To celebrate the U.S. arrival of its newest ship, Carnival Cruise Line held an overnight gala event Friday in New York featuring a concert for Operation Homefront military families by the Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year and seven-time GRAMMY award-winning country music star and American Idol alum, Carrie Underwood.
The event also included the ship’s official naming ceremony with Miss USA Deshauna Barber – the first woman serving in the U.S. military to hold the title — presiding over the ceremonies as godmother and releasing the ceremonial bottle of champagne that smashed over the hull of the massive 133,500-ton ship. In addition to the concert, the festivities included overnight accommodations, meals, activities and entertainment for hundreds of military families.
The festivities represent the culmination of Honor.Family.Fun., Carnival’s year-long celebration to support Operation Homefront and help the organization fulfill its mission of building strong, stable, and secure military families.
Carrie performed an hour-long set for hundreds of military personnel and their families, many of whom were given the chance to meet the artist during various meet and greet opportunities during stops along her Storyteller Tour, and were invited to attend the festivities aboard Carnival Vista.
“It was truly an honor to perform aboard Carnival Vista today and celebrate the incredible sacrifices of the brave men and women of the Armed Forces,” said Carrie. “Throughout my partnership with Carnival Cruise Line we have recognized the efforts of our dedicated military personnel while raising funds for Operation Homefront. It is something I am very proud to be a part of.”
I had so much fun today playing for @Op_homefront heroes onboard the @CarnivalCruise Vista! #HelloVista pic.twitter.com/vOJNsQsaaQ
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) November 5, 2016
Looking forward to honoring @Op_Homefront and military families tomorrow onboard the Carnival Vista! #captainchair @CarnivalCruise pic.twitter.com/atawvGkQWL
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) November 4, 2016
