MIAMI (January 29, 2013) – Carnival Cruise Lines today unveiled a new virtual tour of Carnival Sunshine, the line’s most comprehensive ship transformation project ever encompassing an unprecedented $155 million renovation that will add a host of dining, bar and entertainment innovations and spectacular outdoor spaces.
Currently sailing as Carnival Destiny, the ship will emerge as Carnival Sunshine following a 49-day dry dock this spring then launch a schedule of European voyages April 12, 2013, before repositioning to New Orleans for year-round Caribbean departures beginning Nov. 18, 2013.
The virtual tour is available at www.carnival.com/sunshine where Carnival fun-atics can also check out the “Grab Your Destiny” contest that kicks off today and awards a grand prize European cruise for two on Carnival Sunshine, as well as a variety of keepsake items from the historic Carnival Destiny, the world’s first 100,000-plus-ton cruise ship.
“The virtual tour is a fantastic way to showcase all of the innovations of Carnival Sunshine while the contest provides our fans with a chance to be among the first to sail on this spectacular vessel and even take home a piece of history from Carnival Destiny,” said Jim Berra, Carnival’s chief marketing officer.
Carnival Sunshine Transformation Showcased With New Virtual Tour
Available at www.carnival.com/sunshine, the virtual tour takes viewers on a fun-filled flyover of Carnival Sunshine’s many new on-board features and innovations – all part of the line’s groundbreaking Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement initiative.
From the glittering new Sunshine atrium and poolside watering holes RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar to soon-to-be-added spaces such as a three-deck-high Serenity adults-only retreat, Havana Bar, ShakeSpot, and JavaBlue Café, viewers get a sneak peek at these exciting venues while stunning graphics illustrate the dramatic transformation from Carnival Destiny to Carnival Sunshine.
The site also includes videos and images documenting Carnival Sunshine’s ongoing construction progress, “before and after” pictures of Carnival Destiny and Carnival Sunshine spaces, and interviews with some of the people who are bringing the groundbreaking refurbishment project to life. There’s also a clock that counts down the number of days until Carnival Sunshine’s inaugural April 12, 2013, voyage from Venice.
Own a Piece of History and Win a Free Cruise!
Hosted at www.carnival.com/grabyourdestiny, the four-week-long “Grab Your Destiny” contest runs today through Feb. 25, 2013, and utilizes a unique system to award prizes, with winners earning points for accomplishing designated on-line tasks – 32 points for watching the contest promotional video, 25 points for taking the virtual tour, etc.
In addition to prizes for the top 13 point-earners, including the grand prize for the most total points, random weekly drawings will be held for 100 Carnival Destiny mementos.
These include table tops from the All-Star Bar with signatures from Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Mickey Mantle, and other sports legends; the entrance sign from the Millionaire’s Casino and a classic car model from one of its slot machines; decorative treasure chests and an anchor from the miniature golf course; the entrance sign to the Palladium main show lounge; a clock from Spa Carnival; copies of the ship’s final Fun Times daily shipboard newsletter signed by the captain and senior officers; and illustrative “you are here” deck maps, among others.
Complete contest rules and regulations are available at www.carnival.com/grabyourdestiny.
Exciting European and Caribbean Itineraries
Carnival Sunshine debuts with a series of Mediterranean cruises beginning with a 14-day voyage from Venice to Barcelona April 12-26, 2013. The ship will then operate a series of 18 nine- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises either round-trip from Barcelona or sailing between Barcelona and Venice. Following a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing departing Barcelona Nov. 1 and arriving New Orleans Nov. 17, Carnival Sunshine will operate a special six-day Caribbean cruise departing Nov. 18 before launching year-round seven-day Caribbean service from the Big Easy Nov. 24, 2013.