Couple of Sunshine ?'s...

[ufyellowfin]

Sorry, as you can see I'm new here. I have scoured most of the different forums and have gained so much knowledge in the last few days from this site. I do have some questions about this ship mostly dealing with the kids. We are sailing in May on a 7 night WC with Myself, Wife and 2 kids 5 and almost 3 and also my parents in a separate cabin.

 

The Camp Carnival i was able to see someone post a lot about it but how does the actual "orientation" work. We have 6pm dinner and the paper i saw showed that parents must attend this orientation thing from 5:30-8??? Is that correct? It looks like they don't provide lunch on at-sea days so do most people take the kids after lunch?

 

I noticed that some people are talking about splash pads and smaller pools on ships. Does the Sunshine have either of these?

 

We are taking a limo from Orlando to the terminal the morning of the sailing and I was wondering if the Fast to the Cabin thing is worth the 45 bucks?

 

I am sure I will think of some more or do some more snooping around for answers. I also have some about excursions but I reckon I'll post those in the proper Ports.

[keywest1]

Since we have never sailed with young children, I can't help with those questions.

We have purchased Faster to the Fun for all three of our cruises, the last on the Sunshine, and find it well worth the money. Port Canaveral has a very efficient boarding process, so we really didn't benefit that much for the check in and boarding. We were onboard by 11 am, but they were calling the next zone as we were walking onboard. The benefits that we enjoyed most were having the cabin ready upon boarding, priority tendering (nice for Belize if you don't have a Carnival excursion), and priority self-assist disembarkation. Disembarkation began at 8:00 with Platinums and Diamonds. We were next, and were through Customs and off the ship by 8:15. The priority line at Guest Services was also nice--it saved at least 30 minutes and maybe more, judging from how many people were in the other line. Other people have not felt FTTF to be worth the money, so my advice is to try it for yourself and see how you feel about it. If it is not available (the slots go fast), no worries--you will be fine without it. The cost is 49.95, and that is per cabin, not per person.

 

Have a great cruise :)

Edited October 16, 2014 by keywest1
add info

[onegroundcafe]

Regarding orientation...you do not have to go. It is recommended but definitely not mandatory, in fact you can even do the whole registration for Camp Carnival on-line now (you used to not be able to). We go the first day around 2ish when you can "view" Camp Carnival and make sure our child is registered. Then the next morning we drop her off around 10 am (when it opens) and we grab a schedule on the way out.

 

Sunshine does not have a baby pool, they do have a child playground. There is a water works with a child area with little slides and a bucket that dumps on you. The only pool that kids can get in is the main Lido pool and it has three different depths but I think the most shallow is over three feet.

 

Faster to the Fun...I am not sure we have never done it but we are Platinum and get on board first as one of the perks. I think it would be worth it for me because you can drop your stuff off in your cabin and eat lunch. I remember the days of having to cart your carry ons to lunch with you and have one person stay at the table while the other person stood in line. Also it would be good if you wanted to be the first person at the Red Frog Pub (first two get free pint) or if you wanted to choose a cabana with the Shore Excursion desk. You also get priority tendering which I think you are going to Belize? That is worth 45.00 in itself to me. You get to go first in line for tendering or you can move to the front on the line if you go later in the day.

 

Not sure how to answer your lunch question about sea days but I think Camp Carnival is generally closed around lunch time on those days and re-opens around 2ish, I have the times listed on one of my posts here...

 

If you have anymore questions I would be happy to answer. A bit of bad news....our DD loves Camp Carnival and every other cruise she has been on (10) she has begged to go. She did not want to go to Camp Carnival on the Sunshine, in fact she ate dinner with us all but two of the nights. The Camp Carnival area is very small on the Sunshine.

[ufyellowfin]

Thank you both for the info. I just purchased the FTTF as I did not know it helped with the tenders. I did read that the Camp on Sunshine was smaller before we booked but not too terribly worried about it. Both of mine are easily entertained and entertainment themselves, but thanks for the heads up. Right now the plan is not to keep them there all day but i think we may do what you said drop them off in the morning and then pick them up for lunch and pool time then drop them back off if theyre having a good time.

 

One other question i cant find the answer to is naps. Do they call the parent if the child is tired or do they offer nap time like at daycare or preschool? Or should I just expect to go get him and give him a nap at some point in the afternoon?

Edited October 16, 2014 by ufyellowfin

[ybehome]

My DD loves Camp Carnival and for the most part prefers to be there tan with us. We usually choose one late night and take advantage of Camp night owl.

I recommend nap time during the shutdown after eating lunch. Make sure you register online before arriving, makes the process much faster.

 

On port days, there is usually an option to let the kids stay during lunch IF you are off the boat

[ShellLoves2cruise]

 

We are taking a limo from Orlando to the terminal the morning of the sailing and I was wondering if the Fast to the Cabin thing is worth the 45 bucks?

 

I am sure I will think of some more or do some more snooping around for answers. I also have some about excursions but I reckon I'll post those in the proper Ports.

 

I have not traveled with little ones on the Sunshine so I'm not sure how lunch works with Camp Carnival but there are lots of lunch options for the passengers and if you like hamburgers/cheeseburgers, I highly recommend Guy's Burgers for lunch! They are delish and I love, love, love their fries!! The wok, Mexican and pasta place is pretty good also!

 

I have had FTTF on 3 sailing (2 out of Port Canaveral) and absolutely found it to be worth every penny spent for it, especially being able to go straight to your cabin (with your little ones this would be beneficial for me), not having to drag carry ons to lunch and getting your luggage quickly. I am one that only feels my vacation has started once I have everything unpack, and with FTTF I am usually able to accomplish that before muster drill! If there is any reason you have to go to the guest service desk, you can use the line there and they also have a phone number you can call for help if you have FTTF! Have a great cruise! :)

[ufyellowfin]

Thank you both again. Yeah both Myself and My parents bought FTTF the other day. I think I got the 12 left and they got the 11th so theres not many more. Once I found out that it just didnt get you on the boat faster but allowed you to go to the room and drop bags off, I was in.

 

This site is so incredible the amount of information is mind boggling and how many people are monitoring this site at any time during the day makes it very unique.

 

Does anyone have any experience with rooms on the Promenade in the rear. We have an OV back there just wondering if it will be ok?

[ufyellowfin]

How is the Promenade OV rooms like 5316?

[8335GOULR]

Hello:

 

I think you will find Camp Carnival is a wonderful experience for most children. My son loved going. There is a schedule available in the play room you can grab right after boarding. We never waited for the orientation. If your kids are used to babysitter or daycare, you don't need to go. They will get the mandatory wristbands at the lifeboat drill.

 

Don't worry about the size of they playroom. They have activities all over the ship. 😄 You can use the schedule to decide when to take them.

 

We sit with families in the MDR that will bring the kids to eat then take them to Camp Carnival as soon as they finish eating so they can make the early shows. By the way, your kids can order anything they serve on the ship. On our last cruise, the little boy in our group had chicken nuggets and fries every night.

 

I know you will have a great cruise.

[8335GOULR]

I forgot to say that Carnival also issues cell phones to parents of the really small children. They will call you if your little one needs a nap. Not sure how many they issue but I have been told this is done on all their ships.

[ufyellowfin]

I forgot to say that Carnival also issues cell phones to parents of the really small children. They will call you if your little one needs a nap. Not sure how many they issue but I have been told this is done on all their ships.

 

Thanks so much for all the info, this forum is amazing.

[8335GOULR]

My pleasure. I love this forum too. Looking forward to your review. We sail on the Sunshine in June.

[maureencruiser]

Welcome to CC, Yellowfin! Did you discover the family cruising forum yet?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=49

[kesdjmarouse]

This site is so incredible the amount of information is mind boggling

[GeorgiaMomof4]

Thank you both again. Yeah both Myself and My parents bought FTTF the other day. I think I got the 12 left and they got the 11th so theres not many more. Once I found out that it just didnt get you on the boat faster but allowed you to go to the room and drop bags off, I was in.

 

This site is so incredible the amount of information is mind boggling and how many people are monitoring this site at any time during the day makes it very unique.

 

Does anyone have any experience with rooms on the Promenade in the rear. We have an OV back there just wondering if it will be ok?

 

 

 

We had an OV on the Promenade deck - 5306 and it was in an awesome location. Close to the elevators that take you to the water park area, sports square, camp carnival and down to the dining. Also lots of things like the casino, ocean plaza, alchemy bar, red frog pub and liquid lounge all on that same deck.

 

I'm doing a review right now on our cruise - it was a 5 night though if you want to follow along. Here is the thread - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2120639

[GeorgiaMomof4]

This site is so incredible the amount of information is mind boggling

 

 

 

Yes it is! My kids tell me I need to join CC Anonymous!

[ufyellowfin]

Welcome to CC, Yellowfin! Did you discover the family cruising forum yet?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=49

 

Maureen-

 

Thanks, yes I have. Lots and lots of info on there. My wife and kids have no idea of the trip at this point. It is going to be a surprise for my wife since she pretty much knows shes getting a new iPad. I have started off printing itineraries, ship photos, menus, kids club things and lots of cat in the hat stuff. I am going to wait till the last gifts are done then hand the kids a stuffed Cat in the Hat wrapped up and haven't decided what to give my wife. Then I am going to give the kids their own and my wife her own "guidebook," or scrapbook that I am putting together. Hopefully they are as excited as I am.

 

I posted a thread on the carnival portion of this site about trying to find two more to split a fishing charter in Cozumel with me and my dad, but it got deleted for some reason.

[maureencruiser]

Maureen-

I posted a thread on the carnival portion of this site about trying to find two more to split a fishing charter in Cozumel with me and my dad, but it got deleted for some reason.

 

Try posting on your roll call, that is the people who are on the ship with you. You can also meet up with them onboard. :)

[Cathy Laz]

UFYellofin.

 

Your post was not deleted.....just buried. I did respond to your post but, unfortunately, there is very little chatter at all for this cruise. Very unusual. Then, it dawned on me, that perhaps this is the perfect "gift" for Christmas and many are holding off until that time. Regardless, if you want to chat or check for new posts, look up the Sunshine and our date at the top of the rollcall and it can take you directly to all (5-6) posts. It is much easier than going through 6-7 pages just to find the last post!! I am hoping that it will get busy soon. I can understand your excitement and desire to find a couple to go fishing with you, and it is easy for me to say hang in there, but I really do understand your excitement in wanting to present the entire "gift". I'm even more excited now to meet your lovely family and enjoy their excitement. That time will happen real soon. Good luck with your surprise.

 

Cathy

[serene56]

orientation is run from 5:30- on its a few minutes.

I would go at 5:30 and make sure all the paper work is in order and get your "cell" phone since you have a little one.

 

Both kids are in the same camp.

 

it takes a few minutes-- then afterwards you head to dinner.