I’m sailing on the first Carnival Spirit cruise after her month-long drydock—a 14-day transatlantic journey from Barcelona to Miami. The ship, built in 2001, is now sporting several new upgrades and refurbishments. Here’s everything that’s new aboard Carnival Spirit!
Accessibility upgrades on Carnival Spirit
Many of the upgrades aboard Carnival Spirit focus on accessibility, including the new pool lift at the Sun Forward Pool on Deck 9.
The Versailles Lounge on Deck 1 has a new platform lift for people who use mobility devices.
Carnival Spirit now has automatic door sensors to enter most public restrooms and changing areas.
Heroes Tribute Bar
The new Heroes Bar on Deck 2 aboard Carnival Spirit replaces the former Skybox Sports Bar. The new bar serves as a gathering place for active-duty military and veterans. With this new venue on Carnival Spirit, Heroes is now featured on 14 Carnival ships.
“The new Heroes Tribute Bar and all the other upgrades to Carnival Spirit are part of our ongoing effort to continually enhance our existing fleet with features we know our guests appreciate and enjoy,” said Lisa McCabe, Carnival’s vice president of refurbishments, in a press release.
New retail shops on Carnival Spirit
Deck 2 now features a Carnival Adventures Shop with logo merchandise including tees, tote bags, and water bottles.
Guests can book a photo session at the new Dreams Studio on Deck 3, located by the Pixels Photo Gallery.
Cloud 9 Spa and Fitness Center
The Spa Carnival had a makeover, and is now branded as Cloud 9 Spa—with a new look for the treatment rooms.
The spa’s Relaxation Room has been enclosed into its own space, providing a more tranquil area to rest before or after a treatment.
In the Fitness Center, the hot tub has been removed and replaced with additional fitness equipment.
Updates to the casino and nightclub
The Dancin’ Dance Club has been reduced to a single story aboard Carnival Spirit. The space that was the lower level of the club is now a dedicated Chef’s Table space and five new staterooms.
Carnival Spirit‘s Casino was updated during dry dock with a new look and layout.
The casino bar is no longer accessible to guests—the spot where the old bar was located is now a bank of new slot machines in the smoking area.
Related: Carnival Smoking Areas by Ship – Where You Can Smoke on a Carnival Cruise
Carnival Spirit now has a dedicated space for Chef’s Table
The Chef’s Table experience on Carnival Spirit now has its own private room on Deck 1, with comfy upholstered chairs and a Champagne-flute overhead lighting fixture. The lighting in the new space is also dimmable to enhance the ambiance.
Carnival Spirit has a new mini-golf course
There’s a new mini-golf course on Deck 11 forward, by the jogging track and basketball court. The nine-hole, three-section course wraps around the front of the ship.
All youth program spaces have been upgraded
Carnival Spirit‘s Camp Ocean kids’ club, located on Deck 10 forward has had a makeover, and the ship’s teen hangout space also has a new look.
Crew areas on Carnival Spirit have had a refresh
I chatted with several crew members who were aboard Carnival Spirit before and during her 2025 dry dock. They let me know that their crew quarters have also been refreshed with new flooring as well as repairs and replacements to fixtures like doors and storage drawers.
More news about Carnival Cruise Line
- Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter Are Newest Additions to Carnival Brand
- Carnival Spirit Dry Dock Updates 2025
- Carnival Cruise Line Will Open Celebration Key in July
- Carnival Cruise Line Salutes Military Women During Inaugural Fleet Week in Miami
- Carnival’s Celebration Key Construction Empowering Grand Bahamian Workforce
- Carnival Cruise Line Celebrates 30 Years of Sailing From New Orleans
What do you think about Carnival’s changes to Carnival Spirit during her 2025 dry dock? Which elements are you most looking forward to seeing on your next Spirit cruise? Let me know in the comments below!
