Cruiser beware

Item: Carnival Sunshine
Rating: 2
Author: bsuem12

Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

bsuem12

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 47

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Bahamas (Norfolk Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 15, 2016

Ship: Carnival Sunshine

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 6130

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

This was not my first cruise, however, it was my first and last on the Carnival Sunshine. Perhaps on a Carnival boat altogether. The food was subpar. The only food that was digestible was found in the main dining room, but if you wanted the cuisine you come to expect from a cruise, be prepared to pay an additional $20.00 per plate per person. Risotto and scallops? One tablespoon risotto that was "crisp" with 3 small scallops was an appetizer. The Guy's burger bar is where we ate when too early or late for dining. The wait staff were wonderful as were the majority of staff. Beware of the casino. We were charged on our sail and sign card $10.00 for every machine we went to even though we played with cash. I heard from others after we docked that it happened to them as well and they found the explanation they were given equally plausible as we did. The "sales guy" who tells you where the best bargains are is a flat out liar. The best buys were clearly at Freeport and not Nassau as he indicated. Overall, we were very disappointed, and nobody from the cruise line at guest services cared.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Thanks for keeping granddaughter safe with her peanut/treenut allergy, but the quality of the food was not up to expectations. We should not have to pay extra for the "better" cruiseship "fare"

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Not enough to keep people entertained unless you are an alcoholic or like to watch kids play in the pool. There certainly was not enough room for more people to get into the pool.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Where were the shows? We saw the comedy acts over and over again, and one show with people sitting on stools singing. A band where you walked from deck 5 to the elevator to go to deck 3 to dine. Adult scavenger hunt. Really?

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

The Sunshine main dining room wait staff were terrific at keeping my granddaughter safe with food allergy.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

The carpet trim was off in our stateroom. It was ridiculous to have to go from the 5th floor to register for meals and then be sent to the 3rd floor to dine.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Omar was very pleasant.

Ship tip

The one tip I would give anyone about to sail on the Carnival Sunshine is to stop, reconsider, inconvenience yourself and travel to another departure port and go on a different cruise ship. The Sunshine has one hand out and the other hand in your pocket.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Norfolk, Virginia

5 out of 5

Debarking

Thumbs Up 1

Nassau, Bahamas

3 out of 5

We were told all of the beaches are private and the only way to go to one is thru an excursion. I found out after I got home you can take a taxi and go to a beach without doing their overpriced excursions. Wish I had known beforehand.

Thumbs Up 5

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

5 out of 5

The beaches are beautiful but crazy you have to pay for an excursion to go to one.

Thumbs Up 2

17 Comments

jamacdonaldnh 8 years ago

We were on the Sunshine when it was the Destiny, this was our first cruise so we are excited to see how it looks now.

Thumbs Up 0

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cruisingrayman 8 years ago

Yep, we are indeed blessed! Our disagreement with the sunshine was really only 2 things. The walkway through the casino is not so enjoyable for non smokers and 2, the lido dining spaces were made too tight. Not deal breakers frankly, just opinions from 2 loyal Carnival people.

Thumbs Up 2

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peaceharmonync 8 years ago

Love The Sunshine...been on 2 times and going again in September...food is great and many choices...of course its not gourmet...and face it we are not paying gourmet prices...but we have been very pleased...been on RCCL and NCL and we think the food and desserts are better on Carnival....never been disappointed...never will...Goodness I am happy to be able to go.....

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Deniseg 8 years ago

The sales guy tells you to go to Carnival approved reputable shops. They guarantee that you will not be ripped off with knock off stuff. Say if you go to a jewelry store and buy a diamond for $4000.00, it will be worth that much or more. If you go to one not recommended by Carnival, you could be ripped off.

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rogerellenborland 8 years ago

Bseum12. What other ships have you been on? You don't show them on here. We don't know who you are comparing carnival to.

Thumbs Up 1

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jallaway 8 years ago

Absolutely bcamp. I think they do small portions to discourage waste

Thumbs Up 0

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bcampbell00 8 years ago

You realize that if you are unhappy with the portions you can order extra, right? You can walk in the dining room and order 5 orders of scallops and they will bring it to you

Thumbs Up 3

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scmom 8 years ago

I just got off the Sunshine a couple weeks ago and loved everything about it! Guys Burgers was the best, and we also loved the Sushi, Italian and Steakhouse restaurants (yes, there was a charge for those but we wanted to try everything.). We even tried the Dr. Seuss breakfast and thought it was great. But then again, I've never called food "cuisine" so I guess my tastes are simpler ;)

Thumbs Up 5

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celticman 8 years ago

I love posts like these. You give your honest opinion, both good and bad. I hope you stay with Carnival and give the company another chance. Just maybe this particular ship wasn't for you.

Thumbs Up 4

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momof4boys95980708 8 years ago

Love carnival but sunshine is our least favorite ship

Thumbs Up 1

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rogerellenborland 8 years ago

I have heard people say the same thing about the food on other cruise Lines .

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rogerellenborland 8 years ago

Don't know what kind of food people are expecting. It's not the high rent district of new York. The menu is the same on all of the carnival ships in the MDR.

Thumbs Up 4

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jallaway 8 years ago

I'd also add that I've found the food VERY variable on different ships and by dining time. Some of my best MDR experiences were on the Carnival Freedom, which was sub par in just about all other respects.

Thumbs Up 2

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jallaway 8 years ago

Those sneaky sales guys. Why, why do they lie to us!!!???

Thumbs Up 3

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debbmike 8 years ago

Well said, cruisinggrayman ☺

Thumbs Up 3

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cruisingrayman 8 years ago

We love carnival but the sunshine is out least favorite ship, but for different reasons. We don't choose carnival for the food experience but always find our way to enjoyable meals. Have never been cheated by the casino, never. We don't win, but that's no surprise. Those who love cruising will always book the next one, those who don't are best putting their hard earned time and money elsewhere. Good luck with your next vacation as no doubt they're precious.

Thumbs Up 10

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micky63363 8 years ago

See Ya

Thumbs Up 5

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