Norwegian Cruise Line's
Norwegian Sun, completed in 2001, is the second megaship for the company and representative of NCL's future. At 848 ft in length and measuring 78,309 gross tons, the ship can take 1,936 passengers smartly along at 23 knots. She is registered in the Bahamas, her captain is Norwegian and the 968 crew members are international.
The Norwegian Sun will be in South America for a full slate of cruises through 2009.
The decor is traditional with polished faux woods and bold but not bright colors, such as those found aboard the Norwegian Star. Public rooms, including dining venues, may be found on nearly the entire length of Decks 5, 6 and 7 and Decks 11 and 12. An eight-deck atrium rises through the ship and contains four glass-enclosed elevators. The reception, shore excursion and cruise consultants rim the round foyer. Beginning at the top, the Observation Lounge offers the best views, with a 180-degree sweep from cushioned rattan-style chairs. Here, tea is served in the afternoon, and cocktails with music and dancing follow in the evening.
On the Pool Deck 11 below, the Mandara Spa is open 24 hours a day for hairstyling, gymnastics and aerobics, and it offers exercise equipment including stationery bikes and elliptical machines. Two outdoor pools and four hot tubs are located just aft of the spa with additional deck space along a mezzanine and above the spa. Sports opportunities include basketball, volleyball, a batting cage and a golf driving net.
Stardust Lounge, a two-story show room on Decks 6 and 7, seats more than 1,000 people and hosts typical spirited Broadway-style entertainment. Additional light entertainment, music and dancing take place in Dazzles on Promenade Deck 6 with the red and blue Windjammer Bar offering piano music amidst sailing ship prints. For those who cannot be away from their favorite sports broadcasts, NCL is well known for its live and videotaped telecasts using multiple screens. Cigar aficionados enjoy the paneled Havana Cigar Bar for hand-rolled smokes and after-dinner cognacs in a plush green tufted leather setting.
The staffed Internet Cafe offers sea views from two dozen terminals at the usual, relatively high, cruise ship rates. Children have programs geared to four age groups with a Kids Korner suite of rooms for the younger ones and an adjoining club for teens that becomes a disco at night. Children also have their own pool and video arcade.
The ship represents an advancement over the Norwegian Sky, with larger cabins and more storage space, and more dining venues for the Freestyle Cruising options. The ship's nine restaurants offer evocative settings. Two main restaurants, Four Seasons and Seven Seas, together seat more than half the ship's complement with a broad range of dining hours and no dress code here or anywhere on the ship. Four additional dining venues—The Great Outdoor Cafe, Garden Cafe, Las Ramblas and Pacific Heights—are also included in the cruise fare. East meets West has a la carte pricing for California and Asian cuisine and passengers choose their own live lobster from the tank. Ginza is Japanese with an a la carte sushi bar and teppanyaki cooking, while for a flat $10, Le Bistro is France by the Mediterranean and Il Adagio is Italian. The last named has tables for two by the windows and raised curved banquette seating facing the windows.
Most, but not all, cabins are found on Decks 8, 9 and 10. Some 650 cabins, or 67%, have ocean views, and 432 offer private balconies. They measure an above-average 172 sq ft. The 30 mini-suites with balconies have 267 sq ft of space, and the Owner's Suites above the bridge are 502 sq ft and have their own hot tubs. Inside twin cabins make good use of space with ample seating areas and storage. Handicapped-accessible staterooms are unusually roomy at 249 sq ft. All cabins have TV, radio, phone, refrigerator and safe.
With so much choice in the way of dining, the Norwegian Sun offers a distinctive alternative for a Western Caribbean cruise with four ports and two full sea days.
