Carnival Sunshine itinerary map for December 26, 2026 (8 nights)
Carnival Sunshine cruise ship

Carnival Sunshine — December 26, 20268-Night Eastern Caribbean on Carnival

This 8-night cruise aboard the Sunshine departs from Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday, December 26, 2026 and returns on Sunday, Jan 3rd. December weather across this route averages 79°/48°F. Cabins are currently tracked from $1,334.

The itinerary safety score for this sailing is 8.1 out of 10 — Norfolk (7.5), Amber Cove (7.5), Grand Turk (8.1), Half Moon Cay (9.1).

Cruise Length
8
Night Cruise
Departure Port
Norfolk
Virginia
Port Stops
4
Sea Days
4

Cruise Price - Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026

Carnival Sunshine · December 26, 2026

The graph below tracks historic price of the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship departing December 26, 2026. The most recent price for this sailing starts at $1,334 ($167 per night) for an Inside Cabin. Compared to the average price of $1,195 ($150 per night), this represents a recent increase of 12%.

🛏️
Inside
$1,334
🌊
Oceanview
$1,464
🌅
Balcony
$1,844
👑
Suite
$3,064

Price History – Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026

inside cabin
Carnival Sunshine
December 26, 2026
$1,334
12% vs avg: $1,195

Prices change often and may differ at checkout. Click to see the latest available price.

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Cruise Itinerary Map - 8 Night Eastern Caribbean (Norfolk Roundtrip)

Carnival Sunshine · December 26, 2026

The Carnival Sunshine sails on December 26, 2026 for a 8 Night Eastern Caribbean (Norfolk Roundtrip). The ship will depart the port of Norfolk, Virginia at 3:30 PM and will return to the port of Norfolk, Virginia on Jan 3rd at 7:00 AM. During the 9-day journey, the Carnival Sunshine will visit 3 additional ports and will spend 4 days at sea.

Cruise itinerary route

8 Night Eastern Caribbean (Norfolk Roundtrip)

  • DEC26
    Norfolk, Virginia
    Norfolk, Virginia
    A: — - D: 3:30 PM
  • DEC27
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • DEC28
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • DEC29
    Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic
    Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic
    A: 9:00 AM - D: 5:00 PM
  • DEC30
    Grand Turk Island
    Grand Turk Island
    A: 6:00 AM - D: 1:30 PM
  • DEC31
    Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (private Island)
    Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (private Island)
    A: 8:00 AM - D: 4:00 PM
  • JAN01
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • JAN02
    At Sea
    At Sea
    A: — - D: —
  • JAN03
    Norfolk, Virginia
    Norfolk, Virginia
    A: 7:00 AM - D: —
Loading map...

Cruise Ports

December 26, 2026 · 8 Night Eastern Caribbean (Norfolk Roundtrip)

Norfolk, Virginia — Day 1 of Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026 cruise
Day 1•Saturday, Dec 26

Norfolk, Virginia

Arrival: —•Departure: 3:30 PM

Norfolk, Virginia, offers docking at Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise Terminal. Travelers explore the Nauticus maritime museum and Battleship Wisconsin. Excursions visit Colonial Williamsburg’s historic sites. Local markets sell Virginia ham. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures waterfront views and naval history. Dining onboard includes crab cakes, a Virginia favorite. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Norfolk’s naval heritage. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance museum walks. Norfolk’s maritime charm offers a vibrant American stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of naval history, colonial excursions, and scenic waterfronts, making Norfolk an engaging destination for exploring Virginia’s coastal and historical treasures along the Chesapeake Bay.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
Day 2 at sea — Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026 itinerary
Day 2•Sunday, Dec 27

At Sea

Arrival: 11:00 PM•Departure: 10:59 PM

Day at sea aboard the Sunshine — featuring Cucina del Capitano, Seaside Theater, RedFrog Pub & Pixels.

Day 3 at sea — Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026 itinerary
Day 3•Monday, Dec 28

At Sea

Arrival: 11:00 PM•Departure: 10:59 PM

Day at sea aboard the Sunshine — featuring Cucina del Capitano, Seaside Theater, RedFrog Pub & Pixels.

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic — Day 4 of Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026 cruise
Day 4•Tuesday, Dec 29

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic

Arrival: 9:00 AM•Departure: 5:00 PM

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic, offers docking at Amber Cove Port. Travelers explore Fort San Felipe and Amber Museum. Excursions include Damajagua Waterfalls. Local markets sell mangu. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial forts and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes sancocho, a Dominican favorite. Souvenirs, like amber crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Taino history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance waterfall hikes. Amber Cove’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Dominican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and adventurous waterfalls, making Amber Cove an engaging destination.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
Grand Turk Island — Day 5 of Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026 cruise
Day 5•Wednesday, Dec 30

Grand Turk Island

Arrival: 6:00 AM•Departure: 1:30 PM

Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos, offers docking at Grand Turk Cruise Center. Travelers explore Cockburn Town and Governor’s Beach. Excursions include snorkeling at Gibbs Cay. Local markets sell conch salad. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial buildings and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes jerk fish, a Turks and Caicos favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Taino history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Grand Turk’s coastal charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and marine beauty, making Grand Turk an engaging destination.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (private Island) — Day 6 of Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026 cruise
Day 6•Thursday, Dec 31

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (private Island)

Arrival: 8:00 AM•Departure: 4:00 PM

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island), offers docking at a private port. Travelers explore white-sand beaches and Stingray Cove. Excursions include horseback riding by the sea. Local markets sell conch fritters. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures turquoise waters and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes cracked conch, a Bahamian favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Lucayan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Half Moon Cay’s island allure offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of serene beaches and marine activities, making Half Moon Cay an engaging destination.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link
Day 7 at sea — Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026 itinerary
Day 7•Friday, Jan 1

At Sea

Arrival: 11:00 PM•Departure: 10:59 PM

Day at sea aboard the Sunshine — featuring Cucina del Capitano, Seaside Theater, RedFrog Pub & Pixels.

Day 8 at sea — Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026 itinerary
Day 8•Saturday, Jan 2

At Sea

Arrival: 11:00 PM•Departure: 10:59 PM

Day at sea aboard the Sunshine — featuring Cucina del Capitano, Seaside Theater, RedFrog Pub & Pixels.

Norfolk, Virginia — Day 9 of Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026 cruise
Day 9•Sunday, Jan 3

Norfolk, Virginia

Arrival: 7:00 AM•Departure: —

Returning to Norfolk, Virginia — see Day 1 above for port info.

Port Info LinkPort Excursions Link

Weather Forecast

Carnival Sunshine - December 26, 2026 Weather Forecast

Average monthly weather for your cruise ports

Norfolk, Virginia

🌦️

December

Typical Weather

72°F

Average High

19°F

Average Low

Rainfall

0.12in

Daily average

3.6 in monthly total

Shore Excursions

Explore the most popular excursion options at each port.

From beach breaks and snorkeling to local food tours and cultural landmarks, these shore excursions help you make the most of every stop. Browse by port below to compare top-rated options and plan your day before you board.

See all Norfolk Shore Tours

Itinerary Safety Score

Based on comprehensive research of cruise port safety information, including recent crime reports, travel advisories, Global Peace Index rankings, and specific port security concerns, we've created a "safety score" for each cruise port stop. The overall rating below represents a combined score for your specific cruise itinerary.

Itinerary Safety Rank
81 / 100
safer than 81% of all cruises
81
8
/ 10
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk
Norfolk is a generally safe cruise port, but travelers should stay vigilant in certain downtown neighborhoods, especially at night.
8
/ 10
Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic
Amber Cove
Amber Cove ensures safety within the port, but travelers should remain vigilant and cautious when exploring areas outside it.
8
/ 10
Grand Turk Island
Grand Turk
Grand Turk Island is a safe destination for cruise travelers, featuring a low crime rate and a strong local police presence.
9
/ 10
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (private Island)
Half Moon Cay
Half Moon Cay ensures guest safety with strong security measures and controlled access, minimizing crime risks for a worry-free visit.

Cruise Ship

Carnival Sunshine

⚓ Tonnage

102,853

vs avg 121,145

🛠️ Year Built

1,996

vs avg 2,009

📏 Length (ft)

893

vs avg 992

👥 Passenger Count

3,002

vs avg 4,158

The Sunshine has a construction date of 1996 and a total size of 102,853 gross tons. The ship measures 893 feet in length. Carnival Sunshine is included in Carnival’s Sunshine class. At full capacity, the Carnival Sunshine holds 3,002 passengers. That includes 1,852 cruise vacationers and 1,150 staff members. The Sunshine total number of staterooms is 1,497.

Click above for more Carnival Sunshine stats, tips, imagery, and more.

  • 📊Size comparison chart against other ships
  • 🍸Bars, restaurants, and venue highlights
  • 🛠️Renovation and dry-dock schedule
  • ❓FAQ's about Carnival Sunshine

Also of interest:

Carnival Sunshine Deck PlansCarnival Sunshine Cabin SearchCarnival Sunshine Health Score

Cruise Director

On duty at sail date (December 26, 2026)

Todd Evans — cruise director for the Carnival Sunshine sailing on December 26, 2026

Todd Evans

Country: N/A•Start: Oct 31, 2026•End: Jan 9, 2027

Todd Evans is a Carnival Cruise Line cruise director recognized for his friendly demeanor and steady, professional hosting style.

Todd Evans Full Profile

Other Carnival Sunshine Sailings

Same ship, different dates

← Previous sailing

Dec 18, 2026

8-Night 8 Night Eastern Caribbean (Norfolk Roundtrip)

All sailings

Carnival Sunshine schedule

Full itinerary calendar

Next sailing →

Jan 3, 2027

6-Night 6 Night Bahamas (Norfolk Roundtrip)

Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026 FAQ

What's the cheapest cabin on the Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026 cruise?▾

The lowest currently-tracked fare for this sailing is $1,334 for an Inside cabin. Pricing is updated daily — see the live price chart above for the latest snapshots.

What's the weather like on the Carnival Sunshine December 26, 2026 route?▾

Across the ports visited on this 8-night route, December averages 79°F highs and 48°F lows. See the per-port weather forecast section above for daily detail.

How safe is the December 26, 2026 Carnival Sunshine itinerary?▾

This itinerary scores 8.1 out of 10 on the Gangwaze Itinerary Safety Score, with per-port scores of Norfolk 7.5, Amber Cove 7.5, Grand Turk 8.1, Half Moon Cay 9.1. We weight current travel advisories, recent crime data, and Global Peace Index signals — see the Safety Score section above for the full per-port breakdown.

When does the Carnival Sunshine sail and return on this itinerary?▾

The Carnival Sunshine departs Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday, December 26, 2026 at 3:30 PM and returns on Sunday, Jan 3rd, 2027 at 7:00 AM. Total duration: 8 nights.

Who is the cruise director for the Carnival Sunshine sailing on December 26, 2026?▾

Todd Evans is scheduled as cruise director for this sailing. See the Cruise Director section above for their bio.

Can I track price drops for this Carnival Sunshine itinerary?▾

Yes — use the price tracking opt-in on this page to get an email when cabin prices drop for this exact sailing. We snapshot fares daily.

Researched and assembled by Gangwaze Cruise Editorial using daily-refreshed itinerary, pricing, weather, and safety data.

Last Updated: May 15, 2026