rjrpar

Sunshine has many pros as listed above. We got off on Jan. 29th and would not book her again. The overcrowding was bad enough to offset all the positive features - people everywhere.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The words "over analysis" leaps to mind...

100% agree. Don't waste any more time and have a good time

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We were told by one couple prior to the cruise that we had to cruise on X because it was "so upscale" in comparison. Nope, not at all. Service and quality were no better than any of the other cruises we've ever taken (21). The "freebies" aren't really free and never are on any line. The one thing we liked and the reason we booked was the 7 day itinerary to Bermuda. We actually met two couples onboard who later cruised with us on GR in Oct and we all agreed. We don't get where some say X is so superior. X also has more limited departure ports. If they came back to Baltimore, we might cruise them again, but if we're going to NJ, we're going to go on Anthem, not Summit. And, FLL just has too many other options.

 

Anyway, this is just our opinion and we feel the recommendation by DH's coworker was overblown.

 

As for internet costs, Carnival by far has the best and least expensive internet ever. It's the only time we've ever bought a full package. We paid like $50 for 8 nights for 2(either 2 or 3) devices. We do use our 48 hours on RCI in a very specific way. We spread it out. For example, our upcoming cruise on GR is a southeast coast, so one sea day, then Charleston, Miami, PC, CocoCay and Nassau , then two sea days. No need to use the minutes in Charleston, Miami, or PC, so if we skip the first sea day, we can use our phones in the three US ports and use our free minutes the last 4 days. Usually what we do is spread it out so we have internet access every 2 days or so. Our last trip on GR was 12 nights.

I agree. Don't understand why X has a reputation of being more upscale. Our last 2 cruises have been a 14 night on X and an 8 night on Carnival. We noticed no difference in service, food, elegance, etc. actually Carnival had better food than the Eclipse. Comparing X to a premium line is ridiculous

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

not true, the dec 22nd sailing we were on was given the option to cancel before boarding

Let's not confuse this discussion with facts

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Well, most folks would not notice it...so I'm sure they "sneak it by" many.

How did you ever come to that conclusion. You must be a politician

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Not very good PR. Unless they turned the tap on hard with free booze it would be hard to wipe this stain away. Very lucky there is not bad weather coming up. If I was onboard I would be very annoyed. Only so many chairman of the boards one can drink!

You think free booze is the answer to offset this problem?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I think there is more to this story

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We cruised Sunshine twice in 2016 and I cannot for the life of me figure out the complaints of crowding. Compared to other lines we like (Royal and Celebrity) ALL Carnival ships feel more crowded, but Sunshine was no worse than other Carnival ships and she has a great variety of dining options if that appeals to you. Great Waterworks area plus Skycourse for the kids and kids-at-heart. Only Sunshine has a three-deck high Serenity as well as its own pool (with waterfall!). Yes the lounge for the comedy club is smaller than some other ships but we always managed to get in and get decent seats. The Liquid Lounge has a different layout than other ship theaters but was never more than 3/4 full so getting a seat was never an issue.

The comedy lounge is way too small, forced people to get in line a half hour early. The main pool area is nice but should be twice as large and the buffet is a wait at every station and finding a table is difficult. Congestion is subjective but the Sunshine was not for us.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Hello! I need help. We have a family of 9 (7 adults and two 12 yr olds). All first time cruisers but me. Trying to decide between the carnival liberty and the sunshine. Same ports (Nassau and Freeport). Mid June cruise. The ratings on multiple sites on the sunshine are awful! Why? It seems to have more restaurants and water slides, activities, etc. I don't understand the difference between the two ships with the ratings.

We will be traveling peak time for kids and families but worried about it being to crowded. Is one ship better than the other? Also I have been told I should just pay the extra money and do a Disney cruise instead (the dream sails around the same dates but way more $$).

This is a big family vacation-once in a life time trip. We want it to be the best experience for all.

Thank you in advance for your help and guidance.

We just got off the Sunshine on 1/29. We are experienced cruisers on multiple lines, including Carnival 4 times. Here is our issue with the Sunshine. The food, entertainment, and service were all fine, however, the ship is grossly overcrowded. It was so packed in certain areas that it was our least favorite ship out of the 16 that we have sailed. With 1000 less people, it would have been great. I can only imagine that during the summer with many, many more children, how painful it would be.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

A search would find threads on the topic.

 

 

 

The common discussion is that as you lose time sailing from the Pacific to the Caribbean, many people prefer to go from the East Coast to the West Coast. We have done that 3 times. We will be trying sailing from San Francisco to Ft Lauderdale this coming October.

What am I missing? Is losing 3 hours in 14 days really an issue? I would guess that just as many people sail west to east as east to west.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We will be sailing on the Getaway next month and I'm wondering if we can drink the water from the taps in the cabin or is it best to get it from the buffet?

We drink lots of water and are looking for an easy way to stay hydrated other than buying the very very crazy expensive bottled water.

 

Thanks

Of course

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Jack's Shack is located in Zone A - A $4 fare each way pp.

 

 

 

Just returned from GT last week. A few clarifications:

There are many chairs and umbrellas for free

by Margaritaville. Only a very few umbrellas are manned by vendors and they do charge, but they are obvious - watch the colors.

We were the only ship and the beach and Magaritaville were not busy. The beach started to fill up around 11:00, after a 7:00 am arrival

Jack's is only about 500 yds. down the beach and has good food, fair service and was crowded but not full. We walked up at noon and sat right down

Overall a nice, simple beach experience.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Almost anything is acceptable on all the mass market cruise lines in the MDRs. Don't worry and enjoy the cruise

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Of course not, the dining room is like any other restaurant. Many people bring sweaters due to to the air conditioning

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks for your feedback on Serenity. We will be with 2 other couples, so I guess we will have to turn into Chair Hogs for this cruise because we will have 4 Sea Days! Each couple will have choose a Sea-Day to get up early to grab some decent loungers.

Yea, that solves the problem - more chair hogging

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

If you want to dress "formally", then you'll wear a gown or cocktail dress and hubby a tux or dark suit. However, nowadays, few folks do the "formal" thing. You can pretty much wear what you want....but, please...no shorts!

This is the correct answer. Formal nights are long gone

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Would get good pvp or speak to supervisor' date=' this doesnt seem right[/quote']

 

 

Amen.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

3 ships are nothing for St.Thomas, often 5 and many are the big ones.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

This morning I was watching the TV onboard and I see a replay of a game show from last night - can't recall its politically correct title now but it used to be called the newly wed not so newly wed show. Traditionally this was a genuine game show.

 

 

 

Looks like modern luxury means we also set up fake answers - when asked where is the most unusual place you made whoopy a respondent answers at the back of the theatre late the other night.

 

 

 

Either way Im disappointed that modern luxury means that yet another thing is not as it seems or used to be on Celebrity and they now fake their shows...or worse it is not fake and modern luxury attracts a type of guest that would think that behaviour is acceptable....

Cruising is fun and a good value but not luxurious. Loosen up, it's just fun

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

From reading this thread, I feel like I may have paid too much. We booked directly with CCL and although I have booked my last three NCL cruises with a TA and received great discounts, I cannot give this booking to a TA since I'm very worried about loosing my

 

Havana Cabana on Deck 5.

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival Vista

 

2 People

 

Booked: February 23, 2016

 

 

 

Sailing: February 24, 2018

 

8 day Eastern Caribbean

 

Havana Cabana Booked on Deck 5

 

 

 

Cruise Rate per person: $1649 (first person)

 

Cruise Rate per person: $1649 (second person)

 

Taxes, Fees and port charges total for 1-2: $437.54

 

 

 

Total: $3735.54

Well over $400/night. Seems very high

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

No one can be sure if you have enough time but I would guess you would make it back in an hour 90% of the time. Only you can decide.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

This! We have been going back and forth between CCL and NCL. NCL has been giving us better deals as of late, and after 5 cruises with NCL we are almost at their highest loyalty level - and that is with booking regular balconies - no suites.

The problem with the NCL program is that so many people are at the highest level and it means less. You will feel that way if and when you have 20 cruises, the benefits won't feel like much.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

That just tweaks my OCD... if I had to stare at that all week, I'd just go nuts.

 

 

 

Make. It. EVEN!

It would drive me nuts even if both were operational. Never understood the fascination with aft cabins

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks for your review. We are on the Sunshine beginning 1/21. Got a good deal with a nice itinerary but fear the overcrowding. If it is anywhere near what you describe, will give up Carnival and stick with Celebrity, where the ships never feel overloaded. Will report back on the crowds when schools are in-session.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Agree, very easy and cheap

Sent from my iPhone using Forums