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Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 39

Overall rating:

4 out of 5
Verified Review
Carnival Sunshine

8 Night Southern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 16, 2016

Ship: Carnival Sunshine

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 1528

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

We picked this cruise base on the destination, we've been to all other islands, so we wanted to see different islands. The islands are Aruba, Boanire and Grand Turk. 3 islands 3 shore days, and the rest of them are all at sea. Now I took it I felt it was too much time at sea. It would've been nicer if the first day at sea then second day we could get to one island. The ship didn't get to dock at Aruba till the third day in the afternoon at 2pm, We took a snorkeling tour came back at 7pm and the town was already shun down, no where to find food and shops. It was a disappointment. The first day and last day at sea it was so cold and windy, impossible to enjoy any outdoor activities. And there weren't much to see on TV.

Evening dinning was so great! Food was amazing. I have food allergies, so the first day our waiter found out and he made extra effort to make sure they prepare my food separately, each evening when I finished my meal, he would give me the menu for the next day so I got to pre-order my meal for the next day. It was so great! I would show up and they already have instructions print out, they knew exactly what to do. I really enjoyed the services he provided for us.

Breakfast selections were so great! Probably the best meal of all day.

Lunch I only went to the dinning room once and it was so good.

Dinner was always good! We didn't have a single bad meals.

I really loved the photo services on the ship. Everyday they have photographers take our photos, they thought of everything. There were 2 nights called fancy/dress up nights. While we were already all doll up, they have different back grounds set up for you to take your photos. It'll show up the next day in the photo galley session on deck 4 ( I think) You can go look and pick the ones you want to buy. Price is a little expensive, 8x10s are $21.95 each, even I was asking them If I picked few 8x10s then pick few 5x7s, they told me it would still be the same price. They do a good job though.

Lastly I wasn't too thrilled with the last day breakfast. The entire time we have enjoyed breakfast everyday, it had so much variety to choose from. But the last day it just had basic breakfast food, toast, eggs.....and it wasn't even good. No fruits, no yogurt.....I do understand they want us to get out of the ship as soon as possible so they can clean up and welcome the next round of customers. But at the same time made me feel like the trip is done so get out!! We no longer value to them anymore. Well, there  you are, I spit it all out. Maybe it just me, but I think there were a number of people I talked to on the way to pick up my car felt the same way.

 

Overall, it was a great experience, if you have been to those islands before I wouldn't recommend this cruise ship. And if you haven't, see if there's another cruise goes less at sea time for just those 3 islands. If not, then this will be fine. 

 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
great, nothing to complain. Stuff were excellent!

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

3 out of 5

Oranjestad, Aruba

1 out of 5
So disappointing, not as pretty as they show on TV, didn't get to eat anything, all the shops were closed by 8pm, couldn't find any local food which that's one thing we love to do, eat local food. we found none. went to snorkeling, probably the worst of all islands I've ever been ( I've been to most of all islands). I will not return for sure! Check of my list, I've been there! :(

Bonaire, Netherlands Special Municipality

5 out of 5

Grand Turk Island

5 out of 5
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8 Comments

Jason5150    8 years ago

Of course I did. I don't know if Erica327 did. I was just commenting on WHY Carnival, and other lines, don't "speed" their way to ports. More alcohol sales, more casino sales, while at sea. In any event, it was amazing.

flcruisergirl    8 years ago

if I were you I probably would have chosen another cruise. did you not see it was 4 days at sea?

Jason5150    8 years ago

I was on this cruise, and it was my 6th with Carnival. We had an amazing time, but some of your points are valid. While Aruba IS a long way from Canaveral, they absolutely could have squeezed in a stop at an eastern port between Bonaire and Turk. We left Bonaire at 4, had a sea day the next day, and then arrived in GT the following morning. The answer? They make WAY more money, obviously, at Sea.

courtneywills    8 years ago

The reason u don't get to port till the third day is because it takes that long , but other then that it seemed you had a good time.

tanacasarez61    8 years ago

i agree we always go to the buffet on the last day, good and more variety

rogerellenborland    8 years ago

should have gone to the buffet for breakfast on the day of departure. it's still available. got to remember you paid for 8 not 9. it's good that they have the buffet for you when you are going home.

flcruisergirl    8 years ago

We were also on the Sunshine. We had a great time! We are the opposite of sea days. My husband and I find it to be the most relaxing. After a long year of hard work we love those sea days. In Aruba we found an awesome restaurant PINCHO. We arrived at about 7pm without reservations. The hostess was very accommodating found us a table for 3. EXCELLENT SERVICE, FOOD, AMBIANCE... Bonaire we rented a golf cart for 2. We saw the island on our own time so much fun! I have to agree with the service the last day in the dining room. Service was BAD.

dwillis75    8 years ago

It's a long way from port canaveral to Aruba

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