Just Off the Sunshine, NY to St. John!

[gaillyn518]

I just got back from the Sunshine and wanted to post some of my thoughts while they are still fresh in my mind. There were 3 of us so we booked a cabin suite, 7229. It was absolutely fabulous! There was plenty of room for us(king bed, sofa bed/not pull out, dressing/vanity area, chair, end table, coffee table, safe, refrigerator) and the balcony was huge. I requested a lounge chair for the balcony and it was brought to me almost immediately. I did think that the bathroom was a bit small but it had a sunken tub with jets and the water pressure was terrific!

 

Since we had a suite, we were given priority boarding. We arrived at 11:30 and had no problem parking. It was great. The lot is right next to the ship. I checked the lot just before we left and it still had some available spots. We dropped our bags off at the curb, parked, and walked right onto the ship. The priority status allowed us to go to a private check in area and we had no lines at all. We were on the ship and even though the rooms weren't ready until 1:00, our cabin was ready and we went right in to see it. There were complimentary water bottles for each of us and a gift card for complimentary dinner at the Italian restaurant...so nice!

 

Our bags came very quickly but I didn't get one of my bags until after dinner. Christina, our steward, was amazing. She brought me down to the lost luggage area and it was right there. The tag that you print out had fallen off so my "priority early luggage arrival" didn't work so well for that bag. Piece of advice...secure those tags well. I had folded and stapled it as directed but it still fell off. One other point about the luggage. I packed a case of water bottles and Powerade in a suitcase. It was all removed with a note that it was discarded! I plan to call because I don't understand why I couldn't just pick it up after the cruise.

 

I checked the dining room area when we got there and saw that I was at a table with other people. My son has aspergers and social anxiety. I explained this to the maitre'd and he was absolutely wonderful, switched our table to a private one with no issue.

 

I thought that the ship was beautiful, one side has plenty to do for the kids and the other side was adults only. The kids' side had ping pong, pool, giant floor checkers, shuffleboard, twister, a mini golf course, foosball, basketball, and a ropes course. I actually tried the ropes course, a first for me! A 10 year old helped me do the beginner side while he was doing the advanced side. I fell once landing on the rope(harnessed and safe) and a worker was there immediately to help me. She even gave me a trophy and certificate when I completed the course! I am still nursing some bruises but it was so fun.

 

There is a track that goes around the kids' side and overlooks the pool. I made use of that every day. It was 10 laps for a mile. I found it strange that the smoking section was right under that track. Every time I walked by it, I got a whiff of smoke.

 

The adults only section(Serenity) was so nice, very peaceful. Unfortunately, the bar was very crowded and there were not enough bartenders. Sometimes I went down to the pool deck which had 2 other bars.

 

I paid $109 for 2 of us to use the spa for the duration of the cruise. It was lovely. It had a sauna, steam room, aromatherapy steam room, relaxation room, showers, and an amazing area where you could lay on tiled lounge chair that were heated and overlooking the water. It was so relaxing!!!!! The spa services were too expensive for my taste.

 

I purchased the Cheers package. Unfortunately it doesn't work on the first day but on the other days it worked in all bars and restaurants that we frequented. On the first night, we ordered a bottle of wine with dinner. We didn't finish it and the waiter saved it for us for the next night. That was great. The Cheers card also worked at the Shake Shop, a place to get coffees and shakes. They offer spiked drinks and they were so yummy!

 

I thought that the food on the buffet was just ok. For breakfast, besides the buffet, there is a great breakfast burrito bar on the pool deck. The rancheros were amazing! There is also an omelette station in the room next to the buffet area(Havana Room I think.) It is easy to miss so definitely look for it. We ate in 2 specialty restaurants, the Italian one and the Steakhouse. They were both fabulous!

 

We went to the comedy shows and they were ok. I really enjoyed the piano bar, very friendly and fun. The Love and Marriage show was hysterical! The Very Hairy Chest competition was a riot!

 

The casino was fun too but it did get some of my money.

 

Canada was ok. We walked to the market, only about a half mile from the ship. It was full of foods and some souveniers, nothing I found too exciting. On the way back to the ship was a table with an old man dressed like a pirate. He was so lovely. He gave my son a clay piece on a string for free and also gave us a clay lighthouse for free. I purchased a clay necklace that holds my eyeglasses and my son purchased a clay piece with a blue lobster engraved on it. When you get off at St. John, if you see this man, definitely stop by. He was a doll. Also, be sure to stop by the Freak Lunchbox. It is a candy store full of amazing things from when I was a kid, a real blast from the past.

 

On the last day at sea, I went to the track and was amazed by what I saw on the pool deck. Every lounge chair had a towel animal on it. Monkeys were on the poles and alligators were on the deck. It was absolutely beautiful.

 

Emma, the cruise director, was amazing. She is a bundle of fresh air, bubbly, smiling, and full of happiness and energy. I don't know how she does it.

 

Getting off the ship was painless. We didn't rush, spent our time on the pool deck, and easily walked to the car.

 

I will probably think of more stuff later but hopefully this gives you some info/ideas about the Sunshine.

 

Safe travels!!!!! :-)

[wendysue44]

Thank you for your review. I will be sailing on the Sunshine in Feb. I have sailed on her before and loved the ship.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[TVLady3]

Nice review, thank you.

We will be on the Sunshine in 2 weeks.

You mentioned the spa, are there any hot tubs in the spa?

When did you buy the spa passes and where?

Can you buy them on line before your cruise?

So there $54.50 per person at $109. for 2?

[cruzeluver]

Great review. Sounds like a great time overall!

 

Our Sunshine cruise was one of our best. Cannot wait to board again in November!!

[gaillyn518]

Nice review, thank you.

We will be on the Sunshine in 2 weeks.

You mentioned the spa, are there any hot tubs in the spa?

When did you buy the spa passes and where?

Can you buy them on line before your cruise?

So there $54.50 per person at $109. for 2?

 

I did not see any hot tubs in the spa but there is a hot tub on the Serenity deck which is adults only and 2 others on the main pool deck that are open to all. I got the passes on the first day, before we set sail, in the spa. They said that the $109 for 2 people was a special just for that day but I believe it was the same price on the next day. I am not sure if you can get them online. I think the price for one person was $60. We did the $109 for the two of us.

 

Also, I forgot to mention that the facilities in the spa are coed. We shared the sauna, steam rooms, and relaxing areas. There were separate locker rooms.

 

Have a great trip!!!!!

[cruisincastro2012]

Great Review!! My husband and I will be sailing from NYC on 10-17-16. Very excited

Thanks!!

[Clarea]

Excellent report, thanks!

[elle64]

us too...so excited!!

[Maraprince]

Do you need to reserve a seat ahead of time in the Serenity area or can you just walk up and find a seat?

 

Can anyone use the fuse ball/pool table or is that area just for kids?

 

Are most of the food options for breakfast/lunch located on deck 9?

 

Did you have afternoon tea on one of the sea days and did they have scones?

 

We board this Saturday...first time on the Sunshine.

 

MARAPRINCE

[cb at sea]

Next trip, try the dining room for breakfast! Very nice!

[hp_slash]

Thank you for this review!! My FI and I are on the Sunshine Oct. 8 and we're so excited! :D

[uncleg]

Great review. Sounds like a great time overall!

 

Our Sunshine cruise was one of our best. Cannot wait to board again in November!!

 

 

Ditto

 

 

Also hello neighbor, I am just down the rode near Moncks Corner and will be on the Sunshine 11/11

[Schoifmom]

Do you need to reserve a seat ahead of time in the Serenity area or can you just walk up and find a seat?

There is no reserving of seats in Serenity, or anywhere else for that matter. First come - first served, but watch for chogs :)

Can anyone use the fuse ball/pool table or is that area just for kids?

Anyone can use the facilities on the sports deck.

 

Are most of the food options for breakfast/lunch located on deck 9?

Food options other than the dining room, steakhouse, sushi, and Taste Bar are on the Lido deck (9).

Did you have afternoon tea on one of the sea days and did they have scones?

Sorry, I can't help you with this. They had afternoon tea on my 7 day, but I didn't attend.

 

We board this Saturday...first time on the Sunshine.

I hope you have a blast!

 

MARAPRINCE

 

Happy cruising!

[flame1969]

Great review, thanks.

We are due to board the Sunshine on the 23rd Sept 2017 from New York, first time cruisers so haven't a clue what to expect....

Does anyone have any idea on average weather at that time of year whilst on board, probably a stupid question I know, but don't even know what to think of for packing clothes etc.

Also is the pool heated? We have a 9 yr old who loves swimming but I have images of a cold pool and freezing weather.

Many thanks in advance.

[LaCal]

Thx for the review

 

We're on the Sunshine in December for the first time and also have a suite

 

Do you know why you had a Free Italian dinner waiting for you??