Carnival Names Daniela Gargiulo as 1st Female Staff Captain

Carnival Cruises Line says it celebrated a proud new chapter in its history on August 5, as Daniela Gargiulo was appointed the global fleet’s first female Staff Captain.

A special ceremony was held onboard Carnival Adventure, as Captain Francesco Bencivenga officially welcomed Gargiulo to be his second-in-command, while the ship was returning to Sydney, Australia from the beautiful South Pacific.

Gargiulo started at Carnival Cruise Line as a Deck Cadet in 2013, steadily progressing through the ranks through 13 years of dedicated service, professionalism and leadership. Her passion for the sea began early in life – at 14 years old she enrolled in a nautical school in Italy, and a lifelong love of the ocean was born.

“This promotion is an incredible honour and I’m extremely proud to be the first woman in Carnival Cruise Line history to be a Staff Captain. Carnival’s career pathways allow men and women wonderful opportunities for a life at sea,” said Gargiulo. “I love working with people from all over the world, from different cultures, and I’m especially excited to be starting this new chapter in my career onboard Carnival Adventure in Australia.”

Captain Francesco Bencivenga said he was delighted to work alongside Gargiulo. “As Staff Captain, Daniela is my second in charge, overseeing marine operations, safety and crew leadership among many other roles. I am incredibly proud to witness this vital step forward for gender diversification in the maritime industry, opening doors for future generations of female leaders.”

Carnival Adventure sails year-round from Sydney carrying more than 2,600 guests and 1,100 crew.