We had the time of our lives going through the Panama Canal on the Sun in April 2004, so when NCL offered a great deal on a September 2009 repo from Vancouver to San Francisco via a quick turn in Alaska, we jumped at it. Other reviewers have complained that the Sun feels small and dated; we're not particularly drawn to the huge, glittery new ships (we don't rock climb very well and we can bowl at home), so we're very fond of this old (only by today's fast-moving cruise ship standards) girl.

She's well maintained and still has a wonderfully friendly staff (shoutout to Marciel in the Champagne Bar, Almira in Four Seasons, and our great room stewards, Xavier and Dewa). The only minor complaint we can come up with -- other than the impossibility of avoiding the smoky casino as you cross the seventh deck -- is that the newer ships are designed with more places to curl up inside during inclement weather, which was most of our trip. The Sun has no dedicated library with seating and fewer bars and corridor window seats than on the Jewel-class ships. This won't be a problem in future, as the Sun is coming off the Alaska itinerary and returning to the Caribbean.

Captain Tommy Stensrud is a hoot with his morning homilies. He's quite comfortable chatting on the PA, and the passengers developed quite an affection for his friendly monologues. He was extremely considerate about keeping us informed on delays and schedule changes, medical emergencies (both leaving Vancouver and entering San Francisco), mentioning good spots to see whales (we were fortunate enough to see humpbacks breaching and what were probably orcas swimming), narrating along the Inside Passage, and, most kindly, letting us know at exactly what hour we'd be passing under the Golden Gate Bridge. A nice guy and a good captain. Read more