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Carnival Radiance docked in Ensenada, Mexico
Carnival Cruise Line · Sunshine Class

Carnival Radiance

“A $200 million rebirth — the former Carnival Victory, reborn with a waterpark and 115 new staterooms.”

© Tunestoons / WC / CC BY-SA 4.0
Launched
2000
Gross Tonnage
101,509 GT
Passengers
2,764
Decks
13
Home Port
Long Beach, California

Carnival Radiance began life in 2000 as Carnival Victory, the third and final Destiny-class ship. A $200 million top-to-bottom renovation in Cadiz, Spain transformed her into Carnival Radiance, officially renamed in September 2021. The renovation added 115 new staterooms, a WaterWorks aqua park, SkyRide, and a SkyCourse ropes course — modern Excel-class-style amenities grafted onto a proven, mid-sized hull. She's homeported in Long Beach, California, sailing Mexican Riviera and Pacific Coast itineraries.

✦ The standout feature

A WaterWorks aqua park added during the $200 million refit, featuring the 203-foot AquaTunnel and 212-foot Twister slides — waterpark-scale attractions on a ship originally built in 2000, long before slides were standard.

What’s Onboard

🍽️

Dining

  • ✓Main dining room with rotating menus
  • ✓Lido Marketplace buffet
  • ✓Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse
  • ✓JiJi Asian Kitchen
  • ✓Guy's Burger Joint
  • ✓BlueIguana Cantina
🌊

Pools & Recreation

  • ✓WaterWorks aqua park with AquaTunnel and Twister slides
  • ✓SkyRide cycling attraction
  • ✓SkyCourse ropes course
  • ✓Serenity adults-only retreat
  • ✓Multiple pools and whirlpools
  • ✓Fitness centre and Cloud 9 Spa
🎭

Entertainment

  • ✓Liquid Lounge production shows
  • ✓Punchliner Comedy Club
  • ✓Casino
  • ✓Piano bar and live music venues
  • ✓RedFrog Pub
  • ✓Duty-free shopping promenade
🛏️

Cabins

  • ✓115 staterooms added in the 2021 renovation
  • ✓Interior, Oceanview, Balcony & Suite
  • ✓Family-friendly connecting cabins
  • ✓Ocean Suite top category
  • ✓Refreshed decor fleet-wide
  • ✓Family Harbor stateroom section
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family & Kids

  • ✓Camp Ocean kids' club
  • ✓Circle C and Club O2 for tweens and teens
  • ✓WaterWorks family water play
  • ✓Family Harbor lounge with continental breakfast
  • ✓Connecting stateroom options
  • ✓Family-friendly Mexican Riviera excursions

Video Tour

Carnival Radiance — Full Deck-to-Deck Tour

✓ Best for
  • ✦West Coast cruisers wanting a Mexican Riviera getaway
  • ✦Families wanting waterpark-scale attractions on a smaller ship
  • ✦Fans of a full ship transformation story
  • ✦Long Beach-area travelers
✗ Not the right fit for

Travelers wanting Carnival's very newest Excel-class ships — Radiance's 2000-built hull, even after renovation, has a different feel than a ground-up new build.

Typical pricing

4–7 night Mexican Riviera from ~$500/pp (interior) to $1,800+/pp (suite)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carnival Radiance a new ship?▼
Her hull dates to 2000 (originally Carnival Victory), but a $200 million renovation completed in 2021 rebuilt her into Carnival Radiance with new staterooms, a waterpark, and modernized public spaces — she feels far newer than her age suggests.
Where does Carnival Radiance sail from?▼
She's homeported in Long Beach, California, sailing Mexican Riviera and Pacific Coast itineraries.
What is included in the WaterWorks aqua park on Carnival Radiance?▼
The 203-foot AquaTunnel and 212-foot Twister slides, a tipping bucket, and a kiddie splash area — all added during the 2021 renovation.
Was Carnival Radiance previously a different ship?▼
Yes — she sailed as Carnival Victory from 2000 until her 2021 renovation and renaming, making her the third and final Destiny-class ship to receive Carnival's modernization treatment.
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