mrsdarwin

This will be our family's first cruise adventure. I went on a cruise as a teenager some 20 years ago. Having said this, i don't have huge, over the top expecatations, just looking forward to a new experience. We are a family of five, with 11, 9, 7 year old kids. Last overseas adventure was to Costa Rica.
I am interested in anybody's past experiences. I realize it is one of NCL's older vessels. We will have two connecting rooms with windows. The deal was too good to pass up. Fodorites have such valuable opinions... thanks for sharing.
--does the Sun have the bowling alley?
--has anybody had experience with the kids' corner.
--are there a lot of activities on board or mainly swimming, eating, basketball court?
--excursions--worth it? one that is a MUST DO?
--how is the food? Is the free style really as comfortable as they market it.?
Anything else?--add it in

Thanks!

qwovadis

http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/...cfm?ShipID=177

Here are 548 reviews just in case no one else posts up.

I have done NCL in the past enjoy their freestyle concept.

Have done western Carib on the Legend

Roatan snorkel the Spooky Channel was my fav shore trip.

50% discounts setting up your own excursions off the boat.

Happy Journey ,

kjcruisesqueen

http://www2.ncl.com/cruise-ship/sun/...eat#tab_detail

Here is the links for NCL Sun.
However, I didn't cruise on the SUN but went on the SKY. I liked it very well. There are ton of activities on board that you and the kids can enjoy. Eat anytime, anywhere is always great options when you have a little ones. But soft drinks cost $6 a day per person as far as I remember.

tenthumbs

I recently returned from a New Orleans to the western Carribean on NCL and had a great time. My daughter's first experience with the kids' corner was when she was 12, and she loved it.


Keep in mind that there are only 2 "freestyle" dining rooms that don't charge extra. Although I cruised on the Spirit, I've cruised on other NCL ships, and there are more specialty restaurants that charge an extra $20 or so per person. My family (parents who are 66 and 70, my teenage daughter, and my middle-aged self) found the food in the dining rooms good.

Shore excursions will depend on what your family likes to do together and what is offered at each port. Booking through the ship will be more expensive and excursions more crowded, but you will have an easier time getting your money back if the excursion in cancelled than you might if you book yourself.

The two connecting rooms are very convenient. Put yourself and your spouse in one room with the two twin beds pushed together, and the three kids in the adjoining room, 2 in the twin beds pushed against the wall, one on the bunk.

For some reason, NCL often gets poor reviews, but I've cruised with them 3 times and would cruise with them again.

tenthumbs

as I hit the submit button, I saw kj's comment about the sodas....unless your kids each drink a LOT of soda, bypass the soda cards. There is always water, iced tea, and I believe lemonade available at no cost in the buffet area.