Sun Dry Dock

[LordWinston]

Well, If I have followed other posts correctly, I believe the Sun is hours away from her dry dock. Any word from present passengers if the work has already begun? It seemed NCL was replacing beds early. Does NCL post any information about what is being done when a ship enters dry dock?

 

Judging from the NCL ship plans that are revised for upcoming cruises, it doesn't appear too much is being done -- cosmetic only?

 

Any info for the curious is appreciated!

 

Alan

[LordWinston]

By the way, did anyone else notice that the new Sun pics on the NCL web site feature photos of the cabins with new bliss beds? No more old bed spreads...

[LordWinston]

Okay, I promise this is my last thought -- Since NCL announced that Sun is expanding its time in Europe, will that impact dry dock choices?

 

For example, will they enclose or provide more cover for the Great Outdoors Cafe? Seems like folks on previous Baltics cruises love the space, but complain it is too cold. They also say the Garden Cafe then become too crowded because no one goes outside. Thoughts?

[fergusonvt]

Well, If I have followed other posts correctly, I believe the Sun is hours away from her dry dock. Any word from present passengers if the work has already begun? It seemed NCL was replacing beds early. Does NCL post any information about what is being done when a ship enters dry dock?

 

Judging from the NCL ship plans that are revised for upcoming cruises, it doesn't appear too much is being done -- cosmetic only?

 

Any info for the curious is appreciated!

 

Alan

 

 

I didn't notice anything much going on in the way of work on her in our sailing last week. We did have bliss bedding in our mini-suite and a flat screen TV which looked fairly new.

[lousk]

having talked to the captain & other officers, i learned that they were thinking of selling the sun to someone else but decided to refurbish instead. the drydock at the end of this week in gbi has several priorities, the main being to replace the propellors for better fuel efficiency. the 2nd major item is flooring. replacement of carpeting, cracked tiles & warped wooden flooring. some furniture may also be replaced. and last but most needed, cosmetics. they have to have a punch list 9 miles long. there's areas that need repaint, plumbing leaks everywhere ( not sewage), dented elevator doors & broken buttons, some needing numbers, table surfaces in the casino are worn & frazzled, etc. iow, a lot of little things have to be fixed.

 

i could mention a few other things like problems that our friends had with their room like the backed up shower drain that flooded the room, a door & a safe that wouldn't lock along with what seemed to be somewhat common, poor housekeeping. smudged mirrors, poor vacuuming, stingy with towels, no shampoo in the shower dispensor for a week (intentionally left empty by us), & so on.

 

understand, the ship is 10 yrs old, used & abused, so it's time for a refurb.

none the less, it was a nice cruise & we had a great time. we'll be back on her in sept for a baltic-t/a b2b. looking forward to see what has been accomplished.

 

the next major drydock should be around sept of 2012 when they plan on adding another deck & redoing all the galleys with convection stoves & updating the heating tables.

__________________

[Glendy]

Just returned from the 5 day Western Caribbean on the Sun. Our room was in fantastic shape, very well maintained by our cabin steward Miguel. We were in a stern balcony cabin and it was glorious, very well maintained. We had Bliss Bedding and it was amazingly comfortable. No flat screen t.v. but it served its purpose. I imagine that they will replace the t.v.s with new ones soon.

 

I know that just as the last passengers were disembarking that the furniture had been removed from the Garden Cafe and the carpeting was being ripped up.

[Mom2B&Z]

in a balcony room on deck 9. The carpet was worn, with fraying at some of the seams. The bedding was comfy, I couldn't tell you if it was bliss or not ;) The boys (5.5 and 3 yrs old) slept on a pull out which I found hard but they didn't complain.

On our balcony there was some rusting at joints and it needed painting. The chairs were new and comfortable. The door stuck a bit and I had a hard time opening it, but I actually preferred it that way because they boys couldn't get out!

Others have described the repairs needed in common areas well. I hope they don't remove the great outdoors eating area, we loved escaping from the garden cafe which was often crowded and noisy, and have a great memory of having lunch together overlooking St. Thomas...it was bliss!

Did it affect our enjoyment? Not at all, but we're not exactly stuck on the looks of a ship as heavily influencing whether we enjoy our vacation.

[Glendy]

in a balcony room on deck 9. The carpet was worn' date=' with fraying at some of the seams. [b']The bedding was comfy, I couldn't tell you if it was bliss or not [/b];) The boys (5.5 and 3 yrs old) slept on a pull out which I found hard but they didn't complain.

On our balcony there was some rusting at joints and it needed painting. The chairs were new and comfortable. The door stuck a bit and I had a hard time opening it, but I actually preferred it that way because they boys couldn't get out!

Others have described the repairs needed in common areas well. I hope they don't remove the great outdoors eating area, we loved escaping from the garden cafe which was often crowded and noisy, and have a great memory of having lunch together overlooking St. Thomas...it was bliss!

Did it affect our enjoyment? Not at all, but we're not exactly stuck on the looks of a ship as heavily influencing whether we enjoy our vacation.

 

Well, I saw the word "Bliss" on the sheets so I assume that is what's meant by Bliss bedding.

 

I found it the bed blissful. ;)

[LordWinston]

Really interesting posts. Sounds like she will look next to new when she leaves dry dock. How interesting they will go up one more deck in 2012. I personally enjoy ships this size -- like the old Celebrity Mercury and Galaxy.

 

I wonder if the spa will be enlarged?

[redgrave]

Well, If I have followed other posts correctly, I believe the Sun is hours away from her dry dock. Any word from present passengers if the work has already begun? It seemed NCL was replacing beds early. Does NCL post any information about what is being done when a ship enters dry dock?

 

Judging from the NCL ship plans that are revised for upcoming cruises, it doesn't appear too much is being done -- cosmetic only?

 

Any info for the curious is appreciated!

 

Alan

 

i will be on the sun the second week of feb. i will keep you updated on the changes that occured.

[CruzinLucy]

Thanks for this info. We are sailing on her in Dec. Does anyone know if they plan to expand the kiddie pool area?

thanks

[vols_159]

Ive heard one of the resturant is changing to a briazilian steakhouse "forget the name" any truth??

[NMLady]

Ive heard one of the resturant is changing to a briazilian steakhouse "forget the name" any truth??

 

I don't know but I've heard rumors that Pacific Heights will become Moderno. If that's a Brazilian steakhouse I hope it's not going to be an extra charge restaurant. I enjoyed having Pacific Heights as an alternative to MDR and buffet.

 

I also loved having waffles or omelet in there in the morning for breakfast.

[Wingtips56]

I don't know but I've heard rumors that Pacific Heights will become Moderno. If that's a Brazilian steakhouse I hope it's not going to be an extra charge restaurant. I enjoyed having Pacific Heights as an alternative to MDR and buffet.

 

I also loved having waffles or omelet in there in the morning for breakfast.

 

I can't vouch for it, but in another thread, a poster said "Moderno" would come in a 2012 major refitting, even saying the plan was to add another deck. (Hopefully that isn't a misinterpretation of the unpopular removal of the forward observation lounge, ala the Star.) This current dry-dock is a short one, reduced even from the original schedule as was last summer, so there can't be anything too major this time. But looking forward to whatever refreshing they are doing now, as we sail on Sun this September.

 

We don't watch TV on a cruise, but are hoping this current visit includes replacing the fat CRT TVs with flat screen, to free up more room for our stuff!

[mailbroad]

Hubby and I will be on the Sun the 25th for the 4 day and then again for the 7 day after that. I will report back... I plan on getting internet on the ship... so I will post as soon as I am on the computer... unless it is tooooooo sloooooooooow!:)

[Mr. Luckytoo]

Having just gotten off the Jan 8th sailing the casino people told me that they will be replacing the carpets and doing some cosmetic work.

 

Our room stewart mentioned that the ship has to fix some plumbing issues with drains - the drain in our cabin was slow but didn't overflow.

 

I asked if any new restaruants were being put on and the people I talked to didn't know anything about that. Overall the ship doesn't have the bell's and whistles of the Epic but has a wonderful crew and, in my opinion, the perfect size. Not too large and not too small.

[ComputerTravelGuy]

Hubby and I will be on the Sun the 25th for the 4 day and then again for the 7 day after that. I will report back... I plan on getting internet on the ship... so I will post as soon as I am on the computer... unless it is tooooooo sloooooooooow!:)

 

We sailed the Sun in Feb 2010 and found it to be a well-maintained ship (although the Jan 2011 mini dry dock will likely keep it looking new). But in checking the NCL Sun schedule shows no other breaks for dry dock through April 2013). Hopefully the observation lounge will remain intact - I remember lingering for a few hours each day in the observation lounge with friends, watching the waves and listening to the Latin or other Bands. Planning a Sun trip in Sept 2012 and hope NCL doesn't pull this space for a few more cabins.

 

Let us know after the mini-dry dock. Thanks!

 

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Russ

[STARFISH*4]

we were on her for 2 weeks in December (when she "broke") she was showing 'wear and tear' but we still did ENJOY our cruise.

our shower drain was slow but didnt overflow either...we had a broken drawer that was replaced in less than a half hr from calling someone!

we are looking forward to another 2 weeks this December on the Spruced up SUN!!!

[traveler916]

Hubby and I will be on the Sun the 25th for the 4 day and then again for the 7 day after that. I will report back... I plan on getting internet on the ship... so I will post as soon as I am on the computer... unless it is tooooooo sloooooooooow!:)

 

as you can tell, many of us are interested - v-e-r-y interested - in what they have done...look forward to hearing!

[LordWinston]

Thanks for all of the great posts. I can't wait to read about the updates once the Sun sets sail in a week or so.

 

Sounds like the ship will look really fresh with new carpets, beds, etc. It would be nice if they spiffed up some of the restaurants/cafe on the higher deck.

 

It doesn't sound like anything too dramatic will happen.

 

Since the Sun will be spending time in Europe with European passengers, I wonder how that impacts their thinking on design and the NCL brand.

 

Alan

[steevsf]

I have been on the Sun 3 times and really love this ship, but I do believe they are doing some major bathroom updates... at least in the mini suites. The last mini we had boasted a great vanity and walk in closet. It looks like the closet will now be outside and the vanity removed. Too bad because the room was great the way it was. The balcony staterooms look like they will have a change also to a round enclosed shower... maybe they have been changed since I last had a balcony cabin many years ago. Anyone know? Looking forward to our TA cruise in Sept. no matter what the changes. Only hope they get a new chef for the Italian restaurant.

[ComputerTravelGuy]

It doesn't sound like anything too dramatic will happen. Since the Sun will be spending time in Europe with European passengers, I wonder how that impacts their thinking on design and the NCL brand. Alan

 

Excellent point - both the Jade and the Sun should keep European tastes in mind. I think a cruise that mainly focuses on entertainment and casino (short duration trips) might be able to do without the observation lounge (like from a US city to Bermuda and back) but longer trips and more scenic cruises needs this important public spaces (like a Western Caribbean or Med cruise).

 

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Russ

[traveler916]

On our last trip in December, there was a really bad sewage smell coming from the bathroom. Our cabin steward told us that it had been that way for awhile...and he would have to come in with buckets of water and disinfectant and pour it down the drains in the bathroom. Hopefully they will fix that issue

[NMLady]

Excellent point - both the Jade and the Sun should keep European tastes in mind. I think a cruise that mainly focuses on entertainment and casino (short duration trips) might be able to do without the observation lounge (like from a US city to Bermuda and back) but longer trips and more scenic cruises needs this important public spaces (like a Western Caribbean or Med cruise).

 

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Russ

 

That observation lounge is used a lot on transatlantic cruises, not only by individuals but also for some of the shipboard activities.

I'm one of the ones who spent hours in the Observation Lounge during our three back to back cruises on the Sun. I hope they don't do away with it or make it smaller.

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

We'll find out soon. She's about done right? She is due to take on passengers sometime next week?