Norwegian
Sun
Norwegian Cruise Line
November 16, 2001
Christening Cruise
by Linda Coffman
Reach for the Sky ~ Capture the Sun!
 |
|
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
-
Sprinkles Ice Cream Bar—Ice cream, sherbets, and sundaes
 |
|
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.
 |
|
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
-
Tasty meals, creatively presented
-
Service by a professional staff
-
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
-
Well stocked duty free shops
-
A chapel for weddings, marriage renewal of vows ceremonies, and
religious celebrations
-
Numerous connecting staterooms and suites for families
-
Duvets on the supremely comfie beds
-
Children under two sail at no charge with two or more paying
guests
-
Concierge and butler service for suite guests
-
Some of the best entertainment afloat, presented by the Jean Ann
Ryan Company and guest performers
-
Lively casino action
-
Theme evenings
-
Gratuities are automatically added to all
accounts
What You WON'T Find:
-
A self-service laundry
-
Structured dress codes
-
Rigid dining schedules
-
Glitz and flashing lights
-
Boredom
Fast Stats
-
78,309 tons
-
848 feet long
-
108 feet wide
-
Speed 23 knots
-
1,936 guests, double occupancy
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!
More
Norwegian Sun Photos
- Staterooms & Public Areas
