First Solo - Sunshine 8 Day Cruise Review Sept 8th thru 16th

[INCHARGE]

Hi Lyn. I am loving your review, and can not wait for more of your review and pictures. I just came from an 8 day Solo on the Horizon on 9/5. I also had a 4J cabin on the 9th deck with the secret deck. :) I have so much fun on my solo cruises. You look beautiful, and it is obvious that you work out still. Did you go to the gym on the ship? If so, how is it on the Sunshine? I cruised on that ship as the Sunshine, as well as when it was the Destiny back in the day. Great ship, but i missed the gym on the 3 cruises on it. Shame on me. :)

Edited September 22, 2018 by INCHARGE

[Lyncoya]

I also forgot to mention that there are 2 elegant nights. The first one was Tuesday, the second sea day. My ex never liked to dress up for some reason...whatever. So I've really never gotten all dolled up on a cruise, so I decided to buy a new dress and take myself out to dinner. LOL I didn't do to the MDR at all during this cruise, but I think I went to Jiji's on this night. And to the casino afterwards. And then to the Comedy show after that. And then to The Red Frog Pub to listen to karaoke...and then to Bonsai to have some sushi....and then to Ocean Plaza to listen to CIA. If you're on the Sunshine anytime soon, don't miss this band. They are AWESOME! If I knew how to post video clips here, I would. The male lead singer is AWESOME...the female lead is great too, but them male takes the cake.

 

I'm rambling, here is my pic from elegant night. A little blurry, sorry.

 

 

 

The alchemy bar makes great STRONG drinks. This is some sort of spicy pineapple margarita. Delicious

 

 

 

I know this review is all over the place, but I don't remember the exact order of everything I did. Sorry!

 

Ok, so the final port was Grand Turk. Again, I didn't have any plans for this day. This was my third time to this port, but I've never been to Jack's Shack. My plan was to walk down to Jack's, get an umbrella, 2 chairs, a few strong drinks, and some jerked chicken. And that is exactly what I did.

 

The drinks were $10 a piece, I had 2. The chicken was about $13, I think. It was VERY good. You can smell the grill on the beach. I met Topher, played a bit with him in the water and sand. And met a few other stray dogs on the beach. The weather was beautiful. It was a great day. Here are some pics.

 

 

 

 

 

[Lyncoya]

I thought this "excursion" was interesting

 

 

 

 

 

I have some really good video of this dog <3

 

 

Theee best jerked chicken

 

 

 

They were relentless lol

 

[philbob84]

GOOD FOR YOU!:cool::cool::cool:

 

 

My name is Lyn. And this is either my 16th or 17th cruise, 15th or 16th w/ Carnival. I used to cruise with my now ex-husband or I've taken girl trips. I've even taken my youngest daughter on a cruise, just her and I, after the divorce. But this was my first SOLO cruise. I was soooo nervous, but I had an absolute blast.

 

 

Here is my review. This will probably take a while because I have a ton of pics to download (still) and I'm busy so I may not get to post everyday.

 

 

But I'll start with a selfie. This is me! I'm 43. I've recently lost about 110lbs (again). Divorced for about 5 years. Kids are ALL adults and out of the house. I have 3 grandkids. Right now, I'm just enjoying life and wanted to do a solo cruise.

 

[Lyncoya]

After a few hours, back to the ship

 

 

 

 

Tonight was the Final Port Day and the second elegant night. It was also the chef's table. I went to the chef's table last on the Conquest as well and the menu was identical. I still had a great time. I actually met a lady from Wisconsin. Small world. Here are a million and one pics from the chef's table.

 

 

If you're even a little bit of a foodie and have never done this, I HIGHLY suggest trying this at least once. I would really love to try the new menu

 

 

You meet the head chef in the atrium. When everyone arrives, they walk you through the dining room into the galley and they serve you unlimited champagne and 3/4 appetizers. I apologize, I don't have a copy of the menu.

 

 

Mango Sphere

 

 

 

 

I don't remember what this was, SORRY! But it was so good.

 

 

 

 

Salmon tartare

 

 

 

 

My own personal one because I'm allergic to sesame seeds. Excuse my raggedy fingernails.

 

 

[Lyncoya]

Lamb...really good. I love lamb though.

 

 

 

They then showed us how to make Chocolate Melting Cake. The head pastry chef, on the right, was also on the Conquest when I did the Chef's table. He did the same demonstration. I have the video to prove it lol

 

 

 

In the galley

 

 

 

They had the table set up in the library. It was nice

 

 

 

[Lyncoya]

They also serve unlimited red, white wine, beer or soda if you don't drink. Sparkling water also if you chose. Everything was very nice.

 

You take a break midway and a magician comes in to perform a few tricks and then the meal picks back up. It took about two hours.

 

Blue cheese bread...OMG! Last year, this bread was twice as big though.

 

 

 

Some sort of beets w/ grape spiced tea, I believe

 

 

 

 

 

Crab stack w/ polenta cracker YUMMY

 

 

Duck 3 ways, I think..

 

[Lyncoya]

Some sort of tomato soup. Delish, but I LOVE tomatoes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chilean Sea Bass w/ Popcorn Pudding...I think

 

 

 

Wagyu Beef Short ribs #Drool

 

 

 

Desert...I could only pick at it, I was so full. Everything was so good!

 

[Lyncoya]

It was a great meal. They take a picture of everyone before the meal at the table and at the end, they present everyone with the picture and a recipe of the warm chocolate melting cake.

 

 

 

And then I went to the casino and won $260! ;p

 

[Lyncoya]

You're gorgeous. I look forward to following your cruise. Enjoy your solo cruise on Sunshine.

 

Thank you!!! #blushing

 

I had a great time. :)

[Lyncoya]

Hi Lyn. I am loving your review, and can not wait for more of your review and pictures. I just came from an 8 day Solo on the Horizon on 9/5. I also had a 4J cabin on the 9th deck with the secret deck. :) I have so much fun on my solo cruises. You look beautiful, and it is obvious that you work out still. Did you go to the gym on the ship? If so, how is it on the Sunshine? I cruised on that ship as the Sunshine, as well as when it was the Destiny back in the day. Great ship, but i missed the gym on the 3 cruises on it. Shame on me. :)

 

I don't work out like I need to. I have a gym membership, that I pay for every month, and I haven't gone in literally months.

 

I didn't go to the gym on the ship, but I took the stairs a lot! lol

[Lyncoya]

GOOD FOR YOU!:cool::cool::cool:

 

Thank you! ;p

[dcwalker]

Yeah! You came back. Loving this review.

[Namelocg]

I too am hooked on solo, but alas I am not divorced. Do you think wanting to cruise solo is grounds for divorce?

 

Absolutely NOT! Today is my 33rd anniversary and I leave on my next solo cruise in 9 days. There have been so many I have lost count. How do you think I've stayed sane and married for so long??? :eek:

[Fergus]

Next day St Maarten. This was my third or fourth time to this port. I've done ATV riding, I've done the nude beach, I've done tours, I've done Maho Beach. This time I wanted to find a bar at the beach, have a few strong drinks, maybe do a little shopping and listen to some music...and that's EXACTLY what I did.

 

I took the water taxi over. $7 Roundtrip. I found a nice little bar with free wifi and $4 STRONG Rum Punches and sat and had a few drinks and had small talk with the folks around me.

 

 

 

 

I then did a little shopping. They also have a pharmacy where you don't need an RX. (yeah, I know) I have asthma, I bought an inhaler (I left mine at home) for literally $12. I pay $50 out of pocket at home after my GOOD insurance pays their portion. I should have bought 10 of them.

 

Afterwards, I went to the Blue B*tch Bar, again free WiFi...strong drinks. I had some Jerk Chicken and ribs and a Long Island. The Jerk Chicken was Meh.

 

[

The View

 

 

 

 

 

Lyn, I'm loving your review! We'll be on this cruise in early December and we can't wait!! Can you tell me the name of this place in St. Maarten that I've bolded? That's just what we're looking for for our day there! Thank you!

[sweetiekk]

Wow great review!!! Thank you. Nice pics. I’m doing the chef table this November. Question... is gratuity included in the $95?

 

 

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[Lyncoya]

Next day St Maarten. This was my third or fourth time to this port. I've done ATV riding, I've done the nude beach, I've done tours, I've done Maho Beach. This time I wanted to find a bar at the beach, have a few strong drinks, maybe do a little shopping and listen to some music...and that's EXACTLY what I did.

 

I took the water taxi over. $7 Roundtrip. I found a nice little bar with free wifi and $4 STRONG Rum Punches and sat and had a few drinks and had small talk with the folks around me.

 

 

 

 

I then did a little shopping. They also have a pharmacy where you don't need an RX. (yeah, I know) I have asthma, I bought an inhaler (I left mine at home) for literally $12. I pay $50 out of pocket at home after my GOOD insurance pays their portion. I should have bought 10 of them.

 

Afterwards, I went to the Blue B*tch Bar, again free WiFi...strong drinks. I had some Jerk Chicken and ribs and a Long Island. The Jerk Chicken was Meh.

 

[

The View

 

 

 

 

 

Lyn, I'm loving your review! We'll be on this cruise in early December and we can't wait!! Can you tell me the name of this place in St. Maarten that I've bolded? That's just what we're looking for for our day there! Thank you!

 

I honestly cant remember. The place is decked out in Ohio State college stuff/gear though. Its literally the first little bar you'll come to when you get off the water taxi. There was a chalkboard sign out front that advertised rum punch for $4

[Lyncoya]

Wow great review!!! Thank you. Nice pics. I’m doing the chef table this November. Question... is gratuity included in the $95?

 

 

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I paid $75 and gratuity wasn't included. They will add an addtl 15% for gratuity. I paid around $83 total

[sweetiekk]

I paid $75 and gratuity wasn't included. They will add an addtl 15% for gratuity. I paid around $83 total

 

 

 

Thank you. It’s $95 on the breeze and I will expect the 15% gratuity. Thank you for the quick reply. Getting my finances together for the trip.

 

 

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[Lyncoya]

Thank you. It’s $95 on the breeze and I will expect the 15% gratuity. Thank you for the quick reply. Getting my finances together for the trip.

 

 

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I hear the Breeze has the new chef's table menu, which is probably why the price is higher. I'm jealous. I hope you enjoy!

[rtfnl]

Lyncoya, enjoying your review. Do you remember what time guests were allowed to start entering the terminal? I have a group where over half are platinum and the earliest time available for arrival time was 11:30. Thank you

[cynt]

Loving your review and missing sailing solo. [emoji53] I had just completed my 3rd solo cruise when I met my now DH. I had finally got in the groove of cruising solo and didn't think I would ever be able to share a cabin again. LOL! [emoji16]

 

My DH was a cruise virgin when I met him. We cruise next month and it will be his 3rd cruise in 18 months. Yep he's becoming addicted. Adjusting to cruising with a DH has been interesting. [emoji57][emoji848] But cruising solo prior to him really helped me to be able to go and explore on my own when he doesn't want to go with me. So a WIN WIN.

 

And you look FABULOUS!!!

 

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[Lyncoya]

Lyncoya, enjoying your review. Do you remember what time guests were allowed to start entering the terminal? I have a group where over half are platinum and the earliest time available for arrival time was 11:30. Thank you

 

I got to the terminal at 11am and there were people already waiting in the diamond/platinum lounge. I'm not sure what time guests are allowed to enter, but it would have to be earlier than 11am

[Lyncoya]

Loving your review and missing sailing solo. [emoji53] I had just completed my 3rd solo cruise when I met my now DH. I had finally got in the groove of cruising solo and didn't think I would ever be able to share a cabin again. LOL! [emoji16]

 

My DH was a cruise virgin when I met him. We cruise next month and it will be his 3rd cruise in 18 months. Yep he's becoming addicted. Adjusting to cruising with a DH has been interesting. [emoji57][emoji848] But cruising solo prior to him really helped me to be able to go and explore on my own when he doesn't want to go with me. So a WIN WIN.

 

And you look FABULOUS!!!

 

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Thank you!!! One day I hope to have a cruising companion again, but until then I'll cruise with my girls or solo.

[Joebucks]

Great review. I really, really want to do a solo cruise. Just have to get over the price, and get permission