Daniela Gargiulo is Carnival Cruise Line's first staff captain

A new chapter in the history of Carnival Cruise Line was celebrated in 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, where 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 started at Carnival Cruise Line as a deck cadet in 2013, progressively advancing thanks to her 13 years of dedication, professionalism, and leadership. Her passion for the sea began at an early age, as she enrolled in a nautical school in Italy at 14, and thus her lifelong love for the ocean was born.

"This promotion is an incredible honor, and I am extremely proud to be the first woman in Carnival Cruise Line's history to be staff captain. Carnival's career paths offer wonderful opportunities for men and women for a life at sea. I love working with people from all over the world, from different cultures, and I am especially excited to start this new chapter in my career aboard the Carnival Adventure in Australia," expressed Gargiulo.

Captain Bencivenga expressed his satisfaction 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 immensely proud to witness this significant advancement in gender diversity in the maritime industry, which opens doors for future generations of women leaders," he noted.

The Carnival Adventure sails year-round from the Port of Sydney, with a capacity for over 2,600 passengers and 1,100 crew members.