Sunshine Report: Sep 27th, 5 night Bahamas with pics (HMC, Nassau, Freeport)

[CruzinScotty]

Here is a pic looking aft from the rear elevators:

This area has new cabins – ones that do have fridges. But, these cabins took away a large lounge. This is where the Comedy Club would be on most ships. I’m not a fan of this loss of public space. I’ll discuss the Comedy Club in depth later since it’s not on Deck 5 anymore. ;)

Here is the beginning of the Promenade. Alchemy Bar on the right, Ocean Plaza on the left:

Ocean Plaza:

 

I really like how open this part of the Promenade is. There could be a lot of people, it never felt crowded to me.

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Edited October 14, 2015 by CruzinScotty

[CruzinScotty]

The Red Frog Pub is to the port side of the Ocean Plaza:

I love the barrel tables:

Next, the Casino

[CruzinScotty]

“Sunshine Perception” the smoke on the Sunshine is horrible, worse than other ships. My perception – I agree 100%. I’ve already discussed the smell of smoke back in Cocoa Beach. Not a fan. But, the new design of having the Promenade split the casino in half – instead of continuing up the starboard side….. It makes you walk “through” the casino, instead of “next to” it.

I will say that the smell did vary from time to time, with no rhyme or reason. When we first walked through on embarkation day; the place was empty and smelled horrible. Other times, with people there, it wasn’t bad. The design is not great and the ventilation is not up to the job. IMHO.

So, here are a few pictures:

I don’t have a good pic of the Promenade moving from the starboard side to the middle in the casino. But, in the above pic, you can see the Casino bar. The curve to the middle occurs here.

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Edited October 14, 2015 by CruzinScotty

[CruzinScotty]

Just a few pics and we’re back to the Atrium Lobby area:

Gosh, I did a lot of walking this morning, there’s more touring to come.

 

Stay tuned. :D

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[pmoniz]

Loving your review!! Great pictures!!! I feel like I'm onboard with you! Can't wait to read more!! Thank you!

[Justyman87]

The ship seems to be holding up well. I am slightly worried about crowds but we have one of the two captains suites so we will just stay on our verandah if worse comes to worse lol.

[JJInc]

Thanks, glad you are enjoying.

 

I forgot one more pic from Sail Away. We planned to wear the same shirt:

 

 

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Nice picture, what does it say on the shirts, and did you buy those in the fun shops on another ship?

[CruzinScotty]

Enjoying your report! And I agree the green is easier to read.

 

Thanks so much, I appreciate it.

 

Loving your review!! Great pictures!!! I feel like I'm onboard with you! Can't wait to read more!! Thank you!

 

I take that as a big compliment. I love to read reviews where you feel like you are there. I'm trying to do the same; glad it's working. :)

[CruzinScotty]

The ship seems to be holding up well. I am slightly worried about crowds but we have one of the two captains suites so we will just stay on our verandah if worse comes to worse lol.

 

I've found that you can find quiet places on any ship. Lucky you with a Verandah!

 

Truth be told, I do have something else to mention and wasn't sure where to put it. This looks like a good one.

 

Sunshine Perception: They took an old ship, "gussied it up" and try to pass it off as new - even with a re-naming. I've heard it called the, "if you put lipstick on a pig" comment a few times. :eek:

 

So, everything I've shown you has been remodeled or renovated. I had heard about one part of the ship they didn't do, there's a picture later. I also ran into something that wasn't done, a photo of that will come as well.

 

But, I also heard comments about rust on the ship. I didn't notice it initially, but then again, I'm a guy. ;) DW was more observant in noticing a few rust spots on our balcony around the door. And there was some on the outside of the ship you could see in port. They were painting the outside while in Nassau and Freeport. It's not something that really caused a problem. But, it does support the comments about trying to pass off a 1996 refitted ship as a new build.

 

That's why, even though I knew the age and had seen pictures, I was surprised to see the cabin was smaller than the Conquest/Dream class ones.

Edited October 14, 2015 by CruzinScotty

[CruzinScotty]

Nice picture, what does it say on the shirts, and did you buy those in the fun shops on another ship?

 

Thanks. The shirts says, "chillin', sightseein', cruisin'", and Carnival on the bottom.

 

Yes, they came from the Fun Shops; but I don't think they are still available. I didn't see them this year or last year. It seems they change things out every year or so.

 

DW and I got ours on the Dream in June of 2014, my SIL got hers on the Valor in December of that year.

Edited October 14, 2015 by CruzinScotty

[luvmy2kids]

I have the same shirt. I bought it on the Dream in 2013. :-)

[CruzinScotty]

The Liquid Lounge – boy, there’s a lot to say about his place!

During the rehab, the 3 level theater was turned into two. Deck 3 now has cabins. I think I’ll spread out the discussion for when I attended events.

Like the Havana Bar area, this area is now multi-purpose area.

For now, let’s just see a few pics.

The Entrance from Deck 4:

Kind of looks like a disco, huh? ;)

Some seating on Deck 4. Note the chairs that can be moved:

The seating on Deck 5:

From Deck 5, you have a view of more chairs in front of the stage on Deck 4 that can be moved:

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[CruzinScotty]

Now, it’s time to ride the glass elevator up!

On Deck 9, as you head towards the pool, there is another area with info about the Destiny and the Sunshine:

I head back to the cabin to catch up with DW. We decide to walk around a little before breakfast. More pics coming soon.

 

Time to a pay the bills. I'll be able to post more over the next few days.

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Edited October 15, 2015 by CruzinScotty

[WingNut1026]

Glad to hear good things about the Best Western in Cocoa Beach. My husband and I will be staying there in April before our next cruise. Only 177 more days to go :D

[cruiseonthebrain]

Great review! Your pictures are so incredible that I am tempted to book a cruise right now!

[CruzinScotty]

I have the same shirt. I bought it on the Dream in 2013. :-)

 

What's the saying, "great minds think a like". :D

[CruzinScotty]

Glad to hear good things about the Best Western in Cocoa Beach. My husband and I will be staying there in April before our next cruise. Only 177 more days to go :D

 

I hope you enjoy it. We like it because it is older and more like "old Florida".

[CruzinScotty]

Great review! Your pictures are so incredible that I am tempted to book a cruise right now!

 

Thanks so much. Most pics are from my phone, a few have come from DW's new digital slim-line camera. She wanted one that fit easily into her pocket.

 

As far as being tempted to book a cruise right now - why not! YOLO!

 

And, I wasn't going to mention it in this trip report...but....you just urged me on.

 

Part of the reason I didn't get to post much of the report this morning is because.......I was busy booking OUR next cruise! :D

Edited October 15, 2015 by CruzinScotty

[all_aboard]

Following along. I am booked 10/16 on the Sunshine out of NY. I wish I could get more family to come along, but everyone's busy.

[CammieO]

Great review! I am sailing on her on Sunday! I am so excited! My mom and sister are joining me for their first time cruising. I've never sailed with Carnival before this so I don't know way to expect from them, but reviews like this help a lot. I hope my mom and sister will have a good impression and love cruising as much as I do. My dad lives up in North Charleston and I've spent a lot of time in SC. I love it there. :)

[CruzinScotty]

Following along. I am booked 10/16 on the Sunshine out of NY. I wish I could get more family to come along, but everyone's busy.

 

Thanks for reading. I understand about busy families. I'm so glad we made the effort to get together. After the first family cruise, it became a larger priority. It's a great way to see family but also vacation. The first year, the only rule was, "no expectations". Not everyone will want to do the same things. But, there are enough things - especially meals - that you do have time to make great memories together. Enjoy your cruise.

 

Great review! I am sailing on her on Sunday! I am so excited! My mom and sister are joining me for their first time cruising. I've never sailed with Carnival before this so I don't know way to expect from them, but reviews like this help a lot. I hope my mom and sister will have a good impression and love cruising as much as I do. My dad lives up in North Charleston and I've spent a lot of time in SC. I love it there. :)

 

I was born in South Florida, but the Charleston area has been my home for many, many years. We love it here.

 

I hope I've been able to give you a good taste so far. Carnival sometimes gets a bad wrap for being the party ships or the Walmart cruise line. Some of my family has cruised almost every line. Carnival is one of their favorites and says hand's down has always had the most efficient AND friendly crews. That goes a LONG way in your vacation experience. I hope all have a wonderful time.

Edited October 16, 2015 by CruzinScotty

[CruzinScotty]

I hate to beat a dead horse, but you do like lots of pics, right?

Remember, on this itinerary, this is the ONLY full sea day. And it’s a georgous day!

The chair hogs must all be on the Breeze this week. LOL

 

Here are some neat and comfy seats on Deck 10 aft:

Here’s a good pick of the Lido area and how close the Serenity area is:

This morning, we’ve been cruising fairly close to Grand Bahama Island. DW pointed out that we could still see the Sensation. She had turned off and was almost to Freeport.

We did see the entrance to one section of Camp Carnival:

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[CruzinScotty]

Today, I had a very light breakfast. And, note the banana bread. :)

 

We headed back to the cabin to change.

Here is the water we purchased. $2.99 for a 12 pack, as well as the free liter bottles we get as a gold member:

Next, we headed to the Serenity area.

Last pics of the crowds this morning. This is 9AM. OK, it looks like the Serenity Pool area is pretty full:

And, the Lido is waking up. But, still plenty of seats to be had:

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Edited October 16, 2015 by CruzinScotty

[CruzinScotty]

One thing I love most about the Conquest class ships is the large shady area at the aft, adult pool. While I love the pools and hot tubs, I don’t like to sit in the sun. I was concerned the Serenity area wouldn’t have any shade near the pool.

It’s not huge, but there is space:

Here is the waterfall:

DW behind the waterfall:

I must say, the pool was a little cold. Make that – the pool was a LOT cold! Beyond refreshing! But, as the younger generation says, “YOLO”. So, I did get in for a bit. I teased people that tried to get in that if they did, they were an official member of “The Polar Bear Club”. LOL

DW and I did go up to the hot tub as well. We visited with a few folks. We were only there once and ran into another couple from South Carolina. Because the Serenity is split into 3 levels, I didn’t get many pics. We sat in the middle level, but the pool is one down and the hot tub is one up.

Here’s a few more pics “behind the waterfall”:

I’ve said it a few times, and may again – the seas were VERY calm today. It looks like we are on a lake. I really like this picture:

We then went down to the Lido pool for a bit. The water there was a little warmer. It was…refreshing.

Then, we headed back to the room to get cleaned up.

So, back to crowd and noise discussion for a minute. This was the only time we spent at the Lido/Serenity area today. We were there early, before the huge crowds. And before they started the music and activities on the Lido that would make the Serenity area near the pool not as peaceful. This is what I mean about how I go about avoiding crowds. We fully enjoyed our morning and didn’t leave because of the crowds or noise, but because we had other things to do.

Coming soon: More food pics

[richbum]

Great review! We sailed her when she was the Destiny...and it's nice to see pix of her now! Can't wait to read more...no cruises on the horizon for our family, but hoping to book one sometime!!!! :D