Daniela Gargiulo Becomes First Female Staff Captain in Carnival’s History

Posted on 7 August, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Daniela Gargiulo Becomes First Female Staff Captain in Carnival’s History

Carnival Cruise Line marked a milestone in Sydney on August 5 with the appointment of Daniela Gargiulo as the global fleet’s first female Staff Captain.

A special ceremony was held onboard the Carnival Adventure as Captain Francesco Bencivenga officially welcomed Gargiulo to be his second-in-command, while the ship was returning to Sydney from the South Pacific.

Captain Bencivenga said he was delighted to work alongside Gargiulo.

“As Staff Captain, Daniela is my second in charge, overseeing marine operations, safety and crew leadership among many other roles. I am incredibly proud to witness this vital step forward for gender diversification in the maritime industry, opening doors for future generations of female leaders,” he said.

After enrolling in a nautical school in Italy when she was 14, Gargiulo started at Carnival Cruise Line as a Deck Cadet in 2013.

Having steadily progressed through the ranks, she joined the Carnival Adventure last year.

“This promotion is an incredible honor and I’m extremely proud to be the first woman in Carnival Cruise Line history to be a Staff Captain. Carnival’s career pathways allow men and women wonderful opportunities for a life at sea,” said Gargiulo.

“I love working with people from all over the world, from different cultures, and I’m especially excited to be starting this new chapter in my career onboard Carnival Adventure in Australia.”

Wartsila and Carnival Extend Collaboration with Lifecycle Agreement

Posted on 21 July, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Wartsila and Carnival Extend Collaboration with Lifecycle Agreement

Wartsila and Carnival Corporation have entered into an eight-year Lifecycle Agreement covering four cruise ships in the Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line fleets, including two newbuild vessels currently under construction.

The agreement marks the first service contract between the companies covering Carnival LNG-fueled cruise ships.

“The agreement reinforces Carnival Corporation’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence, sustainability and delivering a world-class guest experience,” said Vera Lannek, VP of strategic sourcing and asset management at Carnival.

“By working with Wartsila through a long-term lifecycle agreement, we can further strengthen the performance of the covered vessels while supporting the high standards our guests and operations depend on,” added Lannek.

“This agreement is the latest milestone in the long-standing relationship between Carnival Corporation and Wartsila,” said Andrea Morgante, VP of performance services at Wartsila Marine.

“It reflects our shared focus on ensuring high-performing cruise operations through proactive lifecycle support, data-driven insight and close technical collaboration throughout the vessel lifecycle.”

Wartsila said in a press release that under the agreement, it will provide a lifecycle maintenance solution for the vessels’ Wartsila dual-fuel engines and related equipment.

Wartsila booked the order in Q2 2026, and the Lifecycle Agreement provides long-term lifecycle support focused on optimizing asset performance throughout the vessel lifecycle.

The scope of the agreement includes:

Planned and unplanned maintenance support
Spare parts supply and logistics
Major engine overhauls
Remote monitoring and condition-based maintenance
Technical audits and performance reviews
Advisory services
Crew training, and
Performance management through agreed KPIs and a performance-based framework.

According to the press release, the agreement also provides Carnival with a lifecycle partnership focused on maintaining fleet reliability, increasing asset availability and optimizing total cost of ownership across the covered vessels.

Its performance-based structure also aligns the companies around measurable operational outcomes, including lower unscheduled maintenance costs and fewer unplanned stops.