Is it just me?

[crusinpsychRN]

First off, don't like my posts skip them. Secondly, by you own logic, if you were not on the same cruise your opinion is worthless like mine (totally disagree but it's your logic). I mentioned my reviews to other posters as a reference point, again don't like it skip it. Others posted comments not in line with the op but you are not ATTACKING them. SO since you make the rules, when is it you can comment on anything here?

 

Lastly, check out post 23.

 

Well said.

[jimbo5544]

Well said.

 

 

LOL, so I got a little carried away..... I was really just trying to give the op a different flavor of what we experienced on the Sunshine. All that being said, it is cruisecritic.

[silver-toes]

LOL, so I got a little carried away..... I was really just trying to give the op a different flavor of what we experienced on the Sunshine. All that being said, it is cruisecritic.

 

 

You're exactly right in that each cruiser has their own perspective -- and even each sailing can impact whether or not one has a good time. I like to read the good as well as the bad so I know what to look out for! :)

 

 

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[jimbo5544]

You're exactly right in that each cruiser has their own perspective -- and even each sailing can impact whether or not one has a good time. I like to read the good as well as the bad so I know what to look out for! :)

 

 

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Can't argue with any of that.

[stephlauryn]

We have sailed her twice. Everyone has opinions. Never felt more crowded than other ships. I have posted two reviews with pics if anyone is interested with details.

 

 

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How can I find these reviews? This will be my first time on her, I'd like to read your perspective and see some photos if I may.:D thank u in advancd:)

[jerseyjjs]

Perhaps it is just me...did not like the being so crowed, the ship was always cold in fact I saw one man walking around inside the ship with his Carnival Bathrobe on. The safety drill was a joke first of all we were due to sail at 4.PM the drill did not end until 4.45 we were so crowed it was like a herd of cattle.

The food in the Main Dining Rm was excellent but in the Market Place it was fine as long as you like your food cold by the time you got to your table.

In my balcony cabin there was no fridge, the room was smaller than other ships. I must say the crew were very friendly and always, always cleaning.

The balcony gets washed down and mine was left with puddles of water the bottom of my slacks were all wet I had to get someone to mop up the excess water. Cabin location was best I have ever experienced on a ship. Please, do not go by what I said maybe these petty things would not bother you. You need to judge for yourself. Weather in Canada was beautiful just beautiful.

As for CD it is hard to avoid someone when you hear their voice on the TV and page system, so annoying the giggling all the time wait and see for yourself. Don't get me wrong I was very glad when I first heard her speak as she is English and I lived there so I thought this is nice it went downhill from there. My one bit of advice take an insulated coffee mug for your coffee/tea better than using cups. Oh, by the way I did like how someone came along with a trolley offering to fill refill your drinks. Getting on the ship was fast and easy getting off took me three hours.Much preferred the Splendor and Glory. Go with an open mine and judge for yourself. You may love it!!

 

 

I was on the same sailing and I am no means a Carnival cheerleader. After hearing so much about overcrowding on this ship, I boarded with a little trepidation. I honestly feel that this ship was no more congested than others I've been on, especially the Promenade deck in the evenings when ships (especially the Conquest-class and Splendor) create snarls with photographer areas.

 

We went in knowing that the temperature was going to be quite chilly for some as the ocean temps were near 50 as we sailed north and air weather possibly being just as low. If you checked prior to the departure date, maybe you would've been better prepared.

 

I got lucky and had a mini fridge in my balcony cabin, though I DO agree with you that the cabin itself was small with inadequate storage.

 

 

The safety drill is pretty much the same on all Carnival ships now where you're going to be about 5 people deep in long lines outside on the outer promenade deck. Not the best, I know, but not seclusive to the Sunshine.

 

Guy in his Carnival robe at night because of the cold?.....classy and unprepared.

 

 

I met Emma the CD and thought she was genuinely caring and approachable. Also felt there's no way I'D be able to sustain that energy for 16 hours a day, every day. As far as her announcements, I paid no mind to them as usual.

 

 

The Sunshine was not my favorite ship/cruise but I did enjoy it quite a bit and would do the same sailing again....just not pack as much.

[jimbo5544]

How can I find these reviews? This will be my first time on her, I'd like to read your perspective and see some photos if I may.:D thank u in advancd:)

 

 

I will post the links. Difficult to do from my phone.

 

 

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[oceanqueen101]

We have sailed her twice. Everyone has opinions. Never felt more crowded than other ships. I have posted two reviews with pics if anyone is interested with details.

 

 

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yessss! Leaving on 7/28 for the 4day out of New York. Please repost the reviews with pics. Thanks in advance. I also purchased the faster to fun; since we are boarding with" Irish twins" 6&7 lol

[Aldeya]

Perhaps it is just me...did not like the being so crowed, the ship was always cold in fact I saw one man walking around inside the ship with his Carnival Bathrobe on. The safety drill was a joke first of all we were due to sail at 4.PM the drill did not end until 4.45 we were so crowed it was like a herd of cattle.

The food in the Main Dining Rm was excellent but in the Market Place it was fine as long as you like your food cold by the time you got to your table.

In my balcony cabin there was no fridge, the room was smaller than other ships. I must say the crew were very friendly and always, always cleaning.

The balcony gets washed down and mine was left with puddles of water the bottom of my slacks were all wet I had to get someone to mop up the excess water. Cabin location was best I have ever experienced on a ship. Please, do not go by what I said maybe these petty things would not bother you. You need to judge for yourself. Weather in Canada was beautiful just beautiful.

As for CD it is hard to avoid someone when you hear their voice on the TV and page system, so annoying the giggling all the time wait and see for yourself. Don't get me wrong I was very glad when I first heard her speak as she is English and I lived there so I thought this is nice it went downhill from there. My one bit of advice take an insulated coffee mug for your coffee/tea better than using cups. Oh, by the way I did like how someone came along with a trolley offering to fill refill your drinks. Getting on the ship was fast and easy getting off took me three hours.Much preferred the Splendor and Glory. Go with an open mine and judge for yourself. You may love it!!

 

Thank you! We decided to book it. I'm sure we'll survive 4 days on this ship. :)

[jimbo5544]

How can I find these reviews? This will be my first time on her, I'd like to read your perspective and see some photos if I may.:D thank u in advancd:)

 

Here is the first one from 2015

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2249358

[jimbo5544]

How can I find these reviews? This will be my first time on her, I'd like to read your perspective and see some photos if I may.:D thank u in advancd:)

 

Here is the 2nd one from February this year

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2321292

Edited June 26, 2016 by jimbo5544

[ohiowilly]

We sailed on the Sunshine in February, I will say that she is not my favorite ship in the Carnival fleet.

 

I felt crowded, early in the cruise, on the Lido deck, primarily at two "pinch points" where traffic jams seemed to occur at peak hours. These areas were the passageways near Guy's Burgers, and the Blue Iguana Mexican Cantina.

 

I also didn't particularly care for the way that the main theater differed from the other show theaters that we've experienced in the fleet.

 

But, the Sunshine had a lot of great features that we really enjoyed. The Serenity area was the best of any that we've seen on any other Carnival ships. The Havana Bar area, at the very aft end of deck 9 is a wonderful space that is used for a variety of different purposes. It was our favorite spot for lunch.

 

We liked the Piano Bar on the Sunshine; on many of the ships, the Piano Bar also serves as a waiting area for people in line for the Comedy Club, but Sunshine has a dedicated space for the Piano Bar. The Steakhouse was also outstanding - nothing new; we've enjoyed them on each of the Carnival ships.

 

While Sunshine wouldn't be my first choice for a cruise, I would likely book a cruise on her again. Learning the logistics of the design, layout, and traffic flow of the ship helped, and once we figured things out, the "problems" went away. If I had to describe my thoughts on the Sunshine in a short statement, I think that Carnival tried to put too many features and venues on a ship that is smaller than the classes of ships were those features are normally added. Seemed like a smaller % of public space available in the high-traffic areas.

[Swampbaby]

OhioWilly has it correct. They've taken an old smaller ship and crammed in features that are on much larger ships. We sailed the Sunshine, and while having a very nice cruise, will not choose that ship again. Our cabin was old, as in very old and much smaller than small category cabin on other ships. Sit on the toilet and your feet were at the shower. On sea days there were areas that were crowded. Narrow "paths" through various places on Lido deck did not help matters. The crew were absolutely the best as have been on our other cruises. Did we have a nice time? Sure did and met a lot of nice people in our place not to be mentioned group, some of who we are sailing again with in FEB. Would I go on the Sunshine again? No way, it's simply not for me.

 

I would not have chosen our last cruise except it was a Bloggers Cruise so went on that ship again. Funny, we are planning on the Bloggers Cruise this year and it's on a sister ship of the Freedom.

 

When you take a smaller ship and replace public areas with cabins you have the Sunshine. Am hoping Carnival doesn't do this again.

[JenTX4NYC]

I'm on the ship this week and going in with an open mind, and an understanding that there will probably be some crowding in certain areas (as there is on every ship, btw).

[silver-toes]

I'm on the ship this week and going in with an open mind, and an understanding that there will probably be some crowding in certain areas (as there is on every ship, btw).

 

 

Same. But as long as I've got a frozen drink in my hand, it doesn't really matter to me if it's crowded or empty. I'm just there to relax. :)

 

 

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[ttown]

Having sailed on Sunshine twice out of New Orleans what I liked the most about this ship is the Serenity area. On our second cruise we had one of the new balcony cabins in the spa area which was on the same deck as the Serenity pool. Probably the best location we have ever had on any ship. Wish Carnival would use the same design concept for the Serenity areas on their new ships.

 

On the negative side, the comedy club was way too small and poorly designed. Getting into it was a major pain. In general, Carnival ships do not have as good interior flow as Royal's Voyager class and newer ships, but once you understand the layout it is only a minor issue.

 

Would we sail Sunshine again? If it has an itinerary we want, absolutely.

[JenTX4NYC]

Same. But as long as I've got a frozen drink in my hand, it doesn't really matter to me if it's crowded or empty. I'm just there to relax. :)

 

 

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Couldn't agree more! So glad I'll be cruisin with other easygoing folks like you!

[sgttami]

Here is the 2nd one from February this year

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2321292

 

Thanks for the links to your reviews jimbo. Going on Sunshine next week and was getting scared of all the negativity. (LOL)

 

No matter what I might think of the ship, I'm on a cruise that I didn't have to fly to get to and that's enough for me.

 

It's all about attitude!

[Podna's]

I'm on the ship this week and going in with an open mind, and an understanding that there will probably be some crowding in certain areas (as there is on every ship, btw).

 

 

I promise you if you've cruised before, the Sunshine is no more crowded than any other ship. We did her inaugural New Orleans cruise and one more out of PC, both at capacity. Loved everything about the ship except the comedy club. Gotta agree with others on that one but by no means a deal breaker. Anyway, enjoy your cruise. I really think you'll like the Sunshine.

Edited June 27, 2016 by Podna's

[jimbo5544]

Thanks for the links to your reviews jimbo. Going on Sunshine next week and was getting scared of all the negativity. (LOL)

 

No matter what I might think of the ship, I'm on a cruise that I didn't have to fly to get to and that's enough for me.

 

It's all about attitude!

 

Enjoy your cruise. Let us know your thoughts when you return.

[jimbo5544]

I promise you if you've cruised before' date=' the Sunshine is no more crowded than any other ship. We did her inaugural New Orleans cruise and one more out of PC, both at capacity. Loved everything about the ship except the comedy club. Gotta agree with others on that one but by no means a deal breaker. Anyway, enjoy your cruise. I really think you'll like the Sunshine.[/quote']

 

I cannot argue the comedy club size either.

[4ready2cruz]

We sailed Sunshine in March of last year and I too was a little concerned about all the negative reviews I read before hand. However, it prepared me for what I knew was coming. Sunshine would not be my first choice, but if she were my only choice I would sail her again in a heartbeat.

 

I found the OPs comment about the giggling cruise director hilarious! Our CD was Wee Jimmy. Over a year later, the mere mention of his "Good Morning, Good Morning, Good Morning! Top o' the morning to ya!" Still brings back fond memories even though it did get annoying every morning for 7 days straight!

[CdrescherRBL152]

We sailed the sunshine in March. Never again. With the new cabins ship is way too top heavy. There is no flow to the layout.

[bar1068]

We were on the Sunshine just last month for the 3rd time...36days/nights total on her on the 3 cruises, one of our favorite ships now. No more crowded overall than any other ship we've been on, a couple of "choking" spots, but thats all it is....past those spots, really no different.

 

Having sailed on here a bit, we've "learned to manage" going to the comedy club....in fact <gasp!> couple time we've even sat in the seats that don't have direct site to the stage...somehow we still had a good time...not really sure how that happened. Room is smaller, reminds me of the comedy club on Oasis of the Seas....but as I say, we manage it and have a good time.

[spiritualtraveller]

just off sunshine today after 5 nite cruise to canada. the crew were amazing. always remembering your names. we had anytime dining, and after a giant snag on the first night, it improved immensely. lots of complaints about having to check in at anytime dining desk on deck 5, get a pager, wait in ocean plaza seating, and then report to deck 3 sunshine dining room. the food was sensational in MDR. lido food was good, but nothing really stood out for me. we did try jiji's for dinner and it was amazing. also tried cucina de capitano, and i would venture to say, that meal was the best meal on any of my 11 cruises.

 

casino was large and had a great choice of machines. i spent alot of time there, and of course it ate my money. no worries. had a blast.

 

we had beautiful weather in st. john and halifax. great for walking and shopping.

 

we are scheduled to sail her again in october, but we will probably cancel, due to the fact we have done this itinerary many times.

 

to those sailing her soon, just relax and enjoy. there's something for everyone.