MIAMI — What’s in a name? About US$200 million’s worth of pure radiance, says Carnival Cruise Line.

The company has officially changed the name of Carnival Victory to Carnival Radiance, which is now in the final stages of a $200 million, bow-to-stern makeover in Cadiz, Spain.

The third in the line’s Sunshine-class series, Carnival Radiance is scheduled to depart Cadiz on Oct. 18 to start a seven-week journey to its homeport in Long Beach, California, with stops in Miami and a transit of the Panama Canal along the way. On Dec. 13 it will make its Southern California debut, kicking off a year-round schedule of three- and four-day cruises to Baja Mexico from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal. On this route, three-day cruises depart Fridays and visit Ensenada, Mexico. Four-day cruises will sail on Mondays, calling at Ensenada and Catalina Island.

Onboard, guests will find all of Carnival’s popular Fun Ship 2.0 dining, beverage and entertainment spaces, as well as Big Chicken, a casual poolside restaurant created by Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer, Shaquille O’Neal, which debuted on Mardi Gras earlier this year. Other notable offerings include the new Cucina del Capitano, the multi-purpose Liquid Lounge, and one of the largest Cloud 9 Spas at sea.

“The transformation of Carnival Victory has been in the works for quite some time but we’re delighted that she can now be officially be called Carnival Radiance – the newest member of our fleet,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival Radiance features all of our most popular spaces and provides a truly unique and exciting vacation option for the Southern California short cruise market.”

A traditional naming ceremony will be held once Carnival Radiance arrives in Long Beach. Additional details will be announced shortly.

Carnival Radiance joins Carnival Miracle, which will reposition to Long Beach on Sept. 27 to operate short cruises to Mexico, as well as Carnival Panorama, which is sailing week-long voyages to the Mexican Riviera.

Earlier this week, Carnival confirmed that 11 ships, or half of its U.S. fleet, is now in operation.