Carnival Cruise Line, Operation Homefront & Superstar Carrie Underwood Launch Honor.Family.Fun. Initiative To Support Military Families

Every time some politician or his spouse comes out in support of military families, I cringe at how shallow their efforts seem. With the exception of presidential candidate Donald Trump’s recent 6 million dollar fund raiser for vets, what do they really accomplish other than a feel-good photo op? (I’m looking at you Michelle and Dr. Jill.)

For a long time family oriented cruise lines have helped military families get away from it all with special fares to show appreciation for their sacrifice and now Carnival Cruise Line is going a step further with a new Honor.Family.Fun. initiative designed to support U.S. military families alongside GRAMMY-award winning superstar Carrie Underwood and representatives of Operation Homefront, the national nonprofit that builds strong, stable, and secure military families.

“Military families represent a cornerstone of our country and we are honored by the opportunity to partner with Carrie and Operation Homefront to bring much needed awareness and aid to our troops and their loved ones,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The partnership will bring to life many of the heartwarming stories our troops have to share while in turn bringing them some fun along the way.”

In 10 cities along the course of Carrie Underwood’s The Storyteller Tour, which kicked off in Jacksonville, Florida on Jan 30th, military families chosen in partnership with Operation Homefront will be treated to a personal meet-and-greet with Underwood before her concerts. A video series highlighting the meet and greets and the families’ individual stories will be featured on Carnival.com. The year-long Honor.Family.Fun. program will help raise funds for Operation Homefront and culminate in a special private pierside concert for hundreds of service men and women and their families starring Underwood aboard Carnival’s newest and most family-friendly ship, the Carnival Vista, when the vessel makes its U.S. debut in New York City on Nov 4, 2016.

“I’m honored to be able to join Carnival Cruise Line and Operation Homefront to lift up these soldiers and their families,” said Underwood. “I am really looking forward to meeting them on my tour and for the opportunity to personally thank them for all they do for our freedom.”

Driving the effort to raise funds for the cause, fans of Underwood, and of the program, will have the opportunity to donate by clicking on the “Donate Now” button on Carnival.com/HonorFamilyFun. Commemorative dog tags will also be available for purchase at merchandise stands at all Storyteller Tour stops as well as on board the fleet of Carnival ships with all proceeds going to Operation Homefront.

“Carnival Cruise Line really knows what it means to support our men and women in uniform and their families,” said retired Brigadier General John I. Pray, Jr., president and CEO of Operation Homefront. “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the Carnival team and Carrie Underwood to focus on the challenges our military families face as they work tirelessly to protect the freedoms we enjoy daily.”

In the coming weeks, Carnival will launch a new shipboard military appreciation program. Each ship will host a special event on board to recognize active and retired military personnel and their families.

We’re certain the Honor.Family.Fun. initiative will be a success and, with the support of Carnival Cruise Line and Carrie Underwood fans, perhaps they will be able to raise even more money than Donald Trump.

Carrie Underwood Photo Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line