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Sun Review 12/18-12/25 (Eastern)

Pebbs48

By Pebbs48,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Pebbs48

Pebbs48

Posted
Posted

This was my 4th cruise and my husband’s 2nd – both times with me, both times on the Sun. We booked over a year ago and chose the stern mini-suite 0267. We chose this cruise for the itinerary (St. Thomas & St. Maarten) and the dates.

 

We arrived in Port Canaveral late Friday night and stayed at the Country Inns & Suites to take advantage of the Park & Ride. Since we didn’t check-in until late, we were scheduled for the 12:30 shuttle. By 10:30 Saturday morning, they were running behind and it was chaotic. I was antsy so we opted to pay $4 pp for a shared shuttle van to the port.

 

EMBARKATION was a breeze! We arrived at the port about 11:30 and were on the ship a little after noon. We dropped our carry-ons off in our room, which was already ready, and headed to Pacific Heights for pizza & pasta then made reservations for Le Bistro.

 

FOOD - overall was good to very good. Le Bistro ($20/pp surcharge) did not disappoint. We ate breakfast either at the Garden Cafe or Pacific Heights for made to order waffles or omelettes. Most lunches were again in the Garden Cafe or Pacific Heights although one day I went to the MDR.

 

Pacific Heights was very good for dinner (no lines, no waiting, no cover) but the hostess mentioned the menu doesn't change so our other dinners were in the MDR, Garden Cafe & room service one night. The pizza from room service was small. We could have ordered another one but I wasn't in the mood for pizza. Also, we participated in the Murder Mystery dinner (MDR $20/pp cover which included Surf & Turf.) We had a blast - food was excellent and our table mates were great!

 

The Chocolate Buffet was amazing!

 

ENTERTAINMENT - The comedian on-board, Bud Andersen, was very funny. He mentioned it was his 436th cruise on NCL. We went to a couple of other shows which were pretty good. It was cloudy & cool most of the sea days. We hung out by the pool, in the casino or played bingo. I didn't realize I could spend so much time doing nothing.

 

PORTS - Nassau was, well, Nassau. My favorite was St. Thomas. We didn't have any excursions planned and mostly just walked around the ports and shopped. We left St. Maarten Wednesday night and encountered very rough seas. Many people commented that they had never had it so rough. Two days after getting off the ship, I was still dizzy.

 

MEET & GREET - we had more crew than we had group members but I know things come up, people forget, etc. It was nice to meet the Captain and his crew.

 

Did I mention drinks with the Captain? Yeah, my husband & I got invited. Sweet!

 

Overall, it was great trip. Not sure I will pick December next time especially since it didn't really seem like Christmas to me but when it's freezing in Florida, 70 degrees is warm! :D

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AerynSun_JohnCrighton

AerynSun_JohnCrighton

Posted
Posted
This was my 4th cruise and my husband’s 2nd – both times with me, both times on the Sun. We booked over a year ago and chose the stern mini-suite 0267. We chose this cruise for the itinerary (St. Thomas & St. Maarten) and the dates.

 

We arrived in Port Canaveral late Friday night and stayed at the Country Inns & Suites to take advantage of the Park & Ride. Since we didn’t check-in until late, we were scheduled for the 12:30 shuttle. By 10:30 Saturday morning, they were running behind and it was chaotic. I was antsy so we opted to pay $4 pp for a shared shuttle van to the port.

 

EMBARKATION was a breeze! We arrived at the port about 11:30 and were on the ship a little after noon. We dropped our carry-ons off in our room, which was already ready, and headed to Pacific Heights for pizza & pasta then made reservations for Le Bistro.

 

FOOD - overall was good to very good. Le Bistro ($20/pp surcharge) did not disappoint. We ate breakfast either at the Garden Cafe or Pacific Heights for made to order waffles or omelettes. Most lunches were again in the Garden Cafe or Pacific Heights although one day I went to the MDR.

 

Pacific Heights was very good for dinner (no lines, no waiting, no cover) but the hostess mentioned the menu doesn't change so our other dinners were in the MDR, Garden Cafe & room service one night. The pizza from room service was small. We could have ordered another one but I wasn't in the mood for pizza. Also, we participated in the Murder Mystery dinner (MDR $20/pp cover which included Surf & Turf.) We had a blast - food was excellent and our table mates were great!

 

The Chocolate Buffet was amazing!

 

ENTERTAINMENT - The comedian on-board, Bud Andersen, was very funny. He mentioned it was his 436th cruise on NCL. We went to a couple of other shows which were pretty good. It was cloudy & cool most of the sea days. We hung out by the pool, in the casino or played bingo. I didn't realize I could spend so much time doing nothing.

 

PORTS - Nassau was, well, Nassau. My favorite was St. Thomas. We didn't have any excursions planned and mostly just walked around the ports and shopped. We left St. Maarten Wednesday night and encountered very rough seas. Many people commented that they had never had it so rough. Two days after getting off the ship, I was still dizzy.

 

MEET & GREET - we had more crew than we had group members but I know things come up, people forget, etc. It was nice to meet the Captain and his crew.

 

Did I mention drinks with the Captain? Yeah, my husband & I got invited. Sweet!

 

Overall, it was great trip. Not sure I will pick December next time especially since it didn't really seem like Christmas to me but when it's freezing in Florida, 70 degrees is warm! :D

 

You mentioned the Murder Mystery... surf and turf? What else did you get?

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zounds

zounds

Posted
Posted

Thanks very much, Sharon. We were recently on the Spirit and I had been eyeballing the Sun for next Dec. before we left. On our return I saw that the prices had dropped, so I immediately booked it. It'll be our first time on her, so I'll be lurking everywhere for info for the next 11 mos. steve

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fergusonvt

fergusonvt

Posted
Posted
Thanks very much, Sharon. We were recently on the Spirit and I had been eyeballing the Sun for next Dec. before we left. On our return I saw that the prices had dropped, so I immediately booked it. It'll be our first time on her, so I'll be lurking everywhere for info for the next 11 mos. steve

 

I'll post a review when I get back and I'll take lots of pics.

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kewpie

kewpie

Posted
Posted

My husband and I were also on this cruise and boy the last two days we had some very rough days at sea. I have been on rougher but not for two days. Even with that, though, the cruise was wonderful. We had some problems at MCO with transportation, because of the wind and rain. We got to the ship around 1:30 and it was very quick after that.

 

I thought that the food was fine, except that they serve the same things over and over again. But again, as long as I am on a cruise, who cares? :)

 

The entertainment was okay, I especially like to watch the productions, the dancing is great. We just got off at the ports for a walk around and then back on the ship to enjoy the ship without a lot of people. Even though the ship didn't feel crowded to me at all.

 

I have been on quite a few cruises and I have to say that I enjoy the smaller ships the best. This ship really surprised me, it was very clean and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Our cabin surprised us also, it was larger than I thought it would be, 8242, balcony. It was midship and we we thought we had made a pretty good choice selecting it.

 

All in all, this was a great cruise and we would definitely choose the Sun again.

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