Sun for Alaska?

[rnr4thatsme]

Looking for opinions on the the Sun for an August Alaska cruise.  We are a middle aged couple with no interest in water slides or go-karts, but would really love to be able to watch the passing scenery in comfort.  We do enjoy some evening entertainment such as shows, country/popular music-type performers and comedians.  We don't tend to visit specialty restaurants and just prefer the ease of the buffet as we're not really focused on food too much - as long as it's decent.

[JesseB]

Sounds like it would work great for you as long as you get a balcony.....I really like the smaller ships better than the gigantic ones. 

[EngrJones]

16 minutes ago, JesseB said:

Sounds like it would work great for you as long as you get a balcony.

Doesn't the Sun have a nice observation lounge plus The Great Outdoors deck on the rear of the ship?

Edited January 6, 2023 by EngrJones

[JesseB]

I believe it does have both the "observation lounge" is Spinnaker's I think.

 I miss the Great Outdoors on the aft of the newer ships!

[EngrJones]

8 minutes ago, JesseB said:

I believe it does have both the "observation lounge" is Spinnaker's I think.

 I miss the Great Outdoors on the aft of the newer ships!

That's why I was asking why you thought that a balcony was "required."

[JesseB]

2 minutes ago, EngrJones said:

That's why I was asking why you thought that a balcony was "required."

Not necissarily required but after doing Alaska without a balcony I wished I would have had a balcony lol 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, rnr4thatsme said:

Looking for opinions on the the Sun for an August Alaska cruise.  We are a middle aged couple with no interest in water slides or go-karts, but would really love to be able to watch the passing scenery in comfort.  We do enjoy some evening entertainment such as shows, country/popular music-type performers and comedians.  We don't tend to visit specialty restaurants and just prefer the ease of the buffet as we're not really focused on food too much - as long as it's decent.

The Sun is one of the smallest and oldest ships in the NCL fleet. It is fine for the description of the cruise you would like to take. But it will have less entertainment options at night. 

[EngrJones]

9 minutes ago, JesseB said:

Not necissarily required but after doing Alaska without a balcony I wished I would have had a balcony lol 

I've done Alaska both with and without a balcony.  The ones without were on the Jewel, which has the Observation Lounge and Great Outdoors just like the Sun.  If budget/pricing is an issue with the OP, I wouldn't discourage them from sailing the Sun in an inside.  Alaska is great no matter how you sail!

[The Traveling Man]

2 hours ago, rnr4thatsme said:

Looking for opinions on the the Sun for an August Alaska cruise.  We are a middle aged couple with no interest in water slides or go-karts, but would really love to be able to watch the passing scenery in comfort.  We do enjoy some evening entertainment such as shows, country/popular music-type performers and comedians.  We don't tend to visit specialty restaurants and just prefer the ease of the buffet as we're not really focused on food too much - as long as it's decent.

We were on the Sun in Alaska several years ago and really enjoyed the ship on that cruise.  The only significant shortcoming or inconvenience that we noted was in the path from the auditorium to the atrium and other venues near the middle of the ship.  When the evening shows in the theater let out, there is a huge wave of passengers trying to get from the auditorium to the atrium, casino, and other public areas of the ship.  You can exit the theater and immediately step out on deck, walking 100 yards or so on the jogging track outside before reentering near the atrium, or you can walk right through the middle of the Photo Gallery,  Windjammer Lounge, Bliss Ultra Lounge, across the dance floor, disturbing the entertainers as you and a wave of other passengers pour through en masse.  In Alaska, even in the Summer, it's probably too chilly to go for an outdoor stroll in the evening, so guess where the crowd goes?  It pretty much shuts down the entertainment for several minutes until the crowd passes by.

[UnbridledEnthusiasm]

I took the Sun in Alaska a few years ago. It was fine. I actually liked how there weren't things like waterslides and go carts and whatnot because that could mean less kids. 

 

Don't know if anything changed but there wasn't a thermal spa when I was on it however guests were able to use the steam  room and sauna without needing to buy a treatment so I made use of that. That may have changed though due to Covid. Only thing is the steam room often would be closed for whatever reason likely due to the age of the ship. The food was fine (I don't do specialty restaurants either) and I enjoyed the entertainment. My biggest complaint would be that the hot tubs weren't hot at all...it was lukewarm if that. 

[zzdoug]

Emma posted a nice video review of the Sun (out of Portugal (?)) just a few days ago. 

I hope this post doesn't violate any rules; please delete if it does. 

 

 

Edited January 8, 2023 by zzdoug

[jamminlion]

The Sun is a perfect "chill" ship. The aft facing mini-suite/club balcony is my favorite cabin across the fleet. The Spinnaker is a great observation lounge. There is also an open area in front of the Spinnaker where you can get a little closer to the bow of ship. This is great for Glacier viewing for sure. I also love the Great Outdoors where you can get get a 180 degree view of the gorgeousness that is Alaska. 

 

While it is an older ship, she's still wonderful! A perfect size for us - the gigantic ships are a big turn off for us. 

 

Remember that when you sail Alaska, it's Alaska that is the draw, not all the bells and whistles of slides and gocarts and the like. 

 

At the very least, book a balcony if you can. If that's not budget friendly, then book inside and spend all your time outside. 

[EngrJones]

18 hours ago, jamminlion said:

At the very least, book a balcony if you can. If that's not budget friendly, then book inside and spend all your time outside. 

I agree.  Even if I have a balcony, I'll still be spending most of my time in the observation lounge or great outdoors.

[mingo]

We love the Sun. We did Alaska in the aft suite.  Out balcony went 1/2 the back of the ship.  It was amazing.   The Sun is one of our favorite ships. We also did a 10 day southern Caribbean on the Sun.