Carnival Cruises
This vibrant ship is good for a first-time active cruise experience
The Ship. Carnival Sunshine (formerly Carnival Destiny) was the first cruise ship with a gross tonnage that exceeded 100,000. After a lengthy refurbishment, the ship shouts ‘Party, party, party!’ It’s a good ship for families with children.
The ship – now over 20 years old – has short bows and a distinctive, large, swept-back wing-tipped funnel. Tiered sunbathing decks positioned between small swimming pools, several hot tubs, and a large poolside movie screen have transformed the area.
Also, on the open deck and aft of the funnel is WaterWorks, including a 334ft (101.8m) Twister water slide, and Speedway Splash slide – so you and a competitor race down the Twister to a splashy finish.
The interior decor is a sensory wonderland. There are three decks full of lounges and bars, lots of rooms to play in, and a double-width indoor promenade. A glass-domed rotunda Sunshine Atrium lobby – with bar, two panoramic elevators and dual stairway – is nine decks high. An always-busy Sunshine Casino has ample gaming tables for serious gamers, and over 320 slot machines.
In spring 2013 a much-needed makeover (costing $155 million) lasted almost three months and added two half-decks at the front of the ship, extended two other decks aft, added 182 cabins (but no extra elevators), and several new and other revamped eateries. Public rooms include Piano Bar 88 (named for the 88 keys on a grand piano); Alchemy Bar, for ‘mixologist’ cocktails; a (music-free) Library Bar; a Sports Bar (interactive, with results on a 24/7 sports ticker); and an art gallery.
What’s it like? Carnival Sunshine is a floating playground for the young. The cuisine is not at all memorable, but there’s plenty to do for all the family. Because it’s a large resort ship, there will be lines for shore excursions, security control when re-boarding, and disembarkation, as well as sign-up sheets for fitness equipment. Other downsides include the many annoying announcements and the never-ending hustle to get you to buy alcoholic drinks full of ice and other items.
Accommodation. There are several accommodation categories (Captain’s Suite, Grand Suite, Ocean Suite, Premium Balcony Cabin, Scenic Oceanview Cabin, Oceanview Cabin, Interior Cabin, and Small Interior), and several price grades, depending on size and location. Over half of all cabins have ocean views, and, at 225 sq ft (21 sq m), they are a decent size. Some cabins, spread over four decks, have private balconies with glass rather than steel balustrades for better, unobstructed ocean views; balconies have bright fluorescent lighting. However, there are many, many interior (no-view) cabins.
During the 2013 refit, 95 Cloud 9 Spa Cabins were added over three decks in the front of the ship, adjacent to the Cloud 9 Spa and Serenity adult-only area; these have all the usual fittings, plus special spa-like extras, and access to the Cloud 9 Spa.
Standard cabins are of an adequate size and come equipped with all the basics, although the furniture is angular (think Ikea flatpack). Three decks of cabins (eight on each deck, each with private balcony) overlook the stern – these are very nice.
Three categories of cabins, both outside and interior, have upper and lower bunk beds, which is useful for families with small children.
Note that the soundproofing between cabins is poor and cabin doors have (non-closable) vents, so any noise from the hallway filters through.
Dining. There are two main restaurants: the Sunrise Forward Dining Room, with windows on two sides; and the Sunrise Aft Dining Room, with windows on three sides). Each is a single deck high and has bright, modern design and decor.
The Sunset dining room has a wall of glass overlooking the stern. There are tables for four, six, and eight and even a few tables for two – nice for honeymooners. Choose either fixed-time dining (6pm or 8.15pm) or flexible dining (during opening hours). Although menu choices look good, the actual cuisine delivered is unmemorable. Still, the waiters try to impress with lots of dancing on tables and other hoopla, telling everyone they’re having fun. Note that the two main dining rooms are not open for lunch on port days.
The Carnival is not known for good food. It really is carbohydrate-rich, with simple presentation and few garnishes. Many dishes are disguised with gravies and sauces. The selection of fresh green vegetables, bread and bakery items (these are thawed and then baked from frozen ‘starter’ dough), cheeses, and fruit is limited, and there is heavy use of rice, canned fruit, and jellied desserts. The waiters sing and dance, so think ‘foodertainment’ rather than food quality. Also, there are no wine waiters, and the wine glasses are small. For something really simple, an ‘always available’ list of ‘Carnival Classics’ includes mahi-mahi (fish), baby back ribs (beef), and grilled chicken.
Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse is an extra-cost, reservations-required dining spot for fine steaks (arguably worth the extra money) and grilled seafood dishes. There are many tables for two, although they are close together, as well as larger tables, and the seating is comfortable.
For casual eats, Ocean Plaza (Lido Market Place) is an international food court-style self-serve eatery with plenty of food displays (it’s a copy of the self-serve Markt Restaurants aboard AIDA Cruises’ ships). It includes a 24-hour pizzeria (Pizzeria del Capitano). There’s no bar in the venue itself – but there are several on the adjacent pool deck.
A JavaBlue Café with ‘comfort’ snacks is in the Fun Hub Internet-connect area. A Havana Bar is located within the Market Place, as is a RedFrog Pub, pouring Carnival’s own house brew, ThirstyFrog Red. Adjacent, but outside, are: Cucina del Capitano (for Italian cuisine, with made-to-order pasta dishes); the BlueIguana Cantina Mexican-style street eatery (for tacos and burritos); Ji Ji’s Asian Kitchen, which features lunchtime stir-fry dishes; a pizzeria; a patisserie (extra charge for pastries); a car-culture-inspired Guy’s Burger Joint for fast foods including burgers and hot dogs; and a RedFrog Rum Bar.
For something more unusual, or to celebrate, you can also choose to eat at the Chef’s Table (it’s reserved for only 12 hungry diners, at $75 each), which includes a look into the galley when it’s in full operation, followed by a specially prepared multi-course dinner.
Entertainment. The two-level Liquid Lounge – the ship’s showlounge, which seats 800 and is the setting for high-energy production legs-and-feathers shows and large-scale cabaret acts – is quite stunning. It has a revolving stage, hydraulic orchestra pit, good sound, and seating on three levels (the upper levels being tiered through two decks). A proscenium arch over the stage acts as a scenery loft.
Other entertainment options include a Hasbro Game Show and the Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez, and, the Liquid Lounge for those high-volume disco sounds.
Spa/Fitness. Cloud 9 Spa spans two decks, and encompasses 13,700 sq ft (1,272 sq m). It is located above the navigation bridge, and is accessible via the forward stairway. Lower-level facilities include a solarium, body treatment rooms, sauna and steam rooms for men and women, and a beauty salon; the upper level houses a fitness room with ocean-view windows on three sides, and an aerobics room for instructor-led classes (some at extra cost).
SportSquare is an outdoor recreation area with a suspended ropes course (and some great views).