Great Bahamas Cruise

Item: Carnival Sunshine
Rating: 4.7
Author: CarolinaBrenda

Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

CarolinaBrenda

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 31

Overall rating:

4.7 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Bahamas (Charleston Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 02, 2020

Ship: Carnival Sunshine

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 6107

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Cruise was great. However, Carnival could do a much better job in accommodating travelers (and their families) with special needs. Parking near the check-in terminal would be particularly helpful. It would really help to have reserved seating in the Lido Marketplace, in the main theater, and in the show venues (like the piano bar). In the main theater, you could remove one chair in each row for a wheelchair, and provide a companion chair next to it.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

No designated handicap parking. After we dropped our bags, we were randomly parked, and then had to push a wheelchair a considerable distance to the check-in terminal. Then had to wait for special transport to second terminal, where we waited to board the ship. Not a great way to start a vacation!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Excellent food and service in Main dining room Excellent selection of foods at various locations for breakfast and lunch. However, food often seemed "not freshly prepared." (It was a buffet, after all).

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Loved the pools, especially the adults-only pool on the Serenity deck. My granddaughter loved the three water slides!

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Main shows were excellent - great choreography, costumes, talent, visuals. Loved the many entertainment venues around the ship.

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

My granddaughter loved Kid's Club! The adults really appreciated that Kid's Club was available in the evenings, as well!

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Always excellent and friendly.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Overall, the ship was clean and well-maintained. Could have used more staff for keeping buffet areas and ice cream machines clean and free of debris.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Handicap-accessible cabin was adequate for wheelchair maneuverability.

Ship tip

Be prepared for crowded conditions - around the pools, the buffet, and the entertainment. We had a person in a wheelchair and often had difficulties finding available seating. There was no (to my knowledge) dedicated seating.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

5 out of 5

Many cute shops at portside.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

Luggage handling was done well. They did provide transportation to the parking area for a wheelchair. However, we were disembarked at a location some distance from our car. No handicap-designated parking.