CCL-Carnival Cruise Line announced that it had officially changed the name of its Carnival Victory ship to Carnival Radiance, which is currently in the final stages of a US$200 million bow-to-stern renovation in Cadiz (Spain, Sevilla).
The 3rd in Carnival’s Sunshine-class series, Radiance is scheduled to depart from Cadiz on October 18 starting a 7-week voyage to her eventual homeport in Los Angeles (San Pedro-Long Beach, California) with calls in PortMiami FL and a Panama Canal transit along the way.
On December 13, Carnival Radiance is expected to make her Southern California debut, commencing a year-round schedule of 3- and 4-day sailings to Baja Mexico from Long Beach. On this route, 3-day cruises depart on Fridays and visit Ensenada, Mexico, while 4-day cruises depart on Mondays and visit Ensenada and Catalina Island.
Carnival Radiance features all of Carnival’s popular Fun Ship 2.0 beverage, dining, and entertainment spaces as well as the casual poolside restaurant Big Chicken, created by Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal that debuted aboard Mardi Gras earlier in 2021.
From new dining choices like the Cucina del Capitano to expanded entertainment venues like the Liquid Lounge and one of the biggest and most luxurious Cloud 9 Spas at sea, Radiance will offer a wealth of ways to Choose Fun from the West Coast.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line said:
“The transformation of Carnival Victory has been in the works for quite some time but we’re delighted that she can now be officially be called Carnival Radiance — the newest member of our fleet.
“Carnival Radiance features all of our most popular spaces and provides a truly unique and exciting vacation option for the Southern California short cruise market.”
A traditional naming ceremony is to be held once Carnival Radiance arrives in California.
Carnival Radiance is expected to join Carnival Miracle which will be repositioned to Long Beach on September 27 to operate short sailings to Mexico, as well as Carnival Panorama sailing 7-day cruises to the Mexican Riviera.