Trying to choose.... Sunshine, Magic or Vista?

[iriecruising]

Do you have a favorite Carnival ship or are you just not a carnival fan? I have been on big and small ships and both seem to have their appeal. With teenagers I think the bigger ships will give them more activities to choose from. If it was just me and my husband I would be looking harder at longer cruises on smaller ships.

 

 

None of the above.

 

Magic and Vista are just too big, and Sunshine is Carnival's attempt at putting lipstick on the pig formerly known as Destiny.

[iriecruising]

This a great tip! Thank you!!

 

 

We were in Curacao until 10:30pm one night, so we booked Fahrenheit 555 for 8:30pm that night with outdoor seating. It was beautiful sitting in port with the lights from the island surrounding you and the sound of music from the pier. Dinner wrapped up at sail away, so we were able to enjoy dessert while we left the island. I recommend this if you have a late departure from any port.

[iriecruising]

Thanks they will be 15 and 17 so on board activities, pools and such will be the most important thing for us on this trip.

 

 

TO THE OP: How old is everyone traveling. if water parking is a degree of fun vista is there at number one if it was me at 15. Sunshine sits at three and Magic would be number two.

 

 

Go get the shipmate app and browse the pictures you can find in the app for the three ships. Remember each will be themed differently and you will want to look into what is above and below your cabin.

[wanderlust0713]

I was looking at vista and something I read said that the Havana pool and bar is open to anyone in the evenings but only to those staying in the havana cabins during the day. Is that correct?

 

That is correct.

[surfjock27]

That makes me very happy to hear! I'm concerned about it being packed and not having the "personal feel". We did not enjoy RCI Allure. Also concerned about the main theatre and comedy club. We look forward to the entertainment the most. Also just learned that the Vista doesn't have my favorite show, 88 keys :(

 

I never once thought that it felt packed, with the exception of YTD. We often times had a wait of 30 minutes for a table. The ship is so big and there is so much happening, that it never felt stuffy at all. They do not have 88 Keys, but they do have Flick, which is hands down the best show on the fleet.

[surfjock27]

I was looking at vista and something I read said that the Havana pool and bar is open to anyone in the evenings but only to those staying in the havana cabins during the day. Is that correct?

 

Correct. You get a bracelet that lets you into the Havana area before 5pm. After 5pm anyone is welcomed back there. You also get a magnetic card that opens doors on Deck 5, allowing you into the Havana area. After 5pm, these are unlocked.

[wanderlust0713]

Correct. You get a bracelet that lets you into the Havana area before 5pm. After 5pm anyone is welcomed back there. You also get a magnetic card that opens doors on Deck 5, allowing you into the Havana area. After 5pm, these are unlocked.

 

People have said that it's now 7pm.

[riclop]

Forget the Sunshine, now you have 2.

[im4clowns]

These are the same three we were considering for June next year. We love the magic. Been on it several times and enjoy it. However we have been on it several times and I want to do a different one. We decided on the vista. I didn't go with the sunshine cause several family members went on it earlier this year and really did not like it. The reasons they gave me made me not want to try it. Surprisingly with my casino offer vista is like 500cheaper than the magic

[iriecruising]

Yes we started looking at Videos this past weekend. I really like the Serenity area on sunshine but the Magic and Especially Vista look like they have the best outside spaces and lots of places you can see out from the inside. We are now leaning towards the Vista.

 

 

I have been on the Sunshine and am booked on the Vista, so I am researching it now.

 

Have you looked at Youtube videos of the Lanai area on Vista? It is outdoor seating for some of the restaurants on deck 5. From what I have seen, Vista has the most variety and space for outdoor activity. Honestly the pools on ship are all small to us (but we are comparing to resort pools), but the new ones do have some impressive water park style features. One of the reviews I read said that the views on the Vista were impressive, and they could see why it was named Vista. Sounds like you will enjoy it no matter what you pick.

 

You can also take the easy way out, let the girls look into it and pick from the three, so long as you can live with the results.

[Domino D]

Yes we started looking at Videos this past weekend. I really like the Serenity area on sunshine but the Magic and Especially Vista look like they have the best outside spaces and lots of places you can see out from the inside. We are now leaning towards the Vista.

 

Looks like fun doesn't it? It seems like it may have more areas and amenities that would interest your daughters, given their ages. Honestly though, I've never had bad cruise, or ship I wouldn't book again.

 

Good luck.

[evandbob]

Yes, on the Magic I enjoyed the Lanai, waterworks, sports square, and the aft pool area. All outdoors.

 

I live in NY so yup, much easier to combine Disney with a cruise.

 

I don't like talking about the Sunshibe here because it's a very hotly debated ship and it's not something I care to go back and forth on. I will just say after my cruise I wrote a two page letter to the Carnival higher us which resulted in a free cruise. Some of the minor issues I'll share are terrible overcrowding which led to excessive lines for literally everything. Outside of the special lunch time buffet areas(Guys, Blue Iguana, JiJis and the Pasta Bar which close after about 2 hours, save for Guys) the offerings were pathetic. The Liquid Lounge was an eyesore with the worst sight lines ever. It was my first experience with American Table and the food was so bad I literally had to spit it in my napkin one night. This was a different night than the one where there were leaks in the ceiling of the MDR which dripped all over myself and several other parties during dinner. I also missed the lanai a lot. I really missed seaviews while on the Promenade. I can keep going but I'm getting annoyed all over again. While many love it, the Sunshine is NOT for me. It feels like the 20+ year old she it is no matter how they tried to erase that.

 

To all the Sunshine fans who may try to pick apart this post, don't. Continue loving your ship and leave me alone lol

 

Glad you didn't want to mention or list your complaints about the Sunshine. I sailed it when it was the Destiny, so I don't have an opinion one way or another.

[keith75]

My husband and I will be traveling with our 2 teenage daughters age 15 and 17 during a spring break cruise. I really wish we did not need to go Spring Break but the school schedule dictates our vacations. We are looking at the Sunshine, Magic and Vista. We all really enjoy pool time and being outdoors during the day. The girls are pretty active and will enjoy water slides, games and any other outdoor activities available. Looking for suggestions on which ship to choose on what we know will be a crowded spring break cruise. The cost is only a 500.00 difference between the 7 day Magic Cruise which is the cheapest and the 8 day Vista Cruise which is the most expensive. The 8 day Sunshine falls right in the middle of those 2 for cost. So it really is about the amenities and outdoor space for us. We love being at sea and being able to see that we are at sea! So if you can provide any feedback on these ships (the good, bad or ugly) we would really appreciate it. This is the last family vacation we will have before the oldest heads off to college so we really want to choose something we will love. Thanks is advance for any advice!

 

 

Vista was nice but it didn't blow me away...i thinky my expectations were to high, everything kind of scattered too.

Magic is a beautiful ship and I haven't sailed the Sunshine since it was called Destiny.

 

Good luck!

[iriecruising]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! We decided to ditch our spring break cruise and opt for a Thanksgiving 2018 cruise instead. We were able to book a midship balcony on deck 8 for 4 people on the Magic for $700-$1200 cheaper than what we were looking at for spring break 2018! So we will wait a few more months to take our voyage but are already looking forward to some Carnival Magic Fun!

 

My husband and I will be traveling with our 2 teenage daughters age 15 and 17 during a spring break cruise. I really wish we did not need to go Spring Break but the school schedule dictates our vacations. We are looking at the Sunshine, Magic and Vista. We all really enjoy pool time and being outdoors during the day. The girls are pretty active and will enjoy water slides, games and any other outdoor activities available. Looking for suggestions on which ship to choose on what we know will be a crowded spring break cruise. The cost is only a 500.00 difference between the 7 day Magic Cruise which is the cheapest and the 8 day Vista Cruise which is the most expensive. The 8 day Sunshine falls right in the middle of those 2 for cost. So it really is about the amenities and outdoor space for us. We love being at sea and being able to see that we are at sea! So if you can provide any feedback on these ships (the good, bad or ugly) we would really appreciate it. This is the last family vacation we will have before the oldest heads off to college so we really want to choose something we will love. Thanks is advance for any advice!

[A&Jfamily]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! We decided to ditch our spring break cruise and opt for a Thanksgiving 2018 cruise instead. We were able to book a midship balcony on deck 8 for 4 people on the Magic for $700-$1200 cheaper than what we were looking at for spring break 2018! So we will wait a few more months to take our voyage but are already looking forward to some Carnival Magic Fun!

 

If you ever get a chance to take the Sunshine, she is the favorite ship of many on here. Yes - some like EvanandBob had a bad experience and I will in no way disparage that. But, that said, my boys are now 13 and 19 and Sunshine is hands down their favorite as well as ours. It has a better sports square than Magic. We sailed her in Spring Break and Magic the week before Christmas, and to us, the Magic felt crowded. We have never felt that way on Sunshine. Sunshine has better placement of Alchemy, plus JiJis, Bonsai and Havana bar which are all lacking on Magic. I really wanted to like the deck 5 hot tubs on Magic but they were always luke warm at best - and being exposed as they are, it was just chilly to try to enjoy them in the evenings. There was only one time that the line was too long for comedy club and we just moved on to the piano bar; othertimes, we have learned that you can go down at 7:35 or 7:40 for an 8 pm show, wait 10-15 minutes, be at the front of the line and walk in and get prime seats. I actually like the smaller venue for comedy - it fits. She also has the best serenity area with the large waterfall pool.

 

We would always chose Sunshine over another ship!

[iriecruising]

I definitely will. Sunshine looked like a great ship too and lots of people seem to really love her. The serenity deck looks amazing!! Unfortunately on Thanksgiving 2018 she is only sailing for a 5 day cruise. Just could not give up those extra days.

 

 

If you ever get a chance to take the Sunshine, she is the favorite ship of many on here. Yes - some like EvanandBob had a bad experience and I will in no way disparage that. But, that said, my boys are now 13 and 19 and Sunshine is hands down their favorite as well as ours. It has a better sports square than Magic. We sailed her in Spring Break and Magic the week before Christmas, and to us, the Magic felt crowded. We have never felt that way on Sunshine. Sunshine has better placement of Alchemy, plus JiJis, Bonsai and Havana bar which are all lacking on Magic. I really wanted to like the deck 5 hot tubs on Magic but they were always luke warm at best - and being exposed as they are, it was just chilly to try to enjoy them in the evenings. There was only one time that the line was too long for comedy club and we just moved on to the piano bar; othertimes, we have learned that you can go down at 7:35 or 7:40 for an 8 pm show, wait 10-15 minutes, be at the front of the line and walk in and get prime seats. I actually like the smaller venue for comedy - it fits. She also has the best serenity area with the large waterfall pool.

 

We would always chose Sunshine over another ship!

[dacsmom]

Loved the Vista, and it gives you one extra day. There is just so much to do on the ship for all ages. Great outdoor areas, to play games, slides, the sky ride, etc... Indoor areas, the Thrill Theater, Imax. I would sail on her again in a heartbeat.

[AJADE]

I was on the Carnival Vista a few weeks ago and had the opportunity to interview a few staff members during the trip.

[Bernardo62]

Do your family have any input? I would think they have more say so than strangers!!