Review of The Sun ~ August 8th, Alaska - PART TWO

 

 

Part One at this link

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=1879014#post1879014

 

 

Shore Excursions

 

 

We booked several excursions the lumberjack show in Ketchikan, Whale Watching by Jetboat in Juneau, Gold Dredge and White Pass Railway in Skagway and a sightseeing tour in Wrangell (which we ended up cancelling)

 

A couple of hiccups on the tours but nothing that caused us any trouble. The ticket for the lumberjack show said to meet at 10:30 on the pier so were were there at 10:15 waiting, waiting eventually at 10:40am I asked a NCL rep and they said "oh you don't have to meet here, just go on your own" so by then we were a little late for the show which had started by the time we walked there. I just don't know why they don't instruct people to make their own way to the show.

 

Juneau - Whale Watching by Jet Boat... when we arrived at the Marina (by bus) where the jet boats were we were divided into two groups The Ravens and The Eagles... well we were very lucky to be ravens as we had a fabulous boat and crew and found 5 hump back whales, a dozen porpoises and a bunch of sea lions and had great views of everything... however, the poor eagles, were no where to be found when we returned to the bus and we had to wait a half hour for them... they saw one whale then their engine blew and they spent the other 2 hours limping back to port sniffing fumes from the engine - they were one annoyed and angry group of people and they all were demanding their money back.. some really disappointed folks.

 

Gold Dredge and White Pass railroad was loads of fun.. we panned for gold and met the local wildlife (who's name is Dolly) had a really nice lunch on the train and enjoyed the ride on a perfect hot sunny day.

 

In wrangell I booked a float plane directly through Sunrise aviation.. we took a $5.00 taxi to the airport and boarded for a hour and 15 minute flight over LeConte' and Shakes Glaciers.. we even landed on one of the lakes and drifted amongst the ice bergs.. it was amazing and I forgot all about it being Friday the 13th. Wrangell is a nice little town, unspoiled for now.

 

 

Life Onboard

 

We didn't participate too much in what was going on daily.. like putting challenges or trivia, scrabble tournaments, etc... we were on holiday after all and the shore excursions made us tired LOL.. we just wanted the pool or our balconies. You are going to think we are nuts, but, we did not make it to ONE show... zip nada. My daughter loved getting DVD's from Ray Williams the concierge and watching them in the cabin at night... so that was fine with me every night a had a jacuzzi bath and just relaxed and read my book.

 

The Casino was fun and we all did well all week, but the last night I dropped 500.00 the slots were really tight on the last night, no one was winning at anything.

 

Freestyle

 

 

It sure worked for us in our situation. My parents did not want to get dressed up every night, they just wanted something completely casual and when I invited them on a cruise they said no until I convinced them it was freestyle, no pressure.

 

Personally, for me.. I prefer a set dinner time and table with the same people, servers everynight. Freestyle was definately different, and I can see where it would appeal to many guests.

 

I noticed that on formal night the guests all dressed up would clash with those who were very casual when they were in the casino or walking around... I sort of felt sorry for the dressy people as they obviously were enjoying dressing for a special evening and then run into Ma and Pa Kettle at the blackjack table.

 

 

Service Charge

 

Even though I was charged 10.00 per day per adult and 5.50 per day for my daughter.. I still felt obligated to tip the cabin stewardess/steward. I just would have felt guilty not giving them anything from 'me' hand to hand if I just left it at the service charge.

 

I think this is the case for many guests and many people are 'double tipped' through the manditory then the spontaneous.

 

NCL

 

The Sun is a beautiful ship with a pleasant crew, great food and options ~ I would not hesitate to recommend this ship & line to anyone.

 

Happy Sailing

We didn't participate too much in what was going on daily.. like putting challenges or trivia, scrabble tournaments, etc... we were on holiday after all and the shore excursions made us tired LOL.. we just wanted the pool or our balconies. You are going to think we are nuts, but, we did not make it to ONE show... zip nada.

Ya know, we never do the shows either. After all the cruises I've taken, the shows don't seem to change that much. Even on RCI, we didn't make it a point to go to the ice show. We're on vacation. We'd rather spend the time with new friends we've met or just the two of us. The best part is that the ship is usually deserted during show times because everyone is there. You can go most places without any lines. That's the best time to go to the photo gallery or the credit desk or the reception area for anything you need.

Even though I was charged 10.00 per day per adult and 5.50 per day for my daughter.. I still felt obligated to tip the cabin stewardess/steward. I just would have felt guilty not giving them anything from 'me' hand to hand if I just left it at the service charge.

Maybe you could have brought some Thank You cards from home and written a nice note and added any extra tips in there but not feel obligated to go over board because like you said, you already tipped them on your account.

I would not hesitate to recommend this ship & line to anyone.

So many people say that we should let our voices be heard by not cruising with NCL when they do something you don't like. It's good to see you being equally happy to recommend them because you enjoyed their product. I've never cruised on the Sun but it's nice to know that you think it's a good product.

Thanks for the review, Cassie. My daughter and I just finished sticking on our luggage tags and coming down to read this great review makes me even more excited than I already was. I was glad to read that they have chocolate milk as my younger daughter loves it and they did not have it on the Dawn last year. Some of the restaurant staff tried to make it but I do not know where their concoctions came from! They did not meet her expectations. I just packed 9 "Presidents choice" chocolate milkshake boxes for her. Should I unpack them and make room for more stuff? I know I have packed way too much stuff already but at least I will be prepared for anything. What is the one thing you wish you had brought? What is the one thing you were so glad you brought? Thanks Again! Nia

Hi there... if you are short on room then leave the PC Chocolate milk at home ~ I am sure your daughter will be happy with the cartons of chocolate milk at the buffet or the fancy glass of chocolate milk she will get in the restaurants :D

 

If you are okay for room in your luggage then throw them in as you can put them in the fridge in your cabin and it will be convenient for a quick drink in the cabin.

 

Have a great time! I hope you get great weather and enjoy it all.

Glad to see you had a good time. Thanks for posting! :D

Cassie

 

Welcome back and thank you posting the review. Not sure will will eat dinner in the buffet but like you we never seem to make the shows. I can't believe you climbed into that float plane of Fri. the 13th :D

 

I did capture the a bridgecam shot from each day of your cruise. If you want a copy just send me an email using the link below.

 

Shoreguy

Cassie

 

Quick Question:

 

Was there a cat5/LAN connection in the AD. Need to decide if I bring the laptop. Much faster to build email off line.

Cassie

 

Quick Question:

 

Was there a cat5/LAN connection in the AD. Need to decide if I bring the laptop. Much faster to build email off line.

There was something in the cabin near the desk for computers but I did not really have a good look at it as I did not bring my lap top and used the internet cafe.

 

I am so excited for you.. have a great time!

Thanks for a great review. The Sun sounds wonderful!!

 

I'm surprised that many people actually skip the shows . . . I absolutely have loved the shows on my past cruises and so look forward to them each evening, but most of you have been on SO many cruises, maybe they get old after a while.

 

Glad you had a great time.

Hey shoreguy.. I wrote you at the address in your link but it came back as undeliverable... can you double check?

Hey shoreguy.. I wrote you at the address in your link but it came back as undeliverable... can you double check?

 

My Bad - I posted the email address backward

 

Shoreguy 2

 

 

pictures are in the mail :)

Sounds like you had a blast! We have done the Alaska Cruise twice and I could do it over and over. Next time its going to be a suite all the way!!

 

Quick question (and sorry if you posted this already..if ya did I missed it) Who was the CD when you were on the Sun?

Cassie:

 

Thanks for the review - I can't wait to go on the Sun. We are on the 1st Caribbean cruise after the ship repositions from Alaska. Like you, we never seem to make it to the shows - enjoy having a late dinner and a quiet after-dinner drink. 53 days to go!!!

Photos from this cruise are up at my website now

Thank you so much for your pictures and all your information. This will be out first NCL cruise. We have taken two Disney Cruises. Is there anything different we should take on this cruise? (besides coats!:rolleyes: )

We are going to book the White Pass & Gold dredge also. We are going the end of May so I know our temperatures won't be as good as yours!

Hi hopelea ~

 

Have an awesome cruise, May will be much chillier than August so make sure you have layers to stay warm.

 

Binoculars would be a good thing to have - we shared 2 pair amongst the 4 of us, but we could have each used our own. They are great for spoting whales and dolphins from the pool deck or even the Garden Restaurant at lunch.

 

Insect repellent might come in handy for those spring mosquitos - but everything you could need is available at the gift shop.

 

The only thing I would have done differently is booked an excusion that goes right up to the glacier in a small boat. From my photos you can see how close we got to Sawyer Glacier but it was not close enough IMO.

 

We saw boats going right up to the face of the glacier and if I went again - I would take an excursion like that.

 

Have fun planning, it won't be long now. :D

Casshew..........how did your Alaskan cruise differ from being on the Magic?? We are so spoiled by sailing with Disney. We have two daughters, 12 & 9 at cruise time. On our first DC they spent a lot of time in the clubs and labs. Our 2nd DC, they didn't spend as much time in there. How were the kids activities on the Sun?? I am getting more excited. I can't believe that it is almost December!!

Thanks

Hi again, well as you know there is almost an entire deck devoted to the kids on the Disney Cruise with the oceaneers club & Lab. The Sun is no where near as extensive for facilities like that - but, my Daughter who was 10 enjoyed what she did with the kids club.

 

They had pajama parties, dancing, crafts, talent show, kids bingo, scavenger hunts - I think your kids will enjoy it.

 

I think the biggest shortfall in comparing Disney to NCL is that the nightly entertainment on Disney is more kid friendly. That would be the major difference - my daughter was bored at some of the entertainment we saw - but the adults loved it.

 

One plus with NCL over Disney is the Casino!!! :cool:

Hopelea ~ I just thought of something else... make sure you go to the dining room for breakfast - it is lovely there and the service is fabulous. One day we made the mistake of going to the buffet - no tables, our food got cold, to chaotic, too many people - the next day we tried the dining room and it was such a nice way to start the day. For the rest of the week every day we did the dining room..

 

They had a fabulous "Cheese Blintz" on the menu with a warm pear sauce... it was seriously to die for.

 

Lots of stuff for kids too, including kids cereal if they are picky. :)

My daughters are really picky. My youngest got sick of eating the chicken fingers by the pool. That is what she had for lunch & dinner. She would try other things, but always ended up with chicken fingers.

 

We are not big coke drinkers, but it was nice that Disney didn't charge for them if you wanted them. I did read some where that they have chocolate milk. Is that an extra cost? My oldest had that with every meal.

 

On the Sun we have a room with a balcony and on disney all we could afford was an inside room. I am so excited about the balcony. We have connecting cabins with my parents.

 

Is there more or less storage on NCL?? I took an over the door shoe holder to use for all of our misc things. It worked great for cameras, lotions, keep the clutter off the desk area.

 

I am excited. Thanks for your help.

Hi Hopelea, there is no extra charge for chocolate milk in the dining rooms and at the buffet... My daughter loved it in the dining room because they put it in a fancy glass :)

 

At the buffet it is in containers, plain and white.

 

I am sure you will enjoy your balcony - I had an inside cabin on Disney too.

 

As for storage, I was in a suite so I really can't say about that in a regular cabin, however - on the last day when people had departed - I was going into rooms to check them out and they were just the same as Disney type cabins with the plastic moulded bathrooms and little shleves everywhere.

 

I'm sure you will be fine!

Photos from this cruise are up at my website now

 

But it says 2005 - I was confused and thought I lost a year or you repeated the same trip :D

But it says 2005 - I was confused and thought I lost a year or you repeated the same trip :D

 

LOL

 

It took me a year and 3 months to finally scan my pics - I have a digital camera now - that delay will never happen again!!