Carnival Sunshine
March 23 – March 30, 2019
Austell – Jacksonville – Port Canaveral – Grand Turk (Turks & Caico’s) – Amber Cove (Dominican Republic) – Port Canaveral – Savannah
In the Beginning
Our friends, Bill and Teresa Smith, have been talking about wanting to take a cruise with us for the past two years. Bill is Pastor in Powder Springs, and we have known he and Teresa since meeting them at church years ago, then enjoying annual visits to Jacksonville Pastor’s Conference with us for several years. Over the past year they have become our Thursday night double date night buddies. Good friends are a gift from God and we treasure their friendship. Now it was time to stop talking about “We would like to take a trip with you guys sometime” and start planning – for real.
Last year (2018), we sat down together and looked at available cruises – something reasonably short and close by for their first experience. Finally, we decided on the Carnival Sunshine for Five nights out of Port Canaveral, Florida, headed to the Eastern Caribbean on March 24, 2019. Deposits made – we were really doing this – I was so excited (for them and for us to travel with them on their first cruise).
Pre-Cruise
Faster to the Fun (booked), Cabana for Grand Turk (booked – no this is not a luxury for us, it’s a necessity for me who loves the sun and my husband who hates the sand and burns at the mention of the word, Sun), Private Van Tour in Amber Cove, Bottomless Bubbles Cards bought (for everyone but me and I bought cruise cash bi-weekly for 6 months for pictures and milkshakes and smoothies), and Pre-paid Tips – we are all set.
Let’s Get this Party Started – March 23, 2019
Weeks before the trip, we decided that we would make the drive to Port Canaveral in Bill and Teresa’s roomy new Buick Enclave. It’s a good thing, also, because Dennis’ Ram that we often travel in had to be put in the shop for a motor repair a few days before our trip. A lot going on with work and a sudden mid-back problem I developed about 10 days before the cruise, and I didn’t finish packing until the night before our trip (for those of you who follow my blogs – you know that is RARE for me – a stress factor I do not like).
Bill and Teresa honked about 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning and we came a -runnin (a Quiet Man reference for you John Wayne fans -lol). We quickly loaded the car and headed for our first stop in Jacksonville, Florida.
Yes, we could have driven all they way to Port Canaveral, but we are semi-old and quite frankly, didn’t want to. Marriott loves travel agents so we got a really good deal also on rooms there. A little after noon, we were passing through Valdosta.
Trivia Question for those who know us or who follow DP Family Travel Blogs. Anyone want to guess where we ate for lunch?
Yep, you got it. Sonny’s BBQ on exit 18 – here we come. We truly might eat elsewhere on a trip South on I-75, but Sonny’s closed all the locations near where we live and it is a favorite of Dennis.
A little before 4:00, we arrived in Jacksonville and found our lodging for the night, Residence Inn by Marriott, off Butler Blvd at I-95. My turn to decide what’s for dinner so we headed out about 6:00 p.m. toward the beach – “Salt Life Café”. Love this little restaurant about 4 blocks from the beach that we found a couple of years ago. They have the best Tropical Shrimp Dinner (Grilled glazed Teriyaki Shrimp on a skewer with tomato’s and pineapple and tropical rice) , and it didn’t disappoint either. (Dennis, Teresa and I ordered that for our dinner and Teresa and I loved it (Dennis doesn’t care for “sauce” so he was not impressed). Bill had a Tropical Shrimp Bowl (a little different than mine and Teresa’s) and let’s just say, there was not one drop left – loved it.
You Are My Sunshine – March 24 – EMBARKATION DAY
Up early on Sunday, Luggage tags on, and the car packed. We found a nearby McDonalds, Coffee (for me) Diet Coke and Coke’s for everyone else and Egg McMuffins (or something similar). Now – let’s go South and get me to the Ship! I had my camera ready and as soon as we neared the bridge off of 95 toward the port, the bright red and white funnel shone bright in the distance. As we got closer, I snapped a quick picture of her face at the sight of our beautiful “Sunshine”, but I should have waited until we got a little closer, because it changed from the “studying” the overall ship and port in awe, to “pure excitement”.
Dennis (driving) let Teresa and I out and a porter took all of our luggage, then he and Bill parked the car in the Port Parking Garage. Bill got so excited he forgot to get the parking ticket out of the car (you need to bring with you so that you can pay at the kiosk before retrieving your car upon return) and had to walk back to the car. Finally, we entered the Port Canaveral Terminal and walked right through with a quick flash of our passports and birth certificates, and a quick security picture made. No line, no waiting – it’s so nice when you have Faster to the Fun – totally worth it for us. One day I will be Platinum and not need it (I’m about 32 cruise days away) but for now – I’m thankful Carnival offers this nice perk for a price (I love being able to go straight to my room and unpack almost immediately).
Stopping for our Embarkation picture (we don’t always do this – but it is our first cruise with the Smith’s, so this deserves a memory), we then quickly boarded the ship. We purposefully paused once inside the Lobby on Deck Three (3) to let them absorb the “AHHH” moment of the First Time on a Cruise Ship. Bill and Teresa bought Carnival Lanyards for their room key (which would be found on our Stateroom door). I am writing this blog on the day we left the ship (debark) so it is a little hard to remember, but I think I remember Teresa’s first comment being “it’s all a little overwhelming…”. We quickly found our room on Deck 2 – 2216 (ours) and 2212 (next door – Bill and Teresa) OceanView, put down our carry-on and headed to Deck Nine (9) for a date with a burger – “Guys Burger” that is. YUM-O!! I don’t usually care much for hamburgers at home – but his is a whole different experience (ok – maybe it’s the ship atmosphere thrown in too – but they are sooo good)! I did find a new Virgin frozen drink that I love and is my new favorite “ Kiss on the Lips” – much lighter than a Pina Colada. Had several this week! Yum.
I then took Bill on the most important walk of the trip – from Guys Burger Bar to the Ice-Cream Machine (about 50 steps away). He memorized every step and NEVER ever got lost on that walk – about 70 times over the next five days!! Ha – not really, but he did enjoy his Ice Creams and Milk Shakes (me too) and had quite a few. Remember I said we are on the way home while I am writing this part of the blog? He’s still crying about no ice cream today, we obviously have to find a DQ soon.
We sat on the Lido deck overlooking the port while we ate and people watched for a while, then went back to the room to unpack and settle in. Three-Thirty brought the mandated Safety Drill where I pointed out another important use of the Scripture that goes something like, “ The first shall be last and the last shall be first”. So a quick tip from DP Family Travel – when on a cruise, try to be one of the LAST people outside for the Muster Drill (Safety) – You’ll thank me later. Dennis and I walked ahead of Bill and Teresa, and I looked back as we were suddenly in the midst of a hundred or so of our new neighbors, and they had gotten stopped a few feet back from us and pulled into the line at a different point – I didn’t have time to yell out for Dennis in all the noise of people talking, so I just stopped and turned around to go find our friends, as I knew they would not have a clue where to go or what to do when the drill was finished. I found them, tucked myself in the line behind Teresa and quickly texted Dennis my location and where to meet us after. Fairly painless and extremely quick as Muster Drills go (told you the last will be first…) and then we were free to go and really begin our vacation now.
Our first dinner in the dining room, we went over all the Cruise “eating” rules – Yes, you can order two appetizers’, (or all of them if you want), yes, you can order two entrée’s and desserts too. I think we had to say that over again, because the first time it was a little disbelief. Bill, Teresa, and I had the lightly battered Shrimp the first night and of course I had to recommend the obligatory “Warm, Chocolate, Melting Cake”; and as most people do – they loved it!
We were going to the Comedy Club after dinner, but it was only the “Mature Audience” one showing that night, then we tried watching a movie but we were still close to Port Canaveral and the wind was blowing fairly strong and it was uncomfortably cold, so we only stayed about 20 minutes. There was a Welcome Aboard Show at 9:30 in the Theatre so we found a seat, settled in and laughed until we cried. Mikey is the Cruise Director for the Carnival Sunshine and he is hilarious, probably an 8 out of 10 on my CD rating scale. My personal favorite, out of 13 cruises, is “Emma” who ran the Sunshine before Mikey. We missed Matt Mitchem (CD) the year we were on the “BREEZE” (2015), and many say he was one of the best, ever (he was on vacation) – So for now we’ll say John Heald may have been the best that’s ever been and Emma a close second.
Well, it was a very long and exciting day – time for bed and a very still sea during the night.
Cruise Day Two – March 25
“Ping Pong Gone Wild”
Breakfast in the Dining Room for our first Sea Day, up and headed to the Dining Room around 8:00 a.m. Bill and I had an omelet, Teresa and Dennis had eggs and bacon and toast. I also had French toast rolled in and topped with honey nut cheerio’s (don’t judge – it was good LOL). Drinks were a round of chocolate milk for everyone but me, and I had coffee. The coffee in the dining room is quiet good – the buffet, umm NO. When at the buffet my drink of choice for breakfast is the Orange Passion Guava Juice – so good!
After breakfast, we went out on deck (10th) to the Water Works (slides – we only watched) and to Sports Square. We tried Pool for a few minutes but the wind was pretty strong as the ship moved at a quick pace today and the balls would not stay in place long enough to hit them. We laughed and moved on as we walked through the area and watched a few youth on the ropes course above. Making our way around the ship, I stopped at the ping pong table and grabbed paddles for everyone. We played doubles, the best we could while the tiny while plastic ball was grabbed by the wind every time one of us would miss. When the ball would land on the deck, as we would bend over to pick it up, the wind would blow it just beyond reach – we must have looked like something out of a Three Stooges comedy – it was hilarious and we laughed almost uncontrollably at times. Looking back on this scene now, the funny thing is that we kept trying. Once we were exhausted from the laughter and chasing the ball, we decided to try going up to the top deck and play a-round of Putt-Putt.
Now, I know what you are thinking if the ping-pong ball blows around on deck 10, then what makes us think it would be any less windy on Deck 11 ? We each got a ball, and our clubs and headed up the stairs to the course. Dennis went first. He placed his ball on the starter mat and it rolled (or blew); quickly grabbing it, he finally hit it and before it made it through the little divided building type structure, it rolled back down. We chased it down and he finally got it onto the second half hole # 1. Whew, that took a while – my turn. Same type scenario, but I did get mine through, then finally Bill and Teresa. By the time we moved to the 2nd hole, we all held our colored ball in the air and proclaimed, “that’s enough – this isn’t working”.
We ate lunch in the buffet this afternoon. Teresa and I got yummy Pasta from Cucina Del Capitano as well as joining the others from a few items off the buffet. After lunch we played a couple of games of Trivia in Ocean Plaza on deck Five (5) and on the 2nd game (Trivial Pursuit), Teresa and I won, finally, after 13 cruises for me, the coveted, 24 carat gold plastic Ship on a Stick. I was so excited, you would think I had just won a $100 gift certificate. I will proudly display it at home.
After all that excitement, Dennis and Bill each went to their respective cabins for a nap and Teresa and I changed to go out to the Serenity Deck and grab a chair in the sun to catch some zzzz’s. I love the three (3) deck Serenity area on the Sunshine with the waterfall pool. Roomy and pretty, but that pool is always ice cold – so I’ll just stay put in my chair today. I stayed about an hour then came back to shower and get ready for Formal Night.
We stopped by a few photo stations on the way to dinner, then made our way to the Dining Room. No Lobster on a Five Night Cruise, but the Jumbo Shrimp was very good. After dinner we had a little down time before the evening show, so we stopped by the Library and played a few board games. We then headed to the Liquid Lounge (main theatre) for the evening entertainment and one of my favorite Carnival playlist – Motor City Show & Motown Showdown. The singers tonight are definitely the best we have ever heard from Carnival entertainers; excellent.
Another long day – a few ice-creams and Vanilla MilkShakes with Caramel; time for sleep.
Cruise Day Three – March 26
The Long and Winding Road to Grand Turk
Up early, Swimsuits and coverups on, and a quick buffet breakfast for Dennis, Bill and Teresa, and I made a quick detour by the Blue Iguana for a breakfast burrito and joined them at our favorite eating spot in the Havana Bar (back of the ship) area. Around 8:45 a.m. we were allowed to go ashore. I walked on ahead to Margaritaville to check-in for our Pool Cabana’s. It’s a LONG walk and Teresa has had knee surgery so needed to take it a little slower.
The port here really needs to provide the pedicabs like they have in Cozumel and Amber Cove. I was the first one at the check-in stand and our waitress, Yumel, opened Cabana # 1 for me, made sure the air condition was on and handed me the keys. Dennis and I love the Cabana’s here just steps from the largest Margarita pool in the Caribbean and plenty of chaise lounges, both at the pool and on our private porch. Teresa and I swam in the pool for a while, then I ventured down to the beach and hit my favorite place – The ocean was calling and I had to answer. I love the beach and ocean area in Grand Turk, crystal clear today with warm, still water to splash and play in about shoulder level where I was comfortable. Our Carnival ship was only about 100 yards away at the nearby dock. Some passengers walked down the path about a half mile to Jack’s Shack and played in the soft sand and surf there away from the crowds.
After about 45 minutes in the ocean, I walked back to our cabana, rinsed off in the shower, went for a quick dip in the pool again, then found a chair in front of our place where Dennis, and Bill were taking a nap on the front porch in lounge chairs. Teresa and I opted for the warmth of the direct sun.
Lunch time, we rang for our pool butler, once we had looked through the menu, and ordered lunch from Margaritaville. Their spicy shrimp appetizer is so good. I had it last year when Dennis and I were here and had been looking forward to it as soon as booked our excursion here again for Grand Turk. Dennis had a ham sandwich and Bill and Teresa enjoyed their meals, as well; good food and terrific service.
The ship was calling us back somewhere around 3:30 p.m and it was time to rest up a little, shower, and get ready for dinner. After dinner tonight, we went back to the Theatre for the Love and Marriage show ( a twist on the NewlyWed Show). We arrived early, a little before the doors were opened, and as we stood among thirty or so passengers waiting, we noticed a man, probably in his middle thirties, trying to walk to the stairs and was stumbling. I wondered if he was drunk, he grabbed for the rail at the stairs and swung himself up on the first step, then almost reeled backwards, then took the next step and almost feel back again, and Bill and one other man nearby rushed to his side as he fell to his knees. A few of us looked around and saw a Carnival crew member and we all said in unison – “he needs help, can you call 911 or something”. As the man sat with his head in his hands and Bill and a few men around him, emergency personnel came quickly and checked on him. Someone gave him some water and they checked his vitals and within a few minutes the man stated he had just gotten overheated and felt like he was passing out. It was scary to watch, but very glad the gentleman was alright.
After the excitement, we were all seated in the theatre and the entertainment of this show did not disappoint. The couple that has been married the longest is almost always the best one and I loved listening to their answers and their stories of when they met. I believe they had been married about 65 years.
That’s a wrap for today – we are tired. Tomorrow is Amber Cove.
Cruise Day Four – March 27
Amber Cover, Dominican Republic
Up early to meet our Private Van Driver, sponsored by Carnival Excursions, we were on the road by 9:00 a.m. (We had an early breakfast, sitting at our favorite table back in the Havanna room). Leaving the beautiful port area, we soon entered the real area outside the developed vacation area and entered graveled and or bumpy roads, People trying to make a living were making their way to work on various types of transportation, and moms even rode mopeds with their babies strapped to their chest in a sling carrier fashion. We went to the capital square and quickly toured a historic church. We toured a chocolate factory, a Fort, and then a gorgeous beachside restaurant for a late lunch. The food was good, not as delicious as Cozumel, but good.
Back at the port area, Bill and Teresa finished up a bit of cruise souvenirs and we headed back to the ship to get cleaned up for dinner. Tonight we had reservations in the Steak House. A small, intimate dining room, the presentation was perfect, the food, eh… not as good as Dennis and I had on the Freedom a few years ago. I had lobster, Dennis, Bill and Teresa had the Filet Mignon. I wish we could say it was the best meal any of us have ever eaten, or even the best of the cruise, but unfortunately it was less then memorable. The regular dining room, on the other hand, was completely acceptable and even brought a few “Yum’s” during the week.
After dinner we decided to stop by next door at the Piano Bar for our evening entertainment. Wow, were we in for a delight. Cassie, was the piano entertainer of the evening and connected with the crowd early and well. Her introduction went something like, “Good evening, thank you for stopping by this evening, I’m Cassie; and I’m single as a Pringle. We had never heard that before and thought it quite cute (when we shared this with our granddaughters, apparently it’s a common saying now – who knew)? There was the cutest little boy in the audience, maybe he was four or five years old – named, Colton. He said a few feet away from Cassie, in front of the piano and you could just see the “crushin” all over his face. She paid him a lot of attention (it was obvious to her too – and pretty soon the whole room got into it) it was so cute. After about twenty minutes of songs from Cassie and fun Sing-along’s (think, “Sweet Caroline”), Colton and his mom left the room rather suddenly. The fun continued with Cassie for about fifteen minutes with stories of her family and request coming in fast from the audience, with cash filling her tip jar, when the door re-opened and there stood Colton – entering and walking straight toward Cassie, with a small plate of cookies. She gave him a hug and made a big deal over it and of course, took a bite of one. She offered him one, but he declined. This was a fun and personable night.
We called it a night after almost an hour and a half with Cassie, looking forward to our day at Sea tomorrow.
The last day is always bittersweet – usually an enjoyable last day aboard to enjoy all the ship has to offer, yet a little sad that it is the last day and night of our vacation and on this beautiful day.
Cruise Day Five
March 28th
The Doctor is In (and deserves applause)
Up early, Dennis met Bill and Teresa in the Havana Room for breakfast and I ordered Room Service – something light for me, because at 9:00 a.m. I was headed to the Spa for my acupuncture appointment. Remember my mid-back problem from the first paragraph of this blog? Well, I am about to get it fixed. A little nervous, a little excited, and praying it works to make me feel better. Let me just say, it was AMAZING. I was so relaxed as the doctor strategically placed the needles – never really felt much at all except extreme ability to breath deep with no pain and almost went to sleep. She took her time and when finished with the placement (took about 20 minutes), left the room briefly with soft music playing. When she came in to remove them, I felt so good. Ok – so if you are wondering did it last past the cruise, I am writing this paragraph about six weeks (6) post cruise and my back still feels great. I came home with the notion of making an appointment with a local acupuncture therapist M.D. from Wellstar, but honestly, I haven’t needed her yet. I believe that speaks pretty highly as a recommendation for the health and wellbeing that Acupuncture can bring.
Bill and Teresa were treated to Carnival’s famous goodbye song after dinner tonight, “Leaving, on a Fun Ship” and we went back to the room to finish up the last bit of packing and get our suitcases in the hall for pickup my 11:00 p.m. After that bit of business, Dennis and I went back to the Piano Bar to check out Cassie’s show again tonight. The crowd tone just was not the same tonight and some rowdy West Virginia football fans were being a little crass with their language when talking repeatedly about a not so nice homegrown version of the sing-a-long to Sweet Caroline song where they made fun of Penn State fans…. They just wouldn’t let it go, and kept interrupting Cassie’s attempt to control the crowd. She moved on to another song, and she was trying, but the crowd just wasn’t our comfort level tonight, so we bowed out and went back to the room to make sure we were all ready to leave the ship in the morning.
Day Six
Debarkation Day
March 29, 2019
A quick breakfast, and our wait in the theater area was short and soon we were swiping our cruise card for the last time this week. We found our luggage quickly and moving the immigration line was almost effortless with no wait as the luggage porter pulled us right to an open officer. Dennis went to find the car and met us at the bottom level of the parking garage, we loaded luggage and headed toward Savannah, Ga – our stop for the night. Bill and Teresa loved the cruise (as did we) and we reminisced all morning as we headed North toward home.
On our stop overnight in Savannah, we enjoyed dinner at The Crab House, on the road to Tybee Island, before settling in for the night at the Courtyard by Marriott by the Savannah Airport.
It was a great week with friends, laughter, memories, relaxation and just an all around nice vacation. Looking forward to our next adventure with the Smith’s.
So much fun.