Carnival Corporation Earns Perfect Score in Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index

MIAMI, Dec. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest leisure travel company, today announced that it has been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) with a perfect score in the Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which rates U.S. companies on their treatment of LGBTQ consumers, investors and employees.

This is also the third consecutive year that HRC – the largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in the U.S. – named Carnival Corporation among the top companies and recognized it as a best place to work for LGBTQ equality, acknowledging the company’s efforts to be fully inclusive.

“A perfect score from the HRC is a major achievement and reflects our efforts to promote a positive work environment that respects people from all walks of life,” said Jerry Montgomery, chief human resources officer for Carnival Corporation. “To be recognized by the largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in the country underscores that our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming company has never been stronger.”

Carnival Corporation’s 2020 sustainability goals include a commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and providing all employees with a positive work environment and opportunities to build a rewarding career to further drive employee engagement.

The company has also shown its support of LGBTQ equality and inclusion through:  

• Offering welcoming environments with LGBTQ cruises, onboard activities and special events, including hosting the 2015 Director’s Circle Summer Luncheon for the Seattle Men’s and Women’s choruses on Holland America Line;
• Participating in the Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce coalition to end LGBTQ discrimination in the state’s businesses; and
• Partnering with equal opportunity champions such as the Human Rights Campaign

“At Carnival Corporation, all of our 10 cruise line brands have unique cultures that reflect the diversity of their employees, guests and suppliers,” said Montgomery. “Our ability to be competitive, foster innovation and thrive globally is in part a result of our diversity and our belief that diversity of thinking plays an important role in our success and passion to provide our guests with great cruise vacations.”

Available online, the CEI has been the nation’s preeminent benchmarking tool for LGBTQ equality in the workplace since 2002. This year, the top score was awarded on the basis of detailed criteria in five key categories: non-discrimination policies, employment benefits, public commitment to LGBTQ equality, responsible corporate citizenship and demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBTQ diversity and inclusion.