MIAMI – Carnival Cruise Line tapped royalty to christen its newest vessel earlier as the queen of the 2019 Rose Parade officially named the cruise line’s first-ever Rose Parade float in a naming ceremony near the Pasadena, Calif., parade route.
Following time-honored maritime tradition designed to bring good luck to ships – whether they’re the floating or floral variety – Rose Queen Louise Siskel smashed a confetti-filled bottle across the “bow” of the colorful ship-shaped float, officially naming the float “Come Sail Away.”
After the event, guests also had the opportunity to help decorate the float and put on the finishing touches to bring the floral masterpiece to life.
The float, which will make its debut in front of more than 700,000 onlookers along the parade route and an estimated 80 million television viewers as it cruises down the five-mile parade route on Tuesday, Jan. 1, is a detailed replica of Carnival’s first new ship on the West Coast in 20 years, Carnival Panorama, scheduled to enter service in December 2019.
Comprised of tens of thousands of flower petals from more than 100 countries representing Carnival’s diverse team of employees, the float showcases several of the line’s signature design features including the iconic red and blue funnel, water park and Lido Deck party. The float will also include a new feature debuting on Carnival Panorama, Sky Zone, the first trampoline park at sea, with a working trampoline and jumpers in the front of the float. Additionally, the float will salute the brave members of the Armed Forces with a special appearance by former Miss USA and Carnival Vista Godmother Deshauna Barber.
Carnival Panorama is set to debut Dec. 11 with a special three-day cruise from Long Beach followed by the launch of year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera sailings beginning Dec. 14, 2019.
