Jump to content

First Solo - Sunshine 8 Day Cruise Review Sept 8th thru 16th


Lyncoya
 Share

Recommended Posts

My name is Lyn. And this is either my 16th or 17th cruise, 15th or 16th w/ Carnival. I used to cruise with my now ex-husband or I've taken girl trips. I've even taken my youngest daughter on a cruise, just her and I, after the divorce. But this was my first SOLO cruise. I was soooo nervous, but I had an absolute blast.

 

 

Here is my review. This will probably take a while because I have a ton of pics to download (still) and I'm busy so I may not get to post everyday.

 

 

But I'll start with a selfie. This is me! I'm 43. I've recently lost about 110lbs (again). Divorced for about 5 years. Kids are ALL adults and out of the house. I have 3 grandkids. Right now, I'm just enjoying life and wanted to do a solo cruise.

 

 

41457987_10217546418471883_750185621011562496_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=7f3f89de058e6212e25740b603e76f6d&oe=5C2101DC

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I flew down a day early and stayed in Cocoa Beach @ the Four Points Sheraton. The ride from the airport to Cocoa Beach is about an hour and cost me $30. I didn't do much. I shopped a little at the store that was attached to the hotel and across the street and Ron John's. There's also a Walgreens, WinDixie and a Bealle's across the street. After I shopped, I came back to the hotel and had a drink and fish and chips at the bar of the restaurant at the hotel. Here are a few pics.

 

Room at the hotel

 

41215781_10217517839637430_8264357628373630976_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=11277b8a52780733106d5c1e09cae3b4&oe=5C16F242

 

41193956_10217517840037440_1708245129413787648_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=8114d7aad1459a73ff8419265a5b3d6d&oe=5C2ADDA3

 

 

41210515_10217517840477451_1852466909987995648_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=c1c67a171d9e54dd7d5767f3e0da5b23&oe=5C314641

 

 

41322993_10217517841317472_1893968435939901440_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=badd4d260d52e5d3a0a8d67832a42932&oe=5C172F1E

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The view outside my window

 

41238387_10217517841597479_7657386716889612288_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=ed7aa3345f67839cfc305548619fe492&oe=5C31555E

 

 

VERY cool HUGE salt water tank in the hotel restaurant

 

42088751_10217610295868778_9062197131305025536_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=e33f7469c3e2f3a89e898e51fb49e34c&oe=5C2E9DEF

 

 

And a VERY strong margarita at the hotel Bar

 

41268473_10217518586096091_7592056416026755072_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=606ef59da6070ed975d4303bba337dfb&oe=5C1BFBEC

 

After this, I went to bed. I'm old and I was TIRED and TIPSY after 2 of those margaritas. ;p;p

 

The hotel offers a shuttle that will take you to the port for $6 the following morning. I took the shuttle and arrived at the port at around 10:45am

 

I'm PLATINUM so I was literally sitting in the lounge within minutes and was onboard about 15-20 minutes later.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am loving your review! I do love solo cruising (except when I cruise with my Mom), that is always better!. Congratulations on the weight loss! I do know how hard it is to do! You look great! Look forward to the rest of your review when you can get to it.:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was nervous when I did my first solo cruise as well but I had a great time. It's great to go to the beat of your own drum. Looking forward to your review.

 

My family is trading on the Sunshine in January for our first journey cruise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's a picture of when you and Carnival Sunshine were in St Maarten. Here's the view from the Harmony of the Seas after the Carnival Ecstasy pulled away from the pier.

 

E34186EA-AE86-4FAD-9BEA-C4D740EDA5EF_zpsgq7tydvv.jpg

 

 

3C12BBD3-293D-407C-AFB9-1D2F61BF6796_zpslfon8rcz.jpg

 

 

5BF336AB-7936-48CB-B1CF-B74DED77ACA8_zps2el7bu1c.jpg

 

 

04B687C2-9BF5-447B-85FA-6C49CFA98609_zpslxossbxm.jpg

 

 

5949CE96-17EF-4D02-AF92-E6E47A2A31D8_zpsaztjg1w5.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Just wow!!!! I love these pics. I'll have to post some of your ship while you were in port as well! They won't look as great as these, but I have some good ones!

 

And thanks everyone for following along. I was worried that I wouldn't have an audience. Please give me until tomorrow afternoon to pick back up. I'm TIRED!! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK...just because I'm an insomniac, here are some pics from the first two sea days. Again, I took this cruise to basically do exactly what I wanted to do, and that's what I did. I relaxed the majority of the time. I went to most of the shows and talks. I ATE a lot (and only gained a pound, surprisingly) I drank even more. I didn't get the drink package, although in hindsight...I probably should have.

 

This was also a premier cruise, so it was a little hard to grab a slot machine on some nights. Although, I got lucky on one night, and won $260 on a machine after only feeding it $20.

 

I also went to both JiJi's Asian Kitchen and the Italian Restaurant Cucina Capitano (I know someone will correct me on the spelling, because I know I butchered it.) I ate at Bonsai Sushi TWICE...those damn short ribs are to due for. So here are a bunch of pics from the first two sea days, in no particular order.

 

They offered BBQ in Ocean Plaza on the day we boarded only. There were signs all over the place that told you where to go. The food was good. Here is a pic of my plate and probably my second drink of the cruise...maybe 3rd by then. ;p

 

41325051_10217525790556198_3067702102227681280_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=075f108324d26c655466193ed3c2c438&oe=5C36BDDF

 

Relaxing on the Serenity Deck

 

41442496_10217541920719442_2517284880555966464_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=ef6033c85ccddc0ed3d03aa1c0e0a2a8&oe=5C1CDF34

 

 

41447990_10217541916159328_4044409375081627648_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=8cec8d45dea33c2cee1429648346f29d&oe=5C334763

 

 

Chillin next to the pool. I actually got in after I took this pic. I don't normally get in the pools when I cruise.

 

41481228_10217542018561888_1858077030629769216_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=f02ef7e23e8719e0c1bff26439b26cbf&oe=5C23A246

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...