Table Of Content
Gone, too, are the cylindrical showers with the clingy curtains, replaced instead by a generously sized shower with an articulated door that slides out of the way when opened. In typical Carnival fashion, its neon-blue and orange Body Wash and Shampoo are located in pump-dispensers mounted to the wall. The colors may be garish, but we actually like the scent of both.
Carnival Sunshine itineraries and pricing
(Let's just say that while one of our staffers went to look at the northern lights on that Alaska sailing, their kids had to avert their eyes from some... adult activities happening on the loungers). You might want to look at other cruise lines if you wouldn't enjoy that kind of experience. Carnival’s most popular cocktail watering hole, Alchemy Bar has been tucked into a narrow passageway on Deck 7 that’s constantly brimming with patrons coming from dinner or exiting the Limelight Lounge. With Carnival Celebration, Carnival has started to bring more interesting décor in public spaces back, in a more modern (and perhaps accessible) way. These include the Miami-themed sandwich and pizza joints, Miami Slice and Deco Deli, on Deck 8 aft that channel the vibrant, often neon look found in Miami’s South Beach neighborhood.
Hotels
Smoking is also allowed on the starboard side of the casino, but it's for cigarettes only. All types of smoking are forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. There's also a hot tub at Loft 19 on Deck 19, which charges a fee for access. My favorite bar on Carnival Jubilee is the Marina Bar in The Shores zone on Deck 8.
Is Carnival Spirit a good ship to cruise on?
Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service. Beyond that, Carnival cruises almost always have a party atmosphere. That's totally okay if you're sailing to celebrate a bachelorette party or trying to have a wild spring break in the Bahamas! But, for those traveling with children, it isn't the most wholesome environment.
Formal Nights
For free eats, Carnival’s Lido Marketplace buffet on Deck 16 and its two main dining rooms – Festivale on Deck 6 and 7 aft, and Carnivale on Deck 6 midship – offer all the classic foods cruisers have come to expect. While the buffet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, dining rooms tend to be dinner-only affairs, save for sea days when Carnival’s popular Sea Day Brunch (reservations required) is offered. Families will adore the Carnival Horizon cruise, which boasts a huge variety of cabins for multiple passengers and larger groups, nighttime babysitting, a flashy splash park, outdoor and indoor activities, and great kids clubs.
Is Carnival Liberty a good ship to cruise on?
Mardi Gras is full of fantastic family-friendly dining, including the line's Dr. Seuss-themed Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast (for a small fee). The ship also includes pizza, soft-serve ice cream, Shaq's fried chicken and Guy Fieri burgers in its fares. Kids can order off special menus in the complimentary main dining rooms and join in their waiters' rollicking dance performances just when they start to get antsy sitting still. With its two-story ceilings and LED panels that can project any image at any time, it’s a fun and whimsical take on the traditional bar and lounge concept. It is anchored at the forward end by the Latitudes Bar, with its train station-style clackerboard and bar seating that is decorated with faux passport stamps.
Although the first half felt a bit shaky and slightly boring to me, the second half redeemed it all, featuring a parade of dancers and aerialists dressed in flamboyant costumes synonymous with Rio de Janeiro's Carnival. On Deck 18, you'll find Waterworks, which offers waterslides and a splash area for kids. Cabanas are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. Prices vary by sailing, but on my voyage, they were $500 per day from 8 a.m. Pool lifts accommodating up to 300 pounds are available for passengers with limited mobility. Looking to find a group of like-minded travelers on your sailing?
Included with your cruise fare:
10 Adult-Only Cruise Lines, Ranked By Passenger Review - TheTravel
10 Adult-Only Cruise Lines, Ranked By Passenger Review.
Posted: Thu, 23 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Lots of additional activities are offered to ensure you won’t be bored at sea. Not all activities are available on every ship and activities marked with $ come with additional fees. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. All this said, we recommend checking Carnival's website before sailing for up-to-date requirements.
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. 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. 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.
If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that starts and ends in a U.S. port, you'll need 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 few other forms of identification, such as a passport card, also are acceptable. Of the performances, I most enjoyed two main-theater shows that are also found on some other ships in the fleet. Fun pursuits on the daily schedule might include arts and crafts, themed parties, science experiments, games and story time, depending on the age group. Go one deck farther, and you can choose between the Havana Bar, which serves Latin-themed cocktails, and the Heroes Tribute Lounge, which has a special menu of drinks dedicated to military members. Back inside, Deck 6's Piano Bar is where passengers can order a tipple while an onboard pianist tickles the ivories.
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. 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.
We have cruised many times with Carnival and have loved it but NEVER AGAIN. The ship also does a nice job of accommodating families of all sizes and budgets. Many of Mardi Gras' standard cabins sleep at least four people, and the ship offers connecting cabins. The best Carnival cruise ship for kids is undoubtedly Mardi Gras. Not only is it one of Carnival's newest vessels, but it's also one of the largest, and it has tons of activities to keep families with children busy. Most of Carnival’s staterooms are designed with families in mind, too.
The shower included pump dispensers for shampoo and body wash, as well as a retractable clothesline for drying swimwear. 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. 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.
If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine. The adjacent fitness center is on the small side but features for-fee personal training and organized fitness classes, as well as equipment that's free for passengers to use. And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated.
Not all passengers participate in formal night; passengers who wish to skip it can dine at the Lido Restaurant wearing casual clothing instead. Still, you're likely to see a few passengers wearing more casual clothing in the main dining room on formal nights. Carnival Horizon sailings of two to five nights have one cruise elegant evening; sailings of six nights or longer have two.
