Sun info and cabin selection

[danajjj]

We are considering our first cruise on NCL and would love to have some guidance on picking a cabin/deck. We are looking at a balcony on the Sun but are not familiar with the categories or the decks. Is there a particular category or deck you would recommend (or a deck we should avoid)? It is just DH and myself, and we actually like a little shade on the balcony.

 

We have sailed RCI (usually get an aft balcony) many times and Carnival, Celebrity, and Disney once. I would love to hear more about the Sun if anyone has anything they would like to share. We are really looking forward to trying NCL and something new. TIA!:)

[Clay Clayton]

Having sailed Sun several times, only once in a balcony, I cannot give too much advice on which balcony is better than another. However, we tend to like to be aft as the main dining rooms, the specialty restaurants, and our usual hangout, The Great Outdoors, are all on the stern.

[newmexicoNita]

We have cruised her twice, both in Balc cabins and both were fine. One I think was deck 8 and the other deck 9. I am not sure about that.

 

Things to know and do: Las Rambles for tapas at least once in the late afternoon. You can almost make a meal out of them, or really you can make a meal.

 

Both MDR are nice

 

Of course Le Bistro is a much for us anyway.

 

If you like casinos on ships you will probably like this one. It isn't large, but the help has always been friendly and the slots are a little looser than on some ships. No you may not win much but you will have fun losing it.

 

Nita

[valleyvillage]

I am a big fan of the mini suites on the Sun. They are really special compared to the other classes of ships, where they are more like just a deluxe balcony with a shower/bath instead of just shower.

 

I noticed on some sailings there was a large price differential and on others it was not that much more. If you decide to go for it I think you will be pleased.

 

More space, a nice dressing room/closet, a WONDERFUL tub and a bit more room in the cabin make it a favorite. Of course a full suite would be better!

[welove2cruise*]

We were on deck 8 mid ship - port side for the Eastern sailing on 1/29/11. We had the better views on that side of the ship in all ports. It was a good location to get to our rooms for walking both from the shows and to and from dinner. We will be in almost the same cabin for the same itinerary in March and then next January we will be on deck 10 port side again, but for the Western. The balcony cabins on the Sun are quite large (comparing to some others) and had plenty of storage space.

 

Usually I try to check the deck plans and make sure there is not a disco or something that might be noisy right above your cabin. Decks 8 or 9 both just have other staterooms above them.

 

Hope that helps.. :-)

[mousecrazy]

On the Western itinerary, I noted that the port side was better so you were viewing land approaching the dock in the morning. I was in a forward cabin which had amazing views. Don't be scared of the potential wind issue, we may have been lucky but wind was not an issue at all. The views were the best! We were also tempted by an aft minisuite. The mini suites are larger and the aft MS has the larger balcony, I believe.

[Sauer-kraut]

We had a balcony cabin 8060 and thought the position was actually perfect. It was away from the hallway to the aft elevators. It was a quick flight or two down to the theater, promenade deck, and Seven Seas dining room. Up to 11 for the Buffet, sports bar, and Pacific Heights. You got your excercise if you were going to the Observation Lounge for trivia but it wasn't unpleasant at all.

 

I loved the SUN, and had a great time in October on the transatlantic.

[Clay Clayton]

We were also tempted by an aft minisuite. The mini suites are larger and the aft MS has the larger balcony, I believe.

 

I can't speak to any MiniSuites other than the stern facing ones, but they are HUGE. More like a really nice hotel room than a cruise stateroom. If I am not mistaken, it had separate bath and shower and as Mousecrazy mentioned, the balcony is huge - wide and deep and come with the amazing view and sounds of the wake. We weren't in one but next door in the balcony and lusted after our neightbor's Mini...thankfully we got to be good friends with them.

[danajjj]

Thank you all for your helpful advice. We are planning on the Western itinerary in April. I will definitely remember the port side tip for picking a balcony (if I can't get an aft balcony). It's strange, but there is a mini-suite and regular balcony available. I can book the mini (but don't think we want to spend that much this trip), but I can't book the regular balcony because it is in the GTY category. I'll have to look into it a bit more.

 

From everything that I have read, the Sun sounds like a wonderful ship. Again, if anyone has any great advice/tips, I'd love to hear it.

[jdvmd]

Another vote for the mini suite. Wonderful bath/dressing room layout. Loved the location near the pools, spa and exercise facility. I know you said you booked already but if offered a mini or if the price goes down, you should investigate.

[dexddd]

The aft minis have a separate room right off the entrance with a door. Then there is a closet to left, makeup area with chair on right, then another door to sink, toilet and bath/shower area. The toilet has a separate glass door.

 

If you do an aft balcony or mini, avoid deck 10 and try for 9.

[LoisGriffin1]

I had deck 10 midship and it was nice because we had sun. It was when the Sun was in Alaska though so was not too warm.

 

I did love midship it was really easy to get around and not noisy.