Following a US$200 million drydock, the transformed Carnival Sunrise was christened on Thursday, May 23, by godmother Kelly Arison – daughter of Carnival Corporation's Chairman Micky Arison. The official ceremony was held at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, NYC New York.
Kelly Arison carries on the family tradition as her mother (Madeleine) served as godmother to the vessel when it first entered service back in 1999 as Carnival Triumph, and her grandmother Lin Arison was godmother to Carnival Sunrise's sistership, Carnival Sunshine, in 2013.
Carnival Sunrise's naming was commemorated with Arison "uncorking" a 4-foot-high champagne bottle sculpture (filled with confetti) which was custom-made by Romero Britto (1963-born Brazilian artist).
The vessel will spend the summer season in New York operating 4- to 14-day cruises prior to repositioning to Fort Lauderdale FL for a winter schedule of Bahamian and Caribbean cruises beginning in October 2019. Carnival Sunrise will then head back to New York for another season of voyages beginning in spring 2020.