Mixed Family Fun

Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 13

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Carnival Sunshine

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 27, 2015

Ship: Carnival Sunshine

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 7250

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

This was our second in a row New Year's Cruise. Last year we cruised on the Liberty.  The Sunshine was larger and the increase in people was obvious in the common areas. Buffet lines and dining tables were very crowded at peak times. The line for pizza was never ending and efficiency was missing in food preparation at times. Your time Dining worked well for us though, I didn't prefer having to check in on 5 and then go to dining room. We did not have to wait at 6 pm our preferred time to eat even with a larger group when dining with family friends - up to 8 people.  However, the food in the dining room was consistently cold. Even when asked for extra heating, luke warm was best they ever did.  That is a major flaw for me.  The Gym was adequate especially in non peak hours. The spa area was small, particularly the locker rooms and the cost for steam room which is often free on other boats was almost $200 for the week.  Ship activities were centered on casino, bars and Lido Deck.  There were fewer family friendly activities for the under 21 set.  We missed events from other ships like High Tea. Comedy shows were packed with lines.  Balcony staterooms were spacious with adequate storage and were comfortable for a family of four with older children. Staff was always friendly and attentive. NewYears Eve celebration was outstanding.. Great music and atmosphere.  All in all I found the Sunshine just adequate and not outstanding particularly in the areas of food, common areas and activities.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5
food consistently cold

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
missed High Tea

Entertainment

3 out of 5
crowded lines for comedy shows, fewer activities for families, reduced Lido deck activities

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Great service. Attentive to all needs. Shoutout to Stateroom attendant Eko.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5
Common areas very crowded... very hard to find deck space.. chairs reserved no one manages this..

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
spacious, lots of storage

Ship tip

Mongolion Steam and Omlet Station in havana bar a sure bet for hot food.

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic

5 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

5 out of 5

San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5

Grand Turk Island

5 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 13

11 Comments

rogerellenborland    8 years ago

we were on the Sunshine in February and going back this April. we found everything to be great. don't know why you had cool food. maybe you were expecting to much. I think they do a great job consideration the number of people they have to please.

awesomerobot    8 years ago

Actually, the Liberty is bigger and larger than the Sunshine. However, they both hold about the same amount of passengers. So do the math, smaller ship with almost same amount of passengers means higher chance of longer lines and some services taking a hit quality wise.

b143mmcf    8 years ago

enjoy #5 here

b143mmcf    8 years ago

i agree we cruise yearly now since my husband went on his first cruise outside of the military

lindarae    8 years ago

awesome!! thanks. I have become a cruise addict since our first cruise. I can't believe I waited this long to start cruising lol

b143mmcf    8 years ago

text anytime

b143mmcf    8 years ago

do everything we made some great friends aboard (crew) and we are cruising again in 42 days on another ship. we keep up with the crew and where they are. they made our vacation special and look forward to seeing new shows old faces and making more memories.

lindarae    8 years ago

@b143mmcf that is good news! :) I am nervous about going to a bigger ship. I know everyone has different taste but bad reviews make me nervous. I mostly see great reviews for the sunshine so we are excited.

b143mmcf    8 years ago

my husband and i wete on the sunshine in april and we never had any problems decribed dinner was pleasant ood was perfect and always found shows, activities to entertain is.

lindarae    8 years ago

this is disappointing, we are going on the sunshine in November

sweetliberty13    8 years ago

Cruised on the Sunshine just after the New Year last year. Didn't have the same issues with food. We thought Jamie Dee was fabulous as cruise director, though I agree that unless you want to play bingo or listen to music in the pool area, the daytime activities are rather lacking. We are considering another sailing on the Sunshine next New Years Eve.

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