(Answer) The “Whale-Tail” is a funnel design used on Carnival cruise ships. It is actually a Carnival patent. The wings are functional as well as eye-catching.

The "whale tail" funnel (officially known as a winged funnel) is the iconic, trademarked design element of the Carnival Cruise Line fleet. This unique funnel shape was first introduced in the 1980s on the Tropicale and has since become the visual shorthand for the brand. The design is not just for aesthetics; the "wings" are engineered to help direct engine exhaust away from the ship's decks, protecting passengers from soot and fumes while the ship is at sea. Every ship in the Carnival fleet, from the older Fantasy-class ships to the massive new "Excel-class" vessels like the Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, prominently features the red, white, and blue whale tail. While other cruise lines have their own distinctive funnel shapes—such as the sleek funnels of Disney Cruise Line or the yellow funnels of Costa Cruises—the "whale tail" remains one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the entire maritime industry, often visible from miles away as a ship enters a harbor.