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Matthew Meisenhelder of Wilson, N.C., is the winner of Porthole Magazine’s “Bloggers Cruise” contest, earning a free cruise for two on the “John Heald Bloggers Cruise” aboard the Carnival Fantasy from New Orleans Feb. 7-12, 2009. 

 

The five-day cruise brings together fans of the popular blog written by Heald, whose on-line musings have attracted more than 3.6 million visitors since being launched in spring 2007.   Heald’s blog can be accessed at johnhealdsblog.com.

 

Meisenhelder was selected from dozens of contestants who were asked to submit a 100-word entry on what they would do if they were a cruise director for a day. Meisenhelder’s idea of having a “futuristic day” with games and activities tied to the concept was deemed the winner.

 

During the “Bloggers Cruise” aboard the Carnival Fantasy, Heald will host of a variety of exclusive events and activities.  Special giveaways and logo items will also be provided to all Bloggers Cruise participants, and Heald will, of course, be submitting entries to his blog throughout the voyage.  

 

Carnival will also host two additional “Bloggers Cruises” aboard the new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream later this year – an eight-day cruise from New York departing November 15 and a nine-day cruise from Port Canaveral departing Dec. 3.