Sunshine

Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

jimsue85

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 58

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

8 Night Southern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 28, 2017

Ship: Carnival Sunshine

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 8222

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

I usually enjoy every aspect of cruising, however, this cruise was not the normal. I was not impressed with the cleanliness or lack thereof of the ship. The room stewards seemed to be inexperienced and overworked with from what I was told as many as 35 cabins assigned to new stewards causing some cabins to not be cleaned everyday Customer service was not as friendly as on other ships, and one in particular was completely rude. I witnessed one cruiser being accused of trying to steal photographs and he was merely leaving one side of the ship where his photographs were placed for viewing and going back over to the other side of the ship to the only checkout to make a purchase. Most passengers complained that their complimentary waters were not provided. It took most guest numerous request to get their VIP pins and most did not get theirs. We were never provided with beach towels and the other two cabins we were traveling with were never provided with robes.

My biggest complaint and I guess maybe it was for lack of research on my part, but....our main reason for booking this particular cruise was to go to Aruba. We were never told until time for debarkation onto the island that it was Aruba's Independence Day holiday and they did not know what if anything would be open on the island. Absolutely nothing (not even gas stations) was open. I feel that Carnival should have let potential cruisers know in advance that this was the case.

In my opinion even a bad cruise beats no cruise. While this experience has definitely lead our cruise group (usually consisting of 12 to 20 cruisers) to explore other cruise companies, it has not totally ruined Carnival for us, however, we will NEVER cruise the Sunshine again, nor will we ever encourage anyone to book this ship.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Not impressed with the American Table or American Feast menu. Prior menu was much better.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Emma the CD is AMAZING...just didn't seem to be as much to do as on other ships.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

While some of the crew was not friendly there were some that went above and beyond to be extra nice. Our room steward was a little lacking in the beginning but improved after a tip and a few days.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Cabin appeared to be well maintained. AC was awesome!!! With the passing of a few days and a tip our room steward we had a great room steward.

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

3 out of 5

This is our favorite port....very nice folks....easy to maneuver.

Thumbs Up 15

Oranjestad, Aruba

2 out of 5

Probably would have been a different opinion if it had not been a holiday. Aruba was on my bucket list but there was nothing open for souvenirs or anything.

Thumbs Up 0

Willemstad, Curacao

3 out of 5

Beautiful beaches!!!!!

Thumbs Up 0

Grand Turk Island

3 out of 5

Beautiful beaches!!!!!

Thumbs Up 0

26 Comments

brendal26805900 5 years ago

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

macarey1981 7 years ago

I LOVE THE SUNSHINE!!! BEST CRUISE DIRECTOR EVER!!! THE STAFF WAS AMAZING!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Deniseg 7 years ago

sunshine69 - I agree!!!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

sunshine69 7 years ago

No cruise/ship is prefect. A cruise is what you make it.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

angelkay1297 7 years ago

Instead you enjoy your trip, you busy ease dropping on most passengers to hear them complain.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

sunshine220 7 years ago

We never had any of those issues when we went the layout was a little hard to get used to but we had a great time! Tipping helps too!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Ali73 7 years ago

I loved the Sunshine âï¸ sailed last year for a 10 day cruise! Had no problems! Staff was great!!! I have a feeling the Magic will be even better!?!?!?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

darbyr 7 years ago

5 days at sea. No phone no boss no clock no problem

Thumbs Up 6

Flag

sunshinel9ver 7 years ago

SUNSHINE IS A GREAT SHIP. Never had a problem BUT if you go on the ship looking for problems you will find one....

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

NurseMary 7 years ago

We cruised The Sunshine in April. Absolutely no huge issues. Sure I could nit pick but to be honest there are great things about the Sunshine, including awesome dining options, all 2.0 upgrades, fabulous serenity... tbh it's not my favorite layout but if the dates and itinerary worked out, I'd totally cruise her againð

Thumbs Up 4

Flag

summer12 7 years ago

The negative complaints will not ruin my first Carnival Cruise in October, because this is the only one leaving from Norfolk. Nothing is going to be perfect, but having a positive attitude and treating your Stewards and Servers, etc with dignity and respect they will always reply back to you by treating you well during your cruise. No Cruise Ship is perfect just give them a chance these people work hard!

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Deniseg 7 years ago

acameron10, I am on your cruise as well. You are correct, your vacation is what you make it. There were a few minor problems with our cabin last year on Pride but they were fixed and I didn't complain. I haven't been on a cruise I didn't love yet.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

7 years ago

Sunshine is one of my favorites. Room steward was not very good but didn't let her ruin my cruise. Everything else was great.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

wbright 7 years ago

I loved Sunshine and I will be on her again next Sunday :-)

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Daysass 7 years ago

we thoroughly enjoyed our cruise on the sunshine, and have booked two more over the next two years. ð

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

acameron10 7 years ago

Well we are sailing June 20th on the sunshine. I hope that all that stuff was isolated. I'm sorry you had a not so good time but I did check into this and over a dozen of my friends loved the sunshine ! I think everyone views things in there own way! Some people think when something happens it ruins There trip however I work all year round and I am happy just being on a ship! I know we will enjoy cause we find the positive in everything we did !

Thumbs Up 7

Flag

iwng 7 years ago

We agree the sunshine is a crappy ship and the service is just horrible.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Daysass 7 years ago

To save on laundering ( and I don't blame) they no longer put the robes in your cabins, as they have to wash all of them even if they haven't been used. They will bring new robes you only need to ask for them. ð

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

klighty 7 years ago

wow we had a great experience on the sunshine it is one of my favorite ships great for kids and teens. we would love to sail on the Sunshine again.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

cruisegoddess58 7 years ago

The Sunshine is my least favorite Carnival ship. Had many problem when I was on it and won't sail on her again. But still love Carnival in general, but will say that I have noticed definite changes in general that I do not like.

Thumbs Up 5

Flag

clferr 7 years ago

People complain about how their cabins arent cleaned while they are at breakfast or out and about in the morning. Has anyone ever peeked into some cabins while walking by? Its unbelievable what a mess some people leave their cabin then expect the stewards to pick it all up and make the room up. Heres a hint folks, try putting your personal stuff away, clothes, etc., that way all they need to do is come in and make up the bed and clean the bathroom. Maybe even straighten out the bed sheets a bit. If you want them to do it to your standards then try making it easier. Last cruise we happened to see one cabin that had a pile of clothes on the couch. Do these people think the stewards are going to clean that up??

Thumbs Up 7

Flag

Dominicanlips 7 years ago

You made a great point treasivels

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

TreaSivels 7 years ago

some people can't be pleased and you are right, you should have done some research, smh

Thumbs Up 6

Flag

auntmawa 7 years ago

I was going to book the Sunshine but instead am going on the Pride (for the fifth time) now I am glad that I didn't book the Sunshine. Thanks for the review.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

elainahill 7 years ago

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

banaford 7 years ago

Robes are no longer provided on Carnival, unless suite or spa cabin. Just FYI.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Fantastic time with family!

DON'T SAIL ON THIS SHIP

Worst cruise ship