This week sees the inaugural
voyage of Carnival Sunshine
from New Orleans and the
arrival of MSC Divina in Miami.
The renamed Carnival Sunshine, formerly
the Mediterranean-based Carnival Destiny,
sets sail today from its new homeport of New
Orleans, kicking off a winter program in the
Caribbean.
Its first itinerary since a US$155-million
transformation in May, the 3,006-passenger
ship is heading for Cozumel & Grand Cayman.
Carnival Sunshine is the largest Carnival
Cruise Lines ship ever to be based in the city
and will offer passengers a wide array of new
bars and restaurants, a three-level Serenity
adults-only retreat, an outdoor ropes course
and the fleet’s longest corkscrew water slide.
Carnival Sunshine was officially named
yesterday by godmother Lin Arison, wife of the
late Ted Arison, founder of CCL (CW 08 Aug).
Also due to make its maiden call and North
American debut today is the MSC Divina in
Miami.
In an industry first, four Fiat 500 watercrafts
will travel the Port Miami channel, escorting
the 139,400-tonne ship to her new home.
The 4,345-passenger Divina will be the
first MSC Cruises vessel to offer year-round
Caribbean sailings and the first of the fleet’s
Fantasia class vessels to operate from the
United States.
The ship offers several firsts in the Caribbean,
including its ship-within-a-ship, MSC Yacht
Club, two new Eataly restaurants and artisanal
marketplace, the first Aqua-cycling classes at
sea, and the Aurea Spa.
Norwegian Cruise Line has six ships based
in four ports for its US winter 2013/14
deployment.
Norwegian Jewel made her debut in New
Orleans on 13 Oct offering Western Caribbean
itineraries, and the line also plans to return
to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles, with
Norwegian Star sailing seven-day cruises in
December, March and April, along with a
series of Panama Canal voyages between Los
Angeles and Miami.
From Jan 2014, Norwegian Getaway will
be based out of Miami for a series of Eastern
Caribbean Cruises, replacing the Norwegian
Epic, which will operate Western Caribbean
Cruises from Miami.
NCL will also continue its commitment to
Canada and New England with two ships
sailing to the region: Norwegian Gem from
New York and Norwegian Dawn from Boston
and Quebec.
