gaillyn518

Thank you so much for your carefully thought out and detailed post. I completely understand what you mean about "class."

The majority of our cruises have been on Carnival. My first cruise was on RCI and we have 2 Princess under our belt.

 

This is MY opinion and others are certainly free to disagree. I will attempt to give the OP and honest answer based upon my experiences and observations. I will use the word "class" but before we begin, let me say that I refer to the informal use of the word to describe elegance, grace or dignity as reflected in behavior and dress and it is not a comment on social, political or economic status. So here we go...

 

I did not care for my RCI cruise. The food was a disappointment and the staff appeared disinterested/put out. In reading a lot of comparison posts, there is a theme that the MDR food on Carnival is better and the Lido buffet better on RCI. So as we eat primarily in the MDR this comes as no surprise to me. I also have found my staff observations to be consent as well. Don't get me wrong, the service is fine, just lacking the smile and energy. Also, shows on RCI will get the nod every time....especially when you take into considerations the options offered on Oasis and such. There are a lot more "bells and whistles" like rock walls and flow riders on their larger ships. Overall the vibe is family oriented.

 

Carnival is definitely the fun ship and this is reflected throughout and even into the comedy club. The staff are warm and welcoming. And I can always find something I enjoy eating, and really like the newer additions from guys to blue iguana that keep appearing. Carnival has hairy chest contests and a party atmosphere particularly on shorter cruises. Where I think Carnival is beginning to lose out for me is not enforcing things like dress code. I think tank tops, sweaty baseball caps and flip flops just do not belong in MDR and are lacking class. I also feel that there is a small element that is creeping in that voices repeatedly I paid for my cruise so I am going to do what I want....including drink all 15 alcoholic beverages whether or not I should. When you encounter these selfish overindulgent idiots, it does take away from the cruise.

 

Princess is rapidly turning into our favorite line. The staff is very attentive but not as playful as on Carnival. Princess is more of what I consider a classic cruise experience from the staff to the decor to the clientele. They still have formal evening and most men still have on jacket and tie if not a tux. The food on Princess is just as good as Carnival. The biggest difference is one I feel and can see when reading the boards...and the best word I have to describe it is the passengers as a whole have more class. I have not run into the "I'm drunk and do what I want" on Princess. I am sure it is there, but not to the same degree. On the boards people aren't posting asking how to break the rules - smuggle alcohol, get around Cheers rules etc. They also are not asking "how causal can I dress and still get away with it." Again, not saying it never happens, it's just much reduced.

 

In all my cruise searches it appears on RCI you are paying more generally for the bells and whistles. On Princess, you are paying more - it is considered a step up from Carnival. And most Princess cruises are 10+ days; people who can afford the cost of those cruises and the time away are more likely to be older and more seasoned travelers....and people looking for a classic, traditional cruise. Carnival with its short $200 cruises is in a whole different place, and drawing a segment that at times simply lack class.

 

OP, I hope that helps. Really they are similar and it is in the details that create a different environment/ culture between the lines. It's always good to step out and try something new. As we will have exhausted the majority of departure ports and ports of call on Carnival we are ready for my time with Princess. Time for Europe and beyond in the coming years.

 

 

 

 

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I have sailed with Carnival many times and have been very happy for the most part. I have been told by many people that Carnival is not as good as other cruise lines. Does anyone have experience with Carnival and others and can offer me some specific comparisons? What do other cruise lines offer that I am missing with Carnival? TIA :)

When does the ship leave the port? and how early were you allowed to board?

The ship left NY at 4:30. We were able to board by 11:00.

Thanks for all the info.

 

Going in early Nov and just curious about the serenity deck being right across the "party deck" from the big screen/DJ/loudspeakers.

 

If you went to serenity, did you hear the "noise" from across the deck coming from the DJ/big screen/etc.?

 

GP

Hi. I just got off the ship yesterday. The Serenity is very big so, depending where you are determines if you can hear the music. In some places it was loud and in others it was very quiet. :)

I was on the 7/26 sailing. We only made it though one of his songs...lol What a disappointment ! last year Patrick Duffy was the PBE. He is very talented and funny. Carnival should give this Roddy (Rod Stewart wannabe) the boot

I completely agree. I just got off the Sunshine yesterday. Roddy at the piano bar was very disappointing. Patrick Duffy was amazing last year and I was really looking forward to seeing him again.

I am trying to decide if the Cheers Program is worth is for a 4 night cruise. If I understand correctly, I need to pay for drinks on the first day so it will only be able to be used for 3 full days. Does that mean that I only pay for 3 days? Thanks!

Nice review, thank you.

We will be on the Sunshine in 2 weeks.

You mentioned the spa, are there any hot tubs in the spa?

When did you buy the spa passes and where?

Can you buy them on line before your cruise?

So there $54.50 per person at $109. for 2?

I did not see any hot tubs in the spa but there is a hot tub on the Serenity deck which is adults only and 2 others on the main pool deck that are open to all. I got the passes on the first day, before we set sail, in the spa. They said that the $109 for 2 people was a special just for that day but I believe it was the same price on the next day. I am not sure if you can get them online. I think the price for one person was $60. We did the $109 for the two of us.

Also, I forgot to mention that the facilities in the spa are coed. We shared the sauna, steam rooms, and relaxing areas. There were separate locker rooms.

Have a great trip!!!!!

I just got back from the Sunshine and wanted to post some of my thoughts while they are still fresh in my mind. There were 3 of us so we booked a cabin suite, 7229. It was absolutely fabulous! There was plenty of room for us(king bed, sofa bed/not pull out, dressing/vanity area, chair, end table, coffee table, safe, refrigerator) and the balcony was huge. I requested a lounge chair for the balcony and it was brought to me almost immediately. I did think that the bathroom was a bit small but it had a sunken tub with jets and the water pressure was terrific!

Since we had a suite, we were given priority boarding. We arrived at 11:30 and had no problem parking. It was great. The lot is right next to the ship. I checked the lot just before we left and it still had some available spots. We dropped our bags off at the curb, parked, and walked right onto the ship. The priority status allowed us to go to a private check in area and we had no lines at all. We were on the ship and even though the rooms weren't ready until 1:00, our cabin was ready and we went right in to see it. There were complimentary water bottles for each of us and a gift card for complimentary dinner at the Italian restaurant...so nice!

Our bags came very quickly but I didn't get one of my bags until after dinner. Christina, our steward, was amazing. She brought me down to the lost luggage area and it was right there. The tag that you print out had fallen off so my "priority early luggage arrival" didn't work so well for that bag. Piece of advice...secure those tags well. I had folded and stapled it as directed but it still fell off. One other point about the luggage. I packed a case of water bottles and Powerade in a suitcase. It was all removed with a note that it was discarded! I plan to call because I don't understand why I couldn't just pick it up after the cruise.

I checked the dining room area when we got there and saw that I was at a table with other people. My son has aspergers and social anxiety. I explained this to the maitre'd and he was absolutely wonderful, switched our table to a private one with no issue.

I thought that the ship was beautiful, one side has plenty to do for the kids and the other side was adults only. The kids' side had ping pong, pool, giant floor checkers, shuffleboard, twister, a mini golf course, foosball, basketball, and a ropes course. I actually tried the ropes course, a first for me! A 10 year old helped me do the beginner side while he was doing the advanced side. I fell once landing on the rope(harnessed and safe) and a worker was there immediately to help me. She even gave me a trophy and certificate when I completed the course! I am still nursing some bruises but it was so fun.

There is a track that goes around the kids' side and overlooks the pool. I made use of that every day. It was 10 laps for a mile. I found it strange that the smoking section was right under that track. Every time I walked by it, I got a whiff of smoke.

The adults only section(Serenity) was so nice, very peaceful. Unfortunately, the bar was very crowded and there were not enough bartenders. Sometimes I went down to the pool deck which had 2 other bars.

I paid $109 for 2 of us to use the spa for the duration of the cruise. It was lovely. It had a sauna, steam room, aromatherapy steam room, relaxation room, showers, and an amazing area where you could lay on tiled lounge chair that were heated and overlooking the water. It was so relaxing!!!!! The spa services were too expensive for my taste.

I purchased the Cheers package. Unfortunately it doesn't work on the first day but on the other days it worked in all bars and restaurants that we frequented. On the first night, we ordered a bottle of wine with dinner. We didn't finish it and the waiter saved it for us for the next night. That was great. The Cheers card also worked at the Shake Shop, a place to get coffees and shakes. They offer spiked drinks and they were so yummy!

I thought that the food on the buffet was just ok. For breakfast, besides the buffet, there is a great breakfast burrito bar on the pool deck. The rancheros were amazing! There is also an omelette station in the room next to the buffet area(Havana Room I think.) It is easy to miss so definitely look for it. We ate in 2 specialty restaurants, the Italian one and the Steakhouse. They were both fabulous!

We went to the comedy shows and they were ok. I really enjoyed the piano bar, very friendly and fun. The Love and Marriage show was hysterical! The Very Hairy Chest competition was a riot!

The casino was fun too but it did get some of my money.

Canada was ok. We walked to the market, only about a half mile from the ship. It was full of foods and some souveniers, nothing I found too exciting. On the way back to the ship was a table with an old man dressed like a pirate. He was so lovely. He gave my son a clay piece on a string for free and also gave us a clay lighthouse for free. I purchased a clay necklace that holds my eyeglasses and my son purchased a clay piece with a blue lobster engraved on it. When you get off at St. John, if you see this man, definitely stop by. He was a doll. Also, be sure to stop by the Freak Lunchbox. It is a candy store full of amazing things from when I was a kid, a real blast from the past.

On the last day at sea, I went to the track and was amazed by what I saw on the pool deck. Every lounge chair had a towel animal on it. Monkeys were on the poles and alligators were on the deck. It was absolutely beautiful.

Emma, the cruise director, was amazing. She is a bundle of fresh air, bubbly, smiling, and full of happiness and energy. I don't know how she does it.

Getting off the ship was painless. We didn't rush, spent our time on the pool deck, and easily walked to the car.

I will probably think of more stuff later but hopefully this gives you some info/ideas about the Sunshine.

Safe travels!!!!! :-)

I have read some not so great things about the Sunshine. We are thinking of booking it for next April. Is it really that bad or would this non picky family of 4 have a great time on it? We have sailed bigger and smaller Carnival ships before.

I just got off the ship yesterday. We had a fabulous time! :-)

Call it what you want but we plan on touring the bars aboard Sunshine Day 1 using our Cheers package ... any suggestions on route to take?

I think we are going to start at casino bar as I read that's where we get our Cheers added (already prepurchased) and card hole punched.

I'm kind of wondering if we should start inside first or wait until later in the evening for entertainment and such to start.

I count 10 "bars" outside of restaurants and lounges

Library

Atrium

Piano

Sports

Casino

Red frog Pub

Red frog Rum

Alchemy

Blue Iguana tequila

Serenity deck

 

No way we hit all 10 first day (even if they were all open) ... anyways what are your favorite spots ? What get overcrowded ?

 

Cheers !!

Don't forget the Shake Spot. They make spiked coffee and shakes... soooo yummy and part of Cheers program! :-)

I'll be going on the Sunshine in April 2017 and wondered how early do I need to wake up to get a spot in the Serenity area? I've been looking at pictures online and love the little cabana/clam looking lounge chairs :-) I'm guessing that I'd need to be up at the crack of dawn to get one though. Sigh...

Hi. I just got off the Sunshine yesterday. I was able to get the little cabana/clam looking lounge chair every time I tried. The front 5 overlooking the pool were always taken but there are at least 10 others in the back of the area that usually had some free. I didn't even have to get up early!!!!!

Have an amazing trip! :-)

I have been watching the weather forecast as well and everything seems to be fine. What am I missing?

Hi - can anyone tell me the difference between a Grand Suite and an Ocean suite on Carnival Sunshine? I know GS is slightly larger, but is opting for a Grand Suite really worth it? I've stayed in an OS, and from photos, it looks like the GS is almost the same.

I am going to be staying in an Ocean Suite and i was wondering if there is room on the balcony for a lounge chair.

Thanks so much, Everyone!!!!!

We will be in Saint John for one day. Any suggestions for an 11 year old boy??????

I am going on that Labor Day weekend cruise to Canada. I booked an aft extended balcony. I play to be laying out there every day!!!!!!:)

Do you mean the aft extended balcony rooms? I love them, just booked my second one...can't wait!!!!!!! YouTube has a lot of videos that show them.

Hi. Last year, I went on the Glory. I found some really helpful posts about places to go/food areas that were "hidden treasures/not to be missed.

I can't find posts like that with the Splendor. Can anyone point me in the right direction or offer some advice? I am going with my 11 year old son.

TIA!!!!

If you can change it, do as it's narrower than the others! A very awkward closet situation.

Thank you for the info. It is just me and my 11 year old so hopefully it will work out...but I will look into it. soooooo excited!!!!!!!!

I just booked cabin 7446 on the Spendor...excited!!!!!!