Sunshine Cruise Review - January 24-31 -Luther Vandross and Etta James singing videos

[INCHARGE]

About us: I am INCHARGE, aka..Gloria and James, my DH. He is a baby of 55, and I am a 62 year old "Couger!" :D Those of you that have followed my 2 reviews know that it is because of many medical setbacks that have made me decide to become "INCHARGE" of my life, and my happiness. Bear with me, because I am not good at putting thoughts into words.

 

Our trip consists of 4 couples. Take a minute to cruise with us as I re-live our fantastic trip. This is 6 of us on this picture. Another couple flew in from New Orleans later that evening. I will have their pictures later. I am the lady furthest on the right, black blouse.

 

 

Friday, January 23 - We arrived in Orlando from Washington, DC at 10:30 am. Our hotel was the Comfort Inn and Suites in Port Canaveral. We purchased the transfer package thru the hotel, which was $50 per person. This included all transportation. Carnival Transportation is $70, and does not include from the hotel to the ship. One couple had a rental car, and left the car there all week. The hotel was nice and clean, and everyone was so nice. They allowed us to check in at 11am, although check in is at 4pm. Across the street is an IHop and several stores. There is a little strip Mall that has a grocery store.

Tip: We went to the little dollar store beside the grocery store. There we purchased 2 nylon tote bags for our sodas, wine, and water. James wanted the little 4 pack of smaller wine bottles, and we had no problem taking them on the ship. There was no need in cramming our drinks into our luggage. We were then able to just throw the bags away after the cruise. More to come....

 

[INCHARGE]

Saturday, January 24.. We were scheduled to leave for the port at 10am, even though we were sent an email saying to come at 1pm. Since I am Platinum, James and I went into the lounge area set up for Diamond, Platinum, and FTTF cruisers. Once we were checked in, we went to sit in one of the couches in that area. Everyone was very nice, and no snooty people. (Well, there was one lady I will speak on later.) It was interesting hearing the stories from the Diamond members. Once we were all processed, we were taken to the 2nd floor. Diamond first, Platinum, and then FTTF. There were chairs set up, with a rope dividing the wedding party that was already upstairs seated. The wedding party went first to board. The bride was so cute.

 

 

 

Our intentions was to go onboard early, and see our friends as they stepped onto the ship. One couple had never cruised, and we wanted to see their reaction. They were so psyched!! When we got off at the end of the cruise, we waited with everyone else.

 

Once everyone had boarded, we all went to the dining room for lunch. By the time we got up to Lido, the tables were mostly gone, but we lucked up and found seats. I decided to try a Guy Burger, and it was good. I am not a fan of those fries, but the burger was really good.

 

Tip: I had read on Cruise Critic to look for empty tables in the rear of the dining room, and we went there many times on this trip. There were plenty of tables back there.

 

next up....Cabins,,the good and the bad.....

[MarcelLucSell]

insanely jealous of your suite !!

thanks for posting a pic

[INCHARGE]

Cabins... We were all on the Lido deck. We had the Scenic Grand Oceanview 9126. (6K) This cabin is set up for a maximum of 4 people, but the Carnival rep booked James and me in it. I was aware after reading it here that we may be moved, but decided to ride it out and hope for the best. The very least we could get would be a balcony cabin, and we would have been happy either way. We had the same type of cabin on the Valor, which was for 2 persons. This is a picture of the cabin. I will be showing a video later of this cabin, because there are a few things I want to point out. It was freezing in this cabin the first day, and no amount of adjusting the thermometer made it warmer. The maintenance team was sent up while we were at dinner that evening, and the cabin was nice and warm when we returned. We were then able to adjust it for air conditioning during the day. :) This cabin does have a refridgerator, and it was nice and cold.

 

 

Our friends all had balcony cabins on Lido, and I did notice the difference in the old balconies, and these on the Sunshine. There was no refridgerator in any of their cabins, and it was truly smaller. It is not 185 sq. and 40 sq Balcony. The Balcony is the same, but not that cabin.

 

Tip: My friend brought food back to the cabin from the buffet, and she kept one of the trays and plate covers from room service. She was able to carry everything for her and her husband to eat on their balcony.

[INCHARGE]

insanely jealous of your suite !!

thanks for posting a pic

 

It was so worth the money. It costs less than a balcony, but I have a feeling this will be changing. I have been thinking about the Vista as my next cruise, but they do not have this cabin.

[INCHARGE]

Saturday, Jan. 24 Continued....

 

Once everyone had checked into their cabin, they all went exploring. I had previously sent an email to the Matre'D, asking if we could have a floor table. Not only did we have an excellent table, but the Matre'D came over that night and asked who was "Gloria." When I told him it was me, he showed me the email, and asked me how I liked our table! Our dining room team were wonderful. The first night was the anniversary of the new couple. I had already informed the Matre'D in my email, and they sang to the couple. This is our friends.

 

[MarcelLucSell]

Wow!!

Keep 'em coming...

 

We sail Feb 20 on SunShine

[sjcruiser]

Great start!!! Can't wait to read the rest!!

[mackatty]

Subscribing! :)

[pirate4me2]

Great start! Thanks for taking time to put this together.

[INCHARGE]

Sunday, January 25...Naussau

 

We all planned to meet on the 3rd floor lobby at 10a, so each couple took their time getting ready, having breakfast before going out to Crystal Palace Casino. We took a $4 shuttle and enjoyed the day. Some of us won, and a few of us, including me, did not win a thing. :eek:

 

After we returned to the ship, it was time to relax before dinner. This was cruise elegant night, so we just took it easy.

We celebrated James belated birthday that night. Boy, was that fun.

 

video James Birthday

[keelyhealthnut]

We just booked the same room for a cruise on the Sunshine next year. It's actually the other Scenic Grand 9111, but I'm assuming that they should be pretty much identical. I am really looking forward to seeing the rest of your review and hearing more about the room!

[PathfinderEss]

Enjoying your review and wonderful photo's.

[cruizinisthebest]

Subscribing! Ahh and that cabin. We had 9200 on the Freedom last year. Couldn't snag it for our upcoming Sunshine cruise though.

 

Anyway, keep it comin'.....;)

[Jkwoody04]

So glad to see a positive review on the sunshine. I was starting to get nervous about our cruise in May

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[rtw68]

Great start looking forward to more! :D

[gizmo911]

waiting for more

[gapearl]

Another great review from you INCHARGE! I have to book one of those scenic ocean view cabins one day!

[ginka]

Saturday, Jan. 24 Continued....

 

Once everyone had checked into their cabin, they all went exploring. I had previously sent an email to the Matre'D, asking if we could have a floor table. Not only did we have an excellent table, but the Matre'D came over that night and asked who was "Gloria." When I told him it was me, he showed me the email, and asked me how I liked our table! Our dining room team were wonderful. The first night was the anniversary of the new couple. I had already informed the Matre'D in my email, and they sang to the couple.

 

 

we will be on the sunshine feb 20th! couple of questions...

What email did you use to email the matre'D, and what do you mean by a 'floor table'? What is the difference?

 

thanks!

[ginka]

Wow!!

Keep 'em coming...

 

We sail Feb 20 on SunShine

 

Us too!

Can you believe how close we are getting... on 17 day :) yea!!

[jolyroger]

subscribing to this as well! Great positive,review so far,cant wait to read more. We'll be sailing on the sunshine in just 73 more days!! Wooohoo!

[INCHARGE]

I'm sorry everyone, but I have had a death in the family. I will be back soon. Thank you for your kind words.

[mackatty]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[pusywillow]

So sorry for your loss.

[keelyhealthnut]

We just lost a family member as well. I'm so sorry. My thoughts are with you and yours.