TRANSFORMING VICTORY INTO PURE RADIANCE
Carnival Cruise Line is doing so many exciting things these days I can barely keep up.
This time, the popular Fun Ship line has announced it will be reimagining its 2,764-guest Carnival Victory. Originally launched in 2000, Carnival Victory will be refitted to such a degree that it will essentially be a new ship.
Because of that, Carnival thought a new name would be in order: Carnival Radiance.
“Carnival Radiance will offer unprecedented opportunities for our guests to ‘choose fun’ across our entire fleet and enjoy the widest variety of culinary, beverage and entertainment options at sea,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“This investment in Carnival Radiance and our many other refurbishment projects reflect our continued commitment to providing our guests with fun, high-quality vacation experiences across the Carnival fleet regardless of what ship they’re sailing on,” she added.
The US$200-million refit will be similar to the one Carnival Destiny underwent before being transformed into Carnival Sunshine in 2013 and comes hot on the heels of plans to turn Carnival Triumph into Carnival Sunrise next year. It is all part of an eight-year, US$2-billion fleet renewal and modernization program that Carnival states is the largest in the industry.
As for Carnival Victory, it will enter dry dock in Cadiz, Spain, on March 18, 2020 and will emerge as Carnival Radiance on April 26 of that year.
Itineraries for the rebranded Carnival Radiance will be announced and open for sale in mid-November of this year, building the anticipation of a Fun Ship favourite that is just months away from offering an entirely new cruising experience.
So what can cruisers expect of the new Carnival Radiance? More of the fun, new and cool features debuting aboard new ships like this year’s Carnival Horizon, and next year’s Carnival Panorama.
This will see Carnival Radiance’s food and beverage options completely revamped to include all the latest offerings, from the Italian-themed Cucina del Capitano to the classic Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, with its elegant dining experience centred on prime cuts of steak and sumptuous seafood.
Other popular venues, like the intimate Chef ’s Table dining experience and the all-new shipboard smokehouse — Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que that debuted aboard Carnival Horizon — will bring Carnival’s newest innovations to yet another ship.
Guests will also find revamped bars and lounges, like the Piano Bar 88 and the all-new Limelight and Liquid Lounges, perfect for drinks and evening entertainment options.
The main reason to be excited about this refit, though, is because it takes an older and well-loved ship and gives it a new lease on life.
Carnival has one of cruising ’s most diverse fleets, and there really is a ship for everyone, from its smaller and more intimate Fantasy Class that offers a glimpse of how cruising “used to be,” to the newer and larger Carnival Vista and its new sister, Carnival Horizon.
I’m excited because I’m what you might call a “Carnival Convert.” I went from having never sailed with Carnival for years to the point where I love it, and frequently take a Carnival cruise as my own personal vacation at sea. Why, you ask? Value: Carnival gives you a lot for a very decent price. Shipboard service is universally excellent, with some of the best crews at sea. Food is very good. Accommodations are larger than average and are quite comfortable, and the ships are well-designed and offer something for everyone.
Lastly, I love Carnival because it’s fun. In its transformation from Carnival Victory, Carnival Radiance is set to enhance that fun.
Happy cruising. Visit portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com.