Carnival Radiance

The 2000-built Carnival Victory cruise ship ("Carnival Radiance" since 2021) is the third/last of the Destiny-class CCL liners - with sisterships Destiny-Sunshine and Triumph-Sunrise. In 2021, after a major drydock refurbishment in Cadiz Spain (at the cost of USD 200 million), Carnival Victory was renamed "Carnival Radiance". The boat's new homeport and cruise itineraries were announced in November 2018.

The vessel (IMO number 9172648) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 355263000) and registered in Colon.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the Carnival Victory-Radiance drydock project was first delayed by 2 months, then further postponed (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 Florida).

Carnival Radiance was taken out of service in 2020-2021. Carnival Victory was unofficially renamed "Carnival Radiance" on September 23, 2021, in Cadiz. The official chirstening ceremony will be held in Port Long Beach.

The Inaugural Cruise is currently planned for December 13, 2021 (out of LA-Long Beach CA).

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping 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).

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

The 3000-passenger 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).

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Victory had a total number of 1379 cabins (of which 50 Suites) in 34 grades. The reconstructed Carnival Radiance has 1448 staterooms (including 52 suites), and most (568) are Interior and sized 185 ft2 / 17 m2. The liner also has Oceanviews (310), Balcony (533) and Suites (86), a total of 18 Carnival Cloud 9 Spa cabins and 31 wheelchair-accessible cabins. The largest are the Captain's Suites (505 ft2 / 47 m2 plus 150 ft2 / 14 m2 terrace, max capacity 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.

The boat has 13 passenger decks of which 8 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Radiance has all 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.

Itineraries

On November 13, 2018, Carnival announced Radiance ship's inaugural schedule for 2020. It featured 9- to 13-day European voyages (during the maiden season following the drydock), Carnival's first cruises to Cuba from NYC 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 was planned to start operations with the 10-day Maiden Voyage on April 29, 2020, from homeport Barcelona Spain. Followed 9- and 12-day itineraries to Mediterranean's most popular port city destinations, including Italy, France, Croatia, Greece, Malta, Spain. The European season was planned to end with a 13-day Transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to NYC (June 11-24, 2020)
• From homeport NYC New York (starting May 21, 2020), the initially planned itinerary program offered 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 concluded with Canada New England itineraries visiting Boston, Portland, Saint John, Halifax. The NYC to Bermuda roundtrips were scheduled to depart on Thursdays and return on Mondays, with a full day spent in Kings Wharf. The NYC program had to end with a 12-day "Carnival Journey" (October 19-31, 2020) from NYC to Fort Lauderdale, with partial Panama Canal transit.
• From homeport Norfolk VA (October-November 2020) were planned 5- to 7-day voyages, including to Cuba (with an extended stay in Havana, plus Nassau and Half Moon Cay). The schedule also included two Bahamas roundtrips (one 5-day, one 6-day) visiting Nassau, Freeport, Half Moon Cay.
• From homeport Port Canaveral (starting November 8, 2020), the ship's Caribbean and Cuba program included 6- to 8-day roundtrips. The 6-day Cuban itineraries included a Havana overnight, plus two Bahamian ports. The 6-day itineraries visited Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Dominicana, Nassau. The 7-8-day roundtrips visited Aruba, Curacao, St Kitts, Grand Turk.

However, due to the COVID crisis, the entire 2020-2021 program was canceled, Carnival Radiance's Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled several times (finally for December 13, 2021, out of Los Angeles-Long Beach CA to Baja Mexico. After completing the drydock in Spain, on October 18 (2021) starts the boat's 7-week relocation voyage (from Cadiz to Long Beach) featuring a Transatlantic crossing, stop in PortMiami Florida, and a full Panama Canal transit.

In 2025-2026, Carnival Radiance has scheduled roundtrips to Baja California Mexico from Long Beach, including a 3-day itinerary (departures on Fridays, visits Ensenada) and a 4-day itinerary (visits Catalina Island and Ensenada).

Carnival Victory ship's Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade was in 2015. The boat was one of Carnival's Triumph-Class liners (Fincantieri Monfalcone-built), 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. Carnival Victory 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. The 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 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), Mauro Fabbrini (Chief Engineer, from Italy, with Carnival since 1994), Caroline Bourke (Hotel Director, from Ireland, with Carnival since 2004).

On November 16, 2021, CCL announced the name of the Carnival Radiance's godmother - Lucille O'Neal (1960-born, author and philanthropist) who is the mother of Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (aka Shaq, 1972-born, CCL's "Chief Fun Officer" since 2018). The ship's christening/official naming ceremony was on December 12, 2021, held at Long Beach (California USA) prior to the Maiden Voyage (Dec 13). During the special event, Lucille O'Neal and her son officially opened the ship's "Big Chicken" (CCL's second restaurant by Shaquille). The ceremony was also attended by Christine Duffy (CCL's President).

Carnival Victory-Radiance refurbishment 2020-2021 review

Carnival Radiance was last drydocked in September 2024, at Victoria Shipyards Co Ltd (Victoria BC Canada). The drydocking was for routine maintenance works and safety/classification inspections, machinery overhaul, hull cleaning/repainting, interior renovations (new carpeting, tiling, decking), updates to outdoor decks and swimming pools.

Following the 2020-2021 refit project (March 21 - October 17, drydock refurbishment at Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz Spain at the cost of USD 200 million), Carnival Victory was 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 2020-2021 reconstruction, on Carnival Radiance were 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 the 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 has a redesigned WaterWorks park (with the new waterslide AquaTunnel) and SportSquare (outdoor complex with suspended ropes course). All staterooms were 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 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 2021 itineraries

In mid-August 2020, Carnival announced that the Victory ship will be taken out of service through early-May 2022. The drydock project was first delayed by 2 months then further postponed (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 Florida), November 5 (3-day Mexico from LA) and finally for December 13 (4-day Baja Mexico from Los Angeles-Long Beach).

A total of 76x Carnival Radiance cruises scheduled for the period between November 8, 2020, and April 29, 2022, were canceled. The canceled program was based on homeporting in Port Canaveral (Nov 2020 - Apr 2021) and Galveston Texas (May 2021 - Apr 2022).

The canceled Port Canaveral schedule included roundtrips to Western Caribbean (7-day Belize City, Roatan, Costa Maya), Eastern Caribbean (6-day Nassau, Amber Cove, Grand Turk), Eastern Caribbean (8-day St Maarten, St Kitts, Puerto Rico, Grand Turk), Southern Caribbean (8-day Aruba, Bonaire, Grand Turk), plus a 12-day relocation cruise from Port Canaveral to Galveston visiting Aruba, Curacao, Cartagena Colombia, Panama Canal, Puerto Limon Costa Rica and Cozumel.

The canceled Galveston schedule included roundtrips to Western Caribbean Mexico (5-day Progreso and Cozumel), Eastern Caribbean (9-day Key West, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, Nassau), Western Caribbean (9-day Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize City, Costa Maya, Cozumel), Panama Canal cruises (9-day with Cozumel and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica) plus a 14-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary visiting Key West, Amber Cove, San Juan, St Thomas USVI, St Kitts, St Maarten, Tortola BVI and Montego Bay Jamaica.

Carnival Radiance inaugural itineraries 2021 (CANCELED)

On July 7, 2020, CCL-Carnival announced that is currently evaluating shipyards with proper drydock capabilities to complete the Carnival Victory-Radiance refit project. According to the announcement, the project is expected to be completed in 2021-Q1. Carnival Radiance's Maiden Voyage was rescheduled from November 8, 2020, to May 2, 2021, and a total of 25x cruises (November 8, 2020, through and including April 24, 2021) were canceled.

Next tables show the rescheduled maiden voyages (all canceled) in 2021 by destination, with lowest prices (in USD) based on Inside Cabin double occupancy rates.

12-day Inaugural Cruise (repositioning from Port Canaveral to Galveston) - from USD 780 pp

9-day inaugural "Panama Canal" - from USD 810 pp

5-day inaugural "Western Caribbean" - from USD 480 pp

9-day inaugural "Eastern Caribbean" - from USD 960 pp

Following the USD 200 million drydock reconstruction and refurbishment (planned for March 19 - April 29, 2020, in Cadiz Spain) the new Victory-Radiance ship was planned to offer 5x Mediterranean roundtrips from Barcelona. However, these itineraries were all canceled.

The ship's deployment was changed (from the Caribbean to Baja Mexico) and the MAIDEN VOYAGE was rescheduled first for November 5, then for December 13, 2021.

(Maiden Voyage) 4-day Baja Mexico itinerary (from $160 pp)

Inaugural 3-day baja Mexico itinerary (from $175 pp)

Godspeed!