Looking for Carnival Radiance planning info? This page covers deck plans, live ship tracking, dining venues, and video tours to help you plan your Carnival cruise aboard Carnival Radiance from Long Beach.
Carnival Radiance is a Conquest Class vessel featuring Conquest-class innovation from Long Beach. Whether you're planning your first cruise or are a seasoned traveler, this guide helps you discover what makes this ship special.
First Look: Carnival Radiance
Overview
Carnival Radiance is a 101,509 gross ton cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line, sailing Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, California. Originally launched as Carnival Victory in 2000, the ship was completely transformed in 2021 through a $200 million bow-to-stern refurbishment at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz, Spain.
The ship was christened by Dr. Lucille O'Neal, philanthropist and mother of basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, on December 12, 2021, at the Port of Long Beach. As the third Destiny-class ship to undergo a major renovation and renaming (joining Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Sunrise), Radiance features modern dining concepts including Big Chicken, Guy's Burger Joint, and JiJi Asian Kitchen.
Ship Statistics
Destiny-class Sister Ships
The Destiny-class (now often called Sunshine-class after the lead ship's renaming) consists of three ships, all of which have undergone extensive refurbishment and renaming. These ships were revolutionary when introduced as the largest cruise ships of their era.
Features & Dining
The $200 million transformation added numerous new venues and completely refreshed existing spaces:
Dining Venues
- Big Chicken — Shaquille O'Neal's chicken restaurant (second shipboard location)
- Guy's Burger Joint — Partnership with Guy Fieri
- BlueIguana Cantina — Mexican-inspired quick service
- Cucina del Capitano — Family-style Italian (specialty)
- JiJi Asian Kitchen — Pan-Asian cuisine (specialty)
- Fahrenheit 555 — Premium steakhouse (specialty)
- Lido Marketplace — Buffet dining with action stations
- Main Dining Room — Traditional cruise dining
Entertainment & Recreation
- WaterWorks — Waterslides and splash areas
- Serenity — Adults-only retreat
- Cloud 9 Spa — Full-service spa with thermal suites
- Playlist Productions — Live musical shows
- Punchliner Comedy Club — Nightly comedy acts
- Casino — Full gaming options
- Camp Ocean — Youth programs
Ken's Logbook
Real passenger experiences aboard Carnival Radiance, from Mexican Riviera adventures to ship transformation stories.
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Carnival Radiance Videos
Ship tours, cabin walkthroughs, and passenger experiences aboard Carnival Radiance.
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Deck Plans
Carnival Radiance features 13 passenger decks with 1,379 staterooms. Access the official interactive deck plans to explore cabin locations, pools, and entertainment areas.
Live Ship Tracker
Track Carnival Radiance's current position via MarineTraffic:
IMO: 9172648 • MMSI: 355263000 • Call Sign: 3FFL8 • Flag: Panama
Ship History
Ordered by Carnival as third Destiny-class vessel
Delivered as Carnival Victory, entering service as one of the largest cruise ships at the time
$200 million refurbishment at Navantia shipyard in Cádiz, Spain; renamed Carnival Radiance
Christened by Dr. Lucille O'Neal at Long Beach, California; Shaquille O'Neal attended as guest
Maiden voyage as Carnival Radiance from Long Beach
Year-round homeport at Long Beach, sailing Mexican Riviera cruises to Ensenada and Catalina Island
Frequently Asked Questions
What ship was Carnival Radiance before the renovation?
Carnival Radiance was originally Carnival Victory, built in 2000. The ship underwent a $200 million bow-to-stern refurbishment at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz, Spain in 2021, emerging as Carnival Radiance with new dining venues, entertainment options, and refreshed staterooms.
Where does Carnival Radiance sail from?
Carnival Radiance sails year-round from Long Beach, California, offering Mexican Riviera cruises to destinations including Ensenada and Catalina Island, as well as longer sailings to the Mexican Riviera.
Who is the godmother of Carnival Radiance?
Dr. Lucille O'Neal, philanthropist, author, and mother of basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, christened Carnival Radiance on December 12, 2021, in Long Beach, California. Shaq himself was a special guest at the ceremony.
What are Carnival Radiance's sister ships?
Carnival Radiance is part of the Destiny-class (now often called Sunshine-class). Her sisters are Carnival Sunshine (formerly Carnival Destiny, 1996) and Carnival Sunrise (formerly Carnival Triumph, 1999). All three ships have undergone major renovations and renaming.
What dining options are on Carnival Radiance?
Carnival Radiance features numerous dining venues including Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Big Chicken (Shaquille O'Neal's restaurant), Cucina del Capitano, JiJi Asian Kitchen, Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, and the main dining room with both complimentary and specialty options.
Sources & Attribution
- Carnival Cruise Line — Official Ship Page
- Wikipedia — Carnival Radiance
- MarineTraffic — Vessel Details
- CruiseMapper — Carnival Radiance
Ship specifications verified December 2025. Live tracking data provided by MarineTraffic.
Image Attributions
Ship images are served locally from licensed sources or CC-BY-SA-4.0 Wikimedia Commons. See individual image captions for specific attribution.