HOW SHIPPING SAVED CHRISTMAS | HOLIDAYS ON A SHIP | AWAY FROM FAMILY 

Having served many years in the British Military and working away many many Christmas’s it’s unbelievable that the smallest present sent you and the shortest message from home is the biggest present I have ever got, ever.

Thanks for this video! It reminds me that we (Steward Dept) can make a difference during the holidays. After 22 years, the holidays just mean a little more OT and a bit of resentment that the rest of the crew gets the day off. I guess I've forgotten that others might be struggling with being away from home. From now on, I'll be using your video for motivation during the holidays! Time to step up the game!

Dude, that was phenomenal. Your storytelling, editing and music choices are always excellent, but this is at another level. Thank you for making this.

Thank You for this video, as a divorcee & Father I spent Christmas days running around trying to please people only achieving heartache for myself. Your video gave me a child's perspective, your video gave me a warm feeling in my heart. Merry Christmas Sir!!!

Geepers, this made me tear up several times! Thank you for sharing the videos from your childhood, and for reminding us to treasure our family and friends. The gifts you received from the knitters and others also reminded me that even the simplest of gestures and gifts can often bring light and hope.

When you get to be old like me, you look back and wish those holidays with family had never ended. It all ends way too fast.

Such top notch editing man, killer job! Very heartfelt video…

Merry Christmas to all the crews away at this time. Thank you for what you do. Safe travels.

You covered the whole Christmas continuum; may it always be there for us. Nice job, Joe

Joe, your voice, your story, your family memories are just so mesmerising and wonderful. It reminds me that you never know what you have until it's lost. How great to receive those Xmas gifts onboard. Thank you for this channel. We love it. Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year. Safe sailing.🦘😎🌴⚓️

Joe , you put into words exactly how I have felt for years, now at 60 it is just me ,my wife and 2 kitties. I lost the magic a long time ago, Amazing video and to not sound like the Grinch, merry Christmas to you and yours.

Like you Joe, I'll be working on the ambulance Christmas Day. No one wants to see me and my partner. But, people are nice to us that day. Merry Christmas, from one working man to another.

Love to see your videos ..Hello from Louisiana

Joe - nice work! I’m 61 and I want to go to Piney Point when I retire next year! Some trivia: in Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, the Ghost of Christmas Present actually leads Scrooge out to a ship at sea in order to sho him that the officers and sailors keep Christmas. So You are participating in a very old tradition of sorts. Merry Christmas Sir!

Great video. From someone who has spent too many Christmas days away from his family. You out did yourself as usual. Not only great technically but you told a great story. Your story. Can’t ask for anything better than that. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

*Just in time for morning break. God bless the crew and be safe.*

When I was young I moved half way across the world to build a life in New Zealand. Christmas stopped having meaning. Seasons are reversed and family is far away. These are tender times indeed.

Quite possibly my favorite video you’ve put out! 100% genuine! Merry Christmas!

You had me tearing up, Joe, thinking back to Christmasses with my children and their mother, all now very far away from me and far apart from one another... Have a wonderful Christmas, and may it be better than any you have had aboard a ship before. Thank you for your videos, I love them.

We forget sometimes that a gift from someone we don't know means we are not alone in this world. It was wonderful to see how you reacted to this kind act .Be safe.

All I can say is thank you to all the Mariners out on the water spending Christmas away from family to deliver goods that keep the world running Merry Christmas

Thanks for the post. You have a huge cyber family that wishes you the best and merriest of Christmas holidays. No we can’t replace your real family but that doesn’t mean that we won’t be thinking of you. The technology that brings you into our lives is the same that can connect you with Jersey and beyond. Merry Christmas to the whole crew. All the best ! 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🎄🇨🇦🎄🎄🎅🇨🇦🇨🇦👍😌

Merry Christmas Joe 🎄 Thank you for getting stuff delivered around the world. I’m sure many of us are thinking about you and all the merchant mariners this time of year due to your videos.

Merry Christmas Joey! ❤️ Tears running down my face after you zoomed in on my dad 💚 Thank you for the happy memories! Stay safe love you!!

Man, so many feels all packed into a short little video!!! Looks like your childhood was pretty idyllic, a lot like mine! Merry Christmas and thank you for doing your part in making life function for all of us on this tiny blue marble floating through space!

As a transportation worker myself, Christmas away from home is a fact of life that I have dealt with as well. Awesome video…felt like I was watching a Disney movie. You have a real talent and it shows.

Awesome job Joe. Brought a tear to my eye. I missed several Christmas while in the Army in the 80's.

Nice to know thoughtful gifts are still being given out. My first Christmas at sea (1963) we were in the New York area and received similar goody bags … appreciated then and still remembered.

That's awesome that those organizations send you guys a little care package for the holidays. Thanks Joe! -a fellow newjersian

I work on the end of the supply chain in delivery. Longs hours this time of year but I'm home every night or at least on the weekends. So much respect and gratitude for those of you out there spending weeks away from home to keep the chain moving. Merry Christmas to you and your crews.

Christmas 1964 I was deployed on the USS Markab AR-23. A repair ship in Yokosuka Japan. It was a nice time, but not home. My parents back home in Redondo Beach, Calif. had an artificial tree that they kept up with all the decorations and presents until I got home in April 1965, and then we had a family Christmas which included my grand parents. It was a very special time. Thank you for this video. May God Bless you and your shipmates and/or family where ever you may be.

Edits on point man !!!! Watching for Courage 🥂

You have a way with words Joe. Great video. Be safe and Merry Christmas from Carlsbad, California 🌎

wonderful video Joe Merry Christmas to you. as retired military at 60 years old I spent over half my life away from home during Christmas I know what it's like. safe travels

You know the Captain trusts the crew if he gives everyone a knife! Ha Ha. GREAT video!!!!

First class narrative and editing. Oh and the message is spot on too. And maybe a little tear in the eye. Thanks

Merry Christmas joe hope you safe out there brother 🤙🏾🤙🏾⚓️⚓️

Merry Christmas to you, Seaman Joe. My Dad was a British Merchant Marine Chief Engineer. Sometimes, he was home for Christmas. I get it. God bless and enjoy.

Merry Christmas Joe, incredible Christmas sprit in this video, you are the Man🎉

Great job of capturing and releasing the Christmas Spirit!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Joe! That good paycheck is for the sacrifice you make at these times especially in jobs that people would do for free if they were wealthy! You will doubly appreciate the special holidays and family events one day when your a land lover! Keep up the great work Joe!

As a Grand Knight of a Knights of Columbus council, I'm proud that we could send you a little holiday cheer!

Best Wishes for all your family and friends. You do such a good job of producing these clips. Thanks for bringing the seafaring opportunity to our attention.

I’ve lived that life too … Santa is as real as you make him out to be … you learn that after you try so hard to get home and travel issues leave you stranded in a far away place on that one special day … you miss the chaos … but after you miss one it’s never again commercialization or chaos at Christmas … it’s always family and friends and memories of Christmas past … great stuff Joe

Merry Christmas from Detroit Joe! 🎄

Brought back time at sea in the RN at Christmas, but then the words of a Naval Chaplin came to mind your family are all was in in your hart and mind so not to far away Happy Christmas to all at sea and in harbours in distant lands

Excellent analysis, its most certainly the truth of transgression from a child to adult. I wish I could experience that magical feeling once again. Merry Christmas Joe..

Thanks so much for sharing Joe. This video hit home for me and made me rethink things like you did a couple years ago. I kinda feel the same as you did but this with the rush and commercialization that Christmas has become but this12:58 minute video makes me realize there are many less fortunate than I am and just to embrace the holidays and be thankful for the family around me. Gotta admit, the first shipping video I watched that made me cry. Much love from Canada Joe....Merry Christmas.

Thank you so much for sharing your family Christmases with us and for life aboard ship. It brought tears to my eyes remembering my own childhood Christmases. Merry Christmas, Joe, to you and your crew.

Amazing video! My best Christmas was spent in Singapore while onboard U.S.S. Enterprise! Thank you for your commitment to getting supplies around the world!

Awesome memories Joe, merry Christmas to all you sailors in far flung places around the world doing their job keeping stuff happening while away from family and friends.🖖

Touching!!! ❤

I knit hats for Christmas at Sea in memory of father. Thank you for the video.

I always get so excited when one of your videos post. Always a fantastic storyline. This was tear jerker lol. Makes me appreciate people who are gone from home during holidays and special events keeping our world running. God bless you man and stay safe.

40 years ago I could have been on your path of seamanship With just a twist in fate I now look at what my life could have been like Enjoy the ride of life’s adventures don’t set here 40 years later and not smile at your time Just a nice edited show

Joe this was a wonderful video, thanks. The holiday can be stressful with shopping and obligations to visit. But when the core family members that everyone gather around are gone the remaining family tends to drift apart without realizing it and something precious is lost forever. Also one's co-workers can make a lonely holiday special by just sharing a celebration of the season

Hey Joe, from a fellow Jersey guy, you’ve really outdone yourself with this one! Being able to follow your journeys has brought me much enjoyment and education, so thank you for what you do with the camera and for maritime commerce. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and fair winds and following seas for the new year.

Thanks for the great video, Joe. You brought a tear to this old man's eye. My family was all gone elsewhere during the holiday, but they are back now and I get to spend time this week with some of them. It is hard to get us all together in the same place at the same time because the grandkids are all adults with their own spouses or significant others. No more little ones around.

Thanks Joe for this really inspiring video. The editing, the comments and the videos from your past are really awesome. What I really admire about you is that even if you appear to be a big tough hard working type of guy you are not afraid to show your emotions and that in my mind is the true sign of a good, genuine old soul. Thanks again for bringing tears to my eyes with this one!

A beautiful and poignant post, probably my favorite of all I've watched of yours. Merry Christmas, peace, and safe passage to you, your crewmates, and all the people like you who are away from home at this time of year to make so many aspects of life possible for the rest of us...

Man you are so lucky to have those videos of your mom & dad when you were so small. My parents split before I could even remember my first Christmas & my mom passed away when I was 12. I have a handful of photos of her and that is it besides my memories. It was really touching to see you so young with your mom, dad, family dog & cat. Stay safe and I hope you get your Christmas wish. PJ

Thanks for the video and the heartfelt reminder that the season is more about who you spend it with, rather than how.

Wow, how many times did you hit the nail on the head. Well done well said Joe.

During my time at sea, Christmas was just a work up, being catering on tankers we did work hard. We knocked off early and left a buffet and got drunk (British ships had bars in them days). Having left the sea many years ago, I can think of nothing more exciting than spending Christmas looking aimlessly at the ocean for hours on end. Merry Christmas Joe and thanks for your vlogs 👍🏻😉

Excellent video. Merry Christmas Joe. The Lord’s blessings to you.

Greetings from the UK, Heartwarming video Geezer, Have a lovely Christmas this year and a happy and healthy 2023.

Nice job Joe! My family is all gone. Wish I had the chance for 1 more Christmas with them!!

G'day Joe, my wife and I always love your vlogs we both agreed with your earlier thoughts on Christmas but thanks to your video you have turned us around and we will make a better effort to be merry and kind this year. We will start now by wishing you all the best for your Christmas at sea and have a happy and healthy New Year. Cheers from your fans in Australia.

Merry Christmas Joe where ever this may find you. I can relate to your Christmas thoughts as I too came from a divorced family, began to hate holidays because of the back and forth. Joined the Navy and was away from that and began to enjoy Christmas hanging out with my brothers in service as we spent Christmas in places unknown. Enjoy the content and at times(and trust me I know) I envy what you are doing even though it comes with some tedious tasks.

Not really a fan of Christmas these days, I do remember a time when Christmas was magical. Yoyr video made me cry seeing you as such adorable little boy, I raised 3 sons,

Well said man, spent the last 2 decades with the Army, everything you said was right on point.

This is exactly how I feel about Christmas, talking a lot of shit about it but at the end you can't live without the people you love! Thanks for this video and have a nice Christmas. Safe travels!

I know what you mean and you brought up some memories rushing back to me, I served in the British Army and was single, and I spent many Christmases on Duty in far-off lands, with just my corps members as company. My family was all over the world doing their bit to protect the land they were living in, it's only now that I am in my late 60's that I am able to spend Christmas at home. Take care Joe and Happy Christmas.

So wonderful… as every video but it really expresses a special Christmas message. Wish more ppl had your new attitude about Christmas and even of Santa!

Fair winds seaman, Know the feeling,

Merry Christmas Joe. And to all your shipmates. Fair winds, God Bless.

Joe, this is just too good. I really enjoyed the video, which shows your deeper inner side. Keep up the excellent work, and stay safe. Merry Christmas!

5:09 Joe, you summed up the words I was trying to find, for reasons wishing I could become a sailor on a cargo ship.

Your Christmas video touched my heart! As a soldier serving away from home, that wasn’t home, for so many years I can relate. “Merry Christmas Joe!” 🎄😁

Always enjoy ur videos! Im from Malaysia borneo. A bit older now. Always wanted to be a merchant mariner. But now can Live IT through your videos. Tq.Merry christmas and good bless.

Christmas on a ship sounds awesome.

Merry Christmas Joe. The road goes on forever, and the party never ends. -Highwaymen. You got this. You'll look back at this and know it was the best thing you ever did for yourself and your career someday.

To you and crew , getting it done for all of us . Thank you and Merry Christmas .

Very well put together video Joe 👌👍 - 🌲🌲🎁🎁🎀🎀🎀 Merry Xmas 🌲🌲🎁🎁🎀🎀🎀

Very nice Joe.

Stewarts is the real mvps in the holidays

This video is my ‘Best of the Year’. I spent 4 years in military and spent most holidays away from home and alone. Your video reminds me of how I felt being away from family. Not a great feeling but you captured it all. Happy Holidays

I was ill with covid over Christmas so I missed this! A belated seasons greetings from a fellow AB but of a few years back... this really reminded me of all of my Christmases away from loved ones, thank you for such a well made and thoughtful upload!

Merry Christmas. This reminds me of the Christmases I spent overseas or thousands of miles from home in the US and couldn't get back.

Brilliant,,you grew so much,,joyride and merry Christmas ❤

Love your videos and your heartfelt feelings you brought forth

I was very Touched and Moved by this episode. Excellent story telling. All the best in your Voyages.

Maybe your best yet. Ultra heartfelt. All the very best to you!

Great video Joe. You really kicked me I'm the feels with this one. Merry Christmas 🎄

Spoken like a true salty Sailor. Merry Christmas and thanks for keeping the world going, you are appreciated!

Love the old footage of you growing up and believe it or not it got me teary eyed thinking of the past of me as a kid and my kids , such great memories and my best days are definitely behind me. Family isn’t as tight as it was in my younger years, Thanksgiving and Christmas we went to an Aunt’s house in Pittsburgh where we all lived in that region, going downtown to enjoy the Christmas festivities, etc. but now we are all spread out on the east coast and hard to organize anything anymore. It can be sad times for many and sometimes including me, missing the ones that are no longer here and just watching time fly by in life.. Anyways Merry Christmas and love your vids brother.

very cool. brought back a lot of great memories with my family too! Especially at the end when everyone is sitting around playing cards. We'd always do that. Grandmom, Grandpop, mom, pop, me, whoever stopped by. So much fun and as you say "magical" times! Cheers! and Merry Xmas!!

Well done Joe, well done. Here’s to Christmas spirit in July 🎉

👌🏻🙂 beautiful 🌲

Always good to watch this while I enjoy my work Christmas lunch