Trip report: Returned from the SUN Western Caribbean Cruise 4-5 to 4-12.

[petalpalz]

To summarize briefly, I had a wonderful time and some great excursions, but none of my excursions were through NCL.

 

My hubby and I arrived in Miami 3 days before the cruise to enjoy a pre-cruise trip down to the Keys. This turned out to be a wonderful idea and I'm so glad we did.

 

On the Saturday of the cruise, we had a bit of trouble getting rid of our rental with Enterprise, as we were stuck in traffic for a lot longer than we expected and ended up feeling time pressured to get to the pier. We were charged quite a bit (20 dollars) to get from the Hilton Enterprise rental drop off site (near the pier) to the port. However, we arrived at about 2:00 and we had no problems with either our luggage or embarkation. I did feel that our greeting could have been much warmer at the terminal by the NCL personnel. We had booked a mini-suite on the same ship in June 2007 and when we arrived our papers were in the VIP box. So this time, I asked on arrival which line we should go in and really, the woman looked at me like I was crazy and said NO.. not THAT line. That wasn't warm or polite, and I was a bit embarassed by her "scorn". On disembarkation, I have to say another person who was directing the lines (NCL employee) what shouting orders and patronizing... "if you don't have your papers out, I'm going to send you back and you will have to do the whole line over again..." Really!

My husband, who is a teacher of "at risk" kids, finally engaged her and asked her if she could speak with more courtesy, stop shouting, and add a few special words to her commands... like please and thank you, and she very graciously accepted his criticism and truly changed her manner. Everyone in that line appreciated that change.

 

Food: Absolutely great food in the Seven Seas, Le Bistro (+++) and Il Adagio. Try to avoid the buffet as the choices seem very limited. That said, the buffet generally has the same soups served in the dining room, the Ceasar salad station was ALWAYS good, and one night we enjoyed a great carving of Prime rib that I must say was PERFECT.

The waffle station and the omelet station and the pasta station were very tasty, however, we happened to be there at the times when the lines were long and slow. I loved their bow-ties and Alfredo sauce. yummm. The ice cream lines were short and they were quick. Everyone was enjoying ice cream cones at all hours of the day and evening.

Drinks: I can't speak much to the drinks, as my husband and I don't really drink much. We had plain ice water with our meals and a cappacino (sp?) with dessert. Oh and btw, the Creme Brulee at Le Bistro is to die for.

Oh and one more thing... the breakfasts in the Seven Seas Restaurant have VERY small portions. I'm not sure why, but be sure to order double the hash browns if you want them, and that will still be about half of what you would get at a Denny's. It was difficult to get warm toast with eggs. The OJ was delicious. I enjoyed being served breakfast on occassion. We ordered room service for breakfast a few times (excursion days) and it was really handy to have BF delivered early, but the room service breakfasts are cold items only, and coffee.

 

Stateroom: We had great consistent housekeeping service, with sweet little towel animals every evening. We had a fruit bowl that was replenished as we depleted it. One morning the balcony had just been SOAKED from a storm (I guess) and the railing was very tacky to the touch after it dried. I just wiped it down and polished it (it was tacky from the sea salt, I think) and it was nice the remainder of the trip. We really enjoyed the balcony, and I had hoped it would be large enough for two lounge chairs, but it was not. (Iim spoiled by the aft balcony on our Alaska trip) Our air conditioning was WAY cold. REALLY cold. We kept turning it down during our stay until finally, around Wednesday, we found the "right" spot. I preferred being too cold to too hot.

 

Service: My husband throught the staff was a LOT more pleasant on our Alaska trip last June. He noticed a big difference. I felt that most of the female waitstaff were cool and distant whereas the male waitstaff were pretty consistently helpful and solicitous. Interestingly, I observed a female maitre'd (sp?) who had rather cooly assigned our table at Le Bistro (our second splurge there), just radiant with smiles when she seated a group of little sweet old ladies. I guess that gives me something to look forward to when I'm old. I was VERY happy to see the way she treated these ladies.

 

Luggage: This was a big deal to us as the previous time we cruised to Alaska, our luggage was lost until Thursday (NOT by NCL, but by the airlines). This time it arrived to our room within an hour of our arrival.

 

The Ship and Entertainment: The ship is beautiful, the shows are great (mostly) and the ambiance is very nice. The servers were always asking if you wanted a drink, but did not pressure or bother if you said no, which we consistently did. The fitness room is very well equipped, and the pool was lovely. Refreshingly and startlingly cool when you first get in. There were tons of lounge chairs and these were continually brought out by the staff as needed. Finding a seat to dine was never a problem if you ate at a serve-yourself cafe.

 

Excursions: We planned our own exursions independent of NCL per advice from this board

 

Roatan: Victor Bodden tours. You have a guide ALL to yourself for your own group. Prices are more if you are just a few and less if you have more. We paid $80 for 2. Our guide, Laura, was very sweet, but not very informative about the culture and history of the island and country. She was wiling to go anywhere we wanted but didn't discuss various options with us when she started our tour. We went to the Iguana Farm (totally unnecessary unless you really want to see a lot of iguana's close up), to Victor's house (oh yes, hold the monkey!!!) for $2. There is a little gift shop at Victor's house and I wish I had purchased a few things there as the prices were MUCH better than anywhere else I went. I am NOT much of a shopper. By 11:00 we were at a great beach/snorkel site. We staked out our lounge chairs. The snorkeling was absolutely easy and fabulous there. The highlight of this day (at the Half Moon Bay Resort) was the restaurant. For $18 dollars my husband had a huge lobster lunch. It was delish. I had the Coconut Shrimp for I think $16. There were probably 8 huge shrimp on the plate, and we enjoyed the local beer. We were well taken care of by "CHIM". There was also a singer wandering around with a guitar being exceedingly pleasant and low profile. We sat next to the railing overlooking the ocean water below and it was so clear you could see several different types of fish. I could even pick up the fish with my camera. Throughout the day, Laura was always within site and kept herself totally available and accomodating.

Belize City: Cave-Tubing.com is actually the name of the company. The staff of this little tour company were absolutely entertaining from the moment we arrived at the bus (and they were waiting for us on the pier as per very clear instructions). They take tremendous pride in being the tour company who SPECIALIZES in the caves and you could tell they DID know their stuff. The caves were fabulous. It was a nice day to be out of the sun for a few hours and it was cool and refreshing in the underground waterways. We felt safe, challenged, and pampered at the same time. We were back in the town by 3 pm, and skipped the shopping and went right to the ship for a late and lazy lunch.

Cozumel: This was my hubby's favorite excursion. (he vegged on the beach the whole time) We took a taxi to a private Beach Club at Nachi Cocom. It cost $49 per person, and the taxi was $15. For this fee you get you own little palapa and space with a lounge chair and a waiter. There is a pool within steps with a swim up bar. The dining room was open. This was an all inclusive deal, with as much as you can drink or eat while you are there. When my hubby thought the pina colada's were coming too slowly, he told the waiter "muy rapido" and he never had an empty glass for the rest of the day. (we are more inclined to drink when the drink is already paid for) Early on we ordered Nachos which came with salsa, and a big serving of fresh guacamole. Right on the beach. (food service didn't start until 11:30). I went snorkeling with an informal "water sport" company who offered to take a group out for $35. per person. They were going to go to one spot but we talked them into different locations since we couldn't decide on one. My only (later) concern about this was safety. Because we all said we were strong swimmers (2 in the group of 4 were children 10-11 yrs old), the tour guide only put 2 life jackets in the boat for the kids, which I hadn't noticed. The kids were not required to wear them but I felt they should have been. On the second snorkel site we went to, the water was very deep and next to an underwater cliff. We saw a few larger fish here, but the snorkeling really wasn't very good here... and ALSO the waves were very high and it was difficult to stay together. I found myself bobbing along with water in my mask and mouth and barely able to keep myself afloat as I tried to clear my gear. The boat divided itself between me and the other 3 as we had drifted (not by choice) far apart. When the boat was close, I asked if he could throw me a life jacket but he told me that he didn't have one for me. ??? He tossed me a buoy but I couldn't easily hold myself out of the water and clear my gear at the same time, so I told him I didn't need the buoy. He figured I was ok, and drove off leaving me pretty alone and distant from the group. I realized I should have come on board at that point, but I still wanted to see more fish. I take responsibility for putting myself at risk, but I think the boat should ALWAYS have enough life jackets for their snorkelers. Other tour groups required all of their snorkelers to wear life jackets while in the water. I think that's a really good idea. The water is MUCH rougher the farther we were out to sea and we were quite a way out. I also feel that when you are out of the country, you need to be aware that safety codes are NOT enforced the way they would be in the USA. That said, I had a wonderful time in the boat and in the first snorkel site. We were away from the crowds (I forgot to mention that they limit the number of day trippers to 100). It was just wonderful day.

Day at Sea: Got up early and claimed our lounge spot with our towels. I learned this the first day at sea when we couldn't find a place to lay with all the folks all over the place and empty lounge chairs with towels on them. So we joined with the tradition on the next sea day. :) We divided our time between the pool, the casino, and the cabin balcony with bites of food in between. It was a relaxing day.

Stirrup Cay: This was a lovely beach day. The sun was really hot, the tender boats were huge and efficient, the band was far enough away to be heard but not so close as to be invasive if you were on the beach. The BBQ was great and well organized. The juciest hamburgers imaginable with most of the trimmings you could want. We brought our own soda's in a little lunch ice pack. We only lasted about 2 hours out there, tho and went back to the ship for more pool time. I have to say, the beauty of the beach was totally overwhelmed by the quantity of people that were there. I never saw so many people on a beach in my life, even during spring break in Miami. YIKES. However, it seemed there were plenty of water toys and activities for everyone. (rafts, snorkel gear). I attempted snorkeling here, but it seemed like the snorkeling was pretty far off shore and I did get tired again there, with the ocean being a little rough out by those big old rocks. I always felt safe however, as the NCL required life jackets and were no cost to those of us who had our own snorkel gear. The cost of snorkeling was $29 for the day. I thought this was horrible, and was glad I dragged my own snorkel gear all the way from California. :)

So, if you made it all the way through this trip report, congratulate yourself as I know it was very long. I'm generally lurking but decided I should share my experience since the posters on this board guided my choices for this trip. We really had a WONDERFUL time.

[BeachBumMama]

Welcome back, glad you had such a nice time!:) Great review.

[Lib0007]

On disembarkation, I have to say another person who was directing the lines (NCL employee) what shouting orders and patronizing... "if you don't have your papers out, I'm going to send you back and you will have to do the whole line over again..." Really!

My husband, who is a teacher of "at risk" kids, finally engaged her and asked her if she could speak with more courtesy, stop shouting, and add a few special words to her commands... like please and thank you, and she very graciously accepted his criticism and truly changed her manner. Everyone in that line appreciated that change.

 

 

We were obviously in line before your husband had a talk with this lady . . . . we couldn't believe her screaming . . . over and over and at such a rude tone. I thought she was a customs lady - I'm surprised that NCL would tolerate an employee like that. I wonder why she just doesn't use a microphone . . . even though I was in the far line, I could hear her screaming but couldn't understand a word she was saying.

 

I remembered on previous cruises (and flights) that they have separate lines for US residents and non-residents. This line, everyone was together, and the line was huge and it took forever to get through it.

 

Enjoyed your review - agree with everything you said!!

[flac4vert]

Yep I agree with your review!!! Papers Papers you must have your papers!! LOL I had visions of the former USSR :rolleyes: .

 

My souvenior luggage bag is still onboard and making the cruise again without us. :( Silly me forget to pull it out from under our stateroom bed.

[halliewd]

Yep I agree with your review!!! Papers Papers you must have your papers!! LOL I had visions of the former USSR :rolleyes: .

 

My souvenior luggage bag is still onboard and making the cruise again without us. :( Silly me forget to pull it out from under our stateroom bed.

 

 

Whar souvenior laggage bag?? we had a mini suite on the Sun Feb 2008 and didn't know anything about this.....I love free :p

[flac4vert]

Souvenior bag = suitcase filled with ship photos and Roatan and Belize souveniors... I forgot to put it out for pickup the day of disembarkation and it's now making the rounds again, coming back on the 19th and being shipped home.

[petalpalz]

My husband and I were one of the last to disembark at approximately 9:40. I'm so glad you found your souvenirs!! It was a fun trip, wasn't it?!! I just booked again for December with my brother and sister in law. Can't wait. This time will be with the Star on the Mexican Riviera. Yahoo.!!

[halliewd]

Souvenior bag = suitcase filled with ship photos and Roatan and Belize souveniors... I forgot to put it out for pickup the day of disembarkation and it's now making the rounds again, coming back on the 19th and being shipped home.

 

OH...gotcha...call me clueless, I was thinking it was NCL souvenior bag that NCL puts under the bed for you.....LOL at myself :o

[flac4vert]

OH...gotcha...call me clueless, I was thinking it was NCL souvenior bag that NCL puts under the bed for you.....LOL at myself :o

 

Yeah that souvenior bag!!! :D At least I got the Red Souvenior bag for the raffle down at Columbian Emeralds and the J-LO perfume for the wife. I was 2 tickets away from the Amethyst too. She was pretty mad about not getting up a little earlier and getting down there and buying something more expensive to get the ticket(s) that would have won that as well.

 

Yes it was a great cruise, next time we'll go when it's a bit cooler in Belize that Altun Ha thing was fun but it was incredibly hot....