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kah1829

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    Quick review of Sunshine 12/31/16 sailing 8 day southern

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    This was our second cruise, both with Carnival. This review will be honest, the good and the not so good. If you are looking for a Carnival "cheerleader" review, this isn't the review for you!

    There were 5 of us, my mom 75, DH and I mid 40s, and two boys 13 and 10. We planned this trip for a long time, it's the first trip after my dad passed away so a little emotional for us all. We flew out on the 26th and stayed in Melbourne FL at the Radisson on the beach. We loved it and our kids had a blast in the ocean.

    We were booked in a balcony on lido deck and so was my mom. The cabins were nice, lots of storage and very clean. Our cabin steward did a great job, we didn't have any special requests and kept the room clean but we did give him an extra $25 at the end of the week. Traveling with two kids in one cabin was rough! Our 13 year old is tall so his feet hung off the edge of the bed. Definitely not comfortable for him at all. If we ever take another cruise, I would have to get the boys a room connected to ours and that's pretty expensive. I will not cruise without a balcony.

    The Food:

    We had anytime dining and ate every dinner in the dining room. We had great service, mostly the food was good. We aren't picky eaters though. It was very easy checking in by the taste bar and going down to level 3. Space wise on the ship it's a great idea that worked very well for us. We had breakfast every day in the buffet, there were lots of choices even for our very picky 10 year old. The fruit was amazing on this trip. It was all very fresh. Lunch we had Guys Burgers, it was good - my husband and mom loved it. For me it was an average burger, nothing special. We also tried Blue Iguana - ok we are from Colorado and have lots of Mexican food so maybe we are too picky but it was NOT good. At all. None of us liked it. The Taste Bar was just food from the buffet brought to a different location. The bad part about the buffet was it was VERY hard to find a table for 5 at breakfast and lunch. We would separate and walk around looking. Super frustrating with a child and elderly person who isn't super mobile.

    The Entertainment :

    We went to the 70s show, the Rock show and Chris the Flying Scotsman show. They were all good. Chris show was amazing and he made this trip so much fun. He deserves a gigantic raise. The piano bar was really fun, although it was pretty clear if you didn't tip he didn't play your request. Didn't bother us as we always tipped. We spent quite a few evenings here. We also went to several comedy shows and they were all funny. You had to plan and be VERY early to every show or you wouldn't get a seat. More on this later.

    The ports were all fun, in Aruba we did the kukukunuku bus tour and beach. It was fun, we were really limited with my mom on what we could do. Curacao we loved and also did a tour/beach excursion through Carnival. Grand Turk the boys did a snorkeling trip and my mom and I went to Margaritaville and just walked around port. All 3 places were beautiful.

    Now for the bad part of this trip and cruising for my family - the crowds on this ship were HORRIBLE. Not one sea day could we find any chairs on the lido deck, serenity or anywhere in the sun. It was so frustrating. We all came home as pale as we left ha ha. It was very hard to find places to sit in the buffet area, shows, piano bar, comedy club. Our kids had to wait in line so long for the slides that they didn't even want to go. The basketball court was usually so crowded, they spent a lot of time there "trying" to play basketball. The crowds on this trip are the single reason we probably won't take another cruise. We have done several all inclusives and there is just so much more space that we are going that route from here on out.

    Overall we had a great time, we made the best of the crowds but most likely will not do another cruise.

     

    Sent from my D6708 using Forums mobile app

    They said I was crazy, but I tried to tell them! Book early!!!

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    We booked a balcony lido deck cabin 14 months in advance for the Sunshine this New Years eve for our family of 4. Since we booked we have gotten $800 obviously onboard credit! When I called to adjust the price, even the Carnival rep was really surprised! It was the 3rd and 4th passengers that had huge drop. I will happily spend it! I think we just got lucky!

     

    Sent from my D6708 using Forums mobile app

    Sunshine communication onboard?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    We are going on the 8 day southern Caribbean Cruise on the Sunshine later this year. We would like to give our teenager some freedom on the ship but still want to be able to communicate with him. He doesn't have Facebook so messenger is out. I believe texting will result in a huge phone bill. Any suggestions? He has an iPhone but my husband and I have Android phones. Thank you!

     

    Sent from my D6708 using Forums mobile app

    Check your rates...price drop

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    We must have WAY overpaid - we booked quite a while ago for the Sunshine Dec 31 8 day Southern cruise. I called and they said we got $769!!! However when I log in to Carnival and check, it doesn't show that, it only shows $50 onboard credit. Where will it show the $769 credit? Thank you so much and thanks for posting this, it's only our second cruise so we are still figuring out the ins and outs. I really appreciate any help!

    Port Canaveral hotel with transfers from airport and to cruise terminal?

    in Florida Departures

    Posted

    We just booked our 2nd cruise - after the first we are hooked! Our first cruise a travel agent did it all for us, this one we did on our own. We are leaving out of Port Canaveral and flying into Orlando. We are planning on arriving two days before our cruise with our two boys who will be 13 and 10. Are there any hotels that have a shuttle from the airport to get to the hotel and also from the hotel to the cruise terminal? We aren't planning on renting a car and hoping something like this exists. We don't need super fancy but hoping for a nice pool and a good, clean hotel. Thank you so much for your help!!! Our cruise is next December on the Magic - can't wait!

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