Anyone sailed Carnival Sunshine?

[LeslieG]

I see this ship gets kind of mixed reviews, but just curious if anyone here has been on her and can make a Disney comparison. I'm looking for a Christmas cruise, and this ship is one of my options. Of course Disney over Christmas for me just isn't going to happen. $$$$$

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Well if I remember correctly Carnival Sunshine recently had a huge refurbishment so it looks and feels a bit differently.

I can't speak for being on the ship itself but from the promo shots and pictures it look like a beautiful ship and you and your family will have an excellent time if my last 5 carnival cruises are any indication.

As long as your gone from the summer months when the teens can afford and go you'll be fine and have a great time!

 

[erionm]

Well if I remember correctly Carnival Sunshine recently had a huge refurbishment so it looks and feels a bit differently.

This ship used to be the Carnival Destiny. In 2013, she had a major renovation and was renamed the Carnival Sunshine.

 

[tonga]

My family actually just got off the Sunshine on Saturday! I will be very interested to see comparison with Disney responses. The Sunshine was our first cruise, and we are booked on the Disney Dream for 3 nights in March 2016.

Our take on the Carnival Sunshine - we had a good time and no real complaints, but we didn't come off anxious to do it again. The service was outstanding! The food was good, but none of it really wowed us. We did enjoy the Fahrenheit 555 Steak House and thought it was worth the price.

We thought the pool was way too small for the number of people on board. We have a 6 year old who is a good swimmer, but we were nervous letting him into the pool without one of us close by because there were so many bigger kids jumping around and not much space.

We found it all a bit crowded and chaotic, but it was our first cruise so I don't know if that was specific to the ship or just the way it is with cruising. DH and I felt like 7 nights was a bit too long. DS 6 thought it wasn't long enough.

We will be interested to see how the Disney Dream compares. I suspect we will find 3 nights too short.

 

[LeslieG]

I've read that's a common complaint, feeling crowded. Apparently they added more staterooms, but didn't account for any more public space.

 

[LeslieG]

I should maybe start another post for this, but in addition to the Sunshine, we are looking at Emerald Princess, Celebrity Eclipse and possibly Royal Princess if there's a big price drop. Having already sailed the Regal, Royal would be my first choice, but price plus it being 10 days instead of 8 is a big factor. HAL Osterdam has a great itinerary, but I'm very hesitant to try HAL. The chaotic feel of Sunshine is what's making me hesitate about that ship.