Carnival Cruise Line Reveals First-Ever Scheduled Cruises to Africa in 2027
Carnival Cruise Line has revealed a major expansion to its global itinerary lineup, announcing that it will make its first-ever scheduled calls to Africa during the 2027–2028 cruise season.
The milestone sailings will take place aboard Carnival Sunshine and mark a significant shift toward more destination-focused cruising for the brand.
Africa Joins Carnival’s Core Itineraries
While Carnival ships have previously visited African ports during repositioning voyages, this is the first time African destinations will be part of the cruise line’s primary, published schedule. Beginning in late spring 2027, Carnival Sunshine will call on Tangier, Morocco, and La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia, introducing guests to North Africa as part of regular Mediterranean itineraries.
The move reflects Carnival’s growing interest in immersive travel experiences, similar in spirit to its destination-driven Carnival Journeys sailings, but now built directly into the main deployment plan.
Mediterranean & North Africa Season
From May through October 2027, Carnival Sunshine will be based in Europe, operating a series of 7-day and longer cruises across the Mediterranean and North Africa. The ship will homeport in Barcelona, Spain, and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, offering a wide mix of itineraries.
In addition to the African ports, the season introduces new European destinations for Carnival, including:
- Bari, Italy
- Bar, Montenegro
- Ajaccio (Corsica), France
The ship will also revisit popular guest-favorite ports such as Genoa, Salerno, Palermo, and Catania in Italy; Palma de Mallorca in Spain; and Izmir, Turkey.
Carnival President Christine Duffy said the expanded program gives guests “even more ways to explore Europe and beyond,” highlighting the cruise line’s push into new regions.
Solar Eclipse Cruise Highlight
One of the standout sailings of the season is a special solar eclipse cruise aboard Carnival Sunshine. Departing July 25, 2027, from Barcelona, the itinerary is designed to place the ship directly in the path of totality for the August 2, 2027, total solar eclipse over the Mediterranean and North Africa.
Due to its positioning, Carnival Sunshine is expected to offer some of the longest eclipse viewing times and clearer skies, making it one of the most anticipated sailings of the year. Other Carnival ships will also view the eclipse, but Sunshine’s location is considered especially favorable.
Transatlantic & Deployment Timeline
Carnival Sunshine’s European season will be supported by a series of transitional sailings:
- May 15, 2027: A 15-day eastbound transatlantic cruise from Norfolk, Virginia, to Dover, England
- May 30–October 2027: Mediterranean and North Africa cruises from Barcelona and Rome
- Late October 2027: A westbound transatlantic sailing from Barcelona to Miami, including a final stop in Tangier, Morocco
New Homeport in Texas
After completing its Europe and Africa deployment, Carnival Sunshine will reposition to Galveston, Texas, arriving in November 2027. From there, the ship will launch a new series of 10-day and shorter cruises, joining Carnival Breeze, Carnival Horizon, and Carnival Jubilee in the popular Texas homeport.
Carnival cited strong demand in the Texas market as the reason for assigning the larger, 102,000-gross-ton Sunshine to Galveston, replacing earlier plans for Carnival Spirit.
A Milestone for Carnival
With first-ever scheduled calls to Africa, new Mediterranean ports, and a rare solar eclipse sailing, Carnival Sunshine’s 2027 season represents one of the most ambitious and diverse deployment plans in the cruise line’s history. All newly announced sailings are now available for guests to view and book through Carnival.
