Norwegian Sky 4-Day Cruise Questions

[2013CruiseBride]

Hi!! I'm looking to surprise my hubby for his 50th birthday🎂 next year and I'm very very very close to booking us on the Norwegian Sky 4-day in August out of Miami. 

 

On the NCL website it shows the itinerary as leaving Miami at 5pm Monday 8/17 and for Tuesday it shows arriving at Key West at 8am and leaving at 3pm.

On another website it had said that it was an overnight stay in Key West. Which one is right?I know I can ask when I call to book the cruise, but was just curious and thought I'd ask here. I can't imagine it takes from 5pm to 8am to reach Key West from Miami.

 

Also, this will be our first time on NCL, so any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! I really want to go all out for his 50th and I'm leaning towards booking us in an Owner's Suite. I'm sooo excited!! TIA! 😊

[BirdTravels]

The NCL site is correct. 

[Becca11]

Oooh, an owner's suite!  I'm jealous!   Are those the suites in the front of the ship with hot tubs on the balconies?  Nice!

 

We were just on the Sky in September.  It's a fun ship.  It's not a huge ship but this plays to your advantage for embarking and disembarking the ship.  We walked off with our luggage on disembarkation day.  It was so easy that we were kind of stunned and looking or waiting for something else? to happen?  Like are we already disembarked?

 

Despite it being a smaller ship,  we didn't do half of the stuff available on our 5 night cruise.  On the last night, while waiting to buy Cruise Next deposits, we met a crew member who had just joined.  His designated job was jewelry specialist.  He gives presentations on duty free jewelry shopping, then accompanies passengers ashore to assist them with their duty free jewelry shopping.  It's a good thing I didn't find out about that service earlier in the cruise.  🙂 

 

It can indeed take from 5pm to 8am to arrive in Key West.  In fact,  on our 5 night cruise, we left Miami at 5pm and arrived at Key West at 3pm the next day.  We departed at 9pm, IIRC.  I guess the captain sails casual or something.  🙂

 

 

The Sky was a fun ship.  We'd sail on her again. 🙂 🙂 

[2013CruiseBride]

On 10/11/2019 at 9:36 PM, Becca11 said:

Oooh, an owner's suite!  I'm jealous!   Are those the suites in the front of the ship with hot tubs on the balconies?  Nice!

 

We were just on the Sky in September.  It's a fun ship.  It's not a huge ship but this plays to your advantage for embarking and disembarking the ship.  We walked off with our luggage on disembarkation day.  It was so easy that we were kind of stunned and looking or waiting for something else? to happen?  Like are we already disembarked?

 

Despite it being a smaller ship,  we didn't do half of the stuff available on our 5 night cruise.  On the last night, while waiting to buy Cruise Next deposits, we met a crew member who had just joined.  His designated job was jewelry specialist.  He gives presentations on duty free jewelry shopping, then accompanies passengers ashore to assist them with their duty free jewelry shopping.  It's a good thing I didn't find out about that service earlier in the cruise.  🙂 

 

It can indeed take from 5pm to 8am to arrive in Key West.  In fact,  on our 5 night cruise, we left Miami at 5pm and arrived at Key West at 3pm the next day.  We departed at 9pm, IIRC.  I guess the captain sails casual or something.  🙂

 

 

The Sky was a fun ship.  We'd sail on her again. 🙂 🙂 

Thanks Becca11!! I just booked it last night and am so excited!! I'm glad to see you liked the Sky! 

 

We will have room 9001 and I know my husband will be impressed when we get on the ship!! It's a bit of a splurge, but he is so worth it!

[GA Dave]

Another reason for the "long" cruise time is that they sail straight out from Miami to get into international waters ASAP so they can open the casino.  They then stay in international waters to keep it open legally.

[mushroom]

We had suite 9001 and can definitely assure you that you will be spoiled forever!!!  Be sure to take advantage of breakfast in Cagneys. It's such a peaceful and elegant way to start your day.  Also, you will want to have your butler serve dinner in your suite a night or two.  The priority boarding in Miami was very, very nice.  Instead of waiting in a long line, you are escorted to a private area with some snacks and drinks and have a very personalized check in.  Yes...it might be a splurge, but it's also an experience you will forever remember...long after you have forgotten the actual cost. Enjoy!!!

[RunBikeCruiseDC]

17 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

Another reason for the "long" cruise time is that they sail straight out from Miami to get into international waters ASAP so they can open the casino.  They then stay in international waters to keep it open legally.

Not to mention they the staff at the port probably goes home after a certain hour and arrives at a certain hour in the mornings.  

[jdvmd]

You'll love the Sky!

[2013CruiseBride]

7 hours ago, GA Dave said:

Another reason for the "long" cruise time is that they sail straight out from Miami to get into international waters ASAP so they can open the casino.  They then stay in international waters to keep it open legally.

That makes a LOT of sense! I'll be one of those who will want to enjoy the casino ASAP! 😁

[2013CruiseBride]

7 hours ago, mushroom said:

We had suite 9001 and can definitely assure you that you will be spoiled forever!!!  Be sure to take advantage of breakfast in Cagneys. It's such a peaceful and elegant way to start your day.  Also, you will want to have your butler serve dinner in your suite a night or two.  The priority boarding in Miami was very, very nice.  Instead of waiting in a long line, you are escorted to a private area with some snacks and drinks and have a very personalized check in.  Yes...it might be a splurge, but it's also an experience you will forever remember...long after you have forgotten the actual cost. Enjoy!!!

Wow, that's awesome! Thank you so much for the tip on Cagneys! 

[softl]

Casual dining at the Great Outdoor Cafe is nice too. Shaded and a nice quiet bar.

[WendyCity11]

Does anyone know if the stereo/surround sound in the suites connects to blue tooth? 

 

Also, on the Sky, is it just Cagney's for breakfast/dinner that is available to suite guests or are there any other "Haven-Like" options inside/outside (i.e., private pool, hot tub, bar area, etc?)

 

First time in a suite on the Sky and looking for any tips, options, ideas, etc.

 

Thank you!

[ClevelandCruisin]

We did the itinerary for a birthday that left Key West at 3pm. It was short, but we loved the ship.

 

Check out the great outdoors for a smaller buffet meals for breakfast, lunch, snacks and late night snacks.

 

Le Bistro/ Cagney's are good choices!

 

We like the dining rooms versus the buffet. You can order as little or as much as you want in the dining rooms, always a nice option.

 

We always order room service at night which is a flat fee of $7.95. We get pizza and a cheese tray, maybe other things if hungry. The room service pizza is very good.

 

Shows:

-Rock you tonight isn't bad

-Showdown is a skip for us

 

Get a Rum Cake Martini .. you won't be disappointed.

 

You can catch free shows like "not so newlywed game show", some are better than others.

 

Skip bingo...

 

Deal or no deal isn't bad.

 

At the local try the pub hot dog, sweet chili wings or buffalo wings

 

Enjoy!

Edited November 2, 2019 by ClevelandCruisin