Carnival releases details of Destiny-to-Sunshine makeover
Carnival Cruise Lines has unveiled additional details of the $155 million makeover that will transform Carnival Destiny into Carnival Sunshine during a 49-day dry docking at Fincantieri in Italy, MarineLog reported.
When Carnival Destiny was delivered from Fincantieri in 1996 she was the largest passenger vessel ever built at over 100,000 grt and 2,642 passenger capacity. She also demonstrated all the possibilities that a really big ship can offer for enhanced passenger entertainment and activities. But time moves on and the Carnival brand is not about operating Grand Old Ladies of the Sea. The cruise ship will reenter service in April 2013 with what Carnival describes as "all of the dining, bar and entertainment elements of the line's groundbreaking Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement program, along with several exciting new features."
Passenger capacity will also be increased to 3,006.
Among the new highlights are a new racing-themed water park featuring Carnival's longest water slide, a tropical-themed Havana Bar and a full-service Asian restaurant. Top-deck amenities will include a spectacular three-level Serenity adults-only retreat – the largest in the Carnival fleet offering a pool, waterfall, a full bar, whirlpool, and, of course, magnificent sea views – as well as SportSquare featuring a ropes course, including an exciting new zip line feature, an array of deck and table games, a basketball court, jogging track, and a two-level miniature golf course.
On leaving the shipyard in Italy, Carnival Sunshine will debut with a series of Mediterranean cruises beginning with a 14-day voyage from Venice to Barcelona April 12-26, 2013, followed by nine- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises either round-trip from Barcelona or sailing between Barcelona and Venice through October 20, 2013. Carnival Sunshine will then sail on a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to New Orleans Nov. 1-17, 2013, positioning the vessel for year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises from New Orleans.
