Key Aspects:
- Carnival Legend and Carnival Magic will both debut a new bow crest as they return from dry dock in the Bahamas.
- The new “From Sea to Shining Sea” crest will gradually be added across most of the Carnival fleet.
- Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Tropicale will still feature the Texas star showing their connection to Galveston.
Summer is a peak season for cruising, and two Carnival cruise ships will be refreshed, updated, and ready to bring the fun following their dry dock updates at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas.
Carnival Magic and Carnival Legend have been side-by-side at the shipyard as both vessels get regular refreshment and technical updates, plus one very special surprise.
The shipyard has shared photos that show both vessels with cranes and work crews pouring over every detail, including hull painting, offering a rare glimpse at shipyard operations that cruise guests don’t usually get to see.
“Sometime this week we’ll be welcoming back Carnival Legend from dry dock, and we have something really lovely to show you about that, so stay tuned,” the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, confirmed in his daily video on Wednesday.
Later that day, that something was revealed as new branding that will now roll out across the Carnival fleet: a “From Sea to Shining Sea” bow crest, debuting just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend and America’s 250th birthday celebrations this summer.
“With the debut of this new crest, we’re reinforcing what guests have long known: Carnival is proud to be America’s Cruise Line,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“We sail coast to coast and connect with millions of guests every year, and this crest reflects the reach of our brand across the U.S. – from the communities we visit to the memories we help create at sea.”
The new crest features the famous Carnival whale tail, two stars, and the name Carnival.
Carnival Magic will likewise have the new bow crest, which will be added to all ships in the fleet with regularly scheduled dry dock updates and new builds.
Only two ships will not have the “From Sea to Shining Sea” crest. Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Tropicale will feature the Star of Texas, which Cruise Hive has previously reported on for the Galveston-based ships.
What Other Dry Dock Updates Are Onboard?
While Carnival Cruise Line has not yet announced full details of the updates each ship is undergoing, it is common for these regular dry docks to include updating flooring and lighting, repainting, fixing minor repairs, resurfacing waterslides, and similar maintenance.
It is also possible that venues may be updated or rebranded to better align with offerings across the fleet and to give guests new things to enjoy onboard. Occasionally, popular venues may be expanded to offer new seating, or less popular venues may be removed in favor of new options or even new staterooms.
Carnival Cruise Line typically announces such updates once the ship leaves dry dock and returns to service.
Sailing on the Refreshed Carnival Ships
Many cruise guests enjoy sailing on recently updated ships, as it gives them the first opportunity to enjoy new upgrades and amenities. Both the 2,124-guest Carnival Legend and the 3,690-guest Carnival Magic have radically different summer offerings for eager cruisers.
Heald notes that Carnival Legend is soon departing on a 14-day transatlantic cruise to bring her to Dover, UK. That repositioning cruise leaves Miami on Sunday, May 24 and will have a full week at sea before visiting Liverpool, Holyhead, and Dublin before arriving in Dover on Sunday, June 7.
Read Also: Carnival Ships by Size – Ranked Largest to Smallest
The 85,942-gross-ton ship has already returned to service with a quick 4-night Bahamas sailing to Nassau and Half Moon Cay departing Wednesday, May 20, her last Florida-based cruise before her summer in Europe.
Carnival Legend‘s European season will be split between departures from Dover through August, then she will spend the fall with some longer Mediterranean sailings from Rome before returning to Florida to homeport from Tampa for the winter. In April 2027, the ship will head for Alaska.
The larger 128,048-gross-ton Carnival Magic, on the other hand, will not return to service until May 26, also with a 4-day Bahamas cruise to Nassau and Half Moon Cay. She will remain homeported from Miami with 6- and 8-night Eastern Caribbean and Southern Caribbean itineraries at least through March 2028.
