We recently had a chance to sit down with the mostly incomparable John Heald and give him a chance to take us through — in his own words — what he actually does on a typical day, why he does it, and even a little bit of how he got started being the cruise director that thousands know and at least claim to love today. 
Please enjoy part one of Behind the Scenes: Sr. Cruise Director.
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Hummm… this looks familiar but, as the old show biz saying goes, if they liked it once they’ll love it twice and I did!!!
Ciao!
Host Mach
I thought I was losing my mind thinking…. I’ve seen this, haven’t I? But I still loved it too! =)
Mach, I noticed the rerun also. I thought this was going to be part 2 till I saw it. Peter the Hair must of had 9 days of raw footage to get that 90 seconds. Some thing like the video of BC3.
BIG Ed
Very cute…and true!
That video was great but toooo short John. I can’t wait to see part 2. Thanks for adding a little smile to my day.
Deja Vu all over again, LOL…………..
I’ve been waiting on part 2. This is a rerun is it not?
Carolyn
No Reply Needed
John – Just wanted to say “Thanks” for helping my wife and I land the Chef’s Table on the Freedom in Jan. REALLY looking forward to cruise #6 and many, many more with Carnival!
I think we need a Facebook petition page to get John Heald to host Saturday Night Live. If they can do it for Betty White I’m sure we can do it for John.
Anyone know how to do it?
BIG ED
Loved the video, but missing your remarks today – I’m addicted. Hope this means you’re taking a well earned and much deserved rest — enjoy!
John, We have sailed with Carnival 4 different times and the 5th will be next week on the DESTINY. Never have we had the pleasure of you being the CD tho. I have been following you a bit on these bloggy things and enjoy your wit and communication skills so much that I want very much to be able to cruise someday when you are the entertainment organizer. How long must i wait? I have kept track of all our previous CD’s and they are in order: Kevin Noonan, IMAGINATION Jun.,08; Chris Jefferson VALOR Jan., 09; Big Tex VALOR Jun., 09; Paul Santley SENSATION Jan., 10 and soon Brent Loyer DESTINY Nov-Dec., 10. All have been great hosts, but I still want to experience a John Heald cruise. HELP! Bob & Emily Florida
hi john
what is your schedule for next year? I recently moved to florida to do more cruising as in New York aren’t many carnival choices…also, I have met someone in the entertainment industry and was thinking about a group cruise or introducing him to cruising..would he be able to entertain the guests? I am platnum and get VIP boarding…is that at all the ports in Florida..also,has Miami port been upgraded..was total chaos the last time I was there
You were a bar waiter on the Holiday??? That was our first cruise, Sept 1995, 4 days FROM HELL!!!!!
We were told to buy the cheapest cabin because you won’t spend any time in it….yeah….right. Our tiny, tiny room was in the bowels of the ship, right above the engine. We even have video of objects falling off the desk from the vibration of the engine….didn’t sleep for the entire cruise, cruise pictures show us with horrendous dark shadows under our eyes!!!
Thankfully, my parents won a cruise in a raffle and gave it to us in Sept 2001–aboard the Elation, which was wonderful and redeemed cruising for us! Just don’t do it enough!
Hello Mr. Heald, I have a few questions for you. My first one is what degrees are most helpful for getting a job with carnival? I’m currently an undecided major with mathematics being a strength of mine. I have been suggested to go with integrated mathematics (which is a mathematics education degree) and then returning for a business related masters degree. I’m wondering that if I choose this route, would I still be qualified for most land based positions? Also what are the responsibilities of a cruise director and would the integrated mathematics/business combo work for that? Also what are the hours, pay, and benefits like? What do you think the job availability will be about 6-8 years from now? What positions are seasonal? (That I could work in the summer if I end up staying with a teaching job). There may be some other questions that have slipped my mind as of now. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me.
~Brandon
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Been cruisin since 1981 w/Carnival. Remember you John on so many ships I sailed and you’re like a good bottle of wine. Im a beer drinker….Some of my favorite (spelled my way) cruises were because you were on them. From..Sun in the Fun all the way to the knobby knee contests…Thanks for the memories. I agree with Big Ed…Create that group page to petition John to Host Saturday Night but I want to be there when he does!