Miami, Fla. — Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled an ambitious new lineup of sailings for the Carnival Sunshine 2027/2028 Season, featuring the brand’s first-ever visits to African ports, expanded European itineraries, the return of classic destinations and a rare opportunity to witness a solar eclipse from the open sea.
From late May through October 2027, Carnival Sunshine will operate a series of Mediterranean and North African cruises, offering week-long and extended itineraries departing from Barcelona, Spain, and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. The deployment is designed to support back-to-back sailings and immersive regional exploration, with calls spanning Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, Montenegro, Tunisia and Morocco.
Carnival’s First-Ever African Ports and New European Destinations
A key highlight of the Carnival Sunshine 2027/2028 Season is the cruise line’s inaugural calls in Africa, with scheduled visits to La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia, and Tangier, Morocco. These historic ports mark a significant expansion of Carnival’s global itinerary portfolio.
The season also introduces several new European ports for the line, including Bari, Italy; Bar, Montenegro; and Ajaccio (Corsica), France. In addition, Carnival Sunshine will return to a number of long-absent favorites, allowing guests to rediscover destinations such as Genoa, Salerno, Palermo and Catania (Italy); Palma de Mallorca (Spain); and Izmir (Turkey).
Solar Eclipse at Sea: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Sailing
One of the standout voyages of the season is a special solar eclipse cruise, departing July 25, 2027, from Barcelona. The sailing is positioned along the path of maximum visibility for the Aug. 2, 2027 solar eclipse, offering guests an extraordinary celestial experience at sea.
The itinerary includes Marseilles (France); Genoa, Salerno and Catania (Italy); Valletta (Malta); and La Goulette (Tunisia), complemented by themed onboard programming and eclipse-focused activities. A similar eclipse-viewing experience will also be offered aboard Carnival Miracle on an 11-day Carnival Journeys sailing departing Dover, England, on July 29, 2027, featuring a dedicated sea day for optimal viewing.
Transatlantic Crossings and Extended European Program
To support its expanded Europe deployment, Carnival Sunshine will depart Norfolk, Virginia, on May 15, 2027, for a 15-day transatlantic sailing to Dover, England. Beginning May 30, 2027, the ship will operate sailings from Dover to Barcelona, calling at destinations across Western Europe.
At the end of the season, Carnival Sunshine will return to the United States via an extended transatlantic voyage from Barcelona to Miami, with stops in Alicante and Malaga (Spain) and Tangier (Morocco).
Overall, the Carnival Sunshine 2027/2028 Season includes 15 Europe sailings, comprising one departure from Dover, four from Civitavecchia and ten from Barcelona.
Return to the U.S. and New Galveston Cruises
Following its European season, Carnival Sunshine will begin a new series of 10-day and 4-day cruises from Galveston, Texas, starting Nov. 17, 2027. The ship will join Carnival Breeze, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Jubilee in the popular homeport.
Executive Perspective
“We’re excited to bring Carnival Sunshine to an expanded lineup of destinations that offer our guests even more ways to explore Europe and beyond,” said Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line. “With our first-ever African ports, new European calls and a once-in-a-lifetime eclipse sailing, this deployment delivers the variety and memorable experiences our guests expect from Carnival.”
Onboard Experience
Guests sailing during the Carnival Sunshine 2027/2028 Season can enjoy a wide range of dining, entertainment and wellness offerings, including Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi, WaterWorks, SportSquare, Playlist Production shows, and the Cloud9 Spa.
Booking and More Information
- View all new sailings: https://www.carnival.com
- Book by phone: 1-800-CARNIVAL
- Learn more about Carnival Cruise Line: https://www.carnival.com/about-carnival
