Sunshine Reviews getting concerned!

[welshcorgie]

I just got off the Sunshine March 7th. I was skeptical after I booked the Sunshine and read all the reviews. Thank goodness I am an open minded person. I think she is one of my favorite ships even over the dream. I will admit that the chair hogs are ridiculous ( I seen a lot of people have a hammock & lounger at the same time & others who just abandon the chair for hours) this seemed to be a problem on sea days. The food was awesome, so many endless possibilities, that I didn't get to try everything even though I tried real hard. So many bars with endless drink possibilities. Alchemy...all I can say is WOW!!! The bar staff is incredible, it is like I work of art. the live entertainment was great, I always made a point to see Brian...the others were great too, (Brian was my favorite). I enjoyed the other entertainers as well, the juggler, the shows, the comedians. The dance club was different in the fact it was in the lounge where the shows were held (a little too big, even though they didn't use the upstairs). Our balcony room was spacious, def enough room, it stayed cool, the trick being the air conditioning cuts off when you open the balcony door. I wish there was a fridge. The workers were exceptionally nice, eager to always help. The water slides were fun. Due to rough seas the rope course wasn't open much. I loved how the lido marketplace was split up, so I never witnesses any lines. The serenity deck was great, just wished there were more hot tubs & bigger pool. I hope the rumor is true that the Sunshine is coming to Charleston, I would sail her again in a heartbeat.

 

IMO any cruise, or land vacation for that matter, is what you make it. If you believe that it will be bad it will be. We will be on the Sunshine with 5 of our grandchildren in a week or so and are also on the next Sunshine cruise the following week with our adult son and his fiance'. We are very excited! What more could you ask for to do if you were a young person or older, for that matter? Will let you know how it goes when we return. POSITIVE ATTITUDE BEGETS POSITIVE RESULTS!!!!!!!

[sailingwithfriends]

I was with a group of 34 people on the Sunshine last June. We had a great time. There are a lot of food options for lunch. We had a great balcony. The cruise director was wonderful. I didn't like having to walk through the smokey casino. That was probably the only negative I had.

My parents were on that group cruise with us and they enjoyed the ship. However, they went on her three months later and didn't like it as much. The reason was just a different group of passengers. The passengers on the 2nd trip were pushy and rude.

My take on this ship (and any ship) is we can all have different experiences depending upon the weather, fellow passengers, your room steward and servers.

I hope you will have as good of a time as I did.

I do have a review attached to my signature if you would like to see some photos and read about our experiences.

[slang1272]

We sailed on her last Feb and had a wonderful time. Having said that, we did not like the layout or the crowds at all. We made the most of it and still had a wonderful time, but we probably won't sail on her again.

 

I will say, a couple of the spots that were exceptional, IMO were the piano bar and the Red Frog pub. Both were a bit tucked away, so they weren't quite as crowded as other spots.

[keishashadow]

I was with a group of 34 people on the Sunshine last June. We had a great time. There are a lot of food options for lunch. We had a great balcony. The cruise director was wonderful. I didn't like having to walk through the smokey casino. That was probably the only negative I had.

My parents were on that group cruise with us and they enjoyed the ship. However, they went on her three months later and didn't like it as much. The reason was just a different group of passengers. The passengers on the 2nd trip were pushy and rude.

My take on this ship (and any ship) is we can all have different experiences depending upon the weather, fellow passengers, your room steward and servers.

I hope you will have as good of a time as I did.

I do have a review attached to my signature if you would like to see some photos and read about our experiences.

 

I clicked on your review and recognized the older couple from the newlywed show! :D we were on same cruise, I don't recognize the faces of your collective large group though...

 

just goes to show it's not necessarily the size of a group that can be disruptive, all about fellow passengers respecting each other when onboard:). Every one is there to have a good time.

 

ps in ur review u mention CCL gifting fruit baskets for vets. we've booked military rate a few times but DH never received any goodies in cabin.

Edited March 16, 2015 by keishashadow

[Jamman54]

With the Sunshine coming to NYC for the summer in 2016, I will book a cruise on her and form my own opinions!! :)

[jimbo5544]

With the Sunshine coming to NYC for the summer in 2016, I will book a cruise on her and form my own opinions!! :)

 

Hi Jeff! We did a sleepover on her when she came over to the big easy. I was a little hesitant what with all the not so glowing reviews from the med cruises. I can tell you that she far exceeded my expectations, especially with what they did with the common space of Lido aft (the basis for the Havana areas on Vista) and the serenity area off the main pool area and the fifth floor.

 

We will be cruising this August and I will post a review (which will of course pale in comparison to one of yours :o), to give you some feedback. Of course, as is always the case, everyone should draw their own opinions, instead of third party comments.

 

I think having the Sunshine in New York will be a breath of fresh air for people who do or want to consider sailing on Carnival.

[sailingwithfriends]

I clicked on your review and recognized the older couple from the newlywed show! :D we were on same cruise, I don't recognize the faces of your collective large group though...

 

My parents were the longest married couple in the game. The couple in the middle was also in our group. We had a great time on that cruise. I hate it that my parents didn't enjoy their second time on the Sunshine as much.

 

ps in ur review u mention CCL gifting fruit baskets for vets. we've booked military rate a few times but DH never received any goodies in cabin.

I don't have an answer for that. The gentleman that received the basket is a WWII veteran. He has sailed Carnival twice. The first time he received the fruit basket, he thought it was because it was their first cruise. The second cruise (the one on Sunshine), he was told he received the basket for being a veteran. No one else in our group received a fruit basket.

 

[rtw68]

I don't put a lot of trust in reviews, and thankfully I haven't for our other cruises thus far (or I have have cancelled most of them).

 

Some friends of ours who are very experienced cruisers have been on the Sunshine twice and loved it. We are taking my in-laws on the Sunshine for their first ever cruise and I'm sure they will enjoy it as much as we will! :D

 

We do all the obvious stuff like avoiding the very busy times to eat, getting to shows early, etc. We are on vacation and try to go with the flow as much as possible. Plus having a balcony is a plus if the "crowds" get to be too much.

 

Some people are just born complainers and look for things to be unhappy about. I feel very blessed to be able to cruise and can go with the flow for the little things that always happen.

[skyeman27]

OK, don't read the reviews, just cross your fingers, hope for the best and be positive. Above all do not read the last 2 Sunshine reviews here on cruise critic, some will say its just people being negative. It's your money to spend so just ignore third party comments.

[cruizinisthebest]

With the Sunshine coming to NYC for the summer in 2016, I will book a cruise on her and form my own opinions!! :)

Excited to see what the itineraries will be. Very possible she'll be a repeat for us next year. DH and I would like to give the trek to Florida a break for a year.

[Jamman54]

Hi Jeff! We did a sleepover on her when she came over to the big easy. I was a little hesitant what with all the not so glowing reviews from the med cruises. I can tell you that she far exceeded my expectations, especially with what they did with the common space of Lido aft (the basis for the Havana areas on Vista) and the serenity area off the main pool area and the fifth floor.

 

We will be cruising this August and I will post a review (which will of course pale in comparison to one of yours :o), to give you some feedback. Of course, as is always the case, everyone should draw their own opinions, instead of third party comments.

 

I think having the Sunshine in New York will be a breath of fresh air for people who do or want to consider sailing on Carnival.

 

We have her booked for 8/1/16 from NYC to Amber Cove, GT, & HMC. Feel like sailing her for a third time next year?? :D

[jimbo5544]

We have her booked for 8/1/16 from NYC to Amber Cove, GT, & HMC. Feel like sailing her for a third time next year?? :D

 

That is tempting..... The nice thing is that there are so many good options out there now. The revamped Pride,which you are doing, same for Freedom, all the new one ways....:eek: We are doing Vista the first week of July on an 8 day from Barcelona. Unless I hit Powerball and retire, I may be out of both days and money.... There is always hope though;)

[keishashadow]

I don't have an answer for that. The gentleman that received the basket is a WWII veteran. He has sailed Carnival twice. The first time he received the fruit basket, he thought it was because it was their first cruise. The second cruise (the one on Sunshine), he was told he received the basket for being a veteran. No one else in our group received a fruit basket.

 

 

regardless, it's really nice they recognized his service:)

[Out to sea!]

Hello everyone I am getting concerned about the bad reviews about the Sunshine seems there are more bad than good reviews. I am sailing on her in June I have sailed on the Sensation and the Ecstasy loved both. Anyone like the Sunshine I know it will be crowed because it is June. Sailing on first balcony too can't wait to try balcony. Hope its not as bad as alot of reviews are saying.

 

Just got off the Sunshine yesterday so I'd be happy to answer any questions you have (if I can). Had a great time (except missing Aruba but that was a weather issue). Sunshine was a very good ship. Not perfect but no ship is. It does feel a little crowded but that is due more to people deciding to stop and chit chat at choke points (doorways and such) than anything else. Nice smoking area, seats on deck near the pool usually available until about 10 in the morning. Good food in the MDR and excellent food at Jiji's if your interested. Bed was a little hard in the cabin but not uncomfortable. Ship seemed to be in good shape and the crew was happy. I was a bit disappointed that Jamie Dee was not on board but Wee Jimmy was an excellent CD.

[eponym]

Just got off the Sunshine yesterday so I'd be happy to answer any questions you have (if I can). Had a great time (except missing Aruba but that was a weather issue). Sunshine was a very good ship. Not perfect but no ship is. It does feel a little crowded but that is due more to people deciding to stop and chit chat at choke points (doorways and such) than anything else. Nice smoking area, seats on deck near the pool usually available until about 10 in the morning. Good food in the MDR and excellent food at Jiji's if your interested. Bed was a little hard in the cabin but not uncomfortable. Ship seemed to be in good shape and the crew was happy. I was a bit disappointed that Jamie Dee was not on board but Wee Jimmy was an excellent CD.

 

Was is evident to you that weather/sea conditions were such that the ship couldn't dock in Aruba?

Edited March 17, 2015 by eponym

[jeepchick444]

I dd the same thing a couple years ago I wanted to book the Dream and the complaints were so bad I hesitated. The following year I went ahead and booked it and had the most amazing time and that ship ended up being my favorite to date. Just came back from Breeze and was everything Dream was only better. :) Next on to Vista!!

[Out to sea!]

Was is evident to you that weather/sea conditions were such that the ship couldn't dock in Aruba?

 

Oh yea!!! :eek: The afternoon/evening before and the whole day getting there we had a head wind of about 50 mph causing us to arrive 2 hours late. The wind was so strong it blew my wife's coffee right out of her cup while she was walking on deck 10 next to the railing! Once we got to Aruba the pilot tried twice and couldn't get her in safely. Then the winds pick up to 63 mph and the port was officially closed. It happens, nothing one can do to change it so that day became another sea day. Probably the biggest thing that rubbed some people the wrong way was the refund of a whopping $4.14 to each person (port charge). No worries though, while sitting on the beach in Bonaire booked a cruise on the Vista in 2017 which does Aruba and Curacao! :)

[eponym]

Yes. That is serious wind factor.

[framboesa]

Hello everyone I am getting concerned about the bad reviews about the Sunshine seems there are more bad than good reviews. I am sailing on her in June I have sailed on the Sensation and the Ecstasy loved both. Anyone like the Sunshine I know it will be crowed because it is June. Sailing on first balcony too can't wait to try balcony. Hope its not as bad as alot of reviews are saying.

 

When we sailed 15 days ago the ship was sold out and we never felt packed...it's my 11th cruise and for our first time we always had a table during lunch/breakfast time, in lido (near havana bar area) in less than 2 minutes. The ship is not as big as I'm used but is new and beautiful. I dont understand why people is always complaining...The only bad thing was that we could not dock in Costa Maya and our dinning team in MDR (but this could happen in any ship or company)