A Review of our Sunshine Cruise March7-15,2015

[Cadiesmom]

I have been reading these boards for years as a lurker mostly, and gained so much information from other members, so thought it was perhaps time to contribute.

 

On this cruise: Hubby 52, Me 48, Daughter 19, and her Boyfriend 19. I will share a little background information about how we chose this cruise:

 

Back in the late 80's hubby and I took our first cruise (shame on me, but I don't even remember what ship, but it was Carnival, it was blast and a blur!). We were pretty YOUNG,lol-- had a great time--but my impression from that cruise was that Carnival was a booze party ship. Top sundeck was topless, many a beer funnel was in sight around the pool,etc....and that impression stuck with me for years. In my mind, not suitable for kids. We didn't cruise again for years.

 

Fast forward in time and we are not so young anymore,lol! We now have a daughter to take on her first cruise. We chose Royal C and have been cruising that line consistently since (8 cruises worth) and have never had a bad cruise!

 

And now here we are this year: daughter is in her first year of college and her Spring Break didn't coincide with anything Royal had to offer--so we decided what the heck? Lets do Carnival! Booked without really doing much research beforehand, and than thought what in the world did I sign us up for when I started reading,lol! But were pretty easy to please, so wasn't too worried about it at all.

[Cadiesmom]

We travelled from Minneapolis on March 5th (2 days prior to the cruise) and stayed at the Comfort Inn and Suites. Hotel was adequate, close to the beach, close to the port, and can be packaged with a Travel Links deal for transport from the airport and the cruise port. Worked great for us and was idea for the college kids!

 

Embarkation: Our transportation arrived at 9:45 AM on Sat the 7th to take us to port. Lines were pretty non existant when we arrived shortly aften 10 AM, and I was glad that I had been unable to secure FTTF for both our cabins since it was totally unnecessary for us.

 

Rooms: We booked this cruise fairly last minute (approximately at 70 days out) and thus selected to pay the cheapest available interior stateroom price and go with what they gave us,lol---rooms not being high on our priority list. We were pleasantly surprised to be given Ocean View connecting staterooms 1567 and 1569. Very clean, great steward, nice décor---biggest cabin BY far that we have been in. Score: 1 for Carnival and 0 for RC.

[Cadiesmom]

Food: We enjoyed the Pasta offerings for lunch on the first day at Cucina, thought the Guys Burgers were tasty, found the buffet at breakfast and lunch uninspiring but adequate. We had late seat dining and that is always a highlight for us: we were not disappointed. We like to dress up a little and enjoyed doing so and didn't notice anyone else that looked inappropriate. Dining team was excellent. Loved the warm chocolate melting cake--had it every night! I would give Carnival the edge here in food choices; RC the edge in buffet offerings.

 

Casino/Bar Service: This is an area where Carnival was seriously lacking (at least for us). We are not big drinkers, so no Cheers packages for us---but I can count on two hands the number of times that I was asked by a server on this 8 day cruise for a drink order: once at each of the five shows that we watched in the comedy club and exactly 4 times in the casino (annoying as heck---since I spent both lots of time and money there and in fact had earned the Drinks on Us card by day two--and yes, I tip)!! Not a huge deal--just strange as I would think drinks are a huge revenue stream for any cruise ship? And we are used to being asked repeatedly on RC in virtually every venue.

 

Ship: Beautiful. Saw no wear and tear, saw no leaks, smelled nothing funky. The one thing that I did notice though--the windows were filthy, in the public areas and our ocean view. I never saw anyone cleaning them and it showed!

[Cadiesmom]

Entertainment: Well....besides the casino,lol---we enjoy comedy and were in luck! Lots of comedy on Sunshine. We attended the 11:15 adults only show each night it was offered and enjoyed the four different entertainers very much. Room is hugely inadequate for the amount of people that want to attend, which I knew from reading here. Got in line every night at 10:30 (as that show was starting) and had a choice of a good seat at 11:15. Waiting in line on vacation for 45 minutes is not a great way to spend vacation time--but when in Rome,lol!

 

Chair Hogs/ Space In General: We are from Minnesota--Minnesota nice and all that,lol! This is an area that was a disappointment. The morning we left for this cruise it was 11 below zero---we want sun on vacation. Fighting for a chair is not my idea of fun. Carnival can and SHOULD do better. As to space in general: have to admit, felt pretty crowded at times!

 

Ports: We were excited to be visiting 3 ports we had never been: Aruba, Bonaire, Grand Turk. Huge disappointment that we could not dock in Aruba due to high winds--but that's the breaks. Enjoyed beach time in Bonaire and Grand Turk.

 

Disembarking: We did self assist and were off and on our way to the airport by 9:00 Am--no problems!

 

On the last night-- I scored! Got the offer for a free cruise (based on our play in the casino) and we will surely take advantage of that! Will it be on the Sunshine? Probably NOT--unless it is to ports I just can't resist! But we WILL be sailing Carnival again!! Great time was had making memories with my family--how could we go wrong????

[Cadiesmom]

As far as Carnival vs Royal: For me, each line has its plusses and its minuses and I am glad we gave Carnival a try again--opens up more possibilities for cruising to have an open mind!!! I would rate the two lines very closely.

[jolyroger]

Thanks for taking the time to write this review!! Sounds like you had a great time, which is always good to hear! We're sailing on the Sunshine in 31 more days , and not that I pay too much attention to all the negative feedback ,this ship has encountered, its nice to read something positive..It truly is what you make of it! And Hay you getting a free cruise....AWESOME!!! I would definatly say try the Breeze..She is a beauty!!

Edited March 17, 2015 by jolyroger

[ronulbrich]

My wife and I were also on the same cruise, I really think you are being to kind to carnival for chopping up the destiny and turning it into a crowded ship.

The chair hogs were out in force, we were on the 12th deck spa balcony, and every morning at 5;30 we herd chairs being moved and saved. One morning I went up at 6 am and every lounge was saved and no one in sight to sit in them. We thought the food in the main dinning room was mediocre at best. Never have we seen chicken pot pie or meat loaf on the dinner menu in all of or 48 cruises. We will cruise carnival again but not on the sunshine.

[RiotAct]

Nice review - sounds like you went into the cruise with a great attitude which is always a plus!

[TNCruzer56]

Entertainment: Well....besides the casino,lol---we enjoy comedy and were in luck! Lots of comedy on Sunshine. We attended the 11:15 adults only show each night it was offered and enjoyed the four different entertainers very much. Room is hugely inadequate for the amount of people that want to attend, which I knew from reading here. Got in line every night at 10:30 (as that show was starting) and had a choice of a good seat at 11:15. Waiting in line on vacation for 45 minutes is not a great way to spend vacation time--but when in Rome,lol!

 

Chair Hogs/ Space In General: We are from Minnesota--Minnesota nice and all that,lol! This is an area that was a disappointment. The morning we left for this cruise it was 11 below zero---we want sun on vacation. Fighting for a chair is not my idea of fun. Carnival can and SHOULD do better. As to space in general: have to admit, felt pretty crowded at times!

 

Ports: We were excited to be visiting 3 ports we had never been: Aruba, Bonaire, Grand Turk. Huge disappointment that we could not dock in Aruba due to high winds--but that's the breaks. Enjoyed beach time in Bonaire and Grand Turk.

 

Disembarking: We did self assist and were off and on our way to the airport by 9:00 Am--no problems!

 

Was on the same cruz and with the exception of "RCI`s better buffet" (we found almost all of RCI`s food barely edible) totally agree with you. Good review!

[Harrier1961]

We were on the same cruise, not too far from your cabins (1552 for us, also a OV).

I thought the Sunshine was a pretty good ship. This is my 11th cruise, all with CCL.

I do agree with the chair hogs and the drink service (at least in the casino).

 

Will try to do a review later.

Would definately cruise on the Sunshine again.

 

Andy

[fuddrules]

My wife and I were also on the same cruise, I really think you are being to kind to carnival for chopping up the destiny and turning it into a crowded ship.

The chair hogs were out in force, we were on the 12th deck spa balcony, and every morning at 5;30 we herd chairs being moved and saved. One morning I went up at 6 am and every lounge was saved and no one in sight to sit in them. We thought the food in the main dinning room was mediocre at best. Never have we seen chicken pot pie or meat loaf on the dinner menu in all of or 48 cruises. We will cruise carnival again but not on the sunshine.

 

Psssst, you'll find the same meat loaf, which you don't have to order (and I suggest you don't) on other Carnival ships. That's a Carnival thing, not Sunshine thing. Carnival does cater to a lot of "meat and potatoes" crowd.

[ronulbrich]

We were on the legend in july of last year and 7 carnival cruises before and never saw meat loaf or chicken pot pie, I guess I was on the other carnival cruise line.

[fuddrules]

Here's a menu from a Legend 7-day cruise and both meat loaf and the pot pie are there:

 

http://www.zydecocruiser.net/CarnivalLegend/menus/dinner7_12.html

 

Maybe they weren't on your cruise but they are a staple at Carnival. Or at least they were, I'm not sure the new menu has those items? Very few will complain if they are gone.

 

Either way a bunch of choices and most of it is at least good. I can only assume Carnival food won't stack up to the high dollar cruise lines but otherwise I always find something I like, including on the Sunshine.

[klc0472]

My wife and I were also on the same cruise, I really think you are being to kind to carnival for chopping up the destiny and turning it into a crowded ship.

 

The chair hogs were out in force, we were on the 12th deck spa balcony, and every morning at 5;30 we herd chairs being moved and saved. One morning I went up at 6 am and every lounge was saved and no one in sight to sit in them. We thought the food in the main dinning room was mediocre at best. Never have we seen chicken pot pie or meat loaf on the dinner menu in all of or 48 cruises. We will cruise carnival again but not on the sunshine.

 

 

We found the food and variety an unexpected surprise! I didn't have a single night where I couldn't make up my mind on what to eat. Some nights I tried 2 different mains. To say the food is "mediocre at best" makes me wonder the standards some people have. I supposed this person must eat gourmet 4-5 course meals every night.

 

 

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[pmoniz]

We found the food and variety an unexpected surprise! I didn't have a single night where I couldn't make up my mind on what to eat. Some nights I tried 2 different mains. To say the food is "mediocre at best" makes me wonder the standards some people have. I supposed this person must eat gourmet 4-5 course meals every night.

 

 

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LOL - I was thinking the same thing!! I say that all the time!! Food is always better than what I can cook - so to meet its great!! But to each their own...I guess!!

[Jimmy Geegitz]

We were also on this cruise. We loved the Sunshine. True the deck space is limited. Due to the huge waterpark. We got up at 7am every seaday and found a chair no problem in Serenity. Not by the pool tho. The hogs were out full force there. They were tagging chairs tho. After 8am no serenity seats left. After 9 am you would struggle to find a lounger anywhere on the ship..some would open up after 2pm. As far as food goes I thought the Sunshine offered a great variety ie..Sushi, JiJi kitchen, Capitano, Pizza, Deli, Guys Burger,Blue Iguana Cantina, Steakhouse, MDR and buffet. Even had a shake spot and free ice cream. I think saying limited choices is crazy. I was amazed how many choices I had. MDR food was great everynite. We also did Sushi (which was fantastic) and the Steakhouse (loved it.) The only complaint of this ship is the limited lounging space on seadays. But worth the sacrifice for the great waterpark. Loved the slides. other than the high winds and missing Aruba.. Great Cruise. Sunshine is our new favorite ship. Shows were decent too. Other than the juggler. Seen him several times on other ships.. Tells same stale jokes no new tricks, time for him to go.

[Cadiesmom]

Thanks for the comments everyone. We had a wonderful family vacation and ate, drank, and managed to find the sun we were seeking! Can't beat that!

[Seany527]

Just a thought, but it seems over the past few weeks there have been a lot more positive Sunshine reviews. Still some negative, but not as many.

 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Missing Aruba must have been awful. Six sea days and only two ports :(

 

 

We're there really NO deck chairs to be found anywhere on the ship in the late morning?

[lucky13elec]

Thanks for the review.

Any pics you care to share?