Help us decide please NCL Pearl or ncl sUN

[Kim Fontaine]

We usually sail early Dec: around our anniversary. This year we chose only a week but from 16-23: I really decided I don't like getting home so close to Christmas Day: If we choose to sail over Thanksgiving Nov. 20th- Dec1st (2013) which ship is a better choice? NCL Pearl or NCL Sun: Both ships will be going to Curaco which is one of the few ports in the southern Carribbean that we have not seen: We are seniors 70ish;) Thanks ahead of time:

[bonvoyagie]

The Pearl is larger and newer and still has the old Spinnaker Lounge on deck 12 forward.

 

The Sun is older, a bit smaller and during the last referb the old lounge was converted to suites and cabins.

 

I think that overall - no matter what your age - the Pearl would be my choice.

[DMH15]

The Pearl is larger and newer and still has the old Spinnaker Lounge on deck 12 forward.

 

The Sun is older, a bit smaller and during the last referb the old lounge was converted to suites and cabins.

 

I think that overall - no matter what your age - the Pearl would be my choice.

 

What lounge on Sun was converted? I think you might be thinking of The Star?

[bonvoyagie]

I wish I were, but during the last referb the Sun also got the Star treatment and deck 11 now has suites and not the Spinnaker/Outrigger Lounge like her sister the Sky - take a look on the NCL web site.

 

The Jewel class ships along with the Sky still have a large forward lounge - there is a small observation lounge on deck 12 on the Sun. It has been years since I was last on the Sky (2003) -this was back when the Sun, Sky and Wind were crusing Alaska and then the Wind went to Hawaii to cruise the islands - with a quick juant to Fanning Island to get around the Jones Act.

[Starry Eyes]

I wish I were, but during the last referb the Sun also got the Star treatment and deck 11 now has suites and not the Spinnaker/Outrigger Lounge like her sister the Sky - take a look on the NCL web site.

 

The Jewel class ships along with the Sky still have a large forward lounge - there is a small observation lounge on deck 12 on the Sun. It has been years since I was last on the Sky (2003) -this was back when the Sun, Sky and Wind were crusing Alaska and then the Wind went to Hawaii to cruise the islands - with a quick juant to Fanning Island to get around the Jones Act.

 

When did that happen? Are you sure it is true? a while back, when I checked the NCL site for Star deck plans, it showed breakaway deck plans, so clearly errors occur.

[Starry Eyes]

I just looked at the deck plans. I still see the forward observation lounge on deck 12. it is a two tier space with two sets of curved steps between the tiers. Looking at both tiers, it is fairly large. Might you have interpreted those stairs as a wall and thought it was much smaller?

 

Sister ships often have deck plan differences. As I recall, NCL was beginning it's freestyle concept back when these ship's were built. So these sisters might have had more differences than most sister ships.

[newmexicoNita]

What lounge on Sun was converted? I think you might be thinking of The Star?

 

I was thinking the same thing...As far as i know no lounge on the Sun has been converted and there are no plans to do so...

[newmexicoNita]

I just looked at the deck plans. I still see the forward observation lounge on deck 12. it is a two tier space with two sets of curved steps between the tiers. Looking at both tiers, it is fairly large. Might you have interpreted those stairs as a wall and thought it was much smaller?

 

Sister ships often have deck plan differences. As I recall, NCL was beginning it's freestyle concept back when these ship's were built. So these sisters might have had more differences than most sister ships.

 

and actually the Star and Sun are not sister ships. The Sun and Sky are, but were purchased from Costa at different stages of completion so they do not exactly reflex the relationship. I think many assume, because the Star and Sun used to have similar decor and were introduced azt about the same time they are sister ships.

 

Now to the OP: I have been on both ships twice: We were on the Pearl last week. Which is better, depends on what you are looking for in a cruise experience: Both are great ships, for different reasons. Yes, the Pearl is newer and prettier, plus they do have Blue Lagoon. The Sun has much larger cabins and has Las Rambles, which is a wonderful and fun tapa bar. The Pearl has a little better flow and a much nicer atruim area, plus a bigger casino and nicer pool deck, but the Sun has a fantastic Italian restaurant..The crew on both are outstanding and the entertaiment is similar. For us, the Sun offers a little better value and is a little different, not so cookie cutter, plus we prefer the smaller ship. If you want more variety in bars and like the grand sized ships go for the Pearl. For us, it would depend more on itinerary than anything else. We are going on the Sun next time, probably the end of the year or first of 2014.

[Bocadude85]

I havent been on the Pearl but have been on the Jewel. The Sun is one of my favorite ships.I like the bigger rooms that the Sun has and I like the feeling of being on a smaller ship. Some of my best cruising memories are from the Sun. We just spent a week in Curacao, its a nice island with lots of things to do and see.

[jdvmd]

I wish I were, but during the last referb the Sun also got the Star treatment and deck 11 now has suites and not the Spinnaker/Outrigger Lounge like her sister the Sky - take a look on the NCL web site.

 

The Jewel class ships along with the Sky still have a large forward lounge - there is a small observation lounge on deck 12 on the Sun. It has been years since I was last on the Sky (2003) -this was back when the Sun, Sky and Wind were crusing Alaska and then the Wind went to Hawaii to cruise the islands - with a quick juant to Fanning Island to get around the Jones Act.

 

No, this is not correct.

[Starry Eyes]

I wish I were, but during the last referb the Sun also got the Star treatment and deck 11 now has suites and not the Spinnaker/Outrigger Lounge like her sister the Sky - take a look on the NCL web site.

 

The Jewel class ships along with the Sky still have a large forward lounge - there is a small observation lounge on deck 12 on the Sun. It has been years since I was last on the Sky (2003) -this was back when the Sun, Sky and Wind were crusing Alaska and then the Wind went to Hawaii to cruise the islands - with a quick juant to Fanning Island to get around the Jones Act.

 

and actually the Star and Sun are not sister ships. The Sun and Sky are, but were purchased from Costa at different stages of completion so they do not exactly reflex the relationship. I think many assume, because the Star and Sun used to have similar decor and were introduced azt about the same time they are sister ships.

 

We agree. Of course, the Star and Sun are not sisters. The above poster discusses the Sun and Sky as a sisters and I was pointing out that, while in the same class, they are not identical.

[SFO-F/A]

We have been on both ships.

 

The Sun Has a wonderful lounge in the front of the ship where we held our CC meeting, and at times danced to the tunes of the on board band. It has not been converted to suites. Not sure where the poster got that idea. Perhaps they are thinking of the Star.

 

You have an amazing view from the windows that look out over where you are going. Not sure the Sun calls this the Spinnaker, but it's exactly like the Spinnaker on the Pearl.

 

The cabins on the Sun are larger, it's an older ship, but kept up beautifully.

 

The Pearl is my favorite because of the spa. I love getting the spa pass and enjoying the benefits of the spa daily. It is a newer ship.

 

I can recommend both of these ships. Depending if you want a larger cabin, or a better spa.

[jackinthebox422]

I have been on the SUN twice in the past year, more by accident than intent. The Forward Observation lounge on 12 is still there. Not only that, but the SUN also has an outside observation area that can truly give you your Titanic "king of the world" pic if you so wish. This area of the ship is where they holf the M&G and is one of the best unknown areas of the ship. The ability to have a drink, sit in a large group, talk, watch the ship travel the oceans is something that is not to be missed.

[DMH15]

I wish I were, but during the last referb the Sun also got the Star treatment and deck 11 now has suites and not the Spinnaker/Outrigger Lounge like her sister the Sky - take a look on the NCL web site.

 

The Jewel class ships along with the Sky still have a large forward lounge - there is a small observation lounge on deck 12 on the Sun. It has been years since I was last on the Sky (2003) -this was back when the Sun, Sky and Wind were crusing Alaska and then the Wind went to Hawaii to cruise the islands - with a quick juant to Fanning Island to get around the Jones Act.

 

Which deck? What location? Trying to figure it out. Thanks!

[DMH15]

I have been on the SUN twice in the past year, more by accident than intent. The Forward Observation lounge on 12 is still there. Not only that, but the SUN also has an outside observation area that can truly give you your Titanic "king of the world" pic if you so wish. This area of the ship is where they holf the M&G and is one of the best unknown areas of the ship. The ability to have a drink, sit in a large group, talk, watch the ship travel the oceans is something that is not to be missed.

 

Our M&G scheduled for 3/20/13 will be in Las Ramblas.

[elizabeth612]

We usually sail early Dec: around our anniversary. This year we chose only a week but from 16-23: I really decided I don't like getting home so close to Christmas Day: If we choose to sail over Thanksgiving Nov. 20th- Dec1st (2013) which ship is a better choice? NCL Pearl or NCL Sun: Both ships will be going to Curaco which is one of the few ports in the southern Carribbean that we have not seen: We are seniors 70ish;) Thanks ahead of time:

 

I was on the Sun in November. The whole aft of ship smelled of raw sewage, including my cabin on some days. The Sun is retiring shortly, therefore they are no longer putting anything into her. Go with the Pearl for sure!

[jdvmd]

I was on the Sun in November. The whole aft of ship smelled of raw sewage, including my cabin on some days. The Sun is retiring shortly, therefore they are no longer putting anything into her. Go with the Pearl for sure!

 

Not exactly sure why you are saying the Sun is retiring shortly. She has sailings scheduled through 2014. Where did you here information like this? The Sun underwent a $12 million renovation in 2011.

[Rochesterboatingdotcom]

Sun has tiny showers in the normal cabins and we did have plumbing problems on our October cruise as mentioned above. Other than that, the ship seemed clean and well maintained. Excellent crew and staff. The Italian restaurant was the best of all the 5 NCL ships we have been on.