Carnival Cruise Lines has announced plans for the Carnival Destiny cruise ship to undergo an extensive dry dock in early 2013. The Destiny was launched in 1996 as the world’s largest cruise ship carrying 2,642 passengers and began the current era of the mega ships. The dry dock will last for 49 days and cost $155 million, radically transforming her into the Carnival Sunshine.
The Carnival Sunshine will receive the full Carnival Funship 2.0 experience, an additional 182 cabins, and the expansion of 2 decks completely transforming the layout of the ship. Carnival President and CEO released the following statement, “This is our most ambitious ship conversion project to date and it will radically transform the Carnival Destiny into essentially an entirely new ship offering a variety of exciting dining and beverage choices, spectacular outdoor spaces and entertainment options and on-board innovations not available anywhere else.”
Cabins
In addition to an additional 182 cabins that will added, cabins will go a complete overhaul and given a tropical decor. New cabins include spas, balcony, and inside staterooms.
Food and Beverage
- Fahrenheit 555: A classic American steakhouse offering some of the best steaks on the sea. There will be a surcharge similar to that of the steakhouses on the rest of Carnival’s fleet.
- Mongolian wok casual restaurant will be added that will have no cover charge for lunch and a small fee for dinner.
- “The Comfort Kitchen”: A casual style dining near the Lido Marketplace offering American style food choices.
- Havana Bar: A tropical themed lounge with floor to ceiling windows offering amazing ocean views and live Latin music and dancing.
- Sunshine Bar: Located at the ship’s atrium, this elegant lounge will offer live music, cocktails, and dancing.
- Other new bars include RedFrog Pub, Bluelguana Tequila Bar, EA Sports Bar, and Alchemy Bar.
Entertainment
The Carnival Sunshine will receive the first 3 deck, adults only Serenity space with a cascading waterfall found on any Carnival ship. There will also be a pool, a jacuzzi tub, lounges and chairs, and a complimentary area with custom freshly made salads.
The ship will also include a SportSquare, similar to the one that debuted on the Magic. It will include mini-golf, lighted half court for basketball/volleyball, jogging track, ping pong, pool, and foosball tables.
Waterworks, which Carnival has labeled as “splash-tastic”, will feature Carnival’s Twister water slide, a splash zone for kids, and a new thrill water slide.
Itineraries
When the Carnival Sunshine comes out of dry dock in Italy, the ship will sail a series of 9 and 12 day Mediterranean cruises out of Barcelona, Spain and Venice, Italy. In October of 2013, the Sunshine will sail to New Orleans where it will replace the Carnival Conquest with cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Bahamas. Carnival has yet to announce future plans for the Conquest.
I have an idea….when the Sunshine is ready to set out to sea after its renovations, why not go in and out of Charleston, SC. Their new port should be function-able by then. Are there any plans on changing ships and / or ports of call there in the future ?? Been on the Fantasy 4 times already and we have another booked for this October also. Ready for a change.