First Glimpse of South America

Norwegian Sun Cruise Review to South America

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 3
Helpful Votes: 116

Overall rating:

4.2 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Sun

16 Night South America Explorer (Santiago To Miami)

Sail date: February 17, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Sun

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 7302

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

It was a wonderful cruise. Everything went smoothly, and I can't wait for my next one.

Embarkation

3 out of 5
Check in was quick. Boarding was slower than normal due to a thorough cleaning of the ship. They had an outbreak of the stomach bug on the previous cruise.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
The food was very good especially the lunches in the main dining room on sea days. I only tried a couple of things that I didn't care for.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
It was your typical onboard activities like any other cruise.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
The entertainment was varied which I liked. They had production shows, a comedian, a magician, etc. Something for everyone.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
The cruise ship employees always work hard to make your time onboard the best that it can be.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
This is an older ship in the fleet that will be refurbished soon. It was certainly nice enough for my taste, but it didn't come with all the bells and whistles of the newer ships. The ship was extremely clean.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5
It was a normal inside cabin. The shower was the old traditional cruise ship shower since the ship hasn't been refurbished.

Ship tip

If they do not do away with the Sports Bar during the refurb, you order your food next to the bar instead of at the bar or at the table. Like most if not all of the NCL ships these days, the Garden Cafe offers a crepe station during dinner.

Ports of call

San Antonio, Chile

3 out of 5
This was an embarkation port for us so I didn't tour it. It is a small town that I didn't like the looks of. One couple that I met stayed there several nights before the cruise and loved it.

Coquimbo (La Serena), Chile

4 out of 5
We took the tour to the Elqui Valley and a town named Vicuna. It was enjoyable.

Arica, Chile

5 out of 5
I did the Codpa Valley tour. The desert and scenery along the way was great. This was my favorite area of the cruise.

Callao (Lima), Peru

4 out of 5
For some reason, I expected Lima to be my favorite port of the cruise. It wasn't; however, it was nice to visit Lima.

Salaverry (Trujillo), Peru

4 out of 5
The Moche Temple was fascinating.

Manta, Ecuador

4 out of 5
Motecristi & Manta Highlights tour - It was more Motecristi than Manta. It showed a different perspective on life.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

4 out of 5
I spent a leisurely day in the coffee country of Costa Rica. Had a nice lunch on the tour at the Doka Estate.

Panama Canal Transit

4 out of 5
It isn't as exciting as you think it will be, but it is always cool to see the Panama Canal...after all it is the Panama Canal.

Cartagena, Colombia

4 out of 5
I toured the old city. It was much safer than I thought it would be. The street vendors were pushy here compared to the other ports.

Miami, Florida

4 out of 5
I've already done the tours here so I just want back to the airport.

Disembarkation

3 out of 5
The process was much slower than normal. According to a port employee, it was because we weren't a round trip cruise.
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