The $200 Million Secret: What Was Carnival Triumph Renamed (And Why You'll Never Guess The Ship's Dark Past)
The question of "what was Carnival Triumph renamed" leads to one of the most dramatic and expensive rebranding efforts in cruise history, a story of disaster, public relations crisis, and a massive bow-to-stern transformation. As of today, December 19, 2025, the former Carnival Triumph is sailing under the new identity of the Carnival Sunrise. The name change was not just a simple re-labeling; it was the culmination of a nearly $200 million renovation project in 2019, designed to completely erase the memory of the ship's infamous past and elevate it to the modern standards of the Carnival Cruise Line fleet.
The transition from Carnival Triumph to Carnival Sunrise was a strategic move to shed a reputation tarnished by a highly publicized 2013 incident, forever known in the media as the "Poop Cruise." The extensive dry dock overhaul in Cadiz, Spain, saw the 20-year-old vessel join a new class of ships, receiving a host of brand-new, cutting-edge features from the popular Fun Ship 2.0 program. This article dives deep into the ship's troubled history, the spectacular changes that followed, and its new life as a premier cruise experience.
The Ship's Dark Past: The Infamous "Poop Cruise" of 2013
To fully understand the necessity of the name change, one must look back to February 2013. The Carnival Triumph, a Destiny-class vessel, was on a four-day cruise from Galveston, Texas, when disaster struck. An engine room fire in the early hours of the morning damaged the cables that powered the ship’s propulsion and primary electrical systems, leaving the vessel stranded and adrift in the Gulf of Mexico.
The resulting power outage was catastrophic for the 4,000 passengers and crew on board. With the ship operating on emergency generator power, plumbing systems failed, leading to raw sewage backing up into passenger cabins and public areas.
- The Incident: Engine room fire leading to a total power and propulsion loss.
- The Aftermath: Four days adrift in the Gulf of Mexico.
- The Crisis: Lack of air conditioning, limited food, and widespread sanitation issues due to sewage backup.
- The Nickname: The event was immediately dubbed the "Poop Cruise" by media outlets worldwide, creating a massive public relations nightmare for Carnival Cruise Line.
Despite being repaired and returned to service, the name Carnival Triumph was irrevocably linked to this shocking and unpleasant experience. This toxic branding ultimately sealed the ship's fate, making a complete transformation and renaming the only viable path forward to restore passenger confidence and the company's reputation.
Carnival Sunrise: A $200 Million Bow-to-Stern Transformation
The transformation of the Carnival Triumph into the Carnival Sunrise in 2019 was one of the most extensive and expensive dry dock projects in the company's history, costing nearly $200 million. The goal was to convert the older vessel into what Carnival calls a "Fun Ship 2.0" experience, mirroring the features of its sister ship, the Carnival Sunshine.
The renovation was so comprehensive that it touched virtually every part of the ship, from the hull to the top decks. The overhaul was not just cosmetic; it included significant technical and structural enhancements to ensure reliability and safety, addressing the very issues that plagued its predecessor.
A New World of Fun Ship 2.0 Amenities
The most noticeable changes were the addition of Carnival's signature dining, bar, and entertainment venues, which are key to the modern Carnival experience:
- Dining Destinations: The ship received a host of new culinary options, including the popular Guy's Burger Joint (a complimentary poolside venue created in partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri) and Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse. Other additions included the BlueIguana Cantina for Mexican fare, the premium Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, and the Bonsai Teppanyaki restaurant.
- Bars and Lounges: New watering holes were installed, such as the tropical RedFrog Rum Bar, the Mexican-themed BlueIguana Tequila Bar, and the Piano Bar 88.
- Water & Relaxation: The top deck was completely revamped with the addition of the exhilarating WaterWorks waterpark, featuring the fast-paced Aqua Tunnel and the Twister water slide. For adults seeking tranquility, the exclusive Serenity Adult-Only Retreat was added, alongside a completely new Cloud 9 Spa.
In terms of accommodations, the Carnival Sunrise saw a substantial upgrade. The project added 115 new staterooms and suites, including the highly sought-after Scenic Ocean View staterooms and new Captain’s Suites, bringing the total guest capacity to over 3,000. All existing cabins received modern finishes, new furniture, and updated decor.
The Sunshine Class: A New Fleet of Reborn Ships
The renaming of the Carnival Triumph to Carnival Sunrise also marked its induction into a new, smaller class of ships known as the Sunshine Class. This class is unique because it is composed entirely of former Destiny-class ships that underwent multi-million dollar transformations and renamings to receive the Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades.
The three ships that make up the Sunshine Class are:
- Carnival Sunshine: Originally the Carnival Destiny, this ship was the first to undergo the massive transformation in 2013, setting the precedent for the entire class.
- Carnival Sunrise: The former Carnival Triumph, transformed in 2019.
- Carnival Radiance: Originally the Carnival Victory, this ship completed its own $200 million transformation and renaming in 2021, completing the trio.
This strategic move by Carnival Cruise Line allowed them to effectively retire three older ship names associated with the original Destiny class while simultaneously introducing three "new" ships to the market, fully equipped with modern amenities, without the cost of building new vessels from scratch. The Carnival Radiance, like the Sunrise, received the full suite of Fun Ship 2.0 enhancements, including a new deck plan, new dining venues, and updated entertainment.
Carnival Sunrise Today: Itineraries and Legacy
Today, the Carnival Sunrise is a vibrant and popular choice for Caribbean cruising, a far cry from its troubled past. The ship typically sails 4- and 5-day itineraries to destinations in The Bahamas and the Western Caribbean, primarily departing from its homeport in Miami, Florida. The ship's current itineraries for 2025 continue this pattern, offering short, fun-filled getaways to popular ports of call like Cozumel, Key West, and Nassau.
The legacy of the Carnival Triumph is a powerful case study in corporate rebranding and renewal. The $200 million investment not only saved a valuable asset from being retired but also successfully transformed a ship associated with a nightmare voyage into a modern, highly-rated vacation experience. For passengers stepping aboard the Carnival Sunrise today, the only remnants of the "Poop Cruise" are the stories, now overshadowed by the ship's sparkling new features and the promise of a sunny, fun-filled journey.
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