July 2018 Carnival Sunshine Premier Cruise Review

[rolloman]

Let me get this started by talking about the ship. I sailed the Destiny twice, once when new and once prior to dry dock / name change. I was actually impressed by the changes. Totally different, lots of added venue changes and the standard Carnival 2.0 enhancements. I had read several posters say the ship has lots of movement. I call bull excrement on this. The ship held steady the entire cruise with no overwhelming issues even (at one point) moderate seas.

 

The crew, in a word, fantastic, made some new friends. Felix and crew in my time dining, Phillip, room attendant, fantastic job and the casino bar wait staff (Godwin, Patrick) awesome as well.

[rolloman]

Now for the premier part. Nice perk with the welcome aboard party, they spared no expense, at least an hour of mini bites and beverages of your choice ending with a cash raffle.

Each day welcomed some kind of premier treat delivered to the stateroom.

Some examples include chocolates, strawberries, backpacks.

 

Some of the Casino events were the snowball raffle or casino type game to play such as cash cow, cash pong, avoid the bull and a slot tournament for those who had accumulated at least 2000 points. Kathleen was our host, a self proclaimed non drinker/gambler. She did a great job announcing. However, I do not like the fact she would come by while we were playing and "rub" the machine for good luck. Maybe just me.....but when she rubbed my machine...it went cold....lol....just saying.....

 

I also found it odd certain individuals were pulled out of the drawing bin for the premier games multiple times (3-4 times in some instances). They have a bingo type ball bin with every premier players name on a card. There is supposedly only 1 card in the drawing bin per premier guest. We had 125 premier guests on this cruise. But here is the deal, when 3 or 4 people make up the vast majority of names called.... something smells fishy to me. I actually spoke to Kathleen about it and she said "happens every premier cruise". LOL....my turn to call bull excrement.

 

The casino: First off the smoke smell is choking, I have sailed close to a hundred times on various ships and this ship is the worst...period. Carnival should be ashamed making their staff be subjected to this environment. They need to resolve this issue pronto. The crappy air freshener's you have at the entrance are a joke. Feebly masking the choking smoke smell only makes it worse. In a word.....brutal.

[rolloman]

In the end of the 8 night cruise they had a top ten slot tournament. Only the top 10 "premier" individuals with the most casino points were allowed to enter. I am going to be straight with you, I had over 3000 points. It took 22,000 points to make the top ten. Are you kidding me? Who are these people? I literally was in the casino the vast majority of the cruise.

 

Ok, now for what is hot and what is not. I spoke to an avid player who was in the top ten and she said she had never been so "unlucky". I too found the machines extremely tight. During the cruise they brought online a new bank of machines. If you want to accumulate points, these 1.00 machines just happened to pay out (somewhat): Run for the Money, Monopoly (5.00 max bet ).

 

Payouts I witnessed. One individual won 10,000 on a max bet (6.00) penny machine. The quick hits machine by the bar provided one individual a couple of 1500.00 payouts and finally the penny machines against the wall by the mens restrooms also paid well at times.

[rolloman]

In summation. I do like the VIP treatment the premier guest program provides but I think the associated raffle program should be enhanced. For instance if you win a cash award drawing, your name is not put back in the bin of eligible participants. Would I do it again? Probably, if it met my specific cruise timeframe.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[oosterhoff]

I agree with Rolloman. If your name is drawn once, they should not draw it again!

[rls1970]

Thank you for the review! Sailing Sunshine Premier August 31st, and can't wait!

[soexcited0817]

Hi. Is the Beach Pool on the Sunshine saltwater?

[dcwalker]

a self proclaimed non drinker/gambler. She did a great job announcing. However, I do not like the fact she would come by while we were playing and "rub" the machine for good luck. Maybe just me.....but when she rubbed my machine...it went cold....lol....just saying.....

HA! Obviously not a gambler! Any self-respecting gambler knows it takes a lot of voodoo and dark magic and light magic to get that luck thing going . . . and staying. If someone rubbed my machine that I had just meticulously prepared to win me millions I would freak. I don't even like it when the cashier at 7-11 says good luck as she hands me my lottery tickets. Unless of course it's a Tuesday or the 5th Friday of the month - then if she doesn't wish me luck I know I'm s---wed!

Thanks for the review. The premier sounds like fun. I missed out on a premier. I was gambling on a price drop and it sold out before I booked it! Rats.

[AmberTeka]

Thanks for the review. For me, after 18 cruises on Carnival, those slots were the tightest ever. Husband won at roulette which just made me grumpier. No, I was glad for him.

 

Enjoyed everything else about the ship except I did not think Trivia was well done. Others will differ, I know. Probably just me. Phillip was the name of our room steward and he was the Best!

[Midwestern Cruiser]

Another thank you for the review.  Doing my first premier cruise in September (on Magic)...going with my daughter and her family; told them I'd share the play money and gifts.
I'm guessing, since two of my grandsons are booked in my room with me, I'll be going solo to the welcome party -- or is it possible to take a guest?

Not sure how much I'll get to play this cruise, but for the cost, play money and drinks, it was a good deal...and I love the ports!