Is the Sunshine as bad as they say?

[cruzeluver]

All ships get that sewage smell form time to time. I do not see it recently being a consistent concern on Sunshine.

 

The most consistent "complaints" I have seen regarding this ship (crowded pool deck, small comedy club, issues with anytime dining) would have no impact to me as I do not care about those things. And according to a recent thread the comedy club is being expanded during the ship's April dry dock.

 

What I am looking forward to is the wide variety of food options! Sunshine has more than any other ship in the fleet. We love trying new food venues and having a lot of options.

 

Also, I do not bother with reviews in the official cruise review section. They are very frequently from one-post wonders and are rife with inaccuracies which we cannot refute. As opposed to reviews posted on the Carnival board where we can comment if a review contains factually inaccurate information.

Edited March 2, 2016 by cruzeluver
more info

[teaach]

Hi there everyone!

 

I've started to read reviews on the Sunshine, and I have to say, I'm a little nervous for our first cruise.

 

A few reviews that I've read claim that the ship has a raw sewage odor that is noticeable when outside, on lower decks. Also, the cabin stewards, and their lack of cleaning cabins. I've also seen a few that talk about the general disrepair of the ship.

 

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not jumping on these few peoples bandwagon, and canceling. I just want to gather some other opinions.

 

Going on the Sunshine in August. There are hardly any cabins left for this cruise six months out. I think this says something about the ship. I booked Early Saver quite a while ago and hoped for a price drop, but my ext aft had risen about $700 pp since booking and there are no balconies left except Spa balconies. This must say something about the ship. i am excited to go after reading all the wonderful reviews on these boards!

[AndyT3]

Wow, thank you everyone!

 

I appreciate all the replies.

 

 

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[pmoniz]

Reviews are definitely subjective. Norovirus outbreaks are a fact. One should read the thread about noro on the current Sunshine cruise and be prepared to deal with any possible lingering bugs on the next sailing.

 

I'll be on the next sailing and not worried about it at all!! It's probably going to be the cleanest ship in the fleet!

[evandbob]

I'll be on the next sailing and not worried about it at all!! It's probably going to be the cleanest ship in the fleet!

 

Glad you are not worried, but for your health and the rest of the passengers, I hope you are prepared (yes, that's the word I used in my post, not worried) for any POSSIBLE lingering bugs or viruses.

 

Being worry free is not quite the same as being prepared.

 

have a wonderful cruise!

Edited March 2, 2016 by evandbob

[topofE]

 

You don't need people here to reassure you that it will be wonderful. No one can do that. Only you can guarantee that you'll have a good time and should you encounter something that is less than perfect (which you will), it's up to you decide if you'll let it ruin your cruise!

 

 

Hear Hear!

[mibarron]

Going on the Sunshine in August. There are hardly any cabins left for this cruise six months out. I think this says something about the ship. I booked Early Saver quite a while ago and hoped for a price drop, but my ext aft had risen about $700 pp since booking and there are no balconies left except Spa balconies. This must say something about the ship. i am excited to go after reading all the wonderful reviews on these boards!

I'm also going in August!! I wanted a balcony and ended up getting one near the elevators on Deck 6, not very many options were available. Good sign, I think. Not sure how I feel about being so close to the elevators though...going to bring earplugs in case it's loud. I did received 1 price drop for $60 OBC. :D

[jocko4279]

I found the Sunshine to have a pleasing look and nice new amenities after the overhaul , having cruised the Destiny before. I couldn't understand why they did not put mini fridges in all the cabins after all that work though.

[Podna's]

I'll be on the next sailing and not worried about it at all!! It's probably going to be the cleanest ship in the fleet!

 

Couldn't agree more. I would not worry about it either. Unfortunately these things happen but you are correct, the following cruises never ever have issues and are probably the cleanest in the fleet.

[summersigh]

Hi there everyone!

 

I've started to read reviews on the Sunshine, and I have to say, I'm a little nervous for our first cruise.

 

A few reviews that I've read claim that the ship has a raw sewage odor that is noticeable when outside, on lower decks. Also, the cabin stewards, and their lack of cleaning cabins. I've also seen a few that talk about the general disrepair of the ship.

 

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not jumping on these few peoples bandwagon, and canceling. I just want to gather some other opinions.

 

We sailed the Sunshine in January in a deck 7 balcony. We had a very enjoyable trip and are sailing her again this spring.

 

We had no problems with sewer odors or any of our plumbing or AC. Our cabin steward was great - did service am and pm refilling the ice bucket each time. The entertainment in the Ocean Plaza, Red Frog Pub, and the atrium was live and good - on the pool deck was a DJ.

 

The food was typical Carnival in the MDR and Lido - Sea Day Brunch in the MDR was good. The other "included" food venues were excellent for lunch (the Italian pasta, Mongolian Wok, Guy's Burgers, Taco Bar, Deli and Havana Bar). Room service for continental breakfast was prompt and adequate (we didn't order otherwise).

 

Any problems with chair hogs are no worse than on any other ship - RCCL and HAL included. We did fixed dining but for the folks who did any time dining the line only seemed to be long when it first opened each evening. After that there didn't seem to be a line.

 

No, it's not a new ship BUT that being said we didn't see glaring issues of disrepair. She goes into dry dock for 2 weeks for some beautification as well as (rumor has it) enlarging of the comedy club and the piano bar in May returning to Charleston SC on May 21.

 

I'm not a Carnival cheerleader but when I read some of the Sunshine reviews I wonder if we sailed the same ship. :) Everything isn't perfect but it's not as big a problem as you might assume from reviews. Remember, more reviews are written by folks that want to voice problems than by folks who are satisfied with the value they received for their $$.

[Ellusionz]

I'm excited to go on the Sunshine. It may get crowded and you'll have some waits but what else were you rushing to do? Get a drink and chat with someone you may never meet again. I love the idea of all the activities and drink/food selections I'm going to have a chance to try. Plus a 3 level Serenity deck... we were actually planning to do the Paradise again but I talked my friend into doing this one instead due to the lack of bar options (I'd miss my Mango Magic) and the uber small Serenity deck, was such a pita trying to get a lounger.

 

Your vacation will be what you make of it, even the bad experiences you may have. They'll be great stories for later!

[TC Cruiser]

I was just on the Sunshine. No raw sewer smell and our stateroom was on deck two. The ship was in very good condition. You should have no hesitations.

 

Here is my video tour of the Sunshine:

[MarcelLucSell]

We went in 2014 and 2015 and we'd go back. He had a blast with no complaints.

[Angiet75]

We were on the sunshine in October and the sunshine its self and all not bad at all the ship was fine I actually like the serenity deck they have better than some of the ships. My only issue is that your time dining you have to go to the fifth floor stand in line get a number then go down to the third-floor and stand in line and wait to be seated I did not care for that. I also don't think the food was very warm any of the nights on the Lido we only ended up in the main dining room one night because of your time dining situation. Otherwise it was fine. No smell of sewer and i have a very sensitive nose.

[tbo]

We went on Sunshine this January, our first cruise in 16 years. I am so very, very glad that I did not let the horrible reviews cloud my judgement. We loved it so much that we are going back next February and taking our adult sons with us.

 

We did not have an issue with foul odors or too much smoke in the casino. We loved our cabin stewards and felt like they did a phenomenal job. As a matter of fact, all of the staff that we encountered smiled, laughed, and spoke to us like we were old friends. We could not have felt more welcome or at home.

 

We did Your time Dining and the check in was a breeze, we never had to wait in a long line and were always given a ticket and were able to head straight to the dining room. We always requested a booth for 2 and were always seated immediately. We did not have the same wait staff every night, but were always treated wonderfully. The food was always very good, though on formal evening our food was not as warm as it could have been. So many food choices, I don't think we even got to them all!

 

As for crowding on deck, we always found a chair if we wanted, but we aren't sunbathers. It was easy enough to find chairs away from the main areas on deck. One evening we wanted to go to the movie, but we waited a little late to go and the good seats were taken, but it is first come first serve.

 

We did figure out quickly to go early to the theater to sit where we liked. The shows were all very good, but the Rock show was the best. We only did one comedy show and again we knew to be there early, but we never felt crowded.

 

Go have fun!

[tandemcruzr]

[quote name='mississauga']A vote for the Sunshine here. We have spent 35 days in the Sunshine and have had some of our best cruises on her. [/quote]

Another vote here. We have been on 2 B2Bs on her and have another booked for April. Go and enjoy. :)

BTW, we have experienced the "smell" on many of our previous 28 cruises. It is fleeting. Never in our cabin.

[AndyT3]

Thank you everyone for the helpful replies!

I'm very much looking forward to our cruise!

[ChrisNCruiser]

I've been on 26 cruises - all on Carnival, and the most recent on the Sunshine last October. (We had also been on it twice before, as the Destiny.) While ship isn't flawless (the weird layout of the comedy club sucks), we enjoyed it so much that we will definitely sail it again. Most of the ship felt brand-new; the only area that felt older was the front half of the lido deck pool area. The ship IS more crowded than a typical Carnival cruise but it never resulted in long food lines, and we thought it just added to a more festive atmosphere. Hope you enjoy your cruise :)

[tilliebob1919]

As the expression goes "to each his own" and you won't know unless you try and then see for yourself as well as form your own opinion. For us we did just that over the past Labor Day weekend. And did not care for it overall and will not cruise on it again.


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[AndyT3]

Again, thank you everyone for your opinions.

I just spoke with my aunt, who has been sailing Carnival for the past 10 years or so, and she is cruising on the Sunshine in a few weeks. I'm waiting to see what she has to say, as well.

[pcvtmom]

There are two recent Sunshine trip reports by Jimbo. Good reading!

[Havingfun2010]

[quote name='AndyT3']Don't get me wrong, I love my job.

I've never yet experienced a vacation that has made me say, man, I wish I was at work instead. Maybe this will be my first…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

I did once, when I sailed my last Carnival Ship which ironically it was the Destiny. Changing the name to the Sunshine did not help much. I was happy to get off.

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='pcvtmom']There are two recent Sunshine trip reports by Jimbo. Good reading![/QUOTE]

[SIZE="4"][COLOR="DarkGreen"]Thanks![/COLOR][/SIZE]

[jimbo5544]

[quote name='Havingfun2010']I did once, when I sailed my last Carnival Ship which ironically it was the Destiny. Changing the name to the Sunshine did not help much. I was happy to get off.[/QUOTE]

[COLOR="DarkGreen"][SIZE="4"]So your answer would be no, because you have not sailed the Sunshine. By chance, when was the last time you sailed on a Carnival ship, and as a follow on, when was the last time you enjoyed anything (since it is Friday, we will make it easy....anything at all about anything of Carnival)? [/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Liverpoollovely]

[quote name='AndyT3']Hi there everyone!

I've started to read reviews on the Sunshine, and I have to say, I'm a little nervous for our first cruise.

A few reviews that I've read claim that the ship has a raw sewage odor that is noticeable when outside, on lower decks. Also, the cabin stewards, and their lack of cleaning cabins. I've also seen a few that talk about the general disrepair of the ship.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not jumping on these few peoples bandwagon, and cancelling. I just want to gather some other opinions.[/QUOTE]


I have been on the Sunshine and will be going on the Sunshine again this month, there are bad elements of the ship -

* Sometimes it can feel unequipped for the amount of passengers it has on-board, and by this I mean spaces to sit - communal areas, the comedy club (tiniest room ever).
* Main show lounge is small and poorly laid out
* If you use ATD you will most likely be issued a pager (this doesn't bother us) but it is bothersome where you need to queue up to check in (especially on elegant nights where the photo areas are set up right by where you queue up)


However ..I am going back on the Sunshine because the ports visiting are non explored ports, I would book it again if the ports came up that I have not been to before and is accessible.