WASHINGTON — In a bid to broaden its horizons, Carnival Cruise Line is set to unveil new travel routes next year, with fresh destinations across Europe and Africa. Among the highlights are special cruises tailored to provide passengers with a spectacular view of a rare solar eclipse.

The cruise line revealed its upcoming voyages in a recent press release, detailing a season from late May 2027 through October 2027. This period will feature trips around the Mediterranean and North Africa, with departures from Barcelona, Spain, and Civitavecchia, Italy. Notably, this marks the company’s inaugural inclusion of African ports in its itineraries.

The offerings consist of a blend of weeklong and extended cruises, allowing guests the flexibility to string together consecutive adventures.

In a series of firsts, Carnival will make its debut in Africa with stops in La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia, and Tangier, Morocco. The new routes also introduce fresh European destinations for the cruise line, including Bari, Italy; Bar, Montenegro; and Ajaccio on Corsica, France.

In addition to debut destinations, Carnival Sunshine will return to several ports not visited by the cruise line in many years, offering guests a chance to revisit longtime favorites such as Genoa, Salerno, Palermo and Catania in Italy; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Izmir, Turkey. Other calls throughout the season span Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, Montenegro, Tunisia and Morocco.

One of the highlights of the new cruise lineup is a “solar eclipse cruise” departing Barcelona on July 25, 2027. The itinerary positions the Carnival Sunshine along the path of maximum visibility for the rare Aug. 2, 2027 solar eclipse as it stops along the European coast. 

A similar eclipse experience will be offered on the Carnival Miracle during an 11-day cruise departing Dover, England on July 29, 2027. That sailing includes a dedicated day at sea for eclipse viewing and visits in a number of European countries including Portugal, Spain, France and Belgium. 

To get to Dover, Carnival is offering a cross-Atlantic cruise leaving Norfolk, Virginia, on May 15, 2027. The 15-day sail will allow passengers to stay on if they’re continuing for the eclipse cruise. 

After returning to the U.S. from its tour through Europe, the Carnival Sunshine will begin a new schedule of 10-day and four-day cruises from Galveston, Texas, starting Nov. 17, 2027. The ship will join Carnival Breeze, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Jubilee, which all dock there.

“We’re excited to bring Carnival Sunshine to an expanded lineup of destinations that offer our guests even more ways to explore Europe and beyond,” Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said in a statement. “With our first-ever African ports, new European calls and once-in-a-lifetime eclipse sailing, this deployment delivers variety, adventure and memorable experiences our guests look forward to when sailing on Carnival.”