My wife and I wwas on the same cruise as some of the more negative reviews here, but our experience was completely different. This was the first cruise for my wife and I, so our expectations were pretty high, and they were definitely met on the Norweigan Sun. We had a balcony stateroom on deck 8 and spent a good deal of our time on our balcony, taking advantage of our own private ocean view. Everyone told me that I should take an interior room since "we wouldn't be spending any time in our room anyway", but I can safely say I won't sail again without a balcony room. A big part of a cruise is being near the ocean for me, we left our balcony door open 24/7! Fresh air, cool breeze and great sleeping and napping. Awoke one night at 2 am to find another cruise ship to starboard fully lit up and gorgeous, and awoke another night to enjoy a short, but wild thunderstorm. Loved it.
First night out was kind of rough on the sea, my wife ended up in bed nauseous and missing dinner, but Bonine soon set her straight and she was fine for the rest of the cruise.
We both thought the food was very good, the wait staff being very helpful, kind, attentive and occasionally very funny. Have to say the staff was the most pleasant surprise as they were all professional, courteous and kind. I'd think it would be hard to be so nice several months into your contract, 9 months away from home with no days off, having to be exteremely nice to everyone all the time. They performed without fail. Kudos especially to our room steward Rey...who left us "towel animals" without fail every night, and they always had eyes! Rey was prompt with replacing towels and giving us whatever extras we asked for.
Cabin was excellent, spacious for 2, but no more, I'd say. Balcony was my favorite. Deck 8, a bit forward of midship. Easy access to elevators. Clean, though sofa/fold out bed was pretty dated looking, it was comfortable to sit on. TV was also old, but who the hell watches TV on a cruise, unless you're sick? LOVED the balcony, left the doors open 24/7 to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells. If I were going on the same ship, I'd seriously consider trying to book the same room.