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By Charlotte Hopkins

Carol Malock Cianflone (“Granny”), Nate Malock, and Cathy Zora (“Nunny”) lead a discussion at the Whitehall Public Library, answering audience questions about their unforgettable Hallmark Christmas Cruise experience.

Baldwin High School junior Nate Malock poses with his grandmothers, Cathy Zora and Carol Malock Cianflone, at the Whitehall Public Library where they shared what it was like to be a part of the Hallmark’s Christmas at Sea cruise.

Memorabilia from the Hallmark Christmas Cruise, including Nate Malock’s personalized badge were displayed on a table during the presentation.

Whitehall Public Library hosted local teen Nate Malock and his grandmothers, Cathy Zora, affectionately known as “Nunny,” and Carol Malock Cianflone, lovingly called “Granny” as they shared the story of an unforgettable adventure that combined family, faith, friendship, and a little bit of Hallmark magic. Their story began in July 2023, when Hallmark announced its first-ever Hallmark Christmas Cruise, a “Christmas in July” voyage featuring beloved Hallmark actors and filmed as a four-part reality series titled Christmas at Sea. When Nate learned about the cruise, he knew that this was what he wanted for his 16th birthday. Instead of asking for a car, the Baldwin High School junior reached out to his grandmothers to see if they would consider giving him tickets for the cruise. Without hesitation, they agreed.

Nate, who has been a devoted Hallmark fan for years, began collecting Hallmark ornaments at just 11 years old. What started as a love for holiday movies had grown into a meaningful tradition, making the cruise the perfect way to celebrate his December birthday.

In May 2024, Hallmark announced that a select number of cruise guests would be chosen to participate in the filmed series. To enter, applicants were asked why they were going on the cruise and why they wanted to be part of the show. Nate’s answers focused on the close bond he shares with his grandmothers, describing them not only as family, but as best friends - to him and to each other. He wrote about the cruise being a birthday gift from the two women who sparked his love for Hallmark movies and helped him to start and grow his collection of Hallmark ornaments.

Hallmark was moved by the story. Nate, Cathy, and Carol advanced to the first round of selection, followed by a Zoom interview. From there, the trio continued through multiple rounds of interviews, sometimes together, sometimes individually, answering questions such as their favorite Hallmark movies and sharing more about their family dynamic. Ultimately, they were selected.

On board the ship, the trio attended themed events including the ‘Sail-a-bration’, which was their sail-away party, a pajama party, an ugly sweater party, and even a wedding that would become one of the most touching moments of the cruise. They also participated in a Christmas door-decorating contest. With so much excitement, there were plenty of humorous moments too. Nate shared how he used Air Tags to keep track of his grandmothers after repeatedly losing them on the ship. In one memorable moment at a hotel before the cruise, Cathy and Carol found themselves knocking on the wrong door on the fifth floor and calling Nate to ask why he wasn’t answering, only for him to inform them that their room was actually on the 11th floor.

The cruise featured appearances by well-known Hallmark actors, including Jonathan Bennett, Erin Cahill, Andrew Walker, Wes Brown, Kimberley Sustad, Nikki DeLoach, Ben Ayres, Taylor Cole, and Tyler Hynes, adding to the once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere.

The Hallmark Christmas Cruise marked the first of what the company intends to become an annual tradition. And for Nate, when asked why he chose the cruise instead of a car for his 16th birthday, his responded, “A car will go down in value, but these memories that I am making now will always go up in my heart.” Nate’s story was not just about a cruise, it was about the enduring power of family, shared experiences, and choosing moments that last a lifetime.

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