tdbates

Thanks everyone! I'll just stick with our reservation and bring "nicer" sundresses for me and the girls. I don't mind dressing up a bit, but I don't want to have to purchase some cocktail dress I'll never wear again!

I'm a female so I'd likely have to bring a fancier dress than I'd prefer. Also bringing our 13 year old twin daughters and don't really want to bring fancy dresses for them either.

I'm a female so I'd likely have to bring a fancier dress than I'd prefer. Also bringing our 13 year old twin daughters and don't really want to bring fancy dresses for them either.

We depart on a 5-night cruise aboard the Sunshine next week and this will be our first cruise. We want to forgo the elegant night, so I booked a reservation for Cucina del Capitano for the second night of our cruise. I've since read that elegant night also extends to some of the specialty restaurants. Is this true? I'm really hoping to not have to bring fancy clothing!

Thanks everyone! I think we'll shoot for a later check-in if possible and either have lunch en route to Charleston or show up in Charleston a few hours early and have lunch there. I'd really prefer to just go to our room first, if its available, before exploring the ship.

I'm also sailing on the 12th. My Carnival hub app says check in is tomorrow, the 28th. Though I'm pretty sure it said the 29th last time I checked it.

Cruising on the Sunshine out of Charleston in a few weeks. This is our first cruise, and our check-in starts on Saturday. We are driving to Charleston that morning from the Charlotte area. Is there anything to do on the ship besides eat/drink on arrival day? I'm trying to figure out if there is a benefit to arriving early versus 1-2 pm (4 pm departure). I'd also like to avoid big crowds if at all possible, although I'm also aware that this is a cruise ship and crowds are part of the experience and probably unavoidable. Anyways, would love some suggestions for check-in times!

Hello everyone! We have our first cruise booked to the Bahamas from Charleston mid November and I'm having difficulties figuring out what to pack because of the temperature differences. I'm from SC so I'm aware of the weather, which will likely be in the 60s or low 70s. Quite a bit different from Nassau's average temps. The first full day is at sea. At what point does it get start getting warmer? I'm just trying to figure out how many long sleeves/pants versus shorts/short sleeves/dresses we need to pack for the 5 night cruise. Thanks!

Thanks everyone! Yes, I see the Cucina del Capitano menu online now. When I was on the website on my phone I didn't realize there was a hyperlink for the dinner menu. Thank you! When I googled the menu I came across several different variations of the menu, all uploaded fairly recently, which is why I asked. As far as them being picky, it would be easier to mention what they actually do eat. One is on the autism spectrum, high functioning, and very much eats the same things all the time. Mainly pasta with plain marinara and mac n cheese. The other eats mostly fries and the same pasta with marinara. Neither eat meat whatsoever. We've seen feeding therapists and nutritionists so no advice needed. But having the various options on the cruise is a big reason why we are giving it a try. We've been overseas (Europe, from the US) with them several times and meal times can be stressful. I'm hoping they will be willing to try some new things on this trip. Thank you for the link for the updated MDR menus! Is there a way to find out when the elegant night is on a 5 night cruise? Because we are choosing to skip it.

Hello! We are traveling on the Sunshine in November. I've been trying to find menus for the various specialty restaurants and the main dining rooms but it seems like these change and are cruise-specific. Is that true? If so, when can I access the actual menus for our cruise? Do I have to wait until we get on board? We are traveling with two picky 12 year olds. It's super annoying! We'll be traveling on their 13th birthday and I'm thinking about booking a reservation for Cucina del Capitano. If I prepay for our reservation, will I be able to cancel if I'm not interested in the menu? Same with the MDR. I don't want to subject myself to a dinner where they won't find anything they want to eat. I'm hoping this will give them an opportunity to try new things. We'll see.

We will be on the Sunshine on our twins' 13th birthday and I would like to order the cake(s), and perhaps the birthday decorations package, through Carnival and have them delivered to the room. Two questions! 1) I don't see where I can specify a date, so will the cakes/decor already be in our room upon boarding the ship? 2) do they give paper plates and utensils? If not, how do we go about actually eating the cake?

Hello again! I'm getting ready to book a cruise in November aboard the Sunshine and I'm trying to figure out our stateroom. We are doing an interior, since it's a short trip and we don't foresee being in our cabin other than to sleep, and I'm fine with the lower decks. I was on a cruise back in high school (the Carnival Ecstasy) and I don't recall ever feeling sick however I'm nervous about the prospect as I am prone to motion sickness at times. Any advice for cabin selection?

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I'm new to cruising. Has anyone taken a Sunshine cruise to the Bahamas in fall/early November? I'm from South Carolina so I'm aware of Charleston's weather in November (which, while typically temperate, isn't exactly pool weather) and I'm trying to figure out how that will affect the cruise. Specifically, when we'll be able to utilize the pool. I personally don't care about the pool however I am traveling with two 12 year olds who very much want to swim! Is the pool heated? How far into the cruise does it start to get warmer? We'll be traveling to Half Moon Cay and perhaps Nassau (I haven't narrowed down the exact cruise yet). Thanks!

Thanks everyone! Free gratuities it is! I do see where the "free upgrades" are from like 4A to 4C so I know it's just another interior room. To be honest I don't mind being on the bottom floors. I like my room dark and quiet (hopefully!) when I sleep so I actually like the room selection better without the upgrade. We are excited! It's just a short getaway, since my husband has to work, for my twins' upcoming 13th birthday. They are super excited!

Hello! I'm brand new to cruising, and I will be booking a Carnival Sunshine cruise soon. Currently I have the option to book with either a free 2-category room upgrade or free gratuities, both at the same rate. This will be a cruise for three people (1 adult plus two kids) in an interior room for a short 4-night cruise out of Charleston. I understand the gratuities rate is $14 per person per day. Trying to decide if it's a better deal to go with the free gratuities or the free cabin ungrade. Thoughts?