Sun Cabin Question

[tpear3]

My family is looking to go on the Sun for Christmas next year (2006). We will be booking 4-6 cabins and would like some info on the cabins. It appears there are different sq footage for inside and oceanview cabins, can anyone tell me what they are like? How about the suites and the balcony rooms? What is the best buy for the money?

 

If anyone has any other advise for this cruise especially during the holidays--it would be appreciated!

 

Thanks!!

[5668200]

We will be going on the Sun in three weeks. We had initially booked an inside room but last week decided to change to a room with a window. TA said the room sizes are the same, 145 sq ft. NCL's book shows the same thing. I think the configuration may be a little different, but same square footage. You may be able to get a larger room with window, though, but not sure.

[cruise-a-lot]

My favorite cabin on the Sun is the AE mini-suite 1201. Is at front of the ship and next to owners suite. You get the same cabin steward as the owners suite and a much larger room and balcony than other mini-suites. If I remember right the balcony is 80+ square feet vs. the standard 48 sq feet for other AE mini-suites and the cabin is about 1.5 feet wider. Search for Sun Cabin 1201 and you will find other great reviews on it. Hope you have fun!!!

[RamblingMan27]

This was my third cruise, two before have been with Carnival and this was my first with Norwegian. It's better for me to take my vacation time in the month of December and this coincides with usually good rates on cruises. On the prior two cruises with Carnival, I have had inside rooms and had a great time. This cruise on board the Sun I booked an inside guarantee as the least expensive option and as my research continued I found out that you generally have a good chance of getting an upgrade within your cabin cagegory, or an upsell to a better category. I contacted the NCL upsell desk about a week prior to sailing and they offered me a Balcony room for $50 per person extra, that sounded like a great deal to me and I took it as an added suprise for my Mom. We really enjoyed the added space and we used the balcony alot more than I thought I would. It's really nice to come into some of these ports in the early morning and drink coffee while reading a book. I found myself using doing this in the morning and evening alot.

 

Some people claim that they can never go back to a regular inside cabin once they have stayed in a balcony, I admit that it is really nice but for me it isn't a must have. I am very value concious and would jump on the opportunity to get a balcony if the price were reasonable, but I will probably continue to book value and hope for a possible upgrade. Afterall, you're going to have a great time anyway.

 

As far as the size of the cabin, I found it to be perfect for two people. I like the bed set up better in an inside cabin thought that you have more of an open area to dress and move around. Storage room was adequate and the bathrooms were well laid out and effecient.

[SeeSharp]

TPear3,

 

I'm on the Sun in Nov/06. I have 1002, two cabins over from the AE cruise-a-lot was reffering to. One of only two BA's on the pool deck. It's a bigger cabin and the balcony is 10' x 10'. Since I booked a year in advance, NCL gave my TA BB price for a BA. I thought it was a good buy, like getting a near suite at balcony price. There are a couple of good cabins that can be obtained booking a year in advance. If you want all your cabins together, the most you can get is a good price. It is true, most cabins are about the same, balcony or not, unless you get into suites. I did my homework on these boards and other websights. That would be my suggestion, do you homework, then book. There's more info here than any TA has. If you go to the NCL websight, pretend to book, just before the page where you have to commit, you can get the actual measurements of any particular cabin. Hope this helps

 

Ry

[tpear3]

I really appreciate the replies!! It seems like the Sun hasn't had much in reviews recently on this board. Could that be because of its MANY itinerary changes? We are concerned that if we book for December when it is to leave from New Orleans and NO port is not open--where will it move to Galveston? I haven't sailed NCL in 5 years, so not sure how they operate any more. Again, would appreciate any feedback!:)

[Globaliser]

It seems like the Sun hasn't had much in reviews recently on this board. Could that be because of its MANY itinerary changes?

No, the Sun doesn't ever seem to have had many reviews. I like to think that it's because most people have nothing to grumble about when they sail her. :)

[fitters]

I really appreciate the replies!! It seems like the Sun hasn't had much in reviews recently on this board. Could that be because of its MANY itinerary changes? We are concerned that if we book for December when it is to leave from New Orleans and NO port is not open--where will it move to Galveston? I haven't sailed NCL in 5 years, so not sure how they operate any more. Again, would appreciate any feedback!:)

 

If it doesn't leave from NO, it may move to Houston. That is where we left from this past December. We had a mini-suite AFT cabin. The mini-suites are just right because you get a full bathroom (with tub). The only complaint I had with this particular mini-suite is it was right below the Outdoor Garden Cafe....which meant we heard a lot of noise from the chairs being moved around by people (scrapping on the deck). Plus I never had to use my alarm to wake up. 4 am each morning I awoke to the crew washing down the deck up there and moving furniture around, then at 5:30-6:00 am I was awoke again with the scrapping and moving of chairs from passengers who were eating or watching the ship come into port.

 

Another advantage with the mini-suite is you get priority tender tickets which came in handy because we had two tender ports. You can also ask your conceirge for extra tender tickets for the group you are traveling with so you all get off on the same tender.

[SeeSharp]

Tpear3,

 

The Port of New Orleans, at least shipping is at 50% right now. You can check out port activities @ http://www.portno.com/default.asp

There is a link to an article on that page specifically having to do with cruise ships. It names the Sun as being a definite for '06/07 schedule. One cruise ship has already been here new years eve. I believe Carnival and Delta Queen Steramboat Co will be in regular operation in the Spring, which is only a few months away. Tourism, French Quarter, hotels, restaurants, casinos, airport are up and running. The only reason I can think of for the Sun not being part of New Orleans this fall/winter is another hurricane. But that could happen to any of the ports from Houston to Miami.

 

Ry

[electricron]

Correction: It could happen to any ports from Houston to Boston.

[tpear3]

Thank you all so much--this is the most information I have received yet--and believe me--we have made numerous calls to NCL--some with the same information and some with very different information! Although, twice now, they have said they will be in New Orleans in November. This is good, since I love New Orleans and the plantations during the holidays. We did not go this year, but would like to continue the tradition next year.

 

Fitters: Unfortunately, the only mini-suites left are under the Outdoor Garden Cafe. But I seem to be an early riser on cruises (not sure why that doesn't remain true for the rest of the year!), so that shouldn't be a huge problem. Do you have any pictures of your cabin?

 

My parents will definitely do the Penthouse and I would have liked to open up the balconies; however, NCL says this is not true. Can anyone confirm?

 

Also, with the Freestyle cruising, I read that there is still one optional formal night, what night would that be--or is it too soon to tell?

 

Again, thank you all!!!

[ute_fan]

We were on the Sun for a cruise to Alaska and loved the ship. I'm looking forward to a chance to go back and sail this beautiful ship again. As far as the optional formal night, on the 3 NCL cruises we've been on, it's always been on the first full "at sea" day, which in our case happened to be the day after departure. I don't know if that policy always holds true, but that was our experience. It makes sense, as it's easier for people to get decked out if they haven't been off on a shore excursion all day.

[fitters]

Fitters: Unfortunately, the only mini-suites left are under the Outdoor Garden Cafe. But I seem to be an early riser on cruises (not sure why that doesn't remain true for the rest of the year!), so that shouldn't be a huge problem. Do you have any pictures of your cabin?

 

My parents will definitely do the Penthouse and I would have liked to open up the balconies; however, NCL says this is not true. Can anyone confirm?

 

Also, with the Freestyle cruising, I read that there is still one optional formal night, what night would that be--or is it too soon to tell?

 

Again, thank you all!!!

 

tpear3: Here is a link of my photos from our Dec 05 SUN cruise. The cabin pics are in the beginning. Let me know if you have problems getting into this link. The balconies do not open up. There will be a regular balcony room between the mini-suite and the penthouse and deck 10. You will have two loungers and two chairs (w/table) on this balcony. And the chairs are the comfortable ones. But beware, don't leave any clothing or towels on the chairs during the night because you will have soot and dirt covering them from when they wash down the deck above and the smoke stacks. Also, freestyle cruising has a formal night on the first night at sea (which was our first full day). Enjoy your cruise!

 

http://www.kodakgallery.com/MyKodak.jsp?autologin=true&c=b3_hom_sign_ret

[tpear3]

Fitters--I am unable to find your photos from the link provided. Can you try again or send the photos to: tracey.colligan@sfx.com? I would really appreciate it!!! Thanks!

[fitters]

Fitters--I am unable to find your photos from the link provided. Can you try again or send the photos to: tracey.colligan@sfx.com? I would really appreciate it!!! Thanks!

 

I will email the pics shortly.

[DentonCruisers]

Wendy,

 

I'd love to see your pics! Can you send me the link? theamstaffmom@yahoo.com

 

Thanks!

 

Jennifer & Jeff

[tpear3]

Thanks to fitters for the pics--now can anyone tell me what the sq foot is of the cabin/balcony? Are they the same size aft as the rest of the ship?