Clearwater

Tropical Storm to form this weekend. Of course we head out on Sat and the forecast on almost all islands we head too are at 90% chance of rain.

First port is Amber Cove and DR is in the cone so not sure if we will still make it there or be re-routed elsewhere.

In all the summers and Octobers and Novembers, I have lucked out without an issue cruising then but now on Thanksgiving we may get it.

I need some wine with my whine -

It's not too late in the season because, as I stated, there is a Tropical Storm forming this weekend which is when we sail. So that is why I am curious what to do if we end up there. It could be a very soggy cruise because there is a big system forming - not good timing.

Any suggestions on what to do when it's raining? We are sailing with an upcoming 80% Chance of rain and I think possible tropical issues. Not sure if we will make it but haven't heard otherwise yet.

Anyone off Sunshine and can tell me when the best nights would be to go to Cucina and the Steakhouse? We are torn between doing one of them or both of them.

We will be sailing during Thanksgiving week. Any recent menus, etc would be very helpful!

I was worried when I received the call because we have three side by side balcony rooms. My whole family is going for Thanksgiving and part of the fun is being next to each other.

With that said, when they called I was excited and figured we wouldn't be able to all be upgraded together. Yet we were!

We are all moved to Ocean Suites side by side. I can't wait! We are leaving for a Thanksgiving cruise and this will be the first time on a cruise over a holiday. I am nervous and excited for it.

Excited:

A) More memories with the family

B) All side by side

C) I don't have to cook and clean for Thanksgiving

Nervous:

A) Too many kids

B) Bad Thanksgiving dinner

The good outweighs the bad!

No balcony partitions open on Radiance class.

oh noooooo, really???! That is so disappointing. I love being able to have the dividers down so we can all spend more time together.

Can I piggyback on this thread??? We also have 3 balconies side by side and I was curious about the same thing!! When I booked, the agent couldn't tell me if they could do it.

I will be on the Brilliance of the Seas. Hope the OP isn't mad I am jumping in but I was going to ask the same question and didn't want to have two identical threads out. :)

It's a beautiful ship and I found the valet parking at the port very convenient and affordable. (Jewel a similar ship was there when I cruised in 2012.

Looking forward to a beautiful ship out of Tampa. We always get old ships because of the Skyway! And yes, we ALWAYS use the valet, so convenient!!

Thank you all so much! Huge help!

Appreciate all the answers which were all pretty consistent! :)

Spontaneously booked this evening on Brilliance of the Seas for 10 people (5 cabins).

I am not new to cruising but after sailing on the same line so long, you get used to things you like and I am sorta compiling a list of what is available.

I am pretty internet savvy but I have to say, the RC website needs major help in my opinion. It is not easy to navigate or find the info I need as a newbie to their brand.

So with that said - I just had a few questions that maybe you can help with.

1) Pool Towels - Does RC leave them in their cabin so you have them for port days? Or do I have to go check them out ahead of time? I don't plan on bringing my own

2) Is there is a grill by the pool for Burgers and casual food?

3) Is there a Ben and Jerry's onboard? I see info on google images but not on RC's website

4) Is there Bingo on board? I have a mom and grandmother who enjoy it!

5) Is there live music daily outside at the pool? Is it mostly all day? Love this if so!!

6) Is there a link online anywhere for cocktail prices?

7) Does the English Pub serve food or just drinks? Was curious if there was fish n chips or nibbles in there?

I think that's it for now! Thanks in advance! I adore the planning part of the trip. Helps the clock tick by.

You are quite fortunate if you found RCCL cheaper than CCL. I have never found that to be true out of FL. RCCL is more but I think you get more. The ships are nicer but the food is the same or better on CCL IMO. Usually we go CCL because it is cheaper and we can go more often! But Carnival's prices are creeping up so who knows what the future holds!

Ironically - it came out MUCH cheaper but I think for a couple reasons.

1 - On the Paradise, since they added the balconies they are considered "Suites" even tho they are outdated regular balcony rooms. Only thing you really get is better and faster boarding.

2 - RC is having a fantastic sale that ends tomorrow at midnight.

I saved approximately $350 PER stateroom which I was floored by!!

I am so excited to hear the comparisons from everyone who have sailed on both!

We booked tonight 3 side by side balcony rooms and we have a few more friends booking tomorrow!

All set and now the fun begins, lots of reading reviews and planning :)

Appreciate all the feedback from everyone who piped in!

Thanks for the feedback! I just watched a few videos and it does look much prettier!

We are sailing on The Carnival Sunshine in November so I think you are all right it's time to try Brilliance.

I just did some price comparisons as well and for a Balcony, which is what we want, it comes out less on RC! So that is a selling point in itself for a quick get away!

Thanks again! May be booking tonight :)

I need some comparisons if possible as I am planning for a large group.

I have sailed on Paradise several times. Not my favorite but since I am local to the port, it's easy.

However since I would like some people who sail the quick itineraries for some comparisons on Food/Service/Casino/Pools etc...

Thanks in Advance!

Based on your experiences on the Paradise, I say try Royal!

Have you been on both?

I am sure there are people who have sailed both so was hoping on a comparison on the casino/food/pools etc...

I would like more details.

I see mixed reviews on both ships and Tampa is SO limited with the Skyway. Since I am planning for so many people - I would like to bring back some intel! :)

I would love to find someone who has been on both and can tell me your preference?

I have been on Paradise a few times and felt it is dated and needs a major overhaul. I haven't however tried RC out of Tampa and am interested in people who have gone on both.

Things we care about:

better food - Paradise was decent

better casino - Paradise rated at a B- to me

Does RC have a comedy club?? I like the option on Carnival

Better Pools? I think Paradise was meh

More updated ship? Paradise felt very very worn to me

Would love to hear comparisons!

I am trying to plan a girls trip with approximately 10 women Ages 40s/60's and one 93 year old lol :)

Wonderful review! Was fun to read and now the photos of the food have me hungry!!

We went on the Breeze out of Miami about a year ago and it was by far my absolutely favorite cruise and ship. She is going to be hard to compare to!!

I have a quick question. We too are taking a Thanksgiving cruise with all of our family this November. We will be on the Sunshine. I was so curious how Thanksgiving dinner was? This is our first time not cooking our own food - which was also part of the reason we planned so we don't have to work so hard with buying, prepping, and cleaning but some of the nostalgia is to be missed I am sure!!

I have read in the past sub par Thanksgiving food so I was curious with the new American Table menus out, if the Thanksgiving dinner was any better?? If it is still sub par I was wondering if I should book a speciality restaurant that evening instead or just roll with it? Would love your opinion!! Thanks :)

Thanks everyone! We will definitely pop in then and check both out! I love going on new ships (new to me) - and have been excited about the Havana spot!

We sailed on Sunshine in December '13. The Havana Bar food was Cuban themed, and it was very good. There was never much of a crowd there during the day, making it a great place to eat lunch regardless of where you grabbed your food. During our cruise there was a Latin band back there in the evening, they were good but no one came to hear them. The Red Frog Pub is fun with games including shuffleboard and foosball. But there is no outside area and no food served. I hope you enjoy Sunshine, we certainly did!

Thanks for the info! I was hoping in the evening it would be a fun spot with dancing etc...

I can't remember what ship I was on a few years back, Maybe Liberty?? we found a killer latin band in some weird back room. We walked in and it was so awkward. People were sitting sorta in a circle in the room and noone was dancing so we really didn't return.

Was hoping a full theme spot would be different!! lol

And Red Frog - ahh ok, so sorta the same but not as grande as Breeze it sounds like. I have to say - we absolutely loved the food in there and the fun outdoor swing on the water. We will def have to go back on there one day.

This will be our first Sunshine cruise and we have a big group during Thanksgiving. I chose for like 17 people so am obviously nervous!! :) Glad you enjoyed the ship tho - I love to hear positivity!

I love onions.

 

I don't like chocolate covered strawberries. I'm Platinum and they send a plate full every cruise. Just sent email to special needs that I'm allergic and could something be substituted? I'll see how that works on my 4/8/16 cruise.

Maybe Chocolate covered onions? Sorry I couldn't resist!! :) I will take your CCS and bring you onion rings! Wa-La!

Can someone explain this area?

I have read in the morning there are omelets and at lunch time - there is food. Is the food Cuban themed the whole time or just a variety of what is on Lido?

What happens at night? Were there live latin bands? Mojitos? Etc?

We were interested in some fun salsa bands and it being an alternative to the night club.

Also - the Red Frog Pub - similar question. On the Breeze, we loved this bar. It was a full bar, games, live band and an awesome menu (small upcharge) and a fantastic outside area with swings and the ocean flying by.

Is the Red Frog Pub similar to the Breeze??

Thanks in advance!

Here's the Carnival site with cabin specs. Look to see if your balconies connect. Enjoy the Sunshine !! Great ship.

 

https://www.goccl.com/~/media/Files/Irman/bookccl/the_fleet/Sunshine/sunshine.ashx

Thank you SO much!!! huge help and yippee, they do come down!

Excited and a bit worried about trying the Sunshine. We are going on Thanksgiving week (next year). It was the only itinerary that sailed during the holiday (non Western). After many bad reviews, I am worried it will be tight, packed and overrun with kids and bad turkey.

But oh well! I am game for anything lol!! Just hope the inlaws are as well.

Hi there - I just booked 3 balconies on deck 6 mid section.

Can anyone tell me if the dividers come down so we can have one very large balcony for the family?

We did that on the Legend and it was so wonderful being able to stretch out, out there as well and pop in to each others rooms while still in pajamas! :)

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

We are looking to book a cruise for Thanksgiving 2016. We will be ages ranging from 23 to 93. Love good casinos, best food options, easy layout, newer bells and whistles.

The itineraries which work for us are either Magic or Sunshine. So with ports aside (as they are all decent) which ship is everyone's favorite. Would love some pros and cons.

Thanks!

I agree with the original post. Tampa is my home port also but for family trips, we head to Miami or Port Canaveral. Boy do I miss having The Legend here.

I would be happy with any ship with 2.0 upgrades actually.

We take the Paradise for girls getaways, and am heading out this month for a friends birthday with many first time cruisers on it. It will be interested to see if they love cruising or not based on an older ship.

We were just off the Breeze and I would love a ship like her to head to Port Canaveral and a more modern ship in Tampa.

I am really hoping for some favorable news on the 6th as well for Tampa and Port Canaveral!!

Hello,

Great Review! Do you recall what time the self assist debarkation began?

Thank you

We didn't use it so I really wasn't paying enough attention to it. I apologize!! I know it was pretty early. We were cleared quickly.