The Carnival Cruise Line ship was expected in Marseille for its shipyard stay on January 15, 2025.
During the routine drydock, the 2,964-guest ship will undergo technical maintenance, in addition to class work and general upkeep of its hotel spaces.
After the project, the 1996-built vessel is set to return to North America for a series of cruises departing from Norfolk starting in mid-February.
As part of its new deployment, the Carnival Sunshine is scheduled to sail from the Virginia homeport on a year-round basis, offering six- to eight-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
The Carnival Sunshine is also set to make regular visits to two of Carnival Corporation’s private destinations in the region: Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays.
After offering itineraries to Bermuda during the summer, the vessel adds visits to Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination, Celebration Key, in late September.
According to a statement, the challenging project was successfully completed within a two-week deadline and included the conversion of a tender lobby into a store.
Gerolamo Scorza also reinstalled the metallic ceiling and renovated tiles in Encore’s American Diner restaurant.
The Italy-based contractor also installed a new counter at the ship’s Cruise Next office and added new customized furnishings to the onboard photo gallery.
“This project gave us the chance to showcase both our technical skills and our craftsmanship attitude, as some furniture was manufactured in our workshop,” the company said.
After completing its drydock in Brest, the Norwegian Encore welcomed guests back onboard on Dec. 3, 2024, for a trans-Atlantic crossing.
Now cruising from Miami, the 2019-built vessel underwent a major refurbishment that included the creation of new features onboard.
According to Norwegian Cruise Line, the project followed guests’ feedback and included the debut of Spice H2O.
The complimentary adults-only sun deck was created in the area previously occupied by the ship’s laser tag arena.
Other enhancements included the expansion of two of Norwegian’s speciality dining venues, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki, as well as the addition of over 20 new balcony cabins.
The ship’s Haven suite enclave was also updated with the expansion of the Premier Owner’s Suites, which now offer new bedrooms in addition to fully renovated living rooms and a new separate dining room.
Before returning to the Caribbean, the Norwegian Encore also underwent technical work, including class overhauls, planned routine maintenance and more.
During the 2024-25 winter season, the Encore is scheduled to offer a series of seven-night cruises departing from Norwegian’s cruise terminal in PortMiami.
2024 was a strong year for the drydock and secondhand ship market, which led to a number of ships debuting for new operators.
These are some of the key conversion jobs that took place during the year:
Celestyal Discovery Former: AIDAaura Capacity: 1,270 guests Year built: 2003 Previous operator: AIDA Cruises New operator: Celestyal Cruises Debut: March 2024
After being sold by Carnival Corporation in late 2023, the former AIDAaura underwent a conversion project before debuting for Celestyal Cruises.
Previously operated by AIDA Cruises, the 2003-built vessel saw a complete transformation for its new market.
Carnival Firenze Former: Costa Firenze Capacity: 4,232 guests Year built: 2020 Previous operator: Costa Cruises New operator: Carnival Cruise Line Debut: April 2024
After being transferred to Carnival Cruise Line, the former Costa Firenze underwent a major refit at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz in early 2024. In addition to receiving Carnival’s branding and livery, the 4,232-guest vessel was updated with Carnival’s public areas, with various spaces converted into the company’s trademark venues, such as the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and the Limelight Lounge.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander Former: Costa Atlantica Capacity: 2,100 guests Year built: 2000 Previous operator: Adora Cruises (never debuted) New operator: Margaritaville at Sea Debut: June 2024
After a long refurbishment at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Northern Ireland, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander debuted for its new operator in June 2024.
Villa Vie Odyssey Former: Braemar Capacity: 977 guests Year built: 1993 Previous operator: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines New operator: Villa Vie Residences Debut: September 2024
The former Braemar of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines was turned into Villa Vie Residences’ first residential ship in 2024. After a refit at the Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Belfast, the ship emerged as the Odyssey in September, welcoming guests for a continual world cruise.
Aroya Former: World Dream Capacity: 3,400 guests Year built: 2017 Previous operator: Dream Cruises New operator: Aroya Cruises Debut: December 2024
The Aroya entered service in December as the first cruise ship dedicated to the national market in Saudi Arabia.. According to Aroya Cruises, several venues onboard the ship were essentially rebuilt during a long conversion that included shipyard visits in the Netherlands and Germany.
Others:
Mitsui Ocean Fuji (former Seabourn Odyssey) – now in service for Mitsui Ocean Fuji
Celestyal Journey (former Pacific Aria) – now in service for Celestyal Cruises
Marella Voyager (former Mein Schiff Herz) – now in service for Marella Cruises
Ambition (former AIDAmira) – now in service for Ambassador Cruise Line
Resorts World One (former Explorer Dream) – now in service for Resorts World Cruises
Carnival Venezia (former Costa Venezia) – now in service for Carnival Cruise Line
Exploris One (former Silver Explorer) – now in service for Exploris Expeditions & Cruises
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