Journalists sailing on the John Heald Bloggers Cruise aboard the Carnival Fantasy hosted a question-and-answer session for more than 150 Bloggers Cruise participants. 

            The panel was comprised of eight journalists, including:  Anita Dunham-Potter of MSNBC.com and expertcruiser.com; David Molyneaux of travelmaven.net; Paul Motter of cruisemates.com; freelance writers Lynn and Cele Seldon; Gene Sloan of USA Today; freelancer Alan Whitt; and Susan Young of southerncruising.com and Travel Agent Magazine.

            Moderated by Heald, the 90-minute session included spirited discussions on topics such as the state of the cruise industry, an overview of the Carnival product, and the future of the media and its role in today’s society.

            The media Q&A panel was one of a wide range of activities for participants in the Bloggers Cruise, which departed from New Orleans on Saturday and ends tomorrow. 

            The cruise gathered together hundreds of fans of Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald, whose popular blog has garnered nearly 4 million views since being launched in March 2007.

The blog of Carnival Senior Cruise Director John Heald – which has attracted 3.6 million visits since being launched two years ago – has been named “Best Cruise Line Blog” in Porthole Magazine’s 2009 Editor-In-Chief Awards. In his popular blog, Heald provides readers with a unique behind-the-scenes look at “Fun Ship” cruising while sharing his humorous and insightful observations on a wide range of topics.

The blog has even spawned the “John Heald Bloggers Cruise,” which provides readers an opportunity to sail with Heald and fellow blog enthusiasts and participate in a variety of exclusive events and activities.  The next Bloggers Cruise takes place aboard a five-day voyage of Carnival Fantasy departing Feb. 7 from New Orleans.  Two Bloggers Cruises are also scheduled for the new Carnival Dream – an eight-day voyage departing New York Nov. 15 and a nine-day cruise departing Port Canaveral, Fla., Dec. 3.

Two Carnival Corporation & plc port projects also received awards.  The Puerta Maya Cruise Center, which reopened in October after being destroyed by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, was named “Best Comeback Port” and the Grand Turk Cruise Center, whose features include the Caribbean’s largest Margaritaville restaurant, the FlowRider wave-riding experience, and an 800-foot-long beach, earned “Best Cruise Center” honors.

            Designed as a “one-stop shop” for the latest news and information on these distinctly different cruise operators – each a leader in its own market – Best Blogs at Sea (www.bestblogsatsea.com) showcases the fascinating personalities and magnificent vessels that have played a key role in these companies’ success.

            In addition to highlighting the cruise industry’s top blogs, Best Blogs at Sea includes links to other cruise-oriented sites among the various brands along with a top 10 list of the most visited blogs within the site. Featured blogs include:

• AIDA Web Lounge – offers photos and information on the top-rated German cruise operator, along with features such as the “Captain’s Blog.”
• Boat Buddy (Ocean Village) – an interactive blog that embodies the characteristics of the British cruise operator, which caters to younger, more active vacationers.  
• Carnival News Blog – features photos, video clips and news updates on the fun, unique    vacation experience of the world’s most popular cruise line.
• Eurodam News Blog (Holland America Line) – provides a comprehensive overview of the new Holland America Line ship, which accommodates 2,104 guests and entered service earlier this year.
• James Cusick’s Blog (P&O Cruises) – within this blog, the executive chief purser of the Arcadia offers an insider’s view of the day-to-day operation of the 1,952-passenger ship.
• John Heald’s Blog (Carnival) – the most popular blog in cruising, thus far 3.4 million visitors have logged on to read Heald’s interesting take on the cruise industry and life in general.
• Odyssey Blog (The Yachts of Seabourn) – offers photos and updates on the construction progress of Seabourn’s newest and largest yacht, the 450-passenger Odyssey.
• We Are Cunard – showcases the people and places – as well as the classic ocean liners– that make up the venerable British cruise operator.
• World of Costa – the distinctive Italian flavor of Europe’s largest cruise operator is showcased in this comprehensive and informative Web site collecting cruise experiences, pictures and dreams of guests and prospects.

 

            Carnival Cruise Lines’ immensely popular senior cruise director and ‘blogger extraordinaire’ John Heald will host two Bloggers Cruises aboard the new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream in 2009. 

            The first, an eight-day voyage operating round-trip from New York November 15-23, 2009, will call at Port Canaveral, Fla., and Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas. A second nine-day voyage sailing round-trip from Port Canaveral, Fla. December 3-12, 2009, will feature stops at Antigua; Tortola; St. Thomas/St. John; San Juan; and Grand Turk.

            These voyages will follow on the heels of two other Bloggers Cruises hosted by Heald in 2008 and early 2009.  The popular theme cruises provide fans of Heald and readers of his blog the opportunity to interact with him and participate in a number of exclusive activities and events.

            Heald’s blog (accessible via carnival.com and johnhealdsblog.com) has attracted more than 3 million visitors who enjoy his unique, behind-the-scenes look at shipboard life, with humorous anecdotes and observations focusing on the people and places he comes in contact with on a daily basis. He also features insightful interviews with colleagues in a wide variety of job positions both at Carnival and among the cruise line’s many sister cruise brands.

            “It was never my dream to write a blog. My dream involved an Aston Martin, Angelina Jolie and lots of sugar free Jello,” said Heald. “Anyway, after writing a blog and reaching 3.3 million hits, here we are announcing our third and fourth cruises for fans of my blog – on board the newest and most exciting Carnival ship ever — the Carnival Dream.  Now that truly does make this a dream come true and it’s going to be absolutely brilliant,” he said.

Special ‘Bloggers Cruise’ Events

            During both cruises, Heald will host a number of exclusive events, including a welcome aboard reception, trivia contests, question-and-answer sessions and private tea time with John among many other activities.  A variety of keepsakes and logo items will be provided to all Bloggers Cruise participants, and Heald will be blogging daily throughout both voyages.  

The Carnival Dream

            With a basis-two capacity of 3,646 passengers and spanning 1,004 feet in length, Carnival Dream is the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed.  The Carnival Dream will not only introduce a new class of vessel for the line, but also usher in a new era of “Fun Ship” cruising when it debuts September 21, 2009.

            The vessel, which offers a new layout, sleek hull and distinctive profile, will introduce many unique features and amenities, including a new concept in entertainment called Ocean Plaza, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; the most elaborate children’s facilities at sea, including expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; “scenic whirlpools” that extend over the ship’s beam, and a variety of new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families.  

            Also available will be a number of themed lounges, an expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, full casino gambling and a variety of dining options.

Information and Reservations

            For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call

1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

            Participants must request fare code PBL to be included in the November and December 2009 Bloggers Cruise events.

           Participants in the second “John Heald Bloggers Cruise” – taking place aboard the newly refurbished Carnival Fantasy from New Orleans in February 2009 – will not only enjoy five fun-filled days sailing with the popular senior cruise director, but they can also make a difference in the lives of local residents.

            The “Bloggers Cruise Community Service Day” will take place in New Orleans on Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, the day prior to the departure of the second annual cruise – a five-day voyage to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico, operating Feb. 7-12, 2009.

            Partnering with the city’s Beacon of Hope Resource Center, “Bloggers Cruise Community Service Day” participants will clear debris and plant trees, helping to spruce up a neighborhood in New Orleans that sustained significant damage from Hurricane Katrina.

            Carnival is also partnering with Maison St. Charles Hotel & Suites to provide one- and two-night pre-cruise land stays at special rates for “Bloggers Cruise Community Service Day” participants.

            “I invite everyone to join me in helping the people of New Orleans and we look forward to working with the Beacon of Hope Resource Center in helping to beautify this magnificent city,” Heald said. “Once on board, we’ll enjoy Carnival Fantasy’s ‘Evolutions of Fun’ upgrades, as well as special events and shows just for my blogging friends. It’s going to be a brilliant cruise and I can’t wait to see you there,” he added.

            Added Heather Huth, director of volunteers for the Beacon of Hope Resource Center, “Our goal is to create an environment that encourages our residents to return home.  Although we are proud of how far we’ve come, there is still a long way to go. We are always in need of volunteer service and truly appreciate Carnival’s role in New Orleans’ continued recovery efforts.”

            Following the hands-on charity activity, “Bloggers Cruise Community Service Day” participants will be the guests of honor at a cocktail reception hosted by Heald which will serve as a kick-off event for the voyage.

            During the five-day cruise on Carnival Fantasy, Heald will host a number of exclusive events, including a Welcome Aboard reception, trivia contests, question-and-answer sessions and even an exclusive “Tea Time with John” session. 

            Special photo opportunities with Heald will be available as well. A variety of special giveaways and logo items also will be provided to all “Bloggers Cruise” participants, and Heald will, of course, be submitting posts to his blog throughout the voyage.  

            Carnival Fantasy was selected as the venue for the second “Bloggers Cruise” as it is the latest “Fun Ship” to undergo all phases of the line’s “Evolutions of Fun” refurbishment program, which has resulted in a total transformation of the 2,056-passenger SuperLiner.

            The upgrades include a “Carnival WaterWorks” aqua park with a 300-foot-long water slide, dual-lane 82-foot-long racing slides and various water spray apparatus, along with “Serenity,” an adults-only retreat located aft and featuring comfortable chaise lounges and chairs and two oversized whirlpools.

            The mid-ship pool was renovated and now offers a distinctly tropical ambiance, with thatched roofing, colorful umbrellas and other design elements. These renovations complement the first phase of the program, which included extensive refurbishments to a variety of public areas, as well as all staterooms and suites.

            Reservations are currently being accepted for the Bloggers Cruise aboard the Carnival Fantasy Feb. 7-12, 2009, as well as the pre-cruise land stay at the Maison St. Charles Hotel & Suites. Participants must request fare code CPBL/FPBL when booking the cruise to be included in the 2009 Bloggers Cruise events.

            For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

          The popularity of the blog of Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald – available at www.carnival.com or www.johnhealdsblog.com — just keeps on growing.   This week several of John’s blogs ranked among the top 100 in WordPress, a leading blog-hosting service which offers more than four million blogs.

            His post titled “The Baltic – See You In 2009” – highlighting the scenic European ports featured within the Carnival Splendor’s 2008 inaugural season – as well as the Carnival Liberty’s Europe cruises in 2009 – achieved a ranking of 63.

            Since Heald’s blog was launched in July 2007, it has garnered close to three million hits, making it the most widely cruise-oriented blog on the Internet.

            The success of Heald’s blog has even led to a Second Bloggers Cruise on the Carnival Fantasy from New Orleans in February 2009.

            Carnival Cruise Lines’ popular senior cruise director, John Heald, whose blog reached 2.7 million hits in August, wants to “friend you” on the social networking site, Facebook.

            With already 881friends and an average of 10 new friend requests a week, Heald’s profile is quickly gaining speed.

            Some of John’s most loyal readers have created a number of groups within Facebook in his honor, including “John Heald is the Best Cruise Director in the World” and “I Love Carnival Cruises.” Carnival Cruise Lines also has its own official profile, which already has more than 3,500 friends. 

            Check out Heald’s profile or Carnival’s profile on Facebook. Subscribers can view some of the latest Carnival news, share stories and pictures, as well as link news to their own profiles.

            John’s friends can even count down to the second “Bloggers Cruise” on the Carnival Fantasy from New Orleans in February 2009.

Carnival’s “On Deck for the Cure” program – a breast cancer fundraising initiative aboard the “Fun Ships” – recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, with 50,000 walkers raising nearly $400,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure since being launched last May.

Currently in place on 14 Carnival ships, “On Deck for the Cure” is modeled after a similar initiative by Holland America Line and encourages guests to make a minimum $10 donation and participate in a one-mile walk around the ships’ jogging tracks while wearing their custom-designed T-shirts and wristbands included with each donation. Additionally, pink lemonade – signifying the color associated with breast cancer awareness – is served after the walk to all participants. 

Carnival’s “On Deck for the Cure” initiative began as a pilot program on two ships in May 2007 and was expanded to all vessels operating voyages of seven days or longer, as well as four- and five-day cruises aboard the Carnival Elation from San Diego.  The program will be also featured aboard the new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor when it arrives in the U.S. in November following its inaugural European season this summer.