For the First Time, Carnival Cruise Line
Names a Godfather
MIAMI, June 2, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Line today announced that acclaimed
late night talk show host and comedian Jay
Leno will serve as its first ever godfather to one of its
ships, Carnival Venezia™, at a celebratory event on June 14, 2023 when the ship is blessed and enters
service from New York City. The
ship is the first to incorporate "Carnival Fun Italian Style" that
adds Carnival's signature fun to the beautiful Italian theming
of the vessel. In addition to serving as the Godfather, Leno will
perform a special comedy show exclusively for Carnival's event
guests, in partnership with Carnival® World Mastercard®.
"Carnival Venezia originally entered service for our Italian
sister brand Costa Cruises and was christened in 2019, so she
already has a godmother. With Carnival Venezia joining the
fleet and sailing from New York,
we wanted to ensure a proper welcome for the ship and decided
having a godfather would be both fun and appropriate," said
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine
Duffy. "And when we thought of someone who would make a FUN
godfather with Italian heritage, we knew Jay Leno would be the perfect godfather! And
he's already a member of the Carnival family – he entertained
guests a few years ago as part of our Carnival LIVE entertainment
series."
"I am truly honored to be named the godfather of Carnival
Venezia. It was an offer I couldn't refuse," said Leno. "Carnival's
focus on FUN combined with the Italian theming of this ship is
something that is truly unique. I'm also excited to have my very
own cruise ship, although I think I'll need a bigger garage!"
A native of New Rochelle, NY,
Leno is the grandson of immigrants from Flumeri, Campania, Italy. He began his
entertainment career in stand-up comedy, which led to the nearly
two-decades-long role he is best known for as host of The
Tonight Show, from which he retired in 2014. During most
of his tenure, Leno's The Tonight Show was the top-ranked
talk show on late night, and he earned the reputation as being "the
hardest working man in show business."
Leno currently produces and is host of the CNBC primetime series
Jay Leno's Garage that is now
in its seventh season and explores the world of cars, never
forgetting that it's the people behind the wheel who provide the
real stories. The series debuted in October 2015 and delivered CNBC's most-watched
first season in network history. He remains in demand as a
stand-up performer, corporate speaker and the host of the game show
reboot, You Bet Your Life.
Carnival Venezia celebrates Venice,
Italy, and has many spaces on board that are reminiscent of
her namesake. When guests enter the ship, they arrive in the
Venice-inspired atrium Piazza
San Marco, the onboard flavor and flair continues at restaurants
like the elegant Marco Polo and Canal Grande Restaurants,
along with the new Italian specialty restaurant, "Il
Viaggio." Carnival Playlist Productions shows entertain
guests at the Teatro Rosso theater that is reminiscent of Italian
opera houses.
Guests will also find many Carnival mainstays they know and love
on board, including Guy Fieri's
Guy's Burger Joint, the steakhouse Fahrenheit 555, Bonsai Sushi
& Teppanyaki and the Chef's Table, along with Lido Marketplace,
Seafood Shack and Pizzeria del Capitano, Piano Bar 88 and
Heroes Tribute Lounge.
Carnival Venezia is set to arrive to her new home
in New York City and
begin sailing from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on June 15, 2023. The ship accommodates more than
5,000 guests and will offer 10 different cruise durations and 22
unique itineraries featuring visits to 25 ports across 14
countries.
Carnival Venezia's celebratory event will be livestreamed. To
register for the livestream, click here.
To see sailings currently open for sale on Carnival
Venezia, click here. For additional information
on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation on
Carnival, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit http://www.carnival.com,
or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Carnival Cruise Line, part of Carnival Corporation & plc
(NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is the first cruise line to sail over
100 million guests and is proud to be known as America's Cruise
Line, for carrying more Americans and serving more U.S. homeports
than any other. For over 50 years, Carnival has continually
revolutionized the cruise industry and popularized the cruise
vacation as an affordable and fun travel option. Carnival operates
from 14 U.S. and two Australian homeports and employs more than
40,000 team members representing 120 nationalities. Carnival
currently operates 25 ships and is in an exciting period of growth
with the addition of two ships over the next year.
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SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line