BS: cruising on the sun princess

Subject: cruising on the sun princess
From: tremodt
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 09:29 PM

has any one been on the Sun Princess we are going on a panama canal cruise on March 24 from Ft Lauderdale How is the service, food, we are looking to be in K catogory how is that

thanks

ps. to keep it in the mudcat realm how is the music on board

ron

Subject: RE: BS: cruising on the sun princess
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 01:32 AM

Ron, my cruise experience isn't vast (once, to be exact), but since folkies and cruises don't usually go together, and no one's answered you yet, I'll give you my two cents. I'm not sure whether you're asking about the Sun Princess as compared with other cruise ships or about cruise ships as opposed to other forms of vacation and travel. If you want a review of that particular ship, send me a personal message and I'll contact my mom, who has been on LOTS of cruises and can probably give you a review.

Before my ex and I moved from Oregon to Hawaii we took an Alaska cruise because we figured it might be Naomi's last chance to see Alaska (I'd been there several times.) We went on the Windward, on the Norwegian Line. Overall, I liked the experience, with one major exception: we were both vegetarians, and the food selection for vegetarians varied between boring and nonexistent. If you have special dietary needs, do call the cruise line beforehand and make sure they'll be able to take care of you, including sending you sample menus. If you have the chance to have a cabin with a little outside deck, take it: that was one of the best things about our trip. Take binoculars or even a little telescope for stargazing. Take advantage of the shore excursions (I went snorkeling in Ketchikan! -- with a wetsuit, of course)

If you've done this before, then I'm not telling you anything you don't know. Keep your expectations reasonable, and have fun! And if next time you want to take one of the cruises that comes to Hawaii, let me know and we can get together when you dock in Hilo.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: cruising on the sun princess
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 10:42 AM

My son and I went on several cruises when he was younger. Not my favorite way to see the world but it gave him a controlled and generally safe environment and me some peace of mind. Food varies from line to line but expect to be entertained and fed in one form or another from 5:30 AM until 3AM. On board casinos pay out on the first night to attract others for the rest of the cruise. Take advantage of it.And the shore trips can be wonderful. Make a point of speaking with your cruise director for recommendations and your waiter. They have been there before and can tell you what people enjoyed most. You will find that you can relax or stay frantically busy. Enjoy!

If this is your first cruise, be prepared that you will be given a sort of credit card to handle all your purchases on board. They do not accept cash in the bars or restaurants. It keeps the staff honest but also encourages you to spend more than you might if you were counting the budget money in your wallet.

We enjoyed all of our cruises. The exception: Carnival Cruises. Run fast and run far. Several assaults on board including a drunken brawl poolside involving employees who had broken into the bar supplies and a racially motivated attack on two Hispanic boys. And a lovely prank - all the parents of the children at an underage non-alcoholic club received phone calls with someone screaming "Mom they are hurting me" in the background. Oh yes - one of my table mates was vomitted on in the swimming pool. My letter to Carnival about serving alcohol to minors and the brawls that followed was answered with "It is not our policy" Of course, if you are into teenage girls bitch slapping each other in the lobby, go for it!

Subject: RE: BS: cruising on the sun princess
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 10:58 AM

Music? Don't get your hopes up. Lots of showy Broadway type stuff, at least one Elvis impersonator, and a "name". The closest I ever came to folk was the Temptations. And for reasons unknown, there is the tradition of entertaining guests at dinner with the serving staff singing, dancing, carrying trays on their head...

Subject: RE: BS: cruising on the sun princess
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 02:41 PM

Aw, Sins, that's the best part! That's why they save it for the last night...

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: cruising on the sun princess
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 06:37 PM

Doesn't sound like something I'm just dying to do.

Subject: RE: BS: cruising on the sun princess
From: tremodt
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 08:57 PM

i meant the sun princess only but thanks to you all for your inport

ron

Subject: RE: BS: cruising on the sun princess
From: Barry Finn
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 10:00 PM

Try Stern's Guide To The Cruise Vacation, by Steven B Stern, the 2002 edition. I've found it a wealth of info & it covers most lines & thier food, entertainment, service, activites, shore excursions, cabins & almost anything else your like to know about. You will be able to keep an eye on Mudcat, they have a cyberspace center (don't know if it's limited in time in age groups). Last year the Sun's Rating was a 5+ out of 6. Happy cruising. Hope this helps a bit. Barry

Subject: RE: BS: cruising on the sun princess
From: tremodt
Date: 27 Jan 02 - 09:12 PM

thank you barry

ron

Subject: RE: BS: cruising on the sun princess
From: John Hindsill
Date: 27 Jan 02 - 09:14 PM

Wasn't the Sun Princess (or a sister Princess) the love boat of "The Loveboat" fame? Ergo, watch an episode on TVLand. But perhaps that is to cruising what "Leave It to Beaver" was to the 1950s.