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CRUISE SHIP FEATURE
CARNIVAL VISTA NAMING CEREMONY |
Carnival Vista at New York's Passenger Ship Terminal.
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After spending a season cruising the Mediterranean, Carnival Vista arrived in the United States for the first time on November 3, 2016. The next day, the official naming ceremony was held at New York's historic Passenger Ship Terminal (a.k.a. The Manhattan Cruise Terminal).
The 133,000 gross ton Carnival Vista is the largest ship yet to sail for Carnival Cruise Line. She is not a revolutionary departure from prior Carnival ships but rather an evolution of what has gone before. “This ship is very different. It takes a lot of features that our Carnival guests love and really expands upon it. We have a lot of things that we are doing for the very first time on this ship. The Skyride is a first for us. The first cruise ship brewery in North America - - we've got our brewmaster onboard. The first IMAX theater at sea. An the Family Harbor, our most extensive facility for families. This ship really has it all. It is our flagship. And we are very proud and excited, “ commented Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line. “This ship is beautiful, great hardware, but really the heart of Carnival Cruise Line and our success comes from our software. That is the people onboard the Carnival ships who work day in and day out to deliver memorable experiences for our guests. We are very proud of this ship but also of the almost 40,000 employees that work every day to make every guest feel incredibly special.” The reason the ship is not a revolutionary break from the past is the desire to remain faithful to the original vision of Carnival's founder Ted Arison. “Carnival Vista is the latest iteration of his vision. He believed that all Americans, that all people, should have the opportunity to enjoy a great cruise vacation. [We work to ensure Carnival] continues to embody those values by making sure that Carnival remains accessible, convenient and affordable for our guests. We are the come as you are cruise line. The friendly, unpretentious come and just be yourself and have a great time cruise line. And I like to say, we are America's cruise line.” In addition to the usual travel agents and media representatives who normally attend ship naming ceremonies, Carnival invited over a hundred military families. “All of the people who have sailed with us have been able to do so as a result of sacrifices made by our men and women in our armed forces. Carnival Cruise Line carries more active duty and retired military members than any other cruise line. Today marks the culmination of a year long project we undertook to raise awareness of America's military.” Carnival undertook this project in partnership with Operation Homefront and entertainer Carrie Underwood. Ms. Underwood performed a concert for the military families in Vista's Liquid Lounge theater. In keeping with the military theme of this ceremony, Carnival selected Captain Deshauna Barber (USAR) as the godmother of Carnival Vista. Captain Barber was the first woman serving in the U.S. Military to be selected as Miss USA. (2016). “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.” Ms. Duffy noted. |
Above: Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line.
Above: Carrie Underwood. On cruising: "It is all about making memories. Whenever you are on vacation or on a boat in the ocean and in the sun, it is all about making memories."
Above: Captain Deshauna Barber (USAR), the reigning Miss USA and godmother to Carnival Vista. “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, 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.”
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Scenes from the ceremony:
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Cruise ship feature - - Carnival Cruise Lines - - Carnival Vista - Naming Ceremony