Carnival Cruise Line returns to New York’s Times Square for a fourth consecutive New Year’s Eve celebration with military hero guests to help light the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball. Highlighting Carnival’s support for active service members, veterans and their families, Medal of Honor Recipients Jack Jacobs and Earl Plumlee as well as Chris Cassidy, president and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum, are joining Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Guest Operations Sarah Beth Reno for the festivities. Plumlee accompanied Reno and Cassidy on Tuesday morning for the lighting test of the Ball, and Jacobs will join to help flip the switch for the official lighting ahead of the countdown to midnight.

In addition to serving as the official cruise line sponsor for Times Square New Year’s Eve once again, Carnival will also serve as the on-site Times Square countdown clock sponsor and as a musical sponsor for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025” on ABC, airs live beginning at 8 p.m. EST on Dec. 31 and streams the next day on Hulu.

Jacobs and Cassidy were invited by Carnival to join the New Year’s Eve Ball lighting in honor of their military service and dedication to supporting veterans and military families, a commitment championed by the cruise line. Carnival carries the most military members and hosts a military appreciation day and tribute on all of its sailings and supports multiple veterans and military-related causes. Carnival will serve as a founding partner of the National Medal of Honor Museum, which is set to open in Arlington, Tex. in March.

 “As America’s cruise line, we’re extremely grateful to take part in this great American tradition, welcoming in 2025 in Times Square, with true American heroes. We show our appreciation for service members on every Carnival cruise, and supporting the National Medal of Honor Museum is an opportunity for us to further our commitment to honoring those whose service ensures our freedom,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “2025 is going to be a pivotal year as well for us at Carnival, with the opening of Celebration Key on Grand Bahama. This new exclusive destination will offer our guests their own slice of paradise no matter how they define it.”

Carnival is highlighting Celebration Key’s opening, which is set for July, with the debut of a new television commercial and full paid media campaign, including Times Square billboards that showcase the destination. Celebration Key sits on over a mile of white sand beach and is set among the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean and will provide guests an array of relaxation and recreation options.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit 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. Since its founding in 1972, Carnival has continually revolutionized the cruise industry and popularized the cruise vacation as an affordable and fun travel option. Carnival operates from 13 U.S. and two Australian homeports, as well as seasonally from Europe and employs more than 48,000 team members representing 120 nationalities.

Carnival’s fleet of 27 ships reflects an exciting period of growth that continues with the addition of seven ships through 2033: two ships joining in February 2025 when P&O Cruises Australia integrates into Carnival; a fourth and fifth Excel class ship scheduled for 2027 and 2028 respectively; followed by three additional new ships from an innovative new class currently under development. Carnival’s next new guest offering will be the all-new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, set to debut on Grand Bahama next summer.