NCL Newbie

We have booked a trip on the NCL Sun to Key West & Cuba this summer, we have cruised Royal, Celebrity, Carnival and Princess. They all work pretty much the same for dinner, shows, room service etc.... however I understand NCL works differently. Would appreciate any explanations on how NCL works and what we need to know as well as any feedback on the Sun. Thanks

We've been on the Sun and this is a new route for her. Many people love the Sun - not us. Although we like the Spirit - the oldest ship in the fleet, the Sun is a bit newer but still and old ship and probably why it is doing that route now.

It does have some good things like front observation lounge but other areas like buffet are very small.

The best thing I can say about the Sun is the aft mini suites are the best in the fleet for a mini (no full suite perks).

I would also look at all of the requirements that are imposed to visit Cuba. Such as only being able to do group excursions and being required to get a Cuban Visa ($75.00 from the cruise line) just to get off of the ship.

So NCL only offers 1 dining option - freestyle. It’s equivalent to anytime dining on other lines. Traditional dining is not an option. NCL ships usually have 2 MDRs - you are free to eat at either; 1 is casual and 1 is dressier. Plus most have a 24 hour sports pub included. I’ve not been on the sun so can’t get specifics. You can eat where you want, when you want, with no need to pre book the included dining options.

Sun is an older ship and theater shows will be what you are used to. 1 show per night that plays twice. Again, can go to either show without making a reservation.

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We have booked a trip on the NCL Sun to Key West & Cuba this summer, we have cruised Royal, Celebrity, Carnival and Princess. They all work pretty much the same for dinner, shows, room service etc.... however I understand NCL works differently. Would appreciate any explanations on how NCL works and what we need to know as well as any feedback on the Sun. Thanks

Same as MyTime dining. Make a reservation at the MDR or just show up when you are hungry. You will be given a 2-top table. Eat at your own pace.

Shows, just show up and sit down. We show up about 30 min early to get a good seat and a drink.

Complimentary continental breakfast room service. Hot breakfast and all othe room service comes with a $7.95 delivery charge.

Pretty much the same as other lines.

Thanks for all the info, we have always done the anytime dine on the other lines so that will work for us. Do both the dining rooms serve the same food ? Any pub style eatery included on the Sun ? Most of the other lines have free room service for late night snacks till approx midnight, where would we go for a late night bite ? so no formal night ???? we picked it for the itinerary and we are aware of the fee of 75.00 but is that all done on the ship ? do we need to do anything prior on the visa ? Is there an adult only pool on Sun ?

No formal nights on NCL, but there will typically be one or two "dress up or not" nights to indulge those who brought dressier clothes. Usually the more formal of the main dining rooms will want "smart casual" in the evening, but that's all.

On most ships the café (buffet) serves quite late, and the sports bar and Topsiders bar even later (possibly 24 hours). Room service ought to be available at all hours, for a service charge. I don't see any indication that there's an adults-only pool.

All this information is on the NCL web site.

Thank you, another question, does the main dining room serve breakfast and lunch ? Or just dinner ?

Thank you, another question, does the main dining room serve breakfast and lunch ? Or just dinner ?

Typically one of the main dining rooms will serve breakfast every day and lunch just on sea days. On port days lunch will still be served in the café and possibly the bars, but most passengers will be ashore at lunchtime.

The Freestyle Daily (ship's newsletter), delivered to your stateroom every night, will list all activities for the following day, plus times for all dining venues.

Also, if you happen to board in time for lunch on your departure day, one main dining room will probably be serving lunch. Most people head for the café (buffet) but the MDR is likely to be less crowded.

There are two main dining rooms on-board for dinner, in addition to the buffet. For shows, there is usually a early show around 7p, and a late show around 9p.

Sun is an older ship, be prepared to see vast differences in age compared to new RCCL ships, such as no adult only pool.

Late night options for dining include room service with $8 delivery charge per order, sports bar which opens until midnight or so, or snacks in the casino.

We sailed on the Sun in 2013 and loved it. A quieter vibe than NCL’s larger ships like Getaway. Loved the Observation Lounge and the atrium bar. An adults only pool wasn’t really a necessity because there were hardly any kids aboard, and there is a kids’ pool/splash area. I can’t recall the name of the eatery, but there was a great breakfast served at it - aft on an outside deck. We didn’t discover it until halfway through our trip. Much less crowded than the MDR and especially the buffet at breakfast.

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All great info, thanks again :)

We sailed on the Sun in 2013 and loved it. A quieter vibe than NCL’s larger ships like Getaway. Loved the Observation Lounge and the atrium bar. An adults only pool wasn’t really a necessity because there were hardly any kids aboard, and there is a kids’ pool/splash area. I can’t recall the name of the eatery, but there was a great breakfast served at it - aft on an outside deck. We didn’t discover it until halfway through our trip. Much less crowded than the MDR and especially the buffet at breakfast.

 

 

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Does anyone know the name of this breakfast eatery ? Any other tips for sailing the Sun ?

We've been on the Sun and this is a new route for her. Many people love the Sun - not us. Although we like the Spirit - the oldest ship in the fleet, the Sun is a bit newer but still and old ship and probably why it is doing that route now.

 

It does have some good things like front observation lounge but other areas like buffet are very small.

 

The best thing I can say about the Sun is the aft mini suites are the best in the fleet for a mini (no full suite perks).

We did Alaska on the Sun in 2016 and it was our favorite NCL cruise. The food was the best ever on NCL.

Does anyone know the name of this breakfast eatery ? Any other tips for sailing the Sun ?

It is the Great Outdoors.

Yes, Great Outdoors on the Sun is lovely for breakfast and lunch and just watching the wake... beautiful spot.

Thanks to all, I will look for it once on board :)