Carnival Military Appreciation Day Added to All Cruises from North America

Carnival Military Appreciation Day gives members of the military a special pin plus a monthly cruise giveaway.

Building on its standing as the cruise line that carries the most military service members, Carnival Cruise Line has expanded its Military Appreciation Gathering into a full Military Appreciation Day, on all sailings in North America.

Carnival Military Appreciation Day Explained

Beginning the week of July 24, 2023, a Carnival Military Appreciation Day will be held aboard each ship. Guests will see special messaging presented on the Carnival Seaside Theater screen. There will also be announcements from the Cruise Director and Captain.

On sailings of four days and more, a large United States Flag will be displayed in the ship’s atrium throughout Military Appreciation Day.

All Carnival cruises have a Military Appreciation Gathering event. These tribute events will remain as part of Military Appreciation Day. Several enhancements are planned.

“At Carnival, where we’re proudly known as America’s Cruise Line, we’re intent on honoring our military heroes and expanding our Military Appreciation Gathering into a full day is a wonderful tribute to the sacrifices our Armed Services personnel and their families have made,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.“ Carnival already carries more active and retired military service members than any other cruise line, and we are proud that our new Military Appreciation Day will serve as an incredible salute to military service members and their families.”

Enhancements to Carnival Military Appreciation Program

Carnival has partnered with Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building strong, stable and secure military families. Guests will be able to donate to Operation Homefront with the use of their Sail & Sign card.

Guests may also purchase group photos from the gathering at a discounted rate. A portion of the photo proceeds will be donated to Operation Homefront. All members of the military attending the gathering will receive a special pin. The longest-serving veteran will receive a special hero coin.

Carnival Cruise Giveaway

Each month, Carnival will give away a free cruise for two to one member of the military. Military guests can enter the raffle by swiping their Sail & Sign card at the Military Appreciation Gathering.

All Carnival cruises feature a Veterans Meet and Greet. On Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance and Carnival Pride, the event is held in the Heroes Tribute Lounge. 

There is also a Veteran’s Table specially reserved in the dining room for veterans during Tea Time.

New Beer from Carnival

Carnival has introduced a new beer, the Heroes American Pale Ale. The pale ale is created from Veterans Blend Hops, a combination of citrus and tropical flavors.

The Heroes American Pale Ale will be made exclusively on board Carnival ships with breweries. These ships include Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Vista.

For each Heroes American Pale Ale purchased, Carnival will donate a dollar to Operation Homefront. Carnival will continue its current practice of donating one dollar to Operation Homefront when guests purchase a Heroes Tribute Lounge pint glass.

Carnival has held a Military Appreciation Gathering on every cruise since 2016. Throughout the year, the cruise line honors veterans in unique ways, including special savings and discounts for military members.

In 2023, on cruises departing from North America, Carnival will hold a total of 1,510 military gatherings on ships across the fleet.