carnival cruise sunshine reviews

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Carnival Sunshine Deck Plans & Reviews

Carnival Sunshine

Activities & entertainment

Art Auction *
Cloud 9 Fitness Center
Cloud 9 Salon *
Cloud 9 Spa *
Dance Classes
Deck Parties
Sunshine Casino *
Lip Sync Battle
Evening Kids Programs *
Fitness Classes *
Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast *
Groove For St Jude *
Whirlpools (3)
Ice Carving Demonstrations
Photo Portraits *
Seuss_A_Palooza Parade and Storytime
Retail Shops *
Spa Parties *
SportSquare
The Warehouse Video Arcade *
Thermal Suites *
White Party
Wine Tasting *
Waterslides (2)
Circle C _ Tweens Club
Camp Ocean _ Kids Club
Club O2 _ Teens Club
Serenity _ Adults_Only
Carnival Seaside Theater
Comedy Shows
Limelight Lounge
Liquid Lounge
Live Nightly Music
Outdoor Movies
Sunrise Dining Room - Main
Sunset Dining Room - Main
JiJi Asian Kitchen - Asian *
Cherry On Top - Candies *
Sunshine Casino Bar - Casino Bar *
Lido Marketplace - Buffet
JavaBlue Cafe - Coffee & Pastries *
Havana Bar - Cuban-Themed Bar *
Guys Burger Joint - Pool Grill
Cucina del Capitano - Italian *
Bonsai Sushi - Sushi *
Taste Bar - Light Bites
Alchemy Bar - Cocktail Bar *
BlueIguana Cantina - Mexican
Shake Spot - Milkshakes *
Piano Bar 88 - Piano Bar *
RedFrog Rum Bar - Pool Bar *
BlueIguana Tequila Bar - Pool Bar *
RedFrog Pub - Pub *
The Library Bar - Quiet Bar *
SkyBox Sports Bar - Sports Bar *
Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
Room Service *
Excellent 51
Very Good 41
Terrible 17
All languages ( 155 )
English ( 154 )
Slovak ( 1 )

Upcoming itineraries

The map for this itinerary is not available at this time.

Carnival Sunshine cruise ship review: What it’s like to cruise on Carnival’s oldest ship

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.

Sometimes it's hard to beat an oldie but a goodie, and that's certainly the case with Carnival Sunshine.

Carnival's oldest ship and part of the line's Sunshine Class of reimagined vessels, Carnival Sunshine has the "Fun Ship 2.0" upgrades that bring it in line with newer Carnival ships. Modern amenities and an unpretentious environment dovetail nicely aboard Sunshine, and the updated restaurants, bars and public spaces make you feel like you're on a modern cruise ship.

Sure, you'll spot signs of wear and tear befitting an older ship, but the dings in my cabin furnishings were easy to overlook.

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I'm not the only one who appreciates this made-over ship. On my second sailing on Sunshine, a four-night Bahamas cruise out of Charleston, I found myself surrounded by a diverse group, though most passengers hailed from South Carolina. My shipmates included lots of families, couples traveling together and multigenerational reunion groups.

The common denominator among passengers was that everyone was ready to celebrate something. On embarkation day, I saw an almost endless sea of matching shirts announcing milestone birthdays, bachelorette parties and other special events. The overall vibe — which continued throughout the cruise — was energetic and festive, and most people didn't take themselves too seriously. It was clear from the moment we stepped on the ship that if you didn't have a fun time, it was entirely your fault.

Carnival Sunshine is a great home base for a celebratory vacation (or any kind of getaway, really) that doesn't break the bank, especially if you live within driving distance of one of its departure ports. Some four-night sailings start as low as $374 per person (based on double occupancy) for a four-night getaway. You'd be hard-pressed to spend less with a hotel stay of the same length — not to mention the extra cost of food you don't have to worry about with a cruise.

Even if you don't have a milestone event to celebrate, Carnival Sunshine provides such a perfect backdrop for your fun that your vacation will feel like a celebration.

Overview of Carnival Sunshine

The 102,853-ton Carnival Sunshine is 12 decks high and carries 3,002 passengers at double occupancy in 1,501 cabins.

Launched in 1996 as Carnival Destiny, the ship received an overhaul and a new name in 2013. The glow-up brought added attractions and venues found on newer Carnival vessels. These upgrades included a complete renovation of Sunshine's pool area and the addition of a full-blown water park, a SportSquare area on the top deck, and an adults-only Serenity outdoor lounge area complete with daybeds, padded loungers, a hot tub and a full bar.

Carnival Sunshine also acquired new food and beverage venues like the line's signature steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555; its signature Italian eatery, Cucina Del Capitano; and an express Bonsai Sushi. The line also added 182 cabins, bumping its capacity at double occupancy from 2,642 to 3,002 passengers, a 14% increase.

At nearly 103,000 tons, Sunshine Class ships are more than 40% smaller than Carnival's newest ships, such as Carnival Celebration. That said, Carnival Sunshine still offers a solid list of onboard diversions, from a multi-slide water park to a theater showing original musical productions.

The ship's age is starting to show, with a few nicks and marks here and there and visible rust spots on the exterior. The need for a fresh coat of paint was more prominent when we were docked beside two newer Royal Caribbean ships in Nassau — so much so that the comedian referenced it in his show that night. It didn't detract from our cruise, but those seeking a new shiny ship should look elsewhere.

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.

What I loved about Carnival Sunshine

The festive atmosphere

Carnival wears its "fun ship" moniker well. The line's focus on having a great time is infused in every aspect of your cruise experience, and guests are an extension of that ethos. Every passenger I encountered was friendly and ready to participate in all the activities the Fun Squad had planned.

Karaoke was hugely popular during our cruise. There was always a line of people ready to perform, and the Ocean Plaza area where it took place was teeming with crowds cheering them on. Audience members would often get up and dance to the music or sing along.

Loads of people consistently came out for music trivia at the Sunshine Bar in the Atrium, too. It's hard not to have a good time when your enthusiastic cruise director stands on top of the bar and encourages everyone to join in.

From Noel, our amenable room steward, to Nicole and Tatiana, our capable Alchemy Bar mixologists, every staff member we interacted with was genuine, friendly and cheerful. We weren't their only fans. One passenger even had a T-shirt made featuring a photo of Nicole and Tatiana.

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. Our cabin was well-kept and clean, and we had fresh towels when we needed them.

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. Instead of a musical and dance show, the two onboard comedians performed a short bit of their routine. At least 200 people came out for the show, and the audience was enthusiastic and supportive.

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.

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. 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.

I've sailed with Carnival on several occasions, and the food has always been great. Carnival Sunshine was no exception. I was able to sample most included and added-fee restaurants — including Asian favorites at JiJi's and Bonsai Sushi, and the poolside Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina (more below on each of these).

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.

The main dining room menu featured fresh seafood, varied pasta dishes (spaghetti carbonara, linguini with Italian sausage), steak and tempting desserts (the creme brulee and Carnival melting chocolate cake are a must).

The only downside is it can be challenging to hit every dining venue you want during a four-night cruise!

What I didn't love about Carnival Sunshine

Smoke in the casino.

Smoking can be a divisive issue on cruise ships, and it's banned nearly everywhere on board. 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.

That said, the casino was always buzzing and consistently teemed with passengers who either weren't bothered by the smoke or were willing to put up with it for a good game of blackjack.

Limited electrical outlets in cabins

If you've sailed on a newer Carnival ship with ample outlets and USB ports in your cabin, you might be surprised by the lack of them on Sunshine. Updating the number of electrical outlets and adding USB ports to the cabins was not part of the 2013 renovation.

The desk area had only two U.S.-style 110V plugs and a European-style 220V plug. The nightstands flanking the bed did not include outlets. If you need more outlets, plan to pack a power strip (just not one with a surge protector, as they're banned on ships ).

Carnival Sunshine cabins and suites

Our cabin was an aft (back of the ship) balcony cabin on Deck 5. I'd never stayed in an aft cabin, so I looked forward to having uninterrupted ocean views over the ship's wake. I particularly enjoyed our view as we plied through rough waters during a storm. It was a fantastic reminder of the strength and endurance of cruise ships.

Another perk of an aft cabin was the size of the balcony — a bit larger than regular balconies in other Carnival cabins I've stayed in. Traditional balconies have room for two chairs and a small table. Our aft balcony fit an additional lounger. As mentioned earlier, the ship shows signs of wear and tear, which was evident on our balcony. It desperately needed a good scrub to get rid of the dark spots and paint drippings.

I had heard that noise could be an issue for those staying in aft cabins. We were above the main dining room, and we could sometimes hear the music from the dinner entertainment. However, we never heard it after hours. Honestly, I didn't notice any more ship noise than on previous sailings in other cabins.

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.

Overall, I was pleased with the cabin. 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.

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.

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.

A large desk/vanity with a lighted mirror and flat-screen TV was on the opposite wall. It housed four drawers (one containing a small hair dryer for in-cabin use), a minifridge, and a cabinet with a small safe. Three side-by-side closets were positioned to the right of the desk.

Our cabin's TV was installed on the wall to the left of the desk mirror. Unfortunately, the wall came out a bit to the left of the TV, which made it impossible to swivel the TV to the left and view it from the bed. The TV wasn't interactive like most are on newer ships. It had about 10 channels of news, movies and children's programming, and several Carnival-sponsored channels.

The bathroom was small but adequate. There were two shelves on both sides of the mirror for toiletry storage and a decent amount of counter space for such a small area. The shower included pump dispensers for shampoo and body wash, as well as a retractable clothesline for drying swimwear.

There were ample towel racks and three hooks on the back of the door. The bathroom was stocked with bath and hand towels, washcloths and a bar of soap.

Most of the accommodations on Carnival Sunshine fall into one of three categories: windowless inside cabins, ocean-view cabins with a window that doesn't open and balcony cabins. Carnival Sunshine offers more than 200 connecting rooms, ideal for large families or groups traveling together who like to stay close.

Spa lovers can stay in one of the 92 Cloud 9 Spa cabins and three spa suites with direct access to the spa. They also score exclusive spa packages and discounts, unlimited use of the Thermal Suite, a free body composition analysis and upgraded Elemis toiletries in their cabin.

If you want to splurge and book a suite on Carnival Sunshine, you have 58 options across four categories — Ocean Suites (45), Grand Suites (8), Captain's Suites (2) and the aforementioned Cloud 9 Spa Suites (3). Ocean Suites are akin to junior suites, expanded versions of balcony cabins.

The suites come with varied perks, which can include priority check-in and boarding, as well as priority disembarkation on the final morning of your trip.

Carnival Sunshine restaurants and bars

Carnival Sunshine offers a bevy of restaurant and bar choices. It offers a good mix of included-in-your-fare and extra-fee options, and overall, I enjoyed all my meals on board. If you want to try one of the ship's specialty restaurants, make reservations as soon as possible, as they tend to book up quickly.

Restaurants

Carnival Sunshine has two main dining rooms — Sunrise Dining Room (decks 3 and 4) and Sunset Dining Room (Deck 3). You can choose fixed-time, assigned table seating at 5:30 p.m. (early dining) or 7:45 p.m. (late dining). If you know you want to eat at either of those designated times, you should reserve when you book, as they fill up fast.

We opted for Your Time Dining, so we could dine any time between 5:15 and 9 p.m. When we were ready for dinner, we checked in through Carnival's mobile app and received an alert when our table was ready. From check-in to being seated, we only had about a 10-minute wait on both evenings. All Your Time Dining folks dine in the Sunrise Dining Room.

We enjoyed both main dining room meals, which included prime rib, lobster tail, New York strip and pan-seared barramundi. I especially enjoyed the beet and petite greens salad with a citrus dressing. Of course, when on a Carnival ship, you must try the line's signature melting chocolate cake, which I did, and it was perfection.

Don't miss the Seaday Brunch, with top-notch eggs Benedict, French toast, made-to-order omelets, brunch burgers and bloody marys. I splurged on a fresh pressed juice ($5) with pineapple, ginger, lime, dates and turmeric. It was fantastic. The main dining room is also open for breakfast on port days.

Guy's Burger Joint is a walk-up counter restaurant at the back of the pool area on the Lido Deck. My husband is a huge Guy's Burger fan, so that is always our first meal on embarkation day. Judging from the lines, the majority of Sunshine cruisers had the same idea. Lines moved pretty quickly, though. Even my special-order veggie burger took under five minutes to make (though it was my least favorite dish on the ship).

My husband ordered the "Straight Up" burger with all the fixings, and it was almost on par with others he's eaten on previous cruises.

His take: "This was the 'least good' Guy's burger I've had, and it was still delicious." His second Guy's burger on our third day of the cruise was even tastier.

Also on the Lido Deck, BlueIguana Cantina serves freshly made burritos, tacos and bowls. It's one of my favorite casual dining spots, and I would put the veggie burrito up against Chipotle any day of the week.

The Lido Marketplace is the ship's popular buffet restaurant, offering a variety of culinary options from early morning through late night. Breakfast offerings included scrambled or boiled eggs, beans, potatoes, varied pastries, fresh fruit, and hot or cold cereal. There were also two omelet stations in the Havana Bar area, located just off the Lido Marketplace. (The Havana Bar serves craft Cuban-style daiquiris, mojitos and Cuban coffee drinks.)

Lunch consisted of made-to-order deli sandwiches and pizza, as well as international dishes, hot sides and a salad station.

Carnival Sunshine features five added-fee restaurants — JiJi Asian Kitchen, Bonsai Sushi, Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, Cucina del Capitano and the Chef's Table — for cruisers looking for a special meal. Hot tip: If you pre-book your specialty dinner for the first night of your cruise, you'll score a free bottle of wine. You can choose between a chardonnay and merlot, and can either drink it with your meal or enjoy it in your cabin later. It's a nice way to kick off the cruise.

We booked a table at Jiji's for our first evening on board. The pan-Asian menu features dishes from Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, China and Mongolia served family style. I ordered the shrimp dumplings, sweet and sour shrimp, and the Chinese broccoli. My husband had the chicken rolls and the peppered beef. We closed out our dinner with the rose creme brulee with ginger cream and caramelized crepes served with citrus ice cream.

Every dish was delicious. The pacing of our meal was perfect, and we didn't feel rushed through the courses. Service was attentive without being intrusive. The cost is $24 (per person) for adults and $6 (per person) for kids aged 11 and under — a great price for a fantastic meal.

Open for lunch and dinner, the Bonsai Sushi outpost on Sunshine is smaller than those on newer ships. With reasonably priced items like $5 and $7 rolls, and $2 for soup or salad, it's easy to curb your sushi craving on the cheap.

Other specialty dining options include the line's signature Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse (one of TPG's favorite cruise ship specialty restaurants ) and La Cucina del Capitano for an authentic family-style Italian meal. During lunch, La Cucina del Capitano offers a free pasta bar. Passengers can also book the Chef's Table experience, an intimate multicourse meal hosted by the executive chef.

A fun meal for families is the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast ($10 per adult and $8 per child aged 14 and under). Held in the main dining room, it kicks off with the lively Seuss-a-palooza Parade led by The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2. You get to nosh on "green eggs and ham," pancakes, French toast, "Moose Juice" and other whimsical dishes inspired by Seuss' books. The characters stick around for meet-and-greets and photo ops.

After boarding, we checked out the RedFrog Pub on Deck 5. It was far enough away from embarkation day chaos but busy enough for entertaining people-watching. The bar was out of fresh mint, so I couldn't sample the Ving Mojito, so I sipped a tasty margarita instead.

A fun component of this bar is the screens above the bar that carousel through photos the bartenders have taken of RedFrog Pub patrons. The Pub didn't seem to be the hub for activities as I've seen on other vessels, probably because karaoke, live music and trivia games were held just outside the door in the Ocean Plaza.

The Alchemy Bar is a cocktail bar designed to resemble an apothecary, offering "elixirs" and "remedies." It's one of the venues I look forward to the most when cruising with Carnival.

Full disclosure: I've been smitten with this watering hole since I tasted my first Cucumber Sunrise aboard Carnival Conquest in 2013. Maybe it's because it was my first foray into herbal-based craft cocktails or because the bartenders are consistently fun and engaging. Either way, few things can beat a refreshing, restorative basil drop served by some of the best bartenders in the cruising industry.

Want to try something off the menu? No problem. After determining my preferred spirits and flavors, the bartenders always come up with something fantastic. I'm a gin and lavender fan, and our bartender, Tatiana, created an amazing cocktail with gin, lavender, St. Germain, elderflower and lime juice.

The Alchemy Bar on Carnival Sunshine is situated just off the popular Ocean Plaza area, the place to be for trivia games, karaoke and live music.

The Havana Bar is the place to head for top-notch mojitos. The small buffet area by the bar often features Latin-inspired bites like empanadas and Cuban sandwiches. Since it's located just beyond the main pool on Deck 9 and beside the Lido Marketplace buffet area, I found it to be an ideal spot to retreat to when buffet area seating was limited.

Poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar were both a hub of activity most days. And if you're lounging by the pool, you can expect servers to come by often and take drink orders. Other popular spots for some spirits include the Serenity Bar by the adults-only sun deck, SkyBox Sports Bar (where multiple TVs behind the bar broadcast various games), the Piano Bar (with nightly singalongs), the Atrium Bar and the Sunshine Casino.

We also visited the Piano Bar twice during our short cruise. The pianist/singer was top-notch and had a great rapport with the guests. The only thing that tainted our experience was that both times we visited, a family with younger kids monopolized the show with requests. The Carnival website lists the Piano Bar as a 21-plus venue, but no one challenged the family.

Carnival Sunshine activities

When the weather cooperated, most passengers gravitated to the upper decks for fun in the sun and water. In addition to the one main pool and two hot tubs on Deck 9, Sunshine is home to Carnival's WaterWorks water park with waterslides and a kiddie splash zone. A bevy of diversions at the nearby SportSquare included a ropes course, minigolf, ping-pong and foosball.

The ship's quieter adults-only Serenity Deck area was midship on decks 11 and 12 and overlooked the main pool area. Passengers 21-plus could take advantage of a plunge pool with a waterfall, a hot tub, a bar, and loungers and cabanas.

Energetic cruisers who can't veg in the sun all day can find limitless activities indoors to occupy their sea days. Free events included trivia games, Bingo, spa pampering parties, karaoke, and ice carving or towel animal folding demonstrations. For-fee activities like Build-A-Bear Workshop and $5,000 Jackpot Bingo also drew a crowd.

Shopping opportunities were decent. You have the Fun Shops for Carnival-branded items, souvenirs, jewelry, liquor and fragrances. For a sugary splurge, Cherry On Top sells an extensive selection of sweet treats.

The Sunshine Casino on Deck 5 midship was popular with passengers on my sailing. Every time I walked through, it was buzzing with activity (although, as previously mentioned, I didn't spend a lot of time there). The venue is a maze of slot machines, with a collection of poker tables, a craps table, two roulette tables and several blackjack tables. Throughout our cruise, the casino hosted organized poker tournaments, raffles and other ways to test Lady Luck.

Karaoke events were held in the Ocean Plaza area in between the Alchemy Bar and RedFrog Pub. The openness of the space provided optimum participation from passengers and performers, so a lively crowd was always on hand to sing along.

Families can take advantage of included-in-your-fare childcare in Carnival's Camp Ocean facilities on 10. The youngest cruisers can participate in supervised activities, divided into age-based groups: Penguins (2 to 5 years), Stingrays (6 to 8 years) and Sharks (9 to 11 years).

The designated areas for each age group were spacious and offered plenty of seating. Though they had separate entrances, the spaces were close enough that pick-up and drop-off would be easy for families with kids checked into different areas.

Tweens and teens have their own hangouts and activity schedules. Circle C is for cruisers ages 12 to 14, with events like dance parties, outdoor movies and group games. The Circle C space had a futuristic vibe with metal walls and a minimalist design.

Club O2 is for the 15-to-17 set and offers a chance for older teens to hang out together, play sports and games, and interact during group activities. The modern atmosphere extended to Club 02 with a bold red and black pattern on the floor, sleek red chairs and metal accents.

During this sailing, many families seemed to hang out together during the day — spending time at the pool, watching karaoke and participating in other activities.

Carnival's Cloud 9 Spa on Deck 10 is the place to go for vacation pampering. Various treatments and therapies are available — from deep tissue and stone massages to acupuncture and other traditional Chinese techniques. Additionally, the spa offers hair and nail services, facials and medispa treatments.

You can also buy Thermal Suite passes for a day or the entire length of your cruise. You'll have access to the heated tile loungers, rain showers, an aroma steam room and a sauna.

The fitness center was well stocked with just about every piece of equipment you need to keep your workout routine while you cruise. It's free to use, but you can pay extra for instructor-led classes like Pilates, yoga or indoor cycling. If you like fresh air with your morning walk or run, head to the top deck and hit the jogging track.

Unlike newer Carnival ships with a full promenade that provides access to restaurants and bars, Sunshine has the more traditional promenade with shuffleboard and some outdoor seating. Come for a walk or take in the sunset.

Carnival Sunshine shows

We sailed through a storm for a couple of days, and both the "Welcome Aboard Show" and the Playlist Productions "Epic Rock" show were altered because of it. Instead of a full-on production, we got two short sets from each comedian (for the welcome show) and performers singing from stools on stage ("Epic Rock").

It was a bummer to miss a "true" Carnival production. I've cruised with Carnival several times, and I'm always impressed with the caliber of talent. The shows are one of my favorite parts of cruising with Carnival. I've enjoyed Latin-themed performances ("Amor Cubano"), British music tributes ("The Brits") and an art-infused journey through music and dance ("Color My World").

We took in a comedy show at the Punchliner Comedy Club (in the Limelight Lounge on Deck 4) and enjoyed it. I'm a hard nut to crack, and the comedian got me laughing out loud more than once. My husband guffawed throughout the set. Each sailing typically includes a family-friendly "PG" show at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The 18-plus shows take place at 8:45 p.m. and 10 p.m. Most cruises have one or two comedians on board.

Carnival Sunshine itineraries and pricing

Throughout 2024, Carnival Sunshine will sail year-round four-, five-, six- and eight-night Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean voyages from Charleston. Depending on the itinerary, stops might include Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, San Juan and the cruise line's private island, Half Moon Cay.

At the time of publication, prices started from $374 per person for a four-night Bahamas sailing in an inside cabin (excluding taxes and fees).

As previously mentioned, beginning in 2025, the vessel will move to its new home port of Norfolk, Virginia. From there, it will offer six-night Bahamas and Bermuda sailings, as well as eight-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

At press time, prices started at $519 per person for an inside cabin on a six-night Bahamas cruise (excluding taxes and fees).

What to know before you go

Required documents.

If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that begins and ends in a U.S. port, you must have a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. A passport card is also acceptable.

Your passport must be valid for at least six more months.

Important note: The name on your reservation must be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. We recommend you check Carnival's website before you sail for the most recent updates on requirements.

Carnival adds an automatic service gratuity of $14.50 to $16.50 per person, per day to final bills, depending on the cabin category. Children under the age of 2 are exempt.

You can adjust the amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking if you are not satisfied with the service you received. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills and the cover charge of the Chef's Table.

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.

Other packages available for a Sunshine sailing include the less expensive "social" plan that only allows access to key social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) and messaging services such as WhatsApp for $12.75 a day. A slightly more expensive "value" plan, at $17 per day, adds access to email and most websites. If you pay for a plan prior to sailing, you'll receive a discount.

Carry-on drinks policy

You can bring one bottle of wine or Champagne (per person) onto the ship at boarding, as well as up to a dozen standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas.

Nonalcoholic drinks in glass or plastic bottles are not allowed. If you want to bring the wine or Champagne to an onboard restaurant or bar to drink, you'll incur a $15 corkage fee. Drinks brought on board must be carried in your carry-on luggage.

Smoking policy

On Carnival Sunshine, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas and in the casino. Smoking is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

While cigarette smoking is allowed in the casino, according to Carnival's website, you must be seated and playing to smoke in the casino. Smoking is permitted in designated areas on Deck 3 (port side, forward) and Deck 10 (starboard side, midship).

Self-service launderettes are on decks 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 (midship) on Carnival Sunshine. Each launderette has washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. There's a $3.25-per-load charge to use a washer or dryer. The laundrettes also have vending machines stocked with small boxes of detergent and fabric softener at $1.50 per box.

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).

Electrical outlets

As mentioned previously, Carnival Sunshine cabins have both standard North American-style 110-volt outlets and European-style 220-volt outlets. Bring a power strip if you need more than that.

The currency used on Carnival Sunshine is the U.S. dollar. 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. This same card also gets you into your cabin.

Drinking age

Passengers must be 21 to drink alcohol on Carnival Sunshine.

There is no specific dress code during the day on Sunshine, so people dress casually. Beach attire is the norm for sea days, and if you plan to spend your day on the top deck, plan to dress in T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside).

Although there's an official dress code for the evenings, it's pretty laid-back. Most nights are designated "cruise casual," which includes khakis or jeans, polo shirts and sundresses. Super casual clothing like cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts aren't permitted.

Depending on the length of your cruise, one or two nights of the itinerary will include a "cruise elegant" night where the suggested attire for men is dress slacks and a dress shirt; sports coats and suits are optional. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. If you don't want to dress up, you can choose a more casual dinner venue, but dress code enforcement in Carnival dining rooms tends to be lax.

Bottom line

Whether you're looking for an affordable Caribbean cruise for the whole family or want to escape with your besties, Carnival Sunshine is a solid bet if having a fun time is a priority.

It's not a shiny, new vessel, so don't expect flawless cabins and the latest attractions. What you can expect, though, is to have nonstop fun thanks to a variety of diversions and an enthusiastic group of like-minded shipmates.

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Carnival Sunshine

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Find a Cruise on Carnival Sunshine

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The 3,002-passenger, 1,040-crew member Carnival Sunshine (debuted in 2013) was the first in the fleet to receive "Fun Ship 2.0" upgrades. It offers several dining venues and bars, such as Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Pub and the Skybox Sports Bar. It was last refurbished in October 2018.

Lodging is available in Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite categories. Though Interior and Ocean View cabins are on the smaller end (185 to 280 square feet), they are the most affordable options. Meanwhile, Balcony and Suite cabins provide ample space and verandas. All rooms offer flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service.

While at sea, adults can unwind with treatments at the Cloud 9 Spa or the adults-only Serenity Retreat. In fact, Sunshine offers one of the biggest Serenity areas in the fleet. Families looking to bond can enjoy the mini-golf course or the onboard waterpark. In the evenings, cruisers can laugh it up at the Punchliner Comedy Club.

Carnival Sunshine sails from Charleston and Norfolk, Virginia, to destinations in the Caribbean and the Bahamas .

Pros & Cons

One of the largest Serenity adults-only areas in the fleet

Recent passengers report long wait times at dinner

Expert Rating » 3.0
Traveler Rating » 4.0
Health Rating » 3.0

Carnival Sunshine ranks # 23 out of 25 Carnival Cruise Line Cruise Ships based on an analysis of expert and user ratings, as well as health ratings.

# 23 in Best Carnival Cruise Line
# 38 in Best Cruises for Groups
# 55 in Best Cruises for Families
# 89 in Best Cruises to the Caribbean
# 119 in Best Affordable Cruises

Carnival Sunshine offers a wide range of accomodation options. Browse cabins to find the stateroom that suits your needs.

Carnival Sunshine contains 13 decks. Find out which features are available on each Carnival Sunshine deck.

Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 2758 guests have reviewed Carnival Sunshine , giving it a rating of 4 on a scale of 1-5.

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Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Sunshine Review

Following a $155 million overhaul, carnival sunshine is marketed as a “new” ship, with a new name. but our inaugural sailing revealed a ship that was not ready for guests..

Updated February 20, 2016

When Carnival Destiny originally launched in 1996, it was the first passenger ship to top 100,000 tons. More than that, it was a prototype for an entire generation of ships that followed. The debut made waves as the first modern cruise liner that was too wide to transit the Panama Canal. But of course it didn’t take long for other ships to overtake the vessel in the bigger and flashier departments, and soon Destiny settled into a comfortable life as one of Carnival’s aging midsized options. When a $155 million project was announced to radically overhaul the ship at age 17, we booked a cabin.

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

About Our Cruise

Our cabin: cloud 9 spa interior, cabin amenities, other cabins, sunrise and sunset restaurants, lido marketplace, blue iguana cantina, guy’s burger joint, fahrenheit 555, cucina del capitano, ji ji asian kitchen, mongolian bbq, pizzeria del capitano, the taste bar, in-room dining, java blue and shake spot, sunshine lobby bar, alchemy bar, red frog pub, red frog rum bar, blue iguana tequila bar, the library bar, serenity bar, cloud 9 spa and gym, other recreation, decks overview, shows & entertainment, sunshine casino, other venues, kids programs, ship communications, internet facilities, dress codes, laundry facilities, general health & safety, smoking policy, general policies.

The 2013 renovation plans were designed to transform the vessel, adding new decks, 182 new cabins, new restaurants and bars, and a new water park with three speed slides. Destiny would also emerge with a new name, Carnival Sunshine. An unusually long 49-day dry dock in Trieste, Italy was scheduled for the work, with Sunshine’s first sailing set for April 12. Alas, not quite everything went according to plan.

First, the good news: the revitalized Carnival Sunshine represents a truly transformed cruise ship. Those who sailed on Carnival Destiny will be hard-pressed to find evidence of the old ship—almost no area went untouched. Parts of the ship that were not structurally altered, such as cabins and hallways have been brightened and freshened with palm-and-sea backdrops, a style familiar to guests who’ve sailed on Carnival Breeze. The gaudy design style of the Joe Farcus era has been scrubbed in favor of a clean, modern ambience.

A key component of the makeover was to increase the ship’s capacity; 182 guest rooms were added throughout the ship. This was accomplished by adding a new forward deck, by reconfiguring a few cabin areas to better utilize precious real estate, and by downsizing some back-of-house areas (including, apparently, the main galley). The main showroom was reduced from three decks to two—the showroom's original lower deck now holds 41 cabins.

But to our surprise, increasing the ship’s capacity by several hundred bodies did not lead to increased crowding as we might have expected. This isn’t to say that sun decks and the buffet weren’t busy—they were, but they didn’t seem any more so than on a typical Carnival cruise. We found seats for shows in the Liquid Lounge as late as showtime; the redesigned buffet venue never seemed jammed. We’re not sure if this was in part due to sailing with a different clientele from the usual Carnival voyage (on our Mediterranean cruise, many guests were European, and somewhat older), but other than embarkation day we did not experience crowd control issues aboard Sunshine. For comparison we'll note that, at 102,853 tons, Sunshine is still quite a bit smaller than the three vessels that comprise Carnival's 128,000-ton Dream class (Sunshine carries 3,006 passengers at double occupancy, versus Carnival Breeze, which tops out at 3,690 guests).

Food was better than we’ve experienced on most Carnival ships, and there were plenty of options. We had a fine meal in Fahrenheit 555, the ship’s steakhouse, while Ji Ji Asian Kitchen is a tasty new Asian dining concept for Carnival that we hope will be introduced on other ships. Though Liquid Lounge, the ship’s showroom, has been downsized, we enjoyed the entertainment staged here, which hews to Carnival’s new emphasis on shorter shows. The handsome, adults-only Serenity area, replete with waterfall, is a great addition to the ship, sprawling across three forward decks.

A Carnival cruise is not for everyone, with any number of loud or boisterous events taking place on a daily basis on every ship in the fleet. Count on the cruise director to be on the speaker system often—do we really need pitches for shore excursions bellowed two or three times a day? These were loud enough to be heard clearly within our cabin, drowning out the sound on our TV (Carnival’s cabin design suffers from a door vent that allows hallway noise to be annoyingly audible).

But there were also a few noise issues unique to Sunshine. Most of the Serenity area faces the speakers for the main pool, so the Hairy Chest Competition, deejay music and other events were heard loud and clear. And the forward section of the top Serenity area is exposed to loud exhaust fans, making us wonder if “serenity” was a misnomer. Worse, when the main showroom was redesigned to convert into a pumping disco late at night, someone overlooked tamping down potential sound leak issues during dry dock. Cabins on decks 3 and 6, immediately below and above the lounge, could feel and hear the blaring disco, a beat that carried on past midnight on our cruise; guests on subsequent cruises say this issue has not been fixed. While we love a spin on the dance floor, you couldn’t pay us to stay in these cabins.

These were issues that impacted our particular sailing, and we think Carnival headquarters bears the responsibility for mismanaging this project and for allowing the ship to sail when it did. So, let our experience serve as a cautionary caveat—to both undelivered marketing hype and the danger of booking a cruise on a ship fresh out of dry dock.

Next up are three different types of Ocean View cabins, including obstructed and “scenic” (six forward-facing cabins on Deck 9 with oversized windows). One-third of the ship’s cabins are classified as Balcony , a category that includes 26 Aft-View Extended Balcony units and 6 Premium Vista units (these are nifty aft corner cabins with wraparound balconies). There are also several types of Suites .

Aboard Sunshine we found roughly 80 cabins we would categorically recommend against booking. These are the 40 cabins on Deck 6 immediately above the Liquid Lounge nightclub and all the cabins on Deck 3 (just below). The nightclub did not operate every night of our cruise, but on the nights it came alive (after 11 p.m.), these cabin doors and walls rattled with every beat and guests called the front desk demanding to be moved.

For our cruise we opted to try one of Sunshine’s new accommodations, the Cloud 9 Spa cabins. Also available with a balcony or as a suite, the 95 spa cabins are found on decks 10 through 12. Upgrading to a spa cabin costs between $18 and $26 per day, per person. Carnival’s website says the spa cabins add in “private spa access, special amenities and priority spa reservations.” What this translates to: complimentary admission to the thermal suite in the spa (a day pass is normally $20 per day, per person, or $99 for 7 days), bathrobes, slippers and Elemis bath products instead of the usual freebies, and—maybe—a more convenient spa appointment time. We can only recommend upgrading to a spa cabin for those who plan to spend a good portion of their cruise lounging on the spa’s heated ceramic beds.

The bathroom was typically compact, but adequate and clean. After embarkation we had good pressure for our shower, and hot water throughout (other cabins had problems). At various points the toilet would not flush; we were told that the entire forward section of the ship was out for a few hours one night. Our bathroom towels were thick, plush and new, and we had yellow pool towels. There was no shampoo/soap in a wall-mounted dispenser, but two tiny holes hinted it might yet be installed.

There were three full-length closets, each 20 inches wide; one was filled by half with life jackets and a ladder for the pull-down bunk bed. More clothes hangers could have been provided. Cabin lighting was good, almost adequate for reading in bed.

Our TV was 27-inch ViewSonic model—sufficient for a cabin of this size. There was a minibar under the TV, with the usual small array of spirits, beer, wine, sodas and energy drinks. There was a safe above the minibar, and a hair dryer was found inside the desk drawer. Most Carnival cabins include a bowl of complimentary goodies, such as shampoo and toothpaste samples. Our spa cabin was equipped instead with Elemis products—a nice upgrade. Other spa “extras” were a bathrobe and slippers.

We did not stay in the rest of these cabins, but we have summaries here provided by Carnival Cruise Lines. Note that photos below have been provided by the cruise line and not our reviewer.

Ocean View Large windows offer excellent views of the ocean and sneak peeks of each destination. Stateroom amenities: Television; soft, comfortable, and cozy linens; hairdryer/bathrobes; 24-hour stateroom service; ample closet and drawer space.

Balcony Relax and admire the passing scenery from your stateroom’s private balcony. Stateroom amenities: Television; soft, comfortable, and cozy linens; hairdryer/bathrobes; 24-hour stateroom service; ample closet and drawer space.

Suite A spacious room, that includes Priority check-in during embarkation. Stateroom amenities: Whirlpool bath; vanity dressing table; television; soft, comfortable, and cozy linens; hairdryer/bathrobes; 24-hour stateroom service; ample closet and drawer space.

{{photo_gallery "Carnival Sunshine p2 g3"}} Carnival Sunshine has a broader array of dining options than almost any other ship in the Carnival fleet. In addition to the main dining rooms and the buffet, where we took most of our meals, there is a burger joint, a Mexican option, a pizza station, plus three specialty restaurants requiring an add-on fee for dinner (two of them are open for lunch with no surcharge); we also found a spot for tapas-style light bites.

One of the unexpected strengths of Carnival Sunshine was the diverse choice of breakfast venues that went beyond the usual main dining room and buffet to encompass the Taste Bar and BlueIguana Cantina. On our cruise a Punchliners Comedy Brunch was held on sea days featuring 10-minute live comedy routines once an hour. We didn’t think much of the comedy—we found it “safe” to the point of neutered—and apparently neither did many other guests. A few months later Carnival altered course and, although the brunch menu remains, the comedy angle has gone the way of the dodo.

There are two main dining rooms, the two-level Sunrise Restaurant on decks 3 and 4 aft and the Sunset Restaurant on deck 3 at midship. The two have somewhat different décor but share the same menu. On our cruise, breakfast was served at Sunrise only and neither venue was open for lunch. At dinnertime, Sunset was dedicated to assigned seating times only, at 6 and 8:15 p.m.; Sunrise had assigned seating on the upper level but open seating downstairs.

We found meals here to be generally satisfying, with a menu that will be familiar to Carnival regulars. The everyday dinner menu included such fare as broiled salmon, grilled flat iron steak, southern fried chicken and Carnival’s familiar Indian vegetarian option, which we’ve enjoyed on other ships. The rest of the menu changed daily, and among the starters we tried were heart of iceburg lettuce salad, a light sake-stewed carpaccio of beet with grapefruit and gorgonzola, an odd salad of pear and mozzarella, and crepes filled with spinach and ricotta. Among the entrées we tried were a pan seared tilapia, an overcooked pappardelle in an otherwise satisfying cream and mushroom sauce, and a blackened tilapia served against an overly-heavy tomato sauce with calamari—the jambalaya rice on the side was too salty for our taste.

Our favorite entrée was a broiled center cut pork chop with a Mexican molé sauce, sautéed red cabbage and apple, and mac-and-cheese—south-of-the-border meets Germany. On “elegant” evening (Carnival’s version of formal night) we enjoyed a serviceable, if petite lobster tail with a trio of juicy shrimps, beaker of butter, steamed and breaded broccoli and dollop of mashed potato. Other offerings on the elegant menu included prime rib, pork spare ribs, and spaghetti carbonara.

Our breakfasts here were okay if unexceptional. The menu covered the usual turf adequately—fresh fruits, cold packaged cereals, yogurt, bagels with smoked salmon and cream cheese, eggs benedict, pancakes and Belgian waffles. Omelets were available with an egg substitute on request, along with sides of corned beef hash, ham, bacon, pork link sausage, chicken sausage, turkey bacon and hash browns. We tried the French toast and found the syrup way too sweet for our taste, while tasty hot oatmeal was delivered with ramekins of brown sugar, raisins and slivered almonds. On the mornings we ate here, the room was usually calm, though on one port day, service was slow and guests rushed through meals to make their shore excursions. The brunch menu (served on sea days) had a Mexican focus.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, the Lido Marketplace is Sunshine’s main buffet option, and this high-traffic area is one of the key beneficiaries of Destiny’s reworking (which mirrored that of other older ships in the fleet). The traffic flow is much improved with food stations nicely broken up, and there is a greater variety of seating areas. (Destiny’s open-air, aft deck is now enclosed, providing the space for Cucina del Capitano and JiJi Asian Kitchen.) But this area is still quite busy at breakfast and lunch—it’s where a majority of guests seem to take those meals, and navigating the lines requires a bit of patience at peak hours. Yet we always found seating towards the rear, an area most guests seemed to overlook. We also liked the hand-washing machines located near the entrance, though they didn't get a lot of use.

At breakfast, we found fruit to be nicely displayed, but of inconsistent quality (melon bland, grapefruit tart, but bananas fine). Cereals, yogurt, pastries, eggs benedict, scrambled eggs, hard boiled eggs, pork or chicken sausages, bacon, baked beans, French toast and pancakes were all on offer. It’s not a huge selection in main area, but many overlooked the aft section (where Cucina and JiJi are located) where we found omelet stations and a selection of cold cuts and cheeses, along with coffee stations and seating that was more open.

At lunch the selections included a hot and cold sandwich station, a salad bar that featured rotating prepared salads (quite tasty), and hot offerings that changed daily—typical on one day was a Provencale vegetable soup, lasagna, sake glazed salmon, and chicken schnitzel. The dinner selection was similar, and featured such items as cream of sundried tomato soup, fried shrimp, grilled flat iron steak, roast chicken, grilled tilapia with tomato and shallot confit, chicken a la Grecque, etc. The dessert spread was plentiful, though the fare was a bit hit-and-miss.

Drink stations offered free hot coffee and tea around the clock, along with water and lemonade or orange “juice cocktail.” Other drinks were available at the Havana Bar, aft. Sunshine also offers a nifty new Carnival feature: a self-pour beer tap. We had to swipe our key card, of course, adding a $4 charge to our account—but no automatic gratuity was added (an odd but welcome concept). Flavors on tap: Bud Lite and Carnival’s own Thirsty Frog Red.

This is Carnival’s spot for take-out Mexican fare, located next to the main pool. In addition to pumping out fresh tortillas, the cantina has a surprisingly robust salsa bar, with at least ten different fresh salsas, along with lime, cabbage, cilantro, watermelon and other Mexican essentials. Burritos and tacos were built to order—chipotle-rubbed chicken, ancho roast pork, fried fish, beans, corn, grilled onions could all be loaded into the tortillas for fast and tasty lunches. It was definitely a few nachos above Taco Bell fare, which tends to define the quality of Mexican cuisine for many cruise ships.

The cantina is also open for simple breakfasts. While the huevos rancheros were a little different from what we know, they’re a perky way to start the day. Breakfast burritos were packed with scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, ham and potatoes.

Celebrity chef Guy Fieri has invaded Carnival nation, spreading his vision of sloppy, ground chuck love on the high seas most everywhere the fleet’s newer (or newly revamped) ships sail. We had a better Guy’s burger on another ship—the one on Sunshine was a bit dry (shocking, considering the 80/20 blend used for the patties); the fries were heavy, swaddled in an overly salty spice rub. But we seemed to be in the minority on this—the fare was churned out to many happy customers till 6 p.m. daily.

Burgers can be ordered straight up, with bourbon and brown sugar BBQ sauce, chili, or with Guy’s own “donkey” sauce (don’t ask). Also on offer is the Pig Patty—a true ham-burger, made out of bacon. The calorie count was not listed. There’s a fixings bar, with traditional condiments along with sautéed mushrooms, sautéed onions, and bacon.

Carnival’s steakhouse is a feature we look forward to on most ships in the fleet, and Sunshine’s itineration, Fahrenheit 555, lived up to expectations. This sleek, dimly lighted room is a great showcase for fine meats that are properly prepared and served by a team of crack Eastern European waiters. The up-charge to dine here—$35—isn’t cheap, but if you’re going to splurge on a meal at some point during your trip, this is the place to do it. Our only complaint was that the room was a bit noisy; it wasn’t a busy night when we dined here, but one group of seven guests seemed to take over the space.

The meat selection ranges from the 9-ounce filet mignon to 18-ounce prime cowboy and prime rib-eye steaks; also available were rosemary-infused chicken, grilled fish “from the market,” Maine lobster ravioli, and broiled lobster tail (surf and turf was an option). Starters included escargots, grilled Portobello mushroom, shrimp cocktail, New England crab cake, lobster bisque, onion soup, and a classic Caesar salad.

Soon after we were seated, warm bread arrived with three dipping options, including olive oil and garlic, a tomato puree, and an interesting almond mixture. Our meal opened with an elegant amuse bouche—sun dried tomato and raw tuna topped with dollops of golden caviar. We then dived into our starter of ahi tuna tartare—a column of cubed yellow fin tuna, beautifully presented with micro greens and pearls of various liquids. We loved the carefully stacked salad of baby leaf spinach, plumped with fresh mushrooms and warm bacon and a topping of blue cheese crumbles.

For entrée we opted for the double-cut lamb chops and received a very generous collection of four ribs, perched upright in a skillet filled with scrumptious potatoes, with three additional chunks of meat on the side. This was a great entrée, and perfectly cooked to order. Side dishes (which seemed almost unnecessary) included creamed spinach, sautéed mushrooms, Yukon gold potato mash with wasabi, and steamed broccoli.

The steakhouse has a full bar, with cocktails not available elsewhere, along with Sunshine’s full menu of wines (pours seemed a little more generous here than elsewhere on the ship). Fahrenheit 555 is open nightly, and those who dine here on the first night of the cruise are traditionally gifted with a complimentary bottle of wine.

This cheery Italian restaurant is a venerable institution for most ships in Carnival’s fleet, and the venue gets a good location on Sunshine, behind the Lido buffet. We’ve found both good and disappointing dishes on the Cucina del Capitano menu, but it’s a meal we look forward to, and we find the add-on fee of $12 to be not unreasonable.

Soon after being seated we were greeted by waiter who sang a quick a cappella Italian song, a personal touch that starts the evening off on the right foot (later, a pop song is performed by five waiters). Otherwise the sound system bubbles gently with background music from Sade to Rufus Wainwright. The meal starts simply with toasted bread and ricotta cheese, with roasted garlic and plump tomatoes on the side.

The menu has a little something for everyone, and portions are huge (sharing is definitely encouraged). Starters include a big, varied antipasti plate, arancini (fried risotto balls over tomato sauce), eggplant parmigiana, minestrone soup, and arugula salad. We opted for the disappointing Caesar salad and very tasty fried calamari, served with marinara sauce for dipping, a charred lime wedge and dusted with sea salt—they were delicious.

Among the main courses are a bavette alla scoglio (pasta with seafood in a white wine sauce), linguini with meatballs, chicken parmigiana, Piedmont-style braised short ribs, New York sirloin, grilled shrimp and grilled salmon. We opted for spaghetti carbonara, a large portion quite rich with cream and bacon. It was far too much for one person to consume—two could easily share this as a satisfying entrée, or a table of four could make it an appetizer. Side dishes are offered, and we found the broccoli with peperonata to be serviceable. Desserts included tiramisu, lemon sorbet, cannoli and an apple tart, with a selection of Italian after-dinner liqueurs available.

Lunch is also served at Cucina del Capitano, and there’s no add-on fee. The menu is much more limited—a selection of three types of pasta and four sauces, though these could be supplemented to order with items such as grilled chicken, garlic shrimp, eggplant, etc. There was also a meat lasagna available, along with Caesar salad. It’s fine as a change of pace, but the dinner experience is definitely better.

This is a new Asian restaurant concept for Carnival, and it’s a winner, along the lines of the PF Chang’s chain, but better. There’s a $12 surcharge to dine at JiJi, and we felt the add-on was well worth it. The food and presentations were right on, with a nice variety of sweet, spicy and savory from different regions of Asia—from Indonesia to China. One heads-up: We heard a couple guests complain of the food being too spicy; for our cruise the menu didn’t indicate temperature levels of dishes, and waiters didn’t provide guidance. We found everything to be reasonable for our tolerance level, but a few dishes were sizzling.

While perusing the menu and enjoying the green tea martini (vodka with green tea and lemongrass syrup), we were offered Indonesian tapioca crisps with various sambal dipping sauces. Being a brand new menu, we took cues from our waitress, starting with the chicken and cilantro root soup, a satisfying broth stocked with lots of corn and oyster mushrooms; jade shrimp dumplings were flush with the lightly cooked crustaceons. Other starters included slow braised pork belly, pot stickers, Nanjing style duck, chicken spring rolls, and tamarind and shrimp soup.

Entrées included peppered beef, slow-braised wagyu bef short ribs, Singapore style chili shrimp, sweet and sour fragrant shrimp, and kung pao chicken. We ordered Chairman Mao’s master stock pig, which was stir fry of stewed pork with scallions, spinach and pea shoots, topped with fresh spinach—just terrific. Various sides of noodles, rice and veggies could be ordered, and we enjoyed the blistered beans spiked with minced pork. The dessert list was short but sweet: The fried wonton, served in a bowl with tapioca pearls and coconut milk was a fine conclusion to the meal.

An adjunct to Ji Ji Asian Kitchen, this spot was open each day for a no-fee lunch, and we found the food to be delicious, with an emphasis on fresh and flavorful, stirred to life in a wok. Three types of flesh were available—pork, chicken and calamari, but the nice spread of vegetables available meant a tasty non-meat meal could be easily assembled. Three sauces were offered: black bean, Thai barbecue and a sizzling green Szechwan.

Also a spinoff, from Cucina del Capitano, this pizza station delivered quality single-serving pies, starting from breakfast (topped with prosciutto, an egg and fresh arugula). At lunch the choices ranged from Margharita and pepperoni to funghi (mushrooms) and quattro formaggi (four cheese).

A newish concept for Carnival, the Taste Bar was a place where one could sample one or two of the items being served at the ship’s various restaurants. Located next to Ocean Plaza, these are tapas-style treats each evening designed to promote the ship’s diverse range of menus—Nonna’s meatballs and bruchetta with ricotta from Cucina del Capitano one night, tastes from Blue Iguana Cantina the next.

The Taste Bar was also open with a limited menu at breakfast and lunch each day, a fact that was oddly overlooked by the ship’s newsletter. In the morning this was a great place to pull together breakfast—cold cuts and cheese, fruit, boxed cereals, hot oatmeal, pastries and breads, and scrambled eggs. During the lunch hour we found such fare as tomato soup, baby shrimp sofrito pilaf, fried chicken, beef stew, as well as a decent salad bar. Since many passengers didn’t know about it, this was a great way to dodge the crowd at the Lido Marketplace (the ship’s busiest area at breakfast and lunch).

There were two menus for room service aboard Carnival Sunshine. Breakfast was outlined on a door tag that could be hung outside our cabin before 5 a.m.; selections were limited to continental breakfast: packaged cereals, breads and pastries, smoked salmon, yogurt, and plates of citrus, melon or banana. There was no lunch menu provided in our room, but a call to the kitchen gave us a rundown of the hot and cold sandwiches, salads and desserts available.

We asked for our continental breakfast to be delivered between 6:15 and 6:30 a.m.—the knock on the door came promptly at 6:18 a.m. The only hot item was the coffee, and it was delivered hot, though the flavor was watery. We ordered corn flakes and a banana, which were delivered with milk; we also requested a plate of pastries, and three items came with the order.

We called to order lunch one afternoon, but no time estimate for delivery was provided. The lunch arrived 19 minutes later. We ordered a grilled cheese sandwich, which consisted of four slices of American cheese, barely melted, tucked into white bread. It was perfunctory, at best, served with a pickle slice and a heap of potato chips. To drink we requested a beer, a 17-oz can of Heineken that was delivered in a tub of ice. In addition to juice drinks, coffee, tea and milk, one could order from the regular bar menu, including soft drinks, or dive into the cabin’s minibar.

For both deliveries the tray was simply adorned with linen, while the silverware was wrapped in a linen napkin. The only place to eat in our interior cabin was the small desk; a meal for two would require someone to sit on the bed. Carnival Sunshine has an abundance of watering holes to choose from. Not counting the bars attached to dining venues, there were 11 drinking venues spread throughout the ship, several of which represent brand new concepts for Carnival. Bar service could also be ordered at the pool areas and inside the theater. A 15-percent service charge was added to all drink orders. The minimum age for drinking was 21.

The standard drink list included just about any libation we could think of—frozen drinks such as margaritas and piña coladas, along with classics including the mojito, mai tai, Long Island ice tea and cosmopolitan; all were priced $8.75. Cordials and liqueurs such as Sambuca, Cointreau and Baileys Irish Cream and straight shots of Skyy vodka, Bacardi rum, Bombay Sapphire gin and other liquors ranged $4.95-$7.50. Premium liquors such as Johnnie Walker Black, Ketel One vodka and Patron silver tequila were priced $7.50-$9.95.

Most bars had unique drinks, particularly Piano 88 and Alchemy Bar, and each of the restaurant menus had one or more signature drinks, also only available at that spot.

The wine list for the main dining rooms totaled about 90 offerings, with a good selection from California, in particular, with wineries of Italy, France, Chile, Argentina and Australia also represented; most bottles were priced under $40, and about 30 were available by the glass, ranging $6.50 to $12. Wine packages of five bottles were available at a slight discount.

The beer list included the major American brands in 16-ounce bottles for $5.75. Imports and specialty beers were $4.95 and included Bass Ale, Corona, Stella Artois, Blue Moon and Pilsner Urquell, and 16-ounce pours of Boddingtons, Grolsch and Guinness for $5.95. EA Sports had the broadest selection of beers—about 30—including Red Stripe, Presidente, and Sierra Nevada, plus four on tap that could be ordered by the pitcher. There was also Carnival’s own brew, Thirsty Frog Red, a heavily malted beer with a sweet finish, available for $5.50 a pint at the Sunshine Lobby Bar and a couple other locations.

Carnival Sunshine offers the Cheers Beverage Program , priced $49.95 per day, per guest, plus 15 percent gratuity, providing “unlimited” alcoholic and other beverages (the program was priced $42.95 per day on our cruise, a price applicable only for cruises in Europe). Restrictions: All adults in the cabin must buy into the program, it must be purchased for the entire cruise on the first or second day, and there’s a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks served per 24 hours. Those swilling down five or more mixed drinks daily will do better buying the program. For those drinking mostly beer or cheaper wines, or for those spending a lot of time in ports, the package might not work out to a good deal.

Bottomless Bubbles , an unlimited soda package, was also available. The price was $6 per day, or $4.50 for kids (age 17 and under). The package does not apply to room service deliveries and a 15 percent service charge was applied. Soft drinks included Coke products (including Sprite, Pibb Xtra and orange soda); these were all $1.95, as was iced tea. Powerade was $2.95 and Red Bull was $4.75. Bottled waters included assorted vitamin waters, Perrier and San Pellegrino. Non-alcoholic Buckler beer was $3.95.

Located on Deck 5 midship, along one of the ship’s primary thoroughfares, Sunshine’s coffee shop is a bright, airy spot for fee-added, espresso-fueled coffees, spiked coffee drinks, milkshakes and plus-sized cakes by the slice. Since the ship’s standard coffee is not the greatest, we retreated here on a couple occasions when diving into a real Italian coffee joint was not possible. Java Blue was open from 6 or 7 a.m. till midnight daily—making it perfect for late-night caffeine or dessert cravings.

The menu features espresso, cappuccino, mochachino, caffé latte, chai tea latte and hot chocolate (regular $2.95, or “fun size” $3.50). All could be made with skim or soy milk; shots of assorted syrups and liqueurs were available. Drip and iced coffee was available, and spiked coffee drinks were $5.75. Hand-scooped milkshakes and floats were $3.95, or $7.75 for spiked ice cream concoctions.

The lobby bar was the epicenter of the ship, with a multi-deck atrium soaring above—giant mirror balls climbed into the rafters from here. The standard cocktail list was available, and the spot was rarely crowded (at least, once embarkation hassles had mostly been resolved at the adjacent front desk). Live music was served up at a couple points in the afternoon and evening.

It just wouldn’t be a Carnival cruise without a raucous piano bar, and Piano 88 represents the newest in the fleet, wearing the look of a trendy blues club on its lapel. The piano man hit the ivory starting at 9 p.m. each night.

The sports bar on Carnival Sunshine is appropriately lined with TVs monitoring the game of the day. There’s a broader selection of beers available here, including four on tap—Bud Lite, Dos Equis, Presidente, and Thirsty Frog Red. These were available by the pint, 60-ounce pitcher, or 101-ounce tube. A sports trivia challenge was held here each evening.

Though awkwardly located along a major thoroughfare on Deck 5 aft, we liked visiting the “pharmacists” at Alchemy, where bartenders prescribed tasty twists on classic elixirs for whatever ailed. The Curative Cosmopolitan is Absolute Citron doused with peach schnapps and cranberry juice; a lemon rind is torched with a lighter and spritzed onto the glass, illuminating the flavors beautifully. At $9 a pop, the drinks are pricey, but we tipped back a couple of their recommendations and found them to be great alternatives.

Think “pub” reimagined by Jimmy Buffet and you’ll have an idea of the scene at Red Frog, located on Deck 5 aft. Though a bit antiseptic for our taste (it’s decidedly clean and air conditioned), it has the dart and board games we count on at a pub, as well as Caribbean bartenders who kept the vibe sunny amid the faux palm trees.

In addition to a few specialty rums, there was a small selection of beers on tap, available by the pitcher or 101-ounce tube, as well as aboard sampler paddle. A small roster of Caribbean beers, including Banks (Barbados), Carib (Trinidad), Presidente (Dominican Republic) and Red Stripe (Jamaica) was available. The cocktail list includes Caribbean-themed drinks—a couple colored with Blue Curacao liqueur—along with variations on the mojito. But our eyes went straight to the drinks featuring Ting, a made-in-Jamaica grapefruit soda that’s offered here with rum, vodka or gin—mmmm. We found live music here nightly—usually a crooner with a guitar.

Not to be confused with the Red Frog Pub located inside the ship, the rum bar was next to the Beach Pool on Deck 9, midship. The cruise ship version of a Caribbean beach shack, there are intriguing rums to try (Zacapa from Guatemala, Gosling’s Black Seal from Bermuda), as well as a selection of rum-based drinks, frozen and on-the-rocks. Spiked lemonade and margaritas were available in pitchers. Draft and Caribbean bottled beers were also offered.

Mirroring (and immediately opposite) the Red Frog Rum Bar, this Mexican-themed outpost also served the Beach Pool sun decks. Tequila is the primary fuel, with various fruity concoctions assembled—we tried one and found it cloyingly sweet. Margaritas and spiked lemonade were also available by the pitcher.

Located where Carnival’s Triumph’s aft pool was originally perched, the Havana Bar is one of the new features introduced by Sunshine, and it’s a winner. By day, this serves as seating for the adjacent Lido Marketplace (overlooked by many, it’s where we discovered unoccupied tables more often than not). But late night the Havana Bar became a seductive nightclub with excellent live salsa music and dancing.

In the morning, Havana Bar served Cuban style coffees for a surcharge as well as traditional espresso-style coffees; there was also a juice machine offering fresh squeezed orange juice for $4.95.

Though Carnival Sunshine has just a small library of books and board games, the room is actually an inviting and quiet space just off the main lobby. There’s a short list of wine (some of them supplied by enomatic wine dispensers that can be operated with a swipe of one’s key card), along with a decent selection of Scotch, whiskey and cognac. The bar was staffed in the evening, though on a sea day there was a bartender only at midday.

Located on Deck 14, the uppermost level of Carnival Sunshine, this bar had the ship’s standard array of drinks for those using the Serenity Adult Retreat.

Carnival Sunshine’s revamped spa is a bright, if spare facility, managed for Carnival by Steiner Leisure, a company that oversees spas for the majority of cruise lines. We were surprised that the spa is actually a little smaller than Destiny’s original facility on this deck (the salon has been moved inside and a half-dozen guest cabins fill the former space). There’s no Thalassotherapy pool on Sunshine, a standard feature on many Carnival ships, but there is a Thermal Suite that has heated ceramic day beds in a quiet room facing the ocean. Access to the Thermal Suite is $20 per day, per person ($99 for a seven-day pass), but by staying in a spa cabin a pass was included in our cruise fare. We used it on a couple occasions but, quite honestly, the shared facility didn’t seem as inviting as the ports we visited. But we’d think this was a terrific place to camp out on a sea day with unpleasant weather. There was also a “mud lounge” experience on offer, priced $95 per couple.

Prices for treatments were on par with or slightly higher than we find at mid-priced beach resorts. Fifty-minute facials ranged $119 to $169 and massages started at $119 for the 50-minute Swedish or Reflexology massage; 75-minute Thai herbal poultice or aroma stone therapy massages were $195; a 50-minute couple’s Swedish massage was priced $269. Port day discounts shaved about 10 percent off the pricing; there were also discounts for multiple treatments. Other procedures available included teeth whitening, acupuncture, Ionithermie, waxing and men’s grooming. The men’s and women’s changing areas had private sauna and steam rooms, open to those not signing up for a treatment.

We indulged in a Swedish massage during our cruise, and found the treatment well done and quite relaxing. The ceiling of our therapy room was missing some of the panels, but otherwise all went off without a hitch. Afterwards there was a soft sell for the pricey Elemis products used during our treatment—we passed. A service charge (gratuity) was not automatically added to the bill.

Carnival Sunshine has a large gym, a space that received a facelift and new equipment but was otherwise unchanged during the transformation from Destiny. We found latest-generation LifeCycle cardio equipment—bikes, treadmills and elliptical—and we never experienced a line for any of the machines, most of which faced the forward ocean view. A small room off to the side was set up for fitness classes, which included total body conditioning, and stretching sessions—at no charge—plus yoga and pilates ($12 each), and spinning ($30 for three sessions).

Sunshine has some good pool and whirlpool space, but on both fronts we feel the number of options is hardly sufficient for a ship of this size. It was hard to know for sure on our cruise: The main Beach Pool on Deck 9 was roped off and empty, due to unexplained issues (resolved after our cruise concluded). The Beach Pool is the only one available to kids (depth: 4 feet, 6 inches), and we expect the area can be quite crowded, especially on sea days. There were two whirlpool tubs overlooking the pool, and these were filled with people most sunny days. The main pool is flanked by the Blue Iguana and Red Frog bars, and the surrounding lounger space is laid out in Carnival’s typical amphitheater design.

A second pool was located on Deck 11, within the Serenity Adult Retreat. Though more of a round plunge pool than anything designed for swimming, the Serenity Pool was an appealing space, with a waterfall tumbling two decks into the tub. Kids aren’t allowed here, and there’s no music piped in, though if something’s going on around the Beach Pool just below, you’re guaranteed to hear it. The loungers and umbrellas were a popular hangout on our cruise. The ship’s third whirlpool is located two decks above the Serenity Pool, and it’s a great perch for observing much of what’s transpiring on the top decks of the ship; it was also usually filled with flesh.

The WaterWorks area—featuring towering water slides—is one of the crowning features of the renewed ship. Unfortunately, it was closed off until the 11th day of our cruise, so we didn’t get to experience the slides. Looming above Deck 10, aft, Waterworks features snazzy-looking speed slides, including the 334-foot-long Twister Slide, which Carnival says is the longest in the fleet. Signs advised that a 42-inch height requirement was in effect. There were a number of other water features aimed at kids, including a 150-gallon bucket shower.

Also running through this area is SportsSquare , featuring a ropes challenge course, mini-golf, a jogging track and basketball court. All of these features were unavailable during our cruise. The Warehouse was an arcade game area located on Deck 5.

Deck space on Carnival Sunshine is creatively used, though perhaps a bit tight for the number of passengers. The ship’s defining feature may be the Serenity Adult Retreat , spread across three forward decks and with a waterfall spilling into a circular pool. Visually, Serenity is a great picture. But we have one complaint to share: In contrast to the area’s name, it’s short on quiet space. Whatever’s on the sound system at the main pool is audible, sometimes blasted to the midship section of Serenity—this includes the Hairy Chest Contest, the Rum and Tequila Challenge, etc. Even worse, the forward section of Serenity’s top deck is close to noisy exhaust vents that roar 24 hours a day.

Child-free Serenity should be one of quieter areas of what is otherwise a fairly noisy ship—it’s not. Still, we usually found sufficient loungers amid the fake palms and bright yellow umbrellas, making this sun deck easily the finest in the Carnival fleet. Best of all, there’s no up-charge to utilize this prime real estate or its many cabanas—features that Carnival’s competitors usually try to squeeze a few extra bucks from.

Other open-air space on Sunshine included Deck 10 , where lots of loungers were lined up at midship, overlooking the Beach Pool. Less heralded were several decks worth of forward-facing hideouts below the bridge , starting from Deck 6 and accessed only from the interior hallways. These decks weren’t quite set up on the inaugural cruise, but they’re the quietest retreat the ship offers on a sunny sea day. Finally, Deck 3 represented the promenade deck, of sorts. There was no access to the forward or aft portions of this deck, so we couldn’t walk around the entirety of the ship, but they were another quieter part of the ship, and the loungers were rarely full.

There were several live entertainment venues around the ship, starting with the Liquid Lounge , a theatre that has been downsized from the original, three-level Palladium Lounge that occupied this space. The theater has been improved in some ways, by raising the bottom floor (which makes it a little more intimate), but there are still lots of obstructed sightlines and—frankly—we find this venue fairly unattractive. But the two shows we saw here were another matter, both utilizing Carnival’s high-tech virtual sets—massive LED screens—which allow a diverse array of effects to take place behind, and sometimes interacting with, the live performers. Although there are lots of seats to the sides of the stage, note that the virtual staging is best appreciated viewing the stage straight on. Each show ran about 30 minutes, and each earned three performances on our cruise.

Though interrupted with technical glitches during the third performance, “Epic Rock” was very entertaining. It’s a fist-pumping tribute to late 1970s and 1980s arena rock, with all the expected glam costumes and posing. Most of the singing was live, but the music was a canned backing track. It was great for boomers but not too loud for the mothers in tow (just enough volume to make them reach for their earplugs). Songs from Led Zeppelin, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, and Queen received an affectionate platform, with all the requisite glam costumes (BYO hair extensions). The second show we saw, “Studio VIP,” was a disco review featuring a roster of late 1970s hits, from Bee Gees to Donna Summer, Chic to Village People (just what the world needs, another opportunity to sing “YMCA”). While it didn’t hold together quite as well as the rock show (less ambitious staging), it was still entertaining, with a qualified crew of singers on stage.

On some nights, Liquid Lounge converts into a full-fledged disco, with a sound system providing major whoomp. Again, not the most attractive of spaces, but we averted our eyes and enjoyed the groove. Other shows that transpired in Liquid Lounge included a comedy-magic act, Bingo (daily) and trivia contests, and Carnival's new Hasbro game show.

Limelight Lounge is home to Sunshine’s comedy club, and there were four or five shows most nights of our cruise. Usually the first show was all-ages, with later shows designated as adults-only. The quality of comedians varied greatly, but with two new acts every three or four days, there was a lot to choose from.

Another spot for live shows was Ocean Plaza , a venue that was used for bands doing rock covers, as well as themed trivia games and karaoke.

While it lacks the goofy themed ambience of the casinos on most Carnival ships, the Sunshine Casino was still a bright and alluring place for gamers to congregate. Located midship on Deck 5, the casino had an abundance of slot machines, along with table games (roulette, craps, blackjack and various types of poker) and the facility was busy whenever we were at sea, with slot machines staying open till 4 a.m. nightly.

Gambling was allowed for guests 18 and older. Guests could charge up to $2000 to their room accounts. Smoking was permitted on the port side of the casino, but the starboard side wasn’t much less smoky—overall it was easily the most cigarette-plagued indoor area of the ship. The ship’s standard cocktail list was available at the casino bar.

The Sunshine lobby atrium has been re-imagined, on the surface at least—it’s one of the most colorful areas of the ship, the one bit of whimsy that former Carnival designer Joe Farcus might have presented. In addition to the lobby bar, this area is home to the guest service desk and the shore excursions desk. Glass elevators swoop through an airy minefield of shiny spheres.

Located on Deck 10, just below the SportsSquare and WaterWorks areas, Camp Carnival is a multi-tiered kids program, divided by age: 2- to 5-year-olds, 6- to 8-year-olds, and 9- to 11-year-olds. Parents need to drop off and sign out children in the two younger groups; the older kids have sign-in and -out privileges at all times. The youngest group has an outdoor (enclosed) play area, though it was unfinished during our cruise. Age-appropriate activities were offered, such as face painting, Wii dancing and G-rated movies.

The age 6-8 group participated in magic shows, teddy bear crafting (additional fee required), talent shows and games. The age 9-11 group participated in scavenger hunts, karaoke, and learned towel folding. The facility was most days for an hour or two late afternoon, and babysitting services were offered from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., for $6.75 per hour, per child, plus 15-percent gratuity.

Circle C was the clubhouse for 12- to 14-year-olds—they were allowed to come and go without parental supervision. There was a dance floor and video games, and scheduled activities included Wii games, scavenger hunts, charades, dance class, pizza parties, etc. Club O2 is Carnival’s program for older teens—age 15-17. It was strictly a no-adults, no children retreat (supervised by one adult crewmember). Activities included theme dance parties, water fights, and karaoke shows.

The collection of Fun Shops flanks the central atrium on Deck 5. Among the offerings were resort wear clothing for men and women, watches, jewelry, a modest selection of perfume and cologne selection, along with Carnival Sunshine logo merchandize. There was also a shop with liquor and cigarettes at duty-free prices, and a candy shop called Cherry on Top . Sundries included sun block, pain and cold medications, etc. Overall, the selection didn’t vary much from what we see on other ships (much less at our ports of call), and it was not as extensive as we’ve seen on some big vessels.

On Deck 4, the Pixels Gallery offered the ship’s gang of photographers a place to display photos of guests. Portrait sessions could be scheduled. There was also a small shop selling a limited selection of camera batteries, memory cards, photo albums, as well as point-and-shoot style cameras from Olympus and Fujifilm.

On Deck 2, hidden behind the guest elevator shaft, was the Art Gallery . Art auctions were a staple activity on board.

Our inaugural cruise must have been unusually trying for the crew. Many basic functions were not working or not installed yet, so guest complaints were rife. Yet most crewmembers exhibited an upbeat attitude that managed to walk the fine line between merely acknowledging versus resolution of problems, when they could.

For the first two days of the cruise, a long, slow-moving line snaked down a hallway from the guest services desk at all hours. Our first wait to resolve cabin issues kept us in this line for 2 hours, 10 minutes. The desk seemed to have been staffed at the level for a normal cruise—a real miscalculation by headquarters that only exacerbated the complaints. Issues seemed to be inefficiently logged-in, which might be why some problems took days to resolve (yes, we waited in line two additional times to deal with problems).

On the third day of our cruise the captain released a letter to all guests offering a $150 credit, per cabin, for the inconveniences. Guest relations staff also provided additional credits—a percentage of the original cruise fare paid—on a case-by-case basis to those who experienced more extensive headaches.

The ship’s daily newsletter, Fun Times , landed in our cabin each evening. The layout of the newsletter wasn’t always conducive for easily identifying for what was going on at any given time. Some events were listed in an hour-by-hour schedule, but others—especially live music—were listed elsewhere. Still, there were plenty of booming P.A. announcements for shore excursions, art auctions and Bingo events by Sunshine’s Cruise Director (who never acknowledged the ship-wide problems taking place). All of these were loud enough in the corridors to be heard loud and clear within our cabin, even drowning out the sound on our TV.

The main Internet station was located next to JaveBlue Café. PCs were provided, and an attendant was often available for questions. There were also a couple Fun Hubs set up at other high-traffic areas of the ship (such as the lobby) where a couple computers were set up for guest use.

The WiFi was clunky the first couple days of our cruise, but thereafter ran pretty well—faster, in fact, than we’ve had on some other ships. The basic Internet usage plan was .75 per minute, plus a one-time $3.95 activation fee; this covered computers in the café as well as WiFi around the ship. There were various packages available that brought the per-minute price down to .64 per minute (45 minutes for $29), .49 per minute (120 minutes for $59), etc. There was a printer available, for .50 per page.

Carnival’s dress code is fairly informal, day and night. That said, “gym or basketball shorts, flip flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans and men’s sleeveless shirts” are not allowed in the restaurants (presumably, though not explicitly, this policy is not in effect for the Lido Marketplace).

One or two nights of each cruise are designated as Elegant Evenings. In addition to the above, on these nights shorts, T-shirts, jeans, sportswear and baseball hats were not allowed in the restaurants. Jackets were not required for men.

Most Carnival ships have a formal shop renting tuxes for men; we didn’t find one open on Sunshine’s inaugural cruise, but it’s possible it was opened for subsequent cruises.

Sunshine has self-serve laundry rooms, with washers, dryers and an iron and ironing board. Each load is $3 for the wash, $3 for dry, and boxes of detergent were $1 each. Laundry service (but not dry cleaning) is available, at the usual inflated hotel prices.

While there were no apparent health issues during our cruise, we had safety concerns—mostly stemming from Carnival Sunshine’s renovation being incomplete at embarkation. Most of the ship’s unfinished areas were off-limits to guests, but at two outdoor staircases leading from Deck 10 down to Deck 9 an essential wooden plank was missing at the top step, causing a one-inch metal lip to be exposed. We observed multiple able-bodied guests stumble here, catching themselves before a fall; a temporary fix was not fashioned for this hazard until the third day of our cruise. Exposed ductwork, chemical smells and flooded carpets may or may not have posed safety issues, but these types of problems were rampant for the first few days of the cruise. Presumably, all of these issues have long since been resolved.

The muster drill was held just prior to sail-away. We were not required to bring life jackets from our cabin to the drill and roll call was not taken. Muster stations were located on deck 4.

A medical center is located on Deck 0, a level that otherwise has no guest facilities. The office was open from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1 to 8 p.m. daily; the doctor was available during most of these hours.

Carnival Sunshine had several areas designated for smoking. This included the port side of Deck 3, the starboard side of Deck 10 near the outdoor stage area, and the port side of the casino, including the casino bar. Smoking was also allowed on guest balconies, though not for the spa cabins on decks 10 and higher. We were in an interior spa cabin, so balcony smoke didn’t affect us, and the only part of the ship that was excessively smoky was the casino.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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Cruise Ships
Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Sunshine ®

Dining & Activities
Past Guest Photos
Sails From:

Everything the sunlight touches on Carnival Sunshine has been doused with an extra dose of fun. There's plenty to find atop this ship, where you can spend your days being kissed by the warm rays of the sun. Visit the biggest Serenity area ever, featuring three decks, plenty of recliners... and even a waterfall. Carnival WaterWorks ™ , our onboard waterpark, doesn't just deliver the favorites... this one debuted the slick Speedway Splash slide. There's also SportSquare ™ , where you can let your inner champion run free (around the jogging track), traverse the Ropes Course high up above, or even engage in a little one-on-one, from ping pong to foosball to giant chess. When you're on your Carnival Sunshine cruise, step out of the sun and try out some shade (and it's some pretty cool shade, at that). The first thing you'll see is the Sunshine Atrium... and let's just say first impressions count. From there, check out dining options — this ship has everything under the Carnival sun — like Guy's Burger Joint ™ , BlueIguana Cantina ™ , Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse ™ and JiJi Asian Kitchen ® . Some of the greatest Carnival bars are here: RedFrog Pub ® , BlueIguana Tequila Bar ™ , SkyBox ™ Sports Bar and Alchemy Bar ® ... plus the already-classic Havana Bar ™ ! You'll enjoy musical revues from Playlist Productions ™ , where songs you know and love come to life on stage. When you find yourself between the Carnival Sunshine and some actual sunshine, fun at sea is guaranteed.

102,853 Gross Tonnage
3002 Guest Capacity
892 Length In Feet
1040 Onboard Crew

INSIDE THIS SHIP

Just like a delicious cake, your ship is made of layers. Find out which fun ingredients — staterooms, dining, activities — go into each deck.

YOUR STATEROOM

Cloud 9 spa interior.

Amenities exclusive to Cloud 9 Spa ™ staterooms and suites:

Unique welcome ritual
Priority spa reservations
Unlimited use of Thermal Suites, plus scrub kit
Two complimentary fitness classes (per guest)
Complimentary body composition analysis
Exclusive discounts on treatments during port days
Cloud 9 Spa bathrobes and slippers
Upgraded ELEMIS in-stateroom toiletries

Plus, every room includes:

Dedicated stateroom attendant
Soft, cozy linens
Plenty of closet and drawer space
In-room safe for valuables
Stateroom climate control

Interior with Picture Window (Walkway View)

Every room includes:

Interior with Picture Window (Obstructed View)

Interior upper/lower (porthole), interior upper/lower, scenic ocean view.

Your Scenic Ocean View stateroom aboard Carnival Sunshine provides the best view of the sea that lies ahead of the ship, with views unlike any on land. And you’ll get more of them, too, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing plenty of looking-glass for gazing at the natural wonders of the sea… and let’s not forget sunrise and sunset.

Premium Vista Balcony

Premium Vista Balcony staterooms were designed to wrap around the aft corners of Carnival Sunshine, giving you a unique vantage point from which to enjoy luxuriously panoramic views of the sky and the sea — and yes, take in even more of that sunshine.

Premium Balcony

Step into a Premium Balcony stateroom aboard Carnival Sunshine and it’s easy to see exactly what you’re getting: one seriously spacious stateroom. It’s about more than just the room itself, you’ll find… step onto your oversized balcony and you’ll find that when there’s a sea breeze in your hair, there’s no limit to the relaxation you can have.

Cloud 9 Spa Balcony

Whether you're warming up for your spa appointment or winding down after your treatment, there's no better place to do it than on your Cloud 9 Spa Balcony. Breathing is important — take the ocean breeze in, then let it out — you're already getting the hang of the whole spa thing!

Aft-View Extended Balcony

Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space… not to even mention some of the best stern-side views you'll find anywhere. Get ready to relax as you gaze upon Carnival Sunshine's gentle wake from your spacious balcony.

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard Carnival Sunshine. Any time you're in your room, you're just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Captain's Suite

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. And VIP check-in? Naturally.

Amenities exclusive to suites:

Priority check-in and boarding
Priority Main Dining Room time assignment
Priority debarkation at homeport, and ports of call requiring a water shuttle or with arrival times later than 9:30 Am
Two large bottles of water
Pillow-top mattress

Grand Suite

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Sunshine features even more space than the standard suite — plenty of room in your room! This stateroom is loaded for an unparalleled experience: VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and even a convenient dressing area with vanity.

Cloud 9 Spa Suite

A Cloud 9 Spa Suite is the ultimate in both stateroom and spa accommodations. There's room for you and your things — with a large room and balcony — and a walk-in closet. The soothing in-room whirlpool tub will help you stay relaxed after your relaxing spa treatment. And like all suites, a Cloud 9 Spa Suite features VIP check-in, which lets you easily get right up to your amazing stateroom.

Plus, all suites include:

Ocean Suite

A Carnival Sunshine suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool tub.

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Cruise Reviews

Carnival Sunshine Review

Richard Simms

October 16, 2016

Carnival Sunshine

Itinerary: A 9-night Southern Caribbean Journeys sailing out of Port Canaveral with stops in St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten Reviewer: Walter Traveling With: His wife and their 5 children, ages 9-17 years old Stateroom Type: One balcony and one inside stateroom

Embarkation: “It went really quick,” he reports. “Maybe a half hour?”

First Impressions of the Ship:

Having done quite a bit of research, Walter explained that he “knew what to expect.” He added that the first day or so, as people were getting to know the ship, there was some congestion, with some areas feeling tight. “But,” he added, “that cleared out after a while when people figured out where they were headed.”

Thoughts on the Staterooms:

Walter and his family were toward the front of the ship on deck 7. While he felt that, this being an older ship, the staterooms “seemed a little tighter” than those he’d experienced in the past, the bathrooms earned a rave. “I never had a shower this large on a Carnival ship before.” The balcony room – in which he stayed with his wife and their youngest child – had plenty of storage space. He added that the four children staying in the inside room “would have had enough room… they just needed to be neater about it!”

The Marketplace Buffet and Lido Deck food offerings:

Walter reported that they “really liked” the Marketplace, especially the various stations. “My sons,” he added, “loved the deli and 24/7 pizza. We could always find them there, if we couldn’t find them anywhere else!” While they all enjoyed JiJi’s Asian Kitchen at lunch time, they “never got around to” experiencing the for-fee dinner menu. However, he and his son went to Bonsai Sushi, declaring it a “top-notch experience” that was “reasonably priced.” As for his favorite breakfast spot? The BlueIguana Cantina! While they opted to skip the Steakhouse on this trip, his family found Guy’s Burger Joint to be “excellent.”

The Main Dining Room:

Walter’s family went with the “Your Time” dining option (meaning they could opt to eat anytime between 5:45 and 9:30 p.m.). And while he had “heard horror stories,” their experience was great. “The service was fantastic,” he said, “food was great” and they averaged about 90 minutes, overall, from start to finish. While the American Table menus “had less to choose from,” he liked them, and especially enjoyed having items offered each night that were influenced by that day’s port of call.

Entertainment Options:

While Walter didn’t particularly love the Sunshine Theater, declaring it “functional” if a bit small, he enjoyed the Studio 54 show. He also mentioned that while the Limelight Theater hosted several fun comedians, the space was so small that it felt “ridiculously packed” even during the Meet & Greet hosted by a Facebook group that was attended by around 300 people. Although on past trips he and his wife had spent “a lot of time” in the piano bar, they didn’t particularly enjoy it as much on this trip. Why? “After 11 p.m.,” he reports, “it became more like a very dark comedy show than a piano bar sing-along” atmosphere.

Sea Day Activities:

Because this was a Carnival Journeys voyage, it was more port intensive and featured fewer sea days. However, Walter and his family enjoyed taking part in several of the Academy of Fun programs offered during Journeys sailings, including several on photography.

The Cheers Package:

Walter thought the package was well worth the price, “especially with the changes they’ve made to it” in recent months. “We spent a lot of time in the Alchemy Bar, and when you look at those drinks and how much they are, it [adds] up pretty quickly!”

Staying Connected:

While Walter’s family bought the social media package, he found the connection to be rather slow. He did, however, like the Carnival Hub app, saying it was helpful to be able to communicate with other passengers on the ship.

Ports of Call:

While he found all the visited ports to be beautiful, his favorite was St. Lucia. And while in St. Maarten, his clan visited Airport Beach (also known as Maho Beach). “That’s quite an experience,” he admitted. “I never would have thought that was so cool… until you go on and actually stand there!”

The Overall Highlight:

“For me,” reports Walter, “it was the ports,” none of which he’d done before. Better still, he says that they “had beautiful weather… and sunshine every day. That is really what set this cruise over the top!”

Final Thoughts:

“I have heard a lot of positive and a lot of negative comments on the ship,” he concludes. “I really didn’t have any major negative thoughts on the inside of the ship!”

Want to hear Walter’s entire review, include his expanded thoughts on the Cheers program and the mistake that Carnival made that definitely played out in his favor? Click the media player below!

[smart_track_player url=”https://traffic.libsyn.com/cruiseradioshow/EPI380MAY1216.mp3″ title=”Carnival Sunshine Review” artist=”Cruise Radio” social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” ]

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Carnival Sunshine cabins and suites

Carnival sunshine staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Carnival Sunshine cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Carnival Cruise Line en-suite amenities and services.

The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Captain's Suite

Layout (floor plan), grand suite, ocean suite, aft extended balcony cabin, premium balcony cabin, balcony cabin, scenic oceanview cabin, oceanview cabin, porthole cabin, walkway view interior cabin, interior cabin, small interior single cabin, cloud 9 spa staterooms, carnival sunshine cabins review.

Carnival Sunshine cruise ship has a total of 32 wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) and 89 Cloud 9 Spa cabins (of them 22 Inside, 70 Balcony and 3 Suite). The number of all cabin categories is 32.

Connecting rooms ("family cabins") are located on decks 1, 2, 6, 9, 10 and 11. The list of connecting cabins grades includes 2 beds (PT, 4E, 4G), 2-4 beds (6J, 8S), 2-3-4 beds (6A, 6B, 6C, 8T), 3-4 beds (6D), and 4 beds (4J). Handicap staterooms (32 total) include Balcony (5), Oceanview (8), Interior (18) and Small Interior (1).

Follows the review of Carnival Sunshine staterooms as amenities, furniture, and complimentary services:

Each of the two Captain’s Suites has master bedroom (2 twin beds convertible to king, Pullman bed), dressing area (vanity, large walk-in closet), large bathroom, separate living room (double sofa bed, coffee table, desk, 2 armchairs), separate bathroom (shower), fridge and mini-bar.

Carnival Sunshine Suites (Grand, Cloud 9 Spa, Ocean) have 2 twin beds (convertible to king), dressing area (walk-in closet, vanity table, chair), private bathroom (WC, shower/whirlpool bathtub, bidet, double sinks). Some GS-OS suites have a single/double sofa bed for 3rd/4th person. All balcony accommodations feature a private balcony with sliding glass doors (table, patio chairs, rail with clear glass panel).

All Carnival Cloud 9 Spa cabins have exclusive access to the Spa facilities on Spa Deck 10. Their grades are Spa Suite (SS), Spa Balcony (8S, 8T), and Spa Inside (4S). Carnival Cloud 9 Spa rooms have the following complimentary amenities, services and perks (applicable for two guests per stateroom only): Thermal Suite (complimentary, unlimited access), 2 fitness classes (complimentary, Yoga or Pilates), 2 metabolism tests (complimentary), 1 Scrub Kit (complimentary, for the Thermal Suite), bathrobes, slippers, deluxe in-room bath amenities (by Elemis – shampoo, conditioner, sharp shower gel, vitamin-rich body lotion, 1 hand and 1 body soap disks), priority Spa reservations (must be made by 6 pm on embarkation day). Passengers booked in Cloud 9 Spa cabins also enjoy Spa treatment discounts while the ship is docked in ports of call – 20% off (1st), 30% off (2nd) and 40% off (3rd treatment).

Premium Vista Balcony cabins are located around the ship’s corners (category 9C-aft have a wrap-around balcony).

Scenic Oceanview cabins location is on Lido Deck 9, and feature floor-ceiling windows, separate sitting area (vanity desk, coffee table), twin beds (convertible), sofa bed, upper Pullman bed. Oceanview cabins have a picture window and twin beds don’t convert to king when both upper beds are in use. Some ocean view staterooms have a sofa and/or upper beds (Pullman) for 3rd/4th person.

Inside cabins with windows have either Porthole Window (PT, decks 1 and 2) or Picture Window (6B category rooms 2128-2129 are with obstructed view). Some Interior staterooms have a sofa and/or upper bed (Pullman) for 3rd/4th person. Small Inside cabins have bunk beds (upper/lower Pullman beds), living area (vanity, chair), bathroom (shower).

All Carnival Sunshine staterooms offer as standard/complimentary amenities a living area (vanity, seating), smart HDTV (infotainment system, Internet, on-demand-movies, bookings-reservations, Room Service ordering), direct-dial phone, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), hairdryer, en-suite bathroom (WC-toilet, shower, single sink-vanity, bathrobes, bathroom amenity basket/replenished upon request), custom-made beds (Carnival Comfort Bed System), beach towels, mini-bar/fridge, individual air-conditioning, complimentary 24-hour room service. Bibles (Gideon version) are provided upon request.

Carnival’s Sail & Sign cards (cashless onboard credit accounts) double as stateroom keys. S&S credit program allows charges on purchases and tips/gratuities directly to a personal account throughout the Carnival cruise. The card has a designated owner and must be utilized for all money transactions on the ship as cash is accepted as a form of payment only at the casino. These cards are provided to all passengers (incl minors) immediately upon boarding the ship. Balance updates are provided at Guest Services desk (at any time). They can also be checked via the smart TV in each stateroom.

Ship’s interactive TV system allows passengers to purchase movies on demand, to order room service and to check the Sail & Sign account’s status. The on-demand movie list has approx 25 films available for ordering at USD 5 per movie. Adult-content films cost USD 10 per movie. Depending on satellite reception (ship's location at sea), the complimentary in-cabin TV programming includes the following channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN (Domestic, International, Espanol), TCM (classic movies), cartoons (Boomerang, CN), TNT, TBS. There are 2 complimentary movie channels showing a film every 3 hours (both starting at 12 noon). One shows all-time favorites (PG -13 rated) and the other shows all-time family favorites (G / PG-rated). The following TV channels are Carnival-themed and also complimentary: Fun Finds TV, Cruise Director, Fun Aboard, Park West Art, Shore Tours, Ship Position, live cam views (webcams positioned forward and on lido deck), Audible Funtimes, Photo, Music. Sporting events (ESPN, ESPN 2) are shown only on big screens – at the ship’s Sports Bar and Seaside Theatre (not in cabins/suites). All the TV’s connection ports are intentionally disabled, which makes it impossible to connect it with personal devices (cameras, DVDs, USBs, iPods, gaming consoles, etc).

Bathroom amenities vary each time, so it’s advisable you bring your own. Samples may include toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, body lotion, razor, antiacids. There is a wall-mounted dispenser in the shower stall (for liquid soap and shampoo). Electric power outlets are located in the desk/vanity area – one 110 V outlet (3-pronged, USA grounded) and one 220 V outlet (European standard). The bathroom’s 2-pin plug can be used only for electric razors.

The new cabin beds are Europe-manufactured exclusively for Carnival. The ensemble includes custom pillows (trademarked “New Generation Pillows”, 100% cotton), duvet (100% hypoallergenic, ultra-fine, satin-striped), cover, deluxe sheets (high-quality cotton), pillowcases (ultra-fine, satin-striped), 8-inch / 20 cm spring mattresses (trademarked “Carnival Comfort”). Alternative (non-allergenic) bedding is also available. It includes 100% polyester blankets, sheets and pillowcases (60/40 cotton-polyester) and New Generation Pillows (100% cotton). Note: Trundle beds don’t have Carnival Comfort mattresses.

Carnival-logoed Beach Towels are provided in each cruise accommodation for passengers to take ashore. Beach towels are also available for purchase (at $22). Bathrobes (2) are provided in all cruise suites and also in “Cloud 9 Spa” cabins/suites. Additional bathrobes are provided upon request. For all other cruise accommodations, bathrobes are provided (upon request) during the turndown service on the first evening. Bathrobes can be purchased at $49 (adult size) and $24 (children sizes /2-4 yo and 6-8 yo).

Life jackets are used in cases of emergency only (not at the ship pools). Lifejackets are located within passenger/crew cabins (in the closet). They are available in 3 sizes – adult, child, and infant. Each of the cabins has a safe (located in the closet) with approx dimensions (inches/centimeters) – width (10/25), height (9/23) and depth (8/20). Cabin safes can be accessed by any magnetic strip card. It is advisable not to use a valid credit card (or driver’s license), but an old expired card (or some rewards card) instead. Some safes are with a keypad (personal code). Safes can be opened also by the ship’s security.

All cabin and suite mini-bars are stocked with premium liquors ($6-9,25), beer ($6,25), energy drinks ($5), soft soda/beverages ($2), bottled water ($3,75). In-cabin babysitting is not available (read more at Camp Ocean below). Cribs in cruise cabins are provided complimentary (upon request). In Main Dining Rooms are provided complimentary high chairs and booster seats.

Laundry facilities are at extra-charge – $3,25 (per washer or dryer load) and $1,5 per box (detergent/water softener, dispensed from the vending machine in the room). Launderettes (open between 6:30 am – 12 midnight) are located on all cabin decks. Each laundry room is equipped with 2-3 washers, 2-3 dryers, 1 ironing board/iron. All laundry machines are coinless (can be operated using S&S cards only). While the ship is in port, washing machines are closed (only dryers and irons can be used). Valet laundry service is handled through the cabin steward. Prices are per item – wash-and-press ($2 – $7,50) and dry-cleaning ($3 – $10,50).

Smoking in cabins/suites and on their balconies is prohibited. On Carnival Sunshine, smoking allowed areas (cigarettes /incl electronic cigarettes) are the Casino (designated areas) and Casino Bar. Smoking (incl of cigars and tobacco pipes) is allowed on designated outdoor areas on Deck 3 portside (forward-midship-aft) and on Deck 10 starboard and port side (near Seaside Theatre /forward pool area).

Funville@Sea is free of charge Intranet service providing information on onboard activities and events schedule, bar and restaurant menus, deck maps, Fun Times (newspaper), FunAshore (tour guides), Carnival cruise news, itinerary-related weather reports, onboard social network (tracking/messaging other passengers). The complimentary service is available via the Infotainment system (in all cabins) and also at the FunHub stations around the ship.

Current Carnival Sunshine gratuities (per day per person) are USD 12,95 (standard cabins) and USD 13,95 (suites). The list of suite perks includes priority embarkation/debarkation/tendering (all ports), priority main dining room reservations, complimentary bottled water in cabins, a complimentary bag of laundry (one per cruise), enhanced turndown service.

Since 2017, Carnival Cruise Line allows ship passengers to customize their steward service by choosing to have the cabin serviced in the morning, at night or both (twice a day). All guests can choose from a list of additional cabin amenities, among which are bathrobes, extra pillows, blankets, closet hangers. All guests can also specify how often the bed linens to be changed during the cruise. Your personal preferences can be selected from a services menu card left in each of the ship’s staterooms. By default, if you make no selections on the card, your room service steward will service the accommodation twice daily.

Cruise Ship Room Service

In 2016, Carnival Cruise Lines rolled out fleetwide for-fee (chargeable) room service menu, which items can be ordered 24/7. The new menu still has free of charge items – hot and cold sandwiches, salads, desserts, beverages, Continental Breakfast selections. At extra cost (ranging between USD 1,50 and 6) are items that include shrimp, also sushi, pizza, quesadillas, cheesesteaks, chicken wings/tenders, fries. Bar drinks orders through room service are at regular bar menu prices (no extra fee added).

Complimentary room service menu

Continental Breakfast (upon request)
Sandwiches are served with potato salad, coleslaw, potato chips/pretzels, bread (white, whole wheat, rye, gluten-free). The list of sandwiches includes Tuna Salad, Roast Turkey, Ham & Cheese, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Bacon-Lettuce-Tomato, Grilled Cheese, Grilled Reuben (corned beef, Swiss cheese).
Salads – Garden, Caesar, Vegetable Platter (with dips)
Desserts – cheesecake, cookies, chocolate cake
Beverages – juices (tomato, orange, apple, grapefruit), tea (hot, iced), hot chocolate, milk, soft drinks (club soda, ginger ale, tonic water, coke, and sprite /also diet)
Beers – domestic (Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Samuel Adams), imported (Heineken, Corona, Stella Artois), also available are beer buckets and wines by the bottle.

For-fee room service menu

The following items are available for ordering 24 hours but are at an additional charge.

Chicken Wings ($5) – choice of Honey BBQ, Teriyaki, Garlic Parmesan, Buffalo Sauce, Caribbean Jerk
Chicken Tenders ($5) – choice of sauce (BBQ or Honey Mustard)
Firecracker Shrimp ($6) – fried with chili ginger, served with fries
Chicken Quesadilla ($5)
Philly Cheesesteak ($5) – served with fries
Pan Pizza ($5) – handmade and baked-to-order (Cheese, Pepperoni, Ham, and Pineapple)
French Fries ($1,50), Sweet Potato Fries ($2), Banana Split ($4).

Continental Breakfast room service menu

The following items are available for ordering free of charge.

Cereals and Fruits – Banana, Melon, Frosted Flakes, Special K, Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, Fruit Loops, Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Bakery – toasts (white, wheat, gluten-free), danish pastries, muffins, croissants, bagels
Yogurt – plain, strawberry, peach, raspberry
Drinks – juices (orange, apple, tomato, grapefruit), hot tea, milk (also skim and chocolate), fresh coffee (regular and decaf)
Half-and-half (milk-cream), butter, margarine, cream cheese, jelly (grape, diet, strawberry, guava), honey, orange marmalade.

Carnival Sunshine cabin and suite plans are property of Carnival Cruise Line . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

The 6 best cruise ship waterslides and watery fun zones

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Call it the Battle of the Waterslides.

In the last few years, the big boys of the cruise industry — Royal Caribbean , MSC Cruises , Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line — have been locked in a game of one-upmanship when it comes to waterslides and watery fun zones on vessels.

In addition to such over-the-top, new attractions as go-kart tracks and roller coasters , the brands behind the biggest megaresorts at sea have been packing the top decks of their vessels with even more over-the-top watery allures.

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Royal Caribbean, for instance, added an 800-foot-long “water coaster” to the back of its 3,386-passenger Navigator of the Seas just a few years ago. It’s one of more than two dozen giant waterslides the line has added to more than half a dozen ships in the last seven years.

Royal Caribbean also plans a record six waterslides on its next new ship, Icon of the Seas, which is scheduled to debut in January 2024.

But as recently as early 2016, Royal Caribbean didn’t have a single waterslide on any of its vessels.

MSC Cruises also has gone big with giant water parks in the past seven years, with as many as four waterslides on more than half a dozen of its newest vessels. Norwegian has loaded up its most recent ships with giant water parks, too — some have as many as five waterslides!

Not to be outdone, Carnival, an early adopter of waterslides on ships, has added sprawling water park areas with multiple waterslides to almost every vessel in its fleet.

A brief history of water attractions at sea

In the beginning, there was the pool. As watery cruise ship attractions go, it has long been the staple — something found on nearly every cruise vessel going back to the 1970s.

But as early as 1978, at least one line was spicing up its Lido decks with a little waterslide fun — little being the operative word. That’s the year Carnival added a single slide into the pool on its 728-passenger Festivale — a slide so small it’s now hilarious to think it was touted as an attraction.

Often cited as the first waterslide ever on a cruise vessel, the Festivale slide was of a sort that was found at backyard pools at the time. The cruise industry was still in its infancy, of course, and ships were orders of magnitude smaller than they are today. Festivale measured just 32,697 tons, about one-seventh the size of today’s biggest cruise vessels.

Carnival, the so-called Fun Ship line, would go on to become the early leader in waterslides at sea. The 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy, which debuted in 1990, was the first cruise ship with a significant waterslide. It measured 115 feet in length.

Related: A beginner’s guide to picking a cruise line

Just six years later, in 1996, Carnival would make news with the unveiling of a 214-foot-long corkscrew waterslide on what then was called Destiny. (The ship currently sails as the Carnival Sunshine after being rebuilt in 2013.) At the time, Destiny was the biggest cruise ship in the world.

In more recent years, Carnival has gone into waterslide-building overdrive. The line has added full-blown water park areas with waterslides, watery play zones and other features to all but four of its 25 ships. All but one of Carnival’s ships (Carnival Luminosa) now have at least one waterslide.

One of the Carnival water parks, on the line’s 5-year-old Carnival Horizon, even has Disney-style theming revolving around Dr. Seuss characters.

Norwegian, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean only began going big with waterslides on ships in the past decade or so. Many of the newest vessels from the brands have massive water park areas. Some of the brands are retrofitting big waterslides onto older ships, too.

Additionally, family-focused Disney Cruise Line now has major water attractions on all its vessels.

Where you’ll find the biggest waterslides at sea

If your idea of the perfect cruise ship is one loaded to the gills with waterslides and watery fun zones (plus all sorts of other over-the-top attractions), you’ll want to stick to the biggest floating megaresorts operated by Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC Cruises and Carnival.

At Royal Caribbean, that means the giant Oasis-class vessels , which include Wonder of the Seas — the world’s largest cruise ship. At Norwegian, you’ll find the biggest waterslides and water parks on the line’s relatively recently built Breakaway Plus-, Breakaway- and Epic-class ships. At MSC Cruises, the new Seaside-, Meraviglia-, Meraviglia Plus- and World-class vessels have the line’s big water parks.

Big lines that have steered clear of the water-park-at-sea trend include Princess Cruises, Holland America and Celebrity Cruises. Geared more toward couples than families and typically drawing an older demographic, all three of these lines have stuck to a more subdued feel for the outdoor areas of their ships. The top decks of vessels operated by Princess, Holland America and Celebrity still mostly revolve around traditional swimming areas with pools, hot tubs and lounge chairs.

Ready for a splashy, top-deck thrill? These are the most spectacular watery attractions at sea.

The Perfect Storm

Where you’ll find it: Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

This isn’t just one giant waterslide; it’s a whole complex of waterslides, each one among the most exciting you’ll find anywhere on the world’s oceans.

The Perfect Storm is found on four of Royal Caribbean’s massive Oasis-class vessels — Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas — as well as the smaller Liberty of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. The complex includes two four-deck-high racer slides called Cyclone and Typhoon, where you can do side-by-side speed tests with your travel partner.

On the four Oasis-class ships, there’s also a third, Champagne bowl-style slide called Supercell. It’ll swirl you around a big basin before plummeting you “down the drain” into a plunge pool. On Liberty of the Seas, a third slide called The Tidal Wave sends you screaming down a steep hill on an inner tube to a nearly vertical incline. Zooming upward, topping out and dropping back, you’ll get a blissful moment of complete weightlessness.

Note that Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas also has a waterslide area called Perfect Storm — but it’s completely different. More on that in a moment.

The Blaster

Where you’ll find it: Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas.

The Blaster is the Big Daddy of waterslides at sea. At 800 feet, it’s the longest ever built on a cruise ship. Added to Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas in 2019, it’s a seemingly endless stretch of yellow and orange tubing that winds around the back deck of the vessel like a snake.

A true sight to behold, The Blaster is so long because it’s what’s known as a water coaster. It features water jets that propel you up, down and forward — extending the ride — as you careen around the ship’s basketball court and surfing simulator in an inner tube. At times, you go flying over the side of the ship, over open water (not that you have much time to take in the view).

Royal Caribbean has named the area on Navigator of the Seas where The Blaster is located the Perfect Storm — the same name used for waterslide areas on six other ships — but the area is completely different than what you’ll find on the other vessels. In addition to The Blaster, the Perfect Storm area on Navigator of the Seas includes a headfirst mat racer slide called Riptide — the first of its kind at sea.

Where you’ll find it: Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream.

Leave it to family-focused Disney Cruise Line to come up with the coolest watery family attraction at sea. AquaDuck is a water coaster, like The Blaster on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, and is found on Disney’s two Dream-class ships. But don’t expect anything too white-knuckle. The ride is relatively gentle by water park standards, mainly because it’s designed for kids of all ages (and their parents, who can ride along on inner tubes for two).

While AquaDuck is slightly shorter than The Blaster at 765 feet in length, it has a bigger presence, thanks to its prime location encircling the main pool area. If you’re lounging up top, it’s hard to miss the massive, clear acrylic tubing of the ride, which is held up by 46 giant white stilts.

In addition to AquaDuck, the two Disney ships with the attraction (Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream ) have a relatively small, kid-friendly waterslide next to the centrally located Mickey’s Pool. Dubbed Mickey’s Slide, it’s held up by a giant Mickey hand, which is delightful. Both ships also have a watery play zone for toddlers called Nemo’s Reef. Plus, Disney Fantasy has a watery fun zone with water jets, geysers and bubblers called AquaLab.

Note that Disney’s newest ship — Disney Wish — has a water coaster attraction similar to the AquaDuck called the AquaMouse. The big difference: Riders will see animated shorts while riding up the ramp at the start of the ride.

Carnival WaterWorks

Where you’ll find it: Nearly all Carnival ships.

When it comes to waterslides on ships, cruise giant Carnival is still the undisputed king. The Fun Ship line began adding them to vessels way back in 1978, and there’s now at least one waterslide on every ship in the Carnival fleet — something no other line can say.

Indeed, on all Carnival ships, there’s now not just a single waterslide but a whole water park area. Called WaterWorks, these areas vary in size and features from vessel to vessel, but they typically have one or two big waterslides, a watery play zone with interactive water features and a large continuously filling dump bucket that periodically soaks everybody within range.

You’ll typically find the biggest Carnival water park complexes on the newest Carnival ships, such as Mardi Gras , Celebration and Carnival Venezia . All three have three waterslides — one more than most Carnival ships.

Aqua Park (Norwegian Cruise Line)

Where you’ll find it: Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore.

Norwegian Cruise Line began going big with waterslides in 2010 when it debuted Norwegian Epic. And boy, did it go big! Norwegian Epic offers three monster waterslides, including the thrilling Epic Plunge — a 200-foot-long tube ride that ends in a swirling bowl. Epic Plunge is part of Norwegian Epic’s Aqua Park, the first water park on a Norwegian ship. Norwegian has since added Aqua Parks to six more new vessels, including its biggest ship, the 4-year-old Norwegian Encore .

Norwegian’s Aqua Parks vary in size and attractions from ship to ship, but some of them, such as the one on Norwegian Breakaway, have as many as five separate multistory waterslides. Yes, you read that right: Five waterslides on a single cruise ship!

On Norwegian Breakaway, the lineup includes twin free-fall slides that drop passengers nearly straight down several stories; two side-by-side twisting racer slides; and a family-friendly slide with a more modest drop. For sheer variety, the complex is hard to beat.

Aqua Park (MSC Cruises)

Where you’ll find it: MSC Seascape, MSC Seashore, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Euribia, MSC World Europa.

Fast-growing MSC Cruises has joined the waterslide wars in the last few years — and in a massive way. Each of the 10 ships the line has unveiled since 2017 offers a full-blown water park on its top deck that’s packed with waterslides and other watery fun.

On North America-based MSC Seaside, the Aqua Park has four waterslides and a children’s play area with interactive water features. The waterslides include two massive, 525-foot-long dueling slides that extend over the sides of the ship. The top of the Aqua Park on MSC Seaside is also home to the liftoff point for a zip line that soars 344 feet across the top of the vessel.

Other MSC Cruises water parks at sea include the winter-themed Polar Aqua Park on MSC Meraviglia, which offers a suspended-in-the-sky ropes course in addition to four waterslides. There’s also the Aquaplay area for the little ones.

A handful of ships even have virtual reality waterslides that involve riders wearing virtual reality headsets as part of the experience.

In all, 14 of MSC Cruises’ 22 vessels now have at least one waterslide on their top decks.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
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The 6 best cruise ship waterslides and watery fun zones

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Carnival Sunshine Cruise Ship Review
Editor Rating. 4.0. Very Good. Overall. Adam Coulter. U.K. Executive Editor. Carnival Sunshine is the result of a 2012 massive, $155 million, 49-day transformation that saw the former Carnival ...
Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Sunshine. 155 reviews. 1-800-764-7419 Website. All photos (2,804)2,804. Full view. Traveler (549) Common Areas (1,543) Dining and Bars (733) Itineraries for this ship.
Carnival Sunshine cruise ship review: What to expect on board
Modern amenities and an unpretentious environment dovetail nicely aboard Sunshine, and the updated restaurants, bars and public spaces make you feel like you're on a modern cruise ship. Sure, you'll spot signs of wear and tear befitting an older ship, but the dings in my cabin furnishings were easy to overlook.
Carnival Sunshine Reviews, Ship Details & Photos
Carnival Sunshine is a $155 million renovation of the 17-year-old Carnival Destiny. Upgrades include the new Cloud 9 Spa Balcony staterooms, restaurants like Cucina del Capitano and RedFrog Pub, as well as the popular entertainment staple Hasbro, The Game Show. Sunshine carries 3,006 passengers and sails from Charleston, Norfolk, and New York ...
Carnival Sunshine Reviews from Travelers
Ship: Carnival Sunshine. First, they took my Beer at security, minus $15, then they took my small pocketknife that's been in my family for $50 years. Then the baggage guy put my wives CPAP back into the truck of the car instead of on baggage cart. I'm guessing he thought it was my laptop, and thought since I didn't tip him, he'd keep me from ...
Carnival Sunshine Passenger Reviews
Read passenger reviews for Carnival Sunshine. 8 Day from Charleston . Apr 21st, 2024. Had a great time. This is a little bit longer cruise with 2 sea days on either side of the 3 stops.
Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review by KevinQuinn
Review of the Carnival Sunshine (Charleston) March 27th -April 1st 2023. This was our 15th cruise, all with Carnival. We have sailed out of Charleston 9 times, 7 on the Sunshine and 2 on the Ecstasy. The embarkation process was very smooth and efficient. Ground personnel are professional and very competent.
Carnival Sunshine Review
Carnival Sunshine ranks # 23 out of 25 Carnival Cruise Line Cruise Ships based on an analysis of expert and user ratings, as well as health ratings. #23. in Best Carnival Cruise Line. #38. in Best ...
Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Sunshine Review
Following a $155 million overhaul, Carnival Sunshine is marketed as a "new" ship, with a new name. But our inaugural sailing revealed a ship that was not ready for guests. Written and Tested by Anonymous Cruise Editor. Updated February 20, 2016. When Carnival Destiny originally launched in 1996, it was the first passenger ship to top ...
Carnival Sunshine Cruise Ship: Review, Photos & Departure Ports on
We literally had to eat a sandwich from the deli, and to get a decent meal we ate in the dining room. Carnival needs to really consider making changes, whether it be the chef, the cooks and definitely the meal planner. I purchased three cruises on Carnival Sunshine at the same time, I'm now regretting it. Our next cruise is May 2024 and again ...
The Ultimate Guide to Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Sunshine is like a shining oasis boasting a wide variety of activities and entertainment for all ages to enjoy, including: The Punchliner Comedy Club: The laughs don't stop at our cruise ship comedy club. Featuring shows for all ages and adults-only, the onboard comedians know how to tickle everybody's funny bone.
Carnival Sunshine
Hashtag your cruise photos #carnivalsunshine and you may see them right here. On Carnival Sunshine, everything the sunlight touches has been drenched with an extra dose of fun. Spend your days in the warm rays and enjoy all the fun a cruise ship has to offer. See photos, deck plans, staterooms, onboard activities, and itinerary options.
Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review by KevinQuinn
4.9 out of 5. 10 Night Eastern Caribbean Carnival Journeys (Charleston Roundtrip) Sail date: January 17, 2022. Ship: Carnival Sunshine. Cabin type: Inside. Cabin number: 8305. Traveled as: Couple. Reviewed: 2 years ago. This review is for our booking on Carnival Cruise Line Voyage from Charleston SC on 17 January 2022 to 27 January 2022.
Carnival Sunshine Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review
Carnival Sunshine cruise ship itinerary, 2024-2025-2026 itineraries (homeports, dates, prices), cruise tracker (ship location now/current position tracking), review, news. ... Review of Carnival Sunshine. The 1996-built/2013-reconstructed Carnival Sunshine cruise ship was initially named "Carnival Destiny". After a major refurbishment in 2013 ...
Thoughts on Taking a Cruise on Carnival Sunshine
June 17, 2017. Ships Carnival. Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Sunshine went through a Fun Ship 2.0 refurbishment in 2013 when her name was changed from Destiny to Sunshine. Ever since then I ...
Carnival Sunshine Review
Carnival Sunshine Itinerary: A 9-night Southern Caribbean Journeys sailing out of Port Canaveral with stops in St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten Reviewer: Walter Traveling With: His ...
Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Sunshine received a total bow to stern transformation in 2013. In fact, the changes were so extreme, that the once Carnival Destiny (previous name b...
Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review by KevinQuinn
Reviewed: 1 year ago. Review of the Carnival Sunshine Cruise Ship Sail Date 5-15 December 2022 (Charleston SC Roundtrip) I booked this cruise via the Carnival website on 12 January 2021 as a replacement cruise for a 2020 cruise. My wife and I have sailed out of Charleston SC seven times (Twice on the Ecstasy and 5 times on the Sunshine).
Carnival Sunshine cabins and suites
Carnival Sunshine cruise ship has a total of 32 wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) and 89 Cloud 9 Spa cabins (of them 22 Inside, 70 Balcony and 3 Suite). The number of all cabin categories is 32. Connecting rooms ("family cabins") are located on decks 1, 2, 6, 9, 10 and 11. The list of connecting cabins grades includes 2 ...
The 6 best cruise ship waterslides and watery fun zones
For more cruise guides, news and reviews, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. Royal Caribbean, for instance, added an 800-foot-long "water coaster" to the back of its 3,386-passenger ...
Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review by Sherris01
Read the Carnival Sunshine review by Cruiseline.com member Sherris01 from April 27, 2024 of the 5 Night Bahamas (Charleston Roundtrip) cruise. ... Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas Share. Tweet. Sherris01 . Contributor Level: Purser Cruises: 2-3 cruises. Review: 1. Helpful Votes: 5.
Carnival Sunshine Review
Review. Carnival Sunshine sails out of New Orleans each week. - Photo by Carnival Cruise Lines. Built: Debuted in November 1996 as Carnival Destiny; renovated and reflagged Carnival Sunshine in May 2013. Itinerary: Sailing 7-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries out of New Orleans until April 2014, when she moves to Port Canaveral.

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