In celebration of the first ever Fleet Week in Miami and to kick off Mother’s Day weekend, Carnival Cruise LIne expressed its support and appreciation for women in service by celebrating more than 150 female military members aboard Carnival Conquest on Friday, May 10, 2024.
The celebration included Carnival Corporation’s VP of Strategic Sourcing and U.S. Naval Academy graduate Vera Lannek, who conveyed her heartfelt gratitude for the women serving in the Armed Forces. Carnival Conquest Cruise Director Stjepan Neral recognized each of the military branches and servicewomen from each branch of the United States Armed Forces–Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard–were individually gifted a commemorative challenge coin by Carnival.
“As America’s cruise line, we carry more active military members and veterans than any other cruise line, so it’s our honor to host this special salute to military women as part of Fleet Week in Miami, where we’re headquartered and sail five of our beautiful ships,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We want all members of the military to know that we greatly appreciate their service and their sacrifice.”
Fleet Week is an annual tradition that was held in Fort Lauderdale for more than three decades before moving to Miami this year. Fleet Week features community events that honor the many men and women of the United States Armed Forces. The week, which began May 5, 2024 and concludes May 12, has included Navy and Marine Corps band concerts, guided ship tours of active military ships, airshows, and tributes to service members.
Carnival Cruise Line pays tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces with military appreciation gatherings on every voyage. In 2023 alone, the cruise line hosted more than 1,500 military gatherings. Additionally, several ships in the Carnival fleet feature the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge–an ongoing recognition of the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Services and their families.