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Sunshine to Charleston

kybluecruiser

By kybluecruiser,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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kybluecruiser

kybluecruiser

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I never thought this would happen. My favorite port.

 

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE TO BRING NEWER, LARGER SHIP TO CHARLESTON

WHEN CARNIVAL SUNSHINE LAUNCHES YEAR-ROUND SERVICE IN MAY 2019

MIAMI (December 7, 2017) – Carnival Cruise Line will position a newer, larger ship to Charleston when the 3,002-passenger Carnival Sunshine kicks off a year-round schedule of four- and five-day cruises in May 2019.

Carnival Sunshine provides an exciting new vacation choice from Charleston and features one of the widest arrays of food, beverage and entertainment options within the Carnival fleet, including spectacular open-air attractions like the WaterWorks aqua park and SportSquare recreation area, a stunning three-deck-high adults-only retreat featuring a waterfall and adjoining pool, several specialty restaurants and more than 550 staterooms with private balconies.

“With its convenient location and strong tourism appeal, Charleston is one of our most popular homeports and we’re delighted to build upon this success with the deployment of Carnival Sunshine,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival Sunshine not only provides guests sailing from Charleston with a newer, larger ship with so much to see and do but also underscores our commitment to our year-round operations from this port,” she added.

Added Jim Newsome, South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) president and CEO, “The decision by Carnival Cruise Line to homeport the Carnival Sunshine in Charleston is an important affirmation of their success and commitment to operations in Charleston. SCPA’s cruise business is an important part of our maritime commerce mission and diversification of business segments. The Port succeeds through having world-class brands, such as Carnival Cruise Line, as its direct customers and looks forward to continuing this productive relationship.”

Carnival Sunshine will kick off its four- and five-day cruise program from Charleston May 18, 2019, and is expected to carry approximately 220,000 passengers annually from that port.

Four-day cruises will visit the Bahamian capital of Nassau while five-day voyages will feature Nassau and the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay. Each of these destinations offers world-class beaches and excellent water sports opportunities, including kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkeling.

Guests sailing aboard Carnival Sunshine can enjoy a tantalizing array of food and beverage choices, including Ji Ji Asian Kitchen with an extensive menu of Far East favorites, Havana Bar offering refreshing Cuban cocktails and live Latin music, the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub, Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian restaurant, and Guy’s Burger Joint developed in tandem with Food Network star Guy Fieri.

The ship’s family-friendly options include Seuss at Sea operated exclusively with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Hasbro, The Game Show with larger-than-life adaptations of the company’s iconic games, and complimentary children’s programs for kids in three age groups. Entertainment and activity choices are just as varied with high-tech Playlist Productions revues, the Punchliner Comedy Club offering adults-only and family-friendly performances, legendary deck parties and live musical performances throughout the ship.

Top-deck attractions include WaterWorks highlighted by Speedway Splash with its dual-racing slides, SportSquare with a suspended ropes course offering breathtaking views to the sea 150 feet below, a miniature golf course, and a three-deck-high Serenity adults-only retreat with oversized umbrellas, and comfortable chaise lounges and chairs, as well as a waterfall and its own pool.

In addition to the short cruise program from Charleston, Carnival Sunshine will operate an 11-day Carnival Journeys cruise round-trip from Charleston Dec. 3-14, 2019, calling at St. Thomas, Aruba, Bonaire, Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay.

In addition to visiting spectacular destinations, the longer-length Carnival Journeys cruises offer unique on-board experiences where guests can enjoy local cuisine, entertainment and cultural opportunities within the various ports of call. Activities focusing on topics such as photography, cooking and arts and crafts and a 1980s-themed “Throwback Sea Day” will be offered, as well.

Carnival Ecstasy, which currently sails from Charleston, will shift to Jacksonville, Fla., to operate year-round four- and five-day cruises beginning in May 2019.

Carnival Elation, currently based in Jacksonville, will reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., in May 2019, as well, to operate a new schedule of four- and five-day voyages, providing an exciting new vacation option from the Space Coast.

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jsglow

jsglow

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The interesting and open question is what takes her place in Port Canaveral. My read is that Elation is added as as a second weekender alongside Liberty. But something is joining Breeze for certain. And I'll bet dollars to donuts it's Panorama as Vista will have just been sent to Galveston and Horizon has already been announced for Miami.

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cruzeluver

cruzeluver

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I made the comment that this was coming awhile back, don't think some people believed me clear.png?emoji-wink-1685 Nice to see it finally in writing clear.png?emoji-grin-1677

 

 

Charleston is your favorite port ?

 

I remember when you posted this because I told my husband and we have hoped it would come to pass!

 

We like the port of Charleston simply because we live in the area. Do they have an ideal set up or the best employees? No way, but not enough to keep us from booking.

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lcpagejr

lcpagejr

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I thought it would be an older ship like triumph or victory.

 

The Sunshine (formerly the Destiny before her rennovation) went into service in 1995....The above ships went in service in 1999 and 2000 respectively.

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BoDidly

BoDidly

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I remember when you posted this because I told my husband and we have hoped it would come to pass!

 

We like the port of Charleston simply because we live in the area. Do they have an ideal set up or the best employees? No way, but not enough to keep us from booking.

Can't disagree with that plan :D

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lcpagejr

lcpagejr

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Yes i know it is older but it's amenities and decor are much newer.

 

True... Triumph hasn't been rennovated since 2011. But Victory is scheduled for rennovation in 2018... so that probably answers your question why Charleston wouldn't be getting the Victory...It will be updated by then

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CruiseAdict218

CruiseAdict218

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When we asked what the changes mean for New York (Carnival Sunshine previously had sailed a series of cruises from New York), Thornton hinted, "We're going to be in New York in 2019 and beyond, we just haven't made that announcement yet. It's a very important homeport with very important customers." Carnival Horizon, which launches April 2018, will offer a series of cruises from New York summer 2018.

 

 

Wonder what ship will go to New York and hope they offer short cruises.

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jimbo5544 "Live from...." Rare

jimbo5544

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The Sunshine (formerly the Destiny before her rennovation) went into service in 1995....The above ships went in service in 1999 and 2000 respectively.

 

 

 

The Sunshine is the third highest rated ship for Carnival. While the hull is the same, most customer areas are totally different.

 

 

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mz-s

mz-s

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I liked the Sunshine while I was on her over Halloween, but love the Ecstasy.

 

I don't understand why they replaced lounges and public areas from the Destiny with staterooms. Wait yes I can but still, I don't like it. I did not like the lack of a night club or karaoke lounge on the Sunshine, but other than that I really liked the ship. Really wanted to do the steakhouse, but didn't have time on a 5 day cruise. Sad thing is there's only ONE greater than 5 day sailing out of Charleston after the Ecstasy leaves. That is a big loss in my opinion.

 

Good news Charleston is supporting a larger ship, but bad news for those of us who like longer sailings, smaller ships, and the ability to easily drive to the port of Charleston.

 

You can't please everyone, and I'm mostly happy with the news, just sad we've lost 7 day cruises out of Charleston more than anything honestly.

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cruzeluver

cruzeluver

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You can't please everyone, and I'm mostly happy with the news, just sad we've lost 7 day cruises out of Charleston more than anything honestly.

 

 

Agree. That is my only disappointment in today's announcement. Ecstasy and even Fantasy when she sailed from Charleston did the occasional 7 night cruise. The 4 nighter ain't gonna happen. We will probably book a 5 nighter at some point and the 11 night Journeys cruise is a done deal! :p

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mz-s

mz-s

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Agree. That is my only disappointment in today's announcement. Ecstasy and even Fantasy when she sailed from Charleston did the occasional 7 night cruise. The 4 nighter ain't gonna happen. We will probably book a 5 nighter at some point and the 11 night Journeys cruise is a done deal! :p

 

On the plus side, this may finally be the thing that prods my wife and I to book a back to back.

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grandmarnnurse

grandmarnnurse

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The Sunshine is not a new ship. It is the Destiny that went through a complete overhaul in dry dock several years ago and renamed. It was the ship that was stuck, disabled, out to sea. I sailed the Destiny in 2001 out of Puerto Rico. I believe it was built in either 1998 or 1999.

 

 

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