Wednesday, October 10th, 2007...5:05 pm
Highlighting Roberto Castro……..the Blog Master
Ladies and Gents……..usually I have a long introduction for guest interviews but on this one I just need to say……….. Here is Roberto.
1. Everyone knows you as Roberto who administers the blog but who is the real Roberto Castro? What can you tell us about your self i.e., home, family, education etc.
What can I say about me? Well, I’m from Hialeah, Fla., (lived on the same block my whole life). I’m very fortunate to have a very tight-knit family; we’ve been through a lot but they are truly the best I can ask for. I’m also very fortunate to have some of the greatest friends in the world. I’m currently a candidate for an MBA at the University of Miami, where I also obtained my undergraduate degree (Go Canes!). In my spare time, I’m involved with the Greater Miami Alumni Club (the local chapter of the UM Alumni Association) where I serve as president and I have the honor of serving as Chief of Iron Arrow Honor Society, which is the University of Miami’s highest honor.
2. How did you get to work for Carnival Cruise Lines and have you ever taken a cruise.
I started working for Carnival Cruise Lines last October; I saw an opening and applied and here I am! Contrary to popular belief, I do not work on a ship; I work at headquarters in Miami. I actually took my first cruise in 2004 (to Alaska) and have sailed on a total of four cruises; I’ve only ever sailed with Carnival!
3. So, to your job. Before we talk about the blog, what other duties does you current position require you to do on a frequent basis.
Believe it or not, the blog is not my primary job responsibility. I’m an Email Content Producer for the Interactive Marketing Team. I work with Andrew, Renee, Henry and Alex from the Interactive Marketing Team to put together some of the email campaigns that go out; I primarily work with our past guest offers that go out weekly. In addition to that, I help out my fellow team members with any projects and of course I help maintain John’s blog.
4. The blog has become a major part of your job though. Let’s talk about what happens. I send in the blog and photos …….you take it from there please.
After you write the blog, you send over the copy, which is passed on to Vance in the PR department for spell checking, etc. I then code and format the blog. In addition to coding it, I have to resize the images, color correct them if necessary, and then post them. I also have to make sure that the code loads correctly and it publishes correctly. You have to realize however, that I am in Miami and you are in Europe; sometimes the time delay is 6-7 hours. There are very unique windows of opportunities to communicate with you. If it weren’t for email and BlackBerrys, this would be extra difficult. Luckily, we’ve developed a great working relationship. Funny enough, when we don’t hear from each other in a while (and by a while, we mean 4 hours), we’ll email each other to make sure we’re ok…lol
5. The comments from bloggers are increasing every day. How many do you read everyday and how many do you post on average.
Depending on the day and depending on the post, it could vary. Sometimes we get 20-30 a day, sometimes even 100. And yes, I read each and every one of them. In addition to the comments, I have to check the spam filter to make sure that no comments got stuck in this filter. This is an ongoing process, that occurs even on the weekends.
6. Have there been comments that you have decided to let me see to protect my feelings
If a comment is personal in nature, I do not post it for obvious reasons; but rest assured, it reaches John.
7. Where do you see the blog going in the next 12 months and why do you think it has proven to be so popular.
I see the blog expanding over the next 12 months. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get more cruise directors to guest blog so that we can offer more perspectives from the ship. I think that it has become so popular because you’ve provided a face to the brand and made Carnival personable. Your writing style is frank and sincere and when you sit down to read the blog, it is like you’re sitting with an old friend catching up on the day’s events. The best thing the blog has created is a community; we’ve all become friends over the past few months and more friends are joining daily. And with the possibility of more cruise directors guest blogging, it will definitely add more and more fans.
8. Do you have a favorite blog and if so why
The one titled “Day One Aboard the Freedom”; this was the first one and it set the tone for the blog. We’ve come along way 213 posts later!
9. Where would you like your career to go over the next few years? Do you have a dream job?
I would love to be a manager or director in a marketing department (hopefully at Carnival or one of our sister companiesJ) and continue to work my way up.
10. Let’s find out more about Roberto………with our Dream list. Choose your ultimate object.
MAKE OF COMPUTER – Apple
CAR – Lamborghini
DATE WITH ANY ACTRESS – Alyssa Milano
FRONT ROW SEATS AT WHAT CONCERT PERFORMANCE – U2 concert
SUPERHERO – Professor Xavier from the X-Men
DINNER WITH FOUR VIP GUESTS – WHO WOULD YOU INVITE AND WHAT’S FOR DINNER
This one is tough:
Bowman Foster Ashe – first president of the University of Miami
Celia Cruz – Cuban singer
Alyssa Milano – actress/humanitarian
John Heald
I wouldn’t picture this meal without some of my parents’ cooking; there’s nothing like it in the world. More than likely, it would consist of roast pork, with congri (which is a dish prepared of rice and black beans), yuca with mojo (it’s like a potato) and of course flan for dessert.
47 Comments
October 10th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
WOW! What a wonderful blog with Roberto, so nice to see the face behind the blog editing, welcome to Carnival Roberto. My husband and I first started cruising in 1998 and I think our upcoming cruise will be #13 with Carnival. They say 13 is unlucky, well guess what! We were supposed to be going on this cruise on the Freedom so we could see John again and meet Heidi (he has been our CD on 3 other cruises) but unfortunately he starts his time off the end of this month, and we don’t leave till 11/17, SO we have to find out where John will be next April/May 2008 so we can plan our next cruise on a ship in the Caribbean he will be the CD on! Hopefully, John can fill us in on this before he leaves in a few weeks. Well, John and Roberto and of cause Heidi too, all of us bloggers love you guys, you MAKE CCL what it is today! THE “FUN SHIP”. John-how about an update on Alan? We all need to know! We have him in our prayers of cause. Your Friends, Linda & Mike
October 10th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Tech Wizard:
Does have better initials for the old famous John Acronyms than Blog Master.
How fortuitous that you landed on board Carnival just in time to launch the Blog Thingy.
Without your timely wizardry, we would be adrift.
It’s also good to hear you have a life, between me whining for more Blog Thingy and post graduate studies.
So, it makes a year since you had a vacation?!
hmmmmmm
October 10th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
BRAVO, ROBERTO!!
Thank you so, so much for your efforts in making this blog such a wonderful success.
You, sir, are a huge part of a remarkable phenomenon. We all owe you a huge debt of gratitude.
I salute, you, Roberto for your cunning and courage in the face of adversity… well… OK… probably not much adversity but I still salute you.
Thank you, my friend.
Regards,
Greg
October 10th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Agh! Roberto! Are you related to the beautiful quality control specialist Jeannie? she is in Miami too. a dream, really. she was my first PVP. You have been wonderful on this blog. without you, John would never look so good in a thong.. I mean blog! thanks for all you do. we are a family that is growing by the day. Look forward to meeting you soon!
Take good care!
Kathie ( kap, kaperino, katie and so on!)
October 10th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Roberto:
) para ti tambien amigo!!
Tremendo trabajo, vas a llegar lejos.Se te agradece un montón!!
Un abrazo (huggo
Nanette
October 10th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Roberto, when you did that first post “Day One Aboard the Freedom” did you ever think it would grow to what it is now? It’s about time John gave you an interview. Now all we need is that interview with the “BOSS” MR. Micky Arison. Keep up the great work and thank you for all the help you have given me and all the other bloggers with their problems.
“BIG” ED
October 10th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Hmmm – Roberto is reviewing the comments on his interview. Can I please see your conflict if interest statement?
Roberto -
It is wonderful to “meet” you – you have, over time, been most useful to those of us on the other side of this blog, finding responses caught in the purgatory of the spam filter, acting as postman for personal messages for John, et al.
One suggestion – and, IMO, there is no way that Carnival can NOT make this suggestion happen.
YOU NEED TO BE ON THE BLOGGER’S CRUISE!!!!
October 10th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Roberto – we have known that you were always there in the background. So good to get to meet you !!
Thankyou for all your hard work. You are a big part of the success of this blog
October 10th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
John and Roberto,
Thank you for this interview…this is the one I have been waiting for for the past 4 months! Roberto, you are wonderful and we all appreciate your hard work! Now I must ask..are you married? Not for me silly…I have a friend you see, that has seen your picture, and….
Elaine
October 10th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
very nice to get to know a little more about you roberto! and go canes is right!!!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
October 10th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Again, many thanks Roberto for the magic that you do on this blog thingy. I don’t know what you did to make the pics load so fast now, but it works like a charm…even with my very slow dial up service. How nice to finally put a face to the magic!
October 10th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Roberto as a fellow computer “geek” thanks for your hard work on this. Awesome job every day.
October 10th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
John,
Thanks for this interview. It is my favorite so far. Roberto, you rock! Thanks so much for making sure John’s blog get to us. You do a wonderful job and I want you to know I appriciate you and all you do.
Leasa
October 10th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Wow, What a fabulous, fantastic amazing interview!!!! Great job Roberto.
Great news about Alan, still keeping him in our prayers.
October 10th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Nanette, so sorry to hear about your sister-in-law. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family along with Alan and his family.
Inez
October 10th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
It’s great to get to know you a little better Roberto. You have what it takes to go far. Thank you for all the work you put into the blog. Will you be going on the blogger’s cruise? Unfortunately I will not be able to attend but I’m sure the blogger’s group would love to meet you.
Julie Gantt
October 10th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Ohhhh Rightttt !!!!! Robert ! Roberto Castro !!
Congratulations………… This is a great interview..now we can put a face to your name. I hope you get your MBA…you derserved it…
My husband was from Hialeah. Now he is an air traffic controller in Miami that love to travel on Carnival Cruises… He loves yuca con mojo, congri and a good Cuban Cigar….
John don’t get jelous we will send you some good Cuban Cigars from Miami and for Heidi a beautiful Guayabera (a typical Cuban shirt) just let me know her size. (What do you think Roberto?) Keep up the good work.. be positive and you will become a wonderful marketing director.
TE DESEO MUCHA SUERTE!!!..(your parents’ should be very proud of you!)
John’s blog is the best thing that happen to Carnival, you fell connected all the time. I have to confess I’m addicted to it. I need to go to Blog annonimous to de-tox LOL, LOL.
Sincerely,
Mary and Moe
October 11th, 2007 at 12:32 am
Roberto, Thank you for doing such a great job with the blog. We all enjoy it so much.
Tonight my husband got a bee in his bonnet because I was on the computer so long.
Thank you for sharring so much of yourself with us and I hope you go far in the Cruise industry.
Marilyn
October 11th, 2007 at 1:04 am
Roberto
Just wanted to let you know what an excellent job you do! Now we know why it sometimes seems so long in between blogs–the time delay. For some reason I along with others thought you were on the Freedom with John. Keep up the good work!
October 11th, 2007 at 2:57 am
Hola, Roberto.
Whatever they are paying you, it is not enough!
October 11th, 2007 at 5:49 am
Nice to meet you Roberto. You do a fantastic job with the blog. I hope that Carnival realizes what a great employee they have and promote you into the positions you are interested in! Best Wishes and thanks for your work on the blog!
October 11th, 2007 at 7:56 am
Roberto – bravo!
It is so good to read about you. Technically, I have no idea what you are doing, but you do it so well. Where would we all be without you?
I wish you much continued success, hopefully still with Carnival, and you achieve whatever you desire – including the Lamborghini.
Regards,
Carol
October 11th, 2007 at 8:19 am
Good Morning again Roberto,
Great job on the blog. I’m sure that expanding the blog to each Carnival ship would be a real boost for business. Each passenger could ask questions that relate to the future ship that they would be sailing on . Great idea!
Then we would need many more Roberto’s to keep the channels clear and working well.
Have a great day in Miami. I’ll be sailing out of Miami next April……………can’t wait.
All the best,
B from Canada
October 11th, 2007 at 10:25 am
FANTASTIC ROBERTO. Glad to finally know who Roberto is.. You have done a great job with the blog. Mr. Heald along with the entire group has created a blog with words that have feeling. Thank you for your effort. Mr. Heald, great job. Ciao.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
October 11th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Wonderful job Roberto!! It’s great to put a face to one of the masterminds behind the blog. Have you ever taken a cruise with John? If so, can you please include your comments / experience?
October 11th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Hi Roberto,
Glad to finally see an interview with you! You do such a wonderful job and we know you will go far with Carnival. Keep up the great work. Maybe you should get an award for all the hardwork you do to make this Blog possible. You certainly deserve it! Hope we will get to meet you on the Blogger’s cruise!
Carl & Barb
October 11th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Great blog Roberto!
Thank you for everything that you do..
I like your fantasy date. Alyssa Milano…
*sigh*
Take care!
David
October 11th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Hi John,
Just got back on Monday from an 8 day cruise on the Carnival Liberty. It was a very nice ship but I don’t think the name fit the ship. It should have been called the Carnival Artisan because of all of the finely detailed art like decor on the ship. My next cruise is on the Valor in Jan 08 and it will also be my first “Platinum” cruise. My wife and I are already putting together a family cruise for Jan 09!
Eric
October 11th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Roberto,
So nice to finally know what you look like and more about you. I hope your in the bloggers cruise (i’m not sadly) but someone needs to keep john and Big Ed and Alan out of trouble. Thank you for everything you do every day to make this blog what it is and thank you for being the email link from all of us to John when needed. Keep up the great work. I wonder if you have to wear a thong also ? ED?
Best
Kevin
October 11th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
John, thank you for introducing Roberto to us. And thank you for the update on Alan’s condition. I hope it helps you to know that many prayers go out for him and his family.
Roberto, you are to be congratulated. Not only are you studying for an MBA, but working as hard as you do to keep this blog thingy the remarkable thingy it is! Way to go!
John and Heidi – - looking forward to seeing you in 17 days.
Sue
October 11th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Roberto, thank you for all you do behind the scenes to make this thingy happen. Wonderful interview – great to know a little more about you. Keep up the good work!
October 11th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Roberto –
We have known that you were always there in the background. So good to get to see a face to place with the name. ! Happy that John shared you with us.!You do a fantastic job with the blog.You are a busy lad .We all appreciate what you do as we are sure John does too. From us fellow Floridians we thank you very much.:)
Take Care
The Tuckers
October 11th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Hi John,
A brilliant interview with Roberto, and a brilliant job being done by Roberto. It’s also great news about Alan. Hopefully you being around for the second operation will make things easier for you and Heidi. By the way, does Alan’s insurance cover plastic surgery???????
I’ve noticed that there are several bloggers keeping you updated on the Baseball Playoffs. As the Red Sox win, I will be getting Championship hats. I will send all of them at once at the end and I’ll explain the playoff process.
Chris and I will be sailing the Western Caribbean on the Costa Mediterranea in April. Will you be in that “neck of the woods” then?
By the way, you will always be a Red Sox fan because you will never get a better hat. There are none!!! Our best to all.
Alan & Chris
GO SOX!!!!!
October 11th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Robert is the best guy to work with, he does a great job with everything!!! We love him!
October 11th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
*clap, clap, clap* Bravo Roberto!
October 11th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Hi John! I just received the new Splendour brochures and I am just awe-struck and dar near speechless!!! I can’t believe HOW MANY PLACES THAT SHIP IS GOING TO CALL ON!!!!!!!!!!!! John — are you and Heidi really truly going to be traveling all over the world on that ship right through 2009? I saw everything from Russia, to London, to Amsterdam, to Brazil, to Peru, to Greece, and even the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera!!!!! Is there anywhere in the world that ship is NOT going?? Are you excited??? You must be! Will this be yours and Heidi’s first time visiting some of these far off places? This is so exciting…… Carnival is the now the world class cruise line I always thought it would become…. I could cry!
EsmeeK
October 11th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
That blog is a great use of the internet and Roberto and John are keeping it humming. Reading the stories reminds me of our experiences on the Freedom and I can envision sitting in the theatre waiting for my sticker color to be called to go ashore. By the way, did you guys ever fix those stern side thrusters? It was really entertaining to sit in the restaurant having breakfast while the Freedom was in the process of docking. Whenever the thrusters came on, everything started to rattle in the worst way. The waiters had their hands full trying to save the silverware and dishes from dancing right off the tables, and many table settings didn’t make it. That scene reminded me of those Chinese entertainers who race along their table keeping their dishes spinning on those sticks. Personally, I couldn’t help eyeballing those huge light fixtures hanging over the tables… now that would have been something for the Murphy’s Law chapter of the blog.
October 11th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Hi John and All,
I’ve been out of touch with the blog for a few days. Paul’s dad passed away so we were outta sorts. Even though his quality of life was not good and his passing was in a way a blessing, it sure is hard to lose a loved one.
I loved Roberto’s favorite picks. Definitely good choices! I’ll take time to read the latest blogs after catching up on work and get a good needed laugh from everyone.
John, another question for you. Is is best to book our excursions before we arrive or on the ship the day we embark?
October 11th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
John, I know Roberto deserves to be at the top of this blog for all he does. But did you think first? Now that he is on the top you may never get a new post posted. He may not want to move down from the top of his hard work. He may hold up your next post for ransom. You may have to make him an offer he can’t refuse. He may even join the Evil Blogger Cruise Planners, ROFLMAO.
“BIG” ED
October 12th, 2007 at 2:29 am
A Star Is Born!
I haven’t blogged in many a moon. My husband said. “what’s going on with the “Blog” ? So I thought I’d find out. Roberto is what’s goin on! Roberto, what a handsome guy ! Thanks for your help a few weeks ago !
John, Congrats on your “Seagoing Employee of the Year Award” ! That’s a nice photo of you in the Header !
Kathy and Paul
October 12th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Roberto:
Behind every great man is a great woman. John and Heidi are blessed to have yet another great man behind them to help in this blog undertaking.
Thank you for all your hard work!!
October 12th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Hooray for Robert! He’s a co-worker and brings a lot of passion to the blog. Roberto Rocks!
October 12th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Roberto,
It is so good to be able to put a face with a name. Thanks for all you do to keep this blog thingey working! You will never know how much this has come to mean to quite a few of us. We are like family. This line of communication keeps us connected.
Thank you so much for all your hard work. As I said before, it takes a team to keep this running smoothly. Hats off to you and everyone else on the team!
October 13th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Hey Roberto
do you know where i can get some good carnival graphics for my web page
October 13th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Hey Roberto,
From one web-designer to another, good job.
You look like your kickin it there in your Guayabera shirt. Nice style.
Keep up the good work.
October 14th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
I know I am slow to post this week, but is has been bussy, been still reading all of it, and it is good to hear a little about Roberto, Florida is a great place to live for sure, can’t count how many different blocks I’ve lived on
and how far away some of them are from me now 1400 miles north about… I just happy it dose not snow 
my best to you all
Heidi-Beth
October 16th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
ROBERTO, You’ve been a busy boy. 260 comments on John’s thingy and the new blog “NEWS AND UPDATES”. The new blog is great.
“BIG” ED
For those that have not seen the new blog it’s at;
http://newsfromcarnivalcruiselines.wordpress.com/
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