The Norwegian Sun
Norwegian Sun: A Polynesian Odyssey That Redefines Expectations
Norwegian Cruise Lines should be proud of the fact of our returning to a cruise line after more than two decades and discovering that evolution has enhanced rather than diminished the experience. The Norwegian Sun, departing Honolulu for an ambitious journey through Hawaii's outer islands before continuing to French Polynesia, provided compelling evidence that Norwegian Cruise Lines has matured considerably since my last voyage with them in 2003.
The just over 78,000-tonne vessel, originally launched in 2001, underwent comprehensive refurbishment in April 2024, emerging with the fresh appearance of a newly launched ship. Carrying approximately 2,200 passengers with a crew of 958, she maintains the intimate scale that allows for personalised service whilst offering the amenities expected from modern cruising.
The first surprise emerged immediately upon clearing wharf security. As suite passengers, we were escorted to a dedicated area complete with lounge chairs, refreshments, and personalised attention—a level of service that exceeded expectations from the outset. Our Concierge Sumedh introduced himself alongside Butler Vinicius, who would escort us aboard to the suite-exclusive restaurant for lunch before cabin escort. Such thoughtful orchestration of the embarkation process demonstrated Norwegian's commitment to premium passenger experience.
Our suite, whilst smaller than comparable accommodations on other cruise lines, proved well-appointed despite lacking a separate bedroom—more accurately described as a spacious studio. The bathroom deserves particular mention as perhaps the largest encountered at sea, though paradoxically paired with the smallest shower. Additional drawer space would enhance the accommodation, but overall satisfaction remained high.
The Norwegian Sun's dining landscape offers remarkable variety. Two included restaurants—Seven Seas and Four Seasons—provide traditional cruise dining for all meals, whilst the Garden Café serves buffet-style alternatives. However, the speciality restaurants truly distinguish this vessel: Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Sushi Bar, Teppanyaki, La Cucina, Moderno, and Los Lobos each command additional fees but deliver exceptional quality that justifies the investment.
The Garden Café maintained standard cruise buffet expectations, whilst the included restaurants met anticipated quality levels. The revelation lay in the premium venues' excellence. Cagney's served what may have been the most succulent steak ever encountered at sea, whilst Le Bistro's cuisine proved so exceptional that three visits became necessary. Each speciality restaurant maintained consistently excellent standards—a remarkable achievement across such diverse culinary offerings.
The itinerary itself proved fascinating in its structure. From Honolulu, we proceeded to Kahului on Maui for a two-night stay, then Nawiliwili on Kaua'i for another extended visit, concluding Hawaiian exploration at Hilo on the Big Island. Four sea days followed, steaming toward French Polynesia's legendary islands: Bora Bora for two nights, then Raiatea, Moorea, and finally Papeete. The overnight stays in three ports allowed genuine destination immersion rather than rushed day visits.
The crew's excellence cannot be overstated. Concierge Sumedh appeared precisely when needed with almost supernatural timing, whilst Butler Vinny and cabin steward Alan provided service that transformed good cruising into exceptional hospitality. When crew members of this calibre enhance your journey, the entire experience elevates beyond mere transportation to memorable adventure.
Entertainment facilities aboard reflect thoughtful planning: ten restaurants, fourteen bars with regular entertainment, two pools, five jacuzzis, and twenty-four-hour room service ensure passenger satisfaction regardless of preferences. The Stardust Theatre serves as the evening entertainment hub, featuring both guest performers and full production shows by the resident cast.
Shore excursion options proved comprehensive at each port, though most destinations offered complimentary shuttle buses to city centres for independent exploration. One tour deserves special recommendation: the behind-the-scenes ship tour. This two-hour journey encompasses the Control Centre on Deck 4 (not the bridge), laundry facilities, theatre backstage areas, food storage and preparation facilities, and concludes on the bridge itself. The comprehensive insight into operating a vessel this size proves fascinating, though be prepared for considerable stair climbing.
Most significantly, this cruise bore little resemblance to my 2003 Norwegian experience. The transformation over twenty-one years has been remarkable—what Norwegian Cruise Lines offers in 2024 represents a mature, sophisticated product that deserves serious consideration from discerning travellers.
The Seasoned Traveller's Verdict:
The Norwegian Sun exceeded expectations across virtually every measure. The combination of thoughtful itinerary planning, exceptional crew service, and genuinely impressive dining options creates an experience that rivals premium cruise lines whilst maintaining Norwegian's relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere.
The extended port stays distinguish this itinerary from typical cruise schedules, allowing authentic destination exploration rather than superficial sampling. Hawaii's outer islands and French Polynesia's legendary beauty deserve such thoughtful pacing.
For fellow seasoned travellers, Norwegian's evolution merits fresh consideration. The 2024 product bears little resemblance to earlier iterations, having matured into a sophisticated offering that balances quality with value. The crew's genuine hospitality and the speciality restaurants' culinary excellence create experiences that linger long after disembarkation.
This Polynesian odyssey reminded me why cruise travel, when executed properly, remains one of the most civilised ways to explore multiple destinations. Norwegian Cruise Lines has clearly learned from two decades of experience, creating a product worthy of recommendation to the most discerning travellers.
