Mitsugirly's extensive back to belly sun & sky review

[mitsugirly]

Great review!

 

Just a word of caution – be prepared for the water temperature in Bermuda. My little girl is exactly like yours. She would spend every waking moment in the water if it was possible. We went to Bermuda last June. The air temperature was so hot. We just couldn't wait to get to the beach. My daughter went running into the ocean and promptly did a U-turn. She has definitely been spoiled by the warm Caribbean water. Sadly, I had to agree with her – the water was just too cold for us.

 

She just loves wearing her goggles and exploring the shallow water for shells – she was not a happy girl! What have I created – a little girl that is so spoiled that she will not swim in beautiful water that is below her desired temperature. I remember swimming in water when I was a kid – so cool that our lips turned purple in minutes.

 

We did have fun climbing the rocks and exploring the coves. We also toured other areas. But, the vacation just wasn't the same for my little water girl.

 

That's one thing that I'm really afraid of. I want to go to Bermuda for the ocean/beaches and I'm so afraid that it's going to be way too cold for us to actually use them. I know I'm going at the start of the season (and would much rather go toward the summer), but I did the kids sail free promo and that was the absolute last date they had that you could do Bermuda. So, maybe it will just be an "exploring" cruise to get our feet wet and see what Bermuda is all about. Then we'll have to return again during the summer months. I won't complain about returning. :D

 

My little one will go in any temp water. She won't care if it's freezing or not. I'm sure I'll be the one trying to keep her out of it for fear that she'll catch a cold or something. :p

[mitsugirly]

Loving this review! Thanks so much for taking the time to write it out! I feel like I was on this trip with you guys, can't wait for part 2!

 

Thank you and I'm glad you liked it. I'm working on part 2's pictures. Hopefully soon. :)

[mitsugirly]

 

Yes' date=' that is why I used the term 'lady' loosely! LOL

 

I think we need to sail the Gem out of Houston. I think Kris is up for that.[/size']

 

LOL.

 

I haven't been on the GEM yet, so I'm definitely game for that! We'll have to talk Kris into it. :D

[mitsugirly]

So I just realized that I don't think I did my ending thoughts on this cruise and the Sun. So I'm going to try to sum things up on this for those inquiring minds that want to know.

 

Prior to booking on the Sun, I always knew that I was interested in sailing her. I know a lot of people seem to like her and I know a lot of people that have sailed on here (including my family, which I have to say are in their 80's).

 

My first encounter with the Sun was a few years ago in Ocho Rios Jamaica. We were on the Pearl and "parked" next to her. I couldn't help think but how itty bitty she looked, but I loved the hull art and there was just something about her that I liked. I remember taking a picture of her (well actually I took a bunch that day) as we were leaving and I managed to catch the most beautiful picture of the sunset, clouds and her sitting there, which heightened my curiously about going on her.

 

 

 

My first thought after entering the Sun was "Yep, I'm going to like this ship" and I wasn't wrong.

 

Everyone knows I love ships with the grand atrium stories tall and the Sun did not disappoint. Her atrium went up to the top and she had glass elevators on BOTH sides. Beautiful.

 

I liked the layout of the ship and everything was easy to get to and find. I think I knew my way around this ship by the second or third day.

 

I loved the area of the kids club. With it being on the front of the ship and the porthole windows to see down at the kids made it really neat.

 

LOVED the casino of course. It did me well and I was so happy to find some of the slots that kept me playing for hours on $10.

 

Loved the food and the sports bar area. I just wish it was open 24/7 like on the other ships (O'Sheehans and Blue Lagoon). That was a bit of a disappointment.

 

Eating in the MDR, buffet or the back of the ship was kind of a hit or miss when it would be open. That was one thing that I don't think I ever learned on the hours.

 

Sakari enjoyed the kids pool/hot tub area. It was a nice place to hang out. Didn't like that some adults felt like it was their area to hang out and gave dirty looks when a child came along like they weren't supposed to be there.

 

The main pool was fine and was never crowded. It was small, like any other ship that I have been on.

 

 

I didn't see any chair hogging and almost every time we were there, we found a place to sit (sometimes even being in the front row by the pool).

 

Loved the wooden dance floor area they had in front of the stage on the pool deck. (These seem to get smaller and smaller until they are non-existant on the larger ships. I remember the sailaway on the Getaway...the staff was dancing around the edges of the pool because there's no place to stand and dance).

 

The room size was a little bigger and with a different layout than your "normal" rooms on other ships, it was nice. As always there was plenty of space to put your things.

 

The room steward-I can't really say we had a good one. After asking about an extra towel (for my hair), it took awhile to get it and she managed to take away one of our pool towels. She could never get it right. I still can't believe that she left dirty cups for days and just put a clean lid on it. Really? I have never had that happen before. Then there's the dirty underwear issue. I just don't think she was very thorough with her cleaning. Maybe she was new? IDK, but it did not make or break our cruise of course. Everyone has "off" days, this might have been her "off" week. :p

 

DIDN'T like the shower and the curtain that loved my body. That's probably the worse thing they ever invented.

 

DIDN'T like the safe. I swear it felt smaller than normal and the steps you had to do in order to get in it was just a little much.

 

Loved that the closet in the room had a light and we used it as a night light.

 

LOVED the Internet package and speed. I'm sorry, we didn't have any issues that others claim with the speed. It was very sufficient and worked great for us...even in the room.

 

Great food at the MDR and this time around the service was excellent. We wasn't sitting around waiting for hours for our meals or drinks. They were very prompt and it made for an enjoyable dining experience each time.

 

The buffet...hmmm. Normally I REALLY enjoy the buffet, but this time around it seemed different. Maybe it was the size. I don't think we have witnessed such a small buffet before. It seemed limited on items and it felt like most nights it was the same thing with a few "added/rotated" items. There was plenty of seating there and you never had to worry about that.

 

Loved the ice cream station and the crepe station. Easy access and never a line.

 

Loved the area out back (Great Outdoors). They always had great food and a nice "change-up" from the buffet. I also enjoy sitting out there and watching the wake.

 

Shopping, well, it was ok and had a variety of items...just not the tee's that I usually buy. I still can't believe they didn't pull those out (the ones with the ship name on them). Do they not realize that they are potentially losing money for people that want a tee with the ships name on it?

 

The shows...IMO they really didn't have too many that we enjoyed. We are not really the type that likes the singing and dancing broadway type of shows. They get repetitive after the first show. The comedian was ok and the ventriloquist was just bad. He was bad the first time we seen him on another ship and it was worse the second time.

 

The staff was AMAZING. By the second day a lot of them up on the pool deck had Sakari's name memorized and always approached her to talk about her day. I feel like NCL has some amazing people working for them. I know it's a rough job, but they really "appear" as if they enjoy it and are always smiling and speaking.

 

The White Hot party was amazing!!! I love when it's out on the pool deck and we had a wonderful time.

 

We LOVED the furries and think that it added to the experience of having an awesome cruise. Would love to cruise with them again in the future.

 

This cruise was filled with "much older" people. I don't have anything against this AT ALL. It made for a more "relaxed" feeling this time around. I would do this again in a heartbeat!

 

Last but not least, the smoking section and people on this cruise just sucked! The way people would grab a table and sit there all day just amazed me. This is a "smoking section" not a breakfast, lunch, dinner sitting area and in between. Have some consideration. If you are eating your meal, go somewhere else and eat and then come here for your cigarette. There's no need to hog every table and chair. Go enjoy your cruise!!! Geesh. Some of these people seem to never move...ever. So instead of chair hogs by the pool, we have smoking section hogs.

 

THE NUMBER ONE THING ABOUT THIS CRUISE TO ME.....

 

IT WAS NEVER CROWDED!!! EVER!!! Anywhere we went, we never ran into a crowd. The ship felt empty half the time. I never waited in lines for much of anything. The buffet line never had more than 3 or 4 people ahead of me. The crepe station...maybe 1 person ahead of me. No lines in the MDR. No lines when shopping. Casino not too crowded. Always some place to sit. It was just that amazing!!

 

We were able to sail with our previous cruising buddies and it was great to see them again.

 

I walked away from this cruise, and my husband and I both agreed, that this is probably one of our favorite cruises! But, a lot of things factor into that of course.

 

We had WONDERFUL weather each day.

The ship wasn't crowded.

We won in the casino.

All 4 places we visited in port were probably some of the best places and experiences ever.

We were more relaxed and prepared for this cruise than our last one.

The Sun was a great ship! Period!

 

It was just a mixture of one good thing after another (of course until I lost my diamond). It's going to be very hard to beat this cruise! I just can't express how great it was.

 

I know people have different expectations and experiences and I truly believe that it depends on all of the factors. For us...this was THE cruise we had been waiting for all year (since our Getaway cruise just wasn't what we thought it would be).

 

Would I sail the Sun again? Well, you know me, I try not to sail the same ship over and over, so probably not. But would I recommend it? Absolutely!

 

 

[RCFox]

Hey there RC Fox. Nice to have you here. Glad you had a great cruise as well. You all looked like you were having a blast. Hope to be on another cruise with you again some time. :)

 

2015 is the next one, but I will be on the Allure without the costume.

[preschool teacher]

Hi Mitusgirly,

 

Brillant review.....you are gifted....as is your daughter.....now we will be at Blue Kay (thank you) on Christmas Day and I hope they will be open....my excitement grew with each page as we cruise on the 20th...and r going to the same ports.....to pay you back for a great review, I will loan you 2 wetsuits when you go to Bermuda next year! You can stop in Jacksonville on your way down! Merry Christmas and keep cruisin!

[runner2013]

Thank you for such a wonderful and informative review. I loved checking in each day to see where you were and what you all were doing. Your pictures alone are worth a thousand words..

Your daughter is an absolute doll too. So fun to be able to see things through her eyes:)

 

Definitely looking forward to your next review :D

Patty

[boaterette]

Want to start off saying I love your reviews. I have read everyone. Must say I am one of those who wit at a smoking table for hours. I love to sit and read and people watch. I also love being on the ocean. But I also like to smoke while doing it. So that is my idea of a great cruise. I have been on so many that doing all the other stuff is boring. Except the casino.:D So I am one of your smoking hogs. lol

[mitsugirly]

2015 is the next one, but I will be on the Allure without the costume.

 

I have always wanted to sail the Allure (or even the Oasis). Some day I will make it there. What an awesome ship!

 

Hi Mitusgirly,

 

Brillant review.....you are gifted....as is your daughter.....now we will be at Blue Kay (thank you) on Christmas Day and I hope they will be open....my excitement grew with each page as we cruise on the 20th...and r going to the same ports.....to pay you back for a great review, I will loan you 2 wetsuits when you go to Bermuda next year! You can stop in Jacksonville on your way down! Merry Christmas and keep cruisin!

 

You could always email them and ask if they will be open on Christmas Day. It seems like most places are if the ship is going to be in port (they don't want to miss that $$ coming in).

 

Stop in Jacksonville on way down? Jacksonville...as in Florida? That's not on the way to Bermuda. I go north to head to the ship. :p

 

I had actually thought about buying a wet suit too...just for occasions like this. I still may consider it. But then again, I don't know squat about them and wouldn't have any idea what to get. :o

[mitsugirly]

Thank you for such a wonderful and informative review. I loved checking in each day to see where you were and what you all were doing. Your pictures alone are worth a thousand words..

Your daughter is an absolute doll too. So fun to be able to see things through her eyes

 

Definitely looking forward to your next review

Patty

 

Aww thanks so much Patty. I really appreciate the kind words and glad you enjoyed the review and pictures. :)

 

Want to start off saying I love your reviews. I have read everyone. Must say I am one of those who wit at a smoking table for hours. I love to sit and read and people watch. I also love being on the ocean. But I also like to smoke while doing it. So that is my idea of a great cruise. I have been on so many that doing all the other stuff is boring. Except the casino. So I am one of your smoking hogs. lol

 

 

Thanks for liking my reviews. I'm so glad when people enjoy it. YOU are the smoking hog! :D :p The only issue with sitting at these chairs, they are not that comfortable to just sit and read at and you don't get the greatest view of the ocean from them. Just a dirty glass window. :o

[montecarloss]

Thanks for your great review. We will be on her for two weeks starting Feb 1. I now know where everything is and it will be a great vacation!:)

[csnow]

We are cruising in the new year and your reviews have really helped us in deciding what to do in the ports. Thank you so much for taking the time to post such honest, extensive reviews and posting such wonderful pictures. Your little girl is a darling! Thank you again.

[Baybear]

That wasn't a review... It was a virtual experience! I almost feel like I don't have to go there since I'm now convinced I've been, even though I haven't!...

 

We're on a cruise Feb 3-12 and will be stopping in Costa Maya. We've been there before 3 times and never got past the port area. DW and I are both 70yo and love snorkeling so you've convinced us to go to Blue Kay and head out into the water. We had no idea such a place existed only 1.8 miles from the port area.

 

Three questions...

 

1) is there sea grass everywhere as you enter from the beach? Or are there some egresses that you wouldn't have to have sea grass as you walk out into the water?

 

2) how far out do you have to go before the sea grass "stops?" Or is it just "all over the place randomly?"

 

3) Do they take credit cards for food/drink, or should we bring cash?

 

I apologize if these questions have been asked already, but it would take me a few months to read all the posts in this informative thread!

 

TIA

 

Dave & Carol from Lancaster PA (Summer) and Bonita Springs (Winter)

Edited December 16, 2014 by Baybear

[Name Of The Game]

Looking forward to reading about the second half of your cruise!

[Laszlo]

I hope its going to be warmer for you then I think it will be in Bermuda:D

 

Thanks again for a great review of the Sun!!!

Edited December 16, 2014 by Laszlo

[keeponcruising]

It's not "Where is the Beef," it is "Where is the Belly.";)

[Bailey & Sophie]

I've read in other threads that these types of cruises are actually called side-by-sides.

[mitsugirly]

Thanks for your great review. We will be on her for two weeks starting Feb 1. I now know where everything is and it will be a great vacation!:)

 

You are very welcome and I hope you have a wonderful cruise in February. :)

 

 

We are cruising in the new year and your reviews have really helped us in deciding what to do in the ports. Thank you so much for taking the time to post such honest, extensive reviews and posting such wonderful pictures. Your little girl is a darling! Thank you again.

 

Thanks and glad they are helpful. My munchkin thanks you for the nice compliment. :D

[mitsugirly]

That wasn't a review... It was a virtual experience! I almost feel like I don't have to go there since I'm now convinced I've been, even though I haven't!...

 

We're on a cruise Feb 3-12 and will be stopping in Costa Maya. We've been there before 3 times and never got past the port area. DW and I are both 70yo and love snorkeling so you've convinced us to go to Blue Kay and head out into the water. We had no idea such a place existed only 1.8 miles from the port area.

 

Three questions...

 

1) is there sea grass everywhere as you enter from the beach? Or are there some egresses that you wouldn't have to have sea grass as you walk out into the water?

 

2) how far out do you have to go before the sea grass "stops?" Or is it just "all over the place randomly?"

 

3) Do they take credit cards for food/drink, or should we bring cash?

 

I apologize if these questions have been asked already, but it would take me a few months to read all the posts in this informative thread!

 

TIA

 

Dave & Carol from Lancaster PA (Summer) and Bonita Springs (Winter)

 

Oh definitely get out and see the sites...in any port. There's so much to do and see at the different ports. :)

 

No, there's mostly all sandy areas when you enter the beach. The sea grass is just here and there.

 

For instance this picture...you can tell there's no sea grass in most of the area because you don't see the "dark" spots. It's just all sand.

 

 

 

You can see in the following picture...mostly all sandy bottom, they you'll see a chunk of the darker area, which is sea grass, then back to being sand again.

 

 

 

As far as taking a cc, I'm honestly not sure. I NEVER use a cc when I'm in port. There's too many horror stories about people getting riped off using them (cc used and card number taken and used for big purchases later). I'm not saying this will happen here, just saying as a general rule of thumb, I always bring cash. :)

 

Let me know if you have any other questions. :)

 

 

 

Looking forward to reading about the second half of your cruise!

 

I'm working on it. I'm almost done with the pictures. I have just been so busy with Christmas around the corner and a new job. Coming right up. :D

[mitsugirly]

I hope its going to be warmer for you then I think it will be in Bermuda:D

 

Thanks again for a great review of the Sun!!!

 

I hope it's going to be warmer than I think as well. :p But I'm not holding my breath. I'm sure I'll survive...it is a vacation. :D

 

It's not "Where is the Beef," it is "Where is the Belly.";)

 

I'm working hard on the belly. I've just been so busy with a new job and trying to get things done for Christmas. I promise to start soon. :)

[mitsugirly]

I've read in other threads that these types of cruises are actually called side-by-sides.

 

 

LOL. People have different terms for them (all made up from what I understand). When I decided to do these 2 cruises booked one after another, I had a thread about my "back to back" cruise planned. Someone corrected me and said that it's only a back to back if you are on the same ship. Others said to "call it whatever YOU want" and so on. It became a good laugh. Someone else came up with the term "back to belly" and it clicked with me. It sounded good and sounded funny and I went with it. That's where I got the term from. :D

 

Norwegian Cruise Lines...Freestyle Cruising...where you can do what you want, when you want and how you want...and even call your cruises whatever you want in your reviews. :p

[theminnow]

LOL. People have different terms for them (all made up from what I understand). When I decided to do these 2 cruises booked one after another, I had a thread about my "back to back" cruise planned. Someone corrected me and said that it's only a back to back if you are on the same ship. Others said to "call it whatever YOU want" and so on. It became a good laugh. Someone else came up with the term "back to belly" and it clicked with me. It sounded good and sounded funny and I went with it. That's where I got the term from. :D

 

Norwegian Cruise Lines...Freestyle Cruising...where you can do what you want, when you want and how you want...and even call your cruises whatever you want in your reviews. :p

 

You may call it whatever you want. I only ask you keep the great reviews coming in.

 

Craig

[dna529]

Great review! Ready for your Sky review!

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

[cloudchaser pony]

After the White Hot party around 11pm, we headed to the garden cafe for food. One thing that I noticed about this cruise...there was NEVER any pizza anywhere! What the heck??? Well tonight would be different. They had pizza at the buffet and people were grabbing it like there was never going to be pizza again...and they were right.

 

I managed to get 2 slices after waiting forever on it.

 

 

But hey, at least I got my pizza fix for the cruise I guess.

 

We ran into Sakari's favorite Sun dancer and we talked for a little bit. She told Sakari and me "She is the prettiest little girl on this ship!" I told her about Sakari seeing her at the first show and sitting up in the balcony waving and she was so flattered and extremely nice. She said it was past her bed time and she had to be up early in the morning and we headed to the room ourselves.

 

We got on the elevator and there was another couple in it. My hubby looked at the guy and the guy looked at him and my hubby goes "There IS really another young buck on this cruise! I thought I was the only one!" They both laughed and the other "young buck" agreed. LOL

 

It was around midnight when we arrived back to the room and found something monkeying around in our room.

 

 

 

We also found that dreaded time change. Sigh. That meant we were going to lose a whole hour tonight. Yucky!

 

 

 

Sakari took her shower and headed to the bed with her pen and pad.

 

There was a horse furrie that she seen today...his name was cloudchaser pony. I think she might have been trying to draw him.

 

 

 

Then she came up with this...I'm really not sure what it is supposed to be, but in the mind of a child, I'm thinking it's the "bad guy" that bit her leg at Passion Island today.

 

 

 

We headed off to bed and I had high hopes that I would NOT wake up before the alarm went off the next night...we would see.

 

 

smiles i am very honored that she chose to draw me. personally had a very good time on the cruise an enjoyed the time shearing what i do for fun with everyone with the horse and dragon.

[SailingRNC]

I am still enjoying your very thorough and uberawesome review. I feel as though I am travelling with you and your family.

 

Although I have a cruise planned for Nov 2015, I may not be able to hold out that long and more than likely will be cruising on the NCL Sky or Epic, depending on my work schedule, much sooner :p