A new chapter in the history of Carnival Cruise Line was celebrated at the Port of Sydney, with the appointment of Daniela Gargiulo as the first female staff captain of the fleet.
A special ceremony was held aboard the Carnival Adventure, in which Captain Francesco Bencivenga officially welcomed Gargiulo as his second-in-command, as the ship returned to the Australian city from the South Pacific.
Gargiulo joined Carnival Adventure in 2025, but began at Carnival Cruise Line as a deck cadet in 2013, rising progressively thanks to her 13 years of dedication, professionalism and leadership. Her passion for the sea began at an early age, as at 14 she enrolled in a nautical school in Italy, and thus her love for the ocean was born, which would accompany her throughout her life.
“This promotion is an incredible honor and I feel extremely proud to be the first woman in the history of Carnival Cruise Line to be staff captain. Carnival career paths offer men and women wonderful opportunities for a life at sea. I love working with people from all over the world, from different cultures, and I am especially excited to begin this new chapter in my career aboard the Carnival Adventure in Australia,” Gargiulo expressed.
Captain Bencivenga expressed his satisfaction in working alongside Gargiulo. “As staff captain, Daniela is my second-in-command and oversees maritime operations, safety and crew leadership, among many other duties. I am enormously proud to witness this important advance in gender diversity in the maritime industry, which opens the doors to future generations of women leaders,” he noted.
The Carnival Adventure sails year-round from the Port of Sydney, with capacity for more than 2,600 passengers and 1,100 crew members.
