Disclosure: Carnival Cruises generously hosted my husband and me on this incredible journey. While our trip was complimentary, this review is a completely honest and unbiased account of our experiences aboard the Carnival Sunshine. We received no compensation for writing this post. Should you have any questions at all about our adventure, please do not hesitate to ask!
For many, the idea of a perfect vacation conjures images of serene beaches or bustling cityscapes. For me, however, a cruise embodies the ultimate escape. Imagine stepping aboard a majestic vessel, akin to a floating city, where every detail of your holiday is meticulously catered for. Your comfortable room is refreshed and tidied not once, but twice daily (a true blessing for someone who cherishes a good vacation nap!). All your meals, from casual bites to gourmet feasts, are expertly arranged, eliminating the daily dilemma of where to dine. Best of all, you get to explore diverse corners of the world without the stresses of navigating traffic, getting lost, or constantly unpacking. With an array of restaurants, vibrant comedy clubs, lively bars, captivating live stage shows, and a fully equipped gym, all conveniently within a short stroll, a cruise truly redefines relaxation and convenience. If that doesn’t sound like pure bliss, I don’t know what does.
Just a couple of weeks ago, my husband and I embarked on such an adventure. After expressing our heartfelt gratitude to my wonderful sister-in-law, Elvi Jo, and my dear mom for holding down the fort, we bid farewell to our boys, chickens, and dogs. With anticipation bubbling, we hopped on a flight to sunny South Florida, ready to board the magnificent Carnival Sunshine. As seasoned travelers know, choosing the right cruise line and ship is paramount to a memorable experience, and the Carnival Sunshine did not disappoint.
My husband, affectionately known as “The Evil Genius,” and I haven’t had the luxury of many cruises, largely due to the delightful chaos of raising five children. However, our limited experiences have provided us with a valuable basis for comparison, and I can confidently say that the recently remodeled Carnival Sunshine (formerly the Carnival Destiny) stands out as an exceptional choice for your next getaway. This mid-sized marvel boasts an impressive array of amenities designed for both exhilarating fun and serene relaxation. Imagine three massive waterslides, a refreshing soak park perfect for families, and an adventurous ropes course that challenges and delights. For those who prefer a more laid-back pace, there’s ping pong, shuffleboard, a dedicated running/walking track, and even a colossal chessboard positioned at the ship’s highest point, offering panoramic views. Inside, you’ll find a fully equipped, state-of-the-art gym, a tranquil spa offering everything from rejuvenating massages and facials to unique acupuncture sessions and aromatherapy steam rooms. As night falls, the ship transforms with a pulsating nightclub and a hilarious comedy club, ensuring endless entertainment. Beyond the ship, an array of fabulous shore excursions awaits, promising unforgettable adventures at every port of call. But let’s be honest, for many travelers, the true heart of any cruise lies in its culinary offerings. So, let’s talk about the exceptional dining experience on board the Carnival Sunshine.
Dining on the Carnival Sunshine: A Culinary Journey at Sea
For first-time cruisers, prepare to be amazed: food on the Carnival Sunshine is available around the clock. From convenient room service to the elegant main dining room, expansive buffets, and exclusive specialty venues, culinary delights are always just steps away. Every dish, regardless of the venue, promises a marvelous experience. And for those who are well-acquainted with the cruising lifestyle, let me highlight why the Carnival Sunshine should be your next culinary destination: the FOOD. This mid-sized ship remarkably offers all the luxurious food features typically found on Carnival’s larger 2.0 ships, with a few delightful extras sprinkled in. My husband, our friends, and I often found ourselves exchanging incredulous glances, uttering, “Remind me again… We’re on a ship, right? What?! This feels like a five-star, fine-dining restaurant!” The sheer quality and variety were astounding, truly elevating the standard of cruise ship cuisine.
Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse: An Unforgettable Premium Experience
The Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse is an absolute gem, offering an incredible value for a truly premium dining experience. For just $35 per diner, you receive a lavish full meal that includes an appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. The star of the show, of course, is the selection of top-of-the-line aged steaks. Guests can choose from a succulent 14-ounce New York Strip, a tender filet mignon, or indulge in luxurious lobster tails, a classic surf and turf, the market’s freshest fish selection, or perfectly cooked chicken. My insider tip? If you choose to dine here, you simply MUST order the cheesecake. Seriously, it’s a monumental dessert. Take a picture of it next to your face, because I promise you, its size is almost comparable! This steakhouse isn’t just about the food; it’s about the sophisticated ambiance, impeccable service, and the feeling of a truly special evening at sea.
Ji Ji Asian Kitchen: A Pan-Asian Paradise
In a single word: delectable. Our inaugural dinner on the cruise was spent at the exquisite Ji Ji Asian Kitchen, where we were utterly delighted by the extensive selection of Pan-Asian delicacies. From crispy chicken spring rolls and rich Shanghai-style duck to perfectly crafted potstickers, plump shrimp, savory pork belly, and tender short ribs, every dish placed before us was a symphony of flavors and textures. The beauty of Ji Ji is its flexible dining concept: you can sample as many or as few items as your heart desires for a modest $15 per diner. This makes it an incredible value for those seeking a quieter, more exotic, and profoundly satisfying dining experience away from the bustling main dining rooms. The authentic flavors and serene atmosphere make it a must-try for any foodie.
Cucina del Capitano: Authentic Italian Flavors
Craving authentic, hearty Italian food? The Carnival Sunshine has you covered with Cucina del Capitano! This charming eatery proudly features some of the cherished family recipes of Carnival’s Italian captains, giving it its fitting name and a truly personal touch. At just $15 per person, it’s an experience not to be missed. Diners can select from classic arancini, a vibrant array of antipasti, rich seafood pasta dishes, and robust fish, beef, or chicken entrees, alongside many other tempting options. Once again, this specialty restaurant offers exceptional value for a more intimate and calm dining experience compared to the main dining room, providing an appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. And their tiramisu? Oh, their tiramisu is legendary. Get it. Trust me; it’s the perfect sweet ending to an already phenomenal meal.
Bonsai Sushi: Freshness in the Midst of the Ocean
Do I truly need to elaborate further than just “Bonsai Sushi”? It’s a dedicated sushi restaurant. ON A CRUISE SHIP. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN. The very concept is thrilling! The sushi served at Bonsai was nothing short of fabulous – fresh, expertly prepared, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere was lively and fun, making for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. With an à la carte menu, you have the freedom to choose as little or as much as you like. My husband and I decided to share a spectacular sushi boat (yes, a SUSHI BOAT!), overflowing with their most popular rolls for just $17.99. We paired this with a top-shelf bottle of sake for $28 and a delightful dessert for $3, bringing our total meal cost to approximately $25 per person. We practically waddled out of there, completely satisfied and utterly full!
The Chef’s Table: An Exclusive Culinary Journey of a Lifetime
This one. This is truly where indelible memories are forged. Tickets for The Chef’s Table, a truly once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience, are highly sought after and sell out incredibly fast, so make sure to sign up as soon as humanly possible upon boarding. This exclusive event begins with a very limited number of diners being led on an intimate, behind-the-scenes tour of the ship’s bustling galley kitchen. Here, the Chef de Cuisine and his talented staff prepare unique, tantalizing amuse-bouche bites right before your eyes, offering a glimpse into their culinary artistry. Following this, you are ushered into the enchanting domain of the pastry chef, who provides a captivating demonstration on how to create the ship’s most enduringly popular dessert: the legendary Chocolate Melting Cake. After this sweet interlude, the privileged diners are then escorted into a private, elegantly appointed dining room. Here, the Chef de Cuisine, along with a hand-picked team of specialty chefs and the Pastry Chef, meticulously prepare an unbelievable 7-course meal. You watch in awe as each masterpiece is crafted, seated comfortably with a fine glass of wine, savoring every moment. The experience is further enhanced with subtle entertainment, and a professional photographer captures a beautiful keepsake photo of your table. After the meal, you are presented with your commemorative photo, a tangible reminder of this extraordinary evening. You’ll then find yourself gently floating back to your room, perhaps needing to discreetly loosen your pants in peace, and surely dreaming of the magnificent feast you just enjoyed. If you decide to splurge on just ONE thing during your entire cruise, let it undoubtedly be The Chef’s Table. It’s an investment in an unparalleled culinary memory.
Other All-Inclusive Dining Options on Board: Endless Variety, Unbeatable Value
Beyond the premium specialty restaurants, the Carnival Sunshine truly excels in its complimentary dining offerings, all part and parcel of your cruise fare. The main dining room, for instance, is absolutely incredible, offering diverse menus and elegant service that keeps many people cruising with Carnival again and again. But there’s so much more! For casual yet outrageously delicious fare, Guy’s Burger Joint (created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri) serves up hand-made, 80/20 beef burgers that are truly out of this world. The self-service topping bar allows every guest to customize their burger exactly to their liking, ensuring a perfect bite every time. For a taste of south-of-the-border flavors, The Blue Iguana Cantina is a fantastic taqueria and burrito joint, serving up fresh, vibrant dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their salsa bar alone is enough to make me want to hop back on the Sunshine RIGHT NOW – the variety and freshness are simply unparalleled. The Comfort Food Buffet offers a massive breakfast spread, catering to every palate with options ranging from indulgent treats to healthy choices, ensuring everyone starts their day right. Throughout the day, it transforms, always offering something to please. And for sandwich aficionados like myself, The Deli boasts a wide selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, guaranteed to thrill any Reuben-loving heart. The sheer breadth and quality of these all-inclusive options truly maximize the value of your cruise.
More Value-Added Options on Board: Bars, Entertainment, and Unique Experiences
The culinary journey on the Carnival Sunshine extends well beyond traditional meals, offering an array of unique value-added options for every mood and preference. Don’t forget to visit the Milkshake Bar! One evening, I indulged in a “Spirit of Kentucky” milkshake – a divine concoction of creamy vanilla ice cream, a generous pour of Maker’s Mark, and rich caramel sauce. Whoa, baby! That was an indulgence well worth every sip. For those seeking a lively pub atmosphere, the Red Frog Pub offers Caribbean-inspired drinks and laid-back vibes. If you’re looking to dance the night away, Little Havana transforms into a vibrant Cuban bar with infectious music, perfect for booty-shaking late into the night. And then there’s my personal favorite: The Alchemy Bar, a sanctuary for the artisan cocktail enthusiast. While on board, you have the unique opportunity to sign up for The Alchemy Bar’s exclusive Mixology Class, an experience I highly recommend.
You want to talk about fun? This class was an absolute blast! Under the expert tutelage of Ioana Luncean, Carnival Sunshine’s award-winning Master Mixologist, I not only learned to craft proper, sophisticated cocktails but also got to ignite a few ingredients on fire – a truly exhilarating experience! Even if you don’t opt for the class, I strongly encourage you to stop by Alchemy Bar in the evening. Their unique, handcrafted cocktails are incredibly refreshing and serve as the perfect prelude or interlude between a delicious dinner and an exciting show, offering a sophisticated and relaxing atmosphere.
Now, I simply must share a feature on the Carnival Sunshine that brought out my inner geek to the extreme. The Lido deck, a vibrant hub where the Comfort Food Buffet, Pizzeria, Guy’s Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, and many other eateries are located, is thoughtfully peppered with futuristic, Jetson’s-like hand-washing stations. I was so utterly captivated by these ingenious devices that I even recorded a rather nerdy video about them!
You simply place your hands into the station, and water swirls around them, leaving them impeccably clean and sanitized. For those who might find this novel approach a bit too unconventional, rest assured that Purell hand-sanitizing stations are strategically located near the queue for every single one of the aforementioned eateries. (And yes, I realize I just said “my husband and I” when I probably should have said “my husband and me” – I blame my persistent food coma. People, I absolutely adore this ship, grammatical slips and all!)
The Bottom Line: Why the Carnival Sunshine is Your Next Perfect Cruise
Every aspect of this trip was flawlessly executed, creating an experience we will cherish for years to come. From the exhilarating snorkeling trip at Sergeant’s Cay in Belize, where we explored vibrant marine life, to the diverse and high-quality on-board entertainment that kept us captivated, every moment was truly exceptional. The level of service was outstanding, exemplified by our perpetually smiling and incredibly considerate room steward, and indeed, every single employee we encountered throughout our journey. Without a shadow of a doubt, we unanimously agreed that we would happily sail the Carnival Sunshine over and over again. When you consider the incredible value, a 7-day cruise to the Western Caribbean, much like the one we enjoyed, could be yours from as little as $289 per person (based on double occupancy)! This makes the Carnival Sunshine an incredibly accessible luxury, offering premium experiences at an unbeatable price point. We truly got to know the Carnival Sunshine and everything it has to offer, from its diverse dining options to its thrilling activities and serene relaxation zones. If you have any further questions or concerns about sailing on this fantastic ship, please do not hesitate to ask! I would be absolutely delighted to share more insights and help you plan your own unforgettable adventure.
‘Til next time, Carnival Sunshine… we’re already dreaming of our return to your sun-drenched decks and delightful experiences.
