We have sailed on the Sunshine before, but mainly chose this cruise due to the itinerary and the embarkation port in Charleston, very close to home. Speaking of embarkation in Charleston, try your best not to arrive until they tell you to. Unlike some other ports, traffic can be a nightmare, as they allow all the departing guests to empty the lots before letting the new guests bring their cars in. If you wait until a little later in the day to arrive, your embarkation will be much easier and smoother.

The ship suits our needs fine. We don't particularly enjoy the Mega ships, nor the smaller ones. The Sunshine is in that "just right" size category. Don't let the negative reviews sway your opinion on this ship. Sure there are a few things that can be improved ... we noticed one leak with a bucket in the hallway to catch water, but it was gone the next day. There was also a few funny smells here and there, but I have yet to go a cruise where something didn't smell funny at times. The only other annoying item we noticed is the main show theater. For first timers, it takes some getting used to. And the show theaters themselves are a little small for this many passengers. Just plan ahead and make an effort to arrive a little early for better seats.

The dining options on this ship were great. The steakhouse, Italian restaurant, and Ji-Ji's were awesome. You can also get the Italian and Ji-Ji's free of charge at lunch (although the entire menu is not offered at lunch). The food at Guys burgers and the Blue Iguana was always good and fresh. The Lido was hit and miss, but most buffets are just that way. The 24/7 pizza was good ... better than expected. Don't miss out on the Havana bar. They offer pastries at breakfast, and some Cuban sandwiches at lunch. Not enough to fill you up, but a nice compliment to the buffet right next door. The main dining room was just OK. Nothing special, but everyone was working very hard to please the passengers. It's hard to serve great food to so many people at one time. Read more