Carnival Sunrise

Carnival Sunrise sailed for two decades as Carnival Triumph before a 2019 transformation that rebuilt much of the ship and gave it a new name. The overhaul brought Bonsai Sushi, the Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant and an updated WaterWorks park, plus refreshed cabins throughout. As one of the original Destiny-class ships, it has a compact, easy layout. Sunrise has sailed Caribbean and Bahamas trips from Florida, where its many shorter itineraries suit first-timers. It’s a good compromise between Carnival’s older budget ships and the big new builds.

Best for: First-time and value-minded cruisers who want a refreshed ship for a short Caribbean or Bahamas trip.

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.