Spirit or Sun?

[firstcruiser]

Hi, this will be our first cruise and I'd love to hear pinions on the NCL Sun and Spirit. Which one would you recommend for a couple with no kids in their mid 30's? We're thinking of doing Western Caribbean in early December.

Thanks in advance!

[Ron Clark]

I've sailed on both ships, and like both very much. But there are differences between the ships, which might influence which you should sail.

The Sun has the better cabins, with small refrigerators and more shelf space. The Spirit has better public rooms and decor in general, its Asian decor is unique.

There are a few restaurant differences, with the Sun having the better Italian restaurant, Il Adiago, while the Spirit uses a part of the buffet for the La Trattoria. The Sun also has a Las Rambas Tapas Bar, while the Spirit has the Bier Garten, neither ship have both.

The ships also have different itineraries this winter.
Spirit's itinerary:
Sun New Orleans - 5:30 PM
Mon At Sea - -
Tue Costa Maya 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
Wed Santo Tomas De Castilla 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
Thu Belize City 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
Fri Cozumel 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Sat At Sea - -
Sun New Orleans 8:00 AM -

Sun's itinerary:
Sat Miami - 4:00 PM
Sun At Sea - -
Mon Roatan 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Tue Belize City 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Wed Cozumel 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Thu At Sea - -
Fri Great Stirrup Cay 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
Sat Miami 8:00 AM -

I would choose by itinerary, does either ship go to where you haven't been before. Unless you plan to use the refrigerator in the cabin as a wet bar, neither ship has much of an advantage over the other. The only other differences I can visualize effecting the choice, are food preferences and homeports.

Whichever one you choose, you'll have a great time. I would choose both if I could. With that in mind, choose the Sun this year, and the Spirit next year. The Sun will reposition to South America the following winter, which might make it too far away.

[firstcruiser]

Thank you so much Ron Clark! I asked because both itineraries sounded great to us.

We have made up our minds and we're booking the Sun!!

[Berick1234]

We've been on the Sun twice and both cruises were very nice.....The ship is 6 years old now and probably showing some wear and tear....but I would go on her again....Have a Great Cruise...

Bob E

[Hobbit1978]

This was a great question since my wife and I were also looking at the same two ships and couldn't make up our minds either!

[Ron Clark]

Originally posted by Hobbit1978:
This was a great question since my wife and I were also looking at the same two ships and couldn't make up our minds either!

Which ship did/will you choose?

As I wrote before, both are great ships.
I'm personally thinking about taking the Spirit in early December, although I haven't booked it yet.