Above: the new Carnival Sunshine
By the Caribbean Journal staff
The transformed Carnival Sunshine cruise ship set sail on its inaugural voyage from New Orleans to Cozumel and Grand Cayman this week.
The 3,006-passenger ship underwent a $155 million, 75-day renovation that included the company’s “Fun Ship 2.0” enhancement programme and 182 new staterooms.
“The transformation of Carnival Sunshine is unlike anything that’s ever been done before and the results are simply extraordinary, with a variety of truly fabulous features and unique innovations for our guests to enjoy,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. “We are delighted that Carnival Sunshine will make its inaugural U.S. sailing from the Port of New Orleans, one of our most popular homeports and a valued business partner for the past 20 years.”
The ship has a three-level adults-only section, a ropes course and a 334-foot-long water slide that is the longest in the company fleet. Its restaurants include Guy’s Burger Joint, developed with television food personality Guy Fieri and Ji Jji Asian Kitchen, among others.
It will be homeported in New Orleans, the largest Carnival ship to do so.
“Cruising is big business at the Port of New Orleans and Carnival’s commitment of this fabulously transformed ship is evidence of that.,” said Gary LaGrance, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans. “Carnival is a wonderful partner of the Port, the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana and has been for more than two decades. Carnival has consistently increased its presence here and we will continue to work closely with them to expand in the future.”
The ship will offer a series of seven-day cruises to the Caribbean through April, including itineraries to Belize, Nassau and Montego Bay, among other stops.