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Carnival Radiance at sea

Sunshine class · Carnival · In service since 2000

Carnival Radiance

Carnival Radiance is a Sunshine class cruise ship operated by Carnival, in service since 2000. At about 101,509 gross tons, it carries roughly 2,764 guests and ranks #22 by size in the 29-ship Carnival fleet we cover.

  • 101,509 gross tons
  • 2,764 guests
  • 895 ft long

Photo: Tomás Fano, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ship facts

Cruise line
Carnival Cruise Line
Ship class
Sunshine class
Entered service
2000 (26 years ago)
Gross tonnage
101,509
Guests
2,764
Length
895 ft (272.8 m)
Speed
21 knots
Builder
Fincantieri
Flag
Panama
IMO number
9172648

About Carnival Radiance

Carnival Radiance is the former Carnival Victory, built in 2000 and relaunched in 2021 after a transformation that left little of the old interiors. New additions include Big Chicken, Shaquille O’Neal’s fried-chicken counter, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse and Bonsai Sushi, plus a refreshed WaterWorks. Its home has been Long Beach, California, and its short Baja runs to Ensenada and Catalina Island are a popular escape for Southern Californians. Expect a social, lively crowd, especially on weekend departures.

Best for: Southern California friend groups and families who want a quick, lively weekend at sea.

Carnival Radiance highlights

  • Big Chicken, Shaquille O’Neal’s fried-chicken counter
  • Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse
  • Bonsai Sushi
  • WaterWorks with waterslides
  • Short Baja getaways from Long Beach

How Carnival Radiance compares in size

  1. Carnival Celebration183,521
  2. Carnival Jubilee183,521
  3. Mardi Gras181,808
  4. Carnival Venezia135,500
  5. Carnival Firenze135,156
  6. Carnival Vista133,500
  7. Carnival Horizon133,500
  8. Carnival Panorama133,500
  9. Carnival Dream130,000
  10. Carnival Magic130,000
  11. Carnival Breeze130,000
  12. Carnival Splendor113,300
  13. Carnival Conquest110,000
  14. Carnival Glory110,000
  15. Carnival Valor110,000
  16. Carnival Liberty110,000
  17. Carnival Freedom110,000
  18. Carnival Encounter108,977
  19. Carnival Adventure108,806
  20. Carnival Sunshine102,853
  21. Carnival Sunrise101,509
  22. Carnival Radiance101,509
  23. Carnival Luminosa92,720
  24. Carnival Pride88,500
  25. Carnival Legend88,500
  26. Carnival Miracle88,500
  27. Carnival Spirit85,920
  28. Carnival Elation71,909
  29. Carnival Paradise70,367

Gross tonnage measures a ship's enclosed volume, not its weight. Source: Wikidata.

Sunshine class sister ships

Sailing with Carnival

Carnival Cruise Line is America’s budget-friendly “Fun Ship” brand: casual, sociable and packed with free food, comedy and pool-deck parties. It sails from more US ports than almost any other line, which makes short Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico getaways easy to reach. It suits families, groups and value seekers, less so travelers wanting quiet elegance or fine dining.

Read our full Carnival guide: dining, drinks, tipping and who it suits →

Where Carnival sails

Carnival Radiance FAQs

How big is Carnival Radiance?

Carnival Radiance measures about 101,509 gross tons and is about 895 feet (273 m) long. That makes it #22 of 29 Carnival ships we cover by tonnage, and #123 among all 255 ocean cruise ships in our guide.

How many passengers does Carnival Radiance carry?

About 2,764 guests, according to Wikidata's record for the ship. Cruise lines usually quote capacity at two guests per cabin; with third and fourth berths filled, the maximum is higher.

When was Carnival Radiance built?

Carnival Radiance entered service in 2000 and was built by Fincantieri. Older ships are often refurbished, so ask about recent upgrades when you compare sailings.

What class of ship is Carnival Radiance?

Carnival Radiance belongs to Carnival's Sunshine class, alongside Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Sunrise. Ships in the same class share a layout and most signature features.

Is Carnival Radiance good for families?

Camp Ocean runs free supervised activities for kids aged 2 to 11 in age groups, Circle C is for 12- to 14-year-olds and Club O2 is for teens 15 to 17. Night Owls offers paid late-evening group babysitting. Facilities vary by ship, so check what Carnival Radiance offers for your kids' ages.

Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.

Sources: Wikidata, Wikipedia, Carnival official site.