Carnival Cruise Line will once again ring in the new year from the world’s most recognizable stage—New York City’s Times Square. The celebration will be led by Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation, as guests across Carnival’s fleet usher in the new year with onboard festivities at sea.
As part of the sponsorship, Carnival will again light the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball. The cruise line will also sponsor a musical performance featured during “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026,” airing live on ABC beginning at 8 p.m. EST on Dec. 31.
“We’re thrilled to bring Carnival fun back to Times Square for our fifth year as we celebrate a phenomenal year for our company,” said Weinstein, in a media statement. “2025 has been transformative with the successful opening of Celebration Key, record-high guest satisfaction and continued momentum across Carnival Corporation. As we light the Ball in 2026, we’re looking forward to delivering even more unforgettable vacation happiness to families around the world—something our guests repeatedly tell us we do so well.”
Momentum Fueled by 2025 Milestones
Carnival’s high-profile New Year’s Eve presence caps off a year marked by major milestones for the cruise line. In 2025, Carnival welcomed the one-millionth guest to Celebration Key, its exclusive destination on Grand Bahama, which opened in July and has quickly become a standout for guests.
The cruise line also rolled out a refreshed brand platform in late 2025 with the launch of its “Carnival Is Calling” marketing campaign. Debuting in November, the campaign includes the “Find Your Fun Again” commercial series starring Emmy Award-winning actor, author and humorist Nick Offerman, who serves as the face of the campaign.
Looking Ahead to 2026 & Beyond
With expanded branding initiatives, continued investment in exclusive destinations and strong consumer interest in cruise vacations, the company has indicated that additional announcements and developments are planned for the year ahead as demand for cruise travel continues to grow.
“We enter 2026 with incredible momentum and deep gratitude for our amazing guests, dedicated team members, travel advisors and partners who make Carnival the leading cruise line,” said Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, in a media statement. “As we ring in the new year, Celebration Key continues to be a must-visit destination for our guests, and we’re excited to keep delivering the fun, memorable vacations that our guests love while setting the stage for more success to come.”
For more information, visit carnival.com.
