Overnight
Gala Event Also Included Ship’s Official Naming with Miss USA Deshauna
Barber –- First Member of the U.S. Military to Hold the Title – Serving
As Godmother
MIAMI
(Nov. 4, 2016) – To celebrate the U.S. arrival of its newest, largest
and most innovative ship, Carnival Cruise Line held an overnight gala
event in New York featuring a concert for Operation Homefront
military families by the Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of
the Year and seven-time GRAMMY award-winning country music super star
Carrie Underwood.
 |
| Naming ceremony with Miss USA Deshauna Barber |
The
event also included the ship’s official naming ceremony with Miss USA
Deshauna Barber – the first woman serving in the U.S. military to hold
the title -- presiding over the ceremonies as godmother and releasing
the ceremonial bottle of champagne that smashed over the hull of the
massive 133,500-ton ship. In addition to the concert, the festivities
included overnight accommodations, meals, activities and entertainment
for hundreds of military families.
The
festivities represent the culmination of Honor.Family.Fun., Carnival’s
year-long celebration to support Operation Homefront and help the
organization fulfill its mission of building strong, stable, and secure
military families.
”Carnival
Cruise Line carries more active and retired military personnel and I
couldn’t think of a better way to introduce this spectacular vessel than
by honoring and celebrating the sacrifices of our Armed Forces
personnel,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“Deshauna is the ideal candidate to serve as Carnival Vista’s godmother,
embodying the spirit of commitment and sacrifice of those who protect
our freedoms each and every day.”
Underwood
performed an hour-long set for hundreds of military personnel and their
families, many of whom were given the chance of a lifetime to meet the
artist during various meet and greet opportunities during stops along
her Storyteller Tour, and were invited to attend the festivities aboard Carnival Vista.
“It
was truly an honor to perform aboard Carnival Vista today and celebrate
the incredible sacrifices of the brave men and women of the Armed
Forces,” said Underwood. “Throughout my partnership with Carnival Cruise
Line we have recognized the efforts of our dedicated military personnel
while raising funds for Operation Homefront. It is something I am
very proud to be a part of.”
The
daughter of a retired Army master sergeant who was a member of the
Special Forces, Barber joined the Army Reserve as a quartermaster
officer in 2011. After earning her bachelors in business management from
Virginia State University, Barber went on to complete her masters in
computer information systems from the University of Maryland University
College. She currently serves as logistics commander for the 988th Quartermaster Detachment Unit in Rockville, Md.
“I’m
honored to serve as godmother of the brand new Carnival Vista and join a
long line of strong, successful women who have fulfilled this
time-honored role,” said Barber. “In addition to serving as godmother,
today was extra special as I had the opportunity to meet several
Operation Homefront families and hear their stories. It is a day I’ll
never forget.”
"We're
thrilled Carnival Cruise Line has honored those that do so much for the
freedoms we enjoy daily – our service members and their families – with
a truly memorable day onboard their newest ship,” said Brig. Gen.
(ret.) John I. Pray Jr., president and CEO of Operation Homefront.
"Like-minded partners, like Carnival and Carrie Underwood, clearly
demonstrate, through their actions, their steadfast commitment to our
men and women in uniform."
As
the line’s newest ship, Carnival Vista introduced a number of
groundbreaking innovations including the first brewery on a North
American-based cruise ship, the first IMAX Theatre at sea, the most
elaborate water park in the fleet highlighted by the 455-foot-long
Kaleid-o-slide, a groundbreaking bike-ride-in-the-sky aerial attraction
called SkyRide, and the new Family Harbor with specially designed
staterooms for families, a family concierge and more.
Carnival
Vista will operate a pair of 11-day sailings from New York before
launching year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean service from Miami
beginning Nov. 27.
For additional information and reservations on Carnival Cruise Line, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit www.carnival.com. Carnival can also be found on:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/carnivalcruise
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/carnival
YouTube: www.youtube.com/carnival
Instagram: www.instagram.com/carnival
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About Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival,
a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is
"The World's Most Popular Cruise Line®" with 25 ships operating three-
to 16-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska,
Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and
the Pacific Islands. The 133,500-ton Carnival Horizon is currently
under construction and set to debut in 2018. Additionally, two new
180,000-ton ships are scheduled to enter service in 2020 and 2022.
About Operation Homefront
A
national nonprofit, Operation Homefront builds strong, stable, and
secure military families so that they can thrive in the communities they
have worked so hard to protect. With more than 3,200 volunteers
nationwide, Operation Homefront has provided assistance to tens of
thousands of military families since its inception shortly after 9/11.
Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity
oversight groups, 92 percent of Operation Homefront’s expenditures go
directly to programs that provide support to our military families. For
more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net
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