Is the Norwegian Sun the right small ship for you?

As you know, my wife and I just finished a 18-day cruise on the Norwegian Sun, sailing from Canada all the way to Japan. This was our first repositioning cruise. It was quite an adventure — and in this post I will share some honest thoughts about the ship, the food, and whether we would recommend this type of trip for other senior travelers like us.

A quick bit of background on the ship itself. The Norwegian Sun launched in 2001, making it one of the older vessels in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. It’s part of the ‘Sun Class’ — smaller than NCL’s newer mega-ships — carrying about 1,900 passengers with a crew of around 900. The ship measures roughly 78,000 gross tons, which means it’s mid-sized by today’s standards. [See my comments made earlier this year on the benefits of sailing on smaller vessels.]

For our trans-Pacific cruise the ship was fully booked. About 800 of the passengers were Canadian (all rooting for the Blue Jays against out hometown Dodgers), about 400 were Japanese citizens, and the balance were from the USA. NCL has a valuable Solo Traveler Program. Norwegian has been a leader in welcoming solo cruisers — on their newer ships they offer studio cabins designed just for one person, along with exclusive lounges and meet-ups for solo guests. On the Sun there was special pricing for solo travelers which cut out the single sailor surcharge added by most cruise lines.

For this sailing, that program was so popular that the Norwegian Sun was completely full — many of those cabins were booked by solo travelers making the trans-Pacific crossing. It created a really interesting mix of passengers: lots of independent travelers, retirees, and seasoned cruisers who loved the long itinerary.

It’s a fantastic option if you’re traveling solo, but it also means these cruises can fill up early, so it’s worth booking well in advance.

The Benefits and Risks of a Repositioning Cruise

Now, for those who may not know — this was a repositioning cruise, which means the ship was moving from one region to another — in our case, from North America to Asia — as part of its seasonal schedule. These cruises are a bit different, and they come with their own set of benefits and risks.

The big benefit is value. You can often get more days at sea for less money than a traditional cruise. They’re also great if you enjoy long stretches of calm ocean time — reading, relaxing, or just unwinding without rushing from port to port.

But there are also risks to be aware of. Because there are so many sea days, you’ll spend a lot of time onboard — so if the ship is older or the entertainment limited, you might start to feel restless. Weather can also be unpredictable on long ocean crossings. On our sailing we ran into rain, hail, and cold every day at sea. The crew lashed down the dining tables and chairs and empted the pool for the entire trans-Pacific crossing. The practical result was a loss of almost all of the outdoor venues. Less space but the same number of travelers means squeezing people into the Buffet Halls and dining rooms. We actually missed our first port of call in Japan because of the rough seas encountered crossing the Pacific.

An additional cost item to consider in booking a repositioning cruise is that you have to budget to get to the ports of departure and debarkation, both of which could be far from home. Flight arrangements at the start or end of the cruise can be more complicated — especially if you’re flying home from another continent.

For senior travelers, I’d say repositioning cruises are wonderful if you love quiet days, ocean views, and good books — but be sure you’re on a ship that fits your comfort level for a long journey. If you are looking for partying until 2:00 in the morning, the Sun may not be the ship for you.

Let’s start with the ship itself.

The Norwegian Sun is one of the older vessels in NCL’s fleet, and honestly — you can tell. While it’s clean and the crew keeps everything well maintained, it does feel dated when viewed from the lens of the commercials NCL puts out in prime time and on the net. The ship’s décor, the entertainment and eating venues, even some of the amenities — they just don’t have that fresh, modern feel you’ll find on the newer ships.

Now, let’s talk about the food. The first few days, we were really impressed — good variety, nice presentation, and friendly service. But after about a week, it started to feel a little repetitive. We saw the same dishes pop up again and again. Specialty dining helped break things up, but those restaurants fill up quickly and come with an extra cost.

The entertainment was another mixed bag. The performers were talented and gave it their all, but the lineup didn’t really change much. After 18 days, it just felt stale — same shows, same music sets, not much variety. There were two comedians and two magic shows on the cruise. Honestly both comedians failed to impress while the two magic shows were impressive.

Now, what really stood out — in the best way — was the service team. The crew on the Norwegian Sun was exceptional. They were friendly, attentive, and genuinely made us feel special every single day. That level of warmth and care really reflects well on Norwegian Cruise Line as a company. For example, Michelle had a birthday in the middle of the cruise (I did let the ship guest services know when we boarded which day – but not which birthday it was). Our room attendant decorated our cabin and built a birthday cake out of towels for Michelle.

And of course — the destinations made everything worthwhile. We started in Vancouver where we booked a hotel for ad additional day of exploring. Having never been to Vancouver, I arranged for a tour of the city’s Chinatown lead by a local chef. This tour was arranged through Viator and not NCL (more on this choice in a later posting). The title of the tour was “A Wok Around Chinatown: Culinary and Cultural Walking Tour Led by a Chef.”

The tour was a total of five people. We began our walk at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in downtown Vancouver. Over the next four hours we visited a Chinese BBQ restaurant, learned about Chinese culture and the migration from Southern China to Vancouver to build the Canadian railroads, we visited a centered which was established to collect old photos of Vancouver’s Chinese population, experienced a tea ceremony, and had lunch in a small neighborhood restaurant.

Arriving in Japan after crossing the Pacific was just incredible. The two ports we visited both had fair weather which allowed us to get our sea legs re-balanced. While this was our second trip to Japan, I booked three extra days in Tokyo to taste the culture and the food of Japan. Here we booked tours on two separate days through Tours by Locals.

Tour one was a private 7-hour tour of local Tokyo city favorites. Our tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable. We traveled by train and subway throughout Tokyo. We left the train and subway stations feeling like locals. Walking with our guide was far better than a bus tour of Tokyo. We would highly recommend Tours by Locals over commercial tour companies.

Tour two was a private 4-hour tour of local restaurants. We received a mini-cooking class on the differences between Udon and Ramen and we walked several out-of-the-way neighborhoods. Everything exceeded our expectations. That part of the trip was absolutely unforgettable.

So, would we recommend this cruise to other senior travelers?

If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing voyage with lots of sea days and a great destination at the end, you’ll probably enjoy it. But if you’re expecting a ship with modern features, varied entertainment, and diverse dining, you might want to look at a newer NCL ship or even a different line.

Simply put we will definitely sail with NCL again, but probably not on the Norwegian Sun. The service was wonderful, and Japan was incredible — but next time, we’ll look for something a bit newer for those long days at sea.

Have you cruised trans-Pacific or on the Norwegian Sun? Let us know in the comments!

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China Bucket List Trip: Timeless Wonders Before They Changed Forever

China challenged us, inspired us, and rewarded us in ways we never expected. From ancient wonders to modern marvels, it was truly a bucket list trip that lived up to its promise.

If you’ve ever thought about visiting China, my advice is simple: Go with an open mind, take your time, and be ready to be amazed. This journey will stay with us forever. Simply states, some trips entertain you, others change the way you see the world.

Years ago, my wife and I finally checked off one of the biggest items on our travel bucket list: China. It was a journey that blended ancient history, living tradition, and the pulse of a modern global powerhouse. Even now, certain moments from that trip feel as vivid as if they happened yesterday. Here are the highlights that made China one of our most unforgettable adventures.

Walking the Great Wall of China

Standing on the Great Wall, we were struck silent. Stretching across mountains as far as the eye could see, it felt less like a structure and more like a symbol of human determination. Walking along the stone pathways, it was easy to imagine the centuries of soldiers, laborers, and travelers who came before us, was humbling. Photos don’t do it justice; the scale, the silence, and the history hit you all at once.

The Forbidden City: Power, Tradition, and Time

In the heart of Beijing, a must see is the Forbidden City. While we were in Beijing a year before the Olympics and the Forbidden City was under major renovations of the games, it felt like stepping into another world. Endless courtyards, towering gates, and richly colored palaces told the story of emperors who ruled behind these walls for more than 500 years. Walking those grounds gave us a real sense of imperial China’s scale, authority, and cultural depth.

The Terracotta Army: History Frozen in Time

Nothing prepared us for the emotional impact of the Terracotta Army Museum in Xi’an. Row after row of life-sized warriors, each with unique facial expressions, stood guard exactly as they had for more than two thousand years. It’s one thing to read about ancient history; it’s another to stand face-to-face with it. This was one of those rare travel moments where you realize you’re witnessing something truly irreplaceable.

Giant Pandas: Pure Joy in Chengdu

After so much grandeur and history, visiting the giant pandas in Chengdu brought pure joy. Watching these gentle, playful animals munch bamboo and tumble around was unexpectedly moving. There’s something universally comforting about pandas — and seeing them up close was one of the lighter, happier highlights of our trip.

Yangtze River Cruise

One of the most meaningful parts of our China journey was a Yangtze River cruise — and we were fortunate to take it before completion of the Three Gorges Dam. The pace was slow, the scenery unforgettable, and the experience deeply reflective. We passed through narrow gorges, saw river towns and landscapes that have since disappeared, and witnessed daily life along China’s most important waterway. It was a quieter, more contemplative side of China and one we’ll always be grateful to have seen.

Shanghai’s Bund: Old World Meets New World

The Bund in Shanghai showed us a completely different side of China. On one side, historic colonial-era buildings; on the other, a futuristic skyline that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Walking along the waterfront at night, watching the city light up, we felt the energy of a country confidently stepping into the future while still honoring its past.

Shu Feng Ya Yun: An Evening of Culture and Color

One of the most memorable evenings of the trip was the Shu Feng Ya Yun Sichuan Opera Show. From traditional music and dance to the famous face-changing performance, the show was mesmerizing. It was lively, colorful, and deeply cultural — the perfect way to experience Chinese performing arts in an intimate setting.

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