Would you sail the Sunshine

[erby2283]

Due to the price of airfare, I may need to switcjv my cruise and one of my alternative is the Sunshine. I have heard the ship feels more crowded since they added more staterooms without adding more common areas and as such has been getting poor reviews. Has anyone sailed her recently that can comment?

 

I am a pretty laid back kind of person. As long as I can get a chair in the sun and a flank steak at dinner, I'm good!

[bar1068]

Yep, I would sail on Sunshine...again. Have sailed on her twice.

[srlafleur]

Have and would again.

I never noticed an excess of crowds, but it was a 12-day Med., in October, so most staterooms capable of sleeping more than 2 probably weren't at full capacity.

[tree.critter]

Yes, I will be sailing the Sunshine for the first time this year in November. Have read all the negative things about her since she started the transformation. Like you I am also a very laid back person and have no doubt that I will have a wonderful time. There is plenty of good reviews shared by many also, going with the attitude we'll have fun and that is that! :)

[cruizinisthebest]

I will be sailing her in 3 months. Can't wait!

[AngAndBoys]

Not me! Even before the negative reviews started coming in, taking an older ship and cramming more cabins in it never sounded good to me. That being said, if the circumstances dictated that the ship was best choice at the time or places I wanted to sail, I'd go and be fine with it. I just wouldn't seek out this ship as one to go on.

[pirate4me2]

I swore I would never sail her and I ate my words...we sailed her in February and I had a great time. The only time I noticed crowds was on the upper decks on sea days. Get there early to get a chair and you should be OK. Other than that, everything was top notch!

[sjcruiser]

I sailed the Sunshine last August with a large group of family members. There were some minor issues onboard (leak on our floor, clogged/toiled that wouldn't flush one day, foul smell on one floor, but not ours), but nothing that ruined our spoiled our cruise. We didn't find the ship anymore crowded than the Breeze, Glory, Explorer or Liberty of the Seas.

 

For adults, it was easy getting a lounger, chaise, or hammock on the Serenity Deck anyway, at anytime. The pools are small, but we usually wait to get to port to go swimming, but in observation, those using the pools, including children were having fun, and they were able to find seating/loungers to use.

 

For breakfast and most midday meals, we also found getting a seat on Lido easy, especially at the rear of ship in the Havana Bar area, and also getting an omelet (or fried eggs for me) was convenient with two lines/stations being setup. The common areas weren't crowded to me. We found that Ocean Plaza was one of our favorite spots to enjoy and relax, play cards or just talk with other cruisers. Also during lunch, Taste Bar offers made to order salads, soups, chicken fingers, and other items, so on several days we ate from the Taste Bar for lunch, and never made it to the Lido. On days I ate on the Lido for lunch, the Blue Iguana was where I usually chose to eat, mainly fish, shrimp, chicken or pork tacos. The burritos are to heavy for me for breakfast and lunch, although I did have one one morning. The line for burritos can be long!!! In this area I usually found a seat/stool at the counter behind the bar overlooking the ocean, while still being able to see what was going on (this was my hideout when I wanted to get lost, as most never look that way, or come behind there looking for an empty seat. lol).

 

The big screen on Lido at night is one of my favorite places, especially when I wanted to distract myself from going to the casino!!! It's a great family fun atmosphere, and who can say no to free, hot popcorn!!!

 

Overall the cruise and ship was great, and we have another family and friends cruise leaving this July for 8 days.

Edited May 14, 2015 by sjcruiser

[makeda]

loved her under her old name and would sail her again

[6 of us]

The Sunshine is not my favorite ship, I don't care for the layout, seems tight & cramped in some areas consider the # of passengers they can fit on board. So if I had another option at the same price I would probably chose the other, however, if it's the best deal & timing, I would totally sail on her again because I love to cruise.

[camper49]

Due to the price of airfare, I may need to switcjv my cruise and one of my alternative is the Sunshine. I have heard the ship feels more crowded since they added more staterooms without adding more common areas and as such has been getting poor reviews. Has anyone sailed her recently that can comment?

 

I am a pretty laid back kind of person. As long as I can get a chair in the sun and a flank steak at dinner, I'm good!

 

Did it and doing it again...

[okgirl]

I have sailed on the Sunshine and didn't care for the redesign.

 

I wouldn't sail on that ship again unless it was the only option or it was free.

[ffmikey]

We are booked on her now. 1st time, just too far away, not until Feb '16. But it's a 13 day cruise! I'm looking forward to it. I take the review for what it is. I have gotten a lot of info from them. I consider it a "heads up" and look for ways to avoid any issues that any ship might have.

[cruzeluver]

We are booked on Sunshine next year and not worried about it. I know to expect crowd issues on ANY Carnival ship I book, goes with the territory. Go on Celebrity to see how to do crowd control on a mass-market ship. We have several with them and the difference is very noticeable.

[otis30223]

DW and I sailed on it, we had a good time, but the theater is way too small as is the comedy club. We found you had to get in line early if you wanted to see a show, the rest of the ship was nice, loved the Guy's Burgers and the self dispensing beer tap on the lido deck. There is a lot of good things on it but just as many bad things. It was an experiment that I don't think will be repeated.

[love my grandkids]

DW and I sailed on it, we had a good time, but the theater is way too small as is the comedy club. We found you had to get in line early if you wanted to see a show, the rest of the ship was nice, loved the Guy's Burgers and the self dispensing beer tap on the lido deck. There is a lot of good things on it but just as many bad things. It was an experiment that I don't think will be repeated.

 

We have heard is lounge much too small for comedy club and hard to get seats.

 

probably our favorite entertainment so we stick to other ships that have larger lounges.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

I wouldn't sail it.

 

Edited to add, sorry about that. You asked for folks who already sailed it. Lots of folks liked it so you should be fine.

Edited May 14, 2015 by Rottweiler Puppy

[Rottweiler Puppy]

We have heard is lounge much too small for comedy club and hard to get seats.

.

 

Sounds like the Breeze. The venue is just to small. Carnival needs to put them in the main theater as they will fill every time.

[erby2283]

I wouldn't sail it.

 

Edited to add, sorry about that. You asked for folks who already sailed it. Lots of folks liked it so you should be fine.

 

No you're fine. I don't mind hearing your opinion either. I am thankful to anyone who takes the time to post. :D

[hartsnvt]

Sailed her last August and would do it again in a heartbeat!

[Cushing985]

We have and would again. I never saw the crowds people complain about outside of the main pool area (crowded on every ship I've been on). It was clean, food was great, service outstanding and it was floating on the water. The only requirements I need.

[NCTribeFan]

I booked because of the itinerary (the 11-night Journeys at the end of November).

 

I really could not care less about the ship. With only two sea days, I expect to spend most of that time on the Serenity Deck (and I'm an early riser, so finding a lounger shouldn't be a problem, either).

 

Main pool area and baking in the sun for entire day aren't my bag, baby. Neither are comedy or shows. When I sailed Victory from San Juan, she was a-port-every-day and it was exhausting. Even though only one of these is new-to-me, I'll be out and about every day. I don't expect to spend much time doing anything at all on the ship except eating breakfast and dinner, and briefly visiting the casino before bed.

 

The photos look great. I'm looking forward to it.

[eponym]

I have sailed on the Sunshine and didn't care for the redesign.

 

I wouldn't sail on that ship again unless it was the only option or it was free.

 

Your view is the one that counts, whether it's favorable or not. You are the customer or prospective customer and have preferences as well as choices.

 

We will be on Sunshine in a few weeks and it appears to be nearly sold out for our sailing. From that we will get a first hand experience also to share with others and it will be a full capacity (or darn close) sailing

 

I have read many posts that were critical of overcrowding type of conditions on the ship after the passenger expansion and 2.0 changes made in 2013. Too many for it not be a real issue at some level. Deck chairs in short supply, sometimes difficult to navigate, other testimony of not reasonably being able to attend shows/events comfortably, while others said wait lines/times for certain dining options were troubling. As a result, we have held back from booking more from that ship until after we experience it.

Edited May 14, 2015 by eponym

[AmberTeka]

Sometimes I am really impressed by the sensible views, pro and con, expressed on this board. Good advice all around

 

We sail on the sunshine is a few weeks. I never research ships, other than how many stars they have on an un named web travel site. Below 3 1/2 and I worry. above five and it is too pricey for me.

 

but due to the really good reviews on the Sunshine and the really bad ones......I read about a hundred reviews of the Sunshine. I read CABIN Reviews on Cruise Critic.

I googled for photos of the cabin we booked. went to other cruise sites for reviews

 

I would recommend anyone do that. And put out questions on this board. Someone has the answer to what you need to know and most willingly share.

 

BEST TIP I have............the 4J cabins on the Lobby deck are new. that means more space in cabins. In the 4J cabins that face the Promenade. Walkway................they have 220 sq ft. a sofa. New shower. a minibar ( fridge) There are three reviews on CC. Read them. the price for what you get.............a window. basically an ocean view sold as an inside.

 

OV CABINS on Promenade Deck. Deck Five. Go to Cruise Critic and read those reviews. Those are New cabins. Everyone loved them. there are a few new cabins scattered over the ship but those were the ones I googled and read about .

 

IT seemed to me.............there was a very close relationship to how much folks enjoyed their cruise as to how much they liked their cabin. Having space. things that worked. right.

 

I am looking forward to it. AND look into ATD. They do it differently. We are doing same time dining for this cruise for that reason.

Happy Sails.

[Podna's]

Sailed her twice including the inaugural New Orleans cruise. Both were at capacity. As others mentioned the over crowding is over rated. It was a little crowded on sea days but not any more than my other cruises. The Serenity deck is 2nd to none. She's a beautiful ship with great service and one of the best CD's. So yes, I'd sail her again in a heartbeat. Enjoy your trip!