by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 3:45 PM ET, Mon February 5, 2024
Carnival Cruise Line is auctioning off a special pair of handcrafted cowboy boots to raise money for military families.
The cruise line will commission a pair of custom red, white and blue boots for the person who pledges the largest donation to Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit that offers short-term assistance relief programs and recurring support for U.S. military service members and their loved ones. The organization provides everything from transitional housing to holiday meals.
If the winning bid tops $10,000, the cruise line will also tack on a 7-day voyage in a balcony stateroom aboard Carnival Jubilee.
The boots being auctioned off are similar to the pair Christine Duffy, the cruise line’s president, wore while welcoming the first guests on board Carnival Jubilee in Galveston in December. Her patriotic boots were designed by Carnival’s Petu Kummala and handmade by Parker Boot Company in Houston. Duffy’s boots will soon go on display aboard the vessel in honor of its Texas homeport.
Crowds gathered in Galveston to welcome Carnival Jubilee (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
“These cowboy boots are an ultimate piece of Carnival regalia, and such a fun way to celebrate the arrival of our new Carnival Jubilee,” says Duffy. “Even more special, though, is the opportunity for someone to have the only other pair that will ever be made—and for a cause we’re all passionate about here at Carnival. We’re proud to sail more veterans and military families than any other cruise line, and so proud that our guests support our causes generously.”
Donors who wish to bid on the boots can do so by emailing [email protected] with the amount pledged, as well as their name, phone number and VIFP number if they have one. As of Feb. 3, the highest bid was $13,500.
The auction will run through Feb. 20 and Carnival will announce the winner at Carnival Jubilee’s official naming ceremony.
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