Seas 12/04/04
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;12;04;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500

[jimcald]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tomcat:
pretty easy to speculate on this....

It is obvious that the shopper did not kick enough $$ "up the line". They got greedy, simple as that.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yeah, but to kick them off in the middle of the cruise meant no potential income at all for the rest of the cruise. It would make more sense in that case to just have a replacement waiting in Galveston when the ship docks and have no gap in coverage. I would think that it would have had to be something more serious then that to get kicked off in the middle.

Jim...


Adventure of the Seas - Thanksgiving Cruise 2004
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;11;21;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500

Carnival Elation - Easter Cruise 2004
RCI Explorer of the Seas - Feb 2003
Carnival Inspiration - Feb 2002
NCL Seaward (AKA Norwegian Sea) - June 1992
USS Dale (CG-19) - 1990
USS Coontz (DDG-40) - 1988

[CruiseFever]

That's so odd, I never heard of that title before

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com)

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Carnival Victory 12/19/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[tef43]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jimcald:
...was asked to leave the ship in Cozumel and would not be replaced before Belize.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Belize was the next and final port before two sea days, and since there's not a fistful of shopping in Belize, the gap in coverage would have been minimal.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jimcald:
... but to kick them off in the middle of the cruise meant no potential income at all for the rest of the cruise<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
You saying that nobody bought anything in Belize? I doubt that. As sparse as the shopping is there, *somebody* will buy *something* at a "Recommended Store." Why do you think the shopkeepers ask you what ship you're on when they process the sale? To calculate the kickback, naturally.

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

http://www.curlingzone.com/forums/images/imgcommentary_hackstone.jpg

http://sympatico.animfactory.com/animations/music/misc/bagpiper_piping_md_wht.gif

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[jimcald]

I guess I misunderstood. My thinking was that if the super shopper was bring in ANY income it would be better then having no super shopper (thus no super shopper generated income). I am not really sure how that position works though so I may be way off base in my thinking (not too unusual my wife would say http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif ).

It all just seemed odd and since I love a good mystery I was hoping to find out the scoop http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Jim...


Adventure of the Seas - Thanksgiving Cruise 2004
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;11;21;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500

Carnival Elation - Easter Cruise 2004
RCI Explorer of the Seas - Feb 2003
Carnival Inspiration - Feb 2002
NCL Seaward (AKA Norwegian Sea) - June 1992
USS Dale (CG-19) - 1990
USS Coontz (DDG-40) - 1988

[tef43]

Jim,

One other thing to consider, by the time the ship reached Coz, the Super Shopper would have already done the port/shopping/excursion talk relating to Belize. So if you're going to get rid of him anyway, why keep him around any longer than necessary? "You're fired."

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

http://www.curlingzone.com/forums/images/imgcommentary_hackstone.jpg

http://sympatico.animfactory.com/animations/music/misc/bagpiper_piping_md_wht.gif

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[smith566]

I didn't hear why he got fired - though I did think it was pretty tacky of Carnival to announce it in public like that! I was very surprized that they announced it that way and that they even announced it all.

[Cotton]

I'm with Chris. I've never heard the term "super shopper" on any of my cruises. The CD does the shopping spiel before each port, but I don't go to them - at least not on my past three cruises.

But yeah, this sounds like a mystery! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[janetwilson]

Smith566, I agree. I thought it was strange that they announced it to the passengers. I was thinking that maybe he did something that affected some of the passengers and this was there way of saying "we took care of the problem". Just a thought...

Elation Easter Cruise
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;4;11;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600

[smith566]

Janetwilson -
Maybe you are right- though I believe that they could have worded it differently that what they did. I like your description better - "We took care of the problem!" That sounds more diplomatic in my opion!

[voyagerfl]

Never Heard of a Super Shopper either !
Look......Up In The Sky-Mall......It's A Bird....It's A Plane........It's SUPER SHOPPER !

However..Come-On-People !
Carnaival is not going to Put someone off the ship in Mid-Cruise, unless they have done something very bad.
I don't think they would normally fire people in mid cruise and leave them to find their own way home.

Was the Cruise Director Making a Joke? That sounds sorta like Cruise Director Humor....

Anyway.....if someone was asked to leave the ship....it would have to be for a pretty major violation...

The untold want, by life and land ne'er granted, Now, Voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find."

Caribe I 10/89 (aka Regal Empress)
Celebration 10/94
Britanis (Sank in 2000) 11/95
Inspiration 9/96
Regal Empress 4/97
Dolphin IV 11/97
Regal Empress 5/98
Celebration 9/98
Jubilee(Alaska) 9/99
Regal Empress 12/99
Imagination 10/00
Fantasy 12/00
Jubilee 10/01
Regal Empress 02/02
Norwegian Sea 10/02
Carnival Legend 11/02
Carnival Fasination 3/03
Carnival Triumph 11/15/03

[Catch Cormier]

I was on the Elation last week and heard the CD mention the words "asked to leave the ship". This took place prior to Cozumel I believe, and any replacement was temporary until landing in Galveston.

My wife and I were very surprised to hear such a thing mentioned publicly, or even expressed in those terms. I did some inquiries among a few crew members, but no one had details. However, one crew member told me that such a measure is usually reserved for extreme violations of ship policy, such as stealing, drug use, harrasment of guests.. well, you get the picture. This wasn't a case of someone doing a poor job.

Rock and roll is not dead; it sleeps waiting for the Chosen One.

[jimcald]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Catch Cormier:
I was on the Elation last week and heard the CD mention the words "asked to leave the ship". <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
That was the exact phrase I heard too. I was wondering if the fact they announced this in that way was to let some people know that the "problem" had been addressed. I was hoping to find someone who might have had any interaction with the Super Shopper and might be able to shed some light.

Jim...


Adventure of the Seas - Thanksgiving Cruise 2004
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;11;21;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500

Carnival Elation - Easter Cruise 2004
RCI Explorer of the Seas - Feb 2003
Carnival Inspiration - Feb 2002
NCL Seaward (AKA Norwegian Sea) - June 1992
USS Dale (CG-19) - 1990
USS Coontz (DDG-40) - 1988

[kristikae]

I think this will just remain one of those unexplained things. We know that Carnival isn't going to come here and tell us why they fired someone.

Also, don't believe everything you hear on the ship! When my friend died on the Conquest I spent a little time the next day wandering the ship (just needed to get out of the cabin). I heard several different groups of people discussing his death and the stories were no where near the truth. Their sources supposedly were "someone who was right there when it happened".

A saying I like is "Believe only half of what you see and none of what you hear".

Kristi - http://www.bigotis.com/Glory/Atom.gif (kristikae@aol.com)
"No shoes, no shirt, no problem..."
Fantasy 3/95, Fascination 12/01, Conquest 1/03, Glory 9/03, Conquest 1/04, Mariner 9/04, Miracle 2/05

[jimcald]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Host Kristi:
I think this will just remain one of those unexplained things. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I am afraid you are correct there. I just hate it when someone tears that last chapter out of the mystery novel though http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Jim...


Adventure of the Seas - Thanksgiving Cruise 2004
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;11;21;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500

Carnival Elation - Easter Cruise 2004
RCI Explorer of the Seas - Feb 2003
Carnival Inspiration - Feb 2002
NCL Seaward (AKA Norwegian Sea) - June 1992
USS Dale (CG-19) - 1990
USS Coontz (DDG-40) - 1988

[cruisemom2]

We've had "super shoppers" on at least two or three of our cruises. We had Super Shopper Donna on the Victory, and we had a man on one of the cruises. He was annoying as heck.

Beth
~~~~~~~~~~~

Countdown to Glory
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;05;22;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500

Emerald Seas 6/86
Emerald Seas 11/87
S.S. Royale 10/88
Celebration 6/97
Grandeur of the Seas 6/98
Sensation 6/99
Carnival Triumph 6/00
Carnival Triumph 11/17/01
Enchantment of the Seas 10/27/02
Carnival Victory 5/25/03
Carnival Glory 5/22/04

[pmc7704]

Beth, I know what you mean. So was ours on the Inspiration last year. We got so tired of her " WHA HOOOOO"

Pat

Caribe - too far back to remember
Holiday - July 1988
Princess Dawn - May 1995
Tropicale - June 2000
Sensation - June 2001
Grand Princess - July 2002
Inspiration - Oct 2003

'til the PRIDE
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;05;09;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800

Til The Partae Pirates Sail From Tampa
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;02;13;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600
http://hometown.aol.com/build17/myhomepage/partaepiratessmallsmall.gif?mtbrand=AOL_US

[Disneycruiser#1]

we had one on the Inspiration last July. I remember seeing info about it and on announcements.

[dosi]

We had a super shopper on our Paradise cruise, and it was probably the same one that Tom had. He (the super shopper, not Tom) had to be the most annoying person I have ever encountered. If the super shopper was in fact kicked off the Elation it might not be because he did something wrong....Maybe they just couldn't stand him any more.

doris

"I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine"--Caskie Stinnett

Elation 10/20/02
Paradise 9/21/03
Star Princess 10/24/04

[tef43]

dosi, would that be ...... "Diamond Dave" ?

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

http://www.curlingzone.com/forums/images/imgcommentary_hackstone.jpg

http://sympatico.animfactory.com/animations/music/misc/bagpiper_piping_md_wht.gif

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[dosi]

Oh Lordie yes Tom...Diamond Dave....the slickest thing since Teflon. Just thinking about him now makes my skin crawl. He was about the creepiest person I have ever seen that was employed to deal with the public.

doris

"I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine"--Caskie Stinnett

Elation 10/20/02
Paradise 9/21/03
Star Princess 10/24/04

[tlmlb]

These guys do "business" in a "different" way. Many palms are greased and demands made. My guess a little to much shakedown on the merchants and not enough kicked up the line to keep the others happy and quiet. Corrupt but its the way business gets done.

Unfortunately, its usually the lowest level soldier (the super shopper) that gets fired, their actions are most easily verified with the merchants and investigated. People up the line just pocket the $$ and say "you mean so and so was making some on the side? Well, I never"

[JudyKa]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dosi:
Oh Lordie yes Tom...Diamond Dave....the slickest thing since Teflon. Just thinking about him now makes my skin crawl. He was about the creepiest person I have ever seen that was employed to deal with the public.

doris

My first cruise is coming up 6/6. I sure as he# hope that no one of that sort is going to be on the Conquest. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif That's why I want to go on a cruise....to get away from such creeps...the type that get around your no-call set-up trying to sell you the proverbial ocean-front property in Arizona.

The hard-sell is a major turn-off to me....really any kind of "sell". True, I know there are alot of people out there that do the "hard sell" thing for a genuine living; but that doesn't stop me from being totally irritated with them when they approach me.

=o) Judy (o=

[dosi]

Every time Diamond Dave smiled I expected to see a superimposed twinkle radiate from his teeth. I was always surprised that so many folks thought he was actually helping them out just to be nice. YUCK!!!

doris

"I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine"--Caskie Stinnett

Elation 10/20/02
Paradise 9/21/03
Star Princess 10/24/04

[MikeNDebbi]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tef43:
dosi, would that be ...... "Diamond Dave" ?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Tom,

We had Diamond Dave too. He seemed like a nice guy when we sat next to he and his shipboard g/f on the tender to the Caymans. I was disappointed though that on his Belize shopping info spiel (caught it on TV in the cabin one evening), he was essentially telling ppl that they could get virtually any pharmaceutical they wanted "and you don't have to worry about a prescription." I thought that was a poor thing for a Carnival rep to be promoting.

My $.02

Carnival Paradise 09/2003 and 09/2002

[jemingway]

We had a female Super Shopper on the Imagination earlier this month. She was actually helpful at directing us to a store where my son could find a Fossil watch.

JV

[Salty Dawg]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>he was essentially telling ppl that they could get virtually any pharmaceutical they wanted "and you don't have to worry about a prescription... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Maybe the Super Shopper took his own sales pitch to heart & that is why he was "asked" to leave the ship!

[GinaDucey]

Tom - how ya doing! This is so bad - I do not even remember our Super Shopper - I kinda remember the talk but I cannot remember the guy to save my life - boy he must have made a great impression on me. Oh wait a minute - Just looked at the above post - Diamond Dave thats right! Oh I agree with your opinion of him. Kinda worthless.

Carnival
Fantasy 11/91, Ecstasy 1/98, Fascination 11/99, Paradise 2/00, Imagination 4/02, Ecstasy 5/03, Paradise 10/03

Royal Caribbean
Sovereign of the Seas 4/04

[CanTex]

It was "Super Shopper Eddie" on the Elation a few weeks back, so I suspect that's who got booted off the ship. IMHO, GOOD RIDDANCE. He was incredibly annoying and I was always left with the impression he was getting a lot of kickbacks from "Tourist Trap International" (you know the places I mean) from all the hype he kept ranting on about them.

[JJS2K3]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I thought that was a poor thing for a Carnival rep to be promoting.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

On the face of it I'd agree with you but if you were paying hundreds of dollars a month for prescriptions you might see that issue a little differently. Perspective is everything.

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;09;12;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600
Elation!

[almitra]

I am surprised. I believe (and I could be wrong, of course...hell, wouldn't be the first time), but I thought all of Carnival's fleet had super shoppers. Here's why--I have only ever been on two cruises that didn't have one, and both of those were back in 1979. Every single ship I've been on since has, Carnival or RCCL. Could it be that you just never really noticed? And yes, Eddie was the person onboard Elation who did this job during our cruise ......


Militant Breastfeeding & Homebirth Proponent-Sandra Carmichael

Mardi Gras 6/79
Mardi Gras 6/79
(back to back cruises)
Celebration 8/02
Splendour of the Seas 3/03
Jubilee 7/03
Conquest 1/04
Celebration 1/04
Elation 2/04
Elation *coming again* 1/05

[Cotton]

Hmmm. I started thinking about this again, and on my earlier cruises, the Cruise Director did all the 'shopping talks'.

In 2001, the CD (Dave Hee-Ha-Ha) did the shopping talk. I didn't even go to the talk in 2002, but this past September, I passed by the lounge where the Cruise Director was making the talk.

I have looked through my set of Capers from my September cruise, and there's NOTHING mentioned in there about a "super shopper", and I'm pretty sure I never heard any announcements about one.

SO, maybe on the smaller ships, they don't even have a 'super shopper'. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[tef43]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Cotton:
SO, maybe on the smaller ships, they don't even have a 'super shopper'. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
The Paradise (Fantasy-class) had a super shopper, the Triumph (Destiny-class) did not (John Heald did all the port talks).

Back in the day, the CD *always* performed this task.

Perhaps it speaks to the ability/competence of the CD, whether there is a super shopper on board or not?

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

http://www.curlingzone.com/forums/images/imgcommentary_hackstone.jpg

http://sympatico.animfactory.com/animations/music/misc/bagpiper_piping_md_wht.gif

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[janey829]

I was on Victory in April 2001 and we didn't have a super shopper. Our CD, Corey Schmidt did all the shopping talks.

By the way, Corey was great! Anyone know if he's still with Carnival, or what ship he's on?

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;5;9;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500 <center>
<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">
http://escati.linkopp.net/logos/time98.gif</center>
&nbsp;

[CruisinTXGal]

Yes, it was Eddie on our cruise, too. How odd. I remember in one of his talks (watched them while we were in the cabin getting ready, changing for dinner, etc.) hearing him say he'd been a super shopper with Carnival for years. Wonder what happened......

http://img48.photobucket.com/albums/v148/unfettered_001/sig%20pics/cruiselydiaA.gif

Elation, here we come again! 10/17/04
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;10;17;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600

Elation 3/28/04

[Brneyznfl]

I attend the shopping talk on my first cruise then I got wise..never again http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

http://www.bigotis.com/Glory/Atom.gif (BrneyznFL@aol.com)

http://www.bigotis.com/Sensation.gif
Next Cruises! SENSATION 5/6/04 then MIRACLE 2/13/05!

Triumph, Inspiration, Holiday, Explorer of the Seas, Granduer of the Seas, Glory Hounds I, Conquestadors

[kristikae]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> By the way, Corey was great! Anyone know if he's still with Carnival, or what ship he's on? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Corey is no longer with Carnival. He is working on a new show that he is headlining in Lake Tahoe. The show is called "The Corey Schmidt Experience" and will start up in August.

Kristi - http://www.bigotis.com/Glory/Atom.gif (kristikae@aol.com)
"No shoes, no shirt, no problem..."
Fantasy 3/95, Fascination 12/01, Conquest 1/03, Glory 9/03, Conquest 1/04, Mariner 9/04, Miracle 2/05

[CementShoes]

Arrrrr, matey, it's time for ye old super shopper to walk the plank. Wouldn't that have been a spectacular sight for passengers.

[cubsr#1]

The infamous super shopper...I was livid with super shopper Jeff on a cruise 2 years ago on the Paradise...He gave misinformation consistently. Over the speakers he'd announce the times shops were open while in port. Sillly me, assumed he knew what he was talking about, In St Thomas he said shops were open at 7am so we made our plans to shop first then hit the beach...well imagine our suprise when we got up at the crack of dawn show up with credit cards in hand at 7am to learn no shops were open and the earliest any would be open ould be 8:30 - turned out that none opened until 9am wasting 2 hours of our port time.

In Barbados there was a large shopping complex right at the dock - we were told all sjops would be open until the ship left (10PM) so again giving super shoper Jeff the benefit of a coube (everyone can make a mistake once) we went to the submarine and then went to Muins beach thinking we'll do our shoping when the sun goes down...again, we were wrong. When we got back to the dock - all shops were closed or in the process of closing at 5PM.

There were many more examples of his misinformatiobut the more I type, the angrier I get remembering!

On the Spirit this past September to Hawaii our super shopper (can't remember her name) told us how happy she was to be on her way with us to Hawaii as they'd been in Alaska all season...she told us all about Alaska, but almost nothing about Hawaii - she had no slides etc to show, because she had been in Alaska (I'm guessing she only found out about the ship making a run to Hawaii the night before how else to explain that she didn't have info ready to go for Hawaii?) - Then again I knew when the ship was going to Hawaii as I booked it nearly a year out!

On the same cruise - someone forgot to tell the people in the gift shops that the ship was going to Hawaii too...they were either completely empty with nothing to sell, spare fixtures laying on the floor, and of what was available to purchase the entire choice of merchandise was..you guessed it, was all Alaska stuff.

Don't misunderstand, I'm not a Carnival basher - I love them and am booked on the Legend in February - but Carnival come on and hear this loud and clear get rid of the super shopper and be sure the info we do hear is accurate! I would love to hear info like - are Taxis' available at pier, how long it takes to get to different beaches etc - I think it's sad that based on past expereince most learn to take most of what we hear with a grain of salt.
OK I feel better now!

[cubsr#1]

The infamous super shopper...I was livid with super shopper Jeff on a cruise 2 years ago on the Paradise...He gave misinformation consistently. Over the speakers he'd announce the times shops were open while in port. Sillly me, assumed he knew what he was talking about, In St Thomas he said shops were open at 7am so we made our plans to shop first then hit the beach...well imagine our suprise when we got up at the crack of dawn show up with credit cards in hand at 7am to learn no shops were open and the earliest any would be open would be 8:30 - turned out that none opened until 9am wasting 2 hours of our port time.

In Barbados there was a large shopping complex right at the dock - we were told all shops would be open until the ship left (10PM) so again giving super shopper Jeff the benefit of a doubt (everyone can make a mistake once) we went to the submarine and then went to Mullins beach thinking we'll do our shopping when the sun goes down...again, we were wrong. When we got back to the dock - all shops were closed or in the process of closing at 5PM.

There were many more examples of his misinformation but the more I type, the angrier I get remembering!

On the Spirit this past September to Hawaii our super shopper (can't remember her name) told us how happy she was to be on her way with us to Hawaii as they'd been in Alaska all season...she told us all about Alaska, but almost nothing about Hawaii - she had no slides etc to show, because she had been in Alaska (I'm guessing she only found out about the ship making a run to Hawaii the night before how else to explain that she didn't have info ready to go for Hawaii?) - Then again I knew when the ship was going to Hawaii as I booked it nearly a year out!

On the same cruise - someone forgot to tell the people in the gift shops that the ship was going to Hawaii too...they were either completely empty with nothing to sell, spare fixtures laying on the floor, and of what was available to purchase the entire choice of merchandise was..you guessed it, was all Alaska stuff.

Don't misunderstand, I'm not a Carnival basher - I love them and am booked on the Legend in February - but Carnival come on and hear this loud and clear get rid of the super shopper and be sure the info we do hear is accurate! I would love to hear info like - are Taxis' available at pier, how long it takes to get to different beaches etc - I think it's sad that based on past expereince most learn to take most of what we hear with a grain of salt.
OK I feel better now!

[cubsr#1]

So sorry about the double post - saw all my spelling mistakes on 1st post and thought I could edit! How embarressing!

[pmc7704]

I completely agree !! I'm tired of hearing where to buy my diamonds and emeralds, http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif lol, and just want to know how to get to the shopping and beaches, where should I eat, what is the price of the taxi, and all that kind of info. Maybe than I'd give the Super Shopper some attention

Pat

Caribe - too far back to remember
Holiday - July 1988
Princess Dawn - May 1995
Tropicale - June 2000
Sensation - June 2001
Grand Princess - July 2002
Inspiration - Oct 2003

'til the PRIDE
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;05;09;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800

Til The Partae Pirates Sail From Tampa
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;02;13;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600
http://hometown.aol.com/build17/myhomepage/partaepiratessmallsmall.gif?mtbrand=AOL_US

[Catrin]

We had a SuperShopper on Last year's TRIUMPH Cruise with Michael Mullane as the CD.

His name was Richard.... and of cource told us to go to "touch of gold" etc.

My thought.. is that the CD was only there for a few weeks... covering John Heald's vacation... and that he was not as familiar with the Western Itinerary.. and that this SUper Shopper was more educated and could fill in this area for him.

Cathy

http://w1.511.telia.com/~u51102888/anims/animal2/dolphin.gif
Ecstacy October 1992
Destiny October 1999
TRIUMPH May2003


Our TRIUMPHant Return! May 15th
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;05;15;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500
http://community.webshots.com/user/catrin0917

[basketsiam]

We had a Super Shopper on the Victory in November who was absolutely wonderful when it came to giving information. Unfortunately, I can't remember his name. This past March we were on the Triumph with CD John Heald and no Super Shopper. I truthfully feel that it put too much on John to do port shopping talks in addition to his CD duties. The Super Shopper on the Victory was certainly more focused on shopping than John was. He did shopping talks that were quite funny, and he gave out lots of prizes as well. I was actually disappointed in John's shopping talks in comparison....

http://members.lycos.nl/Radio2fans/ex/darla.gif

http://skins.hotbar.com/skins/mailskins/img/Sea___/Sea___related_Party_in_canoe_prv.gif
Proud member O.A.T.C.
Fantasy 4/94
Sensation 3/99
Fascination 12/99
Imagination 6/2001
Glory 8/2003
Victory 11/2003
New Year's Ecstasy 12/29/03
Triumph 3/2004

[travel girl23]

When we were on the Elation last November, a lady did the shopping talk and I can't remember her name - maybe Christie? I have it at home. Anyway, she had a little stand on the Promenade or Verandah deck where she gave out coupons to the different shops in port. She was okay and, of course, talked up all the shops that Carnival uses in the different ports. I guess she was replaced by someone else later on. Most of those talks are pretty much the same. We've heard the Cozumel talk 4 times now and they're all the same. Sit up close to catch the "throw outs".

Celebration - 9/99
Inspiration - 12/00
Jubilee - 10/02
Elation - 11/03

[janetwilson]

We did not go to the super shopper talk but saw enough times on the closed circuit television. Amongst the Diamonds International and other tanzanite pushers, I was surprised to hear him mention one of my favorite shops in Cozumel - Kiss My Cactus. If you're going to do any shopping in Cozumel, go to this store. They have a tequila bar w/free samples and a great pearl boutique inside the shop w/GREAT (and I'm cheap) prices on pearl neclaces and other things.

I guess we'll never know what happened to the super shopper!

Elation - April 11, 2004
Jubilee - May 2003