A totally transformed Carnival Victory has been renamed “Radiance” ahead of its launch on Oct. 18 and eventual deployment in California in California. The vessel is currently in the final stages of a US$200-million bow-to-stern makeover in Cadiz, Spain.

The third in the line’s Sunshine-class series, Carnival Radiance will leave Spain on a seven-week journey, with stops in Miami and a transit of the Panama Canal along the way to the US west coast.

That debut will be on Dec. 13, marking the start of a year-round schedule of three- and four-day cruises to Baja Mexico from Long Beach. On this route, three-day cruises depart Fridays and visit Ensenada, Mexico, while four-day cruises sail on Mondays calling at Ensenada and Catalina Island.

Renovation

With its transformation, Carnival says the Radiance will feature all of the line’s popular Fun Ship 2.0 dining, beverage and entertainment spaces as well as Big Chicken, a casual poolside restaurant created by Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal that debuted on Mardi Gras earlier this year. There will also be new dining choices, expanded entertainment venues like the multi-purpose Liquid Lounge, and the large and luxurious Cloud 9 Spa.

“The transformation of Carnival Victory has been in the works for quite some time, but we’re delighted that she can now officially be called Carnival Radiance – the newest member of our fleet,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy.

A traditional naming ceremony will be held once Carnival Radiance arrives in Long Beach, where it will join Carnival Miracle, which will reposition to Long Beach Sept. 27 to operate short cruises to Mexico, as well as Carnival Panorama sailing week-long voyages to the Mexican Riviera.