Embarkation was effortless. We had a friend drop us at the port. We have Platinum status, went to the designated area, and we were on the ship in fifteen minutes. It was easy. We took our luggage with us, so I can’t comment on luggage delivery. Our cabin was available when we boarded, so there were no issues. The lunching venues were limited, despite the email telling us where to go, but we made it up to the Lido and had Mongolian Barbeque before we left port.

The life boat drill was brutal. I understand that SOLAS requires that the drills are held, but this one was long, hot, and poorly organized. The length was probably due to the passengers that decided to skip the experience, as they were announced over the PA system repeatedly. After the drill, we found air-conditioning, had a drink, and loved the world again.

The Sunshine is a special ship. Launched as the Destiny, she was impressive in 1996. I saw her in Miami during Christmas that year, and was amazed. She was the first cruise ship over 100,000 tons. We were sailing on Royal Caribbean that trip, but the ship’s profile was impressive. We never had the privilege to sail on the Destiny. The Sunshine rocked. After a 2013 refit and renovation, the ship seems new. I’ve been on the larger boats in the fleet, but this one seems so well engineered. In the refit, Carnival added over 200 staterooms, taking space from the Promenade deck and adding balcony accommodations above the spa. The increased passenger accommodation made the ship crowded at times, but we found ways around that. The Red Frog Pub was always underpopulated. Read more