Refreshed Carnival Magic Resumes Miami Sailings

Refreshed Carnival Magic Resumes Miami Sailings

The Carnival Magic has returned from a 35-day drydock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard, Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement. 

The ship is now resuming sailing from Miami, offering cruises to destinations across the Caribbean and The Bahamas. 

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the ship entered drydock on April 19, 2026. 

Several spaces onboard have been updated, including the casino and arcade, paired with the addition of a new mini golf course. 

Additionally, retail areas across the gift shops and the Effy Jewelry boutique have been refreshed. 

The Cloud 9 Spa and fitness center have been renovated, as were the WaterWorks aqua park and pool decks. 

Finally, the Lido restaurant layout has been redesigned. 

This is also the second ship in Carnival’s fleet to showcase the cruise line’s new “From Sea to Shining Sea” bow crest. 

The first one to sport the new look was the Carnival Legend, which resumed service on May 20 following a 16-day drydock at the same shipyard.

Carnival Splendor Returns to Sydney with Upgrades After Drydock

Carnival Splendor Returns to Sydney with Upgrades After Drydock

The Carnival Splendor is set to return to Sydney on September 9, showcasing a range of new upgrades after undergoing a drydock in Singapore, according to a press release.

The ship now features enhanced dining venues, refurbished staterooms and a new red, white, and blue hull design that includes a Southern Cross motif—an element familiar to P&O Cruises Australia ships that will soon join the Carnival fleet.

Kara Glamore, Carnival Cruise Line Australia vice president, said: “From her beautiful new look outside to the upgraded amenities and new entertainment onboard, Carnival Splendor has more fun to offer our guests sailing from Sydney than ever before.”

Among the ship’s new offerings are the new and updated menus from grill restaurant Mad Sizzle, the Indian restaurant Masala Tiger and other dining venues, such as Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.

Refurbishment extends to the staterooms, where balconies have been fully upgraded and suites now feature new whirlpool tubs.

Wellness amenities have also seen improvements, with updates to the basketball court, jogging track and gym equipment, as well as a refreshed Thalasso therapy pool at Cloud 9 Spa.

Families will find new excitement in the revamped Carnival waterpark, featuring waterslides and the Splashy Cove children’s play area. The mini-golf course has also been fully refreshed, and Camp Ocean and Club 02 now offer new video gaming areas.

The casino and retail shops have been refreshed for more entertainment. Carnival Splendor has also introduced the new Playlist Productions show, “Dear Future Husband,” which premiered in Australia earlier this year. The interactive pop musical follows a wedding adventure onboard a Carnival cruise. After the show, guests are invited to join the cast for a wedding reception-themed party.

By March 2025, the ship will be joined by Carnival Luminosa and two additional sister ships, the Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter, which will be renamed the Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter following their transition from P&O Cruises Australia.

Carnival Pride Kicks Off European Season

Carnival Pride Kicks Off European Season

The Carnival Pride sailed on Sunday on her first sailing of the Europe summer season, sporting the signature Carnival red, white and blue hull design for the first time, after undergoing extensive enhancements that include bow-to-stern upgrades to enhance accessibility on the ship for guests with disabilities.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy and Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse visited the ship in Barcelona before she set sail.

“I’m so proud of our team. They have done amazing work refreshing and enhancing Carnival Pride just in time for her Europe sailings,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We welcome everyone on Carnival ships, so we are happy we’ve completed the work to make the ship accessible to those with disabilities. I’m also delighted to see the addition of the Heroes Tribute bar since it has been popular with our guests and has resonated well with military service members and their families.”

The 2,680-guest Carnival Pride has been undergoing enhancements since April 28 and returned to service with several additional Carnival offerings and other improvements, including a new Heroes Tribute Bar, Chef’s Table, Dreams Studio, and Carnival Adventures Shop. In addition, the ship’s steakhouse has been refreshed and re-named Fahrenheit 555, the casino expanded and the spa rebranded to the Cloud 9 Spa and Fitness Center.

The first guests sailing Carnival Pride from Barcelona are embarking on an incredible 12-day sailing, with ports of call including Lisbon, Portugal; Le Havre (Paris), France; and Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium.

Carnival Celebration Setting Sail in November with Relaxing Amenities

Carnival Celebration Setting Sail in November with Relaxing Amenities

In celebration of National Relaxation Day earlier this week, Carnival Cruise Line announced details about the new Carnival Celebration’s amenities, which include the Cloud 9 spa, Loft 19 and the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.

The new ship is coming to PortMiami this November and will make her debut from the redesigned Terminal F on November 21, according to a press release.

“While every Carnival ship has places to relax, we took all of the fan favourites from across our fleet and brought them to Carnival Celebration to make her the ultimate space to unwind and enjoy your vacation. From our popular Cloud 9 Spa and adult-only areas to the new spaces designed just for relaxing, there will be nothing like feeling pampered while enjoying endless ocean views and vibes on Carnival Celebration,” said Christine Duffy, president, of Carnival Cruise Line.

The Cloud 9 spa is equipped with cardio and weight-training instruments, while the full-service salon features hair services and stations for manicures and pedicures. Loft 19 has been designed to serve as a retreat-style experience, and offers guests full bar service, a whirlpool, sun loungers, and spacious cabanas. The Serenity Adult-Only Retreat is exclusive to guests over 21 years of age, where they can grab a drink and dip in the pool, surrounded by a tranquil environment, according to the company.

Besides these amenities, the Carnival Celebration also offers a variety of pool areas, including the Havana, which is exclusive to guests who have booked Havana staterooms and suites.

Carnival and Norfolk ink 5-year deal

The Carnival-Norfolk press conference at the Half Moone Cruise Center.

Carnival Cruise Line has signed a five-year agreement with the city of Norfolk, Va., to operate cruises from the Half Moone Cruise Center.

Norfolk has agreed to upgrade the port so it can accommodate larger ships. Improvements will include a new boarding bridge to streamline the embarkation and debarkation process.

The 130,000-gross-ton Carnival Magic will sail a series of 12 cruises from the port in 2021. It will be the largest cruise ship to sail from Norfolk, which has been welcoming Carnival cruises for almost 20 years. 

The long-term commitment will elevate Carnival’s presence in the city and will give travellers in the Mid-Atlantic more cruising options to the Caribbean.

“Our cruises from Norfolk have been very well received by our guests, and this agreement speaks volumes about our confidence in growing the market,” said Carnival Cruise Lines president Christine Duffy.

“This commitment strengthens that partnership and solidifies Norfolk’s position as a true Mid-Atlantic cruise port,” Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander said.

The Carnival Magic’s 2021 schedule will have four- to eight-day cruises to the Caribbean. Reservations are open.

The Carnival Magic offers hundreds of balcony staterooms and suites. It also has a complimentary kids program in three age groups, the Cloud 9 spa, a WaterWorks aqua park, a variety of indoor and outdoor dining, and an entertainment promenade.

Before repositioning to Norfolk, the Carnival Magic will sail a series of voyages in the Mediterranean. It will then take a two-week drydock in Cadiz, Spain.

Coin ceremony marks construction milestone for Carnival Horizon

Coin ceremony marks construction milestone for Carnival Horizon

Fincantieri’s Clementina Zecchin helps to weld the coins into place (Image: Carnival Cruise Line)

Carnival Cruise Line held a coin ceremony for its newbuild Carnival Horizon at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard in Italy on 10 March 2017.

Signifying the successful completion of Carnival Horizon’s exterior outfitting, the coin ceremony tradition was started by the ancient Romans who believed that attaching coins to a ship provided divine protection.

Fabrizio Timossi from Carnival’s corporate shipbuilding department represented the cruise line at the ceremony, while Fincantieri’s Clementina Zecchin served as godmother and welded the commemorative coins to the ship’s mast.

Built as a sister to the recently launched Carnival Vista, the 133,500gt Carnival Horizon will debut in Europe on 2 April 2018.

Onboard highlights will include indoor and outdoor dining, bars, the bike-ride-in-the-sky attraction called SkyRide, an IMAX Theatre and WaterWorks aqua park with corkscrew slides, a tipping bucket and more. Guests can choose from a wide range of accommodation, including spa cabins with exclusive privileges at the Cloud 9 Spa, larger staterooms in the Family Harbor area, and tropical-inspired Havana staterooms and suites with exclusive daytime access to a Cuban-themed bar and pool.

Carnival Horizon will sail her 13-day maiden Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona – the first of four roundtrip departures from the Spanish port. Carnival Horizon will reposition to the US via a 14-day transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to New York, US from 9-23 May 2018.

Following a summer schedule of four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean departures from New York, Carnival Horizon will kick off a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises from Miami, US in September.