Boxerjim

Yes.  Ask the desk when checking in.  There will be people standing in a huge line waiting to get access to board, even though it's not their turn,  Go to the front of the line, show them your priority boarding, and away you go.  Should be boarding right after Haven and top tier NCL members.  Why people stand in line to get on the ship when they aren't called is beyond me.

Last time we got off at this stop, it wasn't a Belize stop.  It was a NCL private beach set-up, with 'someone's shops and bars'(We really know whose shops and bars, NCL).Got right back on.  Carnival and other cruise lines take you to the real Belize.  

Thank you for your review, very informative!!!

Thanks again to everyone who was kind enough to answer!!!!

27 minutes ago, JessLCH said:

I am booked on free at sea in a cabin for 2 with my 18 year old.  I have the free at sea beverage package and he was automatically given the soda package because he's under 21.

Thanks a million!!!  My PCC wasn't answering, so I was getting nervous.  You made my night:)

Hi all,

So, I tried searching and read a few posts, but I'm a bit confused now.  Going as a group.  I'm currently looking at a cabin for two, myself and son, who is 19.  Free at Sea is very hard to understand when it comes to beverage packages.  Would he get the pop package, or nothing, since he obviously can't legally drink booze?  One post I read said if both people in the cabin aren't 21, neither can get the Beverage package?  Anyone that can enlighten me on this would be much appreciated!  Norwegian Joy, April, out of Miami if that helps, this year.  Thanks!!!!

Mushroom,

Without the entire ship having the drink package, it makes getting drinks so much easier.  Hopefully you have a great trip!!!

Hello all,

Short review on the Norwegian Sky we sailed on September 9th for 5 days.  I've travelled both Carnival and NCL, liking both lines, ships new and old.  This one was no different.

Maybe it was just me, but this ship seemed to be half empty.  Never were there any lines for the buffet.  We got into dinner, even specialty restaurants, at our desired times, without any reservations.  Pools and hot tubs didn't seem crowded on sea days at all.  Pleasantly surprised!!!!

Food.  Meh, YMMV.  Buffet was buffet food.  I got by on hot dogs and hamburgers, with a few pork loin sandwiches, mashed potatoes, chicken, etc.  Good enough for an average foodie like me.  Loved the hard ice cream:)  Dinners, the free restaurant were fine, good choices.  Cagneys was excellent, had the steak and lobster, GF had the chicken.  We both loved it.  La Cuchina, great as well!!!  Loved both specialty restaurants!!!

Ports.  We lost Freeport and GSC due to Dorian, Key West and Nassau are just that, ports we've been to plenty of times.  Still managed to have fun at both.

Drink package, self explanatory.  All you could drink, we were in paradise!!!!  No lines for the bars, NEVER had a problem getting a drink at the pools, dinner, casino, anywhere......

Entertainment.  We managed to miss the comedy.  The music show was alright.  No music trivia, *****???  Deck parties were a riot, as were the pool games.  Kind of a fun cruise staff, without hardly seeing them.  Not sure if that is good or bad......

Staff.  OMG, out of this world!!!!  Absolutely, hands down, some of the funnest, busiest, energetic drew we have ever met.  They were pleasant and fun loving the entire trip, from start to finish.  Basically made our trip WAY over the top memorable!!!  

I know it is an older ship, not as many bells and whistles, but trust me, the crew will make up for it tenfold.  And at the prices they charge during this season, you won't leave disappointed!

On my most recent cruise, they refused to sell you buckets, buy drinks for others, buy drinks for yourself, etc.  Carnival has struck down on this hard, for some unknown reason.  They profit in the long run, but alas, that is why Norwegian's drinks package kicks their ass.  Bring on a rum runner, add liquor to your drinks that way.  Utilize the wine you bring onboard, or order a bottle at dinner.  But the other PAYING workarounds are disappearing fast.  Probably a matter of time before they shut you COMPLETELY off of ANY beverages, alcohol or not, when you hit 15.

Thank you for the replies!!!!  Yeah, I've heard the food on the Sky wasn't very good, but the drink package makes it a toss-up.  Might just stick to the Sensation...….

Platinum on Carnival, almost on NCL.  Both 5 days, going out September 9, same debark, similar itineraries.  Been on the Sky 3 years ago, never on the Sensation.  Anyone done both that can point me one way or the other?  Similar pricing as well.  Thanks to any or all replies:)

Boxerjim

Platinum on Carnival, almost on NCL.  Both 5 days, going out September 9, same debark, similar itineraries.  Been on the Sky 3 years ago, never on the Sensation.  Anyone done both that can point me one way or the other?  Similar pricing as well.  Thanks to any or all replies:)

Boxerjim

Listen to the Carnival cheerleaders call for following rules, lol!!!  They are my favorite cruise line, but can someone post here how well CARNIVAL follows rules in respect to environmental RULES????  Something about calling the kettle black...…..Now that the idiots are called out and laid down, please, don't do as Carnival does.  Or do.  Listen, sharing alcoholic drinks isn't kosher, EVEN THOUGH they make you purchase Cheers even if you don't drink because your cabin mate wants it.  Common sense.  Don't exploit it.  Don't leave evidence trails, much like the trash trails Carnival leaves.  Share the damn shake.  Don't share 12 of them.  When these Carnival advocates can clean up, literally, Carnival's TRASH, they can start preaching.

Wow, listening to some of you wine about the OP makes me sick.  Carnival is my favorite cruise line, but the annoying announcements all day every day SUCK!!!  Take off the cheerleader outfits and blinders, you will see he didn't disparage the CCL in the least.  OP, great review, much appreciated!!!  Magic is a great ship, loved it myself.  If you do travel Carnival in the future, realize the announcements will never go away.  Happy cruising!!!

Only way you could 'technically' sell it, would be to add a potential buyer to the booking by paying the $50 name change fee. Then they could show up, you obviously don't, and all is good.

Hi Alyssa,

I am in the same boat as you, so I have never cruised solo, mostly due to dinners. Perhaps there should be a solo group chat, where people could get to know each other and plan cruises together. I would cruise 52 weeks a year if I knew someone going!!!

^^This! I cruised in Feb '16 with my cousin who wasn't platinum at the time. I went to the reception alone and when the CD came over to chat, he asked why I was sitting alone. After telling him that my cabin mate wasn't platinum he told me to call her and have her come join me

Oh, FFS, don't tell these stuck up Plat and Diamond snobs this!!! They will try to get the CD fired for having to actually be seen with the lower class! Sounds like a ship that already sunk......

PS----I am Platinum, and the holier than thou attitude they display sickens me. I prefer to hang out with the Reds and Golds:)

Still there:) 10:25pm Central time!!!

And when you go to book your next Carnival cruise and notice the Cheers package has gone up ever so slightly from $49.95 per day to $52.95 or $54.95 per day, because a couple of thousand people a week decide to sneak and share here and there, laugh even harder.

 

Drink up. And don't forget to propose a toast ... to the bean counters ... and the prudes.

 

 

 

OR???? Maybe cruise NCL, where there isn't a 15 drink limit??? Nobody HAS to cruise CCL. And they have jacked up the rates on the drink package. Has nothing to do with sharing. If Carnival can squeeze $5 extra they will, such is life for all corporations. They are in the market to make as much money as possible.

Did Carnival implement a rule that to cruise you HAD to purchase an $18 bottle of booze for $100 [emoji848]....Oh wait, that's right....you CHOOSE to spend $100 for that $18 bottle. That isn't extortion [emoji108]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I don't choose to spend it, I bring my own genius. Next????

My two cents as a Platinum Carnival cruiser.....

Tried the Getaway. Buffet was much better. O'Sheenan's was awesome!!! Entertainment parties were more energetic. Dining room food was comparable. Pools were much smaller on NCL. Drink package was a smash for Norwegian, unlimited vs. 15 total for Carnival. Rooms much larger for Carnival.

I enjoy both lines, and wouldn't hesitate booking either. Have fun no matter what:)

Ahhhh, I love the wanna-be cops in this thread. As if Carnival would EVER cheat you, lol!!! Charging a $100 for a $18 bottle of booze sounds pretty legal. Or not. More like extortion. Maybe they need to charge for everything, such as juice, milk, food, water(Wait, they DO charge for that). Let he without sin cast the first stone??? Sounds like God has come back in multiple personalities on Cruise Critic!!!

With all the jabs out of the way, should you get your friends a drink?? Up to you. If it is one, maybe so they can try something without purchasing it first, why not??? If they plan on spending money on Carnival, whether it be extra food, casino, drinks, etc, then I am sure CCL could care less. Have a great cruise, and as you are sharing a drink with friends, laugh at the prudes:)

Yes, there is a shuttle there, and operates during normal business hours, We love this location due to its proximity to the port.

I think you can load the pics to your computer then add them through the attachments link in the message reply. We are going on this next Monday and I hope you guys had a great time on board!!!

I sailed the Victory in May. Great ship, no sewage smell, terrific staff, and an overall awesome cruise!!!! I would take this ship in a heartbeat, and have been on the Getaway, Breeze and Dream. I keep my expectations in line with the ship class and go from there......