CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE OPENS 2025 BOOKINGS FROM NORFOLK, STEERING TOWARD PORT’S FIRST-EVER YEAR-ROUND SAILING PROGRAM
Carnival Sunshine to Kick Off Expansion of Operations Beginning in Feb. 2025
MIAMI, Dec. 15, 2022 – Carnival Cruise Line announced today that the first series of year-round cruises from Norfolk, Va., are now opening for sale as Carnival continues to plan its biggest-ever operational schedule from Virginia. This first phase will offer sailings on board Carnival Sunshine from Feb 18, 2025 through April 2025, with plans to open further itineraries in the coming months.
“Carnival Sunshine is the perfect ship to usher in this next step for service expansion from Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise Terminal, and as we work closely with city and port officials on our plans to increase from seasonal to year-round operations, we’re delighted to open these sailings for sale, so guests from all over the southeastern U.S. can start doing some planning of their own for 2025,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We’ve been sailing from Norfolk since 2002, and we’re pleased to expand our offerings from this historic, charming community while strengthening our support of the local economy.”
Carnival Sunshine will rotate between six- and eight-day sailings and will visit popular destinations in the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean, such as Nassau, Freeport, Half Moon Cay, Bimini, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays. The itineraries now open include:
- Bahamas Sailings
- Six-day cruise to Bimini, Nassau, Freeport
- Six-day cruise to Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Freeport
- Eastern Caribbean Sailings
- Eight-day cruise to Amber Cove, Grand Turk, Princess Cays
- Eight-day cruise to Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Amber Cove
Featuring more than 500 balcony staterooms and dozens of suites, Carnival Sunshine accommodates more than 3,000 guests and is expected to bring approximately 100,000 guests to Norfolk in 2025. The ship offers a wide range of amenities, such as a three-level Serenity adults-only retreat, and attractions like a suspended ropes course and dual racing slides at its WaterWorks aqua park. It features extensive dining and beverage options, including Carnival favorites like Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant and Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, as well as the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub and the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar.
Year-round sailing is the next step in an operational expansion for Carnival in Norfolk, as Carnival and City of Norfolk leaders continue to discuss necessary terminal and port improvements to support a further expansion of operations. Last month, Carnival announced plans to offer a six-month series of four- to 10-day voyages aboard Carnival Magic in 2023.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Carnival Cruise Line, part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is proud to be known as America's Cruise Line, for carrying more Americans and serving more U.S. homeports than any other. Since its founding in 1972, Carnival has continually revolutionized the cruise sector, making a cruise vacation an affordable and popular option for millions of guests. Carnival operates from 14 U.S. and two Australian homeports and employs more than 40,000 team members representing 120 nationalities. Carnival currently operates 24 ships and is in an exciting period of growth, with Carnival Celebration and Carnival Luminosa, which began guest operations in November, and three additional ships joining the fleet by 2024.
MEDIA CONTACT: media@carnival.com
