Carnival Cruise Line has announced a leadership change, with Ben Clement set to become the Executive Vice President of Maritime & New Builds starting January 2025. Clement will succeed Lars Ljoen, who will transition to a new role as Chief Maritime Officer at Carnival Corporation.

Clement, with nearly three decades at Carnival, has been instrumental in the development and innovation of the cruise line’s fleet as the Vice President, New Builds & Refurbishment.

“Ben has continually pushed us to think about ship design, features, venues, and products in ways that have helped redefine Carnival, grow guest loyalty, and build a vibrant customer base that has propelled our growth,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

She continued, “He is also an outstanding mariner, with vast knowledge and experience acquired during his time in the French navy, merchant marine, and shipyard management.

“That unique combination of talent and experience across so many aspects of maritime operations will allow us to maintain our leadership in operational and cultural excellence,” she said.

Clement joined Carnival in 1996 and has since played a pivotal role in the design, refurbishment, and construction of the cruise line’s expansive 27-ship fleet. 

Under his leadership, Carnival Cruise Line introduced several innovative ship classes, such as the 130,00-gross-ton Dream Class, the 133,500-gross-ton Vista Class, and 180,000-gross-ton Excel Class, which debuted in 2009, 2106, and 2024, respectively.

He also pioneered features like the first roller coaster at sea, Carnival Jubilee’s BOLT.

Before his tenure at Carnival, Clement served as a navigation officer in the French navy and held various positions on merchant ships. He also managed a shipyard in Toulon, France.

Clement’s academic credentials include a diploma of merchant marine officer from the Ecole Nationale Superieure Maritime French Navy officers’ school in Marseille, France, where he was valedictorian, and an executive program certificate from the Stanford University School of Business in Northern California

Clement to Steer Next Phase of Growth

In his new role, Clement will oversee Carnival’s maritime operations, technical operations, and compliance functions. During this time, Carnival Cruise line will introduce five new ships, starting in 2027, including a new, yet-to-be-named class of ship.

In July 2024, Carnival Cruise Line announced it will add two new sister Excel-class ships following the successful launch of Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, which debuted in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively, each of which can accommodate 6,500 passengers.

Read Also: What to Expect When You Go on a Carnival Cruise

Carnival Jubilee, which embarked on its inaugural voyage from Galveston, Texas, on December 23, 2023, quickly gained popularity for its impressive features and guest experiences. It was named Best New Cruise Ship of the year by Cruise Hive.

A new order for three additional ships slated for delivery in the summers of 2029, 2031, and 2033. The vessels, which are part of a new class weighing nearly 230,000 gross registered tons each, will be constructed at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy and powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Clement will be based in Carnival Cruise Line’s Miami headquarters, which is in the process of relocating. The transition plan at the cruise line involves backfilling his current position.

A heated encounter with a frustrated stranger is usually the last thing anyone wants to deal with first thing in the morning (or ever) – and especially not when you’re supposed to be relaxing on your cruise vacation. 

But John Heald, the brand ambassador for Carnival Cruise Lines, received a rude awakening from a fellow passenger on the morning of Wednesday, August 14, 2024, while onboard Carnival Mardi Gras. 

The cruise expert was on his way to grab a morning cup of coffee when he was approached by an angry guest who had enough of the popular cruising ducks game. 

For those who aren’t familiar, the act of hiding rubber ducks around cruise ships has become increasingly popular in recent years – typically bringing joy to the guests and crew members who happen upon the toys. 

“It was 7:40 AM and I took a break from answering questions to go and get my coffee. The lady comes rushing towards me walking really really quickly and I can see she’s holding a medium-size duck in her hand. She’s shouting my name over and over again,” Heald said in a post on his popular Facebook page.

Initially, Heald thought that the anonymous woman was approaching him because she was enjoying the game or might be gifting him a rubber duck of his own – but that was not the case.

“She got within spittle distance and spent the next three minutes, telling me that the ‘duck thing had gotten out of control’ and that other cruise lines have done the right thing by banning them,” continued Heald.

Worth Reading: Carnival Brand Ambassador Hopes Some Cruisers Will Improve for 2025

The cruise ambassador tried to explain how the game could be fun for other guests, but the irked passenger would have none of it. And making matters worse, Heald couldn’t even enjoy his morning coffee after their encounter. 

“I explained that it was just a little bit of fun and if the other cruise lines want to cancel that fun then that’s entirely up to them. She told me that we were ‘ignorant.’ I have a cold coffee,” Heald added. 

The cruising personality is currently onboard the Excel-class vessel for a 6-day Eastern Caribbean cruise that embarked from Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 11, 2024 – and will still call on Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos, before it disembarks at the Orlando-based port on August 17. 

The 6,500-guest ship already visited Nasseau, Bahamas, on August 12, and Puerto Plata / Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, on August 14. 

Cruising Ducks are Here to Stay

If Heald’s post doesn’t make it obvious enough, cruising ducks aren’t going anywhere – at least as far as Carnival Cruise Line is concerned. 

Heald’s followers were also quick to come to the ambassador’s defense and express their disdain for the passenger who confronted him, arguing that cruising ducks are a welcomed addition onboard Carnival’s 27 ships. 

At best, the game adds joy, and at worst, it does no harm – and there is no requirement for uninterested passengers to play.

“If you don’t want to participate in the ducks then don’t pick them up! Walk on by to let someone that is into them get it! Simple!,” one Facebook user commented. 

“I fail to understand how the ducks harm anyone in any way. If you don’t like them, don’t hide them and don’t look for them…just keep doing your thing and move on… People just have to find something to complain about,” added someone else. 

Read Also: Cruise Ducks: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know!

But apparently, something as innocent as hiding rubber ducks is controversial – as it’s not the first time this activity has caused debate this summer.

In July, Heald’s Facebook page found itself at the center of a debate on if crew members should be allowed to participate in the game after an unidentified cruiser complained that the employees were “stealing” the hidden ducks. 

The overwhelming consensus was that the crew members should be welcomed to play – especially if the game brings them joy while they are working long hours away from their homes and families. 

With Hurricane Ernesto impacting the cruise industry in the eastern Caribbean, guests are undoubtedly experiencing unexpected changes.

However, Carnival Cruise Line has issued a rare urgent alert to passengers on Carnival Magic’s current August 11 sailing. Due to the deteriorating weather conditions in the region, the cruise line is asking all passengers to return to the ship earlier than originally scheduled, during the current in Grand Turk today, August 14.

Even Carnival’s hugely popular brand ambassador, John Heald, posted the recent notice on his Facebook page. His page has over 582,000 followers, many of whom will likely be guests on Carnival Magic.

Worth Reading: Carnival Cruise Guests Reassured Following Grand Turk Hurricane Impact

Heald said, “This is an update for Carnival Magic guests only. If you are ashore in Grand Turk, please return to the ship by 2:30 PM. Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate this evening, and the ship will have to sail earlier than planned.“

Guests are being asked to return to the ship by 2:30 PM rather than the original scheduled return time.

The Dream-class vessel is currently operating out of Miami, Florida on a modified seven-night Caribbean voyage due to Hurricane Ernesto.

Read Also: Grand Turk Cruise Port – Pier, Facilities and What’s Nearby

The ship was set to visit San Juan, Puerto Rico, on August 14, but that was cancelled, and the call to Grand Turk is instead taking place on the same day. The cruise line adjusted the order and times for ports, as well as adding a call to Nassau on August 16. Carnival Magic is still set to return to Miami as scheduled on August 18.

Ernesto Becomes a Hurricane

According to the National Hurricane Center, Ernesto has now become a category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75mph. The storm is currently located approximately 365 Km northwest of Puerto Rico, a popular Caribbean cruise destination that was closed temporarily due to Ernesto.

The hurricane is moving northwest at 16 MPH and is expected to reach the cruise destination of Bermuda by Saturday morning, August 17. The ports on the island are expected to close, including for cruise ship visits.

The general rule of thumb is not to take anything home from your stateroom unless given permission by the crew members, with the exception of disposable toiletries like shampoo and conditioner.

However, one recent passenger may not have gotten the memo. A rather humorous photo of the woman, which shows her sitting in an airport while using one of Carnival’s suitcase mats as a blanket, has gone viral.

The reaction across social media has been full of laughter – with most good natured posters laughing with the cruiser and not at her. Instead, her cruising faux pas has actually inspired others to think of new ways to use the luggage mats – which can be found in every Carnival stateroom fleetwide.

As the photo went viral, keyboard comedians have responded with an outpouring of memes and funny pictures of their own showing new purposes for the bed protectors – including as pool towels, sun shades for cars, roller coaster riders, bedside rugs, cowboy chaps, and more.

Even John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, couldn’t resist reacting on his popular Facebook page. 

“If you get a bit chilly at the airport, you can always wrap your legs in one of these lovely blankets. Oh FFS. And yes, we have charged this person for taking it,” Heald wrote above the popular picture. 

The hilarity continued in the comments section of Heald’s post as well – which has earned more than 1,000 responses in less than a day and been shared nearly 100 times.

Worth Reading: Fan Raises a Flag to their Favorite Cruise Line, Carnival Responds

“How much does one cost? I might get chilly at the airport after my next cruise,” one Facebook user wrote in jest.

“Must’ve been in our room last week, because we didn’t have one on our bed when we arrived this week!,” joked someone else.

While much of the response has been in good spirits, we are keeping the woman’s identity confidential to protect her peace and privacy. 

Why are Luggage Mats so Important?

While they may also make a good blanket, the real purpose of these luggage mats is to protect the bedding in the thousands of staterooms aboard each Carnival ship. 

They’ve been used for decades, with the blue design used in the photo the newest rendition – although its white-based predecessor is still often found on Carnival’s older ships.

The mats serve as protectors – saving the white bedding from dirt and debris that luggage may have picked up, as well as limiting wear and tear.

If guests didn’t use the luggage mats (and they often do find other purposes for them within their staterooms as rugs or light blockers), the housekeeping staff would have a lot more laundry to do – and it would add up quickly! 

To put things in perspective, Carnival Jubilee, the cruise line’s largest vessel, has 1,268 staterooms onboard to keep clean. However, even the smallest ship in the fleet, Carnival Paradise, still has 1,061 guest cabins to maintain. 

Indeed, Carnival crew members take these luggage mats seriously, largely out of necessity, which is why the woman was charged for taking the bed protector as a souvenir – although it’s not known how much she was fined.

Carnival does place a hold on credit cards during the embarkation check-in process, which prevents any onboard expense account concerns during the sailing and protects the cruise line from any damages guests might cause onboard. 

Read Also: 15 Mistakes to Avoid on a Carnival Cruise

It’s also not clear why the guest in the photo took the luggage mat from her stateroom – although unconfirmed rumors circulating online suggest that she genuinely mistook it for a free gift or was told she could take it by crew members because it was in a mobility scooter she was using.