Vance Gulliksen

Last week, Carnival Cruise Lines took up the #IceBucketChallenge, a social media phenomenon that is raising awareness and funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The #IceBucketChallenge encourages participants to pour a bucket of ice water over their head and then challenge others to do the same or make a donation to fight ALS within 24 hours. In addition to enlisting the participation of crew members from all 24 “Fun Ships,” as well as Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill and shoreside personnel at its Miami headquarters, the company made a $100,000 donation to the ALS Association. The shipboard and shoreside drenchings can be viewed here. Not to be outdone, Micky Arison, Carnival Corp. &…

Last week during a port call in Saint John, New Brunswick, more than a dozen Carnival Glory crew members participated in a “day of service” sponsored by the port, creating a large colorful mural with local children from inner-city schools. The crew spent several hours working with the children on the brightly hued, nautical-themed panel which will be on display at the port’s Long Wharf Terminal and visible to locals and visitors alike. The beautification project was part of a full day of community service activities coordinated by the Port of Saint John, which also hosted a hospitality suite as a way of saying “thank you” to all crew members who participated in this worthwhile project. Saint John is a…

August 26 was National Cherry Popsicle Day and, for the second year in a row, Carnival Cruise Lines provided a delicious treat of hundreds of cherry popsicles to the kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, one of the cruise line’s top charitable partners. The National Cherry Popsicle Day celebration continues Carnival’s ongoing support of St. Jude. Earlier this year, Carnival was named St. Jude’s Official Celebration Partner and pledged to raise $5 million over the next four years, complementing a $3 million contribution made by the cruise line during a three-year period. From the smiles on their faces, the kids obviously enjoyed the frozen confections, which were given out as part of a fun-filled celebration at the Memphis, Tenn.,…

Last week NBC’s Today Show announced their new Carnival-sponsored segment “Have You Ever,” which features the show’s anchors embarking on brand new experiences.

Martin Landtman, a longtime veteran of the maritime industry with more than three decades of experience in shipbuilding and technical operations, has been named senior vice president – marine operations at Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines.

  With Carnival Magic’s inaugural European season right around the corner Carnival is holding a Europe Sale, offering best available upgrades and on-board credits up to $300 per stateroom, for bookings made between Jan. 10- 30th , 2011.  Carnival Magic’s European schedule encompasses seven-, nine- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages May 1 through October 16, 2011.

  Marcelo Freire, an information systems manager at Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines, has been elected commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Flotilla 6-11, effective Jan. 1.  Freire is one of six Carnival employees to serve as a volunteer in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, which operates from the U.S.C.G. station on Miami Beach, Fla.   

Carnival Cruise Lines has completed the fleetwide rollout of its exquisite and exclusive fine dining experience, The Chef’s Table, which is now available on all 22 of the line’s ships.

Carnival Cruise Lines awarded a free “Fun Ship” cruise to a Mobile, Ala., school teacher whose class collected the most canned food over the holidays.

Senior Cruise Director recaps the exciting festivities that took place in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, during which a ton of Carnival-sponsored confetti rained down on the more than 1 million revelers who were there to ring in 2011.   Carnival was also the sponsor of the Wishing Wall at the Times Square Visitors center where visitors could write down their hopes and dreams for the coming year on colorful slips of paper.  Wishes for the new year were also collected via the line’s Facebook page and all of the messages were added to the more than 2,000 pounds of confetti tossed at midnight.  Happy New Year everyone!