Carnival Sunshine or Liberty of the Seas

[cruiser fanatic]

I am torn between Carnival Sunshine and Liberty of the Seas. What would you do? I also posted this on the Carnival thread.

 

Carnival Sunshine:

Itinerary: St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Maarten

Departure Port: Port Canaveral

Pros: New Ports, Nice Ship, Loyalty benefits

Cons: Have to drive to Florida (we don't fly), Price is high

 

Liberty of the Seas:

Itinerary: Falmouth, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

Departure Port: Galveston

Pros: Never been on this ship, leaves from Galveston which is 45 minutes away, Price is reasonable.

Cons: Same ports that I go to all the time except Falmouth but I have been to Jamaica several times, No Loyalty benefits.

[LMaxwell]

The no airfare / local really helps. Liberty going to be WAY nicer than Sunshine. Royal's ports suck though...

[BamaLady#13]

We were just on the Sunshine a month ago and I was really impressed. The cabin had been recently refurbished, had new furnishings including carpet. The food was excellent and there were more choices of "free" restaurants than I've ever had on any previous cruise. I can't compare it to the other ship but just thought I had to let you know that the Sunshine has some great features.

[cruiser fanatic]

We were just on the Sunshine a month ago and I was really impressed. The cabin had been recently refurbished, had new furnishings including carpet. The food was excellent and there were more choices of "free" restaurants than I've ever had on any previous cruise. I can't compare it to the other ship but just thought I had to let you know that the Sunshine has some great features.

 

I have been on the Sunshine before and enjoyed it. I loved all the new restaurants and refurbished cabins. I know nothing about the Liberty of the Sea.

[BND]

We were on Sunshine in Feb. While a nice enough ship, we just didn't enjoy it as much as RCI.

[AustinCruise]

Pro for liberty - recent drydock (unless your looking at January).

 

Depends on the activities you like on the ship.

[Merion_Mom]

I am torn between Carnival Sunshine and Liberty of the Seas. What would you do? I also posted this on the Carnival thread.

 

Carnival Sunshine:

Itinerary: St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Maarten

Departure Port: Port Canaveral

Pros: New Ports, Nice Ship, Loyalty benefits

Cons: Have to drive to Florida (we don't fly), Price is high

 

Liberty of the Seas:

Itinerary: Falmouth, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

Departure Port: Galveston

Pros: Never been on this ship, leaves from Galveston which is 45 minutes away, Price is reasonable.

Cons: Same ports that I go to all the time except Falmouth but I have been to Jamaica several times, No Loyalty benefits.

 

No loyalty benefits? Then start cruising on Royal Caribbean and start earning them! ;)

[cruiser fanatic]

No loyalty benefits? Then start cruising on Royal Caribbean and start earning them! ;)

 

That wasn't the question but thanks for your input. :)

[NOSaints1]

A pro would be Guys Burgers are the best burgers at sea and Blue iguana cantina burritos, and there free. Guys would be better than Johnny Rockets

[Bigtex1622]

That wasn't the question but thanks for your input. :)

 

I am curious, What perks do you get for sailing 100+ days on carnival?

 

 

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[Ms Jo UK]

I am not going to be much help I do not think lol

 

Love the sunshines ports

 

The Liberty is my favourite class of RCL ships but the ports are meh in my opinion

 

You will have to decide if you are cruising for the ship or the ports - good luck choosing

[Tee & Chilli]

Sunshine due to the Sourhern Caribbean. Is that itinerary 7 days?

Ive sailed both ships. Both are nice however I'll give the edge to Royal production shows.

Edited December 21, 2015 by TeeChi

[mcatmcat]

I made the pledge ( sort of) that the only way I sail again with carnival is if I book onboard their newest ship.

[cruiser fanatic]

I am curious, What perks do you get for sailing 100+ days on carnival?

 

 

.

 

http://www.carnival.com/loyalty/benefits.aspx 1 point for every cruise day. 7 day cruise is 7 points.

Edited December 21, 2015 by cruiser fanatic

[Pineapple Princess]

Just off Liberty. Would go with Sunshine.

[wblynch]

I have never been on Carnival but I voted for Sunshine based on the ports visited.

 

Can you take a train to Florida? Might be more pleasant than driving.

 

I have been wanting to try a cruise from Galveston but reading about the problems of getting to the port from the airports and fog impacting departures and arrivals at the dock has dissuaded me.

 

We're looking for a summer 2016 cruise and may look into Carnival Sunshine ourselves.

 

Our RCI Diamond discount is useless with their ongoing $300 obc (refuse to combine with c&a discounts) so who cares about loyalty anymore?

[wblynch]

While on the other hand I see you have only been on RCI once and not the newer ships.

 

In that case I would recommend Liberty. It's a great class of ship and RCI does a great job. I think you would be very happy.

[Single_dreamer]

Sunshine for the ports only and not the ship experience. If you go to experience the ports only then you'll be just fine. Limit your expectations of the ship and entertainment. Crew aboard is excellent though!

[Big_G]

We sailed Sunshine when it was Destiny and it was one of the most crowded ships we've sailed. Then they added 182 cabins, took away public areas, and changed its name. I wouldn't want to find out first hand where they put all those people.

Edited December 22, 2015 by Big_G

[Firefighterhoop]

I was looking at trying the Sunshine after the major refurb just out of curiosity, then I saw how much public area they took away (Aft show lounge, a few other lounges) for cabins and decided not too. had friends that were on over Thanksgiving and they said it was extremely crowded compared to other Carnival Ships.

 

There does look like there are some interesting things to try on Sunshine, just a lot of passengers for the size of that ship! Most of the Conquest class vessels that are just a bit bigger hold less people.

 

Again, it looks like you have loyalty perks on Carnival which definitely is worth something (A major reason why I continue to cruise RCCL), but you may find the Liberty nice as well (Especially not having to fly or drive that distance!). as it has some features you haven't seen on Carnival Ships. I have taken some Carnival Cruises and have always had a good time - i just tend to like RCCL a bit better.

Edited December 22, 2015 by Firefighterhoop

[cruisinlover1414]

We have not been on Liberty in particular, but are planning on it in the next few years while it is in Galveston. We went on Sunshine this summer and have been out of Galveston multiple times. I was disappointed with Sunshine, but the ports are excellent. I would still choose Liberty, however, as we prefer RCCL over Carnival. Sunshine was crowded and was disappointing overall (food, entertainment, rooms...). We live in Texas as well and drove all the way to Florida, only to be disappointed. We had a good time and made the best of it, but it wasn't as good as our RCCL cruises in the past, even if they were just out of Galveston with the same ports over and over again. I would recommend doing Liberty this year and possibly waiting and doing a bigger Carnival ship, such as the Breeze or Vista in the next few years. Breeze is coming to Galveston this upcoming year. Also, Liberty is to be renovated, which will make it an even better ship here in Galveston.

[cruiser fanatic]

Thanks everyone for your help. We decided to book the Liberty. So excited to be trying something a little different!

Edited December 23, 2015 by cruiser fanatic

[GypsybytheSea]

I'm so glad you chose the Liberty. We just finished the Christmas cruise on the Liberty today, and we were very pleased with the ship and its staff. I think you'll be happy with your choice.