Sun?

[Petoonya]

I'm new to NCL. And an old timer to Oceania.

We were booked with a family reunion on Bliss to Alaska in May. Discovered tonight that some of the older folks want to cancel, so we'll cancel on 3/10.

 

Have done Alaska cruises several times and it's always a joy. After seeing the movie "The Call of the Wild" for the third time last night we've decided to do Alaska one more time by ourselves, no more big groups.

 

Looked tonight at what we could do with our FCC and see an itinerary on Sun that interests us. Oceania is more luxurious than NCL for sure, and we do love our Oceania. But we're pretty laid back. All we are interested in in Alaska s a good meal, a quiet place to read, the beautiful scenery, nice people, clean ship, good service. Not party people, not into the casino or even shows. We're pretty boring.

 

Smaller is better to me and I wasn't thrilled with the idea of 4000+ people anyway on Bliss. This cruise is 2021 and Sun was last refurbished 2018- four years seems to me to be about the limit a ship can go without needing some help. Appearance and cleanliness will bother me if it isn't decent.

 

What do you think? If I'm looking for a small tidy NCL ship what would you recommend? Is Sun OK?

[mugtech]

Did 10 day Alaska on the Sun in 2015, thought it was a good size to check out the glaciers, had plenty of viewing spots.  Not sure what they did to her in 2018, hated what they did to Dawn and Star eliminating the observatory/entertainment spot known as Spinnaker Lounge.  Worth taking a look.

[tallnthensome]

I sailed the Sun last year and enjoyed it enough to book the 12 day on her to Alaska for this August with my family of four. I’ve also done the Bliss. She’s in great shape and very clean. She has that feel of a classic smaller ship. It’s very cozy with some great lounges to relax, listen to music, have a drink, and read a book. It has just the right amount of everything without the loudness, craziness, bells and whistles, and masses of people like you’d find on the Bliss. Prices are great on the Sun compared to the Bliss. Book her and go with confidence. I did before and am doing it again in August. 

[kabhome125]

I just sailed the Sun in January. The ship is very clean and nicely updated. I would definitely recommend.

[FranknBeans]

Great small ship with pretty well the same eating places as other ships.

The Sun was just refurbished in 2018.   

[Petoonya]

3 hours ago, mugtech said:

Did 10 day Alaska on the Sun in 2015, thought it was a good size to check out the glaciers, had plenty of viewing spots. 

 

3 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

 Book her and go with confidence. I did before and am doing it again in August. 

 

15 minutes ago, kabhome125 said:

I just sailed the Sun in January. The ship is very clean and nicely updated. I would definitely recommend.

 

8 minutes ago, FranknBeans said:

Great small ship with pretty well the same eating places as other ships.

The Sun was just refurbished in 2018.   

 

Wow- thanks. Sounds like just the right ship for us. Really appreciate all the insight 🙂 We're doing it.

[FLcruisergrl]

We’re cruising next week on the Sun for the 2nd time in less than a year. While it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of a mega-ship, it’s a great little ship! Super easy to navigate and really laid back. Like the ships of the olden days (okay, circa 1990s). 

[ColeThornton]

4 hours ago, Petoonya said:

We were booked with a family reunion on Bliss to Alaska in May. Discovered tonight that some of the older folks want to cancel, so we'll cancel on 3/10.

 

 

Is this the nightmare in-laws that you told us about a few times?   🙂

[tcruisin77]

We sailed a short Bahamas cruise on the Sun and really enjoyed her and her crew. It fits your wishes well and I think it’s a great pick for Alaska. If I had the opportunity to cruise Alaska, the Sun would be my pick. 

[forgotmyCCname]

OP - OMG! After all the nonsense you went through with that “ Cruise “ they are cancelling???

 

Wow! Wish you could have that wastes energy back!! Yikes!

 

Was on Sun in February. Small but lovely, does not look her age.

Had an aft suite that had incredible views from the balcony.

 

Perfect ship for a low-key trip.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

[FranknBeans]

As long as they continue to refurbish the smaller im very happy to stay away from the large booze can ships.

[Petoonya]

3 hours ago, ColeThornton said:

2 hours ago, forgotmyCCname said:

OP - OMG! After all the nonsense you went through with that “ Cruise “ they are cancelling???

 

Wow! Wish you could have that wastes energy back!! Yikes

Is this the nightmare in-laws that you told us about a few times?   🙂

 

Yes- it's one and the same! And it's the old folks that decided to cancel, so my kids feel they need to support them and cruise at a different time. We could just do the cruise ourselves but I'm not excited about a 4000 pass ship and that cruise has "aye caramba" written all over it.

I held the Sun Princess but now this morning husband says he's thinking about Australia. We're doing Tahiti-Hawaii-SF on Oceania (if the stars align) and maybe even repeat that on NCL 2021.

 

Anyway, we're FREE! And a lot of extra wrinkles worrying about nothing. And the in-laws will stay safe too.

 

And we get to go wherever we want- what a happy ending!

 

Thank you all!!!!!

[Love2CruiseMore]

I just booked the Sun for Alaska in 2021 too!  I’m glad to hear others enjoyed it and would book her again.  I swear I changed my mind at least a dozen times trying to decide which cruise and cruise line to book. 

[Petoonya]

2 hours ago, Love2CruiseMore said:

I just booked the Sun for Alaska in 2021 too!  I’m glad to hear others enjoyed it and would book her again.  I swear I changed my mind at least a dozen times trying to decide which cruise and cruise line to book. 

We're neighbors too! I'm about 3 hours southwest of you 🙂

[Petoonya]

2 hours ago, Love2CruiseMore said:

I just booked the Sun for Alaska in 2021 too!  I’m glad to hear others enjoyed it and would book her again.  I swear I changed my mind at least a dozen times trying to decide which cruise and cruise line to book. 

I held Sun last night but now husband is all hot to trot on the 19 day Sydney to Papeete next year and also the Hawaii- Papeete. I think my kids are unhappy that we won't hold on to the credit and cruise eventually with them. But I don't think I could take it. (I don't think the BOARD could take my grumbling about those in-laws either lol )  😁

[Love2CruiseMore]

52 minutes ago, Petoonya said:

I held Sun last night but now husband is all hot to trot on the 19 day Sydney to Papeete next year and also the Hawaii- Papeete. I think my kids are unhappy that we won't hold on to the credit and cruise eventually with them. But I don't think I could take it. (I don't think the BOARD could take my grumbling about those in-laws either lol )  😁

I saw that you are also from Oregon!  Those cruise options sound amazing!!!  We are planning on taking my in-laws on the cruise, I’m happy that we also booked the alcohol package for my husband and me 😂 Haha!  

[Petoonya]

3 minutes ago, Love2CruiseMore said:

I saw that you are also from Oregon!  Those cruise options sound amazing!!!  We are planning on taking my in-laws on the cruise, I’m happy that we also booked the alcohol package for my husband and me 😂 Haha!  

Haha! Yes I had the beverage package too when my DIL's in-laws were coming too!

 

I'm wondering if NCL will refund money for packages purchased. I ordered 6 nites specialty dining and a water package as I just had an inside. Or maybe even roll that over to next cruise.

Edited March 7, 2020 by Petoonya

[cadmille]

Were on the Sun in May for a 20 day Panama Canal cruise, we did the Alaska cruise on the Sun a few years back and it was one of our best cruises,  our last few cruises have been on the bigger ships so it will be nice to go back to the smaller ships.