Sunshine 4/29/16

[thebosn119]

My wife and I are excited that we have our next cruise booked on the Carnival Sunshine for our normal spring cruise next year! First time on Sunshine and any info or thoughts on the ship would be appreciated!

[kay1864]

- Try the different restaurants, be adventurous. Italian restaurant at the back of the ship is a bargain at $15. Sushi bar is open for lunch on sea days. Sea days also have brunch and afternoon tea.

 

- If you like comedy, get to the comedy shows 30 minutes early for a seat--it's a small venue (Limelight Lounge, deck 4 midship)

 

- Don't miss Epic Rock in the main lounge (deck 4/5 forward) the last night. Arrive at LEAST 30 minutes early; it's a popular show.

 

- Try the ropes course (deck 11 aft) if you're really adventurous.

 

- The Alchemy Bar (deck 5 midship) has unique drinks.

 

- Fitness Center (deck 10 forward) has free stretching classes (30 min) each morning. Highly recommended to start your day.

Edited September 9, 2015 by kay1864

[thebosn119]

Thanks. How was the steakhouse do you know?

[kay1864]

I haven't tried it myself. Some people give it 5 stars, some have said so-so. For me it's $20 (Italian or Asian) vs $70 (steakhouse) for DD and I to eat (for you it would be $30 vs $70). Me, I can't imagine the steakhouse being 3x or 4x as good.

 

We're going to try the Asian restaurant twice on our next cruise, plus Italian once.

[TreeLuvr87]

We loved the steakhouse on our Sunshine cruise last November, and we did the Chef's Table on that ship too - it was the most amazing culinary experience we've had at sea!

 

The area with the Italian restaurant in the back, Havana Bar, usually has a lot of seating available, even when the tables inside the lido buffet are packed.

[thebosn119]

Cool. I think I'm still going steakhouse because we loved it on other ships. I'll let you know how it is!

[TreeLuvr87]

The Italian restaurant and Asian kitchen are free at lunch, only have to pay extra at dinner. The italian place is a pasta bar at lunch, and the asian place does mongolian wok stuff at lunch.

 

If you do anytime dining, you have to sign in and pick up your pager on deck 5 (right by the Taste Bar, which is pretty convenient) and then walk down 2 flights to deck 3 where you'll be seated. Some nights people complained about the wait but we liked to eat early if we went to MDR so we never had a bad wait.

[Rock712]

We'll be on that cruise also , our first time on the Sunshine as well. Ship gets such wildly mixed reviews , looking forward to the experience and deciding for ourselves.

[buzz2400]

Just got off on 9/6. Re: the comedians in the limelight lounge. You do need to get there about 30 minutes before the show. they then make you exit out the rear. Most people would then go up a flight of stairs and then down and back which was a pain. Instead, when you exit out the rear, take an immediate left and go outside, then go to about lifeboat section 19 and go in that door. It will take you back to the line. The one thing I didn't like about the limelight lounge, they had two comedians on first half of the trip and they repeated their shows each night and then two more comedians on the last part of the cruise and they also repeated their shows.

 

Loved the Epic rock show. If you like the 80's rock music, don't miss it.

 

We did do anytime dining and went around 5:30 every night and didn't have to wait.

 

I also heard mix reviews about this ship and took it with a grain of salt but I actually hated the ship. Be warned that the entertainment staff is not that great. We had donkey as the cruise director and he was ok but we never really saw him. Gemma was annoying and didn't seem very friendly. We did like Stephen (aka Billy bob bingo). He seemed like a real nice guy.

 

Around 10 p.m. most nights in the red frog pub they have a trivia thing. I wish I had remembered his name. He was a nice guy as well. There were 10 questions (2 rounds) and during it he would ask a question and one person from your team would run up and give the answer and if you were correct, you got a free drink.

 

One morning they had all the towel animals on the deck by the pool. It was cute to see.

 

They played Bingo a little different than the past (dont know if it is a new thing on all ships or just Sunshine). Usually you fold down the number that is called. On this one, they sold stampers for $2 or you would cross out with a pen. So if you plan on playing Bingo bring a pen if you don't want to spend money on a stamper.

 

We also did the social plan where you pay the $25 for the week (or $5 a day) and you can use most social plans. We had it all set up to use imessenger but they took that app off. fortunately my son had whatsap and instagram on his phone and he was able to use it. Just remember to put in on airplane mode. So if you plan on doing this, make sure you have all the apps already downloaded because we spent almost 2 hours trying to figure it out before we sailed (he had to keep texting his friends to make sure they were using the same thing).

 

Be careful when you buy any drinks. My son went to get a bucket of beer and they charged him for five beers instead of four. He never looked at it and they don't give you a receipt. I caught it when I printed out the charges to my room. Lady at guest service was nasty about it. So scrutinize anything you sign.

 

Last, they have two machines that are like atms. One is located where the gift shops are (the side where the sell the liquor). You can print out the charges to your room as well as get smaller bills (ie you have a $50 and want smaller bills, you put it in the machine and you get smaller bills).

[homeofthedogs]

Just got off on 9/6. Re: the comedians in the limelight lounge. You do need to get there about 30 minutes before the show. they then make you exit out the rear. Most people would then go up a flight of stairs and then down and back which was a pain. Instead, when you exit out the rear, take an immediate left and go outside, then go to about lifeboat section 19 and go in that door. It will take you back to the line. The one thing I didn't like about the limelight lounge, they had two comedians on first half of the trip and they repeated their shows each night and then two more comedians on the last part of the cruise and they also repeated their shows.

 

Loved the Epic rock show. If you like the 80's rock music, don't miss it.

 

We did do anytime dining and went around 5:30 every night and didn't have to wait.

 

I also heard mix reviews about this ship and took it with a grain of salt but I actually hated the ship. Be warned that the entertainment staff is not that great. We had donkey as the cruise director and he was ok but we never really saw him. Gemma was annoying and didn't seem very friendly. We did like Stephen (aka Billy bob bingo). He seemed like a real nice guy.

 

Around 10 p.m. most nights in the red frog pub they have a trivia thing. I wish I had remembered his name. He was a nice guy as well. There were 10 questions (2 rounds) and during it he would ask a question and one person from your team would run up and give the answer and if you were correct, you got a free drink.

 

One morning they had all the towel animals on the deck by the pool. It was cute to see.

 

They played Bingo a little different than the past (dont know if it is a new thing on all ships or just Sunshine). Usually you fold down the number that is called. On this one, they sold stampers for $2 or you would cross out with a pen. So if you plan on playing Bingo bring a pen if you don't want to spend money on a stamper.

 

We also did the social plan where you pay the $25 for the week (or $5 a day) and you can use most social plans. We had it all set up to use imessenger but they took that app off. fortunately my son had whatsap and instagram on his phone and he was able to use it. Just remember to put in on airplane mode. So if you plan on doing this, make sure you have all the apps already downloaded because we spent almost 2 hours trying to figure it out before we sailed (he had to keep texting his friends to make sure they were using the same thing).

 

Be careful when you buy any drinks. My son went to get a bucket of beer and they charged him for five beers instead of four. He never looked at it and they don't give you a receipt. I caught it when I printed out the charges to my room. Lady at guest service was nasty about it. So scrutinize anything you sign.

 

Last, they have two machines that are like atms. One is located where the gift shops are (the side where the sell the liquor). You can print out the charges to your room as well as get smaller bills (ie you have a $50 and want smaller bills, you put it in the machine and you get smaller bills).

Great information. Thanks for sharing. We are thinking about doing the Sunshine out of Charleston next year for 7 days. Friends of ours sailed her last year out of Port Canaveral and they hated it and swear they will never cruise again. Will try the ship and see for ourselves.

[leedm]

What ports did you go to, and what tours? Did you enjoy ports and tours?

[buzz2400]

We went to St. Maarten and took a taxi to Maho Beach to watch the planes. In St. Kitts took a taxi to Reggae Beach Bar. P. Rico got off, went to CVS to buy something and got back on ship. Grand Turk, just got off ship and beautiful beach right there. They also have a big pool at margaritville right off the ship.

[ladygal4.4]

The Italian restaurant and Asian kitchen are free at lunch, only have to pay extra at dinner. The italian place is a pasta bar at lunch, and the asian place does mongolian wok stuff at lunch.

 

 

 

If you do anytime dining, you have to sign in and pick up your pager on deck 5 (right by the Taste Bar, which is pretty convenient) and then walk down 2 flights to deck 3 where you'll be seated. Some nights people complained about the wait but we liked to eat early if we went to MDR so we never had a bad wait.

 

 

Does anyone have a copy of the Asian menu for lunch. I didn't realize it was free. Is it anything more than just the Wok?

[crusinpsychRN]

We'll be on that cruise also , our first time on the Sunshine as well. Ship gets such wildly mixed reviews , looking forward to the experience and deciding for ourselves.

 

I know what you mean! I'm going to try it too I think, so many more food options. I didn't miss the mini fridge on the Paradise like I thought I would.

[crusinpsychRN]

I also heard mix reviews about this ship and took it with a grain of salt but I actually hated the ship.

 

Why did you hate the ship?

[scm200]

Why did you hate the ship?

 

I have seen this comment about hating the ship - I would like to know why such strong feelings about a ship? Please elaborate when you have a minute Buzz2400

Edited September 10, 2015 by scm200
add reference to another poster

[CrimsonQueen]

My wife and I are excited that we have our next cruise booked on the Carnival Sunshine for our normal spring cruise next year! First time on Sunshine and any info or thoughts on the ship would be appreciated!

 

I wanna go, too :( And, you know you want me to go :p

 

Love to you and Bella!

[kay1864]

Does anyone have a copy of the Asian menu for lunch. I didn't realize it was free. Is it anything more than just the Wok?

Lunch and dinner are completely different. For lunch (Italian and Asian), you check off on a card what pasta/noodles, sauces, veggies, and meats you want. They they saute/stir-fry it to order, and you stand in line and wait for them to hand you your plate. So yes, it's basically like Mongolian Wok.

 

For dinner, it's a high-quality sit-down meal. Italian menu is here; Asian is here.

 

Completely different experience, and food. The lunch-to-order is very good, but the dinner cuisine is outstanding. Well worth the $15 ($5 for kids, and theirs is equal quality to the adults' menu).

Edited September 10, 2015 by kay1864

[kicia]

The pasta bar at lunch is just as stated. The Asian is the same Mongolian Wok as on other ships and ther are no cards to be filled out.

 

We've been on the Sunshine twice and are going again in February. Really like her.

[kay1864]

The pasta bar at lunch is just as stated. The Asian is the same Mongolian Wok as on other ships and ther are no cards to be filled out.

 

We've been on the Sunshine twice and are going again in February. Really like her.

Oops, got my back-of-ship lunches mixed up :p

 

We really like Sunshine too, going on second trip soon!

[ladygal4.4]

Lunch and dinner are completely different. For lunch (Italian and Asian), you check off on a card what pasta/noodles, sauces, veggies, and meats you want. They they saute/stir-fry it to order, and you stand in line and wait for them to hand you your plate. So yes, it's basically like Mongolian Wok.

 

For dinner, it's a high-quality sit-down meal. Italian menu is here; Asian is here.

 

Completely different experience, and food. The lunch-to-order is very good, but the dinner cuisine is outstanding. Well worth the $15 ($5 for kids, and theirs is equal quality to the adults' menu).

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thebosn119]

I wanna go, too :( And, you know you want me to go [emoji14]

 

Love to you and Bella!

So book it girl!

[thebosn119]

Just got off on 9/6. Re: the comedians in the limelight lounge. You do need to get there about 30 minutes before the show. they then make you exit out the rear. Most people would then go up a flight of stairs and then down and back which was a pain. Instead, when you exit out the rear, take an immediate left and go outside, then go to about lifeboat section 19 and go in that door. It will take you back to the line. The one thing I didn't like about the limelight lounge, they had two comedians on first half of the trip and they repeated their shows each night and then two more comedians on the last part of the cruise and they also repeated their shows.

 

Loved the Epic rock show. If you like the 80's rock music, don't miss it.

 

We did do anytime dining and went around 5:30 every night and didn't have to wait.

 

I also heard mix reviews about this ship and took it with a grain of salt but I actually hated the ship. Be warned that the entertainment staff is not that great. We had donkey as the cruise director and he was ok but we never really saw him. Gemma was annoying and didn't seem very friendly. We did like Stephen (aka Billy bob bingo). He seemed like a real nice guy.

 

Around 10 p.m. most nights in the red frog pub they have a trivia thing. I wish I had remembered his name. He was a nice guy as well. There were 10 questions (2 rounds) and during it he would ask a question and one person from your team would run up and give the answer and if you were correct, you got a free drink.

 

One morning they had all the towel animals on the deck by the pool. It was cute to see.

 

They played Bingo a little different than the past (dont know if it is a new thing on all ships or just Sunshine). Usually you fold down the number that is called. On this one, they sold stampers for $2 or you would cross out with a pen. So if you plan on playing Bingo bring a pen if you don't want to spend money on a stamper.

 

We also did the social plan where you pay the $25 for the week (or $5 a day) and you can use most social plans. We had it all set up to use imessenger but they took that app off. fortunately my son had whatsap and instagram on his phone and he was able to use it. Just remember to put in on airplane mode. So if you plan on doing this, make sure you have all the apps already downloaded because we spent almost 2 hours trying to figure it out before we sailed (he had to keep texting his friends to make sure they were using the same thing).

 

Be careful when you buy any drinks. My son went to get a bucket of beer and they charged him for five beers instead of four. He never looked at it and they don't give you a receipt. I caught it when I printed out the charges to my room. Lady at guest service was nasty about it. So scrutinize anything you sign.

 

Last, they have two machines that are like atms. One is located where the gift shops are (the side where the sell the liquor). You can print out the charges to your room as well as get smaller bills (ie you have a $50 and want smaller bills, you put it in the machine and you get smaller bills).

That is all great information thank you!

[buzz2400]

Why I hated the ship. First I just want to say I have been on carnival 4 other times and other cruise lines. I also had read bad reviews about sunshine but took them with a grain of salt since I know that people do complaint about stupid things. You have to really be bad for me to not like you. So with that out of the way. We had inside statement on deck 1, very warm even with the air conditioner all the way up. Toilet would not flush everything down. We had to always use the toilet scrubber to push the toilet paper down (even for number 1). Most of the staff were not to happy. I had a confrontation with the room steward because she was not replenishing the bathroom (was only given one washcloth and used all the tissues but they never gave me a new box). Had to finally ask for ice. Second night no animal towel. Yes most of these things are small little incidental things but I go on a cruise to relax, not chase down a maid. Anyway had to go to guest services because they overcharged for bucket of beer and instead of just saying sorry, the lady argued with me. How many people would go up and try to get $7 for free. Casino was very small. Setup for the main lounge was so very strange. Entertainment staff was not too entertaining. They kept repeating their same old jokes (for instance Jemma in from Singapore, yes Singapore, and she was made in a petri dish. If you go on the cruise you will understand this). Pool is very very small. Wanted to see a move at night and it was very hard to find a lounge chair. Didn't like how they repeated the comedian shows. Would have preferred new shows. And the food was not that spectacular. I will eat anything but towards the end of the cruise we stopped going to the dining room. Desserts were also not that great. Debarkation was terrible also. We were supposed to get off around 7:30 but it wasn't until 8:30 that they allowed us of. Many areas of the common areas including elevators were very warm. And many of the elevators were out of service.

 

So don't go cancelling your cruise based on this. Just a little warning to maybe lower your expectations. For us not liking the ship, the week did go by fast. I just think next time I will go to NCL or RC.

[scm200]

So have your done NCL? If not be aware that the ships I have been on (Dawn, Jewel and Gem are the 3 still in service) are really no different than all the Carnival ships, I am booked on deck 6, in a balcony, hopefully the bathroom will work ok, and the AC will keep up. I am not surprised to hear they repeat the comedy shows. That is so more people can see the show, just like the "big showroom shows" repeat early and late (or have in the past). Will report back on our Sunshine trip in October, can't wait to get on a cruise....8 night cruises are my favorite.