Carnival Sunshine Review
Rating by category
Additional details
First time on the Sunshine and I loved it! Crew was exceptionally friendly and helpful. Great itinerary, great weather, bumpy start (hour late on sail-away and rough seas first two days) but smooth sailing after that. Atmosphere was casual and fun. Even the passengers seemed friendlier to each other on this ship.
Loved the setup for YTD - check in on deck 5 at Ocean Plaza, go down elevator (right there) to aft MDR... NEVER had to wait. Service was attentive but a bit slower than other ships (could be due to how tightly the tables are packed together - hard not only for guests to maneuver but staff as well).
Loved the layout of the Lido buffet - hope all ships adopt this ( separate areas for salad, entree, desserts, etc.). Much easier to get in and out quickly. Seating near the food could get crowded at times but there was plenty of additional seating just a few steps away.
Cabin Review
Aft-View Extended Balcony
This was an accessible cabin and larger than most. Easily accommodated the scooter we rented from Scootaround (formerly CareVacations). Large aft balcony was wheelchair accessible as well. We asked our steward for three lounge chairs and he provided them, so we never had to fight for or hunt for an open chair on the decks above. Really enjoyed sunning in privacy on our balcony. No soot! Some water droplets now and then from the water slides at the rear of the ship, but no troublesome noise to disturb sleep. Lots of motion at the rear, especially during rough seas, but smoothed out to gentle swaying. Lots of vibration, but not terribly annoying. Felt like I was being rocked gently to sleep every night.
Port Reviews
Curacao
Beautiful place, just stunning! We walked around after docking, just sightseeing, walked onto the Queen Charlotte bridge to the other side and when we got right in the middle it was closed to further traffic and swung open to let a ship pass. Was a treat to be on it when that happened! Didn't take too long, but in case it did, there are also ferries (free, I believe) to transport you from one side to the other when the bridge is not available. Very accommodating. Lovely buildings and architecture, friendly people, great shopping bargains. Would love to go back and spend a few days here instead of a few hours. Check out the chiming bells in the center of town, chiming the hours with songs and clockwork display of figurines (like a cuckoo clock, kind of). It played Elvis "Love Me Tender" when we happened to be standing under it at the top of the hour. That was a nice surprise! Beautiful island.
Aruba
Where we docked in Aruba was basically commercial, like any other port of call. You would need an excursion or taxi to get to a beach or anything worth seeing. We just walked around town and bought souvenirs. People were very friendly to us everywhere we went. Would love to see more of the island if time allowed.
Grand Turk
Nothing here really except the usual duty-free shops. Margaritaville was a jumping place for the young. Enjoyed the NASA exhibit. But the main attraction for Grand Turk is the beach. Turquoise water, soft sand, shallow enough for kids, and FREE beach chairs, umbrellas, and clamshells, no matter what the shysters who hang around try to tell you. Some locals were enticing visitors with "umbrella down front" (closer to the water) for only $25. People, THEY ARE FREE! You can rent other equipment if you like, but don't pay for a chair or umbrella. Police were very visible and attempted to keep those shysters in line (futile, but it's that way everywhere, eh?). Average Carnival duty-free port made attractive by excellent beach with free chairs and umbrellas. Some nice bargains on souvenirs. And did I mention the beach chairs are FREE?