Cruise Talk: Sundream Carribbean Cruising

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Sundream Carribbean Cruising

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Topic: Sundream Carribbean Cruising

Frank Loftus
Just Boarded
Member # 1030

posted 01-19-2000 07:32 AM

I am about to go on a cruise on the Sundream, and would like to hear from anyone who has been on the ship recently. I am abit worried as I have seen some bad reports and I am looking for re-assurance, can anyone recommend some shore excursions? Many thanks, Frank.

Posts: 1 | From: England | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 01-19-2000 01:53 PM

Frank, I wasn't on the Sundream but I was on her sister the Carousel and I loved every minute on her. Some people, especially Americans , dislike the Carousel, and occasionally this may be justified, eg. over the millennium. But many love them both.

The Sundream, or so I am told, is slightly better than the Carousel. her cabins are considerably nicer and more comfortable, despite being the same size. she also has a bar/cafe beside the pool, while the Carousel only has one on compass deck, up the stairs from the pool. Read "Oh Dear Carousel" post and decide from that

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Kelly
First Class Passenger
Member # 857

posted 01-19-2000 04:00 PM

Frank , I haven't been on the Sundream but have heard good things from a friend who was on both her and the Carousel . She loved the Sundream and decided to cruise again on the Carousel but was disappointed . She found the Sundream cleaner , newer in appearence , better food etc , even though the 2 ships layouts are exactly the same . I have another friend leaving on Jan 29 on the Sundream , if you're not going by then I can let you know how it went when she gets back .
My advice is to relax and have fun , at least you are warm , you don't have to work and someone is cooking your meals for you . How bad could that be ?

Posts: 25 | From: Markham , Ontario , Canada | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 01-19-2000 04:31 PM

Unless I'm wrong, the Carousel and Sundream are not sister ships. The Carousel(formely Nordic Prince, is a bit smaller than the Sundream(formely Song Of America). If I'm wrong somebody let me know.(I'm sure they will LOL)

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 01-19-2000 04:47 PM

Actually, the Sundream and Carousel are sisters. The Sundream was the Song of Norway and the Carousel was the Nordic Prince. They are both 637 feet long and around 23,000 tons.

Carousel - from the TravelPage.com review

The Song of America which is much larger at 37,500 tons became the Sunbird.

Sunbird - from the TravelPage.com review

Airtours seems to be concentrating most of their resources on the Sunbird from which most of the reports are very postive. They are "mixed" from the Carousel.

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

nononsense42
First Class Passenger
Member # 1013

posted 01-19-2000 08:13 PM

Hi, I have never heard of these ships. What is the name of the cruise line? Where do they sail to? I like older ships, in fact we are sailing on the Seabreeze next month. We went on her when she was a Dolphin ship and had a great time. I saw the Song of America when she was a RCL ship, it was a nice looking ship.

Posts: 19 | From: canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 01-19-2000 08:27 PM

I've sailed with Airtour's Sun Cruises, and would definately sail with them again. See my post under "Oh! Dear! Carousel" in this listing. Hope it helps you.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 01-19-2000 10:23 PM

In Canada these ships are sold by ... Anyone interested ...

DianaD,

I'm sorry I have to do this - but you cannot solicit business on this board. If you are interested in advertising on this site please contact me and I will be happy to provide you with advertising rates.

Joe at TravelPage.com

[Note: This message has been edited by jkoshuta]

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000

Minty
Just Boarded
Member # 996

posted 01-20-2000 05:28 AM

When we were on the disastrous Millennium cruise on the Carousel, many of the staff stated openly that the Sunwing and Sundream were much nicer ships. In fact as we were leavind the officer on the gangplank said to our party that the experience we had had would not have occurred on any of their sister ships - so perhaps you will be in luck if you book on these!

Posts: 9 | From: UK | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 01-20-2000 08:24 AM

Joe - Re DianaD - good for you.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 01-20-2000 01:16 PM

Joe, I guess I was under a mistaken impression. I always thought the Song of Norway and the Song of America were sister ships and the Nordic Prince and (I believe )it was the Sun Viking were sister ships, since I thought it was the Sun Viking and then later the Nordic Prince that was cut in half and lenghtened. Is this correct or not? Maybe we should have a game of RCCL triva?

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 01-20-2000 01:41 PM

You al will think I am a complete bore for noticing this but anyway: Song of Norway, Nordic Prince, and Sun Viking were all built in late 60's/early 70's. Song of Norway and Nordic Prince were lengthened in the mid 80's, while SV stayed the same. like most sister ships, there are a number of small variations. SON has a dining area at the end of the pool, while NP doesn't. SON is also slightly larger overall, and if you look closely, the picture windows on Promenade Deck stretch further forward than on the Carousel/NP.

NP/carousel was Airtours second ship, the firwst being southward from NCL (Seawing). I believe Carousel entered airtours service aroung 1995. Sundreamwas bought in 1997 and her refit proved to be nicer than carousel's. Carousel had another refit, and unfirtunately her cabins ended up slightly less comfortable than they were originally.

the sunbird is indubitably airtours best ship. The Seawing has a great aura and personality, but I found the Carousel great too. Overall, if the Sundream is better than Carousel, she can't be bad. Go for it!

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Natalie
First Class Passenger
Member # 347

posted 01-20-2000 02:04 PM

Hi there,

message to Minty - you must have been on the Carousel a week before us. We boarded on 1st Jan 2000. Carousel was still having a few minor problems but didnt stop us having a ball. I want to still be there!!!!

The Sundream I believe is the better ship of the Airtours Fleet. You can tell that from the brochures and looking at the cabins. What I can tell you is that the Carousel was superb in terms of food, service and hospitality. We had a great time and it beats English weather at the moment.

You will have fun!!!

N (tan now falling on the floor!!!)

Posts: 61 | From: Yateley, Hampshire, England | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

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