Carnival Sunshine: Major Upgrades for New Deployment

The Carnival Sunshine has just reopened to guests following an array of enhancements in its public spaces and staterooms.

After completing a drydock in Europe, the vessel returned to North America earlier this month to commence its year-round service from Norfolk. Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald stated that the ship underwent extensive updates in several common areas and cabins.

Every open deck now features a new synthetic floor, while each stateroom has been fitted with updated motion-activated lighting. The vessel, originally built in 1996, also received a complete overhaul of its water park, ropes course, mini golf area, and jogging track. The Sunshine Casino was enhanced with a newly installed host desk on the promenade deck, and the gym now boasts state-of-the-art cardio machines.

“This, along with all the usual maintenance and upkeep of a drydock means the Carnival Sunshine looks absolutely fabulous,” Heald said in a social media post.

After a homeporting stint in Charleston last January, the 3,000-passenger ship sailed to France for a drydock at the Chantier Naval de Marseille. A few weeks later, the Sunshine returned to North America without guests on board to launch its new year-round deployment in Norfolk.

Operating from its new Virginia homeport, the ship now offers six- and eight-night cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. The itinerary includes stops at destinations such as Princess Cays, Grand Turk, Puerto Plata, Half Moon Cay, and San Juan.

Meanwhile, the Carnival Spirit is also undergoing a drydock at the Chantier Naval de Marseille. After wrapping up its winter program in Mobile, the 2001-built vessel sailed to Europe earlier this month for a month-long shipyard stay. It is scheduled to welcome guests back on Mar. 16, 2025, kicking off a trans-Atlantic crossing in Barcelona.