Carnival Cruise Line appoints Daniela Gargiulo as first female staff captain

Daniela Gargiulo, who began nautical studies in Italy at age fourteen, joined Carnival Cruise Line in 2013 as a deck cadet and progressed through the ranks over thirteen years. On 5 August 2026, while the Carnival Adventure was returning to Sydney from the South Pacific, she was promoted to staff captain, becoming the first woman to hold that position in the company's global history.

In her new role, Gargiulo serves as second‑in‑command to Captain Francesco Bencivenga, overseeing marine operations, safety, and crew leadership aboard the ship. The appointment is highlighted as a significant step toward gender diversification in the maritime industry and a milestone for future female leaders on cruise vessels.