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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.
Carnival Cruise Line Ships