Jump to content

Mitsugirly's extensive back to belly sun & sky review


mitsugirly
 Share

Recommended Posts

I just returned 3 days ago from my "back to belly" cruise on the Sun & the Sky and have been trying to get my 3500+ pictures downloaded, separated, and ready to begin my review. So...here's the start of what I have ready so far. I hope you all enjoy it.

 

As always, be prepared for a VERY LONG and extensive/picture heavy review. I love taking pictures, I love cruising and I love having fun. I enjoy sharing our experiences (good and bad) with the community and those that like detailed information. Some may like these type of reviews, others may not, but I appreciate those that stick around until the end...even though I can get a little "wordy" sometimes with the details. But, that's what makes it fun.

 

*Disclaimer* I tell my story through my eyes. This may or may not be the experience other cruisers have had with the Sun or Sky or ports or even those that were on board with me. I’m honest, I’m not too hard to please with service or food, and try to have the mentality of any cruise is a good cruise because you are not at home, work, or school right (and let's not forget the SNOW)? I will make reference to the good and the bad and it’s made as an observation and might not necessarily mean that it would provoke me to discourage others from trying it or having their own experience. This is MY experience only.

 

So, first off...a little about me and my cruising family:

 

I started cruising in the 80’s (with NCL) and did a cruise in the 90’s with RC. We started cruising again in 2010 and this is now our yearly vacation (with this year taking 3 cruises.) I’m in my 40’s, my husband in his 30’s.We’ve been married for a little over 8 years and going on our 12th year together. I have 3 grown children (ages 28, 26, 20 who have all cruised with me years ago and are by my first husband of 18 years) and 1 small child (who is 6 and these 2 cruises will be her 8th cruise and she is HOOKED!!! It’s all she talks about. Yea what can I say; she’s a little consumed with it like her momma). I also have 4 grandbabies, two are also 6 years old, I know… this is the part that everyone gasps at. Yes, me, my daughter, and daughter-in-law were all pregnant at the same time. Yes, we planned it that way. Yes it was a blast and yes the 3 of the little ones are VERY close. The other 2 other grandbabies that are 10 & 11 months old. I’ve been trying to get all of my kids to go on a cruise with me (and was successful in getting my daughter and her boyfriend going with us at least once a year and also my youngest son and his finance on cruises with us twice this year) but not all of them at the same time.

 

I work part time at the local hospital in the Emergency Room. I started working there in 1984. Yea, I’ll probably die working there still. I just love the environment, helping people, and yes…even the gory stuff!!! I graduated from nursing school last May and took a "Getaway" graduation cruise a week later.

 

We have been cruising exclusively with NCL since we started cruising in 2010. We have been on the Epic, Spirit, Pearl, Star, Jewel, Getaway (and once with Carnival on the Dream) and have the Dawn scheduled for next year. I don’t know, we just like the “Freestyle” aspect of NCL and we buy the cruise rewards certificates each cruise and it’s just been a line we have come to love. (Although I will admit, SOMEDAY my goal is to cruise the Oasis or Allure…what an experience that would be!).

 

We always book when they have the Kids Sail Free promo and this time I really jumped the gun and booked 3 of them!!! YIKES! At the time that I booked, I figured that by the time this cruise came along, I will have passed my nursing boards and will declare it a "I'm officially a nurse" cruise!!! IT WORKED OUT THAT WAY....so I rewarded myself by booking that second cruise on the Sky. (I love excuses to book another cruise). :D

Edited by mitsugirly
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's some info about NCL ships for comparison:

 

ncl-XL.jpg

 

So, this cruise will be on the 2nd and 3rd oldest and smallest ships in the fleet. It should be an interesting comparision since we have been on the biggest ship in the fleet (Epic) and the newest (Breakaway). :D

 

 

About the Sun:

 

 

BUILDER: Llyodwerft (Germany)

COST: $400 million

LENGTH: 853 feet

BEAM: 105 feet

DRAFT: 26 feet

POWER PLANT: Diesel electric

PROPULSION: 2 propellor shafts

SPEED: 22 knots (maximum)

CAPACITY: 2,002 (double occupancy)

CREW: 980

Edited by mitsugirly
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Every time we decide to cruise, my daughter and I make a "countdown" for her to hang on the refrigerator in order to help her understand how long she has (truth be known, I get tired of having to answer the question "how much longer? Is it tomorrow?").

 

We normally just do a "rings" counter (like the one you see people make for Christmas), but thanks to a neat little thread on this awesome forum, we decided it was time to switch things up a little. She was really excited about doing something new.

 

What we (I) came up with was a big sheet of construction paper, found a "ship" picture online, made copies, then made a picture out of it. She would rip off a ship each day until she made it to the "big" ship. She enjoyed it and I didn't have to answer any questions. (I only got a report on how many more we had to go).

 

countdown-L.jpg

 

 

I also decided that this would be the first time that we made a door sign for our cabin door. (Can you tell I have a lot more time on my hands now that I'm finished with 4 1/2 years of school???) LOL

 

Here's what we came up with....3 suns with our names on it. (Sakari really liked that daddy's name was rolling eyeballs that looked a little crazy at times).

 

1902031_10152903263188706_5659093726710524356_n_zps1e677215-L.jpg

 

 

 

We counted down the days...until this...

 

 

IMG_1309-L.jpg

 

 

Then we knew we were almost there.

 

We were flying out of Ohio (which was pretty decent weather when we left) on a Saturday. For some reason, mommy decided to have everyone's appointments during the week of our departure. Doctors appointments, dentist and the hubby a ENT appointment. He has had problems with his hearing and his ears leaking since he was 16 years old and never had it checked out.

 

His ear appointment on Friday ran a little longer than expected when they decided to send him to an audiologist for a hearing test right after his ENT appointment and then on to some contrast scans after that. (They determined that he has a hole in each ear, causing the leaking and a pseudomonas infection and he has no ear drum according to the ENT and will need to be rebuilt). So...I guess he's actually excused all these years for "ignoring" me...or so I thought.

 

Since we had all these test this day I COMPLETELY forgot that at 11am I was to "check-in" on Southwest to get our boarding positions. I didn't remember until almost 3pm. YIKES! By then, we ended up with the "C" category at the VERY end. Sigh. I was completely bummed and knew what this meant...we were not sitting together and would be fighting over a spot. Thank goodness I had booked a straight flight to Tampa instead of a connecting one.

 

I did do some research on Southwest at that point (frantically searching for another solution) and found that they would allow you to pay for an upgrade (for $40 a person!!!!!!) to board during A1-A15. I guess this was an option if I wanted the day to be hassle free and would consider it.

 

I had been packing all week and was a lot more prepared for this cruise than last time around. I was also a lot more excited this time around as well.

 

I went to bed early and set my alarm for 7am and hoped for the best to get some rest.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Alarm set for 7am...but I'm wide awake at 6:30am. Ok, let's get this day started!!!

 

I had my sons girlfriend take us to the airport at 9am and checked our luggage in outside the terminal. So far so good.

 

We went inside to see about getting the upgrade for $40 a person so that we could sit together. I had decided that it was worth it because I had $100 to spend in points on my Amex Sky card, which meant I was only paying $20 for the upgrade and it was well worth it to me. We stopped at the desk an inquired. The rep told us that it was a sold out flight and every seat was taken. So, therefore we would not be able to upgrade. My heart sank! Ok, thank goodness it was only going to be a 2 hour flight of being separated and we would just have to deal with it.

 

Away we went to security and it was a breeze. While we were sitting at the gate waiting, I decided one last time to ask the attendant at the desk if an upgrade was possible. Her reply..."Absolutely!!" What?!? I'LL TAKE IT!!

 

We were able to get position A3, A4, & A5!!

 

IMG_1312-L.jpg

 

Ok, so now I'm thinking.........(wheels are turning, can't you tell?)

 

You can buy "Business Select" seats (for this flight) for $453 EACH person. I purchased my regular seats for $130 pp. I upgraded to our current positions for $40pp. Hmmm...did I just catch on to a way to get priority seating for cheap?

 

$453 x 3 = $1359 total

$130 x 3 = $390 total plus add $40 x 3 = $120 for a grand total of $510 and you get on the plane first and the front row seats!!!! Think about this!

 

We watched our plane coming in:

 

IMG_1313-L.jpg

 

 

The excitement of being able to get on first was in the air...literally.

 

IMG_1314-L.jpg

 

 

We watched our luggage being taken to the plane. I was going to have you all try to guess which one was mine, but decided to let the cat out of the bag...I can spot this bag anywhere! (Actually Sakari has a bright purple bag with hearts all over it and we could see it as well, but it didn't show too well in the picture).

 

IMG_1315-L.jpg

 

 

We managed to get in the 2nd row and I felt like a movie star...but with a small seat still. LOL

 

It was selfie time!

 

IMG_1316-M.jpg

 

 

The excitement was starting as we were pulling out.

 

IMG_1317-M.jpg

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seconds later, we were flying over our downtown and man did it look small.

 

IMG_1318-L.jpg

 

 

My husband occupied himself as he always does, making origami animals that he finds listed in the Sky books. This time around, it got the best of him and he got frustrated, but he did manage to get it finished before our 2 hour and 6 minute flight was up.

 

IMG_1321-L.jpg

 

It's a sheep or goat or something:

 

PB090104-L.jpg

We arrived in Tampa and it was only 66 degrees (which was basically about what it was back home, but I knew that it was only going to get better from here).

 

IMG_1322-L.jpg

 

This would be our first time at the Tampa airport and I thought it was pretty neat. Little did we know, we were about to get on a subway/monorail type contraption that took us over to where we would be picking up our luggage.

 

IMG_1323-L.jpg

 

 

IMG_1324-L.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sakari thought this was neat, but mommy found it a challenge to get a good picture while moving and trying to hold on at the same time for such a short distance.

 

IMG_1325-L.jpg

 

 

After we located our luggage we headed outside to call the shuttle to our hotel. They informed us that we needed to walk over to the area were the cabs and hotel shuttles pick up passengers and then call them back with a number and a color telling them where we were standing.

 

I hung up the phone and little did I know we standing on the corner where they needed us to be. I just didn't bother to look around the corner...maybe about 3 steps away. LOL When I called them back, they said they would be there in about 15-20 minutes.

 

I figured I had enough time to run inside and get some soda to drink...little did I know that you had to go back upstairs to the boarding area to obtain it. But hey, I'm a popaholic and will do just about anything for my caffeine.

 

Up the red elevators I went in search of a drink.

 

IMG_1328-L.jpg

 

I loved the decor of the airport

 

IMG_1327-L.jpg

 

 

By the time I returned, the shuttle was outside waiting on me to return and away we went to the hotel.

 

PB080001-L.jpg

 

We were the only passengers they picked up at that time. On the way to the hotel, the driver told us that there was a grocery store just down the street, which was great to know because I would need to walk down and get some more caffeine for the cruise.

 

We had decided to stay at the Tahitian Inn. I had read mixed reviews on the place with most of the complaints being that they allowed people from the neighborhood in the pools along with the guest. I wasn't really sure if we would be using the pools, so I figured I would give the place a try. The pictures that I had seen online looked like a pretty neat place and I was really interested in their inside/outside dining area there with the koi pond. I figured Sakari would really enjoy that.

 

PB080054%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

PB080052-L.jpg

 

 

We booked this place using an online booking site that we had never used before in the past (I've used several in the past, just never this site...begins with book and ends with it). But (as everyone knows) I do a lot of research prior to booking anything and this seem to be the best deal I could find. I believe we only paid around $80 for the night.

 

We checked in and they took my cc for "incidentals" and I later noticed there was a $15 charge that I inquired about...but it fell off after we checked out. So, no problems. However, the problem did arrise that when we checked in, they had no record of our booking. I had to show them my confirmation and payment paper from the sight. They did say "Well, it's a good thing we still have a room available for you." Um....ok. So, now I wonder what would have happened if they didn't have a room available? Would we be forced to walk up and down the road until we found a place? Kinda a scary thought! So I don't know if this is a problem with the site or with the hotel.

 

We were informed that our room would be located on the 2nd floor with outside access and was directed to the elevators, told to go down the hall, down the steps and out the door.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Taking the elevator up to the second floor from the lobby.

 

PB080016-L.jpg

 

 

Down the hallway:

 

PB080014-L.jpg

 

 

 

PB080015-L.jpg

 

I had not really anticipated "stairs" with luggage so I didn't know what to expect. We got to the end of the hall and seen that there were 6 steps that you would need to go down in order to go out the door onto the outside 2nd floor. We managed and it was fine (coming back up the stairs with our luggage when we checked out wouldn't be as fun as going down of course).

 

PB080013-L.jpg

 

 

 

This would be the outside entry to the rooms in this area:

 

PB080048%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

 

PB080028%20copy-L.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The room was a decent sized room with updated decor and a ceramic floor.

 

PB080005-L.jpg

 

 

PB080004-L.jpg

 

 

PB080008-L.jpg

 

 

PB080009-L.jpg

 

 

 

There was a small desk to work at or set your computer up at...you know, to check in back home and touch base again with your fellow cruisers on your roll call. The only problem is, there wasn't any available areas to plug the computer in at. There was only 1 plug there and it was being used by 1) the lamp on the desk and 2) the tv. I thought this was really weird.

 

 

PB090083%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

There was an open closet area that including a place to put your luggage, a few hangers and an iron.

 

 

 

PB080010-L.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

You can buy "Business Select" seats (for this flight) for $453 EACH person. I purchased my regular seats for $130 pp. I upgraded to our current positions for $40pp. Hmmm...did I just catch on to a way to get priority seating for cheap?

 

$453 x 3 = $1359 total

$130 x 3 = $390 total plus add $40 x 3 = $120 for a grand total of $510 and you get on the plane first and the front row seats!!!! Think about this!

 

 

My husband and I have done this, but only one of us has paid and held a seat for the other one (even though this is illegal in Southwest's world).

 

The reason we will still pay for Business Select is simple -- miles/points. The RR points for the cheapest fare is 4-5 points per dollar, while for Business Select it is 10 points per dollar. While we don't do it often, if there isn't a big gap in price we will. Plus, we usually pay for Early Bird Checkin, so we factor that in as well. And...well...you get a free drink with Business Select. :rolleyes:

 

Really looking forward to the reviews!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The bathroom was a decent size and looked decent.

 

PB080006-L.jpg

 

 

 

PB080007-L.jpg

 

 

 

Now here I want to talk about the shower. To put it nicely...it SUCKED! I have no clue if all the rooms were like this or it was just ours. When you tried to turn the handle on to make the water run, you would turn it and turn it and ....yep turn it and it would click and move and sound like you were going to break it. I would work with it for a good 5 minutes (which really isn't that long, but if you think about turning a handle that long, then it really is) before I would get something to come on. It was like this each time...when Sakari and I took a shower that night, when the hubby took a shower and then again in the morning getting ready.

 

 

Notice how the picture says "Pull on"? Well, it didn't pull at all. It was almost like it was welded in that position and would only rotate.

 

PB090080-2%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

Then once you got in the shower...I'm wondering....WHERE'S THE PRESSURE? Am I really supposed to wash 2 girls with super long hair in this trickling water??? Geesh.

 

See the 4 holes? That's all you got.

 

PB090079-2%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

I would also later look for some cups to pour a glass of soda in only to find the following:

 

PB090082%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

Do you notice that only 1 of the 3 cups in our room is still wrapped in the plastic? Are the other 2 used??? They just left them in our room? I'm not sure, but I didn't use any of them after seeing this.

 

Those were the only issues we had with the room. More to come with other issues with the hotel itself.

 

Random picture to fill in the space:

 

IMG_1340-L.jpg

 

 

Ashtrays attached to the walls on the outside of the rooms were located every few rooms.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So we were starving after not eating since before we left for the airport and decided it was the perfect time to head down to the restaurant and check out the outside portion with the fish. It was kind of cold and sprinkling off and on and we knew we didn't want to adventure out trying to find a place.

 

We headed down to the restaurant and ask for a seat outside. There was only 1 other couple out there and they had their dog with them. Weird (we would later see a lot of people with their dogs with them staying at the hotel as well). I guess it's an "animal friendly" place to stay. But, having the dog in the restaurant was kinda weird and you just don't see that where I'm from.

 

This is the inside of the restaurant:

 

PB080018-L.jpg

 

 

PB080019-L.jpg

 

 

Headed outside:

 

PB080030%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

 

PB080020-L.jpg

 

 

PB080027%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

 

PB080026%20copy-L.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sakari squealed with excitement over the fish, as I knew she would.

 

PB080034-L.jpg

 

 

PB080022-L.jpg

 

 

 

PB080021-L.jpg

 

 

Loved the waterfall as well.

 

PB080023-L.jpg

 

 

PB080024-L.jpg

 

 

PB080025%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

It was such a peaceful setting and we really enjoyed our time spent there (as I knew we would). I pretty much forgot about how cold and dreary of a day it was.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As I look at this picture I think "man Sakari has really grown". They really grow up so fast and I cherish every minute I get to spend with her. I look back at the pictures when we first started cruising with her and think of how little she looked back then. She just looks extremely tall in this picture to me. My baby is growing up. Sob.

 

PB080033%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

The waitress came over and took our drink order and told Sakari that the fish hadn't been fed yet today and ask her if she'd like to feed them. Of course we all know what her answer was!

 

They brought her out 2 plastic cups of fish food and she started feeding them.

 

PB080036%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

 

I think this was the highlight of her day.

 

PB080035%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

PB080040%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

 

PB080042-L.jpg

 

 

 

I guess the other critters were interesting in seeing what food she was handing out because a squirrel came down out of the tree to investigate.

 

PB080032%20copy-L.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Feeding the Koi and loving every minute of it. They were very beautiful and really big.

 

Click for video

LLAJo_F93Wc

 

We ordered our food while Sakari continued to make those 2 cups of fish food last as long as she could. I ordered the Italian Sausage sandwich, the hubby ordered a Gyro and Sakari ordered the grilled cheese platter.

 

When the food came, the hubby and Sakari enjoyed their meal, but I had 1 REALLY hard piece of bread on the bottom of my sandwich. So hard that I couldn't even bite a piece off with my teeth! (Remember how I said we had just went to the dentist that week? I wasn't about to break off another tooth either). I told the waitress (and showed her my prized hockey puck in my possession) and she offered to have the sandwich made over. Like I said earlier, we were starving and I wasn't about to wait for another sandwich to be remade. I just told her to bring me out another bun and I would be fine...and I was. Everything else was good. They had homemade potato chips (I LOVE these and get them at work when they have them).

 

PB080043%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

 

This restaurant did serve breakfast until 3pm, which I thought was really nice for us "late sleepers" (but of course I wouldn't get to take advantage of this since I didn't know about it). I guess the couple with the dog were locals because I over heard the waitress asking if they wanted the "normal". They were seated before 3pm, but at the time the waitress took their order, it was a little after. She informed them that breakfast was over with, but she went in to ask if they could get the cook to let them order it and he did allow it. I thought that was a nice gesture...and will probably keep those customers coming back.

 

Another thing I found odd that you won't find at home is they allowed smoking in here as well.

 

After we finished eating, we hung out a little more and Sakari informed the waitress that the fish had eaten all of their food and was still hungry! So, she went right back in and brought her another cup of food.

 

wAbmpgdGAgQ

 

Once the fish were full and Sakari's fingers had reached the bottom of the cup, it was time to go.

 

It had stopped sprinkling and we figured it was time to head to the grocery store that the driver had told us about. I ran up to the room and grabbed our rolling small luggage that we use for the soda and off we went.

 

I snapped a few pictures of the pool area from our 2nd floor room hallway.

 

PB080011-L.jpg

 

 

PB080012-L.jpg

 

 

PB080049%20copy-L.jpg

 

 

PB080047%20copy-L.jpg

 

The pool looked like a really cool place to hang out at with a "Tiki" theme to it.

 

I snapped a picture with my phone to text to my daughter back home to let her know that it's beautiful here even with the icky weather and wishing you were here with me.

 

IMG_1333-L.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First of all, I just wanted to say I'm so excited to be reading another one of your amazing reviews! They always help me keep my sanity waiting for my next cruise :D:p. I also wanted to say I've had similar problems like the one you had booking hotels and flights through online travel sites. Like you though, I also had my confirmation paper work with me and was able to get it handled. After the issues I've had though, I now book directly through the hotel and the airlines. I'm glad they got everything straightened out for you though :). Can't wait to read about the rest of your adventure!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was snapping pictures of the hotel along the way. This walkway was along the outside of the restaurant with the Koi pond.

 

PB080053%20copy-L.jpg

 

PB080029%20copy-L.jpg

 

Can you tell we look cold?

 

IMG_1330-L.jpg

 

We headed to the right and down the street. It wasn't too far of a walk, maybe a couple of blocks. When the hubby spotted the place, I didn't think it was the right place. The name kinda caught me off guard and I didn't think it sounded like a grocery store.

 

It was really strange that they had several people in the parking lot with cones and directing traffic. This place was really hopping with people.

 

PB080055%20copy-L.jpg

 

Once we got inside, we walked all over only to find out they didn't even carry soda. It was some type of "health food" place, but yet every where you turned, they had bars of wine tasting set up. The place was packed. Out we went since the only thing I was interested in was getting soda for our cruise.

 

We headed back toward the hotel and decided to head the opposite way were we had seen a gas station. However, it started to rain again and we quickly headed back to the room to stay dry. Here we would sit until the rain stopped and try again.

 

I decided to take this opportunity to get some pictures of the inside of the hotel.

 

IMG_1335-L.jpg

 

 

 

PB080002-L.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...