Carnival Sunshine should be put out to sea

[elcuchio24]

Alot of people defend old, outdated ships, for some reason. I am with you. Major cruise lines need to move to new/larger modern craft with the amenities people want. Otherwise retire the old ships, or relegate them to cruises to the Galapagos/Antarctica that 95% of posters cant afford anyway...

[staceyglow]

1 hour ago, elcuchio24 said:

Alot of people defend old, outdated ships, for some reason. I am with you. Major cruise lines need to move to new/larger modern craft with the amenities people want. Otherwise retire the old ships, or relegate them to cruises to the Galapagos/Antarctica that 95% of posters cant afford anyway...

The people who run Carnival are pretty smart.  If it makes business sense to retire a ship, they will do that. Apparently there are enough people willing to cruise older ships that they still make money for Carnival.   They literally have hundreds of folks who do nothing but crank out financial data and analyze opinion surveys to support that decision. 

[Indytraveler83]

I have just two points to make here:

 

1) Most of the criticism of OP's opinions are not of the observations themselves, but the exaggerations.  Sunshine clearly has some ugly rust, and it makes her a less desirable ship to sail.  But OP claims that this and some distasteful cakes make the Sunshine unsafe, and then goes onto say that she heard from someone that the Mardi Gras isn't in good shape either. 

 

2) Yes some of us defend these old ships, because some of us can't afford much else.  Not everyone on these boards can afford to sail on the Mardi Gras or go to Princess or HAL.  For some of us, the Sunshine is as luxurious as life gets. The only newer ship I've gotten to cruise on is the Horizon, and that's only due to some INSANE deals Carnival threw my way during the shutdown. 

 

I drive a rusty truck. It gets the job done, and is perfectly safe, but it's getting ugly.  I'd love to drive a truck without rust, but don't have 40k to throw at a new one. Am I gonna haul it to the scrap yard tomorrow? Uh... No.

 

So don't tell me that the only way I can have an affordable cruise vacation needs to be scrapped because a little rust was just too hard on your poor senses.  Tell me that it's a budget cruise on a ship that could use maintenance.  Tell me it's rusty, and you didn't like the food.

 

But stop telling me that the only thing I can afford to enjoy is trash.  It's belittling and makes it sound like those of us that can do better are looking down on those that can't.  

[SNJCruisers]

On 3/1/2022 at 8:51 AM, basktchic said:

Quite honestly we arent looking to go on Carnival again after this experience which is a shame because I hate to discount an entire line. It is just a bad look for a line that is struggling to survive and yet they produce this kind of product. 

You picked a cheap weekend cruise and expected much more.  The old champagne wishes on a beer budget.  

Cruise on the Mardi Gras or Celebration and your opinion will change 180%.  But you've written off the line, so what I type will fall on deaf years. 

Enjoy your future cruises on whichever other line you choose to cruise.  One bit of advice.  Pick a 7 day cruise on a new ship or at least one that is under 10 years old.  You'll have a better experience.

[icft]

I disagree about older ships. Just because a ship is older does not mean it has to be a rust bucket. We have been sailing the Glory which was launched in 2003. When it first came to New Orleans it was in "not bad for its age" shape. Then covid came and it returned from covid "OK regardless of age." Then it did a wet dock that refreshed most public areas and it is really good. It would be even better if they took care of the wooden decks, but that is not that big a deal visually. I do worry though that all that water sitting on the steel under those wooden decks (in places it squirts up through the cracks when you walk on it) will lead to it being retired before its time.

 

The point is, maintenance trumps age. With proper maintenance the newer ships "advantages" are economies of scale and bells and whistles. Many of us don't care about the bells and whistles and economies of scale just means crowds of people which we also don't like.

 

I prefer an older ship if it is maintained. Right now the Glory is perfect for us. Unfortunately the Carnival script is to now, that it is in real good shape, ignore maintenance until it becomes a rust bucket at which point they will decide if they want to refurbish it again or scrap it.

[cruisingguy007]

2 hours ago, Indytraveler83 said:

I have just two points to make here:

 

1) Most of the criticism of OP's opinions are not of the observations themselves, but the exaggerations.  Sunshine clearly has some ugly rust, and it makes her a less desirable ship to sail.  But OP claims that this and some distasteful cakes make the Sunshine unsafe, and then goes onto say that she heard from someone that the Mardi Gras isn't in good shape either. 

 

2) Yes some of us defend these old ships, because some of us can't afford much else.  Not everyone on these boards can afford to sail on the Mardi Gras or go to Princess or HAL.  For some of us, the Sunshine is as luxurious as life gets. The only newer ship I've gotten to cruise on is the Horizon, and that's only due to some INSANE deals Carnival threw my way during the shutdown. 

 

I drive a rusty truck. It gets the job done, and is perfectly safe, but it's getting ugly.  I'd love to drive a truck without rust, but don't have 40k to throw at a new one. Am I gonna haul it to the scrap yard tomorrow? Uh... No.

 

So don't tell me that the only way I can have an affordable cruise vacation needs to be scrapped because a little rust was just too hard on your poor senses.  Tell me that it's a budget cruise on a ship that could use maintenance.  Tell me it's rusty, and you didn't like the food.

 

But stop telling me that the only thing I can afford to enjoy is trash.  It's belittling and makes it sound like those of us that can do better are looking down on those that can't.  

 

Well said and I like the cut of your jib; still doesn't invalidate the OP's position. Her's is her's and your's is your's. Maybe a love thread for old ships is a better place to loudly declare your appreciation, Lord knows I understand it and where you're coming from but shouting down someone who has a contrary opinion does not change anything. The OP's opinion is just as valid as yours, plus it's her thread that she started to share her experience. Your hearts in the right place, your tact/approach just needs tweaking. There is room for multiple opinions but decorum is vital to banter and no one position should invalidate another's. No one is wrong and all should be heard. No need to bully others into submission or allow someone's position make you feel inferior (I totally didn't get that from the OP's post at all by the way, you took that and ran with it lol). There are many colors of the rainbow and that's what makes things interesting. Different strokes for different folks. I'm a Carnival fanboi and still appreciate the OP's perspective.          

Edited March 3, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[SNJCruisers]

14 hours ago, jsglow said:

Here's another take on all of this.  I'll personally take a little rust rather than a 45 minute line waiting for something on one of the overcrowded new builds. That said, we will certainly give the Exel Class a try once prices come down some.

Did a B2B recently on the MG and never had a 45 minute wait for anything.  It's going to be awhile till the Excel prices come down.  I would advise you to cruise on one of the older ships, drop some money in the casino and then you'll get a lower price on the Excel Class via a casino rate.

[chengkp75]

Up until reading a couple of recent posts, I missed the OP's comments about unsafe spaces.  No where were these unsafe conditions specified, and to me, those would be more important, and worthy of photos, than the photos provided.  I for one, who has defended Carnival over maintenance, when deserved, and castigated them as well, when deserved, would like to know what these "unsafe" public areas are.

 

[DrSea]

7 hours ago, Indytraveler83 said:

I have just two points to make here:

 

1) Most of the criticism of OP's opinions are not of the observations themselves, but the exaggerations.  Sunshine clearly has some ugly rust, and it makes her a less desirable ship to sail.  But OP claims that this and some distasteful cakes make the Sunshine unsafe, and then goes onto say that she heard from someone that the Mardi Gras isn't in good shape either. 

 

2) Yes some of us defend these old ships, because some of us can't afford much else.  Not everyone on these boards can afford to sail on the Mardi Gras or go to Princess or HAL.  For some of us, the Sunshine is as luxurious as life gets. The only newer ship I've gotten to cruise on is the Horizon, and that's only due to some INSANE deals Carnival threw my way during the shutdown. 

 

I drive a rusty truck. It gets the job done, and is perfectly safe, but it's getting ugly.  I'd love to drive a truck without rust, but don't have 40k to throw at a new one. Am I gonna haul it to the scrap yard tomorrow? Uh... No.

 

So don't tell me that the only way I can have an affordable cruise vacation needs to be scrapped because a little rust was just too hard on your poor senses.  Tell me that it's a budget cruise on a ship that could use maintenance.  Tell me it's rusty, and you didn't like the food.

 

But stop telling me that the only thing I can afford to enjoy is trash.  It's belittling and makes it sound like those of us that can do better are looking down on those that can't.  

trust me, you're not missing much on HAL. Very boring cruise line if you like CCL. 

 

6 hours ago, icft said:

I disagree about older ships. Just because a ship is older does not mean it has to be a rust bucket. We have been sailing the Glory which was launched in 2003. When it first came to New Orleans it was in "not bad for its age" shape. Then covid came and it returned from covid "OK regardless of age." Then it did a wet dock that refreshed most public areas and it is really good. It would be even better if they took care of the wooden decks, but that is not that big a deal visually. I do worry though that all that water sitting on the steel under those wooden decks (in places it squirts up through the cracks when you walk on it) will lead to it being retired before its time.

 

The point is, maintenance trumps age. With proper maintenance the newer ships "advantages" are economies of scale and bells and whistles. Many of us don't care about the bells and whistles and economies of scale just means crowds of people which we also don't like.

 

I prefer an older ship if it is maintained. Right now the Glory is perfect for us. Unfortunately the Carnival script is to now, that it is in real good shape, ignore maintenance until it becomes a rust bucket at which point they will decide if they want to refurbish it again or scrap it.

agreed about maintenance. there are other lines with ships that are just as old and they take care of their ships before it becomes an issue. 

 

5 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Well said and I like the cut of your jib; still doesn't invalidate the OP's position. Her's is her's and your's is your's. Maybe a love thread for old ships is a better place to loudly declare your appreciation, Lord knows I understand it and where you're coming from but shouting down someone who has a contrary opinion does not change anything. The OP's opinion is just as valid as yours, plus it's her thread that she started to share her experience. Your hearts in the right place, your tact/approach just needs tweaking. There is room for multiple opinions but decorum is vital to banter and no one position should invalidate another's. No one is wrong and all should be heard. No need to bully others into submission or allow someone's position make you feel inferior (I totally didn't get that from the OP's post at all by the way, you took that and ran with it lol). There are many colors of the rainbow and that's what makes things interesting. Different strokes for different folks. I'm a Carnival fanboi and still appreciate the OP's perspective.          

100% agree. I wouldn't consider myself a fan of CCL. But for their price, I will sail. I will hit gold status with CCL, which I literally never thought would happen until 10+ years from now bc I didn't think I would sail that frequently with them. It's a real bargain that's hard to say no when I do the number crunching. These cruise prices are so low. I love a great bargain. 

[DrSea]

OP better luck next time. Try it again in 13 years. The same ships will still probably be around and in worst shape. Haha. Joking, but I hope I am proven wrong.

Edited March 3, 2022 by DrSea

[Drazil65]

Quite honestly we arent looking to go on Carnival again after this experience which is a shame because I hate to discount an entire line. It is just a bad look for a line that is struggling to survive and yet they produce this kind of product. 

 

Absolutely not defending old ships or discounting your opinion, just encouraging in this age of info at your fingertips, you more than likely knew that you were not sailing on a newer vessel.  You chose that particular cruise and you have your opinion/conclusion.  This conclusion will lead you to spend your future cruises on a different cruise line that fits your expectations much better. 

 

CCL is a big, successful company in the industry and like all companies they are about their bottom line, if the people are still buying then CCL will be still selling the old ships.  Consumerism at its finest and we all have choices.  Its all good and enjoy wherever you end up on your cruising journey.  

[Ralphinsc]

Lost me when you said you wouldn't go on a free cruise. At that point, I knew we obviously could not talk from common ground. 🤣

 

I think I'd go on a free cruise even if it involved twenty minute shifts twice a day on the exercise bikes to keep the bilge pumps working and the ship from sinking. As long as they had drink service...... 

[KmomChicago]

I hate to add venom to this friendly snake pit, but do people ever use travel agents anymore and if so, don’t they help curate the choice to fit the customers in the first place? 
 

Yes I can tolerate an old piece of ship (LOL) but I wouldn’t defend or recommend it to everyone professionally or personally. In fact I would probably warn off the vast majority. “It’s cheap but bottom of the barrel with tons of critical reviews. You are getting exactly what you pay for. I can recommend either a newer ship in this line (i.e. Vista/Excel class) or a different line depending (i.e. RCI/Disney) on what you really wand and are willing to pay for.”  I did the same when I worked for Disney’s reservation center. Yes I can book you the All Star Sports. 260 SF room, no pool slide, no sit down restaurant, bus transport only, external room entrances, 90 bajillion screaming rugrats and their mass market entourages. Oh you actually want the Polynesian Village amenities? Fine, that will be 4x the price.

 

 The last thing I’d do is send off someone to a vacation obviously mismatched to their needs and expectations. I wouldn’t also take it personally that it’s a diverse world economically with different product levels available for different customers.

[jsglow]

10 hours ago, icft said:

I disagree about older ships. Just because a ship is older does not mean it has to be a rust bucket. We have been sailing the Glory which was launched in 2003. When it first came to New Orleans it was in "not bad for its age" shape. Then covid came and it returned from covid "OK regardless of age." Then it did a wet dock that refreshed most public areas and it is really good. It would be even better if they took care of the wooden decks, but that is not that big a deal visually. I do worry though that all that water sitting on the steel under those wooden decks (in places it squirts up through the cracks when you walk on it) will lead to it being retired before its time.

 

The point is, maintenance trumps age. With proper maintenance the newer ships "advantages" are economies of scale and bells and whistles. Many of us don't care about the bells and whistles and economies of scale just means crowds of people which we also don't like.

 

I prefer an older ship if it is maintained. Right now the Glory is perfect for us. Unfortunately the Carnival script is to now, that it is in real good shape, ignore maintenance until it becomes a rust bucket at which point they will decide if they want to refurbish it again or scrap it.

One of the things that Chief mentioned earlier is that extreme sanitizing has take time away from maintenance and that it is even dissolving the spar varnish.  Plus, some of the big projects that affect one cabin but take huge effort (like the OP's rusty door jam), just have to wait until the next drydock probably.

 

I do think that knowing the drydock schedule is useful.  I'll take Sunrise for a moment.  We first sailed on her shortly after the $200MM retrofit.  I'll bet old Triumph was a dump.  Sunrise was stunning when we boarded her.  Now could you still tell she was a 20+ year old build?  Well yeah.  But my newest car is 9 years old with 90,000 and she's PERFECT.

[jsglow]

12 hours ago, Indytraveler83 said:

 

But stop telling me that the only thing I can afford to enjoy is trash.  It's belittling and makes it sound like those of us that can do better are looking down on those that can't.  

I'll sail with you anytime Indy.  And I'll even buy you a drink.

[Indytraveler83]

2 hours ago, jsglow said:

I'll sail with you anytime Indy.  And I'll even buy you a drink.

Sounds great to me!  We managed to get in on the Horizon during Halloween for cheap before prices started climbing. Meet you on the Serenity deck? 😁

[cruisingguy007]

4 hours ago, Ralphinsc said:

Lost me when you said you wouldn't go on a free cruise. At that point, I knew we obviously could not talk from common ground. 🤣

 

I think I'd go on a free cruise even if it involved twenty minute shifts twice a day on the exercise bikes to keep the bilge pumps working and the ship from sinking. As long as they had drink service...... 

 

Best post I ever read! LOL, winner! 

[Cb1977]

My take on the Sunshine is this..

In my cruising experiences, this is the most worn ship I've been on. Our cabin had plenty of wear including the same bathroom door issues OP posted.

Even in calm seas, it was a rocky ride.

Funky layout.

Definitely the coolest serenity area on the fleet.

Did I enjoy my 8 day Eastern Caribbean cruise in 2019? Hell yes I did!

We all have choices and for me its a case of been there, done that.

Edited March 3, 2022 by Cb1977

[WakeView4Us]

22 hours ago, Indytraveler83 said:

I have just two points to make here:

 

1) Most of the criticism of OP's opinions are not of the observations themselves, but the exaggerations.  Sunshine clearly has some ugly rust, and it makes her a less desirable ship to sail.  But OP claims that this and some distasteful cakes make the Sunshine unsafe, and then goes onto say that she heard from someone that the Mardi Gras isn't in good shape either. 

 

2) Yes some of us defend these old ships, because some of us can't afford much else.  Not everyone on these boards can afford to sail on the Mardi Gras or go to Princess or HAL.  For some of us, the Sunshine is as luxurious as life gets. The only newer ship I've gotten to cruise on is the Horizon, and that's only due to some INSANE deals Carnival threw my way during the shutdown. 

 

I drive a rusty truck. It gets the job done, and is perfectly safe, but it's getting ugly.  I'd love to drive a truck without rust, but don't have 40k to throw at a new one. Am I gonna haul it to the scrap yard tomorrow? Uh... No.

 

So don't tell me that the only way I can have an affordable cruise vacation needs to be scrapped because a little rust was just too hard on your poor senses.  Tell me that it's a budget cruise on a ship that could use maintenance.  Tell me it's rusty, and you didn't like the food.

 

But stop telling me that the only thing I can afford to enjoy is trash.  It's belittling and makes it sound like those of us that can do better are looking down on those that can't.  

It was just some rust that makes this ship unsafe...it is the uneven decking on the jogging track, on decks 3 and 4 as well as around the pool, the unvarnished railing on almost ever railing we saw and not Just our balcony railing (Just nasty splinters waiting to happen), unclean common areas, unenforced masking, carpet in common areas that was up in areas that could be trip hazards, food at improper temperatures, etc. I only listed a few of the problems on this ship. Not to mention our bathroom smelling like a cat litter box. 

 

It wasn't just some tasteless cakes, it was every cake that was tasteless and even food in the MDR was mediocre at best and that's being generous. The exception here is the  pizza in the buffet which is the best I have ever had on a cruise ship. 

 

Unless you were on this ship and with me, you can't claim to see what I saw or say I am exaggerating. One or two of these issues could be overlooked but combined this is something that Carnival should address. I think the only reason this ship is as popular as it is is because it is cheap and doesn't have competition of a ship home ported in Charleston.  There are a lot of folks who don't want to buy airfare which I  understand.

 

Don't be a hater because you disagree with me...we are all entitled to our opinions and have our own experiences. 

 

[KmomChicago]

19 minutes ago, basktchic said:

 I think the only reason this ship is as popular as it is is because it is cheap and doesn't have competition of a ship home ported in Charleston.  There are a lot of folks who don't want to buy airfare which I  understand.

Exactly.

[Tapi]

If I were you, I’d file this cruise in the “learning experience” shelf. Carnival cruises on older ships from “drive to” ports (Charleston, Mobile, Jacksonville, etc) are not so much for seasoned cruisers with certain expectations, but more for cruisers whose priorities are convenience and affordability, and who aren’t fazed by the condition of these older ships, or by some of the things that you described.  
 

Our last Carnival cruise was from Mobile on the Fantasy (which has now mercifully crossed the “rainbow bridge”). While we had an absolutely fantastic time, the ship’s condition and some of the things that we encountered made the Sunshine look like a shiny brand new ship. But we booked this cruise fully knowing what to expect. Still, my wife made me promise as we drove home from that cruise that we would NEVER sail on a ship like that ever again. 
 

 

Edited March 4, 2022 by Tapi

[ninjacat123]

1 hour ago, basktchic said:

It was just some rust that makes this ship unsafe...it is the uneven decking on the jogging track, on decks 3 and 4 as well as around the pool, the unvarnished railing on almost ever railing we saw and not Just our balcony railing (Just nasty splinters waiting to happen), unclean common areas, unenforced masking, carpet in common areas that was up in areas that could be trip hazards, food at improper temperatures, etc. I only listed a few of the problems on this ship. Not to mention our bathroom smelling like a cat litter box. 

 

It wasn't just some tasteless cakes, it was every cake that was tasteless and even food in the MDR was mediocre at best and that's being generous. The exception here is the  pizza in the buffet which is the best I have ever had on a cruise ship. 

 

Unless you were on this ship and with me, you can't claim to see what I saw or say I am exaggerating. One or two of these issues could be overlooked but combined this is something that Carnival should address. I think the only reason this ship is as popular as it is is because it is cheap and doesn't have competition of a ship home ported in Charleston.  There are a lot of folks who don't want to buy airfare which I  understand.

 

Don't be a hater because you disagree with me...we are all entitled to our opinions and have our own experiences. 

 

I went back and read through your comments which were all negative.  This last comment about the pizza at the buffet was the only positive comment.  Any thoughts about service from the crew, wait staff, room stewards?  Did you go to any of the shows?  How was the weather?  Anything positive?  Just curious....

Edited March 4, 2022 by ninjacat123

[Pellaz]

On 3/2/2022 at 12:10 PM, KmomChicago said:

Getting my salad in the wind tunnel on MG was perhaps the most I have ever laughed on a cruise. Lettuce blowing out of the bowl towards the pool.

 

On my cruise, lettuce was actually blowing up and INTO the pool.  

 

Carnival could advertise that.  "Serenity Pool with added vegetables, and we didn't forget the kale!"   😄  
 

[KmomChicago]

7 hours ago, Tapi said:

But we booked this cruise fully knowing what to expect. Still, my wife made me promise as we drove home from that cruise that we would NEVER sail on a ship like that ever again. 
 

 

 

This is where the debate will continue ad infinitum. Each traveler has to make this choice and clearly the world is divided into 3 camps: 

 

1. Those who are happy cruising on anything and can overlook, or not even notice, a lot of flaws.

2. Those with an eye for detail and cleanliness and beauty, very minimal tolerance for flaws and wear and tear who will quickly be disappointed with bargain vessels, and

3. Those with champagne tastes and beer budgets who are used to accepting cheapo conditions because that's what they can afford. They've been compromising all their life. That's me BTW.

 

People are not really intending to fiercely defend any given ship or cruise line, just their personal right to fall into one of these categories.

[mondello]

We were on Sunshine 12/26-12/31. Yes, the bottom of the door frames are rusting after 25 years of service. This was down near the edge of the shower and was only noticed when sitting on the toilet. Sorry to hear OP experienced so many problems on her cruise.

 

I don't know where she saw "dirty common areas." We were all over the ship and you just can't fault Carnval's service. Crew were constantly cleaning. The one complaint I had was I wished it was easier to clean the seaspray and salt residue off the windows. 

 

I was on Destiny 15 years prior to this out of San Juan. Carnival spent $200-$250 million and added several new dining venues and bars. I never booked the old Carnival ships and was only on Sunshine because of the ship change for Horizon repairs. OP didn't enjoy the food but I wonder if she tried the Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi, JiJis/Asian, Cucina/Italian, Guy's Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, or the Seaday Brunch?

 

Finally, there is no reason to suffer with a bathroom that smells like a cat litter box. Somebody should have told OP that one needs to lower the commode lid to access the flush button. Seriously though, was any attempt made to identify the source of the odor and rectify the problem?