Norwegian Sun Photo Tour and Profile

Norwegian Sun presents a different version of the Norwegian Cruise Line experience. Yes, she has the signature Freestyle dining and yes, you will find many of the same activities and venues that you find on other Norwegian ships. However, whereas the line's flagship, Norwegian Epic, is big and pulsating with activity, the Sun is relatively small and life is unhurried. Her décor is similarly laid-back, contemporary but restrained.

Offering somewhat different versions of a line's cruising style is wise marketing. No matter how much people like a musical theme, they do not want to hear it over and over. Having variations on a theme is much more interesting. Besides, some people like big ships and some people only like small ships. It clearly makes sense for a line to offer its cruise experience in different sizes.

The Sun is the sister ship to Norwegian Sky. However, even so there are significant differences between the two in where they've been and what they offer.

Both ships were being built for another cruise line when the shipyard where they were being built went bankrupt. Norwegian stepped in, bought the two ships and had them finished at the Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany. Work on the Sun was not as far along as on the Sky when Norwegian bought the ships. As a result, Norwegian was able to have more input into the Sun than the Sky. Thus while the two ships have many similarities, there are differences as well. Thus, the Sun has more and different balconies than the Sky. She is also somewhat bigger in gross tonnage.

They have led different lives since then. The Sky became Pride of Aloha for awhile and did Hawaiian cruises for Norwegian's U.S.-flag affiliate. The Sun has always remained with Norwegian itself.

Today, the two ships do quite different cruises. The Sky does short cruises from Florida to the Bahamas. Such short break cruises attract a younger crowd often interested in partying. The Sun, when she is based in Florida, does longer than average Caribbean cruises. (In the past, she has done summers in Europe but this coming summer, she will be heading to Alaska). Such cruises tend to attract a more mature passenger interested in savoring a relaxing voyage.

Beyondships' profile of Norwegian Sun, including menus and daily programs, is at http://beyondships.com/NCLSun.html The photo tour and commentary about Norwegian Sun begins at http://beyondships.com/NCLSun-Tour-1.html

Cruising to Nassau, The Bahamas

Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, is one of the most visited cruise ports in the world. Although it is not actually in the Caribbean, it far enough south to have sub-tropical to tropical weather. Furthermore, it is close enough to the United States to make it a convenient port of call not only for ships sailing from the Florida cruise capitals but also for ships sailing from ports further north. Consequently, it is not unusual to have five or six large cruise ships in port on a single day.

For the most part, the ships are left unoccupied during their stay in Nassau. A few souls stay aboard and use the ship's facilities but the vast majority disappear onto the island. For many, the objective is a day at the beach or involvement in some form of water sport. However, there are other things to see and do.

The king of Nassau's attraction is the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island, which lies on the other side of the harbor from Nassau. This is not just a hotel with a nice beach and a swimming pool, it is a vast fantasy land built with considerable imagination around the ancient legend of the lost city of Atlantis.

For those who like looking at ships, Nassau has much to offer. The harbor is quite compact and when ships enter or leave the harbor, the other ships have a good view. In addition, all of the ships dock together and the piers are laid out in such a way as to provide a number of good camera angles.

Beyondship's profile of Nassau begins at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination---nassau.html. Included in the profile is a page of photos and information about the attractions and points of interest in Nassau. http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination-nassau-attractions.html We also have a slideshow of some of the attractions at the Atlantis resort at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination-nassau-atlantis.html There is also a video showing Norwegian Epic entering the harbor. http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-epic-video.html

Cruising to Grand Turk

It is really only been in the last decade that Grand Turk has come on the radar screen for people going on cruise vacations. The capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Grand Turk has always been overshadowed by its upmarket sister island Providenciales as a tourist destination. However, following a $60 million investment by Carnival Corporation to create a cruise center there, Grand Turk is no longer in the backseat.

The cruise center complex is more than a pier and a terminal building. Rather, it is 18 acres of resort. Right next to the cruise ship pier is a beautiful white sand beach lapped by crystal clear waters. Beyond the coconut palms that shade the beach is a large salt water swimming pool, a Flow-rider surfing simulator and the world's largest Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville. Around the central plaza are shops bearing internationally-known names. Furthermore, the entire complex has been done in an architectural style that pays tribute to the traditional architecture of the island. Thus, not only is there a lot to do, but the complex is eye-pleasing as well.

Cruisers looking for a beach resort experience need never leave the cruise complex. However, the rest of this small island is not without interest. As a newcomer to the Caribbean cruise world, Grand Turk still has something of the traditional atmosphere of a Caribbean island. Its only real town is still dominated by low-rise colonial buildings. You can easily cross the street without being run down by tour buses and there is an absence of souvenir shops and fast food restaurants. Outside of Cockburn Town, you can still find undeveloped areas and secluded beaches.

There are signs that this may be changing. There is a tourist-oriented shopping plaza under construction in Cockburn Town for example. Such changes should be good for the local economy and will give visitors more to see and enjoy during their stay in Grand Turk. But by definition, such changes mean that the old lifestyle will disappear or at least altered. That is the way of progress. However, at least for the moment, you can still experience it in Grand Turk.

Beyondship's profile of Grand Turk begins at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination---grand-turk.html The cruise port complex is shown at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination-grand-turk-cruise-port.html The island's other attractions are presented at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination-grand-turk-attractions.html

Talking with the Captain, HD and Cruise Director of Carnival Breeze

This week we go inside Carnival Breeze. As discussed last week, Carnival Breeze represents a significant evolutionary step for Carnival Cruise Lines. This week, we talk to three insiders about what is different about this ship.

The three insiders are Captain Stefano Battinelli who started working on Breeze when she was still in the shipyard and who brought Breeze transatlantic to her homeport of Miami for the first time; Hotel Director Pierre B. Camilleri, who is in charge of all of the services that most directly affect guests including dining and accommodations; and Cruise Director Butch Begovich, who has direct responsibility for the onboard entertainment.

From these talks, you'll find that Carnival Breeze differs from what has gone before at Carnival in (1) her appearance; (2) the number and quality of her dining and entertainment outlets; and (3) in the type of entertainment being presented.

The interview with Captain Battinelli is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-breeze-captain.html

My talk with Hotel Director Camilleri begins at http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-breeze-hotel-director.html

My conversation with Cruise Director Butch is at http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-breeze-cruise-director.html

In addition, since Carnival Breeze presents guests with several dinning options, we have a Carnival Breeze dining guide with commentary on the various venues by Hotel Director Camilleri. http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-breeze-dining-guide.html

I review one of the new dining venues Guy's Burger Joint at http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-breeze-guys-burger-joint.html

Also, I review a Carnival tradition that does not get much attention - - afternoon tea. http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-breeze-afternoon-tea.html