Carnival Ship Gets Accessibility Upgrade Ahead of European Summer Sailings

Carnival Cruise Line ship Carnival Pride has embarked on its first European summer sailing after a revamp.

The 2,680-passenger vessel has re-entered service following a month of upgrades to enhance accessibility for passengers with disabilities.

Carnival Pride will sail a series of European cruises until October 28, including departures from Dover, Barcelona, and Civitavecchia, the port for Rome.

The ship, which first entered service in 2002, has been undergoing enhancements since April 28 and returned to service with several additional Carnival offerings and other improvements.

These include a new Heroes Tribute Bar, a chef's table, a re-named steakhouse, expanded casino and rebranded spa.

The first sailing from Barcelona is a 12-day itinerary with ports of call including Lisbon, Le Havre for Paris and Zeebrugge for Bruges and Brussels.

The line's European season will be expanded next year, with 17 cruises operated by sister ship Carnival Legend. The ship will sail of eight-, nine-, 10- and 12-day sailings in 2024.

Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy and chief culinary officer Emeril Lagasse visited Carnival Pride in Barcelona, before it set sail.

She said: "I'm so proud of our team. They have done amazing work refreshing and enhancing Carnival Pride just in time for her Europe sailings.

"We welcome everyone on Carnival ships, so we are happy we've completed the work to make the ship accessible to those with disabilities. 

"I'm also delighted to see the addition of the Heroes Tribute bar since it has been popular with our guests and has resonated well with military service members and their families."