Adventures in Bermuda

Looking for a convenient cruise to Bermuda from Norfolk, Virginia? We recently sailed aboard the Carnival Sunshine, the only cruise ship currently sailing out of Norfolk, and had an amazing time. After a rerouted sailing in 2023 (thanks, Hurricane Lee), we finally made it to Bermuda—and it was worth the wait!

In this post, I’ll share our experience day by day, followed by a full Carnival Sunshine ship review covering dining, layout, cleanliness, and embarkation at the Norfolk cruise port.

Embarkation at the Norfolk Cruise Port

Embarkation at the Norfolk cruise terminal was a breeze. Cole and I joked that we never even stopped moving once we got there. Having an early embarkation time let us explore the ship and relax in the Serenity pool before our staterooms opened.

For dinner, we booked the Carnival Steakhouse—a smart way to skip the busy main dining room on the first night. Plus, the complimentary bottle of merlot was a great perk. My Broiled Filet Mignon and Cole’s Spice-Rubbed Ribeye were both outstanding, with impeccable service to match.

We capped off embarkation day with a gorgeous sunset as the ship sailed past the last glimpse of land.

Sea Days on the Carnival Sunshine

Sea days are often overlooked, but they’re my favorite part of cruising. With land (and stress) far behind us, they’re the perfect time to unwind.

• Morning coffee & balcony time – We ordered coffee to the room and started our days slowly.

• Formal night dining – I enjoyed a shrimp and fish cake appetizer, while Cole went for the filet and short rib entrée.

• Evening entertainment – We braved the long line for the adults-only comedy show. Totally worth it—the comedian had even been featured on Comedy Central.

• Sea day brunch & Serenity retreat – On our second sea day, we enjoyed brunch, then lounged at the Serenity pool with a bucket of beer. It was busy, but manageable.

Bermuda Cruise Port - Day One Excursions

Arriving in Bermuda, I woke up to a rainbow over the water—a good omen for the day ahead!

We had booked a Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo excursion, and it exceeded expectations. Beyond the marine life, we saw tropical birds, rescued seals, and even a 150-year-old tortoise. It was peaceful, immersive, and beautifully designed to protect the animals.

Afterward, our captain took us to a quiet snorkeling spot near coral cliffs and caves. This ended up being one of our favorite moments of the whole trip.

That evening, we visited the Frog and Onion Pub at the Royal Naval Dockyard. While the wait for food was long, the locally brewed, unpasteurized beer was outstanding. Back on board, we wrapped up the night with another gorgeous Bermuda sunset.

Bermuda – Day Two at the Royal Naval Dockyard

Day two was supposed to be our Horseshoe Bay Beach day, but thunderstorms changed our plans. By the time the skies cleared, shuttle timing meant we wouldn’t have had much beach time left. Instead, we explored local artisan shops and enjoyed the views from the dockyard.

That evening, we tried JiJi Asian Kitchen, one of the Carnival Sunshine’s specialty dining venues. Everything is served family style, and while the setting isn’t the most private since it’s connected to the Havana Bar area, the food and service were excellent.

Final Sea Day

Our last sea day was spent with Java Blue coffee in hand and the bittersweet task of packing.

Carnival Sunshine Ship Review

Old but Renovated

The Carnival Sunshine was originally built in 1996, but it has gone through multiple renovations and a recent dry dock. While you’ll notice a few rough edges here and there, it doesn’t look any older than most of the Carnival fleet.

Ship Layout

The Sunshine has a slightly different layout compared to other Carnival ships, but it works. We never experienced bottlenecks, and even during our summer sailing with lots of families, the ship felt comfortably spread out.

Buffet and Casual Dining

The Lido Marketplace buffet offered a solid variety. We only hit lines when grabbing food during off hours. One day, we waited nearly 30 minutes at the deli because the buffet had just closed and Guy’s Burger Joint (as delicious as it is) wasn’t an option we wanted again.

Specialty Dining

• Steakhouse – Excellent service and perfectly cooked steaks, with a free bottle of house wine on the first night.

• JiJi Asian Kitchen – Delicious family-style dining, though the setting is less private due to its location near the Havana Bar.

• Cucina del Capitano – Free pasta bar at lunch during sea days, which was a nice surprise.

Overall, specialty dining on the Sunshine was a highlight, though the semi-open venues take away a bit of intimacy.

Cleanliness and Crew

The ship was very clean throughout. I later learned from our cruise Facebook group that there had been a “blowout” incident near the pool, but by the time we passed through, the crew had already handled it efficiently.

Embarkation and Debarkation

Both embarkation and debarkation at the Norfolk cruise port were smooth. The only hiccup was a misplaced checked bag on our return—it ended up in the wrong claim area, but after a short panic, we found it safe and sound.

Final Thoughts on the Carnival Sunshine

Overall, the Carnival Sunshine delivered a fantastic experience. With great dining, friendly crew, and the unbeatable convenience of sailing directly from Norfolk, it’s a solid choice for anyone looking to take a Bermuda cruise from Virginia.

For us, finally making it to Bermuda after last year’s reroute made the trip even sweeter. The sunsets, snorkeling, and island excursions were unforgettable—and we’ll definitely be back.