Carnival Cruise Line Appoints Its First-Ever Female Staff Captain
Carnival Cruise Line has appointed Daniela Gargiulo as the first female Staff Captain in the company's history, marking the milestone with a ceremony in Sydney as her ship returned from a South Pacific voyage.
The appointment
Gargiulo was promoted to Staff Captain on 5 August 2026 aboard Carnival Adventure, with Captain Francesco Bencivenga officially welcoming her as his second-in-command during a special onboard ceremony. As Staff Captain, she becomes responsible for overseeing day-to-day marine operations, safety and crew leadership, and would assume command of the ship in the Captain's absence.
Bencivenga said Gargiulo's promotion represented an important step for gender diversity within the maritime industry, adding that he was proud to witness a moment that could open doors for future generations of female leaders at sea.
A 13-year career with the company
Gargiulo's path to the role began well before she joined Carnival. Growing up in Italy, she enrolled in a nautical school at the age of 14, setting her on course for a career at sea. She joined Carnival Cruise Line in 2013 as a Deck Cadet — one of the most junior positions on a ship's bridge team — and spent the following 13 years steadily working her way up through the ranks, eventually reaching First Officer Jr. before this latest promotion. She transferred to Carnival Adventure last year.
Speaking about the appointment, Gargiulo said it was an incredible honour to be the first woman in Carnival Cruise Line's history to hold the Staff Captain role, adding that she was excited to begin this new chapter of her career aboard Carnival Adventure in Australia.
What the role means for Carnival's Australian operations
Carnival Adventure sails year-round from Sydney, carrying more than 2,600 guests and around 1,100 crew on itineraries ranging from three to ten nights across the South Pacific, including calls at Vanuatu, New Caledonia and the Great Barrier Reef.
Gargiulo's promotion leaves her one step away from becoming a full Captain — a rank Carnival Cruise Line has not yet awarded to a woman. Her appointment nonetheless represents a notable shift for an industry that has historically been dominated by men in its most senior seagoing roles.
Sources
- Carnival Cruise Line official newsroom: "Making Waves: Carnival Celebrates a Maritime Milestone, Appoints First Female Staff Captain"
- Cruise Industry News: "Daniela Gargiulo Becomes First Female Staff Captain in Carnival's History"
- Cruise Hive: "Carnival Cruise Line Appoints Its First-Ever Female Staff Captain"
- Travel Weekly Australia: "Carnival Cruise Line appoints first EVER female staff captain"