CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE CELEBRATES JACKSONVILLE, COMMEMORATES
20 YEARS OF FUN AND HONORS LOCAL VETERANS
Sailing Three Million Guests Since 2004 and Continuing to Welcome 150,000 More
Annually, Carnival Solidifies Partnership as Jacksonville’s Cruise Leader
MIAMI, Nov. 7, 2024 – Carnival Cruise Line celebrated the Jacksonville community today,
recognizing its 20th anniversary of year-round cruising from the city by highlighting a strong
partnership with JAXPORT and the three million Carnival guests who have sailed from the port.
The cruise line welcomed local leaders aboard Carnival Elation for a commemorative event,
which included a meaningful tribute to military service in honor of the upcoming Veterans Day
holiday.
Among the special guests was Jackson, a canine companion for a local veteran, adopted
through Carnival's donation to K9s for Warriors, a non-profit organization that provides
highly-trained service dogs to military veterans. Jackson was introduced by K9s for Warriors
CEO Daniel Bean. Carnival Elation’s team then delivered a special tribute for active and retired
military, recognizing each branch of the armed forces. As America’s cruise line, Carnival is
proud to carry more active and retired military than any other cruise line.
Carnival’s Vice President of Port Operations David Candib welcomed special guests, including
JAXPORT Board Chair Wendy Hamilton and JAXPORT CEO Eric Green, and thanked local
officials for their partnership – which has significantly contributed to the Jacksonville economy
by creating jobs and boosting tourism demand. Carnival was the first cruise line to begin sailing
year-round from Jacksonville in 2004 and continues to serve more than 150,000 guests from
the city annually.
“Carnival Elation is the perfect backdrop for this celebration because we’re elated to recognize
the true success of this 20-year partnership. We greatly appreciate the tremendous
relationships we’ve built together over the years throughout the Jacksonville community,”
Candib said. “Delivering memorable cruise vacations to three million guests from JAXPORT is
proof enough that the potential our company saw in this homeport in 2004 has been a great
benefit to our cruise line, our loyal guests and this community and we’re committed to continue
building upon our partnership for years to come.”
Earlier this year, Carnival strengthened its commitment to cruising from JAXPORT by signing a
new agreement through 2026 that includes renewal options through 2030.
"More than three million people have set sail from JAXPORT aboard a Carnival ship over the
last two decades and on behalf of those families, thank you, Carnival, for the memories and the
fun," said Hamilton. "And even more importantly, thank you for supporting the veterans who
have given so much for all of us."
"One of the great things about Carnival is their desire and willingness to give back to the
communities where they operate," added Green. "We join our partners in thanking all veterans
for their service and recognizing K9s for Warriors for their lifesaving work."
Carnival Elation is homeported in Jacksonville year-round and sails four- to seven-day
itineraries to The Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean. Next year, sailings from Jacksonville will
take guests to Carnival’s upcoming exclusive destination Celebration Key, which opens in July
2025.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation on Carnival,
call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit http://carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online
travel site.
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ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Carnival Cruise Line, part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is the first cruise
line to sail over 100 million guests and is proud to be known as America's Cruise Line, for carrying more
Americans and serving more U.S. homeports than any other. Since its founding in 1972, Carnival has
continually revolutionized the cruise industry and popularized the cruise vacation as an affordable and
fun travel option. Carnival operates from 14 U.S. and two Australian homeports, as well as seasonally
from Europe and employs more than 48,000 team members representing 120 nationalities.
Carnival’s fleet of 27 ships reflects an exciting period of growth that continues with the addition of seven
ships through 2033: two ships joining in February 2025 when P&O Cruises Australia integrates into
Carnival; a fourth and fifth Excel class ship scheduled for 2027 and 2028 respectively; followed by three
additional new ships from an innovative new class currently under development. Carnival’s next new
guest offering will be the all-new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, set to debut on Grand Bahama
next summer.
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