The Carnival Destiny makeover into Carnival Sunshine incorporates elements of "FunShip 2.0."
07.30.12
Carnival Cruise Line is currently upgrading most of its fleet with new onboard activities and decor. One of the ships receiving the most elaborate facelift is the iconic Carnival Destiny, introduced in 1996 as the first cruise ship to break the 100,000-ton barrier - at the time the largest cruise ship in the world (although that title only lasted a few months).
When Destiny first arrived she was a very popular ship with an especially eclectic interior design by Joe Farcus, but over the years many people have to come to regard the ship as outdated.
Personally, I am not one of those
We did a B2B on Carnival Destiny a few years ago and are currently booked on the Carnival Sunshine for her US Inaugural from New Orleans. Can't wait to see how she's changed.
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Tracey
Past Cruises -
Carnival - 20 cruises, 106 days (Platinum)
Royal Caribbean - 2 cruises, 10 days (Gold)
Norwegian - 2 cruises, 10 days (Bronze)
Disney - 2 cruises, 8 days (Silver)
Be sure and let us know - they are taking out some of my favorite rooms, but I do know for a fact the Jazz bar was hardly ever full, so it is understandable. The piano bar was certainly popular, however.
It is less understandable that they would take out the massive aft lounge, but I believe the goal is to utilize the theater space more effciently. On most ships these theaters sit empty most of the day, and there is no reason to have a separate venue to do activities that could be done in the main theater.
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I am the editor, but I also speculate, ask questions and play devil's advocate. I reserve the right to change my mind.
I didn't realize all the changes they were making until I read your article. Comparing the old Destiny deck plans to the new Sunshine ones is pretty interesting. The Piano Bar is moving from deck 5 to deck 4, across from the Steakhouse and next to the new Library Bar. "Quiet" library next to the loud piano bar...hmmmm....not sure how that's going to work. But at least you can run next door for the self service wine if the service is slow in the piano bar. Seems a lot of the activities that were in that aft showroom will move to the "Limelight Lounge" on deck 4. Interesting thing is I can't seem to find the disco on the deck plans? And the forward dining room is now only one floor instead of two. Will be very interesting to see how things flow with more people and less venues. I guess if you've got good weather, they can do more on Lido w/ the Red Frog and Blue Iguana up there.
On a positive note, our cabin normally is above that now removed aft lounge, so at least it should be nice and quiet.
Past Cruises -
Carnival - 20 cruises, 106 days (Platinum)
Royal Caribbean - 2 cruises, 10 days (Gold)
Norwegian - 2 cruises, 10 days (Bronze)
Disney - 2 cruises, 8 days (Silver)
I was noticing the same thing about entertainment venues.
Here is the motivating factor that cruise lines are moving towards and I think you are REALLY going to see this a lot mor moving forward. You notice Royal Caribbean's Project Sunshine has not been detailed at all yet, but consider this...
The biggest waste of space on a cruise is big rooms that are only used at certain times.
A main theater is usually only working at night when there are shows - the same with a big disco which is only used at night.
They are doing away with that aft lounge on Destiny which used really used rarely except at night (and rarely full).
You are going to start seeing big rooms being used all day long on ships - and no rooms that are shuttered 12 hours/day. This cuts down on cooling energy costs and leaves room for more cabins. I am surprised to see you say the dining room is getting smaller, but perhaps they will be announing different nighttime dining options in the future(?)
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I am the editor, but I also speculate, ask questions and play devil's advocate. I reserve the right to change my mind.
They are adding the steakhouse and Italian restaurants, so maybe they think enough people will do those to not need the upper level of the one dining room? Plus w/ Guy's Burgers and Blue Iguana Cantina, maybe they're finding more people are eating there for dinner on the other ships with those options?
No disco is not a big deal to us...we never hit the disco anyways. I'll probably spend my evenings either in the piano bar or Alchemy, and DH likes casino and Punchliner.
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Tracey
Past Cruises -
Carnival - 20 cruises, 106 days (Platinum)
Royal Caribbean - 2 cruises, 10 days (Gold)
Norwegian - 2 cruises, 10 days (Bronze)
Disney - 2 cruises, 8 days (Silver)
Great article! Lists some things that aren't even on the deckplans yet!
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Tracey
Past Cruises -
Carnival - 20 cruises, 106 days (Platinum)
Royal Caribbean - 2 cruises, 10 days (Gold)
Norwegian - 2 cruises, 10 days (Bronze)
Disney - 2 cruises, 8 days (Silver)
No Disco?? Ugh, I try to go with the flow really I do, but I am not into comedy shows at all, and I am there to dance! May have to watch this as I am booked in Jan 2014 for my birthday, can't not dance on my birthday!
In fair weather they could also use Lido as a disco.
Carnival is thinking outside the (Carnival) box on this ship and it seems everyone keeps trying to stuff them back in. I think those people are going to be surprised.
In fair weather they could also use Lido as a disco.
Carnival is thinking outside the (Carnival) box on this ship and it seems everyone keeps trying to stuff them back in. I think those people are going to be surprised.
I was thinking that too...it sounds like they've been planning more Lido events on the 2.0 ships so there should be lots of opportunities for dancing. There's a dance floor in Limelight Lounge and Ocean Plaza shown on the deckplans. Who knows, there may be a disco just not shown yet. The Havana club and Asian restaurant listed in the article above aren't on the deckplans yet. I'm sure you'll have plenty of opportunities for dancing Floatie! I'll check it all out for you in November and let you know.
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Tracey
Past Cruises -
Carnival - 20 cruises, 106 days (Platinum)
Royal Caribbean - 2 cruises, 10 days (Gold)
Norwegian - 2 cruises, 10 days (Bronze)
Disney - 2 cruises, 8 days (Silver)
I was thinking that too...it sounds like they've been planning more Lido events on the 2.0 ships so there should be lots of opportunities for dancing. There's a dance floor in Limelight Lounge and Ocean Plaza shown on the deckplans. Who knows, there may be a disco just not shown yet. The Havana club and Asian restaurant listed in the article above aren't on the deckplans yet. I'm sure you'll have plenty of opportunities for dancing Floatie! I'll check it all out for you in November and let you know.
Thanks Tracey!!
I have no worries, I've been known to dance to the song in my head
I have no worries, I've been known to dance to the song in my head
... I think I may have seen that on BC5.
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Tracey
Past Cruises -
Carnival - 20 cruises, 106 days (Platinum)
Royal Caribbean - 2 cruises, 10 days (Gold)
Norwegian - 2 cruises, 10 days (Bronze)
Disney - 2 cruises, 8 days (Silver)
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Carnival Sunshine Redefines Destiny
Ugh, I try to go with the flow really I do, but I am not into comedy shows at all, and I am there to dance!
May have to watch this as I am booked in Jan 2014 for my birthday, can't not dance on my birthday!
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