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Carnival Sunshine
December 2012
A Ray of Sunshine in the Caribbean
Part Two
Lido Fun
The heart of Carnival Sunshine is certainly her vast multi-deck Atrium, but the area sure to dazzle most passengers is the incredible Beach Lido Pool. The central pool deck itself is somewhat typical with its "Carnival's Seaside Theater" flanked by the Red Frog Rum Bar and Blue Iguana Bar poolside, tiered decks of loungers, two hot tubs, and a 270-square foot screen overhead for showing full length movies, concerts, and on board programming. However, just one deck up is the triple deck Serenity area for adults-only relaxation where you'll find plush padded lounge chairs, shaded cabana-style loungers, a bar for refreshments, a pool with a waterfall, a hot tub, and total tranquility.
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| Beach Lido Pool |
Adults-only Serenity Decks |
Aft and one deck up from the Lido Deck is the splash-tastic WaterWorks where there are water sprays, water jets, and the longest twister slide in the Carnival that looks like a lot of fun. No age groups get left out—twin racing slides are sized for younger cruisers. On the periphery, moms and dads can watch their children from the shade of seating areas, or they can join in.
Nearby is the Sports Square, featuring an outdoor fitness challenge that tests your courage and agility—the SkyCourse, the ropes course overhead. The challenging attraction offers fun and adventure, along with expansive views of the sea below. On the SkyCourse, you strap into a safety harness and choose from a beginner or intermediate course, traversing across rope bridges, swinging steps, and beams suspended above the top deck.
You can also get pumped up in the Sky Fitness area that features fitness equipment. For a run in the sun and fresh sea air, a jogging path surrounds the entire area. There is also a lighted multi-purpose space for basketball, volleyball, and soccer, along with a multiiple-station Vita exercise course, a two level mini-golf course, and ping pong, pool, and foosball tables at Sports Court. If you'd rather relax and just check out the sports action in the area, SportSquare also has a full bar and a hot dog stand if you get hungry.
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| SportSquare With SkyCourse Above |
WaterWorks Splash-tastic Fun |
Public Areas
Inside, the Liquid Lounge, anchors two forward decks. Tiered seating provides good sight lines on all levels and views of the stage are obstructed by few columns. After production shows, it's the hottest dance spot aboard.
The promenade on Deck 5 and mezzanine on Deck 4 connect the entries to a variety of lounges and public rooms, each with a distinctive style and all reflective of the fun things in life:
- • Ocean Plaza is the heart of the promenade action—an indoor piazza-like space adjacent to the Alchemy Bar with plenty of seating for afternoon games, and evening dancing to a live combo.
• Java Blue Cafe & Shake Spot, the promenade patisserie and specialty coffee and tea bar, with an adjacent snack bar at the center of Ocean Plaza.
• RedFrog Pub, where the ambiance is decidedly British-West-Indies-meets-Key-West with a touch of nautical mixed in—wood details are accented with portholes and ships-at-sea artwork. It’s the perfect spot to kick back with a piña colada, local island brews, and top-shelf Caribbean rums. The laidback island vibe of the pub’s décor is a nod to Carnival Magic’s Caribbean itineraries. There's only indoor seating in the fleet's largest signature pub.
• Piano Bar 88, features a sophisticated "martini bar" club feel.
• Fun Hub Internet Cafe to surf the Internet if you didn't bring your own laptop to capture the ship-wide WiFi signal (even available in cabins). You'll also find Fun Hub kiosks throughout Carnival Sunshine's public areas.
• Limelight Lounge, the show lounge where the Comedy Club and SuperStar Karaoke are regular features.
Casino & Bar, where winners find good luck and losers still have a good rime.
Cherry on Top is a gift boutique—a confection shop with bins of bulk candy, fun-and-fanciful gifts, novelties, and colorful custom apparel. Shopaholics need not worry, all the traditional jewelry, perfume and cosmetics, and logo items are still stocked in other shops onboard. Sale tables still appear in the passageways outside the shops.
• The Library Bar with a modest selection of books and board games and an intimate bar for late night cocktails or a glass of wine from the serve-yourself dispensers.
• The Warehouse, the expansive gaming center for all ages.
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For Active Lifestyles
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Staffed by Steiner Leisure, the Cloud 9 Spa on Deck 10 boasts a full menu of salon treatments and spa indulgences. For those who can't miss a daily workout, the Gym sports state-of-the art equipment and a wide range of exercise classes. For sheer serenity, the spa's thallasotherapy pool is a haven where day passes for the thermal sanctuary, which includes the therapy pool as well as the thermal suite and relaxation area, are available. If you aren’t into scented steam rooms and the spa’s other sensory delights, you don’t have to miss out on a sauna after your workout. There are complimentary saunas for men and women in changing rooms adjacent to the gym.
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Carnival Sunshine For Kids
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With record numbers of families setting sail on cruise vacations, Carnival Sunshine's Camp Carnival counselors are prepared. The spacious play area is dedicated to delighting youngsters with structured activities tailored for specific age groups. Toys, games, computers... and, most importantly, the trained counselors—Camp Carnival provides an entertaining, educational, and safe environment for kid-fun.
Camp Carnival’s Night Owls program is a relatively new take on babysitting and features movies, games, and snacks. On specific nights, special late night parties are offered between 10pm and 3am for different age groups, with dancing on the customized dance floor, fun snacks, giveaways, and more. Fees apply.
Carnival Sunshine also boasts a "Circle C" club. Gaming pods, plasma screen TVs, a juke box, and dance floor set the scene for parties, movie nights, and other activities that appeal to the 12- to 14-year old 'tween set.
Teenagers 15 to 17 years old can opt to participate in a wide range of sports, dance parties, and entertainment options offered in the Club O2 program or simply hang out with new-found pals in the adult-free 2,740-square foot teen game room/dance club.
For the entire family, The Warehouse is a great arcade with games for the entire family to play together.
The Carnival Sunshine Experience...
Should satisfy the tastes of even the pickiest passenger—there's a little something to appeal to everyone. When you're not ashore exploring the ports of call, if nothing appeals to you, there's always your private balcony, a quiet corner to read, or a deck chair from which to contemplate the sea.
What You WILL Find:
- Activities to suit a wide range of interests for all ages
- Tasty meals, creatively presented
- Service by a friendly staff
- Numerous triple and quad staterooms suitable for families
- Attention to accessibility for the physically challenged
- Well stocked duty free shops
- A computer center and ship-wide WiFi connectivity for laptop users
- Huge, well-equipped areas for children, pre-teens, and teenagers
- A spacious Spa, Salon, and Health Club
- Some of the most professional entertainment afloat, presented by the Carnival Sunshine production team and guest performers
- Self-service passenger laundry rooms with ironing facilities
- Stroller rentals and group babysitting services
- Fountain Fun Cards for children and adults, which provide unlimited soft drinks throughout the cruise for a one-time, flat fee
- Gratuities are automatically added to all accounts, but can be adjusted as deemed appropriate
- Fun, fun, fun!
What You WON'T Find:
Fast Stats
- 102,853 tons
- 893 feet long
- 116 feet wide
- Speed 21 knots
- 3,006 guests, double occupancy
- 3,758 total guest capacity (all berths, including uppers)
FUN Permeates Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Sunshine will reposition to homeport in Port Canaveral, Florida for year-round 5- to 8-day Caribbean departures beginning in April 2014.
Back to --> Carnival Sunshine (Part 1)
Images © CruiseDiva.com/Serenity Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines
Cruise Diva's Blog Highlights from the Carnival Sunshine inaugural season from New Orleans:
• At Home Aboard Carnival Sunshine
• Welcome Aboard a More Spacious Carnival Sunshine
• Join the Fun & Games on Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Sunshine Dining Options
• Carnival Sunshine is So Entertaining
• Brunch is a Hit on Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Cruise Line - Cruise Reviews
Carnival Cruise Line Profile
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