Carnival Cruise Line joins Times Square NYE revels for fourth consecutive year

Carnival Cruise Line returned to New York’s Times Square for a fourth consecutive New Year’s Eve celebration.

For the 2024 Ball Drop, military heroes were invited to help light the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball. 

Highlighting Carnival’s support for active service members, veterans and their families, Medal of Honor Recipients Jack Jacobs and Earl Plumlee as well as Chris Cassidy, president and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum joined Carnival senior vice-president for guest operations Sarah Beth Reno for the festivities. 

Plumlee also joined Reno and Cassidy on the morning of 31st December for the lighting test of the Ball.

Jacobs, on the other hand, joined the group in the evening as they flipped the switch for the countdown to midnight.

Aside from being the official cruise line sponsor for Times Square New Year’s Eve once again, Carnival was also an on-site Times Square countdown clock sponsor, as well as a musical sponsor for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025.

Active support

Jacobs and Cassidy were invited by Carnival to join the New Year’s Eve Ball lighting in honor of their military service and dedication to supporting veterans and military families, a commitment championed by the cruise line. 

Carnival carries the most military members and hosts a military appreciation day and tribute on all of its sailings and supports multiple veterans and military-related causes.

Carnival will serve as a founding partner of the National Medal of Honor Museum, which is set to open in Arlington, TX in March.

Carnival president Christine Duffy said: “As America’s cruise line, we’re extremely grateful to take part in this great American tradition, welcoming in 2025 in Times Square, with true American heroes. We show our appreciation for service members on every Carnival cruise, and supporting the National Medal of Honor Museum is an opportunity for us to further our commitment to honoring those whose service ensures our freedom.

Duffy added 2025 is also going to be a pivotal year for Carnival, with the opening of Celebration Key on Grand Bahama. 

She said: “This new exclusive destination will offer our guests their own slice of paradise no matter how they define it.”