Back from the Sun Eastern Carib 3/4

[haras]

Hi Everyone.

 

Just got home last night and wanted to post some thoughts while it's still fresh in my head.

 

Just to give a little background, it was myself (Sarah) and my boyfriend. We tend to do independent excursions as we like to sleep late and don't like to deal with schedules. We're the type that hang out in our cabin a lot (which is why we'll pay extra for a balcony) and gamble in the casino. We don't watch a lot of shows but do make sure we see every port that we go to. We've been on 3 cruises together 2 with NCL and one with Holland America. Our last cruise, in August, was also on the Sun, so I tend to compare this trip with our last. We had an awesome time and would definitely sail with NCL as we like the flexibility of freestyle dining. We were in an aft mini suite 10267.

 

Embarkation: We drove down from Orlando on saturday morning. Arrived in Miami around 1pm and wasted 2 hours driving around trying to get some wine, water and soda prior to boarding. We also had an Avis rental so we first dropped off our bags and then proceeded to drive around looking for a supermarket. The plan was to get soda, a couple bottles of wine, and a bottle of vodka. But apparently they don't sell hard liquor at the supermarket, so if you're cruising out of miami, and intend to sneak on a bottle of liquor, here's a heads up. (and for those of you who don't condone sneaking on hard liquor, please don't flame me. I'm just telling the truth about what I did.) Also, because we sailed on the Sun in August, and didn't have any problems sneaking on alcohol, we thought we'd take the chance again.

 

Embarkation was very fast b/c we were in the mini suite and knew about the priority boarding through the board. Anca (the concierge) took us to a different section for the suite/lattitudes and there was water/juice/snacks there for us to enjoy. We proceeded to the security area and they saw our bottle of vodka and confinscated it. It wasn't a huge deal or anything. There was a guy sitting there with a big bin full of wrapped up contraband. Nobody yelled or make a ruckus. It was quick and painless and we were on our way to stateroom.

 

To the people of our roll call, I"M SO SORRY I didn't make our meeting time. We didn't board until 3:30 and by the time we dropped off our stuff, and headed up to the champs bar, we didn't see anyone. Maybe our paths will cross some time in the future.

 

The first and second day of the cruise, the specialty restaurants were 1/2 off. We called around 6 pm and found out everything was booked. So if you want to take advantage, Book early.

 

We purchased the anniversary package and arrived to our cabin to see 2 bottles of champage and a plate of chocolate covered strawberries. It was definitely a treat and well worth the $79 cost. I called and had the bottles exchanged to wine and ended up taking them with me when I went to dinner at the specialty restaurants and exchanging them for a better brand and only paying a minimal amount for the difference in price. I think one of the champange bottles was for being latitudes? Not quite sure, but I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth and happily took my extra bottle. So the way I figure it, for $79 we got 3 bottles of wine $22x3 = 66 PLUS dinner for 2 in Le bistro = $30 Plus the strawberries and canapes and $5 off a photo. Well, well worth the $79. IMO, it was the best deal the entire cruise. I was happy b/c the 2 bottles of wine that I did bring on board, I drank in my room and didn't incur any corkage fees. The bottles I brought to the restaurants were the ship's brand and they said no charge!

 

Semana: We tendered in and there was a LONG wait. I should've taken advantage of Anca and gotten some priorty tenders, but I didn't. I wasn't too bothered by it but I did hear lots of people complaining. I had a book and a beer so I was happy as a clam waiting. Anyway, upon arriving, some people in our group found a local with a van and we got an island tour for $8 pp. We had 10 people in our group. They drove us around town and to a nice little waterfall where we got out and had some presidente beer for $3 bucks for a liter of beer. We stayed at the waterfall for about 45 minutes and they then dropped us off at the local market where the usual local trinkets are sold. Personally, I thought $8 pp was a little expensive and I probably wouldn't do it again. But it was fun. I find that if you're with people whos company you enjoy, it's fun just sitting around doing nothing. So traveling around and seeing exotic places can't be much of a hardship.

 

Anyway, the shopping place is within walking distance from where we tendered so if you want to just shop, you can do that w/o paying for a guided tour.

 

Tortola was the second port and it was my favorite. We took a taxi to speedy's and then paid $30/pp for roundtrip fare to Virgin Gorda. Speedy's transported us to the Baths where we paid $3/pp for entry to the park. It was SO BEAUTIFUL there. I got my butt kicked by the waves. But the long hike was well worth it to experience the caves. I wish we had planned a little better and started our day bright an early. We arrived at speedys around noon so we had to take the 3:30 pm boat back otherwise we might chance missing the ship. It's a 35 minute boat ride each way, so we had about 2 hours to stay. We spent another hour shopping while walking back to the ship.

 

St Thomas was fun but since I have been there before, we decided to just spend the day at Megan's bay. It was crowded, but the beach was beautiful. We caught a taxi there for $9/pp one way. Then we caught another taxi to the shopping area for $8/pp and then a taxi from the shopping area back to the ship for $4/pp. We bought some booze and if you buy 3 or more bottles, they deliver to the ship for free. The booze is then stored and delivered to your cabin the last night of the cruise. It was very efficient and I bought 4 more bottles then I intended b/c it was so convient.

 

GSC was fun. I always enjoy beach days. There was food and drinks and chairs and umbrellas. Since we're lazy, we never arrive anywhere early, so if you like a nice spot right next to the water, go early. Or make friends who do go early and join them. That's what we do. ;)

 

Please feel free to ask any questions. I'm more than happy to answer them if I can.

[haras]

We ate in Le Bistro twice, Il Adiago once, East Meets West once, and the 3 other days, was in Seven Seas or the buffet. I think the food has declined in quality, but i don't mind as it makes me want to eat less. I gained 2 lbs this cruise so I consider that a success! At Le Bistro, they have this option where they give you meat on a kabob type of thing. Was very good. The price was $18/pp instead of the usual $15. And at East Meets West, they had a whole lobster for $25. That was also good.

 

The chocolate buffet was Friday night and the chocolate covered strawberries were delish.

 

The garden cafe had typical buffet fare. This entire trip, the staff always served us. When we sailed in August, we could scoop what we wanted in the buffet lines. This time, even katchup was served by the staff. I'm pretty sure the reason was b/c of the norfolk virus. Which is good as nobody wants to have their vacation spoiled by catching a virus. So I was more than happy to let them serve me. It just took a few times to get used to.

 

I only attended one show and it was the talent show. We did participate in the orgainized activities like karokee and games like who wants to be a ballionaire of fake money. The rest of my cruise time was spent at the Spa, in the casino or on my balcony.

 

Hope this helps.

[Michaelw5]

Thanks for the great review. We leave on April 8th.

 

Was it wine you tried to take or was it hard alcohol?

 

We are planning on bring a couple bottles of wine:D .

[haras]

We brought 4 bottles of wine (which is allowed) and 1 bottle of vodka which is not allowed.

 

Hope this helps!

 

You'll have a great time.

[Michaelw5]

Ya I kinda saw that after I posted.

 

Did you enjoy the Specialty restaurants? We are planning on eating in them at least 5-6 times.

 

Was there a seperate pool for kids? If so did it look nice. We want to please our four year old next month.

 

Thanks...................

[Michaelw5]

Sorry....

 

You have a link for photos. Is just me or have you not updated it yet........

[T6oyd]

When you say you took on 4 bottles of wine, where they smuggled or is this allowed? I thought that taking any alcohol onbaord was not allowed, if wine is allowed DW will be so pleased. :D

[Michaelw5]

I have been on NCL last March. It is technically not allowed, but they usually do not bother you if you only have wine. Just the hard stuff.

 

That is what I ahve found in the past.

[haras]

Hi,

 

As far as I know, wine IS allowed. Some one the boards have said that if they find it, you'll be charged $15 corkage fee. My wine was in my checked baggage, and they didn't see it. I asked our cabin steward for a corkscrew and wine glasses and had the wine on my balcony before/during/after dinner.

 

There's also an option if you want hard liquor to order a bar set up. Make sure you do so 2 weeks prior to your cruise as they don't allow you to order after you board. It's much cheaper to do so if you drink a lot of the stuff.

 

I think the best deal is the anniversary package. You also order this prior to boarding. They give you champagne for sail away as well as strawberries, canapes (on wednesday) dinner for 2 at le bistro with a bottle of wine with your dinner. If you prefer wine, you can exchange the champagne. Just call room service. That's what I did.

 

The specialty restaurants are good. We ate in Le bistro twice, il adiago once, east meets west once and the rest of the time in the dining room. Try to make reservations for the first and second night if you plan on eating in the specialty restaurants 5 or 6 times. the 1st and 2nd night is half off.

 

Hope this helps!

 

p.s. I don't have a link for pictures. At least not intentionally. :rolleyes:

[haras]

Michael...sorry, that was my ticker countdown. I tried to remove it, but I guess I didn't do it correctly. duh! :)

[Michaelw5]

No problem. Thanks for the update. :)