We had a large family group on this cruise, which we planned for almost a year. We chose the Carnival Sunshine because the port was convenient for most of us to get to, and the dates worked well for our needs. We knew it wasn't the newest, biggest, or grandest of ships, but that wasn't an issue for us. However, we encountered some negatives that we just did not expect but we didn't let them ruin our vacation.

One of the best things about the Sunshine is the attitude displayed by staff and crew. Once we were on the ship, we were met with smiles and hardworking staff. From our room steward to waiters in the dining hall and on the Lido deck we found people who offered to help us and provided "service with a smile.” Without Jose as our waiter in the dining hall, our cruise would have turned into a disaster, but more about that when I get to the cons. The staff was courteous and seemed to work constantly to keep the ship in good condition and functioning smoothly.

Our cabin was also nice with more storage than we needed. We had a balcony cabin with the two standard chairs and table but it was a decent size and offered a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the ship when needed. The bed was comfortable and our steward Zek kept it clean and neat. Read more