According to a press release, Carnival Cruise Line has achieved a milestone as the first cruise line to embark 100 million guests since it first started sailing.

At Port Miami, where Carnival Cruise Line was founded, Christine Duffy met guests boarding the Carnival Sunrise today and thanked them for making Carnival the world’s most popular cruise line.

“We are the first cruise line to reach 100 million guests, and I believe it is a testament to how fun and inclusive our guests and our exceptional team members have been together on our ships for the past 51 years,” said Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy. We’re sure to have a lot more fun in store. In the spring of next year, we will welcome three ships to our fleet.”

Debi and David Clifford were cruise passengers from Ohio who represented the cruise line’s 100 millionth passenger. On board the ship, they were welcomed with fanfare by Duffy and the ship’s crew.  A photo booth was available for guests to take photos that represented their unique status as one of 100 million.

A new ship is scheduled to debut in May this year as part of Carnival Cruise Line’s expansion plans. Carnival Venezia will expand the New York offering to include seasonal and year-round sailings. Also this year, the Carnival Jubilee will join the Galveston-based fleet of sister ships to the Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras.

From Long Beach, California, the Carnival Firenze, a sister ship to the Carnival Venezia, will depart year-round.