Virtual Tour of Carnival Sunshine & “Grab Your Destiny” Contest Unveiled

Carnival Cruise Lines has unveiled a new inside/outside virtual tour of Carnival Sunshine, the line’s most comprehensive ship transformation project ever. Encompassing an unprecedented $155 million renovation, it will add a host of dining, bar, and entertainment innovations and spectacular outdoor spaces to the ship that is currently sailing as Carnival Destiny. The ship will emerge as Carnival Sunshine following a 49-day dry dock this spring, then launch a schedule of European voyages April 12, 2013, before repositioning to New Orleans for year-round Caribbean departures beginning Nov. 18, 2013.

The virtual tour below takes you on a flyover of Carnival Sunshine’s many new on-board features and innovations—all part of the line’s groundbreaking Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement initiative. From the glittering new Sunshine atrium and poolside watering holes RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar to soon-to-be-added spaces such as a three-deck-high Serenity adults-only retreat, Havana Bar, ShakeSpot, and JavaBlue Café, you get a sneak peek at these venues while graphics illustrate the dramatic transformation from Carnival Destiny to Carnival Sunshine.

For more videos and images documenting Carnival Sunshine’s ongoing construction progress, “before and after” pictures of Carnival Destiny and Carnival Sunshine spaces, and interviews with some of the people who are bringing the groundbreaking refurbishment project to life, visit Carnival.com/sunshine. There’s also a clock that counts down the number of days until Carnival Sunshine’s inaugural April 12, 2013, voyage from Venice.

Own a Piece of History & Win a Free Cruise!
Hosted at Carnival.com/grabyourdestiny, the four-week-long “Grab Your Destiny” contest opened this week and runs through Feb. 25, 2013. It utilizes a unique system to award prizes, with winners earning points for accomplishing designated on-line tasks—32 points for watching the contest promotional video, 25 points for taking the virtual tour, etc. In addition to prizes for the top 13 point-earners, including the grand prize of a European cruise for two on Carnival Sunshine for the most total points, random weekly drawings will be held for 100 Carnival Destiny mementos.

These include table tops from the All-Star Bar with signatures from Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Mickey Mantle, and other sports legends; the entrance sign from the Millionaire’s Casino and a classic car model from one of its slot machines; decorative treasure chests and an anchor from the miniature golf course; the entrance sign to the Palladium main show lounge; a clock from Spa Carnival; copies of the ship’s final Fun Times daily shipboard newsletter signed by the captain and senior officers; and illustrative “you are here” deck maps, among others. Complete contest rules and regulations are available at the link above.

European & Caribbean Itineraries
Carnival Sunshine debuts with a series of Mediterranean cruises beginning with a 14-day voyage from Venice to Barcelona April 12-26, 2013. The ship will then operate a series of 18 nine- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises either round-trip from Barcelona or sailing between Barcelona and Venice. Following a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing departing Barcelona Nov. 1 and arriving New Orleans Nov. 17, Carnival Sunshine will operate a special six-day Caribbean cruise departing Nov. 18 before launching year-round 7-day Caribbean service from the Big Easy Nov. 24, 2013. Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Sunshine’s various European and Caribbean itineraries.