Difference between Jewel and Sun

[cleo656]

I was just on the Jewel in October, thinking of taking the Sun next year. Could anyone tell me the differences between the two?

[LJH1]

I was just on the Jewel in October, thinking of taking the Sun next year. Could anyone tell me the differences between the two?

 

We have been on both, the Jewel two or three times. The Sun is an older ship 2001 the Jewel 2005. Capacity on Jewel is around 2400 and the Sun about 2000 so you can see the Sun is smaller.

The Sun we did a cruise to South America last November 19 days and loved the ship.

 

You will see some differences and the Sun is showing some sign of wear and tear but it wouldn't stop us from going on it again.

[Kancruze]

We loved the Sun to Alaska. The rooms were comfy, the crew was great and the service very good BUT the buffet area absolutely is a mess. It's almost a free for all in line and there is not near enough tables inside. If the weather is nice, no problem but try to find a table inside if the weather is chilly. Forget it. They need to redo the buffet area, hopefully when it gets overhauled next fall.

Plus they need to ask table hogs to leave. We saw people just playing cards on tables and yet people were walking around with no where to sit. Ask them to leave and you start a huge argument. These are probably the 'chair hogs' when the weather is nice!

Haven't been on the Jewel but I just wanted to give you a heads up. What ever you decide, have a great cruise.

[DMH15]

Have been on both and would go back on either.

 

The Sun is smaller and older but I found it charming. I absolutely loved the aft AC suite. I'd sail it again just for that. I hope it gets some nice upgrades when it goes into drydock in Oct 2010. The Sun has Il Adagio (yummy) and a warm and friendly crew. I heard negative comments aboutthe buffet being a zoo too, but I don't do buffets so I have no firsthand experience. Nice spa, nice casino.

[ute_fan]

We've also been on both ships and would happily sail either one again. Just a few more differences I didn't see mentioned: The Sun has more of a traditional atrium, multi-story, that the Jewel doesn't have. The Sun also has a bigger inside cabin available (superior inside) if that matters to you. We had originally booked one of those for our family of 4 but ended up with a last-minute upgrade to a balcony, but when we peaked inside an open door, it was HUGE compared to a regular inside cabin.

 

As far as cabins, both ships balconies were laid out in a similar fashion -- except for the bathrooms. The ones on the Dawn/Star/Jewel class ships are much nicer than the ones on the Sun. The newer ships have the sliding glass doors that separate the shower from the rest of the bathroom, while the Sun still had the old-fashioned shower curtain style bathroom. The average size of the balcony cabins on the Sun is also slightly bigger --172 sq. feet plus a 48 sq. foot balcony, compared to 162 sq. feet plus a 38 square foot balcony on the Jewel.

 

We managed with 4 of us in a balcony cabin on the Sun, and that extra 10 feet of space came in handy!