Let the transformation begin! Carnival Victory departed PortMiami this afternoon bound for Cadiz, Spain, where she will undergo a $200 million dry dock and emerge as Carnival Radiance this spring.

Following a trans-Atlantic crossing, the dry dock will take place over 38 days with the ship’s team members and contractors working around the clock to totally transform the 102,000-ton vessel adding a variety of exciting new spaces and experiences.

Carnival Radiance will mark the seagoing debut of Big Chicken created by Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal, as well as many of the line’s most popular dining, bar, entertainment and attraction options.

New offerings added to Carnival Radiance during its bow-to-stern makeover will include Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse created by Food Network star and longtime partner Guy Fieri, Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian restaurant, Bonsai Sushi, and the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub.

All of the ship’s public spaces will also be updated including the WaterWorks aqua park, youth facilities, retail shops, Cloud 9 Spa, the SportSquare outdoor recreation complex with a suspended ropes course, and a new Liquid Lounge home to Carnival’s award-winning Playlist Productions shows.

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