(Semi?) - Live From the Sun | Panama Canal | MIA to SEA 04/21 - 05/11

[lepidoptera]

I am glad you are enjoying your first transit. The weather looks fantastic and I am happy they adjusted so you are still transiting during daylight. 

[Essiesmom]

Miraflores locks

 

 

[quack2]

On 4/25/2023 at 6:50 AM, Oakman58 said:

 

Considering how good the hourly wage the porters make, asking for a tip is pathetic.  I had a porter basically tell me to tip him in New Orleans many years ago, part of my response was "don't be a beggar."

 

Seriously?

[smillerholmes]

Alright a quick recap of XingPC Day!  Overall the Sun has alot of places to see the mechanics of the crossing. I definitely got my steps in as I moved around the ship. It's an awesome experience so if anybody out there is on the fence about doing the Canal, I vote for do it! Our onboard specialist was a little hard to understand so I didn't go up to the Spinnaker lounge for his Q&A (maybe next time?!?) 

 

Followed the Canal up with Part 1 of a Peter Max lecture. Very informative.

 

Dinner at Four Seasons. I have to say with the exception of one night they have consistently had something I wanted to try. I still have 5 Specialty Dining credits left.

 

The Casino: Let's just say I had to fill out some government paperwork- w00t! w00t!

I went to bed a slightly inebriated happy girl!

[smillerholmes]

Cross posted. Re: CasNext Certificates

 

I asked for an actual document, I was told none was available.  This is the information I got from the Executive Host on the Sun: 

1. Once you accumulate 5K/10k points you will be offered a choice for redemption.

a. Use points to reduce part of gambling debt/charges (same as before)

b. Receive CasNext for $250/$500 to be used within 1 year. I could not get a straight answer on book by vs. sail by.

c. Have points roll over (same as before)

 

CasNext is not combinable with CruiseFirst or CruiseNext. Certificates are not transferable. Must be redeemed via CAS department. 

 

I can't give first hand experience since I have multiple CruiseNext and CruiseFirst certs to be used. Hopefully someone with experience will be able to chime in.

[Warbird]

Question about entertainment, are they still offering two shows a night? The usual mix of  comedian, Broadway, and magician/juggler?

[smillerholmes]

9 minutes ago, Warbird said:

Question about entertainment, are they still offering two shows a night? The usual mix of  comedian, Broadway, and magician/juggler?

Sigh...I have been silently fretting addressing this issue.  Here is what I will say. There has been a DJ most days or at least semi  current music playing around the pool deck. There has been a "jazz band" playing around the ship and there has been a pianist/singer in the atrium every evening.  I have seen nothing indicating there is a comedian and/or juggler on board. I did not get to go to the Rachel Dudt show which was showing in the Stardust Theater. Closest thing to an actual production show.  Perhaps it will be on again. 

 

My opinion: jazz band is OK. I am guessing most guests onboard are satisfied with their playing. Its a little old fashioned for me, not what I would call Jazz. It's more Big Band?!? than Jazz. Pianist/Singer guy is just terrible. There are literally no words. Obviously, entertainment is subjective. 

[Warbird]

Question about entertainment, are they still offering two shows a night? The usual mix of  comedian, Broadway, and magician/juggler?

 

I should have directed my question to the Stardust Theater. It’s been reported on some of the larger NCL ships that some of the shows have been discontinued and the performers sent home so I was curious if there were two shows a night in the Stardust.

[smillerholmes]

My apologies for the posting delays.  Internet reception from my cabin is not that great and somewhere along the line I caught a cold and since I don't want my fellow passengers to feel like they are going to catch the big C or some other malaise I chose to seclude myself as much as possible.  I eliminated C-19 with a handy test swab.

 

Day 9

 

Breakfast in the buffet - sigh, no Salmon bagels available, but at least I could take my food back to my room to contain my germs.

El Salvador - I did not go ashore

Lunch - Also, buffet - generally speaking they do a good job with variety.    I guess I've just never seen a buffet that small.

 

Dinner - I was feeling a bit better, so headed to Cagney's 15 minutes before closing.  I got the ribeye I had been craving and I tried to eat the potatoes augratin.  This is another recipe they appear to have change and not for the better.  I found them inedible with the overpowering amount of garlic that has been added.

 

 

[smillerholmes]

Day 10 

I felt well enough to eat breakfast in the dining room and I had taken enough drugs to control the sneezing fits. 

Next up was Puerto Quetzal and my chosen excursion "Safari Adventure" which was about a 30-40 minute drive from the pier.  It's a drive-thru style mini zoo.  At the end of the drive thru there was a small restaurant and gift shop area to appease the masses.  Overall pretty fun. We had to do something I've never experienced before upon our return from the excursion. We had to exit the bus and walk through port security and once through security our bus met us and we reboarded for the rest of the ride to our ship.  Our guide explained they were only doing this process on this side of the port the Celebrity side didn't have to do it.  Kinda weird.

 

There are two ports at Puerto Quetzal - where the Sun was docked you were not allowed to walk, but they offered free shuttles over to the other port where one of the Celebrity ship was docked.  I took the shuttle over (approx 10 minutes) and it's basically a little shopping plaza and restaurant area.

 

Next up was the  Part 2 lecture on Peter Max followed by dinner in Four Seasons.  By that time my drugs gave out and so did I.

[smillerholmes]

Day 9

 

I forgot to mention I went on the Behind the Scenes tour.  So fun!  We saw the theater/dressing area, laundry and kitchen.  I was pretty sure I knew why we were eating at the buffet two days in a row, but the chef confirmed the conditions for the staff as well as controlling temps on food made it untenable to do anything besides the buffet until the system had stabilized.

[smillerholmes]

On 4/30/2023 at 1:59 AM, Warbird said:

Question about entertainment, are they still offering two shows a night? The usual mix of  comedian, Broadway, and magician/juggler?

 

I should have directed my question to the Stardust Theater. It’s been reported on some of the larger NCL ships that some of the shows have been discontinued and the performers sent home so I was curious if there were two shows a night in the Stardust.

I think her title was "Entertainment Director", but she provided the BTS tour info for the theater area for the Latitudes group, but this is the information I got from her.

 

There are 2 standard shows on the Sun - "Rock You Tonight" and "Worldbeat" Because this cruise is sort of a one-off they haven't scheduled the two regular shows the way they normally do for a 7 or 10 day itinerary and because of the make up of the guests they have had music talent vs. comedians as that tends to translate across languages better than comedy.  Also, they have been picking up talent from different ports  and they may only do one show then they are off at the next port.  Sorry for the late response - I kind of fell down on the job for this one, but that's why this cruise has had inconsistent entertainment - not to mention the power/Cartagena/bru-ha-ha earlier in the week.

 

 

[smillerholmes]

Day 11

 

Huatulco - Beautiful little beach town - no excursion, just walked around a bit.  I wish I could offer some insights into that port.  We were tied up next to Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas and it was HOT.  Standard weather for Mexico.

[smillerholmes]

[smillerholmes]

1 minute ago, smillerholmes said:

Best excursion EVER!  "Endangered Baby Sea Turtles and City Drive"  Watching these little cuties fight to get to the ocean was so inspiring.  And to think I almost chose the cliff divers.  

 

 

 

[WillCruiseForMoney]

We were on this excursion also.  It was great to see those turtles make it to the sea today.

[smillerholmes]

25 minutes ago, WillCruiseForMoney said:

We were on this excursion also.  It was great to see those turtles make it to the sea today.

Oh yay!  Glad you enjoyed that too!

[mking8288]

Glad to read you are feeling better and it isn't that ...  Got Vitamins C, up the daily intake & get them O.J. in the morning from the buffet. 

 

Ask them behind the buffet counters if there's a cold cut & cheese section, they evilly hide them - will quickly give them out & put it on your plate ... at least they used to.  I go to the MDR for my breakfast fixes ... smoked salmon.  

 

Granville Island ... been stopping there for nearly 40 years when in town, and to bring some back to the East Coast. 

[smillerholmes]

Day 13 - Manzanillo

 

What can I say - I like the critters.  Another trip to a sanctuary.  In addition to turtles they help a wider variety of reptiles.  Big focus on turtles, crocodiles and iguana.  A very enjoyable day, but unlike the facility in Acapulco they only had 5 babies for us to set free to the ocean.  Still awesome to watch, but it is what it is.  

 

There was a comedian tonight:  Jonny Loquasto.  Two shows 7 and 9.  The 7pm show did not make me want to come back for the adult version at 9.  Obviously, comedy is subjective.  😁

 

LaCucina for the filet tonight.  That steak was so tender - thanks for all those that recommended that.  Being allergic to tomatoes does not allow for alot of variety at LaCucina so that was a good tip for me.

[smillerholmes]

Day 14 - Puerto Vallarta

 

I have been to Puerto Vallarta more than a couple of times, but I've never actually done an excursion so today was new.  City Sights, Shopping and Tequila - definitely glad I went the guide was knowledgeable not only about the places we went, but provided alot of detail about daily life in Mexico.  Fascinating.

 

Dinner at LeBistro - They have changed the Coq au Vin recipe again and not for the better.  It is edible, but I'll be going with the Fois gras on my steak probably tomorrow night.

 

The Casino - I was doing so well, but today was break even day.  Grrr...

 

 

[smillerholmes]

Day 15 - Cabo San Lucas

 

I had an excursion planned today, I just couldn't make myself get on another bus for a port I have been to multiple times.  I might take a tender over after lunch to walk around a bit.  Eh, might just stay aboard and read.  Decisions, decisions...

[nslatin]

Hey smillerholmes, 

 

We are on the next cruise, May 11 Alaska.  If you get a chance can you ask guest services how many passengers are expected on this next cruise?  Thanks much.

 

Neal

[smillerholmes]

17 hours ago, nslatin said:

Hey smillerholmes, 

 

We are on the next cruise, May 11 Alaska.  If you get a chance can you ask guest services how many passengers are expected on this next cruise?  Thanks much.

 

Neal

Attempting to check right now....

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

Have you listened to any of the musical acts in the lounges and smaller venues?  If so, how were they?  We'll be on the Sun in couple of months.

[smillerholmes]

On 5/5/2023 at 7:22 PM, nslatin said:

Hey smillerholmes, 

 

We are on the next cruise, May 11 Alaska.  If you get a chance can you ask guest services how many passengers are expected on this next cruise?  Thanks much.

 

Neal

Sorry for the late response.  I asked, they don't have the manifest yet, but they expect to have it on Wednesday.  I will check back and try to get that info for you.  

 

I can tell you there are many on this cruise that are going on to Alaska - I have spoken to several couples that are B2B2(infinity) I lost track...they've been on a loooong time.