JW and Jerome's Sun-Sensational Norwegian Sun St. Patty's Day 2011 Cruise Review

[countrypetals]

Will Do!! Thanks!!

[Clay Clayton]

Hey Clay, I saw that you are FOD too and I also saw you started the October 22 Roll Call. I am sooo looking forward to being on the October 22 sailing, and I will join the RC as soon as I get our confirmations.

 

We or I should say, I, was in the Casino until usually 3 or 4AM and then went up to the Sports Bar for wings and loved sitting out on the Back Deck of the Great Outdoors at night and watching the stars with my Martini, laughing with all the others that were up at that ungodly hour.

 

We usually met the Early Risers, and I would grab a croissant from the Continental Breakfast and take it back to my room and wake Jerome up with it! Ya know, slap him around with the croissant and jelly.....lol!

 

See you soon,

 

JW

 

FOD, who me? :eek::D Sounds like the pre-dinner gatherings will be fun.

 

Glad to know you were in the casino making money rather than in the bar drinking and dancing your night away.

[Carnac767]

I was wondering when the sun is over in barcelona spain or other countries do they switch all the language do they speak in shows ect??

No, still English

[ncyankee]

FANTASTIC REVIEW!! Leaving on the 16th of april & getting so jazzed.

 

The gratuity thing ticks me off beyond belief. These people depend on their tips for salary -- people need to make sure they work it into their budget. Obviously they have never worked in the service industry.

 

I am traveling with my 13 year old son -- and I really try and impress upon him there are occasions to dress up. He'll be in a jacket & bow tie at least 2 nights while cruising. Usually topped off with a fedora.

 

Looking forward to trying the new brazilian restaurant -- will try and remember not to each too much that day.

 

Again thanks for the fun & informative review. Very fair. hope we get Shona. I've met Karin before and she was wonderful.

[bluesea777]

All in all, you will have a fantastic time. Shona Blair will still be the Cruise Director. She will be onboard until Mid May. She is taking the Norwegian Sun to Barcelona and doing three weeks over there before her vacation. Please tell Shona that you know JW and Jerome from Cruise Critic. She will get a kick out of that! Have a blast!

 

JW

 

I was wondering when the sun is over in barcelona spain or other countries do they switch all the language do they speak in shows ect??

 

No, still English

 

The SUN is going to Copenhagen and will do the Baltics.

 

It's the EPIC that is going to Barcelona.

 

The shows on both ships are in English.

 

GREAT REVIEW!! Keep continuing it!!

[Sauer-kraut]

FANTASTIC REVIEW!! I am traveling with my 13 year old son -- and I really try and impress upon him there are occasions to dress up. He'll be in a jacket & bow tie at least 2 nights while cruising. Usually topped off with a fedora.

 

I hope he will remove the headdress before dining!

[andmad]

JW, I loved reading your review. I am all about being positive. People can learn a thing or two from you. We are sailing on the Jewell on June 11th and I cannot wait. Our roll call seems lively, I don't think anyone can top you!

[SFO-F/A]

Hey SFO are you United/Continental? ...as my first line was Jerome flys for the airline that begins with a "U" and just merged with a "C," Jerome asked me to find out as he used to be based in SFO and now he is BOS.

I used to fly out of SFO, STL and JFK. I worked for a great airline, TWA. We were bought by American and I worked for them a couple of years.

 

I took an early retirement and live in SFO. Once a flight attendant, always a flight attendant.....that's why the SFO-F/A!

 

I can't help myself, I always want to get drinks for people and help at friends dinner parties by clearing plates etc...:D

[cruiseguys2009]

I used to fly out of SFO, STL and JFK. I worked for a great airline, TWA. We were bought by American and I worked for them a couple of years.

 

I took an early retirement and live in SFO. Once a flight attendant, always a flight attendant.....that's why the SFO-F/A!

 

I can't help myself, I always want to get drinks for people and help at friends dinner parties by clearing plates etc...:D

 

 

Teewee and Pam and were the most incedible airlines ever in the World. Jerome and I spend hours on Youtube.com watching the old training films and Television Commercials and drink Martini's and cry all night. Sadly, Un-tied is the only one left, and thats being homogenized now with Continental. The last two world wides, are now one....yikes.

[cruiseguys2009]

FOD, who me? :eek::D Sounds like the pre-dinner gatherings will be fun.

 

Glad to know you were in the casino making money rather than in the bar drinking and dancing your night away.

 

 

Casino=Money for NCL CAS=Free Drinks for Me While Gaming=Having really good time.

And don't you know, another funny story. On the night of the White Hot Party, this really nice gentleman, and really young, came up to me while I was playing one of the slot machines....I was wearing my Silver Sequin Shirt (Looking Like a Big Disco Ball) and he whispers in my ear...."It took every bit of courage to come up and say hello to you....I have been watching you all week".....:D:eek::eek::eek:

He turned out to be a FOD and was one of the Spring Breakers, and was a Cheerleader (Hello!) and was the only male travelling with seven girls (another Hello!)

But really, I am 50, and he was 21...barely.....No, Jerome was NOT amused....but it was truly funny and worth buying him a cocktail and chuckling about it....Okay, I chuckled, Jerome was about to kill him.

Then the next morning we saw the girls and him at the Great Outdoors Breakfast Buffet. I pretended not to remember his name....LOL.....and Jerome was still NOT amused.

Then later that evening the Last night of the Cruise, he came up to our table in the Seven Seas, and with a whole group of people at the table, he gave me his email address....Jerome was very much NOT amused, but I was so nervous that I was returning the gesture, and giving him my email when all I wrote was "my full name and .com". I forgot to put hotmail.com. Like I have my own web site....my hands were shaking....then he said, "WOW You have your own Web Site?" Everyone at the table was laughing so hard, and I had to re-write my address and then he sped away....Jerome has never let me live this down....and I was BEET RED all night.....Oh My Gawd! The poor guy had no idea why everyone was laughing....I felt so bad.

[cruiseguys2009]

Thanks for your entertaining, informative, funny, truthful, enlightening review. It has to be one of the best reviews of the Sun I have read lately. We are on her in November and your review just got me all the more pumped up to go. We are taking our 13 y/o grandson with us this time for his first cruise and he really wants to go to the sushi bar. Sounds like he will not be disappointed. And bravo to you for speaking up to the woman who wanted her gratuities removed. That is just ridiculous. What does she mean she can't afford to tip $100 per person? We always figure the gratuities in as a part of the cost of the crusie expense and then budget for other items accordingly.;)

 

 

Your grandson is going to love the Sushi Bar, and he can enjoy it every day (but at 15 bucks a pop per visit). However, he will love the interaction with the Sushi Masters as they prepare all of his favorites for him. Make sure to sit at the Sushi Counter and he will have his own show. The staff will love him and do some extra performance for his benefit....they love kids on NCL!

Thank you so much for your kind words. It really means alot that CC members are paying attention and are kind enough to comment. Have a wonderful sailing!

JW

[CamilleandNick]

HELLLLLOOOOO, JW and Jerome. And as you well know from leaving Seven Seas, seeing Nick and not me.... I had to TINKLE!!!! LOL. OMG.

 

Loved the review. You are so right on so many levels. I knew immediately that it was NOT Jean Anne Ryan....no props and not as many skilled dancers/entertainers. I miss JAR. Bring back the good stuff. These shows were all we had for showtime, but at best, they were High School Musicals. Ugh.

 

Rod's show was better the first day. The second was lacking and his improv by the pool for the synchronized swimming was lame. Shona kept that going and did well. SHE has talent. I loved her as well!

 

I must add that we have been on most of the major NCL ships. This ship is nice. Really. It flows well and is very well-maintained.

 

I completely agree on so many points, JW. I have not yet written my review, but I do plan on writing NCL. As a cruiser, world traveler and one who travels once a month, I was slightly upset by the same things: entertainment was lacking and the "Thank YEEWWWW" in the East Meets WEst. I know exactly the waiter you are speaking of. Nick and I ate there the first night as I had previously told you. Loved the menu, the same as Cagney's. WE had a wonderful waiter and great service. Our waiter that night was Nalish. He is awesome, but not there EVERY night. On our return another night, we had the same waiter you had. He was overworked. I wasn't even finished with my Oysters Rockefeller and he was trying to bring my salad. That was crummy. Then, he would take forever to clear a table. He needed to go back to working the buffet clean up. No bueno.

 

One other complaint I have is the spa. The services there were by far the worst I have ever had. And THAT is a huge statement having been in some of the best spas in the country and on ships. The Pearl's spa is fabulous. Truly. BUT, the Sun's spa stinks. The services are cut short, a sales gimic and the settings are grim, hearing noises above and outside. The staff there made a "full body massage" included in the "Perfect Day" treatment a joke. Since when did a "full body massage" NOT include calves or arms. Those "add-on" charges are a ridiculous way to gouge passengers who have already paid and are a captive audience. Once I am in the massage room and the masseuse says, "Nope. Not included."...Then what? Poor, poor spa.

 

On the positive, the Seven Seas is fabulous. ANd Dhuri is the BEST Maitre' D everrrrrr. I love him. I previously had met him on the Pearl. When I saw him, I called him over and was so happy to see him. He runs a tight ship ...or at least dining room. Wherever he works, (Chocoholic Buffet), he does WORK. Love that guy.

[CamilleandNick]

I said I would say the positive. Our history speaks. We have cruised many times with NCL. We love the Freestyle concept. It works for us.

 

THe cabins are roomy. The staff friendly. The food great. Mostly.

 

BUT...since we started with NCL, we now see the cuts.

 

Gone are the small tokens of appreciation. The special nod from the cabin staff or the wait staff. I can see the cuts. We are fine with many of them. Who needs a whole side of beef at dinner? ;) Smaller portion sizes. Creative menus. That works.

 

What doesn't work: Overworking wait staff so that service is compromised.

Cheapening the entertainment. Cutting down on cleaning/cabin attendants from what used to be one main one and one assistant per a smaller number of cabins. That is a big change. Our cabin was clean, but the little extra touches and personalization is different. The "mystery" soap is fine. It does creep me out a little, knowing how easy it was for the passenger before me to open the top and compromise the sanitary condition of the "mystery" liquid. Ick. Poo.

 

I am dismayed on one other note. ANd JW I agree. I love the space. NCL always has plenty of space for my expansive shoe collection/wardrobe. Never know what you might need...I say to Nick. BUT...I am dismayed that they allow the clientele to wear some of the things at night into the dining room that are really supposed to be prohibited at times. Perhaps the lack of dress code strictness was SPRING BREAK?! ???

 

I was impressed with the staff's constant goal to make the ship sparkle. ONe day i looked up from teh Future Cruise Consultant's desk (She, btw, was very courteous and helpful.) to find a maintenance man polishing the inside scrolls -every knook and cranny- of the brass rails of the ornate staircase. Impressive.

 

Front desk staff - Courteous to the max.

 

Library - Well stocked collection and well maintained. Good hours.

 

Jewelry shop- Very nice collection.

 

I love the friendliness of the guests, too. This ship has that reputation for having some of the best guests. And that, my friend, is so true. So glad to meet you. Even if for brief encounters, it was nice. I think this idea of the Freestyle and the great itinerary and layout of ship allows for passengers to just relax and enjoy, with in turn makes for the enjoyment of meeting new people and being friendly.

 

I loved the Sun. In all honesty, it is a great ship and was a great cruise. Was it my favorite NCL cruise. Nope. The Pearl still ranks so high. Why? I can't help it...I am a Spa Junkie and that ship ROCKS!

 

Thanks for the review. And for the memories.

 

I have to TINKLE. LOL> Sparkle Plenty, Disco Ball.:)

[cruiseguys2009]

Camille, you are too funny, and I did so enjoy meeting you and Nick. And it was sooooo true. Every night..."Hi Nick, where is Camille?" "The Ladies Room!" You Tinkled more than I did!

You both were so much fun and hope to sail with you again someday. I knew all about the encounters you had at the Spa and am glad you included them here. Ugh and that waiter with his "Thank Yeeews" still ring in my ear....."I make you happy, I here to make you happy....Thank Yeeew." The worst service we have ever received on a ship. And in an UPCHARGE Restaurant!

I love it when others chime in on this board and give a true perspective of the Cruise Ship as well as NCL. It truly helps future Cruiser's to make smart choices. When I got involved with Cruise Critic, as I never knew it existed, until I found it on a search. I was glad I did because of so much REAL information about my upcoming cruise was available and I knew what to steer clear of and what to do to have fun.

Plus introducing myself on our Roll Call back then was the best experience of my life, and in doing so, had instant friends when we boarded the ship and also, now, have life long friends!

Camille, both you and Nick were wonderful and I would like to keep in contact with you. Have fun!

JW

[cruiseguys2009]

Hope everyone is enjoying the review. Please post your comments or questions. I will be happy to answer them.

[numberguy]

JW,

 

Did you go to the Roll Call Meet & Greet? How was it? I'm planning the one for our June 13 Baltics cruise on the Sun and want to know what type of event they provide. (Psssst, I'm FOD, too.)

 

--Michael

[wittyfellow]

Thank you so much for your review. My partner and I are cruising the Sun next year so its been wonderful to see a really detailed analysis of the crew and service; I'm printing up your restaurant reviews for him to read.

 

Thanks again for your insights; I'm glad you both made it home safely and had a great time on board!

[cruiseguys2009]

JW,

 

Did you go to the Roll Call Meet & Greet? How was it? I'm planning the one for our June 13 Baltics cruise on the Sun and want to know what type of event they provide. (Psssst, I'm FOD, too.)

 

--Michael

 

Hey Michael,

Yes, ouir Roll Call was kind of small (lame as far as Cruise Critic Roll Calls we have been on). But nonetheless, Camille and Nick, our Roll Call Founder, and she chimed in here a few posts back, made all the arrangements for the Meet and Greet. She did a great job of making all the arrangements and it should have been better attended for all the work she did. It was held at 10:30AM the first Sea Day, and it was in one of the conference rooms behind the photo gallery by the Library.

NCL provided Coffee, Tea, Juiices, Water, Danishes, everything that would be on a Continental or Early Risers Buffet. Gorgeous. Every Officer on board attended, sadly there were more of them than us. It was a great pleasure and honor to have them all in attendance, but sad that so many on Cruise Critic failed to attend this call to honor.

I enjoyed meeting our Captain, the Food and Beverage/Restaurant Manager, the Bar Manager, the Chief Engineer, the Hotel Director and most of all, getting a chance to introduce Shona Blair Yaws to the group. I love Shona, and hopefully after her vacation, she will be with you in the Baltics in June.

We had a blast and NCL treats FOD's amazingly!

Thank you again for chiming in.

JW

[cruiseguys2009]

Happy Tuesday Morning Cruise Critics.

[cruiseguys2009]

Thank you so much for your review. My partner and I are cruising the Sun next year so its been wonderful to see a really detailed analysis of the crew and service; I'm printing up your restaurant reviews for him to read.

 

Thanks again for your insights; I'm glad you both made it home safely and had a great time on board!

 

 

Thank you so much. You will love Moderno and hopefully they will have East Meets West turned into Cagney's by then. Since I wrote the review, I was told that the Restaurant will be reneovated and completed this year and will be an Official Steakhouse and not an afterthought like it is now.

[cruiseguys2009]

Dear Cruiseguys 2009, I just want to thank you so much for the wonderful, informative, funny, entertaining ,truthful post of your trip on the "SUN". I learned so much from your experiences. You guys sound like so much fun!! We are going on the "SUN" this Saturday April 2nd. I am now prepared for what lies ahead. Thanks so much!!

Renne

 

Dear Country:

You will have a great time on the Sun, save for the Entertainment, bleech!

Say hello to Shona Blair and tell her you heard about her on JW's Review! Enjoy the White Hot Party too!

Can't wait to read your review when you return.

JW

[KittyCatRya]

Thanks for the fun review! My DH and I are thinking of an 11 day on Sun next year. I have never been on NCL, but excited to learn more!

[steve4031]

Thanks for that. I'll Bo on there this summer doing the baltics cruise

[Nickymjw1]

Great review again JW. I agree with everything..except. We loved Rod Long the comedian..Doug and I were cracking up all show..did you see his "R" rated show as well?

[Coastalbreezes]

JW -- can you talk a little about the casino? Being a slots addict I am wondering about the variety of slot machines on the Sun. The Gem had a great variety but sure didn't pay out. :(

 

I also thought that (and I could be mistaken) that NCL changed their Player Card requirements. I found it hard to believe that you had to rack up so many points just to get $25.00 off your bill. Didn't it used to be that points accumulated a little slower but at the end of the cruise 1 point = $1? Maybe I am confused with HAL?

 

Thanks,

Tracy