Norwegian Sun

18 Apr 2017

We were on a cruise to South America starting on the 9th. March, 17, visiting Chile, Falkland Islands and Argentina. Before the cruise, we stayed 3 nights in Santiago, in Santa Lucia District. Its in a Local residential area, full of hotels, bars and restaurants. Its very near the main shopping malls and the place where we stayed in, was quiet at night. We had booked TUR BUS on line before departure from UK and on the day of sailing we took a taxi from Santiago to Valparaiso for the bus to the port. The bus stops well away from the ship port and you have to take a taxi to the port. It costs us$12 in total and worth it.While waiting to check in at the port for ship embarkation, there was no announcement that the ship could not come to the port because the berth was taken up by a cargo ship. After waiting for over three hours, we finally boarded the ship. We have been sailing with NCL over a number of years and have visited almost all the ports of call in USA, Canada and Europe. We have been on this ship before but the facilities have been run down to cut cost. The quality of food did not vary from day to day, the entertainment on the ship was worst than before, there was no parties on the pool deck when on sea or Barbecues as before. Although the staff in general were quite helpful and courteous but watch out for the security check when disemarking at ports. Securitykept on telling the customers to put their DINEROS(loose change) in the small tray she was handing out. When customers put their money in the tray, she said its all right, don't worry about it and she had problems with customers who found it hard to understand why is she saying one thing and then saying don't worry about it. I wanted to go out to the port and handed in my card. She swiped the card and as I was about to go she said wait and after couple of minutes, said you can go. When I asked her for my card, she said that the tender is coming and I have to wait. You can see the problem she has caused and its the customer who is blamed for everything and not the staff. Otherwise the cruise was fantastic and the weather was excellent going round the Cape Horn and very sunny and virtually no wind in Port Stanley. The NCL Sun is more likely to be replaced by NEW ship BLISS but its time for NCL to look at the behavior of their staff towards their customers.We definitely would not sail on NCL Sun again because of poor management, lack of entertainment, which is the worst I have seen on any of the NCL line, the cruise director laughs at his own jokes and does not think outside the box. Its time for NCL to either train their staff to be customer friendly or fire them, get another cruise director and entertainment staff and variety of performers and not the same old performers on the ship coming two or three times doing the same things.

20 Jan 2015

BA flight to Tampa 4/10 Tampa Hotel 7/10 This was our first 'normal' cruise previously done Star Clipper x 2. The advice and suggestion from Saam was spot on, the ship was the right size for us, we saw the Epic in port and that really is too big! The experience was very enjoyable and I have no major complaints. The ship is 14 years old and showing a bit of 'wear and tear'. The main buffet area is OK but like a motor service area, however the food was good and lots of choice, the 'free style' dining definitely worked for us. The speciality restuarants were very good, we tried French, Brazilian and Tepanyaki. The two main restuarants Seven Seas and Four Seasons were generally good, service was great, food was average. Our cabin was great and service A1. The onboard facilities were good, we always got a sun bed and pleanty of room on the decks. The spa was pricey and not good value, sales pitch is quite heavy and it is easy to be 'confused' with the costs. The shows ,jersey Boys & We will Rock You' were amazing, as good as West End shows. The bar service was hit and miss, often slow and not as customer service focused as other services, maybe because they are not on the tip rota? The wifi was very expensive.

20 Aug 2010

We are frequent cruisers and have travelled with a variety of companies including NCL on Pearl. The Norwegian Pearl departed from Dover and embarkation and disembarkation was the most efficient we have encountered. It was efficient and speedy and our cases arrived in the cabin quite early enabling us to change for dinner. The Staff were friendly and helpful and our cabin was a good size and well equipped. The ship was rather tired in decor and limited in facilities. We struggled to find things to do in the day as we are not avid bingo fans. Three shows were performed and these were very good as well as some independent entertainers, but there just wasn't enough and after 10pm again we were bored. Tours were fairly expensive, but the ones we went on in Russia were of a good standard with excellent guides. The daily newspaper gave no information to cater for the independent traveller and just wanted every passenger to take their tours. There were no shuttle buses laid on and no suggestions as to how to travel on your own in cities. As it was there were always plenty of means of travel Food on board was just average, but we did pay a $50 dollar cover charge for a good meal in a separate restaurant. All drinks have 17% added and a daily tip per person is added to your account. I do not feel we would use this ship again.

03 Jul 2010

Dear all This was our first cruise - we had no expectations and we were not really disappointed. Seasoned cruisers will tell you that the ship was not the best, in fact not good at all compared to other lines and ships. The price we paid, the value was very good. Please be aware that the ship deals in dollars, if the rate for sterling is low everything is v expensive! If you get a good deal - go on the trip - if you are looking for a cruise with all the trimmings - don't bother.

06 Nov 2007

The ship was very clean and the staff overall very good. Some would even help you with opening the heavy doors. Our cabin staff were excellent. Clean towels twice a day and nothing was too much trouble. There were two resident groups singing during our 3 week cruise through the Panama Canal, needless to say they repeated songs on a daily basis and never upped the beat. The food was great, only one comment and that was in the Pacific Heights Restaurant the menu stayed the same for 3 weeks. Not sure why.