Carnival Sunshine ship stats

  • Price:

    $$$$
  • Size:

    L
  • Total Passengers:

    3,002
  • Total Crew:

    1,040
  • Passenger to Crew Ratio:

    2.89
  • Built:

    Nov 1995
  • Refurbished:

    Jan 2021
  • Number of Decks:

    13
  • Total Cabins:

    1,502
  • Cabin Categories:

    36
  • Gross Tonnage:

    101,353
  • Length:

    893
  • Beam:

    116

Carnival Sunshine overview

Carnival Sunshine is a $155 million renovation of the 17-year-old Carnival Destiny. Upgrades include the new Cloud 9 Spa Balcony staterooms, restaurants like Cucina del Capitano and RedFrog Pub, as well as the popular entertainment staple Hasbro, The Game Show. Sunshine carries 3,006 passengers and sails from Charleston, Norfolk, and New York to destinations across the Caribbean.

When it comes to dining, many casual favorites have been added including Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, and JiJi Asian Kitchen. The Lido Marketplace Buffet is also a popular stop, which is open until midnight and offers a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. One specialty restaurant to note in particular is the elegant steakhouse Fahrenheit 555. Another fun find on Deck 5: the Taste Bar, which serves evening appetizers that are actually miniature bites of dishes you’ll find in the specialty restaurants.

Sunshine offers four standard cabin types: interior, oceanview, balcony, and suite. Most cabins are between 185 and 220 square feet, but if you’re looking for a little more space, the Ocean Suites are slightly larger at 265 square feet with 65 square-foot balconies. Sunshine also saw the addition of 92 Cloud 9 balcony cabins spanning decks 9,10, and 11.

For families, there are activities all day long for different age groups. Little ones can play in the splash park, build their own stuffed animal or create crafts at Camp Carnival, while older kids make their own handmade pizzas, play basketball, swing on the ropes course, or play a round of miniature golf. Best of all, the impressive water slides that tower over the back of the ship include the line’s 334-foot-long Twister. On sea days, the announcements of all of the “fun, fun, fun” choices come frequently, so you’ll always have plenty to do.

For couples and other adults traveling without children, there are pub quizzes, pilates classes, and a spa with steam rooms and saunas (note that these require you to purchase a spa pass). Carnival’s reimagined Serenity adults-only area is the place to be on sea days, not only for quiet relaxation away from the kids, but because this ship’s Serenity area is the only one in the fleet to feature a cascading waterfall into the pool below. At night, the variety of bars and entertainment choices, including magic shows, stage productions, and adults-only comedy acts, make Carnival Sunshine a fun and lively choice.

Carnival Sunshine ratings:

  • Cabin / Stateroom 4.3
  • Children's Programs 4.0
  • Destinations and Excursions 4.2
  • Embarkation and Disembarkation 4.1
  • Entertainment 4.1
  • Food and Dining 4.0
  • Onboard Activities 4.0
  • Service and Staff 4.5
  • Ship Quality 4.1

Carnival Sunshine cabins

1502 cabins and 36 cabin categories.

Inside Cabin

Inside

(385 Reviews)
Avg. Size: 188 sq. ft. Avg. Cost: $131/night
Oceanview Cabin

Oceanview

(206 Reviews)
Avg. Size: 238 sq. ft. Avg. Cost: $150/night
Balcony Cabin

Balcony

(431 Reviews)
Avg. Size: 188 sq. ft. Avg. Cost: $194/night
Suite Cabin

Suite

(51 Reviews)
Avg. Size: 361 sq. ft. Avg. Cost: $307/night

View All Carnival Sunshine Cabins

Carnival Sunshine dining

Bonsai Sushi

Bonsai Sushi

4.9
(18 Reviews)
Guy's Burger Joint

Guy's Burger Joint

4.8
(84 Reviews)
JiJi Asian Kitchen

JiJi Asian Kitchen

4.8
(39 Reviews)
RedFrog Pub

RedFrog Pub

4.8
(23 Reviews)

View All Carnival Sunshine Dining Options

Carnival Sunshine onboard activities

Sunshine Atrium

Sunshine Atrium

4.9
(14 Reviews)
Alchemy Bar

Alchemy Bar

4.8
(25 Reviews)
Main Lounge Bar

Main Lounge Bar

4.8
(14 Reviews)

View All Carnival Sunshine Onboard Activities

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2780 Carnival Sunshine Reviews

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Great Nassau Cruise by tiger5r

Sail date: / Traveled as: Couple
Ship: Carnival Sunshine

we had a great time, loved the food and the staff throughout the cruise

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3 Comments

Too noisy and crowded by kmdownen

Sail date: / Traveled as: Couple
Ship: Carnival Sunshine

Dinner served in dining room cold most the time and served at varying rates. No offer of mixed drinks or wine. Staff slow to clean off tables in the buffet style food area.

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You get what you pay for by GroomsL

Sail date: / Traveled as: Large Group
Ship: Carnival Sunshine

This was a convenient option from NC. The ship needs serious attention and because it is a lower budget cruise it can be a bit more of a party crowd. Cruise Director and crew are amazing. Food was okay. Still glad I went before they quit cruising from Charleston.

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Was this review helpful? 5
7 Comments

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