Sun to Mexico 9-20

[cmh]

I am anxiously awaiting to read reviews of the Sun cruise to Mexico that departed 9-20-09. How were the two new ports? Who is the cruise director? How were the shows and activities? I am sailing on October 12th and hope everything was wonderful on your cruise.

Carolyn

[arubacassie]

Anyone just off the Sun and knows who the butler is on deck 8?

[DMH15]

The Sun employs two butlers and they both work the same floors. One port and another starboard. Maybe you will have the wonderful Armando!

[arubacassie]

Armando was our butler on our cruise last May, wondering if he will be on the cruise coming up in a few weeks?

[DMH15]

Please tell Armando the mother and daughter he gave Cindy's book to (Cruise Confidential) say HI!@

[arubacassie]

Would be glad to if he in fact is our butler, here's hoping.

[Cruise Raider]

I am anxiously awaiting to read reviews of the Sun cruise to Mexico that departed 9-20-09. How were the two new ports? Who is the cruise director? How were the shows and activities? I am sailing on October 12th and hope everything was wonderful on your cruise.

Carolyn

 

We were on the 9/20 cruise on the Sun and had a wonderful time!! It was hotter than heck down there but most comfortable on the ship. I will write a full review but just to answer your questions, here goes:

 

The cruise director was Pedro and he did a great job. He interacted with the guests and inquired if we were having a good time on the cruise. He seemed generally interested in the guest's happiness. The assistant cruise director, as well as the activity staff were all great. Ramel (spelling?) was so funny and made the activities that he was involved with very fun.

 

The shows were very, very good. I always like the entertainment on NCL and this was no exception. We were on the Sun last year on the 9/21 cruise and think the entertainment might have been a tad better on that cruise but this one was certainly not disappointing. The activities were lacking a little bit but brought the pool games back this year which was so fantastic for us. They were short (only like 15 minutes and only on the sea days) but it was a start. I love watching the pool games -- so much fun. The band, Sol Play, was so talented but oftentimes were not playing the kind of music they were so good at. I am sure this was at the direction of the cruiseline. I loved the music they played during the sail away party but didn't hear them play that music again throughout the rest of the cruise. I may have just missed it -- so not really sure.

 

Although we heard many others complain about the service, we didn't experience this. I think the internet service is shameful ($9 for a two line e-mail and I type pretty fast) and the internet guru there wasn't so very friendly. Other than that and the fact they ran out of some food items very early in the cruise, the service we received was great. Cesar T in the Seven Seas dining room took such great care of us and we went to the Four Seasons a couple of times and had great service in there as well. The food, we both thought, was very good. I think I have only had excellent food on a couple of cruises (once on Holland and once on Princess) -- and although not excellent food on NCL, I still would call it very good. A little disappointing was they only had one BBQ -- but this is understandable as it was extremely windy on the way back to SF.

 

The two new ports are fantastic in my book. I heard a lot of people complain about Topo -- but we had a very different experience. We took the free shuttle into town and didn't think there was too much to see there but a beautiful church. We didn't really get a chance to tour it as there was a service taking place while we were there. It was very hot -- in fact, the entire cruise while in Mexico was extremely hot -- so we headed back to the ship and from there took a cab to Maviri Beach. This was an excellent choice. We were allowed to sit on the lounge chairs with no charge and this port by far had the most friendly people in all of Mexico. They were so nice and accomodating. We had a couple of cold beers while sitting under palapa on the lounges. You could enjoy a nice long walk down the beach in either direction and though it looks a bit run down at the current time but we both couldn't figure out why the Donald isn't all over this area by now. The water in the ocean was as warm as in the jacuzzi on the ship. Incredible! After we headed back to the port, we shopped a bit in the little stands set up and headed up to our room. If you are lucky enough to have a balcony on the port side (forward to midship) you will have a wonderful view of the show they set up in the middle of the little shops. Excellent to say the least!!!! A few people that we talked to that went on the Copper Canyon tour said it was long and overpriced. Everyone may not have shared this opinion but this is what we heard so just passing it along.

Then, came our favorite port -- Pichilingue (La Paz). We shopped a bit at the pier and never did make it into town but there was also a free shuttle set up here and think we may have had time to do it -- but had a 12:45 kayaking tour set up so didn't want to chance it. The kayak tour takes you to the most beautiful area in all of Mexico as far as I am concerned....I think it was called Balandra Bay. The water was turquoise and very clear, the sand was powdery and white. This was an excellent choice for a tour -- no services available but think you could take a taxi to the area and have them drop you there is kayaking is not your thing. Don't forget to bring your own water -- this place is so far unspoiled and absolutely gorgeous.

 

Just of note, the bedding was very comfortable as was the temp in the rooms and in the public areas. Last year, not so much but think they worked on it and improved in these areas. The casino took way more than it gave back but it was very fun, nonetheless. Don't hesitate to ask anything else and look for my full review as I promise to write one that will hopefully answer some more questions.

[DMH15]

arubacassie-

 

Thanks much. Our friend had cruised a short time before us and had Armando as her butler. We were hoping to also, but luck of the draw, got Satki instead.

 

We first met Armando at the suite guests cocktail party and when Satki missed work due to illness, Armando filled in and was just superlative.

 

Also, Pedro Serna was our CD and came to our M&G and we talked many times during the cruise. He was great! His whole staff was excellent... Hard working and friendly.

 

I really want to to back on the Sun after it's Oct 2010 drydock. In fact, probably in the same aft AC. It's layout was wonderful. Just want them to add flatscreens, Lavazza and Internet. Then it would be perfect!

[Martini girly]

Thanks for the review! The cab ride from the pier to Maviri Beach was approximately how much in dollars?