GALVESTON – The port will soon welcome another major cruise ship to its growing port lineup, as Carnival Cruise Line announced Carnival Sunshine will begin sailing from the island in late 2027 following an extended Europe and Africa deployment.

After completing a series of Mediterranean and North African cruises, Carnival Sunshine is scheduled to arrive in Galveston and begin offering new itineraries starting Nov. 17, 2027. The ship will operate a mix of 10-day and 4-day cruises from the Port of Galveston, joining Carnival Breeze, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Jubilee as part of the cruise line’s Texas-based fleet.

The announcement highlights Galveston’s continued expansion as a key cruise homeport along the Gulf Coast, drawing larger ships and longer itineraries as demand for cruise travel grows.

Before returning to the United States, Carnival Sunshine will spend much of 2027 sailing in Europe, including the cruise line’s first-ever stops in Africa, with visits to ports in Tunisia and Morocco. The ship will also offer a special solar eclipse cruise in July 2027, positioning passengers for peak viewing of the rare event at sea.

Following the European season, the ship will sail back across the Atlantic and reposition to Galveston, where it will launch its new schedule. Carnival has not yet released details on the specific destinations for the Galveston-based cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said the deployment reflects the company’s effort to expand destinations while continuing to invest in popular homeports like Galveston.

Carnival Sunshine features multiple dining and entertainment options, including Guy’s Burger Joint, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, WaterWorks, and Cloud9 Spa. The ship’s arrival will further strengthen Galveston’s role as one of Carnival’s busiest departure ports in the country.

_{Photo courtesy: Carnival Cruise Lines}