Key Aspects:
- Carnival Cruise Line is offering a limited-edition single-barrel Bulleit Bourbon as part of its America 250 programming.
- The bourbon comes from a partnership with Starboard and Diageo and was personally selected by the presidents of both companies.
- The commemorative bourbon is only available in onboard retail stores on 14 ships this summer.
Guests looking to raise a glass to America’s 250th anniversary will soon find a new option waiting in Carnival Cruise Line’s onboard shops.
Carnival announced on June 17, 2026, that it is partnering with Starboard and Diageo to offer an exclusive single-barrel Bulleit Bourbon. The limited-edition bottle will be sold exclusively in onboard retail stores across 14 ships this summer.
The bourbon comes from a barrel personally selected earlier this year by Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, and Lisa Bauer, president and CEO of Starboard, during Starboard’s Unleash the Potential Summit in January.
Part of Carnival’s broader America 250 celebrations, the release coincides with events and activities planned across the fleet to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
“Carnival is always elevating the guest experience, and as America’s cruise line, we’re excited to partner with Starboard to bring this exclusive Bulleit Bourbon to shops on 14 of our ships,” said Duffy.
She says it’s another fun, memorable way to enjoy time at sea and describes the bourbon as featuring fruit and floral notes along with a balanced spice profile.
Starboard, which operates onboard retail stores across much of Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet, partnered with the company and spirits company Diageo on the release, with Bauer sharing her excitement on the collaboration.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Carnival and Diageo on the launch of this limited-edition Bulleit Bourbon, which Christine and I were able to taste and select in person together earlier this year,” said Bauer.
She added that Carnival Cruise Line guests like personalized, immersive experiences and says, “We’ll continue to pioneer these kinds of exclusive retail offerings that help make every voyage unforgettable.”
Priced at $59.99 per bottle, the release will be available only aboard participating Carnival Cruise Line ships, making it an exclusive purchase for guests sailing during the summer season.
Bourbon Available Across 14 Ships
Guests won’t have to sail on a specific itinerary to find the limited-edition bourbon. Carnival Cruise Line is making the bottle available across a broad section of its fleet, including ships sailing from major cruise ports in Florida, Texas, California, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida.
In South Florida, guests aboard Carnival Celebration, Carnival Magic, Carnival Sunrise, and Carnival Horizon from Miami will be among those able to purchase the commemorative bottle. The offering will also be available on several ships sailing from Port Canaveral, including Carnival Freedom.
Texas cruisers won’t be left out. Both Carnival Dream and Carnival Jubilee, which sail from Galveston, will carry the exclusive bourbon during the summer season.
On the West Coast, guests departing the Los Angeles area aboard Carnival Panorama or Carnival Firenze will find the bottle available in onboard retail stores, while those sailing from Seattle aboard Carnival Miracle will also have access.
Additional participating ships include Carnival Venezia from New York City, Carnival Pride from Baltimore, and Carnival Sunshine from Norfolk.
Carnival Legend, which is currently homeported in Dover, England, after a dry dock and returning to Tampa in November, will also offer the bourbon.
The bourbon release is one of several fun ways the “Fun Ships” are celebrating the nation’s anniversary. Throughout the summer, the company will host patriotic-themed activities, special entertainment, food and beverage offerings, and onboard celebrations across its US-based fleet.
Among the most notable plans are a pair of ship meetups scheduled for July 4, 2026. On the East Coast, seven Carnival ships will gather near Celebration Key in Grand Bahama for a coordinated celebration at sea, while three ships on the West Coast will meet near San Diego for the city’s Big Bay Boom fireworks display.
The gatherings will feature synchronized patriotic celebrations onboard each vessel, creating one of the largest ship meetup events the cruise line has organized in years.
Now they’ll have a special bourbon to with which to toast the 250th Independence Day.
