Concerned about the Sunshine?!?!

I booked a few months ago on the Sunshine because I liked the itinerary and the time frame worked for us. I really was not too concerned about what ship it was. We have only sailed on Carnival and never had a bad experience. This will be our seventh Carnival Cruise.

I recently started reading some reviews here on the boards and I'm a little concerned. Many reviews were not too good. They said the ship was crowded, service was poor, ship docked late in ports, and the ship was in poor repair.

Has anyone recently been on board with a different view point? Should I cancel and try to find another cruise?

Thanks for your input.

Renee

Following.... We are also booked on her in March

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I sailed on a 5 night Sunshine cruise at the end of May. The ship is great. There is a little crowding at certain spots on the lido deck (where Guy's and Blue Iguana meet the ice cream stations and the entrance to the buffet seating area). There are many pluses to the ship (most notably the incredible serenity area and the plethora of food choices).

I wouldn't cancel. I would go and see for yourself.

There are many of us who LOVE the Sunshine. It's one of my favorite ships. I like the eating venues, the Serenity area (best in the fleet), and found the staff to be excellent. My husband and I have sailed her twice...once in the Med, and once in the Caribbean. There are numerous threads started with your concerns, with multiple positive response like mine. Do a search and read up on it. I don't always trust reviews. Sometimes the same cruise is "the worst ever" for one reviewer and "an awesome cruise" from another.;)

I sailed on a 5 night Sunshine cruise at the end of May. The ship is great. There is a little crowding at certain spots on the lido deck (where Guy's and Blue Iguana meet the ice cream stations and the entrance to the buffet seating area). There are many pluses to the ship (most notably the incredible serenity area and the plethora of food choices).

 

I wouldn't cancel. I would go and see for yourself.

Agree 100%. We very much enjoyed Sunshine (early June). The food choices, service, etc. were all great. Treat yourself to JiJi's Asian, it was an amazing dinner at a very fair price. Enjoy your cruise.

We've been on the Sunshine twice. Most recently in 2016. It's a beautiful ship, never felt crowded, & service was definitely not poor! We had a balcony which the attendent kept extremely clean for us.

I would not hesitate to go on this ship again.

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I was on Sunshine twice last year (July and Oct) and am going again in September.

Didn't have any issues with the ship other than it was crowded on deck on the July cruise but that was expected as it was sunny and 90 degrees. The October cruise was fine.

No complaints from me.

First piece of advice - stop reading the negative posts...especially about the Sunshine.

There are several of us on here that LOVE the Sunshine. Just look at my signature - she is our favorite ship and headed out on I think #3 on her in October. I was hoping to like the Magic even more - but I did not. It was a Christmas cruise so I expected crowds, but to me, it felt much more crowded with 4600 passengers than Sunshine with her 3000 ever has.

As others have noted, she has the widest variety of food options in addition to the standard 2.0 upgrades. Steakhouse, Cucinia, Jiji's and Sushi all make for excellent treats. The Havana bar is a great addition - try the little nibbles on the side of the bar at breakfast and lunch - and on at least one of the cruises, no one discovered that area for several days into the cruise so it was quiet! And of course, Alchemy is the best for drinks!

Yes, the comedy club is small. But, we have only skipped one show because the line was past the paino bar and we were worried we wouldn't get in. The line will enter the show lounge as soon as the theater is clear, so I don't understand why waiting a bit is a big deal....but usually people aren't used to waiting. Steak house is small so go early if you want to join the demonstration.

Lastly, I think their Sports Square is even more fun than Magic. I am not one for the giant ships and I love the fact they have packed a ton of fun into this ship. Wish they would updo them all!

The Sunshine is one of our favorite ships too. We are sailing on her again in a few months. The Havana area is so nice...behind the lido...extra seating and a large bar. There are two extra omelet stations back there in the morning too. The Italian restaurant is one of our favorites and there's an Asian restaurant on the other side of the Havana area. The lido buffet is set up intelligently so very few lines. I've never seen this set up on any other ship. The serenity area is beautiful.

The comedy club is too small, but it is on most ships. You have to get there early.

The steak house is great.

Don't worry...those bad reviews have to be taken with a grain of salt.

Thanks for all the positive comments. I'm looking forward to another great cruise.

Concur. The Sunshine is on my favorites list as well.

;) I some times wonder about people and their expectations. We have sailed the Sunshine 4 times so far and have 3 more booked on her. It is a wonderful ship with some of the best food and service Carnival has to offer. The pool area is always crowded but then all pools area are crowded on all cruise ships. I think you will find that the Lido buffet area to be very different from other ships (for the better IMHO) the Havana bar area in the very back is the highlight of the food venues. Plenty of tables, The Italian restaurant one one side and the Mongolian Wok on the other. The bar in the Havana bar will serve Cuban snacks through out the day. As for getting into port late you must think about that complaint a bit. How would the ship itself make you late for a port unless there was mechanical trouble or bad weather. The ship is an older one done over to add new features but it was in good shape last March when we were on her. The only negative I would say would be the main show theater. It's way small for all the people on the ship.The shows have improved some what in the last 2 years but still lack live music and real talent. Don't worry about the Sunshine I'm sure you will love it we do.:cool:

I cant wait to travel on her, it will be out first time on sunshine but our eight cruise on carnival.

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We have a cruise booked on the sunshine in September.

I was hesitant but decided to go for it since it was sailing out of the port I wanted and I liked the itinerary.

After booking, I read lots of reviews and comments. It seems to me that the people that love the sunshine...REALLY love the sunshine and that makes me feel 100% comfortable with my decision.

Reviews are often biased and I take those with a grain of salt but comments from others on this board are what I listened to the most.

I'm so confident that I have already booked another cruise on sunshine in 2018.

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i sailed on her a few weeks ago. i like the ship and we arrived to the ports time

We cruised on Sunshine 2 years ago and had the same concerns. I read up on all the little little tricks right here on CC (like don't sit in the immediate buffet area, head to the back by the Havana Bar, never crowded) and went in with an open mind. I cannot say Sunshine is my favorite, she did have some quirks and it took me awhile to get the lay of the land, but it was fun getting lost.

Don't read the negative posts. Enjoy your cruise!

I had the same experience after I booked our cruise on Carnival Splendor. I have too only been on Carnival cruises this will be my 4th. I say this to say don't listen to all the negative stuff. People right more about the bad than the good. Some people just want something to complain about. After speaking and read on these boards. I determined that Splendor is loved and am excited about going on there this fall. Google youtube videos filter it for this year and you can get an idea of what the ship looks like and what to expect.

I think the ship is good. Best serenity area in the fleet, nice pools and waterslides. My only complaint is the YTD setup where you have to check in right next to the casino, then go down two flights, and then check in again. I would totally sail on her again, just don't do YTD.

But don't take my word for it, here's some video of the fun...

[YOUTUBE]jjUGbPnTqZA[/YOUTUBE]

Just curious, why was her name changed from Destiny?

Anyone know?

we have been on her twice, and after the first time it was our least favorite ship. cruised again last thanksgiving and loved the ship. now put it at our 2nd favorite out of 8 we have cruised on. think it was just the layout got us the first time, and may have been a bit crowded because it was in summer. seemed much less crowded at thanksgiving time and we new the layout this time. it does have some fantastic features and many choices for food.

I love love love the Sunshine! As others have said, best Serenity area! It is awesome! Everyone will have different opinions, I would just go and try her. Make your own decision. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Just curious, why was her name changed from Destiny?

Anyone know?

They cut her straight down the middle and put in a new section during some major renovations a few years back. It was an upgrade but it made her different enough from before that a name change was appropriate.

They cut her straight down the middle and put in a new section during some major renovations a few years back. It was an upgrade but it made her different enough from before that a name change was appropriate.

Thank you.......I didn't know that.

Royal's Enchantment was cut in half at the middle and a whole new mid section was added.........though no name change.

I had the same experience after I booked our cruise on Carnival Splendor. I have too only been on Carnival cruises this will be my 4th. I say this to say don't listen to all the negative stuff. People right more about the bad than the good. Some people just want something to complain about. After speaking and read on these boards. I determined that Splendor is loved and am excited about going on there this fall. Google youtube videos filter it for this year and you can get an idea of what the ship looks like and what to expect.

Our first cruise was on the splendor in 2013 and we were immediately hooked. Would sail on her again in a heartbeat.

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Splendor was our first.... Would totally do it again! Have 2 cruises booked on Sunshine and confident we'll love it!