One of the highlights of the new lineup includes two special solar eclipse cruises.
WASHINGTON — Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its travel destinations next year, offering new stops in Europe and Africa, as well as a number of cruises designed to give passengers a view of a rare solar eclipse.
The cruise line announced the new sailings in a press release, outlining a season that runs from late May 2027 through October 2027 and features Mediterranean and North African itineraries departing from Barcelona, Spain, and Civitavecchia, Italy. It will be the first time in the company’s history that ports in Africa are included.
The program includes a mix of weeklong and longer cruises designed to allow guests to book back-to-back sailings.
Among the highlights are Carnival’s first-ever calls in Africa, with stops in La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia, and Tangier, Morocco. The deployment also introduces new European ports for the cruise line, including Bari, Italy; Bar, Montenegro; and Ajaccio on the French island of Corsica.
In addition to debut destinations, Carnival Sunshine will return to several ports not visited by the cruise line in many years, offering guests a chance to revisit longtime favorites such as Genoa, Salerno, Palermo and Catania in Italy; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Izmir, Turkey. Other calls throughout the season span Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, Montenegro, Tunisia and Morocco.
Solar Eclipse Cruising
One of the highlights of the new cruise lineup is a “solar eclipse cruise” departing Barcelona on July 25, 2027. The itinerary positions the Carnival Sunshine along the path of maximum visibility for the rare Aug. 2, 2027 solar eclipse as it stops along the European coast.
A similar eclipse experience will be offered on the Carnival Miracle during an 11-day cruise departing Dover, England on July 29, 2027. That sailing includes a dedicated day at sea for eclipse viewing and visits in a number of European countries including Portugal, Spain, France and Belgium.
To get to Dover, Carnival is offering a cross-Atlantic cruise leaving Norfolk, Virginia, on May 15, 2027. The 15-day sail will allow passengers to stay on if they’re continuing for the eclipse cruise.
Carnival in the US
After returning to the U.S. from its tour through Europe, the Carnival Sunshine will begin a new schedule of 10-day and four-day cruises from Galveston, Texas, starting Nov. 17, 2027. The ship will join Carnival Breeze, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Jubilee, which all dock there.
“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,” Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said in a statement. “With our first-ever African ports, new European calls and once-in-a-lifetime eclipse sailing, this deployment delivers variety, adventure and memorable experiences our guests look forward to when sailing on Carnival.”
