The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship is one of Carnival's most beloved and transformed vessels. Originally launched in 1996 as the Carnival Destiny - the first cruise ship ever to exceed 100,000 gross tons - the ship underwent a landmark $155 million renovation in 2013, emerging as the completely revamped Carnival Sunshine. The transformation added over 35 new dining and bar options, a redesigned WaterWorks water park, new cabin categories, and the signature Guy's Burger Joint partnership with Guy Fieri. Today, the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship is one of the most popular mid-size ships in the fleet at 102,853 GT with a capacity of approximately 3,002 passengers.

• Gross Tonnage: 102,853 GT
• Length: 893 feet
• Passenger Capacity: 3,002 (double occupancy)
• Crew: 1,040
• Decks: 12
• Staterooms: 1,503
• Year Built: 1996 (as Carnival Destiny); refurbished 2013
• Current Homeport: Charleston, South Carolina (primary); also sails from Port Canaveral seasonally

What to Expect on Carnival Sunshine?

 Dining on Carnival Sunshine 

 The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship punches well above its mid-size weight in dining. Complimentary highlights include Guy's Burger Joint (Carnival's legendary poolside burgers by Guy Fieri), BlueIguana Cantina (Mexican tacos and burritos all day), the Lido Marketplace buffet, and the two-story main dining room. Specialty dining options include Bonsai Sushi, Cucina del Capitano (Italian family-style dining), and JiJi Asian Kitchen for an added-fee gourmet experience.

WaterWorks Water Park The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship features Carnival's signature WaterWorks attraction, including the signature racing slides, the DrainPipe spiral slide, a tipping bucket splash zone for kids, and the PowerDrencher — a massive overhead soaking bucket. WaterWorks is complimentary for all guests and is one of the most popular areas on the Carnival Sunshine.

Limelight Lounge & Entertainment The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship offers nightly entertainment across multiple venues. The Limelight Lounge hosts Carnival's legendary comedy shows (with separate adult-only late-night performances), karaoke, and live music. The main theater stages Playlist Productions — Carnival's Broadway-inspired song-and-dance shows. Piano Bar 88 is a late-night guest favourite for sing-along entertainment.

Serenity Adults-Only Retreat The Serenity deck on the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship is an exclusive adults-only area featuring padded loungers, hammocks, hot tubs, and bar service. Away from the noise of the family pool deck, Serenity is the go-to escape for couples and adult cruisers looking for a quieter spot to unwind in the sun.

Camp Ocean Kids' Club Carnival Sunshine's Camp Ocean kids' club divides children into three age groups — Penguins (2–5), Sting Rays (6–8), and Sharks (9–11) — each with dedicated programming, themed activities, and supervised entertainment. This makes the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship an excellent choice for family sailings.

Carnival Sunshine Cabins & Staterooms

The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship offers a range of cabin types to suit every budget:

• Interior Staterooms - the most affordable option, comfortably fitted with Carnival's Comfort Collection linens and flat-screen TV
• Ocean View Staterooms - with a porthole or picture window, these offer natural light at a mid-range price point
• Balcony Staterooms - a private balcony for taking in sunrises, sunsets, and port arrivals
• Cloud 9 Spa Staterooms - cabins adjacent to the spa offering complimentary access to the Thermal Suite and spa amenities
• Suite Staterooms - the most spacious option on Carnival Sunshine, with priority boarding, VIP access, and concierge service

Carnival Sunshine Itineraries & Homeports

The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship primarily sails from Charleston, South Carolina, making it one of the few major cruise ships homeported there. Itineraries from Charleston include:

• 5 & 6-night Bahamas cruises — with stops at Nassau and Half Moon Cay (Carnival's private island)
• 6 & 8-night Caribbean sailings — Eastern Caribbean itineraries featuring Grand Turk, Amber Cove (Dominican Republic), and other island ports
• Seasonal Port Canaveral sailings — some itineraries operate from Port Canaveral, Florida during peak periods

Carnival Sunshine Cruise Prices & Best Deals

Carnival Sunshine cruise prices are very competitive given the ship's extensive dining and entertainment offerings. Interior cabins on 5-night Bahamas sailings from Charleston start from approximately $299–$499 per person. A 6–8 night Caribbean sailing on Carnival Sunshine starts from around $499–$799 per person for an interior stateroom. GetMyCruise displays live Carnival Sunshine pricing and alerts you to early booking discounts, price drops, and Carnival sale events.