iamchrisstone

I just got off of the Sunshine. I've been trying to get my family to cruise for years and after my drone footage and high quality videos that they seen me post (i'll post a short video below and you can subscribe to my youtube channel to see others if you want), now they are all willing to go.

I have 2 teens so Circle C on the Sunshine was great, and everyone tells me on the Breeze is better. For younger kids I"m assuming will be the same. Most of our family will probably be middle aged adults and then my dad and step mom are coming along and I think of couple of her siblings, which all all in their 70's. So, with that being said, what advice do you have or thoughts? Is this a good ship for everyone? My dad doesn't like the thought of not being able to go home the minute he's bored lol. As a kid we'd go to a professional ball game and 30 minutes later we were leaving. He's an active 75 year old and does the gym a lot and stuff like that so I figured that would eat up some of his time. Hopefully he would like the shows. Anyway, this would be the sailing next year from December 15 -22 out of Port Canaveral.

[YOUTUBE]2HyvZrbYHWA[/YOUTUBE]

Ok, so we had Faster to the Fun. We didn’t get to board the ship till after 11:30. But that’s ok. It was still way earlier than without FTTF so I’m ok. However, I was under the assumption with FTTF your room is ready right away

 

Curious...did you actually go to your cabin and when you got there you saw or were told it was not ready? We have friends that had FTTF for first time last month and because the hall doors were closed they did not go any further, they were not aware that if you have FTTF you can go through the hall doors to your cabin. We have never not had a cabin ready with FTTF as soon as we boarded so I am curious about the circumstances....

So, I was under the impression that FTTF gave me my cabin as soon as we got on board and our luggage would be there. I don't know if I mis read something or someone gave me bad information or whatever. But, no. Our cabin was not ready. Our room steward was like man go ahead and put your carry ons in the room. He was cool but our room wasn't ready until they announced for everyone to go to their rooms. My luggage as you read earlier was delayed so that didn't help either. And leaving the ship at the end of the cruise, I felt I didn't benefit from that either. My only true benefit was getting on the ship early. And for the $69, that was still worth it to me. But, then again I'm not much of a complainer so even if it wasn't worth it, I doubt I'd call and complain.

I'd love some insights on the teen clubs. How do your kids like them? Is it easy to make friends? What activities have they been up to?

Great questions and the exact same questions that I had!

Yes, they made friends and very quickly. I absolutely recommend going to the meet and greet with them on the first night. Truth is, it was nothing more than a "sign in" for your teens but I felt comfortable with it. They gave me a scheduled and explained everything. Kids sat down by themselves before I left and I was thinking oh great, they are about to sit there together and not talk to anyone.

SEVERAL HOURS LATER...... lol they show up and say they've both made several friends and are doing this and doing that. My girl is extremely shy so this made me happy.

I got frustrated with the Internet so didn't continue my "journal". I'll try to finish it up this week. Any specific questions, please feel free to ask.

Also, below is a brief drone video of the Carnival Sunshine. I'll post a more detailed and better video hopefully within a week or so.

2HyvZrbYHWA

We are still at Amber Cove. We walked around to all of the shops then the teens did swimming and water slide and the zip lining is unlimited times for $20. We are back on the ship, but it was probably fun for them.

I wanted to reply to each of you, but with the wifi out in the middle of the ocean, it would take half a day LOL. thanks to each of you for replying! I'm starting to think I'm a loyalist and hate to jump ship (pardon the pun haha) to another line after being loyal to one. But I guess I need to remember it's about the memories and experiences, not the "points" lol.

Any other thoughts or feedback?

Kids are running around with friends. I came up to deck 9AFT hoping for better wifi. Certainly not any better, but I have a great view, it's quite and when I get hungry I'll grab some JiJi's or the Italian since it's free during lunch. I wanted to put together the TimeLapse videos I made and look at the drone footage. I failed to realize how much we depend on good internet service in our every day lives. Even when I go to edit videos, I need high speed internet for this or that. It's interesting to see how dependent we are on things we don't think are a big deal in our lives.

At 4:15 Jackson Rayne has a pop up magic show that the kids and I will be attending and then we are going to get dressed up for elegant night. After that, I'm not sure. I may go around and try to get some evening shots. I should really get up to the Serenity deck and enjoy the hot tubs and waterfall.

Tomorrow is Amber Cove.

This is a 360 Degree video. To capture the full effect, open it in your YouTube App.

I have sailed a few times so far, all being on Carnival. A year ago or so, my niece and nephew (now 13 and 14, respectively) came to live with me and have never had great things happen, let alone a cruise. Right now we are on the Carnival Sunshine and they are having a blast.

I think that every year the week before Christmas I may take them on a cruise. I was looking at the Breeze or Vista next year but one of my best friends swears by RC. I start looking at the newest and biggest and the Symphony either didn't work because of pricing or dates. I can't recall. So, I decided on the Carnival Breeze about a month ago.

A few days ago I started researching the Harmony and really seems nice. I would like to get some info from all of you who have been on it. I'm primarily interested in the all-inclusive stuff (food, activities, etc). I don't pay for the extra's often. For instance, this cruise we will probably go to the steakhouse once. Everything else is what is included.

I'm semi-interested in stuff for me or my age, especially if I bring a date next year, but I'm primarily interested in stuff for the kids. They love waterslides and movies. We seen that one cruise did scuba lessons, one with a gokart track (i think that was Norwegian), one with skydiving, etc. What all does this one have? How is the food? with a ship that has 6,000 people on it, how crowded does it feel and the lines? How about he layout of the ship? I've been told Carnival is best for teens, is that true?

I'll have more questions later. Thank you all in advance for being so awesome!

and here is something. i've always been told that every wall in our rooms are all metal or whatever and magnets stick to everything. WRONG! at least not in our room. i bought all these magnetic hooks and everything and nothing works. no biggie to me, to be honest. just found it interesting.

Today was Nassau. Honestly, I'm not impressed with the Bahamas unless you are at a resort or something. I respect the next man's hustle and how they make a living, but whether here or Freeport, it just feels like begger central. It's just not for me. Next year if we end up here we will probably do some excursions over at Atlantis or something.

I did drone a little. The wind was pretty strong so I didn't keep her in the air long. I'll try to view my footage tomorrow and hopefully post some here or on my YouTube and Facebook tomorrow.

Kids are running around right now. I'm just hanging out enjoying the balcony and walk around a little. I wanted to go see every show possible and all of that, but truth is I'm really just enjoying doing nothing. That's not like me. I guess I needed downtime more than I thought lol.

IM on this ship in 2 weeks. Could u walk by room 10133 on Deck 10 and video the area and spa(showers,etc). Im excited to see it. Also you mentioned something about touring the ship???? What is it? THanks SB

I'll try to get that done tomorrow. I don't know if I want to video inside the spa area, but if it doesn't make me feel awkward, I will LOL.

The behind the scenes tour is called "Behind The Fun" tour. Apparently, there are only 16 openings per cruising. $95 per person. No cameras aloud. 3-4 hours long. Lots of walking. You can google it to get more info, but from what I understand you see the chef and the kitchen, the laundry, the galley or something and even meet the captain on the bridge and have your picture taken. and the "secret" is that you are given some gifts when you get back to your room.

Here is a 360° video of the Carnival Sunshine Christmas Tree lighting party with our Cruise Director, Lee. Internet is weak here so I’m not sure how the quality is (since it looks bad for me but may be because of the internet).

We just did the Christmas Tree Lighting party/ceremony. It was a blast! I shot part of it with my GoPro Fusion. I’m currently rendering the video with no edits so I don’t know if it will come out as a 360 degree video or what. Anyway, as long as the internet permits, I’ll post that in here as well.

Are the pics showing uo?

I am going to attempt to post while on this ship a few times a day. If you want to see something specific or know something, just ask. Also, I am posting 360 degree photos, drone pics and photos and other media on my YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. The FB and IG are /iAmChrisStone and the YT doesn’t have a custom url yet.

Ok, so we had Faster to the Fun. We didn’t get to board the ship till after 11:30. But that’s ok. It was still way earlier than without FTTF so I’m ok. However, I was under the assumption with FTTF your room is ready right away and your bags are waiting for you. Well, our room wasn’t ready until the same time as everyone else’s and it’s 9pm and we are still waiting on a bag.

First day thoughts on the food. So, I read how many people don’t like the buffet because of this and that and complain about the food. I think those are the people that eat a better variety of food than I do on a regular basis. However, today’s lunch and buffet buffet just didn’t feel special to me. Can’t really explain it, just nothing special.

First day thoughts on the ship. This is a weird layout to me. The Sunshine is a pretty sized ship, but just feels that it’s lacking in room. I think that I read during her dry dock, they took out a lot of the public area to add cabins. If that’s the case, then I get it. But, all of the public areas I’v checked out are really cool so far. I’ve read may people say you can see the age on her, and you certainly can, but it’s a hunk of metal sitting in salt water and humidity. DUH! lol

The ship is clean and just like on every cruise she has an odor of nasty down one hallway, but it cleared up.

The muster drill was the shortest I’ve ever experienced. I think 20 minutes total. Usually, I’m standing there for over an hour waiting for them to start. Today was great!

We were told that our room did not have a fridge, but IT DOES! I’m happy.

The Christmas decorations are beautiful throughout the ship and makes me feel that they put some real thought into the decorations and the time to execute their placement.

I’m not much of a drinker and never drink around the kids (sailing with 2 teens) so I’m unable to answer any questions regarding that. We probably also won’t participate in any excursions so no reviews of those either. However, I’m happy to ask around or keep my ears open.

We did purchase the chat plan for the kids and the full premium internet for me. We also signed up for the Behind The Fun Tour.

Lee Mason is the cruise director and seems to be full of energy and fun.

Find me on FB or IG and check out the pics and vids. I’ll try to post some on here as well.

What time are we able to get off? I thought imI read somewhere 7:45am

Ok, so I thought you could check in at 9 or 10 or something. I just called customer service and the guy (super super friendly and hilarious) was unfamiliar with FTTF and had to search. He ended up saying 11:00 - 11:30. Is that correct?

I did a search on here and have found different responses, so wanted to start a fresh thread with this specific question: What time may we board/check in with FTTF?

I've taken teenagers serval times on cruises. One of them is not very outgoing and prefers to spend time alone or with Mom. The other one always makes friends on the cruise. I know there are nightly activities but the kids tend to meet there and then hang out. We always have dinner together. I still gave them a curfew when they were your's age (though more generous than at home) especially if we had morning activities off ship planned. We will be on this cruise, too. They are 17 and 19 now though so not so much into hanging out with other teens. We are doing the waterfalls in DR and a beach in Nassau. I think we are just hanging out at the beach in GT.

Thanks! Yeah, the girl is more reserved, but ever since living with me has opened up a lot. Her brother is extremely outgoing. With them together, it will get her to open up more than if she was by herself.

Curious how Carnival will handle the drones. Keep us posted.:)

I usually take at least one drone. I never launch from the ship. They don't allow it, even though I've heard of people doing it. I don't want to get in trouble.

Bahamas requires you to have permission from their aviation authority, which I finally received last week. My other 2 stops are in DR and I'm just going to chance it.

When I launched from Nassau before, the security guard came over and hung out with me asking questions. He was intrigued. When I launched from Half Moon Cay, I had no problems at all. When I launched from Freeport, they police came in their boat and ran me off. BUT, they said if I went into town and launched, I would have no problem. Launching from the pier was a security issue.

I don't anticipate any problems, but we'll see.

What size are your feet ?

My feet? I wear size 14 shoe. Why?

I don't know how well I'll keep up with info on the ship, but figured I'd post a quick thread about our beginning plans. I'm hoping to post while on the ship with a new thread so if any of you have any questions or want to know anything, let me know and I'll be glad to post.

I am going on the cruise with 2 teenagers (14 year old boy and 13 year old girl). This will be the first time they have ever been on a cruise. Actually, the first time they have ever done anything the big in general.

We are leaving Terre Haute, IN Friday late morning and drive to King's Island to enjoy Winterfest, then will leave there to drive to Jacksonville, FL. My dad lives there and we should arrive mid day on Saturday. We will get up early Sunday and head to the ship. We have faster to the fun so intend to get on the ship as early as possible.

I have 2 drones and 2 GoPro's and intend to capture as much great footage as I can.

We probably will not do any excursions. I was planning on doing everything I could, but figured the ship and the free beach will be good for their first cruise. Next year we may add more. In Amber Cove the kids will do the zip line.

Because of their age, they will be in the same teens club so I'm anticipating I will not see them much. Together we are going to do the "Behind The Fun Tour" and one night we will do the steakhouse. I didn't think they would want to do that but have both asked repeatedly not to miss it. They both have spending money and I feel like I've taught them well about money so hopefully they don't spend it all on day 1 LOL.

We have a balcony as well. We won't be in the room much (as most people are not) but I really think both of the kids are going to like the tiny rooms.

Ok, so there is a little info about me and us. As I think of more, I'll post, and once on the ship I'll start a new thread.

Anyone been on here before and have suggestions and advice? I'll basically be solo most of the trip also with the niece and nephew being so busy.