Carnival Sunshine Drydocking in Europe

The Carnival Sunshine is drydocking ahead of arriving at its new homeport in Norfolk, Virginia.

After completing a final cruise from Charleston earlier this month, the vessel started a trans-Atlantic crossing to France on January 4, 2025.

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.

Originally built as the Carnival Destiny, the Sunshine underwent a major refurbishment project in 2013, which essentially rebuilt its interiors and public areas.

Carnival will return to Norfolk

By Tom Stieghorst

Carnival Cruise Lines will resume sailing from Norfolk, Va., in 2015, after pulling out of the port this year.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe made the announcement to the state assembly Monday evening. In an e-mail, Carnival confirmed that it would offer a series of spring and fall sailings next year.

“Specific ship, date and itinerary information is still being finalized, and more specific details are expected to be announced this spring,” the statement said.

Carnival Glory had been the only cruise ship offering roundtrip voyages from Norfolk. Carnival redeployed the Glory to Florida, citing the costs associated with the North American Emissions Control Area on sailings from Norfolk and several other East Coast ports.

Carnival has since said it expects to install emissions-scrubbing technology on many of its ships, easing the financial impact of compliance.

This year will be the first since 2001 that Carnival has not had a ship based in Norfolk.