Norwegian Sun Cruise - Day 5
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Today is our fifth day being on the Norwegian Sun cruise ship. To say everyone is feeling a little stir-crazy is an understatement. Even the staff seems ready for a change of scenery; friendly as ever with bright smiles, but weary eyes. Today was supposed to be our first port day in Brisbane, Australia but looming Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused our ship to change course. Instead of traveling to Brisbane, we headed north of the storm toward the city of Cairns.
Our daily activities are basically on repeat this week, but we really can’t complain. Cruising has forced us to slow down, read books, walk, catch up on school work, and simply hang out together.
Andi, Tory, Aden, and I ate breakfast this morning at the ship’s outdoor buffet. Then, Tory and I returned to our stateroom to do her schoolwork while Aden went to the morning session of Splash Academy kids club. Andi worked from the Windjammer Lounge on Deck 12. Internet is terribly expensive and slow on the ship, but he’s been able to make do well enough.
Around 11:30am, Tory and I decided to lay by the pool for 30 minutes until Aden returned from kids club. Oh my gosh, the heat and humidity were sweltering outdoors! We could only stand to lay outside for 20 minutes before retreating inside the air-conditioned ship. I have no idea how other guests are able to lay outside by the pool all day. Judging by the tomato-red color of their skin, maybe they shouldn’t be.
For lunch, we dined at the Seven Seas main dining room. Andi asked to be sat at a different table overlooking the aft of the ship, and Aden about dropped dead from embarrassment. “You can’t just ask for things like that!” he whispered to Andi under his breath. “Why not?” Andi questioned.
The placement of our table overlooked the beautiful coral sea. Tory saw dolphins out the window splashing and jumping in the waves of the ship.
After lunch, Aden and I did his schoolwork in our stateroom. Then, he returned to Splash Academy for more games & fun with his cruise buddy, CJ.
Tory joined Andi and I for our afternoon walk along the ship’s walking/jogging track. We marveled at the sapphire color of the Coral Sea surrounding us. The water color was unlike anything we’ve ever seen; it was gorgeous. The sea is much calmer now than it was during the first few days of our cruise. It felt like ship was gliding across the top of the glassy water.
Andi and I did a workout in the ship’s fitness center this afternoon. The gym has yet to feel overcrowded with plenty of space for people to spread out in the aerobics room. The Norwegian Sun isn’t the biggest or fanciest ship in the company’s fleet, but smaller and less glamorous has its benefits. One of Andi and I’s favorite things about this cruise so far is that nothing is high-pressured. We haven’t experienced any sales pitches, no pressure to buy drinks or upgrade packages. There aren’t even formal dinner nights. Everything on the Norwegian Sun is casual, easy, and accommodating.
The four of us returned to the ship’s buffet for dinner tonight. It’s a good time to eat there, actually, because the dining room wasn’t busy. The crepe station, which is only available in the evenings is always a hit with Tory and Aden.
Tonight’s evening entertainment on the ship was a singer. Andi, Tory, and I opted to watch Netflix in our stateroom instead of going to the show. Aden went back to Splash Academy, of course.
Tomorrow, we’ll finally make our first port stop at Cairns, Queensland, Australia located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. We’re looking forward to it!
