Overview
Carnival Sunshine (originally Carnival Destiny) made maritime history as the first cruise ship ever to exceed 100,000 gross tons. Launched in 1996 from Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard, she proved that mega-ships were not only possible but commercially viable — setting the stage for today's even larger vessels.
Following a $155 million transformation in 2013, the ship was renamed Carnival Sunshine and received extensive upgrades including Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Pub, and an expanded Cloud 9 Spa. As of February 2025, she sails from Norfolk, Virginia to the Bahamas and Caribbean.
Triple Godmother: Lin Arison
Lin Arison, wife of Carnival founder Ted Arison, served as godmother for both christenings — as Carnival Destiny in 1996 and again as Carnival Sunshine in 2013. She is the only person in Carnival's history to have christened three ships (also godmother of Carnival Freedom in 2007).
Dining Venues on Carnival Sunshine → Browse All
Explore the dining options available on Carnival Sunshine, from complimentary venues to specialty restaurants.
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Ship Statistics
Builder: Fincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy
Registry: Panama
Call Sign: C6FN4
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia (Feb 2025)
Destiny-Class Sister Ships
The Destiny-class revolutionized cruising as the first ships to exceed 100,000 GT. All three original sisters remain in the Carnival fleet:
Features & Dining
Dining Venues
Onboard Features
Ken's Logbook
Real passenger experiences aboard Carnival Sunshine, from Norfolk Caribbean adventures to historic ship memories.
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Carnival Sunshine Videos
Ship tours, cabin walkthroughs, and passenger experiences aboard Carnival Sunshine.
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Live Ship Tracker
Track Carnival Sunshine's real-time position via AIS data on MarineTraffic.
Ship History & Timeline
Carnival Destiny debuts as the first cruise ship over 100,000 GT — a revolutionary milestone in maritime history. Lin Arison serves as godmother at christening ceremony in Miami.
Operates as Carnival Destiny, pioneering the mega-ship concept and proving the commercial viability of larger vessels.
Completes $155 million transformation at Grand Bahama Shipyard. Renamed Carnival Sunshine. Lin Arison serves as godmother for the second time — becoming the only person to christen three Carnival ships.
Operates from Port Canaveral, New Orleans, and Charleston with Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries.
Fleet-wide pause during global health crisis. Returns to service with enhanced protocols.
Sails from Charleston, South Carolina, with year-round Bahamas and Caribbean cruises.
Repositions to Norfolk, Virginia as new homeport, expanding Carnival's East Coast presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Carnival Sunshine historically significant?
Carnival Sunshine (launched as Carnival Destiny in 1996) was the first cruise ship in history to exceed 100,000 gross tons, breaking a significant maritime milestone. This revolutionary design proved that mega-ships were viable and paved the way for today's even larger vessels like Royal Caribbean's Icon-class.
When was Carnival Destiny renamed to Carnival Sunshine?
Carnival Destiny was renamed Carnival Sunshine in May 2013 following a $155 million transformation at the Grand Bahama Shipyard. The ship received extensive renovations including new restaurants (Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina), entertainment venues, and stateroom upgrades.
Where does Carnival Sunshine sail from?
As of February 2025, Carnival Sunshine is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, offering cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean. The ship has previously sailed from Charleston, Port Canaveral, New Orleans, and New York.
Who is the godmother of Carnival Sunshine?
Lin Arison, wife of Carnival founder Ted Arison, served as godmother for both christenings — as Carnival Destiny in 1996 and again as Carnival Sunshine in 2013. She is the only person to have christened three Carnival ships (also godmother of Carnival Freedom in 2007).
What dining options are on Carnival Sunshine?
Carnival Sunshine features Guy's Burger Joint (by Guy Fieri), BlueIguana Cantina (Mexican), Bonsai Sushi, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Cucina del Capitano (Italian), RedFrog Pub, Pizzeria del Capitano (24-hour), and the main dining rooms Sunrise and Sunset. The Lido Marketplace buffet offers casual dining throughout the day.