The openness of the space provided optimum participation from passengers and performers, so a lively crowd was always on hand to sing along. 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. 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. Open for lunch and dinner, the Bonsai Sushi outpost on Sunshine is smaller than those on newer ships.
Havana Bar is a perfect lunch spot.
Cabins on Carnival Sunshine are generally sized well and offer ample storage space. The color scheme in the standard cabins is a bit dated and the carpets are worn but the layout remains functional. The spa leads to the fitness center, which offers all the latest cardio and weight-training equipment. The fitness center serves as the location for a wide range of instructor-led exercise classes.
Carnival Sunshine Dress Code
Take in great ocean views as you try something authentically Cuban, like café Cubano (that’s Cuban coffee!) or handcrafted Cuban cocktails (think daiquiris, mojitos and more). And this spot definitely doesn’t cool down when the sun goes down, with music and dancing keeping things hot well into the night. 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.
Day 1: Charleston
The Carnival website lists the Piano Bar as a 21-plus venue, but no one challenged the family. 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.
However, if you prefer a more peaceful experience, you can simply move up to the next deck and head towards the front of the ship. If you don’t want to splurge to eat dinner at these restaurants, you can grab a complimentary lunch at both. Others figure they’ll be exhausted and want something simple that first night. And for many, they save the steakhouse for that special, final night’s dinner.
Don’t count on the internet being as good as home.
You’ll find lots of ways to keep yourself entertained aboard a Carnival Sunshine cruise. There are plenty of activities for the entire family, whether you want to spend a day by the pool, working up a sweat or relaxing in style. When Carnival Destiny became Carnival Sunshine (along with the transformation of all of its sister ships), it was a big deal. It also received a multimillion-dollar refit in 2005, when the ship was nearly ten years old, that upgraded its public spaces.
Alchemy Bar is the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks.
Carnival Sunshine Dining: Restaurants & Food on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
Carnival Sunshine Dining: Restaurants & Food on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:50:56 GMT [source]
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. 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. During drydock 2018 (October 14-21, in Freeport Bahamas) were made regularly planned maintenance works.
Casino
It’s going to be pretty much impossible to avoid the smell of smoke while in the casino, but there are ways to lessen its impact. You can also avoid the buffet at lunchtime by coming to Ocean Plaza for a bite to eat. For example, on embarkation day, they usually set up an Old Fashioned Barbeque station. There, you will find plenty of comfortable loungers and clamshells, completely isolated from the party atmosphere of the Lido deck. At the same time, Cucina features exactly what you’d expect to find in an Italian restaurant (although I’m still puzzled as to why they took the tiramisu and cannoli off the dessert menu). However, keep in mind that smoking is allowed only on the port side (that’s the left side), so if you’re a non-smoker, it’s best to stick to the starboard (right) side.
Day The Bahamas from Charleston, SC
The ubiquitous Park West auction house sells various pieces of art onboard in art auctions that take place in the lobby on Deck 2. The port side of the Casino, which is relatively large, allows for smoking. It features all the usual machines and is connected to the Skybox Sports Bar. The Library Bar is just off the Atrium, which would usually mean it would be competing with the noise from there, but sound-proofed doors give it a quiet, relaxing atmosphere. Self-serve wine dispensers allow you to sample six different wines for a fee.
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. The ship also offers numerous kid-friendly culinary choices, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and 24-hour pizza and soft-serve ice cream, available in the casual poolside Lido Marketplace restaurant. The main dining rooms have a children's menu with daily junior specials each night. Kids can also "dine under the stars" with the youth staff (allowing parents to dine on their own). Eaturing an amazing variety of casual dining spots, each just a few flip-flopped steps from the last, Lido Marketplace always has a special something ready to satisfy your latest craving spectacularly.
BlueIguana Tequila Bar is the onboard spot to chill and enjoy a slushy tequila drink or an ice-cold Mexican cerveza. The menu offers up Mexican favorites, including several brands of tequila and a slew of Mexican brews. There’s a lineup of frozen concoctions, cocktails and margaritas served by the glass or by the pitcher, and even a special Mexican beer cocktail (yes, really). So stay cool and take in the bar’s vacation vibe while you kick back on your cruise – that’s what official bar mascot Blue the Iguana would tell you. You’ll enjoy your meal among Asian prayer rolls and Mongolian-inspired fabrics that infuse northern-country style into this unique culinary experience. JiJi offers a full-service menu featuring a mix of exotic and familiar dishes designed to challenge and delight your senses.
Smoking is permitted in designated areas on Deck 3 (port side, forward) and Deck 10 (starboard side, midship). 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. 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). 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. Karaoke events were held in the Ocean Plaza area in between the Alchemy Bar and RedFrog Pub.
And these good looks go beyond the usual — we even offer services like teeth whitening… great for taking those ‘I’m on vacation and I’m looking great! Even if you don’t “know” much about art, of course you can still tell when you like something — who needs a refined palette to know when a piece is good? Carnival leaves snobbish cultural pretensions ashore, and makes art something that everyone can enjoy with a series of events designed to bring great art where it belongs — to the people. Take part in an art-themed battle of the sexes or check out showcases highlighting the best of, say, European artists or world-famous pop artist Peter Max. A picture window gives you views of scenery you won’t find anywhere on land, all from the comfort of your stateroom. Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television Stateroom climate control.
When you take a Carnival Sunshine cruise, you’ll enjoy all your favorite, classic Carnival offerings, from the brand’s well-known restaurants to daily activities and entertainment. Carnival's South Carolina annual cruise shipping volume is approx 220,000 passengers. In Charleston, Carnival Sunshine will replace Carnival Ecstasy (to be relocated to Jacksonville Florida), while the Jacksonville-homeported Carnival Elation will be repositioned to Port Canaveral FL.
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. 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. As mentioned earlier, the ship shows signs of wear and tear, which was evident on our balcony.
Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills and the cover charge of the Chef's Table. The pacing of our meal was perfect, and we didn't feel rushed through the courses. 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. 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. 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.
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