LIVE from the SUN Jan 4-11, 2015

[OceanDreaming2]

Who could forget our Mexican Riviera cruise back in 2008? Happy to see you are still cruising! Are you still in contact with MrTractor?

[troyphoto]

Who could forget our Mexican Riviera cruise back in 2008? Happy to see you are still cruising! Are you still in contact with MrTractor?

 

Weeee! that was a fun cruise. No, we haven't kept in touch. too much grad school and work (and quite a few states in between).

 

Quick Update on previous questions:

 

1. Brian Walters says he'll be on the Sun probably through April... depending on who is asking ;)

 

2. The ship is sailing full (doesn't really feel like it) but the number of cabins with more than double occupancy is down according to the HD. We don't normally sail during holidays or spring break times, so the ship itself definitely has a different vibe.

 

3. HD and Food & Bev Director (sorry, don't have his name handy) pointed out that the Sun class was designed for point to point sailing, and it does a better job of separating activities and maximizing space. I'll go with that as the reason for the different vibe.

 

4. Just got back from the latitudes and cruise critic meet and greets, didn't win anything at the former, and had free food (who doesn't need more of that on a cruise???) at the latter.

 

5. Getting by with the jeans for slacks. Only need them an hour or so in the evening. Then back to shorts. Technically I could get by with shorts in the dining rooms, but I like to make a tad bit of effort :cool: - and rotate slacks through the week to extend their usefulness.

 

6. Hanging wrinkled shirts in the bathroom during shower, and then using the hair dryer as an impromptu wrinkle remover works fairly well. I may not be "pressed" with my aloha shirts, but they won't be rumpled when I leave the room.

[hpecorari]

Weeee! that was a fun cruise. No, we haven't kept in touch. too much grad school and work (and quite a few states in between).

 

Quick Update on previous questions:

 

1. Brian Walters says he'll be on the Sun probably through April... depending on who is asking ;)

 

 

Yea! You just made my cruise! LOL Tell him Harriet who traveled with Arlene from the Star B2B Panama Canal cruise last January/February is asking....and he better be happy about it! LOL

 

Thank you!!

[watchdiva]

The Port of Roatan is located in the Town of Coxen Hole...we lived on Roatan for 4 years. Mahogany Bay is located in the area known as Dixon Cove.

 

 

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[NJLVW]

This is great so far. Will be following you all week. Love the SUN. We will be on her again in less then 2 weeks. So please take care of the ship and do not wear out the crew. LOL. Enjoy your week and thank you for taking the time to do a live review.

[RIvacationgirl]

Really enjoying your posts. Thank you for taking the time to share with us!

[Laszlo]

Thanks for the report, about what time did you sail under the bridge?

[troyphoto]

Thanks for the report, about what time did you sail under the bridge?

 

 

We went under it about 6:15

 

 

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[pdmartyn65]

Great on the fly review. Will be on the Sun in April for her trek to this side of the continent.

 

 

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[troyphoto]

(and into Tues)

 

Wow! What a day! Mermaids off the port bow, a great while whale dragging a few harpoons and wooden barrels off the stern!

 

Well, not really. Just a pleasant day at sea. I started writing this in my usual spot on the port side of the GO, had to move to starboard/mid side. Too much sun. Yep, I’m a shade lover. Probably comes from my photography time. Shade is beautiful soft light. Direct sun is harsh and contrasty.

 

Seas yesterday were mostly calm until about mid-afternoon, then we had some swells, maybe 5 foot or under - just enough to get everyone’s sea legs operating.

 

We had our Cruise Critic meet and greet at 11 in Las Ramblas on 12 after. Snazzy little place, but I was disappointed in the turnout. I thought we were up around 10 couples or families, and only 5 showed up. But, we got to hang out with the hotel officers. HD Walters told us the ship was running filled, but down from the holiday weeks. More cabins, this week, were occupied by couples than by families from last week, so the number of cruisers is lower. They are over 2,000 cruisers, with 170+ being 18 or under this cruise.

 

 

I asked about why the ship doesn’t feel as crowded as times I’ve sailed on Jewel Class ships. They explained that this class of ship was designed for more of an ocean liner itinerary – go from port A to port B, and have fun along the way. The Ship has lots of places for groups to get together, but these are separated off from the other areas. Or, perhaps I’m not part of the “in-crowd” and always go to the lightly populated areas. ;)

 

Looking back and comparing the layout of the Sun Class to the Star Class to the Jewel Class, It’s interesting to watch the progression of layout design.

 

On the Jewel Class, you can see how the designers thought about easy access in moving cruisers from point A to point B. You don’t have to walk through the middle of anything to get where you’re going. Getting Fore to Aft on a Sun Class ship in a mostly straight line is only possible in the passenger cabin decks (8,9, etc). You cannot do that in the public access (non-cabin) areas. It’s quite a zig-zag through various bars and active areas.

 

For instance, on the Jewel Class, down in bar city and the casino, there is an obvious walk way. People pass through without going through the middle of the crowd. With the exception of the piano area in bar city, you’re not subjected to the party – but can still observe it. Same thing in the Atrium, or on the pool deck. You can pass through without much hassle.

 

On the Sun class that’s present in a few areas, but others not so much. On decks 5, 6, and 7 the “action areas” you don’t have access areas down the outside edges of the ship, but through the middle, then to the outside. To get to the Stardust Theater (Balcony) on 7 aft, from the atrium, go aft down the middle into Dazzles, the main party bar. There is a walk-way around it, but you are IN the action. This is a party area, not the piano bar area of the Champaign bar in Bar City on the Jewel class.

 

In Dazzles there are decorative doors (not fire doors) at either end to keep the party sound trapped. Sitting in the Windjammer (see below) if those doors are open, you can hear the party intruding on the music from the lounge musician. There is a short hallway between the two venues, with the sound doors on either end. Once closed, they block the sound well. On the Jewel Class much of the activity from the Dazzles area on the Sun (games shoes, party dancing) happens up in Jewel’s Deck 12- Spinnaker Lounge. You go there if you want to be there On the Sun, you’re walking through this area to get aft.

 

Once past Dazzles, the Windjammer and Havana club are off to the right, and the open walkway takes over (through the photo gallery). Zig to the middle through the atrium and into Dazzles, after that, back to the outer edge (not outside) along starboard around Windjammer, through the photo gallery, and into the Stardust Balcony.

 

The same happens down a deck. Want to go aft? Go through the smoky casino, then through the duty free trading post store.

 

Not a bad design, but compartmental, instead of easy passage through in many places.

 

The promenade deck (not it’s name – on the Sun, it’s up on 12 I believe) for walkers is on 6 under the lifeboats. On our first night, Mrs. Photo wanted to do some more laps to walk off her dessert calories, and it was roped off until 8 am. This morning, the fore section was blocked off for a while, so she back up on 12 doing mini laps. Not as enjoyable due to the narrow confines on the sides. Fortunately, it opened up about 8 am.

 

We had lunch in the Seven Seas (5 aft). I had fish-n-chips, Mrs. Photo had a meatball sandwich. Dessert was a Reese Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake. (Now you see why Mrs Photo walks laps). Dinner back in 4 Seasons. Wife pointed out that the décor between the two is very similar. The prime difference being the panoramic windows across the aft end in 7 Seas. She got dessert again, and that did her in. Back to the cabin so she could relax and digest. We’re going to have to start skipping the starters and go straight to the entrees so she still has room for dessert.

 

 

Entertainment:

In the Stardust, the performance company did a variety show. A few song and dance numbers to highlight various talented singers and dancers in spotlight performances. Some funny bits like an acapella tap-off between the singers and dancers. Worth seeing.

 

Mrs. Photo and I really enjoy the lounge acts, but are differing in types of music preference. We usually try to attend the piano singer, guitarist, and find a lounge band. So far we’ve caught a few songs with James on the Piano. Not enough info to report on him yet.

 

Riley Haupt plays guitar and sings with a good mix for his song list. Wife enjoys his performance immensely, but is tired of the “oldies” (what I call classic rock). We’re teens of the late 70s and early 80s, so she likes to fast forward past the “tired old music” that I still enjoy, and into the alternative rock of the naughties (00s). Riley has a good mix of those (Greenday, Train, etc). She even found a very eclectic oldie that she wants to request because it’s so obscure. Last night he did a full set on Beatles tunes.

 

Riley has a great personality, and interacts with “the family” as he calls his audience. If he does well, just yell “NAILED IT!” to him. He’s “almost Canadian,” hailing from the “yuppers” of either Minn or Wisc (sorry, I forget which). He encourages crowd interaction, with sing-along choruses.

 

“You want American Pie? We’re going be here allllllll cruise. That’s a loooooooong one… OK, but I’m not singing the Chorus!” That wasn’t a problem. His “family of 50 or so back up vocalists in the Windjammer bar were happy to sing “Bye Bye Miss American Pie, Drove my Chevy to the levy and the levy was dry…”

 

I’ll see if I can get some photos of the action tonight.

 

The other act we like, but haven’t had enough time with is Into the Rift. A Husband-Wife duo. She’s on keys and vocals, he’s got guitar and backing vocals. They’re up in the Observation lounge (12 Fore) or in the Champaign Bar on 7 Mid. Good mix of tunes, including my wife’s nemesis: Classic rock. They do a wide array, including a Motown set (they’re trying to get an Eagles set approved for one evening), some Shania, etc. Dance-able tunes often, so if you can two step or waltz head up there. They even played one by Simply Red, one of the few artists from days of yore that Mrs Photo still likes to listen to.

 

Today is a port day. Roatan. Had fun watching the Captain parallel park this little thing. ;) I really enjoy being out on deck to observe the slow drift into dock, and tossing and tying up of the lines.

 

 

We may get off the ship, but won’t stay out long. I’ve got a grad school paper (the super huge one) to keep writing. Got 900+ words written yesterday afternoon, with some editing on the previous part of that particular section. I need to get another 1,000 or 1,500 words written today.

 

BTW: the weather for our excursion in Costa Maya doesn’t look promising. The 2 weather sites I ventured to blow internet minutes looking at say 80-90 % chance of rain in the morning. If you’all could find us a nice, mild, mostly sunny forecast, please post it here. Thanks! ;)

[OceanDreaming2]

 

BTW: the weather for our excursion in Costa Maya doesn’t look promising. The 2 weather sites I ventured to blow internet minutes looking at say 80-90 % chance of rain in the morning. If you’all could find us a nice, mild, mostly sunny forecast, please post it here. Thanks! ;)

 

Weather for Wednesday shows a high probability for rain but less than .1". You should be fine.

[troyphoto]

Weather for Wednesday shows a high probability for rain but less than .1". You should be fine.

 

I believe we're going to be there on Thurs. Am I misremembering the itinerary?

[OceanDreaming2]

I believe we're going to be there on Thurs. Am I misremembering the itinerary?

 

Oops - I thought I read Wednesday. Weather for Thursday 1/8...

 

cloudy but no rain.

[BlueJai]

Hey Troy

 

Newtonville Dan here on BlueJai's computer

 

Great blog. We have sailed on the Sun will be back onboard board Feb 1st.

 

Preparing supper up in the Great White North reading to Jai as she prepares. So looking forward to our turn. We see that many people from our roll call are following along.

 

Looking forward to the rest of your cruise

 

Dan (& Jai)

[troyphoto]

Oops - I thought I read Wednesday. Weather for Thursday 1/8...

 

cloudy but no rain.

 

Without the headers, I'm not sure what the % columns are. One is probably humidity. what's the other percentage column?

[troyphoto]

Without the headers, I'm not sure what the % columns are. One is probably humidity. what's the other percentage column?

 

Found it...

[mitsugirly]

Subtitle: Will they survive the attack of the Shower Curtains?

 

Yep... it's still a full day or so away, but I, your intrepid reporter/photographer will be there! (and wanted to get the thread began while I still had cheap internet access.

 

I probably won't post many photos on this thread - see Mitsugirly's thread here (joined mid-stream) for a ton of cool photos.

 

Depending on how well I'm able to fend of the voracious shower curtain.

 

BTW: I'm actually finishing up my Masters degree in journalism. This is a "writing vacation" as I work on my final project. So, I really am a "professional" intrepid reporter :cool: .

 

LOL...I'm really hoping you will survive the mean old nasty shower curtain. It will try to take you down and at times you will want to give in, but you will pull your strength together and give it your best shot...and, say it with me "I will survive!! I am a winner!!" :D

 

I hope you have a wonderful trip. :)

[mitsugirly]

The port in Roatan is called Port of Roatan which is where NCL docks. The other docking location for CCL, Princess and HAL is Mahogany Bay which is about 20 minutes away from Town Center at the Port of Roatan.

 

 

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:eek: LOL NCL docks IN the port of Roatan AT Coxenhole. ;)

 

 

 

OP, LOVE your review. I like your sense of humor. I say we put the both of us together on a cruise and see what kind of review we come up with. :D :p ;)

[troyphoto]

:eek: LOL NCL docks IN the port of Roatan AT Coxenhole. ;)

 

OP, LOVE your review. I like your sense of humor. I say we put the both of us together on a cruise and see what kind of review we come up with. :D :p ;)

 

Mrs. Photo has started telling me what to post about the entertainment (she liked the ventricolist) - so I seem to have picked up an editor - who doesn't do social media, and only reads Cruise Critic when I send her an interesting link)... this could be challenging with two writers and our personal editors along. :eek:

[russianmom]

Enjoying your review- we board 2/15.

[MJKennedy]

We are getting on the Sun as you are getting off. As a first timer, I love reading these reviews from different perspectives.

[troyphoto]

First, the update I know that all of you are dying to hear:

 

The shower curtain behaves IF you leave the bath door open. The only time it tried to grab me bum was when I stepped to close to it. Considering the more than ample and spacious confines of the shower stall – slightly more space than a deep sea diver has in the pressurized dive suit – that is hardly EVER a problem.

 

There is, however, one complaint I must register with NCL.

 

 

Who decided that 6 point type was large enough to label the identical bottles of Shower Gel, and Shampoo with. Seeing as how these bottles are affixed to the wall of the shower stall, in order to read them (I’m rather forgetful, the first morning, I used the gel for my hair – which didn’t give it the usual bounce and shine) I have to go get friendly with the shower curtain and stick my bum out as I bend over to squint at them. Add in bifocals, and my head is tilted back at such an outrageous angle, I feel like I’m playing naked twister with a skunk and a porcupine.

 

The shower curtain seemed to enjoy that bit though.

 

Coffee

 

I’m pleasantly surprised that the coffee makers in the buffet and GO use the ground/powdered version. I prefer these over the ones – which look identical – but use the syrup formula. Ugh… time to feel like an astronaut when that’s all we have. I’m pleasantly pleased with this batch of cruise ship coffee.

 

 

Yes, these are the “Push AND HOLD Button” to fill your cup machines. It’s always fun watching the folks that push quickly and stare at their cup as only a thimble full (if you don’t know how spacious they are – it’s similar to the shower space in your room, scaled down to coffee cup size). The one inside the Garden Buffet is a press and hold. However, the one on the port side Great Outdoors, takes about 4.5 pushes to fill up one of NCL’s white coffee cups. I think it hates me. I imagine there is a crazy French chef gnome inside the machine, who sees me approach and decides to get even with me on behalf of the shower curtain… Hah… that is ENOUGH coffee for YOU!

 

So I push the button again... and again… and again… you get the idea.

 

Should have brought my French Press… I’d get even with that little bugger and press the French right outta him!

 

Left the cabin for breakfast this morning, and forgot to bring along my nine-year-old blue NCL Freestyle coffee tumbler. Got it on our first cruise – the first month the Jewel was sailing out of Miami. So I’m running back and forth to the coffee station, pushing the button 4.5 times (remember – push and hold! – unless the French Gnome hates you) every 15 minutes or so.

 

On a good note, they do have honey set out on the buffet, and on day two, they magically appeared over at the coffee station. Yum. Love a dash of honey in my coffee.

 

Excursions:

 

After dodging our shower curtain, and annoying the French coffee gnome, wife began her sitting on the balcony to let her hair dry. We had a nice view of the shopping plaza at the Roatan dock.

 

Then we did an independent sightseeing tour of Moderno up on 11 Aft. We uncovered a yummy pizza and pasta station there for lunch. I had several slices of pepperoni pizza. It was decent – not unique – but fresh baked. One of the NCL kitchen staff was smearing around the tomato sauce and sprinkling cheese on another pie as we entered the mysterious facility we had just discovered.

 

 

(On port days, only the Buffets and Moderno are open for lunch – starting at 12 noon).

 

Following lunch, wife wanted to solo on the nearly deserted water and sun area. She found a lounge chair and started to read. That quickly turned into a nap.

 

I headed out exploring, and eventually found a shady spot, Outdoors – it was “GREAT” – where I started writing. I had begun the trip with about 900 words written. Did another 900 the first day. At the end of my excursion, I had just over 5,000 words written for this section of the paper. (Think thesis, but journalism style… it will be about 25,000 words in rough draft, and 20,000 in final draft).

 

At one point, I started to smell the irresistible aroma. Surely this delicacy wasn’t possibly available here. After a bit of exploring, in a foreign establishment next door to where I was sitting… something called … “Sports Bar”… I discovered the treasure. A clear sided, lighted box. Full of fluffy white morsels. I groveled before the box’s guards, and they rewarded me with a paper sack, decorated in colorful hieroglyphics, full of the delectable, salty food they called “Popped Corn.” My excursion was complete. I was content. The time in Roatan was successful.

 

Eventually, Mrs. Photo and I both returned to our cabin, ending a fun filled day of exploration.

 

Here's a selfie of me on my excursion

 

 

Skipping Dessert???

 

Dinner in Moderno again. Mrs. Photo and I began the delicate negotiations over what part of the meal we’d skip. After her full serving of Pasta for lunch, I was concerned that she wouldn’t have room for dessert, or worse, over stuff her little tummy again. I suggested skipping the starter, but she was insistent on trying the Corn and Cheese soup. Then she wouldn’t hear of skipping dessert.

 

We decided to skip the bread. Wise move. It saved us enough room for another slice of Cinnamon Apple Pie, and a Carmel Bread Pudding.

 

Entertainment

 

Kenny Byrd, the Ventricolist, was the show tonight. I had read Mitsugirly’s review and wasn’t sure what to expect. As his show unfolded, he had a slow pace. Bits of funny, with some slow setups to get there.

 

Be aware, though, that his show involves audience participation. Not sitting in the front of the lower level won’t save you. He went into what he called “the cheap seats” in the back of the lower level of the theater. Fortunately, we were in the balcony.

 

After being targeted by Romano Frediani (a juggler/comedian) on our first cruise nine years ago, I’ve learned to never wear light colors to a show. They’ll spot you and humiliate you as your spouse laughs their butt off.

 

So, in dark colors, and hiding in the front row of the balcony, we were safe. The two folks he picked to help him finish the show, weren’t so lucky. Both of them came from the cheap seats.

 

They were good sports, and Kenny did well improving with them to get his final act in. By the end I had quite a few laughs, Mrs Photo was wiping away tears, and the two good sports on stage were great sports. The wife says to tell you all that Kenny was funny, and worth going to see!

 

After that, we sat in the Champaign lounge and listened to Into the Rift with their 50s/60s era set (think hot rod/surf era). I enjoyed this duo. The lady has a very good vocal range. Her husband is talented on the guitar, and they’re quite personable.

 

One of the couples we were sitting with got up to leave before the set was finished, to get good seats down the hall for the Norwegian Sun Dance Off. Turns out they entered. One of them was picked to dance. (it's him in the red shirt).

 

 

It’s based loosely on the format of that copyrighted show on TV. Three male and three female passengers will be drawn from volunteers who sign up prior to the event. They’ll each be paired with one of the ship’s dance entourage, or a member of the cruise staff. “Celebrity Judges” including your host, Tyler the assistant CD, Comedian Russ Rivas, and the other dude… (wife says he’s the Trivia Contest host). Provide profound insight on the talents of those dancing, and we, the audience vote for who stays, and who goes.

 

Our buddy from the Into the Rift show got picked, and made it two rounds.

 

You’ll want to watch this one on the ship’s TV if you have the chance. It’s definitely a good time.

 

[bjcruiser]

I am loving your review. We sail in Feb.

 

thank you for the review.

 

Bobbie

[bob10173]

I may have missed it but what time did they let you board? Leaving on the 11th..

[troyphoto]

I may have missed it but what time did they let you board? Leaving on the 11th..

 

about 11:30 or so... but that depends on security, disembarking, customs etc