A special event held Sunday aboard Carnival Celebration in Miami honored The Bahamas’ 50th Anniversary of Independence and recognized the strong partnership between Bahamian communities and Carnival Cruise Line. The Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis and U.S. Rep. Federica Wilson, the founder of the Florida Ports Caucus, and honorary co-host for the event, joined Carnival Corporation President, CEO and Chief Climate Officer Josh Weinstein.

Carnival Celebration served as a backdrop for the special event as it not only visits The Bahamas frequently, but it also serves as a stunning example of how far both Carnival and The Bahamas have come since the cruise line’s maiden voyage, which brought guests to The Bahamas 51 years ago.

“We are so grateful for our partnership with this remarkable nation, which goes back to the very beginning of our company and has only strengthened over the last 50 years,” said Josh Weinstein, chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation. “The Bahamas has always been one of the most popular destinations among our guests, thanks to the hospitality of the Bahamian people, the natural beauty of the islands, and the nation’s rich culture.”

Other special guests included The Bahamas Consul General in Miami Curt Hollingsworth and local leaders from South Florida, including Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and County School Board Chair Mari Tere Rojas. In addition to commemorating the nation’s anniversary, the event also celebrated the launch of the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project in The Bahamas. The mentoring program founded by Representative Wilson has positively impacted the lives of thousands of young men in South Florida and will now extend its reach to Bahamian youth.

“South Florida has always cherished its unique and special relationship with the Bahamas. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Carnival Cruise Lines for their unwavering support and exceptional partnership with the Bahamas. Their commitment to commemorating the Bahamas’ 50th Independence Anniversary has been nothing short of extraordinary. It was an honor to stand alongside them as we celebrated this historic occasion and announced the launch of the first international chapter of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project in the Bahamas—this is truly a dream come true,” said Wilson. “This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication of Prime Minister Philip Davis, whose collaboration has been instrumental in making this new Role Models chapter a reality. Together, we celebrate the spirit of excellence and unity that defines our communities and look forward to a brighter future ahead.”

Carnival Cruise Line sails to five ports of call across the Bahamas, including Nassau, Freeport, Bimini, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cay. Carnival also recently announced its upcoming exclusive destination, which is under construction on the island of Grand Bahama, will be named Celebration Key. The new destination is expected to open in July 2025.

Through the years, Carnival and The Bahamas have worked together to increase the number of its Bahamian-registered ships, expand partnerships with local tourism companies that employ Bahamian citizens, and develop what will once again be the largest cruise ship repair facility in the world.