Theaters
At night, cruisers pack the Liquid Lounge to see the high-energy Playlist Productions musical shows with fun effects. Shows aren’t much longer than 30 minutes and feature oldies-but-goodies as well as modern hits off today’s radio.
Daily Fun
Carnival Sunrise lives up to Carnival Cruise Line’s motto of “fun for all.” Sea days are packed with all sorts of activities — multiple trivia games, shopping and spa seminars (be careful, they’re trying to sell you something), games, crafts and meetups. Many cruisers participate — but just as many are relaxing in the sun, crowding the pool or enjoying the water slides, ropes course and basketball course up on the top deck.
If you’d like to see crew-only spaces, such as backstage and the bridge, and meet the captain, book the Behind the Fun Tour at the shore excursions deck. It takes place on the last sea day and can accommodate a maximum of 17 people, with only a few time slots, so book early.
At Night
One of the most popular spots to be in the evening are the family-friendly and off-color comedy shows in the Limelight Lounge. Or enjoy the various bars around the ship, from the laid-back RedFrog Pub to the sing-along Piano Bar 88.
The casino is lively whenever it’s open, and you’re forced to walk through it to get across Deck 5. (If you don’t like smoke, you’ll need to cross on Deck 6 instead.) You’ll find lots of slots and table games, plus daily tournaments and special prizes. Kids have their version at The Warehouse arcade next door.
Carnival Sunrise does not have a nightclub, though either the atrium lobby or Limelight Lounge serve that purpose for after-show music and dancing.
Poolside movies and deck parties move the crowds to the open decks at night.
Carnival Sunrise Bars and Lounges
Carnival Sunrise passengers tend to keep the bars hopping and the action going late into the evening. Consider the Cheers! drinks package if you plan on drinking several beers, cocktails and glasses of wine daily.
Highlights include:
Limelight Lounge (Deck 4): This secondary show lounge is tucked away on Deck 4 midship but you can only get there via a stairway around the corner from the casino (right past the smoking section at the bar). It’s home to the Punchliner Comedy Club shows; a weeklong cruise will likely have two comedians onboard, performing family-friendly and R-rated shows. (If you’re easily offended, you won’t enjoy the adults-only, late-night shows.) Karaoke and after-hours DJ dancing also take place in this space.
SkyBox Sports Bar (Deck 5): Behind closed doors, SkyBox is the place to catch live sporting events on multiple TVs. It’s easy to walk right by and not notice it’s there.
Red Frog Pub (Deck 5): One of the bigger drinking venues onboard with a Caribbean vibe, Red Frog serves up Carnival’s own brew, ThirstyFrog Red, in pints, four-beer flights (with other ThirstyFrog or ParchedPig brews) or 101-ounce tubes. It’s got a stage, a large horseshoe-shaped bar and games like foosball in the back corner. Pre-dinner karaoke and live music draw a crowd.
Piano Bar 88 (Deck 5): Carnival is known for its sing-along piano bars, and each performer tends to draw a following of regulars. Tip the pianist, and he’ll play your favorite song.
Alchemy Bar (Deck 5): This popular watering hole pretends to be an old-school pharmacy, where lab coat-wearing bartenders concoct elixirs to cure what ails you. The Cucumber Sunrise is a favorite prescription.
BlueIguana Tequila Bar (Deck 9): Margarita, anyone? This poolside bar serves all your tequila-based favorites, fresh or frozen, including pitchers of margaritas and spiked lemonade. You can get beer, soda and nonalcoholic cocktails here, too.
Red Frog Rum Bar (Deck 9): The yin to Iguana’s yang, this bar doles out pina coladas, daiquiris, mojitos and other rum-based drinks to the thirsty pool crowd.