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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

• CruiseMapper

Carnival Sunshine deck plans

Deck layouts, review of facilities, activities, amenities.

Carnival Sunshine deck plan review at CruiseMapper provides newest cruise deck plans (2024-2025-2026 valid floor layouts of the vessel) extracted from the officially issued by Carnival Cruise Line deckplan pdf (printable version).

Each of the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship deck plans are conveniently combined with a legend (showing cabin codes) and detailed review of all the deck's venues and passenger-accessible indoor and outdoor areas. A separate link provides an extensive information on Carnival Sunshine staterooms (cabins and suites), including photos, cabin plans and amenities by room type and category.

Carnival Sunshine (1996-built as “Carnival Destiny”, renamed “Sunshine” after a major refit and refurbishment in 2013, last refurbished in 2021 November) is the first of two converted Carnival ships  in the Sunshine-class - with sistership  Carnival Sunrise (former Triumph) . As cruise vessel class, the Destiny-Sunshine ship is the first of all three Destiny-class liners - together with Triumph-Sunrise and  Victory-Radiance , and also  Costa Cruises boats Fortuna  and  Magica .

Carnival Sunshine cruise ship deck plan shows a total of 1501 staterooms for 3002 passengers (max capacity is 3753) served by 1040 crew-staff. The boat has 13 passenger decks (11 with cabins), 22 lounges and bars, 3 swimming pools (one with retractable glass roof), 7 outdoor Jacuzzis (large whirlpool hot tubs), 10 elevators. Cabin decks have a total of 55 Suites, 508 Balconies, 342 Oceanviews, 586 Inside cabins, Self Service Laundromats (passenger use launderettes).

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).

Carnival Destiny-Sunshine deck plan changes 2013 refurbishment review

The list of Carnival Destiny deck plan changes after the 2013 drydock refurbishment (Destiny-Sunshine ship transformation) in Italy (Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard) includes:

• “Ji Ji”/Asian, “Fat Jimmy’s”/barbecue, “Cucina del Capitano”, “Fahrenheit 555/steakhouse”, “JavaBlue Cafe”, “Shake Spot”, “Guy’s Burger”, “BlueIguana Cantina”/Mexican, “Seaday Brunch”, “The Comfort Kitchen”/Lido, “Havana Bar”/Lido, “Sunshine Bar”, “Alchemy Bar”, “RedFrog Pub”, “Cherry On Top”, “Punchliner”, “Hasbro”
• 3-deck “Serenity Retreat”
• “Carnival Cloud 9 Spa”
• renovated “SportSquare”
• “Waterworks”/AquaPark, “Camp Carnival” (new design)
• newly added passenger rooms – 182, of which 96 spa staterooms
• USD 155 million was the total cost of the 49-day drydock refit that made the old Carnival Destiny ship perfectly reborn into the new Sunshine.

During drydock 2018 (October 14-21, in  Freeport Bahamas ) were made regularly planned maintenance works. Drydock 2016 was in the period March 8-20.

In 2021 (October-November) Carnival Sunshine was drydocked at Navantia Shipyard ( Cadiz Spain ), mainly for general maintenance (technical and routine) works and also repainting (received CCL's new livery).

Deck layouts

Deck 01 - riviera-cabins, deck 02 - main-cabins, deck 03 - lobby-dining-cabins, deck 04 - mezzanine, deck 05 - promenade-lounge-casino-shops-cabins, deck 06 - upper-cabins, deck 07 - empress-cabins, deck 08 - verandah-cabins-bridge, deck 09 - lido-pools-cabins, deck 10 - spa-cabins-kids-waterworks, deck 11 - serenity1-cabins-sports-skycourse, deck 12 - serenity2-golf, deck 14 - serenity2-sundeck.

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

Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Picking a cabin on a Carnival Cruise Line ship isn't nearly as complicated as picking a cabin on, say, a Royal Caribbean or a Celebrity Cruises ship.

Unlike some of its biggest competitors, Carnival isn't known for a huge range of cabin categories on its vessels.

That means that when you're trying to find the best Carnival cruise ship cabin for you, you'll have an easier time than you will when booking with some other lines.

The vast majority of the accommodations on Carnival ships fall into one of three broad buckets: Windowless "inside" cabins, oceanview cabins and balcony cabins.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

You'll find relatively few suites on Carnival ships. Each of the vessels in Carnival's recent Vista-class series, for instance, offer fewer than 75 suites. Each of the line's earlier Conquest-class ships have around 50 suites. The oldest Fantasy-class vessels have 28 suites and 26 junior suites.

This is in part due to Carnival's focus on offering an affordable product. The typical Carnival customer isn't in the market for a super fancy, high-priced suite.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

That said, Carnival has seen the success that some of its competitors have had with a bigger range of upscale accommodations, and it's eyeing more suites for future vessels. The line's two newest ships, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration , each have 180 suites — more than twice the number found on the vessels Carnival was unveiling a few years ago.

Note that Carnival's two oldest ships — those that are part of the 1990s-built Fantasy Class — have relatively few balcony cabins by today's standards. (After retrofitting, they have around 150 balcony cabins, out of a total of more than 1,000 cabins in all.) In part because of this, Carnival has been phasing Fantasy-class ships out of its fleet in recent years.

A Carnival Cruise Line cabin primer

As is typical for many cruise ships, Carnival vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: Windowless "inside" cabins, oceanview cabins, balcony cabins and suites.

On newer Carnival ships, a significant portion of cabins are balcony cabins — the rooms everyone wants these days. But the ratio of balcony cabins to non-balcony cabins on Carnival's newer ships isn't nearly as high as on the newer ships of some rival lines such as Royal Caribbean.

About 44% of the 2,004 cabins on Carnival's Carnival Panorama (launched in 2019) are balcony cabins, for instance. Compare that to the 65% of cabins on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas (launched in 2018) that are balcony cabins.

As noted above, Carnival ships also have fewer suites than you'll find on the ships of some of its rival lines. By contrast, the line's newer ships have a higher percentage of inside cabins than you'll find on the newer ships of some rival lines.

Here's a breakdown of the broad cabin categories on Carnival Panorama, which is typical of the line's newer ships:

Inside cabins: 789 (39%) Oceanview cabins: 254 (13%) Balcony cabins: 891 (44%) Suites: 70 (3%)

On older Carnival ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are far fewer balcony cabins. Fewer than 10% of cabins on the line's two oldest vessels, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, are balcony cabins. The two ships date to 1998.

On both Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, inside cabins and ocean-view cabins make up the majority (nearly 90%) of accommodations, and suites account for fewer than 10% of rooms. Here is the breakdown for Carnival Paradise:

Inside cabins: 420 (40%) Oceanview cabins: 466 (44%) Balcony cabins: 98 (9%) Suites: 78 (7%)

The takeaway here is that you'll have a tougher time locking down a balcony cabin on an older Carnival ship than on a newer vessel. If you're planning a cruise on one of the line's older vessels and a balcony cabin is a must, you'll want to book early to make sure you get one.

You'll also want to book early if you're aiming for a suite — particularly if you want one of the best suites on a Carnival ship. An old saw in the cruise industry is that "ships sell from the top and the bottom." That is, the first cabins on any vessel to sell out are the most expensive cabins, which are the suites, and the least expensive cabins, which typically are the inside cabins. The "middle" sells last.

Design-wise, Carnival's cabins and suites are fairly basic and comfortable, if not super stylish. Cabins on recently unveiled or overhauled vessels mostly have a soothing palette of creams and blues. Cabinetry in these rooms is a crisp and clean faux wood. Cabin bathrooms are neutral.

One exception is the new Carnival Venezia , which has a darker (faux) wood finish to furniture in cabins that ties into the ship's Italy theme.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Carnival ship

Inside cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Inside cabins are the cabins you stay in when you're on a tight budget. On any Carnival ship, they almost always are the least-expensive option when you're booking a cabin, and you often can save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin.

What you'll give up, of course, is that ocean view. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world.

On many cruise ships, inside cabins are smaller than oceanview and balcony cabins. But on Carnival ships, that's not always the case. On Carnival Panorama, for instance, most inside cabins measure 185 square feet. That's the same size as the interior area of some oceanview and most balcony cabins on the ship (not including the extra square footage from the balcony).

Related: Why inside cabins aren't as bad as you think

Inside cabins on Royal Caribbean's new Wonder of the Seas , by contrast, measure just 149 square feet — quite a bit less than the inside cabins on Carnival Panorama.

Note that, in a quirk of the cabin categorization system at Carnival, there are a few inside cabins on some Carnival ships that do, indeed, have a view to the outside world. These cabins either have an obstructed view (often due to lifeboats) or a porthole, such that the view isn't all that great. For that reason, the line classifies them as inside cabins.

Oceanview cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships

With an oceanview cabin, you get a window looking out to the sea but not an attached balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Carnival's newer ships have relatively few such cabins, as generally cabins that face outwards now are built with balconies. But older Carnival ships are loaded with oceanview cabins.

Oceanview cabins on Carnival ships can sometimes be bigger than inside cabins and even bigger than balcony cabins (when comparing their interior space). On Carnival Panorama, some oceanview cabins measure 185 square feet — the same as inside cabins. But there also are bigger "standard" oceanview cabins that measure 220 square feet and "deluxe" oceanview cabins that measure 230 square feet.

Related: The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship

Balcony cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Carnival is building its newest ships with far more of them than in the past. As noted above, about 44% of the cabins Carnival Panorama are balcony cabins. But that percentage jumped to 56% on the newer Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. It will be the same on Carnival Jubilee, a sister vessel to Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration coming out in December 2023.

The typical Carnival balcony cabin has a contemporary look, with clean lines and relatively minimalist furniture. It typically features twin beds that can be converted into a king bed, a built-in desk area and a sofa that often pulls out into an additional bed. Some rooms have pull-down bunks to create more sleeping spaces. Balcony cabins typically measure around 185 square feet, not including the veranda area, which often measures 35 square feet.

Note that on some Carnival ships, specific categories of balcony cabins have larger balconies than most. These are wonderful for sitting out and watching the waves. Often these rooms are at the back of the ships overlooking the wake.

Related: 6 reasons to book a balcony cabin on your next cruise

For instance, Carnival Panorama has "Family Harbor" and "Havana" balcony cabins with 60-square-foot balconies overlooking the wake. That's 71% more balcony space than the typical balcony cabin on the ship.

Carnival Panorama also has "Havana Cabana" balcony cabins with even bigger, 100-square-foot balconies.

Suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

As noted above, Carnival ships generally don't offer a lot of suites. For the most part, the suites they have are relatively modest in size and amenities compared to the suites at some of the line's rivals.

The biggest suites on Carnival Panorama, the ship's eight Grand Suites, have 345 square feet of interior space, plus an 85-square-foot balcony. Contrast that to the biggest suites on Royal Caribbean ships, which can measure more than 1,500 square feet.

Suites on Carnival ships also haven't traditionally come with butlers and access to private concierge lounges like the suites on many other vessels.

Related: This amazing new cruise ship suite measures more than 4,000 square feet

Still, some of that has begun to change with the debut of Carnival's new Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. Carnival went big with the suites on the groundbreaking, 5,282-passenger vessels — the biggest Carnival ships ever.

Unveiled in 2021 and 2022, respectively, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration each feature two sprawling Presidential Suites that measure 1,120 square feet — bigger than any other accommodations in the line's fleet.

Located at the top of each ship on Deck 17, the complexes have separate living and sleeping areas and the most expansive balconies in the Carnival fleet — all unusual-for-Carnival features. Measuring more than 600 square feet, the balconies also offer a lounging area with a large sunbed and a private outdoor hot tub and shower.

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on a cruise ship

The Presidential Suites are among 180 suites you will find on Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, the most ever for a Carnival ship.

The two ships have 11 different categories of suites in all, four of which are part of a new premium "Excel" category of suites with extra amenities and access to a new-for-the-line, resort-style enclave at the top of the ships called Loft 19.

In addition to the two Presidential Suites, the Excel suites include a dozen 861-square-foot Excel Aft Suites that overlook the back of each ship and boast separate living rooms and bedrooms and large wraparound balconies with hot tubs.

Slightly smaller are a dozen 710-square-foot Excel Corner Suites offering separate sleeping and lounging areas and wraparound balconies. A step down are six smaller Excel Suites that measure 614 square feet.

Every one of the suites in those categories is bigger than any suite found on Carnival Panorama.

Passengers staying in all four categories of Excel suites on Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration have access to a dedicated concierge phone line and guaranteed dining times at the extra-charge specialty restaurants found on the ships (except for Japanese eatery Bonsai Teppanyaki and the Chef's Table). Other upgraded amenities for Excel suite passengers include complimentary Bottomless Bubbles soda packages, room service and laundry service, sparkling wine upon arrival and upgraded bathroom toiletries.

The new Loft 19 enclave found on both Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration offers full bar service, a private pool surrounded by sun loungers and cabanas available for rent.

Related: A guide to Carnival's VIFP loyalty program

Bottom Line

Fun-focused Carnival offers a solid mix of cabins on its vessels for a range of price points. If you're looking for an inexpensive vacation option, the inside cabins on Carnival ships are more spacious than the inside cabins you'll find on the ships of some rival lines. Oceanview cabins on Carnival ships also can be larger than normal for the category. Balcony cabins on Carnival ships hold their own in size against most competitors. Just don't expect a huge number of suites when sailing with Carnival.

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Carnival Sunshine Dining

--Updated by Erica Lamberg, Cruise Critic contributor

Dining options on Carnival Sunshine range from top-shelf winners to hit-or-miss choices, with the specialty dining venues a welcome break from the main dining room doldrums. Not only did we find the food to be hit or miss, we also found it repetitive.

Breakfast is offered in several spots on the ship including the Lido Marketplace Buffet, Sunrise Dining Room on sea days, BlueIguana Cantina, Havana Bar and a continental buffet near Ocean Plaza. Lunch is also available in multiple spots including the lunchtime only Mongolian Wok and Pasta Bar, Guy's Burger Joint, Havana Bar and BlueIguana Cantina. The Carnival Deli on Deck 9 is a reliable choice, too.

Cruisers with special dietary requests should let the cruise line know ahead of time or talk to the maitre d' in their assigned restaurant on embarkation day. Gluten-free bread is available in most of the dining venues.

Free Dining

Sunrise Dining Room (Decks 3 and 4) and Sunset Dining Room (Deck 3): Carnival Sunshine has two Main Dining Rooms: Sunrise Dining Room and Sunset Dining Room. Passengers with fixed-time, assigned-table seating (two seatings: 6 or 8:15 p.m.) dine in either Sunrise on Deck 4 or Sunset. Assigned dining times book up in advance so make your choice when you book, if you have a preference. Those with the flexible Your Time Dining (anytime between 5:45 and 9:30 p.m.) dine on Deck 3 of Sunrise; depending on when you arrive you might have to wait for a table. Both dining rooms offer two-tops, four-tops and larger tables.

As on all Carnival ships, during some meals, the waitstaff will sing and dance and parade around the dining room. It's fun to see your waitstaff performing.

Breakfast is served in Sunrise on sea days. It's a sit-down, full-service menu with open seating. The breakfast menu features standard morning items like pancakes, eggs any way you want, bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon, and fresh fruit. A special sea day brunch is offered on select days and is a mix of breakfast items and lunch choices.

For dinner, both restaurants' dinner menus are the same.

Appetizers, which rotate throughout the cruise so you can have your favorite more than once, might include smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, beef barley soup, seafood chowder or Caesar salad. Entrees can include glazed ham, blackened fish, Indian vegetarian, steak, braised beef brisket, vegetable lasagna and grilled chicken. As with appetizers, sides rotate throughout the cruise and might include ratatouille, seasoned vegetables, creamed spinach and bacon mac 'n cheese.

In addition to changing menu items, you'll also find the same four grill selections every night: salmon fillet, flat iron steak, chicken breast and pork chop. Also available every night are several steakhouse selections that carry a surcharge of $20 each. Choices are broiled Maine lobster tail, surf and turf, filet mignon and New York strip loin steak.

Desserts rotate as well, though the Carnival's noteworthy chocolate melting cake is always available, as is a selection of ice creams and sorbets.

Lido Marketplace (Deck 9): The ship's buffet, Lido Marketplace, has loads of seating, both in terms of quantity and variety (traditional two- to eight-seat tables by the windows, bar-style elevated tables) but despite this, finding indoor seating is sometimes a challenge -- especially at lunchtime and if you're with a larger party. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here.

It offers an impressive salad bar, Indian vegetarian options, a carving station, two soup choices, and a hot buffet with meat, fish, grains and vegetables.

Breakfast includes hot and cold items including cereal, fruit, yogurt, scrambled eggs, pancakes, hash browns, cold cuts and an omelet station, among other traditional morning items. A second omelet station is also available in the Havana Bar area, but you could end up waiting 20 minutes.

For lunch and dinner, Lido Marketplace is divided into different areas. Comfort Kitchen, located near the entrance by the Lido Pool, offers a variety of American favorites including items like mac 'n cheese, chicken fingers, fried fish, meat stews and other comfort favorites. At the back of Lido Marketplace, you'll find the carving station as well as a section called (on a rotating basis) Caribbean Favorites, Italian Favorites and Good Eats. You'll find a small salad bar in each section.

The Carnival Deli is located in the back of Lido Marketplace. Choose from deli-style sandwiches like corned beef paninis, tuna wraps, turkey on rye or the ever-popular grilled cheese.

Both sides of the buffet have a Sweet Spot dessert station with a variety of cakes and cookies. There is also an ice cream machine.

Also on both sides of the buffet are self-pour beer taps with Bud Light and ThirstyFrog Red -- just swipe your card to activate the tap. Complimentary self-service beverage stations with lemonade, water, tea (iced and hot) and coffee are scattered throughout the Lido Marketplace, as well as near the aft pool outdoor seating area. At breakfast, the beverage choices are orange, apple and orange-passion fruit-guava cocktail juices.

Pizzeria del Capitano (Deck 9): Located at the back of the ship, this pizza joint offers individual-sized pizzas, all available free of charge 24 hours a day. Options include margherita, cheese, pepperoni and mushroom. Gluten-free pizza is available as well.

Guy's Burger Joint (Deck 9): Burger lovers flock to this poolside stop (the brainchild of TV chef Guy Fieri), which is surely Carnival's most popular eatery. Here, you can build your own burger or choose from five pre-designed burgers. Highlights for many are the Ringer, a cheeseburger with a giant onion ring on top; the Chilius Maximus, a beef patty with super melty cheese, an onion ring, donkey sauce and chili; and the Pig Patty, a combo of one beef patty and a second made of bacon, topped with cheese and donkey sauce. The burgers are served with trademark crispy fries and a nearby toppings bar offers fixings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, seasoned mushrooms and caramelized onions. Bring your patience with you as there are long lines during prime lunch hours, but lines moves fast. Veggie burgers are not advertised but are available upon request. Hours vary but generally it's open from noon to 6 p.m.

BlueIguana Cantina (Deck 9): This poolside Mexican venue creates fish, chicken or beef tacos and shrimp, chicken or beef burritos every day for lunch. Or you can build your own taco with optional ingredients including all the favorites: black and refried beans, guacamole, cilantro lime rice, diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce, roasted corn, cooked onions, sour cream, Monterey Jack cheese and pico de gallo. As if all that weren't enough, there's a salsa bar with even more toppings. BlueIguana Cantina is hopping for lunch, but breakfast is quiet and the scrambled egg burritos are scrumptious.

Mongolian Wok (Deck 9): Only offered for lunch, this free Asian noodle venue is located inside of JiJi Asian Kitchen. Mongolian Wok diners fill out a paper selecting a protein (chicken, pork, shrimp, beef), noodle choice and sauce (spicy Sichuan, Thai barbecue, black bean or soy), and then add extras.

The Pasta Bar (Deck 9): Located in Cucina del Capitano for lunch only, the pasta bar is a free spot for Italian food lovers to get a quick meal. Diners sit down and fill out a paper detailing what they want in their pasta. Choices begin with the pasta itself (linguini, penne, farfalle, gluten-free). Then pick from five sauces and a variety of ingredients that include grilled chicken, shrimp, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant and arugula, among others. Half-portions are also served.

Havana Bar (Deck 9): A small selection of breakfast and lunch items are available in the Havana Bar in the morning and afternoon. For breakfast, you'll find an omelet station, as well as fruit and some Cuban breakfast specialties. At lunch you might find empanadas, and rice and beans.

Sea Dogs (Deck 11): A hot dog-shaped cart within the SportSquare outdoor recreation area offes all-beef franks and traditional toppings.

The Chef's Table (location varies); $95: The shining star of gourmet dining on Carnival Sunshine is The Chef's Table, an intimate multicourse dinner curated and hosted by the ship's Master Executive Chef. This VIP experience starts with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres for a select group of 14 to 16 people, followed by a tour to see the galley in operation. The evening concludes with an excellent full-service dinner of tasty appetizers, entrees and desserts not found on the regular dining menus. It's recommended to reserve early because this experience has limited seating and fills up fast. Reservations can be made at the ship's Guest Services desk.

Fahrenheit 555 (Deck 4); $38: Handsome wood tables highlighted by golden accents give Fahrenheit 555 a sophisticated and classic steakhouse feel. Open for dinner only, this venue is perfect for date night. Menu items include an impressive selection of aged beef steaks, lamb chops, lobster tail and grilled fish specialties, along with more than a dozen appetizer, salad, soup and side dish choices. Plus, the service here is impeccable.

Shake Spot (Deck 5); a la carte: Grab a cappuccino, espresso, hot chocolate or herbal tea. While here, indulge in delicious cookies, cupcakes, gelato, shakes and floats. Most items are priced under $10.

Bonsai Sushi (Deck 4); a la carte: Equally as popular as Guy's Burger Joint, this hot spot offers a stellar menu of sushi, sashimi and bento boxes, as well as cooked-to-order items like shrimp tempura, chicken katsu and various noodle bowls, all for under $12 a meal. There's also an option that allows diners to let the chef pick. This surprise meal is priced at $15 for one person and $22 for two and is a great way to try something you may not have considered for yourself.

Cherry on Top (Deck 5); a la carte: Primarily a spot for grab and go candy, young cruisers always leave this sweet spot with a smile.

RedFrog Pub & Brewery (Deck 5); a la carte: RedFrog Pub's bites include coconut shrimp, grouper fingers, firecracker Jamaican wings, Bahamian conch salad, Caribbean sliders, Jamaican jerk and pulled pork sandwiches. Most food items are priced less than $8.

Cucina del Capitano (Deck 9); $15 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under: This venue is Italian done right. Red-and-white-checkered tablecloths set the stage for classic Italian staples including linguine and meatballs, spaghetti carbonara, chicken parmigiana and grilled shrimp with pasta, among other dishes inspired by the family recipes of Carnival's Italian captains and officers.

JiJi Asian Kitchen (Deck 9); $15 for adults, $5 for kids: Dining at JiJi is an experience where menu items from China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore and are shared family style, giving everyone a chance to taste multiple appetizers, entrees and sides. For adventurous diners, give the spicy Kung Pao chicken a whirl or try the less-spicy sweet and sour shrimp dish. Save room for desserts and splurge on the crepes.

Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast (Main Dining Room); $6: Try this family-friendly breakfast experience with Dr. Seuss characters that interact with your children. Bright patterns decorate the table and showcases the fun and child-friendly menu items. The characters circulate the room allowing for special photo opportunities making this a meal to remember. Check the Fun Times daily program for exact dates during the sailing.

Room Service: In-cabin dining is available 24 hours a day, but free breakfast choices are all cold options (cereal, yogurt, fruit and pastries). We found it convenient on early port days to use the door tag to order breakfast the night before to get an early start. Anytime options include free sandwiches like tuna, roast turkey, ham and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, grilled cheese and grilled Reuben, plus garden or Caesar salads and a market vegetable platter. For a small fee, you can select heartier choices like wings, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, chicken quesadillas, Philly cheesesteaks, pizza and french fries. All items incur a charge of $2 to $6 between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Although not required, it's a nice gesture to tip the room service delivery person a few dollars.

.css-161q0su{font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-size:1.125rem;margin-right:0.5rem;}.css-161q0su::before{content:"\e001";display:inline-block;font-style:normal;line-height:1;speak:none;-ms-transform:rotate(-0.001deg);-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;} Restaurants

• Alchemy Bar - Martini Bar *
• Bar - Atrium Bar *
• Bar - Pool Bar *
• BlueIguana Cantina - Mexican
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar - Poolside Tequila
• Bonsai Sushi - Japanese *
• Cherry On Top - Candies *
• Cucina del Capitano™ - italian *
• EA Sports Bar - Sports Bar *
• Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
• Guy's Burger Joint - Fast Food
• Havana Bar - Cuban-themed bar *
• JavaBlue Café - Coffee & Pastries *
• Ji Ji Asian Kitchen - Asian *
• Lido Marketplace - Casual
• Piano Bar 88 - Piano Bar *
• RedFrog Pub™ - Pub *
• RedFrog Rum Bar - Poolside Rum *
• Seadogs - Hot Dogs
• Shake Spot - Milkshakes *

* May require additional fees

Find a Carnival Sunshine Cruise from $369

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

clock This article was published more than  1 year ago

Carnival passengers recount ‘nightmare’ cruise as storm floods ship

Videos showed the Carnival Sunshine cabins and hallways flooding and ceilings leaking

Matthew Branham and his fiancée, Madison Davis, were lying by a Carnival Sunshine pool on Friday aboard a cruise returning to Charleston, S.C., from the Bahamas when an announcement came over the loudspeaker. The captain was expecting rougher weather that evening, but there was nothing to worry about. So Branham and Davis didn’t worry.

As the day went on, “We noticed it started getting cooler in the afternoon — much, much cooler,” said Branham, 25, of Castlewood, Va. “And then it was like a switch was flipped, and it literally turned into a nightmare.”

En route back to Charleston Friday night into Saturday, the Carnival Sunshine navigated into a strong storm system that battered the southeast over the holiday weekend. Videos emerged on social media showing cabins and hallways flooding, shop floors littered with destroyed merchandise and leaking ceilings . Passenger Brad Morrell snapped a photo of an automated instrument map reporting a 69 knot, or 79 mph, wind.

#CarnivalSunshine : Due to return to Charleston, South Carolina this Saturday, May 27, 2023, has been delayed due to severe weather. The ship is currently off the South Carolina coast and holding position, unable to return to the port because of high winds & rough seas. #cruise 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/2B6HlAn2yD — ∼Marietta (@MariettaDaviz) May 28, 2023

Carnival said in a statement that the weather was unexpectedly strong, causing conditions that were rougher than forecast, but that its fleet operations center team, which relies on outside meteorology resources for itinerary planning, “coordinated to keep the ship in its safest location.”

“Attempting to sail out of the large front could have been dangerous,” the statement continued. “The ship proceeded to the port as soon as the weather began to clear.”

Strong Southeast storm slams Carolinas

Carnival said the captain made “several announcements about the weather and the delay it caused in returning to Charleston, asking guests to use extra precaution while walking around the ship.” Additionally, “some of the worst weather occurred in the overnight hours when announcements are not typically made, but guests and crew were safe.”

The ship’s medical staff did help a “small number” of guests and crew members who needed minor assistance following the storm. Despite the significant damage and a delay in schedule, Carnival Sunshine embarked on its next five-day Bahama sailing on Saturday.

From their sea-view room, Branham and Davis watched as waves surged over their window and braced themselves as the 892-foot-long ship lurched in the storm.

“Waves were hitting the boat so hard that it was like an earthquake experience, jarring you like a really rough roller coaster — even in the middle floor,” Branham said.

They were told to stay in their cabins. Meanwhile, Branham said, TVs were falling off walls, and glassware was sliding off shelves and shattering on the floor. “You could not stand up in your room,” he said. “You could be thrown from the bed.”

They packed up their belongings when their floor started to flood and took shelter in a main lobby area.

“All of the employees were sprinting downstairs with life vests,” Branham said. “There were little kids besides us screaming and crying and throwing fits.”

Throughout the storm, Branham wondered why there weren’t more announcements from Carnival staff. Besides the warning of rougher seas earlier Friday and one Saturday morning after they’d weathered the storm, Branham said they weren’t given any official updates on their situation. When he asked workers what was going on, they told him not to worry.

⁦⁦ @CarnivalCruise ⁩ #carnivalsunshine still 75mph winds at 9:25am. Sitting and spinning in the Atlantic. pic.twitter.com/NITCO2l9Ss — FlyersCaptain™®© (@flyerscaptain) May 29, 2023

“But you see rooms flooded, and you can pick up a handful of sand and you’re kind of like, ‘What in the world? Why is nobody telling us anything?’” Branham said.

Jim Walker, a maritime lawyer and cruise industry legal expert, says his firm has been contacted by some Carnival Sunshine passengers who were injured during the storm, including a man who says he was struck by a door and broke his foot. Others have asked him about the potential for a class-action lawsuit.

While Walker said passengers should make their complaints known to Carnival, he doesn’t believe filing a lawsuit would be an efficient next step. Instead, impacted passengers can ask Carnival for a refund or a credit for another cruise, although there’s no guarantee the cruise line will grant such requests.

Pete Peterson, owner of Storybook Cruises , which is affiliated with Cruise Planners, said cruise ships keep a close eye on weather developments and will adjust their itinerary depending on the severity of the storm.

“Cruise lines monitor the weather all the time. They’re not going to put their passengers in harm’s way,” said Peterson, who has been a cruise adviser for more than 20 years and has sailed on nearly 60 cruises. “Obviously, some cruise lines are better at doing this than others.”

In 2016, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas returned to port after cruising into a “bomb cyclone,” which damaged the ship amid winds gusting to 100 mph. The ship sailed into the remnants of Hurricane Hermine seven months later, causing additional problems.

To ensure the safety and comfort of its passengers, a cruise ship can alter its course and circumvent the rough weather system. In stormy conditions, the crew can deploy the stabilizers, which will prevent the ship from rolling and bucking.

“You don’t experience the up and down,” Peterson said. “It’s not as rough a ride.”

Both approaches can add to a cruise line’s expenditures, Peterson said. Stabilizers slow the vessel, thereby consuming more fuel. Sailing around the storm can take longer than the original route and disrupt the company’s cruise schedule, leading to delays or cancellations. The cruise line may have to reimburse passengers or provide them with future credits because of the inconvenience.

“When they do something like that, it’s going to cost them money,” Peterson said.

Craig Setzer , a meteorologist and hurricane preparedness specialist, said that even with the hurricane-like conditions and flooding, “I would never be in doubt of the vessel’s integrity,” he said. “Cruise ships are structurally very, very sound and can survive a lot. They’re really rugged.”

Matthew Cappucci contributed to this report.

More cruise news

Living at sea: Travelers on a 9-month world cruise are going viral on social media. For some travelers, not even nine months was enough time on a ship; they sold cars, moved out of their homes and prepared to set sail for three years . That plan fell apart, but a 3.5-year version is waiting in the wings.

Passengers beware: It’s not all buffets and dance contests. Crime data reported by cruise lines show that the number of sex crimes has increased compared to previous years. And though man-overboard cases are rare, they are usually deadly .

The more you know: If you’re cruise-curious, here are six tips from a newcomer. Remember that in most cases, extra fees and add-ons will increase the seemingly cheap price of a sailing. And if you happen to get sick , know what to expect on board.

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Inside carnival’s cheapest $90-a-day, windowless cabin on its firenze ship.

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An Italian-themed Carnival Cruise ship offers the line’s discount-rated cheapest rooms — but you’ll have to sacrifice having a view.

The four-year-old Firenze, anchored in Long Beach, California has 44, tiny “interior” cabins with no windows nor balcony that can cost about $90 per night, according to reports.

A deal with Costco advertises trips on the four-year-old 4,000-plus capacity ship can go for even cheaper at $564, taxes included. Business Insider reported that it can cost $360 apiece, or about $90 a day.

Other than having some cost-efficiency, a vacation onboard the Firenze doesn’t exactly feel like you’ve seas-ed the day, according to one review.

“It might’ve been the ugliest cabin I’ve ever stayed in,” Business Insider’s Brittany Chang bluntly wrote of her cramped quarters over four nights to Ensenada, Mexico with a stop at Catalina Island in California.

It was about 150 feet in total space.

The ship doesn’t have any alternative solo cabins beyond the accessible, according to ThePointsGuy .

Aside from the cheap cost, the room was torn for looking “quadruple” its young age from dates furniture. The bathroom was also compared to a gas station’s.

“Did it feel more like a hospital room than a floating hotel room? Yes,” Business Insider reported.

However, some redeeming qualities were reported as well.

“It’s chaotic and a lot to take in, but somehow it works,” according to a review Ashley Kosciolek wrote for ThePointsGuy.

“Passengers can have their photos taken with a Vespa-style scooter and grab Italian-themed burgers and meatball sandwiches at new iterations of some of Carnival’s most popular eateries.”

Trivia, movies, and games were noted for creating a lively atmosphere — as were the spa, waterslides, ropes course, and gym.

Still, it was panned for feeling too crowded on a trip well below full capacity.

An American adaptation of Italian culture — the ship is named for Florence after all — is also present just about anywhere you go. Photos evoke a similar sensation to walking around The Venetian in Las Vegas.

“The Italian vibe carries through everything you do on board,” she added. “It will either make you smile or roll your eyes. Regardless, it’s a lot of fun.”

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@ginnydeaza/TikTok Wollwerth Imagery/Adobe Stock (Licensed)

‘That’s 4k a month in nyc’: Guest shows what the cheapest room on a Carnival Cruise ship will get you

‘this is our humble abode.’.

Melody Heald

Posted on Jun 6, 2024     Updated on Jun 6, 2024, 1:54 pm CDT

Have you ever wondered what the cheapest room on a Carnival Cruise ship looks like? One guest is giving viewers an inside look.

TikTok user Ginny (@ginnydeaza) opens the door to the room she booked on a Carnival Cruise ship. “This is our humble abode,” she says, showing off the room.

First, she opens the doors to both closets, where their clothes are hanging.

“The way he unpacked is crazy,” she jokes of her partner’s unpacking skills, shutting the door.

Next, she pans over to the bed in the middle of the room and the TV perched on the wall.

Lastly, Ginny takes viewers into the tiny bathroom. Inside, a toilet, sink, and shower are squished together. “And that’s it, guys,” she concludes.

“The grand tour,” her partner adds.

In the comments section, Ginny shares how the room was on the 11th floor and was $600 for the week.

@ginnydeaza If you're planning a getaway, a 4 person interior carnival cruise room offers affordability and comfort. For couples, a carnival cruise interior room for 2 is ideal, while a suite 2 bedroom room cruise carnival style accommodates families. Larger families can opt for a carnival cruise suite room family of 5. Enjoy stunning views with a carnival cruise room tour ocean view or explore the amenities through a carnival cruise room tour interior. A carnival cruise ship tour, including state room 1 carnival cruise 2024, showcases the variety and luxury of carnival cruise suites rooms. #CarnivalCruise #CruiseVacation #FamilyTravel #CruiseRooms #OceanView #CruiseShipTour #SuiteLife #Travel2024 #carnivalcelebration #CarnivalSuite #interiorroomtour ♬ On and On x Madison Calley – Madison Calley

The Daily Dot reached out to Ginny via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment as well as Carnival Cruise via press email. The video racked up over 489,000 views.

The room is ideal for this type of guest

The room is ideal for guests who don’t plan to be in it that often, according to people in the comments section.

“Same room I’d get because I’m only gonna be in there about 5% of the entire time lmao I love cruises,” one viewer noted.

“i would do the same if i was spending majority of my time out doing fun things looks good enough to sleep and get ready for the day!” a second wrote.

“I mean, my dream vacation is one where I spend a majority of my time away from my bedroom anyways. looks good to me!” a third agreed.

However, others said they’d have a hard time adjusting to no natural light.

“I just wish it had a window,” one said.

“I can’t function without a balcony. But it’s a nice room,” another said.

“That’s 4k a month in nyc,” another quipped, commenting on exorbitant New York rent costs .

What type of room did Ginny book, and how much does it cost?

Ginny booked the bare-bones minimum room called the Interior Stateroom, which is available on all Carnival Cruise lines. Carnival’s website describes this room as “the most affordable cruise ship rooms ideal for sensitive sleepers who prefer quieter rooms away from activities, making it the perfect spot to curl up after a long day of fun.”

Furthermore, all rooms include a “dedicated stateroom attendant, soft, cozy linens, stateroom climate control, plenty of closet and drawer space, television, bathrobes upon request, and in-room safe for valuables.”

According to Business Insider , these rooms start at $414.

Update 1:54pm CT, June 6: Ginny confirmed with the Daily Dot that she did spend $600 on her room and stayed there for six days. Initially, she didn’t love the room, but that quickly changed.

“At first i thought it was too small but after unpacking and staying there our first night it was perfect,” she shared via instagram direct message. “It was definitely worth it because i got the best sleep of my life and you’re not in the room often.”

In addition, she had a recommendation for Carnival Cruise passengers.

“Get to all the amenities and shows early because the older folks and past cruisers take over,” she said.

The internet is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter  here  to get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

*First Published: Jun 6, 2024, 11:00 am CDT

Melody Heald is a culture writer. Her work can be found in Glitter Magazine, BUST Magazine, and more.

You've got a foodie in you — everyone does! Awaken and delight yours on a Carnival cruise with delicious main dishes, tempting desserts and general yumminess everywhere you look.

A FEW OF OUR TOP DINING CHOICES

Carnival Kitchen

A fun vacation is the perfect time to learn something new… like how delicious picking up culinary skills can be!

Big Chicken

It’s always chicken o’clock at Shaq’s new onboard restaurant!

Seafood Shack

Favor flavor above all? See your way to Seafood Shack for something simply delicious.

Premium cuts and seafood are the centerpiece to this evening dining experience.

Seaday Brunch

You never need a special reason to enjoy brunch, but Carnival has the perfect one: sea days!

Guy's Burger Joint

Take a big juicy bite of one of the best burgers at sea, brought to you by none other than celebrity chef Guy Fieri.

Carnival Sunshine Stateroom Cabin 7242

• Click here for ALL
• Small Interior
• Interior with Picture Window
• Scenic Oceanview
• Premium Balcony
• Ocean Suite
• Grand Suite
• Captains Suite
• Ship info and tracking
• Cabin Check

Carnival Sunshine Balcony cabin number 7242 ACTUAL videos and/or pictures, floor plans, diagrams and detailed features including a deck image of the actual location on the Carnival Sunshine ship for cabin 7242. Cruisedeckplans.com has 60,095 different (staterooms) cabins that have actual cabin pictures and/or cabin videos taken by real cruisers. That is plenty of coverage to provide you with a good sampling of all the different cabins on cruise ships. Take a minute and notice the breadcrumb menu above. This is a quick easy way to navigate our website. You can also use the menu above for menu items specific to the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship.

Stateroom Features

• Twin beds that convert to king
• Private bath with shower
• Sitting area with sofa and coffee table
• Some cabins have mini-fridges.

Cloud 9 Spa staterooms feature private spa access and priority spa reservations /

Deck Location

Important Information

Category 8G has 60 square foot balcony.

Balcony Typical Floor Plans

Carnival Sunshine Balcony cabin 7242 pictures

These are some actual stateroom pictures of cabin 7242 on the Carnival Sunshine. Click on images below for larger image and slide show. The slide show will show the date the picture was uploaded to out website. This date is useful because Carnival Sunshine typically will update its cabins every three to five years with new carpeting and decor. We will keep older pictures for you to compare the more recent photos to. The pictures are sorted by the newest ones first. Most of our cabin pictures are contributed by actual cruisers. We pay 50 cents for any that we use. You can upload your cabin photos HERE . Afer you are done looking at these photos and/or the videos below you can click here to select another cabin .

Carnival Sunshine Balcony 7242 cabin videos

Scroll over cabin (stateroom) tiles below to click and watch actual stateroom videos of Carnival Sunshine cabin 7242. You can choose to watch the videos right on this page, or click to watch them on YouTube (will open in new window). When you are done viewing these videos and/or the cabin pictures above, you can click here to select another cabin. The date shown below is the date video was published. Use this to see decor changes. Keep in mind that stateroom cabins are typically updated once every three to five years. To save you time, Cruisedeckplans.com will spend hours every week finding more actual stateroom videos on YouTube.

Looking for other Balcony cabins with pics/videos?

Looking for other cabins with pics/videos on deck 7 (deck), other stateroom cabin categories on carnival sunshine.

These are all the stateroom cabin categories Carnival Sunshine. You can click on a stateroom category below to go to that page. Categories are simply the way that Carnival groups the different types of staterooms (cabins). You can see details and floor plans for all of the categories on Carnival Sunshine on this page.

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