Mitsugirly's extensive back to belly sun & sky review

[mitsugirly]

When we checked in at the counter on the dock, I decided that I would do the snorkel tour. The hubby (with his ear problem) decided he would stay back with Sakari and just let me go. I knew that it was an extra $10 charge to be added to our price and I had prepared for that.

 

We purchased the $88 package which included our transportation of course, our boat ride over to the island, admission to the island, lunch, 2 drinks and use of the non-motorized sports like the canoes. For the extra $10, they take you out to the reef via a boat and give you the tour of it. I was excited. The last time I decided not to go to the reef and I had been kicking myself since then because there are so many questions regarding how good it is on here. This time, I wasn't going to pass it up.

 

Now since we are returning customers, Larissa (the owner), gives you a 10% discount for returning. When the employee at the desk added my charges up, he was $22 over the amount. I had to pull out my phone to double check because I wasn't sure how he was coming to that amount. (He was not giving me the 10% discount, which I discovered). When I informed him about the discount, he said "Oh, I didn't know about that, but if Larissa said you get a discount, then I'll give you the discount". I'm not sure if the employees are not aware of this or what, but no big deal.

 

He put the wrist bands on us and I didn't notice at the time, but my wristband matched everyone else in my party. Hmmm. I would later find out that he didn't even give me the wristband that included snorkeling that I paid for.

 

We got on the boat/barge and was excited to head over to the island.

 

 

The Ma'ams ready to head over with us.

 

 

Aren't we an excited bunch?

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Enjoyed the photos...thanks.

 

Thank you.

 

As I'm reading I couldn't figure out why you were taking a Van? The boat is right at the pier for the ride over. I then realized we are going to Maya Key and your off to Little French Key LOL

 

LOL, yep, big difference. :D

[mitsugirly]

Ok, I'm off for a little while. Time to shower and possibly a little more shopping. I need to get my pictures done for LFK, which there are A LOT, so it might take awhile. I will be back some time today. No worries. :D

[ncklhaus]

Your review is awesome, as usual! I was a little behind reading it, my husband had an Upper Respiratory Infection, then my daughter got it, and now I have it. :( so the computer was the last thing on my mind.

But as far as the VIP Captains Reception, children are welcome! We were also invited to it when we were on the Breakaway in October and there were a few children there. My daughter loved it because she was able to get all dressed up and hang out with some new friends (that we made here on Cruise Critic and are friends with now on Facebook). So, no need to skip it in the future. :D

Edited November 29, 2014 by ncklhaus

[dobiemom]

Have fun shopping. ;):D

 

BTW the font size (size 3) is perfect. :)

Roatan, one of my favorite ports. I know there is a lot of talk about the violence here, but it is one of the most beautiful places and I have never been unsatisfied with any place I have been to here. It's just so beautiful with excellent snorkeling.

 

(Size 2)

Once you are out of the compound, you are at this main road with a lot of traffic coming and going picking up passengers without the tours and going it on their own.

[dobiemom]

Thanks. Are you doing an 11 day southern cruise?

The Norwegian Sun is coming to the West Coast (yippee! :D) for a few 11-day Mexican Riviera sailings (that include Acapulco and Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa) in October 2015, before heading to South America.

[Planmaam]

Hey, Mitsugirly! Finally ready to join in with your review. Tried reading some during lunch a couple of days at work, but only get a half hour, and have to eat, too.

 

We're driving down to Las Vegas today, so I have a few hours to catch up. Can't wait to hear about the Sky, to see what she is like compared to the Sun. So she had some things you liked better, huh? Anxious to read all about it.

[Planmaam]

Hey, Mitsugirly! Just getting a chance to get on board with your review. Tried following along a few days during lunch last week, but only get (choose to take) a half hour, and have to eat, too, so didn't get very far.

 

But we're driving down to Las Vegas today so I have a few hours to play catch-up.

 

So you liked some things about the Sky better than the Sun? Can't wait to hear about it.

 

Now to get back to it, I think I just got to the day we got to Roatan.

[luvcruzing]

Very much enjoying your review and pictures.

 

I was surprised that you didn't take a picture of the popcorn machine and the basket with the bags of popcorn in the Sports Bar.

 

And, you are the kind of smoker that I wish would sit down next to me in the casino, but that never happens.

 

Did you mean to write that you had breakfast again in Moderno's not Cagney's? If not, I guess I missed the first time.

[mitsugirly]

Your review is awesome, as usual! I was a little behind reading it, my husband had an Upper Respiratory Infection, then my daughter got it, and now I have it. :( so the computer was the last thing on my mind.

But as far as the VIP Captains Reception, children are welcome! We were also invited to it when we were on the Breakaway in October and there were a few children there. My daughter loved it because she was able to get all dressed up and hang out with some new friends (that we made here on Cruise Critic and are friends with now on Facebook). So, no need to skip it in the future. :D

 

Aww, I hope you feel better soon. I know that once we all returned from our cruises, everyone seem to get sick with nasal issues, coughing and runny and/or stuffy nose.

 

I will have to remember that on the Captains Reception. I have never been to one before. Can you enlighten me on what you do there?

 

Have fun shopping. ;):D

 

BTW the font size (size 3) is perfect. :)

 

 

(Size 2)

 

Awesome. I'll keep it at 3. :D

[mitsugirly]

The Norwegian Sun is coming to the West Coast (yippee! :D) for a few 11-day Mexican Riviera sailings (that include Acapulco and Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa) in October 2015, before heading to South America.

 

If you decide to go, have fun. :)

 

Hey' date=' Mitsugirly! Just getting a chance to get on board with your review. Tried following along a few days during lunch last week, but only get (choose to take) a half hour, and have to eat, too, so didn't get very far.

 

But we're driving down to Las Vegas today so I have a few hours to play catch-up.

 

So you liked some things about the Sky better than the Sun? Can't wait to hear about it.

 

Now to get back to it, I think I just got to the day we got to Roatan.[/quote']

 

Hey hey...I miss you guys. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

 

I know how those 1/2 hour breaks are. Barely enough time to eat lunch let alone anything else.

 

Yep, I liked a few things better on the Sky. I'll do a comparision at the end of the reviews.

 

Are the Ma'ams doing a review? (Like you always do were you all contribute?) I would love to read your point of view from everyone. If you do one, let me know. :)

[mitsugirly]

Very much enjoying your review and pictures.

 

I was surprised that you didn't take a picture of the popcorn machine and the basket with the bags of popcorn in the Sports Bar.

 

And, you are the kind of smoker that I wish would sit down next to me in the casino, but that never happens.

 

Did you mean to write that you had breakfast again in Moderno's not Cagney's? If not, I guess I missed the first time.

 

 

Aww, thanks so much for joining me.

 

The popcorn machine wasn't on or working every time we went in there. We were actually only able to get popcorn once during the entire cruise. Every other time I went up there, it was off and no popcorn. Toward the end of the cruise, the entire machine was completely GONE! :eek: The ONLY time I got popcorn was late at night and they had 1 bag sitting on the counter and I ask about it. They told me I could have it and I took it back to the room for the hubby. So no basket with bags of popcorn. :(

 

You are so right. I meant Moderno's. I'm just going to start calling it the "meat" place because I always get them confused. :D

[ncklhaus]

Aww, I hope you feel better soon. I know that once we all returned from our cruises, everyone seem to get sick with nasal issues, coughing and runny and/or stuffy nose.

 

I will have to remember that on the Captains Reception. I have never been to one before. Can you enlighten me on what you do there?

 

 

At the Captains reception you basically just mingle with the Captain and some other officers, the other VIPs, and Haven guests. They offer free drinks, passing around trays of red and white wine. They offered nonalcoholic drinks as well, my daughter had a Shirley Temple or two. If you don't like wine, they also had a bartender and my husband had Hennessey and Ginger Ale. The waiters also passed around those little finger foods. I call them the stale bread circles with toppings. Some of them were pretty good! If you want to check it out, I added a link to my review with pictures and video by my signature. The Captains Reception was on day 2.

I also always seem to get sick after a cruise as well. This time by Day 2 of the cruise I had lost my voice. Almost 2 months later and its still not fully back, and its my 2nd cold.:eek:

[medicalma'am]

I just caught up reading too.....and great reading it is!

 

I have been spending the last 12 hours verifying 300 pages of MARs. :eek: And I still have more to do, but it can wait until tomorrow. Regaining my sanity on CC. :p

[JMHAM1]

I was wondering how your little one got along with no water slides. It was the highlight of the trip for our littlest. Would love to do one of the big ships but Miami/New York is too far to drive and flying all 8 of us somewhere is not in the budget. Plus, I travel to Tampa for work quite a bit and would love to leave out of Tampa again. Not a lot of options within driving distance for us but the Sun was interesting to me but I have not seen a lot of info on her until now.

 

It appears the Sun has some unique sizes and configurations for their suites. Right now we are booked on the Dawn out of NOLA but it is so far in the future, I might change.

 

Maybe I will be lucky enough to be on another cruise with you and NOT be so starstruck that I actually am able to chat. :p

[Oldgoat61]

I am really enjoying your review! Love your pictures, and your daughter is so cute.

 

This is the first time I have read a review of the Sun and Sky with photos! Thanks!! :D

[mitsugirly]

At the Captains reception you basically just mingle with the Captain and some other officers, the other VIPs, and Haven guests. They offer free drinks, passing around trays of red and white wine. They offered nonalcoholic drinks as well, my daughter had a Shirley Temple or two. If you don't like wine, they also had a bartender and my husband had Hennessey and Ginger Ale. The waiters also passed around those little finger foods. I call them the stale bread circles with toppings. Some of them were pretty good! If you want to check it out, I added a link to my review with pictures and video by my signature. The Captains Reception was on day 2.

I also always seem to get sick after a cruise as well. This time by Day 2 of the cruise I had lost my voice. Almost 2 months later and its still not fully back, and its my 2nd cold.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm not a wine drinker and like "fruity" frozen drinks. However I will drink the rum punch they pass out at the latitudes party. When your husband ordered something from the bartender, is that free or he had to pay?

 

I don't really care for the stale bread circle treats. There's only 1 that I like (I think it's salami and cheese).

 

I will definitely check our your link. Thanks! :)

I just caught up reading too.....and great reading it is!

 

I have been spending the last 12 hours verifying 300 pages of MARs. :eek: And I still have more to do' date=' but it can wait until tomorrow. Regaining my sanity on CC. :p[/size']

 

Hello Robin. Glad you were able to join me. Are all the Ma'ams doing a "together" review this time around? I would love to read and hear how things went since we seem to lose track of you guys mid cruise. I didn't get Wendy's message about coming to see the suite until AFTER we were off the ship. :( I would love to see some pictures. :D

 

12 hours of MARs? Yikes. I would need another cruise to keep my sanity. :p

[mitsugirly]

I was wondering how your little one got along with no water slides. It was the highlight of the trip for our littlest. Would love to do one of the big ships but Miami/New York is too far to drive and flying all 8 of us somewhere is not in the budget. Plus, I travel to Tampa for work quite a bit and would love to leave out of Tampa again. Not a lot of options within driving distance for us but the Sun was interesting to me but I have not seen a lot of info on her until now.

 

It appears the Sun has some unique sizes and configurations for their suites. Right now we are booked on the Dawn out of NOLA but it is so far in the future, I might change.

 

Maybe I will be lucky enough to be on another cruise with you and NOT be so starstruck that I actually am able to chat.

 

She managed quite well after I quickly informed her that she could still be back home in the cold and going to school daily. :D

 

Yea flying that many people would break the bank for me. I can barely afford the 3 of us and it usually cost more than what we pay for the cruise. I would give anything to live within driving distance to ANY port at this point. I would be cruising all the time on just the money I have saved on plane tickets. :D

 

"Starstruck" you made me spit my pop out. LOL :eek: :p That reminds me...I was at the port, getting out of our transportation and someone came up to me and shook my hand. It kind of took me off guard and then I caught the last of what he said, which was he was on cc. I still don't know who it was.

 

I am really enjoying your review! Love your pictures, and your daughter is so cute.

 

This is the first time I have read a review of the Sun and Sky with photos! Thanks!!

 

Thank you so much. Glad to know I'll go down in history as having the reviews with photos of the Sun and Sky. hehe :D :p

Edited November 30, 2014 by mitsugirly

[mitsugirly]

Sorry, I spent the day Christmas shopping again. Another shop til you drop type of day. It's 2:30am and I just finished my photos of Little French Key. I have to say I'm a little (well a lot) disappointed in the results (you will see why later). I'm not sure what happened during snorkeling. :( I will start my review on it tomorrow. Beware...it's VERY photo loaded, so it will be a LONG review.

[philatiger]

Thanks for the review, enjoying all the pics, just 7 more days. :D

 

You mentioned you ate breakfast in Cagney's, is it open to everyone? It is usually for suite guests, VIPs, etc... at least on other ships.

[medicalma'am]

Yes, we are planning on doing one, and hopefully all will chime in and contribute. Wendy and I are 'gung ho' and the others, not so much. LOL

 

I wish we had known your cabin number so we could have left you a message. We should have gotten together one evening.

 

We had such a blast. We have decided that we need 'sister time' every year now!

[hpecorari]

Thanks for the review, enjoying all the pics, just 7 more days. :D

 

You mentioned you ate breakfast in Cagney's, is it open to everyone? It is usually for suite guests, VIPs, etc... at least on other ships.

 

You are correct, however she mentioned she was given VIP treatment so she was able to eat breakfast in Cagney's if she wanted to.

 

Harriet

[medicalma'am]

The suite/VIP restaurant is Il Adagio on deck 5 on the Sun. I believe that she corrected herself and stated that it was Moderno, which is near the Buffet and Sports Bar on deck 11. They had it open in the mornings for breakfast with a small buffet. Cagney's is on deck 12.

[hpecorari]

The suite/VIP restaurant is Il Adagio on deck 5 on the Sun. I believe that she corrected herself and stated that it was Moderno' date=' which is near the Buffet and Sports Bar on deck 11. They had it open in the mornings for breakfast with a small buffet. Cagney's is on deck 12.

[/size']

 

Yep, you're right of course! I forgot it's different on the Sun.

 

Harriet

[mitsugirly]

Thanks for the review, enjoying all the pics, just 7 more days. :D

 

You mentioned you ate breakfast in Cagney's, is it open to everyone? It is usually for suite guests, VIPs, etc... at least on other ships.

 

Sorry, I meant Moderno, not Cagneys and yes, it's open to EVERYONE! :)