Carnival Cruise Line is significantly expanding its European footprint with the announcement of Carnival Sunshine’s 2027-28 itineraries, marking one of the brand’s most diverse seasonal deployments to date.
From May through October 2027, the ship will be based in Europe, offering a wide range of Mediterranean and North African cruises departing from Barcelona in Spain and Civitavecchia near Rome in Italy.
The season reflects Carnival’s strategy of combining familiar destinations with new ports and special-event sailings designed to attract both repeat cruisers and first-time European travelers.
The itineraries span Southern and Western Europe while extending into North Africa for the first time in the cruise line’s history. Carnival Sunshine will call at destinations across Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, Montenegro, Tunisia, and Morocco, creating a mix of iconic cities and less-visited ports.
Among the highlights are Carnival’s inaugural African stops in La Goulette, the port serving Tunis in Tunisia, and Tangier in Morocco. These calls represent a milestone for the brand and signal growing confidence in demand for North African cruise tourism.
New ports, returning favorites, and a rare eclipse at sea
Alongside its African debut, Carnival Sunshine will introduce several new European ports to the company’s network. These include Bari in southern Italy, Bar in Montenegro, and Ajaccio on the French island of Corsica. Each offers a distinct cultural angle, from Adriatic coastal towns to historic Mediterranean islands.
At the same time, the ship will revisit destinations that have been absent from Carnival itineraries for several years, such as Genoa, Salerno, Palermo, and Catania in Italy, Palma de Mallorca in Spain, and Izmir in Turkey. The combination of new and returning ports allows Carnival to refresh its European offerings while maintaining broad appeal.
One of the standout moments of the season will be a special solar eclipse sailing departing on July 25, 2027. This voyage is timed to place Carnival Sunshine directly in the path of totality for the solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, offering guests a rare celestial experience at sea.
In addition to the eclipse viewing, the itinerary includes stops in Marseilles in France, Genoa, Salerno, and Catania in Italy, Valletta in Malta, and La Goulette in Tunisia. The sailing is positioned as a once-in-a-lifetime experience that blends science, spectacle, and classic Mediterranean cruising.
Carnival Cruise Line has emphasized that the 2027-28 deployment is about variety and exploration, catering to travelers seeking both well-known European highlights and new cultural horizons. The season also aligns with a broader trend in cruising toward longer deployments, unique itineraries, and event-driven voyages that go beyond standard port rotations.
With Carnival Sunshine serving as the centerpiece, the cruise line is clearly signaling its intent to compete more aggressively in the European and Mediterranean market while expanding into new regions.