Carnival Cruise Line Takes Bold Step to Help First Responders

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald sat down with Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy before she attempted a tandem skydive. His daring jump was an effort to raise money for the first responders of Hurricanes Milton and Helene in partnership with actor Gary Sinise's charitable foundation.

They also talked about Duffy's connection to the Carnival team and their guests. Additionally, Heald delved into why Carnival's president felt the need to do something as bold as jump out of a plane to get attention for her attempts to raise money for first responders.

Their efforts were aimed at raising almost $200,000 with the help of a contribution from the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation. Micky Arison serves as president of Carnival (CCL) .

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Transcription:

John Heald: Introductions. I introduce a lot of people, but if there's one person I know I don't need to introduce, it's this lady here. No doubt, and yes, all the other cruise line presidents, be jealous.

There is, I wish you had seen it, and maybe you will because I filmed a little bit, the welcome that was natural, it was wonderful, it was incomparable that Christine received as she walked down the runway among the crew members, gathered to take photographs. , to take selfies, to ask for a promotion.

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No, they didn't do that. Just being with her and that has laid the foundation for what will happen today. But I have to present it. Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to Christine Duffy, the most recognizable boss, you can't be underhanded.

No, that would be impossible. We had one that really tried it in the past.

Duffy: Actually? Well, you know, I'm getting ready to celebrate 10 years. I know. I hope to be very recognizable.

Cure: Not only with us, but with everyone. We have a lot to talk about and I want to directly address all of this you're doing in a moment. But I have a random question. I heard you say to someone: I haven't been to Carnival Paradise in a few months. You've notably been on every ship and then some.

And after 10 years, do you still feel that effervescence, that feeling of excitement when you walk on a boat even today like you first felt it 10 years ago?

Duffy: Absolutely. And again, you know, I've gotten to know a lot of our team members over the years. And, you know, they change ships and people like to come and remember me and show me the photos when we took a photo together at Splendor in Australia. And then we were at Panorama in California. And now here we are at Carnival Paradise in Tampa.

So it's still my favorite thing to do: visit ships.

I was at Carnival Glory yesterday in Canaveral. Amazing. The boat looks fantastic. It has just come out of its dry dock. And I was at Carnival Freedom the day before. And again, I think it really makes a difference for our teams, but it also makes a big difference for me. And it really is the energy that keeps me going day after day.

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Duffy did a tandem jump to raise money for first responders.

Image source: Carnaval Corp.

Why is the president of Carnival parachuting?

Cure: So, you have this extraordinary connection with the crew, from the captains, to the chief engineers, to everyone. But you also have that connection with the guests.

And again, after being here so long, I think I can say this: I have never seen it in my 38 years. I had never seen anyone in the big chair have that connection with the guests. 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've had so much support for doing what you're about to do today.

So let's transition into that. You woke up this morning in your Howard Johnson hotel. You woke up in bed, sat up and did something. Today I'm jumping out of a plane. Well, I went to the window to take a photo of the beautiful sunrise, because if it was raining I wouldn't be able to jump.

More Carnival:

Duffy: And, in fact, I see that I am a little nervous, but it is for a tremendous reason. And I'm jumping with the best. Actually, I don't have to jump at all.

I think I just fall off the plane and am connected to someone big, strong, and very experienced who will make sure we get to the ground safely.

Cure: So we'll get to the jump in a second. But I want to ask you a very simple question. Why do you do this?

Duffy: You know, we were very happy when we were awarded this letter. And I had this on my calendar for a year: I was going to come and welcome everyone and talk because you know how important the military is to all of us at Carnival.

(Carnival Paradise offers a charter boat for Green Berets, as well as their family and friends.)

For me personally it means a lot. And then three weeks ago, they emailed me and asked if I would be interested in doing a jump (a tandem jump, of course) with one of the teachers, I don't know if they're called divers or jumpers, but I said, yeah. We can raise $50,000, I will. And you know, that's not a lot of time.

Of course, we increased, we have increased so far, we increased the goal to 75 because we surpassed 50. And I think this morning I woke up and looked and we were almost at $85,000. Micky and Madeline, you know, our president, Micky and Madeline, their base matches.

So, it's a wonderful cause. The Gary Sinise Foundation is allocating this money for hurricane relief, providing first responders and military families affected by Hurricane Helene and then Milton, as well as in communities, including here in Tampa.

And then Wounded Warriors will also receive matching funds from the Arison Foundation.

So what better reason? This was never on my wish list. I don't really like physical danger, but it really is a great cause. And that's why I'm proud to do it.

Cure: Well, we are enormously proud of you. And if you're talking about donations, could I ask you to quickly say thank you, without being specific at first, to everyone who has donated? People who see this on my page have donated between $5 and $10.

A man donated $1,000. I have another one waiting and I need your help in a moment. Maybe you could say thank you together.

Duffy: Well, it really is, I'm very grateful. And I have to say that I am very happy to see how many other people have come forward to donate. You know, that's really what makes this country special and different: the generosity of its people, especially when other people are in trouble and need help.

And I think when you think, think about the Gary Sinise Foundation, Operation Homefront, which we supported 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 great generosity of our crew members and our guests, really, and our employees and The team members have been simply fantastic.

So thank you all for your great support, whether it's $1 or $1,000, whatever it is, every dollar matters.

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You can still donate to the Carnival cause

Cure: We need to make a special recognition because these are the shoes you are going to wear. And we have the word fun here in the toe. And they are dazzled with a heart of love here and the smoke of the Carnival, the funnel there, the funnel there and the boat there.

Duffy: And Converse All-Stars. So, my dear friend, Michelle Fee, who is the CEO of Cruise Planners, many years ago when I started a Carnival, she gave me this. And I thought, what a great opportunity today when I jump into using these.

I'm also wearing Tommy Hilfiger, who has partnered with us for this great opportunity. Of course, Tommy is an amazing and very grateful American designer. And thanks for the beautiful red, white and blue outfit.

They have stores everywhere. So if you're looking for something patriotic to wear, it's a great brand.

Cure: This is from the Big Bubba clothing store in Cleveland. Anyone, no one cares. Alright. Well, I only have two things to say.

First of all, I need you to do something for me. This is the new very limited edition Carnival Paradise Cup. Can I quickly ask you to sign that?

Duffy: Absolutely.

Cure: And then I'm going to raffle it off. And the highest bid will win the cup and other things too. Congratulations from Christine.

And of course, the money will go to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which we are very grateful for. Thank you, Cristina. Thank you all. Then we'll sort it out. Christine, at 4:15 you'll be jumping. I'll put a camera in your face as soon as you land to see how you feel.

But I believe I speak for every one of Carnival's more than 50,000 employees. We are very proud of you. Only you would do this. Only you.

And when you jump off that plane, think only of me. I was the only one. And why do I do it? Oh really. Good luck. Enjoy. And thank you for everything you do.

Update: Duffy successfully completed the jump on October 19.

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