Just back from sky sailing 11/15

[KevinsCruising]

We just came back from the Sky 4 night cruise. As always for us, NCL did everything they could to make this a great time.

 

As for the SKY itself, she is starting to show her age. From sailing on the Gem, Dawn and Jewel, she is quite different in lay out. She is still very classy with her little tucked away lounges but I was a bit disappointed in the pool side area. Bathrooms were not as convienent by the pool as they are on other ships. I was not that big a fan of the basketball courts being right over the pool side bar. On the Jewel and Gem there is a bar in that area that overlooks the pool and has become one of my favorite hang outs. That was missed. Even where the band plays seems to be a bit plain. And I did miss the lighted palm trees that seemed to be NCL's trade mark on the pool decks. :( I read reviews about the Buffet being small and now I understand what they meant......... it is small and does not offer the different choices on NCL's newer ships. We did have 2 connecting balconies for the 4 of us... and good thing. The cabins are smaller then the norm.

 

But on an up note, the band that played was one of the best poolside bands I have heard. The bar waiters (especially Jefferson) made you feel like you were at a home away from home. Dinner in the main dining rooms, we thought, was very good. We traveled with our 17 yr old and 6 yr old. She did make friends at the pool and kids club but due to the time of year, not many kids or teens were on the ship.

 

We did use SAS transfers from FLL to the ship and only cost us 55.00 each way for all 4 of us. Much cheaper then NCL or GOTRANSFERS. ( almost half )

 

Boarding and leaving her was smooth as silk. No waiting at all.

 

We did have a great time. It was a good break for us. Nassau .... well its Nassau. We did a quick walk through the straw market then decided we would rather have a pool day on the ship. The locals were just being a bit overwelming with the selling. (it actually wound up raining that day in the later afternoon) Freeport we did not get off the ship either... great weather ..another pool day.. GSC....always love that beach day. Tenors ran non stop and made it very convienent for guests to go back whenever they chose. Watched Monday night football and Thursday night football in the Longboard Bar. Good sports bar. 2 for 1 Mojitas had me feeling no pain. Casino staff was excellent and very friendly. Had a great time on the CRAPS table.

 

The SKY is a great ship for a 3 or 4 day cruise and the price cant be beat. But for 7 or more days, IMO, I would choose the GEM. Living in New Jersey made me appreciate leaving out of NYC even more. It was a long day, not any fault of NCL but Jetblue 2nd flight of the day leaving at 1:30. So when you are at the airport at 10:00, its a long day. First flight was a little too early to attempt.

 

Thanks NCL .... had a blast. Hopefully looking to sail out on the GEM in the spring. ;)

[spacepotatoes]

Thanks for taking the time to post! Glad you enjoyed the cruise :)

[tokidoki]

Welcome back! did u see any shows?:confused::confused::confused:

[KevinsCruising]

The only show I did catch a bit was the comedian show......was pretty funny. My son saw Fountains and thought it was very good.

[david_sobe]

Thanks for posting

Interesting about the Sky. The 4 night is the same price as the 3 night. Yes Sky is a different NCL ship than Dawn, Jewel, or Pearl. She may be over a decade old but still a good ship.

Sky has great value. She is also the youngest cruise ship to sail the Bahamas.

[suejoe]

Kevin, can you tell me if the partitions on the balconies opened? We too have two balcony rooms together and hoping the partitions open to make it easier to go back and forth.

Thanks,

Susan

[pehlibaar]

Thanks for the review. We'll be on the Sky in just over a week!

[KevinsCruising]

Kevin, can you tell me if the partitions on the balconies opened? We too have two balcony rooms together and hoping the partitions open to make it easier to go back and forth.

Thanks,

Susan

 

 

Sorry but they didn't :( That was also our plan to have one big balcony with our kids but they do not. When I sailed the Dawn they were able to open the balconies. On the SKY you cannot :(

[KevinsCruising]

Thanks for the review. We'll be on the Sky in just over a week!

 

 

Have a great time.... when you see Bar Server Jefferson by the pool, tell him Kevin and 6 yr old Krystal said hello :D Jefferson was showing her magic tricks through out the cruise :)

[suejoe]

Sorry but they didn't :( That was also our plan to have one big balcony with our kids but they do not. When I sailed the Dawn they were able to open the balconies. On the SKY you cannot :(

 

Sorry to hear that they don't :(. When we were on the Jewel we had 3 balcony cabins in a row and when the partitions were opened, wow! what a great big balcony we had! Oh well, we'll have a great time hanging on the balcony anyway. Can't wait to cruise :D

Thanks for the info.

Susan

[KevinsCruising]

Sorry to hear that they don't :(. When we were on the Jewel we had 3 balcony cabins in a row and when the partitions were opened, wow! what a great big balcony we had! Oh well, we'll have a great time hanging on the balcony anyway. Can't wait to cruise :D

Thanks for the info.

Susan

 

 

Have an awesome time !!