Carnival Cruise Line honors heroes with Military Appreciation Day.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

Carnival Cruise Line, widely recognized as the cruise line with the highest number of military service members aboard its ships, has committed to honoring the armed forces by introducing a full Military Appreciation Day on all sailings in North America. Starting from the week of July 24, 2023, Carnival's Military Appreciation Day will be celebrated on each ship, paying tribute to the brave men and women who have served their country.

"At Carnival, where we're proudly known as America's Cruise Line, we're intent on honoring our military heroes and expanding our Military Appreciation Gathering into a full day is a wonderful tribute to the sacrifices our Armed Services personnel and their families have made," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "Carnival already carries more active and retired military service members than any other cruise line, and we are proud that our new Military Appreciation Day will serve as an incredible salute to military service members and their families."

During Military Appreciation Day, guests will experience heartwarming displays of patriotism and appreciation. The Carnival Seaside Theater screen will showcase special messaging, the Cruise Director and Captain will make announcements highlighting the significance of the day, and a prominent United States flag will be on display in the ship's atrium as a symbol of honor and respect for sailings lasting four days or more.

The Military Appreciation Gathering, a regular feature on all Carnival cruises since 2016, will now be an integral part of Military Appreciation Day, but with some exciting enhancements. Guests will have the opportunity to learn more about Carnival's partner, Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military families. Carnival makes it easier for guests to contribute to this worthy cause by enabling quick donations through their Sail & Sign cards. Furthermore, guests attending the gathering can purchase group photos at a discounted rate, with a portion of the proceeds going to Operation Homefront. All military members attending the event will receive a unique pin, and the longest-serving veteran will receive a hero coin.

To show their ongoing appreciation, Carnival will give away a free cruise and invite one military member and a guest of their choice to enjoy a well-deserved vacation. Guests can enter the raffle by swiping their Sail & Sign card at the Military Appreciation Gathering.

For guests in the military, Carnival offers the opportunity to attend a Veterans Meet and Greet on all sailings, fostering a sense of camaraderie and connection. On select ships such as Carnival Celebration, Carnival Mardi Gras, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance, and Carnival Pride, the meet and greet will take place in the Heroes Tribute Lounge—a dedicated venue on several Carnival ships that honors military members. These sailings will also feature the Veteran's Table, a reserved table in the dining room during Tea Time, exclusively for veterans.

In addition to heartfelt gatherings and tributes, Carnival is introducing a new beer, the Heroes American Pale Ale. Brewed exclusively onboard Carnival ships with breweries like Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Horizon, and Carnival Vista, this ale, crafted using Veterans Blend Hops, is infused with delightful citrus and tropical flavors. Moreover, Carnival will donate one dollar to Operation Homefront for every pale ale purchased. Carnival will also continue donating one dollar to the nonprofit for every purchase of a Heroes Tribute Lounge pint glass.

Throughout 2023, Carnival will hold 1,510 military gatherings on ships across the fleet, excluding those in Australia and those sailing in Europe, as part of its ongoing commitment to recognize and honor military service.