Jun 07, 2025

Port Canaveral Celebrates 35 Years of Fun with Carnival Cruise Line

David German, Port Canaveral’s VP of Cruise Business Development (left) presents a resolution from the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners to David Candib, Carnival’s VP of Port Operations, during a ceremony aboard Carnival Mardi Gras.

Port Canaveral and Carnival Cruise Line commemorated 35 years of fun with a special celebration held earlier today aboard Mardi Gras at Cruise Terminal 3 which was built by the Port to accommodate Carnival’s Excel Class vessel.

Longtime partnership commemorated with event aboard Carnival Mardi Gras at Cruise Terminal 3

Festivities celebrating Port Canaveral’s 35-year partnership with Carnival Cruise Line included the donation of a hybrid vehicle from Carnival to Keep Brevard Beautiful, a longstanding partner of the Port and a vital part of the local community

Port Canaveral – June 7, 2025 – Port Canaveral and Carnival Cruise Line commemorated 35 years of fun with a special celebration held earlier today aboard Mardi Gras at Cruise Terminal 3 which was built by the Port to accommodate Carnival’s Excel Class vessel.

Carnival Cruise Line began sailing from Port Canaveral in 1990 with three- and four-day cruises aboard the Carnivale and currently hosts 2.4 million passenger movements on 300 voyages from the Port annually.

"We are proud to celebrate Carnival Cruise Line’s 35th anniversary of sailing from Port Canaveral and humbled by what this milestone represents,” said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. “From the inaugural sailing of the Carnivale in 1990 to having five year-round and seasonal vessels in their homeported fleet today, Carnival Cruise Line is our longest continuous cruise business relationship, contributing economic value over the decades to our Port community, the Central Florida region and our state.”

Carnival recently announced it will expand its presence at the Port, adding its fourth Excel Class ship, the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered Carnival Festivale, in 2027.

To commemorate their 35-year anniversary, Carnival hosted an onboard celebration with Canaveral Port Authority leadership, community leaders and officials from federal, state and local partners, including the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S Customs & Border Protection and Brevard County.

David German, Port Canaveral’s VP of Cruise Business Development (left) presents a resolution from the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners to David Candib, Carnival’s VP of Port Operations, during a ceremony aboard Carnival Mardi Gras

During the festivities, David German, Port Canaveral’s Vice President of Cruise Business Development, presented Carnival with a framed Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners proclamation, documenting the special resolution that was unanimously passed by the Board at its most recent meeting to recognize the decades-long relationship with the Port and the economic benefits realized in the region over the past 35 years.

During the recent meeting of the Canaveral Port Authority’s Board of Commissioners, the Board unanimously passed a resolution acknowledging Carnival Cruise Line’s 35-year anniversary at Port Canaveral

“Port Canaveral has been a cornerstone of Carnival’s success for 35 years,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We’re proud to celebrate this incredible milestone alongside the community that has been such an essential part of our growth. Our exciting growth continues with the opening of Celebration Key next month, our exclusive destination that will really be a game-changer for us and for our guests.”

Additionally, the Carnival Vista, also homeported at Port Canaveral, will make the first official visit to Carnival’s Celebration Key on Grand Bahama for the destination’s grand opening. All Carnival ships sailing from Port Canaveral offer sailings that include a visit to Celebration Key, which will offer guests the ultimate day in paradise.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnivale (right), shown here with sister ship, Mardi Gras, launched the company’s first schedule from Port Canaveral in 1990

In recognition of the 35th anniversary milestone, the cruise line announced the charitable donation of a hybrid pickup truck to Keep Brevard Beautiful that will support the work of this important nonprofit environmental conservation organization that is a longstanding partner of Port Canaveral and a vital part of the local Port community. The donation coincides with the weekend of World Ocean Day, established by the United Nations designed to heighten awareness of the importance of sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Carnival offers an array of vacation experiences from Port Canaveral, from weekend getaways to longer cruises, including voyages to The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and even longer Carnival Journeys cruises to destinations like the Panama Canal.

Port Canaveral Celebrates 35 Years of Fun with Carnival Cruise Line

Longtime partnership commemorated with event aboard Carnival Mardi Gras at Cruise Terminal 3

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