CruisingwithAutism

We have a scenic ocean view on the Sunshine, May 16th. (9107) We have 4 in our cabin and our PVP wanted to make sure we knew if the occupancy changed that Carnival could (and probably would) bump us from that room.

We are traveling with two kiddos so it's doubtful we would leave one at home. ;)

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

Nov '15 Carnival Sunshine

Royal is fine. There are some things we liked better but not enough to spend twice as much. My kids liked the flow rider, the ice skating and the rock wall but they did it once during the cruise and didn't ask to do it again.

What they really enjoy is the Waterworks and slides on the Carnival ships. There are no slides on Royal-just a splash-spray zone.

The food- it may be marginally better but again not enough to warrant double the fare.

We also enjoy the varied itineraries on Carnival. But Royal does have larger cabins (at least on Freedom of the Seas)

Go enjoy yourself!! A cruise is a cruise no matter the ship!

 

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

Nov '15 Carnival Sunshine

It goes back to your credit card.

Carnival cancelled our excursion the night before because there wasn't enough to make a group. We were so disappointed because we had researched that sucker to death. Then we had to wait in a long line at the shore excursion desk to book something else. Ha! I'm sure you don't care so the answer is back to your original credit card.

-kelly

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

Nov '15 Carnival Sunshine

On our last cruise we brought a package of waffle cones to enjoy the soft serve. We could hardly walk two steps away without people stopping to ask where we got the cone. ;)

Even had one guy offer to buy one from me!

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

Nov '15 Carnival Sunshine

Our spring break is that week. (And many other counties in Alabama.)

I would guess a lot of families with children will cruise then.

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

Nov '15 Carnival Sunshine

We booked an aft balcony on our upcoming Sunshine cruise on deck 5. I researched for weeks and although these rooms (on 5) were added during the renovation, it seems they are getting great reviews. Everyone seems to really enjoy the aft balconies- a lot less traffic in the halls, very quiet, and not much movement felt in the back of the ship. I'm not sure which deck you're considering?

 

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

Nov '15 Carnival Sunshine

The cove balconies are very cool! So close to the water- you can see flying fish and dolphin. It is quite peaceful to have an unobstructed view.

I've never stayed in the walkway view rooms but we have gone on those "secret decks" that the picture windows overlook. Looks like they have a view of anyone that happens to be out there, the deck, railing and maybe if you stand on tiptoe, you can see the water.

Worth the money to me!

It's like Let's Make a Deal in here :D

 

"I will trade your cash for what's behind the curtain Carol is standing in front of."

"KEEP THE CASH!"

"TAKE THE CURTAIN!"

"THE CASH!"

"THE CURTAIN!"

 

 

My favorite comment on this thread because it was exactly what I was thinking!

My favorite on all of our cruises was Harry Potter trivia. My 10 yr old had a perfect score that tied a team that consisted of 6 adults. The host wanted to give two ships but my daughter refused and wanted to play sudden death. (The poor host was so worried that he would have a ten year old girl in hysterical tears)

She won. And the packed lounge went crazy.

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

Nov '15 Carnival Sunshine

We had FTTF for our recent Pride cruise. I booked it due to the tendering ports. Other than that I figured I would never buy it again.

 

Well, we loved it. Skipping past the check in lines, getting our room and luggage as soon as we boarded, never waiting in the long line at Guest Services(which was always long), etc.

 

We have also purchased it for our Breeze cruise this December. We are so far out that there were 18 available still.

 

 

We are sailing on the Sunshine for Thanksgiving and it's not showing any excursions for our sailing yet! I'll have to keep checking. ;)

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

We have used FTTF several times and it is very helpful to our family. Our last cruise on the Dream, there was a delay with boarding due to a coast guard inspection. Our cabin was accessible once we finally boarded but it was 1pm by then and all the cabins were ready. But then our luggage was delayed and arrived after most of our hallway. I called guest services to ask and she offered to refund the cost $49.95 because of the inconvenience. I was shocked! I wasn't demanding a refund at all. She then said we would keep the benefits for the rest of the cruise.

My point, if you purchase it, and feel like any of the "benefits" are lacking, don't hesitate to let guest services know!

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

I hope the OP won't mind me answering, but the Shake Spot spiked milkshakes are NOT included on Cheers. Unfortunately, there is a post on the Funville forums from a CCL employee stating they are but I asked John Heald on his FB page & he said they are not.

 

 

Thanks for the info!

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

Can't wait to hear more! My Dad always cruises with us and we have the best time. Is your MIL single? We can hook them up so they can avoid that pesky single rate! ;)

Did y'all not have the Cheers package? I wonder if the drinks at Shake Spot or Alchemy would be included in that?

-Kelly

I'm hoping when they do the big Vista announcement on Jan 22, maybe they will announce home ports and any ships that are shifting around. I would love if the Breeze or Magic would come to NOLA or Port Canaveral in 2016.

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

I'm sure it's very disappointing to you and your family but I think this may have to be filed under "learn from your mistakes". You could always change your travel dates for a future sailing with your preferred cabins and lower price. I just don't see how Carnival can accommodate you if they've already booked other people. Would you expect them to be moved because you made a mistake? We all lead exceptionally busy lives but to not monitor your credit card charges or fully read your emails is hard to sympathize with.

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

Have Oasis and Allure been in FTL since coming across the pond?

 

When will RCCL release the rest of 2016?

 

Thank you all for your replies! You're so helpful!

 

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

Where is Quantum scheduled to go after NJ? Any chance Allure or Oasis will go to Port Canaveral? Anyone have the scoop? ;)

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

Also mention to the Maitre D and servers you don't want photographers coming to the table! We once had a pirate jump behind me with a plastic sword for a funny picture that caused my poor boy a serious meltdown. :(

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

Did your kids enjoy the Waterworks and Sports square areas?

Did you try Bonsai sushi?

Sea day brunch- was that in the aft dining room that you felt all the motion in?

Thanks for your review- we are cruising the Sunshine in May!

Merry Christmas,

Kelly

Dear Santa,

All I want for 2015 is the Breeze in PC! I've been a good girl...most of the year.

Kisses!

-Kelly

 

 

Feb '11 Carnival Elation

Nov '11 Carnival Fascination

Sep '12 Royal Monarch of the Seas

Nov '12 Royal Freedom of the Seas

Sep '13 Carnival Dream

Jan '14 Disney Dream

Mar '14 Disney Magic

Aug '14 Caribbean Princess

Oct '14 Carnival Dream

May '15 Carnival Sunshine

We have cabin 9107. Amazing views!

Ocean view categories are on Rivera and main deck only

Not always! We are booked in a scenic ocean view on the Sunshine. It's on the Lido deck, all the way forward above the bridge. It's a category 6J. There is also category 6K which is also on Lido but on the corner and has two giant windows. These categories aren't on every ship though.

Here's a view looking down:

We cruised on the Dream over Halloween and had a balcony guarantee (Carnival chooses the cabin). We got 11251 which is almost directly above where your cabin will be. it was very quiet. And we had fantastic views of Jamaica since we ported on that side. When you look straight down from your balcony, you will have a view of the promenade deck 5. But we didn't mind that because we were far enough away not to hear anything and we could just glance down to see if the whirlpools were crowded or not. ;)