First Carnival Cruise - Breeze or Sunshine?

Hi,

This will be our first Carnival cruise, we (me, hubby and 13 year old) usually cruise NCL and have cruised RC and Disney. I have looked at the Youtube videos of both ships and read lots of reviews but have a few questions.

Breeze gets generally better reviews, why is this? The ships seem to have mostly the same features (restaurants, waterpark, sports square). No Tandoor on Sunshine, that's a bummer for us but not a deal breaker.

Some say the food is better on the Breeze, wouldn't the same cruiseline have the same food?

I have heard that daily activities can be lacking on Sunshine, wouldn't the FunTimes be the same on all ships?

Is the Sunshine older and more dated?

Thanks!

I have never cruised on Sunshine, so I cannot compare, but I love the Dream class ships, including Breeze. I will say that Tandoor, though not a deal breaker, is a deal maker for us as we love Indian food. If deciding between two otherwise identical ships, Tandoor will often be a tie breaker. Bear in mind it is only open during lunch.

Also, I am not sure about Sunshine, but Breeze has a Red Frog Pub (not just the rum bar) where you can order small delicious appetizers (at a small cost), Cucina del Capitano at a slight upcharge, as well as Bonsai Sushi also at a slight upcharge.

Like I said, I have no advice about Sunshine, but Breeze is a great ship.

I have been on both ships - the Breeze several times. Although there were some things I liked about the Sunshine (Havana area and the very nice, big Serenity for example), I would definitely vote for the Breeze. On sea days on the Sunshine it was almost impossible to find a lounge chair on any of the outside decks and I just found it to feel crowded overall.

I love the Breeze & am very happy she's coming back to Florida. The Breeze is larger and has a very nice "flow" throughout. Though I would try the Sunshine again, it wouldn't be my first choice. It seems that with the Sunshine, you either love it or hate it - I certainly didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either.

I have been on both ships - the Breeze several times. Although there were some things I liked about the Sunshine (Havana area and the very nice, big Serenity for example), I would definitely vote for the Breeze. On sea days on the Sunshine it was almost impossible to find a lounge chair on any of the outside decks and I just found it to feel crowded overall.

 

 

 

I love the Breeze & am very happy she's coming back to Florida. The Breeze is larger and has a very nice "flow" throughout. Though I would try the Sunshine again, it wouldn't be my first choice. It seems that with the Sunshine, you either love it or hate it - I certainly didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either.

Did you find that the quality of food was different on each ship? Or daily activities were different?

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I will give a different view here. I have been on the Sunshine multiple times (she is our favorite Carnival ship) and the Breeze's sister, Magic. Here are the reasons we prefer Sunshine:

1) she is around 3000 passengers compared to the 4000+ on Magic. When we cruised Magic the week before Christmas she was over 4500 - basically full capacity...and it felt like it. You could barely walk the Lido deck for all the people. We have discovered that we prefer the ships around the 3000 range for ease of navigation.

2) I don't like location of Alchemy on Magic - it's somewhat tucked away where as on Sunshine it is right on the walk of Ocean Plaza and easy to enjoy the music and people watch.

3) Sunshine has JiJis which is excellent and a must do

4) Sunshine has best serenity deck

5) Much easier to depart from east coast than TX for us

6) Sunshine has Havana Bar with great drinks and delicious free breakfast and lunch Cuban snacks

So while I would happily sail the Breeze for an itinerary I wanted, I would prefer the Sunshine as a ship choice.

Did you find that the quality of food was different on each ship? Or daily activities were different?

 

 

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I don't remember thinking there was a huge difference in the food in the MDR. I'm not much of a foodie and am generally pretty easy to please.

As for daily activities, again I don't remember there being a difference in the normal daily happenings - trivia, deck games, etc. are pretty much the same on all of the ships. I spend a lot of time in the casino (lol).

I just liked the vibe of the Breeze. The only thing that I didn't like on the Sunshine was the crowds on all decks on sea days. I've been on many CCL ships, and I'm not sure if it was just an unusually crowded week or not, but I've never seen those kinds of crowds. It's always difficult to find a lounge chair near the pool on sea days - you know, flip flops, books, towels on chairs rather than people, but I've never had difficulty getting a chair on the upper decks on any ship other than the Sunshine. Again, it may have just been a week where there were lots of sun-worshippers.

I didn't dislike the Sunshine enough not to go on her again - I had a good time & there were things I really liked. I just liked the Breeze better.

Thanks! Speaking of casino, we get free cabins on NCL due to hubbys time in the casino. I heard Carnival doesn’t really have the same program where you can call and they look up your play and tell you what kind of cabin you qualify for. I wonder if they would give a discount if I showed what we usually get on NCL?

Also as far as deck chairs, we are shade people. Are there usually a good number of chairs in the shade? Or by the Waterworks area?

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In reference to casino - my sister & I get fairly good deals, although not as good as we got a couple of years ago. Once your husband starts earning points (by using your S&S card in slot machines or by having dealers let you earn points at the tables), he will be able to qualify for anything from Bounce Back (he will get this at the end of the cruise if he earns enough points) where you typically get a "free" interior cabin by paying taxes & port fees, to cruise cash, Premier cruise offers, etc. You can contact the Players Club prior to the next cruise to see what he may qualify for.

I'm not much of a sun worshipper either - maybe an hour in the sun & then it's shade for me too. I just can't remember ever seeing such a crowd outside. I'm an early riser & after eating breakfast, I was outside at 8:30 - the only place we could find a spot was near the waterworks & there were only a few chairs available even there. I really think it was just a bad week.

Thanks! Speaking of casino, we get free cabins on NCL due to hubbys time in the casino. I heard Carnival doesn’t really have the same program where you can call and they look up your play and tell you what kind of cabin you qualify for. I wonder if they would give a discount if I showed what we usually get on NCL?

Also as far as deck chairs, we are shade people. Are there usually a good number of chairs in the shade? Or by the Waterworks area?

 

 

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I highly doubt they would give you a casino rate, not having sailed them. DH doesn't gamble often, but even he gets them from time to time.

As for shade - you will have a hard time finding that on the Lido deck or around waterworks - at least not in lounge chairs. They do have chairs on Deck 5 ? on Magic. And Sunshine has some shade up in the Serenity area, but not a ton.

We have sailed on the Breeze twice and are sailing on the Sunshine for the second time in July.

Both are nice ships. I found the Breeze to be less crowded than the Sunshine. I like the food on both.

Did not like the main show lounge on the Sunshine with all of the chairs and no tables.

Like the 4D theater on the Breeze.

The serenity deck on the Sunshine is Great. However we were never able to find a place to sit there.

I like the extra hot tubs on the Breeze.

If they were both sailing out of my port I would pick the Breeze. As mentioned above we are sailing on the Sunshine in July,

I believe one of the pools on the Sunshine is adults only. Since you have a 13 year old that gives you one less pool to enjoy with him/her. The sunshine is the old Destiny refurbished. The Breeze is newer. I have not been on the Sunshine but I’ve sailed the Breeze twice with my 3rd sailing leaving this Sunday. I’d choose the Breeze allll day!

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Hands down I would pick Breeze. We have been on both and Breeze is our favorite ship. We are not super picky and always make the best of our vacations but Sunshine had a smell to it that just didn't go away. And the service on the Breeze was much better. However being on a cruise ship is better than going to work so Im sure which ever one you choose you will have a great time!

Breeze has Tandoori!

Breeze has Tandoori!

I know! My hubby is Indian and starts jonesing without Indian food for a few days. NCL had a good selection on the buffet so he got it every day at lunch, so to see it on the Breeze is tempting. Is it a section of the buffet or a separate food venue?

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I know! My hubby is Indian and starts jonesing without Indian food for a few days. NCL had a good selection on the buffet so he got it every day at lunch, so to see it on the Breeze is tempting. Is it a section of the buffet or a separate food venue?

 

 

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separate its in the aft lido on the opposite side/corner of the pizza.

Heads up its only open from noon to 2:30

I know! My hubby is Indian and starts jonesing without Indian food for a few days. NCL had a good selection on the buffet so he got it every day at lunch, so to see it on the Breeze is tempting. Is it a section of the buffet or a separate food venue?

 

 

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Zero need to worry about getting Indian even on Sunshine. The majority of Carnival Chefs are from India and every night, you can get Indian Vegetarian in the MDR. It changes every night and never repeats and is pretty consistently a dish of lentils and 2 separate veggie dishes with rice. My oldest eats it almost every night and DH 50% of the time. If you want a meat option, you can request it the night before and they will sub at least one of the veggie dishes with a meat dish. But honestly, my carnivore husband has decided the vegetarian is generally better.

Haven’t been on Sunshine but can’t imagine it being better than Breeze.

I love the Breeze, it's what made me fall in love with Carnival.

The Breeze and Sunshine are our two favorite ships-I don't think you can go wrong with either. We've been on the Sunshine twice (third time in Oct) and the Breeze once and also tried her sister ship the Magic (which we won't go on again.) The first time we went on the Breeze we were a little overwhelmed at first at the size and the number of people/lines. There was more room for the people though and it didn't seem overcrowded.

The Sunshine has a great Serenity deck, all the good food upgrades other than Indian but the comedy club gets crowded.

The Breeze would be our favorite probably due to the Thalassotherapy and movie theater in addition to having a larger area in general. But honestly, you can't go wrong with either!

I would vote the Sunshine, we had a great cruise on her with no issues what so ever. That being said I've only sailed Sunshine/Triumph class, with the exception of the coming Horizon cruise so will be interesting to see the difference I'm very excited.

Breeze by a mile.

I would vote for the Breeze too. That is an amazing class of ship. I love the extra outdoor deck space that the Breeze has on deck 5 all the way around the ship. I love the aft pool with the views of the wake and it's a little less crazy than Lido can get. Plus she is 16 years newer than the Sunshine.

Thanks everyone I decided on the Breeze. Would love to leave in Feb since it’s freezing here in MA. BUT seems like the airfares are crazy expensive to Orlando right now. Airfares in April seem better. I’m hoping they go down.

Question: If we don’t book the Early Saver fare for Feb it would cost us $80 more. But no fees if we decide to change to April cruise date later. If we book Early Saver fare and switch dates the PCP told me it would cost $50pp. Would this also cover if we want to switch cabin types later?

Also any thoughts on Deck 1 or 2 for Oceanview room? There aren’t many left!

Sorry, first time Carnival person here.

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Not even a fair comparison . . . BREEZE. :)

I prefer the Breeze over the Sunshine. We have cruised the Breeze 3 times. The Sunshine staff was fantastic, but that can't make up for the crowds and tight spaces. It's still a small ship, that Carnival just packed more cabins and people on to! I am glad to see the Breeze is coming back to Florida, as I don't think I will do another Galveston departure.