Star or Sun?

[ks&ks]

We sailed Epic this fall and are looking for another NCL cruise. We're looking at the Star and Sun. We've been to most all of the ports on both itineraries except Belize City and NCL's Private Island. Can anyone give us their opinion on these two ships? The price is very close for the dates were are looking as well. For a little background...other than Epic we sailed NCL a long time ago. We've also sailed Costa but most often we've sailed on RCCL. We really liked our Epic cruise and want to try another NCL ship. We also looked at the Dawn but it's only doing a 10 day for the dates we're interested in. Does anyone have any thoughts about the Star and Sun?

 

Thanks!:)

[lambs2]

I have been on both the Star and the Sun and will be sailing on the Sun again this coming April. Since I've not been on the Epic yet I can't compare/contrast the other two ships with it. But I have sailed on the Voyager of the Seas so have had a taste of a larger size and passenger capacity cruise ship - though not the size of Epic!

 

We also sail with RCCL and several other lines and we enjoy them all. NCL is much more casual and "resort-like", in my opinion. Having the many choices of places to eat, like you experienced on the Epic, is very similar on the Star and Sun. Neither of these smaller ships felt at all crowded to me, but we have not sailed on the Star since the Spinnaker Lounge was moved and the new forward suites added. I know I would really miss that forward lounge if I sailed on the Star again as I loved going there to read in the mornings. The Sun still has a forward Observation Lounge which I HOPE will still be in place for our coming Spring transatlantic cruise. We had a balcony cabin on the Star and a large superior inside cabin on the Sun (these are REALLY spacious cabins larger than the balcony one we had on the Star!) When we sailed on the Star in December of 2009 I was disappointed that there was no separate dining room for breakfast for balcony and above cabins as there had been on other NCL ships we have sailed. The Sun did have this feature, but of course we could not use it on our sailing because we were in an inside cabin. The Sun has a wonderful Italian specialty restaurant (Il Adagio) that we truly enjoyed, plus it has a Great Outdoors which is an outside eating area on the aft of the buffet which the Star lacks. I am not so sure I would enjoy the Star as much now unless I had a suite because of the loss of both the forward Lounge and its cozy movie theater (loved that), as well as the fact that they moved the Blue Lagoon from its former location where you could eat at a table on the promenade deck if you preferred.

[travelnap]

We sailed Epic this fall and are looking for another NCL cruise. We're looking at the Star and Sun. We've been to most all of the ports on both itineraries except Belize City and NCL's Private Island. Can anyone give us their opinion on these two ships? The price is very close for the dates were are looking as well. For a little background...other than Epic we sailed NCL a long time ago. We've also sailed Costa but most often we've sailed on RCCL. We really liked our Epic cruise and want to try another NCL ship. We also looked at the Dawn but it's only doing a 10 day for the dates we're interested in. Does anyone have any thoughts about the Star and Sun?

 

Thanks!:)

I have sailed on both on they are similar ships. I just did the Star for the 2nd time in November of 2010 on the Panama Canal trip from LA to Miami and it was a great trip. I had sailed the Star a few years ago and it had been redone, some changes I liked, some I didn't, but overall it was a great trip. I sailed the Sun a few years back to Alaska and it was a good trip that time as well. I don't know the last time the Sun was retrofitted and updated, but the Stars renovation was fairly recent. I'd find the destinations that appeal to you and I think you would enjoy both ships. My recent experience on the Star was very good so I would give it the edge on the two ships because of the recent updating. Good Luck and enjoy your trip.

[roger001]

I go Sun for several reasons, several already mentioned. First is the forward observation lounge that the Star no longer has. We really like them and spend each evening up there before dinner. As said, hopefully the Sun still has her's after the dry dock is done. Two, the Sun has the open eating area and grill , Great Outdoors, behind the buffet. We really like that for breakfast especially. Third, if you are doing balcony room, the Sun's balcony rooms are larger with more desk and storage space, a full length couch, and a deeper balcony. The bathrooms are smaller though but very practical and actually have more shelf space. The Sun has become my favorite of the four NCL ships I've been on. NCL...don't screw it up.

[STARFISH*4]

just sailed on the SUN last month and going on my 5th cruise with the STAR next month...we have ENJOYED both ships altho the SUN is smaller than the STAR it didnt feel like that...we will miss the Spinnaker on the STAR and some of the other things we liked....we are going on the SUN again in December, i would cruise them both again...its NCL and FREE~STYLE and that is what i LOVE!!

never been on the EPIC bit to big for my cruising style right now, i would think you would notice how SMALL these ships are compared to the EPIC and probably way less more to do on the STAR and SUN.

[Clay Clayton]

I second (and third) all those who say go with Sun. Having sailed on both (Star once - pre observation lounge disappearance, Sun - three times) we really missed the Great Outdoors on Star. The only thing on Star that we miss on Sun is the bathrooms. Star has the nice 3 space bathroom including a real shower door, whereas Sun is one room and a shower curtain in the relatively small shower. I know its too much to hope for but that is the one thing I wish they could change during drydock - but that is too much to hope for.

 

If you can swing one of the stern mini's on Sun, they are the best rooms and as someone else said the big insides (like 8305) are really great as inside rooms go.

 

But either way you will have a great time!

[ks&ks]

Thanks so much you all. I knew I could depend on you!! It was so difficult comparing the two ships from just looking at the website. We love the fact of having a little more cabin room. While we liked the contemporary style of the balcony cabin on Epic, it seemed really small compared to the other balcony cabins we've stayed in on more traditional ships. Hands down for us, we absolutely love free-style and the service was great! Dh asked about a mini-suite tonight so I'll check that out as well. Thanks again for all the information!:)

[ks&ks]

I forgot to ask about the programs/facilities for children on the Sun and Star....are they about the same? Thanks!!

[singinglizzie]

Not to confuse you any, but you might check into the new family suites on deck 12 on the Star, which occupy the former observation lounge. Although these suites don't offer a balcony they sleep up to six in a "one room mansion" (compared to the sq ft. of an inside room on the Epic) with floor to ceiling picture windows. Plus, you get suite benefits. We have sailed the Sun before, and she is a nice ship that is undergoing dry dock later this month. My understanding is that she will receive new carpet, paint and new bliss bedding. However, the family suite pricing on the Star is one of the best deals available for a suite, and that won us over.

[roger001]

Thanks so much you all. I knew I could depend on you!! It was so difficult comparing the two ships from just looking at the website. We love the fact of having a little more cabin room. While we liked the contemporary style of the balcony cabin on Epic, it seemed really small compared to the other balcony cabins we've stayed in on more traditional ships. Hands down for us, we absolutely love free-style and the service was great! Dh asked about a mini-suite tonight so I'll check that out as well. Thanks again for all the information!:)

 

Here's a big bunch of unedited pics of the Sun from about 2 months ago. My Star pics are all out of date since the dry dock it had. I hope they don't mess up the Sun. I like her just as she is.

 

http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff281/roganderson60/Sun/?start=all

[sacway]

Not to confuse you any, but you might check into the new family suites on deck 12 on the Star, which occupy the former observation lounge. Although these suites don't offer a balcony they sleep up to six in a "one room mansion" (compared to the sq ft. of an inside room on the Epic) with floor to ceiling picture windows. Plus, you get suite benefits. We have sailed the Sun before, and she is a nice ship that is undergoing dry dock later this month. My understanding is that she will receive new carpet, paint and new bliss bedding. However, the family suite pricing on the Star is one of the best deals available for a suite, and that won us over.

 

We had one of these new suites for our cruise last week for our family of 5. They are beautiful, esthetically ought to remind you of the Epic. When the sofabed is folded and the murphy bed is up, it is very spacious and open for a cruise cabin. We had the grandparents along in a balcony cabin and spent many hours all 7 of us in the suite. We only had room service once, since the serving table is too small to seat 5 people.

The suite perk of breakfast & lunch at Cagney's was great, too.

[newmexicoNita]

I have sailed both and prefer the Sun. The cabins are larger and I am huge fan of Las Rambles plus I love the Sun casino. I don't know what it was and I am in the minority I know, but the Star was not my favorite NCL ship. Of course it could have been my room mate (not my husband I will add).

 

Nita

[LasseKjus]

Having done both with kids, I think the better choice for the kids is the Star. My kids enjoyed both kids clubs, but the Star has better kid-friendly pools. Could be jaded as I had a better time on the Star because we had poor weather on the Sun. I've done the Sun twice and Star once. Sun was OK for little, little kids, but for pre-teens, the Star is better in my opinion.

[tiyana4]

Like Nita and a few others, I prefer the Sun over the Star. We sailed both ships over spring break but the Star definitely seemed more crowded.

 

We loved the Sports Bar and the Outdoor cafe on the Sun. However, my daughter thought the kids club on the Star was great (in fairness, she didn't attend on the Sun). I think what drove me nuts about the Star was the weird layout of deck 8, the atrium noise was loud and intrusive when dining at the Blue Lagoon or Tex Mex, and the fact that we had a cove balcony (BD's vary by ship so be careful) smack dab in the middle of a high traffic area. Not sure I would sail the Star again, but definitely would on the Sun.

[Wingtips56]

Since the Sun was originally scheduled for a longer dry-dock this month than they're ending up doing, I don't think there will be time for any major changes, such as converting the Observation Lounge to suites. NCL has gotten a lot of bad comments for that on the Star, and I'm sure that has had a lot to do with the Star being taken out of Alaska (no warm place inside to watch the glaciers!).

 

But really take a look at the itineraries and go with what appeals more. We picked the Sun in September 2011 for the combination of itineraries, doing the last Baltic round-trip of the season with the trans-Atlantic repositioning. Port-intensive at the beginning, followed by the bliss of forced relaxation at the end. 9 nights + 15 nights = 24 altogether. And it's a month earlier than the 2010 T-A, so the weather should be better.

 

We liked the idea of this T-A as it has 3 European ports en route prior to crossing the ocean, compared to those where you get on at "A", with only one island stop "B" before arriving and disembarking at "C".

 

Or do the T-A in combination with the first Caribbean trip. Explore the options.

[Melancthon]

We sailed on the Star IN 2010 both for the repositioning Vancouver to LA and the Panama Canal cruise Miami to LA. The inside space in quite limited, and there is an insufficiencyt of chairs on the deck. I can't compare it to the Sun, but it was not to our liking.

[ks&ks]

Thanks everyone for the information and pics. Previously we had considered booking the new Family Suites on the Star. From the pictures they look beautiful. However, with the current balcony promo, the prices for a standard on the Sun are awesome! We're hoping to book something soon.:)

[CamilleandNick]

This link had some of the best info out there. Thanks, everyone. Have sailed the Star and look forward to the Sun.

[CamilleandNick]

Roger001 Thanks for posting the photos. They are great!

[Partyatsea]

Here's a big bunch of unedited pics of the Sun from about 2 months ago. My Star pics are all out of date since the dry dock it had. I hope they don't mess up the Sun. I like her just as she is.

 

http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff281/roganderson60/Sun/?start=all

 

 

Great pictures, thanks for sharing!

[tiyana4]

Here's a big bunch of unedited pics of the Sun from about 2 months ago. My Star pics are all out of date since the dry dock it had. I hope they don't mess up the Sun. I like her just as she is.

 

http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff281/roganderson60/Sun/?start=all

 

Sigh....thanks for the memories.

[Clay Clayton]

Here's a big bunch of unedited pics of the Sun from about 2 months ago. My Star pics are all out of date since the dry dock it had. I hope they don't mess up the Sun. I like her just as she is.

 

http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff281/roganderson60/Sun/?start=all

 

Roger

I was taking a look at your pictures and when I got to the ones of the pool deck, I noted that the chaises were the metal sided ones with blue nylon mesh that were on Sun in April '10...but when we were on in Oct '10, they were in the process of unpacking white plastic ones (with blue covers) and all the metal ones were being stacked up near the kiddie pool. As a larger person, I HATE those platic chairs - I am hopeful that since you have them in your picture and you said from your trip a couple of months ago that perhaps they were just recovering the metal framed chaises and that when you went, they were back and the white plastic ones were gone? We cruised in mid-October - how bout you?

[fergusonvt]

Roger

I was taking a look at your pictures and when I got to the ones of the pool deck, I noted that the chaises were the metal sided ones with blue nylon mesh that were on Sun in April '10...but when we were on in Oct '10, they were in the process of unpacking white plastic ones (with blue covers) and all the metal ones were being stacked up near the kiddie pool. As a larger person, I HATE those platic chairs - I am hopeful that since you have them in your picture and you said from your trip a couple of months ago that perhaps they were just recovering the metal framed chaises and that when you went, they were back and the white plastic ones were gone? We cruised in mid-October - how bout you?

 

We had the metal sided ones on our 1/1/2011 cruise. I didn't see any plastic ones anywhere.

[Clay Clayton]

Good News! I guess they had the plastic ones as temporary replacements while they redid the metal ones.

 

Thanks!