As a unique fundraiser leading up to Carnival Jubilee‘s naming ceremony, Carnival Cruise Line auctioned off a custom-made pair of cowboy boots with a special cruise line design.

Now, in a new kick to the fundraiser, the winning bid has been matched and the original winner has graciously agreed to a second pair of the unique boots, doubling the amount of money raised for Operation Homefront.

These Boots Are Made for Fundraisin’

Carnival Cruise Line recently concluded a special online auction fundraiser for a pair of custom-made cowboy boots from Parker Boot Company in a theme that matches their new Texas-based flagship, Carnival Jubilee.

Bidding was open for three weeks on the boots, which would typically retail for $8,000, with the winning bid ultimately coming in at $25,000. With that incredibly generous bid – made by Emerson Hankamer, CEO of the cruise-oriented Vacations to Go travel agency headquartered in Houston, also went a 7-night sailing aboard Carnival Jubilee in a balcony stateroom.

Hankamer’s winning bid was announced as part of the ship’s official naming ceremony on February 24, 2024.

But there has been an update to the auction. The fundraiser was always intended to offer just a single pair of boots – to match the pair Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy wore when welcoming the first guests aboard Carnival Jubilee on December 23, 2023 – meaning there would only be two pairs of these very unique boots ever made.

Now, however, the second place bid has been revealed to be “just shy” of Hankamer’s winning bid. To encourage more donations, Hankamer graciously agreed to a second pair of custom-made boots if his $25,000 bid was matched, for a total of three pairs of Carnival Jubilee-themed boots ever made.

Richard Hoefs, a Diamond-level Carnival VIFP cruiser from Granbury, Texas stepped up to meet that fundraising challenge, and donated an additional $25,000. The second pair of fundraiser boots will now go to Hoefs’ wife, Carol.

“We are so proud that through the generosity of a travel advisor and a guest, we have raised $50,000 for this great cause!” Carnival Cruise Line said of the surprise second donation.

The donations will go to Operation Homefront, a charity that supports military families through a variety of programs, including housing assistance, school supplies, holiday toy drives, and more.

The cruise line also raises additional funds for Operation Homefront through programs such as the sale of the special “Heroes American Pale Ale” made in Carnival’s onboard breweries, and the sale of special pint glasses at the Heroes Tribute Bar.

About the Boots

Handcrafted by the Parker Boot Company of Houston, Texas, the Carnival Jubilee boots are a one-of-a-kind (soon to be three-of-a-kind) style featuring the iconic Carnival winged funnel, the Star of Texas, an outline of the state featuring the Texas state flag, and other details.

The design for the boots, which also has the Carnival name on the collar area of the shaft, was created by Petu Kummala, Associate Vice President of Interior Design and Architecture for Carnival Cruise Line.

The pair of boots worn by Duffy will be on permanent display aboard Carnival Jubilee, likely alongside other treasured mementos such as the ship’s ceremonial coins or inaugural visit plaques and other items.

Undoubtedly, the two winning pairs of boots will walk onboard Carnival Jubilee one day in the future, with great fanfare for their unique appearance and their generosity.

Carnival Cruise Line set an ambitious new fundraising goal, aiming to contribute $50 million to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by 2030, bolstering the fight against life-threatening diseases in children.

New Pledge Announcement By Carnival

In a significant philanthropic commitment, Carnival Cruise Line has announced a new fundraising goal of $50 million by 2030 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The new pledge was unveiled during the naming ceremony for the cruise line’s new Carnival Jubilee in Galveston, Texas, on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

To kick off the new effort, Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, marked the occasion with a symbolic $50,000 donation presented to Richard C. Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude.

The donation was made in honor of the ship’s godmother, global music superstar Gwen Stefani, who is renowned for her support for numerous charitable causes, including Cure 4 The Kids Foundation. This organization is dedicated to providing medical care to children with life-threatening conditions, mirroring the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“The unwavering devotion from our guests and team members is the reason we’re able to make an impact in supporting St. Jude’s important mission,” said Duffy. “Thanks to our crew and guests’ continued generosity, we’re able to raise our fundraising goal and extend that impact.”

She continued by celebrating the long-standing partnership with St. Jude, saying, “As the cruise line that serves more children and families than any other, we look forward to seeing the good that will come from reaching this new and ambitious goal.”

More Than a Decade of Partnership

Since forming a partnership in 2010, Carnival Cruise Line and St. Jude have collaborated on numerous fundraising initiatives, both onboard and ashore.

These include the Groove for St. Jude dance party, the Build-a-Bear Workshop at Sea, where kids can create their own St. Jude-themed keepsake bear; and a cookie amenity package with proceeds going to St. Jude, engaging passengers in contributing to the cause.

Carnival recently surpassed its previous goal of $33 million to St. Jude ahead of schedule in 2024, resulting in the new pledge that continues to solidify a lifesaving partnership.

Carnival Cruise Line’s commitment to St. Jude is also evident through patient-inspired and designed artwork on Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Celebration, and Mardi Gras.

Shadyac expressed profound gratitude for Carnival’s support, “We’re deeply thankful for Carnival committing to helping children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases through financial support and for honoring our patients by featuring their art-inspired sculptures on new ships.”

A Fun-Filled New Cruise Ship

Carnival Jubilee, now the line’s flagship, embodies the spirit of Carnival’s commitment to St. Jude in the very fabric of its offerings.

The ship itself is a floating gallery of hope, featuring patient-inspired artwork, and introducing a special sculpture depicting sea life, inspired by a St. Jude patient named Ty.

Based in Galveston, Carnival Jubilee offers an array of kid-friendly entertainment and amenities, including the debut of a reimagined Seuss at Sea experience with a Dr. Seuss Breakfast and Carnival’s signature BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea.

The ship also features a space-themed Camp Ocean, designed in collaboration with Kennedy Space Center to provide engaging, hands-on experiences.

For teens, the 5,400-passenger Carnival Jubilee introduced the Panagbenga Festival, an authentic Filipino cultural experience with a flower parade and jewelry-making activities.

Additional kids’ programming includes an updated Night Owls Camp Out and the introduction of the space-theme Planet Play at Sea playground.

The 183,521-ton Carnival Jubilee followed the naming ceremony and fundraising pledge with the first in a series of 7-night Western Caribbean roundtrip cruises, visiting Roatan, Honduras, Costa Maya, and Cozumel, Mexico.

Carnival Cruise Line is giving one lucky Grand Bahamian the opportunity to name a key feature of Celebration Key, the upcoming exclusive destination on Grand Bahama Island.

The local community competition will be for the honor of naming Artisan Village, a dedicated space in Celebration Key where local artists will be showcased and visitors will be immersed in authentic Bahamian culture.

Local Contest to Name Artisan Village

Carnival Cruise Line, along with the Ministry for Grand Bahama and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, is hosting a naming contest for Artisan Village on Celebration Key. The project will help the local community be even further invested in the destination, cementing the partnership between the cruise line and Grand Bahama.

“Carnival has sought to prioritize authentic Bahamian culture throughout every aspect of this project, from the food to the architecture, and nowhere more than in the Artisan Village,” said Philcher Grant-Adderley, Carnival Corporation & plc’s Public Affairs and Community Engagement Director. “It is only fitting that the name should be chosen by a Bahamian.”

The contest is open to all Grand Bahamians, including individuals, families, groups, local organizations, and classrooms. Entrants can be under the age of 18, but youth entries must include a release form from a parent or legal guardian.

The entry period will close on Monday, March 25. At that time, a selection committee will review entries to determine finalists, and a winner will be announced in early April. Local officials and representatives of cultural and creative industries will all be on the selection committee, though Carnival will have the final say for the winning entry.

“We can hardly wait to see the creative, inspired submissions that we know will be submitted,” said Grant-Adderley. “I encourage all Grand Bahamians to take part, get your submissions in early and submit as many ideas as you have!”

How to Enter

Entries for Celebration Key’s Artisan Village Naming Competition must be submitted online. Each entry should include a 200-300-word explanation of the name, including how it relates to Bahamian culture and Celebration Key, as well as the entrant’s complete name.

One entrant may submit multiple entries, but each must be submitted separately. Name proposals that include corporation or business names, political figures, brands, or other proper names will be disqualified.

As is standard for corporate contests, employees of Carnival or any of its related companies, the Ministry for Grand Bahama, and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture are not eligible to enter the contest. All entrants must also be following Celebration Key’s Facebook and Instagram accounts to be eligible to win.

A Prize Package to Celebrate

Not only will the winning entrant have the honor of their name being used for the Artisan Village on Celebration Key, but they will receive a generous prize package as well.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Reveals Details on New Private Destination

The prize includes $5,000 cash (Bahamian dollars and US dollars have the same value), as well as the opportunity to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Celebration Key, with transportation, food, and beverages for the event included. The winner will also receive a day pass to the private destination, including drink vouchers, food, and a private cabana to enjoy.

A Bahamian-Centered Project

From its inception, Carnival has been committed to ensuring a beneficial partnership with Grand Bahama that will truly bring benefits to the local community once the new private destination opens in 2025.

“Bahamian architects have collaborated on the design of the destination in an effort to ensure its character is as authentically Bahamian as possible, most especially the Artisan Village,” explained Grant-Adderley. “It seems natural that its name be chosen by a Grand Bahamian.”

The $600 million project – which includes a recently announced pier extension to welcome even more ships beginning in 2026 – is the largest of its kind ever undertaken by Carnival Corporation & plc.

Design elements throughout the destination will highlight the vibrancy and diversity of Bahamian culture, and visiting guests will have opportunities to enjoy not only local artwork, but also music, food, beverages, and retail shopping.

Celebration Key will bring more than 700 permanent jobs to Grand Bahama and will welcome more than 2.2 million guests each year once it opens. By 2028, it is projected that up to 4 million guests annually will visit the exclusive destination, with ships from multiple US homeports, including Celebration Key on a wide range of itineraries.