Tell me why I'll love the Sun

[danajjj]

We are NCL newbies and are planning on booking a last minute cruise (first week of April) and have been considering the Sun and the Carnival Legend. It looks like we are leaning towards the Sun because it is better for the grandparents to keep the kiddos from Sat. - Sat. We have sailed many times on RCI and have sailed Celebrity, Disney, and Carnival one time each. We are really looking forward to trying NCL.

 

So, please share with me all the great things about the Sun, what to expect (being new to NCL), and what not to miss. Thanks!:)

[NMLady]

The Sun just underwent drydock so has lots of freshness.

It has a new Brazilian steakhouse as one of its specialty restaurants.

 

It has The Great Outdoors at the stern which is a great place to sit and eat. There's an outdoor buffet there or bring food from the indoor buffet.

 

It has an outstandingly friendly crew.

 

The Sports Bar has great floor to ceiling windows & snacks in the evening.

 

The observation lounge on deck 12's bow not only has great windows but also has doors to an outdoor area which is a great place to take photos when coming into a port.

 

The Sun has NCL freestyle which means no formal clothes required. You can 'dress up or not' on the dressy evening.

There are no assigned dining times. You go when you want, during the hours the MDR's are open.

There are no assigned tables. You can say Yes to sharing a table with others, making new friends, or you can ask for a table just for your group.

 

It's a smaller ship so is easy to find your way around it.

The Atrium area goes up 7 decks so is light and airy.

 

There are lots of activities to choose from.

[tiyana4]

NMLady - that's it in a nutshell.

 

OP - The Sun is a great ship. Not too big, not too small. Lots of open, outdoor space and the food IMO was great. The Sports Bar was one of our favorite places onboard. We definitely look forward to sailing this ship again.

[danajjj]

Thanks so much for the info! We'll probably give the Brazilian steakhouse a try. How's the food in the MDR? I've read mixed things about MDR food/service (general reviews - not necessarily about the Sun). Any other advice/recommendations?

[mikewrit]

We got hooked on the Seven Seas MDR on our first Sun cruise to the Western Caribbean. When we later went to the Baltic capitals we almost always enjoyed dinner in the Seven Seas, tried the Four Seasons just once for comparison and didn't enjoy the ambience so much. (We are generally too parsimonious to venture into the fee venues.)

[dougbass]

just got off the sn and the brazillian steakhouse was great. the mdr was just so so... service and food. the buffets was just fair, lots of repeat food items, but dont miss the pretzel rolls! the sports bar was very good and have decent chicken wings!

[Babesia]

We sailed on the Sun to Alaska in 2007 and she remains my favorite ship!

 

The layout of the public areas is very intuitive. The Spinnaker Lounge is simply wonderful (mostly for the Alaskan cruise we did back then!). The Seven Seas MDR has gorgeous views. The balcony cabins are bigger than on other NCl ships (bathrooms are smaller, but not so small that they are a problem). The jogging track (we're both runners) is (one of) the best on cruise ships!

 

And it was the best staff we've had to date!

[bostongal965]

Just off the Sun - loved it! However, I'm a newbie cruiser, so can't fairly compare.

 

We did Moderno and Le Bistro - well worth the upcharge! The two MDRs were very good, IMO, and my favorite dish (ginger pumpkin crab bisque) was served there.

 

In addition to all the great places mentioned above, I'd add Las Ramblas - cute decor and yummy tapas (free) and great sangria. I also loved the observation lounge and its 2-for-1 margaritas in the evening.

 

One thing - not important for me, but there are only a couple pools and jacuzzis - no waterslide, rock climbing wall, bowling alley, etc. I liked the pool area, but I know some were disappointed by that.

[cruiseguys2009]

My Partner Jerome and I are seasoned cruisers and chose the NCL Sun for its specific size and definate LACK OF SUPERSIZE....big is not better....(that sounds "so not right" but don't take it out of context! LOL!)

We have met so many loyal NCL Sun-cruise enthusiasts that we are confident we will have a blast.

 

12 days and a wake up for us....we will definately let you know...stay tuned for the truthful, frank, open and honest review without all the whining! I love NCL.

 

Martini anyone?

 

JW (The SUN QUEEN of Slots!) of couse I am the one with the Crown on below.....

[danajjj]

Thanks to all who've responded! I need to start a "must-do list". We're sailing in about 4 weeks, and so looking forward to a little R&R. Since I'm a NCL newbie, I'm hoping a few more we'll chime in about this ship. I can't read enough!:p

[fergusonvt]

Thanks to all who've responded! I need to start a "must-do list". We're sailing in about 4 weeks, and so looking forward to a little R&R. Since I'm a NCL newbie, I'm hoping a few more we'll chime in about this ship. I can't read enough!:p

 

We did our first cruise on the Sun and I'm anticipating doing many more on her in the future. She is the perfect size and is beautiful and well maintained. You will love her. She is the ship that sold us on cruising! Have fun and enjoy!!!!

[Clay Clayton]

Thanks to all who've responded! I need to start a "must-do list". !:p

 

pretty much in agreement with the above posters....a couple of "must do" dishes:

-watermelon salad in the MDR...very very tasty. DDP and I usually end up having two apiece.

-osso bucco in Il Adiago

-veal chop in the MDR - last time we were there it was served over lentils so DDP asked for it with the risotto served with another offering that evening....much tastier than the lentils.

-muslix on the buffet

[NMLady]

 

-veal chop in the MDR - last time we were there it was served over lentils so DDP asked for it with the risotto served with another offering that evening....much tastier than the lentils.

 

 

I wish I'd thought to ask for a substitute for the lentils when I got the rack of lamb. I had it twice and both times I left most of the lentils uneaten. I don't mind a couple spoonsfuls but that was an entire plate of them.

 

The salmon on the 'anytime' menu also would have been better with the risotto rather than the bland noodles that accompanied it.

 

On the whole, the food was good, but the combinations were strange imo.

 

Thanks again for letting us know about the watermelon salad. You're right about how delicious it is.

[Clay Clayton]

I just hope they keep it on the menu...so few people order it from what I saw. Hope ya'll are having a good winter!

[NMLady]

I just hope they keep it on the menu...so few people order it from what I saw. Hope ya'll are having a good winter![\quote]

 

We had record breaking cold, zero at night and only 18 during day, for three days beginning of February. Our heater was out for two days and the pipes at the well burst. We were without water for 4 days but luckily we could get several gallons a day from a neighbor. DH Joe was able to fix the propane furnace and eventually fixed the well when daytime temps got better. I hope you stayed warm during that February storm.

 

I think the reason most people don't order the watermelon salad is that they think it's just chunks of watermelon. They don't know how good that dressing is.

[danajjj]

Okay, so now I need to know exactly what the watermelon salad is!:p

NMLady, you are probably right. If I wasn't reading about how good it is here, it is something I wouldn't order off the menu. Now, I'll be sure to try it. I'm also looking forward to the Great Outdoors, the tappas, and the wings in the Sports Bar. (It is definitely lunchtime, LOL!:D)

[newmexicoNita]

Where do I start? The size of the ship, the size of the cabins, the crew, the friendly casino staff, the MDR elegence, the Las Rambles for tapas, what more would you like? We will probably do the Sun next winter or early spring for the third time (3rd for me, first for hubby)

 

Nita

[Medtech2]

Where do I start? The size of the ship, the size of the cabins, the crew, the friendly casino staff, the MDR elegence, the Las Rambles for tapas, what more would you like? We will probably do the Sun next winter or early spring for the third time (3rd for me, first for hubby)

 

Nita

We are booked April 14, 2012. i have been to Spain. Please explain what the tapas are exactly on the Sun? ( I have to laugh here in Charleston, because everyone advertises they have tapas. In Spain what I found was that the barkeep had made some tiny sandwiches, etc, and would have them on the bar under glass. you would just point to one that looked good. Invariably there was also a whole Octopus sitting there on the counter with a tomato on his head, kind of like a mascot!)

[newmexicoNita]

We are booked April 14, 2012. i have been to Spain. Please explain what the tapas are exactly on the Sun? ( I have to laugh here in Charleston, because everyone advertises they have tapas. In Spain what I found was that the barkeep had made some tiny sandwiches, etc, and would have them on the bar under glass. you would just point to one that looked good. Invariably there was also a whole Octopus sitting there on the counter with a tomato on his head, kind of like a mascot!)

 

ok, they are not quite what you get in Spain but the same general idea. Yes, you just tell them what looks good and they will get it for you. We made a meal out of them on both Sun cruises. The first time we didn't realize how much we had eaten so we decided to go to the buffet (the only time we ever ate dinner at a buffet) well, we could not eat a bite. The next time we just didn't even bother. Later in the evening we went to the sports bar for a sandwhich. We might be on the same cruise, but we are just in the planning stages now.

 

Nita

[Sauer-kraut]

Medtech

 

One evening they had diablo shrimp and some other things that I honestly can't remember but everything I chose was really good. Under glass, yes sort of, in a refrigerated display case. There were different things every day and I'm sort of bummed we only found out about the tapas on the next to last night! :(

 

Something to remember for the next time I guess....

[Medtech2]

Medtech

 

One evening they had diablo shrimp and some other things that I honestly can't remember but everything I chose was really good. Under glass, yes sort of, in a refrigerated display case. There were different things every day and I'm sort of bummed we only found out about the tapas on the next to last night! :(

 

Something to remember for the next time I guess....

Thats why I have already started a list of things to do/remember! I discovered Cruise Critic the same month we sailed Epic so missed out on being a contributing member of my roll call and exploring this site for helpful hints/knowledge. Now I feel like I am a CC Stalker, Lol! I love reading people's reviews and reading about all the things not to miss while on board...

[jandlcruise]

Thanks to all who've responded! I need to start a "must-do list". We're sailing in about 4 weeks, and so looking forward to a little R&R. Since I'm a NCL newbie, I'm hoping a few more we'll chime in about this ship. I can't read enough!:p

 

What dates are you sailing? We are on the Sun March 26th and really looking forward to it, :) our first NCL cruise. Be sure to check the Roll Call for sailing-there is a meet and greet already scheduled.

[danajjj]

What dates are you sailing? We are on the Sun March 26th and really looking forward to it, :) our first NCL cruise. Be sure to check the Roll Call for sailing-there is a meet and greet already scheduled.

We will be getting on as you are getting off. Our sail date is April 2nd.:D

[Maxy Mouse]

I love the diner on other ships. We always stoped for a snack with our daughter after she had stayed late at the kids club. Is there something like that on the sun? I do not know about kids in the sports bar.

[jandlcruise]

We will be getting on as you are getting off. Our sail date is April 2nd.:D

 

We will try to leave you some coctails!;)