Sun review 4/5 - 4/12 Western Carrib.

[duluthga]

Just back from a great cruise out of Tampa on NCL Sun. Cruise was 4-5 / 4-12-15. Group was three middle 50’s (Myself, DW and my sister) and one 23 year old our DD. Following is a summary of our trip with a few opinions.

Sunday – 4-5-15 - Arrived at terminal around 11:30, dropped off family and luggage then parked at park4cruise. $60 for the week is ½ of the terminal parking and an easy walk to the terminal or a 2 minute shuttle. Met up with family for about 5 minute wait through security, about 10 minutes in check-in then straight on ship. They had just called open boarding a little before noon. We stopped by La Cucina (6:15) and made reservations for it and Teppanyaki 6:30 (which had shown no availability online) for our two at sea day dinners. Stopped by the excursion desk to make sign up for Chacchoben Ruins Tour in Costa Maya. We had two window rooms on deck 5 – 5205 and 5211. They were ready so we dropped off our carryon bags and went to Four Seasons for lunch. I had the fish and chips which for me had too much batter. Family members had the chicken nachos which looked good (and were from my sampling). Went to Observation Lounge & Deck for sail away which was right at 4:00. Went under the bridge a little after 6:00. We ate dinner in the buffet for the prime rib which was excellent. Went to the welcome show in Stardust. Was okay, Richie Minervi was comedian. He had some funny parts but seemed to rely on potty humor a lot. Dropped a few $$ in the very smoky casino and went to bed by 10:00. A long successful day was in the books.

The Tampa terminal staff were all very friendly as were the park4cruise staff. Ship had a few Easter decorations which was nice.

 

Monday – At Sea - I’m an early riser and was out of cabin and making a quick lap around deck 6 by 7:00. Had a very nice omelet at the great outdoors watching the sunrise. Great way to start the morning. Met up with family and staked out loungers on deck 6 in the shade. Lunch in moderno then long nap preparing for La Cucina. Had the steak which was not great but okay. Went to the 7:30 show, newlywed game, set clocks back one hour and went to bed. Great day!

 

Tuesday – Roatan – After another great, early breakfast at the Great Outdoors we left the boat early for our excursion. We’d booked an island tour with zip line with Victor Bodden. Easily found Victor’s stand, was escorted to our van and asked what we wanted to see. Very accommodating, nice van and friendly driver. We saw a lot of the island then went to Victor’s for zipline. It was fantastic. A total of nine people were in our group. We had three guides who were professional but encouraged us to have fun and enjoy it which we really did! Back to ship for lunch, shower and nap. I could see a pattern forming! Dinner in Four Seasons, I had the filet and shrimp followed by the cheesecake which all was very good. Comedian full show tonight was good. Some laugh out loud moments.

 

Wednesday – Belize – Breakfast in 7 Seas for eggs benedict which became a standard thing for us. Loved the service and the coffee seemed better in china cup and OJ better in a real glass. We tendered in around 10 and just walked the pier area. Got a drink and used Wi-Fi at wet lizard. Back on board for lunch, shower and nap. Dinner in 4 seasons followed by production show which was better than first night.

 

Thursday – Costa Maya – Docked early and we went to pier for our excursion to Chacchoben. I think there were three large busses from our ship there that day. We were the only ship in port. We enjoyed the trip and felt it was worth the $100 pp charge. Back at pier we shopped a little, back on board for late lunch, shower and nap. Dinner in Four Seasons and went to show with El Gaucho. His show was a little better than when we saw it several years ago.

 

Friday – Cozumel – There were six ships in port and I think we were the smallest. We parked next the Epic which was huge compared to Sun. Allure and Navigator were there along with a Princess and Carnival ship. Place was fairly packed! We took a taxi to Mr. Sancho’s as my DD wanted to para-sail and a friend had recommended them. Taxi was $18 for four of us. We went to the pay as you go side and were early enough to get good chairs in shade/sun as we wanted. Checked email on their wi-fi. Around noon it got crowded and one person we met said they told him they were full when they pulled in but let him in anyway. This was a great way to have a beach day for very little money ($60 total). We had some snacks and cokes for around $20 then took taxi back. Production show that night was very good.

 

Saturday – At sea – time changed back to Eastern Time so we slept later – all the way to 8:00! After our normal Seven Seas breakfast we hit trivia, lunch, officer Q&A and dinner in Teppanyaki. I had the scallops and shrimp. They were excellent! I had a sample of the steak which was also very good. The rest of the meal was so-so and the green tea cake and ice cream was a waste of effort. Eleven of us ordered it and no one ate more than a few bites. Overall I prefer the Kani House which is the chain Japanese in our area. Skipped the Stardust tonight and listened to the production show singers unplugged in the windjammer. Four of them were there and they are very good.

Sunday – disembarkation – We docked around 7:00. Noticed the line was forming and got in around 7:30 not far from the front. The self walk-off line got very long as they held us to the scheduled 8:15 departure time. Quick stroll through terminal and out to curb. Called for shuttle twice and got voicemail each time. A little disappointing but it was less than a 10 minute walk as we were in the car and headed home by 8:40.

 

Final thoughts-

Ship – overall we thought the ship was in good shape. A few furniture pieces are well worn and the sofas in both our staterooms needed replacing. We didn’t spend much time on sun deck or pool as my dermatologist hates the sun. I never heard exactly how many were on board but most rooms were showing sold out before we left. Ship never felt crowded and although kids were present they weren’t too out of control.

Food – I had read all the reviews I could before we left and was concerned about the food. Overall we were very pleased with the food and selection. I would have been just as happy to eat in the dining room every night and skipped the pay ones plus $200 richer!

Staff – it seemed the staff got nicer and nicer as the week went on. I can see why they score well in reviews!

We did not bring bar soap and wished we had. The shower curtain was not a nuisance as others report although my DW complained about trying to shave her legs. I enjoyed the hot water and pressure.

I didn’t keep very good notes so the review is a little jumbled. In summary – we had a great time!

[Clay Clayton]

Welcome back, glad you had a good cruise. For your future cruises, if you ask your room steward for a bar of soap they will provide you one.

 

Did you notice if they were using the new menus in the MDRs?

[jtheile]

I was on the same cruise so hope you don't mind me adding some comments of my own.

 

We also parked at Park4cruise, and was pleased with them. We were second in line at the forward line and had planned to walk to the lot. When we got there a girl came out and repeatedly apologized and said neither driver showed up, she then got in the to go pick people up. We must have left just before you did.

 

We had a family come stroll down shortly before 8 wanting to get in the front of the line because they had a 10:00 flight. The person from the cruise staff(Vish) who was organizing the area told them they should have gotten up earlier and that the line would move quickly. When they moved us outside they must have complained to someone higher up because they were brought to the front of the line. Also when we moved outside many people tried to take the opportunity and cut the line but were quickly stop by the NCL staff.

 

This was my third NCL and overall enjoyed it. We did not eat in the specialty restaurants. Overall was satisfied with the food. a little more variety would be good, but I am not expecting 5 star quality. I love the Great Outdoors area and ate breakfast there everyday and also watched the mens and womens NCAA games there.

 

Our cabin's(oceanview) were on the odd deck (Oslo) between 6 and 7. We chose that because of the dead end hallway, hoping to cut down the amount of foot traffic with all the kids on board of which two of them were mine. We were happy with the cabin. There was a group on the same deck but the opposite side that must have had 4 or 5 cases of water thast did not seem pleased with the lack of elevator or the thought of carrying the water down the steps.

[Loucat]

We were on Sun 2/1-2/8 2015 and loved the ship!

Of all of our cruises, this was one of the best!

The staff are exceptional.

I am sorry to see that the Sun will now move to Alaska and then South America.

I was so impressed when passengers were returning from Cozumel, the captains, staff and dancers were out there singing, clapping and welcoming them back.

You do not see that level of interest very often.

Glad you enjoyed the Sun too!

[duluthga]

 

Did you notice if they were using the new menus in the MDRs?

 

I'm not sure what the old menus looked like.

These had a fried spring roll appetizer, salmon, steak on the left side everynight with different things each night on the right.

 

thanks for the tip on the soap!