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These are some of the Carnival Sunshine tips that I’ve gathered over the last five years of sailing Sunshine. At least once during your cruise, there will be a very big sale. The way it is promoted, you will think it’s a combination of Macy’s on Black Friday and a Going Out Of Business sale at Filene’s Basement. What it really is a great chance to get some cheap souvenirs for the folks back home. During the 2.5-hour tour, you’ll see areas like the navigation bridge, engine control room, and other spots that are generally off-limits to passengers.
Don’t count on the internet being as good as home.
Carnival Destiny had as sisters the CCL ships Triumph (Sunrise since 2019) and Victory (Radiance since 2020), and also Costa Fortuna and Costa Magica. CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry. Treat yourself to some delicious Bahamian-themed or craft cocktails, or a signature beer. These bars on Carnival Sunshine serve up entertainment along with your drinks.
Bars and Lounges
Scary, apocalyptic and whimsical all at the same time, we've never seen anything quite like it. However, the ship operates on a "cashless system," so any onboard purchases you make will automatically post to your onboard account. You'll receive a Sail & Sign card that you can use to make charges. As mentioned previously, Carnival Sunshine cabins have both standard North American-style 110-volt outlets and European-style 220-volt outlets. You can also opt for extra-charge valet laundry and dry-cleaning service, which your cabin steward will handle for you. Expect to pay per piece, with prices running from $2 (for an undergarment or pair of socks) to $15 (for a two-piece suit).
Night Exotic Eastern Caribbean CruiseDetails
This is the best room you can get… without bunking up with the guy himself. A Captain’s Suite aboard Carnival Sunshine features tons of indoor space, and a huge balcony when you need a little more. Back inside you’ll find a king-size bed, two full bathrooms (one with whirlpool tub), plus a separate living room that sleeps another three. Weirdly stationed at one end of the huge, open space that is now the Ocean Plaza, Alchemy Bar doesn't work on a couple of levels.
Guy’s Burger Joint is really as good as they say.
It was basic, with neutral walls and blue patterned carpeting. No cutting-edge designs here, but I wouldn't expect that from an older ship. The bed was cozy, the pillows were soft, the room temperature remained comfortable, and I had ample storage for a long weekend's worth of clothing. Also, other than the night of the storm, I didn't encounter any extensive rocking or shifting that was out of the ordinary for a cruise ship.
Carnival Sunshine passengers returned to flooded cars after SC coastal storm - WCBD News 2
Carnival Sunshine passengers returned to flooded cars after SC coastal storm.
Posted: Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Generally, the doors open around 30 minutes before the show starts. I understand that waiting in line during your vacation is not ideal, but for the right performer, it can be well worth it. Carnival carries more families than any other cruise line in the world.
Captain's Suite
Updating the number of electrical outlets and adding USB ports to the cabins was not part of the 2013 renovation. Carnival Sunshine offers a nice variety of cuisine, so all palates will be satisfied. You could enjoy a spicy chickpea curry dish or jambalaya, freshly prepared artisan deli sandwiches and wraps, or load up on salad fixings and fresh fruit. Although Carnival reduced cabin cleaning service to just once a day from twice a day in 2022, our room steward was always close by and checking in on us.
My room had two twin beds pushed together into a queen-size bed that was flanked by bedside lamps and two one-drawer, one-shelf nightstands. The living area had a long sofa that could transform into a bed or the bottom half of bunk beds. In place of a traditional shorter coffee table, there was a taller wooden table that could double as a makeshift working desk. The wear and tear was also noticeable inside the room, including a few wall dings and a couple of nicks in the wood furnishings. Also, one of the hangers seemed to have been repaired with duct tape. Perhaps the most moving example of staff personalizing an experience for guests was during the military appreciation event, which is held every Carnival sailing and hosted by the cruise director.
Decks and Cabins
Traditionally, a recording of "Taps" is played during a moment of silence. Our cruise director, James, is also a trumpet player, so he plays "Taps" live for the ceremony. Similarly, since rough seas canceled the tech rehearsal, the "Epic Rock" production on the second night became an "unplugged" version with performers singing from stools on stage. While not ideal, it was another example of the flexibility and upbeat attitude of Carnival staff. Even without a full-on performance, the quality of vocal talent was undeniable.
Carnival Sunshine has been based in Charleston, South Carolina, since 2019, but 2024 will be the last year the ship will depart from the Holy City. It's moving a bit farther up the East Coast to Norfolk, Virginia, beginning in February 2025. TPG's Kristy Tolley accepted a free trip from Carnival Cruise Line to cruise on Carnival Sunshine. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren't subject to review by the line. During drydock 2018 (October 14-21, in Freeport Bahamas) were made regularly planned maintenance works. Follows the complete list of Carnival Sunshine lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.
At the same time, Cucina features exactly what you’d expect to find in an Italian restaurant (although I’m still puzzled as to why they took the tiramisu and cannoli off the dessert menu). Traditionally, fewer decide to have dinner in the steakhouse on the first night than any other night of a trip. For some people, it’s because they worry their luggage might not arrive in time. However, keep in mind that smoking is allowed only on the port side (that’s the left side), so if you’re a non-smoker, it’s best to stick to the starboard (right) side. Personally, when I want some peace and quiet, I head to deck three. On both the port and starboard sides of the deck, there are comfortable chairs that allow you to get closer to the ocean.
Over the last couple of years, Carnival has rolled out faster Wi-Fi systems across its fleet, so you can now stream video on some ships. Pricing changes over time, but the fastest "premium" service on Carnival Sunshine was recently priced at $18.70 per person, per day. The fitness center was well stocked with just about every piece of equipment you need to keep your workout routine while you cruise.
However, it's permitted in the casino, which would be fine if I didn't have to pass through the casino to get to certain parts of the ship. But there was no way to avoid the smoky areas if I needed to get to the Liquid Lounge theater from the Ocean Plaza. I can only imagine how problematic that could be for those who are allergic to smoke. The crew's flexibility and impressive level of service really stood out on this sailing. For example, we went through a storm during our cruise, and rough seas altered the Welcome Aboard production on the first night.
Another suggestion is to hit the casino as early as possible since there tend to be far fewer smokers around during the first few hours of the day. Every night, there will be a Dive-In movie playing on the Lido deck’s ginormous screen. The selection is usually pretty decent and can feature some surprisingly recent hits. So what better place to meet for pre-dinner drinks and a little people-watching than the Alchemy Bar, which is perfectly situated at the heart of Ocean Plaza? The handmade cocktails here are delicious, and they’re covered by the CHEERS!
The 345-square-foot Grand Suites, which have 85-square-foot balconies, are each one big room with a larger L-shaped sofa and a large closet in a separate room adjoining the bathroom. They're designed with marble-topped surfaces, full bathrooms with double-width shower-whirlpool tub combos, bidets, double sinks, marble flooring and mosaic tiles on the walls. Carnival Sunshine's cabin choices offer many configurations, with some capable of fitting two guests, while others can accommodate up to five people through various uses of sofa beds and ceiling pull-downs. The pulldown beds do have a weight restriction of 250 pounds.
And for many, they save the steakhouse for that special, final night’s dinner. Located just outside the Lido marketplace, the Havana Bar has tons of extra seating, which comes in handy when both JiJi Asian Kitchen and Cucina del Capitano are closed. In rooms with a balcony, you'll find a pair metal-and-plastic mesh chairs and a small table on the veranda. Balconies are a decent depth, and we were able to read comfortably while outside. The bathrooms are functional with an oddly placed outlet for razors, up above the mirror. Showers feature massaging heads and a clingy shower curtain that rarely contains the water.
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