Cruise News

An Inside Look at Carnival’s Latest Cruise Ship Dry Dock [PHOTOS]

Doug Parker

May 29, 2024

Cruise ships undergo a mandatory dry dock period every five years for maintenance, inspections, and occasional renovations. This spring, it was Carnival Legend’s turn.

A large blue and white cruise ship named

A cruise ship docked at a shipyard is undergoing maintenance at night, with the view showing the Carnival Legend's hull and workers on the ground below in dry dock.

Carnival Legend recently completed an extensive dry dock in France, which resulted in numerous changes inside and outside the ship. This dry dock lasted an entire month, much longer than a typical 14-day refurbishment.

Carnival Legend’s Prep for Renovation

An auditorium under renovation, reminiscent of the grand halls on the Carnival Legend during its dry dock phase, with seats covered in protective cloths, stage equipment in the background, and a ceiling adorned with lights and decorations.

Before any work began, the crew had to cover everything carefully to protect against dust and paint. For example, the forward lounge was covered as it received new carpeting.

Carnival Legend’s New Night Club

A futuristic-looking, empty nightclub on the Carnival Legend features a central dance floor, bar stools, and an illuminated ceiling adorned with circular lights. The blue LED screen backdrop adds a tech-savvy ambiance, making it feel like you're in a high-energy dry dock ready for the next adventure.

The nightclub, which previously spanned two decks, saw significant changes. It is now exclusively on deck two. Carnival decided to add cabins in place of the first floor of the nightclub (deck one).

A room undergoing renovation with construction materials, a saw on a workbench, and various tools scattered on the floor. Walls are partially finished with circular windows visible, much like the transformation spaces seen in Carnival Legend's dry dock.

The lower level of the nightclub was converted into oceanview cabins, including an accessible cabin for guests with mobility issues.

Pool and WaterWorks Upgrades

An empty pool with a blue floor, a small circular table, and a ladder inside it sits on the deck of the Carnival Legend under a partly cloudy sky.

The pools and WaterWorks children’s area received new flooring, enhancing their overall aesthetic and functionality. As you can imagine, both areas get very waterlogged on Carnival Legend.

Chef’s Table on Carnival Legend

A long wooden dining table with patterned blue chairs is centered under a modern chandelier in a spacious room with beige walls adorned with legendary artwork.

A trendy Chef’s Table was installed, offering guests an elevated dining experience. Previously, the Chef’s Table experience was held in a conference room, an offshoot of the main dining room.

Cloud 9 Spa on Carnival Legend

A modern spa interior featuring two white pedicure chairs, a decorative divider, a reception counter, and an Elemis sign above a cabinet. Reminiscent of the luxury found on Carnival Legend during its latest dry dock, the space boasts wooden flooring and contemporary decor.

The Cloud 9 Spa’s salon area has been renovated with new floors, and the salon now has a modern, less stereotypical Hollywood style.

A modern, minimalist sauna room with a bench, tiled floor, and frosted glass windows. Cleaning supplies are on the bench, and a towel hangs on a wooden ladder rack in the corner. It's reminiscent of the luxury found aboard the Carnival Legend during a dry dock renovation.

The men’s and women’s steam rooms were refurbished. Each sauna and steam room is accessible from the respective locker rooms.

Heroes Tribute Bar and Lounge

The Dream Team Sports Bar was replaced with a Heroes Tribute Bar, offering guests a new venue with military decor. This bar first debuted on Carnival Panorama in 2019 and has since been expanded to new builds and installed during refurbishments.

Carnival Legend Itineraries

After its transformation, Carnival Legend will spend the summer sailing from Barcelona, Dover, and Rome. This fall, it will reposition to Tampa, Florida, to embark on Western Caribbean and Panama Canal voyages. It will sail from the West Coast in late 2025.