Given the choice between a Western, Eastern or Southern
Caribbean cruise out of Florida, ten times out of ten, I would choose the
Southern itinerary. Why? You’re still visiting high traffic tourist traps but
those destinations in the Southern Caribbean are just so much more exotic than
those within swimming distance of Florida. The problem? Very rarely is there a
great priced Southern Caribbean cruise out of Florida.
Well, we found one. The price is awesome and the itinerary
aboard Norwegian Sun provides as much variety as possible for a cruise leaving
out of Florida, as opposed to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The one issue is time.
This is an eleven day cruise that may not agree with many people’s rigid
vacation schedules.
The Cruise
Norwegian Sun embarks from Miami, Florida at 4pm on
Thursday, March 6, 2014 on an eleven night Southern Caribbean cruise. Sun
arrives back in Miami for 8am on Monday, March 17. Along the way, the ship
makes five port calls. There are five full days at sea in which to enjoy all
this modern ship has to offer.
For this itinerary, Norwegian doesn’t screw around with
stops in the Bahamas. Rather, Norwegian Sun charges straight south for two full
days through the Atlantic Ocean / Caribbean Sea and arrives at Oranjestad,
Aruba on Sunday, March 9. The ship is docked at the ‘A’ of the ‘ABC Islands’
(Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) from 8am until 5pm. In fact, NCL makes it very
easy for passengers on this cruise with every port of call scheduled from 8am
until 5pm.
Skipping Bonaire, Norwegian Sun stops at Willemstad, Curacao
on Monday, March 10. After these two full days of near equatorial heat,
culture, snorkeling and partying, take a day to relax on the ship before
docking at Bridgetown, Barbados on Wednesday, March 12.
The fourth stop occurs on Thursday, March 13 and this is the
one that should make your friends ask, “Say again? Where the hell were you?”
Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadeloupe is the last true southern destination before heading
northward.
The final stop occurs on Friday, March 14 at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. St. Thomas is a pivot point in the Caribbean and is
included in Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, as well as the Southern
cruises. After leaving St. Thomas, you have two more full days at sea to soak
in those last rays of tropical sunshine before flying back to the cold, cold
north.
The Price
Don’t expect this price to last. That’s not a car salesman
tactic, it’s simply the truth. An inside stateroom for this cruise can be had
for as low as $479 per person, based on double occupancy. With the additional
$108.87 per person in government taxes and fees tacked on, an inside cabin for
two goes from $1,175.74.
From the inside out and up, the prices go up rapidly. An
Ocean View cabin is still reasonable at $599. However, adding a balcony pushes
the price to $1,099 per person and a suite is nearly double that at from $2,099
per person. Present and former military
personnel from Canada and the United States should note that discounts apply
and an inside stateroom is reduced to from $449 for these heroes.
The Ship
Norwegian Sun is one of two Sun Class ships in the Norwegian
Cruise Line fleet. The other is Norwegian Sky, the older sister that was put in
service in 1999. Sun was put in service in 2001 and was last refurbed in 2011.
This may have been a large ship in 2001 but is now closer to
a medium sized boat. Norwegian Sun has a gross tonnage of 78,309 with a length
of 258 metres or 848 feet. There are 13 decks accessible to passengers. The
ship has a capacity for 2,002 guests, based on double occupancy. There are
typically 968 crew members on board.
The Small Print
·Because of the nature of last minute deals, the pricing printed here is fleeting and could change at any time.
·Prices are in Canadian dollars.
·Most meals are included in a typical cruise price but DRINKS ARE NOT!
·Also not included are gratuities.
·Cruise pricing does not include air fare, ground transfers and hotel accommodations before and after the cruise.
