Carnival resumes Victory to Radiance refit, sends two more ships for livery update

Carnival Cruise Line has resumed refit and refurbishment work on Carnival Victory, which is being transformed into Carnival Radiance as part of a total overhaul of the vessel, while Carnival Sunshine and Legend have also been sent into dry dock for their new paint scheme.

Carnival is one of the biggest customers for shipyards at the moment as it readies its fleet to return to sea, with the work on Carnival Radiance, Sunshine and Legend forming part of a global run on the shipyards as the cruise industry gets back on an even keel.

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Carnival Victory is at Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain being transformed into Carnival Radiance. The refurbishment will affect almost every space aboard the cruise ship and was meant to be completed last year, but was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carnival Radiance will feature new dining concepts and bars, a new waterpark and sports square, a new Cloud 9 Spa and dozens of other updates, which we previously covered here.

Also in the shipyard at Cadiz is Carnival Sunshine, which is due to receive her new hull livery, which was first introduced aboard Mardi Gras and then rolled out to the rest of the fleet, starting with Carnival Magic, Glory and Dream.

Navantia plans to work on 18 cruise ship projects through the end of the year, according to Spanish media.Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Marella and Azamara have all booked space at the yard for refit work in the coming days.

Recent work included the Liberty of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Celebrity Constellation, which underwent repairs and revision of propulsion and steering equipment, hydro blasting and application of silicone paint, according to Cruise Industry News.

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Carnival Legend is at the shipyard in Marseilles getting her new livery. It was here that Carnival Magic, Glory and Dream were similarly updated earlier this year.

The shipyard is also working with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Royal Caribbean Group’s Silversea. Silver Spirit is in the shipyard with Carnival Legend, receiving necessary classification society inspections, and technical maintenance ahead of her return to service.

Silver Whisper, MSC Seashore and AIDAvita are also at the shipyard. AIDAvita previously was docked in warm lay-up in Dubai during the height of the cruise industry shutdown due to the pandemic.