Carnivals CEO Is Lighting the Times Square Ball for New Years Eve—And Its the Fifth Year in a Row

When the iconic New Years Eve ball drops in Times Square tonight, the person leading the countdown wont be a celebrity or politician—itll be Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation, the worlds largest cruise company.

According to Cruise Industry News, this marks the fifth consecutive year Carnival has served as the official sponsor of the Times Square ball lighting ceremony, cementing the cruise lines role in one of the most-watched events on the planet.

More Than Just the Ball Drop

Carnival isnt just sponsoring the countdown—the company is also backing one of the musical performances featured in Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026, which kicks off at 8 p.m. EST on ABC and streams on Hulu afterward.

Its a massive visibility play for a brand thats had what Weinstein calls a transformative year. In a statement, he highlighted the opening of Celebration Key, Carnivals newest private island destination, along with record-high guest satisfaction scores and continued momentum across the entire Carnival Corporation portfolio.

Why This Matters for Cruisers

This isnt just corporate chest-thumping. The Times Square sponsorship signals how confident Carnival is in its current trajectory—and how aggressively its positioning itself in mainstream culture, not just among existing cruisers.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, noted that the company is entering 2026 with incredible momentum and deep gratitude for our amazing guests, dedicated team members, travel advisors and partners who make Carnival the leading cruise line.

Translation: theyre expecting another strong year, and theyre putting their brand front and center to make sure everyone knows it.

The Bottom Line

When youre dropping millions to sponsor the most iconic New Years Eve celebration in the world—and doing it for five years running—youre making a statement. Carnival is betting big on its brand, its recent wins, and the momentum its built heading into 2026.

And tonight, when that ball drops and a billion people tune in, Carnivals CEO will be the one flipping the switch.