Mitsugirly's extensive back to belly sun & sky review

[MJKennedy]

Hi Kim, another question: can you control the temperature in your stateroom? I had heard it can get cold in the ship and I am trying to figure out what kind of pajamas to pack for the kids, especially.

[mitsugirly]

Hi Kim, another question: can you control the temperature in your stateroom? I had heard it can get cold in the ship and I am trying to figure out what kind of pajamas to pack for the kids, especially.

 

 

Absolutely. Every cabin has it's own thermostat. :)

 

 

They are always right there on the wall by the bathroom door.

 

[mitsugirly]

We were upgraded to one of these rooms on the Sky. We had booked an inside on a different deck (don't remember which) and then later they upgraded us to an outside on this deck. It wasn't bad for our group. We just took the elevator (if we were going to use it) to deck 7 and then walked down the one flight of stairs. Obviously, you must be able to do stairs though for these rooms. The cabin was a little difficult to locate on the first day!

 

 

So how did you like it? I don't mind going down stairs, but going up is a different story. :D I mean I do climb up the steps going from floor to floor when we have to, but I would prefer not to especially with luggage or carry-ons.

 

I don't know if I would consider this an upgrade in my book. It's more like a trade off. LOL :p

[rednose83]

So how did you like it? I don't mind going down stairs, but going up is a different story. :D I mean I do climb up the steps going from floor to floor when we have to, but I would prefer not to especially with luggage or carry-ons.

 

I don't know if I would consider this an upgrade in my book. It's more like a trade off. LOL :p

 

We didn't mind it. It was only a three day cruise so we didn't have much with us.

 

About Bermuda, we went May 11-18 last year and didn't find the water too cold. And that's with us both being native Floridians :p It wasn't any colder than our springs here which are a year round 72 degrees.

 

We also went to a place called Tom Moore's Jungle which we had to ourselves. I did a thread on it I think if you want more info.

[suzieq2cruise]

So I just realized that I don't think I did my ending thoughts on this cruise and the Sun. So I'm going to try to sum things up on this for those inquiring minds that want to know.

 

Prior to booking on the Sun, I always knew that I was interested in sailing her. I know a lot of people seem to like her and I know a lot of people that have sailed on here (including my family, which I have to say are in their 80's).

 

My first encounter with the Sun was a few years ago in Ocho Rios Jamaica. We were on the Pearl and "parked" next to her. I couldn't help think but how itty bitty she looked, but I loved the hull art and there was just something about her that I liked. I remember taking a picture of her (well actually I took a bunch that day) as we were leaving and I managed to catch the most beautiful picture of the sunset, clouds and her sitting there, which heightened my curiously about going on her.

 

 

 

My first thought after entering the Sun was "Yep, I'm going to like this ship" and I wasn't wrong.

 

Everyone knows I love ships with the grand atrium stories tall and the Sun did not disappoint. Her atrium went up to the top and she had glass elevators on BOTH sides. Beautiful.

 

I liked the layout of the ship and everything was easy to get to and find. I think I knew my way around this ship by the second or third day.

 

I loved the area of the kids club. With it being on the front of the ship and the porthole windows to see down at the kids made it really neat.

 

LOVED the casino of course. It did me well and I was so happy to find some of the slots that kept me playing for hours on $10.

 

Loved the food and the sports bar area. I just wish it was open 24/7 like on the other ships (O'Sheehans and Blue Lagoon). That was a bit of a disappointment.

 

Eating in the MDR, buffet or the back of the ship was kind of a hit or miss when it would be open. That was one thing that I don't think I ever learned on the hours.

 

Sakari enjoyed the kids pool/hot tub area. It was a nice place to hang out. Didn't like that some adults felt like it was their area to hang out and gave dirty looks when a child came along like they weren't supposed to be there.

 

The main pool was fine and was never crowded. It was small, like any other ship that I have been on.

 

 

I didn't see any chair hogging and almost every time we were there, we found a place to sit (sometimes even being in the front row by the pool).

 

Loved the wooden dance floor area they had in front of the stage on the pool deck. (These seem to get smaller and smaller until they are non-existant on the larger ships. I remember the sailaway on the Getaway...the staff was dancing around the edges of the pool because there's no place to stand and dance).

 

The room size was a little bigger and with a different layout than your "normal" rooms on other ships, it was nice. As always there was plenty of space to put your things.

 

The room steward-I can't really say we had a good one. After asking about an extra towel (for my hair), it took awhile to get it and she managed to take away one of our pool towels. She could never get it right. I still can't believe that she left dirty cups for days and just put a clean lid on it. Really? I have never had that happen before. Then there's the dirty underwear issue. I just don't think she was very thorough with her cleaning. Maybe she was new? IDK, but it did not make or break our cruise of course. Everyone has "off" days, this might have been her "off" week. :p

 

DIDN'T like the shower and the curtain that loved my body. That's probably the worse thing they ever invented.

 

DIDN'T like the safe. I swear it felt smaller than normal and the steps you had to do in order to get in it was just a little much.

 

Loved that the closet in the room had a light and we used it as a night light.

 

LOVED the Internet package and speed. I'm sorry, we didn't have any issues that others claim with the speed. It was very sufficient and worked great for us...even in the room.

 

Great food at the MDR and this time around the service was excellent. We wasn't sitting around waiting for hours for our meals or drinks. They were very prompt and it made for an enjoyable dining experience each time.

 

The buffet...hmmm. Normally I REALLY enjoy the buffet, but this time around it seemed different. Maybe it was the size. I don't think we have witnessed such a small buffet before. It seemed limited on items and it felt like most nights it was the same thing with a few "added/rotated" items. There was plenty of seating there and you never had to worry about that.

 

Loved the ice cream station and the crepe station. Easy access and never a line.

 

Loved the area out back (Great Outdoors). They always had great food and a nice "change-up" from the buffet. I also enjoy sitting out there and watching the wake.

 

Shopping, well, it was ok and had a variety of items...just not the tee's that I usually buy. I still can't believe they didn't pull those out (the ones with the ship name on them). Do they not realize that they are potentially losing money for people that want a tee with the ships name on it?

 

The shows...IMO they really didn't have too many that we enjoyed. We are not really the type that likes the singing and dancing broadway type of shows. They get repetitive after the first show. The comedian was ok and the ventriloquist was just bad. He was bad the first time we seen him on another ship and it was worse the second time.

 

The staff was AMAZING. By the second day a lot of them up on the pool deck had Sakari's name memorized and always approached her to talk about her day. I feel like NCL has some amazing people working for them. I know it's a rough job, but they really "appear" as if they enjoy it and are always smiling and speaking.

 

The White Hot party was amazing!!! I love when it's out on the pool deck and we had a wonderful time.

 

We LOVED the furries and think that it added to the experience of having an awesome cruise. Would love to cruise with them again in the future.

 

This cruise was filled with "much older" people. I don't have anything against this AT ALL. It made for a more "relaxed" feeling this time around. I would do this again in a heartbeat!

 

Last but not least, the smoking section and people on this cruise just sucked! The way people would grab a table and sit there all day just amazed me. This is a "smoking section" not a breakfast, lunch, dinner sitting area and in between. Have some consideration. If you are eating your meal, go somewhere else and eat and then come here for your cigarette. There's no need to hog every table and chair. Go enjoy your cruise!!! Geesh. Some of these people seem to never move...ever. So instead of chair hogs by the pool, we have smoking section hogs.

 

THE NUMBER ONE THING ABOUT THIS CRUISE TO ME.....

 

IT WAS NEVER CROWDED!!! EVER!!! Anywhere we went, we never ran into a crowd. The ship felt empty half the time. I never waited in lines for much of anything. The buffet line never had more than 3 or 4 people ahead of me. The crepe station...maybe 1 person ahead of me. No lines in the MDR. No lines when shopping. Casino not too crowded. Always some place to sit. It was just that amazing!!

 

We were able to sail with our previous cruising buddies and it was great to see them again.

 

I walked away from this cruise, and my husband and I both agreed, that this is probably one of our favorite cruises! But, a lot of things factor into that of course.

 

We had WONDERFUL weather each day.

The ship wasn't crowded.

We won in the casino.

All 4 places we visited in port were probably some of the best places and experiences ever.

We were more relaxed and prepared for this cruise than our last one.

The Sun was a great ship! Period!

 

It was just a mixture of one good thing after another (of course until I lost my diamond). It's going to be very hard to beat this cruise! I just can't express how great it was.

 

I know people have different expectations and experiences and I truly believe that it depends on all of the factors. For us...this was THE cruise we had been waiting for all year (since our Getaway cruise just wasn't what we thought it would be).

 

Would I sail the Sun again? Well, you know me, I try not to sail the same ship over and over, so probably not. But would I recommend it? Absolutely!

 

 

 

Thank you for a GREAT thread and a GREAT summary of the Sun here. I actually am less nervous about my cruise, having read your tale :-) Peace and goodness for 2015..... And stay warm!!!

[suzieq2cruise]

The pictures on page 12 alone make me want to go on my cruise now instead of in March. Thank you for ALL of this - if I was excited before I am truly more excited now!

[mitsugirly]

We didn't mind it. It was only a three day cruise so we didn't have much with us.

 

About Bermuda, we went May 11-18 last year and didn't find the water too cold. And that's with us both being native Floridians :p It wasn't any colder than our springs here which are a year round 72 degrees.

 

We also went to a place called Tom Moore's Jungle which we had to ourselves. I did a thread on it I think if you want more info.

 

That's comforting to know about Bermuda. I am REALLY debating this one. Going to Bermuda is going to cost an arm and 1/2 a leg compared to cruising the Caribbean. I just really hate to do it if we don't get full use out of the island and full use=ocean water! :p I am also having second thoughts because I will have to pull Sakari out of school, once again, for another week. I have already done that for 2 weeks during our Sun & Sky cruise. Then this month seems to be so messed up for the schooling in her district. They just returned to school from winter break and then had a day off. They had today off because the schools were closed d/t bad weather. They have a day off next week for a "new" reason..."records day??", then following week another day off for Martin Luther King day, the following week "teachers day". It's just one thing after another. I'm starting to think maybe I should just book another cruise for her spring break in April instead. Maybe I can find something that involves a "new" island or something. :D

 

Thank you for a GREAT thread and a GREAT summary of the Sun here. I actually am less nervous about my cruise, having read your tale :-) Peace and goodness for 2015..... And stay warm!!!

 

You are very welcome. We had a blast on the Sun. I know it's a little ship, but I think that everything rolled up into one made it one of the best cruises we have been on in years...weather, ship, ports=amazing for us. :)

 

Warm is not a choice right now. It was -5 when I woke up this morning and schools closed. :( I hate winter and hate snow. :eek:

 

Happy cruising to you.

[mitsugirly]

The pictures on page 12 alone make me want to go on my cruise now instead of in March. Thank you for ALL of this - if I was excited before I am truly more excited now!

 

 

Was that your way of trying to get me to go to page 12 to see what's on there? I'll have you know I have every page memorized. :eek: Just kidding, you won, I had to go look. But all I see is "weird" photos...tour of how to get outside around the elevator, internet and a full "wall stairway" photos. :confused:

[suzieq2cruise]

Don't laugh - as you note, it is the crazy "in between pictures" like in the stairwells.... I love looking at them. And the pictures you took of the different painted flowers are really great. So often, little things like "the art in the stairwell" isn't noticed... but you photographed it and it is something I would notice.... so, you know... it made me want to be on the boat. Yeah, I am a geek for things like that - the little touches.

 

Its below zero here in "kentucky near".... or at least it was. We got above 10 this afternoon (woo hoo). March can't come soon enough!!!

[mitsugirly]

Don't laugh - as you note, it is the crazy "in between pictures" like in the stairwells.... I love looking at them. And the pictures you took of the different painted flowers are really great. So often, little things like "the art in the stairwell" isn't noticed... but you photographed it and it is something I would notice.... so, you know... it made me want to be on the boat. Yeah, I am a geek for things like that - the little touches.

 

Its below zero here in "kentucky near".... or at least it was. We got above 10 this afternoon (woo hoo). March can't come soon enough!!!

 

That's awesome that you like little things like that. I always noticed the stairwell on each ship I go on and always take pictures of them. They just fascinate me for some reason. I'm always looking for the "weird" picture that most don't see. :p Great minds think alike I say! :D

[rednose83]

That's comforting to know about Bermuda. I am REALLY debating this one. Going to Bermuda is going to cost an arm and 1/2 a leg compared to cruising the Caribbean. I just really hate to do it if we don't get full use out of the island and full use=ocean water! :p I am also having second thoughts because I will have to pull Sakari out of school, once again, for another week. I have already done that for 2 weeks during our Sun & Sky cruise. Then this month seems to be so messed up for the schooling in her district. They just returned to school from winter break and then had a day off. They had today off because the schools were closed d/t bad weather. They have a day off next week for a "new" reason..."records day??", then following week another day off for Martin Luther King day, the following week "teachers day". It's just one thing after another. I'm starting to think maybe I should just book another cruise for her spring break in April instead. Maybe I can find something that involves a "new" island or something. :D

 

Bermuda is so worth it. IMO, better than any island in the Carib. Once you're there, it's a pretty cheap place. The beaches are free- as is Tom Moore's Jungle and the Fort. The food is pricy though.

[tdk1938]

Kim,

 

Thanks for the review and the pictures are beautiful. I stop using fancy SLR with all the bells and whistles since someone stole from right under our nose outside of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Ca 25 years ago. Now I only carry compact point and shoot digital camera that I can stick in my pocket or my DW's purse. I don't have under water camera am planning to get one.

 

Did you use water proof camera to take all the pictures (on the ship and under water)? If I buy a water proof camera, should I bring both cameras, one for dry and another one for wet? Or I guess I only need to bring water proof camera is good enough for all occasions.

 

DK

[mitsugirly]

Bermuda is so worth it. IMO, better than any island in the Carib. Once you're there, it's a pretty cheap place. The beaches are free- as is Tom Moore's Jungle and the Fort. The food is pricy though.

 

 

True but getting there is expensive. Well, at least more expensive than doing a Caribbean cruise. I just will hate the fact that we won't be able to snorkel or get in the water much. I live for that. :p

Kim,

 

Thanks for the review and the pictures are beautiful. I stop using fancy SLR with all the bells and whistles since someone stole from right under our nose outside of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Ca 25 years ago. Now I only carry compact point and shoot digital camera that I can stick in my pocket or my DW's purse. I don't have under water camera am planning to get one.

 

Did you use water proof camera to take all the pictures (on the ship and under water)? If I buy a water proof camera, should I bring both cameras, one for dry and another one for wet? Or I guess I only need to bring water proof camera is good enough for all occasions.

 

DK

 

You will have no need to bring 2 different types of cameras if you just get a decent point and shoot that is waterproof. I only have 2 cameras that I bring so that the hubby and I can each have one, but they are both the same (just different models). I absolutely love them. They take awesome pictures underwater, on land, at night, action and all of the neat little "extra" features that come with the camera...like obviously my favorite is tilt shift. :D

 

I think the only way I would ever bring my DSLR again is if I do an Alaskan cruise, then I think I would want to bring it for the 300mm lens alone. :p

[Frozilla]

One week until my wife and I embark on our first NCL cruise. We have been aboard the Celebrity Summit a coupe fo years ago, This review literally took my whole Saturday to read through. Very Nice Job!! I wish there were more people out there that could share there experience as you have. I have taken this away from it.....Blue Kay in Costa Maya. We already have private excursions booked in Roatan and Cozumel. I was wondering tho about Blue Kay....i thought i seen on there website or somewhere that you could get a beach massage. Can you let me know if you seen any massages there? Thanks alot again for the time you spent to create this wonderful thread. Happy cruising!

 

Frozi

[mitsugirly]

One week until my wife and I embark on our first NCL cruise. We have been aboard the Celebrity Summit a coupe fo years ago, This review literally took my whole Saturday to read through. Very Nice Job!! I wish there were more people out there that could share there experience as you have. I have taken this away from it.....Blue Kay in Costa Maya. We already have private excursions booked in Roatan and Cozumel. I was wondering tho about Blue Kay....i thought i seen on there website or somewhere that you could get a beach massage. Can you let me know if you seen any massages there? Thanks alot again for the time you spent to create this wonderful thread. Happy cruising!

 

Frozi

 

Thanks so much for your comments. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and wonderful weather.

 

Yes, you can get a massage right there on the beach at Blue Kay. I don't know how much they are since I don't do massages, but I can't imagine them being too much since everything else there is pretty reasonable.

 

[Frozilla]

Also from your review, it sounds like I do not need to communicate with Blue Kay, I can just show up? Is that what you recommend?

[mitsugirly]

Also from your review, it sounds like I do not need to communicate with Blue Kay, I can just show up? Is that what you recommend?

 

 

That is correct. I only communicated with them prior to arrival because I was trying to see if they offered day passes, which they did for $20pp, but there was some miscommunication about the day pass. I didn't know that it was only if you intended on renting the bikes, canoes and snorkeling stuff. That's what they consider their "day pass" and not admission to use the facility.

 

So yes, just basically show up. You won't even have to go to the office to let them know you are there. Just simply get off at the first stop, which is Senior Frogs, and then head around the building and to the Malecon and walk left and you are there. Find a seat on the beach and I'm sure there will be someone there (staff) to greet you. Just let them know you are spending the day and will be eating and drinking with them and they are happy. :) Super easy.

[LoneStarLori]

Mitsugirly, let me start by thanking you for such a great and thorough review of LFK. I have been reading for almost and hour and have reached the point that I want to stop to avoid "spoilers".

Can you, or anyone give advice on thier zip line excursions? we orginally planned to do Victor Bodden's and then travel to LFK as a secondary trip. Then I realized they also offer zip lines.

Has anyone done both places? The attraction to Victor Boddens is they will allow children under 3 to tandom. However, LFK doesn't really say much about what they offer or who provides their tour.

We will be there inb April 1, with NCL Jewel.

[mitsugirly]

Mitsugirly, let me start by thanking you for such a great and thorough review of LFK. I have been reading for almost and hour and have reached the point that I want to stop to avoid "spoilers".

Can you, or anyone give advice on thier zip line excursions? we orginally planned to do Victor Bodden's and then travel to LFK as a secondary trip. Then I realized they also offer zip lines.

Has anyone done both places? The attraction to Victor Boddens is they will allow children under 3 to tandom. However, LFK doesn't really say much about what they offer or who provides their tour.

We will be there inb April 1, with NCL Jewel.

 

I have only done the zip line with Victor Bodden and while we had a wonderful time, we did have some "problems" with both the zip line and the monkeys. If you want to read about them, they are in my signature line on the day we spent there.

 

I can tell you that LFK works with the Pirates of the Caribbean zip line. It's supposed to be one of the "better" ones according to what I have read online and here in the forums. They are only 5 minutes away from LFK. They (LFK) sends the guest to the zip line first and it's takes about 1-2 hours and then you are brought to LFK where you'll have 4-5 hours to spend there depending on what time your ship is in port.

 

So hopefully that will help and you can go on the website for pirates and see what the restrictions are for age and so on and then determine which is right for you.

[mitsugirly]

I just wanted to add that I just went to their website (Pirates) and right on the front page they have a picture of a lady who is tandem riding with what appears to be a baby that looks less than a year old. If you go to their pictures, you will see tons of young kids on the lines as well and children tandem riding. There's even a guy that is wheelchair bound that is in the pictures. It looks like they can make it happen for anyone. How neat is that! :) So I don't think you will have any problem. I would contact them and see what they say so you have some type of "proof".

 

Now go enjoy yourself!!!! :D

[tdk1938]

 

 

You will have no need to bring 2 different types of cameras if you just get a decent point and shoot that is waterproof. I only have 2 cameras that I bring so that the hubby and I can each have one, but they are both the same (just different models). I absolutely love them. They take awesome pictures underwater, on land, at night, action and all of the neat little "extra" features that come with the camera...like obviously my favorite is tilt shift. :D

 

I think the only way I would ever bring my DSLR again is if I do an Alaskan cruise, then I think I would want to bring it for the 300mm lens alone. :p

 

Thanks Kim.

Since we all have our own cameras, DW and DD suggested me to get an underwater camera case so we don't have to bring too many cameras and chargers for the trip. I told them if one of them breaks I'll replace with underwater camera. I'm checking the good plastic underwater camera case on Amazon.

 

But I don't know when am I gonna to drop the oldest camera accidentally ;) and tell DW "Honey, I drop the darn old camera by accident, and it's not working. I'm going to replace it with underwater camera. :p

 

Very sneaky!

[mitsugirly]

Thanks Kim.

Since we all have our own cameras, DW and DD suggested me to get an underwater camera case so we don't have to bring too many cameras and chargers for the trip. I told them if one of them breaks I'll replace with underwater camera. I'm checking the good plastic underwater camera case on Amazon.

 

But I don't know when am I gonna to drop the oldest camera accidentally and tell DW "Honey, I drop the darn old camera by accident, and it's not working. I'm going to replace it with underwater camera. :p

 

Very sneaky!

 

I LIKE THE WAY YOU THINK!!!! :D That surely sounds like something I would do (say) to get something. You sure we aren't related? I mean after all, I have the hubby convinced that I HAVE to go on cruises in order to report back to the people on cc. He thought it was funny for a few years, now everywhere we go, people know me on board, even in the port and people make comments about "you're famous on cc" :eek: LMAO!!! He's now convinced I wasn't lying. ;) :p :D

[Input122]

When I went to little french key. I met the brother, I think he said his name was Juan. I told him I heard about that place from you. All the help was very very nice and thanks again for the tip on a Little French Key.

[mitsugirly]

When I went to little french key. I met the brother, I think he said his name was Juan. I told him I heard about that place from you. All the help was very very nice and thanks again for the tip on a Little French Key.

 

The brothers name is Joel and was such a nice guy as well. Is this who you are talking about?

 

 

 

 

Glad you enjoyed yourself. It's really a beautiful place they have there. :)

[Input122]

Yes that was him. Very nice.