America’s Cruise Line is marking Veterans Day with $300,000 in support for military members, veterans and their families across seven U.S. homeport communities. Carnival Cruise Line’s commitment includes a special celebration with longtime partner Operation Homefront® in Norfolk, Virginia, along with contributions to organizations serving veterans and military families. As the cruise line that welcomes more active-duty military members and veterans than any other, Carnival's connection to the military community extends from its ships to the homeport communities it serves.

Carnival kicked off Veterans Day week by sponsoring Operation Homefront’s “Homefront Celebration” on Sunday, Nov. 8, which brought 150 military families to Norfolk for a day focused on connection, appreciation and support. As part of the celebration, Carnival welcomed 50 new and expectant military couples aboard Carnival Sunshine while the ship was docked. Guests enjoyed photos with Seuss at Sea characters, a military appreciation program, lunch prepared by Carnival’s culinary team and a special military-themed Build-A-Bear experience. To further support the organization’s fundraising efforts, Carnival is also offering a $50,000 match for Operation Homefront’s annual year-end holiday mail campaign.

“The military community has always had a special connection to Carnival. We are proud to welcome more active-duty military members and veterans than any other cruise line, and military families are an important part of so many of the communities we sail from,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Honoring those who serve is part of who we are, on every ship and every sailing. Veterans Day gives us another opportunity to say thank you and extend that commitment into the communities we’re proud to call home.”

In addition to its support of Operation Homefront, Carnival is making contributions to several national and community organizations serving veterans and military families across seven homeport cities, including:

Carnival has proudly supported Operation Homefront since 2015 through financial and in-kind contributions, helping advance its mission to build strong, stable and secure military families. Across its fleet, Carnival holds a Military Appreciation Day on every North American sailing recognizing service members throughout the day-long program. Carnival’s support of veterans in homeport communities has also included donations of passenger vans to local Veteran Affairs facilities to help veterans attend appointments, as well as and Veterans Day celebrations honoring local service members.