Carnival Sunrise Modernised

Carnival Cruise Line continues to modernise its older cruise ships to reflect the latest trends. The 20-year old Carnival Triumph recently underwent a US$200 million overhaul at the Navantia Cadiz Shipyard, which lasted for 37 days, before she returned to service in April 2019, renamed Carnival Sunrise.

Introduced in 1999, Carnival Triumph was, at the time, one of the world’s largest cruise ships. At 102,239gt, she is today considered mid-sized. The reconstruction sought to optimise the ship’s functionality, especially in spaces that were underutilised, and to add newer features that were popular with passengers on Carnival’s other cruise ships. The décor of the passenger areas was also updated, with current subtle colour schemes replacing Carnival Triumph’s heavily-themed styles and primary colours. Elements of Carnival Triumph’s world-traveller-themed décor, however, were blended into the new styles.

External changes were limited to the addition of a ducktail and the removal of a retractable glass roof over the aft pool; the hull was sandblasted and repainted. On deck, however, they added new water slides, as well as a splash area for children. The mini-golf course was relocated and a new sports area was created, with a basketball court, ropes course, ping-pong, and other outdoor activities. Serenity, an adults-only outdoor deck area, was also created.

The majority of the renovations were internal, with the addition of speciality dining and themed bars. A portion of the forward dining room became an extra-tariff steakhouse, while the Cucina del Capitano restaurant, serving Italian food and pizza, was introduced in the casual Lido Marketplace. A Bonsai Sushi restaurant was also added, along with an outdoor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse and a new JavaBlue Café serving coffees and pastries. Carnival’s signature RedFrog Pub, Piano Bar and Alchemy Bar replaced a previous dance lounge and bar.

Among the other updated concepts introduced, the former three-storey theatre-style showroom was replaced with a two-storey multi-purpose lounge. The retail shopping areas were expanded and modernised, as was the spa and fitness areas.

Following an industry trend to increase occupancy, several lounge areas were converted into additional cabins, increasing capacity by approximately eight per cent; some of the suites were redesigned, including two passenger suites, with large windows above the bridge and additional dedicated spa cabins. All of the existing cabins were redecorated in modern styles.

Carnival Sunrise is the second of the Destiny class ships to be renovated. Carnival Destiny was rebuilt in 2013 into Carnival Sunshine, and in 2020 Carnival Victory will undergo a similar reconstruction to become Carnival Radiance. After returning to service, Carnival Sunrise is sailing from New York in the summer on cruises of between four and 12 days’ duration, and in the winter sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida for four- and five-day Caribbean cruises.

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