Norwegian Sun changes after drydock

[samtig]

Has anyone heard yet what was changed when the Sun was drydocked other than the artwork added to the hull?

[Don Haynes]

Not yet. Hopefully someone who returned today will post later. We are all wondering.

[samtig]

Thought maybe someone would report from the ship but didn't happen, lol. We're going on the Sun again in 2 weeks and can't wait. She's our favorite so far!

[Cajun Princess]

I was also hoping someone would post what else happened in drydock.

We leave on the Sun in the morning. :D

This will be our 1st cruise with NCL

[samtig]

The Sun has a lot of loyal followers. Great ship and crew. We really enjoy free-style. East Meets West (now Cagney's I assume) has one of the best steaks we've had. We think the food in the dining rooms is very good. Can't wait to go on 2/11. Have a great trip!

[tjosh7]

We too are anxiously awaiting reports from the Sun's first voyage after dry-dock - a 5 day cruise arriving back in New Orleans tomorrow (Sunday.)

 

I was thinking we'd be getting live reports as many CC'ers were on the ship but I guess not.

 

Most likely lots of cosmetic changes - new carpets, painting, etc. Rumor had it East Meets West would become Cagney's Steakhouse...

 

We'll see!!!

[Tarheelbelle]

Okay, samtig and Cajun Princess, I guess we will all be awaiting your reports!

[map70065]

Not yet. Hopefully someone who returned today will post later. We are all wondering.

Sun doesn't get back until tomorrow. I, too, hoped someone would report from the ship, but the must just be having fun or something. Leaving on the Sun tomorrow, so will report when we get back.

[samtig]

Have a great cruise!!

[Globaliser]

Sun doesn't get back until tomorrow.

And she's back: 0842 this morning (Sunday 28 Jan), so about two hours late (if timings hadn't already been revised from those on the NCL website and cruisecal.com). Let's see what people have to say when they get home!

 

[gjohnson75]

Hi to all,

 

I am sitting in my stateroom on the Sun waiting to disembark (Verizon Wireless Internet is the best). Anyways, the 5 day voyage was great. Since I have never been on the Sun before I am not sure what they changed, but the ship definately looks good and is in great shape.

 

 

The only real problem we had was our shower was gurgling sewage, but it was fixed rather quickly.

 

East meets West was still East meets West. The food and crew were fantastic.

[SparCat]

I sailed on the sun in 2002.

 

Last week I was on the Pearl, wearing my Sun shirt to the pool and gym. Many staff members approached me to tell me that the Sun is their favorite NCL ship.

 

What I can't figure out is whether it is the ship itself or the management of the crew that makes it everyone's favorite.

 

I have to agree with them, it's my favorite too!:)

[shoreguy]

I sailed on the sun in 2002.

 

Last week I was on the Pearl, wearing my Sun shirt to the pool and gym. Many staff members approached me to tell me that the Sun is their favorite NCL ship.

 

What I can't figure out is whether it is the ship itself or the management of the crew that makes it everyone's favorite.

 

I have to agree with them, it's my favorite too!:)

 

Not sure why either but last time I was on the Sun when I asked one of the crew if they wanted to work on the Dawn. The answer absolutely no "too many rules" - so my guess it is the management

[Globaliser]

East meets West was still East meets West. The food and crew were fantastic.

Hmm - that's interesting! And that was the only internal change that we were confidently expecting!

 

Thanks for the news, though.

[jerhardt]

When we were on the Sun in Sept, we asked our butler (Harry) which ship he preferred, and he said the Star because as a butler, there's not enough to do on the Sun! Anyway, most of the others we asked all preferred the Sun as well (I know I did). The atmosphere comes through on the crew - they like to be there.

[jmcdon7230]

Just back from the Sun about an hour ago.

 

We had a great time despite mediocre clousy weather and some choppy seas.

 

We thought that the food on this cruise in the main dining rooms (where we ate all our meals) was the best ever of all our nine cruises. We even went so far as to cancel a LeBistro reservation for Friday night, after deciding it wasn't worth the extra money and noticing something on the posted Seven Seas menu that sounded interesting.

 

The service in the main dining rooms was prompt, friendly and efficient for each and every meal. We ate both lunch and dinner every day in either one. On previous NCL cruises we thought the dining room service was indifferent and slow. Not so on this cruise.

 

Other than the hull art, the only changes that were apparent was the carpeting which was changed in many areas, especially on most stairs and some stairway landings.

 

One negative was that the casino hallway bypass had been eliminated since our last Sun cruise in May of 04. Being non-smokers we had appreciated this, but now you have to work your way through the casino haze in order to get to the aft area.

 

Speaking of the aft area.....does the Sun have the most convoluted aft area since Mae West or what? Even late in the week, after having cruised on this ship once before, I found myself trapped in the dreaded area where you can't get to the Seven Seas dining room and the Four Seasons seems to have disappeared!

 

I'm not going to write a full review, but I will happily answer any and all questions.

[RooksWS6]

Just a couple questions from me:

 

1) Was there an actual formal night?

 

2) Was the "no jeans" sign gone from the entrances to the dining rooms?

 

I know there has been a lot of discussion about this and it seems to vary from ship to ship, so I need some Sun-specific info. Thanks!

 

Oh, and....GO COLTS!!

[jmcdon7230]

Just a couple questions from me:

 

1) Was there an actual formal night?

 

2) Was the "no jeans" sign gone from the entrances to the dining rooms?

 

I know there has been a lot of discussion about this and it seems to vary from ship to ship, so I need some Sun-specific info. Thanks!

 

Oh, and....GO COLTS!!

 

There was no formal night.

 

Jeans were not mentioned on the signs to the entrances to the dining rooms. Wear them to your heart's delight.

[cruizinwithkids]

Hey jmcdon-

 

Any update on your friend with the down graded room. Was he really only given a $100 OBC?

[LESDAIGLE]

I live in New Orleans and will be on the Sun in a few weeks. We went to the levee across the river from the dock today and checked out the new hull art. See looks great and I can't wait to see up close for myself. Glad to hear about the relaxed jean rule. Not so much for myself, but I have two boys 16 & 19 who weren't looking forward to dressing up EVERY night, they would rather wear nice jeans some of the time....

[jmcdon7230]

Hey jmcdon-

 

Any update on your friend with the down graded room. Was he really only given a $100 OBC?

 

That's right, just $100 OBC. I'm going to resurrect that thread (reluctantly) and add some more info from him that he gave me on board last night.

[eyzwdeshut]

have you joined the roll call yet????

[samtig]

have you joined the roll call yet????

 

Yep, I'm on the first page - haven't posted there lately. We're going with DS and DIL (lhoney2) and another couple. Can't wait. Will be our 2nd Sun cruise and it's a great ship!

[4406]

I need to know the best way to get reservations for East Meets West on Valantines Day. I know you have to make reservations early in the Atrium as soon as you get on board, but is there a sure fire way to at least get me in that night.

[jaguar71165]

I too am a first time cruiser but from reading the posts here I have to say that everything that I have read is absolutley true. :D The Hull artwork is gorgeous. There are certain areas where you can see where they have laid down new carpeting like in the atrium area around the reception desk, in front of the aft elevators. Concerning the formal nights. They did not require you to have the mandatory formal night that everyone dreads. We had the suits and dresses just in case but we were not required to have a "formal night". The Steakhouse is STILL called " East meets West".

 

The crew was just absolutely fantastic. Always smiling and helpful. Also as far as the jeans issue. There WERE signs in front of all of the specialty restaurants and the Four Seasons and the Seven Seas the specified that "Jeans, shorts, Tank tops, and cutoffs were not allowed for the dining rooms after 5:30p.m."

 

Even though most of your documents will say for you to goto the Julia St terminal you will actually go out of the New Erato St Terminal. If you are driving follow all directions that say "MS River Bridge"(aka Crescent City Connection). Get off at the Tchoupitoulas St exit and follow to the end where you will make a right onto Tchoupitoulas. Go approx. 1 1/2 blks to Henderson Ave and turn Left. If you follow the Cruise Terminal signs it will take you behind the Conv. Ctr. stay in the Right lane as you approach the new Terminal. :p

 

This new terminal is so well laid out. It is obvious that when designed they included the cruise lines, U.S. Customs, and the NOPD. It took less than 1 1/2 hrs from the time we dropped our luggage off with the porters to the time we were on board ordering a Bloody Mary. :D When we returned it was less then an 1hr to get off the ship, get our luggage AND get through Customs. :( Which meant our cruise was over.

 

Most of the passengers on this Cruise were from LaFayette, La on a Radio station Cruise. They sure knew how to party. We sailed on Sun Night and by Weds. afternoon the ship was out of Bud Light and by Friday they were out of Coors Light. :eek:

 

If I can answer any other questions I will do my best. NCL has lived up to any expectations that I had and more. I was very pleased and already look forward to my next cruise.