The 2,984-passenger Carnival Sunrise is NOT a quiet ship. It bustles day and night, with constant activity. If you like group activities, you can bounce from trivia to bingo to crafts to a bean bag toss competition all in the course of a few hours. If you prefer a few thrills, you can race down a water slide, traverse a ropes course or challenge a friend to a basketball game. If you're into sunning and swimming, you can join the crowds on the pool deck, or find a comfy day bed on the adults-only Serenity Deck.

The fun doesn't stop at night. There are musical shows and guest performers, a lively casino, outdoor movies, deck parties, bars with live music and comedy that ranges from family-friendly to R-rated. The downside of all the bustle is that it's hard to find quiet. Book a balcony cabin or suite if you need to escape the crowds; breakfast and lunch in the dining room or specialty restaurant is much more relaxing than braving the buffet. The ship's design creates bottlenecks, especially around the pool deck dining venues and forces passengers to walk through the smoky casino to access the major midship dining and entertainment areas. Carnival Sunrise has a wide range of restaurants, including barbecue, sushi, Mexican and seafood. Food ranges from adequate to good in the free venues; you'll need to pay for a more memorable dining experience in the steakhouse or Italian restaurant. (The free pizza is excellent, however.) Be aware of constant opportunities for upcharges, whether that be waiters continuously asking if you want a drink or extra-fee menu items in otherwise complimentary venues. Cabins are basic but spacious, with plenty of options for families and groups wanting to be together. Suites give more space but don't come with tons of perks or fancy decor. Uncover the best deals with a Carnival expert Barbara Lawrence Specialities : All Inclusive and Family Vacations 38 reviews Contact Agent Danny Fisher Specialities : River Cruises and All Inclusive 33 reviews Contact Agent Emily Hembree Specialities : Luxury and Global Travel 22 reviews Contact Agent Therese Gries Specialities : All Inclusive and Outdoor Activities & Sports 22 reviews Contact Agent Heather Rosing Specialities : All Inclusive and Beach Vacations 19 reviews Contact Agent Josh Oretsky Specialities : Luxury Cruises and River Cruises 18 reviews Contact Agent Jackie Taylor Specialities : All Inclusive and Family Vacations 15 reviews Contact Agent Angie Lavalle Specialities : Luxury Cruises and Small Ship Cruises 13 reviews Contact Agent CJ Larson Specialities : Outdoor Activities & Sports and Disney Vacations 13 reviews Contact Agent Emily Forsberg Specialities : Destination Weddings and Disney Vacations 11 reviews Contact Agent Sunrise is kid-friendly, with complimentary drop-off kid activities, general family activities and kids' menus in nearly every restaurant. It can carry close to 1,000 under-18s during school breaks; kid-avoiding couples should watch out. The crew is friendly and helpful, and the entertainment staff is tireless in their efforts to show everyone a good time. Whether you have one depends on whether you're energized or fatigued from the nonstop people and activity.

Inclusions Included with your cruise fare: Two main dining rooms, the buffet, four lunchtime venues and select room service items All theater shows and the comedy club Use of the ropes course, water park, mini-golf and other outside SportSquare activities Most daily activities unless noted below Use of the gym, but not most classes Kids club use until 10 p.m. for kids ages 2 to 17 Not included with your cruise fare: Gratuities ($12.95 per person, per day or $13.95 per person, per day for those staying in suites) Automatic beverage and spa tips (18 percent for both) All drinks beyond water, tea (including iced tea), coffee and select juices in the buffet Spa and salon treatments, personal training, group fitness classes, thermal suite Shore excursions Wi-Fi Activities such as bingo, arcade games and Build-a-Bear Workshop Photos and artwork Late-night group babysitting, baby and toddler drop-off play