Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunshine has just recently entered dry dock in Marseille, France for regular maintenance and refurbishment. The ship’s current cruise director, James Love, is offering fans an insider’s look at what that really means for the ship and the remaining crew onboard.

First off, dry dock really is dry – the ship is brought into a construction bay and the seawater is drained away. This gives engineers, technicians, and shipyard workers safer and easier access to the ship’s hull, thrusters, and propellors.

Loose paint, barnacles, and rust is scraped away, and the ship will receive a fresh and beautiful new coat of paint on her red, white, and blue livery, which she first received in 2021. A close-up view of the ship’s hull at this time really shows how much that new paint is needed!

Such paint is more than just aesthetic, though. It helps keep marine life, such as barnacles and algae, from growing on the hull and helps reduce friction for more efficient fuel usage.

Love does describe the type of refurbishment the ship is receiving for her onboard systems, and what this means for how the ship will appear after the work is finished.

“The ship is going to dry dock for general maintenance not a complete refurbishment,” he explained.

“Think of it like getting your car detailed, oil change, getting the inspection sticker, it’s still the same car just freshened up. The Sunshine has seen the salt air and ocean for years. Every few years, ships need to get a check up. That’s what we are doing.”

Sometimes, a cruise ship might receive much more extensive updates during a dry dock, such as removing or adding venues or even completely renovating the entire vessel. This is not the case with Carnival Sunshine‘s current dry dock, however, as the updates are more about refreshment and maintenance.

“She will still be the Sunshine that you know and love,” Love said.

Of course, guests who love the 103,881-gross-ton vessel may have cause to be concerned about how much the ship will change. There was a time in the past when the ship entered dry dock and left 49 days later as a completely new cruise ship – so new, she got a new name!

The former Carnival Destiny was the first vessel in the Carnival fleet to receive all the Funship 2.0 amenities, and so extensive was that 2013 renovation that she was renamed Carnival Sunshine.

The project cost a staggering $155 million and included adding more than 180 cabins to the ship as well as a number of new venues and restaurants.

Carnival Sunshine has become a very popular ship in the fleet, and her current dry dock will make her truly shine once more with general maintenance and refreshment updates.

What About Crew Members Onboard?

During a dry dock – and Carnival Sunshine will be at the shipyard for approximately 3 weeks – many crew members leave and either report to other vessels or return home for a vacation at the end of their planned contracts.

Love shared details about the entertainment team, which normally includes a full team of singers and dancers, multiple talented musicians, and the full Fun Squad that is responsible for onboard activities.

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“The only entertainment team we have onboard right now is myself (currently on vacation on the ship), the entertainment director, 1 Fun Squad, and 1 musician,” Love explained.

The rest of the team will return to the ship at the end of January in preparation for her return to service.

“We will have a set schedule as to what will be happening,” Love said. “We have a rough schedule right now but are awaiting answers before it is finalized.”

Each cruise ship’s entertainment director, cruise director, and hotel director collaborate to plan out activity schedules. This includes when top tier production shows or other entertainment options, such as the ever-popular “Love and Marriage Show” or onboard game shows are scheduled.

Carnival Sunshine will return to service on Sunday, February 16, 2025, with her first departure from Norfolk, Virginia – an 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary to Amber Cove, Grand Turk, and Princess Cays.

The ship will also be offering Bermuda and Bahamas itineraries. In September 2026, Carnival Sunshine will also offer Canada/New England autumn sailings from Norfolk, and exciting new itinerary option guests are eager to try.

The ship will not be returning to Charleston, South Carolina as a homeport, as the agreement with the South Carolina Ports Authority has not been extended at this time. Future port development, however, may support Carnival Cruise Line’s return to the charming southern port in the years to come.

It can be nerve-wracking for some travelers to set sail, knowing there could be issues at home that might require immediate attention.

Being onboard a cruise ship does not mean you are completely cut off, however, and in the event of an emergency there are special ways you can be reached.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald frequently gets asked about how non-travelers could reach out to someone onboard a ship in case of an emergency. There is a dedicated toll-free number that can be used to reach individuals on any cruise ship in the Carnival fleet.

“I do get asked a lot if there is an emergency telephone number for family and friends to call from home,” Heald noted. “Indeed, there is.”

Carnival Cruise Line’s emergency onboard contact number is 1-800-227-6482

The number is available every day from 7 a.m. to midnight. When it is used, a Carnival Cruise Line employee at the company’s Miami headquarters will answer and will immediately pass the message along to the appropriate ship.

Heald explains that the Guest Services team onboard will then contact the cruise passenger. If there is indeed a true emergency that requires further communication, that connection will be provided without any charge or fee to help the guest resolve the situation as much as possible.

The Guest Services team onboard will also frequently follow up with the guest to be sure their needs are met, or even just to check in and be sure they are still able to enjoy their cruise vacation.

Heald goes on to note that the number should only be used for “true family emergencies” though he does not define exactly what that might be.

“I should remind you that this is again kindly for true family emergencies only,” he stressed. “I sincerely hope that you will never need it.”

Multiple guests who have unfortunately had the need of such emergency communication chimed in on Heald’s popular Facebook page to share their experiences.

“I received a call on the Dream about 7 years ago when my daughter and family lost their home to an electrical fire,” one guest described. “I must say the Carnival staff were absolutely so compassionate and I was able to receive updates and speak with family members until we returned to port. Carnival truly cares for their guests.”

“My mom was cruising when she got the news that her brother died,” another guest shared. “The staff was very helpful in getting plane tickets, packing her stuff and making arrangements to get to the airport. We are forever thankful for all their help.”

Other travelers have had the emergency contact number used in critical situations, such as when a loved one was admitted to the hospital or a home alarm service was being alerted.

When Should the Emergency Number Be Used?

It is important to note that not every situation is a true emergency, and every traveler will have to assess what types of incidents would require being contacted while on a cruise vacation.

Furthermore, every traveler has their own preferences for whether or not to be contacted. Some cruise guests may prefer to be given sad details once they return home and are in a better position to help with any necessary arrangements or grieve in private, rather than while on a cruise ship.

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Many travelers leave the emergency number with family members, friends, or neighbors just in case it has to be used. It is important to explain to them what the number should be used for, however, and when it may not be appropriate to call.

Carnival Cruise Line also offers various Wi-Fi internet packages for travelers to stay in touch with family members and friends at home just for fun or for any non-emergency situations.

International calling, internet access in ports of call, and social media access are other great ways to keep in touch and stay updated with everyone on land and sea.

Many cruisers love to set sail over special holidays, and none is more special for couples, wedding anniversaries, marriage proposals, and sharing the sea with that special someone than a Valentine’s Day cruise.

Carnival Cruise Line is committed to celebrating couples on that day of love with a romantic renewal of vows at sea, a massive group event held fleetwide on February 14.

The large-scale ceremony began in 2023, with the cruise line’s largest-ever vow renewal at sea hosted by Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal as a virtual officiant. It was even bigger in 2024 with Carnival Jubilee having joined the fleet.

Brand Ambassador John Heald has now confirmed that the popular ceremony will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025. No time has yet been set, but guests onboard Valentine’s Day sailings will be able to show their love with the fun recommitment.

Worth Reading: Future Cruise Guest Prepares for Romantic Proposal at Sea

“On Valentine’s Day the ships will once again have the romantic renewal at sea,” Heald said. “This will be hosted by our Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal on the Lido and or theatre big screens and is a very special moment for couples to enjoy together.”

Because the event is virtually hosted, times for the ceremony onboard different ships may vary based on other activity programming and operational needs. For example, ships that are embarking on Valentine’s Day may have the event later in the day once the vessel has set sail.

If weather permits, the vow renewal will be outdoors on the ship’s Lido Deck if the vessel is equipped with a Seaside Theater to broadcast Shaq’s role in the fun. If ships do not have the big screen, or if weather is problematic for outdoor events, the ceremony will be relocated to the ship’s main theater.

Following the vow renewal, an onboard reception will feature a DJ for romantic dancing, a champagne toast to celebrate the “new” couples, and an onboard kiss-cam for even more fun. And of course, there will be cake!

Read Also: How to Enjoy a Romantic Valentine’s Day Cruise

All couples are invited to participate in the fun, once-a-year romantic event, regardless of how long they have been together – or even if they just want to make it their first special moment.

Couples who have previously participated in the vow renewal note that it is indeed a special time, complete with Carnival’s fun vibe.

“We were on the Dream last year for this. It was so fun! Thank you for reminding us couples what really matters,” one guest commented.

Guests sailing over Valentine’s Day should check the Carnival Hub app or their FunTimes newsletter for the exact time and location for the vow renewal. Be sure to be there early – no one wants to be late on their wedding day!

More Valentine’s Day Activities

February 14 is a day to celebrate all things love across the Carnival fleet, even if guests prefer not to join in the vow renewal ceremony.

Other onboard activities will also have lovey-dovey themes, with such fun as trivia contests, romantic Dive-In movies, or even the entertaining (and more than a little risqué) “Love and Marriage” show.

While there will be no exclusive menu for Valentine’s Day, Carnival Cruise Line’s usual dining fare, as well as onboard specialty restaurants, offer more than enough delicious and decadent variety for a date night dinner. Don’t forget the ultimate in a luxurious dessert – sharing a warm chocolate melting cake with that special someone!

Of course, couples who aren’t setting sail over Valentine’s Day can still express their love onboard any Carnival cruise, at any time of year.

The cruise line offers different romantic packages, including vow renewals, weddings, engagement proposals, and honeymoons for different group sizes, from just the special couple to events with up to 50 non-sailing guests at the ship’s homeport.

Travelers can also take their own steps to make any cruise an extra romantic occasion, such as celebrating a special date night on a formal night, spending time together in the adults-only Serenity area, or booking a couples spa massage deal.