Our First Sea Day, Carnival Sunshine

Each night while you are out of your Stateroom having dinner and exploring the ship while making new friends your cabin steward is hard at work cleaning your room and leaving you little towel animals. haha,   Also he or she leaves on your freshly made bed a copy of FunTimes which is your go to pamphlet for the day, it explains what can be expected and the times for same.

 Tonight's Attire is Cruise Elegant, they list each night's theme on your FunTimes so Caitlin and I dressed up and took advantage of the ship photographer by sitting for a few formal portraits.  This is a tradition for us, one which the family loves because let's face it our lives are so very full that we don't always think to have portraits done, or we can't get everyone together at the same time.  So from the time Caitlin and I started cruising together when she was very young we have enjoyed this little tradition (and yes if you are wondering we leave hubby at home because someone has to work)

              Here's the other side you you can sort of see that there is just way too much fun to be had.






So what just is fun day at sea?  Well it's a day for you to experience everything the ship has to offer you, for instance you can play bingo, watch the "Morning Show" live in the Liquid Lounge (which gives you an overview of the day), take a ballroom dance class, shop for watches and jewelry, listen to a 'port talk' about the town in which you are going to stop in the next day, play trivia, twice! and listen to a Caribbean shopping show which gives you tips for where to go if you like shopping.   And that's just the morning !  Oh of course I left out having breakfast, lounging by the pool, taking advantage of their amazing spa, go to the gym (and yes I went every day).

        This is the Steakhouse Farenheit 555 where today at 12:00pm you can attend the cooking demonstration.  Or you can play trivia, slot tournament, watch a jewelry premier, guess that 50's and 60's song, see the art auction preview complete with champagne, there are pool games to watch or participate in, 50's dance class, bingo, etc.  And today at 2:30 is the Murder Mystery where they give you clues throughout the week and who ever guesses (like the game Clue) at the end of the trip wins something !

                               Ahhhh this is what Sea Day is all about for me.  If you look closely (because I'm a creature of habit) to the left you will see a semi-circle roof.  That is the RedFrog Rum Bar, my favorite bartender Mary works there during the day so I camp out in the chairs right in front and I have a great view of the pool games and if I need to cool off a quick dip is a short walk.

For lunch I'm wandering over to Guy's Burger Joint (borrowed the photo from cruise critic) which is on the same side of the pool deck that I happen to be sitting on !  Imagine that.  And yes the burgers are as good as they look in the wonderful Carnival commercials. You have many options for lunch from Cuban Bites in the Havana Bar to the Lido Buffet, light lunch in the Taste Bar, Mongolian Wok, Bonsai Sushi, Pasta Bar in Cucina del Capitano and the BlueIguana Cantina (which is on the opposite side of the pool deck)

So by now you can imagine I'm relaxed, warmed by the sun, refreshed from Mary's fabulous drinks and in need of a nap.  Besides it's getting late so time to shower for dinner.

Since tonight is Cruise Elegant night we have decided to eat in the main dining room the "Sunset Restaurant"
very delicious food and I don't need to remind you that if you order something that you just don't like OR if you are still hungry after your entree you are more than welcome to order another dish.  But don't stuff yourself or you wont have time for dessert which is always amazing.

Now you think you are done after dinner, nope, why not drop by the Havana Bar, they are open until 2 am and there you can catch up with your new friends and talk about your fantastic day by the pool. (and they have music too)



Hop on over to the RedFrog Pub where they are having quizes and prizes.

                                                      

All throughout the ship there is entertainment where you least expect it, music can be heard from everywhere and it's good too.  Of course you will run into Matt our Cruise Director who by this time of night I have no idea where he gets his energy because he just does not stop!!!

As my energy wanes I wander back to my Stateroom and I'm greeted by another little towel animal. Aaaaand my night is complete.  See you in the morning for YES! another Fun Day at Sea, I'm planning a visit to the spa.  Good night all.

Carnival Sunshine

Hello everyone, I had the pleasure of sailing on the Carnival Sunshine in February/March of 2016.  She is a most beautiful ship with great entertainment and food.  Some of the photos I will post are file photos from Carnival Cruise Line site as my picture taking skills leave a lot to be desired.

Day 1 =  Sunday February 21, 2016

Embarkation (to board a vessel or aircraft) was a breeze.  Arriving at Port Canaveral which is only 45 minutes east of Orlando with plenty of time prior to sailing.

As you can see this isn't a rinky dink port.  Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian all sail from here.  So you are saying "well that's a lot of ships it must be a nightmare".  Nope, they really know how to handle multiple ships and thousands of guests every week.

And also here you see that the signage is very easy to follow ensuring you reach the correct pier and parking garage for your chosen line.

                                                                              

And when I say thousands of people I mean it, but look here, plenty of agents to help you speed right thru.  We all know part of the process is being screened like you are in the airport (but really much easier) and then the fun begins.  Step up to the counter and you are greeted with a smile, confirm your reservation and you are handed that little piece of gold known as your "sign and sail card" or stateroom key.

With Stateroom key in hand I make my way down the gangway and it's always that moment when I reach the deck and step across the threshold and I just have go say "ahhhhhhh".  That is my first enjoyment of many more to come every time I cruise.

 This beautiful Balcony Stateroom is my new home for 13 days.  Plenty of room for two people (my daughter sailed with me)

 This is the closet, no need to even store the
empty luggage there as they fit perfectly under the bed.

                                Typical bathroom however quite spacious.

A view of the room
from the balcony facing
the door.






Stateroom is perfect, carry-on dropped in the room (because you know of course that the luggage will be delivered to your room sometime after sail away).  Now it's time to explore this fabulous ship.

This is the lobby the hub of the ship.  It's the Sunshine Atrium.  It's a meeting place before and after dinner, in the late afternoon when you just can't take one more minute of sun and need to cool off, before and after the shows, etc.  We had tons of fun here every day.

This is our cruise director Matt Mitcham.  He is truly the life of the party.  If you get a chance to sail with him you wont be disappointed.  So many times we have had Cruise Directors that just didn't bring anything to the job.  Either they were never around or just not interested.  Matt brings a new life to the ship.  He recognizes you and greets you every day.  He gets the crowd pumped up, he let's himself be silly which brings out the silly in you.

And this leads me to...ta ta ta......the Sail Away Party.  Ours was at 4:30, this is when everyone meets on the Lido Deck (I love to say that) by the pool and we dance while our ship is pulling away from the dock and headed out to sea.  If you have not attended one shame on you.  Next time I put you on a ship you are going to the party. !!!!

Our first evening will be casual as some people may or may not have even checked their room to see if they received luggage.  So needless to say a few people snack by the pool or enjoy dinner in the Lido Marketplace aka buffet.  Now stop snarling up your nose.  I happen to love Cruise Line Buffet's.  This one even has a PYOB station.  Yep Pour Your Own Beer.  How cool is that!

The activities went on well into the late evening, but did we care?  No! Why? Because I'm on a cruise ship, I don't have to do anything I don't want to.  I can stay up late and sleep in all day, and tomorrow is our "sea day" which means no ports to stop in so Comedy Late Show it is for me!  And by the way the comedians were great.

HAHA and here it is, the first of many towel animals yet to come.  I was pleasantly surprised that on my very first night I was greeted with this little guy after the comedy show (and it was very late).  For those of you who don't know me.....Hi I'm Beth, I'm a cruise ship towel animal freak!  They always bring a smile to my face.  Time to hit the hay, sit back and relax, watch a movie and look forward to tomorrow.....full day at sea !!!