First cruise on the Sunshine!

[RachelC33]

Just got back from the 3/25 sailing on the Carnival Sunshine. We joined a couple of other families for our first ever cruise (family of 5) and we had an absolute blast. We are already planning our next cruise on Carnival for spring break next year. I have to say I was a little worried about some of the negative reviews I was reading about this ship before we left, but we have absolutely no complaints. Best vacation we've taken as a family to date. I felt compelled to make a post about it in case someone else is considering the Sunshine and is feeling deterred by some of the negative reviews.

 

I was beyond impressed with the service, especially in the main dining room. Our head waiter, Jose, was awesome. He remembered everything about our party of 14 after day 1 (names, drinks, special requests, likes/dislikes). He was also hilarious and even got my shy 7 year old to laugh and chat with him. He is really special. The food reminds me of food you would get at a banquet hall, or a wedding. Nothing out of this world fantastic, but good and plentiful. Lots of variety. Already missing that melting chocolate cake. That was yummy.

 

I also wanted to say that the cruise director, Mason, was hilarious. That man was on 24/7. I can't imagine being good at that job, and he made it seem easy.

 

There was no shortage of things to do for every age group in our party. We saw a couple shows, went to the comedy club (and the comedians were actually really funny), ate (and ate and ate and ate), hung out on the Lido deck while the kids swam, went to the spa, tried out all the bars (we had the cheers package and felt like we had to make it worth our while - if I don't see any alcohol ever again, it wouldn't be soon enough - lol). We even did a little gambling in the casino on the last night. My younger 2 kids enjoyed the kids clubs, my teen hung out on the sports deck with all her new "boat friends" as she called them. It was care free, easy and a ton of fun.

 

I will say that if I had to pick out one negative, it would have to be our room. We thought being economical was the way to go and booked the 5 of us in an interior cabin on deck 2. We knew when booking the room would be small but I don't think any of us were prepared for just how small. I won't repeat some of the colorful comments that came out of my husband's mouth when he first saw our room - LOL. I likened the 5 of us fitting into the room to a game of Tetris. Even though it was small and ridiculously impossible to get ready, we spent so little time in the room that it really didn't matter that much. Now we know for next time that 2 rooms is the way to go. I really didn't mind being interior, my internal alarm clock wakes me up at 6am every day anyway, vacation or no vacation.

 

Anyway, I hope that my comments help anyone who may be feeling put off by the negative. I would cruise this ship again in a heartbeat. I am happy to answer any questions about the ship or itinerary if anyone has any! :)

Edited April 4, 2017 by RachelC33

[jsglow]

Yikes. 5 in an interior! :eek:

 

Try this next time. Mom/dad in a balc or OV, kids (at least 2) across the hall. We used to travel as a family of 4 and did an Interior once. It worked. We survived. Then we graduated to 4 in a balc which actually worked pretty well as the balcony sort of served as an extra room. From there we morphed into the 'across the hall' configuration as the kids got in their mid teens.

 

(Ironically, that Interior I mentioned? It was on the Destiny back in 2007. She's now the Sunshine. Looking forward to returning to her in 10 days.)

[RachelC33]

Yikes. 5 in an interior! :eek:

 

Try this next time. Mom/dad in a balc or OV, kids (at least 2) across the hall. We used to travel as a family of 4 and did an Interior once. It worked. We survived. Then we graduated to 4 in a balc which actually worked pretty well as the balcony sort of served as an extra room. From there we morphed into the 'across the hall' configuration as the kids got in their mid teens.

 

Thanks for the tip! We are looking at my husband and I in an OV with the kids in an interior across the hall. Looking at the Vista or Magic for next year. Decisions, decisions! :)

[jsglow]

Thanks for the tip! We are looking at my husband and I in an OV with the kids in an interior across the hall. Looking at the Vista or Magic for next year. Decisions, decisions! :)

 

Great strategy. Here's another thing. 2 bathrooms makes a BIG difference.

[RachelC33]

Great strategy. Here's another thing. 2 bathrooms makes a BIG difference.

 

Yes!!! That was the biggest problem, trying to get ready for the dinner and take showers. We eventually figured out how to stagger our time in the room to make it a little less crazy, but even the bathroom for 1 person was cramped. Add a 14 year old who takes an hour to get ready every day, forget it. I have learned my lesson! Two bathrooms is a necessity going forward! ;p

[nokidz]

next time, use the spa showers. that more than one can get showered and ready at the same time.

[dizkid]

Yes!!! That was the biggest problem, trying to get ready for the dinner and take showers. We eventually figured out how to stagger our time in the room to make it a little less crazy, but even the bathroom for 1 person was cramped. Add a 14 year old who takes an hour to get ready every day, forget it. I have learned my lesson! Two bathrooms is a necessity going forward! ;p

 

Next time, send the hubby to the gym locker room. They have free showers there. He can shave/shower & s....., well you get the idea!

 

Save

[RachelC33]

Next time, send the hubby to the gym locker room. They have free showers there. He can shave/shower & s....., well you get the idea!

 

 

 

Save

 

I'm laughing out loud right now! After day 2, I told everyone - if you need to go #2 - do it somewhere else! The room is off limits - pee only!

[tlc64]

How did your 14 yo like the teen club I have a 13 yo and 15yo going the end of July. This is our 2nd carnival cruise first one was to Canada in early June so there were not a lot of kids. We have also done Disney a ton of kids!! so my kids now are thinking it will be the same and want to do Disney but hey its twice the price so we thought we would give Carnival another shot.

[Crusin Karen]

We sailed on Destiny a bunch of times (she was our lst CCL cruise!) and wanted to try Sunshine before she leaves our homeport of NY so we are sailing her 9/23 and I love reading reviews like yours. We did the Pride Journey 2 weeks cruise last year in our lst ever inside cabin. Had a casino deal and paid $150 for 2 weeks, so NO COMPLAINTS but DH and I were about to kill each other after day 2 so I can't imagine having 3 MORE people in that cabin. You deserve a medal!

[cruzeluver]

Glad you had a great cruise. Sunshine is our favorite Carnival ship by a wide margin. I think its because of her differences that make her unique. Only carnival ship we liked enough to go on twice, and in the same year!

[riclop]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[JawjaFatBoy]

Thank you!

 

We've looked at the Sunshine and almost booked her last year, but all of the negative reviews made us rethink and book a cruise on the Victory. Might have to give the Sunshine another look for next year!

[WashCoCruisers]

We were on the same cruise!!! All of the servers were wonderful! And 2 of the 3 comedians were hilarious! Plus, Jay from LA was a real hoot! I really do wish that the Comedy Lounge (The Limelight) was a lot bigger!

[adam3313]

One option you may want to look into is the Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom category. These have two bathrooms in one room. One of these and an interior may be the way to go with 5. That way you have 3 bathrooms you can utilize.

 

These staterooms are both available on the Vista and Magic!

[A&Jfamily]

Welcome to the Sunshine fan club! It is our favorite CCL ship!

 

The teens love it because of Sports Square - so much to do!