Royal Loyal Considering Sunshine

(I posted this on the RCCL forum, but someone suggested that I should post here as well.)

If your thinking Sunshine out of Charleston...I would do it. The ship, although a bit cramped (its the old Destiny refurbished) it does have all the bells and whistles of the newer ships and a Waterpark. If you had said the 8 day cruise on Sunshine out of Port Canaveral...I would have not agreed. But for a 5 day cruise from a east coast (non Florida) port....it should work perfectly for you

We went on the Sunshine in the fall to New England and Canada. It has been refurbished to include some of Carnival's latest enhancements such as Guy Frieri's Burgers and Blue Iguana which we really enjoyed. The entertainment and Cruise Director (Emma Nixon, "Hello Lovelies") were fantastic. However, the ship is very CRAMPED and OVERCROWDED at peak times. The areas surrounding the casino also get very smoky which is difficult to avoid. During peak times for breakfast and lunch in the buffet you could not find a place to sit either inside or outside around the pool area. Trying to navigate and walk through some of these areas during these times was equally as crowded and congested. If you don't mind crowds and lines at the buffet, as well as occasional smoke when anywhere near the casino, then by all means this would be a fun cruise.

We went on the Sunshine in the fall to New England and Canada. It has been refurbished to include some of Carnival's latest enhancements such as Guy Frieri's Burgers and Blue Iguana which we really enjoyed. The entertainment and Cruise Director (Emma Nixon, "Hello Lovelies") were fantastic. However, the ship is very CRAMPED and OVERCROWDED at peak times. The areas surrounding the casino also get very smoky which is difficult to avoid. During peak times for breakfast and lunch in the buffet you could not find a place to sit either inside or outside around the pool area. Trying to navigate and walk through some of these areas during these times was equally as crowded and congested. If you don't mind crowds and lines at the buffet, as well as occasional smoke when anywhere near the casino, then by all means this would be a fun cruise.

I was too considering the Sunshine next year when it moves to Charleston, as it's only an hour and half drive from home. But so many people say the same thing you did, and it's got me teetering on the fence about it now.

I have done 10 cruises on Royal and 3 on Carnival. We sailed the Sunshine this past October and loved it. I am so happy she is moving to Charleston, a quick 2.5 hour drive from my house! Of course the pools and buffet can get crowded at peak times and that will happen on any ship. And the casino is difficult to avoid if that is an issue for you. But the variety of food included food choices and the top notch staff as well as the number of amenities on board are well worth it. My kids (6 year old girl and 15 year old boy) loved the water park equally so that should tell you that it works for all ages.

We are back on the Sunshine this July (driving to PC but the offer was too good to pass up!). Also, I am sailing the Mariner twice in the next year from Miami (flying because its just me) so that will be interesting to see the updates to her as well.

If it were me in your situation, I would take the Sunshine. There is no better feeling than not having a 10 hour drive when you get off the ship on the last day! Enjoy! (And no, your use of parentheses is just fine! ;p)

Sunshine has been one of my favorite cruises and I have sailed Royal, NCL and Carnival about equally. It does feel crowded on the pool deck but it is all in what you make of it. The staff was amazing, food was good at MDR and excellent at the Specialty Restaurants. There is always something to do......

The Sunshine has a vast array of activities and places to eat - you will always be able to find something to eat/do. It's a great way to sample a bunch of the features that Carnival offers in one cruise. Some of them are really great and I wish were featured on more ships.

However, I do agree with what many have posted about it being cramped. With all the features added in it diminished the public space available.

There were tons of plumbing issues when we sailed on her a few years ago (toilets overflowing, rooms flooding, buckets lining all the hallways) One room during our cruise had to have all new carpeting installed half way through the cruise and our toilet refused to stop running two days in a row nearly flooding our room. One incident I had to literally run to GS to get assistance as the phones were jammed with calls to maintenance about the plumbing. By the time I got back they were already there fixing the issue. My poor DH thought it was me coming back and answered the door in his undies.. :D Note though this was a few years ago and I haven't seen any recent posts mentioning the plumbing and they were very attentive to dealing with the issues as they came up.

If you go aware of the quirks of this ship so you aren't surprised by anything, I think you guys will have a spectacular time! Tons and tons of things to do and experience!

We have sailed with Royal 7 times in a row and are trying the Sunshine this coming Nov. I've read where people feel cramped, no real flow with getting from one end of the deck to the other but food alone sounds tempting enough so we made the plunge. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I have sailed Sunshine numerous times, from Florida to Charleston. Even though she is a little smaller, she is one of my favorite ships and would go on her many more times. I love the serenity deck, spacious...plus you have a waterfall with a wading pool is awesome. yes, she is kind of difficult to move around for dinner, but once you learn her it is great. I also like all the 2.0 features. We always get a room in the aft and that way I can go to Alchemy and get cocktails before or anytime we are in the room. I have been on several boats out of Charleston, and she is my favorite. Everyone will be entertained and it doesn't seem to crowded.

We are looking forward to sailing on the Sunshine next May. Going to be nice driving less than 2 hours to the port.

We have sailed the Sunshine twice and would go again. We just got off an eight day this past Sunday. We are Emerald on Royal and switched a few years ago to Carnival. The Sunshine has a lot of great food options. We cruised at Thanksgiving and spring break (think lots of kids ) and still enjoyed the Sunshine. The crew are awesome. I would love to go on the Oasis again but I would be perfectly happy to go on the Sunshine again too.