By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor
Carnival Cruise Line and the Canaveral Port Authority have celebrated the arrival of the Space Coast’s newest ship, Carnival Magic, and to mark the grand opening of the ship’s new Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, designed by Food Network star Guy Fieri.
The event was highlighted by the carving of a six-foot-long pulled pork sandwich by officials from Carnival and the port to commemorate the launch of Fieri’s new barbecue venue, which was installed during a multimillion-dollar dry dock last month.
Carnival Magic is the latest of the line’s ships to sail from Port Canaveral, joining Carnival Victory, Carnival Valor, and Carnival Sunshine.
In total, these four ships will carry more than 650,000 guests annually from Port Canaveral.
“Port Canaveral is one of our most popular and fastest-growing homeports and we now have four exceptional ships based there offering our most highly-rated guest features, a huge array of staterooms and suites with private balconies and a wide variety of itinerary choices,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “For 20-plus years, Carnival Cruise Line has sailed from Central Florida’s port providing their guests with an enjoyable ‘Fun ship’ experience,” Murray said. “We are delighted to continue to be a popular homeport for Carnival guests.”
The new Fieri-designed venue was among many new features added during an extensive redesign that also incorporated the new cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, the RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, BlueIguana Cantina Mexican eatery and Guy’s Burger Joint, also designed by Fieri.
The 130,000-ton ship departed Wednesday afternoon on its inaugural cruise from Port Canaveral with a three-day voyage to Nassau, and will launch year-round seven-day sailings from the Space Coast April 23.
Carnival Magic will offer two different weeklong itineraries from the port– a western Caribbean route featuring Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay and Costa Maya; and an eastern Caribbean option calling at St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk and Nassau or Amber Cove.