In a press release issued today, Carnival Cruise Line announced the appointment of the senior officers and lead entertainment team members for Carnival Firenze, the newest addition to the cruise line’s fleet and the second ship to feature Carnival Fun Italian Style.
Captain Crescenzo Palomba, Chief Engineer Rosario Capilli and Hotel Director Renil Kuruvilla are Carnival Firenze’s senior officers. Ensuring all the Carnival fun is delivered on board, Gordon Travis is serving as the ship’s entertainment director and Joey Boyes has been named the ship’s inaugural cruise director. The team will welcome their first guests aboard Carnival Firenze from Long Beach, California on April 25, 2024.
“Our inaugural team members launching Carnival Firenze are fortunate to work alongside some of the most skilled and experienced leaders in the cruise industry. This ship is a special addition to our fleet as we expand our operations on the West Coast, where we already embark more guests than any other cruise line. We have a unique opportunity to bring our signature FUN to a beautiful vessel inspired by the iconic city of Florence, Italy to our popular homeport of Long Beach. I’m certain this strong team is the perfect group to deliver this dynamic offering to our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Meet Carnival Firenze’s Leaders
- Senior Officers
- Captain Crescenzo Palomba: Originally from Italy, Palomba began working for Carnival in 1999 and brings nearly 25 years of Carnival experience to the helm of Carnival Firenze. He has worked on 20 Carnival ships, including Carnival Venezia, Carnival Dream, Carnival Valor, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Elation.
- Chief Engineer Rosario Capilli: Also from Italy, Capilli started with Carnival as a second engineer in 1990. He has led several engineering teams across the fleet as a chief engineer since 2002. Capilli has worked on 13 other Carnival ships, including Carnival Horizon, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride and Carnival Vista.
- Hotel Director Renil Kuruvilla: Hailing from India, Kuruvilla brings 30 years of hospitality management experience, with a diverse background in both hotels and the cruise industry. He joined Carnival in 2004, was promoted to hotel director in 2011 and has worked on 14 other Carnival ships – including Carnival Venezia, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Conquest and Carnival Pride.
- Entertainment Leaders
- Entertainment Director Gordon Travis: Travis hails from Scotland and has over 25 years of experience in entertainment – 10 of those years working as a leader in the cruise industry. Gordon became an entertainment director for Carnival in 2016 and recently led entertainment on Carnival Venezia.
- Cruise Director Joey Boyes: Originally from England, Boyes joined Carnival in 2017 as a member of the Fun Squad. He is known for his cheeky British charm, humor and quick wit. He also performs his own stand-up comedy. He most recently served as cruise director on Carnival Horizon and has also been cruise director on Carnival Venezia and Carnival Panorama.
Carnival Firenze is currently undergoing a major investment ahead of its formal introduction to bring Carnival features to the ship. Carnival Fun Italian Style combines Italian theming with Carnival’s signature fun. Built in 2020, Carnival Firenze accommodates more than 5,000 guests and will sail year-round from Long Beach, offering a variety of cruises to Mexico. To see all Carnival Firenze sailings currently open for sail, click here.
