Review Sunshine Super Bowl Cruise 2/2014

I never did a review for my Super Bowl cruise leaving New Orleans going to Key West, Freeport and Nassau. I had a great time, i am someone who really enjoy the 2.0 upgrades, I think it is crowded by putting so much in the space. Breeze is my favorite Carnival ship, but I did like Sunshine and am considering the Pride after the upgrades which I imagine will have the same issues, but I think it is a good trade off for all of the upgrades.

i had not written a review since when we got back, we had bought our house and been homeowners for 6 weeks. The person who was watching the dogs, cats and house found my car keys, stole the car used in a hit and run and totaled the unpaid for car, this experience was so tied up with coming back from the cruise, that I had just not thought much about it.

I had been seeing some negative comments about Sunshine and as I said thinking about it in context of sailing on the Pride, so I thought, not only do I have a while to the next cruise, let me focus on good times and pictures and share them.

Going through the pictures, I realize I did not take as many as I normally do. I wrote a review of my recent Alaska trip on the NCL and someone complained that there were too many pictures of the ship and the food. My husband and I have talked about it, food does not move, no one gets in the way when you try to take pictures of food, and so many good memories are around enjoyable meals.

We have never been to New Orleans, so we went the day before so we could spend a little time. My degree is in literature and Tennessee Williams is one of my favorite American writers. I had wanted to stay at the Hotel Monteleone, but it was an extra $150 dollars and the room had 2 double bed, which I did not want. I ended up booking the Sheraton, it was a great hotel and glad I did not spend the extra money.

Once we got to the hotel, we went to the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone, so I got to spend some time there after all.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

I had champagne and absinthe drink, I believe my husband had whiskey sour. I enjoyed the experience, but it was not cheap, I think for our drinks $30-40. I wanted to have lunch, but DH wanted to go elsewhere.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

They had a case of works by writers who had stayed/hung out at Monteleone.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

We walked for a while trying to find some place, but we did not want to wait, we walked into 2 sisters but they were having their brunch which was more food and more money than we wanted to spend. We ended up in a sort of open air in Jackson Square.

DH Alligator and Jambalaya or Etouffe (can't remember)

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

My crawfish po boy

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

After lunch walking around, view of Mississippi

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

We walked around for a while, stopped by Cafe du Monde and wanted a beignet, but the line was way too long. We stopped by Jackson Brewery, very laid back. We left and I had wanted to do the horse ride, they had the last one leaving, it was $18 a person, but we were last ones and we sat with driver. I have lots of pictures, but they all have Beauty (the horse) in front.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Back to the hotel

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

The French Quarter is very compact, we had dinner reservations at Le Bayou, we were very early so went to have a drink

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

As a smoker, DH thought it was greatest thing to be able to smoke in a bar.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Le Bayou was kind of open as well. Dinner was great.

Bourbon drink

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

BBQ Shrimp

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Shrimp and Grits Napoleon with Spinach and Fried Green Tomatoes. Amazing.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Jambalaya

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

After dinner we walked around and stopped at a few bars and had a few drinks. The last one had great live music, but the chairs were so uncomfortable we left and were on our way back to the hotel. My husband said he thought the FQ was tame, but I explained to him it was only 9:30. When you start at 6 by the time 10 rolls around you are (or at least we were) worn out. End of pre-cruise day.

Glad to hear you had a good cruise. So very sorry to hear of your other troubles! Hope all is better now.

Personally, I enjoy reviews with lots of pictures. Carry on!! Thank you for doing a review. They take lots of time and memory!

Really liking your vacation so far. More please!

Glad to hear you had a good cruise. So very sorry to hear of your other troubles! Hope all is better now.

 

Personally, I enjoy reviews with lots of pictures. Carry on!! Thank you for doing a review. They take lots of time and memory!

 

Really liking your vacation so far. More please!

Thank you. Property can be replaced, we were more concerned about the dogs, but they are fine now.

I see you have 2 cruises on Sunshine, I hope you enjoy it.

We had reservations at Grand Palace for brunch. They had a jazz brunch with live music. We got up and it was raining. We walked to the restaurant, stopped at a few stores.

We had bananas foster beignets, unfortunately I did not get a picture, probably we devoured so quickly.

I had their version of Eggs Benedict, biscuit instead of english muffin and pulled pork instead of canadian bacon. It was wonderful.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

They played on the staircase, it was good for both floors to hear, but for people passing by, not so much.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

After brunch we took a cab to port, easy check-in. Off to the EA Sports Bar

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

I booked this cruise before football season began, but Peyton Manning is one of my favorite players, unfortunately we all know how the Super Bowl ended. After the muster drill we went to get a seat in front of the large movie screen. I don't know how others did it, but there were a lot of people before we got there. I did not take my ipad so, I have no pictures. It was a little chilly when we sat down and for a Florida girl, cold by the time I left inn 4th quarter.

They had snack foods and raffles and give-aways during the game, the reception came and went and the CD Butch did the give aways during the commercials which was the reason some people were there.

We started with jackets, then we got the beach towels from the room, by around halftime they brought the blankets out. Not a lot of people left after half time, I gave up at end of third quarter. Went inside and to casino.

We had a balcony on Lido deck. Only the upgraded rooms have mini-refrigerators and we did not have one. A couple of pictures of the balcony.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

That's it or Day 1, I promise more pictures on the other days.

After sleeping in a little we went to the SeaDay Brunch. Bread/Muffin basket.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Eggs Benedict are one of my favorite foods on a cruise, because I never make it at home, only thing is I don't like runny eggs.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

OJ, cheese grits and DH breakfast of eggs, ham and corn beef hash

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Afterwards, off to Serenity and I was actually able to get a clamshell, I only stayed about an hour

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Serenity Hot Tub, I got in. It was nice, especially since pool was freezing

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

View of Lido deck and Serenity deck

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

I went to afternoon tea

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

After tea I went to check out the menu for the first formal Night

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Theater with Butch

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Looks like its time for Bingo. I liked the couches and tables off to the side in the theater.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

We had anytime dating and there was a wait, so we went to Alchemy. EA Sports Bar and Alchemy are 2 great 2.0 upgrades and neither are available on Breeze, I really enjoyed both on the Sunshine.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Bourbon Manhattan

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Stuffed mushrooms

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Alligator fritters

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

I had the shrimp and lobster but forgot to take a picture. Had the apple puff pastry and carmel sauce for dessert.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Cherries Jubilee for DH

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Then to comedy club

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Then off to bed. End of Day 2.

This was one of the vacations I refer to as being "front loaded" the places I am most excited about are in the beginning of the cruise and the other places are afterwards. I was looking forward to New Orleans and Key West and neither disappointed.

I have stayed in all room classes from inside to suite. Sometimes it is not worth the extra money for the balcony. But I always enjoy the balcony if we do have them.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Key West from the balcony

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Breakfast at Blue Iguana, I think the breakfast burritos are another great upgrade. I don't care for breakfast in the Lido, juggling a plate, juice and coffee and search for a table at the same time. The MDR is a much better experience, but you don't always have or want to spend that kind of time. Blue Iguana was close by the drink station, it only took a couple of minutes to get your food custom made.

I always got the burrito and arepa

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Our shore excursion was the Key West pub crawl

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

First Bar

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Next bar

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Frozen drink bar

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

There were two more bars, but I must not have gotten the pictures, last one had live music, very enjoyable. It was a fun day and well worth the $40 price, you received a t-shirt as well. Afterwards, off to Sloppy Joes for lunch.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

We each had the sloppy joe sandwich and shared the fries topped with sloppy joes and cheese. Hey we're on vacation.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

We did some shopping and it was time to say goodbye to Key West.

I went to Alchemy and had a Cosmo

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

After a while of playing in the casino and listening to music, I decided to have dinner at Bonsai. My DH and I eat about half our dinners together, we enjoy the ones we have together better that way. He still won't eat sushi even after telling him it is not all raw fish. Oh well.

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

Shrimp Tempura

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

The Beef Wagyu appetizer, very good

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr