Surprising Sun

[Mr. Luckytoo]

I recently got off the NCL Sun which did a 5 day Mexico cruise before heading into dry dock for 12 days. This was my 5th NCL cruise and I have to admit I was very pleasantly surprised.

 

My reason for booking the Sun was simple: 1. We wanted a short get away 2. The cruise was incredibly discounted and 3. We had a future booking certificate that we received for Christmas.

 

I did have some reservations about sailing on the Sun because it’s one of their older ships and I wasn’t sure what to expect - boy was I pleasantly pleased. The overall appearance of the ship was really one of a well maintained ship. The layout and design is the same as the NCL Sky (which I’ve done twice) so it was nice to already be familiar with everything on board.

 

We had an interior room on the 10th floor and to my surprise the cabin was the 2nd largest inside cabin that we’ve ever stayed in. Now the shower was tiny but overall I’d book that same cabin on a 5 day cruise in a heartbeat. It’s funny because my wife and I both agreed that we enjoyed our accommodations on the Sun better than we enjoyed our balcony cabin on our last NCL cruise, the Epic. One night we watched the movie Inception in our cabin for free, whereas movies on the Epic were $12.99!

 

After talking to our room stewart it turned out that he was about the Epic when we did our Transatlantic cruise. He told us that he had requested to be transferred back to the Sun after only 3 months on the Epic. We asked why but he was kind of reluctant to talk about it expect to say that he had more friends on the Sun. After our short 5-day cruise I can see why because the crew was very friendly.

 

Our dining experiences on the Sun consisted of Pacific Heights, Garden Café, Las Ramblas, Four Seasons and iL Adagio - twice. The food was acceptable but the service in Pacific Heights and iL Adagio was very good. We never had to wait to be seated.

 

The on-board ship entertainment was typical of what you’d expect with two different comedians (actually one was a juggler but he was a better commedian), a special guest singer Elvy Rose and the ship’s dancers. I have to mention that Elvy is just a crazy lady. She has so much energy in her show and she really loves being an entertainer.

 

I believe what made this a nice cruise was the ship’s staff. This was one of the friendliest crews that I’ve encountered. There were smiles EVERYWHERE. From check in to our room cabin attendant, to the waiters, excursion desk and even the casino workers.

 

The other thing I really enjoyed was being close to the ocean. It was nice to be able to walk on deck 6 and just relax and watch the ocean as we sailed along. Another thing I found nice was the coffee bar area on deck 5 with the sitting area. Las Ramblas is also a nice little area to have lunch or to go later at night for drinks and listen to the guitarist. There were lots of areas on the ship to 'get away' and have some quiet time.

 

The only dislike about my recent trip on the Sun? Smokey casino. Now it wasn’t as bad as when I was on the Epic but when I got home and unpacked the clothes all smell like smoke.

 

Considering that the NCL Sun is a 10 year old ship and hasn’t been refurbished since 2004 it’s in good shape. I really enjoyed my time on the Sun and especially with the crew! Nice job NCL.

[sparks1093]

Thanks for the review, definitely makes me want to sail the Sun before October, but I guess I'll have to wait until then.:)

[Sauer-kraut]

I'm glad you were pleasantly surprised. She's a great little ship and not overwhelming. I loved my transatlantic on her this fall.

[kjquilts]

Glad you enjoyed the Sun. She was our first NCL ship and we also enjoyed her.

 

Do they still serve breakfast at Las Ramblas? We often had breakfast there.

As i remember it was just eggs, bacon, sausage, some sort of sweet rolls, and possibly fruit. Coffee and juice were also available.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

Glad you enjoyed the Sun. She was our first NCL ship and we also enjoyed her.

 

Do they still serve breakfast at Las Ramblas? We often had breakfast there.

As i remember it was just eggs, bacon, sausage, some sort of sweet rolls, and possibly fruit. Coffee and juice were also available.

 

My sister-in-law sailed with us and she too enjoyed the ship. She told me that her first cruise was on the Sun in 2004 and that she enjoyed it as much this time and she did then.

 

We never tried to eat breakfast at las Ramblas - just lunch and Tapas.

 

With the mega-ships like Epic, Oasis, Allure, Dream, etc., it seems like these smaller ships are going to become either sold off or pushed aside in favor of the latest/greatest WOW factors.

 

I just thought this ship had 'personality'. But in the end it wasn't the ship that impressed me as much as the crew and yes my fellow passengers.

[NMLady]

Glad you enjoyed the Sun. She was our first NCL ship and we also enjoyed her.

 

Do they still serve breakfast at Las Ramblas? We often had breakfast there.

As i remember it was just eggs, bacon, sausage, some sort of sweet rolls, and possibly fruit. Coffee and juice were also available.

 

Nope, no breakfast at Las Ramblas. We'd had breakfast there in 2006 on our Panama Canal cruise but on our recent ta etc no Las Ramblas breakfast. However, they had awesome made to order omelets and waffles in Pacific Heights. I hope the rumors that they're turning Pacific Heights into Moderno Brazilian restaurant aren't true.

 

I agree that it's the CREW which makes sailing on the Sun so great.

[ncyankee]

thanks for the positive review -- sailing on her in April.

 

I went to the Baltics on a smaller ship last summer (Azamara) -- there is just something special about being on a smaller ship.

 

Looking forward to sailing on the Sun.

[lambs2]

Thanks for your review! I love the SUN too and looking forward to sailing our second transatlantic on her this coming April. I am wondering about the change of Pacific Heights to the Moderno Brazilian restaurant that I read about on this board. I guess that might not be too bad since that restaurant is so popular on the Epic just as long as they continue to have omelets available there for breakfast!

[DMH15]

Glad to hear you liked the Sun as much as I did in 2009.

[fergusonvt]

Glad you had the same great experience we had the week before you. She is a great ship and I honestly didn't find much they could change about her.

[karen327]

So do they want to do away with pacific heights during this dry dock? We are sailing on the Sun in march and I was looking forward to a healthy alternative, small, no fee restaurant.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

So do they want to do away with pacific heights during this dry dock? We are sailing on the Sun in march and I was looking forward to a healthy alternative, small, no fee restaurant.

 

One night while I was in Pacific Heights I saw the maitre de talking to another officer and they had what looked like blueprints. They were pointing to the tables as well. I wished I had asked them but the cooked pasta was calling my name so.....;)

 

I fear that the days of the Pacific Heights continuing to be a 'free' dining alternative are likely numbered. If they do in fact make it a Moderno, like the one on the Epic, I'm sure it will be a nice addition; albeit a slighly more expensive one.

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

One night while I was in Pacific Heights I saw the maitre de talking to another officer and they had what looked like blueprints. They were pointing to the tables as well. I wished I had asked them but the cooked pasta was calling my name so.....;)

 

I fear that the days of the Pacific Heights continuing to be a 'free' dining alternative are likely numbered. If they do in fact make it a Moderno, like the one on the Epic, I'm sure it will be a nice addition; albeit a slighly more expensive one.

 

There was some discussion on this on the dry dock thread and they said she is having a more extensive dry dock in 2012 and THAT is when the conversion would take place. Well see....

 

75 days... I just gotta keep telling myself that. ;)

[karen327]

There was some discussion on this on the dry dock thread and they said she is having a more extensive dry dock in 2012 and THAT is when the conversion would take place. Well see....

 

75 days... I just gotta keep telling myself that. ;)

 

 

I hope your correct. I keep hearing such great things about Pacific Heights restaurant, I just got to try it before it disappears. March can't get here soon enough for me.

[lgfromdg]

My Sun cruise was my favorite. And you're right - the crew was absolutely amazing, so friendly and helpful. I'd love to sail the Sun again.

[STARFISH*4]

GLAD you ENJOYED your cruise on the SUN...we had a GREAT time last month despite being on her when she "broke"-but overall a GOOD time and looking forward to another 2 weeks on her in December!

we LOVED our inside this time we are trying a balcony--my only complaint the shower curtain......lol...but it was tolerable even for 2weeks!!

[NMLady]

So do they want to do away with pacific heights during this dry dock? We are sailing on the Sun in march and I was looking forward to a healthy alternative, small, no fee restaurant.

 

Although Pacific Heights was a healthy alternative restaurant in 2006 when we cruised aboard the Sun, last September Pacific Heights menu no longer had the spa healthy choices. I think the menu was referred to as California. Besides a steak choice and a fish choice, its entrees included a quesadilla and a choice of two flatbreads (similar to pizza). I was a bit disappointed in the choices.

 

However, after its drydock, those menu choices could easily change again.

[DMH15]

Although Pacific Heights was a healthy alternative restaurant in 2006 when we cruised aboard the Sun, last September Pacific Heights menu no longer had the spa healthy choices. I think the menu was referred to as California. Besides a steak choice and a fish choice, its entrees included a quesadilla and a choice of two flatbreads (similar to pizza). I was a bit disappointed in the choices.

 

However, after its drydock, those menu choices could easily change again.

I hope so. I really liked the ambience in Pacific Heights but was underwhelmed with the food, as was our group. We didn't starve by any means, but much preferred other venues on the Sun.

[Globaliser]

Although Pacific Heights was a healthy alternative restaurant in 2006 when we cruised aboard the Sun, last September Pacific Heights menu no longer had the spa healthy choices.

IIRC, there used to be an association with Cooking Light magazine, and that's when Pacific Heights became known for "healthy eating". Unfortunately, IME it also tended to be tasteless, bland and boring.

 

The association has long since disappeared, and Pacific Heights has been doing other food. I think it's just "home cooking" now - and on my last Sun cruise in November the menu had a range of pretty un-fussy and un-fancy (but some quite tasty) choices.

[Zeno]

I love everything about the Sun except the shower. Nice size, very pleasant crew without being in your face, nice promenade deck. I could go on. Glad you enjoyed her too.

[jingle5616]

The Sun currently ranks as my favorite ship in the NCL Fleet. (Use to be the Star) She's a plain Jane, but the crew has always been great on our cruises, the staterooms amble, the food (with the exception of Pacific) very good, and entertainment fun. My only bitch was the plastic matting used on the balcony decking. Made it hard to walk barefoot on it! Good to hear she continues on with great service to the fleet!

 

Jingle