By
Rebecca Gibson |
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Triumph is to undergo a US$200 million bow-to-stern revitalisation in Cadiz, Spain, before rejoining the fleet as Carnival Sunrise in April 2019.
To be renovated as part of Carnival’s multi-billion dollar ship enhancement programme, the vessel will enter dry dock on 1 March 2019 and stay there for two months. She will be fitted with all of Carnival’s popular branded food, beverage and entertainment innovations, and new guest accommodation. Once completed, she will join the Sunshine class.
“The introduction of Carnival Sunrise will provide our guests with an array of exciting dining, bar and entertainment choices,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The new Carnival Sunrise is part of our multi-billion dollar ship enhancement programme that is transforming our fleet on an unprecedented scale.”
Carnival will redesign the two Captain’s Suites adjacent to the navigational bridge offering floor-to-ceiling windows and extended balcony grand suites, while all of the staterooms will be updated with island-inspired interiors.
New dining venues will include family-style Italian restaurant Cucina del Capitano, an expanded JavaBlue Café, classic American steakhouse Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, casual sushi spot Bonsai Express (based on the line’s full-service Bonsai Sushi restaurants), open-air eatery Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, Cherry on Top sweet shop, and The Chef’s Table, a new multi-course dining experience hosted in a glass-enclosed venue in the forward dining room. Guests will also be able to visit Lido Marketplace, a casual poolside eatery with venues like Seafood Shack, The Deli, Pizzeria del Capitano and an expanded Swirls venue.
Carnival Sunrise will also be upgraded with new bars, including Caribbean-themed RedFrog Pub; Piano Bar 88, which will host themed nights; Limelight Lounge, which will be home to Punchliner Comedy Club; and a new multi-purpose Liquid Lounge, an expansive theatre that hosts day- and night-time entertainment.
Other new entertainment attractions will include Camp Ocean for children aged 2-11, Circle C for 12- to 14-year olds, Club O2 for those aged 15-17, The Warehouse for video and arcade games, expanded retail spaces and the open-air SportSquare, which will have a suspended ropes course, basketball court, jogging track, ping pong, foosball, pool tables, and a nine-hole miniature golf course. Guests will also be able to enjoy WaterWorks aqua park, which will feature a 203-foot-long AquaTunnel slide, a 212-foot-long Twister slide, an oversized PowerDrencher tipping bucket and children’s area. There will also be a Serenity Adult Only Retreat and an expanded Cloud 9 Spa with a thermal suite, private treatment rooms, and cardio and weight-training equipment.
“These new dining spaces and features complement many of Carnival’s signature food and beverage outlets that were added during previous renovations, including Guy’s Burger Joint developed in tandem with Guy Fieri,” said Gus Antorcha, Carnival’s chief operating officer, who has led the reimagination of Carnival Sunrise and many other ships in the fleet. “Carnival’s investments are part of an overall plan that is raising the bar on ship amenities and features, itineraries and offshore excursions that our guests are loving.”
Following her renaming ceremony in late April, Carnival Sunrise will begin a series of five- to seven-day cruises from her new homeport at Half Moone Cruise Center in Norfolk, Virginia to various destinations in the Caribbean. The vessel will then reposition to New York and starts a new schedule of cruise on 23 May. She will sail four- to eight-day voyages to Bermuda, seven-day ‘Fall Foliage’ cruises to New England and the Canadian Maritimes, and two different eight-day Caribbean itineraries. From October 28, Carnival Sunrise will offer four- and five-day itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to the Caribbean and Cuba.