Planning a Carnival cruise for 2026 or 2027? One of the easiest ways to get more out of your vacation is to know who your cruise director will be, since they shape much of the onboard atmosphere, entertainment, and daily activities.
Carnival’s cruise directors are known for their energy, personality, and ability to bring the ship to life — from hosting games and deck parties to leading shows, contests, and interactive events throughout the sailing. For many guests, the cruise director becomes a familiar and memorable part of the experience.
Below, you’ll find a detailed schedule of Carnival’s cruise directors for the 2026–2027 season. Whether you’re heading to the Caribbean, Alaska, or somewhere in between, this guide can help you see who’s scheduled to be onboard during your sailing.
Note: You may notice that some dates overlap or appear briefly inside a longer assignment. In many cases this reflects handovers or short coverage, but it can also be due to schedule changes or updates that haven’t fully settled yet.
Please note that cruise director schedules are always subject to change, so it’s a good idea to double-check with Carnival closer to your departure date for the most up-to-date information.
Carnival Adventure
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Sophie Gideon | 11/17/2025 – 01/24/2026 |
| Felipe Do Couto | 01/24/2026 – 06/05/2026 |
| Lizzie Clough | 06/01/2026 – 08/07/2026 |
| Felipe Do Couto | 08/07/2026 – 11/30/2026 |
Sophie Gideon will host Carnival Adventure from late 2025 into early 2026, before Felipe Do Couto takes over for the first half of the year. Lizzie Clough steps in for the summer season, followed by Felipe Do Couto returning again through late 2026.
Carnival Adventure is one of Carnival’s mid-sized ships, offering a relaxed, classic Carnival atmosphere with a full schedule of entertainment, casual dining, and plenty of open deck space for sea days.
Carnival Breeze
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Sinclair Hammerbach | 09/08/2025 – 01/12/2026 |
| Abbie Lockett | 01/08/2026 – 03/14/2026 |
| Jeimy Caro | 01/26/2026 – 02/05/2026 |
| Sinclair Hammerbach | 03/14/2026 – 07/13/2026 |
| Adam Gilbert | 07/09/2026 – 09/12/2026 |
Carnival Breeze sees a mix of familiar and newer faces. Sinclair Hammerbach anchors much of the schedule across late 2025 and mid-2026, with Abbie Lockett and Jeimy Caro rotating in early 2026. Adam Gilbert then takes the reins for the late-summer period.
Carnival Breeze is a Dream-class ship known for its open-air decks, WaterWorks water park, and lively pool-deck atmosphere.
Carnival Celebration
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Louie Clare | 11/02/2025 – 01/04/2026 |
| Joey Boyes | 01/11/2026 – 05/10/2026 |
| Louie Clare | 05/10/2026 – 06/28/2026 |
| Jacky Tang | 06/21/2026 – 11/07/2026 |
Carnival Celebration’s lineup rotates between familiar favorites and newer energy. Louie Clare starts and returns for a shorter spring run, Joey Boyes covers the early part of 2026, and Jacky Tang closes out the season into late 2026.
Carnival Celebration is an Excel-class ship launched in 2022 with a capacity of over 5,200 guests and features like BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea.
Carnival Conquest
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Victor Pastrana | 11/03/2025 – 01/05/2026 |
| George Cross | 01/02/2026 – 02/06/2026 |
| Rico Betancourt | 05/15/2026 – 07/17/2026 |
Carnival Conquest rotates between Victor Pastrana and George Cross early in 2026, with Rico Betancourt taking over for the late spring and summer period.
Carnival Conquest is a Conquest-class ship with a classic layout, large theater, and a strong focus on traditional cruise entertainment.
Carnival Dream
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Lawrence West | 02/01/2026 – 02/07/2026 |
| Filipe Mendes | 02/01/2026 – 03/03/2026 |
| Filipe Mendes | 03/16/2026 – 04/18/2026 |
| Lawrence West | 04/18/2026 – 08/16/2026 |
Carnival Dream features overlapping handovers early in 2026, with Filipe Mendes covering much of late winter and early spring before Lawrence West returns for an extended summer run.
Carnival Dream is the namesake of the Dream class, known for its spacious public areas, family-friendly layout, and strong onboard programming.
Carnival Elation
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Leo Alexander | 11/03/2025 – 01/15/2026 |
| Franco Spies | 02/02/2026 – 04/27/2026 |
| John Loney | 04/23/2026 – 09/10/2026 |
| Amber Celen | 09/05/2026 – 01/09/2027 |
Carnival Elation transitions steadily through 2026, moving from Leo Alexander into Franco Spies and John Loney before Amber Celen takes over heading into 2027.
Carnival Elation is one of Carnival’s smaller Fantasy-class ships, offering a quieter, more intimate cruising experience.
Carnival Encounter
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Lia Stivers | 10/11/2025 – 02/16/2026 |
| Sophie Gideon | 02/26/2026 – 05/08/2026 |
| Kieran Wilson | 05/01/2026 – 07/11/2026 |
| Franco Spies | 07/04/2026 – 11/07/2026 |
Carnival Encounter cycles through a diverse lineup, starting with Lia Stivers before handing off to Sophie Gideon, Kieran Wilson, and Franco Spies across the year.
Carnival Encounter serves regional itineraries and focuses on relaxed entertainment and destination-focused cruising.
Carnival Firenze
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Keegan Van Zyl | 10/30/2025 – 01/12/2026 |
| Zack Paiement-Dockrill | 01/08/2026 – 03/09/2026 |
| Amber Celen | 03/05/2026 – 07/06/2026 |
Keegan Van Zyl hosts Carnival Firenze into early 2026, before Zack Paiement-Dockrill takes over, followed by Amber Celen during the spring and early summer months.
Carnival Firenze brings Italian-inspired design to the Carnival fleet with a slightly more upscale feel in its public spaces.
Carnival Freedom
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Todd Evans | 11/08/2025 – 03/14/2026 |
| Rico Betancourt | 03/09/2026 – 05/14/2026 |
| Todd Evans | 05/14/2026 – 09/01/2026 |
Carnival Freedom features Todd Evans for much of the year, with a short spring rotation by Rico Betancourt before Todd returns for the summer season.
Carnival Freedom is a Conquest-class ship with large public venues and a traditional cruise layout.
Carnival Glory
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Rico Betancourt | 09/08/2025 – 01/09/2026 |
| John Loney | 01/05/2026 – 03/02/2026 |
| Andy Mercer | 02/27/2026 – 04/09/2026 |
| Abbie Lockett | 05/15/2026 – 09/14/2026 |
Rico Betancourt hosts Carnival Glory through the end of 2025, followed by John Loney and Andy Mercer taking over during the early months of 2026. Abbie Lockett then steps in from mid-May through mid-September.
Carnival Glory is a Conquest-class ship known for its colorful decor and upbeat atmosphere.
Carnival Horizon
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Tyler Meehan | 09/27/2025 – 02/22/2026 |
| Jeimy Caro | 01/11/2026 – 01/25/2026 |
| Deon Williams | 02/14/2026 – 05/23/2026 |
| Marq Anthony | 05/17/2026 – 09/20/2026 |
| Zack Paiement-Dockrill | 09/12/2026 – 01/16/2027 |
Carnival Horizon’s lineup rotates through several familiar names in 2026, with Tyler Meehan anchoring the late-2025 and early-2026 sailings before Deon Williams and Marq Anthony take over through the spring and summer. Zack Paiement-Dockrill then steps in to guide guests into early 2027.
Carnival Horizon is a Vista-class ship known for its IMAX Theater, SkyRide, and wide range of dining and entertainment venues.
Carnival Jubilee
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Andy Mercer | 08/09/2025 – 01/10/2026 |
| Kyndall Fire | 01/08/2026 – 05/09/2026 |
| Rainier Scholtz | 05/02/2026 – 07/11/2026 |
| Kyndall Fire | 07/11/2026 – 11/14/2026 |
Carnival Jubilee alternates between Andy Mercer and Kyndall Fire across the year, with Rainier Scholtz covering the early summer before Kyndall Fire returns for the second half of 2026.
Carnival Jubilee is one of Carnival’s newest Excel-class ships, featuring expanded outdoor spaces and high-energy entertainment.
Carnival Legend
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Filipe Mendes | 11/06/2025 – 01/15/2026 |
| Adam Gilbert | 01/15/2026 – 04/29/2026 |
| Simon London | 05/15/2026 – 11/16/2026 |
Filipe Mendes hosts Carnival Legend into mid-January 2026, followed by Adam Gilbert through late April, with Simon London scheduled from mid-May through November.
Carnival Legend is a Spirit-class ship offering a slightly more relaxed pace and an intimate onboard atmosphere.
Carnival Liberty
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Paully Munhollon | 11/09/2025 – 03/07/2026 |
| Victor Pastrana | 03/01/2026 – 05/03/2026 |
| Gabe Coppolla | 05/03/2026 – 08/30/2026 |
Paully Munhollon hosts Carnival Liberty into early 2026, followed by Victor Pastrana and then Gabe Coppolla for the summer sailings.
Carnival Liberty is a Conquest-class ship known for its large theater, multiple dining venues, and lively onboard programming.
Carnival Luminosa
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Michelle O’Callaghan | 10/26/2025 – 01/11/2026 |
| Louie Clare | 01/08/2026 – 03/05/2026 |
| Keegan Van Zyl | 02/26/2026 – 06/22/2026 |
Carnival Luminosa rotates between Michelle O’Callaghan, Louie Clare, and Keegan Van Zyl across late 2025 and early-to-mid 2026.
Carnival Luminosa offers a slightly different layout with European-inspired design and a calmer, more refined onboard feel.
Carnival Magic
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Rainier Scholtz | 11/09/2025 – 04/18/2026 |
Carnival Magic has a single cruise director listed through spring 2026, with Rainier Scholtz hosting sailings across the busy winter and spring seasons.
Carnival Magic is a Dream-class ship known for its family-friendly layout, outdoor movie screen, and large spa and fitness areas.
Carnival Mardi Gras
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Jacky Tang | 12/06/2025 – 04/18/2026 |
| Andy Mercer | 04/11/2026 – 07/11/2026 |
| Joey Boyes | 07/04/2026 – 11/07/2026 |
Jacky Tang hosts Carnival Mardi Gras into mid-April, followed by Andy Mercer through early July, with Joey Boyes scheduled from July into November.
Carnival Mardi Gras is Carnival’s first Excel-class ship, featuring six themed zones and the BOLT roller coaster.
Carnival Miracle
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Frankie Portera | 11/20/2025 – 01/17/2026 |
| Gary Blair | 01/17/2026 – 05/21/2026 |
| Frankie Portera | 05/21/2026 – 07/23/2026 |
| Gary Blair | 07/23/2026 – 11/23/2026 |
Carnival Miracle’s schedule features Frankie Portera and Gary Blair sharing hosting duties across the year.
Carnival Miracle is a Spirit-class ship known for its distinctive decor and destination-heavy itineraries.
Carnival Panorama
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Simon London | 08/30/2025 – 02/14/2026 |
| George Cross | 02/08/2026 – 05/03/2026 |
| Zack Paiement-Dockrill | 04/28/2026 – 07/18/2026 |
| George Cross | 07/18/2026 – 11/15/2026 |
Simon London hosts Carnival Panorama into mid-February 2026, followed by George Cross through early May. Zack Paiement-Dockrill then covers late spring into mid-July, before George Cross returns for the rest of the 2026 season.
Carnival Panorama is a Vista-class ship known for its SkyRide, Sky Zone trampoline park, and a wide range of dining and entertainment venues.
Carnival Paradise
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Edgar Toscano Murillo | 10/09/2025 – 01/10/2026 |
| Sofia Tosches | 01/05/2026 – 03/07/2026 |
| Lia Stivers | 05/07/2026 – 09/10/2026 |
Edgar Toscano Murillo hosts Carnival Paradise into early 2026, followed by Sofia Tosches through early March. Lia Stivers then takes over for the late spring and summer sailings.
Carnival Paradise is a Fantasy-class ship offering a smaller, more relaxed cruise experience with classic Carnival entertainment.
Carnival Pride
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Kieran Wilson | 10/26/2025 – 03/15/2026 |
| Frankie Portera | 04/04/2026 – 05/17/2026 |
| Deon Williams | 07/26/2026 – 11/29/2026 |
Carnival Pride is scheduled with Kieran Wilson through the winter season, followed by Frankie Portera in the spring. Deon Williams then takes over from late July through the end of the year.
Carnival Pride is a Spirit-class ship known for its artistic décor and more destination-focused itineraries.
Carnival Radiance
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Gabe Coppolla | 11/17/2025 – 02/26/2026 |
| Jeimy Caro | 02/07/2026 – 05/10/2026 |
| Paully Munhollon | 05/04/2026 – 09/12/2026 |
On Carnival Radiance, Gabe Coppolla hosts into late February, followed by Jeimy Caro through early May. Paully Munhollon then steps in for the summer sailings.
Carnival Radiance is a refreshed Sunshine-class ship offering modernized spaces, upgraded dining, and a lively onboard atmosphere.
Carnival Spirit
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| James Love | 11/02/2025 – 03/08/2026 |
| Michelle O’Callaghan | 03/01/2026 – 05/05/2026 |
| James Love | 05/05/2026 – 09/08/2026 |
Guests on Carnival Spirit will see James Love through the winter and again during the summer, with Michelle O’Callaghan covering the spring sailings in between.
Carnival Spirit is a Spirit-class ship offering a relaxed pace and itineraries focused on scenic and more remote destinations.
Carnival Splendor
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Lizzie Clough | 09/17/2025 – 01/24/2026 |
| Ben Kitchen | 01/16/2026 – 04/02/2026 |
| Lizzie Clough | 04/02/2026 – 05/30/2026 |
| Ben Kitchen | 05/30/2026 – 10/01/2026 |
| Lizzie Clough | 10/01/2026 – 11/28/2026 |
Carnival Splendor’s schedule features Lizzie Clough at the start and end of the year, with Ben Kitchen hosting much of the middle portion.
Carnival Splendor is a Concordia-class ship known for its colorful design, large spa complex, and diverse entertainment lineup.
Carnival Sunrise
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Abbie Lockett | 11/24/2025 – 01/05/2026 |
| Cryssi St Cyr | 12/31/2025 – 03/07/2026 |
Carnival Sunrise is hosted by Abbie Lockett into early January, followed by Cryssi St Cyr through the winter and early spring sailings.
Carnival Sunrise is a Sunshine-class ship offering modern public spaces and a lively, social onboard atmosphere.
Carnival Sunshine
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Amber Celen | 09/06/2025 – 01/10/2026 |
| Sara Taskoski | 01/04/2026 – 03/07/2026 |
| Alex Siegler | 06/28/2026 – 11/08/2026 |
On Carnival Sunshine, Amber Celen hosts into early 2026, followed by Sara Taskoski through early March. Alex Siegler then takes over for the late summer and fall sailings.
Carnival Sunshine is a Sunshine-class ship with a focus on casual dining, outdoor deck space, and active onboard programming.
Carnival Valor
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Dean Pompey | 09/15/2025 – 01/15/2026 |
| Alex Siegler | 01/10/2026 – 05/11/2026 |
Carnival Valor begins the year with Dean Pompey before Alex Siegler steps in for the spring sailings.
Carnival Valor is a Conquest-class ship known for its classic layout, large theater, and wide variety of onboard activities.
Carnival Venezia
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Mike D’Auria | 10/06/2025 – 01/11/2026 |
| Robby Howell | 01/04/2026 – 05/03/2026 |
| Mike D’Auria | 05/03/2026 – 07/01/2026 |
Carnival Venezia sees Mike D’Auria at the start of the year, followed by Robby Howell through the spring, before Mike D’Auria returns for the early summer sailings.
Carnival Venezia features Italian-inspired design and a slightly more refined onboard atmosphere within the Carnival fleet.
Carnival Vista
| Cruise Director | Dates |
| Marq Anthony | 11/09/2025 – 03/15/2026 |
| Mike D’Auria | 03/07/2026 – 05/02/2026 |
| Tyler Meehan | 04/26/2026 – 08/30/2026 |
Carnival Vista is hosted by Marq Anthony through the winter, followed by Mike D’Auria in early spring. Tyler Meehan then takes over from late April through the end of summer.
Carnival Vista is a Vista-class ship offering SkyRide, an IMAX Theater, and a wide range of dining and entertainment options.
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