Overall we enjoyed our 13 day Journeys cruise. The continued changes Carnival is doing has diminished the experience. Cutbacks and price increases have had a negative impact on the quality and service. We have two more cruises booked on Carnival that we booked when they offered a Freinds and Family promotion. Unfortunately they will probably be our last with Carnival.
My last thought are if you are a non smoker you will definitely not enjoy the casino. It has become a smoking lounge with smokers allowed to go where they please and smoke. No separation between smoking and non smoking machines. Terrible.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Embarkation went very smoothly. The down side was, to my understanding platinum and diamond guests are allowed to go to there cabin. There were signs about the ship that did not mention that. I did not check with a crew member about it but it was misleading and not accurate.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
MDR food was mediocre. Quality and service in the MDR has declined over the last few years. Most items on the menu are also on the buffet.
The steak house was very good. Service and quality were very high. The Sunshine still has the old menu which made me happy because I could get my favorite dessert, the cheesecake. It’s wonderful. It is gone on the new menu.
The lido buffet was actually pretty good. Fresh greens and vegetables on the salad bar. Entrees and sides were rotated quickly. The Sunshine has a pastry chef that knows what they’re doing. Desserts were excellent. I’ll be dieting for months.
Guy’s burgers have declined over time. No longer flavorful and tasty. Used to look forward to them, but not so much anymore.
The Blue Iquana cantina was excellent. Loved getting fresh huevos rancheros in the morning. Taco salads, tacos and burritos were good too.
The Havana bar was our favorite place on the ship. Great view and most times not crowded. My go to place.
Bonsai sushi is really good. My wife, who is not a sushi person, even enjoyed it. Great food and service.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
While I like the serenity area on the Sunshine the saving loungers was terrible. I would’ve preferred more shady areas. Enjoyed the mini golf and other activities. The wife really enjoys the ropes course.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
The shows are old and the entertainment staff were not the best. They were a couple of really good bands.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Most staff members were very helpful and accommodating. Service in some areas is lacking due to cutbacks. Staff I would give 5 stars, service I would give 3.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
I like the layout of the Sunshine but can see where it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. The staff are continuously cleaning but the ship is in dire need of shipyard time. Furnishings and carpets are old and in need of replacement. Major maintenance needs to take place. There was a block of 15rooms on the main deck that were flooded at the beginning of the cruise. I saw them replacing the mattresses the day before we were to leave.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Ship tip
Make sure you get to the Ocean Plaza and the Red Frog Pub at happy hour.
Sunshinel9ver, I wasn’t complaining but rather stating facts as I observe them. I have been on 12 Carnival cruises with 3 of them on board the sunshine for a total of 31 days. I feel that this does give me the right to write a review of my cruise. I don’t mind that you disagree with me as everyone is entitled to their opinions. What I take exception to is your judgmental and condescending attitude toward me personally. It is people like you that keep good people from posting honest reviews.
oldcoastie
I agree with you on the smoking issue BUT totally disagree with your assertion that service has deteriorated. Have been on 15 Carnival cruises and have never had a problem with staff or service!! Too bad you are leaving Carnival but most of the things you complained about can be found on almost all ships. We have been on 68 cruises and have found things we could have complained about on each of them. We prefer, however, to think positive AND there has always been more good than bad😎😎
We went on Celebrity Silhouette last year and they have a non smoking casino. We couldn’t believe it! It was fantastic. So if you enjoy playing in the casino without smoke, try Celebrity.
On the NCL Getaway it was even worse because the cassino was in the middle of the ship and you HAD to walk through it to get to the other end on that deck, and it also would allow smoke to transit to the decks above and below...
Was on the Oasis last December and the smoke from the Casino was one of our issues with the ship. Our main dining room was just outside the Casino and you could smell the smoke in the lobby of the dining room. I love to take pictures before dinner in the lobby area and was only able to do this one night because of the smoke.
Casinos do a much better job of separating smoking and non smoking area as required by law or regulation in their area. Cruise ships aren’t held to these standards. We recently sailed on RCCL and they do a significantly better job.
My husband and I were on the Sunshine as well. The atrium was very smoky at times from the casino. My husband has allergies from smoke so it was a problem. If we wanted to go to Ocean Plaza we had to go up a few floors to come back down to go around the casino.
I wish the casinos were placed at the very back of the ships so that it is set on its own.
I know they have tried ‘no smoking’ ships and that did not work, maybe 2 casinos one smoking the other non smoking?
It certainly is a problem that I’m sure with some thought could be fixed if enough people banded together to bring the issue to ‘the beards’
I think the smoking issue in cassinos is the same for every cruise line. It definitely was for NCL Getaway in Oct.... we shall see how RC Oasis is in May, and RC Symphony is in Oct.
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