It's hard enough to win anything — let alone a prize as big as this — but this month, Janine H. of Loma Linda, California did just that. That's right, she won a FREE Carnival cruise by voting on which 'first' should be added to America's list!

Today, we tip our captain's hat to Janine as we find out more about her.

Have you ever cruised before, or will you be checking this off your list of firsts?

Yes, I've cruised in Alaska and Caribbean, but never with Carnival before!

 

What new experiences do you hope to have on your Carnival cruise?

I hope to try ziplining!  I've never done that before.

 

Carnival has international chefs who create dishes from the four corners of the world. What new foods have you always wanted to try?

I love to try foods from all over the world!  I'd try anything if it's vegetarian!

 

There are many different evening entertainment options onboard a Carnival Cruise like dinner shows, comedy clubs and karaoke where you can sing with a live band. When you're not basking in the sun, what do you hope to experience?

For ship entertainment, I love to attend the shows, comedy clubs, magic shows.  I would even try karaoke even though I can't sing!  I'll never see those people again!

 

What exotic port(s) do you plan on sailing off to and why?

I would love to sail off to the Caribbean and visit Cozumel.

What kind of new experiences do you hope to have in port? Parasailing? Swimming with dolphins?

In port, I'd like to scuba dive or zipline, or anything I haven't done before

 

Your cruise is for a group of four. Who are the lucky people you're taking with you?

I haven't yet decided who deserves to go with me!  Friends or family?

Beyond a Carnival cruise, what other firsts do you hope to cross off your Didja Ever list this year?

I'd love to see the Northern lights, swim with the dolphins, mush a dog sled.

 

What do you think of our America's top 100 list? Anything you would add?

I love the things on America's top 100 list!  I've been fortunate enough to see a lot of the world but I love to travel, and I'd love to go to anywhere I haven't already been.  I'd love to be able to see all of the seven wonders of the world!

Have you already done some of the things of America's list? Can you share some of those past experiences?

I have: gone on a cruise, I have seen the Great Pyramids at Giza (luckily in November 2010 before all the trouble in Egypt started), The Great Wall of China, the Colosseum, the leaning tower of Pisa, Macchu Picchu. I have ridden a gondola in Venice, I've been to the top of the Eiffel tower, been on a Safari, I've ridden a hot air balloon, been parasailing, learned how to scuba dive and salsa dance. I've driven cross country, I've ridden an elephant in Nepal, and climbed a volcano in Guatemala.

One popular item on America's list is "Pick a place and go." If you could go anywhere on a whim, where would it be?

If I could pick a place to go, I'd love to visit the rainforest of Costa Rica or visit Turkey or South Africa.

 

Thanks again for your time. Would you mind a follow-up interview after your cruise? It'd be great to hear how it went and which firsts you were able to check off your list.

No problem!  I'd love to do a follow up interview!

Wow, looks like Janine has really seen the world. And you could too if you enter for a chance to win this month's Carnival cruise! All you have to do is vote for what should be added to America's list on Facebook.