4-Day NCL Sky Observations -- Spring Break Overload

[nbsjcruiser]

We stay away from smaller ships and short cruises in March for this very reason. Taking it in November is a different story all together and we do this every year with no issues whatsoever.

[youngestof9]

oh my word - getting called names is never ever acceptable. I hope you relayed that to someone in charge. NCL is very LGBT friendly and I hope you'll consider sailing them again.

 

Frat boy or not, that makes me really really mad.

 

I'm sorry you experienced that. I'm sailing the Sky in December with my daughter and hope it's not like that, although it's not a break of any kind when we sail.

 

Oh I'm so aggravated for you reading this. People just suck sometimes.

[Vivere LaDolceVita]

You're exactly right, we plan to take it all in stride, and whatever happens happens! Go with the flow, right?! Thanks for the tip on early snack and later dinner, will definitely do that, thank you! May I ask how the casino is, fun, (smokey I understand!), is there any poker tourneys, do you know? Not sure if I will get a chance to go, depends on the kids and their activities, but hope to have a bit of time!

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Unfortunately I don't have much to add there, as I only passed through the casino a couple times, usually on my way somewhere else, but never stopped to play. I normally play a hand or two of roulette, but our group (which included 4 newbie cruisers) wasn't much interested in gambling, so I went with the flow. As for smokiness, well, it was somewhat smokey but not obnoxiously so, and the smell did not waft into other sections of the ship as on some vessels. I am sensitive to smell and it didn't bother me at all during my brief passes through.

 

Have an amazing time! I'm sure your family will have a blast -- for all my complaining, it's a decently equipped ship with a lot of offerings for young people. And for adults, the frozen margaritas are good and strong!:D

[Vivere LaDolceVita]

oh my word - getting called names is never ever acceptable. I hope you relayed that to someone in charge. NCL is very LGBT friendly and I hope you'll consider sailing them again.

 

Frat boy or not, that makes me really really mad.

 

I'm sorry you experienced that. I'm sailing the Sky in December with my daughter and hope it's not like that, although it's not a break of any kind when we sail.

 

Oh I'm so aggravated for you reading this. People just suck sometimes.

 

Thanks for your support. People do indeed suck sometimes, but thankfully, my wonderful friends' positive attitudes helped us shake off any negative vibes and allowed us to make some great memories regardless. We worked too long and hard to not enjoy our vacation, and we did, no matter the challenges. ;)

[Vivere LaDolceVita]

We stay away from smaller ships and short cruises in March for this very reason. Taking it in November is a different story all together and we do this every year with no issues whatsoever.

 

Our 7-day =X= cruise last November was amazing, and I think we'll be booking a similar trip soon. If we do NCL again, we'll be much more shrewd with our planning. ;)

[lisakoivu]

Expect a full spring break crowd. This will be the busiest week of the spring breaks. It will fall on the Ontario March Break, where millions (yep millions) of kids are on holiday. Many Ontario families go south, many on cruises. Their will be kids from 1-18 for sure, like on one Spirit cruise we were on had 700 students on board. There was a huge contingent from Carnagie Mellon university that took up the entire main pool and hot tubs the whole week. Another on the Caribbean Princess that we were on left from San Juan had 300-400 u18 on board. The Florida and New York cruises are the most popular as families can drive to the port.

 

The colleges and universities stagger the breaks. Anywhere from February to the end of March are the prime times. There is website that lists how many college and uni students are off in North America week by week.

 

We loved doing the march break cruises with our lads. They thought it was fantastic. Lots of others to hang out with and have fun. Hubby and I enjoyed the sun and when we wanted quiet, we would head to our balcony to read.

 

Any person booking during this time frame better do their research. All the main cruise lines will be carrying lots of families for the 3-8 day cruises and there will possibly be huge groups from college and universities on board as well. Particularly the cheap 4 day cruises that the OP mentioned. There should be no griping or complaining if booked during this time. Five minutes worth of research will give you the heads up that this is a crazy time to book for a quiet vacation. This goes for land vacations as well. You can be darn sure most all inclusives in Caribbean are jam packed as well.

 

We just got back from our March Break cruise on the Breakaway. The teen club director told us there were 480 teens from 13-17. Assuming the same number of kids from 0-12 (although maybe there'd be even more) that's 1000 kids under 17. In addition, there were many spring breakers, although not nearly as many as in past years on the Jewel. We are teachers and we have to go on March Break. I'm thinking, though, that there may in fact be fewer college spring breakers on a 7 day and possibly on a larger ship? Because as I noted, this year was the best we've had in terms of well behaved college spring breakers. As for the 1000 kids under 17, they were really well behaved and they didn't ruin my vacation, but then, this is what I do for a living. :D But are ARE going to have many many kids on a cruise leaving March 14, 100% guaranteed.

[SenoraM]

We're on the 4-night on March 24. I was disturbed reading the original post - vacation should definitely not be like that! Hope not to experience too much of the spring break insanity - fingers crossed.....

[JLBKL]

We're on the 4-night on March 24. I was disturbed reading the original post - vacation should definitely not be like that! Hope not to experience too much of the spring break insanity - fingers crossed.....

 

 

Good luck, SenoraM! Fingers crossed for you as well! Please post when you get back and let me know how it was! Have a great time!

 

 

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[CarolinaMamma]

We just got back from our March Break cruise on the Breakaway. The teen club director told us there were 480 teens from 13-17. Assuming the same number of kids from 0-12 (although maybe there'd be even more) that's 1000 kids under 17. In addition, there were many spring breakers, although not nearly as many as in past years on the Jewel. We are teachers and we have to go on March Break. I'm thinking, though, that there may in fact be fewer college spring breakers on a 7 day and possibly on a larger ship? Because as I noted, this year was the best we've had in terms of well behaved college spring breakers. As for the 1000 kids under 17, they were really well behaved and they didn't ruin my vacation, but then, this is what I do for a living. :D But are ARE going to have many many kids on a cruise leaving March 14, 100% guaranteed.

 

Wow, that is a lot of kids! The number of teens on that ship was about the number in my son's middle and high school combined!

 

I think if one wants to cruise during school break and not have a ton of kids around (not saying this is what you want) then the best strategy is to choose a line with a crappy kids club. Like HAL.

 

This is why I like Celebrity so much. Not kid-centric, though my kids love it. And I can't imagine college kids choosing Celebrity or HAL for their spring break.

 

It will be interesting to see what the demographics will be on our Spain and Canary Islands cruise on NCL Spirit week after next.

[Winchester Ranger]

That's disgusting - sounds like a cruise on one of Carnival's slave ships ;)

 

I wouldn't let it put you off the entire cruise line though - at least wait until I post my review of Getaway before you make that decision :D

[david_sobe]

It was late when I glossed over the OP's mini-review. Somehow I missed the verbal attack part. That is way out of line but not surprising coming from college punks. The video I posted from a spring break cruise was from Carnival. So Carnival was the same if not worse. I have heard the Celebrity cruises are a bit older, etc.

I don't want to sound like a NCL cheerleader but hopefully you can give NCL another try someday. The Sky is not a full reflection of NCL especially during spring break. The sky was not even a NCL built ship. They bought it later.

Lesson learned = never cruise during spring break. Don't feel bad, many of us have also learned that lesson.

[cdamion]

OP: Sorry you had to have immature hate hurled your way.

 

Funny, so much hate against Carnival. It is the nature of short cruises on RCI Carnival or NCL. I was on Carnival for a Spring Break cruise a couple years ago, and it was one of the better cruises I have been on. It was 7 days, so Im sure that precluded the partiers.

 

Don't give up on NCL yet. Give up on short cruises if anything.

[mommysoncruiser]

We're on the 4-night on March 24. I was disturbed reading the original post - vacation should definitely not be like that! Hope not to experience too much of the spring break insanity - fingers crossed.....

 

I am on this exact sailing too. I am extremely nervous as I have a vomit phobia. I am actually going on this cruise with my 10 year old. His first cruise and my second. First cruise was with carnival ages ago and it was great. Never been on NCL but I really hope that it is not too bad. I had to take this sailing because it's the only time he is out of school and it's for his birthday. I want to do a sailing in the summer as well (8 day +) but am trying to feel out which cruise line would be best. I am very excited nonetheless. Guess I will see you on the ship!!

Edited March 18, 2014 by mommysoncruiser

[LrgPizza]

I am sorry you didn't have a wonderful, and peaceful cruise, but I will also add, anyone who chooses to sail from early March until about Easter (especially early to mid March) should expect exactly what you got: a bunch of wild kids, mainly partiers. add to it, you choose a ay cruise, even more likely you would be bombarded with what you got. I will add, this is not just NCL or even Carnival; the same thing would have happened on the short RCI cruises. And I would like to know why you would write NCL off, because you choose to cruise during the wildest week at sea. This would be like people who write New Orleans off because of all the wildness on Fat Tuesday? YO referred to the kids as classless frat boys: frat boys, too much to drink, probably, but not necessarily classless, just not totally gown up yet.

 

I'm sorry, but I agree with the OP that it is indeed classless. Class isn't a factor of age or maturity, but rather the character of the individuals. Plenty of kids know how to respect others.

 

It's funny that when I was in college, I was generally trying to figure out from where my next meal would come, and lucky enough to hit penny beer night a couple times a month. HA! I can't get over these spoiled brat kids acting like this.

[babyher]

That's disgusting - sounds like a cruise on one of Carnival's slave ships ;)

 

I wouldn't let it put you off the entire cruise line though - at least wait until I post my review of Getaway before you make that decision :D

 

 

 

 

And yet it happened on an NCL ship.....who would have thought?

 

That kind of behavior unfortunately happens everywhere . And a short cruise especially on spring break can bring out the worst , no matter what line.

 

I am sorry the OP had to endure that crap, but glad that you managed to enjoy ypour cruise despite it. :)

[Vivere LaDolceVita]

I am on this exact sailing too. I am extremely nervous as I have a vomit phobia. I am actually going on this cruise with my 10 year old. His first cruise and my second. First cruise was with carnival ages ago and it was great. Never been on NCL but I really hope that it is not too bad. I had to take this sailing because it's the only time he is out of school and it's for his birthday. I want to do a sailing in the summer as well (8 day +) but am trying to feel out which cruise line would be best. I am very excited nonetheless. Guess I will see you on the ship!!

 

I am sure you will figure out your own strategies for avoiding the brat pack. Good luck! As for your future cruise, I've heard great things about Disney. Although Disney cruises tend to be pricier, too. Maybe RCI? They seem to have a good mix of activities and PAX.

[Vivere LaDolceVita]

That's disgusting - sounds like a cruise on one of Carnival's slave ships ;)

 

I wouldn't let it put you off the entire cruise line though - at least wait until I post my review of Getaway before you make that decision :D

 

 

Looking fwd to your review. Time and distance is starting to mellow my opinion, and I am curious about the larger/newer ships in NCL's fleet. We shall see...:rolleyes:

[Vivere LaDolceVita]

It was late when I glossed over the OP's mini-review. Somehow I missed the verbal attack part. That is way out of line but not surprising coming from college punks. The video I posted from a spring break cruise was from Carnival. So Carnival was the same if not worse. I have heard the Celebrity cruises are a bit older, etc.

I don't want to sound like a NCL cheerleader but hopefully you can give NCL another try someday. The Sky is not a full reflection of NCL especially during spring break. The sky was not even a NCL built ship. They bought it later.

Lesson learned = never cruise during spring break. Don't feel bad, many of us have also learned that lesson.

 

I was surprised to learn from your comment that Sky was not originally NCL. I googled it and discovered it was originally Costa :eek:-- the final piece of the puzzle!

 

I have tried (and loved) RCI and =X=. NCL may be in the future, but it will probably take some time and research. Absent some major overhaul, Carnival will never be in the portfolio.

[Vivere LaDolceVita]

OP: Sorry you had to have immature hate hurled your way.

 

Funny, so much hate against Carnival. It is the nature of short cruises on RCI Carnival or NCL. I was on Carnival for a Spring Break cruise a couple years ago, and it was one of the better cruises I have been on. It was 7 days, so Im sure that precluded the partiers.

 

Don't give up on NCL yet. Give up on short cruises if anything.

 

Thanks, cdamion. I feel that the damage to Carnival's reputation is almost entirely self-inflicted. But perhaps some upper-mid-market snobbery by fans of other lines plays a part. In any case, if Kathie Lee's endorsement wasn't bad enough, their bad press in the past couple years has turned me off completely. Maybe I'm missing out on a good thing. But I'm not willing to potentially sacrifice a week of my coveted annual leave to find out. ;)

[Vivere LaDolceVita]

I'm sorry, but I agree with the OP that it is indeed classless. Class isn't a factor of age or maturity, but rather the character of the individuals. Plenty of kids know how to respect others.

 

It's funny that when I was in college, I was generally trying to figure out from where my next meal would come, and lucky enough to hit penny beer night a couple times a month. HA! I can't get over these spoiled brat kids acting like this.

 

Re: the self-entitled kids, I thought the same exact thing! When I was in college, some of my friends went on cruises and ski trips to Vail. Where was I? At home, working and saving! If they are lucky enough to have someone footing the bill for their decadence, they should at least show some decency and respect.

[Vivere LaDolceVita]

And yet it happened on an NCL ship.....who would have thought?

 

That kind of behavior unfortunately happens everywhere . And a short cruise especially on spring break can bring out the worst , no matter what line.

 

I am sorry the OP had to endure that crap, but glad that you managed to enjoy ypour cruise despite it. :)

 

Thanks, babyher. Thankfully, nature and great friendships conspired to keep my mood turned in a positive direction most of the time. We had perfect weather the entire sailing, as well as on the days before and after the cruise in Miami. I'm now tan and relaxed and sharing pictures with friends. Can't complain about that! :)

[babyher]

Thanks, babyher. Thankfully, nature and great friendships conspired to keep my mood turned in a positive direction most of the time. We had perfect weather the entire sailing, as well as on the days before and after the cruise in Miami. I'm now tan and relaxed and sharing pictures with friends. Can't complain about that! :)

 

 

 

 

No you can't :)

[mommysoncruiser]

I am sure you will figure out your own strategies for avoiding the brat pack. Good luck! As for your future cruise, I've heard great things about Disney. Although Disney cruises tend to be pricier, too. Maybe RCI? They seem to have a good mix of activities and PAX.

 

 

Thanks for your response. I guess I will see how everything goes. As for a Disney cruise, I am not sure about them because I don't like children all that much (Ironic) and that is why I didn't consider them. I looked at slot of videos and there were kids everywhere. I can't handle too many kids. I barely can handle me 6 in 1 kid, lol......I was looking at celebrity and RCL. What do you think about either of them?

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Terrible. I'm booked on breakaway next week I pray it's no where near this

 

 

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[Vivere LaDolceVita]

Thanks for your response. I guess I will see how everything goes. As for a Disney cruise, I am not sure about them because I don't like children all that much (Ironic) and that is why I didn't consider them. I looked at slot of videos and there were kids everywhere. I can't handle too many kids. I barely can handle me 6 in 1 kid, lol......I was looking at celebrity and RCL. What do you think about either of them?

 

LOVE Celebrity. But to be honest, there's not a whole lot to do for kids. And Celebrity PAX enjoy a more refined cruise experience. Events tend to be more mellow, no loud music on the pool deck, limbo lines, etc. That being said, the few kids I saw on the Reflection seemed to be enjoying themselves. And I've heard Celebrity is trying to do more to enhance their kids' offerings.

 

We also really enjoy RCI. It's more mainstream and lively than Celebrity and there are so many activities it's often hard to decide what to do next. We always walked around with our Day at a Glance in our hands. What's nice is that the newer RCI ships also have interactive LCD monitors on every deck that show you when and where the activities are happening.

 

Bottom line, you won't be disappointed with either. It's just a question of whether you're looking for a more elegant (Celebrity) or festive (RCI) atmosphere.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Vivere LaDolceVita