Good first Carnival experience

Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Reviews: 4
Helpful Votes: 57

Overall rating:

4.4 out of 5
Carnival Sunshine

4 Night Bahamas (Charleston Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 19, 2022

Ship: Carnival Sunshine

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 11018

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Overall, we had a great experience. We can only compare our experience to other cruises and I’d say the food was probably a lesser quality and smaller selection that what we’ve experienced in the past on other cruise lines. The crew probably has to work extra hard to maintain an older ship. Since this is a post pandemic cruise and my first Carnival cruise, I don’t know if my experience is what you might consider the norm or if it is just a sign of the times. We’d definitely go again. Staff was great, I didn’t go hungry and I wasn’t at work! So, why not go again?!

Embarkation

4 out of 5
Navigating Port of Charleston was a little odd but now that I’ve experienced it, I wouldn’t have any issues doing it again. Using VeriFLY saved us some time. Everything moved quickly!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Well, the Your Time Dining experience was good. The buffet was limited and food quality was ok. Everybody raves about Pizzeria Del Capitano, Guy’s Burger and the Blue Iguana but I must’ve missed something. It was really nothing special. I liked Bonsai Sushi the best. In the Sunrise dining room, the Mahi Mahi with the pumpkin was actually the best dish! Frog legs were good and the other dishes seemed to be a hit.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5
The digital scavenger hunt was fun! The water slides and the ropes course were great! The fitness center was full at 8am. The morning stretch classes and abs classes were a great way to start the morning. The running track needs attention on the starboard side before it becomes a tripping hazard and a lawsuit! The thermal suites are fantastic following a workout! The thermal loungers and eucalyptus steam room were underutilized but I capitalized on that!

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Just typical cruise ship entertainment that you would expect. The music on the Lido is gonna to be LOUD! The stage shows were good but the Liquid Lounge will fill up quick. It’s a small theater! Same goes for the Limelight Lounge. The comedians were hilarious!

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Again, exactly what you would expect on a cruise ship! Everyone was great!

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
Well, the layout is confusing! Good luck going from midship to aft dining on some decks! You’ll figure it out if there is a show in the Limelight Lounge! It’s an old ship and an small ship! The crew does a good job keeping it clean and maintained but it shows it’s wear in certain ways! All the chairs should be replaced. Most look dingy and worn. Well, maybe it’s recycled party juice on them. Anyway, you might notice it in various venues. I noticed it immediately in the buffet area and in the Liquid Lounge. I was disappointed to find a shattered window on the port side stairs going to the serenity deck.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Exactly what you’d expect on a cruise ship! Of course, everything was perfect!

Ports of call

Charleston, South Carolina

5 out of 5
I hope you like to walk! If you are into history and architecture, you’ll have plenty to do! If you like to eat and drink, you’ll have plenty to enjoy!

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
They tell you to wait for your deck to be called. We did express disembarkation and carried our luggage off. It was easy!

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