NCL- SKY- Just got back, great time! LOTS TO SAY

[wvusmith84]

Just got off the boat from NCL SKy- It was such a wonderfrul time!!! There were several things i would have done differently now that I know how things work, but for the most part everything was fantastic!

 

I would not sail again in Feb/March- I was under the impression that the bahamas were hot and sunny year round. Not the case- Water was too cold to enjoy yourself in, we saw very few people in the water. and it was very windy! we couldn't dock the last day because of the winds... That really upset me becasue that was the port I wanted to visit the most. Keep in mind that because the water was so cold you might not enjoy water activities... We didn't go snorkling because of the weather. Not to say that you can't go, but I want to enjoy myself, not worry about freezing my butt off. Also because of the wind, the pool deck on the boat was miserable!!! our stuff was being blown around while we were freezing and trying to tan.

 

I would also book excursions through NCL- we went on this trip trying to do everything very cheaply... Well when you get on the islands, there are people right and left trying to con you into doing their excursions... It is loud and confusing and a huge turn off. We thought we were getting a good deal by paying 20 each for a boat tour and dolphin sighting. The guy promised to see dolphins up close, see celeb houses, and have a banana boat ride... Guide didn't know who owned any of the houses we passed, and the dolphin encounter was us pulling up to the boarder of where the reall dolphin encounters take place, and seeing them occassionaly pop up for about 2 mintues... GO THOUGH NCL- yes its probably a little more expensive, but i would trust that you are going to get what you paid for.

 

On nassau we went to cabbage beach which everyone said to go too. It was fine except agian for the cold winds- Oh and there are people who will sell you a 20$ coconut for free alcohol refills, dont do it! It was the worst mixed drink and after 6 I still didn't have a buzz. Go to the duty free stores, buy a 5th and a chaser and make your own drinks!!! Plus then you can take the empty bottle put some beach sand in to take home instead of buying the store sand that probably is made in china. We got a different bottle at each island and it turned out to be a fun little tradition that we can carry on for our next trips.

 

Otherwise the boat was great! Staff was very friendly. My biggest complaint( other then the weather, which they have no control over) is the other passengers!!! I know that sounds silly, but most of them have no common sense/ or are just plain rude. Do not walk in the middle of the hall ways and come to a complete stop and stand around, there are like 3000 people on this boat and you are in the way!

 

I was worried about buying drinks and our bill being really high, but They were always very strong and made with middle to high end brands. Drink smart!! There are deals on alcohol every day, so go to the bars with the specials and do the 2 for 1s- If you are trying to save money, don't get the NCL glasses- (2 drinks for 20$!!!!) Ask them for too go cups, and if they put them in the NCL glasses, just tell them nicely that you don't want the extra charge and would prefer a plastic cup. They will tell you that the NCL glasses are double shots, and you are getting a better deal, JUST WALK AWAY!! LOL I know that sounds silly, but the lady at captain cooks bar was constantly trying to rip us off!!! I got up and walked away end of story!!! Went to another bar down the hall, and paid (2 for 10$) on the same drinks and they were pleanty strong!! Keep in mind there are like 9 bars, so if you can make friends with a bartender, they will treat you well!

 

Food was amazing! martini bar was wonderful! room was pleanty big for my boyfriend and myself! casino was really fun and if you stay away from the slots you can really make your money last! There was always somethign to do, and I was worried about the tv situation (we like to watch movies at bed time) MOVIES WERE AWESOME!!! I had read lots of complaints about the tv selection, but there was always some news/sports/cartoon//tnt/ and they had lots of movies that are currently in REDBOXES.

 

If you have any questions feel free to ask!! I tried reading up on everytging i could before we left but missed out on lots of info that would have been good to know. HAPPY CRUISING!!

[Friend100]

Enjoy reading your review. Thanks.

[faymuiheng]

Good job. Glad to see you enjoyed your cruise despite the few flaws.

 

I like easy going cruisers...

[steviek49]

Just got off the boat from NCL SKy- It was such a wonderfrul time!!! There were several things i would have done differently now that I know how things work, but for the most part everything was fantastic!

 

I would not sail again in Feb/March- I was under the impression that the bahamas were hot and sunny year round. Not the case- Water was too cold to enjoy yourself in, we saw very few people in the water. and it was very windy! we couldn't dock the last day because of the winds... That really upset me becasue that was the port I wanted to visit the most. Keep in mind that because the water was so cold you might not enjoy water activities... We didn't go snorkling because of the weather. Not to say that you can't go, but I want to enjoy myself, not worry about freezing my butt off. Also because of the wind, the pool deck on the boat was miserable!!! our stuff was being blown around while we were freezing and trying to tan.

 

I would also book excursions through NCL- we went on this trip trying to do everything very cheaply... Well when you get on the islands, there are people right and left trying to con you into doing their excursions... It is loud and confusing and a huge turn off. We thought we were getting a good deal by paying 20 each for a boat tour and dolphin sighting. The guy promised to see dolphins up close, see celeb houses, and have a banana boat ride... Guide didn't know who owned any of the houses we passed, and the dolphin encounter was us pulling up to the boarder of where the reall dolphin encounters take place, and seeing them occassionaly pop up for about 2 mintues... GO THOUGH NCL- yes its probably a little more expensive, but i would trust that you are going to get what you paid for.

 

On nassau we went to cabbage beach which everyone said to go too. It was fine except agian for the cold winds- Oh and there are people who will sell you a 20$ coconut for free alcohol refills, dont do it! It was the worst mixed drink and after 6 I still didn't have a buzz. Go to the duty free stores, buy a 5th and a chaser and make your own drinks!!! Plus then you can take the empty bottle put some beach sand in to take home instead of buying the store sand that probably is made in china. We got a different bottle at each island and it turned out to be a fun little tradition that we can carry on for our next trips.

 

Otherwise the boat was great! Staff was very friendly. My biggest complaint( other then the weather, which they have no control over) is the other passengers!!! I know that sounds silly, but most of them have no common sense/ or are just plain rude. Do not walk in the middle of the hall ways and come to a complete stop and stand around, there are like 3000 people on this boat and you are in the way!

 

I was worried about buying drinks and our bill being really high, but They were always very strong and made with middle to high end brands. Drink smart!! There are deals on alcohol every day, so go to the bars with the specials and do the 2 for 1s- If you are trying to save money, don't get the NCL glasses- (2 drinks for 20$!!!!) Ask them for too go cups, and if they put them in the NCL glasses, just tell them nicely that you don't want the extra charge and would prefer a plastic cup. They will tell you that the NCL glasses are double shots, and you are getting a better deal, JUST WALK AWAY!! LOL I know that sounds silly, but the lady at captain cooks bar was constantly trying to rip us off!!! I got up and walked away end of story!!! Went to another bar down the hall, and paid (2 for 10$) on the same drinks and they were pleanty strong!! Keep in mind there are like 9 bars, so if you can make friends with a bartender, they will treat you well!

 

Food was amazing! martini bar was wonderful! room was pleanty big for my boyfriend and myself! casino was really fun and if you stay away from the slots you can really make your money last! There was always somethign to do, and I was worried about the tv situation (we like to watch movies at bed time) MOVIES WERE AWESOME!!! I had read lots of complaints about the tv selection, but there was always some news/sports/cartoon//tnt/ and they had lots of movies that are currently in REDBOXES.

 

If you have any questions feel free to ask!! I tried reading up on everytging i could before we left but missed out on lots of info that would have been good to know. HAPPY CRUISING!!

Thank you for your review.

We will be on the Sky in April.

Just a few comments.

1) The weather in Florida and the Bahamas is quite "iffy" in December, January and February.

It is not unusual to have temps in the 60s as well as breezy or high wind conditions.

2) As for excursions, if you do alittle research here on these boards you can find very reputable excursions from vendors. It's usually not a good idea to just buy from a random vendor at each port.

We have bought excursions from the cruiselines and from private vendors recommended by friends or from many reviewers on these boards.

Our feelings are the excusrions from private vendors have been generally as good or better than the cuiseline at much lower prices. Indeed, in many instances we used the same vendors that the cruiseline uses and had many fellow pax on the excursions with us. The difference for my family of 4 was hundreds of dollars less.

Glad you had a great time.

[sparks1093]

Thanks for the review!

[spacepotatoes]

Thanks for sharing your experience, wvusmith! That's too bad the weather didn't cooperate. We're heading out on the Sky on the 14th and are a bit nervous about that, too. Glad you had a good time otherwise!