Expected More For The Price

Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review to Canada, New England, New York

Judithgoodman

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 11

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Canada/New England (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 25, 2016

Ship: Carnival Sunshine

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8124

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

My favorite part of the cruise was the Comedy Club.

My Cabin Steward was great.

What needs improvement is Guest Services. It takes forever to get them on the phone.

I had a Balcony Suite and the first night at sea we were given a notice that the only time the balconies could be cleaned was when the ship was at sea and that we had to be out of the cabin between 9am and 12pm. I was very tired and wanted to sleep in. The notice said that if we planned to be in the cabin to notify Guest Services. I could not get through to Guest Services. So I had to get up early. I was not happy about that.

At my first dinner seating I was given a ticket and then was totally ignored. I waited over 40 minutes without anyone approaching me. When the person next to me ordered a drink I thought the server was going to take my order. He did not. He walked right past me. When the server brought the drink he walked righr past me again, I thought for sure he would ask me if I cared to order, he did not. He walked away in the opposute direction. I wound up having to call room service for dinner. I complained to Guest Services (which took ten minutes to get through). I was given a credit for two drinks which I felt did not compensate for my experience.

The Room Service menu is very limited. The food at the buffets were cold and the seating is inadequate.

This was my first experience with Carnival Cruise Line and I do not feel encouraged to cruise with them again.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Roon service free menu very limited. Food in dinning room very good

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

My Steward was wonderful. My birthday is in June, I didn't mention it. I returned to my cabin only to find that he acknowledged my birthday with three $25 credits for onboard services. That was a very pleasant surprise.

Ports of call

Saint John, New Brunswick

5 out of 5

Halifax, Nova Scotia

5 out of 5

13 Comments

eboni325 8 years ago

Love that ship sleep.

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cookie123 8 years ago

Lol. No I didn't get a notice abd it was in the middle of the night. I thought they were cleaning but in the middle of the night while at sea? No I can't imagine, but then again maybe it was very early in the morning. I was sleeping so well idk....I do know I will be on the Sunshine next weds. And look forward to some more of that sleep squeaking or not lol

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Deniseg 8 years ago

cookie123, they put a notice in your mailbox stating when they will be doing the cleaning. Squeaking noise mystery solved. LOL

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chvygrl10 8 years ago

They did on ours but we were always up early anyway so it didn't bother me. Except I almost forgot to close the curtains while I was changing clothes. Lol. Then they clean the balcony windows when the ship docks. With a squeegee & all. I think they just clean the deck, chairs & railings, etc so they'll be dry for the next sailing.

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cookie123 8 years ago

Do they actually clean the balconies at sea? That wld explain the strange noise I heard on one cruise a loud squeaking noise but I was sleeping so goid I thought I was dreaming lol

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chvygrl10 8 years ago

We didn't have to be out of the cabin. Just told to make sure the curtains were closed for privacy. The buffet wasn't the best so we had to find other places to eat. We never had problems with our tickets either. We went straight from deck 5 down to deck 3 & were always seated immediately. Maybe it was the time we went. You can always request another waiter the next time you go to the MDR unless you didn't go anymore. You kind of have to flag them down. They are very busy. We had a bad experience the 1st night & we only went for desert at 9pm. We let our head waiter know, he apologized & gave us an extra one to go which we put in our fridge. After that he got to know us & we didn't wait long at all. It's all in the time you go I think

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Ssue450 8 years ago

I went on the Sunshine and had a balcony room didn't experience that. I hope your next cruise so better.

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gibbs1947 8 years ago

Never had that problem

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Deniseg 8 years ago

Yea, you just lock your balcony door. It's as easy as that.

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skinner30213 8 years ago

I have been on many carnival cruises and always get balcony room. Never heard of leaving your room for that. And room servise menu has recently change now they have some thing that they charge for and some is free. But its all good

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Deniseg 8 years ago

Or say something to get their attention. Or, go with the early/late seating instead of the your time dining. That way you develop a relationship with the waitstaff because you have the same ones every night.

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rogerellenborland 8 years ago

They do that so you are not on the balcony when they are cleaning. Also so you don't have any items on the balcony. The water that they pressure wash with is very hot and full of.. chemicals. As far as the wait staff goes ,all you have to do is go to the check in desk and complain

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mariejorreyvandermaatendorr 8 years ago

I've cruised Carnival several tines &:have gotten that notice before, if your door is locked & your curtains are closed, you don't have to leave your cabin!! It's not like they enter your room!!!!!

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