Just back from NCL Sun's Xmas Cruise - GREAT!

[BeadBabe]

In all this "sea" of seemingly not so great reviews...I just have to say...

 

WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME ON THE SUN!!!!!

 

From start to finish it was a great experience. Embarkation was so easy. We did arrive early and that helps alot. We were there by noon and literally walked on the ship. The cab drove right up, the porter took our bags and within 20 mins we had a drink in had. Our bags were in our rooms by 5pm.

Embarkation Tip: Arrive as early as you can to avoid the lines.

 

We had a balcony stateroom. Trust me...upgrade, get a balcony. Well worth the money. Decent sized, plenty of stowage room, a shower you could actually move around in, small safe, fridge. The room steward was EXCELLENT! Thank you Mr. Nato!

Cabin Tip: You know the term "location, location, location"? Then remember "aft, aft, aft". If you have a rough day at sea, the aft bounces less than forward ship does.

 

Once onboard, make a bee-line for the reservation desk. Book any special dining room reservations now. As people board, and make reservations, the time slots fill quickly. "Freestyle Dining" is GREAT!! You'll easily be able to get into any of the regular dining establishments. (The two main dining rooms seat 400+ each.) But the specialty restaurants are smaller (40-90) and they are generous with seating times, so they fill up fast. The buffet is what it is. It's not bad though, just cafeteria style. Great for the midnight munchies. The American Grill Cafe makes a decent burger for the kids. The Four Seasons and Seven Seas Dining Rooms are traditional elegant cruise dining rooms. Food is tasty and the service is excellent. For those traditional cruisers, you CAN make reservations for these dining rooms in the "same time, same waiter" style. The specialty dining rooms (extra charge) offer stylized dining...meaning Italian, French, Japanese, Steak House etc type menus. Again, food is good and service excellent.

Eating Tip #1: Las Ramblas has an omelet bar for breakfast that is great, and never busy cuz it's a secret! Or visit the waffle bar. Everyone is in the main dining room having breakfast and misses this.

Eating Tip #2: Make a reservation for the Pacific Heights dining room. Its the gourmet cuisine healthy restaurant and the food is WONDERFUL. And it's free, but WILL require a reservation.

Eating Tip #3: Be sure to make it to the chocolate buffet.

Eating/Drinking Tip #4: Even if you have kids, think twice about purchasing the "soda card". It's $42.75 for all you can drink soda, per person (no sharing) for the cruise, but sodas by the can are only $1.25 each. So unless you drink 6 sodas a day, it's better to buy as you go.

 

All my shore excursions were booked privately and not thru the cruise. I've posted about those under the specific excursions. Don't try to bring a towel from your room. As you leave the ship, they have big bins of them large beach towels that you can grab.

Excursion Tip: Don't be afraid to expore the private excursion options. They are a bit less money than the cruise offers, but more importantly aren't as crowded.

 

Casino is what you'd expect. Bright and noisy! LOL

Casino Tip: Whether you gamble high or low, register and get a players card. You can earn credits to apply to your ship account to pay for some of those charges!

 

The entertainment was all GREAT GREAT GREAT! Make a point to not miss ANY of the Jean Ann Ryan Dance Company performances in the Stardust Room. Repeat, do not miss ANY! The Stardust has good seating and there are usually two shows, but arrive early for the best seats. The Observation Lounge act, Duo Royale is very very good. They perform to a different theme each night. The Dazzles Nightclub is fun, but the kiddies are allowed in until about 11pm, and a couple of nights are tailored for the the 18-28 yr old crowd.

Entertainment Tip: Bring your camera to the Stardust. They always say "no pictures" but on a couple of the nights, they invite the cast to sit on stage and you may take all the photos with them that you want. DO NOT MISS THESE PERFORMANCES!

 

Pools and hot tubs are always busy as you'd expect, but I never had a problem finding a lounge chair. Service is good, but then they are trying hard to push those over priced drinks! Pool area was constantly being cleaned and was well taken care of.

Pool Tip: The pool is filled with ocean water, so don't be surprised when it's salty! :D

 

The spa was well maintained and well staffed. The usual array of spa services. It books quickly too, so on the day you get onboard, make your bookings.

Spa Tip: Be prepared for the "product sell". After just about every kind of treatment or service the staff will give you a sales pitch on products. They are not pushy at all however, and if you aren't interested, simply say so.

 

Three Things Not To Miss:

1 - Stay up late and get a window seat as you sail in or out of the Mississppi. There are many oil riggers out there and their lighting is quite beautiful. For our Christmas cruise, many had Christmas lights.

2 - Deck 13, Aft lounge area....best view on the ship.

3 - First night, the crew welcoming show in the Stardust.

 

Disembarkation was very very smooth. They will call you by group to leave the ship, and you'll get a flyer the night before to tell you what time that will be. So relax, if you are in a later departure group. Enjoy your stateroom, or one of the lounge areas until it's your turn. Time from when they called my group, to the time I had finished with customs, had my bags and was in the cab was 25 minutes.

Disembarkation Tip: Be warned though, you have to put your luggage out the night before. So pack a small bag or backpack that you can use as an overnight bag for your last night.

 

So relax, don't believe all those nay-sayers that you won't have fun and the food and service isn't good. Fun is what YOU make it. Decide you'll have a great time, and you will!! I sure did! :D

[mailbroad]

Glad you had a great time! The Sun and her crew are super!:)

[Retired not Expired]

Sounds like you had a good as time as we did three weeks ago. Thanks for posting.

[BeadBabe]

Mailbroad and Retired....sure did! Can't wait til the next one! Now I just have to book it!

[micklist]

Thank you for the wonderful review...and for popping over to our roll call (1/23) to say hello. Glad that it was such a great experience for you! Mick

[samtig]

Thanks for the great review! We're going on the Sun for the 2nd time next month and can't wait.

[cnjones1]

Thank you for such a spirited review! I'm so excited to go!

[BeadBabe]

Mick, Sam and CN....my pleasure! You are going to have a great time!! :D

[BeadBabe]

Thank you for such a spirited review! I'm so excited to go!

 

CN...by the way...I noticed your post on the Rio Dulce/Livingston "Go with Gus" thread. Just wanted to say (if you didn't see my answer there), there was a woman with a 6 month old baby on our tour boat. It's not a real turmultuous boat ride to Livingston, and the river tour is an easy one. The jungle walk is not bad at all either. She and her baby did just fine. She even schlepped her stroller along. But her baby was "good" and did sleep most of the way. My only concern would be if it rained, then it could get a little chilly. The quality of Gus' tour and the experience with the children and the Mayan people is well worth packing the baby along.