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Radiance debut has Med, Bermuda, Carnival's first Cuba cruises from NYC, Norfolk, Canaveral

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After emerging from its transformation in spring 2020, Carnival Radiance will sail from Barcelona, New York, Norfolk and Port Canaveral
When Carnival Radiance emerges in 2020, the totally transformed ship (now sailing as Carnival Victory) will operate 10- to 13-day Mediterranean voyages and Carnival Cruise Line's first Cuba sailings from New York, Norfolk and Port Canaveral. Canada/New England cruises are also planned.

Plus, more Carnival Sunrise itineraries announced

Additionally in 2020, sister ship Carnival Sunrise (currently sailing as Carnival Triumph) will offer an expanded series of New York to Cuba cruises, and voyages to the Caribbean from New York and Norfolk.

'With the Radiance and Sunrise itineraries, we'll really be changing things up for Carnival Cruise Line,' president Christine Duffy told Seatrade Cruise News.

It will have been two years since Carnival operated a season in the Mediterranean (with Carnival Horizon in 2018) and at least two years since a Canada/New England season, she noted. Carnival will also be sailing to Cuba from more homeports, and these include a full day and overnight in Havana.

Carnival Radiance from Barcelona

Following a $200m drydock in Cadiz, Spain, Carnival Radiance will debut April 29, 2020, with a 10-day Mediterranean sailing from Barcelona before sailing nine-and 12-day cruises to destinations in Italy, France, Croatia, Greece, Malta and Spain. The ship will then embark on a 13-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to New York, June 11-24, in position for its inaugural season in the Big Apple.

From New York, Carnival Radiance will offer a series of four- and six-day Bermuda cruises as well as a four-day cruise to Saint John, New Brunswick, eight-day eastern Caribbean voyages and the line’s first Cuba cruises from New York. These nine-day sailings include a full day and overnight stay in Havana plus two Bahamas ports. The New York program will conclude with a series of Canada/New England fall foliage voyages visiting Boston, Portland, Saint John and Halifax.

Carnival Radiance will also offer three five- to seven-day voyages from Norfolk in October and November 2020, including the line’s first Cuba cruises from that port. The weeklong Cuba cruises will feature an extended stop in Havana plus two calls in the Bahamas. There will also be a five-day Bahamas cruise and a six-day cruise visiting three of the country’s most popular destinations, including Half Moon Cay.

On to Port Canaveral

Following its cruises from the Northeast, Carnival Radiance will reposition to Port Canaveral for a winter schedule of six- to eight-day voyages to the Caribbean and Cuba beginning Nov. 8, 2020. The program includes six-day cruises with a day-long visit and overnight call in Havana and two Bahamian ports; a six-day sailing to Grand Cayman and Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and seven- and eight-day Caribbean voyages visiting islands including Aruba, Curaçao, St. Kitts and Grand Turk.

Carnival Sunrise to Bermuda and Cuba

Building on the popularity of short Bermuda cruises introduced by Carnival Horizon, Carnival Sunrise will offer a series of 'long weekend' getaways to Bermuda and longer Caribbean voyages and cruises to Cuba from New York beginning May 21, 2020.

The program includes eight nine-day voyages to Cuba with a full day and overnight in Havana along with stops at Half Moon Cay and Nassau. Eight four-day 'long weekend' voyages to Bermuda will also be offered, departing Thursdays and returning Mondays and spending a full day on the island. Seven eight-day voyages to ports in the Caribbean and Bahamas will be offered, as well.

The program wraps with a 12-day 'Carnival Journeys' partial Panama Canal transit from New York to Fort Lauderdale Oct. 19-31, 2020.

Carnival Sunrise will also sail from Norfolk in May 2020, offering a pair of five-day cruises to Nassau and Freeport, along with a six-day voyage to Half Moon Cay, Nassau and Freeport.

Transformations in Cadiz and namings stateside

Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Radiance will each undergo extensive dry docks in 2019 and 2020, respectively, that will add an array of food, beverage and entertainment choices. The latest new feature announced for Carnival Radiance is Big Chicken, a seagoing version of a landside restaurant operated by the line’s chief fun officer, NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal.

Both ships will be renamed during festivities complete with godmothers, at stateside locations to be announced, Duffy said.