Very discouraged about Sunshine

I booked for March 5, 2016 cruise on Sunshine to Aruba because I've always wanted to go snorkeling there, but my hubby will only sail out if Port Carnival or Tampa. Now I am reading that Aruba is always windy in March and the ship did not even stop there last week. That coupled with the horrible reviews of overcrowding has got me ready to cancel. To further complicate things, I see where anytime dining requires you to go to a separate deck to get a ticket. Why is that? Which dining room is designated for anytime dining? I usually don't pay attention to reviews but these issues are not based on opinions but hard facts. Can anyone offer any encouragement? I really want to go to Aruba but not just to sail past it.

I booked for March 5, 2016 cruise on Sunshine to Aruba because I've always wanted to go snorkeling there, but my hubby will only sail out if Port Carnival or Tampa. Now I am reading that Aruba is always windy in March and the ship did not even stop there last week. That coupled with the horrible reviews of overcrowding has got me ready to cancel. To further complicate things, I see where anytime dining requires you to go to a separate deck to get a ticket. Why is that? Which dining room is designated for anytime dining? I usually don't pay attention to reviews but these issues are not based on opinions but hard facts. Can anyone offer any encouragement? I really want to go to Aruba but not just to sail past it.

Aruba is windy all year long. Ever see pictures of the divi trees all bent over to the side?

That ship was packed before they changed the name and added all those additional cabins.

You have quite the dilemma if hubby only cruises from those ports.

Never heard of getting tickets for my time dining. Must be something new.

usually the main dining rooms is on one floor with my time dining up the stairs on the next deck.

Good luck whatever you choose to do.

Yeah, Aruba gets the trade winds so it's always a bit windy. I went there in the summer one year and it never felt really hot because of the winds.

I had a great time on the Sunshine and I am a Royal Caribbean girl, tried and true. Never heard of tickets for dining, only tendering, but, if there are tickets, so what. You're on a cruise ship, you won't go hungry, LOL.

Like others have said, Aruba is always windy. I've heard of HMC and Grand Cayman being missed a lot, but never Aruba. I guess it has happened.

I have sailed on Destiny (before it was Sunshine) twice. I had one of my best cruises on her and one of my least favorite also. They did add more cabins, so less common space. So, yes, it might be more crowded. But others have said you just have to time things accordingly...like wait a little before going to the buffet, etc.

About the reviews? I've seen glowing reviews and bad ones. It's all in one's perspective.

I've been doing Your Time Dining since it started and I've never heard of getting a ticket. You just go when you're ready, anytime between 5:45 and 9:30.

I wouldn't worry about the bad reviews. Just go with an open mind and form your own opinion.

Have a great cruise and let us know how it went when you get back!

We had a great time on the Sunshine, although it did seem more crowded than other ships we've been on. We visited Aruba on the Breeze and part of the day we went to a beach. It was so windy that the sand was blowing on our legs and actually hurt! We saw some beautiful things though and glad we went.

We cruised the Sunshine last May and every day was windy. That seems to be a Southern Caribbean thing, but it was never too bad. Aruba wasn't any more windy than the other islands we've been to so maybe we had an off day if everyone else says the wind is bad.

As for the Sunshine, we never felt like the ship was overcrowded. I keep reading those reviews about overcrowding and general dislike of the ship itself, but we found 99% of those reviews to be unfounded.

Our only issue while on the ship was with the family in the cabin next to ours. They were very loud, constantly slamming any door or drawer that could be forced closed. I don't think they ever slept. They also left trash and food everywhere. The kids would just drop their ice cream cones on the floor when they were done with them along with other things so the poor housekeeping staff were constantly shampooing the carpets. Other than some flagrantly rude passengers, our cruise was one of the best we've had to date.

I booked for March 5, 2016 cruise on Sunshine to Aruba because I've always wanted to go snorkeling there, but my hubby will only sail out if Port Carnival or Tampa. Now I am reading that Aruba is always windy in March and the ship did not even stop there last week. That coupled with the horrible reviews of overcrowding has got me ready to cancel. To further complicate things, I see where anytime dining requires you to go to a separate deck to get a ticket. Why is that? Which dining room is designated for anytime dining? I usually don't pay attention to reviews but these issues are not based on opinions but hard facts. Can anyone offer any encouragement? I really want to go to Aruba but not just to sail past it.

I was on the Destiny and it was crowded, long lines, etc and I can't give a good review. Now they pack more people on it. ummmm, lower price, more people. Anytime dining is like going to any restaurant. On vacation, I don't really see the appeal for it. Just pick regular dining and it's nice and easy.

Aruba is always windy....its just the way it is. As far as the Sunshine is concerned, we sailed it in Europe and had an awesome time. We would book the ship again without hesitation. Never heard of tickets for dining, and not sure where you heard that from, but I am sure it is false. You will have a great time.

I booked for March 5, 2016 cruise on Sunshine to Aruba because I've always wanted to go snorkeling there, but my hubby will only sail out if Port Carnival or Tampa. Now I am reading that Aruba is always windy in March and the ship did not even stop there last week. That coupled with the horrible reviews of overcrowding has got me ready to cancel. To further complicate things, I see where anytime dining requires you to go to a separate deck to get a ticket. Why is that? Which dining room is designated for anytime dining? I usually don't pay attention to reviews but these issues are not based on opinions but hard facts. Can anyone offer any encouragement? I really want to go to Aruba but not just to sail past it.

We went on the Allure of the Seas and it was PACKED compared to our previous cruise on the Carnival Freedom, and the Allure is one of the most loved ships out there. I think it's all about expectations and maybe people who are comparing it to the Destiny before it. But if you go in expecting it to be more crowded, then you may be pleasantly surprised.

I think the pictures of the sunshine look beautiful and I would not hesitate to cruise on the Sunshine no matter the reviews. There have been so many trips I have taken (land and sea) where the reviews were completely off. People complaining about every little thing. I was expecting our honeymoon hotel in Tulum to be a complete DIVE based on Trip Advisor reviews, and it was the most wonderful and beautiful place I've ever seen.

The one disappointing thing about cruising is that you always run the risk of missing a port due to weather. I'm hoping we do NOT miss HMC next month, I would be devestated. But I'm going in with the expectation that even if the chances are slim, it might happen to prepare myself for it. Nothing we can help there.

Any way you look at it, you will have a GREAT TIME on vacation. The Serenity area there would be reason enough for me to book. People say it's "crowded" but we thought it was extremely crowded on every other ship we have been on too, especially the Freedom and for some reason nobody complains about that. :rolleyes:

Sunshine does have a check in section on deck 5 (where u get a ticket) was on last year and again this year. The check in is less crowded and you have areas to sit and wait until your time. Walk down two decks or take elevator and you are in the aft restaurant bottom floor. Top section reserved for assigned dining. To me BEST system for YTD. Get there around 5:30-5:45 will walk right down to your table.

I booked for March 5, 2016 cruise on Sunshine to Aruba because I've always wanted to go snorkeling there, but my hubby will only sail out if Port Carnival or Tampa. Now I am reading that Aruba is always windy in March and the ship did not even stop there last week. That coupled with the horrible reviews of overcrowding has got me ready to cancel. To further complicate things, I see where anytime dining requires you to go to a separate deck to get a ticket. Why is that? Which dining room is designated for anytime dining? I usually don't pay attention to reviews but these issues are not based on opinions but hard facts. Can anyone offer any encouragement? I really want to go to Aruba but not just to sail past it.

I was there on a week long vacation and I'm the one who reported seeing the ship come in and leave.

We were on the beach at the time, and it was sooooo windy that to lay on my towel-lined chaise I had to hold it down with my husband's assistance to keep it from flapping up in the wind so I could get on it without it flying away first. I never succeeded in getting it flat.

The wind was a real drag there, and I don't think I would go back.

Just mho,

Sunshine does have a check in section on deck 5 (where u get a ticket) was on last year and again this year. The check in is less crowded and you have areas to sit and wait until your time. Walk down two decks or take elevator and you are in the aft restaurant bottom floor. Top section reserved for assigned dining. To me BEST system for YTD. Get there around 5:30-5:45 will walk right down to your table.

Is the check in optional or a requirement?

Helpful hints: During breakfast and lunch go to aft section. Havana Bar area (huge area) to eat breakfast and lunch and you have two speciality restaurants back there that serve omelette's in the morning and during lunch serves items (free) from pay dinner menus. Never crowded......the ship does get crowded by we laid out by the water works....usually no chair issues. The shows and comedy, need to arrive early. Casino smoking area is crowded....nuisance but no big deal. Loved it last year and booked again this year. YTD dining you get better dining room in my opinion...aft...always request table in very back....

Requirement. There are two Hostesses who get your cabin number. They print off a small receipt (like store) it has your name and table assignment. You have alchemy bar, Red Frog and another large sitting area. I liked the system....when it was your time you walked down...which was around the corner from the hostesses. When u go down stairs they see your receipt and take you to your table.

I booked for March 5, 2016 cruise on Sunshine to Aruba because I've always wanted to go snorkeling there, but my hubby will only sail out if Port Carnival or Tampa. Now I am reading that Aruba is always windy in March and the ship did not even stop there last week. That coupled with the horrible reviews of overcrowding has got me ready to cancel. To further complicate things, I see where anytime dining requires you to go to a separate deck to get a ticket. Why is that? Which dining room is designated for anytime dining? I usually don't pay attention to reviews but these issues are not based on opinions but hard facts. Can anyone offer any encouragement? I really want to go to Aruba but not just to sail past it.

A group of us just booked this same cruise! One - because of Aruba! But those are the chances you take when going on a cruise. Sometimes things happen and the ship can't port. Maybe just book a land vacation there?

As for the Sunshine, we've cruised on the Destiny twice and had a blast! The overcrowding thing doesn't really concern me. There's always a place to go and many different places to eat! Not worried about that.

As for reviews, I read them and take them all with a grain of salt. Reviews are people's opinions and you know what they say about opinions....

Is the check in optional or a requirement?

Required

We were on the beach at the time, and it was sooooo windy that to lay on my towel-lined chaise I had to hold it down with my husband's assistance to keep it from flapping up in the wind so I could get on it without it flying away first. I never succeeded in getting it flat.

 

The wind was a real drag there, and I don't think I would go back.

,

Pototo chip CLIPS work wonders for that reason. LARGE binder clips work the same way too.

If there was no wind in Aruba it will be too hot for you to lay day out there--even in the shade. The winds keep it cool although the temps are in the high 80's

I just sailed on Sunshine and had a great cruise. I was worried due to all the negative reviews, but if you go in with an open mind you will have a great time. She is a good ship and I am sure I will sail her again. Yes, at times it can be crowded, but get up early to get a deck chair and you will be fine. If you do not want to deal with the check in system for YTD, do an assigned dining time. That's what we did and each evening we just walked in to our table. It was a nice change. As for missing the port, there is always a chance of missing ports on a cruise. We missed Costa Maya on our sailing due to winds. It is a chance you take.

I hope you have a good cruise. Please do not let all the bad reviews chase you away.

We had a great time on The Sunshine. Just make sure you learn the route from the check in station to the proper dining room. To us it was a little confusing the first time we did it.

One thing I dislike about Carnival ships, and maybe all ships are this was, is that some decks don't go all the way through, they are broken up by the galley so you have to go up down and around to get to the dining room.

LOL, I love how like 7 people said there was no ticketing system for YTD before someone with actual info chimed in. That part sounds ok to me. Actually something I would not mind fleet wide.

Thank you all for taking the time to help me. I wasn't worried about food at all, just the inconvenience of getting tickets. YTD is a must for us. Now I'm wondering about snorkeling in such windy conditions. Has anyone snorkeled there?

Thank you all for taking the time to help me. I wasn't worried about food at all, just the inconvenience of getting tickets. YTD is a must for us. Now I'm wondering about snorkeling in such windy conditions. Has anyone snorkeled there?

We have snorkeled in Aruba several times on land based vacations there. I believe we used someone called Jolly Pirates. We always had great snorkeling there. Aruba is always windy. There are parts of the island where the beaches do seem windier. The area by the Hyatt had less sandblasting wind than the area by what was the Westin (on Palm Beach). HTH

We sailed the Sunshine in February and, while it wasn't our favourite ship (this was our first cruise with Carnival), we had a great time.

Crowded? Yeah, but we were always able to find quiet areas. The crew was friendly and pleasant.

The food was good, but not great, in my opinion. My husband loved the food. :-) Our four year-old granddaughter loved the main dining room and thought the frog legs were awesome. She had two plates of them - it was the first thing she told her preschool class about.

Go in with a good attitude, you'll have a great time. :-)

Book a high deck to avoid the special smell on the Sunshine. Otherwise we loved our cruise on her