NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The newly renovated Carnival Sunrise departed from Norfolk Monday evening on a 7-day Caribbean cruise.
The 893 foot long cruise ship docked at the Decker Half Moone Cruise Center at Nauticus late Saturday night after arriving from Spain, where it underwent an extensive $200 million refurbishment. The Sunrise left Nauticus on its maiden voyage Monday at 6 p.m., making it the first Carnival ship to launch from Norfolk in nearly two years.
Some of the ship’s new features include a barbecue restaurant from Food Network Star Guy Fieri, a new water park, a ropes course and more amenities.
The Sunrise has three homeports: Norfolk, Ft. Lauderdale and NYC.
The Cruise Line International Association says Carnival and other cruise operations create $153 million in direct spending, 2,800 jobs and $170 million in wages in Virginia each year.
Click here for the complete Nauticus 2019 cruise schedule.