Carnival Cruise Line tribute event sparks controversy and praise
An often-applauded Carnival Cruise Line event was recently targeted by the cruise rumor mill.
Carnival Cruise Line does a lot to show its appreciation for the service of U.S. and Canadian military members and veterans.
Beyond offering military cruise discounts and supporting nonprofit organizations that help veterans, the cruise line honors veterans and active-duty service members on every Carnival cruise through special onboard activities and tributes.
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As part of the military appreciation day activities on every Carnival cruise, cruise directors host a popular military appreciation gathering to recognize veterans, military members, and their families during their vacations.
Although the gathering is often praised by veterans who sail with the cruise line, it recently became the subject of controversy after a widely circulated Facebook post suggested that Carnival was blocking those who have not served in the military from attending.
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald, who regularly refutes false rumors about the cruise line’s policies on his popular Facebook page, became quite inflamed by the accusation.
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Carnival brand ambassador extinguishes veterans’ gathering rumor
“Time for me to put my firefighting suit on and put out a fire that was lit by another post on a Facebook page, which is either moderated by people who do not care or moderated by a child,” Heald wrote in a post on his Facebook page.
Apparently, the misinformation led many cruisers to aggressively question the brand ambassador.
“For those delivering into me, asking, shouting at me and demanding, let me say there is no need to ask again,” Heald insisted.
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Heald implored Carnival cruisers to ignore the rumor and clarified that all passengers are welcome at the military appreciation gathering.
“The veterans’ gathering is for everyone to attend. Please ignore the people who are saying that we are refusing to those that have not served,” he wrote.
Not only are non-veterans welcome, they’re encouraged to attend and show their support.
“We want people who have not served to go to these gatherings so that they can say their thanks to the brave men and women whose courage allows us the freedom to cruise,” the brand ambassador explained.
Carnival passengers praise its military appreciation gathering
In comments on the post, a number of non-veteran passengers who have attended Carnival’s veterans’ gathering confirmed that they’ve been welcomed at the onboard military appreciation event.
“I go to every veterans’ gathering and I did not serve. I go to honor my mother, father, brothers, uncles who have served. I have always felt welcome,” Mindy Kelly Jenson commented.
Carnival cruisers’ comments on the post emphasize that whether you’re a veteran or civilian, you’ll not only be welcome at the veterans gathering, you’ll be touched by the meaningful tribute and the stories shared.
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“I went to a veterans’ gathering last year. My dad was in the Navy for three years right out of high school but never spoke to us kids about it. The gathering was very moving. Whether you are military, from a military family or just want to recognize the sacrifices made, the appreciation gathering is definitely something you should consider attending,” Karen Tarantelli Ungaro wrote.
Even young cruisers are inspired by the military appreciation event, as one veteran pointed out.
“I'm a Vietnam vet and have attended many of the gatherings; I have enjoyed everyone. We took our 7-year-old grandson to one on the Pride last January and he is still talking about it. We have another cruise scheduled the end of June on the Pride and he already said we are attending again,” John Seeman commented. “We attended one on the Celebration last year as well and there was a 97-year-old WWII vet attending and when he told his story it was amazing. Carnival does a wonderful job putting on this event, so thank you!”
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