Carnival Cruises is to transform Carnival Victory into Carnival Radiance in a dry dock overhaul that represents the final phase of a $2 billion fleet enhancement programme.

The refurbishment of Carnival Victory in 2020 will add the line’s culinary, bar and entertainment innovations and complete an “any ship, any port, any itinerary” level of service and offerings across its fleet of 26 ships.  Following a 38-day dry dock in Cadiz, Carnival Radiance will enter service in 2020.  Homeport and itinerary details for the new Carnival Radiance will be announced in mid-November.

“We have been investing in our products, amenities and experience offerings at unprecedented levels, which are driving higher results in guest satisfaction, passenger yields and onboard revenue,” said Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy.  “Our guests and travel agent partners can count on a high degree of consistency and quality holiday offerings across all our fleet and homeports regardless of what ship they’re sailing on.

“Ultimately, this effort is about driving demand by giving each and every guest a memorable holiday and offering a reason to come back to Carnival again and again.  And it’s clearly working based on extremely positive feedback from the more than five million guests we carry each year.”

As part of the fleet enhancement programme, popular features will provide guests with “a consistent level of dining, entertainment and amenities” including casual F&B options such as Guy’s Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina & Tequila Bar and The Deli; speciality dining including The Chef’s Table and the pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, as well as Italian, sushi and seafood options; shopping and personal care, including expanded retail outlets and renovated fitness and spa facilities; outdoor decks and attractions including massive new water parks with huge slides and kiddie splash zones and Serenity adults-only areas; and youth and family entertainment including games arcades and dedicated supervised children’s programming for kids aged two to 17.

There are also theatre and live entertainment options including Punchliner Comedy Clubs, Playlist Productions shows, Rock Band 2.0, live entertainment, deck parties, onboard programming and piano bars; technology upgrades have also been installed, including a fleetwide roll-out of the Carnival HubApp to allow all guests to check-in online, book dining, spa treatments and shore excursions, keep abreast of ship news and activities and communicate with their fellow travellers. Plus, the award-winning NextGen connectivity solution allows guests to seamlessly access their favourite social media applications, news, email and the internet with enhanced speed.

Carnival launched its fleet enhancement programme in 2011.  Since that time, it has completed refurbishments to more than 20 ships, taken delivery of three new vessels and has three additional ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2022.