roger001

just back last night from 10 great days on the Sun. We had a great time and loved the ship and the staff were the best. I would highly recommend this ship to anyone

We are too. I'll second all of that.

For us, a balcony is a must have. We've done two PC cruises and have a third booked. Not only is a balcony nice for the day you cross the PC (although I'm out and all over the ship also that day), this is a 14 day cruise. The balcony will be a very nice to have for all of those days. We enjoy them also while in a port. A balcony is your own private world and private view of the ocean. Sit out for coffee in the morning, adult beverage in the evening. Balcony.

And I forgot to add....do read The Path Between the Seas before you go. Super excellent book about the PC. After reading it, the journey through will mean much more.

Heading to the Sun again this weekend. Will soon be able to verify.

And....on our last two cruises, we were advised that we could take our carry ons to our room......being aware that the rooms were not yet available, and would we then please leave the area so the room attendants could finish with the preparations.

This day and age.......just get a passport and make life easier. I even use it to buy beer (I'm old, ugly, and bald....but my state still requires ID for beer purchase).

We always take them off the ship with us, although they are seldom needed. However, in an emergency, medical or whatever, I would want mine. We did on some excursion once have the tour bus stopped and all passengers had to show passports. Yes...or no....your choice really. And I do carry a copy of them also when traveling.

The sports bar, and I can't remember the name at the moment, on the Sun serves the same purpose as a Blue Lagoon on the other ships.

They run the tenders if at all safely possible. We've been there three times. On our second visit, the tenders were running, however my wife looked down at them rocking and rolling and said no way for her. I went and it was an exciting ride. NCL can't make it all perfect. Some days you just won't be stopping there.

It is unusual for a ship to not sail with the maximum permissible number of persons on board. As mentioned, some cabins may be unused though. That is when last minute cabin upgrades are offered to already booked guests. When you have all the persons permitted on board, you can now, if some more expensive cabins are still empty, upsell them at a reduced price (but still making a little bit more money in doing so), which then leaves some of the less expensive cabins now vacant during the sailing.

We always take a pair. You never know what you might want a closer look at. Even in port, we sometimes use them to get a better look at something.

I believe the only IPAs I've ever seen were on the ships doing the Alaska cruises. They had Alaska Brewery beers stocked, including an IPA. I'm an NCL fan but do wish they would improve their selection of beers.

I am leaving on the Epic in January and in just pricing the same cruise on Cruises Only, I found the same cruise for 200.00 less per person. I contacted NCL and the rep told me that was a very good price.I asked if she thought my price might change. She that the possibility would be very likely since the ship still has a lot of availability. I have until the end of the month to make my final payment. Has anyone had similar experiences where the price did go down? If so, did it occur before or after the final payment? Ship credit is okay if it matches the lower price.

 

I like the room that I booked but it's not worth a 200.00 difference.

 

Either way, I'm cruisin'!:D

Cruise prices can go either up or down...usually up as the cruise approaches. Until you make final payment, if it goes down, you can get the lower price. After final, no. Price changes are just impossible to predict. However, if a ship still has a lot of vacancy a few weeks before a cruise, then prices will usually be reduced for the remaining rooms. On our next cruise however, from when we book until now, the price for what we booked went up $1400. A Panama Canal cruise we have booked for next spring has sold out already for the cabin types we booked. Just can't tell.

The overhang balconies are great. We won't book a mini without one, especially for a Caribbean or PC cruise. As another has mentioned, you will get plenty of sun, but have excellent rain protection for those tropical storms. The tropical latitudes sun will make your balcony completely unusable much of the time without some sun protection.

Actually, I had only heard of the Kid Rock concert charters. However, here is the link to the Rock Boat event. If you like a music event like that, consider Bonnaroo. I only live a few miles from where it is held each year. It's not for me but it is getting great respect as a super music event.

http://www.therockboat.com/lineup/

Actually, while I'm at it, here's a link to some Bonnaroo pics I took this year while flying over it. They will give you an idea of the size of the event. The Rock Boat sounds fun...if I was younger. The Pearl is a great ship, our favorite. Don't get too drunk and tear her up!!

http://s241.photobucket.com/user/roganderson60/library/Bonnaroo%202013?sort=2&page=1

Lucky you Roger to have three more cruises booked!! I'm just amazed at how many cruises folks take - some multiple cruises in the same year! Guess it's a real testament to the affordability and enjoyment factors. It took many years to convince DH to take our first cruise to the Mediterranean but it was so awesome he was easily hooked after it. We would cruise more often but are so wrapped up in our two young grandsons that is is hard to tear ourselves away - and so we are now doing the Disneyworld thing with them.

 

Thanks for the good advice about booking the next cruise while on board this one - had heard it has many benefits like OBC - so will look into it now that we are retired. Also, we seem to have the same mindset regarding suites - while it seems like something we might do in the future -it's a little out of our comfort zone at the time and we'll have to ease into the luxury of a suite and all it entails - butler/concierge etc....afraid we could get addicted to that!!

 

Happy sailing on all your future cruises!

That might be my fear of the suites...addiction. I might have mislead you about on board booking. You can't actually book a cruise while on the ship (unless you use internet and do it yourself through the NCL web site). What I was referring to is purchasing Future Cruise Certificates while on board. Your account is charged $250, but you immediately get $100 back to your account as on board credit which you can use on your present cruise. Then, the $250 certificate can be used anytime in the next four years as deposit in full up through the smaller suites, and will give you a full $250 down payment for that next cruise. It's a good deal. Deposit in full and an immediate $100 discount on your next cruise.

Thanks to all for the helpful latitudes information. As a 2nd time cruiser/bronze member I hope we get the invite for the Monday session at Spinnaker! It appears NCL makes an effort to keep repeat cruisers connected and a fun way to meet staff and other fellow cruisers. We are also looking forward to the Meet & Greet a fellow CC cruiser set up. This cruising thing is more fun than DH and I ever thought it would be. Who knows, some day we may upgrade to a suite-something to look forward to-but for now we are happy to be in a mini-suite!

I see you are an Alaskan Pearl cruise next. That was our first and probably still our favorite. Beautiful scenery and wonderful ship and crew. Like the Jade, the Pearl also has the Great Outdoors and Spinnaker Lounge, both of which we really like on a ship. You're right about cruising being way tooo much fun. That first cruise addicted us. We've done numerous since and have three more booked. Be sure and buy some Future Cruise Credits while on board this time...if you think you will be sailing NCL again. Oh...might add. Mini suites are just perfect for the two of us. We've booked suites twice and then canceled both times. Just couldn't figure out what we would really do with more than we had with the minis.

The first Latitudes party, open to all latitudes members, is just a fun gathering, usually about an hour. Drinks (wine and rum punch) and light snacks are served, the ships officers introduce themselves and the Capt might say a few words. Then the CD takes over and talks about available offers from NCL and holds a drawing for a bunch of small prizes. It's no big deal but is a fun thing to do.

I think the whole ship should be enclosed in steel mesh netting, because more people have gone over board than have drowned in cruise ship pools........has anyone ever drown in a cruise ship pool?? ...as in dead drowned???

We ate there on the Pearl last time. Was great. I really liked the chicken Parm. All the other stuff, bread and such, excellent. Service was great and the staff super nice. I think it's a bargain.

I've never been forced, coerced, or in any way encouraged to spend a penny more than I wished to spend while on an NCL ship. However, I'm glad all the additional opportunities to buy additional products, services are available, and then I will make an intelligent decision on my own as to whether I wish to spend or not. Having opportunity is not nickle, diming. And, we've never had more than a 20 minute wait for an MDR, and we got a drink discount for having to wait.

In all the balcony and mini suite rooms we've ever been in, there has been a 4 cup Mr. Coffee type coffee maker (if the room doesn't have one, ask for one). We bring our own brand of coffee and yes, 4 cup filters are necessary also.

iMessage and Facetime both can work with WiFi only and don't need data.

We take a white noise machine/clock combination and a fan. The fan is one of those Wal Mart battery operated jobs. I initially bought it for tent camping on motorcycle trips. Works nice for a little breeze next to the cabin bed also. My iPhone has a good white noise app also that I sometimes use instead.

Best news ever. You're my new best friend... text me every 5 minutes! :)

 

Richard/tralfie

Don't make me a best friend.....but you can just about always reserve in the morning for any specialty restaurant you want to eat at that evening....and frequently just walk up without reservations. There's a restaurant reservations desk in the lobby area somewhere (I'm not specifically familiar with the Breakaway) where they also have all the menus available to see. Don't lock yourself into a schedule by booking restaurants too soon.

I'm leaving on the epic Saturday and were parking at the port of Miami do you pay upfront for parking or after cruise?

Are you eligible for and have proof for handicap parking privileges? If so, parking is free.