Carnival Radiance

The 2000-built Carnival Victory cruise ship is the third (last) of the three Carnival Destiny-class liners - together with the fleetmates and sisterships Destiny-Sunshine and Triumph-Sunrise. In 2020, after a 38-day drydock refurbishment (in Cadiz Spain) at the cost of USD 200 million, Carnival Victory will be renamed "Carnival Radiance". Its new homeport and cruise itineraries were announced in November 2018.

IMPORTANT: Due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, the Carnival Victory-Radiance drydock project was delayed by 2 months (CruiseMinus). As result, Carnival Radiance's Inaugural Cruise was initially rescheduled for June 24, 2020 (4-day roundtrip from NYC to Kings Wharf, Bermuda) and later for November 5 (6-day Eastern Caribbean from Port Canaveral).

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian). Carnival Cruise Lines has Corporation's largest fleet as both the number of vessels and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities). CCL has over 1/5 of the cruise industry's worldwide market.

The 2984-passenger cruise ship Carnival Radiance is not a Dream-class ship but contains almost all of the elements found on the fleetmates Breeze and Magic - including high-energy, low-commitment entertainment options like 20-min standup comedies, 30-min evening production shows; themed food (sushi, burgers, burritos). For the first time, these best-selling Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades were implemented on Carnival Magic (2011) and Carnival Breeze (2012).

Carnival Radiance itineraries and homeports

On November 13, 2018, Carnival Cruise Line announced Carnival Radiance ship's inaugural schedule for 2020. It features 9- to 13-day European voyages (during the maiden season following the drydock), Carnival's first cruises to Cuba from New York City and Norfolk, 4- to 9-day itineraries to the Caribbean and Canada New England from NYC, winter season with Caribbean and Cuba cruises from Port Canaveral Florida.

• Following the USD 200 million drydock refit, Carnival Radiance starts operations with the 10-day inaugural cruise on April 29, 2020. Ship's Mediterranean homeport is Barcelona Spain. Follow 9- and 12-day itineraries to Mediterranean's most popular port city destinations, including Italy, France, Croatia, Greece, Malta, Spain. The maiden season in Europe ends with 13-day Transatlantic repositioning cruise from Barcelona to NYC (June 11-24, 2020)
• From homeport NYC New York (starting May 21, 2020), Carnival Radiance itinerary program offers 4- and 6-day Bermuda, 4-day Canada (Saint John NB), 8-day Eastern Caribbean and 9-day Cuba cruises (with full-day and overnight in Havana, plus Nassau and Half Moon Cay). The NYC program concludes with Canada New England itineraries visiting Boston, Portland, Saint John, Halifax. Bermuda cruises depart Thursdays and return Mondays, with a full day spent in Kings Wharf. The NYC program ends with 12-day "Carnival Journeys" cruise (October 19-31, 2020) from New York to Fort Lauderdale, with partial Panama Canal transit.
• From homeport Norfolk VA (October-November 2020), Carnival Radiance cruises on 5- to 7-day voyages, including to Cuba (with an extended stay in Havana, plus Nassau and Half Moon Cay). The ship also offers two Bahamas cruises (one 5-day and one 6-day) visiting Nassau, Freeport and Half Moon Cay.
• From homeport Port Canaveral (starting November 8, 2020), Carnival Radiance Caribbean and Cuba program includes 6- to 8-day roundtrips. The 6-day Cuban itineraries include day-long stay and overnight in Havana, plus two Bahamian ports. The 6-day itineraries visit Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, Nassau, The 7-8-day Caribbean voyages visit Aruba, Curacao, St Kitts, Grand Turk.

Cabins

Carnival Victory had a total number of 1379 cabins (of which 50 Suites) in 34 grades. The 2020-refurbished Carnival Radiance has 1448 staterooms (including 52 suites). Most cabins are 170 ft2 sized Interior (547), 220 ft2 sized Oceanview (310), 185 ft2 sized Balcony (503) and Suites (52). The ship has 18 Carnival Spa rooms and 31 wheelchair-accessible cabins. Victory's largest cabins (Grand Suites) are 345 ft2 (with 85 ft2 verandas) and can accommodate up to 4 passengers. Radiance's largest cabins (Captain's Suites) are 500 ft2 (with 150 ft2 verandas) and accommodate max 5 passengers.

During Carnival Victory's refit in 2018 were added 260-ft2 “Scenic OceanView” and 320-ft2 "Scenic Grand OceanView" staterooms, plus both 820-ft2 Captain Suites.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Radiance has most Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades in terms of dining - Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. There are two Main Dining Rooms - Atlantic (midship) and the double-deck Pacific (aft). The complimentary Punchliner Comedy Brunch (sea days exclusive) features 5-min teasers every hour on the hour from 9 am to 1:30 pm. Chef's Table is for the foodies curious about how the ship's Galley (kitchen) feeds so many people. For US$75 per person, you'll be able to meet the head chef and tour the galley, as well as dine on a multi-course meal at a private table, while watching the chefs at work.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Victory restaurants and food bars.

• Atlantic Restaurant (702-seat forward Main Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings, or “Your Time Dining”; offers themed breakfasts - “Seuss At Sea”, for $5 cover charge)
• Pacific Restaurant (1114-seat aft Main Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings)
• Guy’s Burger Joint (fast food bar)
• BlueIguana Cantina (Mexican complimentary restaurant; offers house-made tortillas, burritos, tacos)
• Mediterranean Lido Buffet Restaurant (1252-seat, 2-level complimentary self-service restaurant with various food stations; operates as a bistro in the evenings).
• Sushi Bar (complimentary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Carnival Victory offers a complete list of activities and entertainment for each age group and taste - from ballroom scene dancing, classical music concerts, tea time and art auctions to a hairy chest and knobby knees contests, bingo, and karaoke. Cruisers are welcome to just sit back and take in everything Carnival Victory has to offer: master entertainments in the two show lounges or quiet time at Serenity Adult-Only Retreat. Don't miss the winning atmosphere of South China Sea Casino and try your hand at poker, blackjack, roulette, or craps. Little winners are going to love Virtual Sea Arcade and play-time activities at youth-only spaces. For an open-air experience, which brings out the winner in everyone, there is City Sports Park that features miniature golf, ping pong, a jogging track, and more facilities.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Victory lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Caribbean Theatre (1500-seat, 3-level main show lounge)
• Victory Atrium Seven Seas Lobby (9-deck high midship open area served by Seven Seas Lobby Bar)
• Odyssey Hall Aft Atrium
• Neptune’s Way Promenade
• Internet Cafe (24-hour Internet computers room)
• Indian Library; Ionian Room Lounge (153-seat cigar bar); Aegean Bar (55-seat sports bar); Coral Sea Cafe; Caspian Bar (30-seat wine bar); Irish Sea Bar (100-seat piano bar); Black and Red Seas Lounge and Bar (jazz lounge)
• Club Arctic Disco and Nightclub (211-seat)
• RedFrog Rum Bar (serves Caribbean rums selection and ThirstyFrog Red drought beer)
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar (offers Mexican beer, margaritas, drink specialties)
• Adriatic Lounge (425-seat; hosts Punchliner Comedy Club/brunch)
• Photo Gallery and Shop; Photo Studio; The Fun Shops (“Bon Voyage” store menu, souvenirs, watches, jewelry, logo merchandise, duty-free liquor, fashion boutiques); Formalities Shop (tuxedo rentals; special occasion gifts)
• Circle C (kids' complimentary club lounge with movies, video games, parties, planned activities)
• 24-hour Virtual Sea Video Games Arcade; Club O2 teens' lounge for movies, karaoke, parties
• South China Sea Club Casino (484-seat, served by Trident Bar)
• Carnival Seaside Theatre (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• Serenity (adults only relaxation area with Serenity Bar, two Whirlpools, loungers, and hammocks)
• Triton’s Pool area (with two Whirlpools, two Tritons Bars and stage for live performances); Sirens Pool area (aft pool, two Whirlpools, served by Sirens Bar; with Sky Dome glass roof); Aqua Park (King of the Sea Pool area with one Whirlpool, SplashZone for kids; connected to Twister Waterslide)
• Camp Carnival (kids' club lounge with a complimentary programme and play area)
• Spa Carnival complex (with Gym, Fitness Studio, Saunas, Steam Rooms, Beauty Salon, Treatment Rooms)
• SportSquare (Basketball/Volleyball Court, Jogging Track, Tennis Tables, 9-hole Mini Golf Course, Shuffleboard).

Carnival Radiance shipboard facilities and amenities (new)

Following the reconstruction in 2020, on Carnival Radiance will be added new dining, beverage and entertainment venues. These include Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse (by Guy Fieri), Fahrenheit 555 (steakhouse), Bonsai Sushi, Cucina del Capitano (Italian restaurant), RedFrog Pub, Piano Bar 88. "Chef’s Table" (VIP dining package experience) will be moved from the Galley (kitchen) to ship's forward dining room.

New venue for the fleet is "Big Chicken" - ship version of the land-based restaurant chain operated by Carnival’s "Chief Fun Officer" Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal - retired professional US basketball player). Unsurprisingly, Big Chicken serves chicken-based dishes, emphasizing on fried chicken sandwiches. Each sandwich type is named after Shaq’s nicknames. The restaurant also serves fries, sliders, breakfast, siders, salads, strips, chicken-and-egg biscuits, kids meals. Big Chicken is similar to Guy’s Burger Joint. Both are complimentary, to-go food bars.

The new ship will have redesigned WaterWorks park (with the new waterslide AquaTunnel) and SportSquare (outdoor complex with suspended ropes course). All staterooms will be completely renovated.

Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade was done in 2015. Victory is one of Carnival's Triumph-Class liners, with sisterships Triumph (Sunrise since 2019), and also Costa Fortuna and Costa Magica. The other vessel from this class was the old Destiny ship - renamed Carnival Sunshine after an extensive refit in 2013. The ship was christened by godmother Mary Frank - wife of Howard Frank (Carnival Corporation's Vice Chairman). The inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) started on October 15, 2000 (leaving from NYC New York). The first drydock refurbishment was in 2007 ("Fun Ship 1.0").

Nearly 60% of the Victory's guest rooms are oceanviews, of which 60% have balconies. The amenities include 2-deck Lido Buffet dining complex, 9-deck Atrium with 4 glass-walled elevators, 3-deck "Caribbean lounge", large Spa complex. Vessel's interior design theme is "seas and oceans of the world". The Atrium is all green. During drydock 2007, a "Seaside Theater" (outdoor LED screen by the main pool) was added.

Until early-2013, the liner offered 7-day Southern Caribbean cruises from homeport San Juan (Puerto Rico). In 2013, Valor replaced the Destiny ship (now Sunshine) in PortMiami.

NKOB cruise (May 2013) - Valor was the ship for the "New Kids on the Block" - music-themed voyage booked by over 3000 lady fans of the pop group. Feature onboard events were a full live concert and nightly open-deck parties.

The Carnival liner's new namesakes are the Royal Caribbean ship Radiance Of The Seas (2001-built) and the Emerald Waterways riverboat Emerald Radiance (2017-built).

Carnival Radiance's new officers are Captain Stefano Bonica (during the drydock, from Sicily, with Carnival since 2000, Master since 2017), Captain Arik Mazzi (after the drydock, from Italy, with Carnival since 2000), Giovanni Lombardo (Chief Engineer, from Italy, with Carnival since 2007), Caroline Bourke (Hotel Director, from Ireland, with Carnival since 2009).

Carnival Victory-Radiance refurbishment 2020 review

Following the 2020 refit project (March 21 - April 28, 38-day drydock refurbishment in Cadiz Spain) at the cost of USD 200 million, Carnival Victory will be renamed "Carnival Radiance". In comparison to Victory, Carnival Radiance's passenger capacity (lower berths/double occupancy) was increased from 2774 to 2984, max capacity from 3329 to 3475, crew capacity from 1040 to 1108, cabins from 1387 to 1448. Next are compared the "Victory-Radiance" staterooms as numbers per cabin type - Interior (530-565), Oceanview (327-310), Balcony (472-503), Suites (50-52), Spa cabins (18-93), Aft-Facing Vista Balcony (20-30).

Following the 2020 reconstruction, on Carnival Radiance will be added the following new dining, beverage and entertainment venues

• Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse (by Guy Fieri), Fahrenheit 555 (steakhouse)
• Bonsai Sushi
• Cucina del Capitano (Italian restaurant)
• RedFrog Pub
• Piano Bar 88
• Chef’s Table (VIP dining package experience) will be moved from the Galley (kitchen) to ship's forward dining room.
• (fleet-first) "Big Chicken" is the "ship version" of the land-based restaurant chain operated by Carnival’s "Chief Fun Officer" Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal - retired professional US basketball player). Unsurprisingly, Big Chicken serves chicken-based dishes, emphasizing on fried chicken sandwiches. Each sandwich type is named after Shaq’s nicknames. The restaurant also serves fries, sliders, breakfast, siders, salads, strips, chicken-and-egg biscuits, kids meals. Big Chicken is similar to Guy’s Burger Joint. Both are complimentary, to-go food bars.

Carnival Radiance will have redesigned WaterWorks park (with the new waterslide AquaTunnel) and SportSquare (outdoor complex with suspended ropes course). All staterooms will be completely renovated.

Carnival Victory refurbishment 2018 review

Ship's 2018 drydock refurbishment (January 5-20, in Freeport Bahamas) resulted in the following changes:

• New food and beverage venues were added - Guy's Burger Joint, RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Cantina, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, Bonsai Sushi Express, Cherry on Top. The buffet's Deli was redesigned.
• Two new Captain’s Suites (820 ft2) were added, each with extended balcony, 2 full-size bathrooms, separate sleeping room, and living room.
• New Oceanview staterooms were added - categories Scenic Oceanview (260 ft2) and Scenic Grand Oceanview (320 ft2).
• (Lido Deck 9 - added forward new cabins categories) Scenic Oceanview (category 6J / rooms # 9196-9199), Scenic Grand Oceanview (category 6K - rooms # 9200-9201), Captain's Suite (category CS – rooms # 9202-9203).
• (Lido Deck 9) Guy’s Burger Joint was added (complimentary poolside dining venue serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries )
• (Lido Deck 9) BlueIguana Cantina was added (complimentary poolside Mexican eatery for fresh-made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, with salsa bar and a variety of toppings). Also here was added the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar (Mexican-themed outdoor bar for frozens and beers).
• (Promenade Deck 5) Cherry On Top was added (bulk candy store, also selling Carnival Cruise Lines logo apparel, gifts, toys).
• (Deck 12) the old Camp Carnival kids complex was redesigned and transformed into Camp Ocean.
• Various technical enhancements were also implemented, including shoreside power capabilities.

Carnival Radiance inaugural cruise 2020 itineraries

Following the USD 200 million drydock reconstruction and refurbishment (March 19 - April 29, in Cadiz Spain) the new Radiance ship offers 5 roundtrip Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona. The following tables show the itineraries as dates and port times (arrival-departure). Prices are the lowest fares in US dollars (Inside Cabin rates) based on double occupancy.

10-day from USD 930 pp

12-day from USD 1080 pp

9-day from USD 890 pp

12-day from USD 1130 pp

Next table shows the Transatlantic repositioning crossing from Europe to USA.

13-day Barcelona to New York - from USD 980 pp

Next tables show the inaugural cruises from homeport NYC.

4-day to Bermuda - from USD 600 pp

9-day to Cuba - from USD 1030 pp

8-day to Eastern Caribbean - from USD 900 pp

Next tables show the inaugural cruises from homeport Norfolk VA.

6-day to Bahamas - from USD 680 pp

7-day to Cuba - from USD 800 pp

Next tables show the inaugural cruises from Florida (homeport Port Canaveral).

7-day to Western Caribbean - from USD 520 pp

6-day to Cuba - from USD 510 pp

8-day to Eastern Caribbean - from USD 680 pp

8-day to Southern Caribbean - from USD 630 pp

Godspeed to the new ship!