Sunshine class · Carnival · In service since 1996
Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Sunshine is a Sunshine class cruise ship operated by Carnival, in service since 1996. At about 102,853 gross tons, it carries roughly 3,002 guests and ranks #20 by size in the 29-ship Carnival fleet we cover.
- 102,853 gross tons
- 3,002 guests
- 893 ft long
Photo: Corentin Lewis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ship facts
- Cruise line
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Ship class
- Sunshine class
- Entered service
- 1996 (30 years ago)
- Gross tonnage
- 102,853
- Guests
- 3,002
- Length
- 893 ft (272.2 m)
- Speed
- 21 knots
- Builder
- Fincantieri
- Flag
- The Bahamas
- IMO number
- 9070058
About Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Sunshine began life in 1996 as Carnival Destiny, the first cruise ship over 100,000 gross tons, and was rebuilt in 2013 with new decks, venues and cabins. That transformation added Serenity, a large adults-only retreat, a WaterWorks park with the Twister slide, a SportSquare ropes course and Fun Ship 2.0 dining such as Guy’s Burger Joint and JiJi Asian Kitchen. It feels newer than its age suggests, though some corners show its roots. Sunshine has sailed short and mid-length trips from East Coast ports, giving many cruisers a drive-to option.
Best for: East Coast cruisers who want a drive-to departure and a refreshed Carnival ship at a modest price.
Carnival Sunshine highlights
- Serenity, a multi-level adults-only retreat
- WaterWorks with the Twister waterslide
- SportSquare ropes course
- JiJi Asian Kitchen
- Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina
How Carnival Sunshine compares in size
- Carnival Celebration183,521
- Carnival Jubilee183,521
- Mardi Gras181,808
- Carnival Venezia135,500
- Carnival Firenze135,156
- Carnival Vista133,500
- Carnival Horizon133,500
- Carnival Panorama133,500
- Carnival Dream130,000
- Carnival Magic130,000
- Carnival Breeze130,000
- Carnival Splendor113,300
- Carnival Conquest110,000
- Carnival Glory110,000
- Carnival Valor110,000
- Carnival Liberty110,000
- Carnival Freedom110,000
- Carnival Encounter108,977
- Carnival Adventure108,806
- Carnival Sunshine102,853
- Carnival Sunrise101,509
- Carnival Radiance101,509
- Carnival Luminosa92,720
- Carnival Pride88,500
- Carnival Legend88,500
- Carnival Miracle88,500
- Carnival Spirit85,920
- Carnival Elation71,909
- 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 →
Carnival Sunshine FAQs
How big is Carnival Sunshine?
Carnival Sunshine measures about 102,853 gross tons and is about 893 feet (272 m) long. That makes it #20 of 29 Carnival ships we cover by tonnage, and #121 among all 255 ocean cruise ships in our guide.
How many passengers does Carnival Sunshine carry?
About 3,002 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 Sunshine built?
Carnival Sunshine entered service in 1996 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 Sunshine?
Carnival Sunshine belongs to Carnival's Sunshine class, alongside Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Radiance. Ships in the same class share a layout and most signature features.
Is Carnival Sunshine 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 Sunshine 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.