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We sailed Sunshine from Norfolk in June. It was great. Favorite place was Serenity area. There were three decks! Getting around the ship took some thinking, but it is our favorite after the Maasdam. We are going on her again in October to Bermuda. Wonderful time!

Check out youtube with "Joe Somebody". He has great videos of the Sunshine.

It is interesting how many different experiences people have. The staff asked people to move after sunset, and stacked chairs, put away pillows, and cleaned. They gently made it clear that it was time to move along. The Sunshine has the very best Serenity area of any ship I've been on. The three decks provide so many seating options. We were lucky there were no chair hogs.

Excellent photography! Carnival should pay you for these! Thanks for posting.

We loved Sunshine, and have another cruise booked on her in the fall. It is hard to get around due to the design of the floors, you can get mixed up, but I really think the poster who said it was designed by Ray Charles was VERY rude.I didn't use a quote because I don't want to embarrass, but you should think before you type.

You're only option is to upgrade. But it doesn't hurt to call your PVP.

 

 

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Good advice. Did higher level cabins also decrease? That's how we always get a balcony.

Hi, you can email the maitre d on your ship and request this. I have done it the last couple of times, and got a reply in a couple of days. We were designated for late dining and confirmed, though. Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you Crusin 4 ever and L Maxwell.

Thanks , Poobears.it is really a personal decision. I appreciate your thoughts. Darn Carnival just opened insides for $879 and now I'm thinking of switching to that. This is the part of traveling that I don't like. Decisions!

Micha's Grandad, it is expensive, but hubs won't sail from anywhere but Norfolk this year, and we don't want to leave our dog for 7 days. Guess we're stuck!

Thanks, NCTribefan. You are right..one time sailing this year. I great idea to check with the roll call.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I have a few hours left to mull it over. Thanks.

Thats steep shop around youll definetly be able to find a better deal

I know! I probably could . Wondering if we should wait a year.

Is that this October 2016? I just went on the website to try to compare it and it is no longer showing that sailing which most likely means it is sold out and you have the last room on hold. To book an Ocean View for Jun/Oct 2017 your looking at $600-800 pp on a 5 night, because those are not sold out and are pretty far in advance. Seems like since you booked late, even though October isn't soon, since the ship was pretty much sold out the rates jumped up.

 

In reality your spending $200-250 more pp, yes it might seem like a lot for a 5 night cruise in October, but I'm assuming you live close to Norfolk so for you to jump on something out of Florida in October it wouldn't be worth the savings.

Yes, we live within easy driving distance. It is such a simple excursion for us. I was just looking at Bermuda cruises from NYC and they were less expensive. Thank you so much for your thoughts.

I have an ocean view cabin deck 1 on hold traveling from Norfolk VA to Bermuda in October.To me , it seems expensive... $1029 pp 5 days. What are your thoughts?

I just began reading this thread! Good news!

Thanks to all for your thoughts. I guess I will see come final payment. Just can't pay more for an inside cabin than I paid for a balcony only a couple of weeks ago on the same ship. I guess Bermuda is limited. Last sailing was to the Bahamas.

Thinking of booking a Bermuda cruise in October, and there are only a couple of inside cabins left. Does anyone find that some more will open up after final payment is due? Thanks in advance. I didn't think that Bermuda would be such a popular destination in late October.

Thank you Shirley. I don't think we had near that number of points for a bounce back, but we did get a "casino offer" for the cruise we just took, and it was a couple hundred lower than the going rate. Guess we should spend more time in the casino! I appreciate your explanation.

Would someone please explain what a "Bounce Back" rate means. Thanks in advance!

We just took a 5 day on Sunshine out of Norfolk. We are seniors also, and everyone was well behaved. We never saw anyone who was drunk or who behaved inappropriately. Have fun!

Thanks for your mini-review. I'm glad to hear you had a good cruise.

 

I have a question about the Maasdam. We will be cruising on her in August. It will be our first HAL cruise. We have cruised on Carnival previously. I'm very interested in hearing your opinion of the Maasdam. What did you enjoy about it?

 

Thanks!

Jim, we sailed the Maasdam from Norfolk twice... 10 and 11 day cruises. We loved the quiet nature of the passengers. The casino crowd was the friendliest ever. The cabin was the best inside we have ever had. The dining room was elegant and the servers were so engaging. We loved all the brass all around the ship. The gym was great.. Many classes and lots of room.The aft pool was so relaxing. We have sailed her three times.we are in our 60's so we were not looking for a fab nightclub experience, however, the crows nest was a great place to dance the night away.. Plus the dancers from the show came up there every night to dance! Awesome!

The safes were locked with a number pad.

Hi! I emailed to ask for a table for two at late dining. It was our 40th anniversary and only a five day cruise, so we wanted to sit alone . He emailed back within a couple of days.

You are welcome. This is our second favorite ship after Maasdam. We love what Carnival has done with Destiny. We are very impressed with the evolution of the Carnival brand.