4 day sky vs 4 day jade

help me decide.

M-F 4 day sky to bahamas and GSC. no sea days, 3 port days.

M-F 4 day jade to Cozumel. two sea days, one port day.

This is for January.

ive never sailed either ship. all along i have been thinking jade. but that was when i was going solo ( love sea days, wanted to sleep in, read, relax, gamble). now i am taking my sister (first time cruiser, never gets to go away anywhere) with me as a christmas gift. she's happy to have a free trip anywhere. which one do think she'd enjoy more? i know Sky on the weekends can be a party ship - are the M-F Sky sails booze cruises as well? Sky is also a lot more money than Jade, i assume because of the "free booze" included. this is the case even after i select the free booze as my pick 2 promo on Jade. weather is also a factor - i suspect it will be a tad bit warmer in Cozumel vs Bahamas?

i love GSC, but i know its not always a guarantee stop due to winds and tendering. bahamas is a dump, but she may enjoy some beaches there and i have never been to grand bahama, only nassau (i assume equally dumpy?) but that would be a new port for me. plan for cozumel would be to find a nice beach.

help me decide.

 

M-F 4 day sky to bahamas and GSC. no sea days, 3 port days.

M-F 4 day jade to Cozumel. two sea days, one port day.

 

This is for January.

Definitely the Jade. It is a much nicer ship and has recently been refurbished. The Jade also has more dining choices including an O'Sheehan's. The Jade also has more cabin type categories - mini suites and full suites including a Haven - which means an upgrade through the bidding process is a better possibility. We've been on two four day cruises (1 on the Sky and 1 on the Pearl). They fly by - you will enjoy the sea days. The Jade has a thermal spa so you could get a spa pass if you wanted. Also, the DSC is $40 more for the both of you on the Sky.

I would opt for the Sky. Being in port and getting off to walk around every day is great. I would save my sea days for a longer cruise.

Just got off the Sky 3-night (GSC & Nassau) and had a wonderful time. Ship is still in great shape, crew does a great job, and was very pleased with our first short cruise. Have not been on Jade.

GSC is easily our favorite private island of any that we've been on. Castaway Cay is a close second. None of the others are close, IMO.

Cozumel is my favorite port because there's so much to do. And I love sea days.

I'd probably lean towards Jade just because of the sea days, but I'd be happy with either.

thanks! i think we will stick with the jade - i totally forgot about the higher DSC on sky. crazy, since the fare is also higher. i can also get pick 2 on jade. again, my sister is just happy and grateful to be on a free trip and away from her 4 teens for a week she doesnt care where she goes!

I'm glad you made your choice but I still want to give my 2 cents. This is my 3rd sailing on Sky in 2 years. They got me at the free drinks and not because I'm an alcoholic it's just I enjoy a nice glass of wine with a meal and a fruity drink when I'm soaking in the sun on the deck or on the beach. The food is pretty good to, entertainment not so much but they don't expect that we will be that hard to please because most of us will be happy people because of alcohol. Glad you have a mind of your own! Have fun on the Jade!

thanks! i think we will stick with the jade - i totally forgot about the higher DSC on sky. crazy, since the fare is also higher. i can also get pick 2 on jade. again, my sister is just happy and grateful to be on a free trip and away from her 4 teens for a week she doesnt care where she goes!

IMHO, you made the correct choice. I have sailed the Sky and Jewel class ships and would take the Jade every time. We did a 4 nt. on the Pearl and had a blast. Although the Sky has just had some renovations, it's still a small ship and not much they can do about that. Agree about the sea days. If your sister is looking for rest and relaxation, sea days are probably more in line with that than running around ports every day. For your pick 2 get the beverage pkg and dining pkg and she'll think she'd died and gone to heaven :)

Bostongal, think we were on the Jade 1/22 with you. Very disappointed, 1st cruise of any number of days been on that did not have prime rib in the MDR. We do the Sky about 5 times a year and really enjoy it. Prime rib in the buffet 1st night and MDR last nite. Hope you enjoyed the Jade and for 2 young ladies probably the better choice. One last thing, the 2 sea days made for a very noisy crowded ship. Stormy

Also as soon as we got home booked the Sky for 1/18. Forgot to mention also have the Jade booked 4/2/18 another 4 day to Coz. Would change if NCL would let me.

that should.

that should be Sky 2/19/18.

Bostongal, think we were on the Jade 1/22 with you. Very disappointed, 1st cruise of any number of days been on that did not have prime rib in the MDR. We do the Sky about 5 times a year and really enjoy it. Prime rib in the buffet 1st night and MDR last nite. Hope you enjoyed the Jade and for 2 young ladies probably the better choice. One last thing, the 2 sea days made for a very noisy crowded ship. Stormy

we had a great time, although my disappointment was not with the food, but the entertainment. i was surprised they only had one production show all week. The comedian was the worst ive ever seen. we didnt make the magicians the last night as my sister was sea sick. i did come home $700 richer from the casino tho! :-)