bobnbetty

Just realized my wrong anniversary years was wrong...it will be our 45th one!

Tonight I found out when looking at my conformation email that because I added a 3rd person to our cabin, our cabin deck is now the Riviera...also known as the first deck. I was not told this when I made the change earlier in the day. We have not been on the Riviera deck in many, many years. The ocean view cabin is mid ship and in the middle. Please someone tell me...what is the deck like. Am I going to be unhappy being so low? Do you feel everything, etc., etc., because you are so low? Please....the pros and cons. Attempted to change but no other higher floor sofa bed ocean view rooms available. And it's our 4th wedding anniversary celebration. TYIA.

I should proof read more before posting, want to apologize for the "heard/read picture", should have been "heard/read".

We sailed in early September on the Sunshine. Our first and only time because we like to try a different ship every time we cruise which is usually 2-3x's a year. I too heard/read picture so many negative things about the ship but I still went. I wanted to see for myself. Went with an open mind, saw the negative and the positive of the ship and by far it was not anywhere near as bad as some people said. Overall, did not care for it but still we had a great time doing what we wanted to...getting away from every day living, rest and relax for 5 days.

Heard from someone on the Freedom that they were suppose to be leaving around 7pm. Delay was maintenance related.

Hi, will be on the Navigator on November 14th and am wondering if there is anywhere, anyhow that I can check to see what they will be serving at dinner during the cruise. Any suggestions??? This is our first RC cruise in several years and our second time on the NOS. Really anxious to see and be on it again. It was fabulous the first time around. TYIA!!!

The following is strictly my feelings about the Sunshine. We have been on multiple Carnival cruises over the past 10 years and so far every single cruise we have taken has been on a different ship because we like to try a different one each time. Will continue to do this and not return to cruise the Sunshine again.

For several months I have read the positive as well as the negative reviews of others. I did go with a very open mind and this is how I feel and thought I would share.

We did accomplish our goal for the cruise and had a great time... doing our own thing, what we wanted to do, when we wanted to as well as rest and relaxation.

Crew...with the exception of a very, very nice Indonesian young lady that was assigned to the buffet, we thought the crew overall was not friendly or outgoing. Hardly ever saw anyone with a smile on their face unless talking with other crew members. First time that I have never seen our cabin steward on the initial cruise day and did not do so til Tuesday morning, two days after the cruise started. At that time he said hello only. On Wednesday evening he introduced himself and asked us what our names were so he could pronounce them correctly and did so Thursday. Never saw him on Friday morning.

Common areas...very small, do realize that this ship is almost 20 years old and probably when it was built, it was considered large but to now carry over (announced by Donkey) 3600 guests and over 1200 crew members, it was very congested in many areas. The Lido deck pool was unbelievably small, never saw such a small pool on a cruise ship before. You could hardly see the water because so many people in it, the two hot tubs were used mostly by kids, many kids - very few adults. Could not believe that they had the cigar/pipe smoking area directly over the main pool area. Some previous reviewers have complained about the inability to get a lounger because of chair hoggers, that might be because they have a lack of chairs. Not enough and what they have are literally on top of each other. As far as chair hoggers, did not see that to be an issue. The serenity area was great but also with a small pool and it too was crowded at times. The walking area on the Lido deck was really small and narrow on either side going in or out of the buffet area. The lobby area was also very small and had very little entertainment there. Also surprised that there was no open deck that you could walk the entire length of the ship from back to front or around.

Meals...I thought they had a great selection of places that you can dine. Loved the Havana Bar area for noon meals. Thought overall the food was average, except one evening they had excellent prime rib on the buffet. I was surprised that on the buffet for the evening meals they offered very little variety to choose from. It was better choice wise at lunch and especially breakfast. What I was most disappointed in was the temperature of the food. Most of the time it was like lukewarm or not even warm. I was surprised especially with the food on the "warmers" in the buffet, thought they would keep the food warmer then they did. My hottest meal was from the Italian restaurant and was made to order pasta with meat sauce, sausage and mushrooms. It was delicious and so tasty! We were assigned to the Sunset dining room and we had a nice table with a view. Had wonderful tablemates...enjoyable conversations.

Casino...spent time some time there every evening and was surprised that overall that the smell of smoke was there but it was not overwhelming unless you were right next to someone smoking. For the size of the ship, I thought the casino was very large with many slots and more than average table games. Also thought it was great that they had a variety of table games and just not mostly Black Jack and Texas Hold'um.

Entertainment...evening shows with music were enjoyable overall, a little loud at times especially the Epic Rock show. There were a couple of great singers in the shows. Most other scheduled activities we did not attend unless we just happened to walk by or be in the area. Donkey, the cruise director, seemed to be okay. Did not see a lot of him other than before the nightly shows and he was usually funny. He did make several announcements each day as to what was going on that day or for some other specific reason.

Cabin...by choice and because it was a short cruise to speak of, we decided to take an inside room this time. It was on the 7th deck, mid ship and starboard. It was a great location, not far from the elevators and never heard any noise other than kids running down the hallway late at night hollering or very late night loud adults talking. Size wise, very small, smaller than any other inside room we have ever had. Hardly any space for anything. Not even a chair, just a small vanity seat in front of the mirror. Bathroom was tight. Was amused that because of the angle the toilet was on, when using it you had one foot in the shower!! We had friends that had a regular balcony and their bathroom was no different.

Weather...great!!! Overcast at times but mostly sunny and hot.

Islands...have been before many times. The only real change that we saw was in Freeport. Still very industrial where you dock, but since our last visit there about three years ago, now local vendors are set up once you go thru the gate towards the cabs etc..

Hi, going on the Sunshine for the first time in another week. Please tell me the good things about the ship that I should make sure to hit and not miss...food, areas, etc., etc.. As far as the negatives if any, prefer to discover on my own. Thanks so much in advance for your input!!!

We ignore it even without FTTF and have had no problems boarding around 10:30-11:00am.

Hi, going on the Navigator of the Seas in late June. Right now my cabin is 6277. When I booked this I was told this room was located in the middle of the promenade. When I called to double check I was told no. Is there anyone who has been on the 6th deck of NOS in a promenade room give me a better idea where it is located and if it has a good view of the promenade. I don't want to be near the ends, we want to be centrally located so we can see everything. Appreciate any input. Thank you in advance. This is our first time in a promenade interior.

Hi, staying in cabin 6277 on the NOS soon. Never had a promenade before. Just wondering if its in a good location to see all the promenade action going on below us. Anyone ever stay in this cabin or familiar with it? TYIA!!

My husband and I when we started cruising a few years ago we did Royal four times before doing Carnival several times. We are doing the Navigator in early November after it returns to Florida. We are really looking forward to it, did the NOTS once before it left Florida and we loved it, especially the adult areas for rest/relaxation. We are bringing another couple with us who have never done Royal. Hoping that they will like it as much as we do.