Live From the Sunrise! Take Two

[L1211]

We are rusty for sure!  I got the name of our ship wrong in my previous-cruise posts title- thank you Carolyn!  So started again.  The pre-cruise posts from our travel day to Miami is attached. 
 

We are a party of three- mom and two daughters, celebrating DM’s birthday on the Sunrise setting sail tomorrow.  We have two cabins- a Cloud 9 Balcony and interior just across the hall.  
 

Booking was odd- we needed two cabins but all had different specials tied to our VFIP number. I had the “Free Cabin” special and ended up booking the Cloud 9 interior for $50- no kidding. But wait!  DM and DS had a RU1 offer and booked for a low low price WITH free drinks! I had to spring for Cheers on top of the cheap room.  
 

I added Premium internet and we planned dinner at Cucina and the steakhouse.  We passed on Chef’s Table- just didn’t love the menu.  
 

Here’s the cast of characters.  We have 10:30 boarding, group A02.  Won’t be long now… join us!!

[L1211]

We stayed at the Courtyard South Beach last night. Pics in the attached Woops Review of the Sunshine…. One more thing to like- Starbucks in the lobby!  Good morning- it’s cruise day!

[L1211]

Here are a few hotel and neighborhood pics- HIGHLY recommend. Great location off Washington one block on from Collins (just off the beach). 

[L1211]

This morning’s line up at Port of Miami.  RCL Freedom, carnival Freedom and our home for the next 5 days, Sunrise. Also in port was X’s summit.  Also my first sighting of the new NCL terminal. Let the games begin!!

[tw67]

OOOHHHH!!!!  Besides my Sunrise at the end of the month I have Carnival Freedom in January!!  Nice to see it ready to start up again!

[L1211]

Here’s the Summitt and our pending weather. 

[tw67]

2 minutes ago, L1211 said:

Here’s the Summitt and our pending weather. 

I hope that is just a quick moving shower!

[L1211]

Quick Uber to the port.  Hello wail tail!

[L1211]

Here’s the line up for boarding at 10:15

 

[L1211]

13 stations verifying your travel documents.  That took about 4 minutes.  

[L1211]

Getting DM through with birth certificate - her passport was expired… it’s all good! 

[L1211]

Check in took another 3 minutes.  Now we wait for boarding - group A2! 

[L1211]

25 minutes ago, tw67 said:

I hope that is just a quick moving shower!

Right?  We had to wait outside just a few minutes.  It was dry!!

[L1211]

Suite guests had a separate lounge and boarded first at 10:45.  A group hit the line at 10:50.  Here we go! 

[L1211]

Here is your Carnival lunch fix!  Guys and Pig and Anchor!  Drinks coming.  I love cruising!!

[L1211]

And CHEERS TO US!  first drinks, margarita and pina colada- yay!!

[tw67]

So Pig and Anchor was open right away?  That is great.  I thought I had heard that it didn't open until noon on embarkment day.  

[L1211]

8 minutes ago, tw67 said:

So Pig and Anchor was open right away?  That is great.  I thought I had heard that it didn't open until noon on embarkment day.  

Open and the food was piping hot!  The meat was melt in your mouth tender!  Best chicken I’ve eaten!! 

[L1211]

So, the cake table in the buffet is for real!  Check this out… what do you choose??

[L1211]

And some buffet pics for your lunchtime dreaming… we didn’t eat anything from the buffet but it looked great! 

[tw67]

4 minutes ago, L1211 said:

Open and the food was piping hot!  The meat was melt in your mouth tender!  Best chicken I’ve eaten!! 

I told my husband that this is where we go as soon as we board!  Well as soon as I get a drink!

[L1211]

Lunchtime food review from three experts!

Guys- tried the Straight Up- regular, dressed cheeseburger.  It was amazing.  Hot, perfectly cooked.  We LOVED the topping bar.  The onions and the mushrooms could have been a side dish.  Fried crispy.  Consensus - it’s a 10 out of 10!!

 

Pig and Anchor- all the meat was outstanding. Brisket was just past fork tender- melt in your mouth!  
Pork - juicy, tender, not greasy.  Carolina sauce was not carolina sauce but was good!

Chicken- lots of dry rub and perfectly cooked.  Fall off the bone tender- outstanding!

sides- 

Mac and cheese- just ok, thin sauce 

Potato salad- not great, needed seasoning 

collard greens- full of ham, a bit greasy but excellent flavor!  Recommend

Burnt end baked beans- perfection! Cooked tender, full of

meat.

rating - meat 10/10!!!  Sides 7/10

[L1211]

No wait for pasta for lunch .  Smelled amazing!

[L1211]

We watched the muster video but still had a very small demo live.  2 minutes.  Maybe. 

[L1211]

2 hours ago, tw67 said:

OOOHHHH!!!!  Besides my Sunrise at the end of the month I have Carnival Freedom in January!!  Nice to see it ready to start up again!

Jealous!!!  Sunrise is in such great shape.  The decor gives me a bit of a NCL vibe.  It’s beautiful!