Ship statistics

The NCL Sun is the first ship designed specifically for freestyle cruising. The ship's dress code is now "resort casual", with one optional formal night. Passengers may sample on-board educational options include cooking and computer classes, yoga, and mountain biking. Leave the ship with a sense of having learned, achieved, and enjoyed something. Dining is whenever and with whomever you choose. The Pacific Rim complex offers a fusion restaurant, a Teppanyaki room, a sushi bar, a Tapas restaurant, and more. Stay connected at the Internet Cafe, and chill out in any of two pools and five whirlpools.

The 2,400-passenger Norwegian Sun was the first ship built specifically for NCL's Freestyle Cruising, characterized by open seating dining with a wide variety of dining options, multiple entertainment options and improved casino services. Norwegian Sun is a very pretty ship, much lovelier than you'd expect from a four-star vessel. Entering the circular marble lobby of the ship your eyes go immediately to the winding stairs in the center that lead up the atrium with its glass-enclosed elevators. Intimate sitting areas with floor-to-ceiling glass walls on two levels let you comfortably enjoy the world outside. Like other large NCL ships, the Norwegian Sun exudes a feeling of spaciousness throughout, while public rooms offer a sense of intimacy. A total of 12 bars and lounges offer a variety of themes and decor. In the Sports Bar, CNN and taped sports events play all day. Have a cappuccino while you check your email or surf the web in the Internet Cafe, shop in the large gift shop or try your luck in the Sun Club Casino. Daily activities include the requisite bingo, aerobics classes, dance lessons, fashion shows and make-over demonstrations. For a rather hefty price you can indulge in a variety of spa treatments, including massage. I found Norwegian Sun's entertainment to be above average; at night, there is dancing, cabaret, pianists in three lounges and high quality Broadway-style production shows in the two-deck Stardust Lounge.

Active cruisers will find a plethora of ways to keep fit, from a workout on the basketball court to the well-equipped gym or aerobics classes. Parents can securely put the children into the hands of Kids' Counselors and let them enjoy the Kids' Corner and disco, the video arcade or Kid's pool.

The food, while not gourmet, is above average and the "Chocaholic" buffet is something worth staying up for. Service is uneven in the restaurants, an area of complaint we've heard from cruisers who have returned.

Would you rather fold napkins or learn a computer program? Play canasta or play volleyball? Eat at exactly 6:00 pm everyday or eat whenever you're hungry? The Norwegian Sun - NCL's first ship to incorporate their signature "Freestyle Cruising" program in its design - doesn't really care. Do it your way, do it all, or do nothing - it's precisely that concept of freedom and flexibility that was built into this ship.

Public rooms

The layout of the ship makes it easy to navigate (there's one exception, explained below) with most of the public spaces located on Decks 5, 6 and 7, plus the pool/spa/Lido Deck (11) and the alternate restaurants and Sun Deck (12). A small but soaring atrium is located towards the forward end, with two banks of glass-enclosed elevators rising to Deck 12.

There are two main elevator banks, one forward of the atrium and one at the aft, and it's the latter that creates a problem. Those utilizing the aft elevators to get to the pool deck (or the Great Outdoor Cafe) have to wend their way through at least one restaurant before getting outside. This is particularly problematic when trying to get to the pool during busy dining times. The elevator bank is located smack in the middle of the aft dining spots, with the Garden Cafe on the starboard side and the Sports Bar and Pacific Heights on the port side. The only real way to avoid the awkwardness is to take the forward or atrium elevators to the pool or sports deck.

The rest of the ship flows nicely, with the occasional and expected hiccup due to galley placement (you can only reach Deck Four from the forward elevators, and anything forward of the Seven Seas dining room on Deck Five has to be accessed via the forward elevators as well).

The Deck 5 atrium area houses the front desk, concierge, shore excursions and the Java Cafe (specialty coffees and pastries for an a la carte fee), plus the entrance to the Four Seasons Restaurant. Deck 6 is the most beautiful, and the most fun, with Dazzles, the main disco-nightclub just aft of the atrium; Windstar Lounge; and Havana Club, the cigar bar. The photo gallery is also located here, in a wide corridor with dark walnut wood panels and blue carpeting; it's very elegant, and opens out onto the exterior promenade. Located along this corridor is the lovely and well-stocked library, along with meeting rooms and card rooms. At the aft end is the entrance to the main theatre, the Stardust Lounge.

In an interesting design move, the whole atrium area of Deck 6 comprises the Internet Cafe, run by MTN/Digital Seas. Computer stations are scattered around the central core so anyone using them doesn't feel isolated. Packages can bring your rate down from the a la carte 75 cents per minute to as low as 40 cents per minute. Wireless internet is available too your laptop or theirs, your wireless card or theirs but the "hot spots" on the Sun at this time are limited to the atrium area and right around the pool.

Deck 7 is home to the shopping arcade, a paradise of trinkets, logo items, toys, clothing, jewelry, clocks, knickknacks, snacks and duty-free liquor and cigarettes, plus a high-priced branch of Colombia Emeralds International. It's also the location of the large Sun Club casino, nicely equipped with a variety of table games, slots, video poker etc. and even a special space for nickel slot players. (I was really hoping to see someone try the lone $100 slot machine, but it didn't happen while I was in the casino). At the forward end of Deck 7 is the Kid's Corner, and at the aft, the upper-level entrance to Stardust Lounge.

The Observation Lounge is located forward on Deck 12, a sunny viewing space during the day, a hopping music and dance spot at night.

There is a small but lovely chapel on Deck 12 just adjacent to the Observation Lounge.

The ship has no self-serve laundry.

Fitness and Reacreation

There are two pools on the main pool deck, and four hot tubs; a deck above (12), there is a kiddie pool and another hot tub. Several adults on my cruise chose to relax around the kids' pool when the main pools became too noisy or crowded. (There is something about the acoustics around the pool deck that makes it seem very loud.)

Forward of the pool is the Body Waves Spa on the starboard side and Body Waves Fitness Center and Aerobics Studio on port side, all nicely equipped for exercising. Use of the machines is free, but some classes have a small fee ($5 to $10). These include yoga, pilates and spinning classes. The spa, a Mandara facility run by Steiner of London, is lovely, with genuinely nice personnel who try not to hard-sell their products. Treatments seem pricey but there are always specials, especially on port days. A full body treatment will run around $129, a facial around $89.

There are complimentary sauna and steam rooms for both men and women, a basketball court, two golf driving cages, batting cage, and shuffleboard court on Deck 12, and a ping-pong table on the pool deck

The Pool Deck and Sports Deck share space for restaurants with space for fitness facilities and the spa. Located forward on the Pool Deck, the two-room Body Waves Fitness center has one room filled with up-to-date equipment and a view and another for aerobics classes. I felt the equipment was all too close together and there was only one small area for free weights, which could only accommodate one person at a time. The Steiner Body Waves Spa includes massage and steam rooms and full service beauty salon. Two pools and four hot tubs on the Pool Deck are well-protected from the wind and enjoyable in most weather. One deck up on Sports Deck, is a children's splash pool and another hot tub located forward. A full-size basketball/volleyball court a golf driving net, batting cage, shuffleboard and jogging track are also found on Sports Deck.

Body Waves Fitness Center

If you're tired of causing tidal waves when you jump into the pool… NCL caters to those with an active lifestyle - and those who wish they had a more active lifestyle! Whether you're an old hat at pumping iron or your new to the game, the Sun's fitness center, located in a huge, airy room with plenty of windows, will actually make you want to work out.

The fitness center is conveniently open 24-hours so you'll never have to wait in a long line to use the weight training equipment, Lifecycles, treadmills, and free weights. So go ahead champ - pump it up!

Body Waves Aerobics

Turn some heads as you strut by the pool.
You're not likely to find a larger aerobics room with a better view at sea. Take a dance, aerobic, or even yoga class in this beautiful, sunny room with hardwood floors and full-length windows. The room is equipped with Life Steps, floor mats, terrific instructors, and a gorgeous ocean view. Ladies, wear those hip hugger jeans and cropped tops with pride!

Sports Deck

For those who find it hard to stop moving (even when on vacation), NCL has developed the "Sports Afloat" programs, featuring water sports, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and golf, to name a few. The Sun offers a full length basketball/volleyball court, a batting cage, and golf driving net, so join a volleyball tournament, shoot some hoops, or practice your swing. You're not likely to get bored on the Sun.

Snorkeling/SCUBA Diving

Dive into this…
NCL's "Dive In" program gives you instruction on snorkeling and diving both on the ship and in the field (or water, as the case may be). With licensed, expert instructors, and top of the line scuba and snorkeling equipment, you don't have to be a scuba master to learn. The program includes use of equipment (with plenty of instruction on how to do it!), marine life tours, transportation to and from dive sites, and a Dive In certificate to prove your skills to disbelieving family and friends.

Entertainment

The Sun's resident theatrical troupe offers two spectacular staged Broadway-style musicals in the Stardust Lounge. But try to avoid the front of the balcony because you will be viewing the show through a railing. One of the prettiest spots on the ship is the Observation Lounge with a panoramic ocean view. The Sports Bar has comfortable booths, ocean views, and video monitors offering a variety of sports programs or CNN and NCL's first non-alcoholic juice bar, offering protein and power drinks. Adjacent to this is the Video Zone, popular with teens. Each of the ship's other bars have their own unique ambiance, from the stylish elegance of the Champagne Bar to the nautical pub atmosphere of the Windjammer to the smoky Havana Club. There is something for every mood, including Dazzles night club which offers shows, dancing to live music as well as disco. For the kids there are counselors and special programs in the Kid's Corner as well as a teen disco.

As usual, Norwegian Cruise Line excels in this arena, with its colorful production shows and Broadway-style reviews. With the venerable Jean Ann Ryan dance company and a myriad of other performers (magicians, comedians, and a Cirque du Soleil-like troupe of acrobats) the evening entertainment is stellar. The Stardust Lounge is a nice venue with excellent acoustics; the many upright support posts can interfere with line-of-sight if you don't select a seat carefully.

The many bars and nightclubs around the ship have separate entertainment by way of duos singing old rock and blues standards, a country and western singer, a guitarist/vocalist, pianist, and a calypso/reggae band at poolside. Wherever you go in the evening, there is music of some sort.

The best (or perhaps most outrageous) show of the week was the Ship 'n' Males Review ( a play on Chippendale's) wherein sundry crew members did a striptease down to their boxers or tighty-whities to blaring tunes like "Livin' La Vida Loca" or "I'm Too Sexy." Dazzles Nightclub was the most crowded on that evening, with lots of fun and laughter ... and some good-humored embarrassment on the part of the stripping crew as hooting and catcalling ladies stuffed their briefs with dollar bills. It was fun, funny, not lewd, but definitely not for youngsters.

Daytime entertainment is more low-key, but there's plenty to see and do. Bingo, craft-making, art auctions, pool games, trivia contests and the like are all available during the day, both while at sea and while in port. A movie is shown in Dazzles in the morning and another in the afternoon. In-room television stations include local channels while in port, CNN International, ESPN, an "oldies" sitcom channel, several ship-specific channels, and a couple of movie channels with a rotating selection. Not many of the movies were recent releases, though.

As the sun sets and the little ones are sound asleep, the dynamic entertainment opportunities are just getting started for the adults. If you're looking for that perfect Lounge atmosphere, you're guaranteed to find exactly what you're looking for if not better. In the need for a little risk taking? You'll enjoy testing your luck in the Monte Carlo Casino where you'll find plenty of games to try to strike at rich on.

• Stardust Lounge is a two-story show lounge with proscenium stage and full production shows
• Checkers Cabaret has the longest cabaret bar at sea; offers live music and dancing and also functions as a disco
• Sports Bar features multiple televisions with videotaped and live broadcasts of sports events, serving snacks, also has juice bar with power and protein drinks
• Champs Bar has outside tables overlooking the pool area, serves cocktails
• Full service Monte Carlo Casino has blackjack, roulette, craps, Caribbean stud poker, slot machines
• Churchill's Cigar Club offers hand-rolled premium cigars, humidor, fine cognac served in warm glasses, malt whiskey and relaxed seating
• Windjammer Bar has piano music and special martini menu
• Atrium Bar with piano music and large glass windows, offers caviar, pate foie gras, champagne and premium vodkas
• Topsiders Bar is the longest poolside bar at sea with stools and outdoor tables

Activities

Whether you're looking for a Low, Medium, or High adrenaline pumping cruise, your search has come to the right place. If you're interested in spending your days being pampered from head to toe, you'll find refuge in our Full Service Beauty Salon and Spa. If you can't seem to resist from checking your emails or surfing the web, you'll be able to click away in our cozy Internet Cafe.

• Variety of daily activities led by cruise staff
• Port & shopping lectures and shore excursions
• Galleria Shops and shopping arcade for duty-free shopping, jewelry, souvenirs and logo items
• Photo Gallery and Photo Shop for cruise photos, film and developing
• 2 outdoor swimming pools and 4 whirlpools for total relaxation
• 1 children's pool and children's whirlpool
• Deck sports include basketball, golf driving range, batting cage, shuffleboard, jogging
• Body Waves Spa includes extensive fitness center, full service spa, aerobics, sauna & steam rooms and beauty parlor
• Victoria Conference Center has meeting space which can be divided into three rooms
• Library for quiet reading
• Internet Cafe allows guests to go online while at sea
• Kid's Korner with supervised youth counselors and Kid's Crew children's program for 3 age groups
• The Club is teen center by day & disco by night

Family

NCL is a family-oriented cruise line, with lots of parent-and-kids activities, a great children's program and even group babysitting until the wee hours. The Kid's Corner, located forward on Deck 7, is a series of three rooms with age-appropriate activities in each. What's really fun about the space is that you have to go down stairs to get to the rooms but there are viewing "portholes" for parents up above. The groups are broken down by compatible ages: 3 to 5, 6 to 8, and 10 to 12. A lot of time is devoted to outdoor activities ("so they can expend energy," the cruise director told me), and there are pizza-making parties for parents and kids and even a child-sized Chocoholic's Buffet arranged in the Pacific Heights restaurant concurrent with the one for adults. The program is free of charge; there is a nominal fee for after-hours group babysitting; plan on about $6 per hour.

Teens have their group activities, and a disco is set aside specifically for that age group (13 - 17).

Dress

Casual. Even with Freestyle dining, most guests dress up a bit for supper, in resort-casual clothing. There is one optional formal night per seven-day cruise. Shorts, tank tops, bathing suits and flip-flops are not allowed in any of the restaurants in the evenings; the fine-dining alternate restaurants require resort-casual clothing.

The designated dress code is "resort casual". Passengers have the option of not dressing up for formal nights as only some public areas will be designated formal. Those who do enjoy dressing up, expect one formal night during a one-week cruise. Most men opt for a dark suit instead of a tux while women don dressy pants suits, cocktail dresses or long gowns. For Alaska raincoats or jackets, a sweater and good walking shoes are imperative.

Gratuity

NCL automatically adds a fixed service charge to your shipboard account which covers all service personnel. The amount is $10 per person per day for passengers age 13 and over; $5.00 per day for children age 3 - 12 and no charge for children under the age of three.

Further tipping is not necesary, however, NCL recommends a 15 percent gratuity for bar service and suggests those receiving concierge or butler services consider offering a gratuity for services rendered. Additional gratuities are at the passenger's discretion.

NCL's policy is to charge shipboard accounts $10 per day per guest ($5 for 3- through 11 year-olds) for shipwide gratuities and service charges. That is sufficient to cover typical cruise tips, but most guests offer a cash "bonus" to their room teams. Bar drinks and spa services have an automatic 15 percent gratuity added; it is expected that room service personnel will be tipped on delivery ($1 or $2 is sufficient).

Ship hightlights

• Nine distinct international restaurants and four main dining rooms
• Two pools, five relaxing whirlpools, special children's pool
• Over 15 decks
• Fitness center with modern exercise equipment and fitness classes
• Stardust Lounge with Broadway-style shows
• Computer classes, Internet, and e-mail cafe
• State-of-the-art spa for serious pampering
• 12 bars and lounges
• Jogging track, basketball/volleyball court, and golf-driving net
• Video arcade

Recommended for

• Active, value-conscious, young-hearted passengers of all ages
• Passengers looking for an unstructured cruise atmosphere
• Families, couples, newlyweds
• First time cruisers

Not recommended for

• Passengers who prefer a traditional cruise environment
• Passengers looking for luxurious, uncompromising, 5-star dining