purplethorn Posted September 3, 2018 #1 Share Posted September 3, 2018 (edited) First off I want to mention how helpful and awesome this board is! Thank you everyone answering my questions pre cruise! We loved our cruise! Even though it was not perfect (not NCLs fault) NCL has won us over and we will be cruising them again soon The food was actually very good! We didn’t get to try a specialty restaurant even though we had the $50 credit but buffet and MDR was good Kids club was awesome! DD loved loved loved going there. They kept the kids engaged and entertained the whole time ( not just plop them in front of the TV) . Surprisingly there were quite a few kids on board ... acting waaay better than the adults. The kids club being included in the price and seeing DD have fun was the biggest value for me. Yes the free drinks were a big perk but to be honest I would not sail a cruise like that again ... the crowd was atrocious for the most part... people sticking their hands in the food at buffet, being so drink disrupting the entertainers etc ... And the crew hates the free drink thing ... they have to deal with a lot more drunks that are rude and there is really no extra tip. The drinks were top notch by the way... there was nothing pre made or pre mixed Even though we loved the ship I cannot wait to try a bigger ship with more families on board. Another surprise was how cute our ocean view room was. DD loved sitting on the porthole and watching the waves. It was tight but a great room. Unfortunately it was a bit loud from the machine room below and loud thuds from the ship breaking the waves Happy to report though no obnoxious neighbors... just some large mobs of college kids up and down the hall from time to time... nothing too bad Another thing we were looking forward to check out was GSC but the port was cancelled due to the weather. We had a day at sea and DD and her new friends tried the kiddie pool which was full of half drunk adults with drinks in their hands. Thankfully somebody called the security at some point to clear them up lol Overall we had fun! I made $30 at the casino [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] and we had a great time watching all the entertainment- the comedian Fred (um forgot his last name) , the dancers, the piano guy at Windjammer, the game shows at Bliss all great fun! I thinks that’s it for now! I like to do a review with pics so this will follow sometime soon hopefully -D Sent from my iPhone using Forums Edited September 3, 2018 by purplethorn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacruizer Posted September 4, 2018 #2 Share Posted September 4, 2018 Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I sail her next week for a 7 day to Cuba that isn’t open bar.... so am thinking things will be quite different. Sounds like you would definitely enjoy a bigger ship and longer cruise atmosphere. I can’t wait to board! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplethorn Posted September 4, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted September 4, 2018 Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I sail her next week for a 7 day to Cuba that isn’t open bar.... so am thinking things will be quite different. Sounds like you would definitely enjoy a bigger ship and longer cruise atmosphere. I can’t wait to board! How wonderful - Cuba! I would love to do that itinerary soon , but yes no need for open bar. The Sun is beautiful by the way ... we discovered something new every day! And when we wanted peace a quiet we went up to Spinnaker lounge. Wishing you a great cruise!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valleyvillage Posted September 4, 2018 #4 Share Posted September 4, 2018 Thank you for your wonderful review! With a terrific attitude like yours, I'll just bet you can have a great time doing whatever you do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmexicoNita Posted September 4, 2018 #5 Share Posted September 4, 2018 First off I want to mention how helpful and awesome this board is! Thank you everyone answering my questions pre cruise! We loved our cruise! Even though it was not perfect (not NCLs fault) NCL has won us over and we will be cruising them again soon The food was actually very good! We didn’t get to try a specialty restaurant even though we had the $50 credit but buffet and MDR was good Kids club was awesome! DD loved loved loved going there. They kept the kids engaged and entertained the whole time ( not just plop them in front of the TV) . Surprisingly there were quite a few kids on board ... acting waaay better than the adults. The kids club being included in the price and seeing DD have fun was the biggest value for me. Yes the free drinks were a big perk but to be honest I would not sail a cruise like that again ... the crowd was atrocious for the most part... people sticking their hands in the food at buffet, being so drink disrupting the entertainers etc ... And the crew hates the free drink thing ... they have to deal with a lot more drunks that are rude and there is really no extra tip. The drinks were top notch by the way... there was nothing pre made or pre mixed Even though we loved the ship I cannot wait to try a bigger ship with more families on board. Another surprise was how cute our ocean view room was. DD loved sitting on the porthole and watching the waves. It was tight but a great room. Unfortunately it was a bit loud from the machine room below and loud thuds from the ship breaking the waves Happy to report though no obnoxious neighbors... just some large mobs of college kids up and down the hall from time to time... nothing too bad Another thing we were looking forward to check out was GSC but the port was cancelled due to the weather. We had a day at sea and DD and her new friends tried the kiddie pool which was full of half drunk adults with drinks in their hands. Thankfully somebody called the security at some point to clear them up lol Overall we had fun! I made $30 at the casino [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] and we had a great time watching all the entertainment- the comedian Fred (um forgot his last name) , the dancers, the piano guy at Windjammer, the game shows at Bliss all great fun! I thinks that’s it for now! I like to do a review with pics so this will follow sometime soon hopefully -D Sent from my iPhone using Forums thanks for your brief review and thoughts. I have never been on, what I call a booze cruise and I have no desire to try one. I can imagine there were a limited number of kids. Add to the type of cruise it was, school has started in many places throughout the USA. In fact in some regions it is in the 3rd or 4th week. There is no excuse for adults being in the kids pool, anymore than kids being in an adult pool How can we teach our kids to obey rules if a bunch of drunks don't ? As for the Sun and the cabins, I happen to like the Sun as well if not better than any other ship, but that is just me. For families I do think the newer, mega ships would be better. Certainly glad to see someone that can truly post objectives comments. Thanks and glad you enjoyed NCL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victory2020 Posted September 4, 2018 #6 Share Posted September 4, 2018 Next time try the Sky 4 day to Cuba. Open bar but a totally different crowd - or at least it has been the two times I've gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacation44 Posted September 4, 2018 #7 Share Posted September 4, 2018 Thank you for your quick review. I agree with the others, you will probably really enjoy one of the bigger NCL ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingNole Posted September 5, 2018 #8 Share Posted September 5, 2018 The Sun 3 day sailings are the definition of a low-rent booze cruise. It serves its purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplethorn Posted September 5, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted September 5, 2018 thanks for your brief review and thoughts. I have never been on, what I call a booze cruise and I have no desire to try one. I can imagine there were a limited number of kids. Add to the type of cruise it was, school has started in many places throughout the USA. In fact in some regions it is in the 3rd or 4th week. There is no excuse for adults being in the kids pool, anymore than kids being in an adult pool How can we teach our kids to obey rules if a bunch of drunks don't ? As for the Sun and the cabins, I happen to like the Sun as well if not better than any other ship, but that is just me. For families I do think the newer, mega ships would be better. Certainly glad to see someone that can truly post objectives comments. Thanks and glad you enjoyed NCL Thank you! Sun was a great ship. I will sail her again when there is no open bar :) It was a last minute booking so now i know :) Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplethorn Posted September 5, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted September 5, 2018 Next time try the Sky 4 day to Cuba. Open bar but a totally different crowd - or at least it has been the two times I've gone. Yes Cuba will be our next itinerary. Is out of Miami? thank you, i will look into it Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser_1977 Posted September 5, 2018 #11 Share Posted September 5, 2018 I loved the Sky out of Miami. My review is here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2644446 Yes Cuba will be our next itinerary. Is out of Miami? thank you, i will look into it Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplethorn Posted September 5, 2018 Author #12 Share Posted September 5, 2018 I loved the Sky out of Miami. My review is here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2644446 Thank you for this! I will check it out now Can you share what you did in Cuba? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdazzler15 Posted September 6, 2018 #13 Share Posted September 6, 2018 OP- Thank you for sharing. Vacruizer- We will be on the same sailing. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser_1977 Posted September 6, 2018 #14 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Thank you for this! I will check it out now Can you share what you did in Cuba? Sent from my iPhone using Forums I mention it in my review, we did our own thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCDCA Posted September 6, 2018 #15 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Don't really get the open bar complaint - you realize pretty much all NCL passengers can get an unlimited drinks package now, right? So for them, every cruise will be open bar. I sailed the Sky over Memorial Day on a 3-day, should have been peak "booze cruise," it was totally fine. People were well behaved, were enjoying themselves, and didn't see anyone overserved, vomiting, etc. A lot of complaints on these threads are exaggerated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyhanek Posted September 6, 2018 #16 Share Posted September 6, 2018 The key is to avoid the 3/4 day cruises that the college age people can afford! If you go on a 7 day, you see a lot less crazy drinking. I like the Sun. The great thing about it is that it isn't too crowded like the bigger ships. The people to space ratio is a lot greater on the smaller ships for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplethorn Posted September 6, 2018 Author #17 Share Posted September 6, 2018 I mention it in my review, we did our own thing. Yes I saw that .. but what exactly if you don’t mind me asking Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplethorn Posted September 6, 2018 Author #18 Share Posted September 6, 2018 The key is to avoid the 3/4 day cruises that the college age people can afford! If you go on a 7 day, you see a lot less crazy drinking. I like the Sun. The great thing about it is that it isn't too crowded like the bigger ships. The people to space ratio is a lot greater on the smaller ships for sure. yes i realize this now ... but you are right about the Sun, the cruise was sold out and we did not feel crowded Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingNole Posted September 7, 2018 #19 Share Posted September 7, 2018 No one seemed to acknowledge that the Sun Bahama cruises are the epitome of a drunken frat boy booze cruises. Don't kid yourself folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmexicoNita Posted September 7, 2018 #20 Share Posted September 7, 2018 yes i realize this now ... but you are right about the Sun, the cruise was sold out and we did not feel crowded Sent from my iPhone using Forums this is a statement we hear often: the Sun never seems to be crowded. Maybe this is the reason we like her so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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