tbdurdles2

We have been on both.  We did the sunshine in 2016 and the elation thus past March.  We loved both cruises!  The Elation is a little smaller and has less food options, and the serenity deck is small but is very beautiful.  The Sunshine has an awesome serenity area.  Think you would be fine with either ship though!

We were on the May 21rst cruise. The parking lot was a nightmare!!! We arrived at 11:30 am. There were no gates open to get into. The first gate told us to go to the next gate. We drove around to that gate and that one was closed. Went back to the first gate. Lady again told us second gate should be open now. Got to the second gate for second time and he tells us the gates will not open for at least an hour! He suggests we park on the street at a meter and walk around a bit. We find a bathroom and after only 15 mins the gate is now open with a long line of cars. We get into the gate around 12 or so. The gate person explained to us that the hold up was because of the dry dock the boat and the whole crew had to be recertified and fingerprinted. I understand that has to be done and I was trying to be patient. But now you snake back and forth in these long lines and barely move. It took us until after 2:45 to finally get luggage unloaded and into a parking spot. At this point we were hot, hungry and frustrated but still smiling because it is the start of vacation and we know it will be great. We finally get the bus to the building and into the line for security and check in. I will say that from this point on things moved very fast! I think they were pushing it because they knew it was late and they had to get people on board. We started in this line I think around 3:20 or so and we were through security and checked in and having pictures done and heading on board by 3:40. So really it was just the parking that was the issue. I have to say the security and check in was very fast and efficient. Needless to say after having a quick lunch we stood on our balcony around 5 and saw that they were still loading tons of luggage and food on board. We figured at that point it would be at least a few hours till we could leave. Muster drill wasn't till around 6 or 6:30 and we finally set off around 8.

We are on the first cruise after her dry dock, May 21 from Charleston. We are scheduled to leave at 4 so thinking that maybe they are correct and it is due to having to load more supplies since a longer cruise?

I like the public access at Taino beach. Now just a little nervous on the shuttles getting there. I have heard bad stories of the shuttle forgetting to come back to pick you up and with 9 of us that would not be a good thing

We are cruising to the Bahamas in May. We have a group of 9 people including my mom who will be 78 and can not walk more then a mile or so comfortably. We are hoping to find a beach to just go and relax for a few hours. Problem is we need something that is maybe a free access beach or just a few dollars to enter and maybe a bus or shuttle to get there? Trying not to have it add up to $20 or $30 a person to just go to a beach for a bit because we are putting money into an excursion on Nassau. Any advice would be really helpful!!

Loving all the pictures and info and the grandkids are adorable!!

I have a few pictures we took but not sure how to upload them. I did try to attach them but not sure if that works or not.

We also did the bus/ferry pass and went to horseshoe bay beach. It is beautiful there and very easy to get to by the bus.

Sorry I didn't mean to make it sound like Carnival was not being just as cautious as NCL. I know the sanitizer can only prevent certain things. I just haven't been on any other cruise till our upcoming one so I just thought all boats did that. I was actually thinking that out of 3000 passengers it looked like less then 200 people were sick and on an enclosed boat I thought that meant they really had done a good job containing it. You are very correct jimbo5544 there are many factors and it's a risk that is more then worth taking because cruising is one of the best ways to vacation! Very excited for our first Carnival one! And as a side note I am loving your reviews and input on the cruises! Very helpful to us Sunshine first timers!

When we sailed on the NCL Dawn back in 2007 they had hand sanitizer stations at every food place and bars on the boat. They had people stationed at the buffet making sure you did the sanitizer before picking up a tray or any food. I just assumed they did that on every boat to help prevent any sickness. Guessing now maybe not?

Thanks Summersigh! 84 days and counting!!!

Woo hoo that would be awesome if they do those things. We are booked on her first cruise out of drydock so can't wait!

We are going on the 5 day cruise on May 21. So the one right before yours. Getting so excited!!

We are going on our second cruise this May. So excited!!! We chose the Sunshine because it looks like a good fit for us and because of it going out of Charleston. We have taken one other cruise back in 2007 on the NCL Dawn. We loved it! The food was great, the shows were awesome, and we just had a great vacation. This time we are going with a group of family. We have 4 rooms and 3 generations going. We have the kids in their 20s, then there is myself and my hubby and my sister and her hubby in our 50s and then we also have my mom. Mom has been on many cruises and loves it and that is part of the reason we are doing this. It is my sisters 25th anniversary and my mom wanted us to do a big family trip together while she still can. Anyway, long story short is this is the first time going on Carnival. Just wondering if people who have been on NCL and Carnival can let me know how you think they compare? We are very easy going so I think we will all have a blast but just little nervous being mom is used to NCL and Royal Caribbean and it's the first cruise for all the kids and my sister and her hubby. Any feedback would be really great!! Thanks so much!

Woo hoo that is awesome news for us! We are taking her out of Charleston on May 21! So her first cruise after the makeover! So excited!

I would love a copy of them also please! Taking the 5 day to Bahamas in May! email is tbdurdles@att.net

Thanks!

LizzieTrowbridge I see that you also went on the NCL Dawn to Bermuda. We sailed on her also and are now booked on the Sunshine for May 2016. Can I get some feedback from you on how the two ships compared?? We loved the Dawn and are really excited about the Sunshine but just wondering what your opinion is on them both? We have three generations of family going so should be a great time! Thanks so much!