Sunshine! Really? Disaster!

Item: Carnival Sunshine
Rating: 2.9
Author: Tnonya86

Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review to Bermuda

Tnonya86

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 4

Helpful Votes: 182

Overall rating:

2.9 out of 5

7 Night Bermuda (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 30, 2017

Ship: Carnival Sunshine

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 7269

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

If this was my first experience with crusing it would have been my last. I love Carnival and this was my 4th in 4yrs with the 5th booked (which makes me nervious). But I tried to over look alot. They change of Iteniary at the last minute(2 overnights in Bermuda turned into 1) just to leave at 5pm and return at 8:45am) made the exsploring on the island rushed. No night life experiences and no reason. All we got was a $14 credit, woohoo. Then everything stayed closed as if we were in port. The clubs closed early if they felt like enough people weren't gonna come by a certain time. The comedy club was way to small. The large bucket in the water works didn't work. The yellow slide didn't work probably by the 2nd day. The food was bland. My room steward was lazy and not very clean. Bermuda was beautiful and will have to visit with different circumstances. The highlight was the wait staff personalities and Camp Carnival. Which is sad. The longest 7 days of my life. I need a vacation from this vaction.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

This was my firsr embarkation out of NY. We had a 11:30am arrival time. The line was moving slower than snails. They only had a few people checking in. Around 1pm they added more workers but opened a separate line for people just coming in. That line flew. It was not very organized which was crazy. I still made light of it. My vacation starts once i leave my apartment.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

The food was ok but that's it. Nothing to rave about. Even the basic stuff on the menu needed salt and spice. Ordered my usual Carnival favorites and even those were under the bar

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

The sky course was the new hype for this cruise but it was closed most of the time and had long lines other wise. I understood when it was too windy but it was also closed in port. It was a nice challenge, with good views. Mini golf course was closed alot as well. Was told because of wind only after going on a goose chase to get an actual answer. My children loved the water works. But of course the giant bucket was broken. The green slide gave you bumps and bruises and the yellow slide moved so slow because "something" was wrong with the water flow. Pools were great. The serenity pool and hot tubs are always a plus because they have no children in them. The other areas and venues were closed so early and so much.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

The stage shows were great, the ones that I watched. The best was Motor City as I am a big fan of Motown. The singers and dancers did very well. I also enjoyed Edge who preformed a juggling/comedy act. Carnivals Love & Marriage show is still my favorite.

Children's Programs

4 out of 5

The kids club staff were friendly and funny. They stuck to the schedule and had 2 theme night party for the NightOwl group(10pm-1am for a fee). My girls always enjoy meeting other kids, arts and crafts etc. They came home with so much stuff like teddy bears. Art work. Bookbags and lunch boxes.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

My room steward was the worst I have ever had. He didn't clean unless we asked. Never wanted to change the sheets. When we arrived we had to ask for towels. Never received robes. No glasses to drink from. Had to request a refrigerator. Took 2 days after complaints before he did anything. I would give 0 stars on him alone. With that said our dining staff, were so great and went way above. They were chattie. Fun and attentive to our large group of 11.

Ship Quality

2 out of 5

The ship layout was nice. The comedy club was so small and hard to get to. They did do a balcony cleaning but just wet it. It was so wet that the following evening when we tried to sit out there, we had to put a towel over the rug so as not to track mud in. It was awful

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

It is alot smaller than some of the other ships I've been on but ok for a short stay. The balcony was rusted and dusty. I enjoyed the vanity styled mirror and surprised at how large the shower was. I had to do alot of my own cleaning before and during. The door is very small and slim and the cabin walls were not magnetic. Not a deal breaker but good to know in advance

Ship tip

If all you want to do is Triva or sleep, this is the ship for you. If you have any other plans book a different ship. It was a bad experience overall and I love Carnival. I am definitely a vacation is what you make it kind of person but there is only so much you can do. They changed the Iteniary with no real reason and all they offered was $14 credit. To much was not working or closed way to much and too early. A wasted vacation. If this had been my first experience, it would be my last 😥

Thumbs up

Ports of call

New York, New York Did not visit port

I live here

Thumbs Up 0

King's Wharf, Bermuda

4 out of 5

The island is beautiful. Lots to do walking distance to the ship. They also had a courtesy shuttle that went in a circle to popular spots like the clocktower mall and Snorkel Beach. We went to the National museum of Bermuda and it was great. Give yourself plenty of time and be ready to walk. Carnival cheated us and the island by cutting our stay short without a good reason at all. I feel like I did not get my money worth

Thumbs Up 2

Disembarkation

2 out of 5

Moved quickly enough was happy to be headed home.

Traveler Photos

8 Comments

Tnonya86 7 years ago

@RonitaN there is no excuse for that type of attitude. Cleaning up is 80% of the job. How dare they even call it a mess. How disappointing.

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Tnonya86 7 years ago

@banaford No there was no hurricane and the weather was fine

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Tnonya86 7 years ago

@Twangster they only claimed operational issues but the people at the dock told us they do this in Bermuda to sage on port fees, as it is higher overnight and extended stays. A boat from Royal Caribbean stayed 2 nights and did not leave. I booked the New ship. Carnival Horizon in August

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RonitaN 7 years ago

We were on the Sunshine last year. We had two cabins... Our 2 teenage daughters were in the one next to us. The first day my girls left a suitcase laying open on the bed and some clothes lying on the bed beside it.... Just on one bed... The steward left a note saying they would not clean "this mess". Honestly I had more things laying around my cabin than they did. I didn't say anything other than telling my daughters to just be sure and put the suitcase away. Am I wrong in thinking they could have cleaned the rest of the cabin and just left the one bed alone? I have always regretted not going into the cabin with the steward and discussing why the suitcase on the bedwas such an issue?

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Summerholiday 7 years ago

Oh no .. does not sound too good .. properly closing down as the ship is half empty but not good for the cruise people wanting to have a good time ... i would of said to the steward only once about your cabin being dirty then i would of been at customer service and let them sort it out i would not put with that in the hotel same thing you pay for a service and expert it i would write to carnival head office but there attitude sucks so good luck with that one .. hope ur next experience is so much better 😳

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GIL155 7 years ago

One bad one, three previous good ones. Sometimes bad things happen. Hope your next cruise returns to favorable conditions for you. Best wishes!

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banaford 7 years ago

Oct 3 or 4th...hurricane?

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twangster 7 years ago

Strange. Did they say why no 2nd overnight in Bermuda? What ship do you have booked next?

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Other reviews of this sailing

Interesting Trip, Bermuda was great but weird experience

crew was unhappy and very RUDE

Great time!