Questions about the Sun

[guyver]

Firstly, let me say that I am a newbie to doing this soplease bear with me.

 

We are scheduled to sail the Sun in Jan-2011 on a 14 day B2B Carib. We have never sailed the Sun, just the Dawn and Jewel and loved them both. We are booked into a AC cabin. From what I have found here on cc, it appears that we will be pleased with our choice of cabin. My DW think that with the ship being a little smaller, there might be a more intimate feel to it. Although I did find lots of info on here much of it seemed a little dated.

 

I realize that most of these have probably been asked and answered many times in the past, but you folks seem so knowledgeable and helpful that you can help with the few questions I do have.

 

1. We are on deck 10 and I understand that we could be seen on our balcony from above if we are out by the rail. How private are they from the sides. Are the partitions between balconies the really slanted type where if your neighbor was standing near their railing, they could see right into your balcony just by turning their head?

 

2. I have read about soot problems on the Sun. Was this a thing of the past or is this still an issue? Not even near a deal breaker, just need to know if we need to keep it in mind when 1st going out to balcony.

 

3. I also understand that the suites on the Sun does not have the flat panel tv's or the fancy coffee machines. I could care less about the tv's but after enjoying those coffee machines in a suite on the Jewel a couple years ago, this is a real bummer. Do any of you know if NCL plans to add these during the next dry dock and if so, when the next dry dock is scheduled? We don't sail until Jan 2011 so we might luck out.

 

P.S. Although I am new at posting, I have not had to do it much. You guys usually answer answer any questions I have in other threads.

 

Guy

[InTheCruisingYearsOfLife]

We cruised the Sun to Alaska a few years ago, in a deck 10 aft mini-suite. Yes, there was a little soot. How bad it was seemed to correlate to how cool and moist the evening air was. The stewards told us to just use the cabin towels to cover the deck furniture, and then chuck 'em in the corner and they'd replace them daily. That's what we did. They also provide terrycloth robes, which you can use likewise.

 

As for seeing around the partition edges, it's been a long while, but if I recall correctly, you'd have to lean out quite a ways to peep into your neighbor's balcony. Nekulturny behavior, in my book. If you are planning to work on your whole-body tan, you should be safe, assuming you don't have any really low-brow neighbors, and providing you stay a little back from the edge so that the folks up on the rear eatery deck above don't get an eyefull.

 

You'll like the cabin. You'll be fine.

[guyver]

We cruised the Sun to Alaska a few years ago, in a deck 10 aft mini-suite. Yes, there was a little soot. How bad it was seemed to correlate to how cool and moist the evening air was. The stewards told us to just use the cabin towels to cover the deck furniture, and then chuck 'em in the corner and they'd replace them daily. That's what we did. They also provide terrycloth robes, which you can use likewise.

 

As for seeing around the partition edges, it's been a long while, but if I recall correctly, you'd have to lean out quite a ways to peep into your neighbor's balcony. Nekulturny behavior, in my book. If you are planning to work on your whole-body tan, you should be safe, assuming you don't have any really low-brow neighbors, and providing you stay a little back from the edge so that the folks up on the rear eatery deck above don't get an eyefull.

 

You'll like the cabin. You'll be fine.

 

Thanks a lot!! Some reassuring points.:):D

[Georgia Buckeye]

We have not been on the Sun before either but have booked a BC on deck 8 for the Dec 4th sailing 2010- I'd like to learn about overlapping balconies- is that unique to a certain part of the ship or are they all stair stepped?

[PokerDave]

She will be fairly freshly back from dry dock when you sail her. Copied this from another post:

 

Dear Valued Guest,

 

Norwegian Cruise Line has important information for you regarding Norwegian Sun's 4-Day Bahamas sailing from

Orlando (Port Canaveral) on October 5, 2010.

 

In order to perform required maintenance, Norwegian Sun will be out of service in dry dock and, as a result, we are

regrettably forced to cancel the above mentioned sailing. Norwegian Cruise Line sincerely apologizes for any

inconvenience caused by this cancellation and would like to thank you for your understanding.

[canuckgal]

Hi, Guyver- we are sailing the Sun in Dec/10 in an AC deck 10 for the 14 day Carib. too! i have already asked many of those same questions too! The understanding is that the Sun will be in drydock in Oct/Nov 2010, so she will be nice'n fresh for our and your cruise! Everyone is hoping for the suites to receive flat screens and espresso makers, but there won't really by any way to know for sure till some reviews start coming in after the drydock, I guess. We have sailed the Sun before (to Alaska) and loved her enough to go back- you will love her too! Have you started looking at shore excursions yet? any plans or thoughts?

[Padme]

We sailed the Sun to Alaska this summer with friends. We were originally to be in an AC on deck nine with our friends next door in the adjoining balcony. We got an upsell to the AA and took it, but our friends stayed in the original balcony. We were on their balcony some and it was very protected from the sides. I feel the only way to look into your neighbor's balcony was to lean over the railing. They also reported no soot on the balcony. In the AA, there were both the flat screen TVs and the fancy coffee machine; I don't know if they are in the ACs as well. Hope that helps!

[guyver]

Hi, Guyver- we are sailing the Sun in Dec/10 in an AC deck 10 for the 14 day Carib. too! i have already asked many of those same questions too! The understanding is that the Sun will be in drydock in Oct/Nov 2010, so she will be nice'n fresh for our and your cruise! Everyone is hoping for the suites to receive flat screens and espresso makers, but there won't really by any way to know for sure till some reviews start coming in after the drydock, I guess. We have sailed the Sun before (to Alaska) and loved her enough to go back- you will love her too! Have you started looking at shore excursions yet? any plans or thoughts?

 

 

Thanks canuckgal. Here is hoping. I am also going to be a deck 10 AC. I just booked this one so have not really had a chance to even think about excursions and such.

[guyver]

We sailed the Sun to Alaska this summer with friends. We were originally to be in an AC on deck nine with our friends next door in the adjoining balcony. We got an upsell to the AA and took it, but our friends stayed in the original balcony. We were on their balcony some and it was very protected from the sides. I feel the only way to look into your neighbor's balcony was to lean over the railing. They also reported no soot on the balcony. In the AA, there were both the flat screen TVs and the fancy coffee machine; I don't know if they are in the ACs as well. Hope that helps!

 

 

Thanks as well Padme. Your reply gives me hope.

[mpk218]

Have sailed the Sun twice , both times in the AC .

Have never experienced the soot issue and your neighbor' would need to lean over to peak .

As far as being seen from above , if you are laying on a lounger they can see from the knee's down ;)

I love the Sun , great little ship . Also booked for Dec.2010 , can you guess which suite ..

[guyver]

Thanks Everybody,

 

I keep running into more things I need help with. As I have only sailed fron NYC and Miami, I know absolutely nothing about Port Canaveral or Orlando area. On mapquest it looks quite far from Orlando to port.

 

Does anyone have any tips on getting back and forth from airport in Orlando to port?

 

Also, I will be flying in a day early so could really use some tips on a hotel. Would it be better to stay near airport and then go to port on day of sailing or is there some decent hotels out near the port. I will be there on New Year's eve so I really don't want to be in some dead area.

 

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

Guy

[pr0pel]

We have not been on the Sun before either but have booked a BC on deck 8 for the Dec 4th sailing 2010- I'd like to learn about overlapping balconies- is that unique to a certain part of the ship or are they all stair stepped?

 

Feel free to join our yet to get started roll call!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1023621

[*Wink*]

We have not been on the Sun before either but have booked a BC on deck 8 for the Dec 4th sailing 2010- I'd like to learn about overlapping balconies- is that unique to a certain part of the ship or are they all stair stepped?

Hey Georgia.. We're on the same sailing. If you're interested in meeting some fellow cc'ers while on the cruise, click the link below. :)

 

Edit: Oops.. I see Pr0pel is way ahead of me!! lol

[*Wink*]

Thanks Everybody,

 

I keep running into more things I need help with. As I have only sailed fron NYC and Miami, I know absolutely nothing about Port Canaveral or Orlando area. On mapquest it looks quite far from Orlando to port.

 

Does anyone have any tips on getting back and forth from airport in Orlando to port?

 

Also, I will be flying in a day early so could really use some tips on a hotel. Would it be better to stay near airport and then go to port on day of sailing or is there some decent hotels out near the port. I will be there on New Year's eve so I really don't want to be in some dead area.

 

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

Guy

I think this is the first ship that NCL is putting in Port Canaveral.. I could be wrong. But I think it's a good hour from Orlando. I would think there would be some type of shuttle service from the airport as well, but once again, not sure.

 

We always get to the port area a day early whether it be by air or by car. I'll be checking into some hotels as well, but there's a Port Canaveral section in the Ports of Call boards on Cruise Critic. That should have some good info.

[scchasgal]

Thanks Everybody,

 

I keep running into more things I need help with. As I have only sailed fron NYC and Miami, I know absolutely nothing about Port Canaveral or Orlando area. On mapquest it looks quite far from Orlando to port.

 

Does anyone have any tips on getting back and forth from airport in Orlando to port?

 

Also, I will be flying in a day early so could really use some tips on a hotel. Would it be better to stay near airport and then go to port on day of sailing or is there some decent hotels out near the port. I will be there on New Year's eve so I really don't want to be in some dead area.

 

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

Guy

 

We have sailed out of Port Canaveral a few times. Your best bet is to stay in Cocoa Beach (right next to Pt Canaveral) that way you are close and don't have to worry about traffic getting from Orlando to Port Canaveral. There are also hotel their that have cruise packages where they will get you to the ship and you can park (if driving) for the week.

 

Transportation try out SAS to get you from the airport to Cocoa. It is cheaper than a cab. Orlando is a good 50 to 60 miles and you want to make sure you are in the area for your overnight.

 

The cruise terminal area in Port Canaveral is very well organized you will not have any problems getting around there.

[scchasgal]

I think this is the first ship that NCL is putting in Port Canaveral.. I could be wrong. But I think it's a good hour from Orlando. I would think there would be some type of shuttle service from the airport as well, but once again, not sure.

 

We always get to the port area a day early whether it be by air or by car. I'll be checking into some hotels as well, but there's a Port Canaveral section in the Ports of Call boards on Cruise Critic. That should have some good info.

 

 

Hey Angie about 12 years ago NCL had a ship in Port Canaveral.

[*Wink*]

Hey Angie about 12 years ago NCL had a ship in Port Canaveral.

Hey, Thanks Di!! :D

[canuckgal]

if you go to the florida departures board, there is a huge thread "manned" by a person who works at port canaveral. it has been running for a couple of years!! it has all the information you could ever want about getting to Cocoa beach, shuttles, rental cars, hotels, local restaurants etc. you must check it out! it has already helped us so much.

[guyver]

Thanks to all of you. I knew you folks could help point me in the right direction.

[DMH15]

You will love the layout of the AC aft. Please know there are two thermostats... one in the foyer and one in the bedroom. Didn't figure out for a few days and it was very comical. I burned up and my mother froze.

 

Our itinerary was in SA, so it may be apples to oranges, but we had no soot whatsoever.

 

You will love Il Adagio. The suite breakfast and lunch are wonderful. I can't decide what was best, the beautiful room with full windows and classy ambience, the totally attentive staff or the wonderful food. Ate dinner there too. It was wonderful again.

 

I myself can't wait to return to an AC aft on the Sun after its drydock in Oct 2010. For me a tv is a tv, I don't care if it's box, flat or round... but I wanted one of those coffeemakers last time and was bummed. I love my coffee. Maybe next time. You, of course, should have it.

 

By now, I am assuming the AC's will be wired with internet in the room. They were in the process of doing this when we sailed earlier this year. In case you are interested.

 

I hope you are as lucky as we were to have such wonderful crew. Specifically Omar at the front desk, Karin as concierge, and althought Armando was not our butler, we loved him. I have read he is still on the Sun.

 

Loved the balcony. So a few people waved down on us? I found it kind of fun. Since we were in a corner we only had a neighbor on one side. When they were photographing they leaned out and we could converse, but they were very respectful of our privacy and we of theirs. I could only see this as a concern if you had "nosy neighbors".

 

Have a great cruise on the Sun.

[michigan tim]

As for getting over there, there is a Budget rent a car w/shuttle near the cruise terminal. One way rentals are quite inexpensive.

[guyver]

if you go to the florida departures board, there is a huge thread "manned" by a person who works at port canaveral. it has been running for a couple of years!! it has all the information you could ever want about getting to Cocoa beach, shuttles, rental cars, hotels, local restaurants etc. you must check it out! it has already helped us so much.

 

Thanks again. I checked this out and you are correct. Tons of info there.

Guy

[guyver]

You will love the layout of the AC aft. Please know there are two thermostats... one in the foyer and one in the bedroom. Didn't figure out for a few days and it was very comical. I burned up and my mother froze.

 

Our itinerary was in SA, so it may be apples to oranges, but we had no soot whatsoever.

 

You will love Il Adagio. The suite breakfast and lunch are wonderful. I can't decide what was best, the beautiful room with full windows and classy ambience, the totally attentive staff or the wonderful food. Ate dinner there too. It was wonderful again.

 

I myself can't wait to return to an AC aft on the Sun after its drydock in Oct 2010. For me a tv is a tv, I don't care if it's box, flat or round... but I wanted one of those coffeemakers last time and was bummed. I love my coffee. Maybe next time. You, of course, should have it.

 

By now, I am assuming the AC's will be wired with internet in the room. They were in the process of doing this when we sailed earlier this year. In case you are interested.

 

I hope you are as lucky as we were to have such wonderful crew. Specifically Omar at the front desk, Karin as concierge, and althought Armando was not our butler, we loved him. I have read he is still on the Sun.

 

Loved the balcony. So a few people waved down on us? I found it kind of fun. Since we were in a corner we only had a neighbor on one side. When they were photographing they leaned out and we could converse, but they were very respectful of our privacy and we of theirs. I could only see this as a concern if you had "nosy neighbors".

 

Have a great cruise on the Sun.

 

Thanks DMH15. You have reassured us. One thing that I noticed on cc is that quite a few people have said to pick an AC on deck 9 rather than 10. From what I gather, it is mainly due to noize coming down from Great Outdoors in the morning. If that is the only issue it won't bother us because we are usually out of bed and drinking coffee on the balcony by 6:30 in the morning.

Guy

[DMH15]

Thanks DMH15. You have reassured us. One thing that I noticed on cc is that quite a few people have said to pick an AC on deck 9 rather than 10. From what I gather, it is mainly due to noize coming down from Great Outdoors in the morning. If that is the only issue it won't bother us because we are usually out of bed and drinking coffee on the balcony by 6:30 in the morning.

 

Guy

 

Guy - the only reason I chose 9 over 10 was that I had read to always choose a floor between pax cabins rather than public space, if given the opportunity. Like you, I am an early riser. But my mother is a late sleeper. So I took 9 mainly for her. In fact, most mornings I got up, had a walk, then had breakfast in Il Adagio alone with a book. Then as I was leaving, mom would come strolling in. Then I would head to trivia and get our seats and wait for the team. Yes, we are trivia geeks. On our cruise they had it sometimes 2-3 times a day.

 

We once had our cabin right below the casino hallway and we heard people running or walking heavily a lot. But, I agree with you, you should be fine on deck 10. You will love having your morning coffee out on the balcony. You can have breakfast served in yoru suite - a full breakfast too, not just continental - or linger on the balcony with your coffee and then make your way to Il Adagio.

[guyver]

Thanks Donna. I so look forward to the Il Adagio. I had an AC suite on the Jewel a couple years ago and really enjoyed going to Cagneys for breakfast and lunch. So if Il Adagio is anything like that, I know where I'll be.

 

The suites sure do spoil a person. My AC 2 years ago was a result of a call from the upsell fairy. I have had no such luck since then, so when I booked the Sun I just went ahead and booked a suite. I think I will likely bite the bullet from this point forward instead of hoping to be lucky.

 

Guy