Sunshine Dec 17-23 Quick Review

[GMRPHRN]

In the past, I have sailed on the Dream, Glory, Conquest, and Legend. I sailed with my 2 teens and my sister-in-law.

 

1. Although this wasn't the smallest ship I've sailed on by guest capacity, it certainly felt like it. There are only 2 pools and one of those is on Serenity. Only 2 hot tubs plus 1 on Serenity. The buffet area always was super crowded.

 

2. The Havana bar area is awesome. Although, I know this eliminated an outside deck area at the back of the ship it was a nice area. The Pasta bar for lunch is back there along with the Asian place. The bar was never crowded and service was quick. The pasta bar was really good. Mornings had the omelet station there and I think the majority of people on my cruise never discovered this area.

 

3. There were more children on this cruise than any I have experienced before. Roaming the halls. Yelling and knocking on doors at all hours. Teach me to sail during a school break again.

 

4. Dinner service was very quick and we finished most nights in an hour. However, the food was not that great. Are we getting used to it? My favorites were the spaghetti carbonara, mushroom soup, and baked onion soup.

 

 

5. Had dinner in the steakhouse for the first time and it was worth every penny. I had portabella soup, caesar salad, filet minion and the cheesecake. Service and presentation was wonderful. We got same day reservations for two adults. I will definitely do it again.

 

6. The lobby bar area is small and they set up the photography stations there and it was very crowded. They had a meet the captain the same night as elegant night (only 1 on this 6 night cruise). So we ended up not getting pictures.

 

7. The Serenity area is very large on 3 decks (maybe 4). There was always plenty of room and cozy places to sit away from the crowd. They don't police the area and some teens passed through or hung out but I never had any problem with anybody. The hot tub was always packed full when I thought of using it.

 

8. Lee, the cruise director did a good job IMO. He had a lot of energy. They did some special things for Christmas and the usual cruise deck parties, etc.

 

9. The fun shops were very small. Very little cruise merchandise in a small space. The usual jewelry stores though.

 

10. Embarkation was a very long process. We didn't get to the port til about 12:45 and we waited in line both outside the building and inside for about an hour before reaching the check-in. From there we walked straight onboard and on to our cabin to drop off our carry-ons. The lines for lunch were really long and it was time for muster as we were finishing eating. Muster was quick once everybody managed to get to their spot. No one looked at the wine in my carry on during the check-in process.

 

11. We did self-assist to get off the ship and waited about 30 minutes. Customs barely glanced at our passports so that process was quick and painless. We were shuttled to our car and on the road by 9am.

 

That's all my 2 cents worth. Be glad to answer any questions.

[easyboy]

Sounds like you enjoyed your cruise overall despite more children onboard. Was the customs form not also needed on disembarkation?

 

 

 

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[GMRPHRN]

You only needed a customs form if you were declaring something.

[Keith1010]

I enjoyed reading your report.

 

Happy Holidays.

 

Keith

[Clarea]

Enjoyed reading your report/review. Thanks!

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[suzanne217]

Thanks for the review! Wondering where you parked?

[HectorAchilleus]

Thanks for your review. I also noticed similar issues with crowds on this ship. I enjoyed the cruise, but it is the only Carnival ship that I refuse to sail on again. Lines every where, crowded comedy club, long lines at lunch (esp. sea days).

 

I know a lot of people will disagree, but I did not like the serenity area either. It was very loud, especially on sea days. As the OP stated, children or teens wandered through or stayed. It was also not very private.

 

The service and crew were great, as always on Carnival.

[GMRPHRN]

Thanks for the review! Wondering where you parked?

 

We actually booked a room the night before at Sheraton 4 points and got their park and stay package. The four of us stayed in 1 room - 2 beds and sofa bed - and took the hotels shuttle to port. It was $224 including taxes and shuttle.

[CruisingObsessed]

Thanks for the review! How was the red frog pub? Isn't that in the main lobby area?

[erikaem86]

Thanks for the concise and pragmatic review. I enjoyed reading it and learned a few things.

[sailingships]

 

8. They did some special things for Christmas .

 

What exactly ?

 

Did they have Christmas songs/movies trivia/charades, Christmas movies on TV or the deck, Christmas songs at karaoke etc ?

[nutman111]

I was on the Sunshine in November,, serinity deck was always packed.. chair saving is a big problem. No one does anything about it. There are too many people for the iminities, not near enough pools. I missed the outdoor eating areas.. Cabins were normal, service was great as usual. Food ok.. I ordered prime rib but the gave me a piece of roast beef, complained but the waiter said it was the end cut.. I have owned 2 restaurants that serve and cooked prime rib. was not amused by his answer. sent it back and got something else. getting off the ship was easier than normal.. all in all a ok trip, This was my 19th carnival cruise.

[GMRPHRN]

What exactly ?

 

Did they have Christmas songs/movies trivia/charades, Christmas movies on TV or the deck, Christmas songs at karaoke etc ?

 

They had a tree lighting event. They had Hanakuh services. They had an ugly sweater contest. Santa's arrival. Christmas carol sing a long. Christmass movies as part of the Lido deck movies. I know there were some other events but this is all I remember.

[crazycruzer68]

I was on the Sunshine in November,, serinity deck was always packed.. chair saving is a big problem. No one does anything about it. There are too many people for the iminities, not near enough pools. I missed the outdoor eating areas.. Cabins were normal, service was great as usual. Food ok.. I ordered prime rib but the gave me a piece of roast beef, complained but the waiter said it was the end cut.. I have owned 2 restaurants that serve and cooked prime rib. was not amused by his answer. sent it back and got something else. getting off the ship was easier than normal.. all in all a ok trip, This was my 19th carnival cruise.

 

 

 

Curious about the outdoor eating area, there aren't any tables around Guys to eat?

 

 

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[GMRPHRN]

Guys is right outside the Lido buffet area and there are some outside tables along the outside area of the Lido pool area. But nothing like the bigger ships I've been on.

[ChardonnayKJ]

We are cruising in the coming week on Sunshine and I have a couple of questions:

Is guest services where you can sign up for excursions onboard?

Can you eat at the Havana Bar? I only see drinks on their menu online?

[RW20]

The Havana bar area has a small selection of Cuban food at the side of it during lunch. Mongolian Wok and the Italian are also here at lunch. At dinner this area becomes JiJi's and the Italian specialty restaurants.

 

Usually this area is much less crowded and if you are meeting people it makes it easy to find them. By default we would always eat there and it made it easy to find people in our group.

 

We are cruising in the coming week on Sunshine and I have a couple of questions:

Is guest services where you can sign up for excursions onboard?

Can you eat at the Havana Bar? I only see drinks on their menu online?

[ChardonnayKJ]

Thanks for the information on Havana bar. I had heard it was less crowded and thought it would be a great place to avoid the crowds sometimes. What about guest services? Does it handle purchase of excursions? We received AE Reward Carnival Gift cards and they don't work for the online booking, just for onboard purchases, so going to purchase the rest of our excursions on ship.

[GMRPHRN]

Last time I booked onboard they charged it to the S&S card but you could have the cards put on your S&S card at guest services. There is a separate desk for excursions and they had specific hours. I loved the Havana bar. The decor was very modern and they usually had a roaming bar waiter so it was easy to get drinks. There are large windows looking out the back of the ship. Even in the evenings when the specialty restaurants are operating there seating is off to the side and you could still eat back there (with food from other venues).

[GMRPHRN]

Thanks for the review! How was the red frog pub? Isn't that in the main lobby area?

 

The red frog pub is on the Promenade (5) deck It was right off the Ocean Plaza area which is a large sitting area with a small stage for Karaoke, magic, games, etc. We went to the bar to get drinks before an event and found it very crowded. Actually walked over to the casino bar and got faster service. This is also where people sign up for YTD so maybe that is where people were waiting so I'm not sure. Anyway, I much preferred the Havana bar for a place to hang out because it was less crowded.

[ChardonnayKJ]

Last time I booked onboard they charged it to the S&S card but you could have the cards put on your S&S card at guest services. There is a separate desk for excursions and they had specific hours. I loved the Havana bar. The decor was very modern and they usually had a roaming bar waiter so it was easy to get drinks. There are large windows looking out the back of the ship. Even in the evenings when the specialty restaurants are operating there seating is off to the side and you could still eat back there (with food from other venues).

 

This is very helpful information. Thank you ...getting excited :)