Sailed with a group of about 40 neighborhood friends and kids (ages 7-19) and had a great vacation on the Carnival Sunshine out of NYC. We are in our mid 40s and haven't cruised in 20 years (also with Carnival). Forgot how much fun you could have just on the ship and much has changed for the better. Ports were Grand Turk, Half-Moon Cay and Nassau, Bahamas. Overall, we had an epic vacation for the ages that was supported by the very good service and professionalism of the Sunshine Staff. We partied and played like rock stars and they made sure we always felt like we we on vacation. While this was not a "luxury" cruise line, we sailed with many folks from the tri-state area and knew that the fun would be active and loud (which suited us fine.)

Cheers package- Worth it if you are active drinkers or if you prefer higher end drinks and will have more than a few every day. It was easy for us to spend the $100 a day in what it cost my wife and I. We made a game out of finding the best drinks such as mixed tropical drinks. If you have a drink or two, pay as you go.

Ports: Grand Turk - Walk right through Margaritaville which you are practically herded into upon arriving. We went with only two ships in port and it was mobbed and party-centric (read frat boys cheering rump-shakers from the pool). The beach is good and kids liked to pool but we could have had that experience anywhere. Even Parrotheads would say that the themed drinks and kitsch is a little much. We wish we would have proceeded to Jack's Shack or an excursion where we could have wasted away somewhere other than a major-league tourist trap. Food was good and prices were what you would expect . Nachos were $22 but worth it for what you got. My over-proof rum and coke was $15 but it was mostly rum and a splash of coke. Read more