Just off the Sunshine.. literally! Any questions?

[surfjock27]

Five day Bahamas (Half Moon Cay, Nassau and Freeport).

 

This was our first time on the Sunshine, although we are experienced cruisers.

We were concerned about it being only 5 days because our shortest cruise to date is 7 days, but it was a great experience.

 

Alchemy was AMAZING!

Javorka, Parviz and Cesar started as our bartenders, quickly became friends and by the end of the cruise, were family.

If you want to be entertained and enjoy some delicious handcrafted cocktails, they are a must.

Tell them that Steven & James sent you.

 

We ate at JiJi's twice for dinner, Cucina del Capitano once for dinner and of course, the Steakhouse one night.

We also ate in the dining room one night, but did not enjoy it at all.

Food was bland and service was slow.

 

With that said, JiJi's is a MUST! The pork belly was the most delicious thing I had eaten all week.

 

Lido food was "ok". It was just you typical buffet fare, nothing to write home about.

 

Entertainment was great, with your run of the mill Carnival shows, but the Entertainment team really made it. JJ from England was hands down the best! B.Lo, Brad, Mason, Taylor, Denise and Jay from LA were all phenomenal as well.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. :)

[jeanct]

Cruising on the Sunshine in 53 days!!! Thank you for the positive review. Was the pool deck as obnoxious as people are posting it is? Is the Mongolian Wok that I'm hearing about part of JiJi's? TIA!:)

[surfjock27]

Cruising on the Sunshine in 53 days!!! Thank you for the positive review. Was the pool deck as obnoxious as people are posting it is? Is the Mongolian Wok that I'm hearing about part of JiJi's? TIA!:)

 

Pool deck was obnoxious because there were 1,100 children on board this cruise. It was the last of the "spring break" cruises.

The one embarking today is only 300 kids.

 

The day we embarked the main pool was drained (they had it up that night), so there were lots of kids in the serenity area.

 

Mongolian is part of JiJi's for lunch and it's free. The dinner is $15 per person, served family style. We didn't have the Mongolian, but we did eat dinner there twice because it was that good.

[Morebeer]

Hi. Don't know how much it matters. But curious who was the cruise director on the Sunshine that u just disembarked from did they do a good job? Thanks.

[surfjock27]

Hi. Don't know how much it matters. But curious who was the cruise director on the Sunshine that u just disembarked from did they do a good job? Thanks.

 

The CD was Emma aka Lovely Jubbly.

It was our first time with her and eeehhh.

She's more geared towards "family" I think, because we didn't find her as funny or as engaging as past CD's we've had.

[KPfromCT]

Welcome back!!! Thanks for the review!!! While we have no plans to sail on the Sunshine, I keep hearing all about this yummy pork belly.

 

We are on the Magic in June, and they don't have JiJi's.....:mad: BUT, Mongolian Wok is my favorite GO TO for lunch!

 

Will you be posting any pictures?

 

Thanks again for taking the time to do this.

[2xsin12mths]

Nice review. I love to hear about Alchemy! We are on sunshine next Saturday for 8 nights! Can't wait.

Did you find Alchemy really crowded? I feel like every time we cruise Alchemy gets busier and busier. The secret is out[emoji106]

Do you tip Alchemy bartenders every time or just at end? I never know which is best.

 

 

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[cuiser8349]

Its so nice to see great reviews for the Sunshine..

We sailed the sunshine at the end of March, I can honestly say I was NOT looking forward to the ship based on reviews..

The ship has its weird quirks, but I think it was one of the best cruises I have been on!!

I too am addicted to Ji Jis.. we ate there twice... I don't think I have had a better meal in a long time.. we also ate the Steakhouse and Cucina.

I would have no problem booking the Sunshine again, and am glad that others take the time to review it in a positive way.

 

thx

[momin05]

We were on Sunshine a couple of weeks ago and Mason was cruise director, and had been since February, was my understanding. But Emma was boarding when we were leaving. So what is Mason's position now?

 

We loved Mason as CD, much better then Emma. We had her last year and weren't that impressed. I agree the staff on Sunshine right now is fantastic, better than any other cruise I have been on.

[surfjock27]

Nice review. I love to hear about Alchemy! We are on sunshine next Saturday for 8 nights! Can't wait.

Did you find Alchemy really crowded? I feel like every time we cruise Alchemy gets busier and busier. The secret is out[emoji106]

Do you tip Alchemy bartenders every time or just at end? I never know which is best.

 

 

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There was the same group of us every night at the Alchemy, on a regular basis. The seating area seems bigger than Alchemy on most ships I've seen, so there wasn't much crowding. It did get busier as the days went on but most people just stopped in, grabbed a drink and moved on.

 

We tipped $1 per drink on top of the cheers gratuity. The last night we tipped $50 for the three to split because they made that much of an impression on us.

[surfjock27]

We were on Sunshine a couple of weeks ago and Mason was cruise director, and had been since February, was my understanding. But Emma was boarding when we were leaving. So what is Mason's position now?

 

We loved Mason as CD, much better then Emma. We had her last year and weren't that impressed. I agree the staff on Sunshine right now is fantastic, better than any other cruise I have been on.

 

See I was confused too because I knew Mason was a CD and when I saw him and Emma I didn't know who was CDing this cruise. She was the CD and he was just a regular Fun Squad member. Weird.

[Computer Nerd]

I only have one question..... Why didn't you take me??? ;p

 

Sunshine is a great ship. Looking forward to sailing her again next year to Bermuda. :D

[Shhhq]

We have a Halloween cruise on Sunshine and I have one question although I don't know if you would have an exact answer. My friend has a bad back and I have bad legs... so neither of us can stand still for a long period of time. Was wondering if their Muster drill was outside or inside? I know it depends on room location, but in general. I kinda wanted to know ahead of time just so if needed we can request special needs muster where we can sit. We are in an Extended Aft Balcony on deck 6. If anyone can help with this information, I would appreciate it.

[shof515]

muster drill is outside. you can contact special needs before your cruise so it is noted on your booking. when you arrive at your muster section, they will scan your sail n sign card first and then tell where to go. on my cruise, the special needs muster was in the library

[pokergirl34]

We have a Halloween cruise on Sunshine and I have one question although I don't know if you would have an exact answer. My friend has a bad back and I have bad legs... so neither of us can stand still for a long period of time. Was wondering if their Muster drill was outside or inside? I know it depends on room location, but in general. I kinda wanted to know ahead of time just so if needed we can request special needs muster where we can sit. We are in an Extended Aft Balcony on deck 6. If anyone can help with this information, I would appreciate it.

 

Im so glad u asked this! I opened this thread just to see if this info is here! We don't have special needs; just like to be in the know. Have a great cruise!!

[angel24_ga]

Do you remember if there were any theme parties (80's night, white party etc)?

[tylerzmommy]

Thanks so much for the review! I just booked a Xmas cruise on the Sunshine yesterday and am SO excited!

[Hogladyrider]

Thanks for your review! Half Moon Cay is an all time favorite of ours.

 

We have avoided cruising on Sunshine because of all the "negatives" of overcrowding that we have read. I would love your opinion.

 

Everything I've read says Carnival added more cabins and cut back on open space and hence the ship feels crowded. Carnival seems very dedicated to Sunshine because she sure does a lot of cruises out of Port Canaveral other than just eastern & western.

 

Thanks.

Susan

[surfjock27]

Do you remember if there were any theme parties (80's night, white party etc)?

 

I was on a 5 day, so there weren't many themed parties. There was an 80's party on one of the nights. The white parties are normally on the longer sailings.

[surfjock27]

Thanks for your review! Half Moon Cay is an all time favorite of ours.

 

We have avoided cruising on Sunshine because of all the "negatives" of overcrowding that we have read. I would love your opinion.

 

Everything I've read says Carnival added more cabins and cut back on open space and hence the ship feels crowded. Carnival seems very dedicated to Sunshine because she sure does a lot of cruises out of Port Canaveral other than just eastern & western.

 

Thanks.

Susan

 

We also avoided the Sunshine for a long time because of the same concerns. I can tell you however, that it not feel crowded whatsoever. It was during the last week of Spring Break when I went, so there were a lot of children running around, which made it seem a little chaotic at times. We never had to wait for dinner, we had no problem getting seats at shows, etc.

[mississauga]

We were on the Sunshine Feb 11- 24 and Emma was the CD. Mason must have just been covering for her in early Feb? When Emma was the CD, Mason was part of the Fun Squad.

 

We love the Sunshine. Have cruised 50 days on her already and have another 28 days coming up in January 2018.

 

On our 2 cruises in February, the first one was 8 days. The second one was 5 days. On the 2nd one, it was Family Day in Canada and also a holiday Monday in the USA. So it went from maybe 10 (? ) young children to a few hundred children and teens? What a difference the demographics of a cruise makes. Not saying it was bad but it certainly was noisier and more lively on the 2nd cruise. Very different for sure and felt like we were on a different ship.

 

I am sure those on the 8 days cruise had a different perspective of the Sunshine than those on the 5days.

[kmp70]

I'll be on Sunshine this August for 5 nights, did you have a formal night? Been a while since I have cruised..... thanks!

 

 

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[meatloafsfan]

I'll be on Sunshine this August for 5 nights, did you have a formal night? Been a while since I have cruised..... thanks!

 

 

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Yes, elegant night will be night 2 of your 5 night cruise.

 

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[Veinless]

Which dining room is "Your time" dining on the Sunshine?

 

On the Glory it was the front dining room and there was always cigarette smoke from the casino wafting in which made it gross. I'd like to avoid the front dining room on the Sunshine.

[kmp70]

Yes, elegant night will be night 2 of your 5 night cruise.

 

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Thanks! Trying to plan dinners at pay restaurant for the cruise too.

 

 

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