Cruise The Sun From 2/25 Thru 3/5

[RJB7777777]

We took the Sun out of New Orleans on February 25 for a Family 7 Day Cruise. Sorry its taken me a week to get this ready. I'd like to tell you a little bit about my Family first. This was I think, our last Major Vacation together since my Daughter is married now and its been almost a year since they got married. They couldn't really afford a real honeymoon so my Wife and I thought this might be a great last real family vacation. My Son is 25 and a few hours younger then my new son-in-law. So we booked two rooms on the Sun through a local Travel Agent called Kandu Travel. This Agent has had things messed up from the beginning what a mess. My daughter was always calling her to strighten something up that was messed up. My Wife, Son, and I booked a outside Mini Suite with a Balcony and I booked a inside Cabin a few doors down for my daughter and son-in-law.

 

 

The Sun was great, really laid out nice. Really great food and very good people working on her, they were all very curious and kind. In the mornings when I’d get up around 4 I’d go down and have a coffee and this one Lady would always make sure my cup was full even though it was at the buffet. She went out of her way so I didn't have to get up and get my own. Our Stewards were the best you could ever ask for. They went out of their way to make the rooms so very nice. Even as busy as they were they'd always speak and ask how we were doing.

 

We had a great time. The first Port-Of-Call was Costa Maya on Tuesday and we went shopping and eat at a place called "The Cats Meow" what a great lunch we had there. The biggest problem was the long walk on the dock to the pier. That was a very tiring for me using a cane.

 

On Wednesday we went to Santo Tomas, Guatemala what a nice place so many hand made crafts those people made so very nice. You could really tell how proud they were of their Crafts. When we got ready to leave the whole Police Force, Fire Department, and the Crafters all came out to the Docks and played music and danced to show their apparition of us being there. That was so nice. We had a great time there.

 

On Thursday it was off to Belize City the boys wanted to take the Beer Tour so I sent them on that. While they were off on their adventure I sent the women to the Spa for a full body massage. When they were done we went shopping we met up with the Guy's after their Tour was over and had lunch at this place called Something Lizard. A really nice lunch. We had another great Day.

 

On Friday we went to Cozumel, by the time I got to down the long Dock I was beat and was having Chest Pains so I went back to the Ship to rest. My Wife and Kid's said I missed the best Port of all. They had a great time shopping and bought all kinds of stuff to bring back home.

 

On Saturday it was chilly all day at Sea.

 

The best time I had was spending quality time with my Family. The best thing I can recommended to any of you if you want a stress free Cruise get a Mini Suite with a Balcony. I relaxed more out there then I have on any vacation I have ever been on. Just sitting there watching the water and the nice warm breeze in late February and early March. With us being from Michigan it was great sitting outside in short sleeve shirts. The thing I miss most after being off her for a week now is the Balcony and those big Choclate Chip Cookies.

 

The biggest problem we had was the Travel Agent she booked my Son with one letter missing from our last name and it was a big problem with the Air Lines. The Ship stuff was all right she just messed up with the Air Line Stuff. So if you live in Mid Michigan and need a great Travel Agent please go see Kandu Travel if you want a mystery vacation or a adventure you must go there. NOT

 

I hope this helps any of you that are first timers. Thanks, Rick (RJB7777777)

[mrleo33]

Rick, your children are very lucky to have you. I am so glad you had a nice trip.

 

I did have a quick question, I heard they have changed how you book for the speciality restaurants. Do you know if I can book the entire week at once or if the only allow you to book 24 hrs in advance?

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I hope you get to cruise again soon.

[zman5]

RJB7777777 glad you had a good time I also liked the Sun, just a travel agent suggestion. I saw you are from Burton and I live in Flint but a group of 70 of us have a cruise booked on the Spirit in 11 days and we went through Superior Travel in Davison MI and so far I havn't heard of any issues you may want to give them a try for your next vacation.

[joeskitty]

Yes my dad is really great dad. :D We all had a really great time. Mrleo you can only book 24 hours in advance and east meets west fills up fast. zman thank you we will try there next we had call them in grand blanc where I live and they were alot higher in price but next time we will try out in there. I think next time I would rather pay the higher price then go through the crap Kandu Travel puts you thur.

[KKeeganS]

I'm glad you had a great time despite your woes with your travel agent. We're on the Sun in a little less than two weeks, and I just can't wait. Your review was especially reassuring about Santo Thomas as I haven't found much about the town or crafts anywhere. We will be sure to check that out while we're in port.

[joeskitty]

KK we didnt take any excursion on Santo Tomas was very hot. I think it was my least favorite port which we only stayed like an hour and then went back to the boat. People there didnt barder in price much kinda expensive for what they had compared to other places. That was fine. But there coconut filled with rum drink was good. And Im not much of a drinker. Have fun. :D

[RJB7777777]

KKeeganS there is really not much there at the Port. When we tried finding stuff about there before we went we also had a hard time. We only went to the warehouse shopping. But like I said they were very proud of their crafts. Mostly everything there you could tell was hand made and quite a few venders were doing their stuff while we were shopping in there. I think you'll really like it as much as we did. When you get ready to leave thou make sure your on that side of the ship, they really give you a great send-off. I was really impressed with that.

 

Thanks, Rick

[RJB7777777]

mrleo33 thank you for the kind words. I am very lucky to have such great kids. Neither one really never gave us any problems. Just the arguing most kids do, even when they grow up. Even thou their grew up now they still help me. My health went bad in '88 and I had to retire at the age of only 39. My son still lives at home and he helps me as much as he can and my daughter lives about 15 minutes from here and her husband both help out as much as they can. I've been very blessed. Thanks again, Rick

 

zman5 that's good to know I grew up in Davison and paying the extra bucks would have been worth it. Next time I'll know. Thanks again, Rick

[RJB7777777]

We took the Sun out of New Orleans on February 25 for a Family 7 Day Cruise. Sorry its taken me a week to get this ready. I'd like to tell you a little bit about my Family first. This was I think, our last Major Vacation together since my Daughter is married now and its been almost a year since they got married. They couldn't really afford a real honeymoon so my Wife and I thought this might be a great last real family vacation. My Son is 25 and a few hours younger then my new son-in-law. So we booked two rooms on the Sun through a local Travel Agent called Kandu Travel. This Agent has had things messed up from the beginning what a mess. My daughter was always calling her to strighten something up that was messed up. My Wife, Son, and I booked a outside Mini Suite with a Balcony and I booked a inside Cabin a few doors down for my daughter and son-in-law.

 

 

The Sun was great, really laid out nice. Really great food and very good people working on her, they were all very curious and kind. In the mornings when I’d get up around 4 I’d go down and have a coffee and this one Lady would always make sure my cup was full even though it was at the buffet. She went out of her way so I didn't have to get up and get my own. Our Stewards were the best you could ever ask for. They went out of their way to make the rooms so very nice. Even as busy as they were they'd always speak and ask how we were doing.

 

We had a great time. The first Port-Of-Call was Costa Maya on Tuesday and we went shopping and eat at a place called "The Cats Meow" what a great lunch we had there. The biggest problem was the long walk on the dock to the pier. That was a very tiring for me using a cane.

 

On Wednesday we went to Santo Tomas, Guatemala what a nice place so many hand made crafts those people made so very nice. You could really tell how proud they were of their Crafts. When we got ready to leave the whole Police Force, Fire Department, and the Crafters all came out to the Docks and played music and danced to show their apparition of us being there. That was so nice. We had a great time there.

 

On Thursday it was off to Belize City the boys wanted to take the Beer Tour so I sent them on that. While they were off on their adventure I sent the women to the Spa for a full body massage. When they were done we went shopping we met up with the Guy's after their Tour was over and had lunch at this place called Something Lizard. A really nice lunch. We had another great Day.

 

On Friday we went to Cozumel, by the time I got to down the long Dock I was beat and was having Chest Pains so I went back to the Ship to rest. My Wife and Kid's said I missed the best Port of all. They had a great time shopping and bought all kinds of stuff to bring back home.

 

On Saturday it was chilly all day at Sea.

 

The best time I had was spending quality time with my Family. The best thing I can recommended to any of you if you want a stress free Cruise get a Mini Suite with a Balcony. I relaxed more out there then I have on any vacation I have ever been on. Just sitting there watching the water and the nice warm breeze in late February and early March. With us being from Michigan it was great sitting outside in short sleeve shirts. The thing I miss most after being off her for a week now is the Balcony and those big Choclate Chip Cookies.

 

The biggest problem we had was the Travel Agent she booked my Son with one letter missing from our last name and it was a big problem with the Air Lines. The Ship stuff was all right she just messed up with the Air Line Stuff. So if you live in Mid Michigan and need a great Travel Agent please go see Kandu Travel if you want a mystery vacation or a adventure you must go there. NOT

 

I hope this helps any of you that are first timers. Thanks, Rick (RJB7777777)

 

Another suggestion I'd like to make is buying a Composition Book and writing down at the end of each Day what you did and the "Sites Of The Day". I did this and I can always go back and re-live everyday on this great Cruise.

 

Thanks, Rick

[lynnemac]

Rick,

 

Glad you had such a wonderful time with your family. We were on the same cruise. We sure had wonderful weather didn't we?!

 

Mrleo33,

 

All the restaurants can now only be reserved 24 hours in advance. I reccommend you do it at the desk on Deck 5. We talked with a couple who made reservations over their room phone and there was no record of their reservation when they showed up to dine.

 

Mac:) :) :)

[hookedoncruisin']

KKeeganS,

We were on this crusie also and had an amazing time. Santo Tomas was actually our favorite port. We loved it there. We went on the NCL exchursion to the Waterfalls. We had a wonderful guide, it was a short bus ride to the falls, since it was such a hot day the falls were not only beautiful, but refreshing as well. As we drove along the streets of the city people would run out of their houses to wave at us, especially the children. The excursion was only a couple hours (I think we left around 8:30 am and returned before 11) so we did some shopping at the port, had lunch on the ship and then took the City tour that we caught right there on the pier. Our guide Marianne spoke better English than we did she was beautiful and very, very sweet as we found all the people to be. Since we have been back we have commented many times that we would love to return here and stay for an extended period of time.

Have a wonderful trip. We truly did, I almost cried reading RJB7777777's review cuz I really miss sitting in our room with the balcony door open all night listening to the waves and feeling the breeze. :o

[cruisingfromMN]

I enjoyed reading your review. Thanks for taking the time!