Carnival Cruise Line marked 30 years of operations from the Port of New Orleans with the arrival of Carnival Liberty, making it the port’s permanent base. The Carnival Liberty docked at the port on Monday, receiving a vibrant New Orleans welcome, complete with trumpets blaring onboard the ship. Community figures and Carnival’s Chief Culinary Officer, Emeril Lagasse, celebrated this significant anniversary aboard the ship after its inaugural arrival at its new home, Port NOLA.

Since launching New Orleans’ first cruise program in 1994, Carnival has increased the number of ships, capacity, and cruising options, serving around 5 million passengers. Carnival reports that its cruise ships have annually transported roughly 400,000 passengers from New Orleans. 

“We are thrilled to celebrate this monumental milestone with our valued partner, Carnival Cruise Line,” said Brandy D. Christian, President & CEO, Port of New Orleans and New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. “For 30 years, Carnival has shown an unwavering commitment to the New Orleans cruise market, and we are most grateful. Our cruise industry is thriving – and on track to exceed pre-pandemic numbers with the support of Carnival’s two year-round homeported vessels. We look forward to many more years of partnership and success.” 

To commemorate this special 30-year anniversary, Carnival contributed $30,000 to the Emeril Lagasse Foundation to benefit education and culinary programs for local youth. Following the donation, Lagasse conducted a tour of the ship’s primary galley for children from Belle Chasse Academy, a school that collaborates with Emeril's Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen. This was shortly after he made the initial slice of a unique anniversary cake prepared by the culinary team aboard Carnival Liberty.

The arrival of Carnival Liberty solidifies Carnival’s strategy of maintaining two ships in New Orleans year-round. The Carnival Liberty will be stationed in New Orleans, offering year-round voyages along with Carnival Valor.