Midweek Interview with Carnival Splendor’s Lee Mason

Midweek Interview with Carnival Splendor’s Lee Mason

With Carnival set to debut a new addition to its Aussie fleet, Carnival Splendor, later this year, we sat down for a chat with its cruise director, Lee Mason.

The things I like about my job are…

The people I meet. Getting to share their holidays and to help guests make lifelong memories.

If I didn’t work in travel, I would be…

Well, I trained as an actor and my background is in theatre. Maybe I’d do kids TV… do they need another Wiggle

The destinations I’m most excited to see are…

I am delighted to get back to Sydney, Carnival Splendor’s home port, where I’ll be able to explore the city on my turnaround days. The Isle of Pines is one of my favourite ports of call with its natural beauty and crystal-clear waters.

My proudest moment was..

When my Mum first sailed with me. In fact, it was on Carnival Spirit, out of Sydney. She was beaming from day one and immediately told me that she thought I’d found my calling. Nothing gets better than that.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was…

That would be telling! I’m a good boy.

I try to relax by…

Listening to music or getting lost in a TV show or movie. I also am a huge advocate of granny naps.

The inside information I have on Carnival Splendor’s dry dock is…

A lot of exciting things have been shared already. Carnival is too excited to keep things secret. The Green and Gold waterpark looks awesome with the new green thrill-slide and its 11.3-metre free-fall drop. I’m also excited about the new restaurants – Masala Tiger is right up my street.

I really wish I had..

Bill Gate’s bank account, grown slightly taller than I am and Cheryl Cole as a girlfriend.

The best advice I’ve ever received was…

Be yourself. You can always fall short when trying to be something you’re not, but you will always succeed if you be yourself.

I don’t understand why people…

Fold dirty laundry when packing at the end of a holiday. It’s going in the washer anyway!

My greatest weakness is…

Guy’s Burger Joint. Their burgers are sooo good! I have to try and limit myself to one or two a week – it’s not easy.

And my greatest strength is…

I like to think it’s my compassion and love of people.

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would…

I’d invest in property, somewhere exotic. I am also a lover of tech and gadgets, so no doubt I’d splurge there too.

If I was prime minister, I would…

Quit and become a cruise director. I’m not cut out for politics.

If I could be someone else for one day, I would be a…

TV presenter.

I’ve always wanted to travel to…

Japan or India.

My favourite holiday was…

With my Mum to Tulum, Mexico. It was the first holiday that was just the two of us. I was 15 and we made so many memories. I’m 32 now, and we still talk and laugh about things from that trip.

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