lrsxcchick

We did a whale watching excursion in Cabo on Mar. 21st, 2019. We only saw two whales, and only one whale breach the water. However, our excursion took us out to El Arco and we saw some sea lions as well. 

We still had a fun time, but the tour guides mentioned we got there just at the end of the season. 

Sail away rate on the inclusive sailings on the Sun include alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, soda included. It doesn’t include things like energy drinks, specialty coffees, high end liquor, and bottled water. There are some other restrictions-look at the NCL website for all of them when you are able.

Virgin and regular strawberry daiquiris are included. All the soda you want is also included (fountain). Several wines are also included. They have a wine list at dinner for upcharge wines. However, they always have several in the MDR that are included. Just ask your server what they have that day (there won’t be a list).

4 hours ago, seizetheseas said:

Did you take the premium plus perk? Curious whether a shot would be covered if you had. Although the terms for the package state it includes only beverages "by the glass." 

I did not take the perk, since it wasn't available at the time of sailing. I just booked a sailaway inside rate. Surprisingly I was assigned a decent cabin on deck 8. I mean, I didn't order any shots. But the big group at the bar in front of me was pretty disappointed when the bartender told them they weren't included.

I think a lot of people are used to the UBP but the open bar setup on these ships isn't the UBP as far as the T&Cs go.

Mine just showed up as well. I'm happy with it - I was assigned a midship picture window instead of a porthole window, and on deck 5 instead of deck 4. I'm still hoping for an upgrade via the bidding process to a balcony (never sailed with a balcony before). I can't complain though when I was given a slight upgrade for free!

I am on this sailing and booked as an OF GTY (not sailaway) back in January. I also have no assigned cabin yet. I did bid on upgrade to a balcony. Every other time I've booked a GTY cabin, I have recieved a cabin number by now. Needless to say I am also anxious. 

Most colleges have spring break in March...late April is when they begin prep for finals. 

That being said, I was on the Sky in December. There were certainly many young adults on the ship because alcohol is included. There were also several teens on the ship with their parents.

I think it really depends on your parenting style and what you deem acceptable/your comfort level.

Cocoa Beach is a wonderful beach day. If you are wanting to go to the beach, head to the pier. The have chairs and umbrellas available for rental. On either side of the pier there are stations to wash off sand. The pier has several restraunts and bars. The best bar is Rikki Tiki Tavern. It is at the very end of the pier and the views of the ocean from there are amazing. I think you have to give them $2 in cash to to out to the bar, but they give you a token for $2 off your bill.

Ron Jon's is across the street. Lots of shopping right there. Starbucks and free Wi-Fi inside the hotel.

Fishlips is over by the port and has the best food in the area. Fun atmosphere, and very nice staff. 

If you like craft beer there is Coasters Taphouse. Their selection is amazing and the food is much better than Ale House.

37 minutes ago, Smokey596 said:

 

It does! Thank you! By the way, do you (or does anyone else) know if dinner menus are available ahead of time like on their app?

Unfortunately not. They will have them posted outside the MDRs well before dinner though! The menu in both is the same. Crossings (aft) is only open for dinner - they will have the new menu up not too long after they close for that day's dinner. Or, on embarkation day it will be posted already.

Palace (mid) is open for breakfast and lunch. As soon as they close for one meal they will post the next meal's menu. 

You can find the menus next to the entrances of all the dining venues.

You absolutely don't need an MDR reservation on the Sky unless you have a really large group (8+).  You can just show up and they will seat you. There may be a short wait when it is really busy, like 5 minutes or so. 

Technically there are no required formal nights on NCL. They have a "Dress Up or Not" night. You will see anything from ballgowns to jeans. You just have to keep in mind the dress code. On the Sky the aft MDR requires long pants for men. The Palace (midship MDR) does not.

Hopefully this helps!

I cruise on 3/16. Thanks for the info! I'll have to check out other roll calls as well to get some more ideas for our cruise. 

I was contemplating purchasing the spa pass. However, I have seen people report higher prices on here. Currently. On My NCL it is showing a cost of $139/pp. We are on the 7 night Mexican Riveria cruise with 3.5 sea days. 

Has anyone purchased this on this Iteneray and is the cost worth it? Thanks!

**Note. Ugh autocorrect.

16 minutes ago, Lorey2007 said:

Do you know how deep the pools are on Norwegian Sun?

I don't remember exactly how deep, unfortunately. But there are two pools on the main deck. The family pool and the adults only pool.

The family pool has the two sets of steps down from the side closest to the 4 hot tubs. It is fairly shallow here, no higher than around waist deep (I'm 5' 8"). This gets deeper the further toward the far side you go. I believe a max of about 6 feet. 

The adult pool is the same height across the whole pool, and always deeper than 7 feet. I want to say 7' 8", but I'm not 100% sure. Ther ed are several ladders in this pool. I like this one for when I've been sitting in the hot tub too long and need to cool off. 🙂

There are 4 hot tubs in between the two pools. Two of the hot tubs are more like lukewarm and two are actually hot. Also, two of the hot tubs are considered family and two are adults only (these are labeled).

There is also a "kids pool" and "kids hot tub" on the next deck up at the far forward section of the ship. These are hardly ever used. No staff is watching them. The kids pool is very small and extremely shallow. When I was on the sun hardly any children were in board - this was an included bar cruise. The children that were on board never used this pool. It's a good place to go if you want a quieter area to be and still be in a hot tub or pool (less crowded too!).

Hopefully this gives you a better idea of what is on board! 

*Not there are no water slides on this ship. Also, the children's pool is extremely small and doesn't have a play are for kids like some of the bigger ships.

57 minutes ago, 123veranda said:

Thanks 4 info.   I meant to type NCL..was having one of those senior moments lol 

No problem, it happens! Look at the ship's pages here on CC. They generally have great photos of the pool areas!

Yes. The "free open bar" on the Sun(select shorter cruises) and Sky are different than the regular UBP.

The Sun & Sky have the free open bar included in the fare no matter what - even if you book the sailaway rate. It is more restrictive than the traditional UBP but doesn't require you to present your freestyle card etc. 

All other sailings and ships will just be the standard UBP.

I'm not sure about Royal Caribbean since I've not sailed them. However, the Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky both have the "walk-in" family pools as well. 

These are the only two ships I've sailed so that is the only input I can offer.

Yes. This is the 20% gratuity for the SDP.

5 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

If you drink wine then get a few bottles with the Viva Vino package. That works out at quite a discount.

I forgot about Viva Vino. Thanks for adding!

I can't speak to the Escape, as I haven't sailed her. However, I have sailed the Sun and her sister ship, the Sky. I never had any issues with the food being to temperature, but have had issues in the MDR with slow service (Sky 12/2018). 

I don't necessarily think it has anything to do with ship size. That being said, every sailing is slightly different and personnel changes frequently. I'm not saying your experience didn't happen - just giving background on mine.

You have a couple of options here. You can bring on bottles of wine or champagne, but are subject to a $15 USD corkage fee (each bottle). You can also order buckets of beer and get a slight discount per beer that way. There is always a drink of the day listed in the dailies and on some of the cocktail menus. Certain dining venus/bars can also have drink specials in the morning on select drinks (ex: mimosas, bloody Mary's). There may be others as well; this is just what I've seen.

I definitely prefer the Sun, since she was just renovated. Also, the Sun on these shorter cruises usually ports out of Port Canaveral vs Port of Miami. Flights to Orlando are much cheaper than flights to Miami for me.

The Sky will be undergoing drydock soon if not already started, and will be done well before your cruise in April. So she will be renovated as well. However, I'm not sure what all renovations they will be completing.

You can definitely tell that the Sun has been renovated and the Sky hasn't. For the most part though, the ship layout is the same. They are in the same ship class.

The Sun has USB charging ports on the lights next to the bed. This is helpful because there is a severe lack of regular electrical outlets in the standard cabins (one in the room, one in the bathroom).

I was last onboard the Sun in 08/2018, and the Sky 12/2018. You don't need a wristband or to swipe your ship card for the open bar. Everyone on the ship automatically has it. If you look young the bartender will ask you for your ship card to confirm your age. You will also be asked for your ship card if you order something that has an upcharge (ie shots, top shelf liquor, energy drinks).

The Sun does the free open bar on some of the shorter cruises. It is the same concept/policy as the free open bar on the Sky. If it shows the "free open bar" banner on that specific cruise like BirdTravels posted above, then it is included.

Longer cruises on the Sun ( like Panama Canal) don't have the free open bar - just be sure to check. If the only "perk" you care about is the free open bar, then you can just book a sail away rate on these cruises. 

I've been on both the Sun and Sky recently. If you have any questions let me know. It is different than the UBP. Ex: shots are an up charge, but you can have them add an extra shot to your mixed drink. It's a bit strange.

I've always just picked the earliest available to me. Sometimes by the time I've completed online check in, the earliest option is 1 pm. I've never had an issue showing up earlier than my check in time. However, I have only sailed out of 2 ports (Miami and Port Canaveral). I don't know if they would enforce it at other ports. YMMV. 

It's best to pick the earlier time. If you choose the later time they could make you wait. Also pay attention to the muster drill times. I've seen where ships don't leave port until 9 pm, but the muster drill is still at 4:30.

29 minutes ago, pinkie60 said:

Thank you for prompt response. It sounds just like Carnival. Oh well, I know what to do. I’ll show up late so I won’t be squashed against the wall😂  This and the buffet lunch is always the worst part of the cruise. And thank you IRSXCCHICK too for also quick response.

The Palace MDR opens at noon on embarkation day on the Sky. It is located midship, deck 5. The food there is much better than the buffet lunch, and much calmer. Everyone runs to the buffet - and the crew directs everyone there. Hardly anyone realizes the MDR is open. Bonus, on the Sky it is open bar, so you can get a nice glass of wine with lunch if you'd like.

I have. Unfortunately on the Sky, you have to go out on deck 6 underneath the lifeboats. It's pretty standard, but it is super crowded when muster is over. Just be patient, and walk to the forward elevators instead.