Carnival Cruise Line is jazzed about marking another significant milestone from the popular homeport of New Orleans as the first cruise operator to embark more than seven million guests from the port since beginning year-round cruising in 1994. When the Litteral family stepped onto Carnival Valor on Monday, they made the milestone official.

Thomas and Julie Litteral, and their children Zachary and Zoey, are avid Carnival cruisers from the state of Georgia. The family was already set to celebrate a special Carnival milestone on Carnival Valor’s current sailing, with 12-year-old Zachary achieving Diamond VIFP status and joining his parents at Carnival’s top loyalty level.

The Litterals were welcomed on board by Captain Antonio Modaffari, and the ship’s team led an impromptu celebration of the seven millionth embarkation.

“Sharing this landmark embarkation in New Orleans with loyal guests, a family that clearly loves the fun they find when they sail with us, makes this moment truly special,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Seven million guests cruising with us from Port NOLA signifies our unwavering commitment as the market leader in this vibrant city. Just after celebrating 30 years of year-round service here this spring, we’re proud to continue building on our important partnership with the New Orleans community.”

With two ships sailing from New Orleans year-round, Carnival Valor and Carnival Liberty, the cruise line sails 400,000 guests from Port NOLA annually. The cruise line marked 30 years of sailing from the port last May. The ships offer a wide variety of four- to -seven-day round-trip cruises from New Orleans that visit popular destinations in the Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean. Next year, Carnival Liberty will sail several voyages visiting Celebration Key, Carnival’s all-new, exclusive destination on the island of Grand Bahama.