HELP NEEDED:Breeze or Sunshine(Miami or Orlando)(6 nights or 8 nights)(New or Refurb)

[sag1804]

Hello all. Big choices here. We as a large group (between 30-100) do a cruise every March (first or second week) and lately have done the second week because it is AFTER Daylight savings time---always nice to leave and it's dark early and come back and it's light later. Plus in the March 7-21 range it starts to get hotter in NC, it's spring break time, come back just in time for the NCAA Tournament and I could babble yalls heads for days why we love it. Anyways... like the thread states. I HOPE I get a lot of input on this.

 

HELP NEEDED:Breeze or Sunshine(Miami or Orlando)(6 nights or 8 nights)(New or Refurb)

We started doing a cruise like this in college in 2006 over these weeks and have continued the tradition by adding on both people younger and older since. 2015 will be the 10th year, however 9 years of Carnival.

 

Okay so here's what we have now. We have people in graduate school, we have professionals who can only get off this week, we have new people we met in college who are off this week. So for March 7/8 2015 we have a choice between the Breeze or the Sunshine.

 

I have been on the Breeze (March of 2013) and LOVED it. EVERYTHING about the ship.

I am going on the Sunshine (April 2014) to see if this really is comparable for us to choose. Now REMEMBER, we are all younger or younger at HEART lol 21-61 (but mainly in 20's and 30's) and want to have a BLAST on this cruise. We just got off the Freedom March 8 8 nighter southern Caribbean (aruba, curaçao, DR, and Grand Turk) and the DJ told us the week before us "6 nighter" was wild, club open late, lots of young people, "most young people come for 6 nights or less cause of price he says" said the week after us had "800 people between 21-35" so I guess you see what we are looking for....

[sag1804]

Carnival Breeze:

We would fly into Miami Friday or Saturday morning (south beach) and be able to do two night there. (SUPER FUN)

Then board the cruise on Sunday March 8th, 2015

Sun=MIA

Mon=Day at Sea (Formal night)

Tues=Ocho Rios 8-4

Wed=Grand Cayman 8-4

Thur=Cozumel 10-6 (assume 2nd formal night)

Friday= Day at Sea

Saturday=MIA

Now after we would probably stay in MIA or Fort Lauderdale )mostly dependent if anything was going on in MIA aka a Heat home game, etc. We did Fort Lauderdale this year after and it was a blast (lulus, etc.) I was thinking Saturday night TBA MIA--Heat game, South Beach, OUT or /FLL----hard rock, fll beach, etc. and Definitely Sunday FLL.

 

 

 

then we have the Sunshine

Friday would fly into Orlando ( could go out to wall street that area...kind okay?)

Saturday=Port Canaveral.

Sunday=Day at Day (Formal Night)

Monday=Day at Sea

Tuesday=Aruba 1-10PM

Wednesday=Curacao 8-4

Thursday=Day at Sea

Friday=Grand Turk 8-4

Saturday=Day at Sea

Sunday=Port Canaveral and then we would probably just hang at whatever hotel we got and fly out Monday morning. (southwest is pretty cheap into ORL)

 

Now this year we did this itinerary of the Sunshine except add DR and EVERYONE loved it...problem is getting people to want to do it back to back years etc. So here is what I take from it all..

[sag1804]

2 nights in MIA>GREATER THAN> 1 night in Orlando.

 

Carnival Breeze>GREATER THAN> Sunshine... OR IS IT???? I won't know until I go but I have heard it gets SUPER crowded, you can tell it's older, the club closes some nights and sometimes early as heck.

I have also heard that it is super fun (slides and all) and great to look at and new stuff.

BUT ALSO the Breeze holds almost 1000 more people. I love the Breeze and nothing I can think of makes me not like it. Plus it IS the newest. So maybe 70/30 as of now?

 

here's the bigger delima.

I LOVE long vacations and 8 nights on a ship is >GREATER THAN>6 but like I stated the DJ's, Cruise Director's etc told us a 6 nighter is more up our alley... so in my mind that's a =EQUALS=

 

I think the ports are equal because I honestly LOVE

Cozumel, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Aruba, Curacao, and Grand Turk. =EQUALS=

 

1 night after in FLL or MIA>GREATER than>ORLANDO...

 

 

SERIOUSLY I need help people and want this to turn into a long thread. :p

[sag1804]

LAST

 

The Breeze with 4 of us in a BALCONY ROOM on the LIDO deck 20 feet from the red frog pub is 700 each.

 

Ocean Views for our friends range from 500-650 depending on how many in a room.

Interior Rooms for our friends rand from 400-550 depending on how many in a room.

 

Where the Sunshine 677 for the 4 of us in an OCEAN VIEW room on the main deck

Balcony would be almost 870 bucks each

Interior is 600. Yes I know this is longer and the per day is almost the same.

 

 

YES we will be getting the cheers card so its 100 bucks cheaper saved also on the 6 night over the 8, BUT more sea days to utilize it on the Sunshine =) I am thinking every curveball people will throw me...I need opinions of OLD to Young and your past experiences on same boats, same itineraries, same time in life, same amount in a group etc. Thanks to all and happy Sunday!

[winddawn]

Hello all. Big choices here. We as a large group (between 30-100) do a cruise every March (first or second week) and lately have done the second week because it is AFTER Daylight savings time---always nice to leave and it's dark early and come back and it's light later. Plus in the March 7-21 range it starts to get hotter in NC, it's spring break time, come back just in time for the NCAA Tournament and I could babble yalls heads for days why we love it. Anyways... like the thread states. I HOPE I get a lot of input on this.

 

HELP NEEDED:Breeze or Sunshine(Miami or Orlando)(6 nights or 8 nights)(New or Refurb)

We started doing a cruise like this in college in 2006 over these weeks and have continued the tradition by adding on both people younger and older since. 2015 will be the 10th year, however 9 years of Carnival.

 

Okay so here's what we have now. We have people in graduate school, we have professionals who can only get off this week, we have new people we met in college who are off this week. So for March 7/8 2015 we have a choice between the Breeze or the Sunshine.

 

I have been on the Breeze (March of 2013) and LOVED it. EVERYTHING about the ship.

I am going on the Sunshine (April 2014) to see if this really is comparable for us to choose. Now REMEMBER, we are all younger or younger at HEART lol 21-61 (but mainly in 20's and 30's) and want to have a BLAST on this cruise. We just got off the Freedom March 8 8 nighter southern Caribbean (aruba, curaçao, DR, and Grand Turk) and the DJ told us the week before us "6 nighter" was wild, club open late, lots of young people, "most young people come for 6 nights or less cause of price he says" said the week after us had "800 people between 21-35" so I guess you see what we are looking for....

I don't think you could go wrong with either ship. I do think that the 6 night might have a younger crowd. Six or 8 night cruises don't seem to attract the partiers that the shorter 3 and 4 night cruises do though.

 

I really liked the 3 level Serenity area with the waterfall on Sunshine. I also liked how the casino crossed over the walkway on Sunshine which made it seem less crowded and smoky.

 

I cruised Sunshine over New Year's and loved it. Hope you have a wonderful, fun time with your large group.

Edited April 6, 2014 by winddawn

[nol4am]

I haved cruised Sunshine twice and loved it both times. I think the ports of call are better for that particular cruise also. I have never been on dream although I have cruised 13 times with Carnival on 8 different ships. Sunshine ranks as my 2nd favorite. I also believe both choices are going to make a wonderful memory for all. Enjoy

[Lil_One]

I have not been on either ship yet, but my vote goes to the 6 night on the Breeze.

 

More likely to have a younger crowd/party atmosphere, different itinerary than you did this year on the Freedom, less cruise days but that allows for nights in MIA and FLL before and after (kinda like 3 vacations in 1) which living in Orlando I would take MIA over our downtown any day! And since this is an annual event, you can always go back to the 8 day in 2016!

 

Whichever you choose it sounds like your group will have a blast! :)

[sag1804]

I have not been on either ship yet, but my vote goes to the 6 night on the Breeze.

 

More likely to have a younger crowd/party atmosphere, different itinerary than you did this year on the Freedom, less cruise days but that allows for nights in MIA and FLL before and after (kinda like 3 vacations in 1) which living in Orlando I would take MIA over our downtown any day! And since this is an annual event, you can always go back to the 8 day in 2016!

 

Whichever you choose it sounds like your group will have a blast! :)

 

 

Thank you! Yeah I have gone on some Royals and Carnivals out of PC and although cruising is cruising...I didn't have as much of a VIBE that I am looking to get out of going in March. Any other time it would probably be okay. But you made a good point. 3 Vacations in one because I am going to try to make it MIA before....then the cruise then MIA/FLL after...definitely a great post. I am cruising the sunshine like I said it's first time in Orlando April 17th.

 

Cool things about orlando is I am very familiar with the Embassy Suites and LOVE their free apps and drinks from 530-730...however after that is over its kinda hard to find anything to do...I also don't particularly like that it's 30 bucks each round trip to the port and a boring drive at that.

 

Miami is so close when you stay on SOBE. I still want MANY MANY more replies so please CC people keep them coming!:eek:

[Fla Senior]

I've sailed on both and both are great. But I would still rank the Breeze as #1. Based on your criteria, I would take the 6-day on the Breeze.

[sag1804]

I've sailed on both and both are great. But I would still rank the Breeze as #1. Based on your criteria, I would take the 6-day on the Breeze.

 

I edited to say you were ON the cruise where the girl said that all these spring breakers were on and everything was shut down besides the casino....

 

I don't normally post but in Roll Calls, but would you possibly PLEASE go into more detail? I just want to know more. I know I am going on the Sunshine in 11 days and can see for myself but I'd love to know more. My friend went out of NOLA. (It was spring break time, It will be again when we go) She said 2 nights the club was completely closed, and 2 other nights closed at 130. "supposedly" if no one is in there it closes. I know most of my friends who don't gamble are in there 11-close...I normally show up at like 12-1AM after gambling. I LOVE the cruises I have gone on where we are at the pizza bar at 4AM. I know a lot of people this is not their cup of tea and why they don't cruise in MARCH, but it is a blast obviously by how long we have gone. The breeze was just so awesome last year that after we did two cruises on the REFURBED Glory and you could tell it was, but it still had Red Frog, Blue Iguana, etc....then the freedom we booked for that awesome 8 night itinerary but it doesn't dry dock now until April 19 )it got moved from before our boat to after) Anyways I have fun no matter what...just want to get as many people on board since it's our 10th time.

Edited April 6, 2014 by sag1804
and you were on her cruise...that's why I edited.

[sag1804]

I haved cruised Sunshine twice and loved it both times. I think the ports of call are better for that particular cruise also. I have never been on dream although I have cruised 13 times with Carnival on 8 different ships. Sunshine ranks as my 2nd favorite. I also believe both choices are going to make a wonderful memory for all. Enjoy

 

 

What makes the Sunshine your second favorite? Thanks!:cool:

[Fla Senior]

I edited to say you were ON the cruise where the girl said that all these spring breakers were on and everything was shut down besides the casino....

 

I don't normally post but in Roll Calls, but would you possibly PLEASE go into more detail?

 

We're not late-nighters any more, usually in bed by 12 or 1. There were many complaints about liquid lounge. The main show lounge converts after shows to liquid lounge. It's near the newly added cabins and creates a noise controversy. As a result, they closed it early which caused the complaints. That's why I said that based on your criteria you would have more late-night fun on Breeze. So here's my perspective as I posted to JH awhile back:

 

Hi John, hope all is well. We were on the 3/9 sailing on Carnival Sunshine and wanted to pass on some thoughts. Overall, the ship is exceptional and the cruise was magnificent. Some specific thoughts:

 

Cabin - our 8th level atrium area balcony was excellent as always. We missed having a fridge, but Ardana made sure to keep our cooler full of ice. He also did a great job of keeping our cabin ship shape.

 

Main Dining - we had Early Seating and Francisco & staff kept us well fed and serviced. They did a very good job. Cudos to the chef, the food was some of the best ever, tasty and hot. My Wisconsin-born wife is very picky when it comes to steak, it must be rare. More times than not when we dine out, her steak has to go back. On the ship though, she had a steak or prime rib on four nights. Each one was cooked to perfection. Cudos again to the chef. This was our first sailing with Ken Byrne has maitre'd. He brings a special and unique touch to the dining room. His nightly serenade made the dining experience complete.

 

Overall Dining - after experiencing Carnival Breeze and now Carnival Sunshine, we cannot sail on another ship without Guy's Burgers (as you would say, I would lick a Yak's scrotum right now for a Guy's Ringer), Cucina del Capitano & Blue Iguana, enough said!

Entertainment - we spent most of our time ( when we weren't feeding the slots) listening to music at Ocean Plaza (Swamp Thang are the best), Red Frog Pub & Piano Bar. They were all very good. Also went to comedy club twice and enjoyed both. Have to get their early. The layout design is very poor. About 30% of the room cannot see the stage and has to rely on a TV. That could've been better designed.

 

CD - this was our first cruise with Butch and he was tremendous. He is our favorite currently cruising ;) cruise director. His interactions with guests shows how he really cares. This was demonstrated to us twice. Once during his Q&A session and second during the free cruise drawing. He was off stage at that time as Mel was handling everything. When the drawing started, I saw him walk on stage and just observe. The look on his face as he watched the winner claim their prize was priceless.

 

The ship overall was easy to navigate. We had heard from your favorite site that it was always very crowded. This was a Spring Break cruise and Ken mentioned one night that this was the largest number of passengers ever on Carnival Sunshine. We were never crowded during the evening, only a few short lines at Guy's, etc. However on sea days, the decks were overflowing.

This brings me to one of two negatives.

 

Serenity deck is just not serene. It's a beautiful setting with the waterfall, etc. However the layout is wrong. If faces (downwind) the loud DJ crap music that constantly blares. It was noisy on all three levels. The only serenity was at the furthest point to the rear of serenity. We found the quietest area to be on deck 10 behind the music or both port & starboard sides. Always quiet there. For future ship design, Carnival should plan Serenity Deck to be behind the music not in front.

 

The other negative is the smoking/nonsmoking layout of the Casino. They put a sticker on each slot machine to designate it as yes or no smoking. Only one bank of machines was totally nonsmoking. Most had one next to the other which makes no sense. The issue for a nonsmoker is to not sit next to a smoker, which to me seems obvious. With this layout, most of the time the machine next to you was a smoker machine. Also for future ship design, Carnival should adopt the layout of Carnival Breeze. Dedicated areas for both smokers & nonsmokers. Seemed to work well for both.

 

Overall, this was a simply wonderful cruise. Carnival Sunshine is now our second favorite ship. Carnival Breeze just cannot be topped. Maybe Carnival Vista will top it, can't wait to see.

[keishashadow]

OP if you have 30 - 100 pp in your group I'm thinking you will be 'bringing the party' whatever ship you decide to book.

 

most bars (land or @ sea) if the liquor sales are hopping they won't close down early;) unless the guests are being real PIA'es and staff can't control them

Edited April 6, 2014 by keishashadow

[nowitall]

We parked beside the Sunshine in Cozumel this week, and I really love that huge "Serenity" area with the waterfall! And the upper level patio cabins have a nice, fresh decor, too. Yeah, I peeked down at 'em. But I did so discretely, 'k?!

 

That boat's on my to do list!

Edited April 6, 2014 by nowitall

[nol4am]

Sensation was my first cruise and I will never forget all the "firsts" lol. My first time on Sunshine I remember being very worried after reading for months on its redo and the first sailings and alllll the problems. I guess I almost expected to have a bad cruise and it was one of the best I have had. I love the Ship layout, the serenity deck, the balcony we had, and the service we had in most areas. Don't get me wrong, there were some issues, like I didn't like how the lounge/showroom was done. It was crowed but yet it never seemed to "fill" up. I didn't care for the chairs on the floor but I know it made it easier to transit into the liquid lounge bar after hours. When my friend was awarded her free cabin I couldn't wait to sail on her again and am sad she leaving New Orleans but..... will welcome the Dream and sail on her April 20th.

[sjcruiser]

I have done the Breeze 8 days Southern Caribbean cruise, and loved the ships and ports. I'll be on the Sunshine later this summer. Choosing between the two, I'd have to say choose the Sunshine, and the longer itinerary.

[sag1804]

OP if you have 30 - 100 pp in your group I'm thinking you will be 'bringing the party' whatever ship you decide to book.

 

 

 

most bars (land or @ sea) if the liquor sales are hopping they won't close down early;) unless the guests are being real PIA'es and staff can't control them

 

 

 

 

Which we do every year! It's just this year we would like to not be the only group for once ya know? Hence why I'm searching so hard and out here asking cruise critic peope young and old to help me here more!!!

 

 

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[Pete C]

Thank you! Yeah I have gone on some Royals and Carnivals out of PC and although cruising is cruising...I didn't have as much of a VIBE that I am looking to get out of going in March. Any other time it would probably be okay. But you made a good point. 3 Vacations in one because I am going to try to make it MIA before....then the cruise then MIA/FLL after...definitely a great post. I am cruising the sunshine like I said it's first time in Orlando April 17th.

 

Cool things about orlando is I am very familiar with the Embassy Suites and LOVE their free apps and drinks from 530-730...however after that is over its kinda hard to find anything to do...I also don't particularly like that it's 30 bucks each round trip to the port and a boring drive at that.

 

Miami is so close when you stay on SOBE. I still want MANY MANY more replies so please CC people keep them coming!:eek:

 

Hard to find anything to do? In downtown Orlando? There are over 40 bars all in a compact area. Trust me the Embassy Suites is not the most interesting thing downtown. If you come on a weekend it is very lively at night downtown.

[sag1804]

Hard to find anything to do? In downtown Orlando? There are over 40 bars all in a compact area. Trust me the Embassy Suites is not the most interesting thing downtown. If you come on a weekend it is very lively at night downtown.

 

 

 

I wasn't insulting your city. I come to Orlando a lot and love Wall Street and church street and downtown Disney... That being said... South beach for a spring break destination seems to be the groups choice and with that you'd get a day there on the beach plus the clubs.

 

Did I mention in this taking the breeze is only 6 days PTO ( off the week of cruise and Monday after) whereas the sunshine is 7 (off the Friday before and Monday after)

 

 

 

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[kingoftheicedragons]

If it were me, the Sunshine would have the edge. I loved the Sunshine...the food, the three-level Serenity deck, the ropes course. About the only thing that would draw me to the Breeze is that I have never sailed on her before.

 

But for you, it sounds like the Breeze is more for you and your group. You want a more vibrant, party scene. You're more likely to find that on the shorter cruises from what I hear (though even on the short cruises we've taken, we haven't seen too much of that, Conquest this past February--7-night cruise--was probably the closest we've come to that).

 

And there is also the fact that you just took a similar itinerary to the Sunshine's this year. Do you really want to go back to the same ports again so soon? While you may not be able to avoid repeat ports, especially when you cruise a lot, if it's me, I'd want more time in between the repeated ports.

[Pete C]

I wasn't insulting your city. I come to Orlando a lot and love Wall Street and church street and downtown Disney... That being said... South beach for a spring break destination seems to be the groups choice and with that you'd get a day there on the beach plus the clubs.

 

Did I mention in this taking the breeze is only 6 days PTO ( off the week of cruise and Monday after) whereas the sunshine is 7 (off the Friday before and Monday after)

 

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Gotcha. No doubt Miami is the better party scene.

[sag1804]

If it were me, the Sunshine would have the edge. I loved the Sunshine...the food, the three-level Serenity deck, the ropes course. About the only thing that would draw me to the Breeze is that I have never sailed on her before.

 

But for you, it sounds like the Breeze is more for you and your group. You want a more vibrant, party scene. You're more likely to find that on the shorter cruises from what I hear (though even on the short cruises we've taken, we haven't seen too much of that, Conquest this past February--7-night cruise--was probably the closest we've come to that).

 

And there is also the fact that you just took a similar itinerary to the Sunshine's this year. Do you really want to go back to the same ports again so soon? While you may not be able to avoid repeat ports, especially when you cruise a lot, if it's me, I'd want more time in between the repeated ports.

 

 

Thank you so very much for your advice. All is very welcome. The BREEZE is AWESOME and you need to try it! I will try the sunshine in 10 days and report back. Some people want to do that one, I am just iffy....heard some random reviews that steer me clear. Plus I love the breeze and I love MIAMI!

 

from John Healds FB page "Lisa Ricker Price First time on the sunshine is a beautiful ship but there's nothing to do after 9 went on elation last year there was all kinds of things to do stayed up till 2 am on the sunshine was in bed by 11pm will never go back on the sunshine"

[sag1804]

I was hoping we had more people who had cruised the breeze or the sunshine...those people not out there?:eek:

[Janie001]

I was hoping we had more people who had cruised the breeze or the sunshine...those people not out there?:eek:

 

I have sailed both but I am not sure I can add too much to your dilemma as we are not late night people - I view it as a great success if I make it to midnight:)

 

I enjoyed both cruises but comparing ship to ship I prefer the Breeze. The Sunshine was great, and exceeded expectations, but the Breeze felt more open and easier to navigate.

 

Having said that, I would still choose the Sunshine in this case for the longer itinerary. I like the pre-cruise days but I never truly relax until I am on board!

[sag1804]

I have sailed both but I am not sure I can add too much to your dilemma as we are not late night people - I view it as a great success if I make it to midnight:)

 

 

 

I enjoyed both cruises but comparing ship to ship I prefer the Breeze. The Sunshine was great, and exceeded expectations, but the Breeze felt more open and easier to navigate.

 

 

 

Having said that, I would still choose the Sunshine in this case for the longer itinerary. I like the pre-cruise days but I never truly relax until I am on board!

 

 

Haha but Miami before is a vacation in itself. I'm just worried about all these reviews that it's so crowded etc. The cruise I'm trying it on doesn't have a true sea day so I'm not sure I'll be able to really know. ( Orlando straight to Freeport and back)

 

 

 

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