Just back from sunshine 8 days cruise july 7,2018

We were on the Aruba, Curacao, Grand Turk Sailing. I will post more tomorrow as we just got in today.

First I want to thank Nikolay, Bagryan, and Winarni for being so efficient and so nice every night at dinner. They made every night a pleasure. And I would like to thank our cabin steward, Phillip, who is on deck 7, for keeping our cabin so nice, and being so helpful.

We ( husband and daughter and family in separate car)drove to Port Canaveral. From out home, it is about a 3 hour drive. Our time to board was 12:00-12:30. We were a little early, but the crowd was not big. We are platinum & they had FFTF, so we boarded first and them right behind us.

This is the third time we have been on Sunshine, but the first time in an older cabin. Previously we were in the 4J's on the 3rd deck, but could not book one this time as we were only 2 people. Our daughter and family did get one and they loved it. We had a midship Balcony on Deck Seven. Everything worked well, but the balcony did look old and it was small. The space in the Rest room is tight. It was very convenient to everything. The air conditioner worked super well. It was flat cold most of the time. We slept like logs so I can say the bed was fine.

We did not get our luggage until after dinner. That has never happened before, and I wondered if they were shorthanded. It was not a huge problem. We wore what we had on to dinner, and few people on seven had their luggage, so not a biggie. My daughter did get hers very quickly.

Muster was in the Limelight lounge for me. ( had a bad fall. Walk slowly, etc.) It was for those with special needs. Some passengers were confused and came in, and they had to sort them out by Muster station, and send them away, but it was handled very nicely. Mothers with little babies stayed. They had our names, went over the procedures, and it was done before 4:30.

Dinner was good every night. It was the American Table. We had tablecloths every night but the last. My daughter and husband had seafood or fish every night and liked it. I had the fried shrimp the first night, one of their cold fruit soups and crème Brule for dessert. ( think it was that night). It was all good, and I am a picky eater. I was impressed with their food every night.

Then we went to the casino for a little. The slots were tight, tight. but my husband did well at roulette. We were in early, turned on TV, CNN is all there is for news, but the Movies were good. They had schedules of when they would be shown.

Then we went to bed. Our first day on the Sunshine was over.

NO ! NO ! we want more info today , we're a greedy bunch :D Seriously you guys get some rest. Should be a good review :p

Thanks for the report.

Day 2 and day 3 were sea days. Usual places to eat. Lido, continental at 6, & then full breakfast starting at 6:30. Sea day Brunch in MDR (Sunrise), but only on sea days. There was a taste bar on Deck Five. They served breakfast and Lunch. It was never crowded.

The Lido deck had a lot of kids running around, not looking where they were going. Also some food on floor which is easy to slip on. The entire ship is very clean, and the drops were cleaned as soon as they could. Most parents watched their kids. The few who did not were annoying. If you have the slightest mobility problem. keep your eyes on the floor. And it is summer. School is out. You are going to have a lot of kids. We had our grandchild and was the only time we could sail. But when just my husband me....no more summers.

The Havana Bar ( aft) is still quiet and uncrowded. You can sit behind the curtains that block off the restaurants in the day. Window seats. I thought they did a good job of keeping everyone fed.

The Pool was packed. And then some. My son in law said he found a chair every day and grandchild was able to swim ( sort 0f). They did the water works and enjoyed that. Did not go to Serenity.

Trivia on first Sea Day was

general knowledge, Trivial Pursuit ( lot of fun), Sports. They had a Dr. Seuss Parade and read stories. Two hosts were excellent. Young lady from Australia and a young man with a bit of an accent. They made it fun to come and play Trivia.

Show was Motor City. It was excellent.

Movies on TV. They showed a schedule. Gave the times when the Movie would start for each Day. I remember "Murder on the Orient Express". "The Commuter". The Midnight sun", Gnome Movie, "Ferdinand" I watched "The Commuter" and liked it. Did not see the others. Daughter saw "Murder on the Orient Express" and liked it.

Movies under the Stars were "The Greatest Showman" and Wonder". "The Black Panther" was shown one night there.

Dinner was formal night. Lobster Tail. Grilled Shrimps. The food was really good on the Sunshine.

Second Sea Day was like the first but the Harry Potter Trivia, which had a huge turn out,& was so picky and asked for such minute details that people fussed a little about that. Trivial Pursuit Not so good that day Unorganized. But it was fun every day after that,

Show was "Latin Nights" or something like that. My daughter saw it and loved it.

I thought almost everyone I saw was thoughtful and friendly. A very nice group of people.

Next...Aruba, Curacao and Grand Turk.

Someone told me when we were first on the Sunshine that the Fifth deck is always your friend. That is true. You can go aft to bow and vice versa with no barriers. The Alchemy Bar is there, the Ocean Plaza where you play trivia. have Dr. Seuss stories read, bands playing, then a very nice Taste Bar which serves breakfast and lunch and it is Never crowded. Smoking is allowed in the casino. It was seldom crowed, other than on Sail Away Night. Personnel there were very nice Even if I did not do well.

The Java Blue Coffee shop, a small computer niche, the Casino and the fun shops are all on the Fifth Deck. We spent some time in Cherries on Top, and I recommend it. ( Candy and children's items).

Aruba is beautiful. We have been there many times. This time, I did not get off. Usually when we do we take the Carnival tour that goes to the Lighthouse, The baby Bridge ( I always think of Natalie Holloway) where you might see wild donkeys and hear the story of how the circus came to town eons ago, and ate a lot of the donkeys. Always sad, then it goes to a big lake, where you will see Iguanas, ( which are eaten on the Island), then some neighborhoods. Homes are lovely. Brightly painted and very well upkept.

My daughter and her family went to a public beach, and went snorkeling. My grandchild, who is seven was going five feet deep. I think kids born in Florida are part fish. they amaze me. They saw a lot of fish and had a great time.

Curacao ….we always take the trolley ride. A narrator tells the story of Curacao. It was settled in the 1600's. The old Jewish section has mostly been resorted. It is a UN Historical site. The Homes are lovely. The Wedding Cake House, The old Synagogue is just eyepopping. You also see some sand gardens. There is a stop for an old Catholic Church. When you finish the tour, you can stay and shop or go back to the ship.

Curacao and Aruba are very clean and very safe.

My daughter and family sent snorkeling again at a public beach. They loved it.

Grand Turk.....My daughter and family had an excursion here. Snorkeling. Lunch. Drinks. they felt like they got their money's worth. Grand Turk has a big pool at Margaritaville, and a very nice shopping area,

Thank you for the awesome review! My dh and I will be sailing on the Sunshine for our 25th wedding anniversary in August/2018. We are enjoying reading about your experiences, as we have never been on the Sunshine.

Thanks for the review! Good to know the ship was clean, food was good and staff was nice and accommodating! We leave on the Sunshine on 7/20 and can't wait. What was your cabin number? We're staying in an Ocean Suite on Deck 7 and wondered if your room steward may be ours as well! Thanks in advance!

TF

Thanks for the review! Good to know the ship was clean, food was good and staff was nice and accommodating! We leave on the Sunshine on 7/20 and can't wait. What was your cabin number? We're staying in an Ocean Suite on Deck 7 and wondered if your room steward may be ours as well! Thanks in advance!

 

TF

7237. Right smack by the mid ship elevators. We got some knocks but not many. Phillip was thoughtful and efficient. We truly appreciated him!

Thank you for the awesome review! My dh and I will be sailing on the Sunshine for our 25th wedding anniversary in August/2018. We are enjoying reading about your experiences, as we have never been on the Sunshine.

Since this is a wonderful moment for you, you might think about going to the Italian restaurant One night. It is the Cuchina del Capitlo. NOT spelled correctly but close.

Cost is $15pp, It is a a part of the Havana Bar ( Aft Lido Deck) that becomes a restaurant at night. The ambiance is nice. Candles. Drapes drawn. Usually Ocean view table. very romantic.

The food was great.

We had Italian Bread, baked with spices first. Then a board of appetizers. My husband ate all of the stuffed olives. Dinner was grilled shrimp for him, spaghetti with meatballs for me and macaroni and cheese for the grandchild. That macaroni and cheese may have been the best I have ever eaten. Desserts were Italian, and I don't know their names, but we ate every crump.

I felt like I Had swallowed a watermelon when we were through. It was just outstanding food. I am not usually such an eater. It was that good!

I enjoyed every review I read about the Sunshine before we left. I said I would do one when I got home, and I hope some small part might lead to something Fun.

Last 2 Seadays. ( Wednesday and Friday).

It was a formal Night. I had told my husband not to pack his suit. He is a bit deaf ( happily, it seems) so he did not pack any long pants at all. . I called the Ship desk and told them what happened. They said. No long pants. No dinner in MDR. And I respect them for doing something that means a lot to many guests. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...I begged and pleaded for him to try on a pair of my baggy leggings. They were new. They were black. And when he buttoned his black sweater up to conceal the waistband, they just looked like skinny jeans or ski pants. Our table was near the door. He got in and out quick. He did it two formal nights. Mainly to spend time with his only child and only grand child. We thought it was a hoot. He did not, but he was gracious.

Food was good both nights. I thought the Flat Iron Steak was better than the choice steak they served that night. Friday was a sea Day and they served Baked Alaska. I enjoyed the last 2 sea days more than the first. Our cabin steward had brought a blanket to our cabin, and I took a long nap both days. The Sunshine is seriously cold. Even my daughter, whose idea of a good time is to hike the Rocky Mountains. ( Her Honeymoon. First time she ever saw snow.) Her husband has an office in Canada and she loves it there. Even she started wearing a wrap. I know it kills germs or keeps them from breeding, so not complaining, just be prepared.

The last two Sea Days were Trivial Pursuit ( lot of fun) and other trivia's. Dr, Seuss Breakfast on Friday I think. The chocolate extravaganza was at lunch on the Lido deck on the last Seaday.

I FORGOT about it.

The Other two Shows were VIP Studio ( or vice versa) My grand child's favorite. Latin Nights and then Epic Rock which was awesome. They did a song by Queen that was fabulous.

_____________________________________________

Never smelled any sewer smell at all,

Getting on and getting off was very easy and organized.

free vanilla ice cream on Lido was very good. Chocolate not so much.

The drinks and shakes at the Java Blue Coffee stop

were very good.

The Candies at Cherries on Top were delicious. The toys, backpacks, etc. were overpriced but my grand child was so delighted.....worth it.

Staff was pleasant.

All in all, an excellent cruise except for:

Too Cold

Seat savers in the Liquid Lounge were on steroids I think, Saving entire rows of seats. Nasty about it too, The late night ( 9:30) performance is not as crowded or the people are just nicer. Never failed to find a seat then.

Didn't get my luggage until after dinner. Late unpacking ( and yes we are platinum. 18 cruises on Carnival and quite a few on Princess and Hal. Maybe the have changed the policy'

People who let their kids run wild in the Lido Deck. Dropping food, which is so easy to slip on ( I had a bad fall. spent five days in the hospital, so I was extra careful. But someone not noticing...….)

Not a lot wrong

Thi nk everyone who sails her will have a great time.

Thanks, for the review!! We sail on her August 18. We normally like the cold our daughter figure skates, but i'll make sure to bring a sweater. Did your grand-kid use the kids club? Our eight your old is very excited to get away from us apparently:')

Thanks, for the review!! We sail on her August 18. We normally like the cold our daughter figure skates, but i'll make sure to bring a sweater. Did your grand-kid use the kids club? Our eight your old is very excited to get away from us apparently:')

No, she did not go to Club Carnival. She is seven now, and attached to her parents at the Hip. she was registered. She stayed with us a few times so they could have some alone time. They walked around Cureso after their scuba diving with her that day. She watched some movies with me. We made several trips to Cherries on Top. We are talking about a five day cruise in the spring for the entire family. She has two cousins she is close too, and if they go, she will go. If we could just ever get her there, I think she would love it. love it.