New Carnival Ship Christened at PortMiami

It’s time for a Celebration - Carnival Cruise Line has officially welcomed the newest member of its fleet! The cruise line’s new flagship vessel Carnival Celebration was christened at its home at PortMiami in a star-studded event. 

The event culminated the year-long celebration of Carnival Cruise Line’s 50th birthday festivities. A number of Carnival executives and VIPs were on hand to celebrate the new ship. 

- Photo by Carnival Cruise Line

“This naming ceremony of our new flagship Carnival Celebration is the perfect culmination of our 50th birthday as this spectacular ship honors our past and signifies the fun and growth ahead,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival Celebration builds on the success of our incredible Mardi Gras and the many innovations we introduced with our Excel-class, including a top-deck roller coaster, and offers unique features all her own that give guests a truly incredible new cruise experience to have fun and make memories.”

Carnival Celebration godmother actress Cassidy Gifford and ship Captain Vincenzo Alcaras officially christened the ship with the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle. Also on hand was Gifford’s mother Kathie Lee Gifford, who served as godmother of Carnival Celebration’s namesake, M/S Celebration, which was christened in 1987.

- Photo by Carnival Cruise Line

Kathie Lee gave an impromptu performance of the memorable tune of the commercials that helped to popularize the Carnival brand in the 1980s. Also during the event, famed chef Emeril Lagasse cut a ceremonial ribbon on his second restaurant at sea, Emeril’s Bistro 1397 inside the ship’s Gateway Zone. 

All guests were treated to a range of entertainment from the ship’s performers. To cap off the event, artists Kool & The Gang performed a rendition of their dance classic hit “Celebrate!”

Carnival Celebration’s first guests to sail from PortMiami depart November 21, 2022, on a six-day Thanksgiving cruise, with visits to Grand Turk, Amber Cove and Nassau. Starting November 27, 2022, the ship will begin a rotation of week-long Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings.

Welcome to Terminal F

In addition to welcoming Carnival Celebration to the fleet, Sunday’s festivities also opened the doors to the expanded Terminal F at PortMiami. The addition of Carnival Celebration to Terminal F puts five ships of the line's 24-ship fleet to be homeported in Miami. Carnival expects to embark more than 20,000 guests per week from PortMiami. 

Carnival held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Commissioners, and Carnival Corp. & plc CEO Josh Weinstein. Ahead of the ribbon cutting, President Duffy announced a $25,000 donation from Carnival to the Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in honor of the Miami-Dade leadership. The donation will support medical and health services to more than 6,000 women veterans in the Miami-Dade area. 

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See All Carnival Sailings from Terminal F at PortMiami