The blog of Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald (www.johnhealdsblog.com) has hit a new milestone, topping the 7 million visitor mark for the first time.

Launched in March 2007 in conjunction with the debut of the Carnival Freedom, Heald’s blog has grown to become cruising’s most popular blog.  Many readers check in daily to read his humorous take on shipboard life, interviews with cruise industry personnel, and other fun features.

Heald is currently on the West Coast, serving as senior cruise director on the Carnival Splendor reporting on the ship’s week-long Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif.

The blog’s popularity has even spawned the John Heald Bloggers Cruise which offers his fans an opportunity to sail with Heald and participate in a variety of fun on-board activities.  The fourth installment of the series will take place on the Carnival Glory in February 2011.

Carnival Cruise Lines and Razorfish today announced the launch of a groundbreaking new social commerce Facebook application that allows users to easily view, compare, select and share Carnival cruises with their Facebook friends. The application, the first of its kind in the cruise industry, allows users to engage their social network in their vacation planning through personalized newsfeed updates and even invite friends to book the same trip. Read the full story

Carnival Cruise Lines has expanded its guest service options with a new Twitter profile that is specifically assigned to cruise-related questions or pre- or post-cruise comments from guests sailing aboard the “Fun Ships.”

Through the new Twitter profile (www.twitter.com/CCLsupport), consumers can submit questions regarding any aspect of “Fun Ship” cruising or post a query, comment or concern, either prior to or following their voyage.  Carnival’s guest service personnel monitor and respond to posts.

The new service-focused Twitter profile complements the line’s existing Twitter profile (www.twitter.com/carnivalcruise), which offers a variety of news and information on the happenings at Carnival.

Carnival’s newly selected mommy- and daddy-blogging ambassadors have started typing away about their “Fun Ship” cruises.

Read as these first-time cruisers share their excitement with readers about their trips through witty and engaging posts on their various web sites. Read the full story

The 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy served as the venue for a reception and luncheon hosted by Cruise Lines International Association/Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation and the South Carolina State Ports Authority.  More than 80 local business and community leaders attended this event, which was held aboard the Carnival Fantasy while it was docked in its new year-round homeport of Charleston, S.C. 

During the festivities, the Cruise Lines International Association/Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation presented a check for $7,500 to the South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation.  Pictured here are (from left):  Cynthia Colenda, executive director – Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation; Teddy Turner, chairman of the board of directors – South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation; Sarah Piwinski, chief operating officer and chief financial officer – South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation; Tom Dow, vice president of public affairs – Carnival Corporation & plc; and Terry Dale, president and CEO – Cruise Lines International Association.

The Cruise Lines International Association/Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation also presented $7,500 donations to The Lowcountry Food Bank and Communities in Schools, both of which are based in South Carolina.

With the band warmed up, amps cranked, spotlight set and the adoring crowd ready to explode, Carnival guests will take the stage, grab the mic and live out their music-star daydreams on the open seas.  Introducing Superstar Live Karaoke, Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest entertainment feature puts guests into the act, fronting a live band and performing their favorite songs to a packed house. Read the full story