Solo Fashionista gets some Sunshine

[lara_lox]

For my first night I wore black leggings, a black and grey striped vest, and some unusual silver jewelled sandals that I love and call my Cruise Shoes! (I didn’t get a full length outfit photo tonight, oops.) I had already missed the Welcome Show having fun at our sailaway party, so I went to Ocean Plaza for a glass of fizz to celebrate the start of the cruise. The Taste Bar, which serves tiny taster portions of food from the specialty restaurants, was perfectly situated for a pre dinner nibble, but after my burrito AND burger, I thought I should just wait for dinner.

 

When I first booked this cruise, I was automatically given Anytime dining, as that was the only option left. I enjoy socialising over dinner and like the tailored service and routine of set dining, which is one thing I miss when I cruise with NCL, so I emailed Carnival asking if I could please be assigned to a large table at the 8.15pm sitting. They replied saying that they had contacted the Maitre D', who would be happy to accommodate me. I went to the dining room looking forward to meeting my tablemates for the week. However I arrived to find a table for eight with two very elderly gentlemen in their 80’s, each travelling solo, sat a seat apart. No-one else turned up so there was just the three of us at this big empty table. Both men were very nice and in particular the one I sat next to was lovely, but they couldn’t really hear me and conversation had to be forced. It was like being at a family meal with my grandparents rather than the fun, leisurely dinner I had hoped for. I was very disappointed so at the end of the meal I asked the hostess who else was allocated to our table, in case they had just chosen to skip the first night. She told me that there was just one other man, then offered to switch me to another table. I felt really mean towards the two gentlemen, but I accepted, as this aspect plays a big part in the enjoyment of my cruise. I explained that I wasn’t bothered about sitting with other solo cruisers, I just wanted people closer to my own age range.

 

The food was somewhat overshadowed by all this, but even so I found it to be good, but not great. I had gazpacho, cured salmon and apple, then pot-roast beef. Desert was one of my favourites; crème brulee, but sadly mine was a little overdone so beginning to curdle around the edges. When I left dinner I went to try to get into the comedy club for the first adult show, as our meal was over so fast it was not yet even 9.15pm. But the lounge was full, and I didn’t want to stand, so I left and wandered about the ship for a while. Not much was happening so I headed to the Red Frog Pub, where I sat by myself and listened to the live music for a while, which was very good. All in all, the first evening wasn’t really going to plan and I thought I might just have another early night. My luck changed when at that point E walked in and joined me. From there our night picked up, as we got on really well and had fun, laughing together.

 

As we left the pub to see what else was going on around the ship, a Fashionista nightmare happened! Something felt like it was stuck to the bottom of my shoe so I looked down and saw that the sole had come loose. E suggested trying to find some superglue for a quick repair, but as we walked I thought it must have clicked back into place because I couldn’t feel it moving anymore. Well it turns out there was a reason for that – it came off! So somewhere around the ship, the sole of my shoe was lying on the floor, oh dear :eek: Luckily the shoes were fairly good quality so the underneath was still sturdy enough for me to carry on with my night.

 

 

We went to the Liquid Lounge, which turns from the show lounge into the club at night. It started out pretty quiet because it was still early, but things soon picked up as a younger crowd filtered in and the music became more modern. I was surprised how many people were actually there on the first night. We had several drinks, then encouraged by the DJ, got up and spent the rest of the night dancing away and taking silly pictures. B also joined us at some point, and we briefly met a few other people too. We didn’t know it yet but these people were to become our cruise family for the following week. When the club shut at 1am I went to bed happy that although it had been a mixed evening, it had ended well.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 13, 2014 by lara_lox

[TracieABD]

I am so glad to have another review! I also want to thank you for all of your helpful information on the NCL Spirit!

 

Going back on the Spirit in November... I guess I really liked it!

[SunshineCruiser24]

Ah! There's more to read! I'm so excited! I've been stalking your other reviews in the mean time.

 

In case you were wondering, I read your reviews in the voice of Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean. (I don't know how well she does an English accent :-) )

 

I love your attitude and writing style. I love solo cruising also, although I've only done it once, for the very reasons you stated in your other reviews. It's what you want, when you want, how you want it. Just no one to carry your stuff!

 

I look forward to "taking" the rest of this cruise with you, and to your future ones!

Edited May 13, 2014 by SunshineCruiser24

[092306]

Really enjoying your review and looking forward to the rest!

[Cruiser Bruiser]

Can't wait for more fashion and more tales from aboard the Carnival Sunshine. If I ever sail Carnival, that will likely be the ship. Cheers!

[daydreamer35]

I have to say this is my 1st read from you, we may just be getting started but you have my FULL attention girl :eek: Like a book I can't put down Lol What a pleasure to read your review Fashionista !! Thanks for taking the time to do this for us. I will be doing this same cruise in October with my hubby along with some of my closest friends. :D

I must say I adore your style of writing, fashion and how you choose to travel SOLO. OMG how cool is that ??!! I'm living through you !! LOL What a GREAT and FUN experience that must be................. Oops was Daydreaming there for a min.... guess that's where I got my name ;) Ok enough gibberish from me !! Carry on.... Oh btw I can so hear you tell this story in your beautiful accent.

 

 

Sheryl ~ The P!NK Princess.... is back ;)

[Lisl123]

Hahaha ... I did have occasion to go into the shops for something, and they DID have superglue. That night feels like it was yesterday ... too funny.

[Sarah@Sea]

Did my first solo cruise in March and the guy taking the fun before you board photo made a comment like "how come a pretty lady like you is alone?" or single or don't have a boyfriend...some reference to that matter. I said I have a boyfriend he's has school and work so I came by myself...he just dropped me off! :D I think the most comments I ever got was when I went to Disney by myself....that just really blew people's minds....I don't know why?

[karoo]

Loving it so far! I read your great review last year prior to my cruise in a studio cabin. Do Carnival have a solo travellers get together like they do on NCL?

[sleepygirl1]

I'm enjoying your review and looking forward to more! It is making me excited for my upcoming Sunshine cruise in October...same itinerary.

[Froggitt]

I arrived to find a table for eight with two very elderly gentlemen in their 80’s, each travelling solo, sat a seat apart. No-one else turned up so there was just the three of us at this big empty table. Both men were very nice and in particular the one I sat next to was lovely, but they couldn’t really hear me

:D:D ROFL!!!!! I find this hard to believe!!!

[Froggitt]

In case you were wondering, I read your reviews in the voice of Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean. (I don't know how well she does an English accent

Its more like Noel Gallagher on helium.......:)

[wichitastatecruiser]

Day 2 - Cocoa Beach

 

I watched people doing karaoke for a bit and fended off a couple of strange men before deciding I’d had enough and heading back to bed.

 

Sad I couldn't book the cruise so I could have been on of the strange men you had to fend off!:p Maybe next time your Stateside! On another note seeing you document your adventures has inspired me to try it myself so I will try to blog my next 3 NCL adventures! Can't wait to read more!

[lara_lox]

Loving it so far! I read your great review last year prior to my cruise in a studio cabin. Do Carnival have a solo travellers get together like they do on NCL?

 

Thank you :) They had a Singles meeting each night, but I never went because it didn't fit in with my first couple of nights then after that I had met my friends. I am also a bit concerned that a 'singles' meeting implies you are looking for something else! Where as solo meetings are for passengers travelling alone who would like to meet others. Still, if I'd not made any friends I would have given it a try.

[lara_lox]

:D:D ROFL!!!!! I find this hard to believe!!!

 

Haha! You can tell when someone has actually met me!

[lara_lox]

Its more like Noel Gallagher on helium.......:)

 

Naughty! Is it not :eek: Don't taint these people's nice impressions of me lol

Edited May 14, 2014 by lara_lox

[lara_lox]

On another note seeing you document your adventures has inspired me to try it myself so I will try to blog my next 3 NCL adventures!

 

Yes, do it!

[lara_lox]

Day 5 – At Sea

 

I woke up this morning and planned to go to Java Café in Ocean Plaza to get a decent cup of coffee. I’m a complete coffee snob and usually find the free stuff on ships to be horrible. The problem was that I got lost! However hard I tried I just couldn’t find Ocean Plaza, even though I’d been there last night. The layout of the Sunshine is so odd because of it being all chopped and changed in the re-fit. On several of the lower decks the halls just end. It took me a while to work it all out, and there were lots of puzzled looking people wandering about looking at the ship plans next to each elevator. Anyway, eventually I gave up and went to the Havana Bar instead. I had a coffee from one of the machines back there, along with some orange juice. Both were actually better than I had expected.

 

Once I’d had my coffee fix and come round a bit I went to the restaurant for Sea day Brunch. I was seated at a large table with three couples, who were all really nice. We all got chatting and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast together. I had the fruit plate followed by the huevos rancheros, and both were very good. The basket of cakes and pastries on the table were also delicious.

 

All full up, I wanted to read in the sun so I headed up to Serenity. I went straight to the very top deck at the front of the ship, because it was much quiter back there, in terms of both people and sound. The deck with the Serenity pool always filled up first, plus you could hear the loud music from the main pool deck. I was lucky to find a lounger right at the very front of the ship, with a perfect view out to sea. People were coming and going quite a lot, so even though Serenity was full, it would have been fairly easy to get a spot if you kept checking. I spent a few happy hours there before tidying myself up in order to attend the Art Auction. I don’t know much about art at all, but I love to see the different pieces of work. The free Champagne was nice too! The auction lasted a lot longer than usual, so I snuck out just before the end because I wanted to go to Tea Time. What a let down! Lots of Americans seem to think that us Brits have a full afternoon tea on a regular basis. We don’t! At that time most people would be working or doing the school run, so afternoon tea is a bit of a treat, or for a special occasion. Well what a let down! First of all, I wanted to read my Kindle, so I asked to sit alone. A girl at a table by herself glared at me the whole time, then very loudly started bitching about how I had refused to sit with her to the ladies who she ended up joining! The sandwiches served were ok but nothing special and the waiters kept missing me when they walked round with the cakes. When I finally got some, they weren't very nice, so I just left and went to the Deli for a tuna sandwich instead. That was much better and freshly made on request.

 

I took a nap on the shaded Serenity deck before getting ready for the first elegant night. Now this is what my fellow Fashionistas have been waiting for, the dresses and 'outfit of the day' photos :D I wore a strapless, silver brocade cocktail dress with black sparkly peep toe heels.

 

 

I went to the Atrium bar for some fizz and people watching before dinner. There were a lot of people dressed up and I loved to see how many people had made an effort.

 

 

Before dinner I watched the Latin show in the theatre, and it was easy to find a seat, even though I arrived just before it began. I really enjoyed it, as I love Latin music and I thought the singers and dancers were pretty good. When I returned to my cabin earlier, I had a card from the Maitre D’, saying he had changed my dinner table to the mid ship dining room instead. I went, silently praying that my experience would be better than last night. I was in luck, I was seated with a delightfully fun older couple, three brothers/cousins in their twenties, and also a couple and their friend in their thirties. We were an eclectic bunch but all got on well, and this made for some fun dinners for the rest of the week. I was so relieved. I ate stuffed mushrooms, followed by spaghetti carbonara. Again both were fine, but not amazing. I didn’t want desert so I asked if I could take a cheese plate for my cabin later on.

 

After dinner I bumped into B and we went to listen to the Latin band at the Havana bar. They were good, but there weren’t many people there so after a while we wandered around the ship trying to find some of the people we had met. We ended up in the Liquid Lounge club again where I found E, and also the three friends I briefly met the night before, M, L and J. We had a fantastic time dancing together and our group for the week was formed.

 

 

Aww, I love this photo and miss these guys so much as I write this. I was incredibly lucky to meet such great people who I really clicked with and felt like I had known for ages, they made my trip for me.

 

The club again shut fairly early so we ended up sitting outside on the loungers on deck three, talking all night. I made it back to my cabin very late indeed, where I quickly scoffed my cheese before bed!

 

Edited May 14, 2014 by lara_lox

[themnms]

Day 4 – Sunshine time

 

I woke up at 5am. Yup, that’s right, FIVE O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING, are you kidding?!? Why on earth was my body choosing to punish me this way? However hard I tried I couldn’t get back to sleep, so not only was I tired, I also had to wait even longer to get on the ship.

 

I got a coffee and panini from the Starbucks on site, as it opened at 6am. I didn’t like the girl who served me, and my takeout breakfast was only a few dollars less than either of the restaurants I had eaten in. So although convenient, it wouldn't be my first choice. At least the coffee was strong and perked me up a bit. I walked to the CVS across the street to buy some more Aloe, seeing as how by now I had already used most of mine and I was sliding around in green gloop in an attempt to turn from Patchy Red Tourist to Bronzed Beach Goddess. (It didn’t work :rolleyes:) I also wanted to buy my one bottle of wine I was allowed to carry on the ship with me. In my decision to buy a nice bottle of Chianti, I completely forgot my plan to buy a cheapo screw top so I didn’t need a corkscrew. More to come on that later…

 

I still had some time to while away so I went to visit the famous Ron Jon’s surf shop. It was pretty cool and I liked the design of the shop, so it was worth a look around regardless of whether or not you surf and/or shop. This Fashionista could have very easily gotten carried away with all the pretty sundresses, bikinis and sandals, but I somehow resisted. Though weirdly, that itself made me feel like I deserved to buy something as a reward. Now you can see why I have so many clothes and shoes haha!

 

My 11.15am shuttle arrived on time and from my hotel there was also a large family going on a Disney cruise. The driver was checking everyone off his list, and he asked me several times if I was one of the *** party, and several times I said yes, that was my name, but it was just me. Given that my ticket clearly said ‘1 person’ I don’t know why this was so hard to understand. He then made a big deal of me being by myself in front of the whole shuttle and told me ‘Well that’s weird.’ What’s it to him?! How rude, an instant loss of tip on his part. Anyway, even by myself (GASP!) I made it to the Sunshine a short while later after picking up guests from another hotel. I was so excited for my first glimpse of the Sunshine as we drove over the bridge to the port. I arrived at 11.45am and was onboard by 12.15pm, which I thought was good going. They had just started boarding when I checked in, and the whole process was running very smoothly. I also got several comments from other ladies in the line about my dress! This was a cute little nautical sundress that I love because it seems so appropriate for embarkation. I didn’t get a proper picture so here’s one of me wearing it on a cruise last year:

 

 

I was really hungry after my ridiculously early breakfast so I headed straight to the Lido for some food. I wanted a Guy’s Burger but I couldn’t be bothered to queue up with my bag so instead I went to the Blue Iguana Cantina where there was no line. I got a chicken burrito, which was really good, and sat on a bar stool overlooking the port to eat. These bars ran behind the both the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar and the Red Frog Rum Bar on the other side of the deck, and throughout the whole cruise I always found a seat at one of these.

 

After getting rid of my hunger pangs I sat at the tequila bar itself and enjoyed a Corona and some people watching as everyone arrived. My carry-on bag was too heavy for me to lug about to explore so at 1pm I headed down to my cabin to see if it was ready yet, which it was. I had gone for 1A category, deck 2 forward, because it was cheaper than the insides but had two portholes. Motion doesn’t bother me, so I didn’t mind that being all the way forward it would take the brunt of the waves. I was really happy with my choice and pleasantly surprised to see that I had a double bed and a sofa, rather than a twin bed and a sofa bed, as described. I also saw later that it was quite a lot bigger than a standard inside. I did good!

 

 

 

 

Once I dropped my bag off I explored the ship from the bottom up, deck by deck. I really liked all the different venues and spaces on the Sunshine, and felt like I was back on a newer NCL ship. Because all of two or three hours had passed, I obviously needed MORE food so I took my chance to get a Guy’s burger now the line had gone. YUUUUUMMMMMMMMMM! It was delicious. Even more so after weeks of healthy old salad and fish. The muster drill passed as expected, then it was time to start the party! We had really big Cruise Critic and Facebook groups going for this sailing, and we had arranged an informal meeting at the Red Frog Rum Bar on deck for sailaway. One problem, it was pouring with rain. But who lets a bit of water stop them? Not us! I instantly recognised one girl, E, (I will go with initials only in order to protect the identities of my fellow partiers to be!) who I’d been chatting to online and that was the start of a beautiful, slightly crazy friendship! I also met B who was to become another great buddy. B invited me to try some Fruit Loop Vodka he had brought with him, and in the spirit of new friendship I thought it would be rude not to! So I was chatting away to everyone when someone commented how good I was being sticking to water. Yeah, that’s what I’m drinking, water, hehehe! Cue much hilarity when they found out the truth. After this I went to my cabin, where my suitcase had finally arrived. I did a little happy dance before controlling myself and getting ready for the evening.

 

 

Because there was a lot happening today, I will split this into two posts, stand by…

 

 

 

NICE CABIN !!! needed to use caps as I was so impressed lol!!

[092306]

You looked so pretty on elegant night! I'm really impressed with how you put together all these outfits and shoes with one suitcase. You should do packing videos!

[lara_lox]

Day 6 – At Sea

 

After my late night I was really tired when I got up and I had a pretty low key day. I didn’t fancy being sociable and joining people in the restaurant for Brunch again, so I went to Havana Bar to try the omelette station. I much prefer this kind of fresh option to the pre-cooked food of the buffet. There was short line but it went down quickly and my omelette was hot and tasty. I got a coffee from the same machine as yesterday, but this morning it was disgusting!

 

After breakfast I found the exact same lounger in Serenity as I had the day before so I settled down to read the morning away. At some point the lady next to me left and a young girl lay down. Not long after a Carnival employee came over and asked ‘How old are you girls?’ She said she was 18, and I told him my age, which is 29. He explained that Serenity is only for guests 21 years and over, and the girl left. He then looked at me and repeated himself, so again I said that I am 29 years old. He laughed and said I had to leave. I told him I wasn’t joking, that’s really how old I am, so he asked for my card then took it away to check. After a few minutes he returned, full of apologies. I was just happy that I looked so youthful to him!

 

By now I was getting hungry so I went down for another Guy’s burger, which was just as good as the first. Then I sampled the frozen yoghurt, which was ok. I’m not a huge fan of ice cream etc but I do think it was good how the self serve machine was open 24 hours and free. Kids must be in heaven! After my quick break I went back to Serenity where I found my friend J sunbathing. I took the lounger next to her, then over the rest of the afternoon three more of our friends arrived and still managed to get loungers with us. There were signs everywhere saying not to reserve loungers so I guess the staff must have been enforcing this rule.

 

Because I was hungry yet again I went to the Deli and tried the hot turkey roll. It was so good, I really enjoyed it. I took a cup of tea back to my cabin and had a quick nap. Today I planned to have a quieter, earlier night, so I dressed more casually in pale blue skinny jeans, a high necked cream lace top, and cream wedges.

 

 

I decided to open the bottle of wine I had carried on with me, but remember how I told you I bought a corked bottle and no corkscrew? This resulted in me taking my bottle to the nearby Atrium bar, where I had to wait for ages before being told there was a $10 corkage fee for them to open it, even if I took it back to my cabin to drink it. On the way back I saw my room steward who said I should call room service. I did and they brought me a little corkscrew, identical to a Royal Caribbean one I have at home, pretty quickly. Still, what a fuss, why didn’t I just bring one with me or buy a screw top? Be warned... I took my well awaited wine to Ocean Plaza, which had now magically reappeared on the ship! I tried today’s offering from the Taste bar, which was a little chicken pancake, and it was very tasty. (I just realised how much I ate today and it's about to get even worse!) I listened to the live band Swamp Thang, who were very good and I wish I had chance to see more.

 

Dinner tonight was excellent. I had the shrimp cocktail, prosciutto with melon, then a melt-in-the-mouth delicious braised short rib with green beans and rice. I’m getting hungry just thinking about that beef! Then for desert I finally got to try the famous warm melting chocolate cake, with of course the recommended 2 ice creams ;) OH YEAHHHHHHHH BABY! Chocolate heaven, and this coming from someone who is a savory person. For this reason (plus because I’m a greedy pig) I also ordered a cheese plate to go again. Can you tell I like my food?!

 

After dropping my cheese off at my cabin and getting a top up of wine, I found my friends in the Atrium, where there was a Mardi Gras party. They had saved me a mask, which I loved. Jaime the cruise director was dancing away on the bar and she was so energetic, really getting into it. This was true every time I saw her, we all agreed that she must be on drugs to keep that up all the time, haha!

 

 

 

We then made our way to the Limelight Lounge for the 11.15pm comedy show with Ceejay Jones. We went to get in line thirty minutes early but after ten minutes they opened the doors and our group of seven was easily able to get a good seat together. Then the remaining time flew by as the bartenders got everyone drinks just in time for the show to start. Ceejay was funny, but be warned his show revolved pretty much entirely around sex! I was still really tired so once he finished I left my friends to it and went to bed. Lots of people must have done the same because the next day my friends told me that the ship was really quiet and there was barely anyone in the club, so I didn’t miss out.

[lara_lox]

You looked so pretty on elegant night! I'm really impressed with how you put together all these outfits and shoes with one suitcase.

 

Aww thank you so much :)

[17andacruiseaddict]

Loving this review so far.

 

Although i don't cruise solo technically (I travel with my mom), we have completely separate vacations. I am pretty much a solo cruiser. I'm out the 1st day meeting new people along with the people from my CC roll calls. We usually hang out every night and I do become really close to them over the week. I can totally relate to your review so far.

[lara_lox]

Day 7 – Curacao

 

I managed to catch up on some sleep and got up a bit later today. Most places had stopped serving breakfast so I went to the buffet, which was only ok but did the job. Though I did find some gorgeous banana bread, which I ate most days after that. Whilst I was eating, B found me and we went out onto the Lido deck ready for a party that was happening, as today was a big day… Sunshine’s 1st Birthday! Jaime led the usual line dances that I have never seen anywhere other than on cruise ships and they had a big cake in the shape of a Carnival whale tail. We were also all given hats to wear lol!

 

 

 

Once this was over I watched the approach into our first port of call, Curacao. We docked almost exactly on time at 2pm (3pm island time) I had already pre-booked a trip with Irie Tours online, after seeing them highly recommended here on CC and also on Trip Advisor. For $25 you were taken on a tour of the island, which visited various different areas, the liquor factory with free tastings, then a beach. There was also unlimited beer, soda and water included. Our bus was almost exclusively CC members, and we had a fun day.

 

 

 

 

 

The tour lasted about three and a half hours and after having a look around the souvenir stalls set up at the pier I got back onboard at about 6.30pm. We had the evening in Curacao but I didn’t really want to stay ashore by myself at night and I was really hungry.

[lara_lox]