Norwegian Sun, post dry dock

[Manchester is blue]

Has anyone been on the Sun since it came out from its recent dry dock?

Im sailing on her soon, and am curious to learn of recent reports.

Thanks

 

 

 

 

[schmoopie17]

We were looking at the Sun for a Tahiti to Hawaii cruise next year. However, the reviews of that ship (as well as the sister ships the Sky and the Star) are so horrendous, we'll have to start looking for something else. Unless, the dry dock has produced a miracle.

[curmudgeon98]

I wouldn't have high expectations from the drydock.  My understanding is that periodic drydocks are required for safety reasons, to do a thorough inspection of the hull and repair/replace any steel that had suffered too much corrosion.  Everything else depends on the cruise lines longer term plans for the ship.  If NCL plans to keep the Sun for another 10 years, they might go a bit deeper in replacing carpets, furniture, upgrading A/C and toilet system, installing Starlink, etc.

 

I'm considering a cruise on this ship, and I'm not really expecting it to look like new.  I'm just hoping that the food will be decent (better than our last NCL cruise on a similar ship 7 years ago), the mattress won't be U-shaped,  and that the ship won't be breaking down and missing ports.  We've mostly been cruising more "premium" lines, but Norwegian is the only one with the itinerary and timing that would fit us this time. 

[dexddd]

2 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

We were looking at the Sun for a Tahiti to Hawaii cruise next year. However, the reviews of that ship (as well as the sister ships the Sky and the Star) are so horrendous, we'll have to start looking for something else. Unless, the dry dock has produced a miracle.

Good thinking.  Actually Sky and Sun are sisters nearly identical.  Sky spent some time as Pride of Aloha mid 2000s when they had three ships in Hawaii.

 

Star and Dawn sisters.  Spirit oldest in fleet and we've sailed twice and really like her.  They have since done nice drydock on Spirit.  They've been doing those Tahiti runs on Spirit last few years.  They've been able to command high prices but we'd do Paul Gauguin again if we were to go back.

 

We had a 2012 Baltics booked on Jewel in aft balc but they changed it to the Sun.  Was not thrilled and not same room for four available on Sun.  They put us in an aft mini which are probably the best in the fleet.  Really don't have any interest in Sun or Sky.  Star and Dawn we've sailed three times no issues and would go again.  They have had issues over the years though.

[schmoopie17]

3 minutes ago, dexddd said:

Spirit oldest in fleet and we've sailed twice and really like her.  They have since done nice drydock on Spirit.  They've been doing those Tahiti runs on Spirit last few years. 

Yeah, have heard really good things about Spirit. Unfortunately it's not doing the same itinerary as the Sun for April and September, 2025. It's hard to pull the trigger to book a ship as universally reviled/disliked as the Sun...even for an outstanding itinerary.

[jdub99]

We just got off the May 1 sailing on the Sun, if you have any specific questions feel free to ask.  My understanding is that it was primarily a safety/inspection drydock (as mentioned above.)  One of the crew members we asked about said they had stayed on during drydock and were helping other departments (he then pointed to the bartop and said we were the first guests to put our elbows on it.)  I also think they rearranged the machines in the casino (presumably for the worse as I don't think it could be any worse than it is now.)  There were still multiple guest reports of plumbing issues so I don't think anything major refurb was done.  It was also our first time on the ship so I don't have a great point of reference.

[smillerholmes]

I am currently on the Sun.  I was on last year for the 20-day/Miami to Seattle | Panama Canal cruise.  The ship is in good condition, but I am not noting anything that stands out as a significant change.  Other than the rearrangement of the machines in the Casino - grrr.... my favorite game is now smack dab in the middle of a high traffic area where "BUFFALO" is screamed regularly.  

 

Also, I am just off the Spirit.  That ship looks like they spent $100 million - it's beautiful.  It was my first time on though, so nothing to compare it to.