Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald sat down with Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy before she attempted a tandem skydive. Her daring jump was an effort to raise money for first responders to Hurricanes Milton and Helene in partnership with actor Gary Sinise's charitable foundation.
They talked about Duffy's connection with Carnival's crew and its guests as well. In addition, Heald got deeply into why Carnival's president felt the need to do something as bold as jump out of an airplane to attract attention for her attempts to raise money for first responders.
Her efforts were on track to raise nearly $200,000 with the help of a match from the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation. Micky Arison serves as chairman of Carnival (CCL) .
Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.
Transcript:
John Heald: Introductions. I introduce a lot of people, but, if there's one person that I know I don't need to introduce, it's this lady here. Without doubt, and yes, all the other cruise line presidents, be jealous.
There is, I wish you could have seen, and perhaps you will because I did film a bit, the welcome that was natural, was wonderful, was incomparable that Christine received as she walked up the gangway from the crew members, gathered to take pictures, to take selfies, to ask for promotion.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line shares a strong warning
No, they didn't do that. Just to be with her and that has set the foundation for what's going to happen today. But I have to introduce her. Ladies and gentlemen, please say hello to Christine Duffy, the most recognizable, you cannot do undercover boss.
No, that would be impossible. We had one who actually tried it in the past.
Duffy: Really? Well, you know, I'm getting ready to celebrate 10 years. I know.I would hope that I am very recognizable.
Heald: Not just with us, but with everybody. We've got a lot to talk about and I want to get straight into this whole thing that you're doing in a moment. But I do have one just random question. I heard you say to somebody, I haven't been on Carnival Paradise for a few months. You have remarkably been on every ship and then some.
And after 10 years, do you still get that fizz, that feeling of excitement when you walk on a ship still today as you did for the first time 10 years ago?
Duffy: Absolutely. And again, you know, I've gotten to know so many of our team members through the years. And, you know, they switch ships and people like to come up and remind me and show me the photos when we took a picture together on Splendor in Australia. And then we were on Panorama in California. And now here we are on Carnival Paradise in Tampa.
So it's really still my favorite thing to do, visit ships.
I was on Carnival Glory yesterday in Canaveral. Amazing. The ship looks fantastic. She just came out of her dry dock. And I was on Carnival Freedom the day before that. And so again, it really, it makes a difference, I think, to our teams, but it also makes a big difference to me. And it really is the energy that keeps me going day in and day out.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
Image source: Carnival Corp.
Why is Carnival's president skydiving?
Heald: So, you have this extraordinary connection with the crew, from the captains, chief engineers, through everybody. But you also have that connection with the guests as well.
And again, after being here as long as I have, I think I can say this, I've never seen it in my 38 years. I've never seen anybody in the big chair have that connection with the guests as well. And they want to meet you, they want to talk to you, they want to take photos with you. And I think that's why you have had so much support in doing what you're about to do today.
So let's let's transition into that. You've woke up this morning, in your Howard Johnson hotel. You woke up in the bed, and you sat up and you made a thing. I'm jumping out of an airplane today. Well, I went to the window to take a picture of the beautiful sunrise, because if it was raining, I wouldn't be able to jump.
More Carnival:
- Carnival Cruise Line takes on main dining room controversy
- Carnival Cruise Line adds a new homeport, shares new itineraries
- Carnival Cruise Line shares a passport rule for most ports
- Carnival Cruise Line defends its beloved towel animals
Duffy: And, actually, I look, I'm a little nervous, but it's for a tremendous cause. And I'm jumping with the best. Actually, I don't have to jump at all.
I think they just, I fall out of the plane and I'm connected to somebody who's big and strong and very experienced who will make sure that we get down to the ground safely.
Heald: So we'll come to the jump itself in a second. But I want to ask you a very simple question. Why are you doing this?
Duffy: You know, we were so pleased when we were awarded this charter. And I've had this on my calendar for a year that I was going to come and welcome everyone and speak because you know how important military is for all of us at Carnival.
(Carnival Paradise is sailing a charter for green berets as well as their family and friends).
For me personally, it really means a lot. And so, three weeks ago, they reached out with an email and asked if I would be interested in doing a jump — a tandem jump, of course — with one of the master, I don't know if called divers or jumpers, but I said, if we can raise $50,000, I'll do it. And, you know, that's not a lot of time.
Of course, we raised, we've raised so far, we raised the goal to 75 because we surpassed the 50. And, I think this morning, I woke up and looked and we were almost at $85,000. Micky and Madeline, you know, our chairman, Micky and Madeline, their foundation is matching.
So, it's a wonderful cause. The Gary Sinise Foundation is earmarking this money for hurricane relief, providing first responders and military families impacted by Hurricane Helene and then Milton as well in the communities, including here in Tampa.
And then Wounded Warriors will also be a recipient of the matching funds from the Arison Foundation.
So what better reason? This was never on my bucket list. I really don't like physical danger, but it really is a great cause. And so I'm proud to do it.
Heald: Well, we are massively proud of you. And if you're talking about donations, could I ask you just to say a quick thank you to, without being specific to start, to everybody who's donated. People watching this on my page have donated from $5 to $10.
One gentleman gave $1,000. I have another one standing by, which I need your helpwithin a moment. Perhaps you could say a united thank you.
Duffy: Well, it is truly, I'm so grateful. And I have to say so happy to see how many other people have stepped up to donate. You know, that really is what makes this country special and different is the generosity of its people, especially when other people are in trouble and need help.
And I think when you think, consider the Gary Sinise Foundation, Operation Homefront, which we support on the Carnival Ship. And John, you've done a lot of work for Operation Homefront, which supports military families, wounded warriors, whatever the great causes, St. Jude, the outpouring of generosity from our crew members and our guests, really, and our employees and team members has just been fantastic.
So thank you to everyone for your great support, whether it was $1 or $1,000, whatever it is, every dollar matters.
You can still donate to Carnival's cause
Heald: We need to do a special shout-out because these are the shoes that you are going to be wearing. And we've got the word fun here on the toe cap. And they are bedazzled with a love heart here and the Carnival smoke, the funnel there, the funnel there, and the ship there.
Duffy: And Converse All-Stars. So, my dear friend, Michelle Fee, who is the CEO of Cruise Planners, actually many years ago when I first started a Carnival, she gifted this to me. And I thought, what a great opportunity today when I jump to be wearing these.
I'm also wearing Tommy Hilfiger, who is partnered with us for this great opportunity. Of course, Tommy is a an amazing American designer and very grateful. And thank you for the beautiful red, white, and blue attire.
They've got stores everywhere. So, if you're looking for something patriotic to wear, it's a great, great brand.
Heald: This is from Big Bubba's clothing store in Cleveland. Anybody, nobody cares. All right. Well, I just have two things to say.
First of all, I need you to do something for me. This is the very limited edition new Carnival Paradise Cup. Can I quickly ask you to sign that?
Duffy: Absolutely.
Heald: And then I'm going to raffle that off. And the highest bid will win the cup and other things as well. Compliments of Christine.
And of course, the money will go to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which we thank you so much for doing it. Thank you, Christine. Thank you, everyone. So we'll raffle that off. Christine, at 4:15, you will be jumping. I will put a camera in your face as soon as you land to see how you're feeling.
ALSO READ: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise
But I think I speak for every single one of the 50,000 plus Carnival employees. We are so proud of you. Only you would do this. Only you.
And as you jump out of that plane, just think only me. I was the only one.And why am I doing it? Seriously. Good luck. Have fun. And thank you for everything you do.
Update: Duffy successfully completed the jump on Oct, 19.
Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered.
