Solo Fashionista gets some Sunshine

[lara_lox]

Hi everyone! First of all let me introduce myself. This was my 7th cruise as an adult, but my first with Carnival, so although I’m a familiar face (or should that be screen name?!) on other forums, this is my first review here on the Carnival board. I’m a 29 year old single girl from Manchester in England. I travel solo and I LOVE fashion – yup you guessed it from the title of this thread! I love to read other people’s reviews and they really help me with planning my trips, so I first started doing this to pay back in kind. But somehow, my blogs have now become a tradition for me. I write really long day-by-day accounts of my adventures, with lots of pictures, including an ‘outfit of the day’ one if I can! I am the worst photographer ever; I just point and shoot, usually blinded somewhat by the sun and/or cocktails :eek: so they are to give you an impression of my experiences, rather than beautiful, professional photographs. For pictures of the Sunshine, just search online, there are so many that are so much better than I could ever take.

 

Here’s me:

 

 

Anyway, moving on, I sailed 8 nights on the Sunshine May 2nd 2014, from Port Canaveral, stopping at Curacao, Aruba and Grand Turk. Because I was coming so far I spent three nights on Cocoa Beach pre-cruise to get adjusted, try to overcome any jet lag, and of course enjoy some Florida sun! If you are ready for a long, tongue-in-cheek account of my trip, the fun starts here, but if you prefer a serious, concise run down of ship facilities etc, you might want to stop reading now because you will probably hate me, haha! I write in purple so that you know which parts are my review and which are comments/questions, so you can just skip those if you want, for easier reading. So hold tight, here goes…

 

 

[lara_lox]

Day 1 – Travelling

 

As always I woke up tired after a poor nights sleep, even beating my alarm. I drove myself to Manchester Airport where I parked at a private off-site facility then caught the free shuttle bus to the terminal. This is where the ‘fun’ started. I got into the check-in line for my airline Thomas Cook, after a rep told me that this was for all Thomas Cook flights. However, looking at everyone else I wasn’t sure, so I asked again, only to be told that actually the check-in for Orlando was on a different level of the airport. Great. So I traipsed back to the lower level I had already passed and waited there. And waited. And waited. The luggage conveyor belts had broken so there were long delays and the line was barely moving. Eventually we were told we could go and use the check-in desks upstairs as they were free. I made my way back to the line I had initially joined where one of the reps saw me and said, ‘Oh you were up here earlier’. Errrr yes… Luckily I had set off from home early, but even so I still only just had time for a quick breakfast before I caught my flight.

 

I was able to fly direct Manchester to Orlando, which took about nine hours but passed fairly quickly. I was pleased with the outfit I had chosen as it was comfortable and practical but I think still cute. I wore black leggings, with a white vest suitable for the sun of Florida, but a long woolly grey cardigan to keep me warm in the UK and on the plane, and grey trainer-style pumps. I had a gold pashmina that I wore as a scarf, then used a blanket on the plane. It’s all about the layers!

 

We touched down in Orlando slightly early and to my relief, I collected my luggage quickly. Travelling alone I can never relax until I find my case, because without it I would be in trouble, as there is no-one to share their stuff with me! People often ask me how I manage to bring so many clothes and accessories, but I plan rather obsessively (I actually have a spreadsheet, yes I know, what a geek!) so I don’t over pack and only bring what I will wear. Plus I have to carry everything myself and conform to airline restrictions, so this trip I had my large suitcase and a carry-on bag. I even took a picture in anticipation of this moment:

 

 

I had pre-arranged a shuttle to Cocoa Beach with Cocoa Beach Shuttle for $33. I was meant to call them when I landed so that they know to collect me, however when I tried to turn on my mobile phone, nothing happened, it was dead. I went to a public phone which was free for local calls, but every time I tried to dial I got the incorrect tone. I asked at the information desk for help and the lovely man there used his phone to call for me. Within 5 minutes my shuttle arrived and I was on my way to Cocoa Beach. After a fairly quick journey of maybe 40 minutes I arrived at the Four Points by Sheraton, which is next to the famous Ron Jon’s Surf Shop. I checked in and found I had been upgraded to a junior suite, nice! This meant I had a huge room and two double beds all to myself:

 

 

I tried to charge my phone up but it still wouldn’t work for some reason, This bothered me for a few minutes until I decided I didn’t care, I was on holiday and there was nothing I could do about it! Handily I somehow managed to use my Kindle to email my Mum back home so she knew I had arrived ok, and then I could relax. Except as I started to unpack, I saw that one of my bottles of sun cream had exploded inside my case. Thankfully I always pack all my toiletries in a plastic beauty bag so none of my clothes were ruined, but still, washing white gunk off of everything wasn’t really how I has envisaged spending the first thirty minutes of my holiday. Hmmm. Although it was only early, I was now really hungry so I quickly showered and changed into a white flowered sundress and new flat sandals and headed down to the hotel bar and restaurant, The Shark Pit.

 

 

This bar is open to everyone, not just hotel guests, and the bar was full of cruise ship passengers from the Norwegian Breakaway. This meant that some people were dressed in usual drink/dinner clothes whilst others were in swim wear and cover ups, coated in sand. The bar has drink specials on port days, with Margaritas for only $1 and Mai Tais for £2.50. It was also Happy Hour buy-one-get-one-free from 4pm-7pm so I took advantage of this and ordered a long awaited glass of wine. Before I go on holiday I go on a major health kick for a month, eating very carefully, drinking no alcohol and hammering the gym. This is so I can stuff my face and drink as much as I want whilst I’m away without feeling guilty! So I really enjoyed my wine and ordered and ate a huge pizza all to myself, nom nom nom. I was happy! I chatted to various people at the bar for a while before my long day caught up with me and I went for an early night. It might have only been 9.30pm, but for me that meant 2.30am, so I fell into my very comfy bed and went to sleep.

Edited May 12, 2014 by lara_lox
Pic size

[lara_lox]

Day 2 - Cocoa Beach

 

I woke up at about 7.30am and spent a while unpacking and getting things sorted in my room. At the hotel Reception I was able to use a free safety deposit box, get a map of the area, book a shuttle to take me to the cruise port on Friday ($6 FYI) and borrow a beach towel. Very good service from wonderfully helpful and friendly staff. I had done my research on the area whilst planning my trip, so I knew where was good to eat. One place highly recommended on Trip Advisor was a place called TJ’s Full Belly Deli, right across form the hotel. However, I looked and I looked but I couldn’t find it. So improvising, I ended up at IHOP. We don’t have pancakes like this for breakfast in the UK, so that’s exactly what I ordered, blueberry pancakes. I felt so American, haha!

 

After this I did what any self respecting, pale English girl used to the rain would do – I hit the beach. I wanted to sunbathe whilst I could because there were some clouds and thunderstorms forecast for later. I walked along the shore and chose a spot past the crowds next to where Ron Jon employees were giving surf lessons, which were fun to watch. I just chilled out, enjoyed the water and read for a while. After a few hours I walked twenty minutes up the beach to Cocoa Beach Pier where I settled myself down at Marlins. I had a couple of Coronas and a delicious fresh grilled chicken salad, overlooking the beach

 

 

 

 

 

On my way back I walked down the road so I could look out for the Sandbar, where I intended to hang out later. I found it easily enough (thank you Google maps!) and it looked busy and fun. Once back at the hotel I had a cup of tea and watched Friends before getting ready for the evening. Tonight I wore a peach coloured vest, jeans and really high multi coloured sandals.

 

 

I went to Nolan’s Irish Pub for some food, but it was dead in there! There was almost no-one inside, only three people. I sat at the bar and chatted to the bartender as I ate my hot beef roll, but because there was nothing going on, I left as soon as I finished eating. It was a shame because the pub was pretty cool, with loads of interesting things to look at, and the bartender was a really friendly girl.

 

 

I walked down to the Sandbar, and it was raining heavily. Being from England, I am used to this and so was prepared, with a little umbrella already tucked in my bag. I made it to the bar but immediately got asked for ID. I’d forgotten that I need this everywhere in the US as in the UK the legal drinking age is 18, so even though I look quite young for my age, I rarely get ID’d any more. So I had to return to my hotel to collect my driving licence in order to get a drink. Once I made it back again, I was fed up of walking about in the rain, and not really in the mood for socialising. The waitress also annoyed me because when I ordered a strawberry daiquiri from her, she asked if I wanted change. I though this was rude, like she was asking for a tip. I actually had some loose change I wanted to get rid of and intended to give her, so I said yes I did, and she actually short changed me. Grrrrrr, cheeky cow! I watched people doing karaoke for a bit and fended off a couple of strange men before deciding I’d had enough and heading back to bed.

[SMSACE6]

YaY!!!! I love your reviews! So looking forward to this one too! Thanks for posting it.:)

[boaterette]

I love your reviews. Nice to see you over here on the carnival board.

[reerun25]

First review I have read of yours.. I am really enjoying it, and like the selfies!!

[crunchy05]

Yay, another review from you. They are very entertaining and very detailed.

 

Carry on.....:)

[Lulu01]

Looking forward to a review from a fellow Brit , thanks .

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[mariana31]

Love your reviews! I always feel like I am on the cruise with you! :)

[Beachlover1964]

I am so excited to see this review! I just love your reviews, they are so much fun.

[ce_cruise]

So looking forward to this review. We are doing this itenary in August. Thank you in advance!!

[BuzzBuzzen]

Great photos and review. Fashionista alrighty !! You must have quite a wardrobe to keep all these clothes , great taste though , a classy dresser :)

[catty]

Great Review! This is interesting to me since I also travel alone. I love hearing your observations.

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

Happy to see another review by you!

[LzyCruiser_NWA]

Been greatly enjoying your review so far.

[SunshineCruiser24]

I love the start of this review!! Keep it going!

[INCHARGE]

OK... I am loving those sandals, very cute. They are nice to wear with different outfits. You remind me of another Fashionista here that I love to see rviews from, and that is GAPearl. I am looking forward to the many outfits I'm sure you wore. There will be no sleeping or working for you, we need more! Thanks :D

Edited May 13, 2014 by INCHARGE

[lady_cruiser]

Good review. Thanks

[lara_lox]

Thank you for reading and for all the comments everyone, more to come very soon!

[lara_lox]

I am really enjoying it, and like the selfies!!

 

I had no choice but to take selfies as I hadn't met anyone to photograph me yet haha!

[mizi]

I haven't gotten brave enough to cruise solo, so really enjoy your reviews.

[rene194215]

Subscribing!!!! I have read some of your other reviews, not sure how as I only cruise on Carnival... But I know I have read some and I have really enjoyed them!!!

Can't wait for more!!!!

[lara_lox]

Day 3 – Cocoa Beach Part 2

 

This morning the holiday curse struck again as I woke up at 5.30am! At home I only wish I could sleep in, and now I had the chance it just wasn’t happening. Though it was probably just as well that I was up so early, as I ended up having a lonnnng morning. I wanted a lighter breakfast this morning, so I decided to walk the opposite way down the road to find the Beachside Grill and Deli, which came highly recommended online. After about a 25 minute walk I managed to find it… but it was shut for vacation, typical! I kept walking but there weren’t any breakfast places about that I could see. I had come this far so I refused to turn back, instead revising my idea that downtown Cocoa Beach was too far away to visit. I started to pass several of the sights I’d come across during my research, such as Lori Wilson Park, and this:

 

 

Eventually after a whole hour :rolleyes: I made it, hungry, tired and very much ready for my food! I happened upon the Simply Delicious Bakery, which was a charming little café, that baked home made breads and cakes. I had a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel and some fruit. It was all delicious and very fresh and although I wouldn’t have chosen to walk all that way just for breakfast, it didn’t let me down.

 

I thought it would be much nicer to walk back along the beach, which was far more scenic of course than the road route. I considered catching a bus, but because I wanted to chill on the beach again, I figured I would just walk half way, relax for a while, and then carry on. I found a quiet, secluded spot where I cooled down in the sea then just read and napped for the rest of the morning. I stopped back at my hotel to collect some more cash (Four Points was in a great location for exactly this reason) and returned to the Pier seeing as I had enjoyed it so much yesterday. I had a grilled mahi-mahi sandwich and a Corona in the same spot as yesterday before wearily walking back down the beach to near my hotel. I walked for about 3 hours today in total! So by now I was tired, my legs aching, and my feet blistered. I also somehow managed to get sunburnt, despite slathering myself in SPF30 constantly after getting pink yesterday. Stupid snow white English skin :cool:

 

I took a cool bath to bring myself round then dressed in skinny blue jeans, a flowered vest and cream wedges.

 

 

I was resolutely NOT walking any further today so I made it downstairs to the Shark Pit again in time for the end of Happy Hour. Also, as part of an environmentally friendly scheme the hotel ran, for each night you chose not to have your linens changed, you received a $5 ‘green credit’ for use in the complex. This meant I got $10 off my bill for tonight’s wine and pizza. As I ate I got chatting to a lovely family who were also embarking on the Sunshine in the morning, so I spent a pleasant final evening in Cocoa Beach with them, before another early night. I enjoyed my time in Cocoa Beach but I was ready for my Cruise. Roll on morning!

[xplor97]

I've been patiently waiting for someone to post a review of the Sunshine and this itinerary. My wife and I, with several friends, will be doing this exact sailing in October. I will be sharing the link of your review with all of them and I'm looking forward to the rest of your review.

[lara_lox]

Day 4 – Sunshine time

 

I woke up at 5am. Yup, that’s right, FIVE O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING, are you kidding?!? Why on earth was my body choosing to punish me this way? However hard I tried I couldn’t get back to sleep, so not only was I tired, I also had to wait even longer to get on the ship.

 

I got a coffee and panini from the Starbucks on site, as it opened at 6am. I didn’t like the girl who served me, and my takeout breakfast was only a few dollars less than either of the restaurants I had eaten in. So although convenient, it wouldn't be my first choice. At least the coffee was strong and perked me up a bit. I walked to the CVS across the street to buy some more Aloe, seeing as how by now I had already used most of mine and I was sliding around in green gloop in an attempt to turn from Patchy Red Tourist to Bronzed Beach Goddess. (It didn’t work :rolleyes:) I also wanted to buy my one bottle of wine I was allowed to carry on the ship with me. In my decision to buy a nice bottle of Chianti, I completely forgot my plan to buy a cheapo screw top so I didn’t need a corkscrew. More to come on that later…

 

I still had some time to while away so I went to visit the famous Ron Jon’s surf shop. It was pretty cool and I liked the design of the shop, so it was worth a look around regardless of whether or not you surf and/or shop. This Fashionista could have very easily gotten carried away with all the pretty sundresses, bikinis and sandals, but I somehow resisted. Though weirdly, that itself made me feel like I deserved to buy something as a reward. Now you can see why I have so many clothes and shoes haha!

 

My 11.15am shuttle arrived on time and from my hotel there was also a large family going on a Disney cruise. The driver was checking everyone off his list, and he asked me several times if I was one of the *** party, and several times I said yes, that was my name, but it was just me. Given that my ticket clearly said ‘1 person’ I don’t know why this was so hard to understand. He then made a big deal of me being by myself in front of the whole shuttle and told me ‘Well that’s weird.’ What’s it to him?! How rude, an instant loss of tip on his part. Anyway, even by myself (GASP!) I made it to the Sunshine a short while later after picking up guests from another hotel. I was so excited for my first glimpse of the Sunshine as we drove over the bridge to the port. I arrived at 11.45am and was onboard by 12.15pm, which I thought was good going. They had just started boarding when I checked in, and the whole process was running very smoothly. I also got several comments from other ladies in the line about my dress! This was a cute little nautical sundress that I love because it seems so appropriate for embarkation. I didn’t get a proper picture so here’s one of me wearing it on a cruise last year:

 

 

I was really hungry after my ridiculously early breakfast so I headed straight to the Lido for some food. I wanted a Guy’s Burger but I couldn’t be bothered to queue up with my bag so instead I went to the Blue Iguana Cantina where there was no line. I got a chicken burrito, which was really good, and sat on a bar stool overlooking the port to eat. These bars ran behind the both the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar and the Red Frog Rum Bar on the other side of the deck, and throughout the whole cruise I always found a seat at one of these.

 

After getting rid of my hunger pangs I sat at the tequila bar itself and enjoyed a Corona and some people watching as everyone arrived. My carry-on bag was too heavy for me to lug about to explore so at 1pm I headed down to my cabin to see if it was ready yet, which it was. I had gone for 1A category, deck 2 forward, because it was cheaper than the insides but had two portholes. Motion doesn’t bother me, so I didn’t mind that being all the way forward it would take the brunt of the waves. I was really happy with my choice and pleasantly surprised to see that I had a double bed and a sofa, rather than a twin bed and a sofa bed, as described. I also saw later that it was quite a lot bigger than a standard inside. I did good!

 

 

 

 

Once I dropped my bag off I explored the ship from the bottom up, deck by deck. I really liked all the different venues and spaces on the Sunshine, and felt like I was back on a newer NCL ship. Because all of two or three hours had passed, I obviously needed MORE food so I took my chance to get a Guy’s burger now the line had gone. YUUUUUMMMMMMMMMM! It was delicious. Even more so after weeks of healthy old salad and fish. The muster drill passed as expected, then it was time to start the party! We had really big Cruise Critic and Facebook groups going for this sailing, and we had arranged an informal meeting at the Red Frog Rum Bar on deck for sailaway. One problem, it was pouring with rain. But who lets a bit of water stop them? Not us! I instantly recognised one girl, E, (I will go with initials only in order to protect the identities of my fellow partiers to be!) who I’d been chatting to online and that was the start of a beautiful, slightly crazy friendship! I also met B who was to become another great buddy. B invited me to try some Fruit Loop Vodka he had brought with him, and in the spirit of new friendship I thought it would be rude not to! So I was chatting away to everyone when someone commented how good I was being sticking to water. Yeah, that’s what I’m drinking, water, hehehe! Cue much hilarity when they found out the truth. After this I went to my cabin, where my suitcase had finally arrived. I did a little happy dance before controlling myself and getting ready for the evening.

 

 

Because there was a lot happening today, I will split this into two posts, stand by…