Carnival Cruise Line has named its new flagship Carnival Celebration after the vessel arrived in Miami last week.
Actress Cassidy Gifford, whose credits include Blue Bloods and The Baxters, christened the ship on Sunday evening by smashing a bottle of champagne against the hull.
Gifford was joined by her mother Kathie Lee Gifford, who served as godmother on Carnival Celebration’s namesake vessel MS Celebration, which was christened in 1987.
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The second Excel-class vessel, which is capable of carrying up to 5,200 passengers, will offer year-round Caribbean sailings from PortMiami.
Carnival Celebration features more than 20 dining venues, and bars and lounges across six unique zones.
The ship’s Miami-themed zone, 820 Biscayne, is named after Carnival’s first head office address and is designed “as a tribute to Miami’s cultural vibe and its dining and beverage offerings”.
Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy said: “This naming ceremony of our new flagship Carnival Celebration is the perfect culmination of our 50th birthday as this spectacular ship honours our past and signifies the fun and growth ahead.
“Carnival Celebration builds on the success of our incredible Mardi Gras and the many innovations we introduced with our Excel-class, including a top-deck rollercoaster, and offers unique features all her own that give guests a truly incredible new cruise experience to have fun and make memories.”
American chef Emeril Lagasse cut a ceremonial ribbon on his second restaurant at sea, Emeril’s Bistro 1397, which can be found inside Carnival Celebration’s The Gateway zone.