On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, Carnival Cruise LIne’s Carnival Sunshine embarked on her year-round cruising out of Norfolk, Virginia. Her permanent deployment to the Norfolk Half Moone Cruise Center will bring 150,000 cruisers annually to Norfolk which is the largest in the city’s history. Carnival Sunshine is the only ship to call Norfolk home.
Carnival Cruise Line Vice President of Port Operations David Canib was in Norfolk to welcome local officials and celebrate the momentous occasion. He stated, “Carnival’s 23-year partnership with the City of Norfolk and Nauticus has been a great success, and we’re honored to build on our relationship by making Norfolk the newest year-round cruise port on the east coast. Year-round cruises mean more options for fun adventures and unforgettable vacations for our loyal guests as well as more tourism and economic impact for the Norfolk community both before and after each cruise.”
The City of Norfolk has made some major changes in order to welcome the tourism cruising brings. In the past year, the city has made $12 million in infrastructure upgrades which will enhance the capacity and overall experience for passengers. Some of those upgrades include a debarkation ramp from the second floor to the first, a new seating area that will allow for more guests seating and improved ground transportation.
Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander said, “Norfolk’s maritime legacy enters an exciting new chapter with year-round cruising. This expansion strengthens our economy, brings more visitors and creates new opportunities for our community. We’re proud to partner with Carnival and look forward to a thriving future together.”
This is Carnival Sunshine’s first cruise since her month-long routine dry dock. She received technical maintenance and updates to her public spaces and staterooms. Carnival Sunshine has a 3,700 guests capacity and approximately 500 balcony staterooms. She features a three-level adults only Serenity retreat, Guy’s Burger Joint, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, RedFrog Pub, Havana Bar and the Alchemy Bar.
Carnival Sunshine’s inaugural 6-day cruise from her new homeport includes ports of call at Freeport and Bimini. She will return on February 16, 2025, to begin her 6- and 8-sailings to popular destinations in The Bahamas or the Eastern Caribbean. 8-day itineraries to the Eastern Caribbean include Amber Cove, Grand Turk, and Princess Cays or Half Moon Cay. 6-day itineraries to the Bahamas include Bimini, Nassau, and Freeport until September when she will begin calling on Celebration Key. Additionally, in July, the vessel will begin sailing 6-day itineraries to Bermuda which will call on Kings Wharf.