cruisiebear

My guess is that they're going to attempt to "Sunshine" her when she goes to dry dock in 2019. I sailed her when she was the Triumph, I've sailed the Sunshine...come on Sunrise, we have a date in October 2019. Can't wait to see the old girl again.

Go on Youtube, You'll find a ton of video reviews and tours. That's where I always go to check out a ship I haven't sailed before. But as was mentioned, she's going to be different after coming out of dry dock next year. How different ? Hard to say.

Every 5 day cruise that I've been on had escargot. As for refrigerators, my balcony on the Sunshine was not supposed to have one but it did so you never know. Actually, you really can't fit much in them although I do understand that some people travel with medication that needs to be refrigerated. Truth be told, lack of escargot and/or refrigerators won't make me stop cruising.

My husband and I sailed on the Triumph in 2009. This was our second cruise but our first with Carnival. The Triumph was a fine ship and we enjoyed our cruise. Since then we've sailed the Glory, Splendor and Sunshine. Next year we'll be sailing on the Triumph once again and I can't wait. I'm also looking forward to seeing what changes will take place during dry dock. Enjoy your cruise.

My first cruise was on Holland America. That being said, I was quite concerned about sailing on Carnival, I knew that it was going to be a different kind of cruise. I love Carnival. I'm getting ready to go on my 5th Carnival cruise next year, second time on the Triumph. A cruise is what you make it. Enjoy.

I have located more info with reason to believe Triumph is indeed for sale as well as the entire Fantasy class fleet. I believe they previously sold off most if not all of the ships they retired.

 

No question the ship needs a major Sunshine type refurbishment but if they get a contract sooner, who knows? In spite of her problems over the years, Triumph is an improvement on the Fantasy class layout. Just need to get $350 M together and she’s ours.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I'm always entertained by folks who have an opinion on the Sunshine conversion who have never sailed on either Destiny or Sunshine.

 

Converting the Triumph is a great idea. The blueprints already exist. And Carnival can 'pick and choose' based on their previous experience with the Destiny conversion doing only what 'worked'.

I have sailed on both the Triumph and the Sunshine, Triumph in 2009 and Sunshine in 2017. I'll be sailing the Triumph again in 2019 and I'm glad that she's going into dry dock before my cruise. As for the Sunshine, we loved her. It was probably one of the nicest ships we've sailed on. ( Maasdam, Triumph, Glory, Splendor and Sunshine) I'm glad that I didn't listen to the negative reviews. We never found the Sunshine to be over crowded, and she had a wonderful selection of dining options. I do wish that they would put the mini fridges in the balcony rooms on the Triumph when she goes into dry dock, sometimes we bring leftovers back to the room.

So, you can go to the Steakhouse Bar without having dinner reservations if all you want is a drink ? Cool, I didn't know that.

I've sailed Hollands Massdam and Carnivals Triumph, Glory and Splendor out of Norfolk. The Battleship Wisconsin is sitting there too. They should be able to bring Carnival ships back there.

Still waiting after sending a follow up. Have not heard back.

Carnival is pulling out of Norfolk, Va after my cruise on October 20-25th, 2017. Sad to see this, but it isn't the first time they've left and come back. I was on the other "Last cruise out of Norfolk." Someone told me today that they heard that Carnival was returning to Norfolk in 2019. Anyone else hear anything about this ?

I just sent a request for a table for two in the Sunrise dining room for the Oct. 20th cruise out of Norfolk. I'll let you know if I hear back.

On my last cruise (RCCL) I was curious if the drink package was going to be worth it for us. So we added up what would would have spent if we paid per drink vs what we paid for the drink package. Yeah it wasn't pretty. We drank a lot. We're big drinkers. It was over $650 per person had we not bought the drink package. I know for our upcoming CCL cruise the $800 total we will spend on the package will definitely be worth it. But it's not for everyone and that's ok.

My husband and I have found out that Cheers is definitely for us. We may not drink 15 drinks a day(it has happened), but we average 10-12. And that was back when it was just alcohol on Cheers. :D Cheers Everyone !

This will be the 5th cruise my husband and I have taken. We have always booked a balcony room. In the beginning, we did it because you could smoke on your balcony. When they stopped allowing that, we still booked balconies. It's very nice sitting out there in the morning with your coffee, or in the evening with a glass of wine. We always drink champagne on our balcony at the beginning of the cruise as we are leaving the port. It's a bit more expensive, but we don't go on any of the excursions so we spend that money on other things.

This will be our 5th cruise, and we always see doors that are decorated. I've decorated mine the last two cruises. One thing that I really like about it is that it makes it very easy to find your door ! I have a few cut outs of fish and shells that I stick up with the white tacky stuff you use to put up posters. It doesn't mark anything, and is easy to remove. Be prepared that they might get knocked off by the room steward if he has his hands full while entering your room for freshening. I try to only put a few things up so that they are not in his way.

On the first cruise my husband and I took, our bar tab was just under $1000.00. It's worth it for us to buy Cheers as we usually drink 13 - 15 drinks a day (each). That's not as hard as it sounds, especially if you start the morning with a Bloody Mary or a Mimosa. Then you have 3 or 4 beers after lunch. You go to dinner, you have at least one more drink. Then you stop by the Casino. You know you're going to have a few drinks there. Then, you have a night cap. It adds up quickly.

I am really enjoying reading your review. My husband and I sail on the Sunshine in October, and this is our first time sailing on her. So far we have sailed on the Maasdam, Triumph, Glory and Splendor. I love reading reviews so that I can find out information about the ship before sailing, and your review is very informative and entertaining. I also read your review about your cruise with your mother. It's a shame she doesn't like cruising. I love cruising and would adopt you so that I could go on more cruises, but I'm sure my husband would object. Anyway, keep on writing and I'll keep on reading. Smooth sailing.

I started seeing the pictures after I sent this post ! Not the ones in the beginning, but the ones after page 3. Thanks for your excellent review.

That's so weird! I'm seeing them now on my home computer. Anyone else still not seeing them?

I can't see them either, and I feel like I'm missing it !

Oh well, I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. The Cigar Bar on The Splendor was as far back at the stern as you could get. That was fine with me because I understand that a lot of people are against smoking, especially cigars and pipes. I figured that being that far out of the way would take care of that problem. They always sold really nice, flavored, smaller cigars for the ladies. Guess I'll have to bring my own and go up on deck.

Thanks for the great review, I enjoyed reading it. My husband and I will be on The Sunshine for the last cruise (or so I've been told) out of Norfolk, Va. This is cruise #5, but have never been on The Sunshine. So far we've done Holland America's Maasdam (A wonderful ship. I loved it.), then Carnival Triumph, Glory and Splendor. I always enjoy reading about the ship I'm going to be sailing on by someone who has actually sailed on her. Hopefully our trip won't feel too crowded, husband hates crowds but I expect them on a ship. Anyway, thanks again.

Does the Carnival Sunshine have a Cigar Bar, or is that a thing of the past ? We last sailed 2 years ago on the Splendor, and it had one. Most evenings after dinner, my husband and I like to have a drink and a cigar.

The main dining room was once an upscale fine dining experience.

 

Sadly, due to today's customer base and apparent cultural norms, dress has become similar to that worn at a neighborhood bar and restaurant. Think Red Lobster, Applebee's, Olive Garden, etc.

 

It is what it is. Jeans are apparently welcome these days.

 

However, I will continue to dress nice for dinner as that is how I was raised. Apparently due to my parents brainwashing, I would feel uncomfortable wearing anything else. Thanks Mom & Dad!