Carnival Cruise Line Announces Leadership Team for New Ship, Carnival Firenze

Carnival Cruise Line introduces the senior leadership and entertainment team for the Carnival Firenze, emphasizing the ship's unique Italian styling and the expansion of West Coast operations.

Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled the leadership and entertainment teams for its latest fleet addition, Carnival Firenze, set to embody Carnival's Fun Italian Style. The announcement precedes the ship's inaugural voyage from Long Beach, California, on April 25, 2024, underlining the cruise line's expansion on the West Coast.

The appointed senior officers include Captain Crescenzo Palomba, Chief Engineer Rosario Capilli, and Hotel Director Renil Kuruvilla, with Gordon Travis as the Entertainment Director and Joey Boyes as the inaugural Cruise Director. This team combines decades of industry experience and Carnival tenure, promising to deliver an exceptional cruising experience aboard the Carnival Firenze.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, expressed confidence in the team's ability to launch the Carnival Firenze successfully. She highlighted the ship's special role in expanding West Coast operations and its unique offering inspired by Florence, Italy, to guests embarking from Long Beach.

Meet the Leaders of Carnival Firenze

• Captain Crescenzo Palomba: With nearly 25 years at Carnival, Palomba's experience spans 20 ships, demonstrating a deep understanding of maritime operations.
• Chief Engineer Rosario Capilli: Beginning as a second engineer in 1990, Capilli has risen through the ranks to lead engineering teams on 13 ships since 2002.
• Hotel Director Renil Kuruvilla: Bringing 30 years of hospitality management from India, Kuruvilla has served as hotel director on 14 Carnival ships since joining the company in 2004.
• Entertainment Director Gordon Travis: From Scotland, Travis offers over 25 years in entertainment, directing Carnival's entertainment since 2016.
• Cruise Director Joey Boyes: The Englishman joined Carnival in 2017, known for his humor and stand-up comedy, previously directing on Carnival Horizon and Carnival Venezia.

Carnival Firenze, built in 2020 and accommodating over 5,000 guests, is currently receiving significant investments to feature Carnival's signature amenities and Italian styling. The ship will operate year-round from Long Beach, offering various cruises to Mexico, further enhancing Carnival's presence on the West Coast.