Sunshine, Valor or Paradise ?

I'm looking from some advice from Carnival experts on three possible choices that I have at Christmas. Based in Orlando and looking at short cruises out of Tampa or Port Canaveral. Three options. Sunshine, Valor or Paradise. All have itineraries that are equally appealing to me for short cruise. Valor has good pricing for 4 nights but Sunshine length at 5 nights is more appealing.

Looking at two O/V. Any advice appreciated for a first time Carnival Cruiser! (previously Celebrity or RCCL)

I'm looking from some advice from Carnival experts on three possible choices that I have at Christmas. Based in Orlando and looking at short cruises out of Tampa or Port Canaveral. Three options. Sunshine, Valor or Paradise. All have itineraries that are equally appealing to me for short cruise. Valor has good pricing for 4 nights but Sunshine length at 5 nights is more appealing.

Looking at two O/V. Any advice appreciated for a first time Carnival Cruiser! (previously Celebrity or RCCL)

I will be on the Sunshine for the first time next week but have been on her 2 time's as the Destiny.

I like the food options the Sunshine has, I also like all the 4 J's cabin the sunshine has.

especially on deck 3

They are priced as inside cabins but have full windows, Look under inside rate's to find these.

I think these are a steal.

Tampa is a fun port to sail out of but its smaller ship with less bells and whistles and with a lot less people also.

The Valor, Wow for some reason it's our favorite ship. We have some of our best memories from the Valor.

Seems silly but we just will always have a special place for the Valor

Sorry I was no help at all

Especially for first Carnival cruise hands down the Valor for me

I will be on the Sunshine for the first time next week but have been on her 2 time's as the Destiny.

I like the food options the Sunshine has, I also like all the 4 J's cabin the sunshine has.

especially on deck 3

They are priced as inside cabins but have full windows, Look under inside rate's to find these.

I think these are a steal.

 

Tampa is a fun port to sail out of but its smaller ship with less bells and whistles and with a lot less people also.

 

The Valor, Wow for some reason it's our favorite ship. We have some of our best memories from the Valor.

Seems silly but we just will always have a special place for the Valor

 

 

Sorry I was no help at all

Thanks - appreciate the insight

I enjoyed the Paradise and its itinerary last spring. Where are the ships you are deciding between visiting? We always take the shorter Florida cruises and it was a lot of fun to visit a non- Bahama island for a change.

Personally, I love the Sunshine. There are so many more options for activities. The deciding factor though may be the itinerary. If the Sunshine is going to Half Moon Cay on that sailing then that is absolutely what I'd select.

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Personally, I love the Sunshine. There are so many more options for activities. The deciding factor though may be the itinerary. If the Sunshine is going to Half Moon Cay on that sailing then that is absolutely what I'd select.

 

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Paradise - Cozumel and G Cayman

Valor_ Nassau and Grand Bahama

Sunshine - Grand Turk + Amber Cove

Valor!!!

Just off "Paradise", and sad to say she's gone downhill, especially the entertainment. Never liked "Sunshine" as she is just to crowded for me. As a result, I'd say VALOR! Great ship, with outstanding crew. The only negative for me is that it's a four day, instead of five.

"SKY"

Just off "Paradise", and sad to say she's gone downhill, especially the entertainment. Never liked "Sunshine" as she is just to crowded for me. As a result, I'd say VALOR! Great ship, with outstanding crew. The only negative for me is that it's a four day, instead of five.

 

"SKY"

Exactly Skymaster. We're in Florida from 22nd to 31st and would like a 5 day ideally. (our usual 7 day cruise is proving too tight). I really appreciate everyone sharing their thoughts.

I was on M of Seas one year for 4 days and found you never settle in if it is too short. - I know, One night longer isn't that much of a difference but might just swing it.

I like the Sunshine's itinerary the best

I would choose Sunshine. For us her itinerary is the best of the three as we love the diving at Grand Turk and Amber Cove would be a new port for us. Love having new places to research and then explore! Sunshine has the largest Serenity area of any Carnival ship with its own pool, and as "foodies" her wide variety of food choices seals the deal! Also love her more mellow decor.

I'm looking from some advice from Carnival experts on three possible choices that I have at Christmas. Based in Orlando and looking at short cruises out of Tampa or Port Canaveral. Three options. Sunshine, Valor or Paradise. All have itineraries that are equally appealing to me for short cruise. Valor has good pricing for 4 nights but Sunshine length at 5 nights is more appealing.

Looking at two O/V. Any advice appreciated for a first time Carnival Cruiser! (previously Celebrity or RCCL)

Ship class info:

https://help.goccl.com/ci/fattach/get/100090/1456496256/redirect/1/filename/Ship%20Class%20Guide%200226.pdf

We have the same options in mid January and had pretty much decided on the Sunshine. I'm curious why quite a few here seem to be in favor of the Valor. There are four of us and can do a balcony plus an inside on the 4 day valor for the same price as 4 in the same OV Cabin (+$250-300 for balcony) on the Sunshine. I really prefer the 5 day though.

Sunshine = Nassau, Freeport, HMC & 1 sea day

Valor = Nassau, Freeport & 1 sea day.

Sorry to barge in on your post with my own question...

I've been on all 3 and I vote Sunshine. Serenity is awesome and the dining is fantastic (especially JiJi and Cucina) and they have Alchemy Bar and Red Frog Pub.

And I just have to say that I never felt Sunshine to feel crowded. I read so many comments from people dying that Sunshine is crowded but I just didn't notice it.

Valor. Conquest class is awesome.

Paradise 5-day. Grand Cayman and Cozumel at Christmas time!!?? Would love this.

I always think of the Gulf coast as being warmer than the Atlantic waters that time of year, too....

Paradise 5-day. Grand Cayman and Cozumel at Christmas time!!?? Would love this.

 

I always think of the Gulf coast as being warmer than the Atlantic waters that time of year, too....

My experience on NW Florida Gulf Coast 20+ years and on NE Florida Atlantic coast 20+ years also, the Gulf is warmer 99% of the time

I love the 4 day to Cozumel because you get 2 sea days. The downside is the Paradise is an older ship. Having sailed on Fantasy class 4 times I look for other ships.

The sunshine definitely has the best itinerary plus it is updated with a lot of the newer features.

I am sailing the Valor in a month, but I probably wouldn't have chosen it if I was going to Freeport.

If you are interested in the pool on the Serenity Deck of the Sunshine...it is very small and the area is always crowded, the full size pool is not that much bigger either. I also felt it, the ship, to be very over crowded and people congested when we where on it last year. The Valor we have enjoyed. The Paradise has too many negative reviews on multiple sites for me to give it a try even though the port is only 15mins away from my home.

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The Paradise has too many negative reviews on multiple sites for me to give it a try even though the port is only 15mins away from my home.

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Reviews are so subjective! If it is only 15 minutes from your home, give it a try sometime! Not the 4-day which is a true party till you drop atmosphere, but the 5-day is very pleasant and enjoyable. No, there are no 2.0 upgrades, but the ship is clean, the crew is happy and so very helpful, and we have had 2wonderful cruises on her. There are a lot of people who truly enjoy the Paradise that don't take the time to review....

I would have been in favor of the Valor until I saw the itinerary. I'm just not a Bahamas girl, although I think Valor is the best ship of these three. I haven't sailed the Sunshine unless you count when she was still the fairly new Destiny, but I do know several folks have reported crowding issues. The reason I've never sailed Paradise is partially because she has fewer balconies, but you're looking for an OV anyway so that may actually be advantageous.

I would choose Sunshine. For us her itinerary is the best of the three as we love the diving at Grand Turk and Amber Cove would be a new port for us. Love having new places to research and then explore! Sunshine has the largest Serenity area of any Carnival ship with its own pool, and as "foodies" her wide variety of food choices seals the deal! Also love her more mellow decor.

Second this! Capitano is free for lunch and is great! Many food options.

Only been on the sunshine of the 3 above options

But.... id never sail a fantasy class ship due to size and heard many horror stories of the Valor

Hence why i booked my free BounceBack on the sunshine since id never pay full price to go on her and I LOVED HER

U will not go wrong on the sunshine. Great layout. Great Serenity. Emma is a GREAT CD. By far the best. I know bunny the casino host quite well. And honestly think its a perfect ship

Paradise - Cozumel and G Cayman

Valor_ Nassau and Grand Bahama

Sunshine - Grand Turk + Amber Cove

I did that itinerary on the Paradise and loved it. Yes the Paradise is older and smaller, but Dad and I enjoyed ourselves.

My PVP never has anything good to say about the Sunshine. From her personal experiences and those of her customers, she says the Sunshine isn't a good ship.

Dad and I are doing that exact itinerary on the Valor this coming January. From the videos we have been watching, the Valor looks awesome.

So, to answer the question, the Paradise would have less kids on the cruise, and the better stops, so if ports are the priority, pick the Paradise. If the ship is the priority, pick the Valor.