Exactly how awful is the Sky?

[eddeb]

Food was great, entertainment was great, white hot party rocked, got lots

of pics if you'd like to see them...

 

How many ships have the Captain come on stage and rip a steel guitar

singing "Sweet Home Alabama!" it was awesome.

 

We went on the Pearl after this Sky cruise and loved it too!

 

Be nice and talk to all the crew and you'll have a great time...

 

NCL is much like Hertrz, they try Harder, and it shows...

 

They have 11 or twelve ships, and Carnival owns Most of the others.

 

Any questions about the Sky and Pearl, please ask.

 

The Sun is going out of Canaveral in the fall of this year,

 

and we are waiting for a great deal.

 

I'd rather be a cruzin' than a workin'

 

Ed, Deb, Sean and Amy Moore

 

Tampa Bay

 

http://www.DebbieMooreRN.com

 

to Contact my wife Deb. :)

 

Have fun!

[CanadianTwosome]

Hi BalconyBreeze. I too love to read the c.c. posts. (So much useful information). I only post when I feel that my contribution is really helpful. I noticed that you mentioned you will be travelling with your children (none of the posts mention their experience with kids). So here I go.

 

We were on the Sky (with our two boys 8 & 11) this past summer (July of 09 -Miami to Bahamas). We had a wonderful time. Ports of call were great. Atlantis was alot of fun for the family, and the food was fine. We've been on several NCL 12 day cruises so we were able to compare service, food, entertaintainment, and the kids club. In my opinion you dont have to worry about the food or service. (Although I did notice the wait staff doesn't get attached to you as they do on the longer cruises). Matt Baker the Cruise Director and his staff really go out of their way to make it a fun cruise. (They host several adult entertainment games, but no pool side family games).

 

The only thing that stood out for me was that there weren't many kids on the ship (according to our waiter, the Sky usually has more adults/couples on for a long weekend getaway vs. families with small children). With that being said, the kids crew really didn't have much going on, activity wise. They had a schedule of activites, however the two times my kids went there, they were told to sit and watch a movie. They refused to go back after that (but we didnt mind). I also don't recall a kid's pool on the Sky because our boys were swimming with the grown ups (who didn't seem to mind and were very welcoming and friendly to kids in the pool). We actually met alot of nice people in the pool because of their interactions with our boys.

 

Overall, I dont think you have anything to worry about. The Sky is a nice ship, food is good & entertainment is fun if you dont mind having your kids with you ALL the time ( I don't see any reason why you guys would'nt enjoy yourselves).

 

Please post when you return and let us know if the kid to grown up ratio has balanced out because I would definitely love to visit the Bahamas again.:)

 

We had an opposite experience on the Sky in December. Our past three cruises have been in off season - early December and mid-January, so our most recent cruise on the Sky the weekend before Christmas, there were way more kids than we'd experienced before.

 

I think children's programs (not just on NCL) depend heavily on how many kids are on board, which in turn depends a lot on whether school is in or out. The more kids on board, the more active the program will be. On the Pearl in January '09, our daughter was one of very few kids in her age group, and at least once when we went to check on her, she was reading to some younger kids - and thoroughly enjoying herself with all the little ones looking up at her in admiration. :p (they're so cute when they're being 'big' :))

 

I think there actually is an 'adult pool' and 'family pool' - one on either side of the hot tubs (some of which are also designated 'adults only'. The weather was really cool on our sailing, though, so there weren't any adults in either all week - though the kids (as always) seemed quite able and willing to endure the chill! :p

[yahootelemundo]

is not awful , its more than carnival imagination but less than royal majestic

[pfisted]

I think there actually is an 'adult pool' and 'family pool' - one on either side of the hot tubs (some of which are also designated 'adults only'. The weather was really cool on our sailing, though, so there weren't any adults in either all week - though the kids (as always) seemed quite able and willing to endure the chill! :p

 

I checked prior to my sailing and everything is open to kids - there is no adult pool, lounging area, etc. nothing adult only except for the spa, some bars, clubs, and the casino (although in order to get to certain areas of the ship, ALL pax have to go through the casino and one or two of the bars.) LOL

[stevehoff]

We (family of 5) just got off the Sky on Friday for a cold, cold, sail through the Bahamas. It was our very first cruise and we had a GREAT time. Matt Baker and his staff were fantastic and my kids -- although they did not really use the kids club -- had a great time.

 

We really enjoyed the shows every night. Was it Broadway quality? No, but the casts and musicians throughout the boat were perfectly entertaining, and Matt Baker and Rich Purpura were the highlights of the cruise.

 

The rooms were perfectly fine and even with the cold weather, we had a fantastic time. We can't wait till out next cruise. Sky was PERFECT for our first experience.

 

Let me know if you have any questions, while it's still fresh in my mind!

[B40 Tha Cruisa]

The Sky was my first NCL cruise, I was also a little bit concerned. I had only cruised Princess in the past, but I really am glad I tried NCL. In fact I liked my cruise on board the Sky so much that I booked the Star shortly after returning. Enjoy!

[CruisinMaterial]

I did the Norwegian Jewel first in January (3rd) and then went to the Sky (1/11) after an overnight in Miami. The Sky is definitely geared to having a lot more fun but the ship is just older and in some places like certain cabins she's showing her age quite badly. The public areas are still really well kept up considering the amount of turn over she sees in a year. If you like nightlife the Sky has the best in the NCL fleet that I've encountered so far!!! :)

 

The stateroom we had on the Sky was in a sad state of disrepair and that was the only thing I'd fault the Sky on. The bathroom door had screws falling out of it daily and there was a lot of rust on the bottom of the door where the water from the shower had come in. The vents in the room needed some serious cleaning because there was dust caked everywhere in them. If you have a dust allergy that can be VERY problematic! Her comedian needs to go too but that is subjective on humor. If you have to explain a joke = it's NOT funny!

 

You'll enjoy the Sky but not as much as the Jewel IMHO. :)

[david_sobe]

I am also surprised at the amount of negative reviews about the Sky. I think because it is inexpensive it attracts a different market of people. The Sky is the smallest NCL ship and one of the oldest but has be updated twice in 10 years. I was just on the Sky in Jan 2010 (read my reivew here) and loved it. It is so affordable that I got to book a penthouse suite. I could never afford a penthouse on the Pearl or Jewel. Sky is not the Jewel or Pearl so I dont know why people always compare them. The Sky is the ship if you plan to cruise the Bahamas. It is the youngest ship to cruise the Bahamas and their 4 night cruise stops at 3 different islands. That is the way to really see the Bahamas.

The Sky is an extremely busy ship sailing 2 trips every week to the Bahamas. With this schedule and passenger load, it can show a little wear here and there. The Sky is beautiful. But you get what you pay for. They cruise to the Bahamas is CHEAP. Dont expect Vegas style acts for entertainment you may get on another ship for 7 nights somewhere. You get what you pay for. I noticed that the majority of the Sky negative reviews are people that book lower inside cabins. Those cabins are dirt cheap and the people want everything for free. Live a little and you may enjoy the cruise.

[MIKEANDSANDRA]

Does anyone know if the Sky offers Spa passes??? If they do is the area like the Gem? If not what does it offer?

 

Thanks ahead of time......

[bentleys mom]

We took our first ever cruise last May on the Sky. We were lucky that our cruise was the first out of drydock. Everything was super clean and fresh. We are cruising the Sky again this April 5th and I'm somewhat concerned that the ship won't be as sparkling clean as it was last year but I'm still very excited for our trip. We ate at Cagney's twice (our favorite), Le Bistro once, and did one night in the MDR. The food was very good each night. We felt the service in LeBistro was lacking but hey - we were on vacation and not being rushed through our meal so all was good. In speaking with the staff we found several of them were new the week of our cruise, which probably was the reason for the slower service.

 

Last cruise we did an excursion in each port and were constantly on the go as the couple we were with wanted to be busy every minute. Although it was fun we were up very early every morning and really didn't get much time to relax and enjoy whatever the ship had to offer. This April we are cruising with another couple. They are first time cruisers and more in 'let's relax' mode. We are doing the beach excurision in Atlantis and may get off the boat for a couple of hours in Great Stirrup Cay but we're going to pretty much stay onboard and enjoy the ship.

 

This time we are also bringing our own snorkling equipment for GSC.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[hollywood34711]

We just got back off the three night cruise, and had a fabulous time. We are hooked on the Freestyle concept. The ship was fine, I've posted a review, that should appear in the next few days.

Holly

[dansmom5]

We are just back from 3 days on the Sky and it was not awful at all. DH & DD's first time, and my first in over 20 years. We all had a great time. The food was not gourmet, but it was good enough. Cagney's was very good and the service was excellent. Didn't see any dirty or run down areas. Entertainment was not Broadway, but it it certainly was entertaining. Only complaint is that we didn't have the time and energy to do everything we wanted to do.

[weltek]

We cruised in January of this year. The ship is just fine. It's in good condition, just is one of NCL's smaller ships. Entertainment wasn't to my liking, but plenty of other people seemed to like it. Food just seems to keep getting worse on NCL, but it's not inedible. Had some great items in the MDR for dinner, and some not great items. I've always found lunch in the MDR is superior to dinner. Buffet food was consistent.

 

For an inexpensive cruise, I felt it was decent. Not steallar, but decent. I wouldn't do a short cruise again, but that had nothing to do with the ship's quality.

[jr_mia]

Let's see 4 times (3day sailings) in the last year means something? hehe and scheduling another one in April.

 

You basically can't go wrong with the Sky for the Weekend Cruises (can say for the 4 days since i never did one) where else in MIA you can get a 3 night hotel, food, entertainment, music and etc around 500ish?

[dvdisney]

DH just booked our weekend cruise in April. After seeing these posts, I'm so excited and can't wait. This will be our first cruise that's not Carnival, so can't wait to compare.

Any descriptions and reviews of the private island?

 

Thanks!

[McDebbie]

I've always found lunch in the MDR is superior to dinner.

I noticed that too and thought it was just because we had had multiple drinks before dinner! :D Lunch in the dining room really was great when we were there in January.

 

I am afraid if you have been on Carnival and/or Holland America and been to Half Moon Cay that you will be sadly disappointed in the private island. It is not nearly as big or as pretty as HMC but I will tell you the shopping is much better. ;) There are not nearly as many activities as HMC and for some reason the beach does not look as pretty. We did not stay for the cook out so can't compare that but HMC's was not that impressive anyway, dried out hamburgers and chicken. Go EARLY and see if you like it and if not, go back to the ship and have the pools and hot tubs all to yourself.

[CruisenGoddess]

We were on the Sky last September and thought it was wonderful and we are very particular and not big fans of older ships - the Sky was way above our expectations. Go and make your own decision. :D

[Brangwen]

DH just booked our weekend cruise in April. After seeing these posts, I'm so excited and can't wait. This will be our first cruise that's not Carnival, so can't wait to compare.

Any descriptions and reviews of the private island?

 

I am afraid if you have been on Carnival and/or Holland America and been to Half Moon Cay that you will be sadly disappointed in the private island. It is not nearly as big or as pretty as HMC but I will tell you the shopping is much better. ;) There are not nearly as many activities as HMC and for some reason the beach does not look as pretty. We did not stay for the cook out so can't compare that but HMC's was not that impressive anyway, dried out hamburgers and chicken. Go EARLY and see if you like it and if not, go back to the ship and have the pools and hot tubs all to yourself.

 

Our first NCL cruise was last fall (all previous were Carnival) - and I must say, the change was nice. Both cruise lines are similar, yet different. I don't know if it was because our cruise was on Halloween, but NCL seemed to have more live entertainment (vs. Carnival's piped in blaring music or the standard steel drum guy) - there was even a guy playing acoustic guitar and singing on the aft cafe area as we sailed away from Nassau. The disco on the Sky was packed with no seats available by 10pm (with a live salsa band playing) - Carnival's doesn't even open until 11pm. NCL gives you real glass bottles of beer (and a nice selection also). 2-for-1 martini specials, enough said. ;)

The food was somewhat comparable - I think Carnival has the edge as far as MDR goes, but we also have those menus memorized. Le Bistro was AWESOME (pay specialty French restaurant).

I can't speak to the main shows, as that's not typically something we attend at all.

 

Great Stirrup Cay is a little more "rustic" (and rockier) than HMC, and quite a bit smaller... but still nice! Not as many activities and not as many places to sit and eat once you do get your food. But there IS a cute little market. :D

 

[halos]

Much like most of you on CC....I have become a regular on the boards and enjoy reading the daily posts/member reviews. While I wish I was going on a different ship, my family is going on the Sky, simply b/c it's a 4 day itinerary and we have two little ones.

 

I have to tell you.....I have been reading mostly terrible reviews about the SKY. I was just on the Jewel last December and thought it was very good.

 

A lot of the complaints are about nickle and diming....but I know what to expect in that department and I believe that is why NCL is able to offer such a competitive base fare.

 

What concerns me is the reviews of the terrible food, terrible service, run down rooms, and oh yeah...the terrible entertainment.

 

Someone please give me hope for my April cruise!!!:confused:

 

The only issue I had with my cruise on the Sky was that it was too short.

[Brangwen]

The only issue I had with my cruise on the Sky was that it was too short.

 

EXACTLY! :cool:

 

We're looking at a redo for this fall. :D

[dvdisney]

THANKS! I can't wait for our quick escape!!!

[halos]

EXACTLY! :cool:

 

We're looking at a redo for this fall. :D

I'd sail her again in an instant!! I hope you guys have a great cruise :)

Now that you like NCL...I have to say that I can't say enough about the Dawn...book a cruise on that ship if you can. It's awesome. The crew is just the best :D

 

(I'd have responded sooner but the freaking storm left us without power for two days!!)

[CruisinMaterial]

The Sky is an extremely busy ship sailing 2 trips every week to the Bahamas. With this schedule and passenger load, it can show a little wear here and there. The Sky is beautiful. But you get what you pay for. They cruise to the Bahamas is CHEAP. Dont expect Vegas style acts for entertainment you may get on another ship for 7 nights somewhere. You get what you pay for. I noticed that the majority of the Sky negative reviews are people that book lower inside cabins. Those cabins are dirt cheap and the people want everything for free. Live a little and you may enjoy the cruise.

 

The cruise did end up dirt cheap and pity the person who actually needs to plan a flight to get there because the price doesn't fall out from under the bookings until closer to departure. It's great for people who live in FL to jump on whenever but for those who have to travel it's not dirt cheap and actually was comparable (per day expense-wise) to what I spent for a 7-day balcony sailing for the OV I got. I do realize the Sky has more turn over so she'd be expected to show some wear and tear. However, there could have been better maintenance performed while the ship was in dry-dock for her last refurb in some of the cabins. Dust is a cabin steward issue and not really something that can be fixed in a dry dock. Over time the dust cakes if you don't do a thorough cleaning. As for the entertainment line up onboard I've been on 7-day cruises where entertainment was not stellar either. It's hit or miss in that department depending on what acts NCL books.

 

I would do the Sky again if I wanted a party cruise but if I would go on one of their newer ships if I wanted to enjoy the cabin more. The Sky's public spaces are quite nice and I actually like Dazzle's concept better than the Jewel where they can pound the bass and not have to worry about waking up passengers!! :D

[Danjpi]

Balcony,

 

We did a family reunion on the Sky in August and we had a great time. In fact, we had SUCH a great time that we immediately booked a second cruise on her - and just off the boat yesterday.

 

While we DID have a couple minor grumbles (no more champagne at embarkation and the food quality and variety seemed to have dropped a BIT since August), we have nothing but great praise for the Sky's crew (save the one bus boy who was found WEARING the exact jacket my husband reported as missing on day one ... and who argued the point about it being a crew jacket that it CLEARLY was not. After a bit more fuss than should have been required, he did eventually give the jacket back). They are FRIENDLY and ENTHUSIASTIC and PROFESSIONAL.

 

The ship is in great shape for her age, folks. And those who want to obsess about tiny cosmetic details need to well, get the heII over it. If I was asked for a one-word review of the Sky, "charming" tops the list. There is something quietly elegant about her. Unlike the newer ships which are tricked out with every gadget and gizmo and diversion on the high seas, and decorated with miles of neon and chrome, the Sky's older decor is comforting. She's beautiful in the way an old family beach resort is. She ain't splashy, but she's very welcoming and warm. Yes, the omnipresent Hawai'ian artwork and murals are a bit confusing (unless you know of her original service in the islands), but it's pretty enough. Yeah, her carpets are a bit faded, but they're clean. Yeah, the cabin decor is a bit "Love Boat" for my personal taste, but it's clean and it's appropriate.

 

The entertainment is on par with most cruise line / amusement park fare, and while I find the music choices and arrangements a bit tedious by nature, and the choreography to be a bit sophomoric and obvious, I cannot fault the PERFORMANCE of same. These dancers gave it their all, and I have to give them some love for that. (I'm also a theater reviewer, so I have a bit of a trained eye for these things.) The material is a bit boring to my taste, but the performers are eager to please. If you like that sort of thing, you'll be very happy! Just order a fruity drink or two, sit back, and enjoy the show!

 

So if you have the ability to appreciate a CLASSIC, you'll probably fall for her charms as we did. But if you NEED the glitz and glamor and high-tech shenanigans of the uber-liners, the sweet little Sky MAY disappoint. But for her size and her age, she's a lovely home for a few days.

 

My biggest complaint had NOTHING to do with the Sky or her crew. The biggest irritant we faced last week was the invasion of the crochety, whiney, pushy, demanding, cheap, RUDE, and classless seniors. Good GOD, folks. Surely, in the 147 years you've apparently been on this planet, you MUST have learned SOME manners - what happened to them? I lost track of the number of time I was pushed out of the way at buffet lines, rudely denied access to something I wanted by some old codger who flatly REFUSED to move three inches to let ME take a roll or something, barked at in elevators, yelled at for infractions known only to the bellowing senior I apparently offended, and the like. One of them even reached ACROSS my lunch plate, while I was eating and seated at a table in the main buffet area, to TAKE three setups from our bin. She didn't ASK if I was expecting other diners (I was) or if she could have them. She didn't ASK if I could pass them - she just shoved her stupid arm across my plate to TAKE them without a word of apology, and then glared at me when I dared react. One of the crew said that they DREAD February because that's when all the cheapskate snowbirds take advantage of uber-cheap fares and invade the boats to terrorize the crew and passengers. And the very vocal and non-ending complaints about the weather were a ton of fun to endure, too. ("Do you REALLY believe that the 19-year-old Korean deck hand actually has the power to make the rain stop, ma'am? No? Then stop yelling at him, Mildred!") And you think a drunken frat boy is annoying? Try the stupid drunken old hag (and that's being generous) who came STAGGERING onto our elevator, drunk off her stupid butt by around 2:30 pm. I politely asked her where she was going. She did her best to focus on me before blurting out her reply. "There's only one of me." I politely repeated the question, and her savage reply isn't fit for publication here. At that point, I ended our friendly little exchange. She staggered off a couple floors later, grumbling about me under her breath. Egads, I've never seen such concentrated selfishness and bad behavior! Given a choice of sailing with a boatload of noisy, badly behaved children, a boatload of drunken, horny college kids, a pack of rabid hyenas, or the Bluehair Badasses ... well, bring on the hyenas. I'll take my chances.

 

And for the record, kids, I'm 47. My parents raised me to be a POLITE member of society. Clearly, this generation forgot ALL about that.

 

But I digress: I LOVE the Sky and look forward to sailing her again. The martini bar is GREAT - two for one martinis between 6 and 8:30! I think if your expectations are realistic and you know exactly what sort of ship she is, you'll be very happy. To say that you "get what you pay for" has the connotation that the Sky is a cheap ship, which is untrue. She's a great value, no question, but I wouldn't defame her by calling her an "economy" or "value" ship by any means. She is what she is, and for me, that's charming.

 

And yes, we DID put down a deposit for our next Sky cruise while we were there. If that's not a vote of confidence, I don't know what is!

 

Happy sailing!

[Quench]

Balcony,

 

We did a family reunion on the Sky in August and we had a great time. In fact, we had SUCH a great time that we immediately booked a second cruise on her - and just off the boat yesterday.

 

While we DID have a couple minor grumbles (no more champagne at embarkation and the food quality and variety seemed to have dropped a BIT since August), we have nothing but great praise for the Sky's crew (save the one bus boy who was found WEARING the exact jacket my husband reported as missing on day one ... and who argued the point about it being a crew jacket that it CLEARLY was not. After a bit more fuss than should have been required, he did eventually give the jacket back). They are FRIENDLY and ENTHUSIASTIC and PROFESSIONAL.

 

The ship is in great shape for her age, folks. And those who want to obsess about tiny cosmetic details need to well, get the heII over it. If I was asked for a one-word review of the Sky, "charming" tops the list. There is something quietly elegant about her. Unlike the newer ships which are tricked out with every gadget and gizmo and diversion on the high seas, and decorated with miles of neon and chrome, the Sky's older decor is comforting. She's beautiful in the way an old family beach resort is. She ain't splashy, but she's very welcoming and warm. Yes, the omnipresent Hawai'ian artwork and murals are a bit confusing (unless you know of her original service in the islands), but it's pretty enough. Yeah, her carpets are a bit faded, but they're clean. Yeah, the cabin decor is a bit "Love Boat" for my personal taste, but it's clean and it's appropriate.

 

The entertainment is on par with most cruise line / amusement park fare, and while I find the music choices and arrangements a bit tedious by nature, and the choreography to be a bit sophomoric and obvious, I cannot fault the PERFORMANCE of same. These dancers gave it their all, and I have to give them some love for that. (I'm also a theater reviewer, so I have a bit of a trained eye for these things.) The material is a bit boring to my taste, but the performers are eager to please. If you like that sort of thing, you'll be very happy! Just order a fruity drink or two, sit back, and enjoy the show!

 

So if you have the ability to appreciate a CLASSIC, you'll probably fall for her charms as we did. But if you NEED the glitz and glamor and high-tech shenanigans of the uber-liners, the sweet little Sky MAY disappoint. But for her size and her age, she's a lovely home for a few days.

 

My biggest complaint had NOTHING to do with the Sky or her crew. The biggest irritant we faced last week was the invasion of the crochety, whiney, pushy, demanding, cheap, RUDE, and classless seniors. Good GOD, folks. Surely, in the 147 years you've apparently been on this planet, you MUST have learned SOME manners - what happened to them? I lost track of the number of time I was pushed out of the way at buffet lines, rudely denied access to something I wanted by some old codger who flatly REFUSED to move three inches to let ME take a roll or something, barked at in elevators, yelled at for infractions known only to the bellowing senior I apparently offended, and the like. One of them even reached ACROSS my lunch plate, while I was eating and seated at a table in the main buffet area, to TAKE three setups from our bin. She didn't ASK if I was expecting other diners (I was) or if she could have them. She didn't ASK if I could pass them - she just shoved her stupid arm across my plate to TAKE them without a word of apology, and then glared at me when I dared react. One of the crew said that they DREAD February because that's when all the cheapskate snowbirds take advantage of uber-cheap fares and invade the boats to terrorize the crew and passengers. And the very vocal and non-ending complaints about the weather were a ton of fun to endure, too. ("Do you REALLY believe that the 19-year-old Korean deck hand actually has the power to make the rain stop, ma'am? No? Then stop yelling at him, Mildred!") And you think a drunken frat boy is annoying? Try the stupid drunken old hag (and that's being generous) who came STAGGERING onto our elevator, drunk off her stupid butt by around 2:30 pm. I politely asked her where she was going. She did her best to focus on me before blurting out her reply. "There's only one of me." I politely repeated the question, and her savage reply isn't fit for publication here. At that point, I ended our friendly little exchange. She staggered off a couple floors later, grumbling about me under her breath. Egads, I've never seen such concentrated selfishness and bad behavior! Given a choice of sailing with a boatload of noisy, badly behaved children, a boatload of drunken, horny college kids, a pack of rabid hyenas, or the Bluehair Badasses ... well, bring on the hyenas. I'll take my chances.

 

And for the record, kids, I'm 47. My parents raised me to be a POLITE member of society. Clearly, this generation forgot ALL about that.

 

But I digress: I LOVE the Sky and look forward to sailing her again. The martini bar is GREAT - two for one martinis between 6 and 8:30! I think if your expectations are realistic and you know exactly what sort of ship she is, you'll be very happy. To say that you "get what you pay for" has the connotation that the Sky is a cheap ship, which is untrue. She's a great value, no question, but I wouldn't defame her by calling her an "economy" or "value" ship by any means. She is what she is, and for me, that's charming.

 

And yes, we DID put down a deposit for our next Sky cruise while we were there. If that's not a vote of confidence, I don't know what is!

 

Happy sailing!

 

I will never, ever cruise in February. Don't want to run into "Bluehair Badasses :eek: Great Review!