Carnival Sunshine
“A near-total transformation of a fleet pioneer — big-ship fun with a well-travelled soul.”
Carnival Sunshine began life in 1996 as Carnival Destiny, the first cruise ship ever to exceed 100,000 gross tons. A $155 million, 49-day transformation in 2013 reimagined her almost entirely — adding an extra deck, the Havana-themed adults' retreat, the SkyCourse ropes course, and a racing waterslide complex — before relaunching her as Carnival Sunshine, flagship of Carnival's own Sunshine class. Today she's homeported year-round in Norfolk, Virginia, the primary large cruise ship serving Coastal Virginia, offering Bahamas, Bermuda, Eastern Caribbean, and seasonal Canada/New England itineraries that are hard to find elsewhere on Carnival. Compact by modern standards but endlessly refreshed, Sunshine pairs old-school Carnival charm with genuinely new-ship features.
The Carnival SkyCourse — a ropes course suspended roughly 150 feet above the water with rope bridges and obstacles — paired with a side-by-side racing waterslide duo, both added during Sunshine's extensive 2013 transformation and rare among Carnival's mid-sized ships.
What’s Onboard
Dining
- ✓Cucina del Capitano (Italian family recipes)
- ✓JiJi Asian Kitchen with family-style sharing plates
- ✓Bonsai Sushi for sushi, sashimi and bento
- ✓Guy's Burger Joint (Guy Fieri partnership)
- ✓BlueIguana Cantina for build-your-own tacos
- ✓Pizzeria del Capitano, open 24 hours
Pools & Recreation
- ✓Racing waterslide duo at Carnival WaterWorks
- ✓Carnival SkyCourse ropes course (150 ft above sea level)
- ✓Serenity adults-only retreat spanning three decks
- ✓Havana-themed pool and pool bar
- ✓Cloud 9 Spa and fitness centre
- ✓Mini golf and sports deck
Entertainment
- ✓Liquid Lounge main stage productions
- ✓Punchliner Comedy Club
- ✓Ocean Plaza indoor-outdoor entertainment hub
- ✓Piano Bar 88
- ✓RedFrog Pub and BlueIguana Tequila Bar
- ✓Casino with table games and slots
Cabins
- ✓Interior, Oceanview, Balcony, and Suite categories
- ✓Havana Cabana staterooms with exclusive pool access
- ✓Cloud 9 Spa staterooms with spa access included
- ✓Family staterooms with connecting options
- ✓Cove Balconies close to the waterline
- ✓1,501 staterooms in total
Family & Kids
- ✓Camp Ocean kids' club (2–11 years)
- ✓Circle C for tweens and Club O2 for teens
- ✓Racing waterslides and splash zones for kids
- ✓Family Fun Times pool deck activities
- ✓Family-friendly menus at Guy's and BlueIguana
- ✓Dive-In Movies poolside
Video Tour
Carnival Sunshine Cruise Ship Tour 2025 | Full Walkthrough, Dining, Fun & Entertainment Guide!
- ✦Coastal Virginia and Mid-Atlantic cruisers (drive-to Norfolk)
- ✦Bermuda and Canada/New England itineraries
- ✦Active travellers wanting ropes courses and racing slides
- ✦Budget-conscious first-time cruisers
Travellers wanting the newest mega-ship scale or the widest dining variety. Sunshine is a mid-sized, heavily reworked ship — spacious for her era, but smaller than Carnival's newest vessels.
6-night Bahamas from ~$600/pp (inside) to $1,800+/pp (suite)