Within the cruise world, Carnival Model Ambassador John Heald is about as near being an A-list celeb as you may come.
Heald has labored for Carnival since 1989 – rising up the ranks to grow to be a senior cruise director within the early 2000s.
He then shot to sea-side stardome with the creation of his Carnival weblog in 2007 and thru his busy Fb web page – which has 595K followers as of the time of this publication.
Heald and his colleague, Jacinta, reply tons of of questions for cruisers every day and spend hours just about interacting along with his followers – often addressing inquiries relating to future sailings or complaints from previous cruises.
However this week, considered one of Heald’s followers had a novel request regarding the cruise character himself.
This cruiser, named Brian, echoed the will of many in his dream of assembly Heald in particular person at some point – however was prepared to accept a special sort of picture alternative if his hope by no means got here to cross.
“Can we ask Carnival to place life dimension cutouts of you on the ships for these passengers that by no means get the prospect to sail with you and need that picture op?”, Brian requested.
Whereas Heald was flattered, he didn’t appear to assume that these picture alternatives had been within the playing cards.
“Thanks, Brian, that’s very very humbling. I do have a sense if we had been to do that that folks would ask who’s that fats sod,” Heald replied, poking enjoyable at himself.
He then went on to joke that in the event that they made the cutouts, they may very well be hidden across the ship in surprising locations for passengers to seek out – kind of like the favored cruising geese sport.
“Maybe we must always put it in locations that folks would by no means look forward to finding me, just like the health club or by the salad or at a Cruise Critic meet and greet,” Heald quipped.
However for now, cruise company must accept hoping they get fortunate sufficient to satisfy Heald and for picture alternatives with Carnival’s mascots, such because the not too long ago launched Ducky the Duck and Ellie the (Towel Animal) Elephant.
Heald’s Followers Present Their Love
Amongst those that doubtless is not going to get the prospect to satisfy Heald within the flesh, the cardboard cutout picture alternative was really a well-liked concept – leading to a cheerful combination of pleasure and laughter within the feedback part of the submit.
“I’d love this and want an image for certain. Plus, they might transfer it across the ship for John’s particular occasions or John’s meals suggestions. Both means, would positively be enjoyable,” one particular person wrote.
“That may be hilarious! Make it a scavenger hunt. One life-size model however fifty John heads across the ship spying on us. Make it a sport to seek out all of them,” one other follower advised.
Learn Additionally: Carnival Cruise Gratuities: How A lot and Why?
That stated, Carnival’s model ambassador does embark on a number of sailings per yr, the place he welcomes the interactions with the opposite company. He usually broadcasts his upcoming cruises on Fb after which updates his followers on his crusing as soon as onboard.
He additionally hosts an annual “Cruise with John – For Enjoyable’s Sake” crusing annually on a Carnival cruise ship – with the seventh crusing arising quickly on February 16, 2025, onboard Carnival Magic.
The 6-night Japanese Caribbean itinerary, which might be primarily based out of Miami, Florida, will characteristic calls on RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Carnival’s personal island vacation spot within the Bahamas; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos.
These particular sailings usually promote out shortly. For instance, Carnival Magic has a capability for 3,690 company at double occupancy, whereas Heald has tons of of hundreds of followers.
Some even costume for the event! Most famously, Neil Russo earned his personal quarter-hour of fame for carrying a customized shirt lined in a number of photos of Heald’s face to embark on the 2022 “For Enjoyable’s Sake” cruise hosted onboard Mardi Gras.