Carnival Cruise Line is once again under fire after what many are calling an unnecessary and humiliating treatment of a popular Fun Squad and Comedy Club Host Trevor Johnson, who was abruptly forced off the Carnival Valor in Cozumel after submitting a standard two-week resignation notice.
Trevor, who is from Louisiana, had planned to finish his contract and disembark in New Orleans, just as he arranged in his two-week resignation notice. But instead of allowing him to complete the sailing and go home with dignity, Carnival ordered him off the ship in Cozumel, waking him at 6 a.m. and giving him only one hour to pack up his entire life with no warning, no respect, and no chance to say goodbye to his friends.
This is the letter Trevor posted on social media:
“Well… what should have been a formal and professional resignation on November 20th turned into something completely different.. TODAY — a 6:00 a.m. knock on my door in Cozumel Mexico, waking me from a deep sleep and telling me I had one hour to pack all of my belongings and leave the ship.
How embarrassing and devastating it was to pack up my entire life in just one hour — with no chance to say proper goodbyes to my onboard family, and no time to think. My mind immediately went to my team… leaving them on such short notice broke my heart. I had other plans for how this chapter would close, but not like this.
HUGE Thank you to HR, HOTEL DIRECTOR & ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTOR for allowing me a little more time after I had packed to say at least a few goodbyes before I left.
Specifically my Fun Squad, Thank you ALL for the final walk down the peir with all of my belongings to the Taxi ride to the airport.
Let me explain……
I submitted my resignation on November 4th with the intention of leaving on November 20th — giving a full two-week notice. I wanted to allow time for a smooth transition, to help find a replacement, and to say goodbye properly to everyone who had become like family aboard the Valor. From the Bridge all the way down to the Engine Room, I truly loved and appreciated every single crew member — some new faces, some who’ve been with me for two contracts.
I made that plan from my heart, because I could have left in New Orleans without notice — but I believed my team deserved better. The ship deserved better.
But that didn’t happen. So here I am, typing this message through tears, feeling lost for words… overwhelmed, humiliated, disrespected, and deeply embarrassed.
For months I’ve been thinking long and hard about this — making one of the most difficult decisions of my life. Carnival has changed my life in ways I’ll never forget. Over the past three years, I’ve had an amazing journey — meeting incredible crew members from around the world, working side by side to give our guests unforgettable vacations.
But beyond the work — it’s the bonds, the love, and the support I’ve gained. Strangers who became family. Crew and guests who became lifelong friends. These memories will always stay with me.
To every Crew Member and every Guest — my ship family — you will always have a place in my heart, no matter where life takes me.
Yes, it’s true — my dream was to become a future Cruise Director with Carnival. That goal fueled me every single day. But the reality is, there are people in the office (shoreside) who simply don’t like me or my brand — and today, they showed exactly why I made the decision to leave. It’s unfortunate that one person’s dislike or hate can dictate someone else’s growth.
Oh & YES, shoreside was the one to make this decision for me to leave TODAY…..
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!
But you know what? It’s not my loss. It’s a new road ahead — one where I’ll continue to grow, be appreciated, and be valued for who I am.
I could say so much more, but I’ll leave it at this — I will always stay humble, stay true to myself, and keep things professional.
Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this beautiful journey. Thank you, Valor, for being my home away from home. I came aboard once as a first time guest… and I now leave as a former crew member.
STAY TUNED for what’s NEXT….
Oh, & I MAY share more details of my decision once I get home…. Because I’m NOT done yet!”
One thing is clear:
Trevor Johnson deserved better.
And Carnival’s treatment of him reflects a growing problem, not with the people onboard, but with the decision-makers who never have to face the human consequences of their choices.
