Had a GREAT time on the SKY 6/4-6/7 LONG REVIEW

[rjm11]

This was my and my husband's first NCL cruise (we have cruised Princess and RCCL), and it was the 3 day on the SKY this past weekend. We are in our 30s, and aside from a week long honeymoon cruise on Princess, we have done short cruises since we've had children. We had a FABULOUS time on the Sky, and I really loved freestyle cruising. We booked this cruise a little last minute as a get away from our two young kids (4 and 2). I also have the Pearl booked for the whole family for this August, so I will get a second taste of freestyle cruising on a bigger ship (and in an A3 for that one!).

 

BUT.... as for this cruise, we were childless, and in an aft BA balcony cabin on deck 9. We flew in the morning of the cruise, and took a $24 cab ride to the port, very easy and quick embarkation. Lunch was in the Palace restaurant.... very good, and an excellent option as I've always disliked the chaos of the buffet on embarkation day on other lines. Then we explored the ship, took the spa tour and immediately signed up to for basically the most expensive treatment they had, which was being offered at a "discount".... a 100 minute seaweed wrap, full body massage package that was "on sale" for the price of the wrap with the 25 minute massage (in other words it was $195 instead of $249). ANYWAY, we each got it, and it was INCREDIBLE!!! Sure, at the end the lady mentioned that I would "benefit" from having my liver cleansed, or some crap (she may be correct after this trip!) but I was in such a state of bliss that I just tuned her out. Her whole spiel lasted about 90 seconds. DH is still talking about his massage... he loved it as well. Then we found our cabin (lovely) and had dinner in the main dining room, which was quite good. Not EXCELLENT, but quite good. We also took advantage of the 2 for 1 martinis in the Plantation lounge... they had these every night from 6-8:30, and they were very good, very strong, and had tons of types. A great deal at 2 martinis for about $8 total. We did not go to any shows, but had some good luck in the casino, and on Friday night enjoyed the huge storm coming out of Miami, and the lightning show that lasted all night. We watched from our aft balcony and loved the drama of the weather!!

 

next stop, Nassau.....

[rjm11]

DAY TWO:

 

We woke up to a sunny, sunny day after all the storms through the night. Though I have to add that it was wonderful sleeping with the balcony door open and the sounds of the water, rain, and thunder. Better than any sound machine!! We had breakfast in Palace restaurant, lovely. Have I mentioned yet how much I like freestyle dining, and not having to eat with others?? I know I sound anti-social, but this trip was about reconnecting with my husband, not making new friends, so I was very happy! There was some trouble docking in Nassau... apparently the port was totally full and we ended up end to end with a Carnival ship sharing a berth with just barely enough room to get the gangway on the dock. This took some pretty extensive parallel parking, so it took a little while and debarkation didn't begin until almost 9:00. As a result, the captain announced that we would be staying an extra hour (until 7pm) to make up for the delay.

 

Didn't matter to us, because our excursion was scheduled for the afternoon. We spent the morning by the pool (not crowded at all, being a port time) and the pool was the perfect temperature. One thing I don't understand is why in Heaven's Name would they make the adult pool 7 feet deep? Who does that work for? Unless you play for the NBA, you have to tread water the whole time or hang on the side. There's no diving board, so there's no reason there for the depth... Just don't get it. ANYWAY... the pool was lovely. We went back to our room and ordered some room service lunch and got ready to meet for our snorkel trip at 12:40.

 

I booked a half day sail/snorkel through Barefoot Sailing Charters. They met us in a van right outside the welcome plaza, and took us to the dock where there was a lovely sailboat that accommodated about 20 people (most from area hotels, only 4 of us from ships). We motored to a snorkel site (about a 45 minute ride), snorkeled for about an hour, then sailed back. Actually we sat with the sails up inching along at about 6 inches a minute for a half hour or so, and then he turned the motor back on. Not a day for sailing. The snorkeling was pretty good... lots of really nice coral, and a fair number of fish. It was great having such a small group.... no getting kicked around like when you go with a huge group from the ship. On the way out there was free lemonade, water, iced tea... on the way back yummy rum punch. Overall a very nice excursion that I was very pleased with. Got back to the cruise dock at about 4:45.... to find a HUGE line of people waiting to get through that welcome place check point and back to the cruise dock. This needs improvement... there were 5 ships in port, and if Nassau is going to continue to accommodate this number of ships, they have to invest in expanding this a little to be able to move people through there a little better. It was really the only time on the whole trip that I felt completely crowded and herded.

 

After we got back on the ship, we showered, changed, and headed for the 2 for 1 mojitos (they had these in the Atrium bar the second and third nights). Like the martinis, they were yummy and strong.... came in these fishbowl glasses that you could keep. These were available from 6-8, and those darn martinis were available until 8:30.... so you see where this is going.... I think that spa lady might be right about my liver! Anyway after all that, I was thinking my husband was the funniest person I've ever met, and we had dinner at Crossings which I remember giggling through.... and well, we didn't make it to any shows or anything else......

[rjm11]

On Sunday we anchored at GSC, and tendering began promptly at about 8:15. We had breakfast in the dining room, and then got ready to go ashore. We got in the tender line about 9:30... waited a little for the next one to arrive, then got on and got over to the island before 10:00. Plenty of chairs, plenty of space... TONS OF CHAIRS. I don't know how it was before, but I saw no way that the chairs were all taken at any point. We rented floats, and had brought our own snorkel gear (including vests) so we were basically in the water the whole time. It was hot outside, so the water felt absolutely wonderful.

 

I have been to Coco Cay (RCCL's island) twice, and I have to say I thought GSC was nicer. The swim area is better (Coco Cay's is rockier).... it had beautiful soft sand that continued way out, and THE SNORKELING IS EXCELLENT! There were more fish, and a larger variety, compared to the reef we were at in Nassau, and I think this was some of the better snorkeling I've done (I've done a lot in the caribbean, FL keys, and Hawaii). Anyway, we were very happy with our time on the island. The buffet was fine.... desserts could use a little improvement, and they only had water and coffee for free. No iced tea even (which was free on the boat). I think it would be a great touch to offer lemonade (like RCCL) or something else for free. But we had a great time, and headed back to the ship around 2pm to take naps.

 

This evening we ate at Cagneys which was wonderful. We both ate off of the "extra specialty" menu... I had the lobster tail and DH had the surf and turf. We were very happy with both. Totally worth it, and I'm planning to order the exact same thing on the Pearl in two months. One thing about our Cagney's experience...... There was this large party at two tables next to us that were the most obnoxious group I've encountered in a while. There was a large party of about 10 "adults" (in quotes because 2 or 3 were around 16-19 years old), and then another table of about 8 kids from their group. All together, but two separate tables. The "kids" table was actually better behaved. The kids ranged in age from about 6-14 or so. At first this group provided us with amusement. They were loud and boisterous, and obnoxious... not totally great for the ambiance, but it certainly wasn't ruining anything for us. But as the night went on.... they drank, and drank, and drank. Now I've already mentioned that I was enjoying my drinks on this trip, so that wasn't a major problem, but the younger adults were getting blitzed (I think the drinking age is 18?).... I was in the ladies room with two of the younger ones who were really drunk. THEN the strangest part happened... they started giving wine to the kids table. It was the parents.... and they were giving ENTIRE GLASSES of red wine to two of the kids (around 12-14 years old), and sips to the younger ones. One of the kids had at least 3 glasses of wine. Not sure what NCL has in the way of policies on this..... they were of course not serving alcohol to the kids.... it was their parents.... but I still found the whole thing a little disturbing. And in case anyone is wondering, they were completely Americans.... no arguing that it was a cultural difference! Other odd things about the party: some of the kids weren't wearing shoes. I'm all for a casual dress code, but that seemed extreme in a specialty restaurant.

 

As I said, this did not really deter from our evening (aside from the general annoyance of having such a loud group next to us), and we had a great dinner....

[rjm11]

We carried our own luggage off this morning after breakfast in the dining room. Everything was very easy... walked right through customs and into a waiting taxi... no lines or anything.

 

I have done RCCL's comparable trip on the Majesty of the Seas.... a common comparison on this board, and I strongly prefered the NCL Sky. I REALLY liked freestyle, the abundance of balcony rooms (something Majesty is lacking), and Great Stirrup Cay. I loved all the dining options, and thought the drink promotions were excellent. The main dining room food is perfectly fine.... actually better than I thought after reading all the negative reviews.... but I thought that the food in Cagney's was wonderful. I loved having all the dining options. We never waited in the main dining rooms... and found it pretty easy to get a reservation in Cagney's though without a reservation there wasn't much available (it was the only specialty restaurant that got booked up though... the others seemed to have space available).

 

I honestly don't see how people can give this cruise a bad review. We had a great time, and thought the ship was in great shape, our room was lovely, and the staff was really friendly/helpful.

 

Any questions, please let me know.... I got so much help from this board, and am happy to pay it forward!

[pehlibaar]

Thanks so much for an amazing review! Sounds like you and your husband had a really nice second honeymoon! Overall, how much did you spend on drinks on the ship?

My husband and I will be first time cruisers sailing on the Sky in Nov/Dec. , as of now we have our daughter booked with us (she'll be 19 months at the time) but now i'm considering leaving her with my mother, if it works out...in which case we will also be having a second honeymoon of sorts! I'm really excited, i've always wanted to cruise and freestyle def. appeals to me!

Thanks again for the great review!

[david_sobe]

Great review

Someone just posted a very negative review of the Sky so this review is refreshing. I love how you took the negative weather and enjoyed the lightening show.

I cruised the Sky this January. Next time book the 4 night and get to Freeport!

I enjoyed the Sky as much as you and I also had an aft balcony

[rjm11]

As far as drinks go.... if I remember everything we had:

1 bottle of wine at Cagneys $32

~5 rounds of 2 for 1 martinis $8 each: $40

2 rounds 2 for 1 mojitos $8 each: $16

4 cokes $8

 

I might be forgetting some, but mostly we drank the 2 for 1 deals, and found it reasonable. So for the 3 day cruise, it was about $100. I also won a bottle of champagne in the casino raffle... we had that at sailaway.

 

My kids seemed to have a great time with my parents, and I think they really liked it too. My son (who's 2) is a little clingy when I'm around, but when I'm not, he transfers his needs easily to my mom, so she was really psyched to get to spend all that time with him without me. We stayed in touch with email, and evidently he didn't ask for me once! I say if you can use grandma, go for it! We had such a great time, and it was really wonderful to have some adult alone time!

[rjm11]

Great review

Someone just posted a very negative review of the Sky so this review is refreshing. I love how you took the negative weather and enjoyed the lightening show.

I cruised the Sky this January. Next time book the 4 night and get to Freeport!

I enjoyed the Sky as much as you and I also had an aft balcony

 

Yes, I was planning to write a review all along because they have been so varied about the Sky, but then when I got home and read these negative reviews about the EXACT SAME CRUISE I was on... I really don't understand it. We are already planning to make this an annual husband/wife getaway (as long as Grandma agrees, that is!) and I think for the money spent this was just a wonderful cruise!

[tdcjerry]

Floating hotel

[rjm11]

Floating hotel

 

Meaning???

[Kdiamond55]

Yup, was on this cruise as well and had a fabulous time!! The weather was amazing except for that one storm cruising out, which was actually pretty cool. We sat in the Longboard bar and watched it with pitchers of beers.

 

It is funny because the whole time my hubby and I were on the cruise we were pointing out little meaningless stains in the carpet and saying (sarcastically) "OH MY GOD! I MUST WRITE A REPORT ABOUT THIS STAIN! HOW AWFUL!" LOL - we did this the entire trip and we had ourselves cracking up. I can't imagine how anyone can complain, really. I have stayed anywhere from the best hotels in Las Vegas to a suite on the Pearl to an oceanview on the Sky, and have enjoyed them all. Life is good when you're on vacation, period. ;)

[rjm11]

Yup, was on this cruise as well and had a fabulous time!! The weather was amazing except for that one storm cruising out, which was actually pretty cool. We sat in the Longboard bar and watched it with pitchers of beers.

 

It is funny because the whole time my hubby and I were on the cruise we were pointing out little meaningless stains in the carpet and saying (sarcastically) "OH MY GOD! I MUST WRITE A REPORT ABOUT THIS STAIN! HOW AWFUL!" LOL - we did this the entire trip and we had ourselves cracking up. I can't imagine how anyone can complain, really. I have stayed anywhere from the best hotels in Las Vegas to a suite on the Pearl to an oceanview on the Sky, and have enjoyed them all. Life is good when you're on vacation, period. ;)

 

I totally agree.... I think you have to work hard to find stuff you don't like. I was just so thrilled to be there!

 

I am even more excited for my cruise to Alaska on the Pearl now.... the next two months won't go by fast enough!

[Keri's Cruisin']

Thank you so much for this great review of the SKY. I just booked the 4 day on this ship for March 14-18th for a quick spring break get away for myself and my 14 yr old son. We have cruised on RCCL Mariner of the Seas which is a BIG boat with lots of amenities so I was kind of worried about this ship. We booked this cruise because it's only 4 days and it was super reasonable. We are in an inside cabin on the Viking deck and it was only $239.00 per person! My outlook on life is that as long as I'm on vacation and far, far, away from the miserable Iowa Winter, it's a great vacation. Give me a Mojito and a deck chair in the sun and I am GOOD!

[pehlibaar]

oh yea, i meant to ask...do they still have the midnight chocolate buffet thing? Is that something that's available on the Sky?

[rjm11]

I didn't see a chocolate buffet advertised anywhere.... they may have it on the 4 night, but I didn't see it on the three night.

[sept2405]

Thanks so much for a great review. Like everyone else, after reading some of the reviews I was a little worried about my trip on Oct.4. on the Sky.

We are leaving on my husband's birthday and also celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary a little late (sept24)

I booked an aft balcony on the Norway Deck. Never had a balcony before but I'm sure I won't go back to an inside room again after that. My husband has never cruised before (all my cruises were pre husband days) and I want to give him a great experience so that we can continue to cruise.

So glad to hear that Cagneys is a good place to eat. I thought that would be a great place to eat for that night for his birthday.

As far as snorkling on GSC I have never done that before. Is it something that I can do without much instruction? Also, can you get away from everyone else doing the same thing? Not antisocial, I just don't want anyone running into me with me not knowing what I'm doing....lol

Thanks again for your detailed review, it helped alot.:)

[rjm11]

Oh you'll have a great anniversary cruise in the aft cabin!! It was really nice.... he'll definitely be hooked! I think Cagney's would be a wonderful birthday celebration spot... I am cruising on the Pearl in August and we'll be celebrating my husband's 35th on board, at Cagneys.

 

The snorkeling at GSC was pretty easy even without formal "instruction".... they rent you all the snorkeling gear, including a life vest (required) which you can inflate as much as you need. I think the cost of rental gear was around $30, but we brought our own so I'm not sure.

 

The snorkeling area itself was very big... basically all the way around a big rock formation at the back of the swim beach (at least that's where we snorkeled). There are two life guards... one on the shore with a jet ski, and one positioned actually on the rock formations by the snorkel area. We saw the beach one ride her jet ski out to some people who were hollering... I think she wanted to make sure they weren't yelling because they were in distress. Anyway, I felt like the whole thing was pretty well supervised, and because there was so much space, we were never running into other snorkelers. The whole snorkel area is about 50-100 yards are so off the beach, so you are away from the waders/swimmers.

 

I hope this helps... have a great time!!!

[Susie51]

Thank you for your interesting review.

 

I'm still wondering what "floating hotel" refers to.

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

Thanks for the review. We are doing the 4 day in just over 3 weeks now. Sounds great. I will look for those 2 for 1 drinks. ;)

 

I also liked the Margarita tasting the last NCL cruise we did and am all excited about getting to do that again. My view is the same, a vacation is vacation and honestly...I've done 12 cruise (11 or 12 can't remember) and I haven't been on one I didn't like. Maybe there was things I though could be improved, but I always still enjoyed it! ;)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

DAY TWO:

... Anyway after all that, I was thinking my husband was the funniest person I've ever met, and we had dinner at Crossings which I remember giggling through.... and well, we didn't make it to any shows or anything else......

 

Sounds like a perfect evening!

 

We just got off the Sky on Monday and had a great time. We made Great Stirrup Cay day a "Sea Day" for ourselves and enjoyed a bucket of Coronas on our balcony --- which was unfortunately in full/beaming/hot sun until the ship turned to leave! We were in an aft corner suite and LOVED the stereo system --- we were able to plug in our mp3 player and control two sets of mounted speakers (bedroom and living room)... pretty decent audio!!

 

... ahhh... just a week ago today we were starting our journey!

 

Tom