carnival sunshine cruise parking

Cruise Terminal Information and Parking

Have fun. be safe.

Health Protocols and Requirements for Sailing

Travel Documentation and Online Check-in

Travel Documents
Online Check-In

Getting There

Airport and Pier Transportation
Air Information

Before You Board

Embarkation Day Check-In

Youth and Family

Youth Programs (Under 2 and 2-11 years old)
Teen Programs (12-17 years old)
Carnival's Seuss at Sea
Age Policies

Things to Know

Onboard experiences.

Shore - Excursions
Spa and Fitness
Outdoor Fun
Entertainment and Activities
For Your Convenience
Onboard Guidelines and Policies
Past Guest Recognition Programs

Onboard Celebrations

The Fun Shops
Special Occasions
Wedding Cruises and Vow Renewals

Dining and Beverages

Dining and Snacking Options
Dining Rooms
CHEERS! Beverage Program
Liquor and Beverage Policy

Onboard Communication

WI FI Service and Carnivals HUB App
Staying Connected

Money and Gratuities

Gratuities (Tips)
Sail & Sign Onboard Account
Forms of Payment
Cruise Cash/Bar/Photo
Financial Access

Shipboard Health and Safety

Passenger Bill of Rights
Guest Screening Policy
Safety and Security
Safety Briefing - Muster Station Drill
General Health Information
Privacy Notice
What to Pack
Cruise Ticket Contract
Carnival Vacation Protection
Guests with Disabilities
Choosing Your Cruise
Tech Support
Early Saver Promotion
Minors / Infants / Pregnancy
Making changes to your booking
Carnival EasyPay
Financing Powered by Uplift
US Department of State Travel Tips
And more things to know....

Debarkation - After Your Cruise

Preparing to Go Home
Post Cruise Inquiries

Search Results

Make sure all words are spelled correctly
Use different words that mean the same thing

Guide to Charleston Cruise Parking (Where to Park)

Given the lack of major airports in the area (Charleston International is relatively small), many cruise passengers heading out of Charleston elect to drive to the port. In fact, cities including Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Savannah, and all points in between are within a manageable drive from the port.

If you are driving into town, this brings up the question of what to do with your car while you are on your trip. While you have a few options, the best choice for most is parking at the port’s official lot, right next to the ship. The port’s parking is the most convenient and reasonably priced.

We have details of your options below. ( Charleston park & cruise hotels do offer more choices if you plan to stay in the city the night before your cruise.)

Official Port Parking (At the Ship)

The Charleston cruise port offers the most convenient parking option, located right at the port and a short ride aboard a shuttle (or walk) to the ship. Most people elect to park here for their cruise.

To reach the lot, you need to enter the port at Gate #2, located north of the port at the intersection of Laurens and Concord Streets.

Charleston, South Carolina cruise parking map

When you first arrive, be sure to have your cruise papers with you. They will be checked as only people sailing on the cruise will be allowed into the port parking area. Once inside the gate, you will be put into a snaking line to pay for your parking, unload baggage, and then park your car. There is ample space for parking, so reservations are not required.

The parking rate is $21 per day for regular vehicles. Campers and RVs are charged $50 per day. Vehicles with handicapped permits (placard or license plate) may park free of charge. Money orders and major credit/debit cards are accepted for payment. Cash and personal checks are not accepted .

Once parked, a shuttle is provided between the parking lot and the cruise terminal.

Cost: $21 per day
Distance: At port
Website: https://scspa.com/passenger-information/cruise-parking/

Park & Go Charleston Cruise Port Parking

Given that Charleston is a relatively small port, there aren’t as many independent cruise parking lots like you will find around major ports. Still, there is one option — Park and Go.

The lot is actually an airport parking lot that’s now opened to cruise parking. That means it’s actually right near the airport, which is about 10 miles away from the cruise port. Still, with a daily rate of $10 per day, you’ll save half of what you’d pay at the cruise port for parking at the ship. On a week long trip, that’s $70.

One thing to note is that there is no shuttle to the cruise ship. You’ll need to get a ride to the cruise port (see our port transportation page here ). While that’s an added expense, the lower cost of the parking lot more than makes up for the price of the ride.

Park & Go has about 250 parking spaces. For that reason, it’s a good idea to make a reservation online ahead of time before your cruise to make sure there’s a spot for you.

Cost: $10 per day
Distance: 10 miles (no shuttle provided)
Website: http://park-go.com/

Hotels with Cruise Parking

It’s a little-known tip, but if you plan to stay in the Charleston area before or after your cruise, then a number of hotels will offer free or discounted parking for your trip . All you have to do is stay with the hotel for one or more nights. We’ve rounded up a list of Charleston hotels with cruise parking specials here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there free parking at the port for disabled passengers? Yes! These days many ports offer perks like free parking to those with disabilities and veterans, including the Port of Charleston. According to their website:

“Complimentary parking is provided at no fee for vehicles displaying a valid handicap placard or license plate with ID.”

Keep in mind this is only for the official port parking at the pier. Hotels and independent lots don’t offer this perk.

Can I reserve port parking ahead of time? Are you the type of person who likes to have everything all squared away before you travel? We understand, but there is no reason to do so when parking in Charleston. The port specifies on its website that reservations are not required. Simply show up on the day of your cruise and you’ll have a spot to park.

More on Cruising From Charleston

Getting to the Port of Charleston — Transportation options from airports and the Charleston area to the cruise port. Everything you need to know to get to the port and start your vacation.

Dropping Off at the Port — Dropping off passengers? Not sure where to go once you get to the port? We have turn-by-turn directions to find your cruise terminal.

Charleston Cruise Hotels — Getting in late? Leaving early? Simply need a place to rest your head? We’ve rounded up the options for places to stay near the port.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, 10+ charleston hotels with “park and cruise” offers, cruising from the port of charleston, dropping off & picking up passengers at the port of charleston (with pictures), taking uber & lyft to the charleston cruise port, getting to the charleston cruise port without a car (port transportation), 11 highly rated restaurants near the port of charleston.

Do you know if Veterans can park at the port free in Charleston?

What I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Nassau on a Cruise

11 tips cruise lines don’t want you to know (but they aren’t against the rules), cruise anxiety these facts may calm your biggest fears, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions

Itineraries

Booking procedures.

Carnival Vacation Protection (CVP)
Deposit and Final Payment Guidelines | Forms of Payment
Cancellation and Change Guidelines | Refunds
Infants / Minors / Pregnancy
Passenger Vessel Service Act - Jones Act
Carnival Breeze
Carnival Celebration
Carnival Conquest
Carnival Dream
Carnival Elation
Carnival Firenze
Carnival Freedom
Carnival Glory
Carnival Horizon
Carnival Jubilee
Carnival Legend
Carnival Liberty
Carnival Luminosa
Carnival Magic
Carnival Miracle
Carnival Panorama
Carnival Paradise
Carnival Pride
Carnival Radiance
Carnival Spirit
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Sunrise
Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Valor
Carnival Venezia
Carnival Vista
Stateroom Features and Amenities
Ship Class Guide
Fun Ship Features

Have Fun. Be Safe

Health Protocols and Requirements for Sailing

Travel Documentation and Online Check-in

Travel Documents
Online Check-In

Getting There

Cruise Terminal Information and Parking
Airport and Pier Transportation
Air Information

Before You Board

Embarkation Day Check-In

Youth and Family

Youth Programs (Under 2 and 2-11 years old)
Teen Programs (12-17 years old)
Carnival's Seuss at Sea
Age Policies

Things to Know

Onboard experiences.

Fun Ship Features Quick Reference
Shore - Excursions
Spa and Fitness
Outdoor Fun
Entertainment and Activities
For Your Convenience
Onboard Guidelines and Policies
Past Guest Recognition Programs

Onboard Celebrations

The Fun Shops
Special Occasions
Wedding Cruises and Vow Renewals

Dining and Beverages

Dining and Snacking Options
Dining Rooms
Beverage Options
CHEERS! Beverage Program
Bottomless Bubbles Soda Program
Liquor and Beverage Policy

Onboard Communication

WI FI Service and Carnivals HUB App
Staying Connected

Money and Gratuities

Gratuities (Tips)
Sail & Sign Onboard Account
Forms of Payment
Cruise Cash/Bar/Photo
Financial Access

Shipboard Health and Safety

Passenger Bill of Rights
Guest Screening Policy
Safety and Security
Safety Briefing - Muster Station Drill
General Health Information
Privacy Notice
What to Pack
Cruise Ticket Contract
Carnival Vacation Protection
Guests with Disabilities
Choosing Your Cruise
Tech Support
Early Saver Promotion
Minors / Infants / Pregnancy
Making changes to your booking
Carnival EasyPay
Financing Powered by Uplift
US Department of State Travel Tips
And more things to know....

Debarkation - After Your Cruise

Preparing to Go Home
Post Cruise Inquiries
View All Deck Plans

Charleston Cruise Ship Terminal Directions and Parking

Port of Charleston Union Pier Terminal 32 Washington Street Charleston, South Carolina 29401

Website: www.scspa.com/locations/cruise-terminal/

Google Maps : View Map

The Cruise Ship Passenger Terminal is located in downtown Charleston in the heart of the historic district. It is easily reached via several major routes into the City. The major routes into Charleston are via Interstate 26, Highway 17-South, Highway 17-North.

Permanent highway signs are posted along the travel route to help direct passengers to Union Pier and the cruise ship facilities. Some signs are the standard green highway signs posted along major routes and exit ramps. Others are smaller sized brown and white signs with the international cruise ship symbol and arrows showing the direction to travel in the downtown area to the cruise terminal.

Gate #2 – Intersection of Concord and Laurens Streets, Charleston, South Carolina – is the general entry point for passengers in personal vehicles. This is the entry gate for individuals driving their own vehicles and planning to leave them parked at the Port or passengers being dropped off by family or friends. Union Pier Main Gate – 32 Washington Street – is the designated entry point for guests being dropped off and not parking their vehicle. This includes family drop offs, rideshare, taxis, shuttles and charter buses.

Check-in will take place at Building 324, located at the intersection of Concord and Laurens Streets. Guests being dropped off must also go directly to this location. After check-in, complimentary shuttle service will take you to the cruise terminal for boarding. Parking Information Rates are subject to change

$21.00 USD per day - for standard vehicles up to 20 feet in length
$50.00 USD per day – for oversized vehicles over 20 feet in length (RV’s, Campers and busses)

The Port of Charleston features both covered and non-covered parking in a safe and secure location.

Long-term parking is available on Port property for cruise passenger vehicles in a controlled access areas. The sites are secured and patrolled by Port Police during the cruise.
Credit cards, debit cards, money orders are the only accepted forms of payment for cruise parking; cash is not accepted as payment for cruise parking.
Full payment is due upon entering the parking area.
Reservations are not required.
Complimentary parking is provided at no fee for vehicles displaying a valid handicap placard or license plate with ID.
Shuttles accessible for special needs and wheelchair assistance are also available.
Guests have the option to walk as well.

Arrival Tips

Uniformed Port Police Officers will be along the travel route to the vehicle parking areas and the Cruise Ship Terminal. They will direct you to the appropriate lane, based on the situation.
Keep your boarding pass, photo ID and proof of citizenship with you and easily accessible as it will be needed for entry to all support areas, shuttles buses and for check-in at the cruise terminal.
Vehicles and luggage will be accepted at the Union Pier Terminal starting at 9:00am and continue to 3:00pm. Gates will not open prior to this time so please do not arrive until after 9:00am..
Luggage is collected prior to parking your vehicle. To help expedite the security and boarding process, any luggage that is larger than a carry-on sized bag be dropped at the designated luggage drop off locations prior to entering the Terminal.
The Market Street area is just a short walk from the Passenger Terminal. There are a variety of shops to explore and restaurants to visit and enjoy while early arrivals wait for check-in to begin.

Was this answer helpful?

Answers others found helpful.

Luggage Information
Port Canaveral Cruise Ship Terminal Directions and Parking
Tampa Cruise Ship Terminal Directions and Parking
New York Cruise Ship Terminal Directions and Parking

charleston-sc »

Charleston Cruise Parking

Last updated on January 30th, 2024 at 09:41 am

Park your vehicle near the cruise port in Charleston and set sail on your adventure with ease. Multiple parking options ensure a safe and convenient place for your car while you enjoy your cruise.

Onsite Parking at the Charleston Cruise Port

Accessible Parking - free with valid permit
Payment upon arrival by debit card, credit card, money order only. NOTE: Cash is not accepted
Claim ticket received after payment. Large portion to be kept in vehicle. Small portion to be kept with passenger.
Luggage must be dropped off prior to parking at the Union Pier luggage collection site.
Shuttles are available to transport passengers between the parking lots and the cruise terminal. Wheelchair accessible shuttles are available.

Off-Site Charleston Cruise Port Parking

Cruise planning at this port.

Transportation

Park & Cruise Hotels

Hotels Close to the Port

Fly & Cruise Hotels

Food / Dining

Attractions

Tours & Excursions

Book Excursions
Anchorage, AK
Baltimore, MD
Cape Liberty, NJ
Charleston, SC
Ft Lauderdale, FL
Galveston, TX
Honolulu, HI
Jacksonville, FL
L.A. (San Pedro), CA
Long Beach, CA
Montreal, QC
New Orleans, LA
Norfolk, VA
NYC – Brooklyn
NYC – Manhattan
Port Canaveral, FL
Quebec City, QC
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
San Juan, PR
Seattle, WA
Vancouver, BC
Whittier, AK
Alaska & Pacific Northwest
Central & South America
Cruise Ports in Bermuda
Dominican Republic
Mexico & Mexican Riviera
Eastern Canada & Quebec
New England
Los Angeles (San Pedro), CA
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cruise Blog
Cruise FAQ’s

Cruise Ships
Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Sunshine ®

Dining & Activities
Past Guest Photos
Sails From:

Everything the sunlight touches on Carnival Sunshine has been doused with an extra dose of fun. There's plenty to find atop this ship, where you can spend your days being kissed by the warm rays of the sun. Visit the biggest Serenity area ever, featuring three decks, plenty of recliners... and even a waterfall. Carnival WaterWorks ™ , our onboard waterpark, doesn't just deliver the favorites... this one debuted the slick Speedway Splash slide. There's also SportSquare ™ , where you can let your inner champion run free (around the jogging track), traverse the Ropes Course high up above, or even engage in a little one-on-one, from ping pong to foosball to giant chess. When you're on your Carnival Sunshine cruise, step out of the sun and try out some shade (and it's some pretty cool shade, at that). The first thing you'll see is the Sunshine Atrium... and let's just say first impressions count. From there, check out dining options — this ship has everything under the Carnival sun — like Guy's Burger Joint ™ , BlueIguana Cantina ™ , Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse ™ and JiJi Asian Kitchen ® . Some of the greatest Carnival bars are here: RedFrog Pub ® , BlueIguana Tequila Bar ™ , SkyBox ™ Sports Bar and Alchemy Bar ® ... plus the already-classic Havana Bar ™ ! You'll enjoy musical revues from Playlist Productions ™ , where songs you know and love come to life on stage. When you find yourself between the Carnival Sunshine and some actual sunshine, fun at sea is guaranteed.

102,853 Gross Tonnage
3002 Guest Capacity
892 Length In Feet
1040 Onboard Crew

INSIDE THIS SHIP

Just like a delicious cake, your ship is made of layers. Find out which fun ingredients — staterooms, dining, activities — go into each deck.

YOUR STATEROOM

Cloud 9 spa interior.

Amenities exclusive to Cloud 9 Spa ™ staterooms and suites:

Unique welcome ritual
Priority spa reservations
Unlimited use of Thermal Suites, plus scrub kit
Two complimentary fitness classes (per guest)
Complimentary body composition analysis
Exclusive discounts on treatments during port days
Cloud 9 Spa bathrobes and slippers
Upgraded ELEMIS in-stateroom toiletries

Plus, every room includes:

Dedicated stateroom attendant
Soft, cozy linens
Plenty of closet and drawer space
In-room safe for valuables
Stateroom climate control

Interior with Picture Window (Walkway View)

Every room includes:

Interior with Picture Window (Obstructed View)

Interior upper/lower (porthole), interior upper/lower, scenic ocean view.

Your Scenic Ocean View stateroom aboard Carnival Sunshine provides the best view of the sea that lies ahead of the ship, with views unlike any on land. And you’ll get more of them, too, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing plenty of looking-glass for gazing at the natural wonders of the sea… and let’s not forget sunrise and sunset.

Premium Vista Balcony

Premium Vista Balcony staterooms were designed to wrap around the aft corners of Carnival Sunshine, giving you a unique vantage point from which to enjoy luxuriously panoramic views of the sky and the sea — and yes, take in even more of that sunshine.

Premium Balcony

Step into a Premium Balcony stateroom aboard Carnival Sunshine and it’s easy to see exactly what you’re getting: one seriously spacious stateroom. It’s about more than just the room itself, you’ll find… step onto your oversized balcony and you’ll find that when there’s a sea breeze in your hair, there’s no limit to the relaxation you can have.

Cloud 9 Spa Balcony

Whether you're warming up for your spa appointment or winding down after your treatment, there's no better place to do it than on your Cloud 9 Spa Balcony. Breathing is important — take the ocean breeze in, then let it out — you're already getting the hang of the whole spa thing!

Aft-View Extended Balcony

Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space… not to even mention some of the best stern-side views you'll find anywhere. Get ready to relax as you gaze upon Carnival Sunshine's gentle wake from your spacious balcony.

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard Carnival Sunshine. Any time you're in your room, you're just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Captain's Suite

This is the best room you can get… without bunking up with the guy himself. A Captain’s Suite aboard Carnival Sunshine features tons of indoor space, and a huge balcony when you need a little more. Back inside you’ll find a king-size bed, two full bathrooms (one with whirlpool tub), plus a separate living room that sleeps another three. And VIP check-in? Naturally.

Amenities exclusive to suites:

Priority check-in and boarding
Priority Main Dining Room time assignment
Priority debarkation at homeport, and ports of call requiring a water shuttle or with arrival times later than 9:30 Am
Two large bottles of water
Pillow-top mattress

Grand Suite

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Sunshine features even more space than the standard suite — plenty of room in your room! This stateroom is loaded for an unparalleled experience: VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and even a convenient dressing area with vanity.

Cloud 9 Spa Suite

A Cloud 9 Spa Suite is the ultimate in both stateroom and spa accommodations. There's room for you and your things — with a large room and balcony — and a walk-in closet. The soothing in-room whirlpool tub will help you stay relaxed after your relaxing spa treatment. And like all suites, a Cloud 9 Spa Suite features VIP check-in, which lets you easily get right up to your amazing stateroom.

Plus, all suites include:

Ocean Suite

A Carnival Sunshine suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool tub.

ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

Onboard dining, where to for you.

This ship is always visiting great vacation spots. Where will your next vacation take you?

* Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional per person.

TAG & THEY'RE IT!

Promote Parking
For Affiliates
For Operators
For Municipalities
For Collectors
How It Works
Carnival Cruise Port Charleston Parking

Terms and Conditions
The New York Times
Australian English
British English
Argentinian Spanish
Mexican Spanish
Nicaraguan Spanish
Venezuelan Spanish
Brazilian Portuguese
INRIX receives parking information, including pricing, from many sources. While we make efforts to validate and update the pricing information, pricing and rates change frequently and so the information may not be the most current. We encourage you to contact the individual parking operators to verify the information.

Carnival Sunshine cruise ship review: What it’s like to cruise on Carnival’s oldest ship

TPG's Kristy Tolley accepted a free trip from Carnival Cruise Line to cruise on Carnival Sunshine. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren't subject to review by the line.

Sometimes it's hard to beat an oldie but a goodie, and that's certainly the case with Carnival Sunshine.

Carnival's oldest ship and part of the line's Sunshine Class of reimagined vessels, Carnival Sunshine has the "Fun Ship 2.0" upgrades that bring it in line with newer Carnival ships. Modern amenities and an unpretentious environment dovetail nicely aboard Sunshine, and the updated restaurants, bars and public spaces make you feel like you're on a modern cruise ship.

Sure, you'll spot signs of wear and tear befitting an older ship, but the dings in my cabin furnishings were easy to overlook.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

I'm not the only one who appreciates this made-over ship. On my second sailing on Sunshine, a four-night Bahamas cruise out of Charleston, I found myself surrounded by a diverse group, though most passengers hailed from South Carolina. My shipmates included lots of families, couples traveling together and multigenerational reunion groups.

The common denominator among passengers was that everyone was ready to celebrate something. On embarkation day, I saw an almost endless sea of matching shirts announcing milestone birthdays, bachelorette parties and other special events. The overall vibe — which continued throughout the cruise — was energetic and festive, and most people didn't take themselves too seriously. It was clear from the moment we stepped on the ship that if you didn't have a fun time, it was entirely your fault.

Carnival Sunshine is a great home base for a celebratory vacation (or any kind of getaway, really) that doesn't break the bank, especially if you live within driving distance of one of its departure ports. Some four-night sailings start as low as $374 per person (based on double occupancy) for a four-night getaway. You'd be hard-pressed to spend less with a hotel stay of the same length — not to mention the extra cost of food you don't have to worry about with a cruise.

Even if you don't have a milestone event to celebrate, Carnival Sunshine provides such a perfect backdrop for your fun that your vacation will feel like a celebration.

Overview of Carnival Sunshine

The 102,853-ton Carnival Sunshine is 12 decks high and carries 3,002 passengers at double occupancy in 1,501 cabins.

Launched in 1996 as Carnival Destiny, the ship received an overhaul and a new name in 2013. The glow-up brought added attractions and venues found on newer Carnival vessels. These upgrades included a complete renovation of Sunshine's pool area and the addition of a full-blown water park, a SportSquare area on the top deck, and an adults-only Serenity outdoor lounge area complete with daybeds, padded loungers, a hot tub and a full bar.

Carnival Sunshine also acquired new food and beverage venues like the line's signature steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555; its signature Italian eatery, Cucina Del Capitano; and an express Bonsai Sushi. The line also added 182 cabins, bumping its capacity at double occupancy from 2,642 to 3,002 passengers, a 14% increase.

At nearly 103,000 tons, Sunshine Class ships are more than 40% smaller than Carnival's newest ships, such as Carnival Celebration. That said, Carnival Sunshine still offers a solid list of onboard diversions, from a multi-slide water park to a theater showing original musical productions.

The ship's age is starting to show, with a few nicks and marks here and there and visible rust spots on the exterior. The need for a fresh coat of paint was more prominent when we were docked beside two newer Royal Caribbean ships in Nassau — so much so that the comedian referenced it in his show that night. It didn't detract from our cruise, but those seeking a new shiny ship should look elsewhere.

Carnival Sunshine has been based in Charleston, South Carolina, since 2019, but 2024 will be the last year the ship will depart from the Holy City. It's moving a bit farther up the East Coast to Norfolk, Virginia, beginning in February 2025.

What I loved about Carnival Sunshine

The festive atmosphere

Carnival wears its "fun ship" moniker well. The line's focus on having a great time is infused in every aspect of your cruise experience, and guests are an extension of that ethos. Every passenger I encountered was friendly and ready to participate in all the activities the Fun Squad had planned.

Karaoke was hugely popular during our cruise. There was always a line of people ready to perform, and the Ocean Plaza area where it took place was teeming with crowds cheering them on. Audience members would often get up and dance to the music or sing along.

Loads of people consistently came out for music trivia at the Sunshine Bar in the Atrium, too. It's hard not to have a good time when your enthusiastic cruise director stands on top of the bar and encourages everyone to join in.

From Noel, our amenable room steward, to Nicole and Tatiana, our capable Alchemy Bar mixologists, every staff member we interacted with was genuine, friendly and cheerful. We weren't their only fans. One passenger even had a T-shirt made featuring a photo of Nicole and Tatiana.

Although Carnival reduced cabin cleaning service to just once a day from twice a day in 2022, our room steward was always close by and checking in on us. Our cabin was well-kept and clean, and we had fresh towels when we needed them.

The crew's flexibility and impressive level of service really stood out on this sailing. For example, we went through a storm during our cruise, and rough seas altered the Welcome Aboard production on the first night. Instead of a musical and dance show, the two onboard comedians performed a short bit of their routine. At least 200 people came out for the show, and the audience was enthusiastic and supportive.

Similarly, since rough seas canceled the tech rehearsal, the "Epic Rock" production on the second night became an "unplugged" version with performers singing from stools on stage. While not ideal, it was another example of the flexibility and upbeat attitude of Carnival staff. Even without a full-on performance, the quality of vocal talent was undeniable.

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.

I've sailed with Carnival on several occasions, and the food has always been great. Carnival Sunshine was no exception. I was able to sample most included and added-fee restaurants — including Asian favorites at JiJi's and Bonsai Sushi, and the poolside Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina (more below on each of these).

Carnival Sunshine offers a nice variety of cuisine, so all palates will be satisfied. You could enjoy a spicy chickpea curry dish or jambalaya, freshly prepared artisan deli sandwiches and wraps, or load up on salad fixings and fresh fruit.

The main dining room menu featured fresh seafood, varied pasta dishes (spaghetti carbonara, linguini with Italian sausage), steak and tempting desserts (the creme brulee and Carnival melting chocolate cake are a must).

The only downside is it can be challenging to hit every dining venue you want during a four-night cruise!

What I didn't love about Carnival Sunshine

Smoke in the casino.

Smoking can be a divisive issue on cruise ships, and it's banned nearly everywhere on board. However, it's permitted in the casino, which would be fine if I didn't have to pass through the casino to get to certain parts of the ship. But there was no way to avoid the smoky areas if I needed to get to the Liquid Lounge theater from the Ocean Plaza. I can only imagine how problematic that could be for those who are allergic to smoke.

That said, the casino was always buzzing and consistently teemed with passengers who either weren't bothered by the smoke or were willing to put up with it for a good game of blackjack.

Limited electrical outlets in cabins

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. Updating the number of electrical outlets and adding USB ports to the cabins was not part of the 2013 renovation.

The desk area had only two U.S.-style 110V plugs and a European-style 220V plug. The nightstands flanking the bed did not include outlets. If you need more outlets, plan to pack a power strip (just not one with a surge protector, as they're banned on ships ).

Carnival Sunshine cabins and suites

Our cabin was an aft (back of the ship) balcony cabin on Deck 5. I'd never stayed in an aft cabin, so I looked forward to having uninterrupted ocean views over the ship's wake. I particularly enjoyed our view as we plied through rough waters during a storm. It was a fantastic reminder of the strength and endurance of cruise ships.

Another perk of an aft cabin was the size of the balcony — a bit larger than regular balconies in other Carnival cabins I've stayed in. Traditional balconies have room for two chairs and a small table. Our aft balcony fit an additional lounger. As mentioned earlier, the ship shows signs of wear and tear, which was evident on our balcony. It desperately needed a good scrub to get rid of the dark spots and paint drippings.

I had heard that noise could be an issue for those staying in aft cabins. We were above the main dining room, and we could sometimes hear the music from the dinner entertainment. However, we never heard it after hours. Honestly, I didn't notice any more ship noise than on previous sailings in other cabins.

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.

Overall, I was pleased with the cabin. It was basic, with neutral walls and blue patterned carpeting. 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.

The wear and tear was also noticeable inside the room, including a few wall dings and a couple of nicks in the wood furnishings. Also, one of the hangers seemed to have been repaired with duct tape.

My room had two twin beds pushed together into a queen-size bed that was flanked by bedside lamps and two one-drawer, one-shelf nightstands. The living area had a long sofa that could transform into a bed or the bottom half of bunk beds. In place of a traditional shorter coffee table, there was a taller wooden table that could double as a makeshift working desk.

A large desk/vanity with a lighted mirror and flat-screen TV was on the opposite wall. It housed four drawers (one containing a small hair dryer for in-cabin use), a minifridge, and a cabinet with a small safe. Three side-by-side closets were positioned to the right of the desk.

Our cabin's TV was installed on the wall to the left of the desk mirror. Unfortunately, the wall came out a bit to the left of the TV, which made it impossible to swivel the TV to the left and view it from the bed. The TV wasn't interactive like most are on newer ships. It had about 10 channels of news, movies and children's programming, and several Carnival-sponsored channels.

The bathroom was small but adequate. 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. The shower included pump dispensers for shampoo and body wash, as well as a retractable clothesline for drying swimwear.

There were ample towel racks and three hooks on the back of the door. The bathroom was stocked with bath and hand towels, washcloths and a bar of soap.

Most of the accommodations on Carnival Sunshine fall into one of three categories: windowless inside cabins, ocean-view cabins with a window that doesn't open and balcony cabins. Carnival Sunshine offers more than 200 connecting rooms, ideal for large families or groups traveling together who like to stay close.

Spa lovers can stay in one of the 92 Cloud 9 Spa cabins and three spa suites with direct access to the spa. They also score exclusive spa packages and discounts, unlimited use of the Thermal Suite, a free body composition analysis and upgraded Elemis toiletries in their cabin.

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.

The suites come with varied perks, which can include priority check-in and boarding, as well as priority disembarkation on the final morning of your trip.

Carnival Sunshine restaurants and bars

Carnival Sunshine offers a bevy of restaurant and bar choices. It offers a good mix of included-in-your-fare and extra-fee options, and overall, I enjoyed all my meals on board. If you want to try one of the ship's specialty restaurants, make reservations as soon as possible, as they tend to book up quickly.

Restaurants

Carnival Sunshine has two main dining rooms — Sunrise Dining Room (decks 3 and 4) and Sunset Dining Room (Deck 3). You can choose fixed-time, assigned table seating at 5:30 p.m. (early dining) or 7:45 p.m. (late dining). If you know you want to eat at either of those designated times, you should reserve when you book, as they fill up fast.

We opted for Your Time Dining, so we could dine any time between 5:15 and 9 p.m. When we were ready for dinner, we checked in through Carnival's mobile app and received an alert when our table was ready. From check-in to being seated, we only had about a 10-minute wait on both evenings. All Your Time Dining folks dine in the Sunrise Dining Room.

We enjoyed both main dining room meals, which included prime rib, lobster tail, New York strip and pan-seared barramundi. I especially enjoyed the beet and petite greens salad with a citrus dressing. Of course, when on a Carnival ship, you must try the line's signature melting chocolate cake, which I did, and it was perfection.

Don't miss the Seaday Brunch, with top-notch eggs Benedict, French toast, made-to-order omelets, brunch burgers and bloody marys. I splurged on a fresh pressed juice ($5) with pineapple, ginger, lime, dates and turmeric. It was fantastic. The main dining room is also open for breakfast on port days.

Guy's Burger Joint is a walk-up counter restaurant at the back of the pool area on the Lido Deck. My husband is a huge Guy's Burger fan, so that is always our first meal on embarkation day. Judging from the lines, the majority of Sunshine cruisers had the same idea. Lines moved pretty quickly, though. Even my special-order veggie burger took under five minutes to make (though it was my least favorite dish on the ship).

My husband ordered the "Straight Up" burger with all the fixings, and it was almost on par with others he's eaten on previous cruises.

His take: "This was the 'least good' Guy's burger I've had, and it was still delicious." His second Guy's burger on our third day of the cruise was even tastier.

Also on the Lido Deck, BlueIguana Cantina serves freshly made burritos, tacos and bowls. It's one of my favorite casual dining spots, and I would put the veggie burrito up against Chipotle any day of the week.

The Lido Marketplace is the ship's popular buffet restaurant, offering a variety of culinary options from early morning through late night. Breakfast offerings included scrambled or boiled eggs, beans, potatoes, varied pastries, fresh fruit, and hot or cold cereal. There were also two omelet stations in the Havana Bar area, located just off the Lido Marketplace. (The Havana Bar serves craft Cuban-style daiquiris, mojitos and Cuban coffee drinks.)

Lunch consisted of made-to-order deli sandwiches and pizza, as well as international dishes, hot sides and a salad station.

Carnival Sunshine features five added-fee restaurants — JiJi Asian Kitchen, Bonsai Sushi, Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, Cucina del Capitano and the Chef's Table — for cruisers looking for a special meal. Hot tip: If you pre-book your specialty dinner for the first night of your cruise, you'll score a free bottle of wine. You can choose between a chardonnay and merlot, and can either drink it with your meal or enjoy it in your cabin later. It's a nice way to kick off the cruise.

We booked a table at Jiji's for our first evening on board. The pan-Asian menu features dishes from Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, China and Mongolia served family style. I ordered the shrimp dumplings, sweet and sour shrimp, and the Chinese broccoli. My husband had the chicken rolls and the peppered beef. We closed out our dinner with the rose creme brulee with ginger cream and caramelized crepes served with citrus ice cream.

Every dish was delicious. The pacing of our meal was perfect, and we didn't feel rushed through the courses. Service was attentive without being intrusive. The cost is $24 (per person) for adults and $6 (per person) for kids aged 11 and under — a great price for a fantastic meal.

Open for lunch and dinner, the Bonsai Sushi outpost on Sunshine is smaller than those on newer ships. With reasonably priced items like $5 and $7 rolls, and $2 for soup or salad, it's easy to curb your sushi craving on the cheap.

Other specialty dining options include the line's signature Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse (one of TPG's favorite cruise ship specialty restaurants ) and La Cucina del Capitano for an authentic family-style Italian meal. During lunch, La Cucina del Capitano offers a free pasta bar. Passengers can also book the Chef's Table experience, an intimate multicourse meal hosted by the executive chef.

A fun meal for families is the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast ($10 per adult and $8 per child aged 14 and under). Held in the main dining room, it kicks off with the lively Seuss-a-palooza Parade led by The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2. You get to nosh on "green eggs and ham," pancakes, French toast, "Moose Juice" and other whimsical dishes inspired by Seuss' books. The characters stick around for meet-and-greets and photo ops.

After boarding, we checked out the RedFrog Pub on Deck 5. It was far enough away from embarkation day chaos but busy enough for entertaining people-watching. The bar was out of fresh mint, so I couldn't sample the Ving Mojito, so I sipped a tasty margarita instead.

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.

The Alchemy Bar is a cocktail bar designed to resemble an apothecary, offering "elixirs" and "remedies." It's one of the venues I look forward to the most when cruising with Carnival.

Full disclosure: I've been smitten with this watering hole since I tasted my first Cucumber Sunrise aboard Carnival Conquest in 2013. Maybe it's because it was my first foray into herbal-based craft cocktails or because the bartenders are consistently fun and engaging. Either way, few things can beat a refreshing, restorative basil drop served by some of the best bartenders in the cruising industry.

Want to try something off the menu? No problem. After determining my preferred spirits and flavors, the bartenders always come up with something fantastic. I'm a gin and lavender fan, and our bartender, Tatiana, created an amazing cocktail with gin, lavender, St. Germain, elderflower and lime juice.

The Alchemy Bar on Carnival Sunshine is situated just off the popular Ocean Plaza area, the place to be for trivia games, karaoke and live music.

The Havana Bar is the place to head for top-notch mojitos. The small buffet area by the bar often features Latin-inspired bites like empanadas and Cuban sandwiches. Since it's located just beyond the main pool on Deck 9 and beside the Lido Marketplace buffet area, I found it to be an ideal spot to retreat to when buffet area seating was limited.

Poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar were both a hub of activity most days. And if you're lounging by the pool, you can expect servers to come by often and take drink orders. Other popular spots for some spirits include the Serenity Bar by the adults-only sun deck, SkyBox Sports Bar (where multiple TVs behind the bar broadcast various games), the Piano Bar (with nightly singalongs), the Atrium Bar and the Sunshine Casino.

We also visited the Piano Bar twice during our short cruise. The pianist/singer was top-notch and had a great rapport with the guests. The only thing that tainted our experience was that both times we visited, a family with younger kids monopolized the show with requests. The Carnival website lists the Piano Bar as a 21-plus venue, but no one challenged the family.

Carnival Sunshine activities

When the weather cooperated, most passengers gravitated to the upper decks for fun in the sun and water. In addition to the one main pool and two hot tubs on Deck 9, Sunshine is home to Carnival's WaterWorks water park with waterslides and a kiddie splash zone. A bevy of diversions at the nearby SportSquare included a ropes course, minigolf, ping-pong and foosball.

The ship's quieter adults-only Serenity Deck area was midship on decks 11 and 12 and overlooked the main pool area. Passengers 21-plus could take advantage of a plunge pool with a waterfall, a hot tub, a bar, and loungers and cabanas.

Energetic cruisers who can't veg in the sun all day can find limitless activities indoors to occupy their sea days. Free events included trivia games, Bingo, spa pampering parties, karaoke, and ice carving or towel animal folding demonstrations. For-fee activities like Build-A-Bear Workshop and $5,000 Jackpot Bingo also drew a crowd.

Shopping opportunities were decent. You have the Fun Shops for Carnival-branded items, souvenirs, jewelry, liquor and fragrances. For a sugary splurge, Cherry On Top sells an extensive selection of sweet treats.

The Sunshine Casino on Deck 5 midship was popular with passengers on my sailing. Every time I walked through, it was buzzing with activity (although, as previously mentioned, I didn't spend a lot of time there). The venue is a maze of slot machines, with a collection of poker tables, a craps table, two roulette tables and several blackjack tables. Throughout our cruise, the casino hosted organized poker tournaments, raffles and other ways to test Lady Luck.

Karaoke events were held in the Ocean Plaza area in between the Alchemy Bar and RedFrog Pub. The openness of the space provided optimum participation from passengers and performers, so a lively crowd was always on hand to sing along.

Families can take advantage of included-in-your-fare childcare in Carnival's Camp Ocean facilities on 10. The youngest cruisers can participate in supervised activities, divided into age-based groups: Penguins (2 to 5 years), Stingrays (6 to 8 years) and Sharks (9 to 11 years).

The designated areas for each age group were spacious and offered plenty of seating. Though they had separate entrances, the spaces were close enough that pick-up and drop-off would be easy for families with kids checked into different areas.

Tweens and teens have their own hangouts and activity schedules. Circle C is for cruisers ages 12 to 14, with events like dance parties, outdoor movies and group games. The Circle C space had a futuristic vibe with metal walls and a minimalist design.

Club O2 is for the 15-to-17 set and offers a chance for older teens to hang out together, play sports and games, and interact during group activities. The modern atmosphere extended to Club 02 with a bold red and black pattern on the floor, sleek red chairs and metal accents.

During this sailing, many families seemed to hang out together during the day — spending time at the pool, watching karaoke and participating in other activities.

Carnival's Cloud 9 Spa on Deck 10 is the place to go for vacation pampering. Various treatments and therapies are available — from deep tissue and stone massages to acupuncture and other traditional Chinese techniques. Additionally, the spa offers hair and nail services, facials and medispa treatments.

You can also buy Thermal Suite passes for a day or the entire length of your cruise. You'll have access to the heated tile loungers, rain showers, an aroma steam room and a sauna.

The fitness center was well stocked with just about every piece of equipment you need to keep your workout routine while you cruise. It's free to use, but you can pay extra for instructor-led classes like Pilates, yoga or indoor cycling. If you like fresh air with your morning walk or run, head to the top deck and hit the jogging track.

Unlike newer Carnival ships with a full promenade that provides access to restaurants and bars, Sunshine has the more traditional promenade with shuffleboard and some outdoor seating. Come for a walk or take in the sunset.

Carnival Sunshine shows

We sailed through a storm for a couple of days, and both the "Welcome Aboard Show" and the Playlist Productions "Epic Rock" show were altered because of it. Instead of a full-on production, we got two short sets from each comedian (for the welcome show) and performers singing from stools on stage ("Epic Rock").

It was a bummer to miss a "true" Carnival production. I've cruised with Carnival several times, and I'm always impressed with the caliber of talent. The shows are one of my favorite parts of cruising with Carnival. I've enjoyed Latin-themed performances ("Amor Cubano"), British music tributes ("The Brits") and an art-infused journey through music and dance ("Color My World").

We took in a comedy show at the Punchliner Comedy Club (in the Limelight Lounge on Deck 4) and enjoyed it. I'm a hard nut to crack, and the comedian got me laughing out loud more than once. My husband guffawed throughout the set. Each sailing typically includes a family-friendly "PG" show at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The 18-plus shows take place at 8:45 p.m. and 10 p.m. Most cruises have one or two comedians on board.

Carnival Sunshine itineraries and pricing

Throughout 2024, Carnival Sunshine will sail year-round four-, five-, six- and eight-night Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean voyages from Charleston. Depending on the itinerary, stops might include Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, San Juan and the cruise line's private island, Half Moon Cay.

At the time of publication, prices started from $374 per person for a four-night Bahamas sailing in an inside cabin (excluding taxes and fees).

As previously mentioned, beginning in 2025, the vessel will move to its new home port of Norfolk, Virginia. From there, it will offer six-night Bahamas and Bermuda sailings, as well as eight-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

At press time, prices started at $519 per person for an inside cabin on a six-night Bahamas cruise (excluding taxes and fees).

What to know before you go

Required documents.

If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that begins and ends in a U.S. port, you must have 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 passport card is also acceptable.

Your passport must be valid for at least six more months.

Important note: The name on your reservation must be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. We recommend you check Carnival's website before you sail for the most recent updates on requirements.

Carnival adds an automatic service gratuity of $14.50 to $16.50 per person, per day to final bills, depending on the cabin category. Children under the age of 2 are exempt.

You can adjust the amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking if you are not satisfied with the service you received. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills and the cover charge of the Chef's Table.

Over the last couple of years, Carnival has rolled out faster Wi-Fi systems across its fleet, so you can now stream video on some ships. Pricing changes over time, but the fastest "premium" service on Carnival Sunshine was recently priced at $18.70 per person, per day.

Other packages available for a Sunshine sailing include the less expensive "social" plan that only allows access to key social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) and messaging services such as WhatsApp for $12.75 a day. A slightly more expensive "value" plan, at $17 per day, adds access to email and most websites. If you pay for a plan prior to sailing, you'll receive a discount.

Carry-on drinks policy

You can bring one bottle of wine or Champagne (per person) onto the ship at boarding, as well as up to a dozen standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas.

Nonalcoholic drinks in glass or plastic bottles are not allowed. If you want to bring the wine or Champagne to an onboard restaurant or bar to drink, you'll incur a $15 corkage fee. Drinks brought on board must be carried in your carry-on luggage.

Smoking policy

On Carnival Sunshine, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas and in the casino. Smoking is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

While cigarette smoking is allowed in the casino, according to Carnival's website, you must be seated and playing to smoke in the casino. Smoking is permitted in designated areas on Deck 3 (port side, forward) and Deck 10 (starboard side, midship).

Self-service launderettes are on decks 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 (midship) on Carnival Sunshine. Each launderette has washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. There's a $3.25-per-load charge to use a washer or dryer. The laundrettes also have vending machines stocked with small boxes of detergent and fabric softener at $1.50 per box.

You can also opt for extra-charge valet laundry and dry-cleaning service, which your cabin steward will handle for you. Expect to pay per piece, with prices running from $2 (for an undergarment or pair of socks) to $15 (for a two-piece suit).

Electrical outlets

As mentioned previously, Carnival Sunshine cabins have both standard North American-style 110-volt outlets and European-style 220-volt outlets. Bring a power strip if you need more than that.

The currency used on Carnival Sunshine is the U.S. dollar. However, the ship operates on a "cashless system," so any onboard purchases you make will automatically post to your onboard account. You'll receive a Sail & Sign card that you can use to make charges. This same card also gets you into your cabin.

Drinking age

Passengers must be 21 to drink alcohol on Carnival Sunshine.

There is no specific dress code during the day on Sunshine, so people dress casually. Beach attire is the norm for sea days, and if you plan to spend your day on the top deck, plan to dress in T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside).

Although there's an official dress code for the evenings, it's pretty laid-back. Most nights are designated "cruise casual," which includes khakis or jeans, polo shirts and sundresses. Super casual clothing like cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts aren't permitted.

Depending on the length of your cruise, one or two nights of the itinerary will include a "cruise elegant" night where the suggested attire for men is dress slacks and a dress shirt; sports coats and suits are optional. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. If you don't want to dress up, you can choose a more casual dinner venue, but dress code enforcement in Carnival dining rooms tends to be lax.

Bottom line

Whether you're looking for an affordable Caribbean cruise for the whole family or want to escape with your besties, Carnival Sunshine is a solid bet if having a fun time is a priority.

It's not a shiny, new vessel, so don't expect flawless cabins and the latest attractions. What you can expect, though, is to have nonstop fun thanks to a variety of diversions and an enthusiastic group of like-minded shipmates.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
15 ways cruisers waste money
The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Cruise Advice

41 Carnival Sunshine Tips and Secrets

Doug Parker

July 16, 2018
3.7K shares

One of my many favorite things about compiling this collection of Carnival Sunshine tips is that it proved to be a true labor of love.

Over the span of years, I’ve spent over 60 days so far on this ship. I have had the pleasure of introducing her to others, who came to appreciate her as much as I have.

That’s because, despite being one of the aged ships in Carnival’s current fleet, the Sunshine has its very unique features amongst other Carnival ships.

Hard as it is to believe when it was first introduced back in 1996, Sunshine (formerly known as the Carnival Destiny at that time) was the largest cruise ship in the world.

For the sake of comparison, she weighed in at approximately 100,000 gross registered tons… Currently, the Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship, with a stunning 250,800 gross registered tons.

In 2012, the Destiny underwent a massive $155 million transformation , emerging as the Carnival Sunshine .

Although born as the first of the Destiny class, the ship would, after the name change, be considered the first and only member of the Sunshine class. And when Carnival rolled out the Fun Ship 2.0 features, Sunshine was the very first to receive them.

If you’re getting the impression that this ship holds a special place in my heart, you would most definitely be right. So obviously, I want you to enjoy your time on the Sunshine as much as I have.

With that in mind, here are some tips, tricks, and pointers that may serve as your cruise guide on this distinctive Carnival ship. However, this ship has a few unique features that you may find quite the same with other Carnival vessels.

1. There are “secret” staterooms on board.

Booking a cruise involves making several big decisions, one of which is choosing the type of stateroom. Carnival Sunshine has a variety of staterooms that are highly sought after by experienced cruisers.

The staterooms classified as 4J/4K are technically considered interiors, but they come equipped with a picture window, albeit with partially obstructed views.

The 6J/6K categories are forward-facing oceanview staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that sell out months in advance.

2. Deck three has some of the best “quiet spots” on board.

There are times when we want to socialize with the crowd by the pool and when we want to read a book or admire the ocean.

Personally, when I want some peace and quiet, I head to deck three. On both the port and starboard sides of the deck, there are comfortable chairs that allow you to get closer to the ocean.

However, keep in mind that smoking is allowed only on the port side (that’s the left side), so if you’re a non-smoker, it’s best to stick to the starboard (right) side.

3. The atrium is wonderfully old-school.

Newer Carnival ships, such as the Vista and Horizon, come equipped with modern amenities, including amazing LED dreamscape funnels. However, I have a personal preference for the atrium on the Sunshine, which has a vintage feel with glass elevators and decor that is slightly quirky.

Additionally, I’ve observed that some of the most cordial bartenders work in this area, possibly due to the high volume of passengers that pass through here eventually.

Read More: 10 Tips for Carnival Cruise Line

4. Havana Bar is a perfect lunch spot.

This space has something of a split personality… in the best way possible. It comes alive at night with people dancing, drinking, and having a good time. But it’s a fantastic spot to enjoy your lunch during the day.

“Havana Bar is the best-kept secret on the Sunshine,” one reader told me. “It’s usually day four before most people realize that’s where the omelet station is. Oh, and you can get Cafe Con Leche!”

Located just outside the Lido marketplace, the Havana Bar has tons of extra seating, which comes in handy when both JiJi Asian Kitchen and Cucina del Capitano are closed.

5. Take your time getting to the sea day brunch.

Don’t get me wrong: You definitely should not miss the seaday brunch, no matter which Carnival ship you’re sailing on.

But go ahead, dawdle. People who get there early will wind up standing in line waiting for the doors to open, and it takes a while for all those folks to be seated.

Meanwhile, maybe it’s my bias toward this ship showing, but there’s something special about brunch on the Sunshine . Maybe it’s because I’m not usually in the main dining room during the daytime, so having daylight streaming through the windows makes it feel like an entirely different venue.

Oh, here’s another tip… think of it as a bonus: If you want to sit alone, just let the hostess know when you’re checking in.

Their default setting seems to be seating people in groups, but unless it’s ridiculously crowded, they’ll usually be able to accommodate your request.

6. You can get a free bottle of wine in the steakhouse.

Traditionally, fewer decide to have dinner in the steakhouse on the first night than any other night of a trip. For some people, it’s because they worry their luggage might not arrive in time.

Others figure they’ll be exhausted and want something simple that first night. And for many, they save the steakhouse for that special, final night’s dinner.

So, as an incentive to get people into the restaurant on embarkation day, Carnival offers a free bottle of wine. The steakhouse is already a great deal at $35 per person, but when you throw in a bottle of wine… It is an offer too good to pass up.

READ MORE: 7 Reasons To Dine In Carnival’s Steakhouse

7. JiJi Asian Kitchen and Cucina Del Capitano are definitely worth the price.

I understand that many people avoid specialty restaurants, assuming that there are plenty of free options available. However, skipping these two places would be a real mistake.

Each costs only $18 per person, and while they offer wildly different experiences, they have one thing in common: really good food. JiJi Asian Kitchen has a limited but perfectly curated menu.

At the same time, Cucina features exactly what you’d expect to find in an Italian restaurant (although I’m still puzzled as to why they took the tiramisu and cannoli off the dessert menu).

I have dined at Cucina multiple times, and each time, I left feeling incredibly full. It ruined my plan of enjoying the nightlife on the ship because all I wanted to do was head back to my stateroom and fall into a food coma.

8. JiJi and Cucina also offer killer lunches… which are free.

If you don’t want to splurge to eat dinner at these restaurants, you can grab a complimentary lunch at both.

JiJi has a Mongolian Wok station set up, where you pick the ingredients and the chef cooks it up, while Cucina offers lasagna, pasta, salad, and bread.

Be warned: Both venues get packed at lunchtime, so plan accordingly. Also, be warned that once you try these places for lunch, you’ll definitely want to come back for dinner.

9. Hit the water park on a port day.

Carnival carries more families than any other cruise line in the world. And that means they also carry more kids.

So if you want to hit the waterpark in general — and the racing slides in particular — without waiting in lines, your best options will be to go early in the morning, closer to the time when the features will be closing, or while the ship is in port.

10. The Serenity pool is unlike any other in the Carnival fleet.

The Serenity deck on the Sunshine ship is truly remarkable. The deck features a stunning waterfall that stretches across its entire length. One of the best parts of this deck is that the entire area, including the pool, is free from children.

The pool, though not massive, is still enjoyable, and it has one unique feature – it is the only freshwater pool on any of the Carnival cruise ships.

11. Serenity can be whatever you want it to be.

The Serenity deck is unique in the sense that it has a split personality, which is a good thing. Its vastness spanning three decks allows you to tailor your Serenity experience to your liking. Part of the Serenity area offers a view of the Lido deck, where you can hear all the music and fun around the pool.

However, if you prefer a more peaceful experience, you can simply move up to the next deck and head towards the front of the ship.

There, you will find plenty of comfortable loungers and clamshells, completely isolated from the party atmosphere of the Lido deck.

12. Arrive early for the adult comedy shows.

Many Carnival ships, including the ones with the Limelight Lounge theater setup, have poles that may obstruct your view during shows. To secure the best seats, you will need to arrive early and queue up outside the theater.

Generally, the doors open around 30 minutes before the show starts. I understand that waiting in line during your vacation is not ideal, but for the right performer, it can be well worth it.

13. You don’t have to sit in a bad seat.

If you happen to arrive late at the Limelight and find that the only seats available are not great, don’t worry. You can still sit at one of the tables located to the far left or right of the stage.

Although you won’t be able to see the stage itself, there are TV screens that broadcast the performance. While the screens are not perfect, they are a better alternative than sitting behind a pole and missing out on the show.

14. Alchemy Bar is the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks.

When it comes to Carnival Sunshine , Ocean Plaza is like that four-way intersection in the middle of a small town. Sooner or later, everyone winds up passing through.

So what better place to meet for pre-dinner drinks and a little people-watching than the Alchemy Bar, which is perfectly situated at the heart of Ocean Plaza? The handmade cocktails here are delicious, and they’re covered by the CHEERS! package.

This is not, however, the place for beer drinkers. Never fear because the RedFrog Pub is also located right off Ocean Plaza.

Read More: Review Alchemy Bar on Carnival

15. Grab breakfast (and coffee) away from the madness of the buffet.

Speaking of Ocean Plaza, this is also the place to be if you want to grab a decent breakfast without sitting down in a restaurant or diving into the madness that can be breakfast at the Lido Deck Marketplace.

Here, they have a nice little buffet set up with eggs, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, cereal, and coffee.

And if you want espresso, the Java Cafe is only a few steps away. Rarely is this breakfast area crowded… mainly because a whole lot of people don’t know about it.

16. Ocean Plaza also features a limited lunch selection.

You can also avoid the buffet at lunchtime by coming to Ocean Plaza for a bite to eat. It’s not a huge selection, but it’s always tasty. For example, on embarkation day, they usually set up an Old Fashioned Barbeque station.

Is it as good as what you’ll find at the Pig & Anchor on Carnival Horizon? No, but it’ll definitely satisfy your hunger.

17. Catch a movie while hanging out in a hot tub.

Every night, there will be a Dive-In movie playing on the Lido deck’s ginormous screen. The selection is usually pretty decent and can feature some surprisingly recent hits.

My favorite movie-viewing spot? From one of the hot tubs, several of which are located in prime viewing spots.

18. The movies make a great date night!

While I enjoy watching the Dive-In Movies from a hot tub, most folks pull up a lounger. Crew members will come around offering blankets and free popcorn, which makes this evening beneath the stars a great opportunity to snuggle with the one you love.

Want to make a full-blown date night out of it? Time dinner — whether in one of the specialty restaurants or the main dining room — so that you can wander from your meal to a lounger and end the evening under a beautiful sky.

19. Time your buffet visits, especially lunch.

The buffet on the Carnival Sunshine is pretty well designed, but let’s face it: Any buffet on any ship can be a nightmare during peak hours. The best time to hit the Lido Deck Marketplace is after 1 p.m. Before that, especially on sea days, it’s a zoo.

Or avoid it altogether by hitting one of the places we mentioned earlier, including Ocean Plaza, Cucina, or JiJi.

20. Visit the casino early in the morning to (sort of) avoid the smoke.

Cruise ship casinos get smokey — that’s just a fact of life on the high seas. It’s going to be pretty much impossible to avoid the smell of smoke while in the casino, but there are ways to lessen its impact.

For one thing, pick machines or tables that are as far away as possible from the Casino Bar, which is where a lot of smokers congregate.

Look for the non-smoking section (or non-smoking tables), but keep in mind that as it’s an open-air casino and they aren’t in a separate area, this isn’t going to make a huge difference.

Another suggestion is to hit the casino as early as possible since there tend to be far fewer smokers around during the first few hours of the day.

21. Arrive at Liquid Lounge early.

The key to getting good seats? Arrive early. Guests who arrive late often find themselves with those dreaded obstructed-view seats. On the Carnival Sunshine , you enter the theater from either deck four or deck five.

Keep a close eye on your Fun Times guide so you can see what production show is playing and at what time. It’s worth noting that there’s a nice bar with plenty of seating on deck four of the Liquid Lounge.

22. BlueIguana Cantina serves a mean breakfast.

There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who think the words “breakfast” and “burrito” don’t belong in the same sentence and those who jump-start their day by grabbing one at BlueIguana.

I’ll admit, they’re a little too heavy for me, but if you like a hearty breakfast (or need to store up some energy for that active shore excursion), this will definitely hit the spot.

23. Don’t count on the internet being as good as home.

While some of the newer ships have better internet, that’s definitely not the case on the Carnival Sunshine.

If you’re looking to post photos to Facebook or tell everyone on Twitter about your awesome trip (#JealousMuch?), you’ll be fine.

But if you’re hoping to binge-watch the latest Netflix series, good luck. As you might expect, the internet will be faster early in the morning or late at night when fewer people are trying to access it.

24. The RedFrog Pub has a snack you will become addicted to.

While there are a few ships in the Carnival fleet that serve food in their versions of the RedFrog Pub, Carnival Sunshine isn’t one of them.

But if you’re looking for something to nosh on, ask the bartender for some wasabi peas. Then prepare to eat a lot of them because those suckers are addictive as heck. Better still, they’re free.

25. Deck three is a great location, stateroom-wise.

If you want an affordable and centrally-located cabin, see what’s available on deck three.

Here, you’ll be right off the main atrium, just a quick flight up to the theater, and two flights up to the main promenade on the ship. Deck three also has outside access with plenty of loungers and chairs.

26. Your business card will come in handy.

Sure, it’s always good to have a business card on you in case you have the opportunity to do a little networking. But more importantly, you’ll want one for your stateroom.

See, the cabins onboard Carnival Sunshine are energy-efficient rooms, meaning that in order for your lights and electrical outlets to work, you have to have your keycard in the door.

On some newer cruise ships, only your keycard will work. But on Carnival Sunshine, a business card will do the trick. (And as someone who has, on more than one occasion, walked out of the room only to realize — just as the door clicks shut — that my keycard is still in that activate-the-lights slot, this is very good news.)

27. Yes, the ship has laundry facilities… and you should avoid them.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t do laundry during your cruise. On the contrary, it’s great that the Carnival Sunshine still has self-serve laundry facilities, given that fewer and fewer ships these days do.

I’m suggesting you avoid booking a stateroom near them. Between the slamming doors, as people enter and leave and people talking loudly (to be heard over the dryers) in the room itself, this area can be pretty noisy.

They aren’t listed on most deck plans, so you might have to call Carnival or ask a travel professional to help you steer clear of cabins around the laundry rooms.

28. Serenity towels are nice… but do you really want to “buy” one?

The towels on the Serenity deck are big and fluffy and great to wrap yourself in… which is probably why they make you sign them out. If you fail to return the towel, you’ll find a $22 charge on your Sail & Sign card.

29. If there are restaurants on your “must-do” list, plan for them.

You know the old saying: Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. If you’ve got a restaurant that you absolutely, positively must eat at while on board the Carnival Sunshine, make a reservation.

A reader recently told me about how they’d been looking forward to dining at the steakhouse all week… only to find out on the last day that the place was booked solid.

30. Not every elevator goes where you want it to.

Nearly everyone learns this lesson the hard way: There are only two elevators that actually go to decks 11, 12, and 14 in the Serenity area. On the plus side, if you wind up having to take a lot of stairs, you’ll burn off some of those extra buffet calories.

31. Scout out the accessible bathrooms in advance.

The good news: There are plenty of accessible bathrooms on the Carnival Sunshine. The bad news? That’s only useful if you know where they are. If you have mobility issues, make sure to check out the deck plans of the ship in advance.

The stalls in the general-use bathrooms are definitely too narrow to navigate if you have a scooter or a wheelchair.

Rather than go back to your room every time you need to use the restroom, take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the layout so you can save yourself some time and trouble.

32. You can bring your own wine.

You wouldn’t believe how many people assume they can’t bring their favorite bottle of wine on board… and later get very upset after finding out they could have.

Here’s the deal: You are allowed to bring two bottles of wine per stateroom. Yes, there is a $15 “corkage” fee per bottle, but we’ve found that it’s pretty loosely enforced (plus, you can avoid the fee by just drinking the wine in your cabin).

Want to bring four bottles of wine? You didn’t hear it from us, but we’ve been told the best way to do so is by putting two bottles in your bag, two in your travel partner’s… and then going through separate security lines.

33. The only way to beat the chair hogs is by staking your claim early.

The good news: There are a lot of deck chairs on the Carnival Sunshine , and they’re spread out in numerous locations.

The bad news: chair hogs continue to be a real thing that we can’t seem to get rid of. (Maybe someone should start a GoFundMe page dedicated to the eradication of this pesky species.)

Even the Serenity deck is not immune to their presence. And while I’ve heard reports of (and even occasionally seen) attendants removing abandoned belongings, the best way to beat chair hogs at their own game is by getting up early, heading to the pool, and enjoying your day.

34. The RedFrog Pub’s Happy Hour is (forgive the pun) hoppin’.

Just about every day, this popular watering hole has some kind of Happy Hour special. It’s not like they’re giving drinks away, but if you can save a little on drinks you were going to consume anyway, why not, right? Keep an eye on the Fun Times for drink specials that might pop up here and elsewhere on the ship.

35. There are some fun games waiting to be played in the pub.

Since you’re going to be hitting the Pub for Happy Hour, why not play a few games, such as tabletop shuffleboard?

And sometimes, the Pub plays host to Beer Pong tournaments, which are a total blast. And who doesn’t want to have bragging rights to having won the Beer Pong tournament on their cruise?

36. The Behind the Fun Tour is a must for cruise ship fans.

Want to go through some of those doors marked “Crew Members Only”? Then this is definitely the tour for you. It offers a glimpse behind the scenes into what makes a cruise ship tick.

During the 2.5-hour tour, you’ll see areas like the navigation bridge, engine control room, and other spots that are generally off-limits to passengers.

The tour is usually offered on sea days and is only available to a limited number of guests. Check the Fun Times or ask Guest Services for details.

37. Give yourself time to get where you need to go.

You’d be surprised how many first-time cruisers wind up being late to everything from dinner reservations to shows because they don’t give themselves enough time to get from their stateroom to the venue.

Remember to factor in things like crowded elevators, shopping spouses (“Oh, I just want to stop in here for a quick sec.”) and getting turned around on occasion.

38. Consider signing up for the Chef’s Table.

If you’re a foodie (or are traveling with one), this is a must. From the galley tour (during which you’re offered several delicious appetizers and taught how to make a signature dessert) to the incredible meal (I lost track of how many courses we were served) and wine pairings, this is an evening you won’t forget.

Read More: 5 Reasons to Experience the Chef’s Table

39. Buyer, beware.

At least once during your cruise, there will be a very big sale. The way it is promoted, you will think it’s a combination of Macy’s on Black Friday and a Going Out Of Business sale at Filene’s Basement. What it really is a great chance to get some cheap souvenirs for the folks back home.

Need a Carnival-branded T-shirt for Uncle Billy? This is the time and place to pick it up. But exercise caution when it comes to stuff like jewelry and watches.

Mama was right when she said, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” I once bought a watch that seemed pretty great… until it stopped working a month later.

40. Guy’s Burger Joint is really as good as they say.

Listen, I hear you. I once was one of you, muttering, “It’s just a dang burger. What’s all the excitement about?” And then I tried one.

Technically, I should say I tried two, because the moment the first one was gone, I ordered another.

I don’t know what’s in them and probably don’t want to know. What I do know that just sitting here writing about them makes me realize I need one ASAP.

41. Bring singles for tipping… and spread them around generously.

When I arrive at the pier and hand my luggage over to a porter, that man or woman gets a tip. (Take care of the porters, and they will take care of you. Stiff the porters, and your bag may be put on Carnival Libert y instead of Carnival Sunshine .)

And from that point forward, the entire time I’m on board, I hand out dollar bills like a drunk guy at a strip bar.

I know that one of the reasons I’ve had so many amazing experiences on the Carnival Sunshine is thanks to the hard-working crew who make the magic happen.

That’s why you will never, ever see me lining up at Guest Services to ask that they remove the automatic gratuities from my bill. And I’m going to believe, true or not, that you wouldn’t be caught dead doing that either.

Read More: 7 Confessions of a Cruise Baggage Handler

These are some of the Carnival Sunshine tips that I’ve gathered over the last five years of sailing Sunshine . Do you have any to share? Feel free to leave them below to be included in the article.

Carnival Sunshine Stateroom Video

Passenger Reportedly Jumps from Cruise Ship in Front of Family

Carnival Vista Review 2024 + Cruise News [PODCAST]

Bringing you 15 years of cruise industry experience. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips.

Quick links

CruiseMapper
Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Sunshine

Former name: carnival destiny.

Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line

Charleston SC (South Carolina)
Norfolk VA (Virginia)

Carnival Sunshine current position

Carnival Sunshine current location is at US East Coast (coordinates 29.04819 N / -79.99881 W) cruising at speed of 13 kn (24 km/h | 15 mph) en route to CHS>BSNAS. The AIS position was reported 48 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Sunshine current cruise is 5 days, round-trip The Bahamas . Prices start from USD 539 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 08 Apr, 2024 and ends on 13 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Carnival Sunshine

Itineraries
Review
Wiki

Carnival Sunshine Itineraries

Carnival sunshine review, review of carnival sunshine.

The 1996-built/2013-reconstructed Carnival Sunshine cruise ship was initially named "Carnival Destiny". After a major refurbishment in 2013 (USD155 million drydock), the vessel was renamed Sunshine. As class, Carnival Sunshine was the first of three Destiny-class Carnival ships - together with Victory-Radiance and Triumph-Sunrise . Today, the liner belongs to the unique Sunshine-class.

The vessel (IMO number 9070058) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 308017000) and registered in Nassau .

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian ).

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

The 3000-passenger ship Carnival Sunshine is not a Dream-class ship but contains almost all the elements found on Breeze and Magic: high-energy, low-commitment activities, including 20-min standup comedies, 30-min production shows; sushi, burgers, burritos. For the first time, the Fun Ship 2.0 blueprint was laid down on Carnival Magic (in 2011), followed by Carnival Breeze (in June 2012). Next photo shows the old Carnival Destiny ship.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Sunshine staterooms (1501 total) include 53 Suites, 518 Balcony, 320 Oceanview and 624 Inside cabins, in all 34 grades. Most staterooms are sized 185 ft2 / 17 m2, cabin balconies are sized 35-85 ft2 / 4-8 m2. "Family" staterooms (connecting cabins) are with max capacity 5 passengers. The largest are the Captain's Suites (500 ft2 / 46 m2 plus 150 ft2 / 14 m2 terrace) with max occupancy 5 passengers. Sunshine also has 89 Cloud 9 Spa cabins and 32 wheelchair-accessible cabins.

The boat has 13 decks , of which 11 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Sunshine offers many of the Fun Ship 2.0 additions in terms of dining - Guy's Burger Joint, Cucina del Capitano, BlueIguana Cantina. The line made a few adjustments to the existing venues and also added the Asian restaurant Ji Ji. There are two Main Dining Rooms onboard the Sunshine: Sunset, at the midship, and double-deck Sunrise located aft. The complimentary Punchliner Comedy Brunch, which is a sea day exclusive, features 5-minute teasers every hour on the hour from 9 am to 1:30 pm.

Carnival Sunshine cruise ship Serenity adults deck

Follows the complete list of Carnival Sunshine restaurants and food bars.

Sunset Restaurant (forward Main Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings, or “Your Time Dining”)
Sunrise Restaurant (aft Main Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings; offers themed breakfasts - “Seuss At Sea”, for $5 cover charge; hosts Punchliner Comedy Brunch).
Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse (alternative, reservations only restaurant, serving prime steaks and seafood at a surcharge; also hosts “Chef’s Table” VIP dining, $75 PP surcharge)
Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ (offers pork sandwiches, complimentary lunch barbecue)
Guy’s Burger Joint (fast food bar)
BlueIguana Cantina (Mexican complimentary restaurant; offers house-made tortillas, burritos, tacos)
Lido Marketplace buffet restaurant (complimentary self-service restaurant with various food stations; operates as a bistro in the evenings).
Cucina del Capitano (Italian reservations-only restaurant; offers a la carte dinner at a surcharge and complimentary lunch)
SeaDogs (complimentary beef hotdogs stand)
Ji Ji Asian Kitchen (serves Chinese food, Mongolian Wok)
Bonsai Sushi Bar (complimentary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Carnival made a heavy investment in lights and sound for its shows on Carnival Breeze and has taken a step further on Sunshine. An ultra-HD graphics package is beamed onto a vast screen and the performers use it as a backdrop of their show. A number of themed shows take place in ship's Liquid Lounge, which doubles as the 800-seat main Theater. Because the room was initially designed as a theater with two stories, it's impossible to feature an intimate atmosphere.

Carnival Sunshine cruise ship waterpark slides

The Sunshine ship offers a complete list of activities and entertainment for each age group and taste - from ballroom scene dancing, classical music concerts, tea time and art auctions to a hairy chest and knobby knees contests, bingo, and karaoke.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Sunshine lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

Sunshine Atrium (9-deck high midship open area served by Lobby Bar)
FunHub (24-hour Internet computers room)
Liquid Lounge and Theater (800-seat, 2-level main show lounge)
Ocean Plaza (entertainment area; features live music and trivia)
The Library Bar; Piano 88 Bar; EA Sports Bar; ShakeSpot; Java Blue Cafe; The Taste Bar; Alchemy Bar; Havana Bar
RedFrog Pub (English pub with live music; offers international beers selection and the private label Thirstyfrog/RedFrog beer)
RedFrog Rum Bar (serves Caribbean rums selection and ThirstyFrog Red drought beer)
BlueIguana Tequila Bar (offers Mexican beer, margaritas, drink specialties)
Limelight Lounge (hosts Punchliner Comedy Club/brunch)
Pixels Photo Gallery and Shop; Dreams Photo Studio; Cherry On Top (candy shop, offers the Fun Shops catalog, “Bon Voyage” store menu, souvenirs, watches, jewelry, logo merchandise, duty-free liquor, fashion boutiques)
Circle C (kids' complimentary club lounge with movies, video games, parties, planned activities)
24-hour Warehouse Video Games Arcade; Club O2 teens' lounge for movies, karaoke, parties
Sunshine Casino (served by Sunshine Casino Bar)
Seaside Theatre (LED screen outdoor cinema)
Serenity (adults only relaxation area with Serenity Pool, Serenity Bar, Spa Whirlpool, cascading waterfall, loungers, and hammocks)
Beach Pool area (with two Whirlpools); Carnival WaterWorks Aqua Park (with 5 slides; 1 Whirlpool, SplashZone for kids)
Camp Carnival (kids' club lounge with a complimentary programme and play area)
Cloud 9 Spa and Fitness complex (with Gym, Fitness Studio, Sauna, Steam Room, Thermal Suites, Beauty Salon, 15 Treatment Rooms; offers ZSpa teenagers program)
SportSquare (Basketball/Volleyball Court, Jogging Track, Tennis Tables, 9-hole Mini Golf Course, Shuffleboard).

Itineraries

Carnival Sunshine itinerary program is based on Western and Eastern Caribbean roundtrip cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida. Feature port destinations include Bahamas (with Nassau and line’s private island Half Moon Cay ), Puerto Rico, Saint Thomas USVI , Grand Turk , Roatan , Belize , Mexico ( Costa Maya and Cozumel ). In 2016, the ship started itineraries to Bermuda - 7-day from NYC New York and 5-day from Norfolk Virginia .

Starting May 2019, the ship's new itinerary program offers 4- (to Nassau) and 5-day (Nassau and Half Moon Cay) short Bahamas cruises leaving roundtrip from a new homeport ( Charleston SC ) on a year-round schedule. The maiden voyage was scheduled for May 18 (2019). Carnival's South Carolina annual cruise shipping volume is approx 220,000 passengers. In Charleston, Carnival Sunshine will replace Carnival Ecstasy (to be relocated to Jacksonville Florida ), while the Jacksonville-homeported Carnival Elation will be repositioned to Port Canaveral FL .

In Dec 2022 CCL announced that between February 2025 and April 2025 Sunshine will be homeported in Norfolk VA. Bookings were opened for the following 4 roundtrip/ex-Norfolk itineraries:

(6-day Bahamas) to North Bimini-Nassau-Freeport, and to Nassau-Half Moon Cay-Freeport
(8-day Eastern Caribbean) to Amber Cove Dominicana-Grand Turk-Princess Cays Bahamas, and to Half Moon Cay-Grand Turk-Amber Cove

Carnival Sunshine - user reviews and comments

Photos of carnival sunshine.

Carnival Sunshine ship related cruise news

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line unveils 2025-2026 schedule, featuring Venezia ship's Bermuda & Eastern...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has finalized its 2025-2026 deployment schedule, announcing the commencement of bookings for a diverse array of summer and...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line unveils ships and itineraries visiting Grand Bahama's new port Celebration...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has commenced the sale of ~400 voyages that visit Celebration Key, its newly developed private cruise port destination in...

Carnival Sunshine cruise ship experiences dangerous storm while sailing back to Charleston SC

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's ship Carnival Sunshine recently experienced a dangerous storm while returning to Charleston SC, causing fear and...

FBI Columbia investigating suspicious death aboard Carnival Sunshine cruise ship

The FBI Columbia SC field office is currently investigating a suspicious death that happened onboard a CCL-Carnival Cruise Line ship homeported in...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line opens bookings for 2025 sailings from Norfolk (Virginia USA)

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line announced that the first series of year-round roundtrips from Norfolk (Virginia USA) are now opening for sale as the company...

Charleston (South Carolina USA) will no longer be serving as a homeport for CCL-Carnival Cruise Line

The South Carolina Ports Authority and the Port of Charleston (South Carolina USA) announced a new redevelopment effort for a part of the waterfront...

7 Carnival cruise ships meet up at sea to celebrate the company’s 50th Birthday

As part of CCL-Carnival Cruise Line’s 50th birthday festivities and the company's Sailabrations cruises, 7 liners, including Breeze, Ecstasy...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line kicks off 50th Birthday via “Sailabrations” voyages

Kicking off year-long 50th birthday festivities, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line revealed details on its “Sailabrations” voyages that will...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line adds more embarkation enhancements

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line announced it would be the largest cruise company to use the VeriFLY solution for its operations from homeports in the United...

Carnival Sunshine returns from first cruise out of Charleston (South Carolina USA)

Continuing its restart, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line resumed passenger operations on January 13 from Charleston SC (South Carolina) ...

show more news

Other Carnival Cruise Line cruise ships

Carnival Breeze
Carnival Celebration
Carnival Conquest
Carnival Dream
Carnival Elation
Carnival Firenze
Carnival Freedom
Carnival Glory
Carnival Horizon
Carnival Jubilee
Carnival Legend
Carnival Liberty
Carnival Luminosa
Carnival Magic
Carnival Mardi Gras
Carnival Miracle
Carnival Panorama
Carnival Paradise
Carnival Pride
Carnival Radiance
Carnival Spirit
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Sunrise
Carnival Valor
Carnival Venezia
Carnival Vista

Carnival Sunshine Wiki

Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade was done in 2013. Sunshine is one of Carnival's "old new" liners, representing a truly grandiose ship transformation project. The old Carnival Destiny ship (1996-buit by Fincantieri Monfalcone ) was extensively (and expensively) drydock refitted and refurbished in Europe ( Trieste Italy ) at the astonishing cost of USD 155 million. The vessel was transformed into a brand new Carnival "Fun Ship 2.0" in 2013 under the sunny and shiny name "Carnival Sunshine". Carnival Destiny had as sisters the CCL ships Triumph (Sunrise since 2019) and Victory (Radiance since 2020) , and also Costa Fortuna and Costa Magica .

Carnival Sunshine (Monfalcone shipyard/hull number 5941) is powered by Wartsila-Sulzer marine diesel engines (models 8ZAV40S and 8ZAL40) generating total power output 63,36 MW.

The Sunshine ship's interior design was done by Partner Design ( Hamburg -based company). Destiny ship's interior design was by Joe Francus. The new ship now features modern amenities, new venues, more dining options, new onboard entertainment program (3 new grand show productions).

As a Destiny-class liner, Carnival Destiny was the world's first cruise ship with GT/weight over 100,000 tons. Carnival Destiny's Inaugural Cruise started on November 24, 1996. Sunshine's Inaugural Cruise started on April 12, 2013 (14-day Mediterranean Venice - Barcelona ).

Carnival Destiny's list of chartered/ themed voyages includes the first-ever "311 Caribbean Cruise" (March 2011), the first-ever "Kiss Kruise" (October 2011) and the first-ever "Weezer Cruise" (January 2012).

Carnival Destiny-Sunshine refurbishment 2013 conversion review

The most extensively-expensive of all (ever) was the Carnival Destiny's drydock refit/transformation. At the staggering cost of USD 155 million, this really extreme makeover produced a brand new Carnival ship in 2013! After its last dry-dock ever (a 49-day refurbishment), the Destiny ship emerged as Carnival Sunshine. This amazing cruise ship transformation was made in the Fincantieri shipyard (Monfalcone, Italy) adding a new partial deck and 2 other decks (in the front section). As a result of the Carnival Destiny renovation, 182 new cabins were added (including 96 spa cabins), all of the ship's other cabins were also refurbished (with a new tropical decor). The list of all major changes includes:

(new) Ji Ji Asian Kitchen (casual restaurant), also were added “Fat Jimmy’s BBQ”, “Cucina del Capitano”, “Fahrenheit 555 SSteakhouse”, “JavaBlue Cafe”, “Shake Spot”, “Guy’s Burger Joint”, “BlueIguana Cantina”/Mexican, “Seaday Brunch”, “The Comfort Kitchen”/Lido, “Havana Bar”/Lido, “Sunshine Bar”, “Alchemy Bar”, “RedFrog Pub”, “Cherry On Top”, “Punchliner”, “Hasbro”
"The Comfort Kitchen" (in the Lido Marketplace)
"Havana Bar" (Lido Marketplace) with floor-ceiling windows
"Sunshine Bar" (Atrium)
a new cigar club (Casino Bar)
CCL fleet's first 3-deck-high Serenity Retreat (adults-only deck) with the Carnival Cloud 9 Spa package .
"SportSquare" (an open-air complex with Ropes Course, Mini-Golf Course, half-size Sports Court/basketball-volleyball-tennis.

During drydock 2018 (October 14-21, in Freeport Bahamas ) were made regularly planned maintenance works.

Drydock 2016 was in the period March 8-20.

In 2021 (October-November) Carnival Sunshine was drydocked at Navantia Shipyard ( Cadiz Spain ), mainly for general maintenance (technical and routine) works and also repainting (received CCL's new livery).

River Cruising

GCT Moscow to St. Petersburg have you done it?

By relevart , January 25, 2006 in River Cruising

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

We took the GCT Russian cruise two years ago. I would not go to Moscow without going inside the Kremlin and the Armory. I don't understand droping that tour from the trip.

We're on the GCT Moscow/St. Petersburg September 6th cruise and have gotten the notification about the tour changes. We were going to do both anyway, so it's just a higher cost.

Anyone else going on this date?

Believe me, no matter what do take the Kremlin tour. If you have no other possibility, I can recommend an excellent local guide for you. I am a Cruise/Tour Director for AVALON and we will have the Kremlin Armory included and this would never be replaced for something else, UNLESS there is an official event going on in the Kremlin on the date you are there. This is the only possibility. The Kremlin regularly closes the doors without good reason (visit of a foreign dignitary or so).

Check this with Granc Circle (that is your cruise company am I right?)

Thank you Heintje. If you could give me the local guide info if he is able to pick us up at the boat I would be grateful. My e-mail address is [email protected] . All the Grand Circle tours have been switched from the Kremlin so I don't know what the problem is.

The name of the guide is IRA, She has been my local guide several times, and is specialized in Kremlin and Armory (also the treasury). She is prefered guide for individual guests of some of Moscows top hotels. Her e-mail address is:[email protected]

When you write her, you can mention that you received her name and address through me: Hendrik Jan from Holland.

I will sent a copy of this message to your e-mail address.

Good luck and let me know if you managed to get in touch with her; [email protected]

4 weeks later...

I am becoming less and less enamored with GCT as time goes on. I sent my Russian visa application to the agency GCT recommended the middle of January, after I called them and asked if I could send it early because I have a 31 day cruise on Orient Lines beginning 3/11. They said yes. Weekly calls and e-mails with promises to get it to me have not been much help. Finally, this week they said it would not be approved until the middle of March because GCT Russia is holding them up, I told them I had sent it to them early because I had an earlier cruise. So, for USD$100 they say I can get it back by March 1. When I e-mailed GCT they said that is why they sent out the Visa application so early. It looks to me like it doesn’t matter when they sent it out but GCT Russia is not going to send the applications in until the middle of March. I was also told by the agency that once the application is approved it would take two weeks for the Embassy in DC to put the Visa in the passport. If I miss my 31 day cruise I will not be happy and it is off to an attorney as I have done everything I can possibly do.

You may want to read the thread on the Frommers site about Grand Circle and their loss of Better Business Bureau Certification.

We have had both good and bad expeiences with GCT. Better to be informed.

http://www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/WebX...2Ft^[email protected]

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Welcome to Cruise Critic
ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
New Cruisers
Cruise Lines “A – O”
Cruise Lines “P – Z”
Cruise Critic News & Features
Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
Special Interest Cruising
Cruise Discussion Topics
UK Cruising
Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Canadian Cruisers
North American Homeports
Ports of Call
Cruise Conversations

Announcements

New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 17 hours ago

LauraS · Started 18 hours ago

LauraS · Started Thursday at 07:37 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 04:48 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 04:19 PM

Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
Find Your Roll Call
Meet & Mingle
Community Help Center
All Activity
Member Photo Albums
Meet & Mingle Photos
Favorite Cruise Memories
Cruise Food Photos
Cruise Ship Photos
Ports of Call Photos
Towel Animal Photos
Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
Write a Review
Live Cruise Reports
Member Cruise Reviews
Create New...

IMAGES

Carnival Sunshine Port Charleston Guide: GPS Driving Directions
Parking at Charleston Cruise Port
Carnival Sunshine
Miami Cruise Port Parking: Where to Park Guide
Carnival Cruise Parking & Services Seattle
Carnival Cruise Galveston Parking

VIDEO

Carnival Sunshine Cruise Ship Departure
Carnival Sunshine Cruise with Fam
October 2023 Carnival Sunshine Back-to-Back 2nd leg Final Sea Day!
October 2023 Carnival Sunshine Back-to-Back 2nd leg Nassau Day!
2014 CARNIVAL SUNSHINE CRUISE
CARNIVAL SUNSHINE CRUISE ENTERTAINMENT 2023

COMMENTS

Cruise Terminal Information and Parking
Cruise Terminal Information and Parking. Airport and Pier Transportation. Air Information. Before You Board. Embarkation Day Check-In. Luggage. Youth and Family. Youth Programs (Under 2 and 2-11 years old) Teen Programs (12-17 years old)
Guide to Charleston Cruise Parking (Where to Park)
The Charleston cruise port offers the most convenient parking option, located right at the port and a short ride aboard a shuttle (or walk) to the ship. Most people elect to park here for their cruise. To reach the lot, you need to enter the port at Gate #2, located north of the port at the intersection of Laurens and Concord Streets.
Charleston Cruise Ship Terminal Directions and Parking
Long-term parking is available on Port property for cruise passenger vehicles in a controlled access areas. The sites are secured and patrolled by Port Police during the cruise. Credit cards, debit cards, money orders are the only accepted forms of payment for cruise parking; cash is not accepted as payment for cruise parking.
Charleston Cruise Port Parking [Onsite & Offsite Cruise Parking]
Onsite Parking at the Charleston Cruise Port. Note: Parking prices are subject to change without notice. Contact the cruise terminal for the most current pricing. Passenger Vehicles - $21/day Over-sized Vehicles (over 20 feet in length) - $50/day. Payment upon arrival by debit card, credit card, money order only. NOTE: Cash is not accepted.
Cruise Parking
The sites are secured and patrolled by Port Police during the cruise. The vehicle parking fee chart for standard size vehicles up to 20 feet length is $21.00 per day: 4 day $84.00. 5 day $105.00. 6 day $126.00. 7 day $147.00. 10 day $210.00. The parking fee for over-sized vehicles over 20 feet length (campers, RVs, buses) is $50.00 per day.
Carnival Sunshine Port Charleston Guide: GPS Driving ...
A quick helpful guide to show you what directions to put into your GPS to get to the Cruise Parking Lot, discover how much it costs per day, and see where yo...
Parking at Charleston Cruise Port
.We love to travel, and cruising is one of our favorite ways to explore the beautiful world God created. In this video we show you the ease of boarding when ...
Must-Know Guide on Port of Charleston Parking
The Park and Go airport parking lot is located further away from the port but is much more affordable at about $10 a day. This parking option is secured and monitored 24/7 and offers a convenient ...
Embarkation Day Step by Step
Today is Cruise Day! Cruising out of Charleston, SC on the Carnival Sunshine. Follow along and we'll show step by step, the embarkation day process.And, As A...
PDF Address & Directions Cruising From Charleston Parking
How do I get from the Cruise Terminal to the parking area? Complimentary shuttle buses will take you back to the parking areas on port property. Your luggage will go with you via the ... For Carnival Cruise Lines that is Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services: 843/958-8255. Is there anywhere that the port I can leave my luggage
Carnival Sunshine
Duration. On Carnival Sunshine, everything the sunlight touches has been drenched with an extra dose of fun. Spend your days in the warm rays and enjoy all the fun a cruise ship has to offer. See photos, deck plans, staterooms, onboard activities, and itinerary options. Book your Carnival Sunshine cruise today!
Carnival Cruise Port Charleston Parking in
Clearance Pay & Display Restrooms RV Parking Semi Truck Parking Tailgating Permitted Unobstructed Validation Video Monitoring Zip Car. Open Full Map. Find & reserve a discount parking spot near Carnival Cruise Port Charleston. Use our map. Book online for as low as $5 to save time & money when you park.
5 Best Carnival Sunshine Cruise Tips
Carnival Sunshine's Serenity -- the line's dedicated adults-only sun deck-- is one of the largest on any Carnival ship. Sunbathers 18 and over get three decks, tucked away at the front of the ship ...
Carnival Sunshine cruise ship review: What to expect on board
Carnival's oldest ship and part of the line's Sunshine Class of reimagined vessels, Carnival Sunshine has the "Fun Ship 2.0" upgrades that bring it in line with newer Carnival ships. Modern amenities and an unpretentious environment dovetail nicely aboard Sunshine, and the updated restaurants, bars and public spaces make you feel like you're on ...
41 Carnival Sunshine Tips and Secrets
2. Deck three has some of the best "quiet spots" on board. Watching the sunset from deck three on Carnival Sunshine. There are times when we want to socialize with the crowd by the pool and ...
Carnival Sunshine Cruise Ship Review
Very Good. Carnival Sunshine is the result of a 2012 massive, $155 million, 49-day transformation that saw the former Carnival Destiny completely overhauled and renamed. The changes to the ship ...
Carnival Sunshine Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review
The 1996-built/2013-reconstructed Carnival Sunshine cruise ship was initially named "Carnival Destiny". After a major refurbishment in 2013 (USD155 million drydock), the vessel was renamed Sunshine. As class, Carnival Sunshine was the first of three Destiny-class Carnival ships - together with Victory-Radiance and Triumph-Sunrise. Today, the ...
GCT M/S Tikhi Don
GCT M/S Tikhi Don - St. Petersburg to Moscow, River Cruising
Cruises
Designated cruise parking for Carnival passengers is located at the Cedar Grove lot (1000 Monticello Avenue). The parking rate is $15.00/day for passenger cars (up to 15 passenger vans) payable upon entry by cash or credit card. The lot will open for parking at 10 a.m. Shuttle buses will be provided to deliver passengers to the terminal ...
Charleston Cruise Port Parking & Embarkation Process 2023
Charleston Cruise Port Parking & Embarkation Process 2023 - Carnival SunshineUnion Pier Terminal32 Washington StreetCharleston SCCRUISE ESSENTIALS / Amazon A...
Best of Moscow by high speed train
Sure would appreciate someone who has taken Best of Moscow by high speed train from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day. Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also wha...
GCT Moscow to St. Petersburg have you done it?
Believe me, no matter what do take the Kremlin tour. If you have no other possibility, I can recommend an excellent local guide for you. I am a Cruise/Tour Director for AVALON and we will have the Kremlin Armory included and this would never be replaced for something else, UNLESS there is an official event going on in the Kremlin on the date you are there.
14 Night Imperial Russia Cruise from Moscow
See details and pricing for the Scenic Tsar 14 Night Imperial Russia Cruise sailing September 26, 2021 from Moscow. Book Scenic Cruises online or call 1-800-427-8473 - iCruise.com

Cruise Terminal Information and Parking

Travel Documentation and Online Check-in

Getting There

Before You Board

Youth and Family

Things to Know

Onboard Celebrations

Dining and Beverages

Onboard Communication

Money and Gratuities

Shipboard Health and Safety

Debarkation - After Your Cruise

Search Results

Link to a URL Cruise Terminal Information and Parking

Guide to Charleston Cruise Parking (Where to Park)

Official Port Parking (At the Ship)

Park & Go Charleston Cruise Port Parking

Hotels with Cruise Parking

Frequently Asked Questions

More on Cruising From Charleston

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

What I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Nassau on a Cruise

Itineraries

Have Fun. Be Safe

Travel Documentation and Online Check-in

Getting There

Before You Board

Youth and Family

Things to Know

Onboard Celebrations

Dining and Beverages

Onboard Communication

Money and Gratuities

Shipboard Health and Safety

Debarkation - After Your Cruise

Charleston Cruise Ship Terminal Directions and Parking

Was this answer helpful?

Charleston Cruise Parking

Onsite Parking at the Charleston Cruise Port

Off-Site Charleston Cruise Port Parking

Carnival Sunshine ®

INSIDE THIS SHIP

YOUR STATEROOM

Interior with Picture Window (Walkway View)

Interior with Picture Window (Obstructed View)

Premium Vista Balcony

Premium Balcony

Cloud 9 Spa Balcony

Aft-View Extended Balcony

Captain's Suite

Grand Suite

Cloud 9 Spa Suite

Ocean Suite

ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

TAG & THEY'RE IT!

Carnival Sunshine cruise ship review: What it’s like to cruise on Carnival’s oldest ship

Overview of Carnival Sunshine

What I loved about Carnival Sunshine

The festive atmosphere

What I didn't love about Carnival Sunshine

Limited electrical outlets in cabins

Carnival Sunshine cabins and suites

Carnival Sunshine restaurants and bars

Restaurants

Carnival Sunshine activities

Carnival Sunshine shows

Carnival Sunshine itineraries and pricing

What to know before you go

Carry-on drinks policy

Smoking policy

Electrical outlets

Drinking age

Bottom line

41 Carnival Sunshine Tips and Secrets

Doug Parker

1. There are “secret” staterooms on board.

2. Deck three has some of the best “quiet spots” on board.

3. The atrium is wonderfully old-school.

4. Havana Bar is a perfect lunch spot.