Norwegian Sun
November 16, 2001
Christening Preview Sailing
by Linda Coffman
Reach for the Sky ~ Capture the
Sun!
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|
Elegant
Atrium Staircase & Glass Elevators |
It was impossible to see
everything and sample all the dining venues on a one-night Norwegian Sun cruise
to "nowhere," but I tried. My highly anticipated sailing on this
special dual christening voyage began with a relatively quick check in. The long
line moved swiftly and in short order I was on board and being escorted to my
stateroom.
Although the Norwegian Sun is the
Norwegian Sky's sister ship, they aren't identical twins. Purpose-built for
Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle Cruising concept, Norwegian Sun's
subtle yet distinctive improvements include more dining options, larger
staterooms with abundant storage, and expanded facilities for children and
teens.
As a typical cruise passenger, I
immediately went in search of sustenance and found the welcome aboard buffet in
the Garden Café. Even though it was late, the salads were fresh and
the pizza delicious.
Dining
With so many restaurant choices, dining presents a delicious dilemma during
a typical week-long Norwegian Sun cruise—nine
restaurants with ten menus and only seven nights to try them all. Where to eat?
-
Four Seasons Restaurant—One
of two main dining rooms with a menu of traditional fare
-
Seven
Seas Restaurant—The
second main dining room serving contemporary cuisine
-
Il
Adagio—Italian
restaurant with intimate tables for two or four (Cover
charge)
-
Le
Bistro—NCL's
signature French restaurant featuring French-Mediterranean cuisine (Cover
charge)
-
Ginza—Japanese
restaurant with a sushi bar and teppanyaki room (À
la carte pricing)
-
East
Meets West—Pacific
Rim restaurant serving a fusion of Californian and Asian specialties (À
la carte pricing)
-
Las
Ramblas—Authentic
Spanish Tapas bar with live entertainment
-
Garden
Café/Great Outdoor Café—Buffet
style indoor/outdoor eatery open around the clock
-
Pacific
Heights—"Healthy
Living" restaurant featuring dishes from Cooking Light magazine
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Sprinkles
Ice Cream Bar—Ice
cream, sherbets, and sundaes
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East Meets
West ~ The Lobster Tank |
Taking
fresh seafood to new heights, patrons of East Meets West can select their own
live lobster from the octagonal lobster tank and have it prepared broiled with
lemon butter, À La Nage with Hollandaise sauce, or wok-flashed and served atop
noodles in a kaffir lime and lemon grass broth.
Because
this is Freestyle Cruising, passengers can "dress to the nines"
for a special dinner or choose resort casual attire every night. Formal attire
during one evening is optional with one or more restaurants set aside for those
who don't want to forgo this shipboard tradition.
Freestyle
Cruising offers the flexibility of dining when you wish and with whom you
choose. However, guests who prefer the same table and waiter every night at a
certain time can simply inform the Maitre d' and those arrangements will
be made. For parents who want to share a romantic dinner for two, the Kid's Crew
program and group babysitting solves the problem of child care.
Staterooms
After a thoroughly enjoyable cruise on Norwegian Sky last year, my one
lament regarding cabin convenience was the inadequate storage space. There is no
cause for that complaint on the Norwegian Sun! At 172 square feet, the oceanview
staterooms are generous and contain more than adequate closet and drawer space.
The new mini-suite category boasts 267 square feet and a balcony. Even inside
staterooms are cheery and the clever use of primary colors and
strategically placed mirrors achieves an open feeling.
For
a bit of nautical flair, cabin bedspreads are printed with a design of seaman's
knots. Let the kids try to tie a few while you admire the ship's wheels woven
into the carpeting pattern or use the in-cabin coffee service to heat water for
tea or instant coffee. All staterooms also have a small refrigerator and
personal safe for valuables. Bathroom amenities include a hairdryer and shampoo and soap
dispensers—no more struggling to open tiny paper containers.
To
tempt newlyweds and couples celebrating a second honeymoon, the choice of two
elegant honeymoon/anniversary suites afford a luxurious hideaway for two. Beer
budget and champagne taste? Not to worry, all the Norwegian Sun's accommodations
are comfortable for couples and even spacious enough families with small
children.
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Rich woods
accent the Windjammer Bar |
Public
Areas
The first thing I noticed were the differences between the Norwegian Sky and
Norwegian Sun. While the layout is similar, Norwegian Sun's decor is swankier
and more refined. For instance, gone are the somewhat kitschy and out-of-place
statues in the Windjammer Bar and outside Checkers Lounge (named Dazzles on the
Norwegian Sun). Rich wood tones and fabric colors prevail throughout. The Norwegian Sun's Observation Lounge is similarly more subdued
and tasteful. Its rattan furnishings provide a light, tropical setting with nothing to distract
occupants' attention from the expansive views beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.
An
expanded Internet Cafe with two dozen computer stations now encircles one atrium
level and a delightful Java Cafe is a welcome addition on the main atrium floor.
Sunshine pours into the atrium through an overhead skylight by day, while at
night it is the Norwegian Sun's glamorous hub of activity.
A
single exception to the Norwegian Sun's understated furnishings is found in the
two-deck high Stardust Lounge. However, its flamboyant color scheme can be
forgiven by the comfortable seating, good sight lines, and the lavish production
shows presented on its proscenium stage.
Body Waves Spa, staffed by the acclaimed Mandara Spa, boasts a full menu of
salon treatments and spa indulgences. Don't leave your exercise regime at home,
the Norwegian Sun has a 24-hour fitness center with state-of-the art equipment
and a wide range of classes, including aerobics, spinning, yoga, and toning—all
taught by certified instructors.
After
a jog around the Promenade Deck, where you can admire the unique wall murals,
take a refreshing dip in one of the two pools or select one of the hot tubs
to soak your sore muscles.
The
Norwegian Sun Experience
From the caviar and pâté de foie gras offerings in the Champagne Bar to
hamburgers and hot dogs in the Great Outdoor Café, Norwegian Sun's Freestyle Cruising
should satisfy the tastes of even the most demanding passenger.
Parents
will find their children well entertained in the "Kid's Crew" Program
and well fed from one of eight special menus designed to appeal to junior
passengers. Families have the flexibility to dine at their own table or mom and
dad can savor a "Night Out" while their youngsters are having a pillow
fight at a pajama party. Teens, always difficult to please, can participate in a
wide range of sports, dance parties, and entertainment options. Even "doing
their own thing" with new-found pals is completely safe at sea.
What
You WILL Find:
-
An
abundance of choices
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Tasty meals, creatively
presented
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Service by a professional
staff
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Activities
to suit a wide range of interests for all ages
-
Freestyle Cruising
"Active Decompression" lifestyle & enrichment programs,
including personal finance seminars, cooking, mountain biking and computer
classes, and genealogy discussions
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Well
stocked duty free shops
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A
chapel for weddings, marriage renewal of vows ceremonies, and religious
celebrations
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Numerous
connecting staterooms and suites for families
-
Duvets
on the supremely comfie beds
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Children
under two sail at no charge with two or more paying guests
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Concierge
and butler service for suite guests
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Some
of the best entertainment afloat, presented by the Jean Ann Ryan Company and
guest performers
-
Lively
casino action
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Theme
evenings
-
Gratuities are automatically
added to all accounts, but can be adjusted as deemed appropriate
What
You WON'T Find:
Fast Stats
The idea of Freestyle Cruising
for a week on
the Norwegian Sun is alluring... imagine capping seven days of total cruise
freedom with a leisurely room service breakfast and relaxation in your stateroom
until debarkation!
For me, one night on board
Norwegian Sun left me yearning for more. Sample stations enticed me with
delicacies from the alternative restaurants, but I wanted more. The Wild
Mushroom Bisque in Sourdough Bread Loaf and Grappa Semifreddo Parfait with
Espresso-Chocolate Sauce (photo left)
were sublime, but I want a second helping.
Have
a vodka Martini ready for me in the Windjammer Bar. Shaken, not stirred, with a
lemon twist. I'll be back for it soon!
More Norwegian
Sun Photos - Staterooms & Public Areas
Photos by Linda Coffman
& Courtesy of Norwegian
Cruise Line
The
Norwegian Sun & Norwegian Star Shine in Miami
- Photo Story of Norwegian
Cruise Line's Historic Dual Christening Ceremony
Norwegian
Cruise Line - Cruise Reviews
