- On Sunday, April 29, 100 Tampa-area military couples will enjoy a day aboard Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival "Miracle" docked at Port Tampa Bay, in an effort to help recently-deployed military and their families reintegrate back home. This event is part of a continuing partnership between Carnival and "Operation Homefront," a national non-profit organization which helps the military build new lives after deployment. Traditionally, assistance for transitioning military is in the form of financial assistance, housing, and family support services. In this case, the event aboard Carnival Miracle, focuses on FUN and re-learning how to enjoy leisure time with spouses and families upon return from deployment. The National Council on Family Relations reports "reintegration can be a turbulent time for the family, as members must re-form into a functioning system." The day-long outing includes lunch, a military salute and a comedy show. Carnival will be hosting a series of these events at different home ports this year with locally-based military personnel. Carnival carries more active and retired military personnel than any other cruise operator. Carnival runs two year-round ships out of Port Tampa Bay  Carnival Miracle and Carnival Paradise  carrying an estimated 280,000 passengers annually from Port Tampa Bay, the most of any cruise operator. Port Tampa Bay is enormously proud to support this event.

Media interested in interviewing military couples, Carnival Cruise Line, and Operation Homefront can contact Christine de la Huerta from Carnival at 305-807-3054 - [email protected]  - FOR SECURITY PURPOSES,  ALL MEDIA MUST HAVE A GOVERNMENT-ISSUED ID (DRIVER'S LICENSE OR PASSPORT) IN ORDER TO BOARD THE SHIP. Carnival strongly encourages interested media contact Ms. de la Huerta as soon as possible to assist coordination of coverage.

WHERE: Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal 3 - 815 Channelside Dr.

WHEN: Carnival's Military Salute will begin on board at approximately 12:30 p.m.