Key Aspects:
- Longtime Carnival Cruise Line Captain Francesco “Ciccio” La Farina died on September 26 following a battle with cancer.
- La Farina’s friend, Jorge Solano, announced his passing on social media.
- Former colleagues and crew members are remembering La Farina as a humble and respected captain.
On September 26, 2026, longtime Carnival Cruise Line Captain Francesco “Ciccio” La Farina died, following a battle with cancer. His passing was announced on Facebook by friend Jorge Solano, prompting an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and cruisers.
“Last night, September 26, at 10:15 PM, Captain Francesco La Farina ‘Ciccio’ La Farina took his final voyage to Heaven,” Solano said. “You will remain in our hearts, our memories, and our prayers. Fair winds and following seas, Captain.”
La Farina’s LinkedIn profile lists maritime roles dating back to 1999. He spent years commanding Carnival cruise ships, including Carnival Freedom and Carnival Magic. Cruise Hive reported in 2024 that Carnival Magic, with La Farina at the helm, faced difficulties in Ocho Rios after strong winds caused the ship to hit the pier.
The ship had to briefly depart the pier, with some guests still ashore, delaying the voyage overnight. No injuries were reported, and the ship’s services remained operational while La Farina kept guests updated on the situation.
According to a post by Linda Spanky Warhaftig on Facebook, Carnival stepped up for the captain as he battled cancer. While she said she could not get into details, she assured well-wishers that the company provided much-appreciated assistance during that difficult period.
“As a corporation they didn’t have any obligation, to do all the things they did or take the actions for Francesco,” she said. “It was impressive what Carnival did and the amount of assistance they provided.”
While details of the captain’s battle with cancer are sparse, according to Jorge Solano, he fought bravely until the end. Solano said that La Farina was surrounded by family in his final moments.
Colleagues and Cruisers Remember Captain La Farina
As news spread of La Farina’s passing, friends, colleagues, and Carnival cruisers flooded social media with tributes and remembrances. Former colleague Trevor Nugent recalled working alongside La Farina during multiple stages of his career, including while he served as Safety Officer, Staff Captain and Captain.
“Very great man very humble and respectful,” Nugent wrote, adding that La Farina would be “surely missed.”
One former colleague similarly remembered La Farina as “absolutely amazing to work with and sail with”. A cruiser described him as “one of my favorite captains in the fleet.”
Other former crew members focused on how La Farina treated those working under him. One wrote in Spanish that she would always remember the captain and how he cared for his crew.
Former crew member Suri Asih shared a photo of La Farina alongside a brief tribute. Asih expressed that she was proud to have once been a member of his crew.
Linda Spanky Warhaftig also remembered La Farina as a captain who enjoyed walking around his ship and interacting with guests, helping make him a familiar presence beyond the bridge. She expressed to cruisers just how much La Farina enjoyed his role with Carnival.
“Most of all know this – Francesco ADORED all of you! He truly loved walking his ship and interacting with his guests,” Warhaftig said. “He genuinely loved mostly everything about being a ship Captain.”
The many tributes shared following La Farina’s passing reflect the impact he had on both the crew members who worked alongside him and the guests who sailed under his command. Cruise Hive extends its deepest condolences to La Farina’s family, friends, colleagues, and all those who knew him.
