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Lesley Green

Age: 43
Occupation: Customer Services Manager
Number of Cruises: 1
Cruise Line: NCL
Ship: Norwegian Sun
Sailing Date: October 6th, 2004
Itinerary: Western Caribbean

After reading so many ‘negative’ comments about the ‘NCL Sun’ on this and other web sites, to be honest I really was expecting the worst….Inedible food, uncomfortable beds, cold water, unfriendly staff, smoke fumes everywhere……So I decided to keep a record and hopefully give an accurate [and British] report of our trip on the ‘Sun’ on the Western Caribbean cruise from Nov 6th – 13th 2004.

Hopefully this review will help set the picture straight…


Friday – flew to MIA on a packed BA 747. Booked the Townhouse Hotel at 20th and Collins via Travelocity – just $99 a night for this cool hip trendy hotel in SoBe. Just fantastic: especially the waterbed loungers in the roof top bar. Will probably never know what the beachball on the bed was for though….

Saturday – took a stroll down to 6th and back to soak in the SoBe atmosphere before catching a cab to the Port. Arrived around 1pm, got in the Latitudes queue [we had a Latitudes number on our booking form so we thought ‘what the heck…’]. If you submit your credit card when checking in, all your expenses will be automatically charged to this card at the end of the week, so you avoid being embarrassed on the last day by having your name called over the PA to settle your account!

We were on board within 30 minutes joining 2202 other passengers and 948 staff.

Our Cabin – BB/9216 with balcony. The cabin was much larger than we expected. Twin beds pushed together which were very comfortable, loads of hanging space and storage space [13 coat hangers in the wardrobe – we had bought 10 more and used all of them – shows I packed too many clothes!]. There was a sofa in the cabin and two chairs and a table on the balcony so tons of seating. The TV showed ESPN and CNN and reruns of ‘I Love Lucy’ so we never watched it. There are also two movie channels showing continuous movies. There was a fridge and the ice bucket was always full. Our steward Florescu greeted us by name each time we saw him, which I thought, was quite impressive.
Our luggage was delivered by 2:45.

The Bathroom – OK – it is compact but I found that it had enough storage space for us. The shower cubicle was large enough [for 2…], the water pressure strong and there was always tons of hot water. The hairdryer is also powerful.

We bought one soda card for $28.50. For this you got a sticker on your room card and an insluated tin cup. I never did figure if you always had to present both the card and the tin cup to get your drink – it depends who was serving. Anyway, we did not get ignored at any bar just because we wanted a ‘free’ drink.

Unfortunately the sail away party was a wash out. Don’t be lured – like we were – into having a sail away cocktail. They are not free!

After a bottle of champagne in the Champagne Bar [this was to be a nightly habit..] we ate in the Seven Seas Restaurant. I agree that this is slightly odd to find – it is on 5th but you have to approach it down the stairs from the 6th. Waited for all of 3 seconds to get seated at a window table for 2.

At no time did we wait for more than 30 seconds to get seated at any restaurant – another myth shot down… We usually ate around 8pm. We always got a table for two and most times we got one next to the window.

I ate Prawn Cocktail followed by Turkey and he had French Onion Soup and Shrimp Estouffe. A bottle of Fetzer Sauvignon Blanc went with it [$22]

Tip: at dinner you are offered a choice of two bottled waters. Ask for the ships water instead as this is free and they keep your glass constantly topped up

Tip: Keep your wine receipts – once you have drunk 5 you get the 6th bottle free.

Sunday – Day at sea.
Breakfast at the Great Outdoor Café/Garden Café. It was time for the scrambled eggs… They are NOT runny; in fact, they are rather good! The Eggs Benedict are fantastic though. These are available every day in the more formal Seven Seas [except embarkation day]

There were always enough sun loungers and enough towels. The noise from the pool was too loud though and drove us up to 13th at the front where it was quieter. Only went into the pool once, as it was always so crowded.

Colombian Emeralds Inc were having a ‘special’ that day – everything was either 10% or 20% off. That turned out to be an expensive day for us!

Whenever we were on board at lunch we always ate in the Great Outdoor Café/Garden Café. Hidden gem is the curry man…yummy! And the cookies…

That night was the Captain’s Champagne party. The champagne just kept on flowing from 7 to 8, with great canapés. Nice to see so many people making an effort and dressing up for the occasion.

We ate in Il Adagio. You can book the speciality restaurants a day in advance. The speciality menus are on display on the 5th Atrium. They do not change during the week. Il Adagio was simply fantastic. Again the entrance is slightly odd – it is on the 5th but you get to it via a little staircase between Dazzles and Windjammer on 6th. We stuck with the house champagne at $22 and I had mozzarella and tomato on blinis and chicken and he had mushroom ravioli followed by shrimp with 40 cloves of garlic. It is a slight exaggeration about there being 40 cloves! Dinner is followed with complimentary Limoncello.

Entertainment that night was from Lee Ann Ryan Show - “Oh Mr Producer”. Proficient but not our sort of thing.

Monday – Grand Cayman. This trip held a special meaning for me as I used to live in Cayman as a child and this was my first return journey. The islanders must have gone through hell during that hurricane – roofs ripped off, trees uprooted. We hired a cab driver [Frank Ebanks] to drive us round to try and find my old house. We ended up at the Beach Club – which charged us $8 each to get in. This is where I spent my childhood days but unfortunately it was where the ship took their tours so we were not alone on the wonderful sandy beach.

Tip: the cab fare from the port to the Beach Club is $3 each way. I think the ship tour was nearer $30

We managed to loose one of our room keys so were worried about getting back on the boat but it seems this is a common occurrence and we got one made up immediately

Tip: take a photocopy of your passport or have your driving licence so you have ID on you at all times

That night we did not feel like a heavy dinner so we ate in Las Ramblas. Bottle of Hogue Fume Blanc $24. Nice place with music, but on reflection not the place for a dinner as there is not a big enough tapas selection.

Tuesday – Roatan – we docked for disembarkation but it was a tender back as the NCL Sea was also in. Via these sites we had learnt of Victor Bodden who did taxi tours - victorbodden@yahoo.com - We exchanged a few emails but he was already booked for that day but said he would arrange for someone else. Sure enough when we disembarked there was Victor with a sign with our names on! He introduced us to Theris – “the only lady cab driver on the island”. She was fantastic. I would highly recommend her – therisdixon@yahoo.com. She drove us round this beautiful island, and took us to a local restaurant for lunch – chicken stew and home made lemonade for $5!!! She then took us to the Half Moon Beach Club Cabins where we could snorkel and just relax. Unfortunately the sea was choppy so not much to be seen. We paid $50 for the day.

We dined again in the Seven Seas – it was the President’s Dinner that night. Gruyere cheese followed by cold curry soup and rack of lamb for him and avocado prawn and beef tenderloin for me. Bottle of Oregon King’s Estate Pinot Gris which became our favourite wine at $28.

By now we had decided that the Seven Seas was very good and didn’t bother trying any other specialities [apart from Il Adagio again]. Le Bistro cost $15 and we were told that service in there was very slow, I don’t eat sushi so Ginza/East meets West was of no interest to me, and Pacific Heights looked a lot like the Garden Café and nothing special for dinner.

The show that night was ‘Cirque Pan’ – again very odd! I was beginning to think that once you have seen the chubby Russian man lift up a slip of a girl with one hand once…it was not necessary to see it multiple times!

Wednesday – Belize – a long tender in and we were late disembarking. This was the only trip we booked via NCL – ‘New River Safari and Lamani’ for $89. Our guides were Bel and Mrs Robinson. They were excellent – an hour coach trip to a river and then a river trip in a highspeed boat to get to the ruins. However because there was so much to be seen on the river with the birdlife [and crocodiles] we took our time in reaching the ruins. Not a mosquito was seen or felt…. We got lunch at the ruins and then had about 45 mins there.

Tip: don’t bother paying $3.25 for the ships water they offer before this tour – we had plenty of water on the coach and the boat that were free.

Again we ate in Seven Seas for the Italian dinner. Our Verdiccio at $22 qualified as our 6th bottle so this one was free! Calamari and veal chop for him, and Caprese and Chicken Parmigana for me.

That night at 11:30 was the All Male Review followed by the Chocolate Buffet at midnight. I fell asleep and missed it….. Darn it. !!!!

Thursday – Cozumel. There were 7 ships in so it was packed. As we looked out and saw the golden arches of McDonalds we were prepared not to like this place! Caught a cab for $10 to Chankanaab Park where entry was $12.50. Pleasantly surprised - this was the best snorkelling we have ever seen – the fish were so close!

We had lunch at Pancho’s Backyard – a great place with a true flavour of Mexico amongst all the Colombian Emerald shops – this restaurant is highly recommended. And then we ended up at Carlos’nCharlies….it all gets a bit hazy after that. Those frozen margaritas sure were good and what a great atmosphere. Just get up and dance on those tables – but don’t miss the boat! Helpfully Carlos ‘n Charlies is right opposite the pier so not far to walk. Amusing watching those who had consumed more margaritas than me try to make it back!

Again we went to the Seven Seas for the Farewell dinner. More Oregon Pinot Gris accompanied my lobster terrine and a great pork stir fry, he had oysters and duck. Save room for the Banana’s Foster though which was the only desert we had all week but it was very good.

3rd Lee Ann Ryan show was “Que Noche”. Marginally the best one but still very similar to the others…and he was still lifting up the girl with one hand!

Friday – final day at sea. Everything is for sale in the shops so save your souvenir shopping till then.

Spent the day sunbathing up on 13th away from the noise of the pool.

For our final dinner we went back to Il Adagio. We managed to have the Verdiccio as our next 6th free bottle to accompany yet another delicious meal. Tonight I had the tomato and mozzarella on blini [again], and beef medallions, and he had tomato consommé followed by lamb shank which he said was excellent.

The comedian, Jeff Harms was on that night – thought he was very funny.

We also had a final drink in the Observation Lounge. “Twice as Nice” are the group there – very good. Not much of a dance floor though.

Saturday – time to leave! Don’t even think of having a lie in that day as the PA announcements come thick and fast from 7am onwards. We chose to do the express embarkation, which means we could leave at any time but had to carry our own luggage.

Tip: We caught a cab to the airport for $25 – I think that NCL charge $29pp for the transfer.

If we had any negative comments to make it would be that:

· The PA announcements were intrusive and slightly down market! I do not want to be told that a bingo session was about to begin whilst I am having my dinner! British readers think “Hi-di-Hi….”
· The noise by the pool was far too loud

· I did not like the kid’s club being paraded through the champagne bar – this is a place for drinking not for chanting children

· The casino was far too visible – it is on 7th and you had to walk through it to get to the Stardust Lounge and the shops. It was also right off the Champagne bar.

· There was not so much as a free post card in your cabin

So in summary, we thought the ship was excellent. It was always spotless, food was very good, and we did not find any examples of those things that other people have complained about [food/staff/queues etc]. It certainly wasn’t smoky – apart from in the cigar area and you would expect that!

All the staff were incredibly friendly, but a special mention goes to Roger in Il Adagio, Abel in Seven Seas and the charming Olga in the Champagne Bar.


Our final bill was $738 [excluding the CEI purchase..!]. Considering this included the compulsory $10 pp per day tip, a trip and our wine and champagne it was cheaper than we were expecting to pay.

We loved the Freestyle way of cruising and dining and the fact that we did not have to think about tipping – although we did add extra tips in restaurants where we felt that service had been good. In summary, we would definitely cruise with NCL again!
 

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