Carnival Cruise Line’s, Carnival Sunshine, recently returned from her first sailing since her $155 million refurbishment and although not all passenger reviews were full of sunshine (pardon the pun) the overall reaction seems to be very positive.

She did however experience some teething issues, her WaterWorks water park and SportsSquare recreational area were still undergoing final finishing work during the cruise, and the main Lido pool was closed due to technical issues. Guests also complained about problems with their cabins. A Carnival Spokeswoman said “As is sometimes the case with both new ships and major refurbishments, some minor issues are being reported with guest staterooms and those are being addressed on an individual basis,”

I say she ‘returned from her refurbishment’ but I don’t know if you could even call it a refurbishment to be honest. The transformation of this ship was incredible! She was re-built right before our eyes.

With her being back on the open ocean where she belongs and being back in full service I wanted to take the time to let you know what you can now expect on board. As I said, the majority of passenger comments seem positive and I think the following run-down makes it clear why!

 Dining Choices

• Ji Ji Asian Kitchen, a stunning new full-service restaurant featuring an extensive menu of delicacies from the Far East, all enjoyed amidst striking Asian-inspired interiors

• Guy’s Burger Joint, a free-of-charge poolside venue developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries

• Cucina del Capitano, offering Italian favourites and new Carnival classics served family-style in an engaging atmosphere reminiscent of a cozy Italian home

• BlueIguana Cantina, a complimentary poolside Mexican eatery where guests can enjoy authentic, freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas

• JavaBlue Café, offering lattes, cappuccinos and other caffeinated favourites, as well as “spiked” coffees made with liqueurs, and deliciously decadent confections

• Pizzeria del Capitano, an expansion of Cucina del Capitano offering five varieties of hand-tossed artisanal-style pizza, all available free of charge 24 hours a day

• Fahrenheit 555, a classic American steakhouse offering mouth-watering steaks, gourmet appetizers, entrees and desserts, with impeccable service and understated ambiance

• Shake Spot, the ideal “chill” spot where guests can enjoy hand-crafted milkshakes and floats, including “adult versions” of the frozen confections, available with fun toppings

Outdoor Fun and Relaxation

• Carnival’s first three-deck-high Serenity adults-only retreat, offering plush chaise lounges and chairs, a whirlpool, a waterfall, a pool, and, of course, magnificent sea views

• SportSquare, an open-air recreation complex that includes a ropes course, mini-golf course, a basketball court, jogging track, ping pong, foosball and pool tables, and more

• WaterWorks, an expansive water park with 40 interactive water features, a gigantic drenching bucket, five different slides including the new racing-themed Speedway Splash, and a 334-foot-long Twister slide, the longest in the “Fun Ship” fleet

• Carnival’s Seaside Theatre, a 270-square-foot LED screen displaying nightly movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming

Raising the Bar

• RedFrog Pub, featuring the Caribbean’s best rums and beers – including Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red – enjoyed in a distinct British-West-Indies-meets-Key-West atmosphere

• BlueIguana Tequila Bar, a fun and festive outdoor watering hole offering a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere and tequila-based frozen drinks and beers

• EA SPORTS Bar, where guests can catch live sporting events, check out scores on the real-time 24/7 sports ticker, and play the latest EA SPORTS video games

• Alchemy Bar, a vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy” with mixologists who “prescribe” concoctions from different elixirs and ingredients

• RedFrog Rum Bar, a poolside adaptation of the RedFrog Pub offering the quintessential Caribbean vacation vibe with refreshing Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers

• The Library Bar, a warm and cozy venue offering self-serve wine dispensers and full bar service for those seeking a more intimate spot for before- or after-dinner drinks

• Havana Bar, which by day serves as a gathering spot for Cuban coffee and snacks, then at night transforms into a Latin-inspired courtyard for classic Cuban cocktails, music and dancing

Captivating Entertainment

• Playlist Productions, which combines captivating live performances of recognizable pop and rock songs and spectacular special effects to create enthralling music revues

• Hasbro, The Game Show, featuring larger-than-life adaptations of the company’s iconic and popular games and presented in the totally transformed Liquid Lounge

• The Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez, featuring a line-up of hilarious, laugh-out-loud comedians, part of the line’s partnership with the popular comedian, who serves as Carnival’s “curator of comedy”

With all of the above to experience and the selection of dining venues on offer it suddenly becomes very tempting indeed!

Author: Danielle – Info courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

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