Norwegian Sun - First timer Review - Key West and Bahamas

[The7Cs]

Hi!

 

I finally have time to put my thoughts together about our family trip in November. Hopefully this will help any first timers looking for info!

 

A little background - Wife and I are in our forties, with two boys, aged 14 and 11. We are a pretty laid back family and for the most part are happy relaxing vs. needing something exciting to do all the time. The Wife and I got the Premier drink package and two nights dining at the specialty restaurants, the boys got the soda package.

 

This was our family's first cruise and our first vacation in some time. We had been saving up for this trip, and with some unexpected bonus money, decided to go all out. We booked a forward Penthouse, and I put a VERY low bid on the Owner's Suite - and about a week before we left - our bid was accepted!

 

We arrived a few days early to Cocoa Beach, and spend a day at NASA - I HIGHLY recommend doing this - it was amazing and a highlight of the trip for the boys. When it came time to board the boat, we dropped the rental car off and it was an easy shuttle ride to the dock. We had printed out all of our paperwork, and we all had passports. We got in easily - and as we were "VIP's" they moved us right along and helped us every step of the way onto the boat.

 

Once on the boat, we met our concierge - who was AMAZING. Brought us right to lunch - and gave us the basic rundown of what to expect. We were a bit overwhelmed by it all, honestly. After lunch, we explored the boat, until our room was ready - and we went right up to check it out! The room was huge - but the balcony was the highlight. Amazing view, plenty of space, and our own private hot tub! We met our butler -- who was also AMAZING. He really connected with the boys, and my wife who was at first uncomfortable with the VIP treatment. Within a day, she felt right at home.

 

The first night the sea was VERY rough - my youngest did not feel great at dinner at the "Seven Seas" After dinner I asked the concierge if this was how rough the sea always is - and he thankfully said no - it was unusual... We survived the night, and in the morning and the rest of the trip things were much calmer. 

 

We spent a lot of time on the balcony, as we felt so lucky to have it!.. The boys enjoyed the pool deck. Wife and I enjoyed the bars and people watching. We went to see the comedian one night, with we all enjoyed, and the Rock n' Roll review - witch we all found a bit cheesy, honestly. My wife enjoyed her massage at the spa.

 

 

Pros:

• The Staff - always helpful and friendly!... My wife cried when we had to say goodbye to everyone.
• The Dining at Seven Seas and Four Seasons was great! 
• Finding the smaller quite bars around the ship - we enjoyed the Windjammer in particular
• I did well at the casino! woohoo!
• Great Stirrup Cay - very relaxing. Wife and I ate drank and read books. the kids snorkeled and paddle boarded.  
• Key West - Hemingway house was interesting - with we had more time in Key West

 

Cons:

• I don't think the Speciality dining at Cagey's or the Brazilian place was anything better than what Seven Seas and Four Seasons had to offer, honestly. Not bad, but nothing special.
• Peak hours at the bars - tough to get a drink. They were definitely understaffed. Bartenders were stressed, and showed it.
• Boat fit and finish - I know the Sun is an older boat, but I found it's outward appearance to be a little less "clean" than other boats in dock. The NCL logo, and awnings were covered in soot, for example, and in our room a light shade was broken, and a light fixture was dangling form its socket.  These in NO WAY affected our enjoyment - but I found it odd, and worth nothing.
• Nassau - We had nothing planned, and just walked around - in retrospect I would book an excursion.
• Rude people. I was shocked at how rude many of the passengers were to the staff - it was embarrassing. What's wrong with some folks?

 

All in all - it was a fantastic vacation - I would definitely cruise again - maybe to Alaska next time? we shall see!

 

Happy to answer any specific questions anyone might have.

 

 

Edited December 3, 2019 by The7Cs

[Pauser]

Thanks for taking the time to post this! We just booked the Sun for a 10-day Southern Caribbean in 2021. It's smaller than other ships we've sailed, but I don't like mega ships and we're pretty self-sufficient and laid back like your family. I'm looking forward to just relaxing! Sounds like you had a great cruise!

[The7Cs]

22 minutes ago, Pauser said:

Thanks for taking the time to post this! We just booked the Sun for a 10-day Southern Caribbean in 2021. It's smaller than other ships we've sailed, but I don't like mega ships and we're pretty self-sufficient and laid back like your family. I'm looking forward to just relaxing! Sounds like you had a great cruise!

 

I think it is the perfect ship to relax and do your own thing - enjoy!

[jdvmd]

Have spent a lot of time on the Sun. Love that ship!

Glad you had a good time!

[FLcruisergrl]

We were in the owner’s suite in June and loved it so much we immediately booked it for next March! We had Rodwin as our butler and Gian as concierge. They were AMAZING!

Edited December 3, 2019 by FLcruisergrl

[Love my butler]

Could you tell us who were the General Manager, Concierge and your butler on your sailing?

[The7Cs]

11 hours ago, Love my butler said:

Could you tell us who were the General Manager, Concierge and your butler on your sailing?

 

Our Concierge was Armando, and our Butler was Francis - I'm sorry - I do not recall the name of the GM. 

[newmexicoNita]

On 12/3/2019 at 10:02 AM, The7Cs said:

Hi!

 

I finally have time to put my thoughts together about our family trip in November. Hopefully this will help any first timers looking for info!

 

A little background - Wife and I are in our forties, with two boys, aged 14 and 11. We are a pretty laid back family and for the most part are happy relaxing vs. needing something exciting to do all the time. The Wife and I got the Premier drink package and two nights dining at the specialty restaurants, the boys got the soda package.

 

This was our family's first cruise and our first vacation in some time. We had been saving up for this trip, and with some unexpected bonus money, decided to go all out. We booked a forward Penthouse, and I put a VERY low bid on the Owner's Suite - and about a week before we left - our bid was accepted!

 

We arrived a few days early to Cocoa Beach, and spend a day at NASA - I HIGHLY recommend doing this - it was amazing and a highlight of the trip for the boys. When it came time to board the boat, we dropped the rental car off and it was an easy shuttle ride to the dock. We had printed out all of our paperwork, and we all had passports. We got in easily - and as we were "VIP's" they moved us right along and helped us every step of the way onto the boat.

 

Once on the boat, we met our concierge - who was AMAZING. Brought us right to lunch - and gave us the basic rundown of what to expect. We were a bit overwhelmed by it all, honestly. After lunch, we explored the boat, until our room was ready - and we went right up to check it out! The room was huge - but the balcony was the highlight. Amazing view, plenty of space, and our own private hot tub! We met our butler -- who was also AMAZING. He really connected with the boys, and my wife who was at first uncomfortable with the VIP treatment. Within a day, she felt right at home.

 

The first night the sea was VERY rough - my youngest did not feel great at dinner at the "Seven Seas" After dinner I asked the concierge if this was how rough the sea always is - and he thankfully said no - it was unusual... We survived the night, and in the morning and the rest of the trip things were much calmer. 

 

We spent a lot of time on the balcony, as we felt so lucky to have it!.. The boys enjoyed the pool deck. Wife and I enjoyed the bars and people watching. We went to see the comedian one night, with we all enjoyed, and the Rock n' Roll review - witch we all found a bit cheesy, honestly. My wife enjoyed her massage at the spa.

 

 

Pros:

• The Staff - always helpful and friendly!... My wife cried when we had to say goodbye to everyone.
• The Dining at Seven Seas and Four Seasons was great! 
• Finding the smaller quite bars around the ship - we enjoyed the Windjammer in particular
• I did well at the casino! woohoo!
• Great Stirrup Cay - very relaxing. Wife and I ate drank and read books. the kids snorkeled and paddle boarded.  
• Key West - Hemingway house was interesting - with we had more time in Key West

 

Cons:

• I don't think the Speciality dining at Cagey's or the Brazilian place was anything better than what Seven Seas and Four Seasons had to offer, honestly. Not bad, but nothing special.
• Peak hours at the bars - tough to get a drink. They were definitely understaffed. Bartenders were stressed, and showed it.
• Boat fit and finish - I know the Sun is an older boat, but I found it's outward appearance to be a little less "clean" than other boats in dock. The NCL logo, and awnings were covered in soot, for example, and in our room a light shade was broken, and a light fixture was dangling form its socket.  These in NO WAY affected our enjoyment - but I found it odd, and worth nothing.
• Nassau - We had nothing planned, and just walked around - in retrospect I would book an excursion.
• Rude people. I was shocked at how rude many of the passengers were to the staff - it was embarrassing. What's wrong with some folks?

 

All in all - it was a fantastic vacation - I would definitely cruise again - maybe to Alaska next time? we shall see!

 

Happy to answer any specific questions anyone might have.

 

 

Unfortunately we are living in an era of rude people sometimes. I agree about that and the shorter the cruise the more you are apt to witness this. 

 

Thanks for a very objective review. This is what most of us like to see, and hear; pros and cons done fairly and not too emotionally. thanks again, I hope you will become a regular cruiser in days to come. It is a great vacation, whether just 2 of you, a family or enjoying time with friends.