Norwegian Sun Review
The flagship of Norwegian Cruise Line's Sun Class, and one of the first ships in the fleet to offer Freestyle Cruising, Norwegian Sun has been a comfortable, mid-size home at sea for hundreds of thousands of cruisers since its launch in 2001. Refurbishments in 2028 and 2021 freshened interior décor and added several dining and lounge concepts that are popular on newer Norwegian ships. Accommodating 1,936 passengers, Norwegian Sun sails the Pacific from Alaska to South America — as well as more immersive Extraordinary Journeys around the globe.
What We Love
A World of Dining Options: For a ship of this size, Norwegian Sun offers a wide variety of dining options — 13 in all, five complimentary venues and eight specialty restaurants with a la carte pricing. The newest, added during recent refurbishments, is Los Lobos Cantina, an atmospheric eatery celebrating traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern twist. You’ll also find La Cucina (Italian), Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse), Le Bistro (French), Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar (Japanese) and Cagney’s Steakhouse. Restaurants included in the cruise fare include two main dining rooms, the buffet-style Garden Café, and Sports Bar and The Great Outdoors for pub snacks and grilled favorites
Complimentary Kids Clubs: No need to bring the sitter — Norwegian takes care of that with age-appropriate daytime youth programs at Splash Academy (kids) and Entourage (teens). Group sitting in the evening is also available for an extra fee.
Best Known For
Flexible Dinner Times: The essence of Freestyle Cruising — not being locked into set dining times — works especially well when traveling with children. And kids ages 12 and under always eat free, even in specialty restaurants where there's a menu designed just for them.
A Mix of International Itineraries: Norwegian Sun is a globetrotter, offering sailings in Alaska in summer (although for spring/summer 2025, the ship will reposition to the Mediterranean) and South American and the Caribbean in winter (as well as the South Pacific and Australia & New Zealand in late 2024 and early 2025) and then Asia. Many of its itineraries are what Norwegian calls Extraordinary Journeys, longer, more immersive sailings around the globe.
Who It's Good For
Mostly Mature Travelers, But All Ages are Welcome: With its wide range of international itineraries, Norwegian Sun primarily attracts couples who don’t love the nonstop action of newer megaships. But its shorter Alaska and Caribbean or Bahamas sailings could also be options if grandparents want to bring their kids and grandkids along to enjoy wildlife spotting or fun-in-the-sun activities ashore.
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You
It's Somewhat Old School: Although Norwegian Sun has been refurbished several times and features two pools and five hot tubs, it does lack the bells and whistles (waterslides, ropes courses, climbing walls, bowling alleys) that many children and teens (and some adults) have come to expect at sea.