Review/Experience on the Sky....Long

[Michuck]

Returned today from our first cruise with NCL (the Sky) in 18 years. We were staunch Royal Caribbean supporters. DH and I live 5 minutes from the port of Miami - can see the ships in port from our balcony. Having the advantage of living so close, gives us an advantage to sail a bit more often than those who travel in from out-of-town. We do 1 or 2 week-long cruises a year, but have taken quite a few 3-day cruises (1 every couple of months) on Royal’s Majesty of the Seas. So, the review will be of our experiences on the Sky in general, and some comparisons with the Majesty as they Sky and the Majesty cruises are the same length (3 nites) and make the same stops (Nassau and each line’s private island).

 

Embarkation: A breeze with both lines. The Royal terminal is newer, the NCL terminal a bit drab. BUT, we’re not spending any time there except to board the ship, so who cares? The terminal, as far as I’m concerned, is NOT part of the cruise.

 

Stepping on board: We were impressed, altho you don’t walk into the Atrium (Centrum on the Majesty), but rather have to walk through one of the restaurants, etc., to the elevators for your stateroom, etc.....so, the impact for first time cruisers might be a bit more on Majesty, but that’s just a first impression....what happens after that is more important.

 

We got onboard just as the cabins became available at 2:00. We wanted to eat in the dining room, but they close at 2:00. Went to our cabin (with a balcony), dropped our carry-ons off, and was pleasantly surprised!! It was spotless....bright....clean....the bathroom looks brand new. The room was spacious enough with storage enough for 3 days (I wouldn’t have a problem with that cabin even on a longer cruise),...a safe and mini-bar/fridge. The beds were clean, the linens bright white, and fresh.

 

Next we went up to the Café buffet on deck 11 for lunch. The caesar salad was absolutely delicious, as was the Asian style cooked vegetables and fish over rice. I’d say average cruise food for a buffet. Hint: there is a station (cafeteria style) when you walk in....if you walk around to the far side, they have the same items with less of a line. The outdoor café had most of the same items too, including hot dogs and hamburgers. The staff was attentive, without being overbearing. And pleasant!

 

We went back to our cabin after lunch, took a nap ‘til the life boat drill, which went surprisingly fast...very well organized.

 

Went to the casino (our favorite hangout, unfortunately); DH did well, winning $500 within the first 10 minutes on the slots. I sat down at blackjack....did okay overall....but DH put a lot of it back into the slots....The casino crew were amazing....in all the years of sailing with Royal, our play in the casino was never acknowledged. Here, we were given some comps based on our play. For those nay-sayers that say we got that service because we gave them our money gambling....true.....but it was nice to be acknowledged. Were they friendlier to us because we played a lot? I don’t think so - they seemed pleasant to all....

 

Dinner that night was at The Palace. No waiting in line...we just showed up and were seated. Was shocked to see lobster on the menu (duo with grouper(?) ) (No such thing on the Majesty). We found dinner to be absolutely delicious.

 

Saturday: The weather was cool, cloudy and rainy. We went to breakfast at the buffet, having slept in late and missed the dining room. We both found the food very good....egg and omelette station, smoked salmon, soft bagels, grits....what more could you ask for?

 

We opted to stay on board in Nassau because of the weather. Just kind of lazed around, explored the ship, took a long nap in the afternoon, then off to dinner at the Crossings. Funny thing, we thought the Palace and the Crossing had different menus, so went off to find it. We didn’t realize that from the Palace restaurant (on 5) to the Crossing (also on 5), you had to actually go up one deck, walk all the way aft, and then back down to 5. We kept coming to dead ends...and laughed ourselves silly...

 

Went to the Newlywed/Not-So-Newleywed game.....hilarious! Bruce, if you read this, you’re the man!! :-) He and his bride of 45 years won...

 

Didn’t make the island on Sunday - really windy and nasty. Was impressed with the Captain’s announcement that it was his decision, he takes responsibility for not going to the Island, and that the crew at the Purser's Desk, etc., had no part in the decision, so in essence, they shouldn’t be harassed (he didn't say it that way..)....and that Cindy (the cruise director), would have members of her staff handing out a revised daily!! It was too cool for us to lie out on the deck, but wasprobably great for those from the north. So, we spent some time reading on our balcony, walking the shops (and shopping)....got some great Xmas stocking stuffers in the Bijoux Turner $10 shop, gambled some, had a wonderful massage....and promptly fell asleep in my cabin as soon as I got back.

 

Sunday nite’s dinner at Cagney’s was amazing - crab cakes and avocado, surf ‘n turf for me (lobster & filet mignon), garlic mashed potatoes, sauteed mushrooms.....prime rib for DH.....absolutely wonderful....didn’t think a meal that inexpensive could be so good...!! As good, if not better, than some of the steak houses we’ve eaten at on land...(almost on par with Ruth Chris’ Steakhouse)....The decor reminded me of a Restaurant many years ago in the Waldorf Astoria....

 

The Casino at Sea Players Club treated us well too. I know that we did a lot of gambling, but it was nice to be acknowledged for our amount of play - something Royal NEVER did....

 

Overall, the food excellent (much better than Majesty and with more dining options), the crew was really nice and friendly, always a smile, always a ‘good morning’, etc., the ship is very clean, no visible rust stains (the Majesty is full of rust stains). The restrooms were spotless...we saw crew cleaning the restrooms frequently..something that wasn’t always so on the Majesty - as a matter of fact, the public restrooms always seemed messy (not the ship's fault, but they weren't ever really cleaned it seems). The decor on the Sky is beautiful and understated, but by no means plain. Loved the wood and glass and found even the drapes were clean and dust free in the dining rooms, with no fraying of the dining chairs, or waiters’ uniforms (all of which were very visible on our last Majesty cruise).

 

Disembarkation - A breeze. From the time we left the cabin (we took our own luggage off), to the time we got into a cab, it couldn’t have been more than 15 minutes.

 

All in all, this was an incredible experience, and we’re already looking at dates to take more cruises (long and short) with NCL.

 

Any questions, let me know.

 

Michele

[hawaiilvr]

I hope you demanded at least a 50% discount on a future cruise due to missing GSC. ;)

 

Glad you had fun. We had a great time on that ship and same itinerary in February 2009. Our only complaint is that it was a really long way to fly for a weekend, but that's all the time I could get off work.

[spacepotatoes]

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! I'm glad you had such a great cruise, though too bad you missed out on Great Stirrup Cay.

 

How was the spa? Did you get the sales pitch after your massage? DH and I are thinking of taking advantage of a spa special two during our cruise but the high pressure sales pitches that I've read about kind of turn me off.

[boopsahoy]

We also "find" ourselves in the casino often! Next year call Casinos at Sea when you are thinking of booking-if you did play a lot you will probably be able to get a big discount on your cruise or even a free room (not counting taxes of course) We had one year that with the discount we got a balcony cabin for a total of $945 complete-(not per person!) We have also been comped dinners at whatever restaurant we want 1 or 2 times a trip-(YAY more Cagneys lol)

[NYcruzzer]

Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed review. Welcome home.

[sparks1093]

Thanks for the review!

[Michuck]

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! I'm glad you had such a great cruise, though too bad you missed out on Great Stirrup Cay.

 

How was the spa? Did you get the sales pitch after your massage? DH and I are thinking of taking advantage of a spa special two during our cruise but the high pressure sales pitches that I've read about kind of turn me off.

 

Actually, I told the masseuse the truth - I've been on cruises before (and any one can say that, whether or not they have), are aware that part of their job is to sell the products used, that I'm familiar with them, and am not going to make any purchases - all I want is a massage. That was that. I put it in a nice way of course...and make sure that when they don't give me a pitch, that I do give a nicer gratuity.

 

M.

[SakeDad]

So glad you enjoyed it. And the nice thing is you can go again to experience GSC hopefully. The island is nice but with all the construction it will be even nicer next year. When I was there last weekend it was perfect weather tendering over but by the time we tendered back it was quite rough. I enjoyed the bumps but many people (especially kids) were not so amused.:(

I agree the bathrooms and public areas were always clean I just wish my stewards had been as good. I still wantt o do a full review with pics but have been CRAZY busy since being back and haven't even done Christmas shopping yet!:eek:

[Krazy Kat]

I must agree with OP's comments. DD and I were on the same cruise, having returned to cold and snowy OH. I have been reading the comments about the Sky for the last four months and resigned myself to lowering my expectations. Boy, was I surprised. The staff were so attentive and friendly, no matter what their responsibilties. The ship, for being older, was very clean and well kept. We enjoyed the food, especially in the MDR (Palace). Gotta love the prezel rolls in the buffet! It is true, the weather made the ports of call disappointing, but the activity on the Sky more than made up for it.:)

 

Kathy

 

*************

RCCL Majesty

Carnival Facination

Carnival Sensation

Carnival Tropicale

[vaclyn]

Thanks Michuck for your review. I have only taken couple of cruises but would like to know....... The ceaser salad on Royal was good. The Ceaser salad on Carnival was horrible. It had a really bad fishy aftertaste. they must use lots of anchovy paste. Did you taste anything like this with NCl's ceaser salad

[Michuck]

Thanks Michuck for your review. I have only taken couple of cruises but would like to know....... The ceaser salad on Royal was good. The Ceaser salad on Carnival was horrible. It had a really bad fishy aftertaste. they must use lots of anchovy paste. Did you taste anything like this with NCl's ceaser salad

 

I agree, the caesar salad on Royal is very good.....same with NCL (in dining rooms and buffet)....no fishy taste at all...just right amount of dressing - not too soggy, not too dry. Even the croutons were good....not too hard, just crunchy enough....I think Royal's croutons were hard as a rock....I don't think anchovy paste was used at all on either line....

 

Michele

[flyfan]

Thank you for the review. Getting ready to leave in a few weeks on my first NCL cruise and appreciate hearing your thoughts.

[donmattox]

Leaving on the Sky January 3rd, can't wait for some warmer weather and relaxation.

[donmattox]

Did you do any of the classes where you learn to make drinks or hear about the Pub Craw or White Party?

[spacepotatoes]

Actually, I told the masseuse the truth - I've been on cruises before (and any one can say that, whether or not they have), are aware that part of their job is to sell the products used, that I'm familiar with them, and am not going to make any purchases - all I want is a massage. That was that. I put it in a nice way of course...and make sure that when they don't give me a pitch, that I do give a nicer gratuity.

 

M.

 

That's what I'd like to do as well, but I wonder if it would affect the quality of service that we'll get. Did you tell the masseuse at the beginning? And it didn't affect your service at all? I know I probably shouldn't worry about all this small stuff, but want to make sure I have all my bases covered :)

[SakeDad]

I did the seaweed wrap and never had any problem with her trying to sell me anything. It was a GREAT treatment!

I also did the martini clinic at the Atrium bar with Rudy. It was $15 and you got 3 martinis (although he was very generous and gave a little extra:p) It was alot of fun.

[Michuck]

That's what I'd like to do as well, but I wonder if it would affect the quality of service that we'll get. Did you tell the masseuse at the beginning? And it didn't affect your service at all? I know I probably shouldn't worry about all this small stuff, but want to make sure I have all my bases covered :)

 

I told them at the beginning because I didn't want to think about it while getting the massage. I got a great massage - doubt it could've been better had I not said anything....and if it could've been, I'd probably have died and gone to heaven.....

 

Michele

[fammub]

Thanks for great insight information on SKY!

 

Plan on going on Jan 10th 4 day cruise. yea

Any information on taking the excursions by self, instead of through NCL for the 1st time cruiser?

 

Anything to be look out at Freeport & Nassau?

 

Thanks advance for sharing