SUNRISE 4 nighter to Bermuda, May 23, 2019

[mizLORInj]

Hi all.  Here is our experience on the Carnival Sunrise's first 4 nighter to Bermuda.  

 

Arrived at the port around 11 and only weddings and media were being checked in.  So we waited maybe 15 minutes and then we were able to get to the check-in scanner-holding people who scanned your passport and check marked your boarding pass.  On through Security and then a short wait in the lounge with the other platinum guests; boarding started around 11:45.  Went to our 9C aft wrap cabin to drop off our carry-ons.   Cabin decor is nice with blue and beige.  Closet space could be larger, or have drawers somewhere.  There just one shelf high above where hangers go in both closets.  Nightstand has a little storage; prior occupant left some lotion in the cabinet.  Bathroom decor updated but not the toilet as it had a black ring in it that would not come off.  Shampoo and body wash were good.  Mattress was very comfy.  Empty fridge which promptly received our bottle of wine we brought onboard.   The balcony itself has not been re-done.  The flooring had holes in it and whoever mopped it got wads of mop rope in it.   Also the black rubber rings around the windows were in bad shape and missing on the inside in some places.   This is where Carnival lacks attention to detail.  And the tvs are blaring when you enter the cabin.   This is an issue with their tvs---every time you turn it on the volume is blasting.   Also, I noticed there was only one lounger on our huge balcony and asked the cabin steward to get another.  He had some excuse like "this is how they're doing it now" however, once I was able to reach Guest Services on the phone, (on hold way too long hearing how important my call is) that person called the floor manager and shortly after that, another lounge chair showed up.  So to those who get our cabin next:  you're welcome!  😊  The prior occupants also left behind magnetic door hook thingies inside the bathroom door.  They are there for the next guests too.  

 

Headed to Guy's Pig and Anchor and enjoyed an outdoor lunch there.  Wandered forward to Serenity area which was very nice.  Huge hot tub; its own bar area.   We liked this area a lot (and it helped that we were the only ones there at that time) but since our balcony had loungers, we spent most of our lounging time there.  

 

Wandering around we came across brand ambassador John Heald and reminisced about our 2 day Carnival Dream cruise years ago--in a nor'easter.   It was an adventure on a brand new ship.  He was there for the ship-naming ceremony and was soon off to catch Legend in Alaska.   

 

It's odd on this class of ship to see cabins on deck 5 aft where the piano bar, comedy club and one other club used to be.  The Comedy club is now in Limelight lounge which worked out just fine although people had difficulty finding the mid-ship entrance to Limelight.  The night club that used to be across from Alchemy is gone and the piano bar is now there along with Red Frog which was host to many events.   Nice, open space.  Didn't like walking through the casino to get mid-ship.  The shops are the shops, and the Java Coffee bar that also used to be on deck 5 is now in the atrium area of deck 4.  Had very interesting and delicious-looking donuts and muffins there.    Game room (with board games) is gone and a few games are in the corner of the coffee bar.  There is also a coffee bar in the buffet and we got cappuccinos there. 

 

The ropes course looked cool.  There is a pool table up there too that we tried to use on a sea day.   Can't do it when there is any ship movement.  There is outdoor exercise equipment there, as well as the basketball court, and up one deck is mini golf.   Waterslides looked fun but we didn't get to them this cruise.  

 

Spa pass in a non-spa cabin was $69 for the 4 days.  

 

Like the outdoor movie screen and we caught the end of the newer Mamma Mia movie.    2 movies showed every evening.   

 

Muster still takes too long.   Carnival must be the only line that still makes you line up outside vs. sitting in a theater or restaurant.

 

Got a reservation at Fahrenheit 555 on board.  Food and service was very good.   It's a smaller restaurant since it is part of what used to be the upper area of the mid-ship dining room.  Tried a few times but we were not able to get a reservation at the Italian restaurant.  We were waitlisted and they did call us the last night for an 8:30 reservation which we declined.   Ate in the buffet for dinner one night, and also the dining room on formal night where I was happy to get a lobster tail.   Food and service was good.   Also tried out Bonsai, and the appetizer and roll we had were both very good.   Guy's burgers are consistently good.   I did miss the Mongolian Grill as that was my favorite restaurant on Carnival ships.   

 

Buffet is a madhouse at breakfast time so we went to Blue Iguana where hardly anyone else was.   Check the Fun Times to see where omelet stations are--there are several at various locations, as well as other breakfast options.   Sea Day brunch was very nice and there is a new menu.  I missed chicken diavolo and the froot loop crusted french toast, yet there were other good things to have.   Pastas, burgers, breakfast items, etc.   Everything we had was good at the brunch and I used my platinum drink coupon here for a mojito.   I took a pic of the menu but I have to try to remember how to post it!   Chocolate Extravaganza is now just a few cakes and a fondue station.   The dark chocolate cake was very good.   

 

The new map channel is useless.  Bring back the old one!   I still do like the bridge cam to see what's ahead of us since our view was side and behind the ship.  

 

I liked CD Chris from Scotland and his never-ending selection of kilts.   I loved when his announcement ended with something like "whatever you do, put FUN in it."  Thought that was great.

 

Welcome Aboard show in the Liquid Lounge.   I expected to see previews of cruise entertainment, but it was Chris the CD talking to the audience and having a contest which would determine VIPs for the cruise.   Just took longer than I expected.  Then there was a 10 minute performance of the singers/dancers which was just ok.  We didn't go to any of the shows except both comedians.  The guy was very funny.   Musicians around the ship were quite good.   

 

A sore spot with me and Carnival is onboard credit from our travel agent, specifically, the difficulty splitting it among those in the cabin with whom I am traveling.  Why can't they just split it between the people sharing the cabin.   I sign something taking it from me and give it to them.  Simple to do on other cruise lines.   Becomes a pain to have to figure out who gets what or what to pay for on my account to cover their OBC.   Also, on the tv (and Carnival Hub app) your account seems to get higher and higher $ but they don't show the OBC being deducted.   You have to go to Guest Services to get that (or a kiosk to print out your statement).   All things I wish worked simpler on Carnival.

 

Platinum gift was the lanyard with the cheapest, junkiest plastic to hold your cruise card.   Nothing else onboard to trade it for I was told.  Believe me, I asked.  

 

First sea day was quite rough but not our first rough seas to Bermuda.  During the cruise we had wind, rain, sun, more rain, more sun.   Quite a variety.   We arrived in Bermuda just after the beautiful Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas.   It was windy in Bermuda, so we got to Horseshoe via the $7 shuttle, and no umbrellas were being rented due to wind.  We did see one go flying, so we understood.  Nothing here is cheap--the 2 lounge chairs we got were $44.   It really is a beautiful beach and it does, in the right light, look pink.  

 

In summary, I was overdue for a cruise and it hit the spot.  I love being at sea on the balcony; it's my bliss.   However, I do wish Carnival had done a real overhaul everywhere bow to stern since there was rust all over the stern, the window rubber I mentioned already, etc.   There was also a foul smell mid-ship on the lower decks near the lobby occasionally.  I was glad we were staying at the stern.

 

A short cruise is better than no cruise!  

 

Happy to answer any questions.   Go and try out the Sunrise for yourself!   

 

 

 

 

[shof515]

2 hours ago, mizLORInj said:

A sore spot with me and Carnival is onboard credit from our travel agent, specifically, the difficulty splitting it among those in the cabin with whom I am traveling.  Why can't they just split it between the people sharing the cabin.   I sign something taking it from me and give it to them.  Simple to do on other cruise lines. 

 

this is because the travel agent purchased the on board credit as a gift to YOU and not others in your cabin. IF it was a promotional on board credit from carnival or some other on board credit from carnival, the on board credit is usually split 

Edited May 28, 2019 by shof515

[mizLORInj]

53 minutes ago, shof515 said:

 

this is because the travel agent purchased the on board credit as a gift to YOU and not others in your cabin. IF it was a promotional on board credit from carnival or some other on board credit from carnival, the on board credit is usually split 

Hmmm, maybe, yet why would that matter to them when I ask for it to be split at Guest Services.   No other cruise line gives me a hard time when I ask them to give some of the OBC to the other people in the cabin.

------------------------------------------------------

 

More info on the spa pass that I forgot to include above: 

Gave you access to the saunas, steam rooms, infrared room and heated loungers.  

 

---------------------------------------------------------------

 

ALSO, we had the anytime dining option (forgot what Carnival calls it), and the one night we went for dinner in the dining room we went up to the check-in desk on deck 5, waited in a very short line, got our table assignment and took the paper to the aft dining room and we were seated right away.  Worked out nicely, and has pretty much every time we've done this since Carnival introduced the option a few years ago.    

[Sutee]

3 hours ago, mizLORInj said:

Hi all.  Here is our experience on the Carnival Sunrise's first 4 nighter to Bermuda.  

 

Arrived at the port around 11 and only weddings and media were being checked in.  So we waited maybe 15 minutes and then we were able to get to the check-in scanner-holding people who scanned your passport and check marked your boarding pass.  On through Security and then a short wait in the lounge with the other platinum guests; boarding started around 11:45.  Went to our 9C aft wrap cabin to drop off our carry-ons.   Cabin decor is nice with blue and beige.  Closet space could be larger, or have drawers somewhere.  There just one shelf high above where hangers go in both closets.  Nightstand has a little storage; prior occupant left some lotion in the cabinet.  Bathroom decor updated but not the toilet as it had a black ring in it that would not come off.  Shampoo and body wash were good.  Mattress was very comfy.  Empty fridge which promptly received our bottle of wine we brought onboard.   The balcony itself has not been re-done.  The flooring had holes in it and whoever mopped it got wads of mop rope in it.   Also the black rubber rings around the windows were in bad shape and missing on the inside in some places.   This is where Carnival lacks attention to detail.  And the tvs are blaring when you enter the cabin.   This is an issue with their tvs---every time you turn it on the volume is blasting.   Also, I noticed there was only one lounger on our huge balcony and asked the cabin steward to get another.  He had some excuse like "this is how they're doing it now" however, once I was able to reach Guest Services on the phone, (on hold way too long hearing how important my call is) that person called the floor manager and shortly after that, another lounge chair showed up.  So to those who get our cabin next:  you're welcome!  😊  The prior occupants also left behind magnetic door hook thingies inside the bathroom door.  They are there for the next guests too.  

 

Headed to Guy's Pig and Anchor and enjoyed an outdoor lunch there.  Wandered forward to Serenity area which was very nice.  Huge hot tub; its own bar area.   We liked this area a lot (and it helped that we were the only ones there at that time) but since our balcony had loungers, we spent most of our lounging time there.  

 

Wandering around we came across brand ambassador John Heald and reminisced about our 2 day Carnival Dream cruise years ago--in a nor'easter.   It was an adventure on a brand new ship.  He was there for the ship-naming ceremony and was soon off to catch Legend in Alaska.   

 

It's odd on this class of ship to see cabins on deck 5 aft where the piano bar, comedy club and one other club used to be.  The Comedy club is now in Limelight lounge which worked out just fine although people had difficulty finding the mid-ship entrance to Limelight.  The night club that used to be across from Alchemy is gone and the piano bar is now there along with Red Frog which was host to many events.   Nice, open space.  Didn't like walking through the casino to get mid-ship.  The shops are the shops, and the Java Coffee bar that also used to be on deck 5 is now in the atrium area of deck 4.  Had very interesting and delicious-looking donuts and muffins there.    Game room (with board games) is gone and a few games are in the corner of the coffee bar.  There is also a coffee bar in the buffet and we got cappuccinos there. 

 

The ropes course looked cool.  There is a pool table up there too that we tried to use on a sea day.   Can't do it when there is any ship movement.  There is outdoor exercise equipment there, as well as the basketball court, and up one deck is mini golf.   Waterslides looked fun but we didn't get to them this cruise.  

 

Spa pass in a non-spa cabin was $69 for the 4 days.  

 

Like the outdoor movie screen and we caught the end of the newer Mamma Mia movie.    2 movies showed every evening.   

 

Muster still takes too long.   Carnival must be the only line that still makes you line up outside vs. sitting in a theater or restaurant.

 

Got a reservation at Fahrenheit 555 on board.  Food and service was very good.   It's a smaller restaurant since it is part of what used to be the upper area of the mid-ship dining room.  Tried a few times but we were not able to get a reservation at the Italian restaurant.  We were waitlisted and they did call us the last night for an 8:30 reservation which we declined.   Ate in the buffet for dinner one night, and also the dining room on formal night where I was happy to get a lobster tail.   Food and service was good.   Also tried out Bonsai, and the appetizer and roll we had were both very good.   Guy's burgers are consistently good.   I did miss the Mongolian Grill as that was my favorite restaurant on Carnival ships.   

 

Buffet is a madhouse at breakfast time so we went to Blue Iguana where hardly anyone else was.   Check the Fun Times to see where omelet stations are--there are several at various locations, as well as other breakfast options.   Sea Day brunch was very nice and there is a new menu.  I missed chicken diavolo and the froot loop crusted french toast, yet there were other good things to have.   Pastas, burgers, breakfast items, etc.   Everything we had was good at the brunch and I used my platinum drink coupon here for a mojito.   I took a pic of the menu but I have to try to remember how to post it!   Chocolate Extravaganza is now just a few cakes and a fondue station.   The dark chocolate cake was very good.   

 

The new map channel is useless.  Bring back the old one!   I still do like the bridge cam to see what's ahead of us since our view was side and behind the ship.  

 

I liked CD Chris from Scotland and his never-ending selection of kilts.   I loved when his announcement ended with something like "whatever you do, put FUN in it."  Thought that was great.

 

Welcome Aboard show in the Liquid Lounge.   I expected to see previews of cruise entertainment, but it was Chris the CD talking to the audience and having a contest which would determine VIPs for the cruise.   Just took longer than I expected.  Then there was a 10 minute performance of the singers/dancers which was just ok.  We didn't go to any of the shows except both comedians.  The guy was very funny.   Musicians around the ship were quite good.   

 

A sore spot with me and Carnival is onboard credit from our travel agent, specifically, the difficulty splitting it among those in the cabin with whom I am traveling.  Why can't they just split it between the people sharing the cabin.   I sign something taking it from me and give it to them.  Simple to do on other cruise lines.   Becomes a pain to have to figure out who gets what or what to pay for on my account to cover their OBC.   Also, on the tv (and Carnival Hub app) your account seems to get higher and higher $ but they don't show the OBC being deducted.   You have to go to Guest Services to get that (or a kiosk to print out your statement).   All things I wish worked simpler on Carnival.

 

Platinum gift was the lanyard with the cheapest, junkiest plastic to hold your cruise card.   Nothing else onboard to trade it for I was told.  Believe me, I asked.  

 

First sea day was quite rough but not our first rough seas to Bermuda.  During the cruise we had wind, rain, sun, more rain, more sun.   Quite a variety.   We arrived in Bermuda just after the beautiful Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas.   It was windy in Bermuda, so we got to Horseshoe via the $7 shuttle, and no umbrellas were being rented due to wind.  We did see one go flying, so we understood.  Nothing here is cheap--the 2 lounge chairs we got were $44.   It really is a beautiful beach and it does, in the right light, look pink.  

 

In summary, I was overdue for a cruise and it hit the spot.  I love being at sea on the balcony; it's my bliss.   However, I do wish Carnival had done a real overhaul everywhere bow to stern since there was rust all over the stern, the window rubber I mentioned already, etc.   There was also a foul smell mid-ship on the lower decks near the lobby occasionally.  I was glad we were staying at the stern.

 

A short cruise is better than no cruise!  

 

Happy to answer any questions.   Go and try out the Sunrise for yourself!   

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU!!!!   This is a big help to us newbies on Carnival.....we usually always do Princess!  You're the Best!

[PhillyFan33579]

If you have cruised on Sunshine before, how does the Limelight Lounge on Sunrise compare to the one on Sunshine?

[mizLORInj]

41 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

If you have cruised on Sunshine before, how does the Limelight Lounge on Sunrise compare to the one on Sunshine?

 

Yes, we've been on Sunshine.   Lounge and theater similar.

[PhillyFan33579]

22 minutes ago, mizLORInj said:

 

Yes, we've been on Sunshine.   Lounge and theater similar.

 

That is disappointing. Sunshine is the one Carnival ship I have no desire to cruise on again due to the location of the Serenity area and the size of the Limelight Lounge. I know they changed/will change the Serenity area location on Sunrise and Radiance, which is easy to see on deck plans. I was hoping the Limelight Lounge was going to be better on Sunrise and Radiance. The deck plans aren’t too much help, other than showing the Limelight Lounge is in the same location on all 3 ships. At a minimum, I was hoping they would change the location of the stage. 

[TomSoccer27]

I noticed you said they removed the night club to make room for the Piano Bar and Red Frog Pub. Did they relocate the nightclub to another venue or is there no more nightclub? 

[shof515]

1 minute ago, TomSoccer27 said:

I noticed you said they removed the night club to make room for the Piano Bar and Red Frog Pub. Did they relocate the nightclub to another venue or is there no more nightclub? 

 

after the shows, the theater usually turns into a nightclub or sometimes they might use the limelight lounge after the comedy shows 

[TomSoccer27]

2 minutes ago, shof515 said:

 

after the shows, the theater usually turns into a nightclub or sometimes they might use the limelight lounge after the comedy shows 

 

Awesome, thank you for the quick response!

[Stick93]

Great review - 

 

Get ready because if I had to bet I am sure at some point all the ships under Dream class will be "Sunshined". The truth is Carnival's ships in general are "B" class. I was shocked when I was on the Horizon if didn't look a bit different. Was a larger version of every other ship they had. I personally don't mind the "Sunshining" but I hate the new look theaters. They are cramped and irregularly shaped, plus they have moved the show times around so if you are still on late dinning you have to see the show before dinner and not after. We always took advantage of the late show and then late comedy. Now I just skip the show as usually its a small crew of dancers and singers just yelling something with music. 

 

I still love to cruise and love the "party ship" mentality - but I don't exclusively book carnival anymore. 

[mizLORInj]

11 minutes ago, Stick93 said:

Great review - 

 

. . .but I hate the new look theaters. They are cramped and irregularly shaped, plus they have moved the show times around so if you are still on late dinning you have to see the show before dinner and not after. We always took advantage of the late show and then late comedy. Now I just skip the show as usually its a small crew of dancers and singers just yelling something with music. 

 

I still love to cruise and love the "party ship" mentality - but I don't exclusively book carnival anymore. 

 

We cruise other lines and Carnival shows are the ones we like least.   I remember when their production shows were fantastic.  Not anymore.  AND the pit with a real live band in it!  

 

I find the new theater setup to be much less grand.   We didn't venture into the Liquid Lounge after shows on this cruise (I will check the Fun Times to see what they did in there later at night), but I remember that we did on the Sunshine when the theater turned into sort of a dance club with sheer curtains blocking the seats that went up on the sides. . . the funky nightclub on deck 5 was much more, um, club-like.  😄

[April42749]

Did you go into the casino?  If so, are there "new slot" machines in there?  Or, do they have "the old school" ones?

[molole]

There is a 4-nighter to Bermuda?    Where does it leave from? How long were you in Bermuda? 

[shof515]

6 minutes ago, molole said:

There is a 4-nighter to Bermuda?    Where does it leave from? How long were you in Bermuda? 

yes they are a few 4 night cruises. it is only one day in Bermuda. It leaves New York on a Thursday, arrives in Bermuda on Saturday for the day and returns to New York on Monday

[Wombservice]

Thanks for your review - we leave later in June on a 4 nighter to Bermuda, also in an aft wrap (7425).  Disappointing to hear the cabin and balcony was not totally redone and there are still signs of age!  Why do a partial job when it obviously needed more attention?  But Bermuda is beautiful, and I will enjoy visiting again............question:  I was on the Horizon last year and felt hardly any movement on the ship - did you find there was a lot of movement on the Sunrise (notwithstanding bad weather)?  Did you find the aft-wrap noisy/sooty?  TIA!

[mizLORInj]

15 hours ago, April42749 said:

Did you go into the casino?  If so, are there "new slot" machines in there?  Or, do they have "the old school" ones?

Hi;  would not have noticed if they were new or old school, sorry!

 

2 hours ago, Wombservice said:

Thanks for your review - we leave later in June on a 4 nighter to Bermuda, also in an aft wrap (7425).  Disappointing to hear the cabin and balcony was not totally redone and there are still signs of age!  Why do a partial job when it obviously needed more attention?  But Bermuda is beautiful, and I will enjoy visiting again............question:  I was on the Horizon last year and felt hardly any movement on the ship - did you find there was a lot of movement on the Sunrise (notwithstanding bad weather)?  Did you find the aft-wrap noisy/sooty?  TIA!

 

Agree--attention to the entire ship for a complete overhaul would have been nice.   We didn't have soot because it was breezy enough that the smoke went to the sides--not straight back over us.    We didn't notice any more movement than any other ship we've cruised in rough seas.   We did hear engine noise but got used to it.   

 

13 hours ago, molole said:

There is a 4-nighter to Bermuda?    Where does it leave from? How long were you in Bermuda? 

 

We left Manhattan at 4 on Thursday, arrived in Bermuda around 8 Saturday morning, and all aboard was 3:30 for a 4pm sailaway.    We stayed on ship time--did not move ahead one hour to Atlantic time. . .and yet at 3:50 passengers were being paged. . . 

[Wombservice]

6 hours ago, mizLORInj said:

gree--attention to the entire ship for a complete overhaul would have been nice.   We didn't have soot because it was breezy enough that the smoke went to the sides--not straight back over us.    We didn't notice any more movement than any other ship we've cruised in rough seas.   We did hear engine noise but got used to it.   

 

Thanks so much for your reply!  

[foilman2002]

Thank you for taking the time to write this review, I've been looking for anything on the Sunrise.  We're booked on the Sept. 16th 6 day cruise to Bermuda.

[mizLORInj]

There aren't many reviews on Sunrise yet so I thought it would be helpful.  I took a lot of notes on the ship!   😁

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ADDITIONS and AFTERTHOUGHTS:   

 

We had Your Time dining and I forgot we could use the Carnival Hub app for this.  We only ate in the main dining room once, but it was very easy.   Went to the counter on the 5th floor, there were maybe 8 people in line.   2 people were working the desk.  Asked for cabin # and then printed a little paper you took to the aft dining room.  One or 2 people ahead of us and we were seated right away after that.   Worked very nicely.   I do still like fixed dining occasionally (every few years) when we do that, but we are now used to flexible dining on various lines.

 

Our cabin steward did ask if we wanted morning or evening service.   We told him morning HOWEVER we want the towels replaced in the evening.   Worked out fine.    I don't like that Carnival puts us in this position; no other cruise line asks for 1x/day service and we are paying pretty much the same for daily service charges on all of them.  I know I could ask for both morning and evening, but I also saw how many cabins the evening person had to handle and really, just replacing the towels worked for us.

 

 

 

 

[livingthedream1]

Thank you for the idea to ask for a towel swap at night. We get the morning service so the room is clean for the day. 

[Mary49]

Hi  I will be on Carnival Sunrise June 24th.  Could you recommend a table No. for me for traditional dining?  Would appreicate it.

[mizLORInj]

Only ate in the main dining room once.  The lower level of the aft dining room was for YourTime dining. 

The upper level of the aft dining room and the mid-ship Radiance dining room are for fixed.   Sorry, can't help with specific table #s.   It'll be assigned to you.

[AAAAmerican]

Dear mizLORInj,

 

Thank you.

 

In dining as in food it is Personal choice , now more the firms choice.

 

I saw in a couple of sites it shows two BBQ Joinnts aboard her now, Fat Jimmies C-Side and Guys Pig and Anchor BBQ.

 

Where are the Decks of each located?

 

I do miss the Embarkation Day Served Lunch aboard ..

[AmberTeka]

We  are going to Bermuda  in Sept.  Thanks  for the Review. We will be on the  Breeze.