Carnival Destiny to undergo dramatic transformation

Representing Carnival Cruise Lines’ most ambitious refit and transformation project ever, Carnival Destiny will undergo a US$155-million makeover next year that will incorporate all of the line’s “Fun Ship 2.0″dining, bar and entertainment features, as well as a variety of new innovations unique to this vessel. The refit will also include a reconfigured layout, the addition of a partial deck and the expansion of two other decks within the forward section of the ship, providing the opportunity to incorporate a number of new on-board spaces, including 182 new cabins. Completely renovated main dining rooms will offer extensive menus and wine lists. Sunshine will also feature Carnival’s first three-deck-high Serenity adults-only retreat, an oasis of tranquility offering plush chaise lounges and chairs, a whirlpool, a cascading waterfall, teak-planked decks, a pool and a complimentary dining area with freshly made salads. SportSquare, Carnival Sunshine’s new open-air recreation complex, will include such attractions as a ropes course, mini-golf course, a lighted half court for basketball and volleyball, jogging track, ping pong, pool, foosball tables and bar. Carnival’s Seaside Theatre, a poolside 270-square-foot high-tech LED screen offering nightly “Dive In Movies,”along with a variety of concerts, sporting events and other programming, will also be featured. The redesign will be so extensive and wide-ranging that the ship will be renamed Carnival Sunshine following the 49-day dry dock, which will take place from February to April 2013. Following the dry dock, Carnival Sunshine will embark on a schedule of nine- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona and Venice from April to October then launch year-round seven-day Caribbean departures from New Orleans beginning in November. (http://www.GoCCL.com)