Cruise Critic News: Popular Carnival Cruise Director Matt Mitcham Announces Retirement

[jimbo5544]

They just lost the best CD there is.   He announced on FB

Edited August 26, 2020 by jimbo5544

[ProgRockCruiser]

Oh, that's too bad!  I was hoping to catch a sailing with him at some point.  Since he had been allocated to the now-cancelled Mardi Gras cruises in Nov-Feb (or whatever), I guess he felt it was good time to leave.

 

Did he say where he is going?

[Bostwick girl]

Wow, hate to hear that! I have to agree with you Jimbo!

[PhillyFan33579]

11 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

They just lost the best CD there is.   He announced on FB

You said Matt Mitcham was leaving, not Mikey Gibson. 😊

Edited August 26, 2020 by PhillyFan33579

[19cruiser59]

Matt was great. I will miss him, and i know for SURE my wife will miss him.   lol

[ProgRockCruiser]

I found his FB page and his video announcement - not saying where he is going, sort of alluded to perhaps not even leaving Carnival altogether...

 

Also, his last name is "Mitcham", with an "a", in case anyone is searching.

[trvlgirlmq]

Oh, man, first Butch and now Matt.  They were Carnival's best assets.

[Jamman54]

He was great, so sad to see him go. People have to work and make money. I know several of our favorite Fun Squad members that have taken land jobs. Good for them, but sad for us.

[TigerGalCruiser]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Matt is my favorite.

[firefly333]

That's too bad, I had him last time

[19cruiser59]

Mike Pack has been announced as new Mardi Gras CD.

[mdin]

The best CD I've had on any cruise. Best of luck to him on his new endeavors.

[xDisconnections]

14 minutes ago, trvlgirlmq said:

Oh, man, first Butch and now Matt.  They were Carnival's best assets.

Butch was an awesome guy. I hope he’s doing okay.

[xDisconnections]

24 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I found his FB page and his video announcement - not saying where he is going, sort of alluded to perhaps not even leaving Carnival altogether...

 

Also, his last name is "Mitcham", with an "a", in case anyone is searching.

Rumor has it in the comments section of that video, he accepted a position with Virgin. It’s just in the comments and I don’t follow shiny teeth dude so I’m unsure of the accuracy regarding that statement. It’s just what someone noted.

 

His comment was there to part ways on good terms and leave the door open for future opportunities.

 

My opinion though: this is a loss for Carnival. He seemed to be an ideal candidate as Heald’s replacement. Sailed with him once while he was an ACD on the Victory and I thought he did a fine job.

Edited August 26, 2020 by xDisconnections

[crewsweeper]

7 minutes ago, 19cruiser59 said:

Mike Pack has been announced as new Mardi Gras CD.

 

4 minutes ago, xDisconnections said:

Butch was an awesome guy. I hope he’s doing okay.

Not a big follower of CDs, but Mike and Butch and Matt were all great.  

Tough to hang on during a no sail environment.

Last I heard Butch was doing well, but haven't seen any FB posts in awhile.

[Butterbean1000]

One of my favorite cruises was with Matt as CD and Dr E was his side kick. We laughed the whole cruise. 

[Elaine5715]

22 minutes ago, xDisconnections said:

Rumor has it in the comments section of that video, he accepted a position with Virgin. It’s just in the comments and I don’t follow shiny teeth dude so I’m unsure of the accuracy regarding that statement. It’s just what someone noted.

 

His comment was there to part ways on good terms and leave the door open for future opportunities.

 

My opinion though: this is a loss for Carnival. He seemed to be an ideal candidate as Heald’s replacement. Sailed with him once while he was an ACD on the Victory and I thought he did a fine job.

Switching to another cruise line (CCL brand or other) will strengthen that future position.  Between Matt and Schwartz, they manage every aspect of being a CD with ease and personality.  

[Joebucks]

That is a massive loss. I thought he was for sure the next John Heald. When you're good at your job, you are in high demand.

[keywest1]

Never got to sail with Matt, but Mike Pack is our favorite.  Not many really stand out anymore.

[westview1]

1 hour ago, xDisconnections said:

Rumor has it in the comments section of that video, he accepted a position with Virgin. It’s just in the comments and I don’t follow shiny teeth dude so I’m unsure of the accuracy regarding that statement. It’s just what someone noted.

 

His comment was there to part ways on good terms and leave the door open for future opportunities.

 

My opinion though: this is a loss for Carnival. He seemed to be an ideal candidate as Heald’s replacement. Sailed with him once while he was an ACD on the Victory and I thought he did a fine job.

Matt was the best, we had him as our CD on the Vista Med and TA and the Horizon TA. 

 

I can see him working for Virgin Cruises, he definitely fits in with their employee culture.  He's young, personable and sexy a perfect fit for Virgin.

[BlerkOne]

Did Virgin go bankrupt with the airline?

[JaxsMama]

2 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

You said Matt Mitcham was leaving, not Mikey Gibson. 😊

Had Mikey when he was the assistant to Mike. They were awesome together!

[TNcruising02]

After cruising with Matt on the Vista, it was the very first time I really paid attention to a cruise director. He was so good and set the bar so high that it was hard for anyone else to come close.  He will be a huge loss to Carnival.  I was really hoping to have him as a CD on my Mardi Gras cruise.

[pirate4me2]

He's one of the best we have cruised with, and he will be missed! 😞

[ecarbine]

2 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I found his FB page and his video announcement - not saying where he is going, sort of alluded to perhaps not even leaving Carnival altogether...

 

Also, his last name is "Mitcham", with an "a", in case anyone is searching.

New Brand Ambassador perhaps?