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MISS UNIVERSE UKRAINE RECEIVES ‘SPIRIT OF CARNIVAL’ AWARD

MIAMI,Jan.16, 2023–Duringthe71stannual Miss Universe competition, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy presented Miss UniverseUkraineViktoriiaApanasenkowith the “Spirit of Carnival” award for embodying thecompany’svalues of fun, friendship, diversity and inclusion. To watch a video of Duffy and Apanasenko discussing the award, click here.

The “Spirit of Carnival” award presentationwasfeatured during the Miss Universe competition,heldin New Orleans andbroadcast internationallyonSaturday,Jan.14.

“ViktoriiaApanasenko has made it her mission toremind usthatthe war is ongoing and people across Ukraine are working to support their military, as well as their neighbors affected by the war – especially those displaced from their homes,” said Duffy. “I’m impressed byViktoriia’sstrength and her kind and giving character which truly embodies the‘Spirit of Carnival.’ And through this recognition, we are also letting the people of Ukraine and especially our Ukrainian crew members know that we continue to support and admire their spirit as well.”

Apanasenko serves as a Peace Ambassador of the UN Global Compact Ukraine. She graduated from the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv with a master’s degree in social work and has focused on domestic violence. Overcoming bullying during her school years inspired her to work with mental health causes. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, she has worked to provide food, medicine and hygiene products to Ukrainian families. She also intends to bring awareness to the importance of gender equality in the military through her work with The Female Quotient, an organization founded to advance gender equality in the workplace.

This is thethirdtime a Miss Universe delegate received the “Spirit of Carnival” award.Last year,Miss Universe Bahamas Chantel O’Brianwas selectedfor the award. During the 2021 competition, Miss Universe Dominican Republic Kimberly Jiménezreceived the award and was also namedtheGodmotherofMardi Gras.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call1-800-CARNIVAL, visitwww.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

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