Sunshine Labor Day CA/NE Cruise

[Schoifmom]

Good morning, all. I will not be doing a full review of our recent cruise, but I thought I would provide a brief synopsis (mostly impressions of the ship) and answer any questions.

 

Background DH and I are in our 50's and drove to NYC from Ohio for this, our fourth, cruise. All of our other cruises were on fantasy class ships. DH travels with a mobility scooter. We did not purchase Cheers.

 

Pre-cruise We stayed at the Ridgefield Park Hilton Garden Inn and used their stay-park-cruise package. It is a typical Garden Inn and everything was provided as promised. Upon check-in, we were provided with a coupon for breakfast and they made the arrangements for the car service to pick us up at the time we requested. When I asked, I was told that the trip to the pier was 1 1/2 hours! Nope, 30 minutes at the most, so we arrived very early.

 

Check-in at Manhattan was very smooth. We had to wait a little bit to check in (because we were early), but no problems. Boarding was late (or at least it seemed so) and the lobby was very crowded by the time they were cleared for boarding. In fact, they stopped checking people in at one point because there was nowhere in the terminal for them to wait.

 

Accommodations We had an interior accessible room on the Lido deck. It was directly under the gym, but we never heard a sound! This was an upgrade from the deck 5 room I originally booked. Knowing what I do now, I think that we would have preferred the deck 5 cabin, though, just because of the location.

 

The Ship I had read many, many reviews of the Sunshine before we left. I knew the people found her crowded and that the layout of the ship was difficult. Our sailing was completely full and, yes, I often felt crowded. We never had a problem finding a deck chair, although this may be because we were headed north and it was often chilly and windy on deck.

 

The layout of the ship does really stink. Having said that, once we learned how to navigate around the problem areas, we were okay. The problem was the other people who never bothered. For example, there is a sign at the exit to the Comedy Club stating that it was exit only, go up to 5, use the mid elevators, return to 4 and enter through the entrance. Had people only followed directions, the lounge would not have been so chronically chaotic.

 

I actually met people on the next to last day of the cruise (it was a 7 day) who were just learning how to check in and go to the dining room for YTD. Checking in on 5 and going to 3 was a challenge for some.

 

The casino was a good size and the smoke was not too terrible. There was a lack of non-smoking slot machines, though. I'm sure that I missed some, but I only counted 9. There was one man who insisted on smoking at one. I politely pointed out to him that they were non-smoking machines. He said "sorry" and moved his cigarette to his other hand. When he lit a second, I found a casino employee who told him as well. When he lit a third, I asked the casino employee why they don't enforce it and she literally said to me "I can only tell him." I am typically a very polite and non-confrontational individual, but I told this man off in front of his wife and daughter!

 

The service on the ship was as I have come to expect from Carnival, exceptional in most instances. Our room steward was not what I would call a "go-getter," but he did what was expected. We received exceptional service in the dining room (we had YTD).

 

The one very pleasant difference on the Sunshine is that it seemed that the elevators were all in working condition and the only time we experienced crowding around the elevators was right after comedy shows.

 

I think that's it for this morning, but please ask any questions that you have. I'll be happy to answer anything that I can.

[Synderela]

We are looking at doing that same trip next year. Could you tell me if you sailed past the Statue of Liberty? Also if there were fridges in the cabins? Thanks so much

[Schoifmom]

We are looking at doing that same trip next year. Could you tell me if you sailed past the Statue of Liberty? Also if there were fridges in the cabins? Thanks so much

 

Yes, you sail past the statue. If you want photos from deck 14, get there early!

 

There are fridges in the cabins that were added/renovated when she was transformed to the Sunshine. I can't really give you a complete list of what those were, but your friend google may be able to help. We had a fridge in our deck 9 inside cabin, and I know that they have them on deck 5.

[mimsymarie]

Which ports did you get to?

[Schoifmom]

Which ports did you get to?

 

We sailed to Boston, Portland, St. John, and Halifax. Portland and Boston were reversed due to the tropical storm.

[ruachsm]

I see that you check in for YTD on deck 5. Which dining room is YTD and where exactly do you check in on deck 5?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Schoifmom]

I see that you check in for YTD on deck 5. Which dining room is YTD and where exactly do you check in on deck 5?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

You check in on deck 5 across from the Taste Bar (mid-ship). You then take the aft elevators down to deck 3 to the aft dining room (Sunrise Dining Room).

[mimsymarie]

We sailed to Boston, Portland, St. John, and Halifax. Portland and Boston were reversed due to the tropical storm.

 

Next month we will be going to Halifax and saint johns. Can I ask what you did in saint johns? We have figured out what we want to do in Halifax.

[A.S.]

Hi,

 

Glad you had a nice time. Did you by chance have a table for 2? If so, was it possible to get a booth for just the 2 of you?

 

I have read of some that requested a booth, as the others are quite close to each other.

 

Thanks

[meatloafsfan]

Did you find any areas that were inaccessible with your husband's scooter? I really want to sail on the Sunshine with my mother who is a full time wheelchair user. I am a bit concerned because at it's core, it's an older ship which were less accessible than today's builds.

 

As well, did you notice how the public accessible bathrooms were? Any separate accessible bathrooms?

[Schoifmom]

Next month we will be going to Halifax and saint johns. Can I ask what you did in saint johns? We have figured out what we want to do in Halifax.

 

At St. John we just went off the ship and walked around a little bit. There are local vendors set up about a block away from the ship (turn left out of the terminal) and then a mall across from that.

[Schoifmom]

Hi,

 

Glad you had a nice time. Did you by chance have a table for 2? If so, was it possible to get a booth for just the 2 of you?

 

I have read of some that requested a booth, as the others are quite close to each other.

 

Thanks

 

It's interesting ... there are very few 2-top tables on this ship. We were always seated at a 4-top for just the two of us. There are quite a few booths (with DH's mobility issues they weren't an option for us), so I don't see a problem getting one, depending on what time you go to dinner.

 

The tables are close to each other, but not quite as close as what we experienced on Fantasy Class with 1 4-top and 2 2-tops in a row. These were 2 4-tops in a row with a little more room (maybe 2 feet) between them.

[Schoifmom]

Did you find any areas that were inaccessible with your husband's scooter? I really want to sail on the Sunshine with my mother who is a full time wheelchair user. I am a bit concerned because at it's core, it's an older ship which were less accessible than today's builds.

 

As well, did you notice how the public accessible bathrooms were? Any separate accessible bathrooms?

 

He didn't have any issues getting wherever he wanted to go. If you are pushing your mother, be aware that many of the thresholds throughout the public areas were very high and may be difficult to get over, although everyone seemed to manage just fine.

 

The public restrooms are a different matter entirely! Even the ones that they claim are accessible are very, very small. Depending on her needs in the restroom, she would have to plan very carefully to manage those needs in her stateroom as much as possible.

[mizLORInj]

We did not request a table for two and were surprised to be escorted to one. There were about 6 tables set up in a row for two each in the Sunset dining room. We had fixed early dining on this cruise.

Edited September 13, 2016 by mizLORInj

[Schoifmom]

We did not request a table for two and were surprised to be escorted to one. There were about 6 tables set up in a row for two each in the Sunset dining room. We had fixed early dining on this cruise.

 

Hi, Lori! We missed the meet and greet. It was just so late when we boarded :) I hope that it went well.

[mizLORInj]

It was disappointing that Carnival never set one up for us on this cruise. I already sent a note to a contact at Cruise Critic to let them know.

[Schoifmom]

It was disappointing that Carnival never set one up for us on this cruise. I already sent a note to a contact at Cruise Critic to let them know.

 

I know. Since we missed the informal one on the first day, we were hoping to meet everyone at the Carnival CC M&G. No go, though :(

[DCCruiser1013]

Did your hotel also provide transportation back from Manhattan to the terminal after the cruise or did you have to cover that yourself?

[Schoifmom]

Did your hotel also provide transportation back from Manhattan to the terminal after the cruise or did you have to cover that yourself?

 

It was round-trip. They employ a car service for this and were able to accommodate DH's mobility scooter as well. We were pleased with the hotel and the transportation. BTW ... the cost was approximately the same as parking at the pier for the week, but included the hotel stay and breakfast.

[Jamman54]

Thanks for posting your thoughts. Sorry we didn't get to meet this cruise, or did we? We met many, many great people on this cruise, just sorry that the Meet & Mingle never happened.