Carnival Sunshine

Casual Dining Got a Big Upgrade: Look for some of the best burgers at sea at Guy’s Burger Joint, and easily the best casual Mexican fare on any ship (at any price point) at BlueIguana Cantina, where you can dress your tacos, burritos, and nachos with sliced radishes, lime wedges, and salsa from the toppings bar. Best of all, BlueIguana serves awesome breakfast burritos in the morning, too. 

Steakhouse: This classic steakhouse has such polished service and elegant plating, you may think you’ve boarded a luxury ship instead of a budget-friendly one. (Plus, the upcharge is a meager $35 per person.) Look for traditional steakhouse favorites, from lobster bisque laced with cognac to strip steaks, rib eyes, and filet mignons as well as proper sides such as creamed spinach and giant baked potatoes with all the fixings. End your meal with — what else? — a giant slab of cheesecake.

The Comedy Club: The evening starts with family-friendly comedy acts, and ends with a truly "blue" (read: raunchy but hilarious) late night set. Carnival has an ingenious system of moving comedians between ships in the Caribbean every few days, so you get to see a variety of entertainers. 

Seuss at Sea: The fun Dr. Seuss-themed character breakfast on sea days includes visits from Thing 1 and Thing 2, plus — you guessed it — green eggs and ham and Cat in the Hat-inspired stacks of red velvet pancakes.

Serenity Lounge: This adults-only retreat gives grown-ups a quiet space to relax on upgraded wicker lounge chairs with cushy padding. The best part: the silence, a welcome change from the DJ-fueled main pool scene. 

Skybox Sports Bar: This boisterous space — full of giant screens and comfy red bar stools — has a continuous ticker of scores, drawing a large crowd during peak football, baseball, and basketball seasons. 

Waterslides: These big colorful slides are a big draw for tweens and teens on hot Caribbean sailings, when the plunge at the end may just be the "coolest" experience on board. 

Anyone on a Budget: Carnival Sunshine serves families, retirees, and couples equally well.

Cabins Don’t Have Bells and Whistles: Staterooms feel less updated than the public spaces and don’t have any of the cool new features you would expect to find on newer ships.