Bring me Sunshine

Anyone who has done a home makeover will know it can be a bit of a headache.

So I boarded the latest addition to Carnival Cruise’s fleet with intrigue.

For the Carnival Destiny sailed into an Italian dockyard, only for seven hectic weeks later, after round-the-clock renovations, to emerge as the newly-named Carnival Sunshine.

The ship had undergone a £100m makeover and I was lucky enough to be one of the first group of journalists from around the globe to be invited aboard.

Now, having sailed Carnival several times before, I was not sure what to expect.

But I was pleasantly surprised, and then some.

I confess I am a huge fan of the Carnival brand. From honeymooning aboard the Carnival Glory nearly 10 years ago in the Caribbean, to last year’s Mediterranean trip on the Carnival Breeze with my four-year-old son and his grandparents.

That probably encapsulates what cruising is all about for me, time away from the hustle and bustle of life on dry land and spending some fun-filled days with family. So I boarded the Sunshine hoping for more of the same moments to capture lifetime memories and I wasn’t disappointed.

Something borrowed (Caribbean theme), something blue (Blue Iguana tequila bar), the Sunshine was a stunning marriage of old and new. The revamp had created more cabins, meaning more guests, but you would not have noticed.

There are the favourite haunts to spend an evening like the RedFrog Rum Bar. While if you fancied something different to the formal dining room, or the more relaxed Lido restaurant, Guy’s Burger Joint, Italian Cucina del Capitano and the mouthwatering steakhouse Fahrenheit 555 are tempting you in.

But, now you can wind away a lazy evening in the Cuban-themed Havana Bar, take in a cocktail at the Alchemy Bar or feast at the Jiji Asian Kitchen (I can vouch for the slow-braised pork belly).

Now before you jump to 
the wrong conclusion, I don’t always think of food and drink first, but a seasoned traveller always travels on a well-filled stomach.

That’s my excuse anyway.

If you really must work off a few of those extra calories there is the SportsSquare, complete with ropes course and mini golf, gymnasium (must admit I never passed over its threshold) and the amazing WaterWorks.

Here there is a huge splash zone, three water slides which tower above the ship including the 334ft-long Twister, which is Carnival’s longest.

This is a massive hit with kids, and the not-so-young, along with the swimming pool. No salt water either, this is a freshwater pool which is a real bonus.

And if you need to get away from 
the younger crowd, there’s always 
Serenity, which is a paradise for mums 
and dads – or 20-somethings with no offspring – to indulge in adults-only relaxation.

Set over three tiers, it offers a pool complete with its own waterfall, breathtaking views across the ship and horizon, and nifty double love seats.

Of course, what’s onboard is usually only half the appeal of a cruise. Its itinerary can be equally important and Carnival is not left wanting.

In 2013 the Sunshine operated in the Med, but this month it will cross the Atlantic to its new home of New Orleans.

On my 12-day cruise out of Barcelona, culminating in Venice, the Sunshine shone on France (Marseilles), Italy (Livorno for Pisa and Florence, Civitavecchia for Rome, Naples and Messina) and Croatia (Dubrovnik).

Excursions are offered at every port, and we spent a fabulous day visiting Mt Etna in Sicily. Everything’s organised, meaning you don’t have to worry about trains and taxis. All you have to do is get to the coach meeting point on time.

So what are the physical differences between the Destiny and the Sunshine? The weight (101,000 tonnes to 102,000 tonnes) and length (892ft) remain pretty much the same, even though the number of decks has been increased from 12 to 14.

The number of passengers has now risen from 2,642 to a 3,006 (based on two people per cabin) or 3,758 maximum, meaning an increase in staterooms and suites from 1,321 to 1,503. Crew size has also risen, from 1,040 to 1,124.

One thing I love is the amazing statistics about cruise ships. For example, in its first year of service, Carnival Sunshine’s photographers will snap nearly 1.2 million photos, guests will devour 270,000 pizzas and 115,000 cappuccinos (although that is largely due to my time onboard I guess).

Or how about using 75 tonnes of pineapple, 1.5m chocolates left on guests’ pillows or 14,000-plus massages?

Unfortunately the bottom line of rising air costs mean Carnival will not be sailing in Europe in 2014.

The American company claims US travellers – who make up the majority of the passengers on their ships – have been put off by increased flight prices to cross the Atlantic. It’s a blow for the company, whose UK advertising campaign this year has been a huge success, appealing to a whole new market of cruisers.

Carnival executives stress they hope to return to European waters in 2015, but I can think of nothing better than splashing out on a trip to New Orleans – one of the few US cities I have still to experience – and then combining it with a trip on the Sunshine. Floating down the Mississippi? What a way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon!

Cruising is ever-popular, with Carnival announcing they will be adding to their 24-strong fleet with the introduction of the Carnival Vista in 2016.

It will carry 4,000 passengers and hopefully Carnival will have returned to European waters by then to sample the delights the Med has to offer.

As for me, the Sunshine was a blast and the makeover amazing. Makes installing my new kitchen seem a trifle trivial in comparison.

Getting there

Carnival Sunshine (0845 351 0556, www.carnival.co.uk), sets sail to New Orleans this month for a year-round 7 day Caribbean service, prices from £279 with plans to return to Europe in 2015.