carnival sunshine Archives - Mom's Guide To Travel

Carnival cruise line is known industry-wide as the fun ship, the boat for vacationers looking for budget-friendly cruises and a party. The company embraces and lives up to its’ name. I have a lot to say about the ship and its renovations but right now I want to tell you about what it’s like traveling solo on the Carnival Sunshine.

On my last Carnival vacation, I cruised with a friend to the Caribbean. This time around I traveled solo, an experience I never thought I’d have, yet a product of being a travel writer. Apprehensive at first, what I can say after six days in a cabin by myself is that it was an absolute delight. I’ve learned that a cruise isn’t a bad way to get some A+ quiet time.

The Carnival Sunshine provides a fun experience even for solo travelers. The inaugural sailing from New Orleans is one to be remembered. From crew members to passengers, everyone on board exuded excitement and genuine friendliness. Part of this could be due to the allure of the new ship and part of it could be to the fact that most of the people were from the Gulf Coast and nearby states, where generally speaking, people tend to be pretty friendly. I think overall everyone was happy to be there. That’s what vacation should be about anyway.

What struck me most about the Sunshine, in comparison to other Carnival ships that I’ve been on, is that the ship never felt over-crowded. Even with 15% more cabins and party-goers everywhere, there were still ample places to “hide”.

Two of my favorite places, other than when I was off the ship exploring, were the Library Bar where I could bring a book or borrow one in the ship’s collection. The self-serve wine machine was pretty cool, efficient and innovative. All you needed was your Sign and Sail card to have a glass dispensed for you, whether it was a taste for $3 or a full glass for $8. No waiting for a bartender necessary.

My other favorite place was the Cloud 9 Spa. The spa had three thermal suites, a sauna, two rain showers, heated tile-covered lounge chairs overlooking the sea, and a separate relaxation area for guests to enjoy. Even with the spa being “full” on the last sea day, I never felt claustrophobic or like I was bumping elbows with anyone.

The Sunshine underwent a $155 million renovation to transform itself from the Carnival Destiny to its new identity. It’s the first ship to do a refurb of this nature. Talk about recycling. The ship has twenty new branded-spaces – in addition to an expanded gym, a larger spa and an adults-only Serenity deck, completely on the opposite side of the ship away from the new consolidated kids’ area.

A wide range of dining options are available. The general Lido area, two dining rooms, four restaurants, and three other food stations including Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint ensured there were enough dining choices so that cruisers never got bored with the menu. I ate dinners with other press members and on sea days took my lunch in the room while I worked, the deli being my go-to spot for lunch.

Overall, my vacation on the Sunshine gave me options, exactly what any traveler wants. To sum it up, key things to do solo: the spa, the Library bar, the gym, exploring the ship, shopping. I could relax in a quiet space, dine with the masses, or party through the night, all on the same vacation and within the same day.

Disclosure: I was a guest of Carnival Cruises to preview the Sunshine. I was not compensated for this post, all opinions expressed are my own.

Hundreds of flip flops, baseball caps, straw hats, sunglasses and tote bags pass through South and North terminal along Grand Cayman’s Harbour Drive, in search of jewelry deals, excursion transfers, Margaritaville or some other tourist-trap island bar. The streets in this part of town are busy with cars and bodies working to navigate through the dense traffic, whether human or mechanical.

A quiet church and a small museum are peaceful escapes from the commotion. Historic sites don’t rank high on the average cruise-goer’s Cayman Islands To Do List.

If you’re visiting Grand Cayman on a cruise like the Carnival Sunshine or you happen to be there on a multi-day vacation with the family, make sure you stop at the Cayman Islands National Museum. I missed this cute little building on my previous visit to the island with my family but this time around I was looking for something low key and inexpensive to do.

I’ve already been to Turtle Farm with the kids, seen enough sting rays in my life, have enough jewelry in my drawer at home, and wasn’t interested in 7 mile beach or visiting Hell agin.

The National Museum is one of the oldest structures on the island. Surviving storms, time and hurricanes, it’s one of the last buildings from the 19th century remaining on the island. Inside you’ll get a glimpse into the story of the Cayman people.

A 15-minute movie at the beginning of your museum tour educates on the island’s history and natural world. For the first time, I learned that no evidence of natives were found on the island and that Columbus may have actually discovered a place that didn’t already have inhabitants. (Hub is skeptical but that’s a debate for another day.)

The National Museum is both budget and time-friendly. Inside the museum you’ll find interactive exhibits where you can learn about Cayman history, marine life, birds and other native animal species at the touch of a button.

If you have a pretty face and happen to be on your own, you may even gain the attention and one-on-one tour of Alfred, the resident handyman of the museum who blessed me with sly complements and insight into his love life. Or you may attract the bright cheery smile of young Michael as he checks on you through two or three rooms to make sure “ev’ry ting alright?”.

Other than resident Casanovas, the museum has two floors and six spaces to explore including the theater, a natural history gallery, an old goal (jail), a cultural history gallery, a changing gallery and a children’s gallery. The gift shop is the first space that you’ll enter, a small room filled with reasonably-priced jewelry and other culturally-inspired finds.

Admission is $8 for adults, $3 for children (6-12), and $5 for seniors.

The tour of the museum will last you no more than an hour. Overall, it’s a peaceful break from the crowds and consumerism on Harbour Drive as well as a colorful introduction to the Cayman Islands.

Traveling Solo On The Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Sunshine, On-Foot Excursion: Cayman Islands National Museum

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