NCL Sun - Pros and Cons

[Bennett'sCruise]

Pacific Heights is, indeed, the Cooking Light Restaurant. EVERYTHING is incredibly yummy .... I was so hung up on the vegetarian lasagne that I came home and dreamed about it. (and, I am NOT a vegetarian!).

Il Adagio is several steps up from La Cucina, IMHO. A remarkable dining experience.

We were on the Sun for 17 days and ate at both places several times ... as well as La Bistro.

Enjoy!

[DMH15]

And Il Adadio is really lovely. It has a real intimate feel to it. On the Sun it is the venue for Suite breakfast and lunch. It was so calming. And the service was top-notch.

[Cruise_More_Often]

NCL actually gave us an upgrade of sorts, from an AF Mini on the Jewel to AE's on the Sun, however our beloved 'afts' were all spoken for..:( We also were able to keep our original pricing, as the Sun (for some reason) has been priced higher than the Jewel...:rolleyes: An OBC of $200.00 per cabin was also 'in the mix' to accept the Sun vs the Jewel, so we took it...

Oh, Stirboo, I hate to break it to you, but the AEs on the Sun are still just minisuites. :( The penthouse suites begin with the ADs. However, you'll find the Sun's AE minisuites are larger than the other ships' AF minisuites. :)

[teacher_md]

Thanks for the link, Cruzkid.

 

Yes, I am looking at the Baltic cruises next summer.

 

The ship looks really nice.

 

It is ridiculously cheaper than any of the other companies offering that itinerary.

 

-aj

[stlrboo]

Oh, Stlrboo, I hate to break it to you, but the AEs on the Sun are still just minisuites. :( The penthouse suites begin with the ADs. However, you'll find the Sun's AE minisuites are larger than the other ships' AF minisuites.

Doesn't really matter to us...;) We are used to regular balcony cabins, with no added 'perks', and we really like to 'fend for ourselves', and enjoy the breakfast buffet, etc...

Every now and then we enjoy the 'upscale' stuff (but not often), so I'm sure we'll be happy, either way...:)

 

The coffee maker in the cabin will be a 'high-lite'... We may never have to use room service..:p:D

[electricron]

Thanks for the link, Cruzkid.

Yes, I am looking at the Baltic cruises next summer.

The ship looks really nice.

It is ridiculously cheaper than any of the other companies offering that itinerary.

-aj

 

How much cheaper?

 

Norwegian Sun (12 nights)

May 11 (Cheapest cruise as of today)

Inside $899 Oceanview $999 Balcony $1,299 Suite $1,699

July 22 (Most expensive cruise as of today)

Inside $1,399 Oceanview $1,599 Balcony $2,099 Suite $2,599

 

Star Princess (10 nights)

May 12 (Cheapest cruise as of today)

Inside $1,240 Oceanview $1,590 Balcony $2,290 Suite $2,990

June 21 (Most expensive cruise as of today)

Inside $1,490 Oceanview $1,790 Balcony $2,540 Suite $3,240

 

Celebrity's Constellation (12 nights)

May 16 (Cheapest cruise as of today)

Inside $1,699 Oceanview $1,999 Balcony $2,499 Suite $4,599

July 15 (Most expensive cruise as of today)

Inside $2,099 Oceanview $2,499 Balcony $2,999 Suite $5,399

 

Cunard's Queen Victoria (14 nights)

May 31 (Cheapest cruise as of today)

Inside $3,395 Oceanview $4,095 Balcony $4,795

July 8 (Most expensive cruise as of today)

Inside $3,576 Oceanview $4,080 Balcony $4,995

 

Disney Magic (12 nights)

June 24 (Cheapest cruise as of today)

Inside $3,649 Oceanview $4,199 Balcony $5,029

June 12 (Most expensive cruise as of today)

Inside $3,809 Oceanview $4,379 Balcony $5,429

 

I won't post the fares for the European based cruise lines. In most cases, the most expensive fares for the Norwegian Sun are less than the cheapest fares for the other ships.

[PokerDave]

I actually wasn't shopping around as I have a $250 pre-paid deposit on NCL from my last NCL cruise. I also cruise through the Casinos at Sea program and get a discount through them and was only looking at NCL for our 25th Anniversary cruise to the Baltic next yesr.

 

But I thought the pricing on that 12 day cruise ( we are doing the May 11 cheapest one ) did look pretty cheap. Retail for the AD we booked was $4,750 and with the CAS discount it was $3,400 and I jumped on it. Had NO idea that was considerably cheaper than a balcony on princess...

 

Thanks for the info, I feel much better about the deal now...

[vintagebabe]

Just got off the Sun yesterday for the repositioning cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver. It was only my second cruise, so I don't have alot to compare except a cruise with Celebrity this past October.

 

The crew were fabulous and friendly. The layout was just plain weird. The flow was horrible. The stairs were at the far ends, but nothing in the middle. The main dining rooms was very nice(service and food), but the breakfast buffet in the Garden Cafe was uninspiring. I wouldn't have wanted to waste the calories eating there for dinner or lunch, it looked awful! The walking/jogging deck was closed off until after 8am every day. Lots of excercisers like to get an early start. Why 8am?? The treadmills couldn't be used until after 8am either.

 

The live musicians everywhere were great! But the theatre "dance" show was very childlike and pedestrian. I think the ship could have provided a little more intelluctually stimulating entertainment during the daytime, when it was cold and raining. How about a good movie, an art lecture, a wildlife naturalist, etc. Something to get the brain cells a moving!

 

Anyway, that's just my opinion. The worst thing was the layout.

[badgerdee]

Hello everyone!

 

Just got off the Pearl last month and really loved it. I am researching a Baltic cruise next year and I see that the NCL Sun is doing that itinerary. So how is the Sun? How does it compare to the Pearl? I know the basics (smaller, older) but would like some more details.

 

I have been reading reviews and have read both good a bad (big surprise!). Has the Sun seen it's best days?

 

Thanks for any help!

 

-aj

 

Thanks so much for posting your question, and to all the CC posters who responded.

 

I'm on the verge of booking our Baltic cruise in May 2010 on the Sun and the entire thread has been of tremendous value to me.

 

I just have to decide now whether to go with a Pool deck mini-suite or a Fjord balcony.

 

Happy cruising :)

[Skallywag]

We were slightly concerned when we received the letter saying that we would have to transfer our booking from Jewel to Sun. However, we have got penthouse 9276 and £43 cheaper than the room we had on the Jewel so that cannot be too bad.

Anyone any information on this room please.

 

Also have never travelled NCL and have prepaid our gratuities like we have done on Disney. Do you tip for room service, not a meanie but would like to know about extras.

Thank you so much

[suz8483]

I always tip for extra service--------room service. The staff are always happy to do these "extras". Enjoy!!:)

[Cruise_More_Often]

Thanks so much for posting your question, and to all the CC posters who responded.

 

I'm on the verge of booking our Baltic cruise in May 2010 on the Sun and the entire thread has been of tremendous value to me.

 

I just have to decide now whether to go with a Pool deck mini-suite or a Fjord balcony.

 

Happy cruising :)

People who have been in the Pool Deck minis really like them, even more than the aft minis.

 

Skallywag, I'll second Suz8483's post about tipping for room service. We do, and we tip extra for the bar service, although a tip is automatically added to your bar bill. We also leave an extra tip for our room stewards. Good service gets rewards, and we have rarely (I can't think of a single incidence) where we didn't receive excellent service on an NCL ship.

 

Here's a link to photos of an AC that should be similar to your suite, Skallywag: 9076. Lucky you! And here's a link to an article about your suite.

[Skallywag]

Thank you so much and for the pictures looks great. We aways have tipped over the recommended amount and usually tae a little British gift with us also.

 

We are really pleased with the savings we are going to make Previously booked a balcony stateroom on Disey but on researchingfound this was twice the price we have on the Sun and with a much better suite of rooms.

Bren

[stlrboo]

People who have been in the Pool Deck minis really like them, even more than the aft minis.

I really tried to get one of the aft mini-suites on the Sun, but none were available.. And this was only two hours after booking started when the Jewel was dropped, and the 'dedicated line' was opened..:(

 

You have made me feel better knowing that the pool deck mini's are nice tho'.. Maybe nicer than the aft!:D

Do you have any idea why the ship layout shows that some 'look' smaller than others??? We have two together.. 1208/1209, I believe.. !!

[browniegirl]

If you book a minisuite on the Sun, you will find that it is larger than those on the Pearl, and the minisuite bathrooms and dressing rooms are to die for! We had an aft mini, and we absolutely loved it. Here's a link to my photos of 0067. The II Superior Interior rooms are also big, laid out in a rectangular fashion rather than square.

 

Il Adagio (Italian), Las Ramblas (Spanish tapas and sandwiches for lunch) and Pacific Heights are restaurants you won't see on other ships -- all really, really good. My favorite of all the Le Bistros is on the Sun. It's high up, on the sports deck and aft, and there are floor to ceiling windows offering a magnificent view of the ocean.

 

The Windjammer Bar is a great place to go after dinner, and there's often a pianist playing there.

 

Here's a professional photo review (done before her hull art was painted) that has some of the best photos I have seen of the Sun!

 

Okay, I'm ready for another cruise on the Sun!

 

We had the exact same aft Mini on our Sun cruise last year and LOVED IT!!! I highly recommend the Aft mini's, pure heaven!!!

 

Leah

[stlrboo]

We had the exact same aft Mini on our Sun cruise last year and LOVED IT!!! I highly recommend the Aft mini's, pure heaven!!!

OH DARN! :( Those are the two I tried to get, but they were already booked...:(

 

Guess its either the forward facing AE's, or try for an upgrade, which may not be available, within our price range!:rolleyes::p

[retiredonthesea]

We love the Sun, will be taking our South America cruise on her in March. Usally book a suite and will have 9076 this time. Last time it was 0065.What really impressed us was the casino---actually won enough to pay for our cruise, plus the crew just the best. The ship seems to be just the right size for us!!

[stlrboo]

We love the Sun, will be taking our South America cruise on her in March. Usally book a suite and will have 9076 this time. Last time it was 0065.What really impressed us was the casino---actually won enough to pay for our cruise, plus the crew just the best. The ship seems to be just the right size for us!!

I may have to give the Casino a 'whirl', but it is normally like 'flushing $$$ down the toilet' for me... NO luck, except in women.... :rolleyes:;)

[retiredonthesea]

I may have to give the Casino a 'whirl', but it is normally like 'flushing $$$ down the toilet' for me... NO luck, except in women.... :rolleyes:;)

 

Maybe Women is better than any luck in the casino!:D

[ajohnstu]

I have 0067 and my parent have the one next door on our June 14th Alaska cruise.

 

Funny we were told we could remove the balcony dividers but based on this thread you can't.

 

I wouldn't call these rooms suites though by any stretch of the imagination. They may be slightly wide rooms but a suite to me has a bedroom in it's own room. It may be semantics but the regular balcony rooms look exactly the same as the 'mini suites' only slightly more narrow.

 

Either way it seems we booked the right rooms AFT AE mini suites so I am quite looking forward to it now.

[Don Haynes]

Many of us would prefer not to use the term mini-suite. We prefer superior balconies. Many of us regard your conclusion is correct.

[makella Jewel]

Can someone tell me where a list is of perks for booking a cat AD or AC on the

Sun.

I booked this cruise for my Mom's 80th birthday.

Just to let you know...she i a very young 80, I can't keep up with her.

 

Barbara

[makella Jewel]

I need to add it is the Baltic cruise on the Sun 2010.

 

Barbara

[bluesea777]

Hi everyone .... may I ask you all to allow to let this off my chest, for once and all? Yes, thank you , so here it goes:

 

I WISH NCL HAS KEPT ON THE SOUTH AMERICA CRUISES FOR ANOTHER YEAR!! WE HAD PLANNED TO DEFINITELY GO ON SA CRUISE ON SUN XMAS 2010/NEW YEAR 2011, BUT NCL HAS DECIDED TO PULL OUT OF SA AFTER THE 2009/2010 SEASON.

 

WHEN I LEARNT THIS BAD NEWS I BOOKED OURSELVES ON SUN'S SA CRUISE FOR XMAS 2009/NEW YEAR 2010 EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE MY TURN TO BE OFF WORK!!

 

IT IS ON OUR WISH LIST TO ROUND THE CAPE HORN BEFORE WE DIE AND WE WERE DEFINITIELY GOING XMAS 2010 BUT NCL MESSED OUR PLANS UP!!

 

NOW IT IS STILL UNCERTAIN THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO GO THIS XMAS.

 

NCL - PLEASE CONTINUE THE SA CRUISES!!

 

Phew, thank you for listening and allowing me to let off the steam! We were soooo disappointed when we heard the bad news that NCL is pulling out od South America after the 2009/2010 season.

 

NCL - ARE YOU READING THIS ? any change of heart? kiss kiss

[DMH15]

Barbara- I was on the Sun in Feb with my mom who is 74. We were in an AC aft penthouse. It was great. We loved our concierge, Karin. She was a complete angel. She made our trip so effortless. We loved Il Adagio. The breakfast and lunch was a great perk. The atmosphere was calm and classy. The service was attentive and friendly. And the food was great. Crabcakes Benedict, steak and eggs and the omelets were faves! Ensuite dining was wonderful especially on the balcony. Loved the daily snacks. Loved reserved seating in the shows. We just felt pampered... Everything a vacation should be!!! Loved the Sun!!! Happy cruising.