Just got back from Norwegian Sun

[nattrb]

My boyfriend and I just got back from the Norwegian Sun's New Year cruise departing New Orleans. I have a couple of comments and suggestions to add to the very helpful posts I spent several hours reading before departing.

 

Things we loved: :D

Feestyle dining.

The Seven Seas and 4 Seasons free sit-down restaurants. The food and service were wonderful and the Seven Seas, especially, had a really beautiful atmosphere. We never had to wait longer than 5 minutes for a table, even at the most busiest times.

The view from our balcony room (totally worth the upgrade!)

The casino. We love to play blackjack and there were usually seats at the 5 dollar table. (The poker was very overpriced, with a very high rake though.)

The Martini Bar (I think it was called Tradewinds?). They had a martini tasting event the first day at sea - 5 small martinis for 15 dollars - definitely the best alcohol value on the ship.

Shore excursions: We took the Nacho/Cynthia zip-line, cave-tubing tour in Belize. It was our best excursion experience. I highly recommend them! Also, we just took a $3 taxi to Mahahual beach in Costa Maya. It was a great, relaxing afternoon with lots of cheap bars and shopping. The beach was beautiful!

 

Things we liked: :o

The entertainment on board wasn't great, but we really enjoyed the resident comedian. The rest of the time, we were more entertained in the Sports Bar or casino.

The drinks were a little expensive on board, especially since they were charging for sodas and water, but they did have a deal for a bucket of beer that seemed a little more reasonable. The great thing was getting off the boat in port and getting $1 beers! The bottles of wine were average for a nice restaurant, and they had a buy 6 bottles, get a 7th free deal.

The only surcharge restaurant we tried was the french - I had a great canard a l'orange flambeed tableside. The other courses were good too.

Shore excursions: We did the "Go with Gus" Livingston tour that everyone online recommended. Since Guatamala doesn't have that many excursion offerings, I think we fared pretty well. The peaceful boat tour down the Rio Dulce and meeting the Guatamalan school children were the highlights. The lunch was good, especially if you get the catch of the day. Otherwise, it was ok. The worst part of the trip was the extremely rocky and bumpy boat ride to and from Livingston. It was the worst 40 minutes (each way) I have ever spent on a boat (and I'm in the Navy!) If you go during the winter season, expect a very jarring ride and at the least, sit in the back of the boat where it won't bounce off the waves as hard!

In Cozumel, we went snorkling with Eagle Ray Divers. Our guide, Said, was very nice, but the boat was older than we expected and since we only had time for 2 reefs, lunch was not included (they did give us fruit and free beers though!) There were only 4 of us that were snorkling, so we got a lot of personal attention. They also offer scuba diving.

 

Things we did not like: :(

Not being allowed to bring any beverages aboard. We had read that we could bring water, so we bought a case and attached a room tag to it. It never made it to the room, so I asked the front desk and they said it was confiscated since they sell it on board. I went to pick it up at the end of the week with the other liquor they were holding, and they didn't have it - they also said they never confiscate water. Hmmm...Your best bet is just to ask for tap water from the bars. It's free, ($5 cheaper than the bottled water,) tastes good, and I never had a problem from it.

The hot tubs and pools were pretty much over-run with kids at all times. Some of the parents complained that there wasn't enough for them to do on our days at sea.

I think we had a near collision with another ship on our last night. It was really foggy and suddenly a huge cruise ship flew by our window, probably at a distance of 20 feet! Both ship's horns were blaring! It was very scary, but I think most people slept through it. Don't they have radar?

 

That's about it - overall we had an excellent experience and would recommend it. This was our first cruise, and we would sail them again. The itinerary is the big selling point! Central America is amazing!

[Retired not Expired]

That was most likely a Royal Caribbean ship as they change in NO on Saturday, leaving Saturday evening. You would meet in the river so you would pass by very close. Both have main radar and have a radar they use just for the river or in places where there would be tight quarters.

 

Thanks for the review. We did this ship a month ago and had a blast.

[paulette45]

Would you do the Gus tour again if you were going early Feb? or just tour the area? Thanks for your review.

[cruisinmama0]

I've been on several cruises where there are two ships traveling back upriver to New Orleans. One night we passed another cruise ship so closely that you could see the other passengers eating in the dining room, wave at them and they were waving back. It was actually exciting and not scary.

[lynnemac]

What did you think of the cave tubing in Belize? My DW and I are doing it in February and was wondering how cool the water is and how much fun.

 

Thanks for doing your review in a powerpoint kind of way. Easier to follow than the long drawn out ones.

 

Mac:)

[2martini]

the zip line cave tubing was fun; there was a long rough bus ride but I enjoyed seeing the countryside. The place was a little primitive for changing clothes, etc. but so what. Lunch was great and the zip line people seemed very intent on safety. Go for it.

[alliem]

nattrb - glad you had a good time! We are sailing in March. I was wondering on the Martini Tasting - on the first day - what time was that? Thanks!

[guinnessirish]

Enjoyed your review. Is it possible that the pool area was over run with children because of the holiday? I'm hoping to avoid that, we leave the 23rd on the sun. Hope the drydock goes well......

[nattrb]

I think any private tour where you can see the Rio Dulce would be wonderful. Unfortunately, any tour to Livingston or the Rio does require the same boat ride. I'm not sure if the waters are as choppy in February. I might have liked to see the waterfall too, but everyone that went on that said it was really crowded. If you do the Gus tour - try to get on his boat - I think he is very knowledgeable about the area. Don't forget to sit in the back! :)

 

Would you do the Gus tour again if you were going early Feb? or just tour the area? Thanks for your review.

[nattrb]

The martini tasting was around 5pm on the first full day at sea (second day). It was only for an hour or so. The ship's newsletter had it listed.

 

 

nattrb - glad you had a good time! We are sailing in March. I was wondering on the Martini Tasting - on the first day - what time was that? Thanks!

[nattrb]

Cave tubing was great! The water was cold at first, but you get used to it. It was one of the highlights of our trip! It's very scenic and peaceful with the occasional easy "rapids". I would suggest going with Nacho and Cynthia. It's a small group and they provide a nice lunch at the Jaguar Paw resort. They also let us float through 2 caves instead of 1. We managed to arrive ahead of the cruise groups, so we avoided all of the lines.

 

 

What did you think of the cave tubing in Belize? My DW and I are doing it in February and was wondering how cool the water is and how much fun.

 

Thanks for doing your review in a powerpoint kind of way. Easier to follow than the long drawn out ones.

 

Mac:)

[nattrb]

Yes, that's possible. There are only 2 small pools and 4 small hot tubs right in the middle of them. There is a kiddie pool, but most of them were in the main area.

 

Enjoyed your review. Is it possible that the pool area was over run with children because of the holiday? I'm hoping to avoid that, we leave the 23rd on the sun. Hope the drydock goes well......

[newmexicoNita]

My boyfriend and I just got back from the Norwegian Sun's New Year cruise departing New Orleans. I have a couple of comments and suggestions to add to the very helpful posts I spent several hours reading before departing.

 

Things we loved: :D

Feestyle dining.

The Seven Seas and 4 Seasons free sit-down restaurants. The food and service were wonderful and the Seven Seas, especially, had a really beautiful atmosphere. We never had to wait longer than 5 minutes for a table, even at the most busiest times.

The view from our balcony room (totally worth the upgrade!)

The casino. We love to play blackjack and there were usually seats at the 5 dollar table. (The poker was very overpriced, with a very high rake though.)

The Martini Bar (I think it was called Tradewinds?). They had a martini tasting event the first day at sea - 5 small martinis for 15 dollars - definitely the best alcohol value on the ship.

Shore excursions: We took the Nacho/Cynthia zip-line, cave-tubing tour in Belize. It was our best excursion experience. I highly recommend them! Also, we just took a $3 taxi to Mahahual beach in Costa Maya. It was a great, relaxing afternoon with lots of cheap bars and shopping. The beach was beautiful!

 

Things we liked: :o

The entertainment on board wasn't great, but we really enjoyed the resident comedian. The rest of the time, we were more entertained in the Sports Bar or casino.

The drinks were a little expensive on board, especially since they were charging for sodas and water, but they did have a deal for a bucket of beer that seemed a little more reasonable. The great thing was getting off the boat in port and getting $1 beers! The bottles of wine were average for a nice restaurant, and they had a buy 6 bottles, get a 7th free deal.

The only surcharge restaurant we tried was the french - I had a great canard a l'orange flambeed tableside. The other courses were good too.

Shore excursions: We did the "Go with Gus" Livingston tour that everyone online recommended. Since Guatamala doesn't have that many excursion offerings, I think we fared pretty well. The peaceful boat tour down the Rio Dulce and meeting the Guatamalan school children were the highlights. The lunch was good, especially if you get the catch of the day. Otherwise, it was ok. The worst part of the trip was the extremely rocky and bumpy boat ride to and from Livingston. It was the worst 40 minutes (each way) I have ever spent on a boat (and I'm in the Navy!) If you go during the winter season, expect a very jarring ride and at the least, sit in the back of the boat where it won't bounce off the waves as hard!

In Cozumel, we went snorkling with Eagle Ray Divers. Our guide, Said, was very nice, but the boat was older than we expected and since we only had time for 2 reefs, lunch was not included (they did give us fruit and free beers though!) There were only 4 of us that were snorkling, so we got a lot of personal attention. They also offer scuba diving.

 

Things we did not like: :(

Not being allowed to bring any beverages aboard. We had read that we could bring water, so we bought a case and attached a room tag to it. It never made it to the room, so I asked the front desk and they said it was confiscated since they sell it on board. I went to pick it up at the end of the week with the other liquor they were holding, and they didn't have it - they also said they never confiscate water. Hmmm...Your best bet is just to ask for tap water from the bars. It's free, ($5 cheaper than the bottled water,) tastes good, and I never had a problem from it.

The hot tubs and pools were pretty much over-run with kids at all times. Some of the parents complained that there wasn't enough for them to do on our days at sea.

I think we had a near collision with another ship on our last night. It was really foggy and suddenly a huge cruise ship flew by our window, probably at a distance of 20 feet! Both ship's horns were blaring! It was very scary, but I think most people slept through it. Don't they have radar?

 

That's about it - overall we had an excellent experience and would recommend it. This was our first cruise, and we would sail them again. The itinerary is the big selling point! Central America is amazing!

Glad you had a great cruise: there is nothing like cruising and what a way to welcome in the new year. I can't imagine what happened with the water: yes, you can bring all you want on board; It sounds like someone roayly ripped you off: I would be livid!!! as for the kids, well that goes with cruising during school breaks and applies to all lines. It is too bad parents do not keep a better eye on their youngsters. Hot tubs are for adults. If the kids want to use them at times when they are not being occupied or when with parents that is different. parents who complained about not enough to do with kids on sea days should look into the kinds camp. Actually we cruised with our granddaughters when they were 10 and 13 (the first time) they stayed busy just hanging out around the pool, spending a little time with kids thier age, going to the shows at night and playing Ping Pong, shooting baskets, etc. There are plenty of things for them to do. NMNita

[TDSeest]

What did you think of the cave tubing in Belize? My DW and I are doing it in February and was wondering how cool the water is and how much fun.

 

Thanks for doing your review in a powerpoint kind of way. Easier to follow than the long drawn out ones.

 

Mac:)

 

Avoid tubing if the weather is bad in Belize. They are reluctant to shut down the tour, and a friend of mine and his daughter almost drowned on this tour in December. They shut down cave tubing right after the incident, but from his description, they should have shut it down before hand. He had expressed concerns about the high water with the staff their, but they assured him it was safe. He and his daughter were banged up pretty good.

 

But, if you still want to do it, pack scuba gear if the weather is bad.

 

Tom

[firefly333]

Thanks for the review. I went to Belize recently, but was chicken on the cave tubing, my sister is not a strong swimmer. I am guessing you need to know how to swim to do this? She isnt strong enough for the zip lines either.

 

We are now deciding between the NCL Sun or the Dream, the Dream is more convient for us since we live in Texas, but I hear the Sun is worth the extra drive.

 

So, Im still reading everything I can get my hands on here.

[nattrb]

Thanks for the review. I went to Belize recently, but was chicken on the cave tubing, my sister is not a strong swimmer. I am guessing you need to know how to swim to do this? She isnt strong enough for the zip lines either.

 

We are now deciding between the NCL Sun or the Dream, the Dream is more convient for us since we live in Texas, but I hear the Sun is worth the extra drive.

 

So, Im still reading everything I can get my hands on here.

 

The cave tubing we didw as very mild - actually 2 people in our group did not swim and one couple was in their 70s. We all were required to wear life vests, and the tiny bit of rapids was actually quite "cute." You link to each other's tubes with your feet and float down in groups of 7. It was very safe and the water was still pretty high from the rains. It goes without saying that the experience could be very different if you don't have a good guide. Nacho/Cynthia are very good guides.