Last minute cruise on SUN

[In2why]

Hello all. I am brand new to Norwegian and spent quite a bit of time today reading the boards.

 

My Aunt called me and offered me a free cruise as my cousin can't make it and it is already paid in full. I jumped on the offer, but I know nothing about NCL cruising and have some questions.

 

I saw that bottled water can be brought onboard but what about a 12 pack of Diet Dr. Pepper? It is a 7 day cruise and Diet Dr. Pepper is what I prefer to drink.

 

I know a little bit about freestyle cruising, but considering this being last minute, and paying airfare, gratuities, and extras, I don't plan on paying for dining often. Do the included dining areas need reservations? Or are you assigned to a dining room like other lines? If you had to choose a for fee dining option, which would you not want to miss? I am guessing that since there is a Japanese dining option, that there isn't a free sushi bar?

 

I saw something about buying a spa pass. Do you need a spa pass to workout? What extras do a pass get you?

 

As for entertainment. Is there an entrance fee?

 

I hate to sound so cheap, but I plan on spending the majority of my budget on private excursions so I kinda need to know what to expect, and no one else that I am cruising with has cruised Norwegian either.

 

I appreciate any help and thanks!

[bdaddyiii]

I see that you have already cruised on Carnival so to your surprise the NCL is simular as far as the cost of things on board. Freestyle really refers to your dining times in the main dining rooms. You get to pick which resturant and what time you dine unlike the Carnival where you are assigned a dining time and location. On NCL usely one dining room is more formal than the other. The shows are included. As far as soda I have always been able to carry 12 packs of water and soda in my luggage to use during the cruise. You can purchase a soda card for the week as you can on Carnival. Thee gym is included as it is with other cruise lines the spa pass refers to other items offered in the spa. Unless thing have changed drastically since my last NCL cruise which has not been that long this should be good information.:cool: Have a good trip and I hope you have sunny days and good sailing.

[Sauer-kraut]

Hello all. I am brand new to Norwegian and spent quite a bit of time today reading the boards. Good for you!

 

My Aunt called me and offered me a free cruise as my cousin can't make it and it is already paid in full. I jumped on the offer, but I know nothing about NCL cruising and have some questions.

 

I saw that bottled water can be brought onboard but what about a 12 pack of Diet Dr. Pepper? It is a 7 day cruise and Diet Dr. Pepper is what I prefer to drink. You may bring what you like, no set limit per person as on CCL. Ice is provided, the SUN has fridges in the cabins.

 

I know a little bit about freestyle cruising, but considering this being last minute, and paying airfare, gratuities, and extras, I don't plan on paying for dining often. Do the included dining areas need reservations? No, unless you are travelling in a large group. Dining on NCL is just like dining on land, you go to the hostess, state the size of your party and you MIGHT be asked if you care to share a table. It is painless, I never waited on the SUN and I ate around 6:30-7:30. The buffet is nice as well as eating OUTSIDE aft at the "Great Outdoors" Or are you assigned to a dining room like other lines? No assigned dining rooms, you are able to choose and try everything you want. Il Adagio (might be La Cucina now) will have a wonderful atmosphere and great windows. Can't comment on the food in there now. If you had to choose a for fee dining option, which would you not want to miss? I am guessing that since there is a Japanese dining option, that there isn't a free sushi bar?No free sushi, BUT there are free tapas up in Las Ramblas in the evenings. Sangria is a fee, but the tapas themselves are free. Very nice.

 

I saw something about buying a spa pass. Do you need a spa pass to workout? Exercise room is free, you can even use the spa sauna/shower/steam rooms for free. The spa pass might not be offered on the SUN as there is no spa pool nor heated loungers there. What extras do a pass get you?

 

As for entertainment. Is there an entrance fee? No charge for entertainment, unless you are entertained by the Casino and then of course you might pay or you might come out ahead. ;)

 

I hate to sound so cheap, but I plan on spending the majority of my budget on private excursions so I kinda need to know what to expect, and no one else that I am cruising with has cruised Norwegian either. We only ate one time at a a surcharge restaurant on a transatlantic cruise. I was very happy with the buffet and MDR food. Ice Cream available most of the day. Overflow seating in the "Sports Bar" & Moderno for breakfast in the buffet. Even the comfort food at the Sports Bar was good! I liked the fish & chips. Room Service on the SUN was nice as well. Go past the first page where they show for fee foods and get to the sandwiches and such. Pizza wasn't all that great though.

 

I appreciate any help and thanks!

 

 

Have a WONDERFUL time!!

[Clay Clayton]

Welcome to NCL....hope you will like it.

 

One thing that you didn't ask about but since you didn't know how dining worked thought I would mention, NCL's freestyle extends to wardrobe too. Unlike other lines that have a "formal" night, NCL has a "dress up or not" night. They will announce in the Daily that one of the Main Dining Rooms will be the designated formal and request that those who don't feel like dressing up use the other. For me, one of the best parts of vacation is not dressing up but for others who really enjoy putting on the fancy dress clothes, NCL offers that option.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Katesowner]

Soda - We like Coke products which aren't available on NCL ships. We buy the plastic bottled Cokes, wrap them multiple times in plastic wrap to protect against any leaks that might happen, and pack them in checked luggage. When the cruise is over, you have extra space to take back what you have purchased.

[valleyvillage]

The Sun is a wonderful ship. You won't need to worry about a spa pass, they don't offer them on the Sun as there is a more simple sauna, steam area. Gym is no charge.

 

If you do decide to try a specialty restaurant, the italian is, I believe, only $10 and it is quite good. We went there for my Mom's birthday. Sort of like Olive Garden.

 

Some people get some cases of soda, tape them together and put a luggage tag on them and give them to the porter at the pier, they deliver them to your room. Easy!

 

One thing I love about NCL, you could spend the entire cruise without paying an extra cent (they do charge $12 pp/pday service charge, but I bet your aunt will pick that up!) and still have a wonderful cruise.

 

Bon Voyage!

[STARFISH*4]

my dining experience on the SUN for 14 days was we ate in both MDRs any night of the week...and we could eat in both of the MDRs wether we wanted to dress up or not.

 

in fact all the cruises we have been on with 4 NCL ships we never were told to go to one or the other if we didnt dress-up.

 

its Cruise Casual Resort wear any night of the week.

 

only the larger MDR or LeBistro will say no shorts but other than that you can dress up or not any night of the week and eat anywhere.

 

9 cruises with NCL and never paid extra for the food--always GOOD food to be found for FREE!!