After $155m makeover, Carnival Destiny emerges as Carnival Sunshine, with all those Carnival extras

Carnival Destiny, Carnival’s first “Floating Resort”, began cruising from Miami on 24 November 1996. She was born in May 2013, emerging from a $155m refurbishment with a new name – Carnival Sunshine.

As Destiny, she was the first cruise ship to top 100,000 tons, catering for up to 3,000 guests and offering the highest space ratio of any Carnival ship and most other contemporary passenger vessels.

The vessel underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2005 that included the addition of a new teen club – part of the line’s popular “Club O2” program – along with a renovated Lido restaurant and children’s pool, redesigned casino, and updated suites.

Then, following another massive renovation, Carnival Sunshine, as she is now known, boasted all of the modern amenities and facilities that are the hallmark of Carnival cruising.

Here’s a look at some of the many innovations added to the 3,006-passenger vessel during its comprehensive makeover:

Dining Choices
Ji Ji Asian Kitchen, a stunning new full-service restaurant featuring an extensive menu of delicacies from the Far East, all enjoyed amid striking Asian-inspired interiors
Guy’s Burger Joint, a free-of-charge poolside venue serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries
Cucina del Capitano, offering Italian favourites and new Carnival classics served family-style in an engaging atmosphere
BlueIguana Cantina, a complimentary poolside Mexican eatery where you can enjoy authentic, freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas
Fahrenheit 555, a classic American steakhouse offering steaks, gourmet appetisers, entrees and desserts

Outdoor Fun and Relaxation
Carnival’s first three-deck-high Serenity adults-only retreat
SportSquare, an open-air recreation complex that includes a ropes course, mini-golf course, a basketball court, jogging track, ping pong, foosball and pool tables, and more
WaterWorks, an expansive water park with 40 interactive water features, a gigantic drenching bucket, five different slides and a 334ft Twister
Seaside Theatre, a 270-sq-ft LED screen displaying nightly movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming

Raising the Bar
RedFrog Pub, featuring the Caribbean’s best rums and beers in a distinct British-West-Indies-meets-Key-West atmosphere
BlueIguana Tequila Bar, a fun and festive outdoor watering hole offering a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere and tequila-based frozen drinks and beers
EA SPORTS Bar, where youcan catch live sporting events, check out scores on the real-time 24/7 sports ticker, and play the latest EA SPORTS video games
Alchemy Bar, a vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy” with concoctions from different elixirs and ingredients

Entertainment
Playlist Productions, with live performances of recognisable pop and rock songs and spectacular special effects
Hasbro, The Game Show, featuring larger-than-life adaptations of the company’s iconic and popular games
The Punchliner Comedy Club featuring a line-up of hilarious, laugh-out-loud comedians

Vital statistics
Operated by Carnival Cruise Lines
Built by Fincantieri, Italy
Original name: Carnival Destiny
Entered service: November, 1996
Refurbished in 2005; May 2013
Cost: $400m
Registered: Panama
Gross tonnage: 100,000 tons
Passengers: 2,642
Decks: 12
Lifts: 13
Crew: 1,000
Officers: Italian
Cabins: 1,321 including
740 outside
519 inside
418 with balcony
25 wheelchair cabins
Length: 272 metres (892 ft)
Width: 35.3 metres (116t)
Draft: 8.2 metres
Engines: Diesel-electric

Facilities
Two dining rooms (two sittings), casino, theatre, library, three outside swimming pools, one inside pool, gymnasium, laundry service.