Many cruise ships have large movie screens on the pool deck. That's true of most Carnival ships and Royal Caribbean ships smaller than Oasis-class.
Those screens show movies, and before the pandemic, at least on Royal Caribbean ships, those films played on a sort of endless loop. Yes, there were more official screenings that were advertised in the daily Cruise Compass, but the movies played at other times as well.
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That must have been an added expense because both Royal Caribbean and Carnival have cut back on screenings. Royal Caribbean now shows Chive TV, a free channel that offers funny pet videos, extreme sports stunts, and other background programming.
Both cruise lines occasionally use their big screens for major sporting events and Carnival broadcasts its cruise director’s morning show. Back in the day, however, Carnival used to show cartoons on its big screens in between its movie offerings.
That's a tradition that Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald thought that some people might want back. He posted about it on his Facebook page a promised to take action if enough people responded positively.
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Image source: Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival's Brand Ambassador asks for help
Heald used to be a Carnival Cruise Director and he often shares his memories from those days. In a June 28 post, he called for the cruise line to bring back something from its past.
"Today I vote we bring back filling in the gaps on the Lido big screen with cartoons. We are never to old for cartoons, right?" he shared.
Heald also shared a challenge for his over half a million followers.
"If 1,000 or more of you agree I will send to the beards," he wrote. "The beards" is Heald's name for the cruise line's leadership. It's an affectionate, albeit very loose term as Carnival has many non-bearded female executives as well as some male leaders who don't actually have beards.
Heald finished his post with a call to action.
"If you agree please press the happy face symbol," he added.
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Carnival Cruise Line passengers speak out
The post garnered over 1,000 positive emojis. That included 1,700 smiley faces, 1,100 thumbs up, and 162 hearts as of 2:21 p.m, on June 28.
Over 1,200 people commented on Heald's post and most supported the cartoon idea.
"We only watch Cartoon Network in our cabin. I'm happy I can still watch Adult Swim while relaxing at night before bed. I don't recommend Adult Swim on the Lido Deck, but I highly support cartoons on the Lido," wrote Sammy Sheldon.
Some passengers even had suggestions.
"I would love if ya'll had the old-school cartoons. Like Flintstones, Jetsons, Scooby Doo. Even TV shows like 'Mama's Family," 'Golden Girls,' and "Family Matters," shared Lucia Rucker.
Many others echoed that idea.
"Yes!! The old-school cartoons like Bugs Bunny, Roadrunner, Foghorn Leghorn, Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry etc," posted Lucia Rucker.
There were, however, some other suggestions.
"I'd prefer a documentary on the next island we're going to. Tell us about the island, its people, and their culture," wrote Randy Hettenbaugh.
Others would prefer the screens go dark.
"I totally enjoy listening to music. I don’t think cartoons all day would be enjoyable," shared Debbie Baer Cooper.
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Tara Barringer suggested a hybrid approach.
"I like the music playing. It gives a special ambiance when you walk outside. Cartoons would be fine if they were kept silent though," she posted.
A few posters also lobbied for a different kind of nostalgia.
"I vote we cut off the big screen and bring back the steel drum bands," wrote Trip Moorhead.
That opinion was shared by Sue Aitkin.
"Nooooo! How about bringing back live music on the Lido," she shared.
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