Should I be nervoius about the Sunshine, the reviews are bad! What to do?

[smc1313s]

We were on the 12/15 sailing. It was our 4th cruise and the hands-down, without a doubt most AWESOME cruise we have been on! We actually tried to book the next week and get back on as soon as we got off, but it was sold out because it was Christmas week. The ship looks amazing, feels like a Caribbean resort more than a Carnival ship. The entertainment staff were fantastic, and Jaime is one great CD! I enjoyed every meal I ate, although we only went to the main dining room the first night. We were just being too laid back the rest of the time to get dressed for dinner and had the lido most nights...which always had most of the same dishes from the dining room. The lido is much better than other ships because it is broken into stations and the pans they use for food are smaller and they change them frequently. As for the one night in the dining room, we had fast service, hot food, and friendly staff. We enjoyed the Cucina del Capitano and the Steakhouse as well. I never encountered a rude staff member, always helpful and friendly. Of course I was happy and friendly to them as well, and I believe you get what you give. It really is about attitude, I am sure if I had wanted to I could have found something to complain about. Well, I did hate the fact that the comedy club was small and you had to get there an hour ahead to get a seat, but we did go 3 times. It was very hot in there too, and in the hall where you had to wait. But even that was not a huge deal. It was either wait or not see the comedy, so we waited. Just go, don't stress, and be determined to have a good time, and you will! Good luck and happy travels with whatever you decide!

Edited December 31, 2013 by smc1313s

[themnms]

we sail in her this coming Sunday and I am not worried..We have had good cruises and some not so good and we always go looking forward to some rest and relaxation!! Couple of questions for those who have sailed her recently...1. does anyone remember if they have the automated pro blackjack tables in the casino? 2. how is the sports bar? we have a few big football fans with us and we are leaving during playoffs!! Thanks in advance

[Cushing985]

I've found over the years that you have to actually read the reviews to determine if the complaints are valid or not. Some think their entire cruise was ruined because the room steward didn't make a towel animal on the second night of the cruise. Some think their cruise was ruined because a Carnival employee didn't smile at them when they boarded the first day. Still others think their world is coming to an end because some clown wore a hat in the MDR.

 

So, if you haven't already, read the reviews and find out if the low number of stars is based on a valid general complaint about the crew or ship or just based on some random experience the reviewer had that really doesn't matter to most.

 

I'm going on the April re-positioning cruise to Orlando and I'm planning and expecting a great cruise.

[cruizinisthebest]

Not all of the reviews are bad. I was actually nudged to book the Sunshine reading a review with plenty of negative remarks. But the poster seemed fair and not too high maintenance, so I know what he said (both good and bad) seemed realistic.

 

I agree with the poster that said folks are quick to report the negative and slow to report the positive. I wouldn't cancel. The ship looks beautiful and hopefully by June, many more of her kinks will be worked out.

 

The ship may be crowded in the Summer but it can only hold up to its capacity. If it sails full during the rest of the year, it will be no more crowded as a full ship in the Summer.

Edited December 31, 2013 by cruizinisthebest

[crazyfrazee]

I am getting worried about my Sunshine cruise coming up in June, the reviews are bad all over the net about her! What to do?

 

My vacation time and money are few and far between....

 

I am starting to think I should cancel, but hate to lose the deposit. Can I get my money back without losing my deposit?

 

Thank you,

 

PG

 

So I see you did your research......... too late! Your supposed to research before booking instead of after. I would see about switching ships, especially being on it in June. I wouldn't get back on that ship if they paid me. We went on it when it was over crowded as the Destiny in March of 2011. Kids were in school so it wasn't as bad as it was during peak times but too crowded for us. We stood in food lines way too long and to go to a show you had to get there 30 minutes early. Now, they have added what, 200 more rooms? People say at least it's a cruise and also that it's what you make of it. I love cruising but just couldn't find a way to enjoy what we endured during our time on it. So, if it's not good, you can't just make it good.

[CarnivalPlatCruiser]

The WORST day on a Carnival is still better then a GREAT day at home... Go enjoy your holiday! It will be what you make of it. :)

[gregg204]

So I see you did your research......... too late! Your supposed to research before booking instead of after. I would see about switching ships, especially being on it in June. I wouldn't get back on that ship if they paid me. We went on it when it was over crowded as the Destiny in March of 2011. Kids were in school so it wasn't as bad as it was during peak times but too crowded for us. We stood in food lines way too long and to go to a show you had to get there 30 minutes early. Now, they have added what, 200 more rooms? People say at least it's a cruise and also that it's what you make of it. I love cruising but just couldn't find a way to enjoy what we endured during our time on it. So, if it's not good, you can't just make it good.

 

I see you sailed when she was the Destiny. When did you go on the Sunshine? I was on her last month and that crowding thing people (that's never stepped foot on the Sunshine) talk about is way over rated. Was it crowded on sea days? Yea a little but not any more than any other cruise I've been on. This was also the 1st cruise I've been on where the lines for food were very short. At peak times you'd see a line at Guys Burgers but other than that it was quick.

[Lace]

With all the bad reviews, it's just so simple to choose another ship.

[crazyfrazee]

I see you sailed when she was the Destiny. When did you go on the Sunshine? I was on her last month and that crowding thing people (that's never stepped foot on the Sunshine) talk about is way over rated. Was it crowded on sea days? Yea a little but not any more than any other cruise I've been on. This was also the 1st cruise I've been on where the lines for food were very short. At peak times you'd see a line at Guys Burgers but other than that it was quick.

 

Last month the kids were in school. The OP is going when kids are out of school.

[hawaiibound24]

So I see you did your research......... too late! Your supposed to research before booking instead of after. I would see about switching ships, especially being on it in June. I wouldn't get back on that ship if they paid me. We went on it when it was over crowded as the Destiny in March of 2011. Kids were in school so it wasn't as bad as it was during peak times but too crowded for us. We stood in food lines way too long and to go to a show you had to get there 30 minutes early. Now, they have added what, 200 more rooms? People say at least it's a cruise and also that it's what you make of it. I love cruising but just couldn't find a way to enjoy what we endured during our time on it. So, if it's not good, you can't just make it good.

 

 

When you go to a ball game, do you get there right at the starting time? Most people going to a concert or even a movie get there early....

Getting there 30 minutes early is not out of reason for me. As far as lines at the restaurant, if you go at peak times, you should expect to wait just like land based restaurants. We learned along time ago, to miss those peak times.

[nitro2448]

So I see you did your research......... too late! Your supposed to research before booking instead of after. I would see about switching ships, especially being on it in June. I wouldn't get back on that ship if they paid me. We went on it when it was over crowded as the Destiny in March of 2011. Kids were in school so it wasn't as bad as it was during peak times but too crowded for us. We stood in food lines way too long and to go to a show you had to get there 30 minutes early. Now, they have added what, 200 more rooms? People say at least it's a cruise and also that it's what you make of it. I love cruising but just couldn't find a way to enjoy what we endured during our time on it. So, if it's not good, you can't just make it good.

 

Well that's a shame, and I think Carnival was thinking of paying you to get on their ship again. :rolleyes: the Destiny was nothing like the Sunshine is now. And I don't believe you have been on the ship after the reconstruction, since you said after your Destiny sailing, " they couldn't pay me to get back on that ship ".

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

[Wrinks22]

Butch said that he had to go to the Sunshine to straighten out some problems the ship had. So hopefully everything is good by the time you go :)

[DreamingBig1]

You will have a wonderful time!

 

Here are the ways I read the reviews, and when you shouldn't ignore because you know your comfort level. If I see that the complaints dry up, then it was a spell the ship went through (which seems to be the case here). If the same complaints happen over and over, then its really about whether those complaints are something that revolves around something important to you. If they are then look elsewhere.

 

The issues can also be intangible to your comfort level. If a line, using Celebrity as an example, which has a much more refined experience, has reviews that say as much. Don't go on expecting your particular cruise to be the lively one. Not going to happen. So there are certain, call them standards, that you must consider.

 

I think there is something that brought you to this particular cruise. You should go for it.

 

Have fun!

[gregg204]

the Destiny was nothing like the Sunshine is now. And I don't believe you have been on the ship after the reconstruction, since you said after your Destiny sailing,

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

 

Exactly...just another opinion from someone who has never stepped foot on the Sunshine.

BTW Mizzou, congrats on getting to the sec championship game. Hopefully we'll get a shot at y'all next year. GO TIGERS!!! (LSU that is) :D

[nitro2448]

Exactly...just another opinion from someone who has never stepped foot on the Sunshine.

BTW Mizzou, congrats on getting to the sec championship game. Hopefully we'll get a shot at y'all next year. GO TIGERS!!! (LSU that is) :D

 

Thank you gregg, I hope this was the first of many great years. I hope we do meet next year, that'll mean we won the east again :). Good luck against Iowa

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

[cruzfitter]

Exactly...just another opinion from someone who has never stepped foot on the Sunshine.

BTW Mizzou, congrats on getting to the sec championship game. Hopefully we'll get a shot at y'all next year. GO TIGERS!!! (LSU that is) :D

 

I've never been on Destiny or Sunshine but I know that you comparing a cruise in Nov. (one of the least crowded months) to a cruise in June ( one of the most crowded months) is no better than someone comparing Destiny to Sunshine, even if they have never been on Sunshine. You have never been on Sunshine in June so you have no idea how crowded it will be. And nobody else has been on Sunshine in June in the Caribbean so there are no facts to prove that it won't be crowded. But based on history, cruise ships in general are more crowded in June than in Nov.

 

I also know that you can't add more passengers and take away common area and have more space available. This isn't opinion but physics.

[gregg204]

I've never been on Destiny or Sunshine but I know that you comparing a cruise in Nov. (one of the least crowded months) to a cruise in June . You have never been on Sunshine in June so you have no idea how crowded it will be. And nobody else has been on Sunshine in June in the Caribbean so there are no facts to prove that it won't be crowded. But based on history, cruise ships in general are more crowded in June than in Nov.

 

I also know that you can't add more passengers and take away common area and have more space available. This isn't opinion but physics.

I assume you mean more kids? We sailed full and over the 3002 passenger capacity. This isn't opinion but facts.

[nitro2448]

I've never been on Destiny or Sunshine but I know that you comparing a cruise in Nov. (one of the least crowded months) to a cruise in June ( one of the most crowded months) is no better than someone comparing Destiny to Sunshine, even if they have never been on Sunshine. You have never been on Sunshine in June so you have no idea how crowded it will be. And nobody else has been on Sunshine in June in the Caribbean so there are no facts to prove that it won't be crowded. But based on history, cruise ships in general are more crowded in June than in Nov.

 

I also know that you can't add more passengers and take away common area and have more space available. This isn't opinion but physics.

 

For starters the OP didn't ask how crowded the ship was, they asked about the reviews about it being a bad ship. There's no way you can tell how crowded a ship will feel to you in the future, that will be determined by the demographics of the people vs what you like to do. The main difference between cruising in November and cruising in June, will be the average age of the passengers. I have not sailed a cruise yet that was not booked to or over capacity in any month. When it comes to comparing ships, you can not compare the Destiny to the Sunshine in a fair manner, you could compare the Titanic to the Oasis, but is that fair ?

 

Edit: let me clarify, you can't compare the two if you haven't been on them both.

 

 

GO MIZZOU!!!!!!!

Edited December 31, 2013 by nitro2448

[SamGoodyTwoShoes]

Not all reviews are bad. Many are quite favorable. I would take all with a grain of salt and enjoy your cruise. I've never had a bad one.

[cruzfitter]

Not all reviews are bad. Many are quite favorable. I would take all with a grain of salt and enjoy your cruise. I've never had a bad one.

 

Good answer. Let the OP read everyone's opinion and decide for themselves.

[just_us]

Just got off the 22nd and it was my favorite ship!

 

A bad day on a cruise ship is a better than a good day at work!

[freeholdfriends]

We sailed the Sunshine this past June to Italy etc. We loved it and had a great time. It was everything we expected and more. We are not picky and can overlook minor issues. I am not sure what the negative reviews are all about but we would not hesitate to sail her again.

 

We were also on a Med cruise in late september. The only issue we had was that it was a leaky ship with multiple pails and some wet carpet. But, the overall ship was great. We had a fantastic trip and would go again in a heartbeat. The food was good and the staff was superior. You will have a great time.

[k2excursion]

I personally do not like what they did with the Destiny/Sunshine, however, I haven't really been reading that many negative reviews of her. Most people, I think, were prepared for a more crowded ship, tiny showroom, bad shows in the showroom. When you're prepared for those things, they tend not to bother you as much, and you can instead focus on the good things. You can still switch to another ship if you'd like. Unless you switch to a Dream class ship, you'll be giving up a great waterpark. You may also be giving up Guys burgers & Blue Iguana cantina or Cloud 9 Spa, if those things matter to you.

 

I sailed the Dream within her first year, and despite horrible reviews from people, I had the best cruise ever! So you never know. It depends on what you want from a cruise. I disagree with statements such as "a cruise is what you make of it". That gives the impression that a cruiseline can offer nothing, have no shows, no entertainment, poor service, no service, bad food, no amenities; and it can still be a great cruise because you can make it great totally on your own. The ship has to play their role, so it's not entirely what you make of it. See what role the Sunshine is willing to play, and determine whether that fits you. It doesn't fit me nor the people giving negative reviews, but it might fit you.

[Cushing985]

Just got off the 22nd and it was my favorite ship!

 

A bad day on a cruise ship is a better than a good day at work!

 

What does this even mean?!?!? Are you saying if the ship was sinking it would still be better than being at work?:cool:

[jeanneful]

So I see you did your research......... too late! Your supposed to research before booking instead of after. I would see about switching ships, especially being on it in June. I wouldn't get back on that ship if they paid me. We went on it when it was over crowded as the Destiny in March of 2011. Kids were in school so it wasn't as bad as it was during peak times but too crowded for us. We stood in food lines way too long and to go to a show you had to get there 30 minutes early. Now, they have added what, 200 more rooms? People say at least it's a cruise and also that it's what you make of it. I love cruising but just couldn't find a way to enjoy what we endured during our time on it. So, if it's not good, you can't just make it good.

 

Standing in food lines! I can't believe how many times I have read this. If people would just hold off to eat until the lines clear out there won't be a problem. There is plenty of food people!!! You won't starve. We always waited an hour after the stations opened and never had a problem. Sorry I didn't want to say this, but I have never seen so many big people on a cruise before that were standing in line waiting for the station to open and then pile their plates sooooo high the food was falling off the sides, like the ship was going to run out of food!!