Carnival Cruise Line · All Carnival Cruise Line ships · Sunshine Class

Carnival Radiance: ship guide

Baja and Mexican Riviera getaways plus 14-day Hawaii cruises from Long Beach, refreshed in October 2026.

Best for: Southern California families and weekenders who want a short Baja escape from Long Beach, and anyone looking for a two-week Hawaii cruise without flying there, on a ship refreshed twice since 2024. Sails from Long Beach in 2026 and 2027.

Carnival Radiance
Carnival Radiance
102,232gross tons
2,984guests at double occupancy
1,120crew
13decks
2021entered service, refurbished 2026
893 ftlong
1,492staterooms

About Carnival Radiance

Carnival Radiance entered service in April 2021 after a bow-to-stern rebuild of the 2000-built Carnival Victory, becoming the third Sunshine Class ship. She measures 102,232 gross tons and 893 feet, with 13 guest decks, 1,492 staterooms, 2,984 guests at double occupancy and a crew of 1,120. The rebuild added SportSquare with a ropes course, Carnival WaterWorks, the Serenity retreat, the Cloud 9 Spa and Big Chicken, the fast-casual restaurant created with Shaquille O’Neal.

Two recent dry docks keep her fresh: a September 2024 refit in Victoria, British Columbia rebuilt the youth spaces, shops, casino, mini golf and ropes course, and a 15-day dry dock at the same Seaspan yard in September and October 2026 renewed the Effy boutique, refreshed interior and open-deck guest areas and added Carnival’s From Sea to Shining Sea bow crest. Guests boarding in Long Beach on October 3, 2026 were the first to sail with the updates.

Carnival Radiance sails year-round from Long Beach. Through April 2027 the mix includes 3- and 4-night Baja cruises to Ensenada and Catalina Island, 5- and 6-night cruises to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, 8-night Mexican Riviera cruises to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, La Paz and Cabo, and seven 14-day Carnival Journeys cruises to Hawaii. From May 2027 she settles into 3-night Ensenada and 4-night Catalina and Ensenada cruises through April 2028.

  • Big Chicken, the fast-casual restaurant created with Shaquille O’Neal, included in the fare
  • SportSquare with a ropes course, basketball court, mini golf and jogging track
  • Carnival WaterWorks aqua park with waterslides and a splash zone
  • Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, Alchemy Bar and the RedFrog Pub
  • Cucina del Capitano, Bonsai Sushi, Seafood Shack, the Chef’s Table and Fahrenheit 555
  • Youth spaces fully rebuilt in 2024, plus Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea and Zumbini classes
  • October 2026 dry dock: renewed Effy boutique, refreshed guest areas and the new bow crest
  • Long Beach year-round with 14-day Hawaii cruises through April 2027

Staterooms and suites

Interior

Standard Interior, Porthole and Upper/Lower rooms, Interior with Picture Window rooms with a walkway or obstructed view and Cloud 9 Spa Interior rooms with priority spa reservations and thermal suite access.

Ocean View

Standard and obstructed Ocean View rooms and Scenic Ocean View rooms with larger windows on the forward decks.

Balcony

Standard Balcony rooms, Premium Balcony rooms, Aft-View Extended Balcony rooms over the wake, Premium Vista Balcony corner rooms and Cloud 9 Spa Balcony rooms, some with an obstructed view at a lower grade.

Suites

Ocean Suites, Grand Suites, Extended Balcony Grand Suites and the Captain’s Suite, with priority check-in and boarding, priority dining, bathrobes, ELEMIS bath products and complimentary wash-and-fold laundry.

Carnival Radiance deck plans

Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.

Deck 14 - Sky plan

Deck 14 - Sky

Skylight, Serenity.

Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.

On board Carnival Radiance

Zumbini
Zumbini
ZSpa
ZSpa
White Hot Night Party
White Hot Night Party
WaterWorks
WaterWorks
Watches
Watches
Vineyards
Vineyards
Video Arcade
Video Arcade
Twister Waterslide
Twister Waterslide
Turtles
Turtles
The Punchliner Comedy Club
The Punchliner Comedy Club
The Chef's Table
The Chef's Table
The Carnival Deli
The Carnival Deli

Dining on Carnival Radiance

Main Dining RoomsIncluded

Two main restaurants with a nightly changing sit-down menu, plus Seaday Brunch.

Lido MarketplaceIncluded

Buffet with international stations and the Carnival Deli.

Big ChickenIncluded

Shaquille O’Neal’s fried chicken sandwiches and sides on the Lido deck.

Guy’s Burger JointIncluded

Guy Fieri’s burgers and fries by the pool.

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que SmokehouseIncluded

Hickory-smoked barbecue and sides at lunch on sea days.

BlueIguana CantinaIncluded

Fresh tacos and build-your-own burritos and bowls.

Pizzeria del CapitanoIncluded

Hand-tossed pizza around the clock.

Fahrenheit 555 SteakhouseSpecialty

Carnival’s signature reservation-only steakhouse.

Cucina del CapitanoSpecialty

Family-style Italian trattoria with included pasta at lunch.

Bonsai Sushi, Seafood Shack and the Chef’s TableSpecialty

Sushi charged a la carte, New England seafood charged a la carte and a chef-hosted multi-course dinner with galley tour.

Entertainment and activities

  • Playlist Productions shows in the main lounge
  • Punchliner Comedy Club with family-friendly and adults-only sets
  • SportSquare ropes course, basketball court, mini golf and jogging track
  • Carnival WaterWorks waterslides and splash zone
  • Serenity adults-only retreat
  • Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, Alchemy Bar and RedFrog Pub
  • Cloud 9 Spa with thermal suites and fitness center
  • Dive-In Movies on the Lido screen, casino and arcade

Families and who it suits

Camp Ocean for ages 2 to 11, Circle C for 12 to 14 and Club O2 for 15 to 17 were completely rebuilt on deck 12 in 2024, and families also get Seuss at Sea events with the Cat in the Hat, Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea, Zumbini music classes for toddlers and the WaterWorks splash zone.

Best for: Southern California families and weekenders who want a short Baja escape from Long Beach, and anyone looking for a two-week Hawaii cruise without flying there, on a ship refreshed twice since 2024.

Sails from: Long Beach · Regions: Baja Mexico, Mexican Riviera, Hawaii

Days ashore

Shore excursions in Carnival Radiance’s upcoming ports

The ports on Carnival Radiance’s next sailings. Pick one to see the tours Shore Excursions Group runs there, book before you sail and skip the line at the pier.

Ports from sailings departing Oct 25, 2026 onward; itineraries vary by date and your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the ports for your sailing. Tours are sold and operated by Shore Excursions Group, an independent tour company; SmartCruiser earns a commission on bookings made through these links at no extra cost to you.

Carnival Radiance questions we answer every day

How big is Carnival Radiance?
Carnival Radiance is 102,232 gross tons and 893 feet long, with 13 guest decks and 1,492 staterooms. Carnival lists 2,984 guests at double occupancy, a total capacity of 3,873 and a crew of 1,120. She was built in 2000 as Carnival Victory and rebuilt into a Sunshine Class ship in 2021, a sister to Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Sunrise.
Where does Carnival Radiance sail in 2026 and 2027?
She sails year-round from Long Beach, California. Through April 2027 she mixes 3- and 4-night Baja cruises to Ensenada and Catalina Island, 5- and 6-night Cabo San Lucas cruises, 8-night Mexican Riviera cruises to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, La Paz and Cabo, and 14-day Carnival Journeys cruises to Hawaii in October, November, January, February, March and April. From May 3, 2027 through April 2028 she sails 3-night Ensenada and 4-night Catalina and Ensenada cruises, plus a 5-night Christmas cruise.
What was changed in the 2026 dry dock?
During 15 days at the Seaspan shipyard in Victoria, British Columbia, in September and October 2026, Carnival Radiance received a renewed Effy jewelry boutique, refreshed guest areas inside and on the open decks and Carnival’s new From Sea to Shining Sea bow crest. It followed a 2024 dry dock at the same yard that rebuilt the youth spaces, shops, casino, mini golf and ropes course.
Which staterooms are the best choice on Carnival Radiance?
On a 3- or 4-night Baja cruise an Interior or Interior with Picture Window room is all most guests need. For the 8-night Mexican Riviera and 14-day Hawaii cruises, a Balcony or Aft-View Extended Balcony room pays off, and Cloud 9 Spa rooms include thermal suite access for sea days. Grand Suites add priority boarding, dining and laundry.
What is included in the fare on Carnival Radiance?
The main dining rooms, Lido Marketplace, Big Chicken, Guy’s Burger Joint, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que, BlueIguana Cantina, Pizzeria del Capitano, Playlist Productions shows, comedy, WaterWorks, SportSquare, Serenity and the youth programs are included. Fahrenheit 555, Cucina del Capitano at dinner, Bonsai Sushi, Seafood Shack, the Chef’s Table, drinks, Wi-Fi, the spa and the casino are extra.
What is Big Chicken?
Big Chicken is the fast-casual fried chicken concept Carnival developed with Shaquille O’Neal, the line’s Chief Fun Officer. It serves hand-breaded chicken sandwiches, tenders, fries and sides on the Lido deck at no extra charge. Carnival Radiance was the first ship to get it, and it remains one of the ship’s most popular lunch spots.

Facts checked against Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Radiance, Carnival Cruise Line press: Carnival Radiance fact sheet, Carnival Cruise Line press: Carnival Radiance sets sail with new dry dock enhancements, Cruise Industry News: Carnival reveals Radiance’s 2027-28 deployment on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.

Live from the cruise line

Every Carnival Radiance sailing, priced all-in

Every Carnival Radiance departure the cruise line is selling, priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included. SmartCruiser picks at the top are sailings where booking with us gets you something extra. Stack the filters, then sort by lowest price, best value per night or sail date.

Every Carnival Radiance sailing

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