Carnival Cruise Line makes statement on America, patriotism
The cruise line’s brand ambassador is standing behind its cruise directors when it comes to a controversial custom.
Carnival Cruise Line, which calls itself America’s cruise line, does a number of things to honor the service of U.S. and Canadian military members and veterans.
Perhaps the most notable are the cruise line’s military appreciation day and gathering held on every Carnival cruise. On every sailing on each of Carnival’s cruise ships, cruise directors host a special gathering to recognize veterans during their vacations.
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At the event, all military members receive a commemorative pin and the longest-serving military member in attendance is presented with a special hero coin. The cruise line also selects one military member per month from those who have attended the gathering to win a free cruise.
Although many veterans who cruise on Carnival ships appreciate the gathering, one passenger has a problem with the way a Carnival cruise director has behaved while hosting the event.
Proper national anthem etiquette has come up for debate on Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald’s Facebook page after a passenger expressed disapproval because a Carnival cruise director did not put their hand over their heart or salute when the national anthem was played during the military appreciation gathering.
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Carnival passenger says cruise director displayed disrespect for veterans
“No John you are wrong. Every cruise director should do it regardless if they are American or not,” an unidentified Carnival cruise passenger wrote to the brand ambassador. “They should put their hand on their heart or salute when the national anthem of the United States of America is played. Otherwise it is act of disrespect to all the veterans there.”
Heald explained the reason for the passenger’s concern as he shared the post on his Facebook page.
“I totally understand the passion that this post was written with. It stems from a American cruise director, who I obviously am not going to name who did not put his hand on his heart or her heart or salute during the veterans gathering, and when the national anthem is played,” Heald wrote.
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Heald defended Carnival’s cruise directors as he asked passengers to share their thoughts on national anthem etiquette.
“I can tell you that each, and every cruise director puts their heart and soul into this event, they know how personal it is to so many people and how important it is to so many people,” the brand ambassador continued.
“I would like your thoughts on this, please, do you agree, do you disagree, let me know so that I can send your thoughts to the cruise directors who are all in a conference at the moment,” Heald asked. “And thank you to all who have served.”
Carnival passengers weigh in on anthem etiquette
Although technically U.S. Code states that, besides members of the Armed Forces and veterans, “all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart” during a rendition of the national anthem, not doing so is not widely considered disrespectful.
Carnival passengers made that clear in the comments on the post.
“How ridiculous. No one should feel compelled to put their hand over their heart, and it’s NOT disrespectful to veterans. Sincerely, a veteran,” wrote Jose Thames.
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Some passengers also pointed out that saluting is only expected from veterans and those in uniform, and that non-Americans shouldn’t be expected to put their hand over their heart. However, a number of passengers did note that they think standing during an anthem is a respectful gesture, no matter which country’s anthem is playing.
“Unless they are veteran of the US military or wearing a uniform, they should NOT salute at the Anthem,” commented Bob McCall. “If they are not American, I would not expect then to put their hand on their heart. Everyone should stand and be respectful when any national anthem is played.”
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