MIAMI, April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Port Canaveral's
newest ship, the totally transformed Carnival Sunshine, will depart
on its inaugural voyage from the Space Coast when it sails on a
special two-day cruise to The Bahamas later today.
Carnival Sunshine will then kick off a year-round schedule of
five- to eight-day voyages visiting spectacular destinations
throughout the Caribbean,
Bahamas and Florida beginning April
19.
Carnival Sunshine is the first ship to feature all of the line's
fantastic Fun Ship 2.0 bar, dining and entertainment innovations
which were added during a massive 75-day, $155 million makeover that was the most
comprehensive in the company's history.
Carnival Sunshine continues the line's nearly 25-year
relationship with Port Canaveral while further bolstering its
leadership position at the port. Including Carnival Sunshine,
along with Carnival Sensation and a third year-round ship launching
service next month, Carnival will carry a record 600,000 passengers
annually from Port Canaveral – more than any cruise operator.
Carnival's three Port Canaveral-based ships will operate 200 three-
to eight-day voyages a year visiting 18 tropical destinations
throughout the Caribbean,
Bahamas and Florida.
"Not only does Carnival Sunshine bring all of our Fun Ship 2.0
innovations to the Space Coast, it offers a lineup of cruises
featuring the greatest diversity of destinations and cruise lengths
ever offered from Port Canaveral," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival's president and
CEO. "Central Florida is one
of our fastest-growing markets and our continued growth at Port
Canaveral would not be possible without the tremendous support from
the Canaveral Port Authority, numerous community leaders and many
highly valued travel agent partners," he added.
"Port Canaveral is proud to homeport the latest innovative ship
from Carnival Cruise Lines and we look forward to the continuation
of this long-time successful partnership," said Port Canaveral CEO
John E. Walsh. "Carnival Sunshine
will provide our community with expanded business opportunities and
more vacation choices for both our residents and visitors."
Exciting On-Board Innovations
Carnival Sunshine
offers an entirely new seagoing vacation experience from Port
Canaveral, with on-board features and facilities catering to guests
of all ages and interests.
These include a tantalizing variety of dining options – from
casual favorites like Guy's Burger Joint, developed in partnership
with Food Network star Guy Fieri;
the Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian eatery and Ji Ji Asian
Kitchen to Fahrenheit 555, a reservations-only steakhouse serving
gourmet cuisine in an intimate and elegant setting. Guests
can also check out the full-service Bonsai Sushi, the 24-hour
Pizzeria del Capitano, Lido Marketplace offering an array of
international cuisines and only-on-Sunshine choices like ShakeSpot
and JavaBlue Cafe.
And while the youngsters are enjoying fun, supervised activities
and play areas designed for three age groups, grown-ups can relax
and get some "me" time at Serenity, a stunning three-level
adults-only retreat featuring its own pool, a waterfall, oversized
umbrellas and comfortable chaise lounges.
Other popular features include the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar,
BlueIguana Tequila Bar and Blue Iguana Cantina, along with top-deck
attractions such as WaterWorks, featuring a 334-foot-long Twister
water slide – the longest in the fleet – and SportSquare, an
outdoor recreation area highlighted by a suspended ropes course
offering breathtaking views of the sea 150 feet below.
Entertainment offerings include the high-energy Playlist
Productions revues; the family-friendly Hasbro, The Game Show, with
larger-than-life adaptations of the brand's popular games; and
hilarious performances at the Punchliner Comedy Club presented by
George Lopez, a partnership with the
popular comedian and TV personality offering dozens of
adult-oriented and all-ages comedy shows each voyage.
Port-Intensive Caribbean Itineraries
Carnival
Sunshine will operate three different five-day eastern Caribbean sailings departing Sundays and
featuring calls at Key West,
Nassau, and Freeport; Nassau and Grand Turk; or Nassau, Half Moon Cay and Freeport.
Port-intensive seven-day cruises depart Saturdays to the eastern
Caribbean and call at Nassau, St. Thomas, San Juan and Grand Turk, while week-long
western Caribbean trips depart
Saturdays and call at Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan); and Costa
Maya.
Two different eight-day eastern Caribbean cruises depart Fridays or Saturdays,
and call at Grand Turk, San Juan,
St. Thomas and St. Maarten; or
Grand Turk, St. Thomas, Tortola and St.
Maarten. Eight-day southern Caribbean sailings depart Fridays or Saturdays
and include Curacao, Aruba and Grand Turk.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Lines, contact any
travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
Carnival can also be found on:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/carnivalcruise
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/carnival
YouTube: www.youtube.com/carnival
Journalists also can visit Carnival's media site,
www.carnival-news.com or follow the line's PR department on Twitter
at www.twitter.com/CarnivalPR.
About Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival, a unit of
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is "The
World's Most Popular Cruise Line®" with 24 ships operating three-
to 23-day voyages to The Bahamas,
Caribbean, Mexican Riviera,
Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda. Australia, New
Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Tahiti. The company's
25th ship, the 135,000-ton Carnival Vista, is scheduled to enter
service in 2016.
Carnival is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our
exclusive alliance also includes Cunard, Holland America Line,
Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to
please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's
Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best
vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and
enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable
destinations. Visit us at
www.worldleadingcruiselines.com.
SOURCE Carnival Cruise Lines