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Sunshine or Dream


EmmasNana
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I am looking at booking a cruise that is nearly the same on Sunshine or Dream. I have never been on either. For those who have been on both, please let me know which you prefer and why.

 

We have been on Magic and do not want a cove, so that would not be an issue. My husband loves the Blue Iguana(burrito/taco bar) which the Sunshine has but Dream does not.

 

I have read that Sunshine is really really crowded...

 

Please pass along any info.

 

TIA

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I would pick the Sunshine because there is a lot more to do onboard. The Dream is great if you want to be on a bigger ship but it fails to compare to the Sunshine in the amenities portion. Even though the Sunshine might seem crowded at some times (Comedy Shows, Lido Parties, etc.) If you get there early or avoid them all together, it should be fine.

Might I ask what the Itineraries are?

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I was just on the sunshine and I really liked it. With only one pool, other then serenity's, the lido deck can get crowded on sea days but any other day I had no problem finding a chair. I never had a problem finding seating to eat or with waiting for ATD except on elegant night. You didn't say when you were thinking of going but the current entertainment team is amazing but they are moving over to the vista when that starts sailing.

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Thanks for replies. I wondered about the crowds.

 

Sunshine Dec 9

 

San Juan

St Thomas

Antigua

Dominica

Matinique

Sea Day

St Croix

Sea Day

Grand Turk

Sea Day

Port Canaveral

 

 

Dream Jan 14

 

San Juan

St Thomas

Dominica

St Kitts

Sea Day

Grand Turk

Montego Bay

Sea Day

Sea Day

New Orleans

 

I prefer the Sunshine itinerary but husband prefers Jan over Dec. We are going with another couple. I think I will just let them decide. They haven't been to any of the places except Motego Bay.

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Been on both, loved both but would give the Dream the edge. I do think the over crowding on the Sunshine is over rated but the Dream does have more space. And although at night, sailing up the Mississippi is always a treat. Also spending a night in New Orleans when your cruise is complete is a plus if you have the time. Either way I don't think you can go wrong.

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I am looking at booking a cruise that is nearly the same on Sunshine or Dream. I have never been on either. For those who have been on both, please let me know which you prefer and why.

 

We have been on Magic and do not want a cove, so that would not be an issue. My husband loves the Blue Iguana(burrito/taco bar) which the Sunshine has but Dream does not.

 

I have read that Sunshine is really really crowded...

 

Please pass along any info.

 

TIA

We just did the Sunshine and never again. They added more balcony cabins and that really made our cabin smaller with less room.

The Dream is a better choice . LK

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Done both ships,just off of the sunshine this past april, I would not hesitate to book again. Beautiful ship,great bars (especially the alchemy bar).. cabins are beautiful, which we had a spa balcony . I don't see it being any different size as the one we had on the breeze...crew was great. Never encointerred it being too crowded that I couldn't find a chair....overall I would definatly book the sunshine again

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I too, have done 'em both, and would choose "Dream" over "Sunshine" any time. So many little things that I didn't care for aboard "Sunshine", and "Dream", on the other hand has so many things that I DO like. :cool:

 

"SKY"

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Two weeks out from our first cruise. on the Sunshine. Will write a review.

 

Loved the Dream. Sailed on her four times. STILL irked that the moved her from Port Canaveral.

 

That Said. NEW CABINS on Sunshine. 4-J on lobby deck. OV on Deck 5 and even numbered spa balconies on deck 9 (check me on the deck nine)

 

People seem to have a better cruise when they book those. And they are hard to get. the new cabins have minibars which I use to store Diet Sodas. They have been a tremendous help to me in losing a lot of weight.

 

Do your research. Get the right cabin. ATD seems to be confusing. get a SET Dining Time. Don't eat on the Lido at peak times. Go to the BACK and eat at the Havana Bar.

 

MAKE your dining reservations online,. Have your confirmations in hand when you board.

 

ALL of this I learned from reading this Board. People post the best advice here.

 

MY advice....READ every word anyone posts about the SUNSHINE for Two weeks before you book. READ the Reviews on Cruise Critic. A lot of the bad reviews seem to be because they were irked about something else.

READ THE CABIN REVIEWS on Cruise critic.

 

HAPPY SAILS>

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It's all subjective, everyone has their priorities. For me, relaxation is the key thing I want out of a vacation and the Serenity areas on Sunshine simply cannot be beat. I also love the ports on the eastern run for relaxing beach days. As far as crowds, I personally thought the Dream felt more crowded than the Sunshine. Yes, getting a ticket for dinner for ATD is a (minor) inconvenience - we always looked at it as an opportunity to get a pre-dinner drink (which we rarely finished before we were called for a table, if we even had a wait). The Alchemy Bar is also a big plus for us, absolutely loved it and were disappointed to not have it on the Dream the next cruise. My kids loved the Dream because of the activities and locales, may have been a bit bored on the Sunshine. Ultimately, I'm happy if I'm on a ship - they all have their pluses and minuses - just need to prioritize what you want out of that particular cruise and go from there.

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These two are my favorite ships. I have sailed both several times and loved all the cruises. I don't think you will go wrong with either choice. But I will say that different aspects of cruising appeal to everyone. What I might find important may not be that important to you. So keep what your more interested in when comparing. The food options are great on both ships, though carnival sunshine has guys burgers, taco bar, and the dream has the pasta restaurant for lunch daily and also the bbq on the lanai deck. As far as crowds I have been on 16 cruises and it really is no more crowded than other carnival ships during the summer months. Granted on sunshine the comedy club is smaller but just plan on arriving early if you do the comedy club. But the casino on both ships are nice and dinning rooms are nice, cabins are same size on both ships and very nice. The ports of call would be my decider. I chose sunshine in july and absolutely cant wait to be on her again. But I am a firm believer in the fact that if I am on a cruise, how can I go wrong. spend time preparing and know what to expect and you will enjoy your choice.

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  • 1 month later...

Have to repeat what the last person said. My wife and I have been on both ships, and enjoyed the Sunshine far more than the Dream. All of the 2.0 upgrades make a huge difference to us, but your interests may vary. Both ship were at full capacity when we sailed them, and we didn't notice a difference in how crowded it felt. We are currently booked on the Sunshine again in September. Can't wait.

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Which ship would you go on?

 

Not sure if the dates would work for you, but there is also a Pt. Canaveral to San Juan on Sunshine, 11 nights on the 28th of Nov, the weekend directly after Thanksgiving. I like that itinerary best.

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I have the perfect solution. Flip a coin, then cruise on the "loser" next year. You will have a good time on either one. I personally don't care for the Dream. I like all of the venues the Dream doesn't have. I much prefer the casino on the sunshine which is where we spend most of our time.

 

As stated above you will have a great time on either one.

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Dream. I agree the updates on the Sunshine are nice to have, but I don't care what anyone says, Sunshine is the most crowded ship we have been on. Yes all ships are crowded in some areas, Sunshine is the worst of the 10 we have been on Including the Dream. Also, another vote for an evening in New Orleans before or after the cruise!

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I have sailed 18 times and these two are my favorite ships. Sailed both 3 times or more each and while I like them both, I prefer the Sunshine. The only thing that Dream beats Sunshine with is the pool area and comedy club but the rest in my opinion, and there is a lot to compare, goes to Sunshine. You will like both ships. Dream is bigger but I prefer the size of the Sunshine. Enjoy!

Edited by nol4am
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