Carnival Sunshine changes a surprise

Notes on the Carnival Sunshine

February 3rd to 11th ,2017

8 Nights

Ocean Suite 7133

This was our third time on this  ship therefore no surprises. Our first time  in an Ocean Suite on that ship although we had one last autumn on the Carnival VALOR.

The cruises and the itinerary were flawless.

Staff and crew well oiled.

The cabin this side of magical.

LIKES:

-The cabin itself with it's new 40+ inch large flat screen tv, two bathrooms and a tub with a Jacuzzi tub and it's location idea with no other cabins beside us and just above where the ocean waves broke against the ship sides. Basically, dead silent except for the sounds of the sea.

-Two first run movies per day in cabin. One or more different  latest releases up on the Lido screen every night.

- The stage shows were excellent and timed perfectly ahead of our late seating formal  dining.

- My wife loves the casino and she broke even after 8 days. She did admit the smoking violators paid no   attention to the rules.

-Free laundry on our 4th day at sea ( part of being Platinum level cruisers with Carnival )
 

- Social Media wifi- for $35 for the 8 days ( last time on the Valor the signal was terrible but this time really strong) We set up one account but shared it alternatively to go on Facebook and save pictures and memories. Worked fine each day.

-Every port we visited had Free Wi-fi off ship: Unlike previous years all we had to ask   a restaurateur for a drink and they allowed free Wi-Fi. In Bonaire the Brewery Bar not only had beers for $4.50 their signal was so strong we were able to use Facebook Messenger to call friends all over the world. Their out side lounge area included comfy couches and we sat there for over an hour. Same result  in Gran Turk at Margaretville .

In Aruba not so easy but we did find free wi-fi in a shopping mall along the main street.

Some will argue why the internet? We debated that also but it was nice keeping in touch with distant family and close friends.

DISLIKES:

- No sugar free drinks beyond Ice tea and Water:  this was particularly upsetting as we called Carnivals head office and asked if I could bring on ship two sealed  bottles of Sugar Free Cranberry Juice.  Being diabetic that was important to me. They said why not and told me they marked my file. At Port Canaveral Security they seized both bottles. Soda and wine only allowed on board. Once I ship I mentioned this to guest services and they apologized explaining they do not control port security. The promise was made once we got to Aruba  they'd inform Carnival Security  I was allowed to purchase bottles at a nearby grocery store. Problem was that store was over a mile away and I wasn't up to that long of a walk. Gave up on the idea till Bonaire and found a nearby grocer. They wanted over $12 a bottle so I gave up trying. Considering I pay $3 back in Florida I felt  it was a waste of my time.

....Well kind of. I made it my mission to see on the ship if anyone had nutritional information on the beverages being served. To my surprise   there wasn't anyone that had that type of information. The head waiter on the Lido deck was also surprised when he pulled out a  milk carton , lemon carton   and ice tea jugs .He discovered none of them had nutritional facts posted on the sides.  Back in America that would be illegal. I had a laugh that on the  lemon aid jug it listed lemon as the 4th ingredient after water and two  sugars.

The head waiter was surprised .He told me how to address this with the Cruise Director. She was very pleasant but also remarked in this day and age ,and so many type 2 diabetics  traveling with Carnival , she was surprised no one on ship had a clue about non sugar free beverages or foods.

-Ice cream: they serve sugar free ice cream in the main dining room but not on the Lido deck

-Vegetarian: by nature Ii try and be vegetarian on each cruise as much as possible. Every prior cruise they always  had two vegetarian choices each night in the dining room. This time not only one choice but the same one every night. I asked our head waiter about this  and once again : cut backs from last January....

-The spa: we always book a spa treatment but this time were let down. Our first visit after getting on board is to visit the spa for a tour and  get prices on treatments. We knew the deal so it was easy for us to decide until they pulled a fast one. If you booked that day they have a 10%-20%-30% off  package for 3 treatments. They then said if you were staying in one of their spa cabins you got 20%-30%-40% off deal. I spoke up to the spa manager we were in an Ocean Suite that cost us  twice the weekly rate  a spa cabin would have cost. I asked why couldn't we et that deal? She did the classic blame head office but commented they get that complaint all the time. She said the previous trip a family in the Captains Suite were denied any discounts. I argued  we typically reserve a spa suite but they had none available on our cruise.  She also said they keep 50 such spa suite upgrades available on each cruise for an extra fewee but all were taken.
In the end we said no to anything the spa but not before telling the spa manager i thought that was dreadful customer service. I told my wife before we cruise again with Carnival we'll go to a local spa a few days before  departure.

TIPS:
- bring along a small power bar and night light. It helps when recharging  tablets. The night light much easier compared to leaving the bathroom light on all night.

- Selecting a cabin is very subjective. If you want ocean views we always try for town-  port- views. Port is the left-hand side of or direction from a vessel, facing forward. Starboard is the right-hand side, facing forward.  The port side  almost never allows you to see the port and you do tend to get  less sunshine in the afternoons. Not a bad thing if you are up on deck but if you prefer balconies select starboard for perfect afternoon
sun.

-Hot tea drinkers? : bring along your own tea bags. Effective last January CARNIVAL only has basic Lipton tea. they use to always have the Tea Box with many varieties of teas but no more. We love tea and know Lipton is the cheapest of the cheap teas on the market

In general most cruisers would never notice the subtle changes. Having cruises Carnival  over 20 times we noticed everything. Still the Fun Ships but not as much fun as last year.