Carnival Sunrise Fun Times – Embarkation Day Daily Program From Miami
If you are getting ready to sail aboard Carnival Sunrise, the Fun Times daily program gives you a good idea of just how quickly things get started once you step onboard. From sail-away festivities and live music to trivia, karaoke, dining, shopping events, comedy and late-night entertainment, embarkation day offers plenty to do before the ship has even left Miami behind.
This Carnival Sunrise Fun Times is from Monday, September 28, 2026, the first day of a five-night cruise from Miami. The itinerary shown in the program includes Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Nassau before returning to Miami on Saturday.
For more Carnival information, CruisePrism readers can also explore our Carnival Dining Menus, Carnival Drink Lists, and Carnival Onboard Guides for more information about restaurants, schedules and onboard activities.
Carnival Sunrise Embarkation Day in Miami
The Fun Times lists Carnival Sunrise departing Miami at approximately 3:30 p.m. on embarkation day.
The complete sailing itinerary shown in the program is:
- Monday, Day 1: Miami – sail away approximately 3:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Day 2: Celebration Key – guests ashore approximately 8:15 a.m.; back onboard 3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Day 3: RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay – guests ashore approximately 8:15 a.m.; back onboard 3:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Day 4: Nassau – guests ashore approximately 8:15 a.m.; back onboard 3:30 p.m.
- Friday, Day 5: Fun Day at Sea
- Saturday, Day 6: Miami – arrival 8:00 a.m.
As always, port and tender times can change, so passengers should follow the times provided onboard for their particular sailing rather than relying on an older daily program.
What Happens on Carnival Sunrise Embarkation Day?
Carnival wastes little time beginning its onboard activities.
The morning and early afternoon schedule includes the Free Play Daily Porthole Puzzle at JavaBlue Café, the Fun Shops pre-opening event, the mandatory safety briefing, spa tours, an art scavenger hunt and several complimentary activities including basketball, mini golf, pool players meet, shuffleboard and table tennis.
Other afternoon activities include acupuncture information, an art event, an 18–20 mixer at RedFrog Pub, the Carnival Sunrise Sets Sail event and a tour of the ship.
At 4:00 p.m., the schedule lists both Sail Away and Mega Play: Pub Games at RedFrog Pub.
This is a useful reminder for first-time Carnival cruisers: embarkation day isn’t simply about boarding, finding your cabin and waiting for dinner. There is already a fairly full schedule of activities by the afternoon.
Carnival Sunrise Sail Away
The official Sail Away event is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Lido on Deck 9 Mid.
Carnival describes this as the kickoff to the cruise with the Cruise Director and entertainment team. It is one of the major organized events of embarkation day and is followed later by a Welcome Aboard Event and Welcome Aboard Show.
Guests who prefer something quieter have plenty of alternatives. Live music, shopping events, spa activities and other entertainment take place around the ship at roughly the same time.
Afternoon and Early Evening Activities
The Fun Times shows a busy transition from afternoon activities into the first evening onboard.
Among the events scheduled are:
- Mimosa Meet and Greet
- Spa Raffle
- IRIS Photography by Pixels
- Portraits Photo Ops
- Photo Time! with Dr. Seuss
- Stein Hoisting Competition for guests 21+
- Fun & Free Shopping Event
- Welcome Aboard Event
- Indulge in Victoria’s Secret
- Inch of Gold pre-order
- Power Picks-Lottery Draws for guests 18+
- Wall Of Moments
- Art Scavenger Hunt
- Guess the Weight
- Shop, Eat, Explore: Onboard & Ashore
- Singles Mixer for guests 18+
There are therefore plenty of options for passengers who don’t want to spend embarkation afternoon exclusively around the pool.
Carnival Sunrise Evening Entertainment
The evening schedule becomes considerably busier beginning around 7:00 p.m.
High Seas Karaoke starts at 7:00 p.m. in Limelight Lounge, followed by several entertainment, shopping and gaming events throughout the evening.
One of the featured activities is Guess That Song: Hip-Hop/R&B from 8:00 to 8:45 p.m. in the Limelight Lounge.
Guests interested in bingo can attend Patch’s Welcome Aboard Bingo. Card sales begin at 8:00 p.m., with the game scheduled for 8:45 p.m. According to this Fun Times, the final winner chooses from three mystery jack-o’-lanterns containing prizes worth up to $300.
Carnival Sunrise Welcome Aboard Show
The Welcome Aboard Show is one of the headline events listed for the first night.
It is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. in the Liquid Lounge on Decks 4 and 5 Forward.
The program describes it as a night of cruise highlights and entertainment hosted by the Cruise Director. A “More Fun to Come” event follows at 10:15 p.m. in the Sunrise Lobby on Deck 3 Forward.
For passengers trying to get a feel for the entertainment available during the rest of the sailing, the Welcome Aboard Show can be a useful introduction to the cruise.
Piano Bar and Late-Night Comedy
Piano Bar 88 becomes one of the late-night entertainment venues on embarkation day.
Piano Bar Fun with Creighton is scheduled from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m., followed by an adults-only 18+ session from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.
The Late Night Comedy Showcase begins at 11:15 p.m. in the Liquid Lounge. The Fun Times lists comedians Drew Fraser and Todd Parker, with the performance restricted to guests 18 and older.
The schedule also includes the Late Night Comedy Showcase Afterparty at 11:15 p.m. in the Liquid Lounge.
Live Music Around Carnival Sunrise
Passengers looking for live music have several choices throughout embarkation day.
The program lists music in multiple venues, including the Sunrise Lobby, Lido, RedFrog Pub, Piano Bar 88 and Limelight Lounge.
Performances include:
- Welcome Aboard Music with DJ JD
- Latin Fiesta with Latin Sound
- Awesome Tracks with DJ JD
- Caribbean Sounds with Karabion XL
- Solo Guitar Sounds with Augusta Ray
- Yacht Rock with Augusta Ray
- Real Country with Tidal Wave
- Boogie Nights with Tidal Wave
- Soulful R&B with Tidal Wave
- Smooth Currents
- Piano Bar Fun with Creighton
- Caribbean, Latin and Afrobeats with DJ Coco
- Caribbean, Latin and Afrobeats with DJ JD
The variety makes it relatively easy to move between venues during the evening and find a different atmosphere without relying on one large production show.
Carnival Sunrise Restaurants and Dining Hours
The Fun Times provides a useful snapshot of just how many dining venues are operating on embarkation day.
Lunch options begin around 11:00 a.m. and include several of Carnival Sunrise’s casual restaurants.
The listed opening hours include:
- BlueIguana Cantina: 11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
- Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse: 11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
- Pasta Bella Pasta Bar at Cucina del Capitano: 11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
- Lido Marketplace: 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Lucky Bowl: 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Guy’s Burger Joint: 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Carnival Deli: 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
- Pizzeria del Capitano: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m.
- Swirls Soft Serve and FroYo: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m.
Later in the day, additional venues open for dinner.
Seafood Shack is listed from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and again from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m., while Bonsai Sushi operates from 5:00 to 11:15 p.m.
Express Your Time Dining at the Sunshine Restaurant runs from 5:15 to 8:45 p.m.
Your Time Dining at the Sunshine Restaurant is listed from 5:15 to 9:45 p.m.
Cucina del Capitano is scheduled from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse is also open from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The Lido Marketplace operates again from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m., with a Late Night Snack at the Lido Marketplace from 11:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Specialty Dining Offers on the First Night
The Fun Times advertises a couple of embarkation-day dining promotions.
At Cucina del Capitano, the program promotes a family-style Italian dinner for $24 per person.
Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse advertises its “Wine & Dine Delight.” Guests booking a table for that night could receive either a complimentary bottle of house wine for every two guests or 50% off wines listed under $100.
Prices and promotions can change between sailings, so these should be treated as examples from this September 28, 2026 Fun Times rather than guaranteed offers on future Carnival Sunrise cruises.
Drinks and Beverage Activities
Several beverage-related activities appear in the Day 1 program.
Bottomless Bubbles, Carnival’s unlimited soda program, is promoted at the Sunrise Bar from 11:00 a.m. to noon.
Cheers!, Carnival’s beverage package, is also promoted at the Tides Pool Bar during the same period.
Later in the evening, the schedule lists a Liquor Tasting for guests 21 and older at 8:00 p.m. at Portside Liquor and Tobacco.
Shore Excursions on Embarkation Day
Passengers don’t have to wait until reaching the first destination to begin planning shore excursions.
The Carnival Adventures Desk on Deck 3 Forward is listed as open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The program also promotes booking tours through Carnival Adventures and specifically highlights the Swimming Pigs & Crystal Beach excursion.
There is also a Shop, Eat, Explore: Onboard & Ashore event at 6:30 p.m. in the Liquid Lounge. The Fun Times describes it as a one-time event covering shopping, dining and activities both onboard and ashore, with prizes and a raffle.
Spa and Fitness
Cloud 9 Spa and the Fitness Center are both listed as open from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Spa tours take place at noon and 1:30 p.m., while a spa raffle is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in the Fitness Center.
The program also advertises a BOGO-HO promotion in which guests purchasing one treatment at the spa receive another at 50% off.
As with dining promotions, spa offers can vary by sailing.
Movies on Carnival Sunrise
Two Dive-In Movies are scheduled at the Carnival Seaside Theater on Deck 9 Mid.
The Fun Times lists:
- Michael – 8:00 p.m.
- Disclosure Day – 11:00 p.m.
Dive-In Movies provide another evening option for passengers who prefer watching a movie outside rather than attending the scheduled shows, karaoke or live music.
Casino Activities
The Sunrise Casino begins operating after sail away and continues late into the evening.
Both casino slots and table games are listed as available after sail away.
The daily program also promotes Drinks on the House, Power Picks-Lottery Draws and the Carnival Millions Lottery.
Casino games and lottery activities are restricted to eligible adult guests, and the program notes age restrictions where applicable.
Shopping on Embarkation Day
Shopping events occupy a surprisingly large part of the first-day schedule.
The Fun Times lists:
- Win a Cruise
- Pixels Welcome Aboard Special
- Mimosa Meet and Greet
- Cherry On Top
- Fun & Free Shopping Event
- Welcome Aboard Event
- Indulge in Victoria’s Secret
- Grand Opening Celebration
The Pixels Welcome Aboard Special advertises 20% off photos for the day, while the Fun & Free Shopping Event includes a Power Shopper Barrel of Fun and a $200 Good as Cash prize.
These offers are specific to the program shown and shouldn’t be assumed to apply to every Carnival Sunrise sailing.
Kids and Teens
Families can find the detailed schedules for Camp Ocean, Circle “C” and Club O2 in the Carnival HUB app.
The printed Fun Times specifically lists Night Owls from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at Camp Ocean on Deck 12 Forward.
Night Owls is presented as a late-night option where children can participate in games, movies, creative activities, toys and other supervised activities while parents continue enjoying the ship.
Using the Carnival Fun Times
Carnival’s Fun Times is essentially the line’s daily planner or daily program. If you are accustomed to Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Compass or similar planners on other cruise lines, this serves much the same purpose.
The printed version shown here provides an overview of activities, entertainment, restaurant hours, music, shopping and other events, while the Carnival HUB app is also referenced throughout the program for additional information and opening times.
One useful strategy is to look through the schedule early in the day and identify the activities you care about most. On embarkation day especially, multiple events can happen simultaneously, so trying to do everything is unrealistic.
Carnival Sunrise Day 1 Highlights
For passengers who want a quick overview, some of the most notable embarkation-day events in this Fun Times include:
- Carnival Sunrise Sets Sail at 3:30 p.m.
- Sail Away at 4:00 p.m.
- Welcome Aboard Event at 5:30 p.m.
- High Seas Karaoke at 7:00 p.m.
- Guess That Song: Hip-Hop/R&B at 8:00 p.m.
- Patch’s Welcome Aboard Bingo at 8:45 p.m.
- Piano Bar Fun beginning at 9:00 p.m.
- Welcome Aboard Show at 9:30 p.m.
- More Fun to Come at 10:15 p.m.
- Late Night Comedy Showcase at 11:15 p.m.
FAQ: Carnival Sunrise Fun Times
What is the Carnival Fun Times?
Fun Times is Carnival Cruise Line’s daily program. It provides schedules for onboard activities, entertainment, live music, dining, shopping, casino events and other happenings around the ship.
What time did Carnival Sunrise leave Miami on this cruise?
The September 28, 2026 Fun Times lists sail away at approximately 3:30 p.m. The organized Sail Away celebration was scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Lido on Deck 9 Mid.
What was the itinerary for this Carnival Sunrise cruise?
The itinerary shown in the Fun Times was Miami, Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Nassau, a Fun Day at Sea and a return to Miami.
Is there entertainment on Carnival Sunrise on the first night?
Yes. This program includes karaoke, live music, bingo, the Welcome Aboard Show, Piano Bar 88, Dive-In Movies and an adults-only late-night comedy showcase, among other activities.
Are Carnival Sunrise restaurants open immediately after boarding?
Several dining venues in this Fun Times opened at 11:00 a.m., including BlueIguana Cantina, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, the Pasta Bella Pasta Bar, Lido Marketplace, Lucky Bowl, Guy’s Burger Joint, Carnival Deli and Pizzeria del Capitano.
Is there a formal show on embarkation night?
This Fun Times lists the Welcome Aboard Show at 9:30 p.m. in the Liquid Lounge. It is presented as an introduction to the cruise’s entertainment and highlights.
Where can I find shore excursion information onboard?
On this sailing, the Carnival Adventures Desk on Deck 3 Forward was listed as open from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on embarkation day.
Does Carnival Sunrise have late-night entertainment?
Yes. On this particular evening, Piano Bar 88 continued until 1:00 a.m., Caribbean, Latin and Afrobeats music was scheduled in Limelight Lounge until 2:00 a.m., and a late-night comedy showcase was scheduled for 11:15 p.m.
Final Thoughts
This Carnival Sunrise Fun Times shows just how much is already happening on the ship during the first few hours of a cruise. Embarkation day combines practical necessities such as the safety briefing with sail-away celebrations, restaurant openings, live music, shopping events, spa activities, casino gaming and a full evening entertainment schedule.
For passengers planning a Carnival Sunrise cruise, reviewing an actual daily program like this before sailing can make it much easier to understand the pace of the ship and decide what deserves priority once onboard.
The exact schedule, performers, dining hours, prices and promotions can change from one sailing to another, but this September 28, 2026 Fun Times provides a detailed example of what passengers could encounter on the first day of a Carnival Sunrise cruise from Miami.
